Beneath: Two Book Bookset by Shandi Boyes – Review by Shannon Fowler
Beneath: Two Book Boxset by Shandi Boyes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Beneath the Secrets is the first part of Hugo’s story which includes many flash backs to high school and his forever crush on Ava. We first met Hugo in the Enigma series but this box set can be read without reading that series.
Oh Shandi Boyes! What have you done to my heart!?! Beneath the Secrets? Oh no you just created more secrets! Oh and that ending?! I have said this before in my reviews, there are some books that just make you say WTF did I just read…so yeah, right now, Shandi Boyes what the actual…did I just read!?!
Hugo’s story is huge! It starts when he was in high school, crushing on his little sister’s best friend, Ava. But being a player, he kept innocent Ava at arm’s length. Ava was raised by overly strict parents, with a father that bordered on mental abuse. Ava and Hugo’s friendship never falters over the years. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, at least for these two it does. However, lack of true communication, secrets and jealousy keeps them from getting a happily ever after, at least for now.
“I want a man who has no qualms in showing his affection even with a house full of spectators. A man devoted solely and entirely to me. That is what I want and crave. That is what I deserve.”
And then the second part of Hugo’s story is Beneath the Sheets. Shandi Boyes has given us another book boyfriend! We learn that our main character, Hugo, is protective, thoughtful, caring, sexy, strong and so much more. Beneath the Sheets is the conclusion to Beneath the Secrets, which makes this the perfect boxed set. Hugo made some choices in his life and we learn just how devastated he is from the choices he felt he had to make in his past. Those choices, of course, didn’t just devastate him but they devastated those he loved as well. His mother and father, his siblings, and Ava. Ava is the love of his life. And everything he does, he does for her. What he doesn’t know is that his choices, while made with the purest of heart and good intentions, crushed Ava. He also doesn’t know that Ava is waiting and praying for his return. A return that is a long time coming.
“It shouldn’t matter if it is a week or a year, if they are who your heart desires, that’s all that matters.”
I believe all readers of romance novels are looking for the kind of love Hugo has for Ava. Time doesn’t matter. Distance is no object. Nothing will stop Hugo from finding his happily ever after, even if he believes he doesn’t deserve it.
Shandi Boyes has a writing style that makes you want to just keep reading. The characters in her other books have become your friends, your family even. You want to be them. Beneath the Sheets is no different. Every one of her stories have had me turning page after page, non-stop! I loved that Ava wasn’t a weak female. Yes, she loved Hugo with her whole heart, yes she was crushed. Did she roll over and die when he made his choices? No, not quite. She needed to live and Shandi Boyes made sure she did. The male characters are swoon-worthy while the females are determined and strong. We all want someone to love while being loved right back and Ava is no different.
Definitely recommend this boxed set!
Reviewed by @shannonlovesbooks
