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Undergrounder

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Drowned by men. Saved by a monster.

The last place Alexandra Bailey expects her routine life of domestic journalism to lead is being sucked into icy floodwaters below New York City. Headlines like this happen to other people, but it's real, and she knows she's dead. Which makes the circumstances of her survival as impossible as the woman who drags her from the water.

Saved but hardly safe, Alex wakes in the Underground, a world of misfits and monsters thriving below the streets. It's a journalism goldmine. One Alex can't resist digging into after learning her beastly savior is Leanna Farrow, adopted daughter of an infamous and "presumed dead" scientist. But Alex's curiosity, coupled with her rapidly developing feelings for Leanna, put both women in danger when Alex's inquiries pique the interest of a powerful family with bloody connections to the Underground's origins.

If Alex wants to unravel the secrets of the world below, she'll have to walk the razor's edge, but some mysteries are better left buried.

400 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2022

135 people are currently reading
985 people want to read

About the author

J.E. Glass

1 book69 followers
J.E. Glass is a Washington DC suburbanite who grew up on a healthy dose of monument hopping and city exploration. Her time traipsing through the suburbs served to feed her deep love for hidden worlds and galactic mysteries. When she’s not bent over her laptop or plying her carpentry skills to her latest nerdy project, she can be found attending conventions or happily getting lost in the woods with her wife and best friend of fifteen years.

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5 stars
194 (54%)
4 stars
97 (27%)
3 stars
52 (14%)
2 stars
11 (3%)
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5 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
Profile Image for Jude Silberfeld-Grimaud.
Author 2 books758 followers
March 27, 2022
When the mob tries to kill her in what seems to be a case of mistaken identity, journalist Alex Bailey is rescued by a woman whose appearance has kept her underground all her life. As Alex quickly understands, Lee Farrow isn’t the only Undergrounder, there’s a whole other city beneath the New York streets. Alex also realises that despite her unusual face, Lee’s feelings and reactions are so very human. Until they’re not.

There are very good things in this Beauty and the Beast retelling, some excellent even, and others that don’t make complete sense. It’s also longer than it needs to be but that’s a pretty common debut flaw. On the positive side, it allows the reader to get to know the MCs very well and they’re both worth it. I also found most of the secondary characters really interesting and the worldbuilding is great.

There are a few frustrating inconsistencies, however, and I’m left with more questions than answers. I won’t list all my questions since some would be spoiling (and maybe I’ll get the answers in a future book), I’ll stick to a couple: why the 2003 setting? How do Georgia and Alex go from being strangers to BFF in the blink of an eye? I don’t know if this is book one of a future series or if it’s supposed to be standalone, which would change my feelings on the ending. I would read a second book.

As I said, there are a lot of good things in this book, and none of the flaws stop me from looking forward to the author’s next book. I do have an issue with something that has zero bearing on the story and could have very easily been avoided. I get having grown up reading Harry Potter. I read the books to my child before she could read by herself. But can we please not pretend that having a character read them is necessary? With all her pop culture references, Lee could have chosen any number of books. Let’s stop plugging books by authors who mean us harm, okay? As this book and many others before prove, there’s a lot more to fantasy that the boy wonder and his TERF author.

Update, March 27th, 2022: As stated in the comments, the author removed the references to HP. I have no reservations anymore, I absolutely recommend this book, and look forward to the sequels.

I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Sam.
837 reviews114 followers
May 17, 2023
At first glance this book is out of my comfort zone, at second glance it still is 😝 The first few chapters were extremely enjoyable, the slow discovery of the Underground is great, the characters are intriguing at first, but than it all starts to drag.

This book is a bit longer than the usual, I don’t mind that if it’s in favour of the story. I would say in this case it isn’t. The story starts to drag rather early on. It’s a lot of the same things, very repetitive, and the writing? It’s a bit strange to me. The first few days I thought it was my cold addled brain that just couldn’t compute. The cold has (mostly) passed and I still can’t make much of the writing. It’s not bad but feels unfinished or like half thoughts at times. I kept going back to see if I literally missed something. Makes for slow progress reading this one, and takes away a lot of the enjoyment.

I got a little lost on what the main storyline ought to be in this book. Is it the romance? Maybe the mystery? Maybe the mob? Maybe…? This book simultaneously has a lot and not much going on. For 400 pages I don’t think we get enough of a picture of what this is all about.

