Beauty Beneath the Sorrow

Tangerine Sky #3

by M.J. Huxley

Lina--

A single event changed how I viewed men and love in the blink of an eye. I’m not someone you’d call “wife material.” I know I’m just a toy to them, someone to be played with and tossed aside the second they’re done.
Tired of living that way, I took matters into my own hands. Taking ownership of who I am and what I want from them, I decided to call the shots. There’s a power in that. One I don’t want to give up.
Until I meet a man who challenges every single insecurity I have. A man who makes me question everything I thought I knew about love and desire.
The problem? He’s not just older. He’s my dad’s best friend.


Carter--

I loved my career as a Naval fighter pilot, but traveling the world for most of my life left me feeling alone. An ill loved one is the push I need to retire and try my hand at being a commercial pilot. It’s temporary and not something I imagine doing forever. I can’t stay grounded for too long.
It’s not until I see her for the first time that I think love may be possible for me. She takes my breath away. But it’s at that exact moment I realize she’s my best friend’s daughter.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Workplace, Forbidden Romance

386 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 20, 2024

About the author

M.J. Huxley strives to tell authentic stories of raw, unfiltered, and imperfect love. She writes emotional romances with banter & spice. M.J.'s books will always have a happily ever after, but that doesn't mean her characters won’t have to work hard to get there.

She currently lives in Arizona with her husband and her tiny humans.

Newsletter/ Website: https://www.authormjhuxley.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormjhux...

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authormjhuxley

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authormjhux...

Reviews

[Liz | Bookslizreads90 · Rating 4 out of 5]

TROPES-
Pilot x Flight Attendant
Age Gap
Cinnamon Roll MMC
Forbidden Love
He falls first
Forced proximity

Giggling, I lay my palm into his and follow him around the side of the plane. He opens the door for me. “Where to, baby?” I smile, dreamily glancing up at the orange and pink sky above us. “The stars.”

Please check the triggers before diving in. This story touches on some darker subjects.

A beautiful love story. I loved the growth that the FMC, Lina, showed throughout the story. Carter was the sweetest helping Lina through some difficult issues. This story was definitely tear jerking.

Thank you to MJ and Luna Literary for allowing me to read and review.

[Catarina Águas · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review

Wow, this book really hit my feelings.
What Lina wemt through when she was younger, completely changed her life. It made her view herself as worthless and not deserving of love. It honestly broke my heart. I admire her strength, the way she faced anyone's worst nightmare, alone no less, and being able to move on in a way. The final step to really leave the past in the past was Carter's love for her. It made her realize that her demons don't define her and the past doesn't have to dictate her future.
Carter was the sweetest. He was there for her and just wanted her. He saw her for the amazing woman she was, not for the flawed woman she viewed herself as.
I loved them together, it wasn't easy because of outside forces and Lina herself but they made it work in the end and that's the most important part

[RomReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored Lina and Carter. There are so many things about this book that I loved, it’s hard to put them into a simple review.

Thank you, MJ Huxley, for once again writing a book with incredible character development and addressing sensitive topics so well.

The way Lina fights with her inner demons and her trauma is relatable for all women. Maybe we havent all been through what Lina has, but we’ve all faced our own levels of trauma and I respect how well and how real MJ addressed it.

And Carter. Thank you MJ for Carter. WHY CANT HE BE REAL!

Some of the scenes I loved:
*The airplane bathroom scene
*The toy scene
*The phone call (I was giggling and blushing at the same fricken time)
*The banter and tension (okay so not a scene, but I’m making it a thing, because it was so good)
*The restaurant scene with the girls. Well any scene with them haha.

Thank you, MJ, for trusting me with another one of your books! I can’t wait for the next one!!

[Spicy_bookcorner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series and my first experience of reading a novel by this author and I’m just impressed. I really loved the pilot x flight attendant, age gap, dad’s best friend and cinnamon roll MMC.

Lina has had to deal with so much, and looking after her 18 year old sister and having a mother who is less than ideal, she’s a really strong character. Carter is just delicious and I adored how caring he was towards her, even though he felt like their relationship was wrong.

I definitely need to read the first two in the series as I’m intrigued by the other characters I met in this book.

🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW!!

I WANT A CARTER!!

First book read by this new author and it was very well written. From the character development, the plot, and everything else in between, this book was amazing! The push and pull between the MMC and FMC kept me reading and kicking my feet! We love the tension! I could not help giggle, gasp, and at times tear up throughout the whole book. AND THE SPICE...soooo good! Carter and Lina have a place in my heart now and everyone should definitely read this book!!

[Laura Gerez · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review of beauty Beneath the Sorrow by M.J. Huxley✈️💘🍸🎭♟️🌹

Carter and Lina will forever have my heart. There’s no words to express how much I actually adored and enjoyed their journey together. This book was full of beautiful moments, perfect for my romance loving heart.

I am completely obsessed with the this series and I’ve been waiting to know what was Lina’s story and when she would find love. There is so much chemistry between Carter and Lina, they're the perfect definition of soulmates, and I love them with all my heart. It honestly was a bit frustrating seeing Lina deny her feelings like crazy but after reading her story and getting to know her as a character it was understandable. I loved seeing Carter being there for her, as a friend and potential future partner, it was just such a beautiful story.

To sum it up, for me, this book was just beautiful and I loved it.💘💘

✈️Tropes✈️

✨Pilot x Flight Attendant
✨Age Gap (13 years)
✨Cinnamon Roll MMC
✨Forbidden Love
✨He Falls First
✨Forced Proximity
✨Open door Spice


🩵My favorite Quotes🩵

"His entire life began the moment he saw her."


“You’re incredible, Captain Hernandez. Do you know that?”
“I’m just a regular guy infatuated with a woman who’s completely out of his league.”


Now, with Carter, I realize love doesn’t have to be some sappy story. It can be a story of a real partnership and trust—finding someone to move through life with.
That’s what love is about.


‼️Book coming out September 20th and I'm already ecstatic for everyone to read it and love it as much as I did‼️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

@ReadingLaurasLibrary
#Happyreading

[Erin Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨🔮🌞🌕🍄🌕🌞🔮✨
ARC REVIEW

Beauty Beneath the Sorrow - MJ Huxley

5/5⭐️
4/5🌶️

✨✨✨✨✨✨
MJ Huxley this one is my favorite!! I finished this one in one sitting and ate it up!! Carter I loved from the start and Lina I just absolutely loved! I felt like she was very relatable with her relationship with her dad. That lunch was definitely something!! This book definitely had my heart feeling all the warm feelings and gave me all the good feeling vibes! I absolutely fell for Carter and Lina’s journey. They were made for each other. Lina was denying her feelings because of past trauma which is understandable but Carter was breaking his way through making her feel all the good feelings. The way Carter made Lina feel loved was making my heart so happy.

Overall such an amazing read and my new favorite dad’s best friend romance!
📚📚📚
If you like to read:
- Dads best friend
- Age gap
- He falls first
- Forbidden love
- Cinnamon roll MMC
- Hurt/Comfort
- Pilot x Flight Attendant
… You should definitely check this out

📚📚📚

Thank you so much for sending me a copy for an honest review in my own words.

✨What are you reading this weekend?

#books #booklover #smut #booknerd #bookfriend #bookish #booklovers #bookishcommunity #bookloversunite #instabook #bookporn #bookphotography #reviews #igbooks #ilovereading #smutty #bookaddiction #bookhoader #hotnsexy #fortheloveofbooks #bookrecs #yummy #givemeallthebooks #readingthepainaway #booktok #arc

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lina and Carter 😍

This is book 3 in the Tangerine Sky series. I’ve really enjoyed the first two books so it was a no brainer to jump into this one. Truthfully, I think this is my favorite and that’s saying something because I LOVED Piper and Jack in Love Beyond the Illusion.

Carter is just so incredibly wonderful. Being consumed by his feelings for Lina, but trying to be a good best-friend to her dad…he just pours goodness into all of the relationships in his life. So. Good.

Lina is wonderfully relatable. She’s a spunky, confident, no BS FMC until you see she really isn’t that confident. She’s just faking it to make it. The darkness in her past colors her entire view of relationships and men, and her struggles while so hard to watch seem so authentic.

