Reach For The Stars is a sweet story about a woman called Felicity who, because of the hard times she’d endured in life has become hardened to love and does not form strong attachments to anyone. She’s engaged, but they still live pretty separate lives. They split up, his fault, and she gets exceptionally drunk one night and buys a house in the countryside that needs some work. As she’s an interior designer, she thinks all will be quick and easy! When she finally arrives, she thinks that she has made a terrible terrible mistake!. Deciding she’ll be able to have a go at renovations, she goes to the local diy store and buys some wood. As she goes to leave, she knocks a man to the floor. He storms off!
She has lot of problems through the book still, but the book is a wonderful read with heart warming moments with such lovely characters that you can imagine being there with everyone! A beautiful read!
Many thanks to Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this arc copy via Netgalley.
#Netgalley, #TheBoldBookClub, #Scribbler_Maxi.

…Sigh… This book is chef kiss perfection. There is just something about Maxine's books that just hit every single one of my buttons. I was instantly, and I mean instantly, obsessed with this story. The first scene in this book is when Fliss accidentally knocks out Jesse with a 2x4 piece of wood. Those sparks, or should I say stars, were flying between these two right from that very first meet-cute. I love every moment of this story. We first meet Fliss when her life is a hot mess. While drunk, she buys an old house and some sheep, as one does when they have been drinking a lot. The problem is that the house that she bought is in shambles, and as she attempts to fix it, more things go wrong, mainly because a tree falls through her roof into her bedroom. There is just something about watching as a heroine's life implodes around them that is slightly addictive to me. I especially love it when the imploding is done through a series of disastrous and sometimes funny events. It makes for a really entertaining read.
The overall story is quintessential Maxine Morrey's charm. It was a lot of fun to read, and when I was finished, I felt light and fluffy on the inside. This is a feel-good romance with a sprinkling of realism. I loved the fact that it wasn't an overly heavy book. There are times when this bookworm just wants to sit down and read something that will put a smile on her face, and this book is that. I love the story's small-town feel, and the secondary characters and their side stories made the reading experience richer. Fliss and Jesse are fabulous MCs. Fliss is an independent, strong woman who isn't willing to accept favours or handouts. She has worked hard her entire life and doesn't want to feel like she needs to depend on anyone else. Fliss's character really has this fish-out-of-water trope-y experience. She is a city girl trying to figure out how to survive in this new country life she finds herself in. I loved watching Fliss let down those walls she built around herself. She does a lot of self-reflecting in this story, and it was great watching her find the things and the people who truly make her happy. Let me tell you, Maxine really knows how to write a fabulous hero. Jesse stole my heart. He is charming and gorgeous, and he sees through that tough, prickly exterior Fliss puts on. Jesse was the perfect match for Fliss. He is strong enough not to let Fliss boss him around and calls Fliss on her BS when the occasion arises.

The romance in this book is sweet and charming, and it had my heart pitter-pattering. Fliss and Jesse were great for each other, and their chemistry was believable and enjoyable. There was just something so addicting about their interactions. I found myself quickly turning the page to see what would happen next between them. Their love story was so fun for me because it has many of my favourite tropes, such as slow burn, opposites attract, fish-out-of-water, and forced proximity.

Reach for the Stars is an easy, breezy, sweet romance that I will read again and again.

I found this to be a super cute story about finding something better when you didn’t think it was possible. Our MFC was pretty funny and also a little annoying when she goes through making choices for herself. Our MMC was fine but you didn’t really learn too much about him outside of his occupation and that he’s a widower. I was left in a constant state of “and what else..” while reading this. I didn’t dislike it but I didn’t love it either. I thought the slow burn was sloooow. I have a love/hate relationship with slow burns and this one I just wasn’t super into it. I just needed more of everything to be stepped up a notch and this just left me feeling like I didn’t get everything that this story could have been.

Felicity has lost her job and has relocated from the city to the countryside in a rundown farmhouse. Things go from bad to worse when she ends up with a tree falling through her roof. After knocking him off his feet (literally), local man Jesse comes to her rescue and offers her a place to stay and help in fixing up her house. Felicity struggles to trust, especially men, so will she be able to accept this help and rebuild her home and her life.

When introduced to Felicity she is certainly at rock bottom and you can’t help but feel for her as things keep getting worse. Not only do you end up wanting her to get her life back on track as we see her overcome her struggles but also wanting her to realise that Jesse is one of the good guys and to let him in as the connection is obvious from the start.

This book definitely sits in the small-town romance bracket. Both characters were lovable with a fun banter developing between them, you can’t help but smile.

Full of romance and hope this heart-warming story is perfect.

I really enjoyed reading this one. It was very well written and I love the dialogue. Felicity is such a relatable character, as we have all been through tough times without knowing if there is an end in sight. I love how strong and independent she is and never wanted the help from Jesse when he decided to let her stay in his home while hers was being fixed. I would have liked to see a little more character development in this one, but it was overall a good read!

If you're looking for a cozy Hallmark movie in book form, then Reach for the Stars by Maxine Morrey may just be the book for you.

