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Within Reach
Being a single dad was never on Michael Young's agenda. Yet with the sudden loss of his wife, that's exactly the role he has. On his best days, he thinks he can handle it. On his worst... Luckily, family friend Angie Bartlett has his back, easily stepping in to help out.
Lately, though, something has changed.
Michael is noticing exactly how gorgeous Angie is, and how single she is. She's constantly in his thoughts and he feels an attraction he never expected. Does he dare disrupt the very good thing they have going? If they have a fling that goes nowhere, he stands to lose everything - including her. But if they make it work, he stands to gain everything!
Lately, though, something has changed.
Michael is noticing exactly how gorgeous Angie is, and how single she is. She's constantly in his thoughts and he feels an attraction he never expected. Does he dare disrupt the very good thing they have going? If they have a fling that goes nowhere, he stands to lose everything - including her. But if they make it work, he stands to gain everything!
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 2012
35 people are currently reading
1311 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Mayberry
159 books1,149 followersSarah Mayberry was born in Melbourne, Australia, and is the middle of three children. From the time that she first “stole” paper from kindergarten and stapled it together to make “books,” Sarah has always wanted to be a writer. In line with this ambition, on graduation from high school she completed a bachelor of arts degree majoring in professional writing, then sat down to write a book. When inspiration didn’t strike, she began to wonder if, perhaps, she needed to live some life first before writing about it.
This still left the burning question of how to pay the rent. She found her way into trade journalism, working off the principle that it was better to write anything for a living than nothing at all. Her time there lead to the opportunity to launch a new decorator magazine for one of Australia’s major retailers, an invaluable and grueling experience that she found very rewarding.
But the opportunity to write fiction for a living soon lured Sarah away. She took up a post as storyliner on Australia’s longest running soap, Neighbours. Over two years she helped plot more than 240 hours of television, as well as writing freelance scripts. She remembers her time with the show very fondly — especially the dirty jokes and laughter around the story table — and still writes scripts on a freelance basis.
In 2003 she relocated to New Zealand for her partner’s work. There Sarah served as storyliner and story editor on the country’s top-rating drama, Shortland Street, before quitting to pursue writing full time.
Sarah picked up a love of romance novels from both her grandmothers, and has submitted manuscripts to Harlequin many times over the years. She credits the invaluable story structuring experience she learned on Neighbours as the key to her eventual success — along with the patience of her fantastic editor, Wanda.
Sarah is revoltingly happy with her partner of twelve years, Chris, who is a talented scriptwriter. Not only does he offer fantastic advice and solutions to writing problems, but he’s also handsome, funny and sexy. When she’s not gushing over him, she loves to read romance and fantasy novels, go to the movies, sew and cook for her friends. She has also become a recent convert to Pilates, which she knows she should do more often.
This still left the burning question of how to pay the rent. She found her way into trade journalism, working off the principle that it was better to write anything for a living than nothing at all. Her time there lead to the opportunity to launch a new decorator magazine for one of Australia’s major retailers, an invaluable and grueling experience that she found very rewarding.
But the opportunity to write fiction for a living soon lured Sarah away. She took up a post as storyliner on Australia’s longest running soap, Neighbours. Over two years she helped plot more than 240 hours of television, as well as writing freelance scripts. She remembers her time with the show very fondly — especially the dirty jokes and laughter around the story table — and still writes scripts on a freelance basis.
In 2003 she relocated to New Zealand for her partner’s work. There Sarah served as storyliner and story editor on the country’s top-rating drama, Shortland Street, before quitting to pursue writing full time.
Sarah picked up a love of romance novels from both her grandmothers, and has submitted manuscripts to Harlequin many times over the years. She credits the invaluable story structuring experience she learned on Neighbours as the key to her eventual success — along with the patience of her fantastic editor, Wanda.
Sarah is revoltingly happy with her partner of twelve years, Chris, who is a talented scriptwriter. Not only does he offer fantastic advice and solutions to writing problems, but he’s also handsome, funny and sexy. When she’s not gushing over him, she loves to read romance and fantasy novels, go to the movies, sew and cook for her friends. She has also become a recent convert to Pilates, which she knows she should do more often.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
November 22, 2015
Within Reach is one of the best, most poignant, most beautiful contemporary romances I’ve read to date. The very nature of this story sets this up to be heartbreaking and tragic on so many levels, but it is also inspiring and hopeful and uplifting, too.
When Billie Young died, she left behind her two small children, Eva and Charlie, a devastated husband, Michael, and her best friend, Angie. The pain and the shock of her sudden death left them all reeling, but it's the loneliness and emptiness which Michael can't seem to overcome that threatens to destroy what's left of his family. Angie can no longer watch the slow disintegration of these people she loves so much, so she decides to step in and do what she can to bring them back to the land of the living.
I was so impressed with the level of compassion and sensitivity given to the telling of this story. Angie's and Michael's struggle to move forward was such an emotional journey and I loved how they helped each other through it. Their physical attraction to one another didn't happen overnight, but was a natural, gradual... awakening. Their passion and sexual chemistry was combustive and felt right because the grieving process wasn’t rushed. In fact, everything about this story flowed well, and I felt as though I was part of it somehow. As though these people were my friends and I was right there with them as their story unfolded.
The bottom line: For as long as I can remember, Harlequin novels have had a reputation of being nothing but cheesy, melodramatic short stories, but trust me on this; the Harlequin of today is not your mama’s Harlequin! The stories address today’s issues, today’s lifestyles and relationships, and do so in a believable, entertaining way. I’m so glad I decided to give these books another try because they’ve turned out to be some of my very favorite, most enjoyable reading experiences, and books like Within Reach are the reason why. Thought provoking, uplifting, inspiring... this story has made it to my "keepers" shelf and Sarah Mayberry is an author who I will absolutely be reading more of.
4.5 of 5 stars.
My thanks to netgalley.com and Harlequin for providing me with a copy of this beautiful story in exchange for an honest review.
January 21, 2018
This book was so beautiful, so full of emotion, I absolutely loved it! A huge huge recommendation to everyone <3
January 2, 2018
Wow, I can not believe how much I loved this book especially as it has my second least favorite trope: the widow/widower falling for the best friend. My least fave is heroine falling for brothers.
The two main characters are real and wonderful; the children are adorable, and the story is realistically done without losing any uber drama.
Having lost my best friend a few years ago, I have a hard time wrapping my head around this plot, but darned if Sarah Mayberry doesn't nail it.
Re-read
Re-read, and I as I suspected I had to take a star off. Still, I rarely give 4 stars, but for a writer to make the concept of a best friend moving on with the spouse takes something. The hero falters a little, but given that he lost his wife he pulls through for the heroine. I teared up for a second time with this one.
Inherent angsty love story of two essentially decent people.
The two main characters are real and wonderful; the children are adorable, and the story is realistically done without losing any uber drama.
Having lost my best friend a few years ago, I have a hard time wrapping my head around this plot, but darned if Sarah Mayberry doesn't nail it.
Re-read
Re-read, and I as I suspected I had to take a star off. Still, I rarely give 4 stars, but for a writer to make the concept of a best friend moving on with the spouse takes something. The hero falters a little, but given that he lost his wife he pulls through for the heroine. I teared up for a second time with this one.
Inherent angsty love story of two essentially decent people.
January 12, 2015
5 stars – Contemporary Romance
I wish I had time to fully review this to give the proper notice it so richly deserves. But since I don’t, I’ll simply say that Within Reach is a powerful, poignant, bittersweet, and satisfying read that embodies what I love so much about a great romance. I highly recommend this touching gem to all my romance-loving friends. It’s another well-written, memorable read from the talented Ms. Mayberry. 5 stars!
I wish I had time to fully review this to give the proper notice it so richly deserves. But since I don’t, I’ll simply say that Within Reach is a powerful, poignant, bittersweet, and satisfying read that embodies what I love so much about a great romance. I highly recommend this touching gem to all my romance-loving friends. It’s another well-written, memorable read from the talented Ms. Mayberry. 5 stars!
July 26, 2014
3.5 stars. I quite liked this one. Have read some Sarah Mayberry in the past and usually enjoy her writing. Sorry, have no time for a proper review these days.
