Synopsis
My name is Charlotte Agoston, and I’m a runner. Not the ‘let’s go for a jog and slap a 26.2 sticker on your bumper’ kind of runner; I’m the kind of runner who takes off when her father is staring down the barrel of a guilty verdict that carries a 175-year sentence for perpetrating the largest fraud in the history of the world. That’s right. Bernie Madoff was an amateur compared to Alistair Agoston.
Faced with living under a cloud of suspicion and constant questioning by the FBI, I ran. I’m making a new life in New Orleans as Charlie Stone. I traded my future in New York high finance for tattoos, booze, a few friends who don’t ask questions, and one giant mutt named Huckleberry Finn. Everything is simple and uncomplicated until Simon Duchesne—former hotshot Navy fighter pilot, NOLA’s favorite son, city councilman, and rumored congressional hopeful—walks into my life.
The flashing cameras he attracts threaten to expose everything I’m hiding, but I can’t seem to stay away. Why are the most dangerous ideas always the most seductive?
In trying to get lost, I found myself. And then I found Simon. He loves me, and he doesn’t even know my real name. I’m going to break his heart, but mine will shatter right along with it. This is our story.
Will we be strong enough to face the consequences of revealing what’s beneath this mask?
Review
Beneath the Mask is probably one of the best books that I have read this year. I love books that have some type of mystery or tension in them and this one definitely does. It involves Charlotte or Charlie creating an alternative life for herself after her father is convicted fraud and stealing billions of dollars from innocent people. I admired her for declaring that she would never use her financial knowledge and education to harm other people.
Charlie is one of my favorite characters that I've read in a while. She has completely transformed herself in a short period of time and despite her upbringing she is a genuine and kind person. She went from a sheltered and controlled upper class child to a tattooed, independent woman with an attitude. She is in hiding from the FBI who suspect that she was involved with her father's actions.
Because of her life in hiding, Charlie is reluctant to get involved in a relationship with Simon who just so happened to be a high profiled councilman and possible future congressman. Simon is determined to become seriously involved with Charlie and not just have casual sex which is what she wants.
I loved that Charlie simultaneously hid herself and freed herself with her tattoos. They served a purpose and really meant something. I liked that she really thought about what was important and would memorialize it on her body, especially when she got the abstract fireworks tattooed after her date with Simon.
After a lot of ups and downs, Charlie finally admits that she belongs with Simon and she risks her security and seclusion to be with him. I loved that despite the secrets between them, Simon is eventually able to get over it and support Charlie when she detained by the FBI.
New Orleans is my favorite city that I have ever visited and I am so happy that this book was based in there. Just the city itself exudes an air of mystery and wonder. The entire city has a feel about it that is unlike any other.
New Orleans is my favorite city that I have ever visited and I am so happy that this book was based in there. Just the city itself exudes an air of mystery and wonder. The entire city has a feel about it that is unlike any other.
Overall, Beneath the Mask is one of my favorite novels of the year. I really admire Charlie for trying to right her father's wrongs. I also really loved Charlie and Simon's relationship. They are ridiculously and perfectly imperfect. They have issues and some secrets but they genuinely love and support each other. I give this novel 5 stakes and I would absolutely love a sequel.
Excerpt
Backing me into a corner, he trapped me in the circle of his arms, much like he had earlier at the gate. I reached up and laid my palms against his chest, tracing the compass inked on his pectoral muscle with my index finger. Our skin didn’t touch anywhere else, but mine prickled with the need to feel him against me. I leaned closer, but he grasped my shoulders, effectively holding me back.
I looked up questioningly.
“You left me a message, then slammed a gate in my face, then you strip in front of me, and invite me to go skinny dipping. I can’t keep up with you. I need to know what the hell is going on here before it goes any further.”
I sagged back against the edge of the pool, letting the concrete lip dig into my spine. So much for my hastily constructed plan. An experienced seductress I was not. He must have read the defeat in my expression because he said, “I’m not saying I’m not interested. Hell, I’m buck ass naked, and I can’t exactly hide that I want you. But I need to know ... why now? What changed?”
I stared down at the water, wishing fleetingly that the pool lights were on so I’d know for certain that he still did, in fact, want me. But given the leap I’d taken by stripping naked in front of him, I suppose I owed him at least some sort of an explanation.
“I decided that, for tonight, I didn’t care that you’re you and I’m me. I decided to take a risk and see what happened.” My answer was vague and without substance, but I hoped it would be enough. Heat pulsed between my legs and my nipples beaded almost painfully. I wanted him. Now.
But he didn’t relent. “It doesn’t matter who I am or who you are. Tonight or any other night. We’re just people.”
I held in a snort. Barely. He wouldn’t be in this pool if he knew who I really was. I was poison to someone like him. To everyone.
Simon tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet his eyes. “If I fuck you tonight, are you going to throw me out on my ass as soon as we’re done and never call me again?”
I bit my lip. Damn. He should be a freaking interrogator instead of a politician. But I wasn’t going to lie to him. At least not about this. “Probably.”
He released my chin and backed away. “Then, no.” He shook his head. “This isn’t happening. Not tonight.” He turned and made his way to the stairs. I caught a flash of his pale, muscular ass as he climbed out of the pool. I looked down at the water, hot humiliation filling me. What the hell am I doing? I sank farther beneath the surface, up to my chin. I needed to be covered. I heard the rustle of clothes and wondered how he was drying off without a towel. But I didn’t look up to assuage my curiosity. I’d given in to curiosity once already tonight, and this was where it landed me. In a pool of my own shame.
He cleared his throat, and I finally looked up. He was wearing his tux pants, and the shirt was partially buttoned. He held his soaked white undershirt in his hand. One question answered.
His hazel eyes drilled into me. “You have my number. Call me when you want more than a quick fuck.”
And then he was gone.
Meghan March is a Michigan native who has spent a good portion of her life buried in a book. Case in point: she read the entire romance section of her small town public library by age fourteen. Even after growing up (sort of) and getting a law degree, she never lost her passion for a great story, twisty plot, epic romance, and amazing characters. When she’s not writing, she’s probably reading, target shooting, drooling over fast cars, playing with her crazy mutt, or hanging with her very own sexy bad boy.
Giveaway
The author is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card and a signed paperback of BTM
Let me know what you think of Beneath the Mask and the amazing trailer.
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