Beneath the Sunshine

The Soulmate Effect #2

by Smardline S.

She ran from him once. Now, he’ll do anything to keep her.

Beautiful. Bold. Guarded.

Rylee Queen del Sol has spent years keeping her heart locked away, convinced love isn’t meant for her. But when she takes a dream job in Paris, she never expects her new French billionaire boss to be the man she ghosted a year ago-the only man who ever made her want more.

Charming. Rich. Possessive

Lucien Kingley has wealth, power, control. Everything except her. So when the opportunity to bring her back into his life presents itself, he takes it. Hiring her as his new marketing director.

Lucien needs a wife to secure his CEO position before his 30th birthday. Rylee needs a way to gain custody of her sister.

A marriage of convenience is the perfect solution... until the lines between business and desire start to blur. The longer they pretend, the more real it becomes.

But when Lucien’s secrets come to light, Rylee is ready to walk away.

Now, he has to convince her to stay.

Because the only thing more important than his CEO role... is her.

Genres: Romance, Second Chance, Contemporary, Marriage Of Convenience, Forced Proximity

398 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 22, 2025

Reviews

[Sher✩･*˚⁺‧͙ · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ Beneath the Sunshine by @smardline.s_author is now available ✨

𝐇𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞. 𝐇𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧.

From the heart of Paris comes a sizzling billionaire romance full of passion, second chances, and a marriage of convenience that feels anything but fake.

She’s guarded. He’s obsessed.
And when love gets tangled in secrets, only the truth can set them free.

𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
💼 Workplace Romance
💍 Marriage of Convenience
💔 Second Chance
🧠 ADHD Rep
🗼 Paris Setting
🔥 He Falls First + Possessive MMC
❤️‍🔥 Afro-Latina FMC x French Billionaire

My notes 🗒️
ITS A BLACK BILLIONAIRE ROMANCE OF COURSE I’M GONNA READ IT
I read it one sitting like if that doesn’t say a lot then I don’t know what will!!
He loved Lucien so much he was patient, attentive and he has a filthy mouth 🤭,he isn’t afraid to do everything for her and to spoil her!
I wish we had a lot of books with Afro Latina representation
Me being 🇨🇼🇨🇴 myself I love seeing Afro Latina’s in books
I don’t know but French men 🤤 they are sexy ass hell🤭
I liked the soulmates aspect too like carlos and Catalina in another lifetime🥹
I loved how we got some mental health representation
MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS TOO 👏🏾

[Abi Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a chance to beta read it and it's awesome. it's a billionaire black romance😍what else we need? I absolutely loved it.

[Keya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beneath the Sunshine is absolutely beautiful and brilliant! I had the absolute honor to receive an ARC of this masterpiece. Smardline has written another magical book. The story of The Oasis blends perfectly with Luc and Rylee’s story. Luc is definitely my favorite character in this book. He’s a handsome, charming MMC that knows what he wants and doesn’t hide his emotions all while delivering BDE without being smug and cocky. Rylee is the FMC that is strong but flawed a little bit of an over thinker that is working on herself. There are so many layers to this book that make it enjoyable and dang that honeymoon scene was super spicy. This story is a definite must read and the perfect follow up to At the Waterfall.

[Mk (Mikayla) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, where do I even begin. This book took me completely by surprise. I knew I’d like the book before I started it like… FRENCH BILLIONAIRE is all I needed to hear, but I didn’t expect to love this book as much as I did. First and foremost I wanna thank torchlitink for allowing me to read this as an ARC copy and to Smardline S. for writing such a beautiful book! This was my first time reading a book with some many tropes that were new to me as well as the personification at occurs during the Oasis snips throughout the book.

The way Luc (Lucien) speaks to Rylee not just out loud, but in his head is everything! His dominant but gentle personality is chefs kiss! 🤌🏼❤️He helps break down her walls and gives Rylee space to figure things out. He will forever be such an iconic book boyfriend on my list!

I can’t wait to read more books from Smardline S. The sensitive topics in this book are addressed so well in this book!

This book felt like such beautiful poetry I could quote so much, but I will leave you with just this…

“the way he looks at her like she’s the only thing that matters. The air shifts again. It’s subtle, but I feel it—the way their souls begin to reach for each other, despite the fear, despite the scars.”

(My favorite tropes) 🫣

⭐️Tropes ⭐️

He falls first ❤️
Dual/POV 👥
Billionaire romance 💰
Love at first sight 😍
Marriage of convenience 💒

[Zariah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Smardline S. and Torch Lit Ink for the advanced copy of this book! This is the second installment in The Soulmate Effect series, and this time we’re following Lucien and Rylee. Lucien is a French billionaire CEO of a fashion empire, and Rylee is an American marketing exec. They fall in love one summer, but Rylee ghosts him—only for Lucien to later buy her failing company and hire her to work for him. He proposes a marriage of convenience: he needs to stay CEO, and she wants custody of her sister. But for Lucien, it’s more than just a contract—he’s all in.
This was a good, easy read for me. That said, a few things didn’t totally work. There were a lot of characters, and honestly, some of them felt unnecessary—especially ones like Olivier and Margot, who seemed like they were there just to stir up drama. I get the need for tension, but there were already stronger, more organic conflicts happening that didn’t require extra villain-lite side characters.
I also wish we’d gotten more of Luc and Rylee together, especially in the beginning. The book picks up after they already know each other, and while Luc is clearly head-over-heels, we don’t really see that love grow—it mostly reads as sexual attraction unless you fill in the blanks yourself. A few more flashbacks would’ve gone a long way.
Also, small thing, but the way French and Spanish phrases are translated right after being used pulled me out of the story. I think footnotes or even just context clues would’ve made it flow better.
One element I could’ve taken or left: The Oasis and the flashbacks with Rylee’s great-great-grandmother. They felt like filler and, while they tied into the theme of generational trauma, I think that space could’ve been better used to deepen Luc and Rylee’s relationship.
Now, things I really liked: the ADHD rep in Luc. It wasn’t just a throwaway detail—it was tied into his personality and habits (like his need for structure), and I appreciated that. Also, Luc, while deeply obsessed in a way that would probably be a red flag in real life, was genuinely swoon-worthy. He adored Rylee, wanted her happy at all costs, helped with custody of her sister, and even remembered her love for vanilla-scented everything. A billionaire with a soul? We need more of that.
Rylee was super relatable—minus the part where she’s being doted on by a sexy billionaire. She grew up with an emotionally abusive mother who convinced her love never lasts, which shaped how she approached every relationship—including this one. She’s protective, loving, and just wants what’s best for her little sister. Also, the spice? It did what it needed to do, and didn’t feel random or out of place.
Overall, did this have the most original plot or flawless writing? No. But it was still really enjoyable. If you’re into billionaire romance, interracial couples, and some solid spice, this is a quick, fun read I’d recommend.

