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Beneath The Surface: Flame and Frost Duet, Book 1
Lexi, an investigative journalist, believes she's simply uncovering the truth behind a series of mysterious fires. Her path crosses with Elijah, a smooth-talking lender whose charm barely conceals the veiled intentions beneath. His messy ties to the powerful Garza family pull her into a world where power is bloodstained and secrets are currency.
Then there’s Mateo Garza—the eldest son. He’s violent, unpredictable, and as untouchable as a ghost. As Lexi’s investigation tightens around him, his presence becomes a shadow over her every move. But is he who she thinks he is?
Determined to expose the truth, Lexi finds herself tangled in a web of growing attraction to a man she never imagined could be an ally. With emotions clouding her judgment, she enters a high-stakes game where trusting the wrong person could have catastrophic consequences.
Then there’s Mateo Garza—the eldest son. He’s violent, unpredictable, and as untouchable as a ghost. As Lexi’s investigation tightens around him, his presence becomes a shadow over her every move. But is he who she thinks he is?
Determined to expose the truth, Lexi finds herself tangled in a web of growing attraction to a man she never imagined could be an ally. With emotions clouding her judgment, she enters a high-stakes game where trusting the wrong person could have catastrophic consequences.
- GenresRomance
Audible Audio
Published November 20, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 19, 2025
I listened to the audiobook version of this story and really enjoyed the story line. Lexi and Mateo's dynamic is so freaking good. The characters were interesting, the plot was kept me engaged the whole way through. It's one of those stories that you feel like you need to know what's next... one more chapter before bed kind of deal. The narration by Savannah Thomas, Sean Masters and Gregory Salinas was delicious. They did an amazing job bringing these characters to life.
November 26, 2025
the book? amazing
the audio? fan fucking tastic.
holy shit this was SO good and i’m so ecstatic for L. K. to have her debut as an audiobook
the audio? fan fucking tastic.
holy shit this was SO good and i’m so ecstatic for L. K. to have her debut as an audiobook
November 20, 2025
I received this book for free from Blue Nose Audio in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Beneath the Surface by L.K. Kagey isn’t just a dark romance—it’s a high-stakes, character-driven story set against the violent undercurrent of Texas crime syndicates. The novel centers on three protagonists—Lexi, Mateo, and Eli—each with their own point of view. Multi-POV structures can easily create imbalance, but Kagey maintains an impressively even hand. Every character is present in one another’s chapters, giving the narrative a cohesive rhythm and ensuring equal visibility across the board.
While the story doesn’t rely heavily on traditional character growth arcs, it doesn’t need to. The focus here is on connection—building relationships, testing trust, and forming an unlikely bond in a world where vulnerability can be fatal. By the end, each character feels distinct, arresting, and emotionally grounded. And for the record, I’m firmly Team Mateo.
From a craft standpoint, the novel is tightly written. The plot is intricate without becoming convoluted, and the pacing allows tension to simmer without overwhelming the romance. The spice is used sparingly but effectively; the scenes are purposeful, well-placed, and never gratuitous. Even without the heat, the novel holds its ground as a compelling crime-driven narrative.
The audiobook adaptation elevates the experience even further. Narrators Savannah Thomas, Sean Masters, and Gregory Salinas deliver standout performances with strong chemistry and well-matched energy. As a Southerner, I’m used to hearing overdone or inaccurate accents, but Savannah’s delivery rings authentic. Masters and Salinas—already two of my favorite male narrators—once again prove why they’re among the best, bringing the same synchronicity fans might recognize from Lauren Biel’s Slaycation series. The only technical flaw in the production is the occasional clipped word, but it’s minor in an otherwise strong release.
Overall, Beneath the Surface is a gripping story and a polished audio production from Blue Nose Audio. If this is indeed L.K. Kagey’s debut novel, it marks an impressive start—and I’m already looking forward to whatever she publishes next.
Beneath the Surface by L.K. Kagey isn’t just a dark romance—it’s a high-stakes, character-driven story set against the violent undercurrent of Texas crime syndicates. The novel centers on three protagonists—Lexi, Mateo, and Eli—each with their own point of view. Multi-POV structures can easily create imbalance, but Kagey maintains an impressively even hand. Every character is present in one another’s chapters, giving the narrative a cohesive rhythm and ensuring equal visibility across the board.
