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Love Beyond Reason #2
Outside The Lines
For the first time in her life, good-girl Maria Rodriguez throws aside caution for an all-consuming desire. She wants freedom from rules and her family looking over her shoulder. She wants the love she’s only ever dreamed of. But then that love walks away. Jaded bachelor David March doesn't believe in love. His fling with the pretty Hispanic woman from California is as close to feeling as he wants to get. Now, he’s back home, burying himself in work and trying to forget.
Shortly after he leaves, Maria finds out she’s pregnant. Her first leap into freedom results in a life-changing consequence. She knows she has to find him. But what she finds is not what she expects. David is not the down-to-earth man he portrayed. And the love she remembers has been replaced by cold calculation and contracts. He lied to her once. Can she trust that a marriage agreement will bring back the love they once shared?
*also available in December, POD.
Shortly after he leaves, Maria finds out she’s pregnant. Her first leap into freedom results in a life-changing consequence. She knows she has to find him. But what she finds is not what she expects. David is not the down-to-earth man he portrayed. And the love she remembers has been replaced by cold calculation and contracts. He lied to her once. Can she trust that a marriage agreement will bring back the love they once shared?
*also available in December, POD.
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2015
8 people are currently reading
434 people want to read
About the author
Beth Rhodes
12 books133 followersBeth writes whatever she wants to write--typically, romance. As a mother of six, she finds doing things for herself vital to maintaining her sanity. Writing, working out, cross stitching, trying out healthy recipes, hanging out with her man...and enjoying the company of good friends. You can find more about her and her books at her website and Instagram (@BethRhodes_99).
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 8, 2015
3.5 stars
This was a good story sweet, engaging and I found it to be a quick read. From the synopsis I went into this book expecting the main character to be a little different then he actually was, it seemed that he may be a bit of an ass and not all that likeable but he was, he may have been a little distant and unsure but he had his reasons and I really liked Maria she was a nice character. Overall this book is a light easy read that is enjoyable and I wouldn't mind reading other books by this author afte reading this one. On a final note while I like the cover I think it's a bit of false advertising if you are expecting something that may have hot sex scenes you may be disappointed this did have 1 or 2 sex scenes but they were fairly mild so if you want something different to that in your books this is not one for you.
This was a good story sweet, engaging and I found it to be a quick read. From the synopsis I went into this book expecting the main character to be a little different then he actually was, it seemed that he may be a bit of an ass and not all that likeable but he was, he may have been a little distant and unsure but he had his reasons and I really liked Maria she was a nice character. Overall this book is a light easy read that is enjoyable and I wouldn't mind reading other books by this author afte reading this one. On a final note while I like the cover I think it's a bit of false advertising if you are expecting something that may have hot sex scenes you may be disappointed this did have 1 or 2 sex scenes but they were fairly mild so if you want something different to that in your books this is not one for you.
December 10, 2015
This is the second book in this series however I don’t think that you have to read one to read this one. This book broke my heart at times. Maria Rodriguez finally did something just for herself. Never before has Maria done something against the rules or that would make people disappointed in her. They called her sister Maria in school. David March was just in town on a get away from his life when he met Maria. They had an instant connection and he even met and hung out with her family and then he just left. Shortly after Maria found out she was pregnant. Maria doesn’t tell her family and decides the first person who should know is David. So she finds out where he lives and heads off to tell him. But, when she gets there she doesn’t find the David she knows and fell in love with. What’s worse is when she tells him she is pregnant his first plan after thinking for a bit is that they should get married. It is what would be best for the baby. While he says there would be no stepping out and things, he also says that there would be no emotional attachment either. Will Maria be able to handle a marriage like that? How long before she gets hurt loving a man who doesn’t love her back? Will David be able to keep his emotions out of the relationship? After it’s not like he doesn’t feel anything at all for Maria. I felt so bad for David. He has an extremely difficult childhood. His mother left when he was 9 and after she didn’t try and contact him till he turned 18. He was so hurt by what had happened with his mother that he refused to let anyone really in to hurt him again. He ran from what Maria made him feel and almost lost her in the process. Maria isn’t the baby of the family however that is exactly what her family treats her like. They baby her and over protect her. Part of her thought she could get some independence by marrying David. Maria wants to be needed, wants to care for someone. This baby despite being a surprise is just what she wants; someone who will need her. What she doesn’t realize is David needs her, he doesn’t realize it either right away. Both their families aren’t crazy about what they did. I really enjoyed this book. To me the book was fairly sad because of everything David went through and how it affected his current life. The book was hopeful however. Maria changed David’s life in more ways than he can count. She helped him so much. I look forward to reading more books in this series in the future. The characters are wonderful and I look forward to reading more about them in the future. Another great job Beth Rhodes.
