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4.17 AVERAGE

dark emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This series is one of my favorites. With each book, I get sucked into this world and don't want to leave. I've been curious about Lily's story ever since book one. It was better than I could have even imagined.

I knew Lily's journey wouldn't be an easy one, after leaving her friends and family years ago without a word to them since. It was even more emotional and heartbreaking to read about than I thought. It was darker than I expected and readers should be aware that there may be some triggers. For me, I was captivated my Lily's story and the strength she showed after some pretty awful experiences. What was unexpected to me was how deep Mason's story was as well.

The connection between Lily and Mason was so intense. Just one look from across the room and you could feel the magnetic pull between them. The author didn't hold anything back with their story. It felt raw and real. A forbidden love that Mason could not walk away from. His need to protect Lily was too strong.

I loved seeing all of the characters from the former books together. I'm sad to see this series end but also excited to see what the author has in store for us next. I highly recommend reading this series in order. I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad fast-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

I came into this blind from a tiktok and was pleasantly surprised! A cute story overall but I probably will not read the rest of the series.
challenging dark emotional medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Unbelievably good!

Ok this book right here has a vice grip on my heart. To say that it was an emotional rollercoaster is a massive understatement. I was a little scared to read this book because I knew Lily’s story would be the heaviest (and don’t get it twisted, it’s HEAVY) but OH. EM. GEE, this book was sooooooo gooood. Yes, Lily’s journey is heartbreaking BUT there is redemption, there is joy, there is perseverance, there is beauty, and there is love. Messy, complicated, deep, and unconditional love. Lily’s love for Baby Chase and the way it always strengthened her will to stay clean and sober was just amazing. The way Mason came into her life to help her heal (not save her) was just….ughhhh my heart. Mason and Baby Chase’s relationship was the most heartwarming thing about this book. The conversations between Chase and Lily where it’s obvious they both hurt but miss each other and are willing to work on their relationship and rebuilding their bond had me all the way in my feelings. I wished that the talks between Lee and Lily about the fall of their friendship would have been longer but I was still glad that they got to a much better place. I simply LOVED that the story wrapped up with all the couples living their happy endings and with Lily and Mason having a beautiful life filled with love. What Lily says at the end about the wind finally having a different meaning for her was just so beautiful that it made me cry. This was my favorite book in the Sugarlake series and Lily wound up being one of my favorite characters. I am so sad the series is over but I can tell I will be revisiting Sugarlake frequently because the book hangover is REAL.
challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

WOW THIS IS MY FAVOURITE BOOK IN THE SERIES! After reading Eli and Becca’s story i was sure they would be my favourite but this book blew them away. I loved he characters so much and the way everything ended! This was definitely the couple i was routing for the most when i was reading this series. If you don’t want to read the whole 4 books pls just read this one! It really is amazing.

it was really good. sometimes difficult to read. i feel like the romance was a tad rushed at times. but nonetheless it was worth it.

I absolutely adore The Sugarlake series! Emily Mcintire you did it again!! As I read a new book of yours, you completely and utterly surprise me, everytime. Each book has a special place in my heart, and I cannot decide which one is my favorite. Personally, Emily Mcintire's work is a gem and I cannot wait to see what else she has in store for us! But with all honesty, I was a little bit scared to read this one. Especially, when I saw the reactions of my fellow readers/bookstagrammers, and I just knew that this read was going to destroy me, emotionally. The storyline is phenomenal! It's definitely a raw, emotional and intense read, and as the plot started to unravel I was left speechless. Emily Mcintire's writing is flawless; she addressed difficult sensitive topics and she executed it amazingly! The transitions from each book in this series is outstanding and the storylines flowed beautifully! Beneath the Surface is book #4, and I highly recommend it to start from the very beginning, it will only enhance your reading experience. Trust me, this series is a must read!! You'll fall in love with the characters; you'll feel their pain, sorrow, longing, love and happiness. Your heart will break and soar at the same time, you'll experience an onslaught of emotions.


I'm not going to deluge into too much detail, but the heroine, Lily made an appearance in book #1 Beneath the Stars. Hence, Lily is Chase's sister, the hero from this book. Please keep in mind, that there are some sensitive topics mentioned in Beneath the Surface, in turn it might be unsettling for some readers to read. But, holy, moly wow.... this book is everything!! I truly enjoyed reading Lily's backstory, and my heart ached to see what she experienced.


Lily fights her demons every day, she is most certainly a fighter and survivor. And Mason, (hero) at first his character is vague and mysterious, and as I turned each page a new piece of information about him was revealed. Mason and Lily both have scars skin deep, and their ink/tattoos that covers their skin is like a barrier, shielding off their wounds that is invisible to the naked eye. Their pasts still haunt them to this day.  Lily has a lot of baggage; she doesn't allow anyone to get close to her, because of what she experienced in the past. Mason can clearly see Lily's pain, her doubts about herself and I loved how Mason showed Lily that she was enough in every way.


Two people who want to forget about their pasts, both of them have secrets that they want to keep hidden away. Yet, for the first time in their lives, Lily and Mason want to break free and open up to one another. I loved Mason's interactions with Lily's son Chase. And the moments that Lily and Mason shared.. wow.. a combination of heartfelt interactions and heated steamy scenes. And, I was so happy to see all the characters from the pervious books featured in this book! And the ending! It was bittersweet for me, I'm ecstatic that I had the opportunity to read this series, but at the same time I'm sad that I have to say goodbye to these amazing characters. Overall, this book wrecked me and some scenes had me in tears. I'm not joking, I was so close to having an ugly cry. But never the less, I can't stress this enough, this series is amazing! Please do read it.


As a PI Mason was hired to do a job, but he broke the most important rule in his line of work, "never meet your target". He wasn't suppose to meet Lily, he was meant stay away from her, hidden in the shadows. After leaving Sugarlake, Tennessee, Lily is slowly picking up the pieces, to move forward and to leave the past behind her. As a single mum Lily is doing her very best to provide for her son. Lily and Mason are two people who have traumatic pasts, and the secrets weigh heavily on their shoulders.

**I've received an ARC in exchange for my honest review

Wow nothing like bringing me to my knees Emily!!! This book was perfection. Absolutely loved it. This entire series has been amazing and this one just blew me away. Seriously sooooooo damn good!!! To think I didn't think I could love a character more than I have Jax this entire series..... whelp I think Mason might of nudged him down a little. Gahhhhh. Loved him and Lily!!!! And omg baby chase too the damn cake!