I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it highly. I will read the author again as I love her style of writing. I enjoyed the characters and read late into the night. 4 solid stars!

I just reviewed Reach for the Stars by Kathy Jay. #NetGalley

The story is a fairly standard one for a light romance. Two people with problems and breakups to deal with hide away, find each other and head towards happy ever after. What surprised me was the speed at which they embarked on a sexual relationship, within a couple of days. In fact, for me, there was too much sex, always described in full detail, and it just happened too casually and too often. I wanted romance first and a build up towards the physical so it really meant something, but here it all happens the other way around. A nice Cornish seaside setting with a trip over to Paris thrown in, but nothing to lift the story above the average I'm afraid. A solid three stars.

Layla Rivers is let down by her boyfriend who decides to continue the round the world trip on his own when she can’t make it. Worse still he informs her he is on a break so she just decides to break things off. Hot Hollywood actor, Nick Wells is hiding from the stresses of being the latest gossip story and it seems like the ultimate escapism to forget their problems with each other. Atmospheric and fun. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A real feel good book with a summery feel. Would make a great holiday read I feel.

Nick and Layla's second time of meeting with him crashing on the couch was cute. I'm surprised Layla would even give Joe the time of day. She's a little too nice. I still don't fully understand what the disagreement was about in Paris. It seemed a bit sudden. The ending was a HEA.

Review will be up on my blog on 09/02 - thecosiestcorner.blogspot.com

I was really looking forward to reading this novel and for me, it did not disappoint. The cover drew me straight in once I saw the beautiful colours and silhouette characters. The cover doesn't give much away but I think that this is what draws you in and holds you there.

The story itself was just as endearing and I found myself really relating to main character Layla. I mean, who wouldn't lock themselves away at home after a painful breakup? I started to really feel for her with all she'd been through with her ex - her ex being someone that I truly started to detest! (I mean, how can you do that to someone?! Especially when you've been together for so long)! Nick, whom Layla meets in quite a fashion, came across as a genuinely lovely person and I really warmed to his character. Hoping that they both realised what the other was feeling and would finally put those emotions into play!

I thought the story had real emotion in it, whether that be making you laugh or whether it pulls at your heartstrings - you really become invested in these characters lives and relationships and for me that's really important when it comes to reading a book. I loved where the location was set. It was nice to see a book set in two places (Cornwall and Paris). I've always loved books set in Cornwall or other such places so was really enjoying reading this story. I think it's a lovely romantic and upbeat story which - in my opinion - is a lovely book to read in this dreary month of January! It was heartwarming, soppy in places and overall a lovely romance novel. Just what I like!

Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

Reach for the Stars,  Kathy Jay good, uplifting romantic comedy
by Kathy Jay
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre:  General fiction (adult)

I bought book one when I saw this, that's the story of Alex, Nick's twin brother. Sounded the sort I love and was only 99p. Sadly though I liked it I wasn't really convinced of the story, felt it was a bit meh, so almost wished I hadn't asked for this. What a difference though, I love this story, full of drama and fun, laughter and heartbreak and with some very real feeling characters.

I really didn't like Nick in book one but now I saw a different side to him, saw the reasons for his behaviour and it made sense. Layla is a great character, one of those people everyone depends on, but its leaving her no time to do what she wants, pit herself first. When Joe does the dirty ( hiss, boo, what an awful man he is) she's distraught, they've been together and she was thinking marriage and family so it came as a shock. Then Nick comes along and she sees what passion really is.

It was great fun to see events play out, to see what starts as a no strings fling becomes more, to see Layla discover what real love is, let her see what she had with Joe was just a good friendship at best.
Paris, great at first then heartbreaking. But we'd kind of guessed that would happen. Then the events after that had me amazed, how Joe rationalised everything cemented in my mind just what a jerk he was. I did feel sorry for Lainy though, an innocent caught up in his selfishness.

Stars: 4.5, it was a really fun read, and I enjoyed it so much more than book one. I'm not sure I'd re-read, not for a very long time anyway but one I'm very glad to have chosen.

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

First book I have read by this author and I did enjoy it.
Layla's boyfriend/fiance has left and she has just found out he has married someone else. Film star Nick is in Cornwall hiding from his own issues, but there is chemistry between them which they can't ignore. After a short break in Paris together everything starts to go wrong, but can they find their way through this?