4.5

The Space Between Review

One of the most touching, heartfelt reads i've come across this year. Was such a powerful story about overcoming fear, music, family, love and loss. I enjoyed every moment of this book.

If youre in the mood for:
- Dual POVS ( past and present)
- Family bands
- enemies to lovers (kind of)
- heartbreaking moments :(

This book just felt so different compared to all the other books I've read this year ti was so beautifully written and I was delighted to be able to listen to the audiobook.

Thank you to the publisher and @netgalley for a copy the audiobook. This was a great love story that spans from teenage love to adulthood. Jace and Andrea are from two different worlds and connected so well. There's heartbreak and so much growth during the space between. I enjoyed the dual POV narration which was done well.

The mogul’s daughter and the boy from the wrong side of the tracks, brought together as though by fate in Central Park, again and again over more than a decade… Andi wants nothing more than to escape the stifling prison that is the Tower, the massive skyscraper owned by her real estate tycoon father. Jace only wants to make music with his brothers in honor of his slain parents – until Andi comes to his rescue when one of the rich boys and a few others from his private school jump him in the park. When they’re 18, their love is undoubtable. But will they be able to overcome their differences – wealth, power, skin color, their families’ disapproval and expectation – and live the happily ever after they know is meant to be?

<i>Note: This book is quite dark in places. Please see (somewhat spoiler-y) content warnings below and read with caution and care.</i>

[b:The Space Between|122781033] starts off really charming as Jace and Andi meet and fall in love. Their adventures around New York are delightful – they have so much chemistry together, and Andi is a blast: sarcastic, perfectly at home at her mother’s fancy parties and in a dingy club cheering on Jace and his brothers’ band. The events that tear them apart are wrenching (see content warnings) and it’s no surprise they are both badly damaged by it.

Unfortunately, I had a really tough time with <spoiler>Jace’s brother Dean’s decision to lie to both him and Andi in order to break them up, leading indirectly to Jace’s life-threatening crash. I really struggled with how easily Jace forgave Dean’s decision (and middle brother River’s choice to keep Dean’s lie) – the lie ultimately nearly got him killed, and kept him apart from Andi for more than a decade.</spoiler>

One of my favorite parts <spoiler>ended up being Andi’s relationship with Reid, her childhood frenemy (and Jace’s school tormentor), who comes to her in a moment of great need. I honestly wouldn’t have minded a version of this story in which they ended up together.</spoiler>

James Fouhey and Rachel Hirsch do a great, sensitive job narrating. (I listened to about half, and read about half.)

CW: <spoiler>Death of parents (flashback, on the page), attempted suicide, attempted sexual assault/rape, assault/battery, severe injury from vehicle crash, partner’s death from cancer, emotionally abusive parents.</spoiler>

[b:The Space Between|122781033] by [a:Sarah Ready|20871147]
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
🌶️ 🌶️ Mostly when they’re young and horny
🎸🎤🎺 The thing Jace and Andi do with lyrics is really cute
🏍️ So much angst could be avoided by just… taking a breath (and making a phone call) before jumping into action
🌼🛩️🏖️ That awkward feeling when someone other than the MMC steals the show
🤡 Not sure if the somewhat Trumpy vibes of Andi’s dad were intentional but… 😬

<i>Thanks to NetGalley and WW Crown for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.</i>

DNF after 3 attempts.
This makes me super sad friends.
I love Sarah Ready and I tried listening to this audio 3 different times.
I just couldn't get into it.
This just felt cheesy to me.
I mean no disrespect to the author or any other person who enjoyed this book.

I am grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced audio copy and I still look forward to this authors future releases.

Here's a list of the ones that I have read and reccomend.

Josh and Gemma Make a Baby
Josh and Gemma the Second Time Around
French Holiday

It's the first book I read by the author Sarah Ready! A beautiful story, developed in New York! I like the changes of times, the passion of the characters, the twists that history gives, the revelations, it's a book that you should read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Space Between

This is probably my favorite book so far this year (and yes, I read Fourth Wing and loved it)!

Jace and Andrea’s story had me yelling out loud, crying ugly tears and then crying happy tears. I felt iALL the emotions while reading this. There were times when I just had to set the book down and take a breather because I didn’t know if my heart could handle anymore. I’m a hardcore “every story MUST have a happily ever after” reader and there were times when I wondered if I should just stop to prevent the heartache. So glad I stuck with it!! I feel like I can’t even find the exact right words to portray how much this story moved me. I was rooting for people I never thought I would and sobbing over scenes I didn’t think I would.

This is my first Sarah Ready novel and it absolutely blew me away and I am adding all of her books to my library. The character building is done beautifully and makes you fall in love with each character (except maybe Dean-I’m not letting go). I just can’t say enough good things.

ALL THE ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!!

Overall, this was a sweet story, but it pulled some CoHo shit in the middle that was ultra messed up. I won't share the spoiler here, but it went off the rails for sure.

Lots of folks have commented in reviews about this being YA, and while I don't see it shelved as YA anywhere, it absolutely reads like that. I'm not super keen on the instant love without any really reasons other than instant physical attraction, as an adult, it's hard for me to perceive this story as something that can have any sort of long term happy ending, but I am glad that Ready made it span over years and not be a rebound situation.

3.75 stars

Jace Morgan played music in a band with his older brothers and friends. They usually played in Central Park after school and on the weekends. The music was one way the brothers were able to support themselves after the death of their parents as well as a way to honor their love of music. One day they hoped to make it big in the music industry.

Andrea (Andi) Leighton-Hughes came from a wealthy family with dealings in real estate. Her father was a great manipulator and was ruthless when it came to getting what he wanted. He treated his family similarly. Andrea didn't want the life he father expected. She did what she needed to do to avoid her father's wrath.

