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Emily McIntire
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Beneath the Stands (Sugarlake Series Book 2) Kindle Edition

by Emily McIntire (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 4,355 ratings

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Emily McIntire comes an angsty, best friend's brother, second chance romance.

Elliot Carson left Sugarlake and has never looked back. Revered as the next big thing in basketball, Eli’s a star until an injury ends his career, sending him spiraling with no direction.

But he won’t go home.

He can’t.

Instead, he accepts a coaching gig at Florida Coast University, determined to leave his past behind. But fate has other plans when Becca, his sister’s best friend, shows up as a student and, even worse, becomes the new team manager.

Rebecca Sanger is the preacher’s daughter and the town's disappointment. When she ignores her family’s demands to come home, she’s cut off and needs a job so she can stay enrolled at FCU. She thought she had everything figured out, until Eli Carson—the person she hates more than anything in the world—ends up being her new boss.

Forced together, Becca and Eli’s hatred turns to heat, and they start an affair. But disaster quickly strikes, ripping them apart.

Years pass, and Becca’s back home, under her parent’s thumb, and living a mundane life. When Eli shows up out of the blue with a fiancée in tow, Becca is tasked with planning their wedding.

There’s only one problem.

Becca still loves Eli.

And he hates her.

For the second time in their lives, they’re forced together, and they’ll find out just how thin the line is between hate... and a love that lasts a lifetime.

*****

*Beneath the Stands is the second interconnected standalone in the Sugarlake series. It can be read alone, but it's recommended to start with Beneath the Stars for a full reading experience. Beneath the Stands contains mature content. READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED. Full list of TW can be found on author's website.*

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  1. Book 2 of 4
    Sugarlake Series
  2. Print length
    338 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    December 1, 2020
  6. File size
    1.6 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 4 books in this series.

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  1. “Because it doesn’t matter if she’s the woman I deserve, when you’re the only one I see.”
    Highlighted by 699 Kindle readers
  2. And maybe that’s the difference between success and failure—whether you acknowledge your mistakes and learn from them, or choose to bury yourself in the debris of their destruction.
    Highlighted by 682 Kindle readers
  3. The beat of my lonely heart strengthens, battering against my chest, urging me to lay it at her feet, hoping she picks it up and keeps it forever.
    Highlighted by 653 Kindle readers
  4. “You can’t always have the thing you want most. Sometimes, no matter how bad you want it... it’s just not meant to be.”
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A longtime songwriter and an avid reader, Emily McIntire has always had a passion for the written word, and when she's not writing you can find her waiting on her long-lost Hogwarts letter, chasing her crazy toddler, or lost between the pages of a good book.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08GKCC1LR
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Amazon Digital Services
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 1, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.6 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 338 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1734999426
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 2 of 4 ‏ : ‎ Sugarlake Series
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 4,355 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Emily McIntire

Emily McIntire

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Emily McIntire is a #1 New York Times, and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author whose stories serve steam, slow burns, and seriously questionable morals. Her books have been translated in over a dozen languages, and span across several sub-genres within romance.

She's been featured on outlets such as Good Morning Chicago, and in Cosmopolitan.

A stage IV breast cancer thriver, you can find Emily enjoying free time with her family, getting lost in a good book, or redecorating her house depending on her mood.

Instagram: @itsemilymcintire

Facebook Group: The McInCult

Tiktok: @authoremilymcintire

X: @authoremilym

Never After Series:

- Hooked

- Scarred

- Wretched

- Twisted

- Crossed

- TBA

Sugarlake Series:

- Beneath the Stars

- Beneath the Stands

- Beneath the Hood

- Beneath the Surface

Standalone:

- Be Still My Heart

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4,355 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy this romance book for its beautiful love story and realistic drama, with one review highlighting the inside view of a healthy relationship forming. Moreover, the book features amazing character development where readers can feel the characters' emotions, and customers praise the author's excellent writing style. Additionally, customers appreciate the book's emotional content, with one review noting how it dives into grief, and its healing power through themes of forgiveness and imperfect humans healing together. The story quality keeps readers engaged with its twists and turns, and customers find it steamy and spicy.

