Crave

Beneath the Secrets, Book 3

De: Luna Mason

Narrado por: Angelina Rocca, Joe Arden

I am completely and obsessively in love with my best friend's sister.

Twenty years ago I was saved by the Volkov brothers and I made a vow… to protect their younger sister, Lara, with my life.

And not a day goes by that I don’t take that seriously.

She is my best friend and the keeper of my sanity.

And when our enemies try to take her from me, they will pay the price with their life.

I told her one kiss wouldn’t ruin our friendship.

I was so very wrong.

She is sweeter than any addiction.

I may be crazy, but that is nothing in comparison to the way I feel about my pchelka.

So I take matters into my own hands; I will never go back on my promise.

Even if that means watching her as she sleeps.

Except, what I didn’t realize, is this was never about protection, I did all of this out of love.

With her, I stand to lose everything.

Without her, I lose my mind… and my heart. Even when we’re torn apart, there isn’t a single force on this earth that can stop me from protecting her.

Not even her brothers.

I can save her from any dangers in the outside world, but will my love be enough to save her from the demons in her mind?

©2024 Luna Mason (P)2024 Luna Mason

Lovedddddd

Loved the voice actors it helped me to get in the story even more and the actual story was veryyyy good

Alexei and Lara

4.75 stars

This is the third audiobook in the Beneath the Secrets series and it is Alexei and Lara’s story. These two have not had the easiest of upbringings which has left them with feelings of inadequacy and not being good enough. Lara is a person who is there for other people regardless of how she is feeling inside. She is also dealing with some mental challenges that others will be able to relate to. Alexei has always been devoted to Lara and would do anything for her. He is the person you want in your corner because he is loyal to a fault. The narrators did a wonderful job emoting the vulnerabilities of the characters. Joe Arden once again demonstrates his versatility in crafting a character that wears his emotions on his sleeve. The intensity, rawness, and accent were truly on point. It took a moment to warm up to Angelina Rocca’s voice but then she matched Mr. Arden’s’ energy to breathe life into Lara, resulting in a powerful performance. Overall, this is one intense listen with twists, turns and spicy banter that will have your ears tingling for more.

How could anyone not love Alexei and his pchelka!

"My love for you is my fuel, one spark and I can set the world on fire. Our love is forever. No beginning, no end. Infinite."

Listeners will get the pleasure of having Angelina Rocca and Joe Arden giving life to Lara and Alexei and they deliver excellence chapter after chapter after chapter. Listeners are graced with accents from both of them.

Joe somehow once again nails the tone of the MMC when it came to Alexei. The accent, the somewhat innocent tone I always heard in my head when reading the story and yet the darkness that lurks underneath when it comes to his loved ones, especially Lara. I have to say there was a certain scene in chapter 10 that had me giggling so hard.

Angelina has the perfect voice for the character of Lara. She is a woman who suffers silently and has some inner turmoil. Her spirits only ever seem to be lifted when around Alexei and I do not believe there is a female narrator out there that could have done justice to Lara like Ms. Rocca does.

It is official, Alexie is my favorite from this series. I have wanted his story since he first popped up and Luna did not disappoint. I can honestly say Lara and him as a couple did not cross my mind until the end of Caged! I couldn't picture Lara with crazy Alexei but they work! He is this man who is carefree, living life on the wild side, never afraid of the danger.

Alexei has protected Lara almost his entire life. He takes that role very seriously because he loves her. She is more than just his best friend but he doesn't think he is good enough for her. Lara is so deserving of love and she only wants it from Alexei yet feels she isn't deserving of his love. Right away they are meant to be. While Alexei is pretty much an open book Lara is not and finding out what she has been battling for a big portion of her life was so heartbreaking.

The bond between them is insanely strong. The lengths that Alexei goes to for Lara's protection is beyond crazy. There is no limit to what he is willing to do which of course makes him pretty much perfect! Once that first kiss happens it is game over, there will never be another for either of them. The proof is in the shocking little tidbit about Alexei that melted my heart so much.

Too many times in this story my heart was racing but then it wouldn't be a Luna Mason book if she didn't give her readers anxiety inducing scenarios. I felt like just as all was well it truly was not and it was time for another round and then that last final plot twist that happened....

