"Reach for the Stars" by Maxine Morrey is such a sweet, warm and light read. I actually really enjoyed seeing Fliss's development from being the self-centered, materialistic, spoiled character to the person who has more sense in her head. The characters who played second fiddle in this book were fantastic; they added so much more to the story, and the pacing was just about perfect.

But the chemistry between Fliss and Jesse lacked it for me. Their conversations sounded rather too polite and full of constant "thank yous" and "sorrys," that seemed way too formal in order to not make their encounters anything but forced. Their romance was a bit forced and unnatural, and I had wished there would be more sparks between them. At the same time, though, there were scenes genuinely funny enough to make me laugh out loud. Overall, a good rom-com for those in the mood for light and fun.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

When Felicity’s life implodes she makes the rash decision of selling her London apartment and buying a farmhouse in the country. She’s gets more than she bargains for when she sees the state of the place. When a storm comes and knocks a tree into her bedroom she’s forced to accept help and a place to stay from her handsome neighbor, Jesse Woods. She’s been burned in the past, but can she trust that Jesse won’t break her heart?

Fliss was a difficult character to connect to at first. She’s had a lot of obstacles thrown at her, but what I didn’t understand was her refusal for help that at a certain point bordered idiotic. Her house is ruined and unlivable after a storm brings her tree crashing through the roof on the section directly above her bed. She could’ve died. Here is this kind guy and lovely neighbors willing to help someone who is essentially homeless and she refuses any kind of help. Now I get refusing help at first and being talked into receiving it. And she does have a lot of baggage surrounding receiving help, but at 50% of the novel she’s still going on about it, and it becomes rather tiresome. It also keeps the hero at a distance. He’s a saint full of patience because I would not have had the level of patience that he had. She does eventually let it go, of the need to do everything herself and accept help, but it took awhile to get there.

I really liked Jesse. He was kind and honest. He genuinely cared about Fliss and her safety in a way that did not come across as overbearing or patronizing. He was very straightforward and called it as he saw it, which I appreciated. There’s no mistaking his intentions.

This is a story about rebuilding yourself. Fliss has left her old life behind and is slowly figuring out who she is outside of the posh world she grew up in. It’s a hard won journey, and she is fortunate to have such loving people help her along the way.

As far as the love story, I didn’t quite feel the chemistry between them. I felt the love story could’ve been developed more. I did enjoy the small town vibe and the secondary characters quite a bit. The story itself was fine, it just didn’t give me all the feels.

I received a free copy of, Reach for the Stars, by Maxine Morrey, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book reminded me of the movie, The Money Pit. Fliss has her own money pit of a house. Fliss has lost her job and moved to the country to start over. This was a nice read.

This book gave me “Falling Inn Love” from Netflix or like hallmark movie vibes. Felicity aka Fliss, life is falling apart. She loses her job and her finance’. So she buys a falling apart farm house in the country and moves from the city to fix up the house and her life. Upon moving she meets Jesse, a handy country boy who must gain her trust. When her roof collapses the two are thrown together. This is a nice light closed door city girl/country boy romance.

Enjoyed this romance of a city girl and country boy. Lots of mishaps and sparks. Kept my interest throughout. Would recommend.

"Reach for the Stars" brings a cozy, slow-burn romance with all the hallmarks of a comforting, small-town love story. Felicity ("Fliss") has lost almost everything—a stable career, her sense of direction, and even her romantic optimism—when she impulsively buys a crumbling farmhouse in the countryside, hoping a fresh start will mend her broken heart. The storyline offers plenty of familiar yet heartwarming tropes: an unlucky-in-love heroine, an irresistibly charming hero, and a journey toward self-discovery, all set against the challenges of rustic home renovation.

The star of the story is undeniably Jesse Woods, whose kindness, patience, and support of Fliss’s clumsy foray into country life feel refreshingly sincere. His presence provides a sense of balance to the plot, even if his character occasionally leans into the "too good to be true" mold.

While the book's overall tone is warm and hopeful, it sometimes falls short on pacing. Much of the story focuses on Fliss’s internal struggle with trust and her insecurities about love, which can start to feel repetitive. The charm of the countryside setting and the sparks between Fliss and Jesse keep the story afloat, but the tension could be stronger, and the romantic payoff feels somewhat muted after a long buildup.

If you’re looking for a sweet, light read with a sprinkle of romance and some life-lesson moments, *Reach for the Stars* will offer a pleasant escape.

This book was cute but also cheesy with some parts deserving of a bunch of eye rolls so it's more of a palate cleanser read than anything else. The main characters were unrelatable and didn't have much chemistry between them. However, the overall plot was cute so it worked I guess.

