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Beneath the Stands (Sugarlake Series Book 2) Kindle Edition

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 3,403 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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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 (December 1, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 1, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.6 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 338 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1734999454
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 3,403 ratings

About the author

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Emily McIntire
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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
3,403 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and emotional. They describe the romance as beautiful, sweet, and fierce. The characters are well-developed and relatable. The writing style is described as wonderful and the author is praised for her craft. Many readers appreciate the steamy scenes and healing power of love.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

47 customers mention "Readability"46 positive1 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find the story interesting and engaging, with a vivid depiction of the characters. The author's writing style keeps readers hooked until the end.

"...I love the characters, and it is just the best read!" Read more

"...Overall, I really loved this book...." Read more

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

"I love the push and pull of Eli and Becca. I think the story was super cute as well...." Read more

28 customers mention "Emotional content"24 positive4 negative

Customers find the book emotional and relatable. They describe it as a sweet, heartbreaking story about two souls who have been through their own hells. The characters are flawed and passionate. Overall, readers appreciate the realistic story about overcoming guilt, insecurity, and family secrets.

"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

"...Overall, I really loved this book. Real-life relatable situations, two flawed characters that you will love and a love story that just hits you in..." Read more

"...while I really liked Chase and Alina's story in book one, I loved Eli and Becca's story!..." 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 "Romance"19 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the book's romance. They find the love story beautiful, with lots of heartache and growth. Readers appreciate the sweet and fiery couple, as well as the inside view of a healthy relationship developing. The sex scenes are described as fun and flirty, and the series keeps getting better.

"Beneath The Stands is a beautiful love story that spans years as Becca and Eli face so many obstacles on their way to finding out what their..." Read more

"...It had the perfect amount of spicy and romance in this book." Read more

"...Not only is it a love story with steamy scenes, it is about family and secrets and how we can hurt those that we love the most and vice versa...." Read more

"Love this book. Love Eli and Becca’s romance story. Eli is Becca’s best friend’s brother. Becca’s is going to college in Florida...." Read more

20 customers mention "Character development"20 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book. They find the characters vulnerable and working hard to grow. The chemistry between the characters is electric, and readers enjoy the flipping between characters.

"I love this series, but man! What an emotional roller coaster! I love the characters, and it is just the best read!" 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

"...Everything is so well thought out that you can really feel the emotions of the characters. She builds relationships with perfect connections." Read more

18 customers mention "Writing style"18 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the writing style. They praise the author's skill, describing the words as flowing smoothly and well-thought-out. The characters are described as real, raw, and relatable. The book includes quotes from the author that enhance the story. Overall, readers find the writing style engaging and realistic.

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

"...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

"...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

8 customers mention "Steaminess"8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's steamy and flirty content. They find the story engaging with the right level of steaminess. The characters are described as delightful.

"...It had the perfect amount of spicy and romance in this book." Read more

"...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

6 customers mention "Healing power"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's healing power. They find the characters imperfect but healing together. The book builds strong relationships with perfect connections, and while Eli has flaws, he is a good person.

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

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

"Once again I have been hurt but I loved the pain and the healing...." Read more

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

4 customers mention "Detail"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's detailed writing that helps visualize situations and provides more insight into them. They find the writing realistic and well-done, illustrating complicated family dynamics and showing the characters as they are. The plot, drama, context, and daddy/mommy issues are also mentioned.

"...Emily does such a great job with illustrating the complicated family dynamics and showing the characters that they aren’t alone." Read more

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

"...I couldn't put it down. Loved the writing and the in-depth details really helped visualize what was going on...." Read more

"Love how this book overlaps the last, and give more insight to the same situations and from different perspectives...." 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

  • Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2025
    I love this series, but man! What an emotional roller coaster! I love the characters, and it is just the best read!
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2024
    Overall, I really liked it. Pretty realistic story TBH. I felt like the end kinda dragged a little & could’ve probably have been shorter. Not then end, end, but more toward the end. It just seemed like there was a lot of not much going on. But it didn’t detract from the story. And it was probably realistic.
    Couple things I REALLY LIKED about this story; 1) the way addiction is discussed as a whole family issue. Most stories gloss over the subject once the person goes into rehab. They act like everything is resolved now that the person’s in rehab. That’s SOOO not the case. I really appreciated seeing a more realistic viewpoint. That everything is not all happy, happy, joy, joy. (It’s not awful either. It’s a process.)

