You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
Loved this book! This is a dark book full of rape and brutality but, it also has love and lots of good sex. I also loved that there was no cliffhanger and it was a stand alone story. It does have a HEA so don't give up. I can't wait to read more by Pam Godwin.
Beneath the Burn by [a:Pam Godwin|6474204|Pam Godwin|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1545404751p2/6474204.jpg] is a dark rockstar romance — it's actually my first rockstar romance — and Godwin definitely set the bar high.
Potential triggers: recreational substance use, addiction, abduction and captivity, abuse, childhood trauma, explicit scenes including BDSM, non-con.
Jay Mayard is the lead singer of a rock band and Charlee Grosky is a tattoo artist on the run from a terrible past. Their first interaction is both fleeting and happenstance, yet it leaves a profound mark on both of them. I am not usually a sucker for "instant love" between main characters in romance, but for this book it worked. Charlee and Jay's intense connection is a powerful catalyst that propels them forward and inspires them to persevere in the face of their severe obstacles. What follows their initial meeting is a journey filled with trauma, angst, healing and redemption.
Both Jay and Charlee carry extreme trauma, with each having developed their own coping mechanisms. Jay is touch-averse, demanding tangible distance between himself and everyone in his life, and Charlee struggles with intimacy and requires the sensation of pain to feel secure. On the surface, their struggles appear to be unique and opposing, but it soon becomes apparent that their jagged edges fit so perfectly together. The way they are able to let their walls down for each other is heartwarming, satisfying and so affecting.
Jay and Charlee's romance is perhaps one of the most vulnerable I've ever read. Their intimacy on all levels is stripped bare and raw as they collect the broken pieces of each other and begin to heal. I wish all partners could be as real with each other.
This book's plot has many layers. I found some elements in the second half to be somewhat predictable, but this did not dampen my enjoyment. It's a well-crafted story with a powerful and satisfying conclusion, and it leaves no stones left unturned.
Godwin is without a doubt one of my favourite authors, and I am always so enamoured by the way she is able to use specific motifs to create a vivid and symbolic aesthetic that runs through the story. Beneath the Burn is no exception; the language is both gritty and musical, creating the dark rockstar vibe I didn't know I needed.
Potential triggers: recreational substance use, addiction, abduction and captivity, abuse, childhood trauma, explicit scenes including BDSM, non-con.
Jay Mayard is the lead singer of a rock band and Charlee Grosky is a tattoo artist on the run from a terrible past. Their first interaction is both fleeting and happenstance, yet it leaves a profound mark on both of them. I am not usually a sucker for "instant love" between main characters in romance, but for this book it worked. Charlee and Jay's intense connection is a powerful catalyst that propels them forward and inspires them to persevere in the face of their severe obstacles. What follows their initial meeting is a journey filled with trauma, angst, healing and redemption.
"Life was jaded like that, throwing them together when he couldn't tolerate affection and she was desperate for it."
Both Jay and Charlee carry extreme trauma, with each having developed their own coping mechanisms. Jay is touch-averse, demanding tangible distance between himself and everyone in his life, and Charlee struggles with intimacy and requires the sensation of pain to feel secure. On the surface, their struggles appear to be unique and opposing, but it soon becomes apparent that their jagged edges fit so perfectly together. The way they are able to let their walls down for each other is heartwarming, satisfying and so affecting.
“You showed me beauty in survival. I’ll show you strength in healing”
Jay and Charlee's romance is perhaps one of the most vulnerable I've ever read. Their intimacy on all levels is stripped bare and raw as they collect the broken pieces of each other and begin to heal. I wish all partners could be as real with each other.
This book's plot has many layers. I found some elements in the second half to be somewhat predictable, but this did not dampen my enjoyment. It's a well-crafted story with a powerful and satisfying conclusion, and it leaves no stones left unturned.
"Love is like a seres of improbable, lonely notes landing together in meaningful chaos. Where every channel carries a rhythm that conveys an expression of emotion. It doesn't feel flat or fake or hollow. It's not exaggerated with overtones. The complexity might feel organized, but the creation is never controlled."
Godwin is without a doubt one of my favourite authors, and I am always so enamoured by the way she is able to use specific motifs to create a vivid and symbolic aesthetic that runs through the story. Beneath the Burn is no exception; the language is both gritty and musical, creating the dark rockstar vibe I didn't know I needed.
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not my favourite Pam Godwin, but a solid story which hit all the point of a good erotic mystery/suspense.
It was written in 2013, so I believe Pam Godwin's writing has grown and evolved for the better in the intervening years.
It was written in 2013, so I believe Pam Godwin's writing has grown and evolved for the better in the intervening years.
New to me author. Solid book. It really did surprise me. I went into this one thinking some of these themes have been done to death. Rockers. Captivity. Abuse. Maybe I've just read too many books touting themselves as dark novels. After a while, they seem formulaic, with each author trying to stand out by making them more shocking. I never really felt that with this novel.
There is a depth of character in this novel surprised me. The strength of character for them spoke throughout their story. Although they aren't aggressive and noticeably hardened, you can see that they are both survivors. They weren't portrayed as unbreakable or hardened, but so very human. I liked them.
The only complaint I have is a little after midway through, the story did drag a bit. Not a lot, and it pulled itself out of it, but the need to skim almost hit me then. I was invested enough to want to continue, but wanted the story to move forward already.
Will be looking for more from this author.
