Member Reviews
I loved this story. I was very glad to find that Kay already has ideas for book 3 in the series. I have grown to love the characters, and I am in love with Hawaii! Quinn, Liam, and Maggie are great characters and draw you into the book. Little Charlie and Woodrow have stolen my heart too. Thank you to Kay Bratt and Netgalley for the early read. It was exceptional.
I didn’t realize No Place Too Far was the second book in a series when I chose to read it, but I felt that the author provided more than enough information to understand what had gone on before for one of the main characters in this book, Quinn. Quinn’s story continues in No Place Too Far; however, Maggie Dalton, Quinn’s longtime friend, is the focus of the main story. I would probably categorize this novel as “romantic suspense”.
Maggie is in Maui with her young son to rebuild her life after being the victim of a stalker. She is separated from her son’s father, Colby, but the author really didn’t make clear the WHY of this separation. Perhaps it’s made clear in the first book in this series, True To Me. This did not markedly dampen my enjoyment of the book, but it was a bit vague for me, which made subsequent occurrences less impactful than they might have been.
That being said, this is an exciting book that totally kept my interest throughout. I learned a bit about traditional Hawaiian culture along the way. I enjoyed the various characters that are introduced throughout the book, especially the irrepressible Juniper and the joke-loving veterinarian, Joe Starr. If there’s a third book in this series, I hope those two will pop up again. Another lovely “character” was Woodrow, Maggie’s service dog.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing an advance readers copy in exchange for my honest review.
No Place Too Far is the second book in the By the Sea series by Kay Bratt. I read the first book, True to Me and looked forward to reading this next book in the series.
No Place Too Far picks up pretty much right where the first book left off. Quinn is learning to navigate her new found family and building a relationship with Liam. Quinn's friend Maggie is also building a new home for herself and her son on Maui. As the book unfolds, a lot happens with both Quinn and Maggie. There are some tense situations and some very sweet moments which when combined result in a beautiful story.
I would not consider this book a stand alone. I would not have been able to enjoy this book as much without knowing the details from book one in the series. The beginning of No Place too Far was a little bit cumbersome to read because it was trying to recap a lot of the previous book. After I got past that section, I truly enjoyed it and will have no problem recommending this series.
My Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book and give my unbiased opinion of it. I see more books from Kay Bratt in my future.
I loved this book! I love this series and I hope there is more in store for these character. We met Quinn and Maggie in book one, bit this book we really get into their characters, their pasts and presents! I read this book cover to cover in one sitting !
I enjoyed reading more about Maggie's story in the second book of the series - especially after getting glimpses of her in the first book (which focused on friend Quinn - her story also continues in this book). You can read this book without reading the first book, but I highly recommend reading both because they are both excellent reads! The only reason for the 4 stars is that I felt some parts of the book were a little bit rushed. I loved the characters, the setting, and the story line and look forward to the next book!
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing a copy for review.
This book has everything you need to keep you totally hooked from start to finish. Maggie is a feisty, independent woman who has spent a year being pursued by a stalker. She thinks she has reached a place of safety when she moves to the tropical paradise that is Maui. Her trusted friend Quinn has just opened an inn there and she has even landed a job as a veterinary nurse . She has her trusted service dog, Woodrow, to help her control her panic attacks and her delightful, precocious little son , Charlie to fill her days with love. However , idyllic though Maui is, both Maggie and Quinn are both confronted with their demons. Quinn has a traumatic back story which saw her separated from her birth family due to the machinations of her grandmother, Helen. She has now been reunited with them but there are undercurrents in the apparently united family and a reporter who wants to shine a spotlight on their family history. In the midst of this private upheaval, Quinn tries to be a protective and supportive friend to Maggie, especially when her stalker manages to escape from prison and is once again closing in on her. There are also delicious love stories interwoven with the girls lives and the most glorious descriptions of Maui, her traditions and people that made me long to know more . I look forward to revisiting this island paradise in future novels. I heartily recommend this book and I guarantee you will fall in love with the characters... especially Woodrow the adorable dog ! Kay writes with such warmth and empathy and draws you in to her world. I know I was reluctant to leave when I reached the last page! More please!