Hands down, love.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lina + Carter 😍

I absolutely adored this story!! I loved the slow burn relationship between Lina and Carter that grew from friends to lovers. They had such undeniable soulmate type of chemistry. There was such a push toward one another but both were refusing to give into feelings. The banter was great and the spicy scenes 🥵!! The library scene, the phone call..

Also he’s a navy fighter pilot.. so of course I am envisioning Maverick from Top Gun- but reverse age gap from the movie since he is older.

I really just loved everything about this story!! He plays weekly Scrabble games with his grandmother!! 😍

“You’re incredible, Captain Hernandez. Do you know that?”
“I’m just a regular guy infatuated with a woman who’s completely out of his league.”

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was my first m.j huxley book and i was not disappointed!

lina and carter had tension that WAS THICK! and wow you could cut it with a knife basically every chapter.
i was hooked and could not put it down for the simple fact that i couldn’t wait until they got together.

even though lina tried her hardest to fight her feelings and tried to keep carter at a distance due to past trauma he made her feel things she never felt before, treated her like she was the only women to ever exist to him.

made her feel the loving warmth she deserved all her life.

dads best friend trope has been added my list of fav tropes!

[Rebecca]

I had a very difficult time liking Lina in any way, shape or form. I felt for her and her past but it felt like we just took stubborn to a whole other level.

Some of the dialogue felt a bit forced, like there was no flow to it at all. It was that between all characters. It didn't feel as if I was eavesdropping on a conversation.

I enjoyed the premise and loved Carter himself. He was a hot older pilot that was certifiably down bad. Their tension was 100% palpable and they were a very steamy couple. So if you're looking for spice - this is the one!

I appreciate and thank Luna Literary and MJ Huxely for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Books.Abound.With.A.Hound · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute age gap, forbidden love, he falls first romance book!

I enjoyed the growth of the characters. Also loved getting both of their POVs and their chemistry and banter were great. And I really loved their ending!

There is an on page description of a sexual assault scene, so please proceed with caution if that is a trigger for you.

This is part of an interconnected series, but can be read as a stand-alone.

Overall a fun and enjoyable read! Be sure to check this one out!💙

Thank you @authormjhuxley for this #gifted eARC!🫶🏼

[Alyssa Medeguari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't get enough of Lina and Carter! I read this book so fast because I didn't want to put it down. M.J. Huxley did an awesome job with this book! I am definitely going to read the other two of this series!

Favorite things about this book 📖:

Lina's character was funny and blunt with her people and I loved it.

Lina and Zoe's sister relationship 🤣

Carter's such a cinnamon roll and I absolutely loved it!

Carter and his grandmas relationship ❤️❤️

Lina and Carter's chemistry was the best! They just understood each other so well. It made the flow of their relationship that much better.

The banter was perfect! It was funny, spicy, and quick witted between MCs. The banter between all the characters was funny and real. 😂

I really really loved their ending! 🥰❤️ It gave me all the feels!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

**ARC READ** Beauty beneath the sorrow, release date: 9/20. Here is my honest review. This is a winner, I found myself a new author. Her steamy contemporary writing was great. Who doesn’t like a nice age gap with Dads best friend. Her MMC Carter is legit mouthwatering. The FMC has relatable insecurities and her journey to work through that made for a great story!

[iqra 🫧❤️‍🔥 · Rating 4 out of 5]

5🌶️

Lina & Carter had the most undeniable chemistry 😍

Such a fun, cute, and dare I say.. sexy read👀

[Readingwithdesi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Lina and Carter!! This was so cute to read and I can’t wait for what the author has for us next!

“His entire life began the moment he saw her.”

Lina

A single event changed how I viewed men and love in the blink of an eye. I’m not someone you’d call “wife material.” I know I’m just a toy to them, someone to be played with and tossed aside the second they’re done.

Tired of living that way, I took matters into my own hands. Taking ownership of who I am and what I want from them, I decided to call the shots. There’s a power in that. One I don’t want to give up.

Until I meet a man who challenges every single insecurity I have. A man who makes me question everything I thought I knew about love and desire.

The problem? He’s not just older. He’s my dad’s best friend.

