Beneath the Lake by Cadi McLean | Spoiler-Free Book Review

Title: Beneath the Lake
Author: Cadi McLean
Publication Date: August 5, 2015
Genre(s): Time Travel Romance Suspense
Source: Audiobook provided through Audiobookworm Promotions
Pages: 398
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Reeling from her boyfriend’s indiscretions at a party, Lacey Montgomery escapes into the throes of a torrential storm. Her car spins out of control and hurtles into the depths of an icy, black lake. She awakens in the arms of a handsome stranger, in a place she’s never heard of – 34 years before she was born.

Bobby Reynolds is smitten the moment the storm-ravaged woman opens her eyes. Learning the truth about her origin does nothing to stop the passion taking root in his heart and leaves him torn between finding a way to return Lacey to her time and convincing her stay with him.

Will the couple be able to discover the key to a mysterious portal before time rips them apart? Or will their spirits wander forever through a ghost town buried beneath the lake?

I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Casi McLean. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

This was a book that I was hesitant, yet intrigued to read. One of my 2020 goals was that I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone. Having started to read more romance, I was intrigued about a time travel romance, and the plot for this one definitely intrigued me.

There were times this book felt like someone pining for the “good ole days” and used this book as romantic wish fulfillment. This book also suffered from insta-love (though it wasn’t acted upon right away), a main character who makes some faulty logic leaps, a lot of talk about food/body image (most of it negative), and a mildly rushed, yet overexplained plot.

While there are nitpicky things I didn’t love about this one, overall it was a harmless, quick read that was nice to listen to in between the chunky fantasies I’ve been reading. I was able to have this audiobook on when I ran errands, completed chores, played a mean game of candy crush, and planned/drafted other posts without feeling like I was missing out on what was going on in the story.

Readers who are looking for a quick one-sitting read or something to read during a book hangover may enjoy the light tone and quick pace of this one. Additionally, despite being the first book in a series, Beneath the Lake wraps up nicely and reads like a standalone.

Overall, this was an interesting enough story to keep me listening and was sweet enough not to disappoint me. while there were somethings that I personally didn’t love, I can see why so many other readers really enjoy this one. If you’re looking for a read for the next round of Smutathon, something to follow House of Earth and Blood, or a quick read to hit that Goodreads goal, this may be one to pick up.

Rating:

Award winning author, Casi McLean, pens novels to stir the soul with romance, suspense, and a sprinkle of magic. Her writing crosses genres from ethereal, captivating shorts with eerie twist endings to believable time slips, mystical plots, and sensual romantic suspense, like Beneath The Lake, WINNER: 2016 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence for BEST Romantic Suspense.

Casi’s powerful memoir, Wingless Butterfly: Healing The Broken Child Within, shares an inspirational message of courage, tenacity, and hope, and displays her unique ability to excel in nonfiction and self-help as well as fiction. Known for enchanting stories with magical description, McLean entices readers in nonfiction as well with fascinating hooks to hold them captive in storylines they can’t put down.

Her romance entwines strong, believable heroines with delicious hot heroes to tempt the deepest desires then fans the flames, sweeping readers into their innermost romantic fantasies. Ms. McLean weaves exceptional romantic mystery with suspenseful settings and lovable characters you’ll devour. You’ll see, hear, and feel the magical eeriness of one fateful night. You’ll swear her time travel could happen, be mystified by her other worldly images, and feel heat of romantic suspense, but most of all you’ll want more.

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After receiving her B.S. and MBA with a concentration in Health Care Management, Aundrea fell madly in love and decided to start her family. Ten years and five children later she was quickly living the full time wife, mother and household management life. Needing a temporary escape from time to time Aundrea returned back to her first love – reading! After devouring everything she could get her hands on she thought, -what if she could mix her love of performance and literature in a professional capacity? Once getting involved in the world of book narration she quickly became hooked and when not with her family you can find her in her studio working hard to grow in her own storytelling abilities.