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RomanceEmotional contentCharacter developmentWriting styleBeautyHealing powerSteaminessStory quality
33 customers mention "Romance"30 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the romance in the book, describing it as a beautiful love story with realistic drama and situations.

"Beneath the Stands is a powerful, beautiful story of love, loss, and forgiveness...." Read more

"I like Becca and Eli’s story, but wish we had gotten more. Maybe we’ll get glimpses in the last two books...." Read more

"love me a romance with some sports and small town drama! very fun but also thought provoking read. Will definitely be reading more from this author!" Read more

"Overall, I really liked it. Pretty realistic story TBH. I felt like the end kinda dragged a little & could’ve probably have been shorter...." Read more

27 customers mention "Emotional content"23 positive4 negative

Customers find the book emotionally engaging, describing it as a very emotional story that is heartbreaking at times, with one customer noting how gripping it is to dive into the main character's grief.

"...I simply couldn’t put it down! This book is hot, emotional and thrilling. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series...." Read more

"...This is another one of those books that rips your heart out and glues it back piece by piece...." Read more

"...The story is breathtakingly beautiful and I was completely enraptured from the beginning...." Read more

"...Her plots and characters are deep and meaningful. Everything is so well thought out that you can really feel the emotions of the characters...." Read more

22 customers mention "Character development"22 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, noting how they can feel the emotions of the characters, and one customer mentions the chemistry between them is electric.

"I enjoyed the characters. There was some growth although we didn't get much at the end...." Read more

"...I loved how I could hear Becca’s accent in the pages. I loved the character development of both Eli and Becca...." Read more

"...2) I liked the tie in of characters from other books...." Read more

"...Real-life relatable situations, two flawed characters that you will love and a love story that just hits you in the heart. Highly recommend...." Read more

18 customers mention "Writing style"18 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing style of the book, noting that the author is excellent at her craft and wonderfully written, with one customer highlighting the well-thought-out details.

"...was forbidden (she was a student), but it was also tender, raw and real. She has issues with her parents and the values they raised her with...." Read more

"...But it didn’t detract from the story. And it was probably realistic...." Read more

"...Her plots and characters are deep and meaningful. Everything is so well thought out that you can really feel the emotions of the characters...." Read more

"...I stayed up all night engrossed in Eli and Becca's story. It was so well written and hot damn was it hot! 💋💋..." Read more

10 customers mention "Beauty"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book beautiful, with one mentioning how the author paints a vivid picture.

"...It was emotional and heartbreaking at times and beautiful, romantic and h0t at other times! I absolutely loved this book!" Read more

"Ok listen. Chase and Lee were cute. But the back and forth between these two!? Love. I loved how I could hear Becca’s accent in the pages...." Read more

"These indie covers are seriously gorgeous. The spicy adult romance story was a great read." Read more

"...Becca and Eli is weaved to have its ups and downs but it was absolutely beautiful. Their pain felt real and so did their happiness...." Read more

8 customers mention "Healing power"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's themes of healing and forgiveness, with one customer highlighting how imperfect humans support each other's growth.

"Beneath the Stands is a powerful, beautiful story of love, loss, and forgiveness...." Read more

"...on top of that, we got plot, drama, context, daddy/mommy issues, and healing?..." Read more

"...She builds relationships with perfect connections." Read more

"...Eli has his faults but he’s a good person...." Read more

8 customers mention "Steaminess"8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the steaminess of the book, describing it as spicy and smutty.

"...The smut was smutty and SPICY (and I mean good!) but the story was where it was with this one...." Read more

"...doesn’t hurt that every lead character was absolutely delicious as well." Read more

"...The sass, the steam, and the angst had me up all night. I couldn’t put it down! Eli is my new favorite book boyfriend!!..." Read more

"If I’m being honest I like this book better than first one. It’s a lot steamier and a lot more interaction between the main characters...." Read more

8 customers mention "Story quality"8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, finding it engaging with lots of twists and turns, and one customer mentions it's a sucker punch to the gut.

