Member Reviews
Thank you to NetGalley and W.W. Crown for providing the ARC.
I love Sarah Ready. Josh and Gemma (both books) are on my top 10 favorite reads because of how viscerally personal and authentic Ready makes them feel with her writing. I love that she is writing more books, this time with a very dramatic feel.
I have a love/hate relationship with second chance romances. Often times, it's because of a deep miscommunication between the characters, which can usually be solved with a phone call. Or because of infidelity, which is a no go for me. But this story is both of those things and neither of those things without getting too much into spoiler territory. This story, taking place over the span of fourteen years, shows young love, what happens when it is rekindled at the wrong time, and when things are finally right. Jace says it best: "Do you ever feel that you've ended up exactly where you were meant to be?" In this case - yes. I think this story led both the characters and the reader to exactly where they were meant to be at the end of it.
It's full of love, promise, heartbreak, sadness, anger, and forgiveness. Although at times parts of it felt rushed, one thing that Ready doesn't skimp on is the emotional development of her characters. You want to celebrate with these characters, love with them, cry with them, grieve with them, shake them until they understand their mistakes, and wrap them up in a warm cocoon of acceptance at the end of it all. It's hard to do that in the span of a few hundred pages, but I think Ready takes on that challenge and masters it.
Josh and Gemma will always hold the number one place in my heart for how real their story is and how much it affected me. However, I think Jace and Andi will have a hold on me for a long while.
As a writer, Sarah Ready just keeps getting better and better. I found myself thoroughly enthralled by this romance between Andrea Leighton-Hughes and Jace Morgan.
From the moment they meet in Central Park, Andi and Jace know that they have found the person that fills the missing space within them. Andi has come from a shockingly wealthy family whilst Jace knows only the ugly side of life, living in the Bronx. However, Jace is a musical prodigy and with his brothers, he is determined to be successful yet with Andi, she help him play from the heart. Despite their connection, it feels like everything, and everyone is determined to keep them apart. What follows is the incredible journey of how life tears them apart, despite them trying all they can to stay together.
I found myself on this journey with Andi and Jace which can only be equated to a rollercoaster ride, with significant highs and tremendous lows. Yet, there always appears to be a glimmer of hope which I knew would lead to a great ending. Every single piece to this puzzle was cleverly connected and so amazing. I just loved it!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
In The Space Between, Jace and Andi meet as teenagers, simultaneously struck by the feeling that they just met their "person". Despite the differences that threaten to keep them apart, the pair fight to be together, to prove all the doubters wrong. Split into three parts and crossing nearly two decades of time, this book centers around a romance that encountered nearly every bump imaginable along the way, but the love always remained.
If you are looking for a read that will take you on an emotional journey, The Space Between is sure to fit the bill. Just when I thought I could predict where the plot was headed, Sarah Ready said "NOPE" and left my jaw on the floor. Though I had planned to pace my listen to the audiobook, I couldn't bring myself to hit pause. The need for answers pulled me right in. In a lot of ways, this book felt like three wrapped into one as the main characters navigated various phases of life, both together and apart. It was fascinating to see how they came together, fell apart and navigated the journey back. Both Jace and Andi were incredibly compelling leads.
Of the titles I have read from her so far, this is my favorite from Ready. These are characters that had to take the long road to happiness and because there were so many obstacles placed along the way, I could see why it might feel frustrating for some readers. But if you're someone who enjoys angst and an emotional read, Jace and Andi's fated love will shock and deliver.
Thanks to NetGalley, W. W. Crown and Sarah Ready for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Sarah Ready is a writer that emerges you into the characters world with visual and sensory description. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book.
A new take on the old star crossed lover story. The book started out a little cheesy at times but definitely picked up and improved throughout the story. The character development was great with some twists and turns you don’t really see coming. The writer does a great job of keeping the story moving. Overall a great love story not only of the main characters but of their family relationships. Well worth the read!
I was completely blown away by this book. It's a rollercoaster of emotions that had me hooked from start to finish. The way it explores true love, second chances, and the power of music is simply mesmerizing.
The story is divided into three parts, each capturing a different stage in Jace and Andi's lives. From their initial meeting to the heart-wrenching challenges they face, I felt deeply invested in their journey. The characters are so well-developed and relatable, making it easy to connect with their struggles and triumphs.
The writing style is incredibly immersive. The author's ability to evoke emotions and paint vivid scenes had me feeling like I was right there with the characters. And the inclusion of lyrics and music throughout the book added an extra layer of depth and beauty.
I have to admit, there were moments that had me in tears. The raw emotions and the way the story tackles love, loss, and personal growth made it a truly impactful read. It's a book that stays with you long after you've finished it.
If you're looking for a heartwarming and emotional story filled with unforgettable characters, this book is an absolute must-read. Trust me, you won't be able to put it down.
What I liked:
• The two opposite worlds colliding.
• The very different, but emotional back stories of Jace and Andi.
• The range of emotions packed into the story and felt as a reader.
• The writing - it was unpredictable with a few twists, but clever in places too.
