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The Hutton Family #3
Beyond Now
I was six the first time I proposed. Twenty years later, will she say I do?
In Kindergarten, I fell in love with Maisie Brown. In seventh grade, she moved out of state. Now, she's back...
...but only for a week.
When fate brings Maisie back to me, it's clear life has been good to her. My childhood best friend, that shy little girl who never had enough to eat, she grew into a gorgeous woman wearing confidence like a designer dress. And the connection between us? It grew, too...into chemistry so explosive the world might catch fire. Six-year-old me was a genius. Maisie and I were made for each other, even if she does like to "go, go, go," while I prefer to "go with the flow."
But my roots-my family, my business, my history-are firmly planted in Key West and her shiny new life sparkles in Los Angeles. When this week ends, so does whatever this is between us...along with my chance to make good on my childhood promise.
In Kindergarten, I fell in love with Maisie Brown. In seventh grade, she moved out of state. Now, she's back...
...but only for a week.
When fate brings Maisie back to me, it's clear life has been good to her. My childhood best friend, that shy little girl who never had enough to eat, she grew into a gorgeous woman wearing confidence like a designer dress. And the connection between us? It grew, too...into chemistry so explosive the world might catch fire. Six-year-old me was a genius. Maisie and I were made for each other, even if she does like to "go, go, go," while I prefer to "go with the flow."
But my roots-my family, my business, my history-are firmly planted in Key West and her shiny new life sparkles in Los Angeles. When this week ends, so does whatever this is between us...along with my chance to make good on my childhood promise.
302 pages, Paperback
First published October 4, 2019
1560 people are currently reading
552 people want to read
About the author
Abby Brooks
54 books905 followersAbby 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.
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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
February 19, 2020
I don’t think I could have loved this sweet and romantic story any more than I did. Beyond Now brings together childhood friends who were besties from kindergarten until her family moved when they were in junior high. They lost touch, but years later they meet again in a Tiki Bar in Key West and they years are erased as they fall back into their easy friendship with both fighting some major attraction. If you are a sucker for a fairytale romance that is low on drama and high on good feelings and romance then look no further than Beyond Now.
Caleb Hutton loves his life; he owns his own business that allows him to be out on the water giving tourists to Key West the experience of a lifetime, he has a family that has grown closer since his father’s death and is changing every day, and he has an optimistic attitude that keeps him balanced. While he hasn’t found a woman to share his life with, he hopes that one day it will happen.
All her life Maisie Brown has worked hard to not become her parents, to be able to support herself, have a roof over her head, and a stable life and she’s proud of what she’s accomplished even if she is working 14 hour days pretty much 7 days a week.
The last thing Maisie wanted when she flew to Key West to be the maid of honor in her co-worker’s wedding was to see anyone from her life in the keys as a child. Granted she knew it was slim anyone would recognize her as she looked nothing like that poverty stricken child she once was, but nothing could have prepared her for running into her best friend, protector, her very own knight in shining armor, Caleb Hutton.
From the first moment they reentered each other’s lives I could feel the connection and electricity running through them. I knew this was a magical relationship despite the fact Maisie lives in L.A. and Caleb in Key West, I knew they’d figure it out. There were moments when my heart broke for them, for the way they were torn apart as kids, how they realized after being around one another again how empty their lives were without one another, and for the fact that logistics wasn’t in their favor. I have to give them so much credit for making each other a priority, for long distance “date nights,” for communicating how they were feeling, and for never giving up on one another.
I have so much love for this book, I’ll admit I am very much a glass half full kind of person and I detest tons of angst so to have a book that just makes me so damn happy from start to finish; I am one satisfied reader.
Kindle Unlimited
Caleb Hutton loves his life; he owns his own business that allows him to be out on the water giving tourists to Key West the experience of a lifetime, he has a family that has grown closer since his father’s death and is changing every day, and he has an optimistic attitude that keeps him balanced. While he hasn’t found a woman to share his life with, he hopes that one day it will happen.
All her life Maisie Brown has worked hard to not become her parents, to be able to support herself, have a roof over her head, and a stable life and she’s proud of what she’s accomplished even if she is working 14 hour days pretty much 7 days a week.
The last thing Maisie wanted when she flew to Key West to be the maid of honor in her co-worker’s wedding was to see anyone from her life in the keys as a child. Granted she knew it was slim anyone would recognize her as she looked nothing like that poverty stricken child she once was, but nothing could have prepared her for running into her best friend, protector, her very own knight in shining armor, Caleb Hutton.
From the first moment they reentered each other’s lives I could feel the connection and electricity running through them. I knew this was a magical relationship despite the fact Maisie lives in L.A. and Caleb in Key West, I knew they’d figure it out. There were moments when my heart broke for them, for the way they were torn apart as kids, how they realized after being around one another again how empty their lives were without one another, and for the fact that logistics wasn’t in their favor. I have to give them so much credit for making each other a priority, for long distance “date nights,” for communicating how they were feeling, and for never giving up on one another.
I have so much love for this book, I’ll admit I am very much a glass half full kind of person and I detest tons of angst so to have a book that just makes me so damn happy from start to finish; I am one satisfied reader.
Kindle Unlimited
May 23, 2022
Maisie und Caleb waren beste Freunde und schon mit sechs Jahren war der kleine Caleb entschlossen, Maisie eines Tages zu heiraten. Doch einige Jahre später zog Maisies Familie um und sie hatten jahrelang überhaupt keinen Kontakt. Als Maisie zu einer Hochzeit wieder in Key West ist, laufen sich die Kindheitsfreunde über den Weg und die starken Gefühle sind sofort wieder da.
Als sie sich nun wiedersehen, sind sie mitten im Leben: Die aus ärmlichen Verhältnissen stammende Maisie ist erfolgreiche Talentagetin in Los Angeles, sie ist stolz auf ihren anstrengenden Job und ihre Unabhängigkeit, auch wenn ihre Kunden manchmal wirklich undankbar sind und sie sich eher vorgestellt hätte, einfach hoffnungsvollen und talentierten Menschen zum Erfolg zu verhelfen. Caleb hat sie aber schon immer akzeptiert, wie sie ist und bei ihrem kurzen Urlaub spürt sie wieder, wie viel er ihr bedeutet.