While the story doesn’t rely heavily on traditional character growth arcs, it doesn’t need to. The focus here is on connection—building relationships, testing trust, and forming an unlikely bond in a world where vulnerability can be fatal. By the end, each character feels distinct, arresting, and emotionally grounded. And for the record, I’m firmly Team Mateo.
From a craft standpoint, the novel is tightly written. The plot is intricate without becoming convoluted, and the pacing allows tension to simmer without overwhelming the romance. The spice is used sparingly but effectively; the scenes are purposeful, well-placed, and never gratuitous. Even without the heat, the novel holds its ground as a compelling crime-driven narrative.
The audiobook adaptation elevates the experience even further. Narrators Savannah Thomas, Sean Masters, and Gregory Salinas deliver standout performances with strong chemistry and well-matched energy. As a Southerner, I’m used to hearing overdone or inaccurate accents, but Savannah’s delivery rings authentic. Masters and Salinas—already two of my favorite male narrators—once again prove why they’re among the best, bringing the same synchronicity fans might recognize from Lauren Biel’s Slaycation series. The only technical flaw in the production is the occasional clipped word, but it’s minor in an otherwise strong release.
Overall, Beneath the Surface is a gripping story and a polished audio production from Blue Nose Audio. If this is indeed L.K. Kagey’s debut novel, it marks an impressive start—and I’m already looking forward to whatever she publishes next.
November 20, 2025
Grit, Heat, and High Stakes
Beneath the Surface by L.K. Kagey doesn’t just flirt with darkness—it lives there, in the tension between loyalty, violence, and desire. What hooked me most wasn’t just the romance, but how tightly the story is wound around the brutal pulse of Texas crime syndicates and the dangerous intimacy that forms in that kind of world. This is a dark romance that feels as invested in stakes and structure as it does in feelings and chemistry.
Told through the perspectives of Lexi, Mateo, and Eli, the multi-POV approach is one of the book’s biggest strengths. Multi-narrative stories can easily tilt toward a “favorite” voice, but here each character gets equal weight and presence, even when they’re appearing in someone else’s chapter. The result is a cohesive, character-driven narrative where the focus isn’t on neat personal growth arcs so much as on building trust, testing boundaries, and forging a bond that shouldn’t exist in an environment this cutthroat. By the end, they’re all distinct, emotionally grounded, and compelling—but I’ll admit it: I’m firmly Team Mateo.
From a craft perspective, this is a very controlled book. The plot is intricate and layered without tipping into confusion, and the pacing gives tension room to breathe instead of constantly shouting for attention. The spice is used with intention—limited, well-placed, and never there just to check a box. Even if you stripped out the heat, the crime-driven storyline would still stand on its own. If you’re looking for big, transformative character arcs or a lighter take on romance, this probably won’t be your ideal match, and the darker elements may be a bit much for readers who prefer their romances on the softer side.
The audiobook pushes the whole experience up a level. Savannah Thomas, Sean Masters, and Gregory Salinas bring genuine chemistry to the narration and feel perfectly aligned with their characters. As a Deep South Southerner, I’m used to wincing at exaggerated or inaccurate accents, but Savannah’s performance lands as authentic rather than caricatured. Masters and Salinas—already two of my favorite male narrators—once again show why they’re consistently reliable choices for this kind of material.
Beneath the Surface by L.K. Kagey doesn’t just flirt with darkness—it lives there, in the tension between loyalty, violence, and desire. What hooked me most wasn’t just the romance, but how tightly the story is wound around the brutal pulse of Texas crime syndicates and the dangerous intimacy that forms in that kind of world. This is a dark romance that feels as invested in stakes and structure as it does in feelings and chemistry.
Told through the perspectives of Lexi, Mateo, and Eli, the multi-POV approach is one of the book’s biggest strengths. Multi-narrative stories can easily tilt toward a “favorite” voice, but here each character gets equal weight and presence, even when they’re appearing in someone else’s chapter. The result is a cohesive, character-driven narrative where the focus isn’t on neat personal growth arcs so much as on building trust, testing boundaries, and forging a bond that shouldn’t exist in an environment this cutthroat. By the end, they’re all distinct, emotionally grounded, and compelling—but I’ll admit it: I’m firmly Team Mateo.
