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Costa Leona Series #5

What Lies Beneath the Sand

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About the author

Jonaxx

56 books2,263 followers
Jonahmae Pacala (publishing as Jonaxx) was never fond of reading longnovels during her elementary years but found a deep connection with sshort sad stories. She discovered her flair for writing at the early age of ten. What was once a hobby has now grown into a passion for writing online.

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5 stars
509 (62%)
4 stars
176 (21%)
3 stars
86 (10%)
2 stars
22 (2%)
1 star
21 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
Profile Image for martha.
323 reviews14 followers
August 27, 2022
she would have been my favorite if she hadn't let another boy to kiss her like girl you have zamiel right there???
Profile Image for Vanessa Kay.
916 reviews21 followers
January 6, 2018
I've been avoiding this story after finding out that it's finally completed many months ago. It's not because the story is bad but because it's bad for me. I have many favorite authors but Jonaxx is on the top of the list when it comes to making me lose my mind. Her stories never fails to amaze me that even though the plot is cliché or I'm not a fan of what's happening in the story, I still ended up losing my mind. And for this story, nothing changes. Before 2017 ends, I was planning to binge watch anime but instead, I've been binge reading, haha.

I'm still adjusting on the first page but before I finished the first chapter, I already bid farewell to my sanity in advance because I'm sure I'll be insane in the coming chapters. The idea of hiring a stand-on wasn't new to me. So I already predicted the next scene but was still surprise because not all of my predictions happened. After the confrontation, the story became 100% unpredictable and I'm slowly losing my mind. Dang! It was sexy as heck that I can't help but cover my mouth because I’m close to shouting. Every scene, every lines, all we're just so sweet that even though I wasn't that impressed with Zamiel, I still ended up falling. Dang!!! You’re asking me why I can't choose just one with all of Jonaxx’s heroes? It’s because I always ended up falling for them, haha. It makes me feel ridiculous to just pick one, good thing I can choose as many book boyfriends without being sued, haha.

I can't really say that I love this story so much because there were some scenes that I didn't really like at all. I was even set on giving this one a 4 star rating but dang! For all the feels it gave me, I'm not sure if it'll be alright. So to keep my mind at ease, I told myself that this story is definitely not my favorite from all the stories in the Costa Leona series. I think it will always be Sibal, hehe. So yep. Even with all the feels, I am giving this story a 4 stars rating.

The scenes, the lines, the characters, all we're so properly executed. It was in Wattpad and the author already warned us that it wasn't proofread yet so there were ofcourse some wrong spellings, but believe me when I say that it wouldn't really matter at all because you're too consume with the story that you will never notice them. I love that everything sounds so convincing even on those parts that I wanna strangle both of them for making it reach 7 years to finally work their happily ever after. But with all the things that happened, I have to say that it was all worth it.

For Ace. My! Her life is like Cinderella because she also have an evil stepmother and evil stepsister. I hated that she needs to endure all those things considering that she's really not poor at all. But I guess it's still a good experience since because of it, she was able to grow stronger and tougher. I don't remember that there's at least one heroine from Jonaxx that I really love. Whenever I read her stories, my attention were always on the hero and never take notice the heroine unless she’s going to do something that will irritate me. So far, there's really nothing that I could think of that I hated. The usual jealousy and all was normal with all her heroines so that was fine. But I have to say that with everything she's been through, I am one of the happiest when the final will of her father was revealed.

For Zamiel. My! Just his name sent shivers to my body. But when I found out how shameless he is for being a cocky playboy, I was really disappointed that I turned my attention to his younger brother Kajik. And then slowly, he manages to change my mind and really falls for him. Dang that man! Of all the things that happened, I was happy that he didn't do anything stupid, unless you count the time when he didn't clarify his real relationship with Daniella. After he found out about the lie and all, I have to say that even if he's convincing other people that he's not interested with Ace anymore, the heart still want what it wants. He even did everything to know the story about her father's properties and all. I hated his commanding side but I love that he didn't entirely gave up on Ace. I love that even if he's too hurt, he still fights for her. It's just amazing how Costa Leona's guys are so persistent into getting what they really want. Aside from his playboy old self, I don't have anything against him. I just said I love the guy right? Haha.