Carter

I loved my career as a Naval fighter pilot, but traveling the world for most of my life left me feeling alone. An ill loved one is the push I need to retire and try my hand at being a commercial pilot. It’s temporary and not something I imagine doing forever. I can’t stay grounded for too long.

It’s not until I see her for the first time that I think love may be possible for me. She takes my breath away. But it’s at that exact moment I realize she’s my best friend’s daughter.

[Beka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Carter,
Please be real. 👏🏼

That's all. That's the review.
🤣😂 Just kidding. Just kidding. But I would take my very own Carter any day.
Man was so patient and knew the minute he saw his 'end game' and man...was he ever down for Lina. Man was obsessed.
Lina...she had some past demons that held her hostage. Past demons shaped her into who she was and always running. She handled her parents better than I would have, that's for damn sure.
These two were good together. Carter became Lina's safe place. I'm always a sucker for safe places. And the age gap, with the dad's best friend thrown in there? Yup. Done.
Lina lost some points with me with how she handled the 'aftermath'. I felt like she wanted a pity party. THAT'S JUST ME THO!!!
This was the first book I've read by MJ Huxley and I loved it regardless of the circumstances Lina painted for herself. I don't think I could have picked a better first read for me. I love that this whole thing basically took place in the sky. I'd never done a pilot/'airplane' book before either.
JUST READ IT! The girl gang is amazing. Carter is amazing. I'm anxious to see what happens with the dentist. So thank you for trusting me with an early copy and thank you to Luna Literary for making the ARC available.

[Bookish Venturess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

This was such an amazing book. Check for trigger warnings but man this is so good. I love the dads best friend and coworker angle this took. This was a hot and steamy romance that I enjoyed.

[Lisa Conant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2 out of 5
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶 1/2 out of 5

Tropes:
👨‍✈️Pilot x Flight Attendant
🫦Age Gap (13 yr)
❤️‍🔥He Falls First
🥰Cinnamon Roll MMC
❤️‍🩹Hurt/Comfort
💙Dad's Friend

📍Synopsis
Lina--
A single event changed how I viewed men and love in the blink of an eye. I’m not someone you’d call “wife material.” I know I’m just a toy to them, someone to be played with and tossed aside the second they’re done.
Tired of living that way, I took matters into my own hands.
Until I meet a man who challenges every single insecurity I have. A man who makes me question everything I thought I knew about love and desire.
The problem? He’s not just older. He’s my dad’s best friend.

Carter--
I loved my career as a Naval fighter pilot, but traveling the world for most of my life left me feeling alone. An ill loved one is the push I need to retire and try my hand at being a commercial pilot. It’s temporary and not something I imagine doing forever.
It’s not until I see her for the first time that I think love may be possible for me. She takes my breath away. But it’s at that exact moment I realize she’s my best friend’s daughter.

📍Review
This was a pretty sweet workplace/age gap romance. The way Carter initiates flirtations is both adorably endearing and leads to nice growth in the evolution of their friend relationship to friends with benefits relationship. The drama comes when Lina has a hard time accepting that what she feels is love and that she can commit to being in love and have an actual boyfriend.

Carter is exceedingly patient and kind with her and in his understanding of how she views her own road blocks in her ability to be in a steady relationship.

My one qualm would be that Lina did frustrate me at times. Clearly what they were doing and how close they were was more than just her "man in every city" fling. There's no way she wasn't seeing that... because they acted so happy, at ease and loving when together. Her being so promiscuous up till Carter and the reason behind it didn't quite click as much for me in its long term effects. I would've loved to know more of Carter's back story since it was alluded he had a very hard childhood too.

Nevertheless, their chemistry is what's fun and for me really the buck stops with Carter! This chiseled, Cinnamon roll, kind, funny, playful, beautiful man in uniform! Fly me anywhere anytime, Captain!

[Bookish Lady Night · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: Beauty Beneath the Sorrow by: M.J. Huxley

This book really hit me differently I felt so seen by reading this story. Have you ever read a book and felt such a connection to a character? Well that was definitely the case for me in this story. Lina wow all she went through as a younger woman/girl and how it totally morphed her perception of herself and her self worth was heavy. It’s so sad and yet so true that one event or moment we take and externalize it and let it define us. When we should take it in, grieve, forgive (ourselves) not the jerk, and grow. But also to have the courage and grace with ourselves to be open to support and help. It was so heartbreaking seeing her viewing herself as worthless and it made me so sad. She grew so much in this story from the trauma and then healing and believing yes she is worthy and yes his intentions are honorable.