Caleb ist sehr zufrieden mit seinem einfachen Leben, er fährt Touristen auf seinem Boot raus und hilft seiner Familie mit dem Hotel. Mit dem Stadtleben hat er nichts am Hut, er mag die sozialen Medien nicht und sucht auch keine kurzfristigen Beziehungen. Eigentlich käme es auch gar nicht infrage, Maisie näher zu kommen, aber sie war für ihn schon immer mehr als nur eine Kindheitsfreundin und da rücken auch ihre verschiedenen Lebensweisen in den Hintergrund und auch die Tatsache, dass sie an verschiedenen Enden des Landes leben.
Die Leben der beiden scheinen kaum vereinbar, aber zusätzlich zu der Vertrautheit ist da eine ganz neue starke Anziehung, der sie sich kaum widersetzen können - sie waren sich dafür schon immer viel zu nah, um jetzt einen Abstand zu halten. Ich fand die Liebesgeschichte der beiden wirklich süß, denn auch wenn die Handlung schon vorhersehbar ist, ist es eine kurzweilige und gemütliche Liebesgeschichte.
Das Buch ist zwar Teil einer Reihe, aber man muss die Vorgänger nicht kennen, um der Geschichte gut folgen zu können. Man sieht zwar auch die anderen Hutton-Geschwister, doch sie nehmen nicht zu viel Raum ein. Nach den kleinen Teasern freue ich mich aber schon auf die Fortsetzung.
Fazit
"Beyond Now" bietet eine kurzweilige und gemütliche Liebesgeschichte über Kindheitsfreunde, die sich viele Jahre später wiedersehen.
Als sie sich nun wiedersehen, sind sie mitten im Leben: Die aus ärmlichen Verhältnissen stammende Maisie ist erfolgreiche Talentagetin in Los Angeles, sie ist stolz auf ihren anstrengenden Job und ihre Unabhängigkeit, auch wenn ihre Kunden manchmal wirklich undankbar sind und sie sich eher vorgestellt hätte, einfach hoffnungsvollen und talentierten Menschen zum Erfolg zu verhelfen. Caleb hat sie aber schon immer akzeptiert, wie sie ist und bei ihrem kurzen Urlaub spürt sie wieder, wie viel er ihr bedeutet.
Caleb ist sehr zufrieden mit seinem einfachen Leben, er fährt Touristen auf seinem Boot raus und hilft seiner Familie mit dem Hotel. Mit dem Stadtleben hat er nichts am Hut, er mag die sozialen Medien nicht und sucht auch keine kurzfristigen Beziehungen. Eigentlich käme es auch gar nicht infrage, Maisie näher zu kommen, aber sie war für ihn schon immer mehr als nur eine Kindheitsfreundin und da rücken auch ihre verschiedenen Lebensweisen in den Hintergrund und auch die Tatsache, dass sie an verschiedenen Enden des Landes leben.
Die Leben der beiden scheinen kaum vereinbar, aber zusätzlich zu der Vertrautheit ist da eine ganz neue starke Anziehung, der sie sich kaum widersetzen können - sie waren sich dafür schon immer viel zu nah, um jetzt einen Abstand zu halten. Ich fand die Liebesgeschichte der beiden wirklich süß, denn auch wenn die Handlung schon vorhersehbar ist, ist es eine kurzweilige und gemütliche Liebesgeschichte.
Das Buch ist zwar Teil einer Reihe, aber man muss die Vorgänger nicht kennen, um der Geschichte gut folgen zu können. Man sieht zwar auch die anderen Hutton-Geschwister, doch sie nehmen nicht zu viel Raum ein. Nach den kleinen Teasern freue ich mich aber schon auf die Fortsetzung.
Fazit
"Beyond Now" bietet eine kurzweilige und gemütliche Liebesgeschichte über Kindheitsfreunde, die sich viele Jahre später wiedersehen.
October 3, 2019
Caleb and Maisie stole my heart! I don't think I have read a sweeter romance - from their childhood friendship to rediscovering each other years later. When two people fit together like they do, time and distance don't matter. Caleb has such a gentle soul and I love his outlook on life. How could you not fall in love with him?
I am really looking forward to more of the Huttons! Abby is nailing it with this series! Love them all! 😍
I am really looking forward to more of the Huttons! Abby is nailing it with this series! Love them all! 😍
January 27, 2022
a cura della nostra Kelly:
Cari lettori oggi torniamo a parlarvi della famiglia Hutton. In questo terzo volume della serie, "Oltre il tempo", di Abby Brooks, incontriamo Caleb Hutton.
Il romanzo si apre con una promessa fatta da un ragazzino, una promessa d'amore. Caleb è da sempre innamorato di Maisie. Ma le vite dei due a un certo punto prendono strade diverse e per anni non si incontreranno di nuovo. Se Caleb continua a rimanere fedele alla sua terra conducendo una vita ordinaria come capitano della sua amata barca per turisti, Maisie vuole far carriera a Los Angeles e avere sempre più successo.
I due protagonisti si incontrano dopo diversi anni e nonostante il tempo sia passato tra loro nulla sembra cambiato.
«E adesso?» chiesi, spingendo le parole oltre il nodo nella mia gola. «Vuoi baciarmi adesso?»
Caleb incontrò il mio sguardo, continuando a muoversi a ritmo di musica, ma guidando entrambi verso l’esterno della pista da ballo. Annuì lentamente, gli occhi velati di lussuria si spostarono sulle mie labbra. «È tutto quello che desidero da quando ci siamo incontrati al bar.»
Abby Brooks ci regala una storia dolce, con un ritmo lento e coinvolgente. Una storia d'amore che dura nel tempo fino a sbocciare in un lieto fine.
Buona lettura Kelly
Cari lettori oggi torniamo a parlarvi della famiglia Hutton. In questo terzo volume della serie, "Oltre il tempo", di Abby Brooks, incontriamo Caleb Hutton.
Il romanzo si apre con una promessa fatta da un ragazzino, una promessa d'amore. Caleb è da sempre innamorato di Maisie. Ma le vite dei due a un certo punto prendono strade diverse e per anni non si incontreranno di nuovo. Se Caleb continua a rimanere fedele alla sua terra conducendo una vita ordinaria come capitano della sua amata barca per turisti, Maisie vuole far carriera a Los Angeles e avere sempre più successo.