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July 18, 2012
This was an excellent book about grief, about friendship and how the people left behind deal with it. When the book opens Angie is celebrating her best friend Billie's birthday with her two kids and husband and that happy picture is gone the same day, Billie dead of a heart defect.
It is ten months later then and when Angie visits the house the picture is very different, there is no joy and instead there is dust and Michael, who took time off work to help his kids and who seems to walk through a fog because his wife of six years is dead and at the age of 35 he is a widower with two kids. He isn't dealing with things well and it takes Angie to wake him up, Angie who has been a rock these past few months, Angie who also lost her best friend who was more like a sister. He doesn't take it that well when she tells him that maybe he needs to go back to work, that may help him move forward but when his daughter tells him about the things he has forgotten to do for her, he wakes up because he needs to move on for his kids.
I felt Michael's grief was depicted extremely well in the book. He struggles to function at first, he looks after his kids and that is all but going back to work gives him something else to do. His identity was tied so closely with being a husband and father and now half of it is gone. He thinks that he will spend his life being a father so it is a shock to him when he has a sex dream and it fills him with disgust and guilt.
Angie was a friend to Michael but they were never close, in her mind he was always Billie's husband and never a hunk so when the first time she notices him it fills her with horror and disgust. She tries to draw away but Michael notices something is wrong and she vows to keep her thoughts to herself. It takes longer for Michael to notice her in a sexual way and when he does, he lashes out, he is not ready for what he is feeling. What is made very clear from the start in this book was that both of them had never had any untoward feelings before and they both loved Billie.
They do acknowledge their new feelings and vow not to act on them because in their minds it is a betrayal and then they do act on them and the guilt does rise up. They both can't stop getting involved but their is an understanding between them. Angie fits into their lives, the kids love her and Michael loves having her around but when Angie comes to see she has fallen for him she draws away which makes Michael see that things between them has been one sided with her giving and giving and Michael just taking. He isn't ready for anything but somehow without him knowing love snuck in, it wasn't something they both wanted and were ready for.
I found this book emotional as hell, the way their friendship, grief and gradual love was depicted was amazing. The moment at the cemetery when his daughter is talking to her mother, was so emotional. I know some people may feel Angie was a second choice but she wasn't. Michael never saw her coming so it takes him a while to see what was under his nose all along those long grief filled months. I never found the relationship dirty or taboo but these two had a lot to overcome because they felt that.
It is ten months later then and when Angie visits the house the picture is very different, there is no joy and instead there is dust and Michael, who took time off work to help his kids and who seems to walk through a fog because his wife of six years is dead and at the age of 35 he is a widower with two kids. He isn't dealing with things well and it takes Angie to wake him up, Angie who has been a rock these past few months, Angie who also lost her best friend who was more like a sister. He doesn't take it that well when she tells him that maybe he needs to go back to work, that may help him move forward but when his daughter tells him about the things he has forgotten to do for her, he wakes up because he needs to move on for his kids.
I felt Michael's grief was depicted extremely well in the book. He struggles to function at first, he looks after his kids and that is all but going back to work gives him something else to do. His identity was tied so closely with being a husband and father and now half of it is gone. He thinks that he will spend his life being a father so it is a shock to him when he has a sex dream and it fills him with disgust and guilt.
Angie was a friend to Michael but they were never close, in her mind he was always Billie's husband and never a hunk so when the first time she notices him it fills her with horror and disgust. She tries to draw away but Michael notices something is wrong and she vows to keep her thoughts to herself. It takes longer for Michael to notice her in a sexual way and when he does, he lashes out, he is not ready for what he is feeling. What is made very clear from the start in this book was that both of them had never had any untoward feelings before and they both loved Billie.
They do acknowledge their new feelings and vow not to act on them because in their minds it is a betrayal and then they do act on them and the guilt does rise up. They both can't stop getting involved but their is an understanding between them. Angie fits into their lives, the kids love her and Michael loves having her around but when Angie comes to see she has fallen for him she draws away which makes Michael see that things between them has been one sided with her giving and giving and Michael just taking. He isn't ready for anything but somehow without him knowing love snuck in, it wasn't something they both wanted and were ready for.
I found this book emotional as hell, the way their friendship, grief and gradual love was depicted was amazing. The moment at the cemetery when his daughter is talking to her mother, was so emotional. I know some people may feel Angie was a second choice but she wasn't. Michael never saw her coming so it takes him a while to see what was under his nose all along those long grief filled months. I never found the relationship dirty or taboo but these two had a lot to overcome because they felt that.
July 28, 2012
In Mayberry's last book, Her Best Worst Mistake, I thought the heroine's guilt about hooking up with the guy her best friend had dumped was overdone. This book also features a guilt-ridden heroine, but you really can't blame her, since in this case the best friend was a beloved wife who died much too young.
Angie is doing her best to fill the hole left when her friend Billie died, leaving behind a devastated husband and two young children. She and Michael had never been particularly close, but now they lean on each other for support. But as the haze of grief lifts, they begin to notice each other in a new -- and mutually horrifying -- way. Both are convinced that anything happening between them would be a betrayal -- and that of course, Michael could never love anyone but Billie.
The tone of this story is appropriately low-key, since every main character in it is grieving a loss, yet it's also very passionate. The tension and awareness between Michael and Angie builds in a compellingly visceral, sensory-laden way. But there's no sense that it's just the lure of the forbidden drawing them together, because they are also genuinely friends. The ending is more realistic than grandly romantic, yet left me in no doubt that Angie and Michael will be a happy, loving couple.
(reviewed from e-arc provided by netGalley)
Angie is doing her best to fill the hole left when her friend Billie died, leaving behind a devastated husband and two young children. She and Michael had never been particularly close, but now they lean on each other for support. But as the haze of grief lifts, they begin to notice each other in a new -- and mutually horrifying -- way. Both are convinced that anything happening between them would be a betrayal -- and that of course, Michael could never love anyone but Billie.
The tone of this story is appropriately low-key, since every main character in it is grieving a loss, yet it's also very passionate. The tension and awareness between Michael and Angie builds in a compellingly visceral, sensory-laden way. But there's no sense that it's just the lure of the forbidden drawing them together, because they are also genuinely friends. The ending is more realistic than grandly romantic, yet left me in no doubt that Angie and Michael will be a happy, loving couple.
(reviewed from e-arc provided by netGalley)
August 8, 2018
Within Reach by Sarah Mayberry focuses on one of my favorite tropes in romance. A widowed hero who finds love in the most angst-ridden situation one can find and thus Within Reach by Sarah Mayberry is a superb read and delivered exactly what I wanted in the right doses.
Michael loses his wife of 6 years to an undiagnosed congenital heart defect and devastation doesn’t even begin to cover what he goes through in the process of picking up the pieces of his life as his two kids demand that he be a pillar of strength rather than breaking down and digging himself a hole somewhere, which is exactly what he feels like doing.
Angie Bartlett loses her best friend when Billie dies at the age of 32. Her vivacious friend whose zest for life and color, whose life was so abruptly cut off leaves Angie reeling from the loss of it all. And it takes her a timeout from the situation back at Billie’s household to realize the rapid escalation towards crisis it was veering off to.
Helping out in the process of moving forward means Angie finds herself spending a lot of time at Michael’s, and both start to face that unsettling discovery that there might be more to their feelings towards each other than just mere friendship. Angie feels as if she is betraying her best friend by feeling desire of such ferocity towards Michael. And Michael who has vowed never to forget nor love any other woman except Billie finds himself torn apart by the strength of his desire to possess and be possessed by the woman who is slowly driving him insane with want. Though Michael wants nothing more than to ignore the feelings that Angie invokes and bury his head in the sand, the answering need that flares to life in Angie’s eyes proves to be his undoing every single time.