[Tatjana Shields · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, I want to preface by saying I really wanted to enjoy this book :/ I was chosen as an ARC reader, and very thankful for the opportunity, but I have to be honest when I say I enjoyed very little about this book. I usually finish a book in 1-2 days, and it took me a little over 2 weeks to get this done.

Let’s start out with the good. Love that the two leads were unapologetically black, and that we had a black Billionaire dedicated to his woman. Love. Got to see Mia from the previous book. Adore. Explored the relationship that Rylee has with her sister Luna. Big sister vibes were strong.

Now for the rest…
1. We were thrown into the world of Rylee and Luc at a RUNNING start. There was no establishment of these characters, I had no real attachment to them as the main couple because we got a TEENSY bit of them together in the previous book.
^^ SIDENOTE: There was something about the formatting of the first few chapters that I really did not like. It felt very piecemealed, as if each chapter was written at very different times and then they slapped them together.
Now to continue with 1… I understood as I continued reading that the author was relying on the flashbacks from the different characters so that the reader could learn from their previous engagements how to feel about their relationship. I just don’t think it was done very well.
2. We have Rylee accepting a job in a whole other COUNTRY and she’s not going to look up the CEO of said company?? I’m sorry I know this is fictional I just think she’s smarter than that.
3. Their work relationship. I personally wanted to see more of it. There was one scene in which Rylee had to present in front of the employees for the first time, and Luc stated that she was a natural…great. That seemed like the last time she actually worked in the office. After their engagement went public and they did the whole quick wedding, the timeline jumped forward like a month or two (?) to their wedding, and we had no more office interactions that I can recall…and I literally just finished the book.
4. Luc’s relationship with his father and brother. Luc obviously has such an interesting relationship with his father, and following his father’s stroke, Luc struggles to relate to communicate with him. After Rylee is introduced to the family, we don’t even see them again, save for Sophie, and that seems wrong considering the conflict that happens later in the book regarding the company board accusing the marriage of being fake.
5. I’m not necessarily mad at the way the author handled Luc’s ADHD, but it seemed a little glossed over. This is small in comparison.
6. This might be the biggest one. Rylee has a history of self harm, which I think was handled well by the author, and comes from a VERY sympathetic place. As such, she’s never had someone intimately down by her nether regions. I think the first time it’s introduced to Luc was handled well by the author, and it was the first moment in the book I actually saw their relationship heading somewhere positive. We’re at their honeymoon now, so in Luc’s chapter he talks about waiting for Rylee to become more comfortable with him, and he’ll wait as long as she needs so that she completely trusts him. And then he says something stupid like…”I just can’t wait to taste her sweet 🐈” I NEARLY THREW THE BOOK ACROSS THE ROOM. We spent so much time establishing that Luc was a patient man and he cared about Rylee more than for her body, and the moment felt COMPLETELY ruined by that thought running through his head. It felt like all the character development was for not.
7. The Oasis. I didn’t hate it, I thought connecting Rylee and Luc’s great grandparents as forbidden lovers who didn’t choose one another was great, very much like the first book. What I wanted though, was to learn about Luc’s great grandfather. So much was focused on Rylee’s great grandmother running away, but we learned NOTHING about Carlos.
8. Rylee’s mother. I know she was in the midst of great growth since she was admitted to rehab, but I couldn’t sympathize with her. She put her daughters at heavy risk, and I have a hard time believing Rylee could have that intense of a conversation with her that could set them on the path to redemption that quickly. I understand Rylee’s need to communicate with her, but it once again felt pushed upon the reader as forced closure.

All in all, I honestly think the book needed another round of heavy edits. There were so many strong ideas in this book, but not executed properly.

[Nicks Novel Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: Reading is subjective, what I like you might not & vice versa. Everyone experiences a book differently so please be respectful on how someone else perceives a book.

Genre:
Romance

Tropes/Themes:
Billionaire Romance/ Workplace Romance/He falls first/Marriage of Convenience/Second Chance/Anthropomorphism/ADHD Rep

My Rating:
5/5

Would I recommend it?:
Yes, most definitely! If you love a slow yet steady & emotional love story, where the MMC intensely yearns for the FMC. If you enjoy stories of healing, overcoming your fears & breaking generational curses. Lastly if you love Paris and a wealthy lifestyle, you’ll enjoy this book.

Brief book description:
Beneath the Sunshine by Smardline S. is a contemporary romance set in the heart of Paris. Rylee Queen del Sol moves to the city for a new job, only to find out her boss is Lucien Kingley, the man she ghosted a year ago. Lucien, a charming billionaire, needs a wife to secure his position as CEO, and Rylee has her own reasons for considering his proposal. What starts as a marriage of convenience soon stirs old feelings and new complications, as both must navigate trust, vulnerability, and the possibility of something real.

Things I liked about the book:
I like how poetic the meaning of her surname (Queen of the Sun) ties into the idea of her being his sun, and how he loves her not just for the light she radiates, but for everything that lies beneath her sunshine. It connects so perfectly with the title of the book.
I loved Luciens character, he’s attentive, patient, and never stops showing up for Rylee and earns her trust with gentleness and consistent effort. He’s a man of action not just words. From grand gestures to quiet attentiveness, Luc goes above and beyond.

