Review: Beneath These Chains by Meghan March (Beneath #3)

Note: This ARC was provided by Rock Star Lit PR in exchange for an honest review.

Lord and I? We were an us.

His street smarts and army training have prepared Lord Robichaux for a lot of things, but certainly not for the unexpected appearance of Elle Snyder in his pawnshop or her pronouncement that she was going to work there whether he wanted her to or not. There’s no denying that there’s a mutual attraction ready to bubble over, but Lord doesn’t do anything about it until someone decides to lay claim on his new employee.

Elle had her reasons for wanting to work in Chains and being around Lord on a daily basis is just one of the perks. She would love nothing more than to be in his bed, but Lord thinks otherwise, informing Elle that he wants more than a one-time thing with her. Their pasts have both made them into the people they are now, and while Elle likes having control of her life, Lord may be just the guy who she’s willing to share some of that with.

When the murder of a former employee is soon followed by two more, police turn a more than interested glance Lord’s way. It appears as if someone’s trying to frame him, leading to the questions of who and why. Lord knows that if he wants to continue enjoying the life he’s beginning to have with Elle, he’ll need to find the person behind the murders and put a stop to it all as soon as possible.

Beneath These Chains is book number three in one of my favorite series this year, Beneath, and suffice it to say that author Meghan March continues to bring the romance and steam along with the underlying humor and not overly angsty drama that the two previous books are known for. I’m going to be honest and confess that when I was asked whether I wanted Lord Robichaux or Lucas Titan to be the male lead character for the third book, I went with Lucas. After reading the love story belonging to Lord Robichaux and Elle Snyder, I’m glad that his got told first because it does make better sense, especially since he’s the brother of Con Leahy, male lead character from the second book, Beneath This Ink. Of course, I am now patiently (cough, cough) awaiting the release of Lucas’s story, especially since he seriously got my attention in book two and needs his own brand of happily-ever-after.

Lord and Elle’s love story is one that’s filled with laughter and its fair share of tears. Add in a murder mystery that needs to be solved, lest one of them ends up having the visit the other in prison for a fair length of time. Their families are certainly nothing Norman Rockwell would crow about, but the few friends they both have are those that they’re able to turn to and know that they’re there no matter what. I really liked that Lord was nothing like I expected and there was just no way you couldn’t fall in love with him. He wanted Elle to break from the chains of her past, needing her to take a risk on having a forever after with him. Having Lord by her side allowed Elle to realize that she could maintain control of her life even as she shared it with someone who loved and respected her, looking beyond the pretty packaging on the outside to accept everything that was on the inside. Oh Lordy-lord, these two were fun, sexy, sweet, and all heart.

The murder mystery part of the book was a thrill to get through. I had one suspect only to realize it couldn’t possibly be him and then I had another one but then it became more than obvious it wasn’t him either. I guess the third time’s really the charm because I was proven right but the reasons behind the murders floored me and broke my heart. I don’t relish being wrong, what more admitting it, but when a story is this good and can run circles around my very amateurish sleuthing skills (Veronica Mars I am not), I’ll give credit where it’s due, especially since I tend to get it right the first time around.

Meghan March solidified my fangirl status with this third installment in her Beneath series and while I know book four will be about Lucas Titan, I find myself wondering who he’ll be partnered with. Could it be Yve, the manager of Dirty Dog and Elle’s friend and someone who seems to have a painful past of her own? Then, because I can’t get enough of this series, I can’t help but keep my fingers crossed that Hennessy, a police detective from both books two and three, will get his story told as well. Oooh! Maybe Hennessy and Yve, since they’ve got the whole detective and girl with an ex with a criminal past going on. Well, whatever future plans Meghan has for this series, you can be sure that I’ll be waiting with bated breath. Heck, I’ll read anything she writes! Fangirl, remember? Beneath These Chains can be read as a standalone but I’m going to highly recommend that you read each of the books in the series because they’re too good for you not to! I’m giving this third book five-plus stars. ♥♥♥

Release Date: 16 June 2015

Date Read: 12 June 2015

Learn more about Meghan March here.

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