Sarah is an author who certainly gets everything right when it comes to developing lovable characters. She has that uncanny ability to deliver characters that we the readers can relate to, characters who are flawed, yet comes with redeeming qualities that just makes them seem so real and larger than life. For me, both Angie and Michael’s characters were equally appealing. Angie in my opinion is kindness itself, and she earned my love from the very beginning of the novel. Angie might be reserved when it comes to being openly affectionate, but she has a mighty tender spot for Billie and her family and that shines throughout the story, even way before she starts developing feelings for Michael. I loved how Angie seemed to be able to give, expecting nothing in return, even when she knows that the ultimate conclusion of a relationship with Michael might mean irreversible heartbreak for her.
Michael is such a delicious hero. The way Sarah brought him to life through Angie’s eyes, those things about an attractive man that we all notice and take a second look at coupled together with that innate sense of fairness and kindness deep inside of him makes him one of the most drool-worthy heroes I have read this year. I love a man who is larger than life, and that is exactly how I envisioned Michael as I read along. And let me tell you, Michael might seem a bit hesitant when it comes to taking the “plunge” with Angie, but when he does, oh boy does he do it well!
The only thing that disappointed me a bit was the lack of an epilogue. There was so much angst in the book that the lump in my throat refused to go away each time I picked up the book. Even from chapter 1 itself I knew that Within Reach was going to end up breaking my heart a bit, but then I trusted Sarah enough to put it back together. The ending itself wasn’t bad, but I wanted something to keep with me, something to dream about a bit during the moments of semi-wakefulness that I go through when I am right about to fall asleep. And I wanted just a bit more for Angie which I know might not convey the message that I want to, but I wanted to see Michael and Angie’s happily ever after, a happily ever after worthy of someone like Angie.
Nevertheless, Within Reach was an amazing read, and Sarah Mayberry is an author that always never fails to deliver.
Recommended highly to fans of Sarah Mayberry, fans of widowed hero themed romances that love a good angst-ridden read!
Rating=4.5/5
Michael loses his wife of 6 years to an undiagnosed congenital heart defect and devastation doesn’t even begin to cover what he goes through in the process of picking up the pieces of his life as his two kids demand that he be a pillar of strength rather than breaking down and digging himself a hole somewhere, which is exactly what he feels like doing.
Angie Bartlett loses her best friend when Billie dies at the age of 32. Her vivacious friend whose zest for life and color, whose life was so abruptly cut off leaves Angie reeling from the loss of it all. And it takes her a timeout from the situation back at Billie’s household to realize the rapid escalation towards crisis it was veering off to.
Helping out in the process of moving forward means Angie finds herself spending a lot of time at Michael’s, and both start to face that unsettling discovery that there might be more to their feelings towards each other than just mere friendship. Angie feels as if she is betraying her best friend by feeling desire of such ferocity towards Michael. And Michael who has vowed never to forget nor love any other woman except Billie finds himself torn apart by the strength of his desire to possess and be possessed by the woman who is slowly driving him insane with want. Though Michael wants nothing more than to ignore the feelings that Angie invokes and bury his head in the sand, the answering need that flares to life in Angie’s eyes proves to be his undoing every single time.
Sarah is an author who certainly gets everything right when it comes to developing lovable characters. She has that uncanny ability to deliver characters that we the readers can relate to, characters who are flawed, yet comes with redeeming qualities that just makes them seem so real and larger than life. For me, both Angie and Michael’s characters were equally appealing. Angie in my opinion is kindness itself, and she earned my love from the very beginning of the novel. Angie might be reserved when it comes to being openly affectionate, but she has a mighty tender spot for Billie and her family and that shines throughout the story, even way before she starts developing feelings for Michael. I loved how Angie seemed to be able to give, expecting nothing in return, even when she knows that the ultimate conclusion of a relationship with Michael might mean irreversible heartbreak for her.
Michael is such a delicious hero. The way Sarah brought him to life through Angie’s eyes, those things about an attractive man that we all notice and take a second look at coupled together with that innate sense of fairness and kindness deep inside of him makes him one of the most drool-worthy heroes I have read this year. I love a man who is larger than life, and that is exactly how I envisioned Michael as I read along. And let me tell you, Michael might seem a bit hesitant when it comes to taking the “plunge” with Angie, but when he does, oh boy does he do it well!
The only thing that disappointed me a bit was the lack of an epilogue. There was so much angst in the book that the lump in my throat refused to go away each time I picked up the book. Even from chapter 1 itself I knew that Within Reach was going to end up breaking my heart a bit, but then I trusted Sarah enough to put it back together. The ending itself wasn’t bad, but I wanted something to keep with me, something to dream about a bit during the moments of semi-wakefulness that I go through when I am right about to fall asleep. And I wanted just a bit more for Angie which I know might not convey the message that I want to, but I wanted to see Michael and Angie’s happily ever after, a happily ever after worthy of someone like Angie.
Nevertheless, Within Reach was an amazing read, and Sarah Mayberry is an author that always never fails to deliver.
Recommended highly to fans of Sarah Mayberry, fans of widowed hero themed romances that love a good angst-ridden read!
Rating=4.5/5
August 4, 2012
Why was it just okay for me?
* I felt that Angie sacrificed too much of her self in giving and giving to Michael. I understand she was being empathetic and really cared for him and her best friend's family, but she shortchanged herself so much and allowed Michael to do the same.
* In shortchanging Angie, I agreed with Michael's assessment of himself in a rare moment of clarity: He was indeed being an asshole.
* The story is very interiorised. Most of the book is comprised of the internal thoughts and feelings of Michael and Angie as they navigate their burgeoning relationship. Not only is the majority of the book's setting located within the main characters' heads but the reader is overwhelmingly told and not shown. It's all very dictational and creates a remove between reader and character. I could not invest really in these two protagonists.
* All of their going on about experiencing guilt over their desire becomes monotonous and boring. This compounds the inability to really feel for Michael and Angie. One is too busy hoping they'd just get their stuff together if only to be relieved of the unchanging mental monologues.
* I didn't believe their love.
* I know writers have obsessions and revelatory trademark characterisations, character behavioural patterns and plot devices et al render these perceptible to readers of more than one book of an author's. I felt that I could too easily distinguish some of Mayberry's tried and trues in this work and that takes me out of a book.
* After
this didn't move me.
* I felt that Angie sacrificed too much of her self in giving and giving to Michael. I understand she was being empathetic and really cared for him and her best friend's family, but she shortchanged herself so much and allowed Michael to do the same.
* In shortchanging Angie, I agreed with Michael's assessment of himself in a rare moment of clarity: He was indeed being an asshole.
* The story is very interiorised. Most of the book is comprised of the internal thoughts and feelings of Michael and Angie as they navigate their burgeoning relationship. Not only is the majority of the book's setting located within the main characters' heads but the reader is overwhelmingly told and not shown. It's all very dictational and creates a remove between reader and character. I could not invest really in these two protagonists.
* All of their going on about experiencing guilt over their desire becomes monotonous and boring. This compounds the inability to really feel for Michael and Angie. One is too busy hoping they'd just get their stuff together if only to be relieved of the unchanging mental monologues.
* I didn't believe their love.
* I know writers have obsessions and revelatory trademark characterisations, character behavioural patterns and plot devices et al render these perceptible to readers of more than one book of an author's. I felt that I could too easily distinguish some of Mayberry's tried and trues in this work and that takes me out of a book.
* After
this didn't move me.
April 23, 2014
I made a strong emotional connection with Angie early on and warmed to Michael as he started to lift out of his grief. Nothing unreasonable, mind, I was just ready for him to be . . . done, I suppose.
As with the other book of hers that I've read, this book takes you for a strong emotional ride with evocative, lovable characters going through a rough period handling some not insignificant trials—none of which is cheap or easy. Mayberry earns the emotional connection by creating characters who just feel real as they cope with events beyond their control.
Tears (happy and/or sad) might or might not have been involved, in the end, but then, I'm an acknowledged soft touch...
A note about Steamy: Again, on the high side for me. Three explicit sex scenes and a handful of not quite sex scenes as well. Which isn't a high count, but they do go on for pages and pages.
As with the other book of hers that I've read, this book takes you for a strong emotional ride with evocative, lovable characters going through a rough period handling some not insignificant trials—none of which is cheap or easy. Mayberry earns the emotional connection by creating characters who just feel real as they cope with events beyond their control.
