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The Hutton Family #4

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Due coinquilini. Un patto. Un bacio che cambia ogni cosa.

Andare a vivere con Eli Hutton non avrebbe dovuto essere un problema per il mio cuore. Dopo che entrambe le nostre relazioni sono finite male, convivere doveva essere un gioco da ragazzi. Un modo per allontanarsi dal caos e ritrovare la stabilità, proteggendoci a vicenda da Cupido e dalle sue maledette frecce.
Certo, lui è stupendo… divertente… bellissimo… e così affascinante che mi fa sentire come se fossi la stella più brillante del cielo…
Okay, d’accordo. Eli è un angelo dannatamente sexy, mandato sulla Terra per tentarmi ogni giorno. Non giudicatemi. Nessuna può resistergli.
A parte tutto questo, però, Eli è praticamente un fratello per me. E io sono solo un’amica per lui. Ma, a un certo punto, ho fatto l’unica cosa che mi ero ripromessa di non fare: mi sono innamorata. Di lui. Era una cosa da niente, all’inizio. Poi, un bacio dato quasi per caso ha fatto impazzire il mio cuore.
Lo giuro, è solo una fase. Sono certa che con il tempo passerà. Devo solo mantenere segreti i miei sentimenti finché non torna tutto alla normalità.
Però… il cuore vuole quello che vuole. E il mio vuole lui.

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 3, 2020

1259 people are currently reading
904 people want to read

About the author

Abby Brooks

54 books903 followers
Abby Brooks writes heartfelt contemporary romance with small-town charm, found family, and happily-ever-afters that feel earned. Her stories feature relatable characters, emotional depth, and just the right balance of humor and heat—perfect for readers who love cozy communities, strong connections, and hope-filled love stories.

A lifelong storyteller raised in the Midwest, Abby draws inspiration from close-knit towns and the beauty of everyday moments. She lives in Ohio with her husband and their three cats and believes the best love stories are the ones that feel like coming home.

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5 stars
849 (54%)
4 stars
511 (32%)
3 stars
164 (10%)
2 stars
27 (1%)
1 star
11 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
Profile Image for Syndi.
3,730 reviews1,044 followers
May 3, 2020
I am not sure with this book. I am torn between 2 and 3 stars. I do like the story. I thought it is a rom com. I also like the chemistry/ banter between Eli and Hope.

Then when the story progreeses, i am not sure anymore. The plot/ twist is mild. And I need something to love the whole package. The transistion of Eli and Hope,who both reluctant to be in relationship,is too fast and without any conflict. So there is that bland taste toward the end of the story.

Overall I do not hate nor love this book. It is an OK read.

3 stars
Profile Image for Adriana Locke.
Author 89 books16k followers
January 12, 2020
Oh my word.
I opened this book while my youngest child was getting ready for us to leave the house. I was going to read a page or two and see how it started. Well, the Prologue ended with me telling my son to wait a second. I have to finish this.
I was laughing. Swooning. Feeling my heart strings tug in my chest.
This is a great friends-to-lovers story that just makes you feel good. The world-building, banter, characters—everything adds up to a wonderful read. If you haven't read the other Hutton books, don't worry (and don't let it stop you from reading this!). You don't have to ... although you will be like me and circling back to read the others.
Abby Brooks is a wizard with Beyond Us—entertaining and pure enjoyment!
Profile Image for Paula (In & Out).
877 reviews12 followers
February 4, 2020
This was a fun & sweet story with lot's of humor & characters that you can route for. I initially rated it 3 stars but decided on 4 because if you take out the one major pet peeve of mine, it really could have easily been 5 stars.

The fact that Hero in this story is a stripper turned me off. It's a personal preference so don't let it stop you from reading it if it doesn't offend you. It is just that for me, it left me with a "icky" factor - BUT it has a lot of humor which I enjoy in my romances and a couple that was amazing!

