Beyond Words

by Diane O'Key

The last thing Abby Mathieson wants is what she most a take-care-of-the-business-end partner. Emotional and financial demons spur her dreams of self-reliance and her vow to continue her aunt's legacy of Beyond Words, a Blue Ridge Mountains book-and-gift shop.

Trey Dalton, sexy CPA with a heart of gold and backbone of steel, wants nothing more than to return to his home in sunny Florida. But he made a death-bed promise to help Abby succeed... whatever it takes.

Conflict and sexual tension intensify as they wrangle over the shop and deal with Abby's quirky best friend and the incorrigible resident parrot. Abby's sworn to trust no man, but Trey has her tangled up worse than knotted fishing line. If she can't overcome her insecurities before he unravels her finances and leaves town forever, her precious independence will cost her a love Beyond Words.

250 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 19, 2014

About the author

Raised on the Jersey Shore, Diane married her high school sweetheart, a now-retired fireman. She taught high school English in both NJ and SWFL, and splits her time between FL and their Upstate SC lake home.
Her passions are reading, writing, gardening, boating, and travel...and she makes jewelry in her 'spare' time--whatever that is LOL.
Almost all genres appeal to her, though her favorite will always be classical literature.
She truly appreciates comments from her readers. Their insights are priceless!

Reviews

[amanda s. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a while since the last time I read a frickin' paperback and gosh, my eyes are so tired!

Beyond Words is surprisingly good! This book made me all giggly and warm, especially with the sweet romance between Abby and Trey. Oh and Phineas, oh Phineas. I think I want to have my own parrot. Bahaha!

Abby's devastated when her aunt, Lauren, passed away. Leaving her with Beyond Words, a book and gift shop, to maintain by herself. Well, not exactly by herself, because apparently Abby has to share Beyond Words with Trey, another owner that Aunt Lauren chose. Abby refuse to share her beloved store with Trey, while Trey even though he didn't want to be there, made a promise with Aunt Lauren to help Abby succeed no matter what. Starts from bickering, throwing out sharp banters, it's obvious that sparks already flies between these two. But Abby's been hurt before and she's sworn off men. Now, will Trey be able to convince Abby to trust love again?

Diane O'Key's style of writing is simple yet deep and even though English is not my first language, I understand this book perfectly. There are times when I want to scream and Abby to "snap out it" but then again, I get why she do what she did. She's been hurt and she don't want to be there again. She's afraid. That's why I love Trey because, even though he's been back and forth and kind o annoying, he's gentle toward Abby, and pushy too.

Never in her life, Abby realized, had she so wanted to believe in someone. ...Maybe if she could work up some faith, the courage to risk another blow--because this one would be the killer blow--to her heart.

Overall I enjoyed this book so much. I just need a bit more drama because I love dramatic love story, the one that involves secret baby, misunderstanding, meany Hero, and kidnapping. Hehehe. But really, this book worth your time. Because even though the plot is kind of predictable and cliche, it still made me laugh, tear up, gritting my teeth, all giggly and warm inside. And hey, who doesn't love cliche? I do. It's comforting!

Look forward to read another book by Diane O'Key. And I'm proud that I win a signed copy of Beyond Words! Nailed it, Miss Diane!

****A signed paperback of Beyond Words by Diane O'key was generously provided to me via the author herself because I win a giveaway. Yep, I'm so darn lucky!

[Bev Fasig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond Words is the book/gift store Abby has inherited from her Aunt Laura. Phineas the parrot is a cheeky part of the store and has also become part of Abby's inheritance. Set in a small town in the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina, Beyond Words is a part of this towns business area. As Abby is getting ready to re open the shop, she learns that Trey, who has a business in Florida, has also inherited twenty five percent of the business, and has come to help to revitalize the business. Mellie is Abby's closest friend. Clutzy though she may be, Mellie has Abby's best interests at heart. As the story unfolds we learn of Abby's past which has left her very untrusting of men. The struggle for Trey to convince Abby to trust is a sweet tale. He proves his worth in many ways with the business, but struggles to get Abby to see what they could have. This is a sweet read.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Beyond Words for so many reasons. First... it brought back memories of my college years. I went to school in a little mountain college town in North Carolina... right off the Blue Ridge Parkway. I could immediately picture Beyond Words being one of my very favorite places to go on Main Street. I could perfectly imagine Abby getting the shop ready for it's grand re-opening day before the beautiful autumn colors of the mountains brought in all of the mountain tourists... right after the college students all settled in to classes. I would have loved to have gotten a job working with Abby in her shop. The whole little book shop with locally made gifts just has such appeal to me. It's kind of a wonder to me that I never actually did work in a book shop or library.

