Amy Lane at her best...

As a huge fan of Amy Lane's writing ability, Beneath the Stain equaled her many exceptional stories that have become a part of my little world. I read one review that stated that this book "wreaked" the reader and I think that is an excellent descriptor for the intense components of the story. I was indeed WREAKED, emotionally. Not that I am surprised by that fact. This story, as with most of Lane's stories, had me reaching every gambit of emotion that flows in the stream of emotions. I laughed, I sighed, I cried, I smiled, I frowned, I cried, I sobbed (like a little girl), and then I smiled again. Nick J. Russo's narration was fantastic and helped to put me in the middle of this story. Mackey and Trav's story mixed with the supporting characters provided a journey that one must take. Overcoming heartache is a bitch and sometimes at the end of that path, light shines anew...loved,
loved, loved this story. Did I mention that I loved this story! Certainly would recommend!!!

17 people found this helpful

Yes, it made me cry again!

If you could sum up Beneath the Stain in three words, what would they be?

How do I love this book. It will make you ache, cry, smile and fall in love. I know that what Amy Lane offers is always good, but this book is so much more. Joy in epic proportions.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Men in Love

11 people found this helpful

This is by far the best MFM book ever

This is by for the best gay love store and one of the best love story's I ever read. Would love to see this into a movie with a good soundtrack

Wow love it
I laughed I cried I laughed I cried I laughed

8 people found this helpful

Awesome character growth in this one.

Amy Lane is one of the best storytellers in the business and this was definitely one of her best work, if not the best. I felt engaged from the beginning to the end, but no runny mascara eyes this time. I love how Amy Lane (via Nick Russo the narrator) takes the reader through a journey with the characters from adolescent to grown men. It’s like the author is the driver, the character is the passenger, and I was in the back seat watching and listening. It was a quite a ride!

This audiobook was angst –filled. Grant and Mackey had all that youthful passion and love that I couldn’t help but root for. Mackey and Travis had that adult relationship when you have seen a person at their lowest. The brothers and the band went from a fun time to living the rock-n-roll lifestyle to rediscovering their bond as a unit. This book took us through all those transitions whether they were happy or painful. The writing was poetic and smooth, and the characters were multi-layered. I found that watching their journey made it harder for me to judge their mistakes because you could see why and how they could make bad decisions. While Mackey was the central character, the supporting cast was equally essential to the story. If you are looking for a book with love, family, second chances and character growth, then you will love this book!

7 people found this helpful

Outstanding story and performance

This book exceeded my expectations in so many ways. The storytelling is vivid and realistic, so much so that I found it seeping into my experience in the "real world" between listens. I wasn't expecting a realistic portrayal of forbidden love, rehab, small town bigots and a cast iron Captain America...but that's what this story brought me. At the end of it, I still feel it taking a space inside. Great work. Highly recommended!

7 people found this helpful

A++ and all-time favorite

My Review:
Overall: 5.0
Performance: 5.0
Story: 5.0
(I would give this story straight 10's if I could!)

I've had this book on my kindle for a long time, but I wasn't too sure about reading it. But when I saw that it was also available on audiobook, I decided to try it that way. A lot of the time I can ease myself into an audio easier than I can when reading the actual book.

OMG, why did I let this sit unread for so long? This book was so freaking good, but I have to admit I'm so glad I listened to it on audio because Nick J. Russo is the best narrator I think I've ever heard. He nailed the inflections and voices to such perfection. I don't even plan on deleting the file off my iPod like I normally do because I fully plan to revisit this book and listen to it again.

So I guess you'd like an actual review. Let me see if I can come up with a way to review this book without simply gushing. Although, if you want to save time, you can stop reading now and know YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK! Either in audio, print, or ebook...personally, I have all three versions, now. I ADORED THIS BOOK.

This is a book that is really about Mackey. He's the third of four boys and is the true driving force between Outbreak Monkey. He writes and sings the songs and he's the one who organized the band way early in the boys lives...two of his brothers, one of their friends, and Grant. The family is from a very small, close-minded town and as a result, Mackey remained in the closet. But that was okay, his lover (and his brother, Kell's, best friend), Grant was in there with him too. They were lovers from the time Mackey was 14. If I remember right, Grant was 17. They stayed this way...loving in secret for years. But just as Outbreak Monkey got a music contract, Grant's girlfriend got pregnant. Oh yeah, this guy was seriously in the closet. So he did the right thing, dropped out of the band, and broke Mackey's heart.

