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Within Reach
Danica and Blake Lindsay are supposed to be rejuvenating their tired marriage on this lovely Maine beach. Instead, Blake works on his rising political career in Boston, and Danica is left alone at the beach to deal with her ever-changing feelings for an attractive male neighbor. Previously published by Worldwide Library (1986).
566 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1986
1388 people are currently reading
875 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Delinsky
307 books4,356 followersI was born and raised in suburban Boston. My mother’s death, when I was eight, was the defining event of a childhood that was otherwise ordinary. I took piano lessons and flute lessons. I took ballroom dancing lessons. I went to summer camp through my fifteenth year (in Maine, which explains the setting of so many of my stories), then spent my sixteenth summer learning to type and to drive (two skills that have served me better than all of my other high school courses combined). I earned a B.A. in Psychology at Tufts University and an M.A. in Sociology at Boston College. The motivation behind the M.A. was sheer greed. My husband was just starting law school. We needed the money.
Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.
I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.
My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.
My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013. Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015. Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.
2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky
Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.
I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.
My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.
My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013. Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015. Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.
2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
December 14, 2017
Not sure why I finished it. Could be a Harlequin romance.
June 19, 2020
Meh. Found this story boring after a while. Thought Danica was a pretty weak character who wasted 2 plus years in a loveless marriage because of her daddy issues.
May 20, 2010
A huge Delinsky fan, I found this book's plot too simple, nothing ever happened, it was just more of the same for over 300 pages. Reminded me of Danielle Steel's "Bold Eagle". The couple's meeting and falling in love was too swift ("at first sight" basically they were talking to each other like they knew each other forever, not common in daily life) instead of a developing thing (which is more interesting). The guy character seemed to be OK with putting his life on hold indefinitely for his love (this is a vigorous 30 year old sexual male we are talking about), a little more spine wouldn't have hurt his manliness
September 12, 2024
I really loved this book. Just 1 exception. I don't like when men refer to women as "sweetheart ". Its so annoying and he says this a million times in this book!
January 4, 2020
This book was good but TOO long and nothing special. For being 500+ pages I would've expected an epic story but it just wasn't. This book is about a woman unhappily married to a politician. She buys a house in Maine to be a getaway for them, but he never goes because he's too busy chasing his career. Instead, she meets a handsome neighbor and starts a relationship. The rest of the book is a mixture of politics and her finding happiness. In the very end I expected a twist to make it a little more interesting and it was set up perfectly for one, but it didn't happen. There was too much instalove in this book and I thought we really could've used without Michael's sister's storyline. Barbara Delinksy is hit or miss for me and this one was a miss.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
In this book, Danica is married to a politician named Blake. He's married to his job and he works with her dad in politics. She buys a house in Maine to try to draw the 2 back together, but instead she falls into the arms of Michael Buchanan. His family is in journalism so the 2 families don't get along very well, but they have an instant connection. They fall in love pretty quick. Danica and Blake had been trying to get pregnant for 8 years and she does, but then she miscarries. It's Michael thats there for her when she's in pain. Flash forward 2 years later and Michael's sister and her husband expose a scandal Blake was involved in. Furthermore, they find out he's gay. He goes to trial and Danica stands by him, now pregnant with Michael's kid, but in the end she leaves him and she and Michael live happily ever after.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
In this book, Danica is married to a politician named Blake. He's married to his job and he works with her dad in politics. She buys a house in Maine to try to draw the 2 back together, but instead she falls into the arms of Michael Buchanan. His family is in journalism so the 2 families don't get along very well, but they have an instant connection. They fall in love pretty quick. Danica and Blake had been trying to get pregnant for 8 years and she does, but then she miscarries. It's Michael thats there for her when she's in pain. Flash forward 2 years later and Michael's sister and her husband expose a scandal Blake was involved in. Furthermore, they find out he's gay. He goes to trial and Danica stands by him, now pregnant with Michael's kid, but in the end she leaves him and she and Michael live happily ever after.
March 21, 2018
Slow moving. . .boring. Not sure why I kept reading it.
January 15, 2019
I thought several times of just quitting. Not up to Delinskis usual great reads. Very predictable, unrealistic and simple. Very disaoponted.
September 10, 2020
No ha estado mal.
Hay que tener en cuenta que es un libro escrito en los ochenta. Por supuesto que algunos temas no están tratados desde el punto de vista actual. Aún así, tampoco me ha chirriado tanto. Ciertos libros contemporáneos son más sexistas habiendo sido escritos 30 años después.
