If you're looking for a cozy Hallmark movie in book form, then Reach for the Stars by Maxine Morrey may just be the book for you.

The book follows the DIY misadventures of Felicity as she settles down in the English countryside after a messy breakup with her ex-fiance. Felicity doesn't have the best track record of experiences with people she can rely on and trust. So when she meets Jesse, whose charitable, kind personality rubs against her hyper independence, it's a rollercoaster for the two to find equilibrium and work together to make Felicity's new life more than she didn't know she needed.

It follows the romance genre conventions of a messy meet-cute, female protagonist needing to lean into community over hyper independence, and some predictable twists and turns when new life and old collide. It was an easy read, and I was able to finish within a weekend. There are some pacing issues that tested my suspension of disbelief more than I would like out of a cozy read, but nothing too out of the way of your average romance novel.

With that in mind, I give this book a 4/5 stars. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book!

Reach for the Stars had a good plot. I enjoyed the basics of the storyline, but it took a really long time to get anywhere. I set this book down 5 different times over 3 days before I was halfway through and then forced myself to finish it, since I had already invested myself into 50% of it. I'm not sure if the British English threw me, but I had a hard time connecting with the words.

Thank you for the copy, this is my honest opinion. Please be aware of any trigger warnings, as your mental health is most important.

I enjoyed reading Reach for the Stars by Maxine Morrey. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

I'm always looking for a romance book that is closed door but still has quality writing and this book grabbed me at Chapter 1! The author's writing style is excellent and "Reach for the Stars" has a pretty true-to-life plausible plot; the FMC is so relatable. This was a solid 4 star read for me. I received a complimentary ARC from the author/publishing company via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of Reach for the Stars. I'm grateful for this opportunity. Felicity just needs something to go right for her. So far, there is just a Dark Cloud following her. Enter Jesse, Who ends up being that Silver Lining to her cloud. This isn't a perfect couple romance, but it's about working things out. The only reason I am only giving it four stars is the pacing.

Thank you to NetGalley, Maxine Morrey, and Boldwood Books for my ARC copy. I promised to leave you an honest review in return.

Reach for the Stars by Maxine Morrey
This was a great story from beginning to end!
Felicity drowns her sorrow in a dramatic way after witnessing her ex and his new wife on the glossy spread of a magazine. She ends up in a whole new life when she home shops drunk and buys her way into a dilapidated farmhouse site unseen. She also manages to lose her job and close on her own apartment in the span of a drunken stupor. Then her DIY farmhouse crushes her spirit when a tree crushes the roof of the house and her car during a storm.
“Flissy” has trust issues and has a hard time accepting any help, especially from the gorgeous neighbor she keeps running into.
This one was terrific! I was laughing out loud in the first chapter! While there were serious parts and moments that evoked all the feelings that you look for in a romance, this one was also fun to read. It had a beautiful story of self discovery, finding love, and was full of personal growth. Jesse’s dog, Ned stole the show too!
I enjoyed the character building and the fiendships found in a small town, both really allowed the reader to connect with the story. The book was a wonderfully written story of finding one’s purpose and place. 4/5⭐️
I would like to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to review an ARC of this title.

3.5 stars
I love a small town romance and the chemistry between Felicity and Jesse, obvious from the start, is lovely.
It was great seeing Felicity grow in character as she works on the house and rebuilds the confidence in herself as she learns to trust in others again.
The community around her and her new home was the perfect antidote to her misgivings in buying the house to begin with and seeing how they welcomed her to their town was wonderful.

This book could have been a favorite for a city girl dreaming of her own house in the countryside with a few hectares of land. But, of course, there’s no money for that 😅. So the idea of reading a story about someone fulfilling such a dream felt very appealing.

The book is well-written, with great dialogue. However, I felt it lacked more grounded reasoning behind the characters’ actions. Perhaps adding the mmc’s POV would have helped better explain their motivations.

I really wanted to love this story, but the book never managed to completely captivate me.