What I always love about this series is that it always ends up with a chapter solely taken from the guy's POV. This one gave us his thoughts on most of the scenes that was important in this story, but the part where he realize that he's really ready to settle down even though he's saying he's not, I still think it's lacking. It's just too soon that he fell in love at first sight. But nah! I won't make it a big deal since I'm really so convince that he loves her so dang much.

Another thing that I love about their story was the mention of the familiar characters. My! There were even some familiar characters that it took me so long to realize that they were mentioned from the previous installment haha.

There were so many conflict in this story, even though the Cinderella thing was kind of cliché, I still think that this story was a very good one considering the cliché start. And for my rating, I am giving it 4 stars. I believe that it was not the best story from this series, but I can’t deny how this story made me feel. My! I was practically immobilize while still reading this story. I can’t think and do anything unless I finish it. All I think of is what will happen next or if Ace and Zamiel will finally settle things over and have their happily ever after even if I’m in the toilet, haha.

Just like the other books in the series, this one has sexy scenes. I’ve read a lot of erotica books before but I have to say that it’s only Jonaxx’s stories that makes me a pervert, haha. I keep on imagining all those sexy scenes in my head making me blush. My! It was really so sexy, haha (insert deafening squeal here).

And yes, there's definitely HEA in this story. It's the fifth book of the Costa Leona series but you can definitely read it standalone. If you're up for a trip to insanity land, then go ahead and try this story.. well, try all Jonaxx 's stories and you won’t be disappointed at all.

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Profile Image for mickaellareads.
102 reviews2 followers
April 11, 2022
"why would i want to see a liar and a scam?"

"then why did you see me now?..."

"you are my liar and my scam"
45 reviews
September 3, 2020
the female lead makes sense in this story more than the previous two and is vocal about her feelings and thoughts, she confronts when she needs to!
the first half was a solid 5/5 because of the sweet moments of the male lead and the female lead
the second half seemed cinderella-esque but was executed well with just the right drama and sense! though some parts i wish were elaborated more like her life in sta. ana and the portrayal of her friendship with jud or the score between ashton and her before just to shed some light and add depth to these characters who had a significant impact to their relationship
i love the loyalty and faithfulness of Zamiel all those years
for him, there is only one woman
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Roma Joy.
506 reviews22 followers
November 27, 2017
description

Not my favorite work of Jonaxx. It's still a good read, just that I didn't enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed her other works.

Full review to follow.
Profile Image for Mary.
29 reviews
February 26, 2020
Let's start with "LEAVE CHILD"
then end with '30 million pesos'
🤣
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for thea.
260 reviews13 followers
May 17, 2022
Stop I just realized that Zamiel is a cringy-ass man.
Profile Image for Maricar (BookOaths).
379 reviews26 followers
February 28, 2018
4.5 stars
Akala ko ito na, akala ko ito na yung story na unang magkakaron ng solid five star sa CLS for me.

During the first half, solid five star sa'kin ang WLBTS. All the elements that I'm looking for sa isang kwento, andito na. Narealize ko din na out of the two (or three) families sa CLS, favorite ko ang mga Mercadejas (kasi nga daw marahas at makatas, WTF, lol), siguro dahil na din sa circumstances surrounding the leads (i.e. nagkakilala nung bata pa and yung girls na mayaman nung una pero naghirap). I think kung nauna ko 'tong basahin, I would have given this a five (kaso kasi naimmune na 'ko unti-unti sa mga CLS boys and dang Ali's fighting strong for that fav. spot), kasi though mas gusto ko si Ali (as an individual), mas gusto ko naman si Ace (lalo na nung simula) and iba din kasi yung chemistry nila ni Zam (second fave perhaps).

But then, nung medyo padulo na (or a quarter to the story's end), parang nawala yung magic, parang feel ko medyo nagdadrag na yung kwento, though kilig pa din naman, pero I was looking for something more, probably because ang strong ng start ng story, na by its end, parang nawala na yung intensity (kabaliktaran ng WoM na medyo mabagal ang start pero kabog habang tumatagal). Now, what I want to see is a Jboy na talaga namang paninindigan yung "galit" (medyo nagexpect ako kay Vince eh), saktan niyo yung puso ko please, wag maging malambot agad. LOOOOL.

Reading Raoul's story next.
Profile Image for 999angelface.
9 reviews
November 29, 2025
No matter how many stories I will read, how many characters I will meet, I will always go back to you, Ace and Zamiel. You both captured my heart back when I was in 8th grade, you still have it now despite me almost being a 3rd yr college student. Their story is so beautiful filled with realistic/realest characters ever—beautiful but still has flaws and make mistakes, and just like us, they grown and learn from it. Can’t wait to read this again in the future, maybe when i’ll have my own Zamiel. 🥹💕
Profile Image for jhaz.
22 reviews
April 2, 2024
I NEED A ZARRICK AMIEL MERCADEJAS IN MY LIFE🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️ im always on my knees for zamiel who refuses to shout at ace even when he is upset as well. i love ace and zamiel's sweet moments but nakakamiss rin pala bardagulan moments nila, yung mapapa "go, ace!" ka nalang tapos tiklop lagi si zamiel😭 mine by taylor swift remind me so much of them. i'll miss them so much, i'll definitely reread this!! i love you my ace and zamiel☹️💗
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kath.
10 reviews1 follower
October 17, 2018
this is my ToP 2! Zamiel!! oh my god i love you haha

i would read this again for sure. I just love how mad and in love Zamiel is with Ace.

story remind me of Cinderella story but with a twist and a really good one! definitely worth the read!
Profile Image for qwynzyll.
5 reviews
February 10, 2024
I love how Ace is motivated by her education and that she'll do everything for it. Even when she did not deserve the hardship she went through like she only wants to go to school and pursue architecture!!! She never wanted material things!!! You didn't have to deprive her of that!!
Profile Image for Maja.
25 reviews1 follower
December 23, 2025
back at my roots !! would love it more tho if fl is not a minor and ml is not a manchild. costa leona series made jonaxx special, my favorite part of the series is the making of settings; the nature, horses, beaches. fantasy q na sha mowm
Profile Image for Jes.
50 reviews
May 19, 2020
The plot is a lil bit cliche but i enjoyed it so much.
Profile Image for Heineken Astrid.
10 reviews4 followers
January 4, 2022
Just the mention of Zamiel, my heart jumps 😭 i wish for it to be an international book!! Costa Leona written in English soon pls !!
Profile Image for anri .
26 reviews6 followers
July 19, 2022
Damn. This book is so good! Highly recommended! You guys should read this because it's worth it!
Profile Image for aye.
47 reviews1 follower
July 4, 2023
All of her hard work has paid off because of her dedication and the love that Zamiel showed. I must say, the 30 million is worth it.🥹
Profile Image for precy.
10 reviews
March 15, 2024
2 of 2 of my favorite sa cls series. astherielle is such a strong woman. i especially loved the first half of this book, wherein wala pang nangyayaring kung ano, love love zamiel sm. tho i think the second half, nearing the epilogue, medyo naging bumpy na yung story. hindi ko na siya gaanong nagustuhan(?)
but still, i go back to reading this book every now and then especially the first few chapters. it's just so comforting...
Profile Image for SG.
39 reviews1 follower
May 22, 2024
23 year old guy and a 16 year old minor.


Again.

and

Again.

and


AGAIN.

..
.
.
.

😭😭🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️😂😂😂
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews

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