What do you think?
Rate this book
The Broken Boys #2
Below the Belt
Lou
He stepped into the elevator, and everything changed.
The pirate.
I watched him fall apart.
He whispered his secrets and showed me his soul.
That night he walked away with my heart and my panties.
I let myself believe that he could break my lifelong curse, but everyone left me eventually.
Now he’s gone, and I don’t know how to set him free.
Will he drown in his demons? Will I lose him forever?
I would do whatever it takes, but I don’t know if there is enough time.
Billy
I need space, air, room to breathe. In here there is none.
She changed all that.
Red.
She silenced the demons they put in my head. She soothed the scars left on my body.
Without her, I am suffocating, fighting again to survive.
I promised her I wouldn’t leave, but I had no choice.
They found a way to break me.
Again.
The walls are closing in and I don’t know how many more breaths I have left.
He stepped into the elevator, and everything changed.
The pirate.
I watched him fall apart.
He whispered his secrets and showed me his soul.
That night he walked away with my heart and my panties.
I let myself believe that he could break my lifelong curse, but everyone left me eventually.
Now he’s gone, and I don’t know how to set him free.
Will he drown in his demons? Will I lose him forever?
I would do whatever it takes, but I don’t know if there is enough time.
Billy
I need space, air, room to breathe. In here there is none.
She changed all that.
Red.
She silenced the demons they put in my head. She soothed the scars left on my body.
Without her, I am suffocating, fighting again to survive.
I promised her I wouldn’t leave, but I had no choice.
They found a way to break me.
Again.
The walls are closing in and I don’t know how many more breaths I have left.
360 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2021
About the author
Esme Taylor
15 books111 followersEsme is a 40 something romance author from the North East of England. She started writing romance during lockdown and developed a love of crafting stories about tattooed broken boys and the relationships that help them heal. Esme writes all sorts of tropes, but one theme runs through her books - love comes in all shapes and sizes and her stories celebrate that.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 1, 2021
This is the second book of the Broken Boys series by Esme Taylor and can be read as a standalone but is better read following the first book.
This book is about Billy and Lou and I enjoyed reading about their struggles, how they find each other again, and the sex scenes! Those were so hot 🔥!
This book was written well and the characters were wonderful! I really enjoyed reading this and I highly recommend! I can't wait for the next book by Esme!
This book is about Billy and Lou and I enjoyed reading about their struggles, how they find each other again, and the sex scenes! Those were so hot 🔥!
This book was written well and the characters were wonderful! I really enjoyed reading this and I highly recommend! I can't wait for the next book by Esme!
September 5, 2022
I loved this book. If I didn’t need to sleep/work or have kids. I would have finished it in a day. I loved this story. Very smutty. Definitely appreciated that. I loved the personal connections and I cannot wait to read the next one!
November 25, 2021
Esme Taylor takes her story telling skills to the next level in Below the Belt. The story development, the complex scarred hero and heroine, and the heat all combined to keep me up way past my bedtime. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
November 22, 2021
I really enjoyed this book! Below the Belt can be read as standalone, but I would personally recommend reading Breaking the Ice first, so that you can understand some of the situations in Below the Belt. Billy and Lou were amazing and their chemistry, not just sexual, was off the charts! I loved Lou, her calmness and confidence. And Billy, he is so sweet. I love their connection. Now, their sexual encounters were hot, hot, HOT! This book did end on a bit of cliffhanger, but not for the main characters, Lou and Billy. Anxiously awaiting book 3!!
November 20, 2021
Although this book could be read as a stand alone, the reader gets a more complete and rounded story if they have read the first book in the series. This book tells the story of Lou and Billy. It is well written, both humorous and sad and contains lots of sex scenes, which are a part of the characters' personalities. The book ends, leaving the reader intrigued and wanting to read the stories about Billy and Lou's friends and to see how these characters are developed by the author. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would definitely recommend it. I look forward to reading more books by this author!
December 2, 2021
I haven't read the first book in the series...but I think I will after reading this one!
It's not my usual genre - as I'm not typically a fan of spicy romance, but this has just enough hot and steamy scenes to get my heart pumping along with characters you can't help falling in love with along the way!
The book starts with a memorable kick by introducing the two main characters when they get stuck in an elevator, and continues when they meet again a year later. The story that runs to the end didn't pick up until around half way through, after we've established just how perfect these two are together and that they both have troubled - and somewhat mysterious - pasts.
I had to race to the end, because I couldn't wait to see how they handled everything being thrown at them, despite not quite wanting it to end! And when I had finished, I knew that I'd have to get the other books just so I can spend some more time with these characters.
Well written, absorbing, and exactly what I needed to warm me up on those cold winter nights. 😉
It's not my usual genre - as I'm not typically a fan of spicy romance, but this has just enough hot and steamy scenes to get my heart pumping along with characters you can't help falling in love with along the way!
