Beyond the Clouds

Gillian "Gill" is a woman living in a man's world. All she wants to do is be a pilot, but people who sign up for flight lessons don't want to sign up with her because she is a woman, despite the fact that she has degrees in mathematics and engineering. On top of that, her mother keeps playing matchmaker, trying to get her to date the son of her boss. Jeremy Farraday is supposedly the perfect man, but Gill can't help wondering why the perfect man is still single.

When she meets Cade, Gill becomes instantly infatuated, despite his easygoing persona and his apparent lack of career prospects. Unfortunately, Gill just doesn't need a man in her life right now, case closed. Nevertheless, Cade is persistent and is intent on showing Gill that the chemistry between them is too strong to ignore. There's just one tiny thing that Cade doesn't mention though, and that's the fact that he's Jeremy Farraday, the man Gill has sworn never to date. Rich and well traveled; Cade has been searching for a down to earth and honest woman like Gill for ages. Unfortunately, Gill has decided to never date a wealthy man, due to her mother's experience with Eric, Gill's stepfather, who was controlling and domineering. Cade doesn't know how to bring up the fact that he's not the man he appears. He's fallen hard for Gill and doesn't want to face losing her, but without the truth, their relationship is doomed to failure.

Beyond the Clouds was an emotional roller coaster of a story. Elizabeth Batten-Carew really knows how to bring the reader into the lives of her characters. I especially enjoyed the character of Gill because she had to face so many struggles to get where she wanted in her career, and even then, there were so many people willing to overlook her abilities because of her gender. Gill had built a tough outer-shell around herself, but she discovered to her amazement that she could truly be her own person when she was with Cade. He brought out the more tender feelings in her heart. This story is one any reader will want to pick up time and time again. Beyond the Clouds truly shows how love can change the heart and soul of every person it touches.

Reviewed by: Sarah