I was given this book in return for an honest review.
I was given this book in return for an honest review.
February 7, 2016
Outside the Lines is a fully captivating novel by Beth Rhodes. Maria Rodriguez is suffocated by her family. They hover, make her decisions, and their treatment of her makes Maria feel inferior. When she meets David March, he's the breath of fresh air she's been craving. He lets her be her and appreciates everything about her.
Then, in a blink of an eye, he's gone.
Maria soon discovers that their nights of unbridled passion has thrust her and David into parenthood. In order to hide it from her family, she embarks on an across country trip to find out what happened to David. What she finds when she gets to his home is nothing like she expected. Who is this David March and what did he do with one that Maria loves?
David suggests a marriage contract that will provide their unborn child with both parents. They will live together but there won't be any emotional attachment. Coming from a close-knit, warm family, Maria doesn't know she can handle this type of cold, impersonal relationship.
David is no stranger to cold relationships devoid of intimacy. After is parents divorced, he never saw his mother again until after he turned 18. His father is 150% all business. The woman who wants to be his wife is only a trophy and David has no feelings for her. Then Maria walks back into his life. He can make this contractual, he just knows it - except his heart may have other ideas.
Beth Rhodes has written a wonderful second book in her Love Beyond Reason series. The dialogue of her characters is fluid, understandable, and smooth. There aren't any uncomfortable sections or areas that I felt needed to skip. The author provided enough background and details to convey the story but not so many that it felt cluttered or over-embellished.
Outside the Lines is a fantastic book about complicated families, heartbreaking pasts, and hopeful futures. The story is realistic and evokes the reader's emotions - excellence. By Chapter 2, the emotional content had me feeling Maria's pain at David's callous words. By Chapter 3 I knew this book was going to be a 5 star hit.
I enjoyed every moment of Maria and David's story.
Review copy courtesy of the author, at no cost, for an honest review.
Then, in a blink of an eye, he's gone.
Maria soon discovers that their nights of unbridled passion has thrust her and David into parenthood. In order to hide it from her family, she embarks on an across country trip to find out what happened to David. What she finds when she gets to his home is nothing like she expected. Who is this David March and what did he do with one that Maria loves?
David suggests a marriage contract that will provide their unborn child with both parents. They will live together but there won't be any emotional attachment. Coming from a close-knit, warm family, Maria doesn't know she can handle this type of cold, impersonal relationship.
David is no stranger to cold relationships devoid of intimacy. After is parents divorced, he never saw his mother again until after he turned 18. His father is 150% all business. The woman who wants to be his wife is only a trophy and David has no feelings for her. Then Maria walks back into his life. He can make this contractual, he just knows it - except his heart may have other ideas.
Beth Rhodes has written a wonderful second book in her Love Beyond Reason series. The dialogue of her characters is fluid, understandable, and smooth. There aren't any uncomfortable sections or areas that I felt needed to skip. The author provided enough background and details to convey the story but not so many that it felt cluttered or over-embellished.
Outside the Lines is a fantastic book about complicated families, heartbreaking pasts, and hopeful futures. The story is realistic and evokes the reader's emotions - excellence. By Chapter 2, the emotional content had me feeling Maria's pain at David's callous words. By Chapter 3 I knew this book was going to be a 5 star hit.
I enjoyed every moment of Maria and David's story.
Review copy courtesy of the author, at no cost, for an honest review.
February 21, 2016
David has not had the most nurturing upbringing – his dad is pretty intense and has more than his fair share of pride. He seems like a pretty ruthless man and has been David’s main family since he was 9 & his mom left. David blames her for abandoning him and he’s put up some thick walls when it comes to romance.
Meeting Maria throws him for a bit of a loop, especially when he starts falling for her. Of course, he handles that very poorly but fate has another twist in store for him :) While David continues to try to keep things unemotional, it’s very hard to resist Maria’s love of life … and having her in his life every day, shaking things up, isn’t helping. She’s nothing like he’s used to but that has to be the best thing for him because that man needs some major softness in his life.