Wow! I don’t even think I can put into words how much I adored this book. I first discovered Sarah Ready when I was accepted as and arc reader for French Holiday earlier this year and this book confirmed, I am a HUGE fan!
The emotions packed into this story were so powerful with a storyline that gripped me from start to finish. I thought this was going to be a nice, cute romance, but it was so much more! I was sobbing, laughing, grinning and everything in between.
The plot and characters were all incredible and have definitely left a big lasting impression on me. The depth and development of the characters was gorgeous to read. I truly felt a part of this story.
The meeting between Jace and Andi would come under the insta-love trope and if you know me, I’m not a fan of that, however I adored this book so it was very easy to overlook, especially as the connection was built quick but strong between them.
There’s definitely some sensitive topics covered (some brief, some detailed) and so I would advise reading the trigger warnings beforehand.
I could talk about so many points and aspects of The Space Between, but don’t want to give anything away so I will leave it by saying that I would read this book a thousand times over. I can’t wait for release day to buy a copy!
Thank you Netgalley and Sarah Ready for accepting me as an arc reader in exchange for an honest review.
I love Sarah Ready’s writing so much that I knew I had to read her latest release as soon as I saw it!
These may be my new favorite book of hers! I bawled my eyes out throughout most of it! I’ve never wanted a couple to end up together more than Jace and Andi. Both characters had such different upbringings and grew up on different sides of New York, but someway somehow they ended up meeting and their lives changed forever. The space between their beginning and their end was a rollercoaster of craziness, pain and struggles that broke my heart and really had me debating how their story would end. It truly makes you realize that no matter what, if you’re meant to be with someone then everything will fall into place when the time is right.
It was such a beautiful love story in so many different ways and I highly recommend it to anyone who believes in second chances!
Sarah Ready has only gone and done it again. This novel send me on a rollercoaster of emotions. Be prepared to get your heart broken not just once. Yet it is so heartwarming and sweet. Perfect read if you want something light but not too light.
The characters are so well developed. I could not help but love all of them and feel for all of them. The twists in this sometimes catch you by surprise sometimes they are a tiny bit predictable but I did not mind that.
This book definitely will be in my favourites of the year.
And a little bit of instalove although not my favourite trope but when it’s done so well - never hurt.
Omg my heart can't take it 😭
This was my first book by Sarah and what a book it was. Jace and Andi's story was so beautifully heartbreaking. Full of twists I didn't expect that had my jaw hitting the floor along with some really sweet and tender moments that made me smile. I've been on such a rollercoaster with this story. The story is dual narration and split into 3 sections. I really enjoyed how this story was set out. It flowed really well and I liked that we got small sections from each character along with big chunks from them too. It really got me invested in the story. A great cast of characters which felt real and authentic. The story was a beautiful love story and after finishing I wanted to immediately pick it back up and go again.
The Space Between is a great read/listen and I really can't wait to read more by this author.
This book is such an amazing story of love, passion, heartbreak, & loss. It was a roller-coaster ride and I am glad I took it.
As a music lover, lyrics play a huge part in my life. They can transport me to a particular moment or memory. SonI truly resonated with Andi and Jace's connection through his music.
When their love starts, you think nothing could tear them apart. A young love so incredibly strong you can feel it. Much like Andi, I never saw what was coming.
Our main characters are torn apart and have to find their way back to each other. But what happens in the Space Between?
Can all be okay again?
Will their love conquer all?
I received this and the audiobook.left my review on the audiobook. I loved it! My first read by this author but definitely not my last!
A story of love and told from both the main characters points of view, so it’s easy to understand all the drama and challenges they face. It’s an easy read and was an easy listen
Definitely my favorite book by Sarah Ready! She really dove deep with this one. While I've enjoyed the romcoms I've read this was a superstar! This book made me feel loads of emotions. I was so mad but then I realized I didn't stay mad. It made me feel happy too. The characters were just so well written. It was just a great book! I switched between the kindle version and the audio and just loved both. The narration was my favorite. All of Sarah's audiobooks have been winners in this area! This book comes out July 25th and I can't recommend it enough.
I expected funny and silly romace, but I got heart breaking live story and I loved it. I loved everything about this book.
The easiest 5 stars.
Thanks to netGelley for this arc
The Space Between tells an epic story of love, heartbreak and forgiveness spanning years and long distances.
Andi and Jace, from completely opposite backgrounds, meet and fall in love almost instantly. But their path to happiness is far from straight. We get to see them grow and live their lives together and apart.
It’s rare that a book elicits so many emotions out of me. I cried, I almost threw my kindle at the wall, but then I was so happy to see them finally together for good!
There’s so much betrayal in this book that I was honestly impressed by the capacity for forgiveness our characters possessed. My heart could never be this big. The plot twists are jaw dropping and will leave you frustrated, but it’s all worth it.
As much as there is grief and anger, there is so much more love and hope in this story! Love comes in different shapes and forms, and we should welcome it into our lives, because it only makes us richer. Andi and Jace realise that there is so much place for love in their hearts that it doesn’t leave any space for hate or anger, only forgiveness.
MAYBE SPOILER?