From a craft perspective, this is a very controlled book. The plot is intricate and layered without tipping into confusion, and the pacing gives tension room to breathe instead of constantly shouting for attention. The spice is used with intention—limited, well-placed, and never there just to check a box. Even if you stripped out the heat, the crime-driven storyline would still stand on its own. If you’re looking for big, transformative character arcs or a lighter take on romance, this probably won’t be your ideal match, and the darker elements may be a bit much for readers who prefer their romances on the softer side.
The audiobook pushes the whole experience up a level. Savannah Thomas, Sean Masters, and Gregory Salinas bring genuine chemistry to the narration and feel perfectly aligned with their characters. As a Deep South Southerner, I’m used to wincing at exaggerated or inaccurate accents, but Savannah’s performance lands as authentic rather than caricatured. Masters and Salinas—already two of my favorite male narrators—once again show why they’re consistently reliable choices for this kind of material.
November 24, 2025
Lexi walks into this story thinking she’s the one chasing shadows… only to discover she’s the headline every monster in the city is already reading. Our girl steps into the lion’s den with a press badge and a moral spine made of steel, and the underworld answers back.
The audio is clean, cinematic, and sharp as a switchblade. Savannah Thomas gives Lexi a voice that could slice through smoke. Sean Masters and Gregory Salinas breathe life into our MMCs with grit, danger, and that slow, deliberate heat you only get from men who’ve crawled out of blood and loyalty.
This world is a pressure cooker of cartel secrets, political corruption, and men who make promises with their teeth. What starts as Lexi digging for answers turns into a collision of survival, violence, and the kind of forbidden intimacy that drags everyone down with it. Bonds form. Break. Burn. And every dark tendency these three fought to bury claws its way to the surface.
Mateo can only be described as the kind of complicated that keeps you up at night. A gilded cage son of a kingpin raised for power, trapped by it, and slowly choking on the idea of a “good life” he never asked for. His arc hits hard, especially when the sins of the father start mirroring the son.
Elijah plays the opposite card: steady, soulful, but bound by obligation just as tightly. Different edges, same weight on his shoulders. He’s the quiet storm to Mateo’s wildfire, and together they’re an emotional disaster waiting to happen.
And then there’s Lexi: sharp, principled, relentless. A journalist with a spine of truth and a devastating knack for being in the wrong place at exactly the right time. Her need to expose the darkness forces her into impossible choices, each one cutting a little deeper.
If you want a dark mafia romance that threads political intrigue through every scene, piles on the danger, and serves a gloriously messy love triangle with two broken men and one woman who refuses to bend… this is the one you’re looking for.
The audio is clean, cinematic, and sharp as a switchblade. Savannah Thomas gives Lexi a voice that could slice through smoke. Sean Masters and Gregory Salinas breathe life into our MMCs with grit, danger, and that slow, deliberate heat you only get from men who’ve crawled out of blood and loyalty.
This world is a pressure cooker of cartel secrets, political corruption, and men who make promises with their teeth. What starts as Lexi digging for answers turns into a collision of survival, violence, and the kind of forbidden intimacy that drags everyone down with it. Bonds form. Break. Burn. And every dark tendency these three fought to bury claws its way to the surface.
Mateo can only be described as the kind of complicated that keeps you up at night. A gilded cage son of a kingpin raised for power, trapped by it, and slowly choking on the idea of a “good life” he never asked for. His arc hits hard, especially when the sins of the father start mirroring the son.
Elijah plays the opposite card: steady, soulful, but bound by obligation just as tightly. Different edges, same weight on his shoulders. He’s the quiet storm to Mateo’s wildfire, and together they’re an emotional disaster waiting to happen.
And then there’s Lexi: sharp, principled, relentless. A journalist with a spine of truth and a devastating knack for being in the wrong place at exactly the right time. Her need to expose the darkness forces her into impossible choices, each one cutting a little deeper.
If you want a dark mafia romance that threads political intrigue through every scene, piles on the danger, and serves a gloriously messy love triangle with two broken men and one woman who refuses to bend… this is the one you’re looking for.
November 19, 2025
I got drawn to this audio and I was into it the moment i started to listen to it. I am a huge advocate of a redeeming character or the bad boy/I dont deserve the love vibes. This book gave you all of that and more. I first thought this was a fantasy by the first look but then when I got into the story I was like okay its not.