Profile Image for Nicki - The Overflowing Bookcase .
4,826 reviews178 followers
January 27, 2020
In true Abby Brooks fashion the reader will instantly fall in love with Eli and Hope from the first opening lines. The instant chemistry that they see at first as just friendship falls apart just as quickly as The Pact that they created. This story is filled with loads of laughter, loads of heart warming interactions as well as loads of tears when reality sets in. This will be the go-to read book n the series that you will read time and time again. Abby Brooks thank you for creating characters and storylines that are masterpieces in the making. Absolutely loved it!!
Profile Image for Lisa Malmquist.
772 reviews23 followers
July 30, 2020
Eli is working as a stripper and Hope works as a waitress at the same place.
Eli Hutton and Hope Maxwell are also roommates who make a pact that they will steer clear of any romance.
Both have been burned in the past by crazy relationships and they have both sworn off of them.
Best laid plans..haha! So after a year of keeping to the rules, they find themselves best friends and start to realize there is something more there.
A funny story and has some great moments with the other members of the Hutton family as well.
Fun and good entertainment.
584 reviews72 followers
January 23, 2020
Beyond Us by Abby Brooks is another fantastic addition to the Hutton Family series. Eli and Hope were so much fun to read about. I enjoyed their friendly banter and easy friendship that grew to a passion filled romance. Catching up with the other Hutton's was a joyful bonus to Beyond Us. They have quickly became one of my favorite fictional families to read about. I can already tell Harlow's book is going to be a bitter sweet read for me since she is the last sibling.

I voluntarily received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Closet Romance Reader.
1,238 reviews19 followers
February 3, 2020
Such a sweet friends to lovers romance! I can always count on Abby to make my heart melt! ❤️ I have absolutely loved all of the Hutton Family and Eli was no exception! Beyond Us was beyond amazing!!

Eli and Hope both had gone through horrible breakups. To protect their hearts, they moved in together and created a pact. One where they would help keep each other from falling in love...especially to each other. But what would happen when one thing lead to another? Could they break the pact? Or would doing so create the worst mistake ever?

Swoon!! I wanted to yell at both of them...only because they could have spent so much more time together. But they get points for keeping their word! Can’t wait to see what’s in store next for the whole gang!!
Profile Image for READ ME ROMANCE.
617 reviews164 followers
January 20, 2020
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!
Profile Image for Rose.
268 reviews1 follower
January 20, 2020
I am BLOWN AWAY . I mean wow Abby, how do you do it every damn time!?

One - this has to be my absolute favorite family of all the ‘family book series’ I have ever read. I don’t know how you can’t fall more in love with them with each passing book.
Second - is it bad that I played sick so I can be left in peace to read this book? No.. Cool.

“I eyeballed the angle from the ball to the base of the pyramid downrange, imagining the complex equations that Tiger Woods must go through every time he stepped up on the tee” – Hope

This is a friends-to-lovers romance that included so many funny moments and shenanigans. Hope Maxwell and Eli Hutton are roommates who agreed upon a Pact they created during one drunken night when they swore off love.

There were so many moments that were relatable and had me grinning at my phone like a loon. Personally, out of all the Hutton stories, I think Hope and Eli are my absolute favorite. They are completely silly and themselves that it was not hard to love them. I swooned over the sexy Eli and laughed at their ridiculous banter. Everything from the character development to the chemistry between the two shown from the pages. Honestly, you have no choice but to get sucked in from the very first page.

“If we were going to be an us. Then we’d be the best us in the history of us’s.” – Eli

There is so much I want to say on this book, but I don't want to spoil it for you. Read it, you won't regret it.

**I received an ARC of Beyond Us** (And oh so freaking grateful 🥰)
Profile Image for Maria.
631 reviews29 followers
February 8, 2020
Whenever Abby releases a book, she always overcomes herself thanks to her considerable talent and I must say that there are no expectations with her new story. I knew I would love Eli as a character right from my first glance in the previous book; his carefree spirit and great heart give him the guise of a man who has had everything out of life. On the contrary Eli has been hurt and has sworn off love. The same has happened to his roommate and so during an evening in which both are drunk, they decide to draw up a pact in which they promise themselves never to fall in love and live a life of celibacy. The step from friendship to love is simple but both characters have, alas, a sack over their head and while the situation is clear to everyone, they go on keeping things the way they are. One night, things inevitably change and from there they will be carried away by a vortex of vulnerability and uncertainty. Will love finally overcome their fears? I don’t want to leave any spoiler in this review but I deeply advice the reader to go through this book with being completely engaged by the atmosphere of love and trust that prevails in this magical story.
Profile Image for Nikki  Cudnik.
844 reviews9 followers
January 19, 2020
To start I want to say I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of Beyond Us to review for all of you and I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to do so now onto the review.

