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Beneath
In Deepwater Cove, love is good enough to eat.
When Maris Blake inherits her estranged father's house in the small coastal town, she moves back to her birthplace in search of a fresh start and an opportunity to face her fears and a dark past. All is going as planned until Kaspian enters her life. He's gorgeous, charismatic, and absolutely too good to be true.
Here in Deepwater, there's something sinister in the water and it's coming to shore looking for a heart. The problem is, it doesn't have to be beating.
(This book contains moments of dubious consent and violence. Proceed with caution)
When Maris Blake inherits her estranged father's house in the small coastal town, she moves back to her birthplace in search of a fresh start and an opportunity to face her fears and a dark past. All is going as planned until Kaspian enters her life. He's gorgeous, charismatic, and absolutely too good to be true.
Here in Deepwater, there's something sinister in the water and it's coming to shore looking for a heart. The problem is, it doesn't have to be beating.
(This book contains moments of dubious consent and violence. Proceed with caution)
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 30, 2021
9 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Courtney Leigh
29 books74 followersI was born on a teeny tiny island in the middle of the ocean to two amazing and adventurous parents. When we moved to the mainland, I was raised on an ostrich ranch in rural Arizona where learned about hard work and responsibility. I attribute my determination to my upbringing and loved the adventures of my younger years. Myself and my siblings schooled in the city, a one hour commute each way.
I majored in theatre then immediately moved on to college when I was 17 pursuing fashion and costume design. I graduated during the recession and couldn't find work, so depression got me until I found the cosplay community and opened up again with both a social life and a creative drive.
Through ALL of this, I was writing in my spare time. From the moment I could draw really sloppy letters on a page, I was creating stories and it became something I did to relieve stress and cope with life changes. At 17, I finished my first novel at 160,000 words (it since got lost in many crashed computers and moves) But since then I have been writing like a mad woman and finally published in 2019. I have no plans of stopping.
I majored in theatre then immediately moved on to college when I was 17 pursuing fashion and costume design. I graduated during the recession and couldn't find work, so depression got me until I found the cosplay community and opened up again with both a social life and a creative drive.
Through ALL of this, I was writing in my spare time. From the moment I could draw really sloppy letters on a page, I was creating stories and it became something I did to relieve stress and cope with life changes. At 17, I finished my first novel at 160,000 words (it since got lost in many crashed computers and moves) But since then I have been writing like a mad woman and finally published in 2019. I have no plans of stopping.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 5, 2023
Lovely writing. Complexed characters. A little slow at times but I still enjoyed it. Would recommend if you like paranormal romance set in small towns.
April 18, 2022
The ocean never forgets
Maris comes from a troubled childhood her father killed her mother and tried to kill her. Surviving through various foster homes until she is an adult, Maris returns to her childhood home with her cat, but she is troubled by old fears and memories. Kaspian is an ancient being from the ocean and he is looking to take Maris's heart. Will she be able to survive him and his desires?
This was a really unique story, Maris was clearly troubled, vulnerable but tough and the author did a great job with that balance. The dub con scenes were well written, I know some people will pass on this book because of them but they are tastefully done and the slow build romance of the couple was great.
Maris comes from a troubled childhood her father killed her mother and tried to kill her. Surviving through various foster homes until she is an adult, Maris returns to her childhood home with her cat, but she is troubled by old fears and memories. Kaspian is an ancient being from the ocean and he is looking to take Maris's heart. Will she be able to survive him and his desires?
This was a really unique story, Maris was clearly troubled, vulnerable but tough and the author did a great job with that balance. The dub con scenes were well written, I know some people will pass on this book because of them but they are tastefully done and the slow build romance of the couple was great.
April 20, 2022
Mysterious with foreshadowing
Beneath is a mystery romance by Courtney Leigh. We are introduced to Maris, often called crazy, at 16. I was hooked from there, knowing she had bit some guy’s ear off, and that her father had tried to murder her, but we had no reason why. Then, the suspicion of the sea throughout is great foreshadowing—like why would her father say her mother hated swimming, when she’s remembered as an avid swimmer by the townspeople?
Then we meet the love interest, Kaspian. The romance side of the novel is well-written. I can see why it's not everyone’s cup of tea, given that it is a “villainous romance” but it’s alright if you go into it with that in mind, plus I always appreciate a happy ending.
Beneath is a mystery romance by Courtney Leigh. We are introduced to Maris, often called crazy, at 16. I was hooked from there, knowing she had bit some guy’s ear off, and that her father had tried to murder her, but we had no reason why. Then, the suspicion of the sea throughout is great foreshadowing—like why would her father say her mother hated swimming, when she’s remembered as an avid swimmer by the townspeople?
Then we meet the love interest, Kaspian. The romance side of the novel is well-written. I can see why it's not everyone’s cup of tea, given that it is a “villainous romance” but it’s alright if you go into it with that in mind, plus I always appreciate a happy ending.
April 22, 2022
Beneath is a love/suspense story. The book follows the story of Maris Blake, who inherits the house where she grew up as a child. Everything was going as planned till Kaspian entered her life. Even though he is amazing, she is not entirely sure about him and the place she´s living. There's something in the lake, some obscure entity.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. The story is accelerating and the darkness in the writing provides some edge-of-the-seat moments. The rich characters described by Courtney Leigh, the author, make this book interesting till the end.