One moment that completely stole my heart was how Luc nurtured Rylee’s forgotten childhood dream of becoming a ballet dancer. The way he honored that lost part of her, building ballet studios, designing custom-made ballet wear, wasn't just thoughtful, it was healing. He gave her something no one else had: the freedom to reclaim a piece of herself she thought was lost forever. Luc never rushed her. He moved at her pace, with endless patience, never pushing, just being there. That quiet devotion, that deep emotional understanding, it’s what made their love feel so genuine, so earned. Their relationship wasn’t built on grand declarations alone, but on intentional, loving actions that spoke louder than words.

I found myself emotionally resonating with Rylee on so many levels. She’s an overthinker, deeply introspective, and guarded, but watching her choose happiness despite everything she’s been through was such a powerful, empowering moment. My heart ached for her, but it also swelled with pride as she began to allow herself to heal and be loved. I loved how Lucien never took advantage of her vulnerability. The way he simply let her be while still showing up for her. I also adored Rylee’s love for her sister, it’s shown not just in words, but in what she’s willing to sacrifice.

I enjoyed that it showed how our upbringing, especially the pain we carry from childhood, can echo into our relationships, but also how those cycles can be broken. The generational healing in this story was powerful. I loved the reminder that we are not defined by our pasts; we have the power to choose differently and to build something better for ourselves.

Favorite lines/Quotes:
> “Trauma doesn’t disappear. Some days, it’s just a whisper, and others, like today, its louder than usual”
> “Her mouth falls open slightly. Wait, but… I spent more than ten thousand dollars! I laugh, that was pocket money”
> “I wasn’t broken. My brain just works differently.”
> “If she’s cursed to be unlovable, then I’m cursed to love her forever.”
> “Loving you, its not just a need, Rylee. It’s a necessity, like breathing.”

Trigger Warnings:
- Generational trauma
- Sexual content
- Mention of abuse & neglect
- Mention of self-harm

Check out my insta @nicksnovelnook for more bookish content.

[nighttime reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

rate : 3.75⭐️

Thank you for the ARC, this is one of those romances that balances warmth with angst, comfort with complication. It’s easy to fall into, with smooth prose and a premise full of romance tropes that hit familiar, satisfying beats—marriage of convenience, workplace tension, he-falls-first energy, and a swoony Parisian backdrop. But while there’s plenty to love, there are also some parts that don’t quite hold up under scrutiny.

Let’s start with what worked. The emotional core of the book—Rylee and Lucien’s bond—is genuinely touching once it gets going. Their chemistry feels real, and the dual POV helps reveal both their guarded vulnerabilities and why they’re so drawn to each other. Lucien Kingsley is a standout for many readers: sweet, loyal, utterly obsessed (sometimes to a fault), and deeply attuned to Rylee’s trauma and needs. His ADHD representation isn’t just lip service; it’s tied to his habits and how he navigates the world. Small details—like remembering her favorite vanilla scent or helping care for her sister—ground his love in action, not just words.

Rylee, on the other hand, is fiercely relatable. Her childhood, marked by emotional abuse and abandonment, shapes every one of her defenses. Her relationship with her younger sister Luna is arguably one of the strongest parts of the book—it’s pure, protective, and layered with love. The found-family dynamic between Rylee, Luna, Mia, and Sophie also shines and gives the book a sense of rootedness beyond the romance.

But not everything lands. Some readers will struggle with the billionaire trope—Lucien’s extreme wealth can feel cartoonishly vast, and it occasionally pulls the story away from reality. If you’re someone who finds fictional displays of wealth frustrating or distracting (especially when juxtaposed with real-world problems), it might take you out of the emotional immersion. On top of that, Luc’s intense possessiveness—though romantic to some—crosses into slightly cringy territory for others.

The pacing is also a mixed bag. We jump into the story after Luc and Rylee already know each other, which makes their relationship feel a little underdeveloped early on. The book could’ve used more flashbacks or buildup to sell the emotional stakes, especially since we’re told Luc is head-over-heels before we see much of why. And while the Oasis POV was an ambitious, poetic choice—meant to act as a symbolic witness to their love—it’ll be hit-or-miss depending on whether you like magical realism or want your romance strictly grounded.

Then there are the side characters. Some, like Olivier and Margot, feel like filler meant to stir drama that wasn’t necessary, especially when the main emotional conflicts were already rich and compelling. And the flashbacks to Rylee’s great-great-grandmother, while thematically tied to generational trauma, didn’t add much to the present-day plot and could’ve been cut without much loss.

Still, when Beneath the Sunshine is good, it’s really good. It’s tender, occasionally spicy, emotionally aware, and brings important mental health and trauma conversations into the romance space. If you enjoy stories about guarded women, men who are all-in from the jump, and love that slowly chips away at fear, you’ll find a lot to appreciate here—even if a few elements fall short.

[Maddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review:

I read At the Waterfall by this author last year and was super intrigued to see more books in this universe! We get snippets of these characters interacting in book one and I could tell this one was going to be a good read.

I really enjoyed our main female character in this book! Rylee has dealt with a lot growing up and that has caused her to be very guarded. She comes to this new job excited for a big opportunity that would help her eventually be able to get custody of her sister, Luna. Her new boss ends up being Luc, someone she shared a wonderful day with a couple of years ago who she has not been in contact with since then. Long story short, they end up agreeing to enter a marriage of convenience arrangement to help each other out. Overtime, we can see that to Luc, this is more than just an arrangement to him and he makes that clear to Rylee. Given her being so guarded, it takes some time for her to open up and want to allow Luc to care for her and love her. I loved seeing her open up to him slowly and find comfort within him and being able to share things she doesn’t share with other people.

Luc was also a wonderful character. He was a man down bad, which we love! He was so kind to Rylee and loved her so deeply and he really showed it in his actions. He was so patient with her. She wasn’t ready to immediately let him in and admit this relationship could be real but he was willing to wait and I absolutely loved that.