I will say I was just a tiny bit confused over how much emphasis Maria put on gaining her independence and not being babied, instead wanting to be needed. I’m not sure if I just didn’t get it or if maybe it needed a little more something. She’s got her own career and has been saving money, which seems pretty adult for a mid-20s person … and maybe that’s it. I get the idea she still lives at home and her parents are pretty conservative, so perhaps it is just a little quarterlife crisis going on – she’s looking for something all her own, separate from her big, boisterous family.
Just like Letters From Home, Rhodes again delivers a romance full of warmth and humor. And I love that we have more siblings out there just waiting to meet their match!
(It’s been a while since I ready the first book in this series, but it didn’t really matter and I’m pretty sure it won’t matter if you haven't gotten to it yet.)
Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)
Meeting Maria throws him for a bit of a loop, especially when he starts falling for her. Of course, he handles that very poorly but fate has another twist in store for him :) While David continues to try to keep things unemotional, it’s very hard to resist Maria’s love of life … and having her in his life every day, shaking things up, isn’t helping. She’s nothing like he’s used to but that has to be the best thing for him because that man needs some major softness in his life.
I will say I was just a tiny bit confused over how much emphasis Maria put on gaining her independence and not being babied, instead wanting to be needed. I’m not sure if I just didn’t get it or if maybe it needed a little more something. She’s got her own career and has been saving money, which seems pretty adult for a mid-20s person … and maybe that’s it. I get the idea she still lives at home and her parents are pretty conservative, so perhaps it is just a little quarterlife crisis going on – she’s looking for something all her own, separate from her big, boisterous family.
Just like Letters From Home, Rhodes again delivers a romance full of warmth and humor. And I love that we have more siblings out there just waiting to meet their match!
(It’s been a while since I ready the first book in this series, but it didn’t really matter and I’m pretty sure it won’t matter if you haven't gotten to it yet.)
Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)
April 30, 2017
Families are complicated…
Maria Rodriguez and David March came together for a summer of fun, freedom and love. When they part ways, and then reconnect, they each have a much different take on what that time actually meant. Maria believed she had found the love of her life but soon realizes that David was, in reality, much different than the man she had known. Caught between misunderstandings and different expectations – both their own and their families – they have a lot to sort out before their unplanned family grows.
This was a slow starting story for me as much of the history between Maria and David was glossed over in the beginning. I didn’t really understand all the conflict and drama that was suddenly happening. David was actually kind of a jerk and not very likable at all. He wasn’t cruel or abusive but just very cold and standoffish. And his behaviour after the summer just didn’t signal romantic hero material. No, not all. Maria, on the other hand, seemed to weather each blow as best she could, trying to balance her unborn child’s needs, her own, and even those of the stranger she fell in love with. Lots of uncertainty leading to misunderstandings, leading to drama, leading to conflict…
Lots of drama, some a bit over the top, but I really found myself getting into the storyline and the characters. At the end I realized that I cared about them. Both seemed to grow and mature as they worked through their problems – always a good sign! My first book by this author and certainly not my last…
One of my favourite quotes - “Don’t ever stop thinking with your heart, Maria. It’s what brought you to me, and I need you.”
Maria Rodriguez and David March came together for a summer of fun, freedom and love. When they part ways, and then reconnect, they each have a much different take on what that time actually meant. Maria believed she had found the love of her life but soon realizes that David was, in reality, much different than the man she had known. Caught between misunderstandings and different expectations – both their own and their families – they have a lot to sort out before their unplanned family grows.
This was a slow starting story for me as much of the history between Maria and David was glossed over in the beginning. I didn’t really understand all the conflict and drama that was suddenly happening. David was actually kind of a jerk and not very likable at all. He wasn’t cruel or abusive but just very cold and standoffish. And his behaviour after the summer just didn’t signal romantic hero material. No, not all. Maria, on the other hand, seemed to weather each blow as best she could, trying to balance her unborn child’s needs, her own, and even those of the stranger she fell in love with. Lots of uncertainty leading to misunderstandings, leading to drama, leading to conflict…
Lots of drama, some a bit over the top, but I really found myself getting into the storyline and the characters. At the end I realized that I cared about them. Both seemed to grow and mature as they worked through their problems – always a good sign! My first book by this author and certainly not my last…
One of my favourite quotes - “Don’t ever stop thinking with your heart, Maria. It’s what brought you to me, and I need you.”