I recommend it for readers not scared of darkness, looking for a story full of suspense and enigmas.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. The story is accelerating and the darkness in the writing provides some edge-of-the-seat moments. The rich characters described by Courtney Leigh, the author, make this book interesting till the end.
I recommend it for readers not scared of darkness, looking for a story full of suspense and enigmas.
April 23, 2022
Beneath is a romantic novel with some elements of suspense. I think that it is very interesting and entertaining. It is the typical novel I immediately fall in love with: a young woman inherits her childhood house and returns to her birthplace to give her life a twist and have a fresh start. She finds love and when everything seems perfect evil knocks on her door.
This is a book I would certainly recommend. The characters are very well portrayed and the descriptions of events and sceneries are excellently done. Beneath is the perfect company for those moments when I want to relax and enjoy.
This is a book I would certainly recommend. The characters are very well portrayed and the descriptions of events and sceneries are excellently done. Beneath is the perfect company for those moments when I want to relax and enjoy.
December 21, 2021
another great read! Not a story you see often. Male mermaids...or...sirens in books let alone romance? I want more of this if it's out there and I'm just not finding it. Courtney delivers on the "villain romance" part of this as Kaspian doesn't really yield to the knight in shining armor trope. He's bad to the bone but GOOD for Maris since she's so imperfect and lost herself. I loved it.
January 19, 2022
Loved this story of Maris and Kaspian. Very unique world of male sirens, but the females are the ones who are stronger and more powerful than their counterparts. Highly addictive read!
December 4, 2021
I just finished reading this book. I am usually a slow reader, a chapter a night before bed, but about half way through "Beneath" I could not put it down! It got pretty exciting and had a bit of a twist at the end, which is always fun. If you like steamy love scenes, there are quite a few of those too!
December 23, 2021
I've had this in my back pocket for some time, just sitting and waiting to be written. I wanted something I haven't seen before. I wanted to make sirens masculine, but maintain the dangerous, female aspect of it. I also didn't want a "sweet" romance. For me, sweet is predictable. Nice, but predictable. I had a great time delving into two very twisted and scarred minds and writing the bonds that brought them closer. I hope everyone sees the vision I tried to portray and I hope lovers of villain and darker romances like this story <3
April 18, 2022
Not For The Faint of Heart
Everyone loves mermaids or at least what they think they are. In Beneath by author Courtney Leigh, she challenges the typical Hollywood depiction of mermaids and builds from their often-unknown dark aspect in traditional legends.
Maris is an orphan with a dark past who has ended up in her hometown. However, she isn’t exactly who she thinks she is and an appealing stranger shows up and shatters her world completely.
I really like how the title of the book fits both the aspect of it being about mermaids or sirens, and also how it plays on the character development of the characters in the book. Who are they actually beneath the façade they present?
I found the book hard to put down in spite of the sometimes quite graphic descriptions—I was glad however that the author gave a warning at the beginning of the book so no reader will be taken by surprise.
Overall, a strangely addictive novel, lovers of all things romance and supernatural will enjoy reading Beneath.
Everyone loves mermaids or at least what they think they are. In Beneath by author Courtney Leigh, she challenges the typical Hollywood depiction of mermaids and builds from their often-unknown dark aspect in traditional legends.
Maris is an orphan with a dark past who has ended up in her hometown. However, she isn’t exactly who she thinks she is and an appealing stranger shows up and shatters her world completely.
I really like how the title of the book fits both the aspect of it being about mermaids or sirens, and also how it plays on the character development of the characters in the book. Who are they actually beneath the façade they present?
I found the book hard to put down in spite of the sometimes quite graphic descriptions—I was glad however that the author gave a warning at the beginning of the book so no reader will be taken by surprise.
Overall, a strangely addictive novel, lovers of all things romance and supernatural will enjoy reading Beneath.
April 28, 2022
The aesthetics of this book is so nice; I really liked the images at the beginning of every chapter. This standalone reading called “Beneath” by author Courtney Leigh is certainly captivating. I really liked Maris and Kaspian’s characters and their story.
The setting where everything happens is very nice and goes perfectly with the story. This paranormal story got me reading late at night; it was difficult to stop reading. I was completely hooked. The thing that attracted me the most was the idea of the plot and also the narrative style of author Leigh.
I would recommend reading this novel because I am sure those who like the genre will love it!
The setting where everything happens is very nice and goes perfectly with the story. This paranormal story got me reading late at night; it was difficult to stop reading. I was completely hooked. The thing that attracted me the most was the idea of the plot and also the narrative style of author Leigh.
I would recommend reading this novel because I am sure those who like the genre will love it!
April 3, 2023
4 ✨ 310pgs 💙
"'I’ll keep being a monster,' Kaspian added. 'The one to chase away your nightmares. To keep you safe. The monster all of your enemies should fear.'"
I bought and read this because I had read the author's Hollow Beasts and LOVED it, so I wanted to try her other Halloween special.
The writing was very done very well. I didn't connect to the characters and their romance as much as in Hollow Beasts, but they were both solid.
Overall, very good.
"'I’ll keep being a monster,' Kaspian added. 'The one to chase away your nightmares. To keep you safe. The monster all of your enemies should fear.'"
I bought and read this because I had read the author's Hollow Beasts and LOVED it, so I wanted to try her other Halloween special.
The writing was very done very well. I didn't connect to the characters and their romance as much as in Hollow Beasts, but they were both solid.
Overall, very good.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews