Mini Book Group Read: Beyond Me by Jennifer Probst

Note from the Authors

Dear Reader,

Prepare yourself for Sex on the Beach, a trilogy featuring BETWEEN US (Jen McLaughlin), BEYOND ME (Jennifer Probst), and BEFORE YOU (Jenna Bennett). Three separate novellas. Three different authors. One literary world. Read them all, or just read one. It's up to you! No matter which route you choose, these standalone novellas are sure to satisfy your need for sizzling romance and an emotion packed story.

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Beyond Me (“Sex on the Beach” Novella)

by Jennifer Probst

Release Date: March 4, 2014

New Adult Contemporary Romance 

Synopsis:

CAN FUN IN THE SUN TURN INTO LASTING LOVE?

Spring break in Key West with my besties was supposed to be casual fun. But I never expected to meet James Hunt. Sex and frolic? Yes! A relationship? No. But his hot blue eyes and confident manner drew me in. And when he let me see the man behind the mask, I fell hard, foolishly believing there could be a future for us. Of course I never considered our relationship might be based on lies…or that his betrayal could rock my foundation and make me question everything I believed in…

OR WILL A LIFE BUILT ON LIES RUIN EVERYTHING?

The moment I saw Quinn I knew I had to have her. She hooked me with her cool eyes and don’t touch me attitude. I had it all, money, social status, and looks. I could get any girl I wanted…until her. When my friends challenged me with a bet to get her into bed by the end of the week, I couldn’t pass it up. But sex wasn’t supposed to turn into love. She wasn’t supposed to change me, push me, and make me want more for myself. She wasn’t supposed to wreck me in all ways. And now, if I can’t turn my lies into truth, I just might lose her forever…

Purchase At: Amazon | B&N coming soon!

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads 

 

Lindy's Thoughts

The Sex on the Beach Series are three different novella's that can be read as standalone stories, or all together.  Between Us, by Jen McLaughlin, Beyond Me, by Jennifer Probst, and Before You, by Jenna Bennett, center around three best friends, Mac, Quinn, and Cassie, who decide to go to Key West for adventure, and to find a spring fling.  The two girls are all staying at the same hotel that the successful, and wealthy, country singer, MacKenzie is staying at, and has generously paid for.  For the most part, the girls go off to have their own adventures, and thus, we get separate stories, but they meet up once in a while for drinks or a meal to share their experiences with one another.

In Beyond Me, we get Quinn's story.  Quinn is a shy, conservative, workaholic. She has an alcoholic father that she takes care of, attends college full time, has an internship, and works part time.  She needs this vacation desperately.  While Mac and Cassie are virgins looking to lose their virginity on this vacation, Quinn is in search of something that she has never experienced before; an orgasm. When she attends a party, she see's her Mr. Perfect.  She's never experienced intense attraction before, but when she see's James for the first time, she can't take her eyes off of him, and he can't keep his eyes off of her either.  

James is good-looking, wealthy, and has the ability to purchase anything he wants at his fingertips.  However, he is lonely, has false friends that use him, and parents that could care less about him.  He's passionate about art, but doesn't believe in himself.  James ends up making a bet, which he's pushed into by his friends, that he can have sex with Quinn by week's end.  However, what starts out as an intense attraction, and hot sex, turns in to something more; as Quinn and James get to know one another, but what will happen when the week comes to an end?

I give, Beyond Me, by Jennifer Probst, 4.5 Sexually Decadent, Emotionally Charged, Fun Filled Stars!  Read this story for a fast-paced, flirty, and adventurous novella!  This is the perfect read to get you in the mood for spring break!  

My Favorite Quote:

"I need you in my life, in whatever capacity you're comfortable with.  As my lover, my girlfriend, my friend.  I'll take anything I can get.  I want time to prove to you who I am, and how we are together when you're with the real me.  The one only you saw in me."  (eARC, Loc. 1987)

~James

The Way Ria Sees It

Sex on the Beach…Shot? Funtime destination? A week of letting lose and shaking a tail feather? Answer…All of the above. This was an adorable to die for novella its a companion but can be read separately. I am now an insta fan of Probst. The story was there even though its short it I fell in love with the characters. Beyond me went beyond my expectations for sure. 

Beach, fun and sun Quinn is due for a break from her life.

Entranced, buy a powerful pull James knows he has to meet this stranger.