The pace picked up towards the end and it became a bit more interesting. I’m intrigued enough to see where the author will take this story to pick up a second book. Here’s to hoping the writing will be more to my liking 😬
Profile Image for XR.
1,980 reviews106 followers
April 24, 2022
Woah... talk about wrong place, wrong time! This story is hectic AF and I can't wait to see what happens next. Alex has my heart, but I relate to Lee on a personal level. This is a very promising series to get into.
Profile Image for T.J. Dallas.
Author 16 books340 followers
July 6, 2023
Absolutely brilliant. I didn't want this book to end, and I'm already chomping at the bit for the sequel.

Alex is a journalist who found out a bit too much. When someone aims to put a stop to it, Alex comes across Lee, who lives in the Underground, an industrial labyrinth of pipes and caves. Her mother, Rebecca, is the icy Matriarch in charge, but she has her own secrets as well.

This book is excellently written, fast-paced, beautiful and exciting in equal measure, and even heart-wrenching in places. I loved the ambiance of the Chamber of Echoes, the ballroom dancing Topside, and Alex's Xmas present to Lee brought a lump to my throat. I can't wait to find out what happens next, especially with the way this ended!
Profile Image for Michele Quirke.
Author 2 books137 followers
June 16, 2022
Undergrounder literally just released and I'm already SCREAMING for the sequel! Not only does it feature a friends-to-lovers, slow-burn romance reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, but it's also got mystery and intrigue and ANGST!

When Alex, a NY journalist, is brutally stabbed and left to drown, she is found and saved by Lee, a woman who has lived her entire life in a secret city underground. I LOVED watching their relationship unfold! Alex doesn't belong underground. Lee's mother makes that known right from the beginning (she even wanted to let her die so their secret community wouldn't be threatened!) but Lee, of course, refused to let that happen. Despite her claws and teeth, Lee was a complete sweetheart. Like, for real. I love her. I also enjoyed the unique way in which Lee spoke. She couldn't communicate vocally, but she was able to share her thoughts in the minds of others.

I loved Undergrounder from the very first page, but that ending! Oy! I was almost in tears! I will say this, I am SUPER excited for the sequel! If you're a fan of Beauty and the Beast, slow-burn romances, and pining...then this book is for you!!

Oh! And both Lee and Alex are around my age which was an added bonus!! It's not very often I get to read books where the MC is in their 30s. So yay for that!!
Profile Image for M.E. Aster.
Author 4 books52 followers
July 31, 2022
Glass’s debut novel is an incredible read mixing elements of Beauty and the Beast, The Phantom of the Opera, and the author’s own amazing plot that makes for a story I couldn’t put down!

Everything about this book was impeccable. Starting us off with a bang, Alex, a local reporter is attacked and almost killed. It’s only thanks to Lee’s intervention that she survives at all. But Lee, an undergrounder, is putting herself and everyone she loves at risk by helping a topsider, but she also can’t let Alex die without trying to save her.

This slow burn relationship was so beautifully done. The author’s stunning descriptions and emotive writing kept the stakes high even when the relationship moved at a glacial pace.

And although the romance was a huge plot point, there was so much more to this book! Alex struggles to find out who tried to kill her while discovering the secrets of the underground, all while fighting her attraction to Lee who has quickly become a fixture in her world.

I honestly can’t stop singing this book praises. I know it just came out but I’m already dying for the sequel! Kudos Glass on such a fantastic debut!
Profile Image for A.E. Bennett.
Author 7 books91 followers
September 20, 2022
It's rare that I am truly surprised by a book, but this one caught me off guard in the best ways possible. I was not prepared for the world that Glass introduced me to. Not only is this one of the most creative stories I've ever read, but the prose actually took my breath away in places. Glass is an incredibly talented writer and I cannot wait for more!
Profile Image for Littlebookterror.
2,326 reviews91 followers
Want to read
March 13, 2022
"sapphic Beauty and the Beast retelling about a left-for-dead journalist stumbling into a wild world below the streets" oh?

"are you gays ready to devour a story about a disaster journalist falling in love with a literal cinnamon roll monster girl living in an underground community with ties to the mob?" OH?
Profile Image for Amanda.
Author 11 books37 followers
May 21, 2023
Urban Fantasy Lesbian Beauty and the Beast

From the very beginning this book grabbed a hold of me and didn't let go. Action mixed with sweet moments and an air of mystery. I can't wait to see what the next book brings for Lee and Alex.
Profile Image for T. M. Kuta.
41 reviews2 followers
March 27, 2022
Disclaimer: I received an ARC for my honest review. I am also friends with the author.

