Beyond Believing

The Beyond Series, Book 1

By: D.D. Marx

Narrated by: Heather Masters, Angus King

Length: 5 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

When Olivia gets news of her best friend Dan’s fatal car accident, her life is shattered. Consumed with grief and struggling to find any meaning or purpose to life, she trudges along with a gaping void in her heart. Finally, when her frustration reaches its peak, Olivia decides to put her trust in the depth of friendship the two of them shared. That trust finally allows him to breakthrough to her, and Dan begins to guide Olivia through the twists and turns of her life, leading to something new and entirely unexpected.

When Olivia exposes a gigantic internal scandal at work, her career implodes. With no job and nowhere to turn, she escapes to Palm Springs for the sympathy and care of her beloved cousin, Garrett. However, with only weeks left before the opening of his newest store, “Gin and Tonic,” Garrett isn’t quite the comfort Olivia had expected. She yet again tries to find her way, and in the process meets someone who begins to fill that void in her heart. She’s never before experienced a love like this; it heals her soul and rekindles her spirit - and just may have been the design of her dearly departed friend all along.

Beyond Believing is a sweet, funny, and romantic story that touches the heart, serves up delicious twists and turns, and shows the listener that there’s no such thing as “coincidence.” Author D.D. Marx regards this book as her “love letter to friendship,” written in memory of her best friend, Dan.

©2019 D.D. Marx (P)2019 D.D. Marx

Critic reviews

"Beyond Believing is an excellent story putting author D.D. Marx on the map as an excellent and emotive dramatic writer." (K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite, 5 Stars)   

"Beyond Believing is brilliantly narrated, exploring some of the most hidden feelings and thoughts readers have, especially after a tragedy." (Ruffina Oserio, Readers' Favorite, 5 Stars)   

"Beyond Believing is like the voice of every person who falls in love too quickly. I didn't want the story to end." (Rabia Tanveer, Readers' Favorite, 5 Stars)                              

Intriguing story of matchmaking from beyond

This was a fun, entertaining read that challenges you to think about our loved ones caring for us from the other side. Our hero and heroine, Garrett and Olivia, do not even meet up until far into the story, but the path they follow is full of twists and turns orchestrated by Garrett's beloved deceased wife and Olivia's departed best friend. I enjoyed this story very much, and I'm grateful to the author for gifting me a copy of the audiobook. The book seemed complete to me, so I'm a bit confused as to why there appear to be several more volumes covering the same ground from different perspectives. I definitely might return to Beyond Believing for a future re-listen, but I probably won't seek out the other titles.

GREAT READ!

I really enjoyed it! This book reflects friendships, loss and trials found in everyday life! The narration was great and kept me entertained. The author did a great job with the character builds and plot! This was my first book by this author but definitely not my last! I look forward to reading more books from this author! I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Beyond Believing

This was good.Dan is dead and everyone is distraught,but no one moreso than his best friend Hank.She hears him in every song and starts living for his messages. Heather Masters and Angus King were fine narrators.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'

Sweet and Romantic

This is my first D.D. Marx's book, and the first book in The Beyons Series. I love the cover! Olivia and Finn's story is sweet and romantic. They are both interesting characters. I love how fate brings them together. Their journey is filled with drama, and 'coincidences'. Dan and Finn's wife were also great secondary characters. The first part of the story is slow paced, and tragic. After that, the story is fast paced, funny, heartwarming, and romantic. I like the twist. Heather Masters and Angus King did a great job with the narration. I would love to listen to the next book in the Series, Beyond Love. I was given a free review copy of the audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Shoulder Shrug

I received this audiobook for free in return for an honest review.

It was okay. That's my overall feeling towards this book. Just entertaining enough to completely listen to in one sitting, but only just. The first thing that comes to mind is how much I disliked Olivia, and with her being the main character, maybe that's why I didn't connect with the book. She was incredibly critical and crude (especially of a man's teeth), and self-serving throughout the majority of the novel, until she (finally) meets Finn. Through his dialogue, she appears to be much more down to earth. Her chapters made her feel uptight, snobby, and entitled, but her actions at times were endearing and thoughtful, despite the drinking plunders. She came off as immature; not someone I want to root for as a main character. I actually wanted more from Red.

Finn was a much more believable, grieving character right up until he wanted to "grab her perfect, tight ass" when she bent over to grab some platters. From that point it was pure flirtation between the two characters who fell in love in, like...3 dates.

The majority of the book is pretty depressing. This person died in a car accident. This person had metastatic cancer and died. This person's brother died. For what I thought would be a light read, it sure was heavy and a little unbelievable, trying to pull at all heart strings. There were also a few characters and plot points who were unnecessary to include as they didn't further the story in any way.

It was an easy ready and very easy to follow, although some time gaps may leave you puzzled about the timeline. The real light in this listen was Angus King's narration. He could have been reading a "How-To" on boiling water over and over and I'd keep listening.