I instantly tripped and fell face first over Carter. Truly so sweet and caring. He was so faithful and patient with her as she figured out and worked through stuff. I loved that he took every opportunity to show her what an amazing woman she was and that he truly cared for her long before they were partners he cared for her throughout the year in small ways.

I’m mean the hotel suite scene… I was a puddle!

I loved that they slowly each let their walls and insecurities go and grew together and even when it got hard they were there for each other. This story is one of understanding, acceptance, found family and deep friendships, forgiveness, and bravely being yourself, deep love one that you will give up the things you once wanted for something amazing.

“Nothing compared to the sheer high I got the moment Lena’s baby blue eyes met mine.”

“You are my end game and there is nothing in this life I want more than you.”

"His entire life began the moment he saw her."

“I’m just a regular guy infatuated with a woman who’s completely out of his league.”

✈️Pilot x Flight Attendant
💕Age Gap
😍Cinnamon Roll MMC
🚫Forbidden Love
🙋‍♂️He falls first
👩‍❤️‍👨Forced proximity

[Cuban Ana Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

✈️Pilot x Flight Attendant
✈️Age Gap (13 years)
✈️ Dad’s Best Friend
✈️ Cinnamon Roll MMC
✈️Forbidden Love
✈️He Falls First
✈️Hurt/Comfort
✈️Dual POV
✈️Forced Proximity
✈️Workplace Romance

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

“‘We all have demons in us, baby. What matters is how you let it define you.’”

Lina:
A single event changed how I viewed men and love in the blink of an eye. I’m not someone you’d call “wife material.” I know I’m just a toy to them, someone to be played with and tossed aside the second they’re done. Tired of living that way, I took matters into my own hands.
Until I meet a man who challenges every single insecurity I have. A man who makes me question everything I thought I knew about love and desire.
The problem? He’s not just older. He’s my dad’s best friend.

Carter:
I loved my career as a Naval fighter pilot, but traveling the world for most of my life left me feeling alone. An ill loved one is the push I need to retire and try my hand at being a commercial pilot. It’s temporary and not something I imagine doing forever.
It’s not until I see her for the first time that I think love may be possible for me. She takes my breath away. But it’s at that exact moment I realize she’s my best friend’s daughter.

This was an age-gap/workplace romance that was touching. These two - Lina and Carter - grabbed me from the beginning to the very last page of the book. They both work for the same airline, Carter as a Pilot and Lina as a flight attendant. Both Carter and Lina have similar pasts. Lina has some struggles and traumas she has to work through and Carter is willing to help her get through those struggles.

Carter's flirtatious style is so sweet and it adds to the development of how their friendship turns into a friendship with benefits situation. The drama comes when Lina finds it hard to accept that what she is feeling is love and that she is capable of committing to a relationship and having a real relationship. Carter is incredibly kind and patient with her, and always tries to show her that she is worth it. All of it.

This was a great story. I like it when two broken people come together to make one beautiful piece. Age gap is one of my favorite tropes, and this one was good. The gap wasn’t too extreme and even though it was a dad’s best friend, for me, it wasn't taboo. Overall I enjoyed this beautiful story and I think you will too.

Beauty Beneath The Sorrow is a great title for a wonderful story. Thank you, MJ!

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn’t get enough of Lina and Carter, such a fun forbidden romance and workplace romance. Both characters had nontraditional upbringing, which added to the character complexities in this book. We had the sweet Carter, who was raised by his grandparents and sought out the Navy at first opportunity. He had lived a full life never thinking he would want to settle down, until he met Lina. Who just so happened to be the daughter of his best friend. Lina was the product of a teenage pregnancy and raised by her mother, never really knowing her father until recent years.

No one would argue that Lina and Carter didn’t have chemistry. They wanted each other and everyone saw it possibly before they even knew it. But due to the age gap and his friendship with her father it wasn’t that simple. They had many things to navigate, including her past hurts and traumas which had come to shape her perspective of her own self-worth.