November 20, 2015
“When he was with her, he felt...whole. She didn’t look at him and see the man everyone else saw. He’d never had a woman search him out, want him like she did. And that made him want to be a better man, be the guy he let loose on those rare occasions when investing in a relationship didn’t mean risking everything.”
4 so stinking cute stars!!!
Maria is over being the good girl in the family and is ready to step onto the wild side. She’s tired of her family always watching everything she does and quite frankly she’s ready to be bad. In walks David, he doesn’t believe in love and he’s is quick to jump into bed with woman and leave the very next day. Maria and David have a one night stand, and neither can deny the feelings they feel after but they still go their separate ways. He goes back home and tries to forget her and everything the shared. That all changes when Maria finds out she’s pregnant. But when she comes face-to-face with the man of her dreams and he turns out to be someone totally different, will her feelings change?? Can she turn his cold heart??
This story was so cute and super sexy!!! I fell in love with the characters and you feel so bad for Maria after she finds out how David really is. This book is definitely worth the read!!!
**Received a copy in exchange for an honest review. Read and reviewed by Melissa for Alpha Book Club**
4 so stinking cute stars!!!
Maria is over being the good girl in the family and is ready to step onto the wild side. She’s tired of her family always watching everything she does and quite frankly she’s ready to be bad. In walks David, he doesn’t believe in love and he’s is quick to jump into bed with woman and leave the very next day. Maria and David have a one night stand, and neither can deny the feelings they feel after but they still go their separate ways. He goes back home and tries to forget her and everything the shared. That all changes when Maria finds out she’s pregnant. But when she comes face-to-face with the man of her dreams and he turns out to be someone totally different, will her feelings change?? Can she turn his cold heart??
This story was so cute and super sexy!!! I fell in love with the characters and you feel so bad for Maria after she finds out how David really is. This book is definitely worth the read!!!
**Received a copy in exchange for an honest review. Read and reviewed by Melissa for Alpha Book Club**
May 30, 2016
Expectations, David finds himself burdened by family expectations. To keep his sanity, he takes a road trip every year to somewhere different around the country. Last year in landed in a small California town where he met Maria. Maria is a breath of fresh air to David which puts his beliefs about love to the test, he feels it doesn’t really exist based on what happened between his parents, so he leaves. Maria is the baby of a large family and always feels like no one in her family believes she is capable of making her own decisions. Well, when David ends up in her orbit, she taps into her reckless side and gives into her emotions by giving herself to David. As Maria makes her way to David’s doorstep to reveal her pregnancy, she is hoping and wishing for the chance to make a family with him and stand on her own without her family hovering. What she doesn’t expect is an indifferent David which sends her home but before she can leave, mother nature has other plans stranding her with David. Both David and Maria need to face the family pressures and issues that have driven their decisions. While they do this, can they find a way to pave a new path together? Or will expectations and pressures push them apart?
December 29, 2015
Love is never easy and sometimes never expected but something we take as a weakness is just giving the heart what it wants. Maria and David both want different things and the last thing well the last thing David wanted was the responsibility of another .I have to say I really enjoyed this story and I definitely enjoyed the characters. This story just proves that families play a bigger part in our lives than we realize.
Maria and David had a month of fun that turned into a lifetime commitment and now it’s up to them to find the best in each other and in themselves. Maria and David relationship while started off different and blossomed into something that was beautiful and full of romance. This is a story is definitely a book of passion and love .There are some twist and turns and it takes you on a ride you will not want to get off .
I really enjoyed every part of this book. Ms. Rhodes took me on a journey of the heart and of growth .A story of family and how affect every part of our life. I would recommend this book because it is definitely a book worth reading. From the characters to the plot it will have you captivating and wondering where is it going next.
Review by Lindsey
Maria and David had a month of fun that turned into a lifetime commitment and now it’s up to them to find the best in each other and in themselves. Maria and David relationship while started off different and blossomed into something that was beautiful and full of romance. This is a story is definitely a book of passion and love .There are some twist and turns and it takes you on a ride you will not want to get off .
I really enjoyed every part of this book. Ms. Rhodes took me on a journey of the heart and of growth .A story of family and how affect every part of our life. I would recommend this book because it is definitely a book worth reading. From the characters to the plot it will have you captivating and wondering where is it going next.
Review by Lindsey
January 14, 2016
4 star
The story has laughs, secrets, lies, betrayal, and heartbreak.
