“It’s intense, erotic, exciting and full of angst!” ~ A Book Lovers Emporium BlogA merciless Dom out to take her empire…who will survive?Shane Vaughn has it all. Well, almost. Fame, success, and money can only get her so far. After surviving a devastating heartbreak at the hands of the all-consuming Jacob Andrews, she’s demanding no-strings, uncomplicated liaisons from now on. Where could she … all-consuming Jacob Andrews, she’s demanding no-strings, uncomplicated liaisons from now on.
Where could she find a simple distraction from Jacob? The exclusive pleasure club, The Resort.
The masked Dom with the blue-eyed gaze could work. He was hypnotizing and mysterious, rendering her powerless. A seductively simple decision.
Unless the masked Dom is Gavin Mayne. A pompous, arrogant, and demanding man. A talent director determined to take Shane’s job. But how can he control an Alpha woman? Force her submission and have her kneeling at his feet.
Obsession, sex, and blackmail. A dangerous combination of betrayal and sabotage.
When secrets surface, will her empire fall? And which man will save her heart from destruction?
- “A HOT sexy romance!”
- “Nicky F. Grant’s debut…is off the charts FANTASTIC. The story came off like she’s been on the best seller list for decades…”
- “Smart, sexy, and with a complexity and depth of characters.”
- “This book was an accidental find and I’m so glad I found it. The writing is exquisite, the twists and turns kept the pages turning, and the SEX! Hot, Hot, Hot!”
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This was my first Nicky F. Grant’s book. Beyond the Masks is the first book in the Beyond Surrender Romance, an erotica Series. Shane, Jacob, and Gavin are great characters. The storyline is complex, hot, and intriguing. The ending is beautiful. Noah Michael Levine has a great voice. He did a wonderful job with the narration. Looking forward to listen to the next installment in the Series, Beyond the Truth. I need more!
Audio review
I read this book a while ago and thoroughly enjoyed the push and pull between the characters. Shane’s strength and vulnerability, Gavin’s ambition and journey to find integrity, Jacob..oh love Jacob. This is a story filled with intrigue, very, very hot scenes, strong emotions, love, loyalty (or the lack of it) and friendship. It is narrated with great confidence and skill by Noah Michael Levine. I wasn’t sure of Noah’s delivery at first, but quickly found myself so drawn into the story that I realised that Noah had completely mastered the characters, their emotional journey and the cheek blushing scenes to the extent that I had been completely immersed in the story to the very end. Excellent!
3.5 Stars
Beyond the Masks by Nicky F. Grant is the First book in the Beyond Surrender Series. This is the story of Shane Vaughn who is trying to move past her ex Jacob Andrews who is also head of a rival business.
Then there is Gavin Mayne who wants her job. So of course Shane is feeling up in the air with everything and goes to The Resort which leads her to The masked Dom.
I found Jacob and Gavin somewhat hard to like with their interactions with and about Shane.
But overall a hot read.
Well Crafted
I have had to do a reread of this book after having just finished the third book not realizing that I had missed book two. Upon doing that, I have decided to redo this review because I do not think I put into words at how well done this book was. This goes beyond the idea that it was a well-done story. This is a DEBUT book which I had not realized when I read this the first time. A DEBUT BOOK. Unless I am writing an academic paper, I cannot string two sentences apart without looking/sounding like a village idiot. Yet, this author just wrote a whole story in which the characters came alive on the pages.
My initial go around I found myself liking it more than I had thought I would. I anticipated that it would just be another BDSM book, which rarely feels authentic anymore. The second time reading this I am still in awe. She penned a story with so much heart and the characters had so much going for them. This is not an easy choice and made me Glad that I wasn’t Shane nor would I have to choose between Gavin and Jacob as the man that would ultimately win her heart.
The ending left me a little unresolved on my feelings as I felt the one not chosen deserved closure and a possible HEA too. That is the beauty in this author though because she penned these two amazing men, whom while endearing also were jerks at times, to the degree that I, as the reader, fell in love with them both. That speaks volumes. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
This book is a lot deeper than I anticipated but I really ended up enjoying it. I will say that it started out a little slow but stick with it. I think what made it harder is that it is written mostly in third person and it made it a little harder to “feel”.
I liked Shane, I thought she was a extremely strong but naive character. She definitely didn’t have a good sense of character when it came to the men in her life but I think she ultimately made the right decision. She works in the cut throat music industry and it seems everyone is out to get her including the two men she chooses to trust…
Jacob is her ex and the biggest rival she has in the business world. He regrets so much of their past but keeps making decisions to push her further away.
Gavin wants Shane’s job and stoops very low to make it possible. Until she makes him want more.
Betrayal runs deep and feelings are flying all over in this book.
I am new to this author but I am already starting on the next book to see what happens next. I think it is a book worth reading!
4 1/2 “Lovely” stars
While reading this book, I found myself forgetting that this was Nicky Grant’s debut novel. It’s amazing. It has all the ingredients for a yummy book…hot BDSM scenes, love triangle, angst, heartbreak, soul-searching and a few twists and turns along the way.
I really connected with the characters. So, I found myself struggling right along with Shane as she tries to decide between Gavin and Jacob and is continually second guessing herself. There were qualities they each possessed which made them “right” for her. How could she possibly choose?
“Find yourself, Lovely. She’s in there. Even when it seemed like I wasn’t looking, I saw you. And I do love you. I always will.” Beyond the Masks by Nicky F. Grant
Great sexy read. Liked the fact the reader actually does not know who exactly the female character will end up with. More like reality. Real people sometimes cannot make up their minds what they want.
