Beneath Him

by Komal Kant

Sometimes love can start with a little hate.

When Sky Hudson first has a run-in with tall, dark, and handsome Nicholas Ruggarson, she wants nothing more than to throw her coffee at him. He is rude and arrogant, and she is glad she never has to set eyes on him ever again.

Or so she thinks.

It turns out, not only does she have to see Nick again, she also has to live with him. Hired as the new nanny to work for Nick’s affluent family, she can’t seem to get away from the womanizing jerk.

With a hot and cold relationship, and an undeniable attraction between them, Sky might finally be the woman to break through Nick’s arrogance and discover that there is more to him than she ever imagined.

If she doesn’t kill him first.

*Recommended for readers aged 18+ due to language and sexual content.
**This novel is a standalone.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Audiobook, New Adult, Enemies To Lovers, Love Story

Unknown Binding

First published November 21, 2014

About the author

Komal Kant is the international bestselling author of BENEATH HIM. She writes books about falling in love, books that make you laugh in awkward locales, and that one book where you bawled so hard that you loved and hated her equally.

Her days are filled with imaginary characters who speak to her in hushed tones before stealing her lunch money, a husband who accepts all her weird writer quirks, and a criminal mastermind Shih Tzu and lapdog American Bully—he’s the muscle.

Find her latest release THE JERK NEXT DOOR on Amazon. It’s a book about an irritating, Aussie neighbor, and features a cast of characters that are cracked.

Website: http://komalkant.wordpress.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Komal-K...

Reviews

[Komal Kant]

It's hard to believe that BENEATH HIM will be my 6th release since I first published back in October, 2012! But it is! Crazy!

Here is one of my favourite quotes from the book:

"Love wasn't a fairy tale; love was something tangible. You just had to reach out and take a hold of it."

[Nina · Rating 2 out of 5]

*2.5 Stars*

Finished in one sitting. It wasn't bad per se. It was more on the annoying side. Felt as if I was reading about immature high school kids bickering back and forth with Nick and Sky. It just wasn't very appealing. Ended up skimming the last half of the book to find out what Nick's big "secret" was. Can't say I was surprised. Actually kind of saw it coming.

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sassy And Sweet

I expected this book to be hilariously entertaining, and it did not fail me. I spent a lot of time laughing at the feisty banter between Sky and Nick. What I didn't expect, and was pleasantly surprised by, was the way the way the story transitioned seamlessly into a heartwarming and emotional love story. I loved this story!

Sky first meets Nick in a coffee shop on the first day of her new job as a nanny for the niece of a richer-than-rich family. As he is berating the girl at the counter for messing up his order, Sky intervenes on the poor girl's behalf. He turns his fury on her and after exchanging insults, they go their separate ways...or so they thought.

It ends up that Sky works for Nick's parents and will be living under the same roof as the "Coffee Shop Jerk". She can't seem to avoid Nick and he seems to enjoy the challenge that the sassy Sky presents. As a man that never has to hear anything he doesn't want to, Sky's refusal to bow down to him only further awakens his desire for her.

As Sky settles into her new job, she grows close to four year-old Madeline. Everything seems perfect, with the exception of Nick and his nightly parade of women in his bedroom next door. She's even managed to make friends with Emily, Nick's younger sister.

Repeatedly pushed together, Nick and Sky begin to form a bond. What started out as a sort of rivalry, turns into something more. Sky sees that there is far more to Nick than the aloof, closed-off man that he shows to the world. Every time she thinks they're making progress, he pulls back. Just when Nick and Sky seem to have things figured out, his big secret comes to light.

I thought this book was fantastic! I have to say that I had figured the secret out pretty early on, but it didn't make the story any less entertaining, albeit a little predictable. It made me laugh and smile like a fool. I was hooked within the first few pages and did not want to put it down.

