Audiobook Review – Beneath These Chains by Meghan March

Beneath These Chains by Meghan March

Narrated by Sebastian York and Andi Arndt

Contemporary Erotic Romance. Interrelated Standalone.

Beneath These Chains by Meghan March is the third book in the Beneath Series of standalones that I have been tearing through and loving. With Meghan March’s writing and Sebastian York (with a slight NOLA accent) and Andi Arndt narrating, it’s a great combination. I think Beneath These Chains is my favorite of the series so far.

We met Lord & Elle in the last book, but you don’t have to have read it before this. Lord is Con’s older brother and Elle is Vanessa’s best friend. Lord didn’t get as lucky as Con, and he spent his years growing up on the streets until he enlisted. Now he owns a pawn shop, Chains, originally owned by his brother. Though people know it’s a place to bring higher end stuff, the shop is struggling. In walks Elle. Society girl Elle has no reason to ever be on this side of the city, let alone in a pawn shop, but she wants a job. In fact, she insists on a job and won’t take no for an answer.

“It says ‘help wanted.’ I’m help, therefore I’m wanted.”

Turns out, this society girl knew a thing or two about running the store and pricing the higher end products. (She also had an awesome tip about cleaning glass with a coffee filter). There was an instant attraction between the two, but Con knew she was off limits being a society girl trying to piss off her parents and being his brother’s wife’s BFF. Plus, under his tattooed, bad boy image, Lord was a gentleman and an all-around good guy.

“Lord was strong, but not overpowering. He’d lead, but not force. He was the kind of man I hadn’t even known existed, and one I couldn’t imagine not having.”

Elle doesn’t do relationships. She doesn’t ever want to depend on or need a man like her mother did with her father then her stepfather. But she wanted Lord in her bed.

“I’m the kind of girl who does the chasing herself. I see what I want, and I get it.”

But Lord wouldn’t be caught the way she wanted. He wanted more than just a quick roll in the hay, and he set about winning her.

“The moment my lips touched hers, I knew I’d made a huge fucking mistake, one taste would never be enough”

There was lots of action and intrigue going on the story as well. We have Rix, the local gangster who wants Elle, and we have people that both Lord and Elle have argued with recently being murdered. Is someone trying to set them up?

My favorite thing about the story was the characters though. I loved how Lord was totally alpha protective and possessive, but gave Elle everything she needed to never feel owned or bossed. And I loved how Elle was sassy and spirited and went after what she wanted. Together, I loved their banter and chemistry.

You shouldn’t be going to your knees for me, woman. You shouldn’t be going to your knees for any man.”
“But-”
“You want to suck my dick, you do it while you’re kneeling above me. I don’t ever want to see you on the ground on your knees.”
“But you did it for me.” I protested.
“Because you deserve to be worshipped.”

Likes:

• Sigh….Lord is such a good guy, yet still so alpha.
• Elle is strong and feisty and smart.
• The whole rich-girl with bad-boy from the wrong side of the tracks worked well.
• That it tied in with visits from previous characters, but can easily stand alone.
• The mystery of who is behind the murders.
• Man oh man, Meghan writes hot sex.
• Great banter.
• That there was very little relationship drama, it was more external forces.

Dislikes: 

• I would have liked to delve further into Lord’s past.
• I wish there was a little more about her driving or lack of driving.

The Down & Dirty:

Rating: 4.25-4.5 stars, 4.25 Heat, Narration 5

Purchase Beneath These Chains by Meghan March

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A box set of the first 3 books is available