I love this series. I love the Hutton family and with each book I fall in love a little more. No exception with Eli Hutton. He is the best friend every girl should have and so much more. Eli and Hope have a pact, a pact that they will not ruin their friendship by trying to be more. It has worked well for them for a year except what everyone sees except them, they are beyond a doubt the most perfect couple. That being said they are both terrified of love and ruining what they have until they can’t deny it any more. With just a little bump along the road this couples story is full of some much love you can’t help but smile the whole time you are reading it. It starts off with a hilarious prologue and only gets better from there. You will completely fall in love with Eli and Hope. Looking forward to Harlow’s story.
Profile Image for Terri.
373 reviews60 followers
February 28, 2020
This book starting out so promising. Hope and Eli were clearly in love despite The Pact that they struck swearing off the emotion after both having gone through horrible relationships. It took awhile but eventually they admitted they were more than friends. Everything was perfect but I knew a conflict would come, since it always does. This is where the book went downhill for me. I just didn’t expect to be as underwhelmed by the conflict as I was. I couldn’t believe that Hope and Eli would allow something as simple as that separate them. To top it all off, when they got back together there was just the standard grand gesture and declaration of love. There was no conversation, things just went back to normal like magic. I just felt they should’ve at least had one talk about what separated them instead of causally mentioning they were more careful now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
305 reviews1 follower
January 22, 2020
Beyond Us is absolutely heartwarming and a must read!
Abby is a genius with her words and captivates her readers with every page that it’s turned. Eli and Max are perfect for each other. This splendid friends-to-lovers book will have you swooned and laughing at their antics. Did I say how good this book is? Yeah, it’s that good that you must repeat yourself over and over again so people really know and don’t miss this beauty!
To me, it’s extra special as I won a character naming for this book. Yep, I’m the strawberry blond that saves the world one book at the time, at least in a fantasy world! I am so honored and thankful for that. Thank you Abby!! Can’t wait to see what you create next on the series!!!
Nanedsmomba- reviewer and blogger for Life Reads With Friends
Profile Image for Kris.
207 reviews
January 20, 2020
This book caught my attention from the prologue. The Pact is the perfect recipe for laughs and love. Add in a male stripper, a waitress and a nightclub named Eggplant, you’ve got a story that will keep you giggling and swooning for hours.

Eli is an absolute love! He is fun, unbelievably sexy, witty and gorgeous. Hope is his best friend. She is gentle, loving, smart. These characters make a great pair. They just click together. I loved the conversations between them. There are so many great moments in this story. It was just plain fun to read.

This is the fourth book in the Hutton Family Series. Each has it’s own unique personality but I most enjoyed the light hearted fun in this story. Very much looking forward to reading Harlow’s story.
Profile Image for AnneMarie Davee.
1,406 reviews
January 28, 2020
Eli and Hope made me fall in love with them!! This book is such a fun read!! Eli is the fourth of the Hutton Brothers with a story, and he is definitely the fun brother. His job is fun. His personality is fun. His roommate, Hope, is funny. Their love story is…you guessed it-fun to experience!!

The chemistry between the characters can be felt-even while they are "just friends”. The Pact they compose makes for a hilarious start to the book, and The Pact they end with is such a fitting and emotional close to their story.