3.5/5 stars, rounded up. CW: blood, gore, murder, violence, medical treatment,

Pros: Beautiful writing and atmospherics, complex characters, and a wonderful found family dynamic. Started fast, which I loved! I adored Lee and Rebecca's mother-daughter relationship, and Rebecca became an instant favorite character. What can I say? I love an emotionally constipated, morally grey scientist. So sue me! Overall the multiple plots were engaging and twisted together in an interesting way, and I appreciated how the author handled Alex's PTSD. Lee and Alex are adorkable together.

Cons: Slightly choppy pacing, especially in the last quarter, but I expect that in a debut novel. Some of the plot details were not executed as well as I could be, especially the lead up to what was clearly setting up a sequel . I could tell near the end that some of the moments were meant to be "cinematic" in nature, but the way they were portrayed in the text fell flat. I wasn't fond of how Em's blindness was handled in the text. A few jokes about her lack of sight--fine. After the tenth or twelve, whenever she was on screen, it got old. I'm hoping in the sequel Georgia gets a) more screen time and b) a character arc, because she is awesome, deserves one, and is capable of being much more than what she was given in the text.

YMMV: There was some YMMV stuff in the book. Mostly the

Overall: I enjoyed it and will be reading the sequel, whether or not I get an ARC or not. This book is of amazing quality for being a debut novel and being indie published to boot, and I'm excited to see what the author writes next! Also that cover? Absolutely amazing.
Profile Image for Sabrina Graley.
1 review
February 10, 2022
I could not put it down. Once I started it was an addiction. The story had me wishing I was there. The descriptions she gave was like seeing it in person. What an exceptional read from start to finish.
The story is a beautiful, heartstrings pulling new age telling of a story we all know and love with twists and turns sure to keep you captivated. I can't wait to read more from her.
2 reviews
April 10, 2022
From the first page, you are drawn into a world of sci-fi enchantment with a fresh take on characters, who though they may seem familiar (there is a hysterical and touching scene referencing The Phantom of the Opera), are nuanced and refreshing in their candor.

The dialogue sizzles and even a basic description of a diner pulls you in further as this writer weaves a gorgeous tapestry of words. You cannot help but be entranced by this new, yet familiar, subterranean world that seduces you into reading late into the night and grabs you again the next morning.

As a ciswoman, I was drawn first into the friendship and then the love that the characters build. It isn’t rushed (as many romantic characters sometimes feel forced into), but develops organically page by page. There are some steamy sex scenes that you definitely will not want to walk away from, but they never feel artificial or awkward.

This author does a brilliant job of weaving in mystery, friendship, sex, love, and humor, into a sci-fi narrative that is original and yet at times harkens back to the Romantic era. I cannot wait to see how this universe unveils itself in future books!
Profile Image for M.C. Burnell.
Author 29 books7 followers
July 9, 2022
This book was just fantastic. I'm a total novice to fairy tale retellings, so I can't say whether it's common they be gritty, shocking, and modern. But this one was! The love story was sweet; the action felt real and frightening. There was a touch of spice, and it sizzled.
The characters were relatable, the setting intriguing, but what really set this book apart for me was the writing. The author's voice is incredibly strong, wry and knowing with a dash of noire. You can barely go a page without being slapped across the face with a turn of phrase so witty and pithy you want to memorize it, so you can whip it out at a party and impress your friends. I'm inclined to go on gushing, but I don't want me review to get relegated to the TL;DR heap, so I'll just say: read Undergrounder soon.
Profile Image for Victoria.
527 reviews82 followers
April 5, 2022
I love the world-building in this book. It’s not a new concept, so I have a few assumptions when reading the blurb. It turns out J.E. delivered the story differently, and I found some of them are refreshing.

There’s a huge mysterious plot in the book, which is one of the many reasons that I couldn't put the book down, but I can’t help but feel a little disappointed when it’s a long dialogue reveals the answer at the end of the book.

I adore Lee. She’s nothing that I imagine before I read it, and she and Alex make a perfect couple. I’d love to read more about Alex and Lee, and I want to know what happens next. I can’t wait to read the second book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
87 reviews2 followers
November 11, 2022
Hands down this is my favorite read of 2022. And I've read 157 books this year! I counted just to drive home the point that THIS is my favorite book of the year.

To further drove home this point this book contains my least favorite trope of all time (not a bad trope, just one I personally really dislike). I had already decided this was my favorite book of 2022 when I got to it, and I put down the book for a few days. But eventually I had to know what was happening.

