Beyond the Waves (Pacific Shores #1) by Lynnette Bonner

Beyond the Waves (Pacific Shores #1) Reviews

• 
  Anne

  A fun, sweet little contemporary romance taking place on the beautiful West coast of the Pacific. This was a very easy and relaxing read, the kind of book that one likes to read under the sun while on vacation, (which is what I did, hehehe) because it doesn't require thinking and is out there for enjoyment purposes only. While not a huge fan of contemporary romance, (in fact I usually avoid it) I really enjoyed this sweet breeze of a romance, and liked the plot and the characters. Taysia and Kylen had good chemistry and their story was entertaining. I also liked the character of Marie, and if ever I can get my hands on the second book, Caught in the Current, which tells her story, I would love to read it.
• 
  Joleen

  Okay, so I'm on the fence about this author. Two 3-stars usually means I won't try another book by her. Now, this wasn't a bad book, just not to my liking. It was written fairly well. I think it may just be the genre.
  Present day, located along the Pacific Coast, summer teen fling turns sour. As adults they meet again after both having found Christ. There's attraction, but Taysia is dating a "safe" someone else and was way too hurt by Kylen's rejection when they were teens to ever consider looking in his direction again.
  But you know how it goes...things change.
  It was a sweet book, and a young adult might like this a lot. It got a tad eye-rolly near the end with mushy one liners to bring the title topic into the ending....
  "We have lots of waves in our history, Layne. But I’m hoping it will be smooth sailing from here on out.” Or...
  "Beyond the waves of sin and uncertainty, doubt and fear. And onto the sea of His love and desire for their lives. There would probably still be storms ahead, but they would weather them together. With God’s help."
  Ah well, many young ladies would consider that sweet and would have melted, so this would totally work for many readers. And for sure the whole book wasn't like that, just as it was wrapping up.
  So, teens and young adults, good book!
• 
  Emily White

  Maybe one day I will figure out what rating to give this book, but I'm not quite there yet. As far as plot went, there wasn't much tension. The writing wasn't spectacular, with lots of distracting, forced metaphors. But the story was clean, which I really appreciated, and the love story was so compelling I couldn't put it down. So it might end up somewhere in the middle, but I wouldn't hesitate to pick up another one of this author's books.
• 
  Deborah

  Sweet Christian romance.
  
  
  My criteria when deciding which book to read is simple, romance I read romance books exclusively, if it's a romance with nice characters and of course a happy ending then I'm in, this covers a wide range from contemporary to historical, MC's, vampires, shifters etc the list goes on and on, having a kindle has opened up a whole range of books.
  I liked the synopsis for this book and I've read several Christian romances in the past so I started reading, I was confused briefly early on when Kylen was talking to Taysia, they were the only two people in the room but he kept talking to Layne, ok it was easily solved since Layne is Taysia's middle name but now I was intrigued, these two go way back and had a whole history between them but Kylen had done something and judging by the effect his presence had on Taysia it wasn't good and I wanted to know exactly what he's done, when and why.
  So what was the problem? well it was apparent very early on that this book was a bit too religious for me but I was invested in the characters and I really wanted to discover their history so I continued on and it's a nice easy read which although completely clean covered sex before marriage and pregnancy out of marriage.
  This was a nice quick clean read and while it was too religious for me it could be perfect for you and it's free.
  
• 
  Wendy Sparkes

  On my reread this year, I noticed the sensuality level was higher than I'm personally comfortable with, which I didn't remember from my first read through...or maybe my walk with the Lord has got closer and I'm more discerning with what I want to read, but I have adjusted my previous rating.
  
  The storyline itself was likable though, and I loved the setting.
• 
  Jane

  I purchased Beyond the Waves as part of the Much Ado About Love anthology.
  
  Taysia Green and Kylen Summer became next door neighbors one summer and became best friends until school started and he realized the Taysia was not part of the popular crowd so he dropped her. He actually left her twice while in high school.
  
  A few years later he gave his life to God and saw Taysia again and told her about his new way of life. She rejected him but what he said about finding God changed her life, then her mother's before she died.
  
  Now he is back in town and her faith is tested when he asks for forgiveness and another chance with her. Beyond the Waves tells their story of finding Christian romance.
• 
  Jes Drew

  I loved the chemistry between the hero and the heroine, and just really loved the hero period. Though I could understand the heroine's desire to distance herself from the man after reading their past, since that was a real punch to the gut. But both have changed so much since then, both are strong Christians who are trying to help others around them- her with her seventeen year-old assistant and him as a cop- and dealing with their own problems- her with her father and lawsuit, and him with his unrequited love and the same lawsuit. A charming tale that will make you laugh, cry, and swoon- and definitely want the next installment in the series.
  
  Review first posted on my blog:
  https://agencyofbooksandspies.blogspo...
• 
  Pam Graber

  When Taysia Green's gym is threatened by a lawsuit, she doesn't know where to turn for help. Sophia Clinesmith has been making her life miserable since high school, and it's just Taysia's bad luck that the wannabe model sprains her ankle in Taysia's parking lot. Faith is a pretty new development for Taysia, but her prayers don't appear to be having any effect. In fact, when she prays for help and another high school nemesis shows up, she's pretty sure God is NOT listening to her!
  
  Kylen Summers was one of the only people who would talk to Taysia in high school. Next door neighbors, they spent the summer between Freshman and sophomore years getting to know one another. She thought they had more than friendship, but then school started and Kylen - the new kid in school - caved to peer pressure, joining those who made it their business to see that Taysia had a miserable high school experience. Now he's back in town as the new police officer on the force, and he's determined to show Taysia that he not only regrets his treatment of her as a stupid high school boy, but he has carried a torch for her all this time. Can he make her believe him?
  
  This book made me so sad for the young Taysia, whose only crime was growing up in an already dysfunctional family. Her classmates didn't help her feel accepted either, basically shunning her. Is it any wonder that, years later, she has trouble believing that Kylen wants to be her friend again, or that maybe he fell in love with her back then? Plus, he's been chosen as the intermediary in her dispute with Sophia, a former girlfriend of his. She's been burned so often. Can she trust God to lead her when her broken heart wants only to protect itself from more hurt?
  
  I really enjoyed reading this and would love to continue the series with Caught in the Current.
• 
  Joan Arning

  Beyond the Waves was an easy listen while driving! Taysia has built a good life as owner of Mom's Gym when her old boyfriend, Kylen, moves back to town. Taysia has to decide whether to stick to her current boyfriend or give Kylen another chance. Taysia's midnight "intruder" added much humor to the story! I recommend Beyond the Waves to anyone who wants a light romance. I listened to the audio book and enjoyed it.
• 
  Darla Damron

  This was a fun and romantic story. I actually related to Taysia on many occasions including her clumsiness and fear of trusting someone. This was a good story and look forward to reading the rest of the series. And quickly!
  
  I listened to this book by audio-book and enjoyed the narrator. She was interesting and held my attention throughout the story.
• 
  Margret

  Great Read
  
  Good Christian Romance .the plot was a bit predictable for me and compared to Lynnette Bonner s other books I have read, a bit of a disappointment. The overall book was great though.
• 
  rob

  Good
  
  It was a pretty good book you saw the characters growth and struggle through out the story. A story of forgiveness and redemption.
• 
  Lonnie

  Sweet and surprisingly funny
• 
  Margaret Nelson

  I'd picked up this book a long time ago, and decided to finally read it. It's not my favorite type of contemporary Christian romance. There was a bit too much emphasis on how handsome the guy is, how strong his muscles, etc. I prefer the emphasis to be on character rather than physical attributes. The character was there, but was kind of overshadowed by the gal swooning in his arms.
• 
  Melody Cox

  I liked this book and series.
• 
  Julie

  Good story.
  
  Its a heartwarming story showing love, forgiveness and redemption. It was a good read . I definitely recommend this book.
• 
  Dora Hiers

  Don't you just love reunion stories, especially where the characters never stopped loving each other, and the hero is oh so determined to overcome his past mistakes and show the heroine how much he's changed? :dreamy sigh: Totally my kinda read and write, and Beyond the Waves is exactly all that and more!
  
  Back in high school, Taysia didn't hang out with the cool kids. When Kylen moved next door during the summer and they struck up a tight friendship that quickly transitioned to romance, she warned him that he would be ostracized, but he only scoffed. You see where that's going, right? Yeah, Kylen broke her heart...twice. After a few years apart, Kylen's back, and he's determined to romance the woman who never let go of his heart, to show her that he's a changed man.
  
  And romance he does, with gifts and flirting and buckets of romantic tension. I thoroughly enjoyed several laugh-out-loud funny scenes, but Beyond the Waves isn't all fun and fluff. It tackles some tough topics like abortion, premarital sex, pregnancy outside of marriage, with sensitivity and a tender touch, and a gentle faith thread makes the entire plot a beautiful tapestry, a book I was loathe to put down because I sooo wanted Kylen and Taysia to reach their happily ever after.
  
  "None of us deserve grace, Sophia. I certainly didn't. But God gave it to me when I asked Him. So how can I give any less to those around me?"
  
  Lynnette Bonner is a new author to me, but she's definitely on my radar now! And I can't wait to dive into Caught in the Current, the second book in the Pacific Shores series, featuring Marie and Reece several years later. Of course, the sweet excerpt at the end of this book with an adorable three-year-old just whet my appetite! Overall, I'm so thrilled to add another author to my must-read list!
  
  "We all make mistakes. And since there's no going back, only forward, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to linger on those mistakes. We just ask for forgiveness from those we've wronged, and try to do better next time."
  
  Disclaimer: I received this book free from Amazon. The opinions expressed in this review are my own, and I received no monetary compensation.
• 
  June

  April 2016
  
  Reread this wonderful story.
  
  July 29, 2014
  
  Totally loved this story and the characters in it. Kylen is such a sweet, lovable guy. You kind of want to smack Taysia for trying to push him away. Grab him and don't let go, girl. :)
  
  Lynnette Bonner has done it again with her quirky characters and fun story.
  