Yearning, unlike anything Quinn has ever known.

Opportunity, James sees the walls Quinn has up and he is determined not to let her slip away.

Nervous, James has a connection to Quinn and she becomes the person she always wanted to be.

Decision, Quinn discovers a painful truth realization dawns on her. She cant save everyone somethings need to be faced alone.

Message, James knows this is a major turning point he will do whatever it takes to make sure his happiness is long lasting.

Enveloped, change is a difficult thing but life is about risks James will hold on to Quinn as long as he can. Surrounded by his embrace Quinn knows theres no other place she’d rather be.

This can be read as a stand alone but to get the full effect it should be read with the other two in the series. This Novella packs quite the punch James and Quinn are electric. I felt their magic through the pages and was hooked on them. 

My Rating

4.0 Key West, House Party, Rich Kid, Boat, White Lace, Art, Chicago, Loft, Grass New Love Filled Stars. This is one you wont put down for a fun sweet steamy story pick this up!

Ro's Take On This Journey

Beyond Me, by Jennifer Probst, tells Quinn's story; One of the three bestees' away for fun in the sun for a week at Key West. Ms. Probst weaves a delightful, fun, sexy Novella, that keeps the reader turning pages, and the interest at fever pitch! In this segment of the Sex on the Beach Trilogy, Quinn is on the plane talking to Mackenzie and Cassie about the reasons why she thinks she shouldn't have come on the trip from Chicago.  She is so off the wall that Mac tells her that "She's been watching too much Life Time Television!

These three friends met Freshman year in English at Chicago State College, and were true friends since then.

The banter between these three friends is so funny that the reader finds themselves literally, laughing out loud! Mac and Cassie plan on losing their V Cards on this holiday.  Though Quinn is very shy, she is also very OCD.   She has lost her V Card, and only wants one important ingredient that was lacking, she plans on finding it with the right guy on this trip, and is hoping it will be as good as what she always read and heard about...The Big O!!!

Mac had been a country star singer since the age of 16, Cassie was book smart, and Quinn was a workaholic out to save the world.  Mac wanted to bring her two bestees' on a trip of a lifetime, since neither could afford it, and she could.  These two girls were the only friends she had faith in and knew they would never sell her out. Mac bank roles the trip, and each girl gets their own room, so they can explore their wild side like never before.  The three girls are more like sister's and each is overprotective of the other two. They have made dates and times to meet up, but other than that, each is on their own.

Quinn meets a really hot, rich guy, named James at a party.  He is from a wealthy family but has no true family bond with his parents.  He is a broken character, insecure with his abilities, and really doesn't know what he wants, though he could have anything with the snap of his fingers.  The electricity is sizzling between James and Quinn when they meet, and there is no denying it.  Ms. Probst knows how to get her readers in the mood for love along with her characters!  This is a steamy, hot, exciting love tryst that very quickly turns into more, though neither is ready to admit it.  There is a lot of character growth throughout this story on both characters part and the reader feels the transformation in James as he goes from rich party boy to a man on a mission.  He goes full circle with the nurturing of the ever sweet and caring fixer, Quinn.

What begins on a Coo with his friends, turns into much more very quickly. There are consequences for James; foolish actions. This was a fast paced, dual perspective, of a Fiery ride, with no holds barred.  You will love Ms. Probsts' prose, especially in her nail biting love scenes. This was an exciting, fun filled ride...and...Quinn certainly finds what she was looking for!  The question is, will it be enough now that she has had a little taste of lust with the right guy?  Read all three of these great books in, The Sex on the Beach Series:  Beyond Me, by Jennifer Probst, Before You, by Jenna Bennett, and Between Us, Jen McLaughlin. These three gals have definitely made a name for themselves with their writing and these books have sealed it.  I loved this whole series and am so happy to have been a part of the review team.

I give, Before Me, by Jennifer Probst, 4.5 Fun Filled, Exciting, Sexy, Combustible, New Adventure Stars!!!

Mikki's View

Holy Hotness!!! 

Beyond Me by Jennifer Probst  was a fun, sweet, entertaining and might I add, BLAZING HOT read! This is the first book that I have read from The Sex on the Beach Series. Now that I did read it, I can’t wait to read Before You (Cassie’s story) and Between Us (Mackenzie’s story) as well .  Sit back, relax, mix-up your drink of choice (Amaretto Sour in my case) because spring break just got hit with a wave of romance and you absolutely need to buy your ebook ticket and join this great reading escape!  