Before reading this story please read the below books first
Letters from Home (Love Beyond Reason #1)
This is Maria and David’s story. When Maria met David he was funny and kind. They had a short affair and then he disappeared. She tracked him down to tell him a secret and finds he is a completely different person. Now he is proposing a contract marriage as he does not believe in love. Can she love him enough for the both of them? Can she get him to realize he love her? Or will she end up giving everything up only for him to break the contract? Will she have to choose him or her family? If she does will the decision be easy for her to make with everything she now knows about him and his family?
I felt I was able to connect with the characters and the story was a great read.
I recommend this book.
The story has laughs, secrets, lies, betrayal, and heartbreak.
Before reading this story please read the below books first
Letters from Home (Love Beyond Reason #1)
This is Maria and David’s story. When Maria met David he was funny and kind. They had a short affair and then he disappeared. She tracked him down to tell him a secret and finds he is a completely different person. Now he is proposing a contract marriage as he does not believe in love. Can she love him enough for the both of them? Can she get him to realize he love her? Or will she end up giving everything up only for him to break the contract? Will she have to choose him or her family? If she does will the decision be easy for her to make with everything she now knows about him and his family?
I felt I was able to connect with the characters and the story was a great read.
I recommend this book.
November 24, 2016
Maria has always lived by the rules she learned from her protective Catholic family. Her nickname in school was "Sister Maria," and she lived up to it...until she meets David.
David is driving through California, and spends an unforgettable month with Maria. They both have a great time, and afterwards, David goes back to his "real life" in Vermont. Three months later, though, Maria tracks him down to tell him she is expecting his baby. David is shocked, and offers to marry Maria to do the right thing. It is a marriage of convenience, but will it end up being something more?
I would give this book 3.5 stars. It is a quick read, and a good story. I liked that Maria was a strong character. At first glance, David seems to be a jerk, but you see more of his personality as the book develops. I was given this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
David is driving through California, and spends an unforgettable month with Maria. They both have a great time, and afterwards, David goes back to his "real life" in Vermont. Three months later, though, Maria tracks him down to tell him she is expecting his baby. David is shocked, and offers to marry Maria to do the right thing. It is a marriage of convenience, but will it end up being something more?
I would give this book 3.5 stars. It is a quick read, and a good story. I liked that Maria was a strong character. At first glance, David seems to be a jerk, but you see more of his personality as the book develops. I was given this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
March 3, 2016
I was excited to read about Maria, her story was amazing. After one of the best times in her life she seeks out to find the man who made her feel like the most important person in the world. Maria isn't welcomed with open arms and a heart warming feeling that she expected. It doesn't take long for this story to get deeper and obstacles to be thrown between Maria and David. You'll have a ton of emotions pulled from your heart before you get through to the end. Great story and I can't wait to read more from this fantastic author!
September 5, 2016
I received a complimentary copy from Book Enthusiast...
This book was very cute read. In Letters from Home, we saw Zack and Lena's story now we get see her sister Maria's magical love affair. This was not a smooth ride for either character, but they did have wonderful and supporting people in there lives to help them realize the truth. David didn't think he deserved love after his mother's abandonment and Maria wanted to prove she could take take of herself.
There were some wonderfully beautiful parts and then there were parts where I just wanted to smack them with my kindle.
This book was very cute read. In Letters from Home, we saw Zack and Lena's story now we get see her sister Maria's magical love affair. This was not a smooth ride for either character, but they did have wonderful and supporting people in there lives to help them realize the truth. David didn't think he deserved love after his mother's abandonment and Maria wanted to prove she could take take of herself.
There were some wonderfully beautiful parts and then there were parts where I just wanted to smack them with my kindle.
December 8, 2015
Maria, the heroine, is the typical good Catholic girl but makes one small mistake and ends up pregnant with the hero's baby. The hero is much more than a multi-millionaire and has deep-seated issues that he works through to be the kind of man the heroine deserves in the end.
I loved how the author realistically makes the cultural differences between David and Maria, which adds that extra obstacle for them to be together. Wonderful and romantic read.
I loved how the author realistically makes the cultural differences between David and Maria, which adds that extra obstacle for them to be together. Wonderful and romantic read.
February 7, 2016
Received this book from Goodreads First Read. Good story ant to read more from this author
February 13, 2016
I enjoyed this smooth romance. For full review, please check my blog!
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