I due protagonisti si incontrano dopo diversi anni e nonostante il tempo sia passato tra loro nulla sembra cambiato.
«E adesso?» chiesi, spingendo le parole oltre il nodo nella mia gola. «Vuoi baciarmi adesso?»
Caleb incontrò il mio sguardo, continuando a muoversi a ritmo di musica, ma guidando entrambi verso l’esterno della pista da ballo. Annuì lentamente, gli occhi velati di lussuria si spostarono sulle mie labbra. «È tutto quello che desidero da quando ci siamo incontrati al bar.»
Abby Brooks ci regala una storia dolce, con un ritmo lento e coinvolgente. Una storia d'amore che dura nel tempo fino a sbocciare in un lieto fine.
Buona lettura Kelly
October 31, 2019
Kindle Unlimited -- new series
Quick and fun-to-read childhood friends to lovers who reunite after a decade. Well-written and more to come with three other brothers and a sister with stories of their own.
Quick and fun-to-read childhood friends to lovers who reunite after a decade. Well-written and more to come with three other brothers and a sister with stories of their own.
November 28, 2019
Just ok
When I first read the blurb, I thought this would be a great story. Sadly, this particular story once I started it, just didn’t do anything for me. Just seem to drag on.
When I first read the blurb, I thought this would be a great story. Sadly, this particular story once I started it, just didn’t do anything for me. Just seem to drag on.
January 5, 2020
4 stars
Cute premise and story. Relatively drama free with solid characters. I was wanting a tad more, not sure what, and more of a conclusion than just a Happy for now scenario.
Cute premise and story. Relatively drama free with solid characters. I was wanting a tad more, not sure what, and more of a conclusion than just a Happy for now scenario.
July 6, 2022
Maise e Caleb sono quell’amore incredibile che ti capita una sola volta bella vita. Una storia molto semplice e lineare senza troppo angst forse proprio quello di cui abbiamo bisogno in questo momento, dopo le tante uscite toste di questo periodo qualcosa di semplice e easy che fa in modo che voi ritroviate la passione anche per queste semplicissime storie d’amore.
Dopo che se ne fu andata, rimasi fermo sul marciapiede per diversi lunghi istanti improvvisamente conscio, come non mi succedeva da quando ero bambino, di quel buco nel mio cuore che aveva la forma di Maise.
Sono riuscita ad entrare molto in sintonia con i protagonisti, mi sono piaciuti molto e li ho apprezzato proprio per la loro trasparenza e semplicità. Con il meraviglioso sfondo delle Key West vedremo l’amore di Maise e Caleb sbocciare per le seconda volte e in un certo modo ritrovarsi dopo tanti anni.Uno stile quello di Abby Brooks che mi ha colpita ancora una volta. Devo ammettere che questa volta mi ha stupito moltissimo come ha impostato la storia, che comunque in questa sua semplicità arriva al cuore di chi legge.
Dopo che se ne fu andata, rimasi fermo sul marciapiede per diversi lunghi istanti improvvisamente conscio, come non mi succedeva da quando ero bambino, di quel buco nel mio cuore che aveva la forma di Maise.
Sono riuscita ad entrare molto in sintonia con i protagonisti, mi sono piaciuti molto e li ho apprezzato proprio per la loro trasparenza e semplicità. Con il meraviglioso sfondo delle Key West vedremo l’amore di Maise e Caleb sbocciare per le seconda volte e in un certo modo ritrovarsi dopo tanti anni.Uno stile quello di Abby Brooks che mi ha colpita ancora una volta. Devo ammettere che questa volta mi ha stupito moltissimo come ha impostato la storia, che comunque in questa sua semplicità arriva al cuore di chi legge.
April 11, 2020
Ready for eggplant!!!!
March 6, 2022
You have to love the Hutton family. One more brother finds love and gets married.
May 10, 2022
Caleb Hutton hat seine Liebe des Lebens schon im Kindergarten kennengelernt. Das Leben hat die beiden auseinander gebracht. Maisie hat es geschafft und hat sich ein erfolgreiches Leben aufgebaut und sich nicht in den Kreislauf ihrer Eltern hineinziehen lassen. Doch sie hat nie ihren Kindheitsfreund Caleb vergessen. Dann treffen die beiden aufeinander und ihre Welt beginnt zu schwanken. Die erste große Liebe vergisst man nie. Eine süße, leidenschaftliche Liebesgeschichte, die kein extra Drama hat. Nur das Leben wird hier einem gezeigt und die Gefühle zweier Menschen, die ein komplett anderes Leben führen. Das Buch hat an manchen Stellen Wärme ausgestrahlt. Nach dem Buch werde ich mir auch noch die anderen Bändern anschauen müssen.
July 28, 2020
I LOVE the Hutton’s!! Beyond Now is the 3rd book in Abby’s Hutton Family Series. It can be read as a stand alone but why would you want to miss out on the others?? All the brothers so far have been amazing and Caleb’s story is no different! He is such a sweet, down to earth, overall amazing guy!!
Maisie is bringing in new clients left and right at her job. Her goal is to be the best and so far she is killing it; not just at work but also in life. She knows that she can’t be like her parents, she can’t go back to that way of life. But a destination wedding brings her back to facing her past. Can one amazing night derail everything she has been working for?
Caleb promised Maisie he was going to marry her but he didn’t take into account she would move away when they were in middle school. Years later, he sees her at a local bar and he can’t believe his eyes. She is all grown up and as beautiful as ever. Their connection is off the charts but neither of them want a fling. Will they give into temptation? Or will she leave empty handed?
Swoon...they just pick up right where they left off!! It’s like they never were separated! Caleb and Maisie are perfect for each other in every way. Abby is one of my favorite authors and she once again did not disappoint!! Beyond Now is amazing!!
Eli...
Maisie is bringing in new clients left and right at her job. Her goal is to be the best and so far she is killing it; not just at work but also in life. She knows that she can’t be like her parents, she can’t go back to that way of life. But a destination wedding brings her back to facing her past. Can one amazing night derail everything she has been working for?
