Behind the Curtain by Beth Kery Published by Berkley Publication Date: May 2nd 2017
Pages: 432
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Cultures clash and passion ignites in the novel that will leave you begging for more—from the bestselling author of The Affair and Looking Inside.
There’s something about this woman…
On a break between overseas jobs, journalist Asher Gaites returns to his hometown of Chicago—and allows his friends to persuade him to check out a hot new singer. At a downtown jazz club, he’s soon transfixed by the lyrical voice and sensuous body of a woman who performs behind a thin, shimmering veil...
…That could bring a man to his knees.
The veil gives Moroccan American Laila Barek the anonymity she needs since she has never been able to reconcile her family’s values with her passion for music. But one man is inexplicably drawn to her. And when Asher confronts her on a subway platform after a gig, he’s shocked to recognize the woman who walked away from him nine years ago...
Laila has never been able to forget the touch, the feel, the taste of Asher. And despite the doubt and fear that wind their way into their lives, they must trust the heat of their desire to burn down the walls the world has placed between them…
Cocktails and Books received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect our opinion of the book or the content of our review.
I am the first to admit I love second chance romance and Beneath the Veil is the ultimate second chance romance and I loved it.
Laila Barek has grown up in a strict Moroccan American home where family is everything and her parents not believing in mix marriages. Up until now, Laila has been ok living this sheltered life especially since her family means everything to her. Spending her summer on the banks of Lake Michigan she meets Asher the complete opposite of what she is used to but she finds herself attracted to him like no other. When their feelings grow Laila needs to make a decision her family or the boy she fell in love with one summer. Flash forward 8 years the decision was made but when Asher walks in her club unexpectantly old feelings resurface and now Laila needs to make another choice.
Asher fell in love with the beautiful exotic girl that summer. He knew that he was different than what her family wanted for her being of different ethnic backgrounds he thought for sure their love would overcome and was devastated when it didn’t. Then all the years later when he sees Laila again he knows once and for all he can’t ever let her go.
Ms Kery takes us on such a beautiful, sometimes heartbreaking ride that not only explores first loves but the differences and parallels between her two main characters. Both Laila and Asher have issues with their parents and are trying to get their approval but their experiences are very different and sometimes those differences cant be overwhelming especially when you are young. Told in 3rd person the reader feels like you can see what is happening to both of these characters through a lens that was refreshing and I think a good choice by the author. The secondary characters are rich and definitely help to drive the story though I did want a little more closure for one of the characters. That being said its definitely Laila and Asher’s story and so well told.