Mackey is a true artist. He feels and experiences the music to his very soul, but he was lost without Grant to anchor him. The band replaced Grant with Blake and began to spiral into fame and for Mackey into drugs with the help from his manager, Jerry. Fourteen months later, Jerry died of an overdose and Mackey and the boys are the ones who found him. As a result, Trav is given the band to manage with instructions to straighten them all out. By this time, they are all still very young, but they're in their 20's. Trav is blown away by their talent and just the epic possibilities, but first he has to get them straightened out. And all that begins with Mackey, because although he is the youngest in the group, he is undeniably their leader.

There are so many epic feels in this book. Mackey is lost and trying and tortured and heartbroken and just so brilliantly talented. But he's lost...until Trav. Trav is exactly what Mackey needs. He sees Mackey...not only his musical talent, but his human heart and needs. The two of them are brilliant together, despite Trav's worries about their age difference. But that doesn't mean this is an easy road. It's definitely not and Amy Lane did an amazingly gorgeous job showing Mackey's pains and doubts and hurts as he goes through rehab and learning to live without Grant. He's been taught that being gay is wrong and it takes Trav to show him that it can be beautiful and just so perfectly right.

There is an amazing cast of characters in this book. They are rich and varied and I loved every single one of them for different reasons. Of course, Trav and Mackey are a given. But eventually, I even loved Kell. I loved that he comes across as a bit shallow and dumb, but he's not. And despite everything he loves Mackey and his Outbreak Monkey family. This band is truly a family in every sense of the word, not just the brothers, and the ties that bind them are wonderful to read. But there's also the triad of Jefferson, Stevie, and Sheila I loved them in just that what they are doing isn't the norm, but they simply don't care. It's perfect for them and that's all that matters. Blake...aw, my heart hurt for him. He's brought into the band to replace Grant and Mackey just can't accept that or him...until rehab. Wow, they had some amazing scenes together. She didn't show up until the very end of the book, but wow, I really did love Briony and loved the romance that resulted there. And then there's Grant...tear my heart out and shred it. *sob* The story was perfect and beautiful and I literally felt my heart shattering over and over through this aspect of the story.

The book is amazing and beautiful and so emotionally filled. I challenge you to read it and not be moved. I guarantee you that these guys will break your heart, but they are also so filled with life and music and beauty. It was a gorgeous book, a perfect narration, and it's definitely earned a favorite spot in my heart for books that I LOVE and ADORE!

Three words...READ THIS ONE! (you won't regret it)

6 people found this helpful

Wow what a ride

I put off this book for a while because I assumed it would be another Amy Lane emotional rollercoaster and I had to be in the right frame of mind to jump on. I was right and wrong. It was an emotional rollercoaster and it did make me cry, but it was a really uplifting read in the end. But it does take a while to get there, but honestly I was really sad when it ended. This is the story of family, tragedy, recovery and of course love conquers all. Definitely worth a credit.

6 people found this helpful

Beautiful Book

Wow such a beautifully written book. So deep and captures you from the beginning to end. This book will take you through the emotions. Happy, sad, content and sorrow. Definitely a book I will listen to again.

4 people found this helpful

Too long. God bless the narrator!

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

This book was so terribly long. I understand that books need to be long because so much comes up and events happen. I also understand that this was sort of a coming of age and coming out novel however it could've easily been executed in half the time. By the end I was rolling my eyes at the redundancy. I skipped parts and didn't feel like I missed anything. With the amount of money I spent on this, I think I expected more.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I skipped parts and didn't feel like I missed anything. With the amount of money I spent on this, I think I expected Less. More is not better.

What about Nick J. Russo’s performance did you like?

I am a dedicated Russo fan. I will listen to pretty much everything that comes out of that man's mouth. He did a phenomenal job. I imagine that he was glad when it was over as well.

Did Beneath the Stain inspire you to do anything?

LOL. The next book I downloaded was BDSM. I needed something up tempo and frivolous. Mind you I never listen to BDSM

Any additional comments?

When in doubt, cut it out. I did love Macky and Trav is cool but it could've been shorter.

4 people found this helpful

Loved it. Rockstar stuff!

Buy the book. Amy Lane at her very best. And buy the rest of the series too.

3 people found this helpful