Caleb promised Maisie he was going to marry her but he didn’t take into account she would move away when they were in middle school. Years later, he sees her at a local bar and he can’t believe his eyes. She is all grown up and as beautiful as ever. Their connection is off the charts but neither of them want a fling. Will they give into temptation? Or will she leave empty handed?
Swoon...they just pick up right where they left off!! It’s like they never were separated! Caleb and Maisie are perfect for each other in every way. Abby is one of my favorite authors and she once again did not disappoint!! Beyond Now is amazing!!
Eli...
September 28, 2019
Nothing beats a love story through the ages and a second chance at what could be. Caleb and Maisie were the best of friends and Caleb always stood up and protected her but once she moved away that part of his life seemed over and he moved on and became his own man cutting ties to the family influence and money and making it on his own. Now Maisie is back and all those feelings from the past are bubbling back up for both of them and gosh you can see the love they have for each other and how natural it is. But Maisie's job is ridiculously demanding and even though she is meant to be on leave it keeps putting a wedge between them and you don't know if their love will finally bring them together or if Maisie will continue to blindly believe the job and life she lives now is all she wants or if she will realise there is a much better life waiting for her. I just loved this book there is soo much emotion in it, good and bad which makes is such a great read and I just love the Hutton family and now after the ending can not wait to read about Eli!!!! lol
September 30, 2019
Omg Caleb and Maisie story is by far heart warming but at the beginning so heartbreaking. Abby really Out done herself with this one and holy wow was this a HEA for sure in the very best way. Caleb is a calm and easy going guy who has been beat friends with maisie since they were 6 years old and he was her everything and I mean everything. Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances maisie moved away when they were bearly teens and after so many year apart they reconnect in there mid 20’s while maisie is with a work friend back home for said friends wedding and wow do the sparks fly but with their lives at each end of the country and so many other things at play the question stands will the statement Caleb’s been making since they were six happen? (I’m gonna marry maisie brown some day) well you will need to read to find out 😍 I do believe this was an amazing book and I was lucky to get an arc copy and am so happy I got to read this early and still have my preorder set. Abby Brooks has definitely done an amazing job on this story and I can’t wait for Eli’s story next
October 3, 2019
Abby Brooks can write a love story that will bring you to your knees with emotion and she hit a grand slam on this one. I literally could not put this book down because well I just had to know ;)
I absolutely fell in love with Caleb and Maisy. They were perfect for each other in every way especially Caleb.
I could feel the emotions this book caused, my heart would swell with happiness and hurt when I felt things weren't going well for these love birds or at least when I thought they weren't going well because they always ended up doing what true love would do.
This was a perfect love story of two kids being friends then losing track for literally years. Then as fate would have it, running into each other again. Which only enforced Caleb's knowledge that he was in love with Maisy. But the fact that he had always said he would marry her since he was six years old was a fact that required some work. In order to get everything he needed he had to give up everything he thought he wanted.
I absolutely fell in love with Caleb and Maisy. They were perfect for each other in every way especially Caleb.
I could feel the emotions this book caused, my heart would swell with happiness and hurt when I felt things weren't going well for these love birds or at least when I thought they weren't going well because they always ended up doing what true love would do.
This was a perfect love story of two kids being friends then losing track for literally years. Then as fate would have it, running into each other again. Which only enforced Caleb's knowledge that he was in love with Maisy. But the fact that he had always said he would marry her since he was six years old was a fact that required some work. In order to get everything he needed he had to give up everything he thought he wanted.
February 3, 2020
Maisie and Caleb were childhood friends. Best friends. Maisie had a tough life and Caleb had always been there to protect her. Maisie’s family moved away and Caleb lost a piece of his heart.
13 years later, Maisie pops into Caleb’s life again. Their connection still strong. Each has to break their own rules. A Life altering encounter. An uncertain future.
Tears, butterflies, swooning and falling in love, Characters with chemistry, gorgeous scenes in Key West, great romance all make for a fabulous story. The Hutton series has been awesome and I’m so looking forward to reading more.
Totally recommend this book to any romance fan. It was sad, surprising, hopeful, frustrating, then happy and sexy. Books like this are why I read romance. Abby Brooks captures everything that makes up a sweet romantic story.
13 years later, Maisie pops into Caleb’s life again. Their connection still strong. Each has to break their own rules. A Life altering encounter. An uncertain future.
Tears, butterflies, swooning and falling in love, Characters with chemistry, gorgeous scenes in Key West, great romance all make for a fabulous story. The Hutton series has been awesome and I’m so looking forward to reading more.
Totally recommend this book to any romance fan. It was sad, surprising, hopeful, frustrating, then happy and sexy. Books like this are why I read romance. Abby Brooks captures everything that makes up a sweet romantic story.
September 28, 2019
This book is great in so many ways. Firstly the story proves that when you have found your soulmate no matter the age, it is surely forever. Maisie was born on the wrong side of the track but Caleb, who came from a totally different environment, stuck with her, sheltering her from the ugliness of the world. When Maisie left her hometown, she lost track of her best and only friend but his memory gave her the strength to overcome her misery and become a successful woman. When fate pulls a trick on them it will become quite clear that love is much stronger than all the obstacles that block their path. I could go on forever describing the greatness of this story but then I would spoil everything. All I can say is that both Caleb and Maisie are simply meant to be together and every chapter of this book is a journey of this realization.
April 17, 2020
Caleb and Maisie were childhood friends. Inseparable from the ages of 6-13. The two lose touch when she moves and they go on to live separate lives.