There is a depth of character in this novel surprised me. The strength of character for them spoke throughout their story. Although they aren't aggressive and noticeably hardened, you can see that they are both survivors. They weren't portrayed as unbreakable or hardened, but so very human. I liked them.
The only complaint I have is a little after midway through, the story did drag a bit. Not a lot, and it pulled itself out of it, but the need to skim almost hit me then. I was invested enough to want to continue, but wanted the story to move forward already.
Will be looking for more from this author.
I loved the premise of this book.
That said, there were parts that felt a little messy and disjointed:
The mood transitions of the characters sometimes made little to no sense.
The progression of trauma to healing.
Scene jumping
All in all good. The last 50% was particularly amazing. Though the very end left a lot to be desired.
That said, there were parts that felt a little messy and disjointed:
The mood transitions of the characters sometimes made little to no sense.
The progression of trauma to healing.
Scene jumping
All in all good. The last 50% was particularly amazing. Though the very end left a lot to be desired.
Charlee + Jay...
This was epic, long as hell, but epic.
I like dark romances where people discover themselves even if it is with the help of others, and so much was discovered between Charlee and Jay. I almost feel as though I shouldn’t speak to much on it because it needs to be experienced.
This was epic, long as hell, but epic.
I like dark romances where people discover themselves even if it is with the help of others, and so much was discovered between Charlee and Jay. I almost feel as though I shouldn’t speak to much on it because it needs to be experienced.
Solid 4.5 stars. Great story but dark so if that's not what you are looking for may not be something for you. Would definitely read again.
4.5 stars
Beneath the Burn was gritty, dark, disturbingly brutal and violent. The months Charlee was recaptured and forced to return to slavery were hard to read. There's insta connection between Charlee and Jay and the one hour they spent together, mostly in silence, built a connection that helped each deal with their own demons. This story is not for the faint of heart but is so worth reading.
Beneath the Burn was gritty, dark, disturbingly brutal and violent. The months Charlee was recaptured and forced to return to slavery were hard to read. There's insta connection between Charlee and Jay and the one hour they spent together, mostly in silence, built a connection that helped each deal with their own demons. This story is not for the faint of heart but is so worth reading.
I really wanted to read this book right away the minute I read the synopsis.
I knew a bit about what I was getting into,what I didn’t know was that it would be so much more than the snippet I read.
Ms. Godwin took simple words turned them into sentences that ended in one spectacular book!
Beneath the Burn is so detailed and fine tuned.
It’s such a multilayered multifaceted story.
Charlee omg what an incredible young lady she is!
With everything she endured she never broke.
There may have been some fracture lines but she stayed intact.
She’s strong willed,strong spirited and her sense of self never dimmed.
She adapted to whatever environment she was in.
Then there’s Jay. He’s a remarkable character.
He chooses to forget by using drugs and sex as his release from his pain.
He’s a gifted talented songwriter and singer.
Success is just within reach for him. But his recklessness and his need for getting high outweigh everything else.
These two characters are truly incredible!
They are complex,fascinating and extremely talented.
I loved them both from the very start.
When one night fate steps in and brings them together everything is about to change for them both.
I absolutely loved seeing how that hour spent together started to shape and help their future and their mindset. Seeing strength in themselves from the effect of the other,how powerful that is!
Roy the bad man is also a unique character.
He was evil through and through. He had no good qualities whatsoever.
What made him unique for me was he wasn’t the typical kidnapper.
Yes he was a demented sick bastard towards Charlee but his feelings for her are more intricate than that.
I also loved all of the secondary characters.
Jay’s band members are awesome! They’re loyal and always stick together.
My favorite was probably Las.
Overall for me Beneath the Burn is one of my top ten favorite reads ever.
I love the title of the book,because underneath the surface there’s so much more,in the characters and the plot. Fitting title to such a multiplexed story.
Superb book,phenomenal writing and a cast of characters that are unforgettable!
I knew a bit about what I was getting into,what I didn’t know was that it would be so much more than the snippet I read.
Ms. Godwin took simple words turned them into sentences that ended in one spectacular book!
Beneath the Burn is so detailed and fine tuned.
It’s such a multilayered multifaceted story.
Charlee omg what an incredible young lady she is!
With everything she endured she never broke.
There may have been some fracture lines but she stayed intact.
She’s strong willed,strong spirited and her sense of self never dimmed.
She adapted to whatever environment she was in.
Then there’s Jay. He’s a remarkable character.
He chooses to forget by using drugs and sex as his release from his pain.
He’s a gifted talented songwriter and singer.
Success is just within reach for him. But his recklessness and his need for getting high outweigh everything else.
These two characters are truly incredible!
They are complex,fascinating and extremely talented.
I loved them both from the very start.
When one night fate steps in and brings them together everything is about to change for them both.
I absolutely loved seeing how that hour spent together started to shape and help their future and their mindset. Seeing strength in themselves from the effect of the other,how powerful that is!
Roy the bad man is also a unique character.
He was evil through and through. He had no good qualities whatsoever.
What made him unique for me was he wasn’t the typical kidnapper.
Yes he was a demented sick bastard towards Charlee but his feelings for her are more intricate than that.
I also loved all of the secondary characters.
Jay’s band members are awesome! They’re loyal and always stick together.
My favorite was probably Las.
Overall for me Beneath the Burn is one of my top ten favorite reads ever.
I love the title of the book,because underneath the surface there’s so much more,in the characters and the plot. Fitting title to such a multiplexed story.
Superb book,phenomenal writing and a cast of characters that are unforgettable!