What begins as a story of rekindled connection soon becomes something much deeper. When John reached out after years of silence, I knew—somewhere deep in my bones—that he would return. Our story had always lived just beneath the surface. But this time, the words were different. Softer. Searching.
I didn’t realize the true nature of his message until the day I was told John had been found unresponsive in his cell. That moment changed everything.
The title might lead you to believe this book is about the love between John and me. And perhaps, at first, it is.
Midway through, you might think it’s about Chris—the man who stood beside me, steady and true.
❝ Featured Excerpt ❞
Chapter 14 When Shadows Speak
There was a profound beauty in the juxtaposition of their roles.
John’s hunger for the Bible reflected his need to rebuild his inner world, to find meaning in the brokenness.
Chris, on the other hand, reminded me that sometimes healing comes from allowing ourselves to be held, to be loved even when we feel unworthy.
A Love Story, But Not the One You’d Expect
The title might lead you to believe this book is about the love between John and me. And perhaps, at first, it is.
Midway through, you might think it’s about Chris—the man who stood beside me, steady and true.
But by the end, you’ll know.
This is my love story.
A love story with myself.
With truth.
With life.
What this Book Offers
A raw, unfiltered continuation of Living with Conviction
Unflinching vulnerability and emotional courage
Reflections on grief, loss, forgiveness, and becoming whole
A deeper look at love in all its forms—romantic, redemptive, and rooted in the self
From the Author
This is the most honest thing I’ve ever written.
No holding back. No hiding behind the strong face I used to wear.
Just the truth.
Unearthed, unrushed, and wholly mine.
This isn’t a sequel—it’s a soul-opening. It’s what happened after the headlines faded, after the cameras turned away, and after I sat alone with myself long enough to stop running.
If Living with Conviction was my public reckoning, Beyond Conviction is my private reckoning, shared.
Unfold the truth…
Beyond Conviction didn’t just tell a story—it cracked something open in me. It’s the kind of book you finish and hold against your chest, stunned by its courage. The love story here isn’t what you expect—it’s better. It’s the one we all long for: the love we give ourselves when we finally stop hiding.
I thought I was reading a book about forbidden love. But what I found was something much deeper—an unraveling of shame, the quiet power of choosing yourself, and the raw ache of truth-telling. Toby’s honesty left me breathless. I saw myself in these pages.
Toby Dorr doesn’t flinch. She writes with a pen dipped in fire and forgiveness. I didn’t just read this book—I felt it. Every page pulses with heartbreak, hope, and fierce reclamation. This is memoir at its boldest.