"Lots of twists and turns in this enemies to lovers romance - very interconnected with the other books in the series - best read in order." Read more

"...in the first book, so when reading it here, it was like a sucker punch to the gut...." Read more

"...But it was still interesting enough that I wanted to know what happened. But then she leaves and it jumps years later and the book takes a dive...." Read more

"...The characters are great, the story draws you in and keeps you wanting more...." Read more

🥵 HOLY SMOKES 🥵
5 out of 5 stars
🥵 HOLY SMOKES 🥵
“Lovin’ someone fully doesn’t mean you aren’t afraid. It just means you do it anyway, even with the fear, because they deserve all your pieces.” I was so excited to read ‘Beneath the Stands’ because of the trope alone. Enemies-to-lovers is hands down my favorite. Well, let me tell you, Emily McIntire killed it with this one. The sass, the steam, and the angst had me up all night. I couldn’t put it down! Eli is my new favorite book boyfriend!! There wasn’t a single thing that I disliked about his character. He had no will power when it came to Becca, and man was it hot!! Aside from that, I loved his back story and his POV. Diving into his grief was gripping, especially after already knowing Lee’s side. There’s always two sides to every story! Becca was saucy and bold when it came to Eli and her friends. I adored her. As much as I hated her parents they were the perfect addition for her character development. I was living for that drama! Her character had so much growth and when she finally rises up you can’t help but smile. Eli and Becca’s chemistry was insane!! Their story was laced with grief and beauty. ‘Beneath the Stands’ is definitely one of the best enemies-to-lovers romance books I’ve read. If this is a trope that you love and you haven’t read it yet, do it! You won’t be disappointed. Now I’m itching to read Jax and Blakely’s story, because age-gap is my second favorite trope. 🤤
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Barkerbookshelf
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another incredible, emotional rollercoaster!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Beneath the Stands is a powerful, beautiful story of love, loss, and forgiveness. This is another one of those books that rips your heart out and glues it back piece by piece. I was so captivated by the story that I listened and read at the same time, unable to focus on anything else until I found out what happened next. I definitely recommend giving this book a read!
    Helpful
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  • Sandra G.
    4.0 out of 5 stars Nice Second chance romance
    Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I like Becca and Eli’s story, but wish we had gotten more. Maybe we’ll get glimpses in the last two books. All the miscommunications was a little tedious but still enjoyed it.
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  • Dave M
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good stuff
    Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2025
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    wife liked
    Helpful
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  • jazzy
    3.0 out of 5 stars Eli and Becca
    Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I enjoyed the characters. There was some growth although we didn't get much at the end. I understand seeing another pov but most of the book was a retelling of the first.
    Helpful
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  • Jay B
    4.0 out of 5 stars loved it!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    love me a romance with some sports and small town drama! very fun but also thought provoking read. Will definitely be reading more from this author!
    Helpful
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  • Amitie Maldonado
    5.0 out of 5 stars basketball in a small town
    Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Ok listen. Chase and Lee were cute. But the back and forth between these two!? Love. I loved how I could hear Becca’s accent in the pages. I loved the character development of both Eli and Becca. I loved catching up with Chase and Lee as well. Need a part two bc that pie at the end has to have some repercussions right?!
    Helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love
    Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2025
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    She did it! Love everything about this series!
    Helpful
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  • Heather
    4.0 out of 5 stars Emotional Rollercoaster
    Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    What I don’t like :(

    Becca likely likes to be hurt (choked, bruised) during intimate moments, likely because she feels unworthy of joy and love. In a book we can accept this, because we know in his heart of hearts Eli has a love for her, but his and her behavior is not healthy in reality. Please do not go searching out/participating in this kind of “love.”

    I am appalled authors are starting to make this a norm.

    Please Be Careful🙏

    What I do like!!!

    I love that Eli and Becca grow so much (there lives remain pretty stagnant unfortunately), but as people. What I struggled with the 1st book is everyones complete selfishness. No one cared about anyone else! This one the characters really grow out of that 😍, will near the end 😁.

    I also love how Becca realizes how easy it is to fall as a human. She hates her parents for their judgement hypocrisy, and realizes that stuff can easily occur in her too. That is why character is more important than anything we will do.

    Happily Ever After 🤗🤗🤗
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Leyendo Forever
    3.0 out of 5 stars Some aspects are awesome!
    Reviewed in Mexico on March 23, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Spanish & English Opinion

    3🍭🍭🍭

    ESP ::

    La serie me va gustando. Hay algo que vale la pena mencionar y es la forma en que abordan la parte de aficiones y cómo afectan. Está muy bien manejando, ejemplifican desde muchos puntos cómo se podría vivir una situación así y me parece muy sensato y sensible.