Caleb is a gentle soul who loves with his whole being. He has found contentment in a quiet life. Maisie has a difficult time trusting love. She had found contentment in a hectic life. Or so they think. “Everything I ever wanted at odds with everything I ever needed”. (Maisie)
When they reconnect after 13 years apart, they both have to re-evaluate their lives. What follows is a beautiful story of self-reflection and sacrifice. Caleb is the sweetest Hutton brother yet. If you haven’t read the first two Hutton Brother books, I highly recommend reading all three (although they are all stand-alones). Abby Brooks knows how to write with depth and feeling. Absolutely loved this book
Caleb is a gentle soul who loves with his whole being. He has found contentment in a quiet life. Maisie has a difficult time trusting love. She had found contentment in a hectic life. Or so they think. “Everything I ever wanted at odds with everything I ever needed”. (Maisie)
When they reconnect after 13 years apart, they both have to re-evaluate their lives. What follows is a beautiful story of self-reflection and sacrifice. Caleb is the sweetest Hutton brother yet. If you haven’t read the first two Hutton Brother books, I highly recommend reading all three (although they are all stand-alones). Abby Brooks knows how to write with depth and feeling. Absolutely loved this book
September 30, 2019
If you want a drama and angst filled romance this is not the book for you. But if you want an honest and heartwarming book about love than look no further. What starts off as a proposal at the age of six ends with an unlikely reunion many years later. With Maisie and Caleb have living on opposite coasts, admitting that the friendship has turned into so much more is the easy part. Learning to put their happiness first can be the tricky part when emotions from their pasts are raw and not completely healed. Can love conquer all? With beautifully written characters Abby Brooks has once again created a relationship the reader cannot help but fall in love with. Completely honest and simply lovable, Maisie and Caleb have the best chance at true love.
October 2, 2019
Have you ever had trouble connecting with someone? Don’t worry about that in this book. Caleb and Masie are whole-heart characters that make it easy to fall utterly in love with the pair. Abby Brooks breathes life into this beautiful story of reuniting and developing real feelings based on friendship. There were times Caleb and Masie had to work on details so they could be together- but without a single doubt in my mind- I think everyone with any romance in their heart will love this book and rate it 5 stars, I would be happy to double that if allowed. Read the book- you won’t have regrets- in fact, read the entire series and let Abby Brooks weave a relatable family into your heart.
October 4, 2019
Oh Caleb and Masie! Their story is so sweet and relateable! I adore how down to earth Caleb is and how much of a fighter Masie is. Put them together and Maleb is adorable. Masie's quick witty responses had me giggle several times throughout the book.
This childhoods friends to lovers romance pulled at all my heart strings in the way that only fantastic romance stories can do. Books like this are why I love reading. Beyond Now is filled with emotional, heartfelt moments that are perfectly balanced with fun, lighthearted ones in the true Abby Brooks style.
I voluntarily received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This childhoods friends to lovers romance pulled at all my heart strings in the way that only fantastic romance stories can do. Books like this are why I love reading. Beyond Now is filled with emotional, heartfelt moments that are perfectly balanced with fun, lighthearted ones in the true Abby Brooks style.
I voluntarily received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 30, 2019
I absolutely LOVED Caleb & Maisie's story! From the beginning it captured my heart & held on all the way through the end. The raw, very real emotions that they both held on to & still had for each other even after so many years apart was something most people can only dream of. I loved the chemistry between them, the way they just "fit" together, and their overall dynamic as a couple. Abby Brooks has done it AGAIN and I'm so excited to read Eli's story next!!
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.*
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.*
October 5, 2019
Beyond Now is beyond good! It’s a sensational book that will make you wish the story would never end. Caleb was a true protector of Maisie since childhood. They were best friends until her disfuncional family moved her away from her young love. 13 years later they reconnect and realize they live totally opposite life styles. Their love is put to the test in a journey of love, self discovery and life changes.
Abby Brooks is phenomenal and her books are always very inspirational and delightful! Thank you for another fabulous book!
Nanedsmomba - Reviewer and Blogger for Life Reads With Friends
Abby Brooks is phenomenal and her books are always very inspirational and delightful! Thank you for another fabulous book!
Nanedsmomba - Reviewer and Blogger for Life Reads With Friends
October 4, 2019
I read and reviewed this book voluntarily.
This is book 3 in the Hutton family series, and until this book Book 1 Beyond words was my favorite Abby book, but I LOVED this book.
Caleb and Masie were best friends as kids. Caleb told her twice as a kid he was going to marry her. She moved when they were still young but they never forgot each other. When a chance encounter at a bar reunites them will they have changed to much and not be as close or will they do what ever is needed to be together?
This is book 3 in the Hutton family series, and until this book Book 1 Beyond words was my favorite Abby book, but I LOVED this book.
Caleb and Masie were best friends as kids. Caleb told her twice as a kid he was going to marry her. She moved when they were still young but they never forgot each other. When a chance encounter at a bar reunites them will they have changed to much and not be as close or will they do what ever is needed to be together?
January 24, 2022
Cari lettori, finalmente ho avuto tra le mani il terzo capitolo della serie The Hutton Family di Abby Brooks, edito dalla Queen Edizioni e uscito il 20 gennaio 2022. Sto parlando di Oltre il tempo, uno splendido contemporary romance.
L’ho amato, ma in fondo come si può non amare Caleb Hutton? Ve lo dico io, non è possibile. Anzi aggiungo che tutte noi dovremmo avere un Caleb al nostro fianco, perché ognuna di noi se lo merita.
“Quando eravamo bambini, lui era stato tutto quello di cui avevo bisogno, e ora mi bastò guardarlo per capire che era tutto quello che volevo da adulta”
Caleb e Maisie si conoscono da bambini e già dall’età di sei anni lui sapeva che l’avrebbe sposata.
Sono cresciuti insieme, complici in tutto soprattutto nel sopravvivere ai padri alcolisti. Due vite diverse: lei con una famiglia in ristrettezze economiche, non poteva permettersi vestiti o scarpe firmate, aveva sempre una triste espressione che le segnava il dolce e magro viso, anche il cibo era un problema; lui, invece, è esattamente il contrario, una solida e nota famiglia alle spalle che gli consentivano tutti gli agi possibili, ma nonostante questo non era felice per via della prepotenza di un padre padrone.
Caleb la difende da tutto e tutti, si frappone tra lei e i bulli che la mortificano quotidianamente.
I loro cammini si intrecciano creando un legame talmente tanto profondo da farli vivere quasi in simbiosi.
Fin dalle prime battute non si può rimanere coinvolte dal buon cuore di quel piccolo bambino pronto a trasformarsi in un cavaliere dall’armatura scintillante per battersi per salvare la sua principessa.
Non possono mancare i sorrisi, i sospiri, la rabbia verso quei genitori assenti o violenti.