Another thing I loved about this book was the familial relationships. Both Luc and Rylee have younger sisters and they have such amazing relationships with them. I loved seeing how much Rylee loved Luna and was so determined to get custody of her since it is what would be best for her. We also see Rylee become close to Luc’s sister which is so sweet.

Would recommend this book for someone who loves marriage of convenience!

🧡📱🩰👗🐶

[reading_for_romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

💛 Afro Latina FMC / French MC
💛 Billionaire Romance
💛 Workplace Romance / Paris Setting
💛 Marriage of Convenience
💛 Man Obsessed
💛 He Falls First

“Don’t look at me like that in a meeting unless you want me to kick everyone out of this room. And trust me, you don’t want to know what happens when I do.” 😏

“The black card is unlimited, use it for all I’m worth. And I’m worth a lot.” 🫠

“I’m French, baby. I don’t kiss without tongue.” ☺️

Wow, this book was so cute and sexy! I immediately fell head over heels for both Rylee and Luc. I’m always going to eat up a billionaire/ marriage of convenience romance!

After sharing one unforgettable night together, Rylee returns to New York and Luc to Paris, where he’s forced to forget about her and move on. The only problem is he can’t. He can’t stop thinking about Rylee and he also needs a wife if he wants to keep his position as CEO of his company. So what does he do? Buy the company that Rylee works for and hires her for a job that has her moving to Paris to work right beside him.

Rylee and Luc are reunited, sparks continue to fly, and she agrees to marry Luc. She knows this is an arrangement and can’t let herself fall for Luc, especially since she believes the women in her family are cursed to never find true love.

Luc is a man obsessed and determined to show Rylee just how much she is deserving of the best kind of love. Because to him, this was never an arrangement, but his plan to get back the one who got away.

The chemistry, the longing, the spice, I couldn’t get enough of it! And let’s not forget about the swoon worthy pet names in both Spanish and French! Both Rylee and Luc had me blushing, giggling, and kicking my feet!

Go ahead and add this to your TBR asap!

Thank you to Smardline S. and Torchlink for this ARC. I can’t wait for what comes next! 🥰

[Catherine Giorgetti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Torch Lit Ink for the ARC of this book!

There were some things I really loved about this book, and there were some things that I learned about myself through reading this book.

One of my favorite things is Rylee’s relationship with her sister. I love seeing the way she rallies for Luna and would do anything for her. In general the relationships Rylee had with other women in this book was a big draw for me. I loved that the pod of found family in Rylee, Luna, Mia, and Sophie had such a big impact on the book and my experience reading it.

I really loved the way that the author depicted Rylee’s walls and her process of slowly bringing them down. I think that so many people have walls up, and it takes on person to start to help us see beyond them. Rylee’s fears and trepidations were realistic, which brought me into the book. I loved that Luc and Rylee took care of each other in a deep way, and grew to love their relationship, especially towards the end of the book.

I learned that I do not like the billionaire trope. No shade to the trope or people who enjoy it, but anytime Luc’s wealth came up, it took me out of the book. I found it hard to fathom the amounts of money being spent, knowing that a fraction could be used helping people. I learned that the problem I have with billionaires in real life extends to fictional characters. I also learned that possessiveness in a MMC is not something that I personally find attractive, but cringy and a little creepy at times. And I think the billionaire trait plus possessiveness made it harder to like Luc. I did get there eventually, but he had a lot of hurdles for me to go through.

All in all, this was a fine romance that I did enjoy reading. It moved quickly, which I loved, and once I started reading, it was always hard to stop.

[Ja’Laya Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! Rylee Queen del Sol is bold, guarded, and fiercely independent, while Lucien Kingley is rich, powerful, and undeniably possessive. Their chemistry was electric from the start, and I loved watching the tension build as past heartbreak collided with present desires. The marriage-of-convenience trope was done so well, balancing high-stakes career and family pressures with emotional depth and swoony romance.

The story explores love, trust, and second chances in a way that’s both heartwarming and heart-stopping. Rylee’s journey of reclaiming her heart while protecting her sister, and Lucien’s battle to prove he’s worthy of her, kept me fully invested until the very last page.

What I Learned:
This story reminded me that love often requires vulnerability and trust, even when it’s scary. Past mistakes or heartbreaks don’t define your future, and the right person can inspire you to open your heart again, even in unexpected circumstances.

[Angelbelle Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

I have mixed feelings about this book. For the most part I enjoyed it however there are some aspects I think need to be refined

I felt like the author possibly had so many ideas about the book and just threw them in there. Also, at times I felt the story moved quickly and left me wondering what happened. For example we went from her coworker planning a bachelorette party to the wedding just like that.

While I didn’t fall in love with the book I didn’t hate it either

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rylee and Luc are friends with Mia from book one and she introduces them to each other when Rylee visits Mia in Paris.
Rylee has so much going on in her life, especially with her family. And the family curse. Rylee believes she can't be loved. Luc does all he can to prove her wrong. He's strong and supportive, doesn't push for her to explain. He would wait forever for her.

[Markita_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ｅｂｏｏｋ Ｒｅｖｉｅｗ
🌟🌟🌟🌟.2
First, the cover art is gorgeous! This book will take you on a ride, with a marriage of convenience, Paris, romance, full of passion, and second chances. It has dual timelines and dual POVs. It has a slow start, but once it takes off, I was hooked and was hoping that Rylee and Lucien got their happy ever after. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to the author, Smardline S., for the ebook in exchange for my honest review.

[Kayvona ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

UGH I LOVED THIS BOOK!!

[Kirsten_BookRants · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️

You know you are in the right place when the dedication touches your spirit and literally makes you tear up. Beneath the Sunshine is my first book by Smardline S and from page one I knew this story was going to be something special.

Thank you Torch Lit Ink and Smardline S for the opportunity to receive a copy of Beneath the Sunshine and leave my honest review.

𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
💼 Workplace Romance
💍 Marriage of Convenience
💔 Second Chance
🧠 ADHD Rep
🗼 Paris Setting
🔥 He Falls First + Possessive MMC
❤️‍🔥 Afro-Latina FMC x French Billionaire

"How does someone find their soulmate? Do I post it online? Hi, I’m looking for my soulmate. If you think it’s you, please contact me."