This story was sweet, seeing Carter fall so hard, and work to encourage Lina in more way than one. He works to build her up and help her see that she is worthy of being loved and cherished while also encouraging her to pursue her dreams career wise. Starting as friends and co workers gave them a good base to build their relationship from.

This was a fun quick read for me! If you love a man in uniform, you can’t go wrong wit this one, Carter is a can’t miss book boyfriend!

[kelsisreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, please read any trigger warnings before diving into a book!

This book wrecked me and then pieced me back together. Lina and Carter share a beautiful connection.

Carter is a former fighter pilot turned commercial pilot after retiring from the Navy, which is where he met and became best friends with Lina’s father.

Lina is a flight attendant working for the same airline as Carter.

Lina and Carter have been drawn to each other for quite some time, but have kept their distance, for various reasons, the main reason being Carter is Lina’s dad’s best friend. Even though he’s only 13 years older than her, Lina’s parental examples have turned her off from the whole “age gap” romance. Until they can no longer fight their feelings for each other.

Lina has also experienced, like many of us, some very traumatic experiences which has shaped her into the woman she is now.

I really enjoyed reading this story and will be going back to read the others. I definitely recommend this book, but as I stated in the beginning, please check the trigger warnings first.

Tropes:
✈️ age gap
✈️ dad’s best friend
✈️ he falls first
✈️ cinnamon roll mmc
✈️ forced proximity
✈️ hurt/comfort
✈️ dual pov

[Lilian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since meeting Lina one year ago, Carter has not stopped thinking about her, his best friend’s daughter. As they both work for the same airline, they see each other frequently.

When they are forced to train together for a charity run, the underlying tension between them in the past year finally explodes. Carter is such a cinnamon roll – always ensuring Lina is safe – and I just love how she thought of him first during the storm.

A past trauma has made Lina doubt that she will ever find true happiness. When the truth is finally revealed, I was just so angry for young Lina who deserved so much better. As for Carter, he knows right from the start that she is his endgame but he holds back for her sake. The little gestures AND the final grand gesture is just what Lina needs and I loved Carter for being the thoughtful man that he is.

Besides the romance, I enjoyed the scenes with Carter’s grandma and her friends. The friendship between Lina, Bailey, Avery and Piper is also beautifully written. We all need people in our lives to support us and be there for us.

Ps. I hope to read Avery’s story soon.

[Dani (dtieds_allbookedup) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to @authormjhuxley for the #gifted copy of this book.

"You are my endgame. There is nothing more in this life I want more than you."

Summary: A single traumatic event in Lina's past has shaped her view of herself and her relationship with men that she still believes to be the truth. Until Carter came into her life. Carter showers her with safety, praise, and a sense of belonging. The only catch is that he's her dad's best friend.

Dani's Thoughts: Oh gosh....ALL THE STARS... I just love Lina and Carter. This series keeps getting better and better. I love seeing all the women throughout the series to see how they are doing.

Carter was an AMAZING man for Lina. Though settling down had never been in the cards for him, as soon as he started to spend more time with Lina, it was all he could imagine. He was so patient with her, letting her take the reigns and tell him her history when she was ready. From there, he made it his mission to let her know that she could and should be loved. Lina grew so much throughout this story. Her past completely changed her views of the world around her, but she slowly started realizing her worth and that she should be loved in the best way possible.

Ahhh overall, this was such a beautiful story... Be sure to add this one to your TBR.

Read if you love:
✈️Dad's Best Friend
💖Age Gap
✈️He Falls First
💖Forbidden Love
✈️Forced Proximity
💖Hurt/Comfort
✈️Cinnamon Roll MMC

[Paige (paigersturnspages) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review

Beauty beneath the Sorrow by MJ Huxley

Book 3 in Tangerine Sky Series

💜Dad's best friend
💜Female friendship
💜Dual pov
💜Age gap x forbidden
💜Takes care of her when sick
💜Nicknames
💜Close Proximity
💜He falls first and HARD

This series is amazing, this book especially has a special place in my heart! Not me staying up and losing sleep because I needed to see Lina and Carter get their happy ending.