  Taysia, short for Anastaysia, is the owner of a gym that specializes in women’s workouts. The pregnant and post pregnancy women can enjoy getting and staying in shape and not being pudgy after they give birth. Her receptionist Marie keeps things entertaining, with her constant crushes and changes in who she is crushing on. When she announces “He’s here”, Taysia has to ask for clarification. Which “he” is Marie talking about at that moment. She has a real problem of falling for every guy she sees. If the officer stopped her to give her a ticket, he MUST have wanted to meet her.
  
  Back in high school, the rich kid, Kylen moved in next door. He and Taysia immediately became friends but Taysia worried it would only last until school actually started because she was the awkward girl. Although by the end of summer Kylen was “in love” with her, true to form, when school started, the pressures kids put on each other got to him and soon he was off with the popular kids and Taysia was back on her own.
  
  Now years later, Kylen is back. He’s had a chance to come to Christ and realize that his love for Taysia was real and that he wants and needs to win her back. Which isn’t easy. She isn’t in the mood to be hurt again.
  
  This was a great story about forgiveness and regaining trust. And I especially enjoyed the humorous little comments.
  
  It was a light and quick read, very enjoyable on a hot summers day.
• 
  Brittany

  This book grabbed me right from the first chapter and did not let go! I just loved these characters. Taysia and Kylen have such a rocky past, with a lot of hurt involved. Taysia went through so much heartache in her younger years, and Kylen broke her heart many times. Is there any way he could truly have changed so much from the person he used to be? Taysia is really not sure if she can trust her heart to him and I don’t blame her.
  
  I love it when a book’s characters seem like real people, and I find myself still thinking about them and imagining what could be going on in their lives long after the book has ended. The tension and attraction between Taysia and Kylen is very strong, and the painful flashbacks feel so real. A supporting character, Marie, has an interesting side story that develops as well. There are three sneak preview chapters into book two of the series. This book will follow up on Marie’s story. Normally I do not read sneak preview chapters, however, I could not help myself this time. I had to know how the next book was going to start. Now I am anxiously awaiting the chance to read it.
  
  I highly recommend this contemporary, Christian romance. Beyond the Waves is the first book in the Pacific Shores series. It was a pleasure to read from beginning to end.
  
  My thanks to the author for the complimentary copy she provided in exchange for an honest review.
  
  You can read this review on my blog and comment for a chance to win a digital copy of Beyond the Waves (through August 27, 2014) at:
  
  http://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.co...
  
• 
  Joyful

  This contemporary, Christian romance novella, Beyond the Waves, is the first book in the Pacific Shores series. I absolutely loved reading it from beginning to end. The hurt and struggles that Taysia has grown up with and Ty that caused a lot of her pain, have become strong adults that love the Lord. Their story of forgiveness and love have many Christian traits inter woven in the storyline. There is foregiveness, grace, Christian witness, and helping and mentoring of those who are also going through some of the same things they had gone through growing up. Even though Taysia gets disguisted with her young receptionist from time to time, she does not become judgemental when Marie makes a bad choice in her life. Looking forward to Marie's story.
  
  I was given this book to read and give an honest review.
  
• 
  Teresa Snyder

  To say I loved this book would be an understatement! I was hooked from the very beginning. It's a quick easy read that you don't want to put down once you start. And laugh-out-loud funny. Forgiveness and second chances are theme.
  
  Kylen and Taysia were high school sweet heats until he broke her heart. Twice. Although Kylen left town and turned his life over to God he never got over Taysia. She was the girl God had made for him. Only one problem. Taysia wasn't interested in getting her heart broken for a third time.
  
  Kylen is swoon worthy. The chemistry between Kylen and Taysia is great.
  
  There's a second underlying story with Marie and Reece who will be the main characters in book two.
  
  Highly recommended.
  
  
• 
  Jennifer

  I was very thankful to receive this book for free in exchange for my honest review.
  I thoroughly enjoyed this book. As soon as I started it, I was hooked. The characters are real and the situations are developed thoroughly. There's no gaps where I was left wondering what happened, but there's enough left until later to keep it interesting.
  
  I love the way the author incorporated real life, real people, and real situations into the story. Christian authors sometimes err on the side of caution too much and make the story and the characters too sweet and syrupy. The backgrounds of the main characters and Marie's story made for an excellent example of grace and God's presence being constant.
  
  I look forward to reading book two and continuing Marie's story!
• 
  Bethany Marks

  Kylen and Taysia have been together more times than she wants to remember. Lady’s man that he is, is back in town and doesn’t her heart rate know it! Drat! Why couldn’t Blaine - the man she is almost engaged to, give her that reaction? Blaine is the sensible choice. Why does every pore inside her lean towards Kylen?! “Just the sight of this man made her feel more than a kiss from Blaine had.” Taysia tries to resist Kylen’s every step back to intimacy, after all history is screaming in her ears.
  
  They had grown up together: Kylen the popular one and Taysia the slightly chubby girl next door. But the magnetic pull between them is just as strong today. Can Taysia trust him with her heart—again?!