LOVED IT

I've been DYING for Lara & Alexei's story and really enjoyed finally getting it! Both of them have been close for years, ever since they were young and I love how their friendship has grown. They both rely on each other to calm their chaotic feelings and feel at peace with each other. Both also struggle with different past issues/trauma, but they both are just trying to be strong for one another. The spice between them is HOT and I loved it so much!! I also had a few moments where I was literally laughing out loud while listening to this! The audio narration was well done and very enjoyable to listen to! Now I'm ready for Mikhail's story in the next book!

Why did it take me so long to jump on the bandwagon?

Luna absolutely love love love love this beautiful book from start to finish. I’m not quite sure why it took me so long to actually listen and read your beautiful books but from now on, I will be rectifying that. Luna the way that you write just captured my attention from the very first sentence. I’ve been a massive fan of yours as a human being since April 2024 and you are hands-down, one of the sweetest people I’ve met. I’m so so glad I got to meet you last year.

Now I’m officially a massive fan of you as an author because you truly put me in my feels with this beautiful book. This book made me cry, laugh my head off, broke my heart at times and so many other feelings. I truly cannot wait to read and listen to all your books because I know you won’t disappoint me.

Alexei and Lara have become one of my favorite couples because their chemistry we’re off the charts and I loved every second of this audiobook that I completed it in three days. As I was reading and listening to this beautiful audiobook, all I wanted to do was give Alexei and Lara massive hugs because of what they had to endure in their lives. If you absolutely love, love love love an unhinge MMC who will do absolutely anything for his pchelka, you need to get this book today.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/🌶️🌶️🌶️

One reason I love audiobooks is because of the emotion you can hear and feel!!!! Some books need to be listened to rather than read as a physical book and this book is one of those for me!

Alexei! Crazy af, but the most passionate and loving man there is!!!!

He is the definition of I will do anything and everything for this woman and this woman ONLY!!!!!

Amazing Narration!!

🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 5/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4/5

"𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘐𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴𝘵. 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘵."

𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄:
This book is told in 𝗗𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 by Joe Arden and Angelina Rocca and they did a freaking AMAZING job!!! They were able to make me feel fully emmerced into the story. I really enjoyed the accents they used to capture the characters. I'm just so in love with this audio! Highly recommend the listening experience!

“𝘛𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘮𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦. 𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘵.”

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄:
This book was absolutely amazing!! From the very beginning I was completely invested in the story and completely in love with Alexei. He was just as sweet as all the candy he eats but he wasn't afraid to protect the ones he loves. I loved the way he made EVERYTHING about Lara his responsibility! This man was obsessed with Lara and her happiness and I was here for every minute of it. HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!

"𝘔𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘶𝘦𝘭, 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦. 𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳. 𝘕𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘯𝘰 𝘦𝘯𝘥. 𝘐𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘦."

🦩 Mafia Romance
🦩 Friends to Lovers
🦩 Banter
🦩 Found Family
🦩Touch her & 💀
🦩 Best Friend's Sister
🦩 He Takes Care of Her
🦩 V!rgin MMC
🦩 He's Pierced
🦩 She Teaches Him
🦩 Hand Necklace
🦩 He would do ANYTHING for her
🦩 FMC has an Eating Disorder
🦩 Somnophilia
🦩 Mirror Scene

When you’re the best of friends

Oh this story was so fun. The friendship (and more) between these two is perfect. I loved the comedy Alexei brings to the story he truly is the best. This story was a perfect portrayal of best friends to lovers. The narrators did a fantastic job bringing these two to life.

Luna Mason and Joe Arden? yes please

I think it would have been difficult for anyone other than Joe to do the voice of Alexi. Absolutely one of Joe's most impressive performances.

I've read the books in this and the previous Behind the Mask series and I highly recommend all of them, but if you were only going to pick one to listen to, this should be it.

My heart melts for Alexi 🦩🦩

This story is beautiful. I freaking love Alexi soo much! I laughed out loud so many times lol. It’s funny because at times I found Laura annoying but it finally hit me why. I am pretty much just like her! Self sabotage and what not lol.
This is my first book from Luna Mason but definitely won’t be my last! I always love anything Joe Arden! And this is no exception! He’s accent was PERFECT! The only thing that kinda of was annoying is I just don’t like when it’s dual POV but the characters read the other characters parts. Definitely not enough to keep me from listening and I’ll even listen again! I just prefer to have each character do their part. Joe as Laura was funny but I’d prefer to hear Angelina ❤️