Fallos: es largo hasta decir basta. Sobra bastante libro. Por último, me ha parecido un pelín predecible. Desde el principio sabía cuál era el problema con el matrimonio de la protagonista.
Hay que tener en cuenta que es un libro escrito en los ochenta. Por supuesto que algunos temas no están tratados desde el punto de vista actual. Aún así, tampoco me ha chirriado tanto. Ciertos libros contemporáneos son más sexistas habiendo sido escritos 30 años después.
Fallos: es largo hasta decir basta. Sobra bastante libro. Por último, me ha parecido un pelín predecible. Desde el principio sabía cuál era el problema con el matrimonio de la protagonista.
February 18, 2023
Found this one at Goodwill and because I had read one of her previous books I got it. It was ok…a little too dragged out in areas and not to my taste but it ended ok.
August 4, 2018
Above all else, Barbara Delinsky is a storyteller. This is a gut wrenching novel about finding happiness. The greed of politics gets in the way of love and family. Corruption finally brings it all to a head.
September 14, 2024
Not my favorite Delinsky book. A lot of pages, an okay story, but nothing earth shattering and it just seemed to stall as far as excitement goes. I’ve always enjoyed her books in the past, but this one just so so.
April 10, 2022
Rating - 2.5
Genre - Romance, politics
Location - Boston, Washington, and Maine coast
Time - early 1960's
This is basically a story of a young woman, Danica Lindsay (28) who has been married to Blake for nine years. He is a successful business man who owns a manufacturing company and has very little time for his wife. In desperation she buys a summer home in Maine hoping to entice Blake to spend time with her there.
Unfortunately for Danica, Blake very rarely gets out to Maine. Danica finds herself in the company of Michael Buchanan, her next door neighbor in Maine. He is the total opposite of her rather cold, disinterested husband. Needless to say, they fall in love.
Then Blake becomes involved in politics with the help of Danica's father who is USA senator. They have always been close friends. What follows is evidence of corruption in Blake's business, law suites, and scandals.
The biggest problem with this book is that it is much to long. Would have been much better if it had been cut down quite a bit.
What I found particularly interesting was the expectations of a "woman's place" in life during the early 1960's. Men were definitely the bosses in the work place and at home. There were exceptions of course, but generally speaking that was the case. I can remember that I was not allowed to have my own bank account, it had to be in my husbands name. The majority of women were housewives and mothers, and did not have their own careers. Thank goodness times have changed!
Genre - Romance, politics
Location - Boston, Washington, and Maine coast
Time - early 1960's
This is basically a story of a young woman, Danica Lindsay (28) who has been married to Blake for nine years. He is a successful business man who owns a manufacturing company and has very little time for his wife. In desperation she buys a summer home in Maine hoping to entice Blake to spend time with her there.
Unfortunately for Danica, Blake very rarely gets out to Maine. Danica finds herself in the company of Michael Buchanan, her next door neighbor in Maine. He is the total opposite of her rather cold, disinterested husband. Needless to say, they fall in love.
Then Blake becomes involved in politics with the help of Danica's father who is USA senator. They have always been close friends. What follows is evidence of corruption in Blake's business, law suites, and scandals.
The biggest problem with this book is that it is much to long. Would have been much better if it had been cut down quite a bit.
What I found particularly interesting was the expectations of a "woman's place" in life during the early 1960's. Men were definitely the bosses in the work place and at home. There were exceptions of course, but generally speaking that was the case. I can remember that I was not allowed to have my own bank account, it had to be in my husbands name. The majority of women were housewives and mothers, and did not have their own careers. Thank goodness times have changed!
November 6, 2023
Within Reach is a love story between two people who are not only lonely but also looking for love at all costs. They had no idea that when they met that this would not only change their lives completely but also cause many problems that go far beyond what they had ever imagined.
The two main protagonists, Danica and Michael, meet while she is on vacation in Maine and furnishing a house she just purchased. Michael is smitten right from the beginning and can’t get Danica out of his mind. He doesn’t realize the importance of her name and who she is connected to. When he finds out he cannot stop the rollercoaster of feelings that continue to bombard him.
Danica is married to a man who rises to Secretary of Commerce with the new administration. Her father is a prominent senator who is strictly by the books about what is important in life - his work. It comes before his wife, daughter and life in general. Danica has always known this but marries someone just like her father and feels trapped in a loveless marriage. Michael’s kindness and attentiveness touch her heart and she begins to see that her life is worthless unless she makes a change and takes a stand.
This story was a long-winded one and it was at times a little frustrating watching Danica hem and haw about what she should do to find love. Michael is patient, loving and exasperating how long he professes to wait for her to make up her mind.