Quinn was looking for some fun in the sun with her besties. When she ends up at a spring break party, the last thing she expected to find was James Hunt. A no strings attached fling is exactly what she was looking for, but once she gets to know him and discovers the person that hides behind those mesmerizing blue eyes, she falls hard. James has everything. Popularity, good looks and money. But, when he meets Quinn at a spring break party that he is hosting none of that matters. In only a few days, Quinn brakes all his walls and makes him see life like it should be. He has never felt a connection this strong with any of the girls he has been with before. With Quinn he dreams of more, but with a bet hanging over his head and Quinn’s vacation coming to an end, it’s a race against the clock to win the heart of the woman of his dreams.  

This New Adult novella by Jennifer Probst literally took me by surprise! It’s very difficult for me to feel connected to the characters and their story when the book is short (166 pages). But, I was blown away by how fast Quinn and James had me cheering for them! From the moment that they meet you can feel the sexual tension between them. OMG!!! I don’t know what the weather forecast was for spring break in Key West that week, but I’m positive that it does not beat the heat level that these two have together! They can create their own private hot and sunny getaway any day! Mr. Hunt is quite the dirty talker too … The things he says and does to Quinn!?!?!?! Eeeeeep!!!! Prepare your fan, that’s all I’m sayin’!

The plot was predictable, but it did not bother me at all. I enjoyed this book from beginning to end.  Quinn is a strong and confident young woman who has gone through her share of trouble in the past, but she learned from everything that happened to her and it made her the person that she is today. James on the other hand never felt the support from his parents and he could not find the path to follow his dreams. By having Quinn in his life, he realized what it means to go after your dreams and to be good enough. He had all the confidence in the world when it came to his social life, but his personal life was a whole different story. I can’t wait to read more books by Jennifer Probst! This book makes me want to read more of her work :)

Beyond Me Cocktail :

1 1/2 oz of love

1/2 oz of dreams

2 oz of romance 

2 oz of steaminess 

I give, Beyond Me, by Jennifer Probst 4.5 sexy, passionate, fun-in-the-sun, sex on the beach, entertaining, fantastic stars! 

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Between Us (“Sex on the Beach” Novella)

by Jen McLaughlin

Release Date: March 4, 2014

New Adult Contemporary Romance 

Synopsis:

I’m just a girl…

I’m a famous country star who’s spent her life cultivating a good girl persona to avoid bad press, but I’ve reached my limit. I’m going away for spring break with my two best friends from college, and we’ve vowed to spend the vacation seeking out fun in the sun—along with some hot, no-strings-attached sex. The only thing I needed was the perfect guy, and then I met Austin Murphy. He might be totally wrong for me, but the tattooed bad boy is hard to resist. When I’m in his arms, everything just feels right.

And I’m just a guy…

I’m just a bartender who lives in Key West, stuck in an endless cycle of boredom. But then Mackenzie Forbes, America’s Sweetheart herself, comes up to me and looks at me with those bright green eyes…and everything changes. She acts like she’s just a normal girl and I’m just a normal guy, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. My past isn’t pretty, you know. I did what I had to do to survive, and she’d run if she learned the truth about my darkness. But with her, I’m finally realizing what it’s like to be alive. To laugh, live, and be happy.

All good things must come to an end…

Purchase At: Amazon | B & N

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads 

To read our review of Between Us click HERE

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Before You (“Sex on the Beach” Novella)

by Jenna Bennett

Release Date: March 4, 2014

New Adult Contemporary Romance 

Synopsis:

It’s all fun and games

I had a simple plan for spring break.

Sun, sand, and a hot guy. Sex on the beach, with no strings attached.

A chance to get rid of this pesky virginity once and for all.

And when I met Tyler McKenna, I thought I had it made.

Until someone gets hurt

But then girls started turning up at Key West landmarks. Girls who looked like me, but with one crucial difference: They’d all been drugged and relieved of their virginity.

The virginity I still have. The virginity Ty refuses to take.

And now I’ve begun to wonder whether there isn’t more to him than meets the eye.

Suddenly, sex on the beach doesn’t sound so good anymore…

Purchase At:  Amazon  | B & N

Author Links: Website | Facebook |Twitter | Goodreads 

To read our review of Before You click Here

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