Within Striking Distance

Beckford U #3

by JL Skye

Blurb coming soon


- Reverse Age Gap
- Teammate's Step-mother
- Single Mother
- College soccer
- Masked $ex Club
- Tattooed MMC
- Dark past
- Healing from trauma

308 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 14, 2026

Reviews

[Kaylee Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this was my favourite Beckford U book! There was so much raw emotion throughout the book and I was ugly crying at the end!
Jennah perfectly captured the heartbreak and trauma of Blake and Juliet, and the complications of a single parent letting someone into their life. The way Blake was with Tinsley (her daughter) even before they were together was so beautiful!! I love how they both individually heal over the book and learn to let go of their pasts.
This series has been absolute perfection the whole way through!! I am so glad it will continue!

[alisha jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhhh I think this is my favourite one 😍

Reverse Age gap and single mum this was delicious in all the best ways and the connection between these two was hottttt.

The nicknames absolutely adorable 😍😍 but the way he was with her daughter my heart melted

But most of healing with past trauma together is couple goals 😄

[Bree Hawkless · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final installment in the Beckford U series and… wow. Just wow. I wasn’t ready for how deeply this one would hit.

This story felt different in the best way—raw, emotional, and incredibly close to home. Following Juliet’s journey was something else entirely. After surviving a DV relationship, she’s trying to rebuild her life, not just for herself but for her daughter too. With the quiet support of her stepson, she’s slowly learning what healing can look like… even if she doesn’t quite trust it yet.

There’s a vulnerability to Juliet that feels so real—you’re right there with her through every step forward and every moment of doubt. You feel her strength, but also her fear of letting anyone get too close again.

And then… enter Blake.

One unexpected night at a club, one connection she can’t quite shake—and suddenly Juliet is thinking about a much younger man she knows she probably shouldn’t be. The tension? Immediate. The pull? Impossible to ignore. And just when you think it couldn’t get more complicated… he turns out to be her stepson’s friend and teammate.
The angst. The conflict. The “this is a terrible idea but I need more” energy? Absolutely unmatched.

Blake, though… Blake is everything. He steps in and shows Juliet a completely different side of love—one that’s soft, patient, and unwavering. He doesn’t try to fix her; he simply stands beside her, proving that love doesn’t have to hurt to be real.

This book is emotional, messy, healing, and full of moments that will have your heart in your throat. Watching Juliet learn to trust again, to open herself up to something new, and to believe she deserves it? That’s what makes this story so powerful.

A stunning, emotional end to the Beckford U series that will stay with you long after the final page.

[Roxy Vernon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Within Striking Distance

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you for the opportunity to arc read Within Striking Distance by JLSkye. I absolutely enjoyed the last book so much. This book was absolutely raw, emotional, messy, healing, and full of moments that had your heart lodged in your throat. It was such a great story to finish off the Beckford U series.

I was absolutely hooked with Blake and Juliet's story. Both characters have had past trauma, and navigate around the connection brewing between them. I love that both want to see where this connection is going before they bring in Tinsley and Everett. Tinsley is obviously Juliet's daughter and Everett is also Juliet's stepson and Blake's best friend. I was absolutely rooting for Blake and Juliet all throughout this book as they both deserve happiness and love.

Watching Juliet learn to trust again and open herself up to the possibility of something new and to believe she deserves it was powerful. Now Blake seeing him show Juliet a completely different side of how love should be with being soft, patient and affectionate that love doesn't need to hurt to be real.
This book definitely became a favourite of mine and sad to see this series ending.

Was this book and series worth it absolutely 1000% yes. I enjoyed the whole series 😍. Hope you enjoy the final instalment of the Beckford U series. What an amazing way to finish the last book.

[Rachs_Bookish_World · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 4 in the Beckford U series and let me just say this; Blake and Juliet’s story is so unbelievably beautiful.
These two have both been through so much in their pasts and to come out the other side together, it was a journey I loved being on.
What starts out as a kiss with a stranger one night in a Masked Sex Club, leads to a rollercoaster ride that neither could have imagined. Not only is Juliet older and a single mother to an adorable 4 year old, she is also the step-mum of Blake’s teammate and best friend Everett.
They know it’s wrong. They should walk away before anyone gets hurt. But the chemistry is undeniable and the need burning within them both is impossible to fight.
Working through their individual traumas, these two prove that love can be found at the most unexpected of times in the most unexpected of ways. But when it’s real, there’s no use fighting it. These two were meant to be.
And to top off the beautiful love story, you get Tinsely, the most adorable little girl who’s so cute and cheeky and just a ball of sunshine. I loved her so much. 💛

[mistys_bookobsession · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not ready for how emotional this book was, but what a book!
Juliet and Blake are both battling demons from their pasts. They both think they are damaged, that their pasts will stop them being together. One kiss is all it took for them to want to more!

This book is all about healing, forgiving, letting go of your past. It's messy, emotional, heartbreaking and beautiful. I'm sad to say goodbye to Beckford U but I'm so glad I got to live in this world!

[Shazz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another fantastic book by JLSkye that pulled out the emotions.
This is such a beautiful story about single Juliet, her daughter Tinsley and the trauma that have faced. There has always been Everett helping and protecting them but then along comes Blake.
I loved this story so much. It's was a beautiful end to the series.

[Naiomi Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. As emotional as it was, I still found it to be a read I didn't want to put down. JL has done is again.

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh what a story between these two. Both with their hidden demons that when they confess to each other it brings them closer together which neither thought would happen.
A great HEA for the FMC who happens to be a single mum.
Loved it.
4.76 ⭐️ 3.5🌶️

[Kira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has been amazing. The usual touch of trauma and taboo, and a beautiful healing for characters that have overcome so much.

Entire series is an easy 5 star read.