All’improvviso le loro vite vengono separate dalla decisione dei genitori di Maisie di trasferirsi da Key West e il loro mondo comune crolla. Le loro anime e i loro cuori rimangono attaccati a quel filo invisibile che li lega da sempre.
Avete mai sentito parlare la leggenda del filo rosso del destino? Si tratta di una leggenda diffusa in Giappone che vede ogni persona con un filo rosso invisibile legato al mignolo della mano sinistra che lo lega alla propria anima gemella fin dalla nascita.
E per me, Caleb e Maisie sono quelle anime gemelle, anime affini che nascono e vivono per stare insieme, per amarsi profondamente.
“Ridevamo alle stesse battute. Amavamo lo stesso cibo. Ed entrambi eravamo certi di voler diventare dei pirati, una volta cresciuti.”
Lui cresce, diventa un uomo forte che vuole provvedere ai suoi bisogni in modo separato dalla famiglia di cui non vuole i soldi, ma cresce con il cuore che rimane saldamente ancorato alla sua anima. Si realizza trovando la sua strada, alla fine diventa sul serio un pirata, scherzo logicamente, ma lega la sua professione al mare, alla barca che porta i turisti tra le varie insenature, il tutto per veder stare bene e far passare e vivere una bella esperienza a chi si rivolge alla sua esperienza di capitano.
“Ero un uomo che veniva fuori dal tempo, il che a volte significava che ero più solo di quanto avrei voluto essere.”
Los Angeles, la città degli angeli, dello sfarzo, delle luci, dell’artefatto, diventa la nuova casa per Maisie. Si dedica al lavoro, agente di nuove, “star”, lei che ha sempre voluto aiutare le persone a risollevarsi dai problemi. Perde di vista la sua felicità, mentre accudisce e pensa a quella degli altri. Nella sua vita mostra agli altri una Maisie che non esiste, del suo passato e del suo presente non c’è traccia né nel suo ufficio né in casa. L’unica cosa che le ricorda il suo grande amore e la vera Maisie è una cornice con una foto di lei bambina accanto a Caleb
“Quello era Caleb Hutton. Il mio migliore amico, la mia anima gemella, il mio passato che si scontrava con il presente e, se avessi ascoltato quello che il mio cuore diceva in risposta al suo, sarebbe stato anche il mio futuro.”
Passano gli anni e per un caso fortuito i due protagonisti si incontrano: sono adulti, cambiati ma i loro cuori si riconoscono e le loro anime si riallacciano.
“Eravamo una sinfonia. Un’opera d’arte. Un’armonia perfettamente coreografata [...]”
Per loro il tempo è come se non fosse mai passato, come se si fossero appena lasciati, ma le loro nuove vite sono inconciliabili: lui titolare di un’impresa a Key West, lei con Los Angeles e i suoi vip che l’attendono.
Solo il tempo e i loro sentimenti potranno mostrarci cosa succederà, e solo a voi spetta la scoperta di questa storia che coinvolge il cuore, le emozioni, le sensazioni.
È una storia dove il vero protagonista è l’amore che va “oltre il tempo”, si riconosce negli occhi dell’altro, due cuori che si accordano per creare un’unica musica, due anime che rimangono saldamente fedeli perché si appartengono fin nel profondo.
È una storia dove l’amore si vede nel lasciare lo spazio all’altra per farle capire quanto la vita possa arrivare a offrire un nuovo disegno di vita comune, di un futuro in cui rimanere e costruire quel “per sempre” a cui tutti aspiriamo e che cerchiamo.
E comunque vorrei andare a vivere a Key West, mi ci vedo proprio a rilassarmi in riva al mare o su una avvolgente poltrona sul patio di casa. (Sospirone)
Ringrazio la casa editrice per avermi dato la possibilità di leggere in anteprima Caleb e Maisie.
A voi non mi rimane che consigliarvi di darvi la possibilità di respirare la loro storia scritta nel destino.
L’ho amato, ma in fondo come si può non amare Caleb Hutton? Ve lo dico io, non è possibile. Anzi aggiungo che tutte noi dovremmo avere un Caleb al nostro fianco, perché ognuna di noi se lo merita.
“Quando eravamo bambini, lui era stato tutto quello di cui avevo bisogno, e ora mi bastò guardarlo per capire che era tutto quello che volevo da adulta”
Caleb e Maisie si conoscono da bambini e già dall’età di sei anni lui sapeva che l’avrebbe sposata.
Sono cresciuti insieme, complici in tutto soprattutto nel sopravvivere ai padri alcolisti. Due vite diverse: lei con una famiglia in ristrettezze economiche, non poteva permettersi vestiti o scarpe firmate, aveva sempre una triste espressione che le segnava il dolce e magro viso, anche il cibo era un problema; lui, invece, è esattamente il contrario, una solida e nota famiglia alle spalle che gli consentivano tutti gli agi possibili, ma nonostante questo non era felice per via della prepotenza di un padre padrone.
Caleb la difende da tutto e tutti, si frappone tra lei e i bulli che la mortificano quotidianamente.
I loro cammini si intrecciano creando un legame talmente tanto profondo da farli vivere quasi in simbiosi.
Fin dalle prime battute non si può rimanere coinvolte dal buon cuore di quel piccolo bambino pronto a trasformarsi in un cavaliere dall’armatura scintillante per battersi per salvare la sua principessa.
Non possono mancare i sorrisi, i sospiri, la rabbia verso quei genitori assenti o violenti.
All’improvviso le loro vite vengono separate dalla decisione dei genitori di Maisie di trasferirsi da Key West e il loro mondo comune crolla. Le loro anime e i loro cuori rimangono attaccati a quel filo invisibile che li lega da sempre.
Avete mai sentito parlare la leggenda del filo rosso del destino? Si tratta di una leggenda diffusa in Giappone che vede ogni persona con un filo rosso invisibile legato al mignolo della mano sinistra che lo lega alla propria anima gemella fin dalla nascita.
E per me, Caleb e Maisie sono quelle anime gemelle, anime affini che nascono e vivono per stare insieme, per amarsi profondamente.
“Ridevamo alle stesse battute. Amavamo lo stesso cibo. Ed entrambi eravamo certi di voler diventare dei pirati, una volta cresciuti.”