I'm a sucker for age gap and anything dad's best friend but the relationship between Carter and Lina was so special, raw, and I fell absolutely head over heels for Carter the moment he described how he looks across the room at Lina. She's trying to establish a relationship with her dad, who happens to be Carters best friend so that keeps them from fully diving in.

They both work for the same airline, he's a former military pilot and shes a flight attendant. A charity run pushes them to train and spend even more time together than they already do. The tension between them, goodness gracious. I could feel it through my kindle. The way Lina opens up to Carter about her trauma and allows him to show how a man should truly treat the one he loves. 💜💜💜

Thank you MJ for writing this beautiful book that made me cry happy tears 🫶🏻

Available Now!!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, ma’am… you done did the thing! I knew Lina’s book would be good because, hello, it’s Lina.
I loved this story! And like the first two books in the series, it had the perfect amount of emotion, humor, love, and spice. I appreciated how Lina got a more unconventional love story than the other girls. If it were any other way, it wouldn't have fit her character. She is relatable, and every emotion she feels just falls off the page. I was right there with her the whole time. Maybe trying to steal Carter, but that’s beside the point.
I also loved the side characters and how each had their own personality. None were one-dimensional, as we often see in romance novels.

This book addresses some heavy topics. Check your triggers!

Read if you like:
Age Gap Romance
Spice and Steam
Dad’s Best Friend
He Falls First
Forbidden Romance
Forced Proximity
Emotion
Hurt/ Comfort
Cinnamon Roll MMC
Relatable and Real Characters

Thanks again! Counting down to Avery’s book (I think she’s next)! No pressure though!

[LaydeeOfLiterature · Rating 5 out of 5]

Give me a dad's best friend book and I will absolutely read it, and man, was this a great one!! Lina and Carter have enough sexual energy between each other to make an explosion and, wow, do they ever! They try for so long to stay away from each other out of respect for Lina's dad, but when you have the connection that Lina and Carter have it's just impossible to ignore. There is a magnetic forcefield drawing these two to each other, they can't deny it. I adored the fact that they both just love being in the air, they both have the same passion for flying. Carter may have understood his feeling first but that's just because Lina has a horrible secret past with boys that don't deserve her thoughts. She experienced something terrible and it's scarred her so much that she doesn't understand her worth. But don't worry, Carter will absolutely make her see just how precious she is, especially to him. Swoon. This is just a fantastic series, definitely add it to your TBR if you haven't already!

[Danes_booksta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review
4.5⭐️

This story was so good.

The emotional toll this book took on me — literally teared up at times while Lina was reliving some of her darker days. Seeing Lina and how she sees her self worth because of her past was heartbreaking. She has her friends and she puts on a front, but the girl just wants to be loved in a way she literally never has.

Enter Carter — who fought his connection so hard because of his best friend. But the intensity of their passion when they were together was too big to ignore. Their chemistry was literally jumping off the page. Carter was the man that Lina needed to show her how she deserved to be loved.

And the way they were together was wowza. Spice city party of two — whoowee. 🔥

I also loved seeing the girls and their friendship. The way they are always there for one another reminds me of my own group chat and friend group. I loved seeing how their relationships were still blossoming! I can’t wait to read Avery’s story. I just know it’s gonna be just as good!

Thank you MJ for allowing me be to a part of your team!

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rounding up from 4.5 ⭐️! It took me a little longer to get into this one than the previous two—I was dying for these two to finally spend more time alone together. Once they did though... 😮‍💨

By the end, I was ready to camp out at a busy airport ISO my own Captain Hernandez. 🤭 He’s sweet, he's spicy, and he's patient—basically the perfect book boyfriend. I've been a fan of Lina since the start (her dynamic with Mason is a HOOT), and I loved getting her story. Just a heads-up: it's heavy (TW: on-page recounting of SA).

I did appreciate how nontraditional her relationship with her dad was (he wasn't around for her childhood) and how that played into the plot and her relationship with Carter. My dad also picked the Navy over me, so, yeah—trauma bonds, sis. 😅

This was a great addition to the series and I can’t wait to see what comes next! ✈️ TYSM, MJ Huxley and Luna Literary for the ARC! 💫