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Review

3.5 stars

This is book 6 in the Beyond series, set in a dystopian world where Eden controls all, and in the outlying sectors, life is hard. But in Sector 4, the O’Kane Gang work hard and play harder, they live for pleasure, are open with their sexuality, and anything and everything goes.

Jared exists in both worlds. He got his ‘in’ as a high-class whore to the wives of the Eden elite, and even though he has left that life, he has built good connections. And his links with Dallas O’Kane, leader of Sector 4 have developed to the point where he is now secretly a member of the gang, but his association is kept quiet so that he can spy for the Sector leader, passing on the information that he gathers through his Eden dealings. Jared has been a part of the series for a while now, most notably as one of Ace’s best friends, he has always seemed to smooth and in control but his lifestyle has left its mark on him, leaving him lost, and mostly alone.

A man whose greatest claim to fame was as the living embodiment of whatever fantasy you held dear. A man so used to molding and remaking himself that sometimes he didn’t know who he was anymore.

Lili is new to Sector 4. As the daughter, and then wife of the last two leaders of Sector 5, she has lived her life in a drugged out haze, under the control of her criminal husband as she plays the part of the perfect hostess and dutiful wife. She was liberated by the O’Kane gang when they took out her husband, and in exchange for her testimony, they took her in and offered her a safe place to stay. Lili is a total innocent, and her time at Sector 4 has left her terrified. Slowly coming free of her drug haze, she attends the debauched parties where the O’Kanes let loose but she thinks it’s all pretend, she doesn’t understand the way they behave or the feelings that they appear to have for each other.

And then she sees Jared. Gorgeous, impeccably dressed and seemingly restrained, he doesn’t seem to involve himself in the hedonistic activities that the O’Kanes do. He is the only thing in Sector 4 that looks familiar to her, and when he approaches her and offers a friendly shoulder, she takes comfort in being with him. It’s not until she starts spending time with him that she starts to feel a spark.

The ice protecting her nerves was melting. The ice beneath her feet was cracking. One more whisper and it would shatter, plunging Lili into the depths of sin.
And she wanted it.

Jared is in a dangerous position and the last thing he needs is to become involved with Lili, but their draw to each other is too strong to ignore and slowly, naturally, and surprisingly tenderly, they start to fall for each other and Jared introduces Lili to all that she had been missing.

She wasn’t made for pleasure. She was remade by it.

This book has a different feel to it than the others in the series, and Jared and Lili’s connection is a nice combination of physical and emotional. Lili’s eyes are opened as she starts to truly feel for the very first time and she falls and falls hard for Jared. And Jared is an absolute sweetheart – he’s gentle with Lili, but is fiercely protective of her. He’s never been able to be himself with a woman before, always playing the part of the fantasy man, but with Lili it’s different from the very start.

With Lili, he didn’t have to be perfect. He just had to be Jared.

Their relationship is sweet, and the sex is a natural extension of that. And though it’s hot, this book didn’t seem as smutty or dirty as others in the series – with the exception of an almost-but-not-quite-but-still-totally-smutty interlude with Rachel, Cruz and Ace. But I liked their relationship, and the way they were with each other.

“Haven’t you figured it out, love?” Jared’s words feathered over her, far away and dreamy. “There’s no place I can’t take you. Nowhere you won’t go. Nothing you can’t take. That’s what this is.”

But Jared is in more danger than he anticipated, and as much as he wants Lili to be a part of his life, his need to protect her outweighs that. They have a lot to figure out to find a way to be together.

“Love is strong,” Jared whispered. “It can overcome anything else.”

I’ve been a big fan of Jared for a long time, and while I’m happy he found his perfect match, and the way his story played out, I didn’t feel this one as much as I wanted to. I wanted it to be epic, and I didn’t get that feeling. But I did enjoy the story of Jared’s venture into Eden as a spy. It’s scary and dangerous, with lots of political game playing required, and I really enjoyed seeing him in that role. It ties in really well with his place in Sector 4, his relationships with those who care about him, and his developing relationship with Lili.

I liked watching Lili come into her own and start to find her place and build her own life in Sector 4. And I also liked the opportunity to check in with the characters from previous books, and get a glimpse of some of the others who have yet to have their story told. And, as always, I really enjoyed seeing the O’Kanes together. They really are a family, and I love the opportunity to spend time with them.

Survival was important, necessary, but there were things beyond it. Even things more important, as perverse as that seemed. Every one of Dallas’s people knew it, lived it. Breathed it. They were part of something bigger than themselves, a family that would live or die by their collective strength.

The over-arching story arc continues to develop – and I’ll say again that you need to read these books in order to ensure you get the full picture.

I really enjoy this series, and am a big fan of the dangerous, gritty and erotic world that Kit Rocha have developed, but this book missed the mark with me for some reason. It was still an enjoyable read though, and I’m looking forward to seeing where the story goes next.

3.5 stars.

 

Beyond Series