Tears (happy and/or sad) might or might not have been involved, in the end, but then, I'm an acknowledged soft touch...
A note about Steamy: Again, on the high side for me. Three explicit sex scenes and a handful of not quite sex scenes as well. Which isn't a high count, but they do go on for pages and pages.
September 13, 2018
I might not be the best person for books like this, since all I found myself saying in my head to the h: "Honey, do you really want to be second-best for the rest of your life, not just to your man but to your kids? He's living in the past and you are living in a dream world. Expect more from life." But the sex was pretty hot, so there's that. One point for the likelihood of a true HEA and for meeting the basic romance standards, which are that the h is the specialist snowflake of them all in the H's eyes. Three points for the sex, because the forbidden/longing/guilt/extended celibacy thing added some major heat.
May 23, 2020
A well-written realistic book fullied with grief, guilt of moving forward, and hope. The main characters were mature, logical, and as I said previously It felt quite realistic. I adored the kids. And the little girl, Eva snatched my heart with her actions.
Honestly, I liked this one. But I think Angie was being too understanding and sacrificing. They both know what they are doing but I would have liked more actions from Michael who was practically drowning in grief and guilt of moving forward to live a life. There was so much noise in Micheal's head that it felt like too much sometimes. But at the end when he accepted Angie I believe he accepted her as his best not his second best.
Honestly, I liked this one. But I think Angie was being too understanding and sacrificing. They both know what they are doing but I would have liked more actions from Michael who was practically drowning in grief and guilt of moving forward to live a life. There was so much noise in Micheal's head that it felt like too much sometimes. But at the end when he accepted Angie I believe he accepted her as his best not his second best.
August 20, 2012
Originally posted at Romance Around the Corner
I’m sure you’re tired of hearing me say how much I love Sarah Mayberry’s books, but it’s true. I love them so much, that I’m willing to read a story that revolves around my least favorite trope. Unfortunately for me, not even Ms. Mayberry could make me enjoy it.
Michael and Angie had one person in common: Billie -- his wife and her best friend. One day Billie died, and just like that their lives changed. Almost a year later, Angie is ignoring her pain and Billie and Michael’s children are coping, but Michael is a mess. He doesn’t take care of the house, makes the same dinner every night and forgets promises he made to his daughter. Basically grief has rendered him useless. When Angie sees what a mess he’s become, and how the kids are suffering because of it, she wakes up from her own pain. Little by little they help each other put their lives in order, regain some normalcy and deal with their loss. Then the attraction begins. Subtle and unwelcome at first, they get to the point in which they can’t deny what’s happening. They both feel like they are betraying Billie, Michael isn’t ready to let go, and Angie doesn’t want to fall for a man whose heart belongs to someone else. Saying this is a tricky situation is putting it mildly.
There is a lot of grief in this book. Everyone was in pain, including me. Michael and Angie were interestingkkk, complex characters and I liked them a lot. It was difficult seeing them suffer so much and I wanted them to be happy again. They had many things in common as well as great chemistry. So in a way, they were better suited than Michael and Bille ever were. Yet, it was obvious that Michael was head over heels in love with his wife. This is not one of those stories in which the hero feels guilty because he didn’t really love the dead wife, something I’m sure fans of the trope will appreciate. Within Reach is about a man losing the love of his life. So the reader has to accept that part of his heart will always belong to someone else. But Michael falls head over heels in love with Angie too, because the story is also about a man finding love again. It was a realistic portrayal of a tragic situation.
However, I didn’t enjoy the book at all. A big part of the fault is mine, because as much as I love Ms. Mayberry’s books, I hate the trope even more. But I think the main issue I had with the story was the timeframe. One year is not enough to get over such a devastating loss. This guy was a wreck and even though he struggles a lot with his feelings towards Angie and their romance isn’t easy, I’m not sure he was ready to fall for someone else. Billie is a big part of the story, Michael is constantly haunted by her memory —understandably so—and the whole time I felt like I was reading about the love triangle from hell where everyone ends up shortchanged: Michael doesn’t get to grow old with the love of his life; Angie has to share Michael’s heart with her dead best friend; and the poor kids don’t get their mother. I understand that theirs is a different love story and that Angie is the love of Michael’s new life, but I was in pain throughout the whole book.
If you enjoy the widowed hero trope, you should get this one right now (especially if you like it when the hero has sex with the heroine and then wakes up cuddling her and thinks she’s his dead wife. Oh yeah, there’s a scene like that. Good times!). It had some flaws but overall was an interesting, honest portrayal of grief, loss and second chance at love and life. It just wasn't the book for me.
Grade: 2.5
Source: we received an e-ARC of the book through NetGalley for review purposes.
I’m sure you’re tired of hearing me say how much I love Sarah Mayberry’s books, but it’s true. I love them so much, that I’m willing to read a story that revolves around my least favorite trope. Unfortunately for me, not even Ms. Mayberry could make me enjoy it.
Michael and Angie had one person in common: Billie -- his wife and her best friend. One day Billie died, and just like that their lives changed. Almost a year later, Angie is ignoring her pain and Billie and Michael’s children are coping, but Michael is a mess. He doesn’t take care of the house, makes the same dinner every night and forgets promises he made to his daughter. Basically grief has rendered him useless. When Angie sees what a mess he’s become, and how the kids are suffering because of it, she wakes up from her own pain. Little by little they help each other put their lives in order, regain some normalcy and deal with their loss. Then the attraction begins. Subtle and unwelcome at first, they get to the point in which they can’t deny what’s happening. They both feel like they are betraying Billie, Michael isn’t ready to let go, and Angie doesn’t want to fall for a man whose heart belongs to someone else. Saying this is a tricky situation is putting it mildly.
There is a lot of grief in this book. Everyone was in pain, including me. Michael and Angie were interestingkkk, complex characters and I liked them a lot. It was difficult seeing them suffer so much and I wanted them to be happy again. They had many things in common as well as great chemistry. So in a way, they were better suited than Michael and Bille ever were. Yet, it was obvious that Michael was head over heels in love with his wife. This is not one of those stories in which the hero feels guilty because he didn’t really love the dead wife, something I’m sure fans of the trope will appreciate. Within Reach is about a man losing the love of his life. So the reader has to accept that part of his heart will always belong to someone else. But Michael falls head over heels in love with Angie too, because the story is also about a man finding love again. It was a realistic portrayal of a tragic situation.
However, I didn’t enjoy the book at all. A big part of the fault is mine, because as much as I love Ms. Mayberry’s books, I hate the trope even more. But I think the main issue I had with the story was the timeframe. One year is not enough to get over such a devastating loss. This guy was a wreck and even though he struggles a lot with his feelings towards Angie and their romance isn’t easy, I’m not sure he was ready to fall for someone else. Billie is a big part of the story, Michael is constantly haunted by her memory —understandably so—and the whole time I felt like I was reading about the love triangle from hell where everyone ends up shortchanged: Michael doesn’t get to grow old with the love of his life; Angie has to share Michael’s heart with her dead best friend; and the poor kids don’t get their mother. I understand that theirs is a different love story and that Angie is the love of Michael’s new life, but I was in pain throughout the whole book.
If you enjoy the widowed hero trope, you should get this one right now (especially if you like it when the hero has sex with the heroine and then wakes up cuddling her and thinks she’s his dead wife. Oh yeah, there’s a scene like that. Good times!). It had some flaws but overall was an interesting, honest portrayal of grief, loss and second chance at love and life. It just wasn't the book for me.
Grade: 2.5
Source: we received an e-ARC of the book through NetGalley for review purposes.
August 14, 2012
I think I have only read 1 of Sarah Mayberry's books before Within Reach and I am wondering why because it was so incredibly good. I love her style of writing.
Within Reach is hard for me to review because it was so sad to me. The entire story had this underlying sadness to it and I have to say that I cried a lot through out the book. It was a very sweet, heartwarming, emotional story with characters that I so desperately wanted to see get their HEA. I loved Michael and Angie together but it was hard to see them struggle with their feelings for each other. But in their struggle I think that Sarah made the story and characters seem more real. I loved the ending and I only wish that there had been an epilogue a couple of years later to show how their lives together turned out. I say that only because even though they had great moments together, there was always that sadness that covered them and I would have liked to have seen them without so much grief and guilt wrapped around them. Within Reach is one of those stories that even after I was finished, I still ached a little inside. A great book that I couldn't put down and I will definitely be looking for more from Sarah Mayberry. Within Reach has definitely earned a place in my keeper pile. Love the cover!!
