Customer Reviews

Just Beyond the Clouds: A Novel (Faithwords)

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Widower Cody Gunner thinks it is time to retire from bull-riding though he is still good at it; the rodeo just no longer has the appeal it once had since his beloved Ali died. Instead he would like to open up a gym for Downs Syndrome adults like his brother Carl Joseph.

Carl likes the idea of a special gym, but disagrees with his sibling on how much help he and others would need. He currently attends a special school that teaches Downs Syndrome people to live independently although Cody thinks that lofty goal is impossible. However, Carl's instructor Elle Dalton believes her student can do it and wants to persuade protective Cody to help not hinder his sibling's progress. Cody and Elle are attracted to one another, but both fears what an intimate relationship between them might do to Carl.

With homage to Rain Man, JUST BEYOND THE CLOUDS is a terrific inspirational romance as Cody and Elle fall in love, but both fears how Carl will react to his brother and mentor becoming a romantic entry. Much of the plot focuses on how people especially the lead duo interact with Carl; thus this is not a typical contemporary romance. Fans will welcome the return of Cody and Carl (see A THOUSAND TOMORROWS) as the former has become even more protective of the latter since Ali died in this well written second chance at love.

Harriet Klausner

This is a good story though the one thing that bothered me was Cody's reason for falling in love. On p. 294 it said that "part of his attraction for Ali had been her illness and that he might protect her, shelter her. She needed him..." and then a few paragraphs later the story went that Cody "wanted to shelter Elle, the same way he sheltered Ali (because of her broken heart)."

And Cody surely loved his brother Carl Joseph... How many times was it repeated, "I just love that kid." I just feel that this story was "told" more than "shown". He surely showed his love, but it was told that he did many more times than necessary.

It also just made me wonder why Cody had to love people that were weaker or needier than him. It seemed he had the classic rescuer complex.

I like Elle as a character. She is consistent in how she would react to a possible love interest in light of her being so hurt in the past.

JUST BEYOND THE CLOUDS is the sequel to my favorite book A THOUSAND TOMORROWS, maybe that's why it fell a little short for me. Though I loved the characters, story, and theme of the book, what hooked my on A THOUSAND TOMORROWS was it be written in a rodeo setting. And since I am a sucker for anything western, that is why A THOUSAND TOMORROWS is one of my all-time favorites. All that said, judging JUST BEYOND THE CLOUDS by itself, without preconceived expectations, it was a very enjoyable read.

The two main characters, Cody and Elly, feel scared by love, though by different circumstances. Cody has come home from the rodeo to try and rebuild relationships with his family that have become strained. Wanting nothing more than to dote on his Down Syndrome brother, he's angered to find out he has been enrolled in a program that is preparing him for independent living. He butts heads with Elly, the director of the program, but soon finds himself drawn to her. Elly on the other hand is not looking for love after a devastating break-up of her own. But somehow, she can't seem to get her mind off of Cody.

A very rewarding love story with three-dimensional characters that you can't help but love

You really should read A Thousand Tomorrows before reading this book. It is listed as a stand-alone novel, but it actually is a continuation from A Thousand Tomorrows.
It is a really good book. As with all Karen Kingbury's books she touches on a topic that sometimes we are not that comfortable with. In this book it is Down's Syndrome. I fell in love with Daisy and Carl Joseph.
You will not be disappointed.

Karen Kingsbury never fails to produce Christian fiction that is believable, often heart-wrenching, and yet wonderfully life-changing. As always, she writes about the issues real people face, the way real people often choose to deal with their problems. But every character in the book grows spiritually and emotionally and becomes a better person for having made some difficult choices.

While the characters of Cody and Elle get top billing in this book, the real heart-stealing lovers are their Down syndrome siblings, Carl Joseph and Daisy. From beginning to end, Carl Joseph and Daisy are fully devoted to each other. When they are separated against their will, Carl Joseph takes great risks just to get back to Daisy's side.
As for Cody and Elle, they spend most of the book trying to get over the heartbreaks in their pasts. They also strongly disagree about Carl Joseph's education: Cody is a loving but over-protective big brother, while Elle firmly believes that Down Syndrome people should be as independent as possible. Cody's and Elle's romance doesn't really begin until the last few chapters.
"Just Beyond the Clouds" is not quite as evangelical as some of Karen Kingsbury's other books. It emphasizes the importance of prayer and faith in God, though.
It would help to read the prequel, "A Thousand Tomorrows," before "Just Beyond the Clouds," but it is not completely necessary.

I love Karen Kingsbury's works...she's a God-sent to our generation. I'm always very inspired by her books and feel the presence of God every time I read her novels.

I'll recommend it to everyone, irrespective of your religion...just read and be blessed.

This is one of my favorite books of Karen's and I have a lot of her books. I highly recomend it. I couldn't put it down. This book is a must have. I can relate to the story very strongly.

THIS BOOK IS A MUST IF YOU HAVE READ A THOUSAND TOMMORROWS. I REALLY ENJOYED THE UP TIMES AND ALSO THE DOWN TIMES. IT IS VERY LIFE LIKE AND IF YOU HAVE EVER HAD A CHALLENGED PERSON IN YOUR LIFE YOU WILL RELATE TO THIS STORY.

Just Beyond the Clouds
Written by: Karen Kingsbury
Published by: Hatchette Book Group USA
ISBN: 978-1-59995-677-0

Reviewed by: Stephanie Rollins for ReviewYourBook.com
"A Book of Rebirths"
5 stars

I do not think that I am a very emotional person, but this brought me to tears each time I picked it up. I embarrassed myself by acting like a blubbering fool while finishing it over lunch at a small restaurant. The waitress commented that it must a great book. I replied that it was one of the best I have ever read.

In "Just Beyond the Clouds", Cody and his parents teeter between encouraging independence for Carl Joseph and wanting to baby him. Carl Joseph has Down Syndrome. Descriptions of the disorder are woven into the plot. I now have a profound respect for those with the disorder and their caretakers.

Carl Joseph's parents separated because of the stress of the disorder. They reunite as a family--stronger than ever. Cody has grieved over the death of his wife for years. He comes to realize that his deceased wife would have wanted him to keep on living and loving. Elle lost herself in love only to find her self left at the alter with 300 guests waiting. She eventually realizes that not every man is married, a jerk, or gay. Throughout the book, the only ones who have a clear grasp on love are Carl Joseph and Daisy, his Down Syndrome girlfriend.

Rarely do I come across an author that has so much God-given talent. "Just Beyond the Clouds" flows so smoothly, as if writing it was effortless. Each character is developed so well that the reader develops a relationship with them. I would really like a sequence to this. Grab a box of tissues and read!