Is there anything more satisfying than a romance where the mysterious stranger is exactly as dangerous as you suspected? Like, yes, girl, he's hiding something. We all knew it from page one. But watching Rose figure it out while falling for him anyway? That's the good stuff.
I finished Stealing Rose during Sophie's nap time. And by "finished" I mean I sat in my car for an extra twenty minutes after school pickup because I couldn't pause it during the big reveal. The kids were fine. They had goldfish crackers.
The Youngest Child Energy Is Real
Okay, so Rose Fowler is the youngest of three sisters, working her butt off at the family cosmetics company while her older sisters get all the attention. As a middle child myself, I felt this in my bones. Monica Murphy really nails that specific frustration of being overlooked in your own family while simultaneously being expected to perform. Rose's decision to just... do something reckless for once? I get it. Sometimes you put on a pink and white diamond necklace and decide to be a different person for a night. That impulse to just be someone else for a while? Beneath This Man takes that feeling and cranks it up to eleven. (Mine was more like putting on jeans without an elastic waistband, but same energy.)
The setup is pretty classic—glamorous party in Cannes, gorgeous mysterious stranger, instant chemistry. And look, I know some people want their romances to subvert expectations at every turn, but sometimes you just want the trope done well. This is the trope done well. Caden is exactly the kind of brooding, secretive love interest that works for this kind of story. Is he hiding something? Obviously. Is it related to those heirloom jewels Rose is wearing? I mean, the book is called "Stealing Rose," so.
The dual timeline of their relationship developing while his secrets slowly unravel kept me hooked. I paused this book probably thirty times over four days—toddler emergencies, sibling disputes, one incident involving the dog and a stick of butter I'd rather not discuss—and I never lost the thread. That's honestly my highest praise for any audiobook. Survived 47 pauses and still made sense.
Saskia Maarleveld Brings the Drama
Saskia Maarleveld narrates this one, and she's got a really nice voice for romance. Soothing but not sleepy, if that makes sense. Her pacing is solid—she doesn't rush through the steamy scenes (and there are definitely steamy scenes, heads up) but she also doesn't drag during the slower emotional beats.
I will say, there are moments where she leans into the dramatic side pretty hard. Like, really hard. Some listeners might find it a bit much. Personally? I kind of loved it. When you're listening while unloading groceries and trying to ignore the fact that someone left the freezer door open again, a little extra drama helps pull you back into the story.
Her voice for Rose feels genuine—frustrated, yearning, a little reckless. And Caden comes across as appropriately mysterious without being cartoonishly brooding. The chemistry between them translates well in audio, which isn't always a given.
Barbarian Alien also nails that audio chemistry thing, though in a wildly different setting.Not Groundbreaking, But Sometimes You Don't Need Groundbreaking
Let's be real for a second. This isn't going to change your life. It's not going to make you see romance in a whole new way. What it IS going to do is give you about ten and a half hours of escapist entertainment set in fancy European locations with a satisfying ending. And honestly? That's exactly what I needed this week.
The "mysterious stranger with secrets" plot has been done a thousand times, but Murphy executes it competently. The family drama adds some emotional weight—Rose's relationship with her father and sisters gives her more depth than just "rich girl makes questionable choices." And the ending delivers. No ugly-crying at school pickup, but a solid, warm feeling that carried me through making dinner.
My one complaint: at over ten hours, it does drag a bit in the middle. There's a section where Rose is processing her feelings that felt like it could've been tightened up. I bumped up to 1.5x for about an hour there before dropping back down when things picked up again.
Would I Recommend It?
If you're a romance reader who enjoys the "he's definitely hiding something" trope, this is a solid pick. Perfect for multitasking moms who need something engaging but not so complex you lose the plot when someone needs a snack. The steamy scenes are definitely present, so maybe save this for headphones-only listening.
My book club would love this (if I ever have time for book club again). It's got enough to discuss—family dynamics, trust issues, the ethics of... well, I won't spoil it—while still being pure entertainment. Car time approved. Nap time approved. Hiding in the bathroom for five minutes of peace approved.