It also comes to an END, which is really hard to come by these days. No cliffhanger here! I love a good series, but sometimes you just want to finish a good story with a HEA. This book delivers all that and more. I loved it!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book by accident an I delighted I did it was so good I luv when that happens

I luvd how the book was wrote in both povs an I liked that we got both povs in each chapter it was great
I only give the book 4 ⭐️ cause it was a lil predictable but I didn't care I luvd the story it was great
The book had a great story 2 it an I luvd the character they were great sky was a great character she didn't let anyone away with givin her shit an she gave nick a run 4 his money which was great cause nick is quite arrogant an sometimes I wanted 2 punch him but he is sexy an hot

I m delighted I read this book it was so good xxx

[Valentina "TinchyB" · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!!!

“Baby, you should know that about me; I’m a screw up. I’m always going to screw up. Fifty years from now, when we’re old and grey, I will still screw up.” His face was flushing from his own words. “But that doesn’t mean I will love you any less.”

Oh Nick,you sweet stupid whorish asshole,you!!!!

[Deepthi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh my god.
I did again. So much unbelievable stuff. That I wanted to give up, many a times for the following reasons.
*Writing was juvenile.
*Nanny stuff got old or lame.
*Hero doesn't seem to have no brain, being a lawyer himself.
*And most of all, it was lack of Heroine's silly sulking, and over thinking.

If this is what it makes to the top Amazon list. No wonder, I'm loosing interest in novels or reading.

[Rena Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nick is the delicious asshole with a dark and deep past. Sky is the sweet girl with a sassy side. This is a love story, but there is so much more to it. Be sure to have your tissues ready!!! The personalities of the characters were all amazingly written. Komal is a very talented writer and has quickly became one of my favorites. Seriously stop reading my review and go buy and read her book.....Now!!!!


If your still reading this, I swear to god I'm going to spank you (well I would if I could) :)

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/19/2020)! 🎁

[Georgana ~ Valentine PR & Literary Managment · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sky above me was beautiful and magical, but it paled in comparison to the Sky beside me.

I found this book scrolling through the Amazon top kindle book list….I had seen it around and was hearing some good things about it so thought I would give it a try. I was hooked pretty immediately. I mean Nick Ruggarson is a grade A dick, but to be honest he is the gravitational pull that totally engrossed me in Beneath Him by Komal Kant. I am all about that young brooding Alpha male and Nick really fit that bill.

Sky Hudson is the new nanny and when she and Nick meet, it is disastrous. When she finds out that it is his family she is working for, things go from bad to worse quickly. I really liked the push and pull between Nick and Sky. The chemistry was very apparent but there was no instalove and the slow build of their affections was very realistic. I love how Nick’s walls were broken down and once he was able to let Sky in, things really heat up…in a very steamy way.

From the beginning of this book, you know there is a big secret….one that no one is talking about but totally the elephant in the room. I pretty much figured it out fairly early on and it just made me want to zip through this book to see the WTF moment. It was a pretty big bomb and once the air was cleared, Nick and Sky really have a lot of trust to regain with each other.

My biggest issue with this book is Nick’s family is uber wealthy and Sky is extremely middle class and at the low end of that. I really felt like the wealth was a bit overdone and Nick’s mother was almost too over the top bitchy. I am not so sure that some of the things that were written, would really come out of someone’s mouth, but that is just my opinion. Sometimes it just made me roll my eyes. But other than that, Beneath Him totally captured my attention and I would highly recommend it. Komal Kant is a great storyteller and I loved loved loved being in Nick and Sky’s world!

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1JPrKhR

[GeorginaTheBookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

ANOTHER FANTASTIC STORY FROM THE AMAZING KOMAL! OH MY GOSH MY HEART!