Lexi is a journalist that wants to uncover mysterious fires that are happening in her town. She meets a lender called Elijah who shows much interest in her but her seeing secrets in everything and everyone, she thinks he has a hidden agenda. Situations occure because of Elijahs past and current struggles that pulls her into the world of the powerful Garza family. She gets a shadow by the name of Mateo Garza, the eldest son. Everyone in town is scared of him and he just looks like he can do some damage. Their worlds get tangled into each other more and more but is he who she thinks he is and can she trust everyone? Letting the wrong person in, can have consequences.
You get pulled into this story slowly but still kept you into that journey very intensly. The humor was excellent and I think that Savannah Thomas just has that extra sass in her voice that made her being Lexi, work. With the combination of Sean and Gregory as two opposites of eachother made that power play very enjoyable to listen too. The emotions that this trio performed got me at certain times. The side characters in here were just as important as the main ones. I loved Serena and we all need a Henry in our lives. The spicy scenes were on point. There was one scene in there that made me chuckle and sweat at the same time. Its about a certain room with a certain pooltable and tools but you will have to listen to it to find out. If you are looking for a book that has mystery, intrigues, investigations, a delicious biker and a bold fmc, you need to read this book ASAP.
Lexi is a journalist that wants to uncover mysterious fires that are happening in her town. She meets a lender called Elijah who shows much interest in her but her seeing secrets in everything and everyone, she thinks he has a hidden agenda. Situations occure because of Elijahs past and current struggles that pulls her into the world of the powerful Garza family. She gets a shadow by the name of Mateo Garza, the eldest son. Everyone in town is scared of him and he just looks like he can do some damage. Their worlds get tangled into each other more and more but is he who she thinks he is and can she trust everyone? Letting the wrong person in, can have consequences.
You get pulled into this story slowly but still kept you into that journey very intensly. The humor was excellent and I think that Savannah Thomas just has that extra sass in her voice that made her being Lexi, work. With the combination of Sean and Gregory as two opposites of eachother made that power play very enjoyable to listen too. The emotions that this trio performed got me at certain times. The side characters in here were just as important as the main ones. I loved Serena and we all need a Henry in our lives. The spicy scenes were on point. There was one scene in there that made me chuckle and sweat at the same time. Its about a certain room with a certain pooltable and tools but you will have to listen to it to find out. If you are looking for a book that has mystery, intrigues, investigations, a delicious biker and a bold fmc, you need to read this book ASAP.
November 20, 2025
5 ⭐️
5 🎙️
This is book one in the Flame and Frost Duet, preformed in Duet Multicast.
The way I can’t wait for book two!
I would 💯 classify this as a romantic suspense and I was sucked in from the beginning. This was the perfect mix of emotion, trauma, romance, banter and suspense.
L.K. Kagey really had me on my toes and as soon as you think you have the book figured out…think again!
The FMC was the whole package. Her honesty and feistiness had me in love with her from the beginning. The narrator, Savannah Thomas, truly captured her perfectly! The emotion in her voice was incredible.
Lexi is an investigative journalist with a traumatic past. She starts investigating local fires… and she really doesn’t know what she is diving into. You just have to listen to it to get the full picture!
Elijah, narrated by Sean Masters, is a “private” lender. Sean Masters captured his persona perfectly and that slight southern drawl 🫠🔥 the way he really showed his emotion and constant battle within himself. 👏🏻 he outdid himself!
Mateo, oldest son in the Garza family, narrated by Gregory Salinas. I don’t even have words! He was everything! The battle between being good but living up to what he was programmed to be. He captured his rawness and not to mention that voice 🔥 when the spice was there it was THERE!
I 💯 will recommend this audiobook. It had me in all my feels. The twists and turns kept me on my toes!
Thank you to the author L.K. Kagey as well as the narrators Savannah Thomas, Sean Master, Gregory Salinas and of course Blue Nose Audio for the opportunity to ALC this. As always my reviews are honest and 100% my own! 🖤
5 🎙️
This is book one in the Flame and Frost Duet, preformed in Duet Multicast.
The way I can’t wait for book two!
I would 💯 classify this as a romantic suspense and I was sucked in from the beginning. This was the perfect mix of emotion, trauma, romance, banter and suspense.