After seeing her ex-fiancé's wedding in the social media Felicity has a bit of a pity party, during which she manages to buy a cottage in the country sight unseen. Also as an after effect she also manages to get fired from her high powered job as an interior designer. Upon arriving at her new purchase she finds it in a dilapidated state, so she begrudgingly starts trying to make it habitable. She first meets her neighbour when she knocks him over with a piece of wood, not exactly the best start, but he comes to her rescue when her cottage is badly damaged in a storm.
I loved this book, I found I became totally engrossed in the story and the time just whizzed past. I felt for Felicity and her fish out of water experience after being a city girl, but she did knuckle down and try to make the best of a bad thing. Her new neighbour, Jess, comes across as very helpful, although there is a reason behind this, plus the other locals all come out to help when disaster happens. An idyllic view of village life, although it does mention the downsides as well, together with the will they / won't they romantic part of the story. I really must get around to reading other stories by this author languishing in my TBR list.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

Felicity, shaped by a difficult past, is fiercely independent, making it hard for her to accept help—even from Jesse, whose steadfast support begins to break down her walls. Their evolving relationship, from tension to teamwork, is one of the book’s highlights, with Jesse standing by her side through her struggles.

As the story unfolds, Felicity’s guarded nature and trust issues become understandable, given her history. The small-town setting, though warm and welcoming, feels overwhelming for someone as private as her, adding another layer of conflict. Jesse’s protective instincts and his ability to own up to mistakes make him a compelling partner. Humor, especially in Felicity’s city-girl encounters with rural life, adds levity to the otherwise emotionally heavy narrative.

A standout moment is Felicity’s heartfelt café speech, emphasizing that self-worth isn’t tied to money. It’s a lesson that resonates deeply and underscores the book’s themes of resilience and self-acceptance.

However, the third act falters with an abrupt resolution. While Felicity’s decisions are understandable, her choice to chase after Jesse instead of the other way around feels inconsistent with their dynamic. Despite this, the story delivers humor, emotional depth, and a satisfying message about overcoming the past and finding value in oneself.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my review.

I enjoyed this sweet, small town romance! Felicity was a main character I genuinely wanted to root for, and Jesse was such a kind, caring MMC. I think the opening is especially strong and hooks the reader in, which allows you to care for the characters. I also enjoyed that these characters have real problems and life hiccups.

But things get bogged down by the repetitive dialogue throughout the middle. I feel like Felicity and Jesse have the same two conversations for about half the book. There is also some nonsensical drama in the last 20% that didn’t feel necessary to the plot.

Overall, I think this is a fun, short book that doesn’t add anything new to the genre, but is great if you enjoy small town romance books with no spice.

I’ll be honest my late night risky purchases tend to lean towards a flashing disco light or giraffe shaped vase from Amazon, but in this book the purchase in question is a run-down farmhouse, conveniently next door to the most wonderful hunk you’ve ever dreamt up. When a storm causes a tree to thrash through the dodgy roof, there’s no other option than to accept his generous hospitality and discover the kindness that exists in village life. Joyful and sweet.

Fliss is a total mess at the beginning. Just about everything you can imagine occurring does. She buys a ramshackle house, ditches her job, and then her property is severely damaged.
Jesse steps in to lend a hand. Both he and Fliss warily tread around each other but are receptive to new beginnings.
It’s an appealing story about finding your place and giving your heart.
It’s also about trust and creating your own family.
Fliss was marvelous in the last few scenes and it was heartening to see her come into her own and claim what she wanted.

I just loved this book it was very heartwarming. I really liked the characters and how they were there to help Fliss even though they didn’t know her, they just wanted to help her. Once I started reading this book I just couldn’t put it down, I just love Maxine Morrey books they are like a big hug.

I would highly recommend reading this book if you love a good heartwarming read.

I would like to thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book early.

Maxine Morrey’s *Reach for the Stars* is a delightful rom-com packed with wit, charm, and just the right dose of heartfelt emotion. With its relatable heroine, dreamy countryside setting, and a love story that feels as warm as a cup of tea on a rainy day, this novel is perfect for fans of lighthearted romance with a touch of personal growth.

The story follows Felicity, or Fliss, whose perfectly curated city life unravels in spectacular fashion. After the gut-punch of seeing her ex-fiancé’s picture-perfect wedding plastered all over social media, Fliss makes an impulsive purchase—a ramshackle farmhouse that might just rival her personal life in disrepair. The charm of the countryside soon becomes apparent, thanks in large part to Jesse Woods, the ridiculously handy and undeniably swoon-worthy local who seems to have stepped straight out of a romance novel.