Lui cresce, diventa un uomo forte che vuole provvedere ai suoi bisogni in modo separato dalla famiglia di cui non vuole i soldi, ma cresce con il cuore che rimane saldamente ancorato alla sua anima. Si realizza trovando la sua strada, alla fine diventa sul serio un pirata, scherzo logicamente, ma lega la sua professione al mare, alla barca che porta i turisti tra le varie insenature, il tutto per veder stare bene e far passare e vivere una bella esperienza a chi si rivolge alla sua esperienza di capitano.
“Ero un uomo che veniva fuori dal tempo, il che a volte significava che ero più solo di quanto avrei voluto essere.”
Los Angeles, la città degli angeli, dello sfarzo, delle luci, dell’artefatto, diventa la nuova casa per Maisie. Si dedica al lavoro, agente di nuove, “star”, lei che ha sempre voluto aiutare le persone a risollevarsi dai problemi. Perde di vista la sua felicità, mentre accudisce e pensa a quella degli altri. Nella sua vita mostra agli altri una Maisie che non esiste, del suo passato e del suo presente non c’è traccia né nel suo ufficio né in casa. L’unica cosa che le ricorda il suo grande amore e la vera Maisie è una cornice con una foto di lei bambina accanto a Caleb
“Quello era Caleb Hutton. Il mio migliore amico, la mia anima gemella, il mio passato che si scontrava con il presente e, se avessi ascoltato quello che il mio cuore diceva in risposta al suo, sarebbe stato anche il mio futuro.”
Passano gli anni e per un caso fortuito i due protagonisti si incontrano: sono adulti, cambiati ma i loro cuori si riconoscono e le loro anime si riallacciano.
“Eravamo una sinfonia. Un’opera d’arte. Un’armonia perfettamente coreografata [...]”
Per loro il tempo è come se non fosse mai passato, come se si fossero appena lasciati, ma le loro nuove vite sono inconciliabili: lui titolare di un’impresa a Key West, lei con Los Angeles e i suoi vip che l’attendono.
Solo il tempo e i loro sentimenti potranno mostrarci cosa succederà, e solo a voi spetta la scoperta di questa storia che coinvolge il cuore, le emozioni, le sensazioni.
È una storia dove il vero protagonista è l’amore che va “oltre il tempo”, si riconosce negli occhi dell’altro, due cuori che si accordano per creare un’unica musica, due anime che rimangono saldamente fedeli perché si appartengono fin nel profondo.
È una storia dove l’amore si vede nel lasciare lo spazio all’altra per farle capire quanto la vita possa arrivare a offrire un nuovo disegno di vita comune, di un futuro in cui rimanere e costruire quel “per sempre” a cui tutti aspiriamo e che cerchiamo.
E comunque vorrei andare a vivere a Key West, mi ci vedo proprio a rilassarmi in riva al mare o su una avvolgente poltrona sul patio di casa. (Sospirone)
Ringrazio la casa editrice per avermi dato la possibilità di leggere in anteprima Caleb e Maisie.
A voi non mi rimane che consigliarvi di darvi la possibilità di respirare la loro storia scritta nel destino.
October 4, 2019
Maisie brown and Caleb Hutton met since children. Deep down Caleb knew Maisie was his after everything that has happened will they let time pass by or can their chance encounter give them a chance to love and to hope for something better!!! It’s a beautiful story I couldn’t put it down and Abby Brooks you totally rock and am still your fan....
February 13, 2021
"I'm going to marry you Maisie Brown" were the words a 6 yr old Caleb said in earnest. Who knew that over all the years, successes and failures, these 2 would run into each other again at a beach bar? Sometimes the stars aline, you make a wish and it comes true. I was so happy reading this sweet, yet sexy love story. We all need a Hutton! This has been a fabulous series.
July 20, 2021
Beyond Now is the third book in author Abbey Brooks Hutton Family series. While they can all be read as standalones IMHO its more enjoyable to read them in order since each previous family member and their significant other appears in the subsequent books with only an abbreviated version of their love stories. I’m not certain whether this book qualifies as a “Second Chance at Love, Friends to Lovers or Opposites Attract trope?
Maisie Brown was the dirt poor daughter of an often unemployed alcoholic father and co-dependent mother. She always came to school in ill-fitting second-hand clothes and often without a lunch. In Caleb Hutton Maisie found a best friend and protector. Caleb because he hadn’t grown into his lanky body like Maisie was not part of the cool kids crowd. And like Maisie, Caleb had an alcoholic if wealthy father. From kindergarten through seventh grade just like Forrest and Jenny, Maisie and Caleb were inseparable in and out of school. Starting in kindergarten Caleb announced that someday he would marry Maisie and she never contradicted him. But then in seventh grade Maisie’s parents moved from the Florida Keys to Kentucky and the two lost touch.
Fast forward some twelve years or so. Caleb is captain of his own charter boat business in the Keys south of his family home. He loves being on the water. He scoffs at his customers who can’t tear themselves away from their addiction to modern technology like cellphones and laptops. He’s that rare contemporary romance male lead that has no interest in hook-ups and flings. Out in Los Angeles Maisie has done everything she can to put the dirt-poor girl she was in her rear-view mirror. She’s become a top talent agent with a corner office, an upscale apartment and lots of designer labels in her closet. The only memento she has of her past is a picture of her and Caleb (the only boy she’ll ever love) together in her office. She works long days and is glued to her cellphone and computer even when she’s not at work. Maisie doesn’t do relationships. She prefers no strings, one night stands with big muscular alpha guys who take charge in bed and don’t ask to see her again in the morning.