I love when I can get lost in a book for hours and that is exactly what happened with this story. Shane is one heck of an interesting character! I love her passion and drive for her job and I really feel for all the struggles she has faced in her love life. Shane, Gavin and Jacob are all strong-willed characters who will stop at nothing to get what they want. I loved the suspense and intrigue of the book and not knowing what would happen next! I loved The Resort, where you are free to explore your fantasies and yet have complete anonymity because of the masks. It really adds to the mystery and intrigue of the club. However, my favourite part of the book was the intricate triangle surrounding Shane, Gavin and Jacob. They are all connected to one another in different ways and as their stories unfold you are left with shocking and anguish filled moments that will leave you with one heck of an ending!
Talk about steamy! (Fanning myself) It’s hard to believe this is Ms. Grant’s debut novel. The complexities and deft handling of the book’s core theme is masterful. I read this without stopping into the early morning hours. And although the heroine must make a choice between two men, it was done in such a way you can understand her decision completely. I didn’t like it, but I understood it lol. I think I’m still in mourning over that ending—Nicky wrecked me with it but it hurt so good
HOT, Sexy, Sweet, and Kinky
I love stories where the women are strong yet also willing to expose their ‘weakness’ to the men in their life. They don’t view their sexality as a failing. I also like that, like reality, things are not always black & white in relationships or dating. Shane is a fantastic heroine. The men in her life as dominant, somewhat blinded to what she needs or even they need. I wasn’t sure I’d like the D/s aspect of it but Nicky does a great job. Definitely a well-done portrayal of kink. And HOT. This book had me hooked. A must read.
Wow! This story has a triangle of twisted characters to be sure! Who should Shane trust? That was my question the majority of this book. Both men totally ruined what could be. In the end….Shane has to figure out what she wants and to trust herself! Loved the characters and the strong willed Shane! Nicky wrote herself a Awesome debut! I can’t wait to read the sequel!
Had I not started this on a plane, right before a weeklong vacation, right before I had to come home to a full weekend’s worth of plans, I probably would have finished it in one sitting. As it was, I stayed up half the night because I couldn’t put it down.
I loved reading both hero’s POVs—and I especially loved knowing more than the heroine at any given time. That made for some serious heartache and angst. Both Gavin and Jacob are assholes to some extent, but they both have good in them and it just took a while for Shane (and me) to see it. In one hero’s case, Shane never “sees it”—and last night at 2am, that fact gutted me.
Shane says herself, “I know how to pick ‘em.” Yes, she does. And in the end, I think she picked well. Both men, while terribly flawed, are redeemed (IMO), and considering what they each put her through, this is a fantastic feat.
When the story begins, Jacob is seeking Shane’s forgiveness and longing for a reconciliation—making him the obvious choice.
Gavin is…not—making him impossible to love. I was sure I wouldn’t fall for him, but I did. Hard. Bravo to Ms. Grant for proving me wrong. This is a true love triangle. I haven’t felt this torn between two heroes since Taylor Jenkins Reid’s One True Loves.
Beyond the Masks is an erotic romance, and while super steamy, it reads like a contemporary romance—which makes it perfect for me. I am 100% invested in these characters and cannot wait for the next installment. Killer debut!
Hot! I’ve volunteered to review this for United Indie Book Blog. This is my first time reading/listening to Nicky F Grant books. This is the first book in A Beyond Surrender series. I had the audio version of this story. This is Shane, Jacob, and Gavin. Shane is at the top of her profession as a music producer. While Jacob, who is the head at Shane’s rival company. Gavin works fro Shane as a talent director, he wants her job. This story has angst and heartbreak which all had me intrigued and captivated throughout. Who will Shane choice to be with Jacob or Gavin? You will have to get this to find out. I found that Noah Michael Levine did a good job with each of the characters voices. I can’t wait to read/listen to Nicky’s next books. Keep up the amazing work!
Beyond the Masks
A Beyond Surrender Romance, Book 1
By: Nicky F. Grant
Narrated by: Noah Michael Levine
Jacob and Shane were together for years. Upon their breakup, they are now running rival companies. And Shane needs a distraction. Going to the club with a mask and giving into her desires should do the trick, and when she figures out who her masked dom is, it adds a layer of complexity. When Jacob comes back wanting another chance, things for Shane become difficult. Should she stay with her dom and try to cultivate the relationship? Go back to Jacob? At first, I found it hard to connect the characters, but as the story went on, I loved the way Nicky F Grant shaped their choices and found myself invested in the outcome. It’s smart, wickedly hot and had my heart torn in two! It’s a fantastic listen.
Noah Michael Levine is the narrator and his voice is so smooth, it flows through the book. Each character easily distinguished, the story flows with his seductive alpha voices truly enhancing the book.
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Hot! I’ve volunteered to review this for United Indie Book Blog. This is my first time reading/listening to Nicky F Grant books. This is the first book in A Beyond Surrender series. I had the audio version of this story. This is Shane, Jacob, and Gavin. Shane is at the top of her profession as a music producer. While Jacob, who is the head at Shane’s rival company. Gavin works fro Shane as a talent director, he wants her job. This story has angst and heartbreak which all had me intrigued and captivated throughout. Who will Shane choice to be with Jacob or Gavin? You will have to get this to find out. I found that Noah Michael Levine did a good job with each of the characters voices. I can’t wait to read/listen to Nicky’s next books. Keep up the amazing work!
REVIEW BY CHANTELLE