ARC Review: ‘Beyond the Mountain Sky’ by Gwyn McNamee
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Beyond the Mountain Sky
by Gwyn McNameeSeries: McBride Brother Lumberjacks #2
Published by Self-Published on January 29, 2026
SubGenres: Contemporary Romance
Format: eArc
Pages: 326
Source: the author
Audience: 18+/Adult
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I’ve always loved McBride Mountain and the fact that it bore my adopted last name…But now that the truth is out, that has changed.What I thought I knew vanished the moment I learned about my past.Everything feels wrong.Nothing can lift me from the darkness I’ve fallen into… Except the beautiful woman with wildly dyed hair who appears in town with a dangerous secret.She’s running from something—or someone.Clearly not interested in getting close to anyone during her time here in our small town.Yet, I’m drawn to her as if her blue eyes hold all the answers I haven’t been able to find anywhere else.She’s the only thing that’s felt right in so long.A sweet haven from my tainted reality.But when the past she’s fleeing comes to the mountain…Protecting the ones I love may mean becoming the very thing I dread.
Beyond the Mountain Sky is the second steamy, angsty contemporary mountain man romance in the McBride Brother Lumberjacks Series about a grumpy lumberjack fighting with his past, a woman on the run, an attraction they can’t deny, and danger from beyond the mountain that threatens everything. The McBride Brother Lumberjacks Series is best read in order, starting with Beneath the Mountain Sky.
Beyond the Mountain Sky is the second installment in Gwyn McNamee’s McBride Brother Lumberjacks. Each book follows a new McBride brother, and this time we get Liam McBride, who is still dealing with what he found out in Book One. Here was one reader who was looking forward to learning more about the reclusive lumberjack and who would win his heart.
Liam comes off as grumpy to many people, which is understandable after learning about his father. He meets his match in Lucky, who was just passing through until her dog got lost and she had to find him. She never expects her dog to be with the grumpy lumberjack, since Gizmo usually does not take to men, especially after what happened with another man she trusted.
I really enjoyed the first meeting between Liam and Lucky, especially when she accused him of stealing her dog and how he reacted. I also liked seeing Liam, who usually keeps to himself, become protective of Lucky. He senses she’s running from something, and while he wants to know the truth, he doesn’t push her.
I knew Lucky was running, but was not sure from what, and was genuinely surprised when it was revealed. She is a strong heroine shaped by her past, and I am glad she finds family with the McBrides and love with Liam. She definitely was one likeable heroine, and I loved how she handled what happened toward the end. No way she was going to stay hidden without helping.
Liam and Lucky were meant to be, and I loved how they instantly connected once they shared what happened to them. I was surprised to find out something about Liam in this book, and I have to say, he may very well be my favorite McBride brother (so far) after what he did to protect Lucky and how he cared for her. He may be grumpy, but he has such a caring and loving heart.
Whenever there’s a dog in a book, they always seem to steal the spotlight, and that’s exactly what happened with Gizmo. I couldn’t help but love him, especially since he was so protective of Lucky and usually didn’t like men, except for Liam. Even Lucky was surprised that Gizmo warmed up to him. Dogs really do have a special sense about people, and that was clear with Gizmo and Liam.
Overall, I really enjoyed this addition to the McBride Brother Lumberjacks series and would give it four stars. I’m looking forward to the next book, which will be Connor’s story. There are already some hints about who he might end up with, so I’m sure it’ll be a great read.
POV: Dual POV (First Person)
Standalone or Part of Series: These books should be read in order because the storylines continue in each one, even as new characters and HEAs are introduced.
Would I recommend this book? Yes. I recommend it to readers who enjoy lumberjack romance stories and the Grumpy/Sunshine trope. If there is one thing Gwyn McNamee writes well, it is lumberjack romances. You will fall in love with each of the lumberjack heroes, like Liam McBride in this book. If you have not read Gwyn McNamee’s books before, what are you waiting for? She also has the Lumberjacks in Love series, which I highly recommend.
What to Expect:
🪓Lumberjack/Mountain Man Romance
🌲Small Town Romance
🪓Grumpy/Sunshine
🌲Damaged & Reclusive Hero
🪓Obsessive & Protective & Hero
🌲Touch Her & I’ll ☠️ You
About Gwyn McNamee
USA Today Best Selling author Gwyn McNamee is an attorney, wife, and mother. Originally from the Midwest, Gwyn relocated to her husband’s home town of Las Vegas in 2015 and is enjoying her respite from the cold and snow. Gwyn has been writing down her crazy stories and ideas for years and finally decided to share them with the world. She loves to write stories with a bit of suspense and action mingled with romance and heat.
When she isn’t either writing or voraciously devouring any books she can get her hands on, Gwyn is busy adding to her tattoo collection, golfing, and stirring up trouble with her perfect mix of sweetness and sarcasm (usually while wearing heels).
Gwyn’s debut novel, Savage Collision, the first book in The Hawke Family Series, was a 2017 Romance Writers of America Passionate Plumes Contest Finalist for excellence in contemporary steamy romance.
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