If you haven’t read all the Hutton Brothers books, I encourage you to do so. The brothers are intense (Lucas), tragic (Wyatt), sweet (Caleb), and now entertaining (Eli). I love Abby Brooks and how she can weave a story. I feel like I know this family on such a personal level! As Eli states, “I like the sound of us, when it comes to you and me.” The Us she creates for Eli and Hope is amazing.
25 reviews1 follower
January 20, 2020
I think Eli might be my favorite Hutton man- but I feel that way every time I finish a Hutton book. Eli is super hot. Like wake up wet hot. That might be TMI for some of you good folks, but know that this tame HOT novel will leave you with fabulous dreams. Abby Brooks does a wonderful job of weaving words together so you fall in love with all the characters. Hope gives you just that- HOPE that even after being broken there is a wonderful possibility of being whole again. Go full force into this book knowing that you will not want to put it down.
Profile Image for Vickie Jones.
79 reviews2 followers
January 20, 2020
This story isn't just a fairy tale, it's real life brought to you in an epic story.
Heartache brought 2 friends together to help heal their broken hearts and protect them from future pain, friends turn to lovers, fear, distrust, and pride get in the way of happily ever after, but love, true honest love saves all. Eli and Hope not only live a true love story but they show us how to follow our heart and go after what we want
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Nicki.
216 reviews3 followers
January 20, 2020
Holy wow Batman!!! Abby Brooks is a ninja with words. I laughed out load and had tears of joy for these two who are so perfect for each other. Eli and hope are so much more then I could have ever imagined. Eli is a dancer and hope is a waitress. They are roommates and also work together. And due to pass ex’s they make a pact the trouble is that’s harder to stick to then it sounds. I really loved this book and if I could I’d give it 100 stars and now the wait for Harlow.
Profile Image for Amanda.
229 reviews10 followers
January 20, 2020
Wow! I don’t even know where to begin. I have been looking forward to Eli’s story since book one & it absolutely did NOT disappoint. I love Eli & Hope together; a best friends to lovers trope is always one of my favs. The connection they had as friends which then turned into lovers was EXPLOSIVE & despite a few bumps in the road, they made my heart melt. This book was everything I wanted it to be & so much more!! :) Abby Brooks, YOU.ARE.AMAZING!!
3 reviews
February 3, 2020
Eli and Hope are everything that is right with the world! They're best friends supporting each other after terrible relationships leave them broken. The write a drunken pact to protect each other... You'll fall in love with them as they realize they're in love with each other!! It's a stand alone, but visits the other Hutton's for short glimpses of their current lives!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1,889 reviews7 followers
January 19, 2020
Loved this story! It's one you pick up and can't put down. Loved the connection between Eli and Hope and the friendship they had before romance. Loved how characters from the others books lives continued as Hope and Eli's relationship grows. This is definitely a must read.
Profile Image for Joy Lowery.
173 reviews3 followers
February 5, 2020
Wow!!! Abby does it AGAIN!!

Two souls who are great friends make a pact not to fall in love with ANYONE after they both get betrayed by their previous partners!! But even best friends can get FEELINGS !! Can they keep their PACT? Abby does an outstanding job in this epic love story!!!! Don't miss out on this one!!!!
128 reviews2 followers
February 7, 2024
Molto bello, diverso dagli altri 3 e un po' dal solito soprattutto.
Coppia fantastica.

Anche questo come gli altri da leggere sicuramente 😊 .

Voto: 9,5/10
Profile Image for Holly Case.
15 reviews
February 5, 2020
Eli and "Max"

This was a great friends to lovers book. I really could feel their connection from the first page. I can't wait untill book 5
Profile Image for Rachael.
1,111 reviews4 followers
February 4, 2020
I really loved Hope & Eli! Their friends-to-lovers story was so entertaining and had me hooked from the very beginning. I'm looking forward to Harlow's story next!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary Advance Reader Copy.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
737 reviews6 followers
January 22, 2020
I had been dying to read Eli's story and it did not disappoint. He and Hope came together broken and eventually made themselves whole. Now onto Harlow's story.....this is going to be good!
Profile Image for Yeluz Selarom.
208 reviews
January 27, 2020
Hope and Eli understood there pact was the most important thing to live by.. everyone else saw there chemistry but them until one night they explored each other can that ruin there pact by breaking the rules one by one or will they admit that true love does exists and fighting for it will be worth it...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews

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