    El libro pasado planteó a los personajes y la historia de Eli y Becca me intrigaba mucho. Su romance me gustó y el crecimiento de sus personajes también. Me pareció un poco largo, es decir, podíamos saltar varias cosas redundantes.

    Eli me gustó un poco más en actitud que Becca. Ella me parece que se quejaba de todo y a todo echaba culpa pero no asumía su responsabilidad. De todos modos, me agrada que crece y evoluciona después.

    La historia de Jax me urge. Me encanta lo que se va planteando.

    ENG ::

    This series has been cool. Something that I find really great is the sensible and classy way the addiction topic is managed. Different perspectives, different positions but the way it’s handled on the books is really nice and helpful.

    The first book introduced us to the characters and I was dying to read Eli and Becca’s story. Their backgrounds were complex and they learned and grew up from there. I liked Eli’s way of handling his topics. I felt Becca was always complaining and leaving responsibility to the others instead of owning her part. She ends up evolving (Thank God). And also, there were parts that felt a little bit redundant.

    Now we need to wait for Jax’s story and so far, I’m loving what’s happening!
    Report
  • Christina
    5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic
    Reviewed in Canada on June 9, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Love this series very much. Thanks for writing such a great story! Can’t wait for more stories! I really do love this type of story.
    Report
  • L. Starla
    5.0 out of 5 stars This Sizzling hot sports romance is a beautiful forbidden love story.
    Reviewed in Australia on February 23, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The second instalment in the Sugarlake series tells Rebecca and Eli’s story. These characters cross paths years after leaving their hometown when Eli’s basketball career takes a turn for the worst. Unable to play pro due to injury, he becomes the new coach at Becca’s university. Not only that, but he becomes her new boss. From enemies to secret lovers, this couple cannot resist the strong attraction pulling them together, but they are both risking a lot to be together: dating a student puts Eli’s job is on the line and Becca feels guilty for seeing her best friend’s brother and lying about it. Yet none of the challenges are more difficult to overcome than their own demons.
    If you enjoyed Beneath the Stars, you’ll love this book, but it can also be read standalone. This story is immersive and entertaining, the characters are flawed, but relatable, and the romance is steamy with plenty of tension.

    Review by L. Starla
    Customer image
    L. Starla
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    This Sizzling hot sports romance is a beautiful forbidden love story.

    Reviewed in Australia on February 23, 2021
    The second instalment in the Sugarlake series tells Rebecca and Eli’s story. These characters cross paths years after leaving their hometown when Eli’s basketball career takes a turn for the worst. Unable to play pro due to injury, he becomes the new coach at Becca’s university. Not only that, but he becomes her new boss. From enemies to secret lovers, this couple cannot resist the strong attraction pulling them together, but they are both risking a lot to be together: dating a student puts Eli’s job is on the line and Becca feels guilty for seeing her best friend’s brother and lying about it. Yet none of the challenges are more difficult to overcome than their own demons.
    If you enjoyed Beneath the Stars, you’ll love this book, but it can also be read standalone. This story is immersive and entertaining, the characters are flawed, but relatable, and the romance is steamy with plenty of tension.

    Review by L. Starla
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  • Mrs HH
    4.0 out of 5 stars An emotional rollercoaster
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 20, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I love Emily's writing and the characters really have come alive for me, halfway through the plot twists and the characters made stupid mistakes that I just couldn't forgive them for and this is why marked it 4 not 5 star. Its easily a 5 star I just couldn't forgive the characters for their stubborness. Emily really knows how to put her characters threw emotional turmoil and it's great how this book slots into the story of book one. I think I need a breather before book 3 as my heart can't take it. Fantastic series!
    Report
  • Alice
    4.0 out of 5 stars 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
    Reviewed in Australia on December 24, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This started so strong and then it lagged a bit but the last 60 pages were magic so I’m going to remain obsessed with Emily’s writing. It was a lovely story and some of the quotes were tear worthy.
    Report

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