I have only one complaint. I would have liked a bit more agency from the MCs at times. It felt a little bit serendipity-ish, and while I don’t expect my romance to be realistic, it still seems implausible that they’d meet like that accidentally again. I wished it was an active decision from at least one of them.
MAYBE SPOILER END
The audiobook was a great listen, the narrators conveyed every emotion perfectly and made the experience so much better!
Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I received an advance copy from NetGalley, and this is my honest review.
First things first, I cried at work listening to this. I read French Holiday by Sarah Ready earlier in the year and it was silly, lighthearted, and funny. This was none of those things and I freaking love it for it.
Andrea is NYC elite and hates how shallow and cruel everything is. She meets Jace in the park after he's been jumped by rich kids from school. He's an extremely talented musician who is just getting by and she's charmed by the genuine connection they have. They fall into love over the next few months and it was nice to see how hard they were trying. After some machinations against them, they spend the next 8 years without word from the other. She goes back to NYC society and he makes it big as a musician.
*Now, this part is complete spoilers so proceed with caution*
But holy crap I was not expecting Reid to be my favorite part of this book. He's arrogant and smarmy in the beginning but the growth he goes through in the book was stunning. Their wedding night cracked me up and I was grinning at their friendship as they moved through life together. The gentle love he showed her with absolutely no expectation of getting love in return hurt me deeply. I cried as his storyline was wrapping up.
*spoilers over*
After all of that, she finds Jace again exactly when she's supposed to and it was lovely. There wasn't any bitterness for the time that passed or their circumstances, just gratitude. And I'm grateful I got to read it.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.
Let me tell you a lyric.
There once was a little bird, who flew out from her gilded cage.
She was free and flying high, until one day she finds someone who can’t.
She helps him find his wings, and he flies with only her.
She helps him find his voice and He sings for only her.
Life was great until it wasn’t.
The jealous wind comes unwanted,
bringing chaos, pain and loses.
Leaving big, long space among them.
Would they ever fly together again?
Would he ever stop singing for her?
Would the space between them ever fade?
It’s hard for me to explain how much this story stuck with me. I found this book, this author by accident and I just knew that even though this is usually not what I prefer to read, I just needed to give it a chance. I didn’t read the synopsis, I just saw the cover and read the title and I thought I need this one right now, at this moment. It’s odd but the space between when I started to read this book and when I finished it, I feel like my heart got bigger just a little more. It cracked multiple times, surely it did but the author has talent of mending and creating warm feelings with her words and for that I thank her truly.
The story itself is not complicated. It’s a rock-star love story. It’s second chance romance. Its rich girl meets poor boy. It’s everything my romantic heart loves and swoons over. What it had that surprised me and I do not see it often is, it had a soul. This story sucks you in and holds you in its 14 and plus year of tragic love story. It will make you cry but it will also help you smile. I grew with the characters. I got my heart broken with them. I grieved with them. I felt their pain, I felt their love, I felt their friendship. I felt what author wanted me to learn. I felt the value of today. I felt the value of single moment and how I should cherish it no matter what. I learned that there are different kinds of love. That some people’s heart are so big that they can give it to multiple people. And yes this story at times felt unreal, for it’s hard to believe that such strong connection can exist in real world, but as a reader I first and foremost “believe”. I believe that it could happen. It’s scary at times to have it open and vulnerable to people but as Reid said in the book time and time. We need to start living and not just existing in this world.
Thank you to NetGalley!
I really feel like this was one of those you either love it or hated it. I had looked at a lot of the reviews prior to reading it (the ARC reviews that is) and saw that is how it went.
First thing I noted, this is a BIG book. Try though not to be scared off by that. While its not a retelling at all of Romeo and Juliet it almost follows that basis of that. Two beautiful souls who grew up in two different worlds of the same place (Upper East side, vs south Bronx).
This book made me believe that when you meet the one you are supposed to be with, nothing ever stops that no matter what direction your life takes.
This broke me in so many ways. Its long but its worth it!
As a first experience with Ready's work, "The Space Between" was a solid introduction. Andi and Jace's insta-love story starts out as YA and moves through a series of life lessons, losses, heartache, and happy endings. As someone who doesn't typically read YA, I felt like the author did a good job with their storylines at that point in the book. It's what happens next that gives me pause to give the book 5 stars.
As deeply in love as Andi and Jace are, I often found the chemistry lacking between them. To say they were obsessed with each other is an understatement, which didn't really give away to a true love vibe. I do think as their story progressed, I found myself championing for each of them: the rich high society girl and the down out, gutter rat boy.
When things go wrong for the young lovers, Andi heads back to New York, where she creates a friendship and life with an unlikely person: Reid. Reid is from Andi and Jace's past and while life hasn't given him the wins he wanted; he has grown into a man that provides Andi with a safe place to belong.
What unfolds is a tearjerker of a story, a lesson in forgiveness, and a beautiful HEA. I had issues with some of the drama in this book. I found it to be hard to buy some of the B plots. This one is THICCCC (over 500 pages) so be prepared to spend a lot of time with these characters. With that being said, I binged the book in 2 days, was brought to tears a few times, and absolutely loved Andi and Reid's storyline.