5 out of 5 rating
***Copy provided by NetGalley~Thank you!!
Within Reach is hard for me to review because it was so sad to me. The entire story had this underlying sadness to it and I have to say that I cried a lot through out the book. It was a very sweet, heartwarming, emotional story with characters that I so desperately wanted to see get their HEA. I loved Michael and Angie together but it was hard to see them struggle with their feelings for each other. But in their struggle I think that Sarah made the story and characters seem more real. I loved the ending and I only wish that there had been an epilogue a couple of years later to show how their lives together turned out. I say that only because even though they had great moments together, there was always that sadness that covered them and I would have liked to have seen them without so much grief and guilt wrapped around them. Within Reach is one of those stories that even after I was finished, I still ached a little inside. A great book that I couldn't put down and I will definitely be looking for more from Sarah Mayberry. Within Reach has definitely earned a place in my keeper pile. Love the cover!!
5 out of 5 rating
***Copy provided by NetGalley~Thank you!!
August 11, 2012
What a beautiful, beautiful book...
If you can look past the cheesy cover, I can promise you, it's the only cheesiness you'll find here. This story about Michael (god, I love this man!), a widower, and Angie, his wife's best friend was really lovely. If you don't think too much on anything but on how great the characters were, how real their developing relationship was, how likable from start to finish every part of this book was...you'll find yourself so connected to this pair and so happy to have been there, reading through their lives. No huge dramas. No real suspense. No actual bad guys. Just 2 people trying to figure out life and figure out how their feelings for each other fit into it all.
Really, really enjoyed it.
August 15, 2012
5++ stars! A Heart felt story and an awesome read!
I fell in love with this book from page one. Sarah Mayberry is a very talented writer. In Within Reach, she weaved a wonderful story of overcoming tragedy and grief and the risking it all for love again. This book was heartbreaking, sweet and charming, and hot and steamy. If you are looking for a good romance with a great realistic story, then this is the book for you! You won't be disappointed!
I fell in love with this book from page one. Sarah Mayberry is a very talented writer. In Within Reach, she weaved a wonderful story of overcoming tragedy and grief and the risking it all for love again. This book was heartbreaking, sweet and charming, and hot and steamy. If you are looking for a good romance with a great realistic story, then this is the book for you! You won't be disappointed!
July 20, 2012
What a heart-wrenching story. I love that Mayberry took the time to explore something that seems taboo in our society. I was fully entrenched in their battle between guilt and attraction. I even cried a couple of times.
March 7, 2019
After reading a couple of unsatisfactory books recently, I finally found one that truly resonated with me.
All the angst, heart-felt emotions... they were all abundant here.
It isn't a spoiler to say that the book opens with the introduction of the three core characters: Billie, a carefree, open and loving woman, who is also a wife and a mother of two young children; Michael, her loving husband; and Angie, her best friend through thick and thin. Each of the characters were vibrant and real, so it was heartbreaking to realise that the prologue would only end in Billie's sudden death, leaving a massive void in the lives of those who loved her the most.
I forgot just how well Sarah Mayberry writes characters. There's a certain honesty that their voices have that make it seem as if their thoughts were yours, and that the conversations they were having could happen in real life. Because of that, her characters are VERY relatable. Their hopes, dreams, motivations, fears, and concerns were all incredibly believable.
It was an awesome ride, as Angie and Michael supported one another, a dawning realisation of their attraction to one another, and why they had to fight against that attraction.
I rate this book quite highly for all the angst, love and realisations. The ending was perhaps too perfect, but I could believe that they could overcome their obstacles, despite the challenges that could arise.
All the angst, heart-felt emotions... they were all abundant here.
It isn't a spoiler to say that the book opens with the introduction of the three core characters: Billie, a carefree, open and loving woman, who is also a wife and a mother of two young children; Michael, her loving husband; and Angie, her best friend through thick and thin. Each of the characters were vibrant and real, so it was heartbreaking to realise that the prologue would only end in Billie's sudden death, leaving a massive void in the lives of those who loved her the most.
I forgot just how well Sarah Mayberry writes characters. There's a certain honesty that their voices have that make it seem as if their thoughts were yours, and that the conversations they were having could happen in real life. Because of that, her characters are VERY relatable. Their hopes, dreams, motivations, fears, and concerns were all incredibly believable.
It was an awesome ride, as Angie and Michael supported one another, a dawning realisation of their attraction to one another, and why they had to fight against that attraction.
I rate this book quite highly for all the angst, love and realisations. The ending was perhaps too perfect, but I could believe that they could overcome their obstacles, despite the challenges that could arise.
August 5, 2012
4.5 stars
Now, I see why everyone reads Sarah Mayberry! First, before I begin, let me say that as a result of my friends on Goodreads, I have been meaning to read Sarah Mayberry for about 2 or 3 months now but being fickle and lazy and somewhat cheap when it comes to books, I had never gotten around to picking up one of her stories. IF ONLY I HAD KNOWN WHAT I WAS MISSING. Because this book tugged at my heartstrings and made me what to read more by her.
I loved Michael and Angie. I loved the pain they had on losing their wife/best friend -it came right off the page. I loved seeing the hurt and the guilt and the anger that came with the loss of Billie. I love that Angie helped Michael get back to the land of the living and Michael helped Angie as well. I love that they are friends and as such, both are horrified when they start to develop sexual awareness of the other person. And the guilt that quickly followed. Yet all of it was handled in such a genuine, realistic way that I can't help but root for them knowing that all the while Billie was rooting for them too.
This book hit another chord with me however, as it slightly mirrors my own family life. I was five months old when my biological mother died of a seizure brought on by complications due to diabetes; my older brother was 2 and a half years old. Overnight, my dad was suddenly left a widower with two small children. When I was eight months old, he hired a co-worker who knew both him and his late wife, to babysit his small children. By the time I was one and a half they were dating. Three weeks after my third birthday, they were married in a ceremony that included my brother and I. In the next few years that followed, more babies were added to our household. As of today, my parents have been married twenty two years and have raised five children together. Within the next few weeks, they will became grandparents for the first time and are over the moon about that. So this story hits a quiet chord with me as I imagine a lot of emotions and feelings and thoughts that Angie and Michael went through are also what my parents went through as well and I thank Sarah Mayberry for the delicate and natural and wonderful way she wrote this story. Now excuse me. For I have to lend my Kindle to my mom so she can read this story. For this is her story as well.
*ARC PROVIDED BY NETGALLEY.
Now, I see why everyone reads Sarah Mayberry! First, before I begin, let me say that as a result of my friends on Goodreads, I have been meaning to read Sarah Mayberry for about 2 or 3 months now but being fickle and lazy and somewhat cheap when it comes to books, I had never gotten around to picking up one of her stories. IF ONLY I HAD KNOWN WHAT I WAS MISSING. Because this book tugged at my heartstrings and made me what to read more by her.
I loved Michael and Angie. I loved the pain they had on losing their wife/best friend -it came right off the page. I loved seeing the hurt and the guilt and the anger that came with the loss of Billie. I love that Angie helped Michael get back to the land of the living and Michael helped Angie as well. I love that they are friends and as such, both are horrified when they start to develop sexual awareness of the other person. And the guilt that quickly followed. Yet all of it was handled in such a genuine, realistic way that I can't help but root for them knowing that all the while Billie was rooting for them too.