The book follows the DIY misadventures of Felicity as she settles down in the English countryside after a messy breakup with her ex-fiance. Felicity doesn't have the best track record of experiences with people she can rely on and trust. So when she meets Jesse, whose charitable, kind personality rubs against her hyper independence, it's a rollercoaster for the two to find equilibrium and work together to make Felicity's new life more than she didn't know she needed.

It follows the romance genre conventions of a messy meet-cute, female protagonist needing to lean into community over hyper independence, and some predictable twists and turns when new life and old collide. It was an easy read, and I was able to finish within a weekend. There are some pacing issues that tested my suspension of disbelief more than I would like out of a cozy read, but nothing too out of the way of your average romance novel.

With that in mind, I give this book a 4/5 stars. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book!

Reach for the Stars had a good plot. I enjoyed the basics of the storyline, but it took a really long time to get anywhere. I set this book down 5 different times over 3 days before I was halfway through and then forced myself to finish it, since I had already invested myself into 50% of it. I'm not sure if the British English threw me, but I had a hard time connecting with the words.

Thank you for the copy, this is my honest opinion. Please be aware of any trigger warnings, as your mental health is most important.

I enjoyed reading Reach for the Stars by Maxine Morrey. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

I'm always looking for a romance book that is closed door but still has quality writing and this book grabbed me at Chapter 1! The author's writing style is excellent and "Reach for the Stars" has a pretty true-to-life plausible plot; the FMC is so relatable. This was a solid 4 star read for me. I received a complimentary ARC from the author/publishing company via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of Reach for the Stars. I'm grateful for this opportunity. Felicity just needs something to go right for her. So far, there is just a Dark Cloud following her. Enter Jesse, Who ends up being that Silver Lining to her cloud. This isn't a perfect couple romance, but it's about working things out. The only reason I am only giving it four stars is the pacing.

Thank you to NetGalley, Maxine Morrey, and Boldwood Books for my ARC copy. I promised to leave you an honest review in return.

Reach for the Stars by Maxine Morrey
This was a great story from beginning to end!
Felicity drowns her sorrow in a dramatic way after witnessing her ex and his new wife on the glossy spread of a magazine. She ends up in a whole new life when she home shops drunk and buys her way into a dilapidated farmhouse site unseen. She also manages to lose her job and close on her own apartment in the span of a drunken stupor. Then her DIY farmhouse crushes her spirit when a tree crushes the roof of the house and her car during a storm.
“Flissy” has trust issues and has a hard time accepting any help, especially from the gorgeous neighbor she keeps running into.
This one was terrific! I was laughing out loud in the first chapter! While there were serious parts and moments that evoked all the feelings that you look for in a romance, this one was also fun to read. It had a beautiful story of self discovery, finding love, and was full of personal growth. Jesse’s dog, Ned stole the show too!
I enjoyed the character building and the fiendships found in a small town, both really allowed the reader to connect with the story. The book was a wonderfully written story of finding one’s purpose and place. 4/5⭐️
I would like to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to review an ARC of this title.

3.5 stars
I love a small town romance and the chemistry between Felicity and Jesse, obvious from the start, is lovely.
It was great seeing Felicity grow in character as she works on the house and rebuilds the confidence in herself as she learns to trust in others again.
The community around her and her new home was the perfect antidote to her misgivings in buying the house to begin with and seeing how they welcomed her to their town was wonderful.

This book could have been a favorite for a city girl dreaming of her own house in the countryside with a few hectares of land. But, of course, there’s no money for that 😅. So the idea of reading a story about someone fulfilling such a dream felt very appealing.

The book is well-written, with great dialogue. However, I felt it lacked more grounded reasoning behind the characters’ actions. Perhaps adding the mmc’s POV would have helped better explain their motivations.

I really wanted to love this story, but the book never managed to completely captivate me.

After seeing her ex-fiancé's wedding in the social media Felicity has a bit of a pity party, during which she manages to buy a cottage in the country sight unseen. Also as an after effect she also manages to get fired from her high powered job as an interior designer. Upon arriving at her new purchase she finds it in a dilapidated state, so she begrudgingly starts trying to make it habitable. She first meets her neighbour when she knocks him over with a piece of wood, not exactly the best start, but he comes to her rescue when her cottage is badly damaged in a storm.
I loved this book, I found I became totally engrossed in the story and the time just whizzed past. I felt for Felicity and her fish out of water experience after being a city girl, but she did knuckle down and try to make the best of a bad thing. Her new neighbour, Jess, comes across as very helpful, although there is a reason behind this, plus the other locals all come out to help when disaster happens. An idyllic view of village life, although it does mention the downsides as well, together with the will they / won't they romantic part of the story. I really must get around to reading other stories by this author languishing in my TBR list.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

Felicity, shaped by a difficult past, is fiercely independent, making it hard for her to accept help—even from Jesse, whose steadfast support begins to break down her walls. Their evolving relationship, from tension to teamwork, is one of the book’s highlights, with Jesse standing by her side through her struggles.

