Beneath by Ariel Sullivan 🕊️
Releasing on March 24, 2026
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This dystopian romance is set 200 years before Conform. It’s a different story with new characters, who quickly became some of my favorites. While I enjoyed Conform, I absolutely loved this story so much more. I was purposely taking my sweet time reading it, but at the same time I couldn’t put it down. I truly wasn’t bored for even a moment! I didn’t want it to end, and when it did, I could not stop thinking about it.
As a slow-burn girly, I say hell yes to this! Sasha and Tristian have such strong chemistry. The push and pull between them were so magnetic.
I connected so much with Sasha’s stubbornness. Her grief and anger ran so deep, it was heartbreaking. I loved how Tristian never gave up on her or even anyone close to him. The way he leads and interacts with his team really shows what a true leader he is. The side characters’ dynamic were well written, and I found myself completely invested in them.
I’m already planning to reread this in the physical book and annotate the sh*t out of it. Hahaha! I miss them all already.
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Reading Beneath by Ariel Sullivan truly felt like diving into a world where complex emotions and deep character bonds drive the story forward. What stood out most to me was the way the author painted Sasha's stubbornness and grief with such authenticity—it's rare to connect so personally with a character's pain and resilience. It made me reflect on how grief shapes people's decisions and behaviors in real life, making the story feel incredibly relatable despite its dystopian setting. Tristian's unwavering determination to support Sasha and his team highlighted the importance of steadfast leadership, especially in challenging situations. His role showed that true leaders don't give up on those they care about, inspiring me to think about the leaders I admire, whether in fiction or reality. I also appreciated the strong dynamic among the side characters, creating a rich, believable community that complemented the main romance. It reminded me of how important a supportive circle is when navigating life’s hardships. Interestingly, the story is set 200 years before the book Conform, yet offers a fresh narrative with new characters who instantly captured my attention. This prequel-like approach had me wishing I could experience reading Beneath for the first time all over again—as the OCR image hinted —which speaks volumes about its impact. I found myself savoring each moment, choosing to read slowly just to prolong the experience, but also unable to put the book down due to the compelling push and pull between Sasha and Tristian. Beneath is a stellar example of a slow-burn romance done right, blending dystopian world-building with emotional depth and strong interpersonal connections. For those who enjoy marking up their favorite books, Beneath is a goldmine. The rich character interactions and poignant dialogues invite repeated readings and personal annotations, perfect for any avid reader who loves to dive deeper into characters’ motivations and story layers. Overall, Beneath delivers a powerful dose of romance, leadership challenges, and emotional exploration that stays with you long after the last page.