Morrey does a fantastic job of balancing humor and heart as Fliss navigates her new life, complete with unexpected roof collapses and runaway trees. The slow-burning connection between Fliss and Jesse is as endearing as it is entertaining. Their chemistry sparkles, built on a foundation of banter, shared vulnerability, and the kind of quiet moments that make you sigh out loud. Jesse is the kind of romantic lead who makes you want to pack your bags for the countryside—charming, grounded, and genuinely kind.

Fliss herself is a wonderfully relatable protagonist. Her journey from heartbroken city girl to someone who learns to embrace a simpler, more fulfilling life is both inspiring and laugh-out-loud funny. Morrey’s knack for writing flawed, lovable characters shines through, and Fliss’s mishaps—from DIY disasters to moments of emotional doubt—make her feel like someone you’d want to grab a drink with and commiserate over life’s messes.

The countryside setting is a character in itself, described with such charm and warmth that you can practically feel the crisp country air and hear the creak of old farmhouse floorboards. Morrey’s vivid descriptions add depth to the story, providing the perfect backdrop for Fliss’s personal transformation and her budding romance with Jesse.

What makes *Reach for the Stars* stand out is its balance of humor and emotional depth. While there are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, the story also touches on themes of trust, self-discovery, and learning to rebuild after life’s curveballs. Morrey’s writing is engaging and lighthearted, but she doesn’t shy away from the emotional beats that make the story resonate.

With its quirky cast of secondary characters, moments of laughable chaos, and a romance that feels authentic and deeply satisfying, *Reach for the Stars* is a joy from start to finish. Maxine Morrey reminds us that sometimes the biggest risks lead to the greatest rewards, and that even when life feels like a series of disasters, there’s beauty in the rebuild.

This is a five-star rom-com that will leave you grinning, swooning, and maybe even planning your own countryside escape.

DNF
I found Fliss exhausting. I'm sure there's a well founded reason that she's so fiercely independent, but it is really hard to develop empathy for a character when she's so prickly from the outset on top of her poor decisionmaking fueled by alcohol consumption being a turn off.
I could see the direction that this is heading and I appreciate it, but this book is not for me.
If a character begins the book at a rock bottom, it's really important to be given a reason to empathize and root for them early on, but I didn't get that from this book.

The crash and burn of Felicity’s London life is the beginning to an adventure she never would have imagined. Selling her London condo and buying a sight unseen farm in the countryside ushers in a life completely different for her. It also brings Jesse, a man of depth and true character. A captivating story from start to finish.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Felicity buys a house unseen after her life falls apart in London. One day buying some lumber she bumps into a new face.
This kinda started off as an enemy to friends to lovers type story. It’s about starting over, making new friends and finding a new life in the last place you expected.
It’s an easy to read book and makes a good beach read

Another great comfort read from Maxine Morrey.. Although her books are generally predictable, they are so well-written with great characters, I always enjoy them.

Felicity moves to the country on a drunken whim after her London life explodes. She meets Jesse in what can be a meet cute in another life but just makes her day worse when he laughs at her while her overalls disintegrate in the rain. Things seem going from bad to worse when part of her new, crumbling house is destroyed but Jesse comes to the rescue. She doesn't want to accept his help as she is accustomed to doing everything for herself. As the story continues, we understand why she is the way she is and her reactions to things, Jesse also has a sad past but he is really a knight in shining armour for her although she is reluctant to accept his help.

The lovely slow burn romance between the two is sweet and although they have hurdles to navigate, they ultimately get their HEA. I enjoyed this sweet story very much and would recommend to readers looking for a romantic, fun and entertaining book

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Yet another book to take me back to great 80s movies-this one brought to mind “The Money Pit”
Felicity is unhappy with the way things are going in her life so she decides to upend everything and move to the country-she buys a farmhouse from the listing only and not see it in person and when she gets there she’s shocked to find it’s not quite as advertised. Thankfully, the owners brother, Jesse, gets wind of her moving in-the beauty of a small town-and comes to her aid. Felicity is afraid to open her heart after past heartbreak.
There’s more to the story than just the romance that develops. I loved the growth that was shown in Felicity and the banter between the two MC was fun and entertaining. It’s a closed door romance with no spice but it does get into some heavy stuff in a couple of points.
“I came here and found everything I was missing.”
That being said if you’re a fan of Abby Jimenez or Emily Henry or such, you’ll probably enjoy this one.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.