L.K. Kagey really had me on my toes and as soon as you think you have the book figured out…think again!
The FMC was the whole package. Her honesty and feistiness had me in love with her from the beginning. The narrator, Savannah Thomas, truly captured her perfectly! The emotion in her voice was incredible.
Lexi is an investigative journalist with a traumatic past. She starts investigating local fires… and she really doesn’t know what she is diving into. You just have to listen to it to get the full picture!
Elijah, narrated by Sean Masters, is a “private” lender. Sean Masters captured his persona perfectly and that slight southern drawl 🫠🔥 the way he really showed his emotion and constant battle within himself. 👏🏻 he outdid himself!
Mateo, oldest son in the Garza family, narrated by Gregory Salinas. I don’t even have words! He was everything! The battle between being good but living up to what he was programmed to be. He captured his rawness and not to mention that voice 🔥 when the spice was there it was THERE!
I 💯 will recommend this audiobook. It had me in all my feels. The twists and turns kept me on my toes!
Thank you to the author L.K. Kagey as well as the narrators Savannah Thomas, Sean Master, Gregory Salinas and of course Blue Nose Audio for the opportunity to ALC this. As always my reviews are honest and 100% my own! 🖤
November 22, 2025
Touch her and ☠️
all the banter
multi POV
trauma
romantic suspense
"I'm not sure when it happened, Alexandra, but somewhere along the way, I decided I would die for you. And now, if you'll have me, I want to live for you. With you!"
"Yes—" "If you say 'yes, ma'am,' I will fucking castrate you," she interrupted. I recoiled. "Good lord, Alexandra. Noted!" "I grew up on a ranch. I know how."
"I stopped at a large black tee with a Sleep Token logo emblazoned on the front, and my lips tipped up. Good taste."
"Salty tears stained my cheeks, and he kissed them away. "I'm not sure when it happened, Alexandra, but somewhere along the way, I decided I would die for you. And now, if you'll have me, I want to live for you. With you."
This book had me in its grasp! Had me feeling all my feels.
I laughed, kicked my feet, squealed, cried and really felt the characters vulnerability, the raw pain, the trauma, relief, love.. Idk how authors can wreck me with words. But I was invested. This book definitely got me. I listened to the audio and the voice actors did fantastic! Such perfection! I love Sean masters and will listen to anything he works on. And he did fantastic at bringing Elijah’s character to life. Savannah Thomas was amazing! And Gregory Selina’s as Mateo was the topping on the cake! Perfect cast! I enjoyed every minute of this audio! The spicy scenes Wes 🧑🍳 💋I would 💯 recommend this read and 10000% recommend the audio book!!
all the banter
multi POV
trauma
romantic suspense
"I'm not sure when it happened, Alexandra, but somewhere along the way, I decided I would die for you. And now, if you'll have me, I want to live for you. With you!"
"Yes—" "If you say 'yes, ma'am,' I will fucking castrate you," she interrupted. I recoiled. "Good lord, Alexandra. Noted!" "I grew up on a ranch. I know how."
"I stopped at a large black tee with a Sleep Token logo emblazoned on the front, and my lips tipped up. Good taste."
"Salty tears stained my cheeks, and he kissed them away. "I'm not sure when it happened, Alexandra, but somewhere along the way, I decided I would die for you. And now, if you'll have me, I want to live for you. With you."
This book had me in its grasp! Had me feeling all my feels.
I laughed, kicked my feet, squealed, cried and really felt the characters vulnerability, the raw pain, the trauma, relief, love.. Idk how authors can wreck me with words. But I was invested. This book definitely got me. I listened to the audio and the voice actors did fantastic! Such perfection! I love Sean masters and will listen to anything he works on. And he did fantastic at bringing Elijah’s character to life. Savannah Thomas was amazing! And Gregory Selina’s as Mateo was the topping on the cake! Perfect cast! I enjoyed every minute of this audio! The spicy scenes Wes 🧑🍳 💋I would 💯 recommend this read and 10000% recommend the audio book!!
November 15, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
🖤 Touch her and 💀
🖤 all the banter
🖤 multi POV
🖤 trauma
🖤 romantic suspense
Favorite quote:
“I’m not sure when it happened, Alexandra, but somewhere along the way, I decided I would die for you. And now, if you’ll have me, I want to live for you. With you.”