I suck a writing reviews but seriously people THIS STORY WAS PERFECT! I LAUGHED! I CRIED! I CRIED SOME MORE AND IM STILL CRYING *sobs*

Nick and Sky have totally stolen my heart! ESPECIALLY NICK! JERK FACE NICK WHO I WANTED TO PUNCH IN THE EYE ON SOME OCCASIONS BUT WHO I WANTED TO CUDDLE EVEN MORE! Nick's character development was INCREDIBLE! and Sky! She cracked me up! I love her! a girl who ain't afraid to tell it like it is and I love that!! and the interaction between Nick and Sky was great from their funny and romantic moments to the downright serious moments. this story was strong from start to finish and yes like sky is was dying to know Nick's dark secret! I felt very much like sherlock trying to solve the mystery! I had a few theories but when his secret was revealed MY JAW DROPPED! LIKE IT HIT DA FLOOR! and then the tears came in the bucket loads! KOMAL IM BLAMING YOU FOR THE TISSUES THAT CURRENTLY SURROUND ME! LOL

seriously this story is soooo amazing! the only issue I have is the cover! I ain't a fan of the cover! other than that detail I absolutely Loved this story! one of my favourite reads this year!! CONGRATS KOMAL ON ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL STORY!

[Pixie · Rating 1 out of 5]

OMG….the slow crawl went on and on with this one. Remember when I said I liked boys who put out….well I should have specified for Nick that I meant like quick, first 30%. Also if you’re going to be an asshole be consistent with it. This whole book was weird to me. It unraveled like the slowest day time soap opera ever. The secret (only one who didn’t see it from the start was Sky) was annoying at best. Whole thing was a joke. Just no….

[Lissy Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well with all due respect to the author. I did not like this story at all. It was boring, there were just so many things that did not make sense in the story.
Very disappointed to have picked this one for my first audio book. Oh well, I'm sure I'll find something to make up for it m.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was seriously blown away by this story. I always enjoy Komal Kant's books but Beneath Him exceeded all of my expectations. It's an incredible journey - both intense and heartbreaking.

As Madeline's new nanny, Sky jumped at the chance for a new opportunity to relocate but she had no idea what was waiting for her in Beverly Hills. Sky grew up in a completely different world than the Ruggarsons. She was as an only child, raised by a single parent - she is sassy and real, valuing honesty, family and hard work. She loves her job but isn't sure of the new materialistic environment she lives in.

One aspect that Sky certainly was not prepared for was Nicholas. He is a hot mess but Sky doesn't know if it's because he's a spoiled, arrogant rich kid or if he is struggling with something deeper and more painful. All she truly knows is that he is a angry man burying himself in alcohol and meaningless sex. Further more, Sky has no clue why his family is protecting and sheltering Nick - why they make excuses for his atrocious behavior and choices. She refuses to do the same for him.

Every time these two interact there are verbal fireworks. It's awesome. Their conversations are filled with angry, rude remarks and lots of sexual tension. It leaves you to wonder if they will ever get past hiding behind sarcastic words and deal with their emotional and trust issues. It feels important that they do because Sky is developing real feelings for Nick and her bitter words are reaching hard truths within him.

Their relationship results in book filled with anticipation. I was on the edge of my seat waiting for so many moments. For Sky and Nick to give into their feelings. To find out the big family secret. To understand all of the various relationships and their complexities. I was waiting for the bottom to drop out and to see how the author would resolve it all. I was not disappointed and I loved every minute of Beneath Him.

I devoured Sky and Nick's book and I would definitely recommend it.

[Goddess Of Blah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Someone has got to be kidding me with this.

I though It'd give this a try as it had so many 5* reviews. But it's formulaic cliché Mills & Boon tripe.


Poor, sweet girl nanny falls in love with cliché tall dark handsome rich dude who treats her badly because he's rich and has a sad past (so 50 Shades of Grey). The dude needs to man up instead of whinging like a p***y. The tragic tormented Heathcliff-esque hero is sooooo pathetic.

I wanted to give them both a slap. The writing style was pathetic, the plot was pathetic and the swooning and melodramatic nonsense throughout was tedious.