    2) I liked the tie in of characters from other books. This was done in a way that way important to the story & not just some random paragraph that was clearly tacked on to allow for a tie in to the next book. You could take out the last paragraph/pages from the story, which is the tie in to the next book, (spoiler alert!) and you wouldn’t lose anything. But those characters are still in the story. The lead ins are still present. That kind of stuff makes me happy. It doesn’t cheapen the story or make me feel like you think I’m an idiot who can’t figure out what you’re doing. I know that’s kinda weird. But when you read as much as I do, it feels like there’s a sense of respect when an author does something like this. And that matters.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2020
    Beneath The Stands is a beautiful love story that spans years as Becca and Eli face so many obstacles on their way to finding out what their hearts are really telling them. Two people who have known each other their whole lives but don’t really know each other. Two people who fight to not get involved but are overwhelmed by their intense chemistry and attraction. Two people who live inauthentic lives for so many understandable reasons. Will they ever admit their secrets and find the courage to set themselves free so they are able to truly give their hearts to each other?

    Their love story has many ups & downs that will make you have to take a deep breath and forge to the end of this story without crying. The story is breathtakingly beautiful and I was completely enraptured from the beginning. There will be moments that will make you angry with Becca and/or Eli but overall you will love and root for them every second of reading. It’s a story about overcoming guilt, insecurity and family secrets & lies on the way to fight for that HEA.

    Overall I adored this book and it put me in a book hangover so I would definitely recommend to everyone. I don’t like super angsty romances where the situations are unrealistic or 3rd parties are heavily involved but here I felt the drama and situations were very realistic. A few of the family situations were so relatable that it made me very emotional. Cue all the tears.

    Overall, I really loved this book. Real-life relatable situations, two flawed characters that you will love and a love story that just hits you in the heart. Highly recommend. I can’t wait for Jax’s story!
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2020
    4.5 stars

    I read this pretty close to the first book, and I while I really liked Chase and Alina's story in book one, I loved Eli and Becca's story! I was surprised by how much I was enjoying it since I know I had my doubts about them while I was reading the first book. (especially Eli) Their backstory wasn't really touched on much in the first book, so when reading it here, it was like a sucker punch to the gut.

    Becca is the town of Sugarlake's preacher's daughter, She's also has quite the reputation. To get away from that and her parents, she goes away to Florida for college. That's where she meets up with Eli again. Eli is her best friend's older brother--the town of Sugarlake's golden boy. He was destined for greatness in basketball until an injury cut his career short. Now, he is an assistant coach at her college.

    Together, they are like oil and water. They don't mix.

    But they do. An they are HOT together. This is much steamier of a read than book one.

    In the beginning, their romance 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. He has his own issues with the death of his mother and going home to Sugarlake. It was a long journey for the two of them. In the process, our hearts were ripped out and, in the end, put back together.

    I would definitely read the first book (Beneath the Stars) before reading this story to get the maximum enjoyment.

    Thank you to the author for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
    8 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2022
    I love the push and pull of Eli and Becca. I think the story was super cute as well. I liked the first book the most but this one is my second favorite. It had the perfect amount of spicy and romance in this book.
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2025
    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 🤗🤗🤗

Top reviews from other countries

  • Tina
    5.0 out of 5 stars Steamy indeed
    Reviewed in Canada on May 26, 2021
    I always see this book on my IG timeline as I must have been following the author without knowing 😅 so I thought I'd give it a try.

    It’s actually enjoyable. I like how the characters are so relatable and how the author escalated the tension up to the climax. And the heat level! *fans myself* Hot, Hot, Hot.

    And I think I got the wrong book since this is already the 2nd book in the series. I'll definitely check the first one.
  • Leyendo Forever
    3.0 out of 5 stars Some aspects are awesome!
    Reviewed in Mexico on March 23, 2021
    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!
  • 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
    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
    Images in this review
    Customer image
  • Mrs HH
    4.0 out of 5 stars An emotional rollercoaster
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 20, 2025
    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!
  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Another great one
    Reviewed in Canada on July 13, 2021
    Like the first book in this series, I was again impressed by the depth and complexity of these characters and their situations. I also appreciated for Eli and Lee had a chance to heal together as well!
    But this one was hilarious! It just had an element of humour I didn’t really see in the first book, and I loved it. Found myself laughing at many points.

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