The book starts with a memorable kick by introducing the two main characters when they get stuck in an elevator, and continues when they meet again a year later. The story that runs to the end didn't pick up until around half way through, after we've established just how perfect these two are together and that they both have troubled - and somewhat mysterious - pasts.
I had to race to the end, because I couldn't wait to see how they handled everything being thrown at them, despite not quite wanting it to end! And when I had finished, I knew that I'd have to get the other books just so I can spend some more time with these characters.
Well written, absorbing, and exactly what I needed to warm me up on those cold winter nights. 😉
January 12, 2022
Oh my poor heart ❤
I absolutely loved this addition to The Broken Boys Series, although interconnected each book can be read as a standalone.
Billy & Lou/Kill & Red. These two (especially Billy) have overcome so much, with heartbreaking scenarios throughout their lives. A chance meeting leads to happily ever after just with so much drama to get through first!
I can't wait to hear Thomas' story, he's such an interesting character - so loyal and willing to do everything for his 'weirdo family' but you know he has a past worth exploring!
I still can't get over how this is a debut series! It's been brilliant and I'm looking forward to reading more in the future ❤
I absolutely loved this addition to The Broken Boys Series, although interconnected each book can be read as a standalone.
Billy & Lou/Kill & Red. These two (especially Billy) have overcome so much, with heartbreaking scenarios throughout their lives. A chance meeting leads to happily ever after just with so much drama to get through first!
I can't wait to hear Thomas' story, he's such an interesting character - so loyal and willing to do everything for his 'weirdo family' but you know he has a past worth exploring!
I still can't get over how this is a debut series! It's been brilliant and I'm looking forward to reading more in the future ❤
December 1, 2021
🚨ARC Review:
This is the second book of the Broken Boys Series by Esme Taylor. This read was extremely powerful! I mean wow! The trauma both lead characters experience in this story is insane! Every time I turned the page I felt my heart breaking for Billy and Lou- but their chemistry was unbelievable. Both these characters have come from such broken pasts but have come out as fighters. And boy, do they fight together and for each other. But what an amazing story to be told- I love that they saved each other❤️ and the ending to this heartfelt story was absolutely beautiful. It has definitely brought tears to my eyes!
This is the second book of the Broken Boys Series by Esme Taylor. This read was extremely powerful! I mean wow! The trauma both lead characters experience in this story is insane! Every time I turned the page I felt my heart breaking for Billy and Lou- but their chemistry was unbelievable. Both these characters have come from such broken pasts but have come out as fighters. And boy, do they fight together and for each other. But what an amazing story to be told- I love that they saved each other❤️ and the ending to this heartfelt story was absolutely beautiful. It has definitely brought tears to my eyes!
February 7, 2022
Oh. My. Shitting. God.
I don't know where to start.
This book ripped my heart out brutally. I bloody sobbed. The realness and rawness of tortured Billy absolutely killed me. What a man he is though. So brave.
I'm in awe of your writing esme. You made my heart hurt for them both. There is no denying the chemistry these 2 had.
Loved Lou and Billy together 🥵🥵🥵. They were absolutely filthy and I loved it!
10 years later ❤❤❤ I melted
I don't know where to start.
This book ripped my heart out brutally. I bloody sobbed. The realness and rawness of tortured Billy absolutely killed me. What a man he is though. So brave.
I'm in awe of your writing esme. You made my heart hurt for them both. There is no denying the chemistry these 2 had.
Loved Lou and Billy together 🥵🥵🥵. They were absolutely filthy and I loved it!
10 years later ❤❤❤ I melted
June 26, 2022
I did not think the series could get better after Etta and Viking, but boy was I wrong!!! I loved Pirate and Red! My heart was breaking for what Pirate went through and I loved how strong Red was. Not often you find a story where the girl saves the boy.
I loved them to bits!!!
Every book the story just getting better!!!
Another job SUPER well done!!!!
I loved them to bits!!!
Every book the story just getting better!!!
Another job SUPER well done!!!!
February 8, 2024
Wow, wow, wow
This was a tough but excellent read.
Billy past was gut wrenching and heartbreaking, so well written it felt real.
Lou had such a tough time too, but 2 souls found their mates.
Brilliant story, with enough spice to keep you interested.
This was a tough but excellent read.
Billy past was gut wrenching and heartbreaking, so well written it felt real.
Lou had such a tough time too, but 2 souls found their mates.
Brilliant story, with enough spice to keep you interested.
October 14, 2022
~~~DNF
Ugh.
Ugh.
October 19, 2022
3.5 stars!
March 3, 2024
⛔️(in notes)
January 30, 2024
Another great addition to this series. I think I liked this one even better. Kill is such a spectacular hero and Red is amazing for him. Loved it and need the next book after that ending.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews