Mei Sharpe is a widow after the death of her husband of 30 years. It’s been two years but she is just going through the motions and not really living. When she meets Lt. Morgan Kelly, Mei can’t deny that some outside forces may be at work. Morgan is tasked with heading up a newly formed cold case division, which is housed in the basement where Mei works in the morgue. The two women form a friendship after they begin having lunch together every day and start spending time together outside of work. There is something there that goes beyond friendship, if Mei can only find the listen to her heart.

This is TJ O’Shea’s debut novel, and I am looking forward to seeing more from her. I really enjoyed it and the characters were wonderful. They are both strong women who have suffered so much grief. I always love reading a story where characters overcome pain to find happiness. I appreciated that Mei’s gay panic didn’t last too long. It’s understandable that a woman who had never thought she would be attracted to a woman and who was married to a man for so long, would freak out a bit when she realized she had feelings for a woman. It didn’t take her long to move past it and for that I was happy.

Morgan is really a ray of sunshine who comes into Mei’s life and lights it up. Mei is very proper and serious while Morgan loves to laugh and have fun, which is something Mei didn’t realize was missing in her life. Everyone needs a Morgan, someone who is goodness personified, someone who doesn’t take herself too seriously and someone who shows care and concern to everyone she encounters.

There have been so many wonderful debut novels released lately in the lesfic community. I am going to add TJ O’Shea to the list of impressive debut authors who we can expect great things from in the future. I highly recommend giving this book and this new author a read.

ARC provided by Bella Books via NetGalley for an honest review

What a beautiful, heartwarming, heart wrenching debut romance from TJ O’Shea. If I had not known this was a debut novel I would have assumed that it was penned by a more experienced writer.

The books starts off as a cheery story of a off duty police detective, Morgan Kelly, helping a stranger change a flat tire during a snowstorm. That stranger is Dr. Mei Sharpe, who works at the Sheriff’s department morgue. We learn that Morgan has a heart of gold and goes out of her way to help people in need. But during that fateful meeting, Morgan not only helps her, but feels a connection to the recently widowed Mei.

After Morgan and Mei start spending time together and dating (not dating, you’ll have to read the book), they begin to fall for each other. Then the story enters the gritty phase where each person begins to have doubts, not so much about their love for each other, but rather about other facets of their lives that impede their relationship. For Mei it involves letting go of Allan, her husband of thirty years, and for Morgan it’s reflecting of how she grew up and her fear of abandonment.

I would rate this stellar debut 4.25 stars with high recommendations to other readers. I can’t wait for future books by this author.

I received an ARC from Bella Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Lovely debut novel. Dr. Mei Sharpe is a medical examiner and a widow for two years after thirty years of marriage. She is busy and content in her life between her work and grown daughters. Police Lieutenant Morgan Kelly is new to her department. She is charming, a sincere people pleaser and someone who wears her heart on her sleeve. Their jobs are a way to bring the two together and not a focal point of the plot. After becoming friends and getting to know each other for 3 months (laughed so hard at the realization moment). They recognize feelings for each other.

This book surprised me at many moments. It's an age gap and a later in life coming out story. Both of these areas are written well and with some humor. Mei isn't fearful to be out with Morgan to co-workers or family. The real heart of the story and more moving area is dealing with grief and loss. It is a connector for the two and also becomes a wedge between them. Mei has to move on from her marriage and Morgan has abandonment issues because of the tragic death of her mother. I was truly touched by these moments as I have a mother who still can't empty closets in her house since my fathers death five years ago. I appreciate they both sought professional help but I would have like to known more what Morgan got from her therapy. I wish there was more closure with Morgan and her dad's storyline too, but maybe that is unrealistic in their situation.

Overall, high praise for this debut. I can't wait to see what T.J. O'Shea writes next. Thank you to NetGalley and Bella Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

𝗟𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗼.

This is a good romance debut that had me more emotionally invested in the characters than I anticipated and I don't think I'd be forgetting it for a while. I cried. But I would like to clarify that the angst came only towards the end, and the bulk of the book was pleasant.

One of the characters, Morgan, is a true joy to get to know. The author aptly describes Morgan in the blurb as a "golden retriever" because she's friendly, cheerful and helpful and is basically a ray of sunshine. Mei is very much the opposite and there's a bit of "melting the ice queen" trope here and an age-gap between them. I really enjoyed the times when they're together because their chemistry is good and Morgan brings Mei out of her shell. But while a lot of their couple interaction is delightful, the story isn't light. Mei is a widow who's unable to let go of her dead husband while Morgan has abandonment issues and there are underlying problems in the relationship that they either choose to ignore or leave undiscussed until they have to.

Morgan is a police lieutenant and Mei is a medical examiner so they are colleagues who each contribute to crime solving. Their jobs are interesting but the cases doesn't take up many pages because this is a romance-first book.

I really enjoyed this book. It features a large age gap of 20 years, and some heavy topics within. Both Mei and Morgan were really interesting characters in their own right, and I really liked getting to know them throughout the novel as well as seeing their developmental arc as individuals and as a pair.

I'm a big romantic at heart and I really liked how this story played out initially in the way they meet numerous times and have that spark of connection. I thought this was written really well. The trauma they both struggle with - Mei with the grief of losing her husband of many years and Morgan's childhood and orphanage - were compelling aspects to this novel. It was an enthralling read.

I found the pace slowed down near the end of the novel and I didn't particularly enjoy the relationship angst at the end. Regardless, it's a great read and a fantastic debut. I look forward to reading the next book by T.J. O'Shea.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bella Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

This is a fabulous well written story filled with humor and witty banter.
Mei is a Medical Examiner who has lost her husband to cancer. She is an introvert and deemed an Ice Queen.
She meets a young lady one night while waiting on roadside assistance to get her flat tire change.
Morgan is new at the precinct and while working a case went to speak to the ME along with her best friend and with her usual goofy self manages to get Mei to smile and play along by reenacting a crime. Shes completely unaware that Mie is the woman she helped by changing her tire. It was a joy to watch the story unfold while they got to know each other and embark on a relationship. They had amazing chemistry. I recommend

4 stars


Thank You Bella Books and NetGalley for providing this ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

Beyond the Blue on the surface is an age gap, Ice Queen romance. The Ice Queen is Dr. Mei Sharpe, the county medical examiner who lost her husband of thirty years only two years ago. Lieutenant Morgan Kelly is a detective who recently transferred to the county to start up a cold case division. Morgan lives her life out loud with a loveable exuberance.

For a debut novel, O’Shea has delivered an extraordinary story filled with humour and witty banter overlaying dark psychological trauma and loss. We are casually handed bits and pieces of Morgan’s past. The subtlety O’Shea employs to drop her plot line bombs is pure genius.

The other major plot line is Mei’s late in life coming out while still grieving her loss. It is a realistic look at a person being one thing for the majority of their life and when given the opportunity to explore and grow they find their true self.

The story is refreshing in its originality and depth. We experience more darkness than is expected in any romance yet it is handled with a soft touch. All of this makes Beyond the Blue a must read novel on everyone’s list.

I received an advance review copy from Bella Books and NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Oh my goodness! What a sweet amazing read this book was!
Dr. Mei Sharpe - introvert, does not suffer fools, misconstrued ice queen and recent widow meets Lt. Morgan Kelly - helpful to a fault, sunshine, happy go lucky and secretly hiding from abandonment issues. Fates conspire to make them meet repeatedly and thus emerges a delightful tale about love, relationships and fighting through your demons and grief.

This is a character focused book and I really liked how the book was able to delve deep into the makeup of these two. Mei’s introverted-ness and obliviousness is captured so well, it’s scary how well I identified with that character. Morgan at the surface being such a happy affable personality was so easy to like and in the end turned out to be the most complex. All of this was written so well, each chapter felt like the peeling of an onion and unraveled hidden complexities underneath.

As each part of their relationship evolved, I found I couldn’t put this book down. Each mini situation / moment was filled with a mix of witty banter, dry sarcasm (Mei) affection, emotional confessions and totally made this a page turner.
This is a “late coming out” story as well, and I liked how it wasn’t made to be a big deal. There was no angsty crazy and the processing was managed like the mature adults they were. So refreshing! ☺️

Throughout the storyline there is that shadow of grief pursuing both the MCs and while it isn’t overt, it does make its presence known at certain moments and I thought all of that was so gently handled and written, it made the angst portion really powerful (read: lots of feels and heart wrenching at its best).

Lastly kudos to O’Shea for representation. I love it when authors introduce characters of color, ethnicity, body types and gender. It makes the story so much more real and I really appreciate the effort that goes into that.

As a debut book this is absolutely fantastic and will probably end up in my re-read pile. 4.75🌟s

Thank you Bella Books, TJ O’Shea and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A beautiful story indeed. The book is well written and the events are so carefully planned that it was very moving. There were moments that really touched me, my kindle copy is full of highlights. The scenes were so emotionally and beautifully written, I had to save them for reminiscing purposes. I am a suck for angst and emotional wreckage and I tell you, this was such a dose, I am still blissful. Chapter 17 ruined me and Chapter 21 built me whole again.