Luc welcome to my list of favorite book boyfriends 😭. Extra points for being a dark romance reader! He takes care of her, and I was sobbing.

My sapiosexual ass loved this book!!! There was a perfect blend of humor, angst and spice. I thoroughly enjoyed it and definitely want to go back and read book 1. I also appreciate the chapter titles in the released version! I wish more authors still did that.

“I can’t blame you, though. My wand is magical.” (This line will live rent free in my head).

The Oasis was a trust the process moment for me, but once the pieces started coming together I'm like Smardline is a literary genius. I thought the back and forth between the past and present was beautifully written and connected well. Plus acted like a mini plot twist.

As a therapist this book checked all the boxes; bringing up mental/behavioral health disorders, explaining symptoms, coping skills such as grounding. I even plan to use the counting technique present in the story with my patients. Most importantly therapy representation. There is nothing that makes me roll my eyes more than characters magically healing from years of trauma through sex. While sex can definitely be healing, I simply don't by into it being this cure all just because it's romance.

So many times I found myself cheesing and kicking my feet like a blushing school girl. I can see Luc and Rylee being a couple I don't forget about for a while. And I look forward to reading their story again and again. Luc had it bad for Rylee, and I loved that for her. His patience with her was great. Proving once again men are so much better in books.

I gave it four stars because something seems to be missing. And I'm guessing that's because I haven't read book 1. Everything seems to be moving so fast, and I'm not sure I believe the chemistry. There were plot points that I wished were dived deeper into. For example Margot overheard Luc talking about Rylee's sister, then poof the wedding is planned and they are at the honeymoon. I just got lost about what the actual timeline is. I thought the wedding was supposed to happen in a month, but it seemed to happen in 2 weeks (maybe I just misunderstood). And at the 70% mark there were tons of plot lines that needed to be wrapped up, and I felt they were rushed.

I'll be that person for a second but that shopping spree the girls had made me roll my eyes...felt a little manipulative like Rylee was trying to spark a reaction. And when she didn't get one, in fact Luc called all the stores a head of time, I felt her still questioning his love for her was well 🙄. But I get it at this point she still felt she was cursed.

Favorite Quotes:

"Love is a basic need. For so long, I’ve denied myself that need; too afraid of being shattered. But now? I crave it. Crave him. To love and to be loved."

“She shines so brightly,” I say, glancing back at Rylee, “and she doesn’t let the shadows overpower her light. That’s something rare.”

"sometimes our fears can be a curse. They keep us stuck in the past.”

[BooksandMelaninn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay y’all… where do I even start? I’m so happy right now because I got chosen to do another ARC review, and this one right here? Beneath the Sunshine by Smardline S.? Yeah. She did what needed to be done.

If you know me, you already know I’m a romance girlie but more than that, I’m a sucker for stories where Black women are loved the way they deserve to be loved. Loudly. Softly. Patiently. Fully. And Luc? That man understood the assignment.

Also, confession time: I bought a Kindle a few years ago, did the whole nine. accessories, screen protector, everything. But when I really love a book? I need the hard copy as a trophy. And let me tell you… this book made the cut. Beneath the Sunshine. The cover? Stunning. The story? Soul-shaking.

Let’s talk about Luc. My God. That French man loved Rylee with the kind of quiet strength and gentleness that makes you wanna go learn French and hop on the next flight to Paris. Even when she pushed him away, he was like, “Cool, I’ll wait. I’m not letting go.” And he meant it. That kind of love? The kind that waits and sees the real you and still stays? Whew. I love that man down.

But what really stood out to me was how this book handled generational trauma. So many of us, especially Black women ,carry pain that isn’t even ours. Pain passed down from mamas, grandmas, aunties. We walk around holding wounds we didn’t ask for, and this book… it shows what it looks like to break that cycle. To heal. To choose joy. To choose love, even when you feel like you don’t deserve it. Smardline wrote that message beautifully.

Rylee’s journey? Gut-wrenching and empowering all at once. The way she sacrificed her happiness for her baby sister, the way she carried so much… and still opened her heart to love… It reminded me that we’re all worthy of love. Our trauma doesn’t get the final say.

And let me tell you the spice in this book? Luc’s mouth? That man started speaking French and I was ready to fold like laundry. Let’s be real, I would not have lasted as long as Rylee did. She’s stronger than me because the minute he said “ Mon Soleil” I would’ve been like “okay, you win.”

Also, Smardline touched on something that doesn’t get enough light; men and emotions. The way society tries to strip men of their softness. But Luc? He felt. He communicated. He showed up. And it was such a refreshing reminder that real men feel, and that vulnerability is strength not weakness.

Now, before you dive in, please know: this book does touch on sensitive topics like self-harm. If that’s something you’ve struggled with, please don’t stay silent. You matter. Your voice matters. You deserve to be here.

This book is about love, yes; but it’s also about healing. About breaking generational curses. About finding yourself in the wreckage and learning to believe that softness can be safe. That love can be real.

[Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

♡´･ᴗ･`♡ 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖 ♡´･ᴗ･`♡

⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️

First and foremost thank you to the author for sending me an arc of her book.

I absolutely adored this book!!! I loved the connection as well as rekindling between Rylee, MC, and Lucien, MMC. Seeing the development of each character completely warmed my heart as they grew and learned to love each other.

I liked the plot of this book and enjoyed the storytelling. It was a bit hard for me to get into the dual timeline within this book which took me off guard as I usually enjoy dual timelines; however, as the book progressed I felt more intrigued and connected to it. I grew to love the characters and their story despite knowing how it would end.

Rylee and Lucien’s relationship was so raw. Watching how he took careful of her, free from judgement and loved her so wholesome was beautiful to see. I loved how patient he was with her, admiring her and simply understanding her. On another note, to see Rylee let her walls down and open herself to Lucien’s love was also just as heartwarming.

