The second book in D.D. Marx’s Beyond Series, Beyond Love continues the story of Liv and Finn. Liv returns to Chicago to pack up her apartment so she can move in with Finn in Palm Springs. Although she’s sad to leave the city she grew up in, and where she met her beloved, but deceased friend, Dan, Liv is excited about starting her life with Finn. This new start includes finally revealing to Finn that she had a one-night stand with his best friend several years before they met. Finn feels betrayed and asks Liv to move out. After weeks of not talking to each other, Finn realises that he overreacted to Liv’s secret and decides to propose to her. With Liv’s cousin and best friends as his accomplices, Finn plans to take Liv by surprise when he pops the question.

I have to say that if a man proposed to me under the same circumstances that Finn proposes to Olivia, he’d need to have that engagement ring surgically removed from his sinus cavity. That aside, I felt this book was an excellent sequel to Beyond Believing. I did think there was a little too much rehashing of events from Beyond Believing during the first few pages, but this may be because book one is still fresh in my mind. Liv and Finn’s connection to Christine and Dan still gives me the warm and fuzzies. Beyond Love is a sweet romance that’s sure to satisfy readers. You could read Beyond Love as a standalone novel, but I think these books are perfect for binge reading over a holiday or long weekend.

Beyond Love by D.D. Marx is the second book in her trilogy about Olivia and Finn. The story continues further to reveal the true involvement of Dan and Christine in bringing Olivia and Finn together. Love from beyond the human world is possible and it can transcend any limits of fate, destiny, and distance. The more time they spend together, the more they seem to fall in love. But, will something from Olivia's past come up and shatter all her hopes of "happily ever after" with the man of her dreams? Meeting Mac and Jules gives Olivia a new direction and reignites her passion for taking up new challenges. All is well until she decides it is no longer an option to hide the truth from Finn. Will the truth break them up or make them stronger? What is it that sometimes even love finds hard to conquer?

D.D. Marx has managed to hold the reader's interest in the second part of her series as well. Kudos to the author for keeping the story light and fun while writing about a theme that could easily get messy or boring. One really gets involved with Olivia's and Finn's lives and feels the emotions that they are experiencing. The story has a bit of comic relief that prevents the plot from becoming too sticky. The part about Garrett and his free painting was hilarious. When all is said and done, the story is a lovely example of what perfect love between friends and lovers is all about.

Beyond Love (Book #2 in Beyond Series) by D.D. Marx follows the lives of Olivia and Finn as they travel their individual paths that will bring them inevitably to their destiny. Olivia is guided by Dan, her former best friend and love of her life, who sends her signs from beyond the grave to lead her down the right path and help her in life-changing decisions. Likewise, Finn, a renowned celebrity chef, receives help, support and guidance from his wife, Christine, who died tragically but still keeps the bond between them strong. Add the circle of life to this when it is revealed that both Dan and Christine knew each other when younger, and both Olivia and Finn become convinced their former loves are leading them down a path where they will inevitably be together forever.

Having read the first book in the Beyond Love series, reading this follow-on is like meeting old friends again. D.D. Marx, has really woven an intricate tale that is beyond just a romance because the interventions of their former soul mates give it an edge that gives the reader chills with its authenticity. Each chapter changes POV between the main protagonists, Olivia and Finn, which keeps the story moving at a good pace and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. Great characters and scenarios with little tangents of sub-plots which add to the enjoyment. A thoroughly enjoyable read which really brought the characters to life. Well done to D.D. Marx for originality.

Beyond Love by D.D. Marx is the second book in the Beyond series, a compelling romance with great characters and a well-developed conflict, an engrossing tale for fans of chick lit and contemporary romance. Olivia feels like a huge weight has been lifted off her shoulders after leaving her corporate job. Now, she has many possibilities before her and she is ready for a great experience in her new relationship with Finn McDaniels, a handsome celebrity chef. Back in Chicago, she faces new challenges while waiting for the moment to be united with Finn. But her hope for happiness is threatened when her past catches up with her and a dark secret of hers is about to be laid bare. She is torn between telling the truth to her man and risking her relationship, or keeping it to herself.

This is a well-crafted story with characters that readers will definitely stick with. I loved Olivia, a very complex character, and I enjoyed the fact that she has her flaws and that she comes out neatly in the narrative, the kind of real character that readers can identify with. D.D. Marx’s narrative style is excellent and there is a good balance between the masterful use of descriptive prose and engaging dialogues. Beyond Love features very powerful themes and I loved how the relationship between the key characters develops throughout the story, the neat weaving of love and passion, work and conflict into the story. The internal world of the characters is beautifully portrayed. This is an engaging story, beautifully crafted to have readers sailing fast through the pages.