As luck would have it Maisie is M.O.H. for Brighton her co-worker. Brighton decides she wants to have her wedding in the Florida Keys. Like everyone else in her new life, Brighton has no idea of Maisie’s humble past. Maisie isn’t happy to be returning so close to where she began life as that poor kid. But as Brighton’s M.O.H. she agrees to spend a few days there for her wedding. While attending Brighton’s bachelorette party the girls spot a big muscular handsome guy sitting at the bar by himself enjoying a beer. Brighton knows this guy checks all of Maisie’s boxes and pushes her to go meet him. On her way there Maisie is intercepted by a handsy drunk. When he won’t leave Maisie alone the big guy at the bar intervenes and sends the guy scurrying away. Imagine Maisie’s shock when she realizes the hunk she was targeting for a one-night stand is her childhood best friend Caleb Hutton. Imagine Caleb’s surprise when he realizes the attractive, classy blonde he’s stepped in to protect is his childhood BFF and crush Maisie Brown. Now as adults the physical attraction these two had for each other is a thousand times more powerful than it was when they were children. But Maisie doesn’t do sex with strings and even without knowing that about her knowing that he doesn’t do hook-ups and Maisie is only in town for a short time,Caleb realizes that with them living on opposite sides of the country, nothing can come of their attraction. Still neither can resist the desire to spend time with each other.
romance we know that there will be a happy ending for our two lovers. Although the author does her best to build some suspense or doubt around the “will they or won’t they stay together” question, through Maisie’s steady realization that the life she’s leading full of the trapping of success really isn’t making her happy. She has no real friends. She has no life outside of work which consumes her every waking hour. Worst of all her career is nothing like that one she envisioned for herself when she graduated college. Instead of helping underprivileged children like she was she’s helping wannabe stars who too often become self-destructive, egotistical jerks when they achieve their dreams of stardom. I get that Maisie wants to cling to her lucrative career as security against the poverty she experienced as a child, but even given that I had to wonder why it took her so long to walk away from her life once she realized how unfulfilling it is and that it also prevented her from being with the only man she ever loved? And if I’m being completely honest the solution to what direction her new career would take was no surprise to me. Or most likely any reader who has read the first two books in this series. But the big reveal was very sweet and romantic. There was a lot of romance in this book as Caleb as he always has supported Maisie and patiently waited for her to discover her own truths. There is some steamy sex scenes of course but the author does a moderate slow burn making us wait a little while for them when you would have thought these two would have been tearing each other’s clothes off the moment they met. Or at least after their first kiss.
Maisie Brown was the dirt poor daughter of an often unemployed alcoholic father and co-dependent mother. She always came to school in ill-fitting second-hand clothes and often without a lunch. In Caleb Hutton Maisie found a best friend and protector. Caleb because he hadn’t grown into his lanky body like Maisie was not part of the cool kids crowd. And like Maisie, Caleb had an alcoholic if wealthy father. From kindergarten through seventh grade just like Forrest and Jenny, Maisie and Caleb were inseparable in and out of school. Starting in kindergarten Caleb announced that someday he would marry Maisie and she never contradicted him. But then in seventh grade Maisie’s parents moved from the Florida Keys to Kentucky and the two lost touch.
Fast forward some twelve years or so. Caleb is captain of his own charter boat business in the Keys south of his family home. He loves being on the water. He scoffs at his customers who can’t tear themselves away from their addiction to modern technology like cellphones and laptops. He’s that rare contemporary romance male lead that has no interest in hook-ups and flings. Out in Los Angeles Maisie has done everything she can to put the dirt-poor girl she was in her rear-view mirror. She’s become a top talent agent with a corner office, an upscale apartment and lots of designer labels in her closet. The only memento she has of her past is a picture of her and Caleb (the only boy she’ll ever love) together in her office. She works long days and is glued to her cellphone and computer even when she’s not at work. Maisie doesn’t do relationships. She prefers no strings, one night stands with big muscular alpha guys who take charge in bed and don’t ask to see her again in the morning.
As luck would have it Maisie is M.O.H. for Brighton her co-worker. Brighton decides she wants to have her wedding in the Florida Keys. Like everyone else in her new life, Brighton has no idea of Maisie’s humble past. Maisie isn’t happy to be returning so close to where she began life as that poor kid. But as Brighton’s M.O.H. she agrees to spend a few days there for her wedding. While attending Brighton’s bachelorette party the girls spot a big muscular handsome guy sitting at the bar by himself enjoying a beer. Brighton knows this guy checks all of Maisie’s boxes and pushes her to go meet him. On her way there Maisie is intercepted by a handsy drunk. When he won’t leave Maisie alone the big guy at the bar intervenes and sends the guy scurrying away. Imagine Maisie’s shock when she realizes the hunk she was targeting for a one-night stand is her childhood best friend Caleb Hutton. Imagine Caleb’s surprise when he realizes the attractive, classy blonde he’s stepped in to protect is his childhood BFF and crush Maisie Brown. Now as adults the physical attraction these two had for each other is a thousand times more powerful than it was when they were children. But Maisie doesn’t do sex with strings and even without knowing that about her knowing that he doesn’t do hook-ups and Maisie is only in town for a short time,Caleb realizes that with them living on opposite sides of the country, nothing can come of their attraction. Still neither can resist the desire to spend time with each other.
romance we know that there will be a happy ending for our two lovers. Although the author does her best to build some suspense or doubt around the “will they or won’t they stay together” question, through Maisie’s steady realization that the life she’s leading full of the trapping of success really isn’t making her happy. She has no real friends. She has no life outside of work which consumes her every waking hour. Worst of all her career is nothing like that one she envisioned for herself when she graduated college. Instead of helping underprivileged children like she was she’s helping wannabe stars who too often become self-destructive, egotistical jerks when they achieve their dreams of stardom. I get that Maisie wants to cling to her lucrative career as security against the poverty she experienced as a child, but even given that I had to wonder why it took her so long to walk away from her life once she realized how unfulfilling it is and that it also prevented her from being with the only man she ever loved? And if I’m being completely honest the solution to what direction her new career would take was no surprise to me. Or most likely any reader who has read the first two books in this series. But the big reveal was very sweet and romantic. There was a lot of romance in this book as Caleb as he always has supported Maisie and patiently waited for her to discover her own truths. There is some steamy sex scenes of course but the author does a moderate slow burn making us wait a little while for them when you would have thought these two would have been tearing each other’s clothes off the moment they met. Or at least after their first kiss.
January 13, 2020
Caleb and Maisie are living my love story. I received this book the day before I made my move cross country. This book was great to read, kept you wanting to read more just to find out what was going to happen. Like all of Abbys books this one is no different it's a must read!
October 1, 2019
I absolutely LOVE stories like these. Maisie's strength and self-awareness was amazing. Caleb is officially my favorite Hutton. Eli..... OMG! I want to read more about Harlow and Collin too.
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