This book was okay. It was a tad too cheesy for my liking. It had too much going on, and it was lame in parts. I think the premise was there but it was not executed as well as it could have been

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

A small town, closed door romance set in the English country side following our main heroine after a series of unfortunate life events. I rate this book 2.5 stars rounded to 3.0.
What I enjoyed about this book
- the setting
- our FMC retained agency and did not give up her career / passion once moving from the city (a massive pet peeve of mine)
- enjoyable and lively side characters, particularly Jules and Caro

What I did not enjoy about this book
- the romantic arc and chemistry between the FMC and MMC did not feel well developed
- the way the characters communicated with each other seemed largely unproductive and did not support their growing chemistry. The MMC would make a jab at the FMC causing her to shut down. Additionally there was a lot of unnecessary apologizing for feelings. I wish there had been more growth of our characters independently and as the relationship developed.
- the third act conflict and following confrontation between the FMC and side character did not seem like a necessary plot point and did not feel genuine. Additionally the FMC and MMC makeup also felt rushed.

Felicity 's loses her boyfriend to another girl, and Felicity loess her job and relocates to a village into a fixer upper farmhouse. cute story

Thank you NetGalley and Maxine Morrey for this ARC. I give a well-deserved four and a half to Reach for the Stars.

It is a warm, cozy small-town romance that’s impossible to put down. Felicity, the main character, is incredibly relatable as she navigates life with her past traumas shaping her decisions and fears, yet she continually rises above every setback with admirable resilience. Jesse is a wonderfully written character—a kind, dependable, and selfless man who truly deserves his second chance at love. Together, they share a slow-burn romance that feels natural and deeply satisfying.

The charm of the book also lies in its side characters; the entire town feels like a supportive community, adding that comforting found-family element that I love in cozy romances. My only issue was the ending, which felt a bit rushed as the story wrapped up quickly after the slow-burn buildup. However, this didn’t take away from the overall enjoyment, and I was left with that happy feeling of finishing a truly lovely romance.

For fans of small-town charm, found family, and second chances, Reach for the Stars is a perfect pick!

I enjoyed the storyline of this, Jesse and Fliss were good characters and it was interesting to read about felicity building a life for herself in the village. I’d say it was quite drawn out in places so it felt like it took a while for them to get together. But I did enjoy the read.

This book was a quick read with engaging characters. Felicity was relatable and charming! I typically enjoy Maxine Morrey books but I always find myself wishing they were longer and this is no exception. There was plenty of room to further explore these characters and their stories.

As usual in my reviews, I will not rehash the plot...

This is the first book I've read by this author. It is a heart-warming, light read in the "closed door romance" genre - which suits me just fine!

Overall I enjoyed it - though at times the dialogue was a little unrealistic. I didn't warm to Fliss to begin with, she was self-centred, closed-off, and materialistic - but gradually warmed to her as she became more human!

There are some lovely supporting characters - particularly liked Jules, and Maisie.

This is an ideal book to read on a journey, or on a chilly autumn day.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me this ARC!

I was thoroughly enjoying this book at first. It was fun, cute and the writing was fantastic. I enjoyed watching Felicity grow as a person and her realize some of her old habits weren't actually who she was. Jesse was an amazing, kind hearted person and I loved the two of them together.

I felt that there was a lot of repetition in regards to Felicity's personality. The repetition was relating to her doing things on her own, building up walls, and due to that, it felt like some of the conversations were extremely forced between her and Jesse.

I loved Jules! She could have had her own spin-off book, had her and Pete not ended up together in this novel. I felt like she was such a cute character. The side characters interacted well within the story.

This would have been a higher rated book for me had it not been for the falling out. The "issue" in romances is typically predictable; this one was not and it made Felicity appear immature. It felt like the author couldn't think of a "falling out" so made up something quick. It didn't align with Felicity's new character building which was unfortunate.

The book overall though was a cute, romantic read and didn't contain any spicy moments. If you're looking for something light and cute, this is for you! It's worth the read!

'Reach for the Stars' is a sweet slice of escapism. It's a classic rom-com with a funny meet-cute, gorgeous hero, and picturesque setting (in this case, a tumbledown farmhouse in the countryside).

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.

I got the chance to read the ARC for this book through NetGalley. I want to thank the publishers, author and NetGalley for the opportunity. I have so many good things to say about this book.

I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly it captured my attention. Right away I was rooting for Felicity, and invested in her story. I wanted to cry for her at low points and cheer for her at the high ones.

I love a good small town romance. This one captured the same magic as some of my favourite authors including Abby Jimenez and Emily Henry.
While a bit cheesy at times, the dialogue was believable and easy to enjoy. I could actually imagine these characters in real life. I grew to love all of them, even the side characters.

