Book Review: Reach for the Stars by Maxine Morrey

I’m so pleased to be welcoming Maxine Morrey back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, Reach for the Stars.

Felicity was never meant to end up with a money-pit farmhouse to renovate and a broken heart to heal…

But when Fliss attempts to drown the sorrow of seeing her ex-fiancé and his new wife’s magazine-worthy wedding all over social media, one rash decision loses her a job and gains her a doer-upper in the blink of an eye.

The only bright spot of living in the country is the very dishy and very handy loveliest-man-ever Jesse Woods. And when Fliss’s new roof has an ill-advised meeting with a tree in the middle of the night resulting in her literally seeing stars, there’s only one thing for it. She’s going to have to accept Jesse’s help and a place to stay.

City girl Fliss is at rock bottom but if anyone can teach her to turn her gaze from the gutter to the stars it’s Jesse Woods. She’s been burnt trusting men before, but Jesse may just be worth breaking her own rules for…

*****

Felicity not only has to deal with her ex’s wedding being everywhere, she also loses her job. Learning that alcohol and the Internet shouldn’t mix, she soon finds herself the owner of a renovation project. Is it too much or can Jessie help her? 

I am a fan of Maxine’s novels and I was so pleased to be part of the blog tour her latest book, Reach For The Stars. It has a cute cover and I couldn’t wait to get started. 

The plot of this novel is full of twists, turns and humour. It’s a very easy novel to fall into and get invested in. 

Felicity. Oh mate. The kitchen sink gets thrown at her that’s for sure. She handles it like the boss she is. She does go through all the emotions though. 

Jessie is a gentleman pretty much from the start…well, apart from the very beginning but I think we can forgive him. I loved that he was a likeable, kind character. Both he and Felicity bring a lot to the story and the narrative surrounding them is delightful. That’s not to say there’s not conflict. It’s a compelling journey these two undertake. I also loved Jules. 

That’s it. No more in case I spoil it. 

Reach For The Stars is about new beginnings, love, life and being brave. It reminds us that mistakes can sometimes turn out to be the biggest blessing in disguise. 

This is a perfect, feel-good escape from the horrible weather. I loved it. 

(Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for the advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review. 

About Maxine Morrey –

Maxine wants to encourage everyone to ‘Read Yourself Happy’. She is the best selling author of ‘Things Are Looking Up’, ‘#NoFilter’, and the Kindle UK top ten read, ‘The Christmas Project’ among others.

In 2024, her book ‘You’ve Got This’ won The Romantic Comedy Award at the Romantic Novelists’ Association award ceremony in London.

Reach for the Stars was released by Boldwood Books on 5th December 2024. Click here to buy on Amazon and Waterstones. 

Say hello to Maxine via Facebook, Instagram and Bookbub. Click here to sign up to her newsletter. 

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.