Reach for the Stars wasn’t a bad book. It has a lot of good points but, if I am completely honest, there was too much happening for such a short book.

This book is less than 300 pages but so much happens in that short page count. You have Felicity, who drunkenly buys a rundown house in the country after her ex gets married to someone else and, after a tree crashed on it during a storm, she is “forced” to move in with gorgeous Jesse and they fall in love. If the book had just been that basic story, it would have been fine but then Morrey adds in Jesse’s wife dying because of someone who then happens to be related to someone Felicity used to know, and it all gets a little bit convoluted.

I did like Felicity and Jesse together in the beginning but so much happens that I didn’t really care by the end. The part near the end where they constantly argued and broke up wore me down and when a story does that, it makes me lose interest in the main couple because I don’t see them lasting. It takes me out of it, to be honest.

Reach for the Stars was a fine read but it just didn’t hit the spot for me. I enjoyed the story at the beginning but I had lost interest by the end. Felicity and Jesse were cute but they couldn’t carry a whole story so when more and more started to get in the way of the relationship, I stopped caring.

I really enjoyed this novel, I loved the countryside setting, the quirky characters and the self-development and love throughout the story.

I haven't read as many of Maxine Morrey's books as I feel I should have, something I will remedy as soon as I can, as reading this beautiful book has made me see that I have been missing out on some gorgeous stories from this author!

New Years Resolution; read more Maxine Morrey!!

Reach For the Stars is a magical, heartfelt and utterly charming story full of emotion, love and friendship and I loved every page. Fliss is such a likeable character, I instantly liked her and started rooting for her from the first page, I thoroughly enjoyed her story of going from heartbreak and her life literally spinning out of control to love and laughter.

A definite need to add to the towering TBR for any romance reader!

First time read from this author and I wasn't disappointed.

I loved the storyline, the characters and the way the story unfolded.

After Felicity moves from the city to a new life and home in the country, a storm and a tree destroying her home makes her question her hasty decision.

Along comes strong and handsome Jesse Woods, offering help and a place to stay.

Sparks fly but can they each put their past behind them to start again?

A great read!!

This was a really cute read - it reminded me of a movie that I can not remember the name of for the life of me! Felicity's life is truly spinning out of control, and it just continues & worsens when she moves to the country and decides to renovate a farmhouse. Enter Jesse - a hard working country boy through and through. Together they make quite a pair! I really loved the growth that Felicity's character showed - it was more about her growth than just focusing on the romance which I really appreciated! Thank you to NetGalley and Maxine Morrey for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

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.