I enjoyed both characters as well as the side characters but there are some things that I wished the author had explored in more detail. Key events felt passed by and with those additions I wouldn’t have felt a bit empty at some parts. Nevertheless, none of those erase how great this book was. Seeing a black woman love out loud will just always do it for me.

𝑩𝒍𝒖𝒓𝒃:
She ran from him once. Now, he’ll do anything to keep her.
Beautiful. Bold. Guarded.
Rylee Queen del Sol has spent years keeping her heart locked away, convinced love isn’t meant for her. But when she takes a dream job in Paris, she never expects her new French billionaire boss to be the man she ghosted a year ago—the only man who ever made her want more.
Charming. Rich. Possessive
Lucien Kingley has everything: wealth, power, control. Everything except her. So when the opportunity to bring her back into his life presents itself, he takes it. Hiring her as his new marketing director.
Lucien needs a wife to secure his CEO position before his 30th birthday. Rylee needs a way to gain custody of her sister.
A marriage of convenience is the perfect solution… until the lines between business and desire start to blur. The longer they pretend, the more real it becomes.
But when Lucien’s secrets come to light, Rylee is ready to walk away. Now, he has to convince her to stay.
Because the only thing more important than his CEO role… is her.
𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒔:
🌟Billionaire Romance
⭐️workplace romance
⭐️He falls first
⭐️Dual/POV
⭐️sunshine with a twist
⭐️Man Obsessed
⭐️French MC x Afro-Latina FMC
⭐️Paris
⭐️Marriage of convenience.
⭐️ADHD Rep

AVAILABLE NOW

[Jamie aka TacoGoddess Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ATE THIS UP. SMARDLINE DID IT AGAIN!!
Rylee & Lucien! 🫶💗😉
I WILL RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO EVERYONE!

Smardline does not disappoint. This book and characters will stick with me forever.. I cried, I laughed,and truly it made me feel, examine my past trauma and grow as a person. This will be one of my top favorite books for the rest of my life; this book truly touched me.
I can't wait for the next book in this series, and to see what Smardline creates. This story is a definite must read and the perfect follow up to At the Waterfall.

What to Expect/Tropes:
💛Billionaire Romance workplace romance
💘He falls first
🙌Dual/POV
☀️sunshine with a twist
💛MMC Obsessed with FMC( He falls first, but hard)
💛French MC X Afro-Latina FMC
🥐Paris
💍Marriage of convenience.
💛Mental health/ADHD Rep


WOW Now we’re to start with my actual review:
I read the blurb, saw the tropes,heard about the characters and I knew I needed to read this ASAP.
The sensitive topics in this book are addressed so well in this book by the author. This story explores love, trust, second chances in a way that was so heartwarming and I’ve not seen done before
I loved the dual timeline it helped us get to know the characters and why,and how things were they way they were in the present.

. Rylee’s journey is one that’ll tug at your heartstrings,her past is painful, and the scars, and trauma she carries. (My poor baby) they way she was protecting her sister no matter the cost, to prevent her the pain that Rylee herself went through. Rylee’s growth working on herself and trauma, she’s a character I feel we can all relate to in someway. AND Lucien (MMC) I loved him so so much! Especially the way he was with Rylee how he treated her, helped her and was there for her and breaking the cycle, free of judgement just there.The tension, the banter and that slow burn.. ooof plus the spice perfection!!!💗🔥
Lucien just doesn’t fall he falls hard and first! Plus he’s French,a billionaire, and a handsome, charming MMC And all he’s was willing to do just so she could help her sister and get custody of her like wow!! that knows what he wants and doesn't hide his emotions all while delivering BDE without being smug and cocky.
The story of The Oasis blends perfectly with Luc and Rylee's story and I loved that one of my favorite parts of the book!

If you enjoy books w/ healing, overcoming your fears & breaking generational curses, growth and two characters who are truly meant to be with each other. THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU!

[Harir reads · Rating 1 out of 5]

So this what reading your money feels like … I am so frustrated because I really wanted to enjoy this book it had so much potential… but’ in the end, it had 0 depth. We stayed on the surface for the whole book except for the last chapter and epilogue. I couldn’t even get attached to them. The story of the grand mother seemed even more interesting than the main couple’s.

In my opinion, the book was just thirst trap sentences from the mmc, multiple micro tropes that are currently trendy, and then it had to form a story so the pace and connections between one moment and another felt off.
For most of the book, I saw Luc as a delulu man just obsessed, not in love. I don’t understand how he got to « love » her this much with the little informations we had on their story. I know they appeared in a previous book, but this is their book, their story should be the more detailed in here, not in Mia’s book. That is also the reason why the story didn’t do it for me, the lack of informations about the summer they spent together.

Luc telling her that he will be patient when she reflects after she learned he « lied » to her, but he contacts her every single time ?? What is the point of letting her go then?
And the mention of all the luxurious brands, the exact price of the shopping spree, it was a bit too cringe. No need to be so specific to show wealth or that someone spend that exact sum of money, I don’t know if it makes sense, but the fact that it is not subtle make it looks like a first draft of a novel written by a teenager who doesn’t really know much about rich people. And it is not only the Eiffel Tower that can make us visualize that they’re in Paris. Making her seeing it from every single spot she goes from the airport to the office was a bit too much. Just telling that it is in Paris definitely makes readers know where the story takes place. Mentioning it once or twice, making a scene take place there would have been nice maybe, but mentioning it, just to mention it, it lost its purpose.

And I think the author mentioned it, but the fact that the ebook version has mistakes and even unedited parts wasn’t helping me seeing taking this book seriously.

(Ça va, not ça vas, as « va » is conjugated with « ça » that can be translated as « it » even if you talk directly to someone)

[Midnight · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Please note that the trigger warnings listed are only mentions of them in the story; they are not written out in great detail.]

I don't even know where to start! This book was exceptional! First of all, the way the story of the Oasis intertwined with the main character's story (journey) was a brilliant idea by the author, adding an extra layer of intrigue. This story was a true romance that also tackled some heavy topics. The male lead, Luc, was everything. He could be a bit cocky at times, but it was endearing rather than annoying; he was undeniably attractive and sexy.

