5* -- Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite (for Beyond climax #1)

Beyond Climax by Envy Cold is a sizzling romance that is beautifully written with a captivating plot and a strong storyline. It is a breezy read, slim at only 120 pages, yet loaded with emotion and intensity. When Lana registers for the upcoming reality TV show, Beyond Climax, it is with only one hope: win the one-million-dollar prize and pay for her sister's treatment. What chance does she really have of being selected? Things get complicated when she meets her ex-boyfriend, Chad, who left her because she "wouldn't put out." And this changes everything! Fans of Fifty Shades of Gray will love this story, sizzling with romance and well-crafted sexual scenes. The story is told from Lana's perspective and in an absorbing first-person narrative. I enjoyed the way the author explores Lana's emotions and her state of mind, and how she grows throughout the story. From the beginning, she sounds alone, intimidated, and uncertain, but as the story progresses, she grows in confidence and self-knowledge. The characters are awesome and the setting comes through the writing colorfully. Envy Cold has a style of creating characters that readers can connect with and her prose is beautiful, accessible, and laced with psychological and emotional insights. The strength of this story isn't in a gripping plot, but in the cast of characters, the thematic development, and the intensity of the action. Beyond Climax is one of the books in the sizzling romance genre that I enjoyed. It's not just about sex. It is about a woman's journey, exploring her sexuality.