This book hit another chord with me however, as it slightly mirrors my own family life. I was five months old when my biological mother died of a seizure brought on by complications due to diabetes; my older brother was 2 and a half years old. Overnight, my dad was suddenly left a widower with two small children. When I was eight months old, he hired a co-worker who knew both him and his late wife, to babysit his small children. By the time I was one and a half they were dating. Three weeks after my third birthday, they were married in a ceremony that included my brother and I. In the next few years that followed, more babies were added to our household. As of today, my parents have been married twenty two years and have raised five children together. Within the next few weeks, they will became grandparents for the first time and are over the moon about that. So this story hits a quiet chord with me as I imagine a lot of emotions and feelings and thoughts that Angie and Michael went through are also what my parents went through as well and I thank Sarah Mayberry for the delicate and natural and wonderful way she wrote this story. Now excuse me. For I have to lend my Kindle to my mom so she can read this story. For this is her story as well.
*ARC PROVIDED BY NETGALLEY.
January 20, 2025
4 stars ⭐️
August 30, 2012
This is the first book I've read by Sarah Mayberry and I'm thoroughly convinced I need to read more from her. Soon.
In Within Reach wife and mother of two, Billie Robinson, dies suddenly at a very young age. Ten months later her husband, Michael, is still devastated and having a hard time living. Her best friend for half her life, Angie Bartlett, is grieving but trying to help Michael and the kids (Eva and Charlie) as best she can.
As Angie helps Michael emerge from the darkness where his grief has left him, and he starts living life again, the two get closer. They had always been tangential friends through Billie and now they're becoming friends in their own right.
This was certainly not a lighthearted romance. The grief these characters were feeling was palpable and Mayberry did an excellent job of conveying these emotions. From the sadness of the little things they missed about Billie, to the kids' grief, to the crushing guilt and self-loathing they felt at the prospect of this burgeoning relationship – however irrational their feelings may have been. I've read plenty of stories with the widowed parent falling in love again, but I'm not sure I've read very many where the new love is the best friend of the deceased spouse. Still, I feel as though this is the most realistic portrayal of this trope I've ever read.
Charlie and Eva were resilient as children often are, but they are obviously still grieving. While I wish there was more with the children later on in the story they aren't shuffled off somewhere, they don't disappear. Taking care of them is a big plot point in the story and the issues with working a sexual relationship around the children is addressed (including one scene where someone may have wanted to make Eva a Ragu dinner later).
I really liked Michael and Angie. They had likable personalities, and a great sense of humor that shined through the sadness. They worked well together as a couple. There was nothing forced about them. However, the guilt both felt at every glance, the attraction, sexual encounters, and feelings of something more was intense. They put themselves through a lot of self-flagellation every step of the way. The reader is put in the position of empathizing with them but also wanting to shake them and tell them to give themselves a break.
Within Reach was published under Harlequin's Superromance line. I think maybe I haven't read a lot from this line because I was rather surprised how numerous and explicit the sex scenes were. I'm not saying that's bad at all (though it was approaching the border of too many), it just caught me off guard because I had a completely different idea of that line. That said, these were the best sex scenes I've read since Julie James. The chemistry between Michael and Angie leapt off the page. They were sensual and lacked cringe-worthy euphemisms almost entirely (though he did find "the hard pearl of her clitoris" once). Unfortunately for these characters, after they finished, the hard reality of grief came crashing down each time (including one particularly difficult scene where Michael woke up thinking he had Billie in his arms again) and their reactions often weren't pretty.
While the change from their sexual relationship into a lasting, loving relationship made sense the time frame of the story was sort of difficult. Not only did it seem too soon from a reader's perspective – it goes from ten months after Billie's death until well after the one year anniversary – but much of the acute grief they displayed reinforced this notion. For the most part I was able to push this aside but it was a niggling complaint in the back of my mind.
I'm not sure if the idea of Angie as the second place woman was an actual issue or if it was just a personal hang-up I was having. I truly believe that Michael came to love her but I couldn't help thinking how he would always prefer to have Billie. Then I was sad for Angie that she would never be someone's first-choice love. I'm aware this is probably an odd thought process but that is where my mind went. It's possible the quick time frame and Angie being Billie's best friend had something to do with it. I'd have to read this version of the trope a few more times to figure it out.
Though it was, at times, quite heavy, this was a good read. Like I said, I am definitely going to be reading more Sarah Mayberry in the near future.
I was provided an ARC of this book through NetGalley.
In Within Reach wife and mother of two, Billie Robinson, dies suddenly at a very young age. Ten months later her husband, Michael, is still devastated and having a hard time living. Her best friend for half her life, Angie Bartlett, is grieving but trying to help Michael and the kids (Eva and Charlie) as best she can.
As Angie helps Michael emerge from the darkness where his grief has left him, and he starts living life again, the two get closer. They had always been tangential friends through Billie and now they're becoming friends in their own right.
This was certainly not a lighthearted romance. The grief these characters were feeling was palpable and Mayberry did an excellent job of conveying these emotions. From the sadness of the little things they missed about Billie, to the kids' grief, to the crushing guilt and self-loathing they felt at the prospect of this burgeoning relationship – however irrational their feelings may have been. I've read plenty of stories with the widowed parent falling in love again, but I'm not sure I've read very many where the new love is the best friend of the deceased spouse. Still, I feel as though this is the most realistic portrayal of this trope I've ever read.
Charlie and Eva were resilient as children often are, but they are obviously still grieving. While I wish there was more with the children later on in the story they aren't shuffled off somewhere, they don't disappear. Taking care of them is a big plot point in the story and the issues with working a sexual relationship around the children is addressed (including one scene where someone may have wanted to make Eva a Ragu dinner later).
I really liked Michael and Angie. They had likable personalities, and a great sense of humor that shined through the sadness. They worked well together as a couple. There was nothing forced about them. However, the guilt both felt at every glance, the attraction, sexual encounters, and feelings of something more was intense. They put themselves through a lot of self-flagellation every step of the way. The reader is put in the position of empathizing with them but also wanting to shake them and tell them to give themselves a break.
Within Reach was published under Harlequin's Superromance line. I think maybe I haven't read a lot from this line because I was rather surprised how numerous and explicit the sex scenes were. I'm not saying that's bad at all (though it was approaching the border of too many), it just caught me off guard because I had a completely different idea of that line. That said, these were the best sex scenes I've read since Julie James. The chemistry between Michael and Angie leapt off the page. They were sensual and lacked cringe-worthy euphemisms almost entirely (though he did find "the hard pearl of her clitoris" once). Unfortunately for these characters, after they finished, the hard reality of grief came crashing down each time (including one particularly difficult scene where Michael woke up thinking he had Billie in his arms again) and their reactions often weren't pretty.
While the change from their sexual relationship into a lasting, loving relationship made sense the time frame of the story was sort of difficult. Not only did it seem too soon from a reader's perspective – it goes from ten months after Billie's death until well after the one year anniversary – but much of the acute grief they displayed reinforced this notion. For the most part I was able to push this aside but it was a niggling complaint in the back of my mind.
I'm not sure if the idea of Angie as the second place woman was an actual issue or if it was just a personal hang-up I was having. I truly believe that Michael came to love her but I couldn't help thinking how he would always prefer to have Billie. Then I was sad for Angie that she would never be someone's first-choice love. I'm aware this is probably an odd thought process but that is where my mind went. It's possible the quick time frame and Angie being Billie's best friend had something to do with it. I'd have to read this version of the trope a few more times to figure it out.
Though it was, at times, quite heavy, this was a good read. Like I said, I am definitely going to be reading more Sarah Mayberry in the near future.
I was provided an ARC of this book through NetGalley.
November 18, 2012
Awhile back Renegade reviewed this book for us on "Clear Eyes, Full Shelves and absolutely loved it. I was cynical because 1) the cover is ridiculously bad (I know, I know... don't judge a book by its cover and all that) 2) the jacket description sounded kind of melodramatic and 2) it's a category romance and I have an aversion to them because the few I've encountered have felt formulaic.
Well, I should have listened to Renegade, because this book is really super.
I picked up Within Reach when it was a freebie on Harlequin's website last week and didn't plan on reading anytime soon. But, last night I left the paper book I was reading in the living room and was too lazy to haul myself out of bed to go it (it's been a loooooong week) so I picked up my Kindle (not really mine, since my husband accidentally broke my Kindle--this is his that I've commandeered) and Within Reach was sitting at the top of my "Recent" collection so I figured I'd read a few chapters and crash. Except I accidentally read the entire thing.