As for Rylee, the female main character, she was dealing with personal issues that made her guarded. Watching her growth throughout the story was both beautiful and touching. The love, concern, and care she held for her sister were deeply heartfelt.

Although Luc offered Rylee a proposition that would benefit them both, it was clear that he was genuinely in love with her. However, due to Rylee's emotional scars, it was difficult for her to trust and believe in that love. The two had met previously in France, but Rylee’s fears caused her to run away from him. Nonetheless, Luc was not about to give up easily; he devised a plan to bring her back into his life. Their story was deep and emotional, while also being sweet and steamy.

Even though this is a slow-burn romance, it did not skimp on the intimate moments. I loved how their cute and sexy interactions evolved into them “talking each other through it!” I thoroughly enjoyed Luc and Rylee's love making, which was both wonderfully sweet and tastefully nasty, Lol! Overall, this romance illustrates what can happen when we let go of our fears and allow ourselves to be loved and to feel love.

I must admit that I was initially drawn to this story because of its beautiful cover. However, I later discovered that the author's first book focuses on Rylee's friend, Mia. To provide some context, Luc and Mia have a friendship that stems from Mia's grandmother being a business partner and an old family friend of Luc's family. Despite this background, I found it easy to understand and follow the storyline; it can definitely be enjoyed as a standalone read.

In closing, read the book! Its phenomenal! I savoured every moment of this read.

[NeiNey.ThaReadinDoula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big love to Smardline S. & Torch Lit Ink for the ARC!
This was my intro to her work, and even though I gave it a personal 3.5 out of 5, I can see why readers are drawn to her style—it’s got a cool vibe and a unique voice that stands out.

This is book two in The Soulmate Effect series, which I didn’t know going in, but no worries—it still worked perfectly as a standalone and was a solid intro to Smardline’s world.

We meet Lucien, a smooth French billionaire CEO, and Rylee, a smart, driven Afro-Latina marketing exec from the U.S. They had a summer romance that ended with her disappearing, and now? Luc pulls a total power move—buys out her struggling company, hires her, and proposes a fake marriage. But don’t get it twisted—Luc’s not playing games. He’s all in.

What worked? Oh, it worked.
Luc’s portrayal as a man with ADHD was refreshingly honest—woven into his character in a way that felt genuine, not performative.
And Luc himself? Whew. He’s the soft, observant, ride-for-his-woman type—paying attention to things like her scent preferences and showing up for her in real ways.
Rylee? Grounded, relatable, and layered. She’s healing, protecting her little sister, and trying to navigate love without losing herself.
And the romance? When it hits, it’s tender, steamy, and intentional.

Now, some things didn’t land for me personally.
A few side characters felt like noise instead of impact, and I wished we got more showing of Luc and Rylee’s emotional connection. A couple flashbacks could’ve made their love story feel even deeper.
There were also ancestor/flashback scenes that didn’t quite click for me while I normally love an ancestor being honored or being referred to in this case it felt...I just wanted more focus on the present-day romance.

But here’s the thing: if you’re here for Black love, passion with purpose, and a billionaire who is head-over-heels for his woman? You’ll probably enjoy this ride.

Even though it wasn’t a perfect fit for me, I can absolutely see the appeal—and if this sounds like your type of love story, it’s worth checking out.

[Sunny D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite book of the year

I’ve been attached to this book since day one (I got to alpha/beta read). And once again, Smardline does not disappoint. This book made my entire year. I will never forget it, and I can’t wait for the next one in this series.

To start off, Rylee is a character, that I think all of us can relate to, but what made me love her so much, was her dedication to her sister. I think that she truly was selfless in the way she protected her, and did so with grace. Her scars of her own, were the driving force behind it, and that made me love her more than anything.

Luc…let’s just say…there will never be a man like him. EVER. I mean him being a billionaire is one thing, but a man who’s so down bad that he will buy you company to help you keep a job, fake a marriage to help you get custody of your sister, and still perform husband duties to make sure you eat, have all the things you need, and he’s GIVING HER PORTIONS OF HIS ASSETS?? Like hello…..where did you make him.

The Oasis is my favorite part. I love the interwoven stories that align in real time. Carlos and Catalina had me in tears….I want a story about them so bad…even though we know what happens. I just can’t help it.

One of my favorite things about this book is the love Luc has for her no matter what. Like when she doesn’t eat, he feeds her. When she needs help, he’s just there to solve her problems. Even at the expense of his own mind.

My favorite scene : The one in the elevator where he tells her what he would do if he was her sugar daddy. Don’t judge me….it was hot. I also love the dancing scene. It’s just so cute the way he watches her at first, and then goes to join her.

I could literally talk about this book all day. And will forever. Thank you to my friend Smardline for writing this lovely story. You made me cry so many times. I’m so proud of you and can’t wait for the next book!

[Randi Gulledge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before I start this review I need to share a bit of honesty. Though I had this book on my reading list last month it took me longer than what I would like to finish. The main reason being that this was my first introduction to the billionaire romance sub genre. So I would say to keep that in mind when reading my review. The initial premise of a young woman flying to Paris and ending up being offered a marriage of convenience had me hooked from the start. The way Smardline S paints this new life of luxury made me want to go to Paris myself. The FMC Rylee is determined to work hard so she can not only heal from her abusive mother, but so she can get to a place where she can gain custody of her sister. Meanwhile the MMC Lucien is trying to uphold the family business while still exploring his dreams. So when these two agree to marry so Lucien can fulfill his grandfathers wishes, I knew this would force them to let down their guards. I appreciate how respectful Smardine was to Rylees backstory. Childhood abuse is never easy to tackle but Smardline did it in a way that not only explained Rylees attachment style, but why she felt unworthy of love. Although the story had great elements, I found myself struggling to get through it. The writing and conversational style felt like it could have been a part of any romance novel at times. Though I admired the characters I wish I could have experienced their personalities past their traumas and romantic relationship. I also feel that the Oasis backstory between Carlos and Catalina would have been better if it was a standalone prequel novel, and then have it referenced in the novel. I will say that despite my hangups, I look forward to reading more of Smardlines’ works.
2.5/5 stars

[Breana · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review
Interracial Billionaire Romance

I really enjoyed this read. It’s the second book in The Soulmate Effect series, if you haven’t read book one no worries this reads like a standalone so you don’t really have to read them in order (but still read the first one lol).