The resolution of the trope was done pretty much the best way it possibly could be and then some. The ending of the book left me in tatters and waiting for Topsider will be torture.
Profile Image for Rachel Adams.
Author 9 books57 followers
May 31, 2022
Dynamic Characters Bring the Story to Life!

I loved it! The pacing is perfect for my brain. It's not just a retelling, it has its own specific back plot that departs from the original source material enough to make this stand out.

Undergrounder, in my opinion, was something very much needed. I'm biased. I not only loved the 80's "Beauty and the Beast" television series, but I also am bisexual/pansexual so the idea of this couple being sapphic was also something that made me want to read it. Not for the sexual scenes (though those were sincere and refreshingly realistic for such a fantastic story) but for the fact that I don't see as many retellings with this dynamic out here.

Alex and Lee were both well-written characters and their world fits perfectly in sync with the modern world. The descriptions of the places and the people you meet, as a reader, along their journey really add to the book without going overboard and making me lose my focus. The characters weren't perfect, they were real and showed great emotion without being over-emotional. And the cast of characters? Well, the author had me caring about them almost as much as the main characters. That's not easy to do.

I want a Goliath story... just sayin'.

There are questions that are answered by the end of the novel and then there are new questions waiting to be answered in the next book. Some readers may not like this style, but I don't mind at all! So long as I know I'll get the answers through another wonderful book - I'm happy!
Profile Image for Vicky R..
48 reviews1 follower
July 10, 2022
" Because tonight, here there be monsters "

Read this book! I have to say, I was skeptical at first. Beauty and the beast? Not really my thing... But this was OUTSTANDING! All the feels, funny as hell, gut wrenching sadness, love felt for miles. I cannot wait for Topsider!!
2 reviews2 followers
April 7, 2022
Catches your attention from beginning to end. Lovable main characters and also villains you love to hate.
24 reviews
August 6, 2022
Fun ride

Undergrounder feels like a new take on beauty and the beast but I was pleasantly surprised. I can't wait for the 2nd book. What a ride.
Profile Image for Vi.
51 reviews
January 20, 2023
⭐ 4.5
IT WAS VERY INTERESTING..plus as a first book of a trilogy its very good... very much beauty and the beast trope
Profile Image for Subira.
259 reviews3 followers
May 6, 2023
I like it enough to re-read.
48 reviews5 followers
July 13, 2022
Read this.

Read this. It was really tough to put down. I'm excited to read the next book. I'm frustrated that I have to wait.
Profile Image for Mel.
32 reviews
July 20, 2022
This is like no other Beauty and the Beast retelling I have ever read. It pulled me in from the moment it started. Jae has such a strong voice in telling a story and captivated me. Alex and Lee are both super strong and engaging characters. If you are looking for a gritty, raw, and real feel then this is for you. My only question now is how long until Topsiders is published?
1 review
April 4, 2022
Such a great find. Very compelling! Cannot wait for the rest of the series!
Profile Image for maddie!.
106 reviews
July 15, 2022
This was a journey from start to finish, and it was so worth it. I fell in love with the characters and the setting, the plot had me on the edge of my seat, and while even before the end I knew I wanted more, after the ending I’m incredibly excited to see where the story goes!
Profile Image for Sheila.
933 reviews
July 20, 2022
ingenious

Beautifully written. Grit, honest and filled with sensitivity. Great characters with amazing dialogues. An epic tale that makes you rally for the protagonists. Looking forward to the next installment.
37 reviews3 followers
September 14, 2022
Engaging story and characters

Honestly great concept, world building, and character development. The book could benefit from editing though. That was really the only main drawback. Looking forward to book two - hopefully with better editing.
18 reviews1 follower
October 30, 2022
I can't wait for Topsider now

I do not even have words to describe the feelings running through my veins right now.
I am curious to know more about Leanna it feels like she is a werewolf but not a werewolf at the same time. More importantly I can actually get the feel for the locations as they are actually real places meshed in the story so seamlessly.
The historical timeline is another factor that makes this so much more realistic for me as I have lived through the events mentioned 9/11 and the anthrax scare are completely relatable to me. I can sense a more realism to the underground because of the related reference location of each entrance an exit to topside.
So I am anxious to read the next book once it is released more in part to see Alex and Leanna again.
Profile Image for Erin.
3 reviews1 follower
September 7, 2022
The way I’ve just finished this book like 2 hours ago and I want to read it again. It’s absolutely incredible and I need the next book now! I’ll have a book hangover for days while I obsess! Go read it now!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews

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