BENEATH THE SECRETS
✨ Rating: 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
🥵 Spicy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
*ARC REVIEW*
(applied to receive an advance-read copy to review)
TROPES
MAFIA ROMANCE | CHILDHOOD FRIENDS TO LOVERS | VIRGIN MORALLY GREY MMC | OBSESSED
STALKER | BROTHERS BEST FRIEND | PEIRCED MMC | MENTAL HEALTH REP | BURN THE WORLD FOR HER
TRIGGER WARNINGS: *may contain spoilers*
Please check the author's website for the full list of triggers. 'Claim' is a dark romance and contains content and situations that could trigger some readers. Luna Mason's website
L I N K S
"I need you" she whispers in my ear, making a shiver run down my spine. "For eternity", I whisper back...
Alexi is a character who stood out to me because of how deeply his love for Lara runs. He’s not just any protector—he’s spent twenty years honouring his vow to her brothers, Nikolai and Mikhail, to keep her safe. But what makes Alexi compelling is how his feelings for Lara go beyond duty and evolve into something far more obsessive. His protectiveness borders on possessiveness, and there’s tension in how he balances his loyalty to her brothers with his intense desire to be with her. Despite his flaws, Alexi’s vulnerability and the way he supports Lara without trying to “fix” her make him a relatable character, and I found myself rooting for him throughout the story.
Lara is a strong, independent woman, but she also struggles with an eating disorder, and that vulnerability adds layers to her character. One of the things I appreciated most about this book is how Alexi doesn’t try to fix her but stands by her, supporting her through her struggles. Luna Mason does an amazing job portraying mental illness in a way that feels raw and real—she doesn’t shy away from the difficult parts but instead brings them to light in a humanizing and sensitive manner. Lara’s strength lies not just in her independence but in how she faces her inner battles, and her relationship with Alexi highlights the importance of support over control.
The chemistry between Alexi and Lara is electric from the beginning. I was hooked on the tension between them—knowing they’ve been close for years but have never crossed the line until now. Crave explores the shift from friendship to an all-consuming romance, and Alexi’s obsessive need to protect Lara adds a dark edge to their relationship. I also loved how Nikolai and Mikhail’s presence adds another layer of conflict, as Alexi knows he’s putting his friendship with them on the line by pursuing Lara, but his love for her is too strong to resist. The book keeps you on edge with its mix of steamy romance and high stakes, as the "threats" surrounding Lara make every moment between them feel urgent. It’s packed with passion, heartache, love, and the strength of family, with an eternal love that lasts forever. This book had me teary-eyed at times, but also giggling from the banter and tender moments.
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