SNORE SNORE SNORE

YOU WILL LOSE BRAIN CELLS READING THIS

[Krisz · Rating 1 out of 5]

You mean, why was the book so bad? Because the plot is cheesy and the characters are stupid.
Okay, I write my list but only because I want to learn from it, now I paid good money for it.
1) It starts in a coffee shop. That alone is a cliché. But I cannot get over the fact that poor little Sky, orphaned and out-of-money, buys coffee in the same establishment as estate-rich arrogant Nick. Latter could grab a chef-produced drink at home.
2) Nanny? Really? Is that such a fabulous, new idea? Come on, if you want a good nanny story, read The Nanny by Melissa Nathan. It's fun, and the jerk in that one behaves believably... (Btw, Melissa Nathan has an other book, The Waitress, that starts in a coffee shop...)
3) When Sky is employed, she doesn't ask whose daughter Madeline is. If you can justify this, you can justify everything! (We get to know she is a niece and that her parents died - okay, every girl is a niece to someone, and yes, we get that that her parents seem not to be around, but WHO ARE THEY?)
4) The mother of the family hates Sky furiously, and without a reason. Huh?
5) The little girl loves Sky at first sight. Huh?
6) Sky loves her back, she is a cutie, she never does anything wrong, and she always behaves completely adorable. Huh?
7) The HELP, aka Sky is placed in a room next to a family member. Not in a nook, niche, cupboard etc, but in a family room. Come on!!!
8) The book says the family has their own chef (not cook), yet we never hear of him, or can see his food.
9) Sky is said to be a dab hand at cooking. Why, oh why does she make a DOUGH when cooking shepherd's pie then? That's a meat stew with potatoes on top!
10) The fact that Sky and Nick sleep in the same bed repeatedly, but nothing else happens, is a fairy tale element. If I stretch my imagination, I can believe one occassion, but that's all, sorry guys.
11) The characters. Sky is not outspoken, neither funny (why does Nick think so?). An insecure girl who says things she shouldn't. For example when Nick asks her name, it would be natural if she just shut her door. But she tells her name and that's how the chapter ends, hanging in the air (in the wrong way). Out of the family members, Nick's Dad Oscar and Nick's sister Emily are almost believable, but the Mum, Chloe isn't. There is no sufficient motive for her behaviour altogether. It would be different if she became furious when she suspects something between her son and Sky, but no, she hates her from the beginning. And at the end, this emotional sorry-scene with Sky? No thanks. As for Nick's character? Sorry, I don't get him at all. Because his conflict/secret is too far-fetched. (It would have been simpler to show a previous girlfriend/wife dead, and no woman coming up to the same rank to her until now.)
12) The conflict. I cannot believe it. If your son has a daughter, wouldn't you ever address them as father and daughter? Would you say to the little girl, 'Nick is coming' instead of 'Daddy is here'? No way. I just CAN'T, CAN'T, CAN'T imagine any parents agreeing with their son when he asks them not to tell the daughter she is his girl. Especially when the baby is born to the family: you don't tiptoe your words in front of a newborn.
13) The climax. When Sky discovers the truth, she stays in the house, which alone is a miracle. But wait: she and Nick manage not to meet for three days. Really? When they have adjoining rooms? Wow. Then, after the third day, Nick goes to her and kisses her, after saying a few things along the line of 'I love you' and suddenly all is right, ta-daa!
14) Overall chapter structure. Chapters that were five lines long (on a Kindle!) made me nervous. Even the one-page or two-page long ones. And the constant changing of POV was maddening. Why couldn't KK write a whole chapter in one viewpoint? Why jumping to and back several times within one chapter?
Let's be fair and collect some things that were used well. One such was, that the author didn't let the lovers love each other freely, but brought in the obstacles when these were necessary. The other thing was, the writing wasn't so lousy as others I read. There were no teeming of overused words, and emotions and surroundings were adequately described so that one could imagine the scene. Unfortunately, these positive features couldn't make the book acceptable. And honestly, maybe the book was **, but I got so mad with the plot that I walked around for these few days in such bad mood, that my whole family thought I'm PMS...
So.
My closing thought is, that if such features make a bestseller, then I sadly admit I'll never write bestseller books. Damn.