Luc is not your average billionaire. He is sweet, charming, patient and observant. He loves hard, he is determined and he goes after what he wants. I really enjoyed his character and how his ADHD was portrayed. Mental Health Matters and the author didn’t let his ADHD consume him but rather highlighted the little nuances of how it can affect your everyday. As a person with ADHD I really appreciated this.

Rylee is guarded and not quite ready for the love Luc has to offer. This beautiful Afro-Latina had some healing to do in order to truly be ready for Luc. She was a little frustrating at times but I loved seeing her character growth.

The chemistry, longing, and spice had me sucked in!! I also enjoyed the flashbacks with The Oasis. At first I was a little confused as to how it connected but then there is a pivotal moment in the story that made it clicked. I loved the Oasis and its magical element it added to the storyline. The mental health representation in this story was also done really well and I’m grateful for it because it was so healing. There is ADHD representation, self-harm, substance abuse and depression. The author handled these topics with care and did not over highlight them in the characters. Take care of yourself and know you are worth loving!!

Thank you Torch Lit Ink for the advanced reader copy I can’t wait to read more by Smardine.

[Nakia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars. I received this as an ARC & I want to say thank you to the author. I went into this book pretty blind after seeing the tropes on an IG post & thinking “hey, I like that!” I didn’t know it was the second book in an interconnected series.

Though I liked the book the book the writing was a little choppy to say the least. There were times I read thinking “how did we get here?” or wondering where this plot came from. For example, even though I understood the issue between Luc & his brother the plot with him could have had a better foundation earlier in the book. I also wish we would have seen more of Rylee in her therapy sessions.

I loved the multilingual Black MCs & I loved the way the curse was set up. The oasis was interesting to me. I had never seen anything like that in a book but I was shocked I learned they were in Spain because I didn’t know Rylee’s grandmother was there. I liked the relationship with Rylee & her sister too & wish we could saw more & with her & Luc’s little sister. I love that Luc spoiled Rylee too (as he should).

I know this is an ARC but something outside of grammatical issues, is earlier in the book but the author said Rylee’s dad was Jamaican & then at another point she said Haitian. Also, at one point the translations were different

[booksaholicandco · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a sucker for marriage of convenience, he falls first, and workplace romance set against the dreamy backdrop of Paris then Beneath the Sunshine will sweep you right off your feet.

Smardline S. delivers a beautifully written story with all the emotional pull of a classic soulmate romance, yet with a fresh, modern voice. Rylee Queen del Sol is a fiercely determined woman whose life has left her guarded, focused only on her goals until she unexpectedly reunites with Lucien Kingley, the charming billionaire she once ghosted. What starts as a professional arrangement quickly becomes an emotional whirlwind, full of longing, unresolved feelings, and magnetic chemistry.

Lucien is a standout. He’s not just another rich guy he’s kind, romantic, and absolutely head over heels from the start. Watching him try to win Rylee’s trust while hiding his own heartbreak is both heartwarming and heart-wrenching. Their dynamic is electric, and the dual POV gives readers insight into both their vulnerabilities and strengths.

The Oasis POV in Beneath the Sunshine is one of the most unexpected yet powerful elements of the book it adds a poetic, almost magical layer that sets the story apart from typical romance narratives. By giving the oasis (a symbolic representation of comfort, memory, and sanctuary) its own voice, Smardline S. invites readers to experience Rylee and Lucien’s love from an ethereal, omniscient point of view. It’s as if the oasis acts as a quiet witness to their bond, carrying fragments of their past connection, heartbreak, and longing.

[Traveling Bookie Monster]

* Check Trigger Warnings before Reading *
This story was so cute but also tore me up inside a bit as well. Rylee has watched her mother fall apart and completely change after the loss of her love, and she is determined to not follow in those footsteps. Luckily, the added pressure of trying to care for her little sister, long distance, has helped keep her mind set on their future and not on her doomed love life. Her coping mechanisms aren’t the healthiest but her pain is real.
Lucian is a dream come true. He was sprung from the moment he laid eyes on her and not shy about his wealth or spending it on her. Nor is he letting her fears get in the way of them getting their happy ending. He knows what his heart wants, and he will not let anything stand in his way. Not her job in NYC, not her unstable mother, not even her. The man woo’s like he invented the concept and I am so here for it!
Luc is definitely a top contender for BF of the year. The man speaks French, English and Spanish and used all three to give me the low down tickles. I could probably write a whole separate article on how amazing Lucian Kingsley is, but yall should probably just read the book yourself.
You won’t be disappointed.

[home_with_esha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strong 4.5⭐️ 3-3.5🔥

I have found my new book husband. Yes, not boyfriend, husband. Lucien is everything, french speaking, british accent, style and gorgeous hair, yes please. The way he is obsessed and cares for the heroine Rylee is so swoon worthy. He shows his love through actions, presence, attention to her wants and needs and most importantly once he has the chance he expresses his feelings to her so heart felt. Rylee is such a strong, independent herione who feels unworthy of love and that no one will love her and I felt for her. All I wanted was for her to be loved and cared for and all Lucien wanted to do was just that. This story had you falling in love with the characters as they fell for eachother and got to know eachother. The spice, the chemistry with these two was steamy and very flexible as you will see. Those scenes will stay with me for a while. I was also happy to see characters from At the Waterfall(Another great book by this author) Mia and Jake, as Mia and Rylee are best friends and love eachother as sisters. If you are looking for a story where the hero goes all in for the woman he knows is meant to be his and willing to go above and beyond to have her near, this is the story for you. Lucien and Rylee are unforgettable.