Title: Beneath the Burn
Author: Pam Godwin
First published July 31, 2013
509 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 4.03
Overview
They strut down Sunset Boulevard in their designer heels, sipping on lattes and trading juicy rumors. They frequent The Ivy and Chateau Marmont, where they dine on kale salads and sip champagne cocktails.
They sculpt their bodies at SoulCycle and Equinox, always in the latest Lululemon gear. Clothed in Chanel and Dior, they hobnob with A-listers at the hottest clubs and premieres, keeping a watchful eye on each other’s social standing.
They are the Beverly Hills Wives, a rarefied group of women who’ve made it big by marrying even bigger. Hollywood glamour and excess, at its most outrageous.
About the Author
Pam Godwin, a bestselling author who has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today, resides in the Midwest with her spouse, retired greyhounds, and a foul-mouthed parrot. In her earlier years, she traveled to fourteen different countries across five continents, attended three universities, and even married the lead singer of her favorite rock band.
When it comes to her indulgences, Pam enjoys java, tobacco, and dark romance novels. She admits that these may be considered more unhealthy than her aversion to sleeping, eating meat, and dolls with blinking eyes.
For those interested in purchasing signed books or merchandise, Pam offers them on her website. She can also be found on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Amazon.
Editoral Review
Beneath the Burn by Pam Godwin is a gritty romance novel filled with suspense and heart-pumping action. First published on July 31, 2013, Godwin’s book is set in a small, rural town in the southern United States.
This novel is not for the faint of heart, as it contains disturbing themes of trauma, abuse, and violence. However, it deftly handles these issues in a way that makes it a gripping and thought-provoking read for mature audiences.
Godwin has a talent for writing about complex characters with troubled pasts and thoughtful insights. The main characters, Charlee and Royce, are both victims of abuse and are forced to confront their past traumas in order to build a future together.
The supporting characters, such as Charlee’s brother, Jethro, and Royce’s father, also play a vital role in the novel’s plot and emotional arc. The setting of the novel, a small town in the South, adds to the sense of isolation and desperation felt by the characters.
The novel’s plot centers around Charlee’s search for her missing brother, Jethro, and her encounters with the enigmatic Royce, a dangerous man with a dark past. As their relationship unfolds, Charlee discovers the truth about Royce’s past and is forced to confront her own demons.
The novel is full of unexpected twists and turns, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat until the very end. Godwin’s writing style is suspenseful and poetic, with descriptions that are vivid and visceral.
She does not shy away from depictions of violence and trauma, but her handling of these themes is sensitive and nuanced. Her prose is tight and effective, never feeling bloated or overwritten.
One of the strengths of Beneath the Burn is the way it addresses issues of abuse and trauma with empathy and nuance. Godwin does not romanticize the violent and traumatic elements of the novel, but she also never reduces her characters to mere victims.
Instead, she writes about people who have been broken by their experiences but are still capable of strength and resilience. In today’s climate, where discussions about trauma and abuse are becoming more open and honest, this novel feels particularly relevant and important.
While there were moments in the plot that felt rushed or underdeveloped, overall Godwin’s storytelling is compelling and effective. She skillfully handles multiple perspectives and timelines, weaving a complex tapestry of characters and themes.
Beneath the Burn is a book that will stay with readers long after they have finished reading the final page. Readers who enjoy romance novels with a healthy dose of action and suspense will find much to appreciate in Beneath the Burn.
However, due to the novel’s depictions of abuse and violence, it may not be suitable for all readers. If you can stomach it, however, this novel is well worth your time.
Pam Godwin has crafted a gripping, thought-provoking story that is deserving of attention and praise. I give it a score of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