I absolutely ate this one up. It is the perfect blend of romance, suspense and spice. It has a snarky FMC and a possessive MMC. And the side characters are top tier.
Lexi is an investigative journalist looking into suspicious fires happening to local businesses. This leads her into dangerous territory with Garza family. She finds herself mixed up with Mateo who is the eldest son of the Garza family and Elijah a lender who is in deep with the family. It’s messy and feelings develop that shouldn’t and it gets messier. I don’t want to say more and ruin the suspense.
And as an audiobook? Absolute perfection!
Savanah Thomas did a perfect job capturing Lexi’s personality. Sean Masters was fantastic as Elijah. And Gregory Salinas as Mateo was everything. This cast together is a 10/10. And the spicy scenes were phenomenal.
Definitely grab this audiobook it’s a fast paced listen that will keep you on your toes. I can’t wait to see what’s next.
Thank you L.K. Kagey and Bluenose for the opportunity to ALC this one. As always all thoughts and opinions are my own 🖤.
🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
🖤 Touch her and 💀
🖤 all the banter
🖤 multi POV
🖤 trauma
🖤 romantic suspense
Favorite quote:
“I’m not sure when it happened, Alexandra, but somewhere along the way, I decided I would die for you. And now, if you’ll have me, I want to live for you. With you.”
I absolutely ate this one up. It is the perfect blend of romance, suspense and spice. It has a snarky FMC and a possessive MMC. And the side characters are top tier.
Lexi is an investigative journalist looking into suspicious fires happening to local businesses. This leads her into dangerous territory with Garza family. She finds herself mixed up with Mateo who is the eldest son of the Garza family and Elijah a lender who is in deep with the family. It’s messy and feelings develop that shouldn’t and it gets messier. I don’t want to say more and ruin the suspense.
And as an audiobook? Absolute perfection!
Savanah Thomas did a perfect job capturing Lexi’s personality. Sean Masters was fantastic as Elijah. And Gregory Salinas as Mateo was everything. This cast together is a 10/10. And the spicy scenes were phenomenal.
Definitely grab this audiobook it’s a fast paced listen that will keep you on your toes. I can’t wait to see what’s next.
Thank you L.K. Kagey and Bluenose for the opportunity to ALC this one. As always all thoughts and opinions are my own 🖤.
November 19, 2025
Audiobook performance: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Holy shit ! The pool table scene 🎱 and the motorcycle 🏍️scene is embedded into my mind and I cannot stop thinking about it 🥵🥵🥵🥵
We meet Lexi, an investigative journalist digging into a string of mysterious neighborhood fires that have been driving families out of business. But when she starts poking around where she shouldn’t 😅 she crosses paths with the Graza crime family.
Through her investigation, Lexi meets Elijah, an associate of the mob who befriends her. Their connection draws unwanted attention, and soon the Garza family steps in—sending Mateo, the boss’s son.
Elijah has been pulled into the criminal world to protect his brother, while Mateo has spent his entire life enduring his father’s abuse, being molded into the perfect heir to the family’s empire.
AND THE SPICE 🔥🔥🔥
Phenomenal job by the narrators !!! Omg …. All three took these characters to the next MF level !!!
@seanmastersaudio
@voice.of.greg
@savannahreadsromance
Book Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Holy shit ! The pool table scene 🎱 and the motorcycle 🏍️scene is embedded into my mind and I cannot stop thinking about it 🥵🥵🥵🥵
We meet Lexi, an investigative journalist digging into a string of mysterious neighborhood fires that have been driving families out of business. But when she starts poking around where she shouldn’t 😅 she crosses paths with the Graza crime family.
Through her investigation, Lexi meets Elijah, an associate of the mob who befriends her. Their connection draws unwanted attention, and soon the Garza family steps in—sending Mateo, the boss’s son.
Elijah has been pulled into the criminal world to protect his brother, while Mateo has spent his entire life enduring his father’s abuse, being molded into the perfect heir to the family’s empire.
AND THE SPICE 🔥🔥🔥
Phenomenal job by the narrators !!! Omg …. All three took these characters to the next MF level !!!