[Torey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was four stars, until I got further into it, and really started to think about it. The thing is, there wasn't anything glaringly wrong with Beneath Him, but there also wasn't anything spectacular about it.

Sky, a recent graduate, lands a gig nannying for one of the richest families in California. Upon her arrival, she has a coffee shop run-in with possibly the biggest jerk one could imagine. A few hours later and she discovers said jerk is her boss's son and new housemate. While Sky finds herself really enjoying most of the new family she now lives with, there is no doubt in her mind that Nicholas Ruggarson is a womanizing pig who she needs to avoid at all costs. But it doesn't take long for her to realize that, you guessed it!, there's more to Nick than the guy who flaunts his wealth and goes through a new nameless girl each night. Fighting their attraction for each other gets increasingly difficult, but Nick is carrying a heavy secret that Sky can't seem to figure out.

This story is told through a dual POV, both Sky's and Nick's. At first I disliked the dual POV, as it was changing back and forth so quickly. But once I got to know the characters better and their relationship developed, I did enjoy that aspect of the story. That being said, I didn't feel like I really got to know either Sky or Nick. The character development just wasn't as strong as it could have been for anyone in the story. While I liked Sky, Nick, and their love story well enough, I realized I just didn't feel much more than that. There is such a huge selection in this genre that, for me personally, there needs to either be a really groundbreaking storyline and/or amazing characters that really make you feel something, for it to actually stick with you as a good story you want to recommend to others. Unfortunately, Beneath Him just didn't reach that level for me. I could have written out the plot right after meeting all the characters in the beginning, and unfortunately there wasn't much that excited me to see it all play out, predictably or not. There is a "plot twist" but honestly I was shaking my head, wondering why in the world Sky couldn't put two and two together and figure it out. It was a twist that seemed to be pretty obviously laid out, so there wasn't much build up to its reveal. All in all, Beneath Him is a fairly simple love story with some likable characters, but nothing memorable.

[Lindaisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sad to say this but "Beneath Him" was beneath me. This book was just bad. It wasn't the worst thing I've read, because for the most part it was tolerable, but it most certainly wasn't good.

This book is about a girl named Sky, who gets hired to be the nanny to a little girl of a very rich family, the Ruggersons. One of the Ruggersons, Nick is a douche bag, so obviously that's who Sky's love interest was.

My issue wasn't that Nick was a douche. There have been many books that I've read with douche bags that I've thoroughly enjoyed. My problem is that Nick is a womanizing, insensitive asshole and a douche. He talks to people like they're trash and expects to get respect in return. The author tried to play off his behavior by hinting that something traumatic happened in his past throughout the book. I don't know how many times I have to say this authors. Baggage, trauma and pain does not justify or excuse acting like an asshole. It simply doesn't. I have no problem with a story where a girl falls for the bad boy, or the boy with an attitude. I do however have a problem when there's absolutely no reason for her to fall for that person.

They slept in the same bed together for a few days, went to Burger King, fought all the time, baked a damn pie and that equates to love and feelings? No. I wasn't expecting this to be a great love story at all. It's a story that's been done before. Which is why I'm baffled by the sloppy and terrible execution.

The character development was messy, the progression and exploration of the actual plot was choppy at best and there was little to no chemistry between the characters. Not to mention the fact that Nick was borderline abusive to Sky. Trying to dictate who she could or couldn't speak to, invading her space, and just being an overall asshole.

A story this simple and one that has been done so many times before should have been a walk in the park to execute because there is a tried and true template. But unfortunately that's not the case. It felt like I was reading a bad fanfiction instead of a published novel. I cannot in good conscience recommend this book.

[Rosalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

This book kept me interested the whole way through, which hasn't been the case for the previous books I've been reading! It had the perfect amount of drama and angst.

This story is about Sky who goes to work for an extremely wealthy family as a nanny. She finds out that the asshole she met that morning at a coffee shop is her employers' son. And voila, the romance begins.

Nick is an ASSSSS in the beginning. there's a lot of hot and cold actions by him, and he pushes away the heroine.

I enjoyed this book, and the sexual tension between the both was crazy high.

so why not 5 stars?

I guess I wanted more romance... I get the whole push / pull and hot and cold. But some genuine romance was missing. I felt like the ending was soooo abrupt and the I love you's came out of no where so I'm like .... Huh?

It was very well paced until the end.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The book was interesting.
But...something was missing. I don't knot what. But it wasn't there.

It was still an enjoyable read, though. Even though Nick was a complete prick 3/4 of the book.
Sky... well, she works for Nick's family. And she cuts Nicka lot of slack while still telling him things as they are.

It wasn't a bad book. But it wasn't an amazing book either.

I really wasn't feeling it today. I needed a shirt that said 'DOn't even look at me until I've had my morining caffeine hit.'

[Lyndsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't have very high expectations for this, but I thought hey, it's the same cover as Unforgiven and that was AMAZING... I'll give this a go. I was irritated by some immediate grammatical mistakes and then Sky's friend Erin peeved me off, but really I enjoyed the story and progression. I'm not sure at what percentage I figured out what was going on but I was so eager to keep reading to see Sky's reaction to the truth. Kant really turned it around.

[Adrienh1 · Rating 2 out of 5]

meh.....This was just okay. The story took off at a great start, then things just started to slow down. The heroine Skye was a nanny to the Hero's family. However, she spent more time going out than she did actually taking care of the kid. The kid in the story was was thrown in as an afterthought. The time sequence for the story was somewhat jumbled. I was more annoyed than anything else while reading this story.

[J. Grayland · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was almost a DNF for me but I always have to persist with it just out of general respect for the authors hard work and time. This romance between a rich playboy with a secret Nick who falls for the poor hired nanny Sky is very boring and very predictable from the first chapter and if you want hot sex this isn't the book for you sex happens once almost at the end and lasts for about 60 seconds. Narrated by Carly Robbins and Roger Wayne.

[Samantha · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book doesn't even deserve a one star. Sky the lead female is weak and silly. Nick the lead male is a jerk and man handles sky every chance he gets. They break up/hook up so many times its a joke. This book was a waste of my money and time reading. I was so disappointed as I believe that Komal Kant is one of the good writers. Massive disappointment this books is.

[S. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the worst book I've read this year but definitely not the best. It was boring, cheesy, predictable and the most unrealistic plot line. I don't mind a little bit of extravagance or *gasp-and-clutch-my-pears* shock factor but this was just utter nonsensical.
I had a lot of questions about the book and they went unanswered.

Read again? No.

[J. Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @70%
i felt like the story was all about Nick and Sky Bickering Back and Forth, and i saw the Twist coming from the start. I like Nick. Sky not so much. When a person had a dark past it's up to them to tell you, you don't push them to tell you. Sky was like "wow everybody knew but me. Tell me or we're done"

[Tanisha Mehta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could've been better if the leads weren't bickering like high schoolers and acted more mature/adult-y.The last twist was sorta expected from the start.The supposedly mysterious "You don't know anything about me" was v annoying.

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was perfection! I have not read a book that was so great! I don't have any words for how amazing this book was! I'm so happy I got to read it :)

[Ashlie L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovedddd it! Damaged man hiding behind all his fierce A-holeness. I love those!!! This story moved along at a great pace with no boring parts. Somewhat short but only because I wish is was longer!!

[A. · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

[Andrea Smith]

DNF

:(