All in all, the book was tremendously heart touching. The connection between the characters was written to perfection. What i loved the most was how honest-to-life their flaws were also written. Damn work of art. The first part of the book is cheerful and cute and sweet and the middle part wrecked me, the final part, was such a sweet close-up. One could bow to it. That serenade was so sweet and the dance afterwards…. truly beautiful.


On the other note, I still didn't get the 3rd revelation, I don't know if i missed but, I am still curious. Second note, between the first and middle part, it got slightly slow.. you know the process when characters fall into a routine that one would do without, BUT after you read the WHOLE book, the can you finally see the purpose of it. But that is an after-effect.

Dr. Mei is a widow she still mourning her husband that she can’t let go of let alone thinks she can be happy again. When she needs assistance she meets Morgan who comes and help her and she surprise when she is intrigued by Morgan who makes her laugh.

Mei and Morgan are surprise see each other again when Morgan comes into the morgue as each encounter between happens they began to become closer. Mei has to wonder can she let herself be happy or will she her lost consume her and Morgan who has to overcome her abandonment issues.

This is more of a romance then a mystery despite Morgan being head of ColdCase department and there is a age gap but it’s not really part of the story this about two women who journey overcome their issues.




I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Beyond the Blue by TJ O'Shea is a short charming read that I do recommend! It makes you laugh, cry, relate and just all about feel good!

Mei is still reeling from the lost of her husband two years ago, falling in love with the dashing cold case detective and part time road hero, Morgan Kelly, was not part of her plan. But like many things in live, not everything goes to plan.

Now if you're not into the whole late coming out and age gap thing, then this book most likely is not for you. I will say that both of these things, especially the coming out late was dealt with so smoothly I almost kind of forgot it was late.

Morgan and Mei are both such complex characters and their development has to be the most satisfying part of this book, especially Mei's. Their romance took a few chapters to pick up but when it did you just can't help but cheer for them.

However, this book isn't without its flaws.

The writing I felt could've used a bit more... flare? There was nothing about this writing that I'd read and say "Oh this is beautiful!" it was nothing special and I felt like the author withheld a lot in an attempt to be safe. This is the first book I've read of hers and is seemingly one of her first books (I could only find one other existing with her name attached) so that being said I didn't go into this book expecting spectacular writing. In fact, I imagine with time it will greatly improve and I honestly can not wait to see.

Another thing I had a problem with is the ending. I felt like there were still a few loose ends that could've been more head on confronted instead of in mention. Like Morgan and her dad, it would have been totally nice to witness a deep talk between them. Then there's also that fact that though the book does follow Mei's progression in moving on from her husband, I don't think this was tackled as much as it should have been. The topic only gathered a few lines of dialogue between Mei and her best friend.

Which leads me to another thing I liked about the book, the friends. Both Mei and Morgan both only have one close friend to turn to in the book (a practice I actually prefer as it keeps the focus on the main character instead of two more unnecessary characters). Both those friends contributed needed comedic relief and just again, good vibes.

4.25 stars! Enjoyable casual read!

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for a honest review.

Dr. Mei Sharpe is still unable to let her husband and their life go two years after his death. She tells herself she is, if not happy, at least content with her new life as a widow. A chance meeting with Morgan Kelly on a remote road on a blizzardly night after Mei has a flat tire intrigues her because Morgan is funny, intelligent, and kind enough to stop to help a stranger. Then they meet again in her morgue and Mei finds out that Morgan is the head of the new cold case department. They must meet a third time by chance before Mei acknowledges that she is drawn to the tall handsome lieutenant. Morgan has known since their first meeting that she intrigued by the beautiful doctor.

O’Shea has written a book about an older woman falling for a younger woman and her journey to letting go of her grief and dead husband while the younger woman has a journey of her own to make to resolve her abandonment issues. The writing is very good, the dialogue witty and sometimes laugh-out loud funny. The pace of the book doesn’t sag in the middle of the book like so many others and the conflict is real. The ending is believable and is, of course, expected.

If you like to read an author’s debut novel, this one that is not to be missed. If you love intelligent, believable characters, pick this book up. If you like a really well written book, this book is for you.

My thanks to Bella Books and NetGalley for an eARC.

Although the MCs are a police lieutenant and the medical examiner their jobs are only peripheral to the book. This is a love story not a crime story.
An age gap (although not integral to the story but with some slight bearing on it at one point) romance between the widowed ME and the younger cop (who has abandonment issues).
A worthwhile read. Touches on recovering from losing a loved one and how this affects their attitude to forming a new relationship. Not just embarking on a love affair but what all else is involved.