Renegade's review pretty much covered why this book is so good, and I echo all of her thoughts. I was so surprised by what a sad book this is, despite that it's a romance, and you know a happy ever after is a given. What struck me the most is how much both Angie and Michael love Billie, who died suddenly at 32. Nothing feels forced or rushed, as both have to figure out who they are without their best friend and wife, respectively. The two having to figure a way forward for themselves as individuals first made Within Reach feel emotionally authentic, which is my litmus test for romances. Both are also decent people, who want to do the right thing by Billie's memory and for Michael and Billie's children.
My only niggle (aside from the one in the spoiler below--which isn't really a spoiler, but more a discussion of one of my hot-button issues) would be that there's a huge time jump between the first chapter when we see Billie's death and the second, which takes place ten months in the future. I would have liked to see more about the immediate aftermath of losing Billie, because it would have created more context for the connection between the two in terms of losing Billie. But, despite that, this is definitely one I'd put on my yet-to-be-developed list of Romance for People Who Think They Don't Like Romance.
Well, I should have listened to Renegade, because this book is really super.
I picked up Within Reach when it was a freebie on Harlequin's website last week and didn't plan on reading anytime soon. But, last night I left the paper book I was reading in the living room and was too lazy to haul myself out of bed to go it (it's been a loooooong week) so I picked up my Kindle (not really mine, since my husband accidentally broke my Kindle--this is his that I've commandeered) and Within Reach was sitting at the top of my "Recent" collection so I figured I'd read a few chapters and crash. Except I accidentally read the entire thing.
Renegade's review pretty much covered why this book is so good, and I echo all of her thoughts. I was so surprised by what a sad book this is, despite that it's a romance, and you know a happy ever after is a given. What struck me the most is how much both Angie and Michael love Billie, who died suddenly at 32. Nothing feels forced or rushed, as both have to figure out who they are without their best friend and wife, respectively. The two having to figure a way forward for themselves as individuals first made Within Reach feel emotionally authentic, which is my litmus test for romances. Both are also decent people, who want to do the right thing by Billie's memory and for Michael and Billie's children.
My only niggle (aside from the one in the spoiler below--which isn't really a spoiler, but more a discussion of one of my hot-button issues) would be that there's a huge time jump between the first chapter when we see Billie's death and the second, which takes place ten months in the future. I would have liked to see more about the immediate aftermath of losing Billie, because it would have created more context for the connection between the two in terms of losing Billie. But, despite that, this is definitely one I'd put on my yet-to-be-developed list of Romance for People Who Think They Don't Like Romance.
![Profile Image for Michelle [Helen Geek].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1448463806i%2F5557851._CR0%2C13%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
January 8, 2014
01/06/2014 --
Overall Rating = 4 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 1 / 4 / 3 = 2.5 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 4 Stars
Character Development = 4 Stars
Story Appreciation = 4 Stars
Worth the Chili = 5 Stars -- [$3.82 on Amazon]
Smexy [HEAT] Rating = Mild to Moderate
288 pages
Okay, I'm officially a book snob. I've disappointed myself. I cut my "romance reader" teeth on Halequin books and the SuperRomance was one of my favorite lines for this publisher. Many of our favorite authors started here. Saying this, I've absolutely refused to read these in the last few years. I'm ashamed. Sarah Mayberry is amazing. I can't believe I've ignored her because she was a SuperRomance! The gall of me.
The GREAT about this book:
1 -- This authors talent in story telling is extraordinary. This was really a simple read. If you dissected it, nothing unique here. However, it was told seamlessly. We felt all the emotion for this couple that our author wanted us to feel. It really is a refreshing romance.
2 -- Refreshing romance? What do I mean? This is a good story without all the crazy angst and the "pounding my chest" alpha behavior. The H in this story would rather be with his family doing family activities than doing anything else. What's wrong with that? There are no bars, no motorcycles, no tattoo's, piercings or anything else, but we really like this guy. He is just a good guy. He loves with his whole heart. All he is he gives himself to those he loves. This is sexy.
3 -- The story has kids. Love when children are used to enhance a relationship.
4 -- Story takes place in Australia. A few bits of slang and I was in heaven *sigh*
5 -- The asking price for the eBook is a fair one.
What issues did I have:
1 -- The cover is awful. It is too "old". Reminds me of those books I mentioned earlier -- I read them in the 80's!! They'd have had a similar cover. Desperately needs to be updated. Reminds me of a an old 1950's movie. Looking at the cover you just know you are going to get milquetoast characters and a bland story. Need to add a bit of pizzazz.
2 -- Title is pretty old-fashioned too.
3 -- I would have liked a bit more of the relationship. We had quite a bit of buildup to these two getting together and then it was over. It ended on a happy note - so no argument there, but I'd have liked to have felt a more complete ending. Maybe an epilogue? But, then we wouldn't have a SuperRomance. Maybe this is why I've stayed away for so long ... hmm... something to ponder.
I want more of this author. I really enjoyed this read. Vicki [you kno who you are ..] pointed me here and I want to tell her THANK YOU!!
I just know you'll be Happy Reading this one!
Overall Rating = 4 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 1 / 4 / 3 = 2.5 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 4 Stars
Character Development = 4 Stars
Story Appreciation = 4 Stars
Worth the Chili = 5 Stars -- [$3.82 on Amazon]
Smexy [HEAT] Rating = Mild to Moderate
288 pages
Okay, I'm officially a book snob. I've disappointed myself. I cut my "romance reader" teeth on Halequin books and the SuperRomance was one of my favorite lines for this publisher. Many of our favorite authors started here. Saying this, I've absolutely refused to read these in the last few years. I'm ashamed. Sarah Mayberry is amazing. I can't believe I've ignored her because she was a SuperRomance! The gall of me.
The GREAT about this book:
1 -- This authors talent in story telling is extraordinary. This was really a simple read. If you dissected it, nothing unique here. However, it was told seamlessly. We felt all the emotion for this couple that our author wanted us to feel. It really is a refreshing romance.
2 -- Refreshing romance? What do I mean? This is a good story without all the crazy angst and the "pounding my chest" alpha behavior. The H in this story would rather be with his family doing family activities than doing anything else. What's wrong with that? There are no bars, no motorcycles, no tattoo's, piercings or anything else, but we really like this guy. He is just a good guy. He loves with his whole heart. All he is he gives himself to those he loves. This is sexy.
3 -- The story has kids. Love when children are used to enhance a relationship.
4 -- Story takes place in Australia. A few bits of slang and I was in heaven *sigh*
5 -- The asking price for the eBook is a fair one.
What issues did I have:
1 -- The cover is awful. It is too "old". Reminds me of those books I mentioned earlier -- I read them in the 80's!! They'd have had a similar cover. Desperately needs to be updated. Reminds me of a an old 1950's movie. Looking at the cover you just know you are going to get milquetoast characters and a bland story. Need to add a bit of pizzazz.
2 -- Title is pretty old-fashioned too.
3 -- I would have liked a bit more of the relationship. We had quite a bit of buildup to these two getting together and then it was over. It ended on a happy note - so no argument there, but I'd have liked to have felt a more complete ending. Maybe an epilogue? But, then we wouldn't have a SuperRomance. Maybe this is why I've stayed away for so long ... hmm... something to ponder.
I want more of this author. I really enjoyed this read. Vicki [you kno who you are ..] pointed me here and I want to tell her THANK YOU!!
I just know you'll be Happy Reading this one!