Jace and Andi met one day in Central Park after Jace's band finished playing. They quickly connected and started spending every available minute together. Jace's band had an offer to tour the country for several months. They jumped at the chance and Andi planned to go also. She wanted to help set up and break down after concerts, cook, and anything else they needed. When Andi left, her family was very upset and cut off all financial help. Touring was hard, but Andi and Jace deepened their relationship and planned to get married. Before they could get married, Andi caught Jace cheating on her with a fan after a show. She left Jace, returned home, and took up her expected place within the family.

Years down the road, Jace and Andi reconnect.

I read one of Ready's books last year and loved it. I really wanted to love this one as much. I think the story would have been better told in two books. They start their romance as seventeen year olds and then there is a huge gap where they are not together. There is a lot of detail about Andi's life after she returns to her family and works in the family business that doesn't relate to her story with Jace. It does bring in her relationship with Reid. To me the first book would end shortly after Reid's death. The second book would cover all that came after as a second chance romance. I loved Andi and Jace as a main characters. Both felt real and their actions were relatable. The narration of the audiobook was excellent and I enjoyed both narrators.

I received an audiobook ARC for The Space Between and want to thank Sarah Ready, W. W. Crown, and NetGalley for the opportunity to voluntarily read and give an honest review of this book. The Space Between will be published on July 25, 2023.

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.

Now, I do wonder if I would have enjoyed The Space Between just as much if I'd read the ebook or a physical copy instead since this book is over 500 pages long. 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.

Thank you NetGalley for the AAC. This was my first audiobook and I loved it! The Space Between by Sarah Ready is an epic love story. Narrated by both Jace (James Fouhey) and Andy/Andrea (Rachel F. Hirsch) gives the story a view of both characters’ feelings throughout their lives. Jace, a poor kid from the south Bronx meets Andy in Central Park following one of his concerts in the park. He is being raised by his older brother Dean who took responsibility for him and his brother River when their parents died tragically five years before. Andy could never have imagined how following her heart would lead to her strange and unexpected destiny. The story highlights both Jace and Andy’s lives as they leave their teenage years, grow and mature into adulthood. Though they choose different paths, their love for each other keeps bringing them back together. I enjoyed the family dynamics that were described throughout the story. They alluded that one didn’t have to be a blood relative to be truly loved and accepted. Sometimes situations arise in our lifetimes that cause us to make choices based solely on duty that eventually help us form unbreakable bonds of love that can be stronger than blood alone. I found myself laughing out loud, shaking my head, biting my nails and reading through my tears on this journey of true love. It reminded me that everything in life happens for a reason and though we may not know what that reason is, we just have to trust that fate will always guide us to our true destiny.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy audio version of this book.

By fate Jace and Andy meet one night in Central Park completely altering their lives forever. Both are from two different worlds, one dirt poor and the other from one of the wealthiest families in Manhattan. The love both of them share is one of those first loves that never leaves them. They are both able to be themselves with each other despite their vastly different circumstances. We follow them through their journey that is entwined with a love for music and self discovery of what truly matters to them.

The events of one night completely alter the plans they had together, forcing them both to pursue different paths in life.

Their story is one that faces the ultimate question. Is love enough to keep hanging on when there is so much trying to keep you apart?

It’s not that the book is bad, but I just couldn’t get into the story. I enjoyed another book by the same author but this one was just not it for me. I dnd’ed at ~30%. It might be for you if you like cute romantic stories.

It took me a long while to get into this book. I just couldn’t connect with the characters nor the story.
This was only my second book by the author, the first time being Josh and Gemma make a baby. It was an okay read.
I’m starting to wonder if this author maybe isn’t for me.
I can’t really put a finger on why I didn’t completely like the space between, but it was just slow and awkward, and I felt the dialogue was forced and the characters had no personality.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to listen to the audiobook early.

Really enjoyed the audio book of the space between. The narratior keeps the story interesting and I found myself becoming lost in this beautiful story. If you like music and human connections pick this up.

I loved this book so much and it took me through so many emotions. When a book can make you cry you know you were invested into the characters!

I loved this book! What a great story! True love wins again.
I enjoyed the journey of seeing Andrea and Jace as young to adults. The saga of finding yourself before you can be with the one.

My first read by Sarah Ready but not my last! Thank you for the opportunity!

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.

As I was physically reading it and in between switching to the audiobook I would also like to mention how amazing the narration of this was. I usually am not massively into audiobooks and struggle listening to them and keeping my attention on the book and not just have it on as background noise but I must say this was narrated so well that I could easily jump between ebook and audiobook.

This is ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and definitely one of my favourite books this year.

The absolute BEST BOOK I HAVE READ THIS YEAR! It has everything a best seller needs. Romance, conflict, tragedy, Love, adventure!
I do not want to say too much to give it away. Quickly! Get this book! Preorder, reserve, whatever you need to do! Don’t miss out!
The audiobook was a solid performance. Captivating and well spoken the narrator did an amazing job. Great choice of voice to bring this story to life.

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.
I listened to the audio along side reading and I loved the narration. I have not listened to anything by these 2 narrators before and they did a great job with the characterisation of Jace and Andi. I won't hesitate to pick up an audio with these 2 in the future.
The Space Between is a great read/listen and I really can't wait to read more by this author.

This YA story is a tale of two very different people falling in love and supporting each other. However, fate and circumstances do separate them.
The story is narrated from Andreas and Jace viewpoint and the two narrators have pleasant voices.
However, the plot did not come together for me and I had a hard time finishing the book.