I loved Abby's character. Honestly, just everything about her. She was just so real. Her independence, her insecurities, her love for her aunt, her relationship with her best friend, her reactions to Trey. Each bit of her made me love her more. I have to say I especially enjoyed Abby's reaction and the relationship development between Abby and Trey. Having never met, and being forced together after their aunt's passing was anything but easy. Everything about them was at odds. It really just made it all the more fun to read!

[Donna Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abby Matheison lived in a small town and worked with her Aunt Laura in her book store, Beyond Words. When Aunt Laura died she left the shop to Abby and her nephew. Abby was really upset because she had never met this man and he didn't even come to the funeral. She is getting the shop ready for opening when in walks a man, Trey Dalton. She said she locked the door how did you get in and he told her he has his own key. He is her partner. She thinks he is a pretty boy from the city. He tells her he is also a CPA and he wants to look over the books. Aunt Laura knew Abby was good with designs and customers but she didn't have a great head for business, so enters Trey. Abby resents him at first and then she softens a little as she gets to know him. Her friend Mellie tells her to put her past in the past and trust Trey, but she can't. All the men she ever loved have hurt her and walked away. This is a sweet love story as they over come some of the road blocks in their relationship. This book does have a little sex in it. It is a good read

[Lynnette Hallberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond Words is one of those books where you sigh, then simply sink into the world the author has created. The smell of autumn, the warmth of a fireplace, the color of fall foliage as we drift into the winter holidays—all this served with huge doses of sizzle from Abby and Trey as they fight the attraction between them. With the sparks they create, these two could light one of the pumpkin candles in Abby’s small Blue Ridge Mountains bookstore. Toss in a cheeky parrot and Mellie, the quirkiest best friend ever, and Beyond Words is one of those books that will make you laugh, reach for the tissues, and applaud. This beautifully crafted love story has it all—heart, humor, and ambience. I can’t wait for another book by Diane O’Key!

[Fee (Ebook Addicts) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is what I class as a cosy romance, the kind you read on a Sunday all snuggled up in a chair with a cuppa.
Abby and Trey are thrown together by their late Aunt who left her bookshop Beyond Words to each of them in her will.

Abby is is true country girl and Trey is from warm, sunny Florida, so when he turns up at the shop Abby is shocked to say the least. She expected him to be a silent partner. The chemistry between them is evident from the start, and whilst Abby is quite uptight and reserved , but you can see that she is warming to him as the book progresses.

This is a sweet wee romance between Abby and Trey and her friend Mel is a hoot, I loved this book, it was a nice change to what I have been currently reading.

[Shannan Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a nice read. I just loved this book to pieces. This is what I would call a really nice romance book. Trey and Abby have to work together to save the bookstore that was willed to them by their aunt who passed away. The attraction between Trey and Abby was apparent from the get go, even though they tried so hard to fight it.

I loved following the story of Trey and Abby getting to know each other. It was absolutely great. Abby’s best friend Mellie was a super character as well. She was the perfect best friend. All of the characters in this book actually were really great. It was just that, a really great book.

I give this book 5***** all the way around. I hope that you will read it too and enjoy it as much as I did.

[Karie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a wonderfully sweet romance novel. I love a story where the author pulls you right in and you feel as if you are with the characters themselves. Trey and Abby's story made me want to curl up in a chair and a fire. It was indeed that cozy feeling to me. Well developed, and loveable characters. I look forward to reading more from this author. 5/5. *cross posting to My Reading Reality

[Terry Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Abby's aunt dies she leaves Abby her book store. She also leaves a share to her nephew Trey. Abby has been running the store for years and is not happy when Tray shows up. This is a beautiful story about a girl who can't forget her past but in order to move on she needs to deal with it.
This is a true to life book as we all have our issues to work through. Watching Abby work through them was light and heartfelt at times. I really enjoyed this book.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deceased aunt, a shared interest in a store, a man and a woman finding their way to each other......this is what Beyond Words is all about. Diane O'Key has written a very enjoyable tale of determination and love.

I received this book as a gift and these words are my own.

[Marcie Wegner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice sweet romance. The characters were well written and fully developed. The story line was well thought out. It was a nice quick read that I finished in an afternoon. I look forward to reading more by this author.

[Kerryn Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming, heartwarming romance. No big blow-out dramatics, just two good people learning to love each other despite the obstacles. Some readers might find Trey too nearly perfect – personally, I have no problem at all with perfect men. The small mountain town really comes alive, and I wish I could spend an afternoon shopping at Beyond Words. Maybe an afternoon every week! Thoroughly enjoyable.