September 1, 2012
This was one of the best Supers that I have read in a long time. The book starts with Angie at her best friend Billie's house with Billie's husband and two kids, celebrating Billie's birthday. At the end of the evening Billie collapses and dies. Ten months later, Angie is doing her best to help Michael. Both of them are still reeling from Billie's death, but Michael is still walking around in a fog and his family is suffering for it. Angie steps in and works to get Michael back to the land of the living. She doesn't tell him to "get over it" she is just there to help him do what needs to be done to move forward. When they start to notice each other as more than friends, both are filled with guilt and self disgust. This was one incredibly emotional book. The way that their grief was handled was very realistic to me. The slow developing of their feelings for each other was natural. They decided they would do nothing about it in hopes that it would just fade away. They continued to behave as friends, but the underlying tension was there and just kept intensifying. They finally gave in to the passion, but tried to convince themselves that it was physical only. Unfortunately the guilt was still tearing Michael up, and he was still certain that he would never love another. When Angie realized that she had fallen in love with Michael and knew that he would never be able to love her the same way she had to put distance between them. I was so impressed with Angie's compassion for Michael and the kids. She always seemed to know exactly what was needed. Michael was a character that just kept tugging at my heartstrings. He was so incredibly lost when Billie died that just making it through the days was a struggle. When his daughter pointed out to him, and later Angie, just how many ways he'd dropped the ball, he realized he had to make changes. He was furious at Angie's suggestions at first, but then realized that she was right. He still considered himself Billie's husband, even though she was gone and his attraction to Angie made him crazy with guilt. As the weeks went on, the guilt remained but he found himself happier than he'd been. When they began to enjoy their physical relationship, he spent time trying to come to terms with it and ended up just taking it day by day. When Angie broke things off, telling him that she'd fallen in love with him and knew it wouldn't go anywhere he was stunned. It took him days to realize that he had fallen in love with her and to figure out what to do about it. I loved the way they resolved their issues. I shed a lot of tears in this book, especially in the last few chapters. There were some great scenes with Michael's daughter and the way she opened her father's eyes.
July 22, 2012
I was fortunate enough to get an ARC of Within Reach and am so glad I didn't have to wait to read this book! This is my first experience reading anything by Sarah Mayberry and I can say I'll definitely be coming back for more.
WIthin Reach is a story that I just couldn't help but be curious about. A dear friend of mine from college died unexpectedly a couple of years ago and when her husband (also a dear friend) moved on, I just couldn't help but wonder what all he must have gone through to get to that point emotionally, what his new wife would face "in the place" of our lost friend.
This book isn't afraid to make you feel every single emotion you can possibly have. Easy comfort and sisterhood between two women who have been best friends for years. Utter grief and devastation in the loss of a spouse, mother and friend. Gratitude for the help and advice a good friend gives that winds up making them an even better friend and life saver. Curiosity and intrigue when when basic male/female awareness kicks in. Guilt over that same awareness. Lust, desire, craving, needing...loving.
I could go on and on. There were some times that I caught myself thinking that some of the characters' thoughts and feelings were getting a little repetitive, but then I'd remind myself that that's how guilt and grief work, especially when they are so very entwined like they are in this story. You don't just decide to get over it and move on, especially with your best friend's spouse...or your dead spouse's best friend. I can't imagine how difficult it would be to have to get to that point, of realizing that the person who passed away is truly no longer an option.
It's the acceptance that is so hard. And when Michael visits Billie's grave and finally lets her go...it's what he needed and what Angie needed him to do.
I loved it! It was the kind of book that kept me turning every page because of the raw emotion I knew I'd find with every encounter. It was sweet, sad, raw and yes, even hot!
WIthin Reach is a story that I just couldn't help but be curious about. A dear friend of mine from college died unexpectedly a couple of years ago and when her husband (also a dear friend) moved on, I just couldn't help but wonder what all he must have gone through to get to that point emotionally, what his new wife would face "in the place" of our lost friend.
This book isn't afraid to make you feel every single emotion you can possibly have. Easy comfort and sisterhood between two women who have been best friends for years. Utter grief and devastation in the loss of a spouse, mother and friend. Gratitude for the help and advice a good friend gives that winds up making them an even better friend and life saver. Curiosity and intrigue when when basic male/female awareness kicks in. Guilt over that same awareness. Lust, desire, craving, needing...loving.
I could go on and on. There were some times that I caught myself thinking that some of the characters' thoughts and feelings were getting a little repetitive, but then I'd remind myself that that's how guilt and grief work, especially when they are so very entwined like they are in this story. You don't just decide to get over it and move on, especially with your best friend's spouse...or your dead spouse's best friend. I can't imagine how difficult it would be to have to get to that point, of realizing that the person who passed away is truly no longer an option.
It's the acceptance that is so hard. And when Michael visits Billie's grave and finally lets her go...it's what he needed and what Angie needed him to do.
I loved it! It was the kind of book that kept me turning every page because of the raw emotion I knew I'd find with every encounter. It was sweet, sad, raw and yes, even hot!
November 27, 2012
I loved her handling of such a touchy subject. I can see how the people involved might consider it a betrayal, but I'm of the opinion that its more of a betrayal to the memory of the dead to stop living. Guilt is just the devil. Forgot where I heard that, but I believe it.
I can't really speak from the POV of a dead wife, but I'd want my spouse to move on - in an appropriate time, of course - and a year seems about right. But, can you really put a timeframe on healing or love?
And why not a best friend, someone you loved and trusted most in life. Someone you know will take care of him/her.
This was beautiful and bittersweet; I even teared up a little at parts. Though the ending could've been slowed down a little. Maybe instead of a week to come to grips with his feelings, a month apart might have been better. I found myself wanting more from the goodbye scene at the cemetery. Maybe some dialogue. And I'm very happy it didn't end with a marriage proposal. Made it more authentic. I'll definitely check out more of this author's works.
I can't really speak from the POV of a dead wife, but I'd want my spouse to move on - in an appropriate time, of course - and a year seems about right. But, can you really put a timeframe on healing or love?
And why not a best friend, someone you loved and trusted most in life. Someone you know will take care of him/her.
This was beautiful and bittersweet; I even teared up a little at parts. Though the ending could've been slowed down a little. Maybe instead of a week to come to grips with his feelings, a month apart might have been better. I found myself wanting more from the goodbye scene at the cemetery. Maybe some dialogue. And I'm very happy it didn't end with a marriage proposal. Made it more authentic. I'll definitely check out more of this author's works.
August 17, 2012
I think this one was missing a little of the Mayberry magic for me. Don't get me wrong, it is still a superbly written book with a great emotional tug. However I think the book took so much time dealing with both Mike and Angie getting over and grappling with their feelings of loss for Billie that I thought the romance element suffered a bit for it.
To do the story justice, the time and attention to the healing process was necessary. Also, SM always does a great job of moving a relationship from the platonic to the non-platonic sphere. She just has a knack. It never feels awkward.
But as I said, I wanted more time with just the two of them feeling what they feel for themselves without Billie's presence (or absence) hovering over it.
To do the story justice, the time and attention to the healing process was necessary. Also, SM always does a great job of moving a relationship from the platonic to the non-platonic sphere. She just has a knack. It never feels awkward.
But as I said, I wanted more time with just the two of them feeling what they feel for themselves without Billie's presence (or absence) hovering over it.
August 6, 2012
I enjoyed this story for several reasons. The story is beautifully written. The characters are likeable and the story moved me. Angie and Michael have a lot of emotions to deal with. Death is always a hard topic to deal with but I think that Ms. Mayberry handled it pretty well. However, about half way through the story, I became bogged down with Angie and Michael's guilt about their sudden attraction to each other. I felt as though Billie would have appreciated the fact that they was able to find comfort and love with one another. The angst was too much in the story and it cause me to pause several times while reading it.
June 13, 2014
I already read the first two chapters, that were offered for a preview at the end of another book written by Sarah Mayberry. Even though I really do not like the former-best-friend-of-a-deceased-spouse trope, I have to admit I was caught and knew I would read it.
And I do not regret that. For such a short book, respecting all Harlequin's page constraints, it sure was quite packed with emotions and worked beautifully. The characters seemed completely real, highly likable, even when they (especially him) were behaving stupidly, without taking really care of the other's feelings.
A very heart-warming story about mourning and rebuilding a new life after.
And I do not regret that. For such a short book, respecting all Harlequin's page constraints, it sure was quite packed with emotions and worked beautifully. The characters seemed completely real, highly likable, even when they (especially him) were behaving stupidly, without taking really care of the other's feelings.
A very heart-warming story about mourning and rebuilding a new life after.
July 1, 2015
This was really good - in tune emotionally, realistically conflicted - I just wish it'd had a real resolution.
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