Bratt continues the story of both Quinn and Maggie. The chapters flip back and forth between their situations. Quinn explores her relationship with Liam, her family, and her inn. A nosy repierter brings complications to her life and threatens the family she cherishes. Maggie found peace on Maui and is trying to out gen past behind her while rearing son Charlie. She finds a new job at the animal clinic and the vet seems quite taken with her. But her stalker finds her and her nowflund peace is threatened. The best scene was toward the end. My favorite character was Woodrow the dog. My high hopes for Maggie's relationship with a certain character in the book was dashed.
No Place too Far by Kay Bratt is a really great read. All the ingredients of a tense story, dealing with a frightening contemporary problem. I loved how Kay brought the characters to life and kept the pace going. The friendship between Maggie and Quinn is strong and supportive, helping both of them through their respective journeys. Quinn’s story is fascinating and brings the island to life for the readers, giving great insights into the culture and kindness of the people who live there. I loved this book and am looking forward to reading more about this beautiful place and these great characters. Four stars all round
No Place Too Far by author Kay Bratt is the second book in her By the Sea series. Although it includes more about Quinn and what is happening in her life, it is centered more around her best friend Maggie and her predicament. The genre of this series is women’s fiction and the author incorporates many different topics that add to the storyline making it very interesting and hard to put down. What I like best is that the story takes place in Maui. I’ve always wanted to travel to Hawaii but will never get to. Reading this is the next best thing. From this series, I have learned a lot about the Hawaiian customs and lifestyles. It’s plain to see, the author has done her research. This is a series that I will be recommending. I am looking forward to reading the 3rd installment and seeing where the author plans to take the storyline next. I have to admit, I was a bit surprised with the direction she took Maggie’s love life in this book. I’m hoping book 3 includes more about the vet as I think he had a great sense of humor. And Juniper was a fun character too! I guess I’ll just have to wait and see. I’d like to thank NetGalley for the arc that I received from the “read now” section. All opinions are my own. This was a 4 star read for me.
No Place Too Far by Kay Bratt is a follow up to the author's "True to Me" By The Sea Novel Series.
Quinn story continues in this book . This is a stand alone novel but I suggest reading the first book for more enjoyment .
The characters are well defined and complex.
She has moved to Maui to be with her bestie Maggie.
This story has Quinn moving to Maui to be with her very best friend,
I couldn't put this book down. There is romance, family dynamics and suspense that makes for a great read. .
This story is about two best friends-Maggie,who moved to Hawaii after finding her birth parents and her best friend,Quinn-who came to escape a stalker.Maggie is trying to prevent a family secret from being revealed as it will devastate her new-found family.Quinn has followed Maggie to the island to escape a stalker and start a new life.Unfortunately,the stalker has followed her.It was an interesting tale and I enjoyed it.This is the second book in a series.I also enjoyed the first one.I look forward to reading the next book in the series!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review. This book has it all. I was reading and kept finding myself chuckling and some times laughing. All of a sudden things slowly began to change. Then, boy did Kay Bratt take me on a ride, that I won't soon forget. It kept me up really late because there was no way I could go to bed and not know where she was taking me and how it would turn out.
When it comes to a mother's love, there's "No Place Too Far" that she'll go to protect her child. Kay Bratt pens a tale where Maggie Dalton uproots her life to save her son from their stalker. Settling into Maui's picturesque community, the horrors of her past turn the tranquil scene into a living nightmare.
With her service dog Woodrow steadfast at her side, he eases her anxiety affording Maggie to restart her life. When the "Ghost" returns to haunt them, Maggie's friends shield her proving that no woman is an island.
Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of #NoPlaceTooFar in exchange for an honest review. I was swept away by the story and the protagonists. Kay Bratt's prose exude warmth despite the chilling circumstances.
Actual rating: 4.5🌟
This was a very engaging read. I don't usually read women's fiction as I feel like they always tend to be emotional and heavy and at the moment, I wanted a light, fluffy read. So I took a peek on this book but actually ended up reading the whole thing.😅
This book is set on Maui, a beautiful place I've never been too but was able to be described vividly by the author. I'm very much interested with the culture and history of the place. This has a small town feel to it where everyone knows everyone.
This book has two plotlines on it, we have Quinn and her best friend Maggie. At first I was confused because I feel like both plotlines has the potential to be separated and stand on their own. In time I accepted that Quinn and Maggie's life are intertwined and very much connected.
This book has family dynamics, friendship and mystery and suspense theme on it.
While reading this, I feel like I know these characters, that I'm a part of their community. Every character has their own unique thing going on in their lives and I'm very much invested on them.
I love the characters and I love the plot.❤
One thing I was shocked at is when I read the author's note, I realized this was actually part of a series.😲 I think this was the second book on the series. I was so shocked because it wasn't indicated on its Goodreads page.😢
Anyways, I still enjoyed this one.👍❤
***Thanks for netgalley, the publisher and author for making this available for review.***
"The gift of "ohana"-the Hawaiian word symbolizing family...."
Family is everything to the people of Hawaii. Love, devotion, trust, and dependability. All these things make a family that is bonded together no matter what. The definition of family can be different for everyone. In "No Place too Far", Kay Bratt continutes the story from the first book in the series, "True to Me" of how Quinn has found her family in Maui after more than 30 years of being separated. But the past threatens the future. Part of the past is Quinn's best friend, Maggie, who's come to Maui with her young son, Charlie. As soon as I opened this book up, I felt like I was right back with old friends and family. Ms. Bratt has a story telling gift to create stories that pull at your heart. Ones that have a message and meaning to them. I know with a Kay Bratt novel, I'm going on an emotional adventure with the characters to places that are as vividly detailed as if I were there myself. She has such a gift of bringing the reader on an emotional journey and adventure with her characters.
Quinn's past is one she's trying to keep secret in order to protect someone in her family. Keeping secrets is all good until they aren't secret anymore. Now she's in a dilemma of losing what took her so long to find again. Will ohana be enough to overcome the challenges that threaten to ruin her place with them? Will her "honu" be there to protect her through as it was before?
Maggie has a past, too. One that has haunted her and caused her to try to run from it and disappear. One that she will do anything to keep her son, Charlie, safe from as well as herself. But the past is in danger of catching up to them and shattering any sense of peace and security she's worked so hard to find. "She wanted to be strong. Competent. Self-sufficient." Who will be there for her as she faces the worst?
This is a story about family...related and unrelated...but bonded and connected by love. This is a story about hardships, struggles, fears, guilt, secrets, and uncertainty. But it's also about trust, determination, friendships that are more like family, traditions, and loyalty. Ms. Bratt weaves in drama, suspense, and heart wrenching side characters with stories that bring it all together in an unputdownable read. She throws in some mystery to add to the mix and kept me turning the pages.
Not only do I become invested in the characters but the setting in this series is like a character itself by how brilliantly Ms. Bratt creates the scenes in word pictures I could visualize in my mind. I was again taken on a philosophical and cultural tour of a place I have never been but totally feel like I learned so much about it through the characters and their experiences in Maui and the surrounding areas. It's a virtual visit that had me walking in the rainforest, hearing the waterfalls, smelling the flora, and seeing the lushness as if I were there.
Then there's Woodrow...He stole my heart. The true definition of the love of a dog for his owner. Maggie's quiet shaggy service dog. Kay Bratt's ability to tap into the devotion of a dog and put into words that faithfulness is truly from her love of dogs. I knew that feeling in my heart with each passage Woodrow was written in. "Woodrow looked up. His soulful brown eyes locked on Maggie's, instantly calming her. He had that way about him." The subject of why Maggie needed a service dog touched close to home when I read the "From the Author" passages at the end of the book. I am very grateful for her thoughts and candor. Her heart to help others.
Kay Bratt writes stories from her heart. I become a part of them as I'm reading them. No Place Too Far is no exception. I am very grateful for the opportunity of reading this novel. She brings it every time with her heart and emotions that pour out on the pages. I will wait with anticipation for the next book in the series to see which character's stories Ms. Bratt brings to us By The Sea...there's a hint at the end in those notes! I want to thank Netgalley and especially Kay Bratt for the honor and privilege of reading this continuation of a great series. I loved it! All opinions and thoughts in this review are my heartfelt own. Maika'i nui loa.... (very, very good) five tropical stars!
Amazing Follow-up. I wrote last year of the first book in this series that Bratt could spend the rest of her career in this world, and that I would not be disappointed. Here, she comes back to the world ostensibly to give best friend Maggie her story... that Quinn plays an even larger part in than Maggie played in Quinn's own story (where Maggie was present enough to be the obvious target of a direct sequel, but otherwise truly a secondary character). Bratt does a solid job of juggling both ladies, it just seems at times here that too much is being condensed into one book. To me, the tale here could have been told over three, maybe four, books rather than one and been more on par with the overall pacing and impact of True To Me. Going into specifics might get a bit too much into spoiler territory, so I'll simply say that to me, the division is this: Quinn gets a dedicated sequel. Maggie's story here gets its own dedicated book where Quinn becomes more of a secondary character rather than the co-lead she is here, and Maggie's own story is then broken up into effectively the first and second halves of the story here.
I know, I know. I've complained in other reviews about books being cut in half in almost blatantly obvious cash grabs, but I don't think Bratt would have done that in the above scenario. I think more time in each of these situations would have brought out much more of the depth of emotion that True To Me had, vs the constant "swinging for the fences" here.
But do not get me wrong: This is still truly an excellent book, one I am very proud to have read, and again, I want to come back to this world many, many more times. This is just me expressing my quibbles over pacing of a truly excellent book that to my mind *just* missed the "I can't stop crying and my mind is blown" level of amazement that True To Me brought. Truly a great book, and very much recommended.
I will leave a review on Amazon or B&N on Sept 1. 2020
No Place Too Far is the second book in the By the Sea series, and although it brings in new characters it is also a continutation of Quinn's story. This is another amazing book by Kay Bratt, and had me turning the pages until the very end. It is easy to relate to the characters in the book, and I would most certainly recommend this book to my friends
Another winning novel by Kay Bratt. No Place Too Far takes us further into Quinn’s story and we get to know her best friend Maggie. Maggie is very independent and has fled to Maui to get far away from her stalker and is determined to survive on her own. In True To Me we got to see Quinn’s transformation and this book we get to experience Maggie’s as well as to see even further growth in Quinn. I enjoyed the story and look forward to more from Kay Bratt.
I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review -
Grab this book to read about two women who are strong and determined to conquer their fears. You will feel their emotions, fears, and victories.
Maggie, with her son moves to Maui to escape her stalker who is finally behind bars - or so she thinks. In Maui she meets Quinn, who is dealing with issues of her own. They become great friends.
And then things began to tumble - has her stalker found her? Will she ever be able to escape him?
True To Me, followed by No Place Too Far = back to back bookie goodness!
After finishing the former title, I was in a huge Hawaii mood and not ready to leave the islands. So, I checked NetGalley and low and behold, the latter was available for review! Yipppeee! I settled right in for Maggie’s installment and was not disappointed in the least! Another lovely and intoxicating Hawaiian read, with plenty of Quinn + Liam heartwarming moments thrown in. I’ll admit I didn’t see Maggie’s story going the way that it did, but without giving anything away, I was happily surprised with the way her love interests played out.
Definitely needing more of the good Dr, Juniper, and Woodrow... he made the whole story so incredibly special! Well done, Kay Bratt!