The Beyond series by Abby Brooks is one of my favorites. Set in the beautiful beach town of Key West, Florida, it’s about a family and their journey to happiness. You do not have to read the others in this series, but if you have the chance, I recommend that you do to get a feel of the dynamics of each of the unique characters. But if you haven’t yet, feel free to start with Beyond Us as it is a standalone friends-to-lovers troupe with all the feels.
In Beyond Us, Eli Hutton is the second youngest of his siblings trying to make his own mark. His three older brothers are now happily married and starting families of their own, while he is working as a male stripper at the Eggplant to fund his dream of owning a bar one day. Even though Eli was influenced by a mean-spirited, unethical alcoholic father, he grew up to be a man of honor with a great sense of humor because of the positive and warm nature of his hardworking mother who now runs the family resort, affectionately known as the Hutt.
Eli and Hope, our heroine who works as a waitress at the Eggplant, become roommates after they each ended a bad relationship. They enjoy each other’s company; respect, appreciate, and uplift each other; have the best inside jokes, and make a “Pact” to remain friends and only friends as they are on a relationship freeze due to being hurt before.
Abby has such wonderful word choices and I am truly drawn into each and every one of her stories. You feel as if the characters are real and can easily relate to them and what they are going through. I love the inner-dialogue and honesty of both Eli and Hope, and how they come to realize just how complete their lives could be if they could be lovers as well as friends.
Hope is such a beautiful person inside and out and I really admired her. She was independent, smart, kind, generous, a go-getter, and very nurturing with a great sense of humor. She is also a natural people pleaser and sensitive which left her feeling hurt or overwhelmed at times. She realizes what she doesn't want in a relationship and I was proud of her not settling for less.
It’s not easy for these two as they live and work together, plus Hope is taking on-line college classes which can be very stressful and time consuming. There is wonderful character development as they come to terms with their new relationship status, and realize they need to be honest with how they are feeling no matter how vulnerable they are.
It’s very raw and real at times, and you will be routing for these two young lovers the entire time. Love isn’t all smooth sailing; it’s about trust and forgiveness, and working as a team even when the tides are rough. Being by each other’s side in good times and bad. Abby describes all of that and more so beautifully in this wonderful series...So good. A must read.
Note: I especially loved the epilogue into the future and am looking forward to his sister Harlow's story next!