As the story unfolds, Felicity’s guarded nature and trust issues become understandable, given her history. The small-town setting, though warm and welcoming, feels overwhelming for someone as private as her, adding another layer of conflict. Jesse’s protective instincts and his ability to own up to mistakes make him a compelling partner. Humor, especially in Felicity’s city-girl encounters with rural life, adds levity to the otherwise emotionally heavy narrative.

A standout moment is Felicity’s heartfelt café speech, emphasizing that self-worth isn’t tied to money. It’s a lesson that resonates deeply and underscores the book’s themes of resilience and self-acceptance.

However, the third act falters with an abrupt resolution. While Felicity’s decisions are understandable, her choice to chase after Jesse instead of the other way around feels inconsistent with their dynamic. Despite this, the story delivers humor, emotional depth, and a satisfying message about overcoming the past and finding value in oneself.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my review.

I enjoyed this sweet, small town romance! Felicity was a main character I genuinely wanted to root for, and Jesse was such a kind, caring MMC. I think the opening is especially strong and hooks the reader in, which allows you to care for the characters. I also enjoyed that these characters have real problems and life hiccups.

But things get bogged down by the repetitive dialogue throughout the middle. I feel like Felicity and Jesse have the same two conversations for about half the book. There is also some nonsensical drama in the last 20% that didn’t feel necessary to the plot.

Overall, I think this is a fun, short book that doesn’t add anything new to the genre, but is great if you enjoy small town romance books with no spice.

I’ll be honest my late night risky purchases tend to lean towards a flashing disco light or giraffe shaped vase from Amazon, but in this book the purchase in question is a run-down farmhouse, conveniently next door to the most wonderful hunk you’ve ever dreamt up. When a storm causes a tree to thrash through the dodgy roof, there’s no other option than to accept his generous hospitality and discover the kindness that exists in village life. Joyful and sweet.

Fliss is a total mess at the beginning. Just about everything you can imagine occurring does. She buys a ramshackle house, ditches her job, and then her property is severely damaged.
Jesse steps in to lend a hand. Both he and Fliss warily tread around each other but are receptive to new beginnings.
It’s an appealing story about finding your place and giving your heart.
It’s also about trust and creating your own family.
Fliss was marvelous in the last few scenes and it was heartening to see her come into her own and claim what she wanted.

I just loved this book it was very heartwarming. I really liked the characters and how they were there to help Fliss even though they didn’t know her, they just wanted to help her. Once I started reading this book I just couldn’t put it down, I just love Maxine Morrey books they are like a big hug.

I would highly recommend reading this book if you love a good heartwarming read.

I would like to thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book early.

Maxine Morrey’s *Reach for the Stars* is a delightful rom-com packed with wit, charm, and just the right dose of heartfelt emotion. With its relatable heroine, dreamy countryside setting, and a love story that feels as warm as a cup of tea on a rainy day, this novel is perfect for fans of lighthearted romance with a touch of personal growth.

The story follows Felicity, or Fliss, whose perfectly curated city life unravels in spectacular fashion. After the gut-punch of seeing her ex-fiancé’s picture-perfect wedding plastered all over social media, Fliss makes an impulsive purchase—a ramshackle farmhouse that might just rival her personal life in disrepair. The charm of the countryside soon becomes apparent, thanks in large part to Jesse Woods, the ridiculously handy and undeniably swoon-worthy local who seems to have stepped straight out of a romance novel.

Morrey does a fantastic job of balancing humor and heart as Fliss navigates her new life, complete with unexpected roof collapses and runaway trees. The slow-burning connection between Fliss and Jesse is as endearing as it is entertaining. Their chemistry sparkles, built on a foundation of banter, shared vulnerability, and the kind of quiet moments that make you sigh out loud. Jesse is the kind of romantic lead who makes you want to pack your bags for the countryside—charming, grounded, and genuinely kind.

Fliss herself is a wonderfully relatable protagonist. Her journey from heartbroken city girl to someone who learns to embrace a simpler, more fulfilling life is both inspiring and laugh-out-loud funny. Morrey’s knack for writing flawed, lovable characters shines through, and Fliss’s mishaps—from DIY disasters to moments of emotional doubt—make her feel like someone you’d want to grab a drink with and commiserate over life’s messes.

The countryside setting is a character in itself, described with such charm and warmth that you can practically feel the crisp country air and hear the creak of old farmhouse floorboards. Morrey’s vivid descriptions add depth to the story, providing the perfect backdrop for Fliss’s personal transformation and her budding romance with Jesse.

What makes *Reach for the Stars* stand out is its balance of humor and emotional depth. While there are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, the story also touches on themes of trust, self-discovery, and learning to rebuild after life’s curveballs. Morrey’s writing is engaging and lighthearted, but she doesn’t shy away from the emotional beats that make the story resonate.

With its quirky cast of secondary characters, moments of laughable chaos, and a romance that feels authentic and deeply satisfying, *Reach for the Stars* is a joy from start to finish. Maxine Morrey reminds us that sometimes the biggest risks lead to the greatest rewards, and that even when life feels like a series of disasters, there’s beauty in the rebuild.

This is a five-star rom-com that will leave you grinning, swooning, and maybe even planning your own countryside escape.