Beyond Circumstances - Gloria Joynt-Lang

Beyond Circumstances by Gloria Joynt-Lang is a heart-warming romance novel that illustrates the power of true love and friendship.

Zak started a new life in Baxley two years ago and lives in a house tucked away in the woods. He would rather keep to himself and avoid being the subject of the town’s gossip. Lexie moved recently
from Chicago and takes over the medical clinic. She quickly learns the who’s who and what’s what of Baxley.

His seclusion and her busy schedule are perfect for keeping their pasts in the past where they want them to stay. He was held captive for three days while working undercover for the NYPD and suffers from PTSD. She feels responsible for her niece’s death that left her family in shambles and doesn’t know how anyone could love her after learning the truth.

They’re both having an internal struggle about whether or not to move their relationship forward. Revealing the truth about why they needed a fresh start could leave them both with broken hearts. But keeping it hidden means they’ll be carrying around a heavy load of guilt.

Zak and Lexie are both good people who lead good lives. I want to be their friend. They will do anything to help another person, and their relationship is genuine. They want to protect each other at all costs. When Zak’s PTSD is triggered, the descriptions of the episodes and what he was experiencing felt very real and I had an emotional reaction.

I’ve read both of Gloria’s novels, and mental illness is addressed in both of them. Having strong male characters who struggle with different forms of mental illness is something I’ve not often seen, and she handles it with care and compassion.

Beyond Circumstances is on my list of favorite books and if you want real people living real lives and struggling with real things, add it to your list too!