@seanmastersaudio
@voice.of.greg
@savannahreadsromance
November 20, 2025
You know how sometimes you have books you have to stay up late and read because you just HAVE to know how it ends/where it’s going?? That was this story & audiobook for me! The story itself had me on pins & needles but the narrators?? WHEW they really freaking elevated it to the next level (and I’ll be so honest I could listen to all three of them talk all day every day)
I loved that we got to meet more than just the main characters and how they all played a role in the story itself (aside from being just a side character if that makes sense). The gasps I gusped during certain parts were definitely Oscar worthy and I’m glad I was alone during those parts bc I know people would have come to check on me LOL
The spicy scenes were 10/10 and also made me raise my eyebrows at the same time (iykyk)
Thank you to Blue Nose Audio for the advanced copy of the audiobook!!!
I loved that we got to meet more than just the main characters and how they all played a role in the story itself (aside from being just a side character if that makes sense). The gasps I gusped during certain parts were definitely Oscar worthy and I’m glad I was alone during those parts bc I know people would have come to check on me LOL
The spicy scenes were 10/10 and also made me raise my eyebrows at the same time (iykyk)
Thank you to Blue Nose Audio for the advanced copy of the audiobook!!!
November 26, 2025
(4.75⭐️ rounded up) I thought I knew where this story was going, and then Mateo came into the picture. As soon as Mateo entered the story I couldn’t put it down. Between the fire between Lexi and Mateo and Kagey pulling at my heart strings over and over. Knowing it’s a duet I can’t wait to see where the story goes.
November 18, 2025
🎧 Beneath The Surface (Flame and Frost Duet, Book 1)
by L.K. Kagey
Narrated by Savannah Thomas, Sean Masters & Gregory Salinas
This one definitely surprised me, in the best “wait, what just happened?” way. The blurb promises a romantic suspense rooted in danger, secrets and an arson investigation that keeps tightening around the Garza family, and the book really leans into that. The tension surrounding the case, and the unraveling truth were some of my favorite parts.
And I have to say, the chemistry between Mateo and Lexi absolutely worked for me. Mateo ended up being my favorite character in the entire story: unpredictable and with the intensity the plot needed.
Lexi was a bit harder for me to fully connect with—maybe because the insta-love took me out of it for a moment, or because she started so strong but seemed to falter toward the end—but I still found her arc compelling within the larger suspense storyline.
And now I’m very curious to see where book two is going, especially with how much is left simmering beneath the surface.
The narration was impeccable. Duet is my favorite format, and this cast delivered. Savannah Thomas is a narrator I would listen to read literally anything—she brings so much emotional precision to every scene. Sean Masters and Gregory Salinas were absolutely perfect as Mateo and Elijah, and I’m really hoping we hear even more from them in the next installment.
And that dedication? Absolutely feral. I loved it.
⭐️ 5 stars (narration)
⭐️ 3.5 stars (story)
🌶️ 3 chili peppers
🎧 Release Date: November 20, 2025
Thank you Blue Nose Audio and L.K. Kagey for the gifted review copy (ALC), all opinions are my own.
Narrated by Savannah Thomas, Sean Masters & Gregory Salinas
This one definitely surprised me, in the best “wait, what just happened?” way. The blurb promises a romantic suspense rooted in danger, secrets and an arson investigation that keeps tightening around the Garza family, and the book really leans into that. The tension surrounding the case, and the unraveling truth were some of my favorite parts.
And I have to say, the chemistry between Mateo and Lexi absolutely worked for me. Mateo ended up being my favorite character in the entire story: unpredictable and with the intensity the plot needed.
Lexi was a bit harder for me to fully connect with—maybe because the insta-love took me out of it for a moment, or because she started so strong but seemed to falter toward the end—but I still found her arc compelling within the larger suspense storyline.
And now I’m very curious to see where book two is going, especially with how much is left simmering beneath the surface.
The narration was impeccable. Duet is my favorite format, and this cast delivered. Savannah Thomas is a narrator I would listen to read literally anything—she brings so much emotional precision to every scene. Sean Masters and Gregory Salinas were absolutely perfect as Mateo and Elijah, and I’m really hoping we hear even more from them in the next installment.
And that dedication? Absolutely feral. I loved it.
⭐️ 5 stars (narration)
⭐️ 3.5 stars (story)
🌶️ 3 chili peppers
🎧 Release Date: November 20, 2025
Thank you Blue Nose Audio and L.K. Kagey for the gifted review copy (ALC), all opinions are my own.
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