This is a closed-door romance with no spice. However, the chemistry between Felicity and Jesse was executed well enough that I didn’t feel anything was missing.

I especially loved the fact that this story was not just a romance. The author did an amazing job and developing growth in Felicity, and the romance felt more like part of her story than her entire life.

I would give this book a 4.5 stars. The only thing keeping it from a 5 is just how dialogue heavy it got at points. The story didn’t always feel like it was moving along and got difficult to establish how much time had passed and what was happening outside of the relationship.

Overall, I would love to read more from the author and I am excited to share this book with my friends when it’s released!

ARC Review: *Reach for the Stars* by Maxine Morrey

Maxine Morrey’s *Reach for the Stars* is an uplifting and delightful romcom that balances humor, heartache, and the journey toward healing. After a moment of drunken impulse and heartbreak over her ex-fiancé’s wedding, Felicity “Fliss” finds herself the proud (and slightly panicked) owner of a rundown farmhouse in the country. With her city-girl roots and an overwhelming renovation ahead, Fliss’s life takes a sharp turn—but the unexpected help of local heartthrob Jesse Woods might just help her find a way forward.

**Microtropes to enjoy**:
- **Grumpy/sunshine dynamic**: Fliss’s cynical outlook and guarded heart contrast beautifully with Jesse’s calm, supportive, and hopeful nature.
- **City girl, country boy**: The opposites-attract tension of Fliss adjusting to the countryside with Jesse as her grounded, handy guide adds charm and humor to the story.
- **Renovation project**: A classic trope with a twist—Fliss’s crumbling farmhouse provides the perfect metaphor for rebuilding her life, with Jesse lending his skills (and heart) to the project.
- **Forced proximity**: When a tree crash renders Fliss homeless, Jesse steps in, offering her a place to stay—and the forced closeness leads to plenty of sparks.

Fliss is a relatable heroine—she’s reeling from a public heartbreak and job loss, unsure of her next steps. Her journey of learning to trust herself (and others) again is full of laugh-out-loud moments, especially as she grapples with country living and her attraction to Jesse, the too-good-to-be-true local handyman. Jesse, meanwhile, is a swoon-worthy hero—kind, steady, and protective without overstepping. Their chemistry is slow-burn but undeniable, with Jesse proving to Fliss that not all men are like the ones who’ve hurt her.

Morrey’s writing shines with wit and warmth, capturing the small-town charm and the awkward hilarity of Fliss’s situation. The pacing is perfect for a comfort read, with the renovation serving as a nice backdrop for character growth and romantic tension. While the story has plenty of laughs, it’s also a heartfelt exploration of finding new dreams when your old ones fall apart.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 stars)
Verdict*: *Reach for the Stars* is a heartwarming, feel-good romcom that will leave readers smiling from ear to ear. With a lovable heroine, a dreamy hero, and plenty of romantic tension set against a cozy countryside backdrop, Maxine Morrey delivers a perfect escape for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Lindsey Kelk. Fliss’s story is a charming reminder that sometimes, life’s unexpected detours lead to the stars.

Charming, cosy, realistic romance that I thoroughly enjoyed. Felicity and Jesse are great leads and I really loved the slow burn friendship and eventual romance between them, The mistakes that Felicity makes are so honest and hilarious, I couldn’t help but feel for her. Jesse is such a gent, with a heart of gold. I hope there’s more from this series.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this.

There’s a lot to love about this one. The charming country setting, the fish-out-of-water trope, the colorful secondary characters, and a grumpy hero with a heart of gold. And the meet-cute? One of the best I’ve ever read, and it had me laughing out loud.

‘Felicity DeVere is having a not good, horrible, very bad day that goes from worse to catastrophic. After getting dumped by her fiancé, selling her London flat and buying a “fixer upper" farm (there was wine involved – lots of wine) she finds herself in unfamiliar territory. Not only is the farm house a dump, a raging storm flattens her roof with a big tree, and the one room she had begun renovating is ruined.

Fortunately her neighbor, Jesse Woods, comes to the rescue. He takes Fliss to his home for the night and then sets about calling in favors to get her house fixed. The only problem? Fliss does not need or want rescuing.

I’m all for a strong, independent woman with walls a mile wide. It makes for some entertaining interplay and has the potential for a lot of growth. Unfortunately, while Fliss had a soft heart, we only caught glimpses of it, and rarely with Jesse. I saw little growth in her character. Conflict that might have helped her grow was twisted back on Jesse, who seemed to be at fault no mater the situation.

While this has a lot of parts that are entertaining and has great potential, there is little give and take or compromise that is vital to healthy interpersonal relationships. I loved the secondary characters but couldn’t get past Felicity's prickliness and lack of development.