I did enjoyed this book and love Delinsky’s work but I would have liked to see it much shorter or put into more than one story.
The two main protagonists, Danica and Michael, meet while she is on vacation in Maine and furnishing a house she just purchased. Michael is smitten right from the beginning and can’t get Danica out of his mind. He doesn’t realize the importance of her name and who she is connected to. When he finds out he cannot stop the rollercoaster of feelings that continue to bombard him.
Danica is married to a man who rises to Secretary of Commerce with the new administration. Her father is a prominent senator who is strictly by the books about what is important in life - his work. It comes before his wife, daughter and life in general. Danica has always known this but marries someone just like her father and feels trapped in a loveless marriage. Michael’s kindness and attentiveness touch her heart and she begins to see that her life is worthless unless she makes a change and takes a stand.
This story was a long-winded one and it was at times a little frustrating watching Danica hem and haw about what she should do to find love. Michael is patient, loving and exasperating how long he professes to wait for her to make up her mind.
I did enjoyed this book and love Delinsky’s work but I would have liked to see it much shorter or put into more than one story.
July 9, 2023
Danica Lindsey believed that the seaside home in Maine that she was renovating would be the perfect getaway for her and her husband of many years, but Blake is a rising star in first Boston, and then Washington, D.C., a place that Danica detests, and no matter what Danika's wants and needs, his career always comes first. As time progresses, their strained marriage becomes more and more distant just as Danica is building a friendship with her handsome next door Maine neighbor, Michael Buchanan. In fact, if not for this building relationship, Danica would be completely abandoned and lonely. Will she be forced to choose between these two men? How could she, when the one thing she has sought for all of her life is her father's approval? Her father adores Blake. Her father is the epitome of decorum. Plus, her father has a lifelong grudge against the Buchanan family.
Within Reach is a love story that will pull on your heartstrings. It is pretty racy in some parts, which is not my usual, but despite that, if you are seeking a romance, this is it.
Within Reach is a love story that will pull on your heartstrings. It is pretty racy in some parts, which is not my usual, but despite that, if you are seeking a romance, this is it.
July 11, 2023
I read this book purely for escape. A summer “beach” read that’s easy on the brain. I wasn’t expecting a Pulitzer Prize winner. I wasn’t entering in with a serious hunger for stellar literary fiction. I just wanted a story that was free and easy. And I got that. The story was interesting enough to keep turning pages. I read it fairly quickly. My one complaint is that the story asked a lot of its reader to believe in. A woman so committed to the loyalty of her marriage yet she dove in emotionally pretty quickly with another man? She was a walking contradiction of herself and it made it hard to really get on her side. She had all the resources and reasons to leave her dead marriage and none of the backbone to do so. I kind of wish the infidelity had been resolved more quickly in the book and we had more story of them together… on the other side of divorce. In the end, books are subjective and as readers we all have opinions or desires about the storylines. The end.
October 6, 2020
I got this book free from kindle unlimited. I love this author! Michael and Dances met on a beach in Kennebunkport, ME. It was love at first sight for Michael and shortly after for Danica. Michael didn't notice the ring on her finger in the beginning. When he did notice it was too late. He was head over heels for her. Danica's marriage was in trouble after eight years of marriage. He was in politics as her parents were as well. Her father was a US Senator. Michael didn't realize who her family was until he found out her last name. His family was in the newspaper business and they disliked each other. There were secrets Dani's husband kept from her. She became pregnant after she tried one last time to save her marriage. She lost the baby! She was madly in love with Michael but it was complicated. A great book!
November 1, 2022
I usually like this author, but i did not really care for this book.. I only finished it because I started it, and i hate to quit once i start a book. first off it was way too long, and unnecessarily so. second it was both cliche and totally unbelievable, or even ridiculous. all the proclamations of love seemed contrived and hokey, not realistic at all. all the baloney the main character put up with also seemed unlikely and foolish. and i know I read this 1986 book in 2022 so it was hard to believe a gay character would cause even a second glance in this day and age. it went on and on and on. with very little substance to the story. kinda felt like wasted time to me on an silly book. however, i have read many great books form this author, maybe she got better as the years went on. and i will continue to read her again. but this is one i cannot recommend.
May 3, 2018
When Danica Lindsay buys a house in Maine she hopes it will be a retreat for herself and her workaholic husband, Blake. Michael Buchanan, her neighbor is kind, warm, interesting and single. Gradually their friendship evolves into a romance but Dani has been raised to have a strong sense of obligation. There is no year given but based on the lack of cell phones and the central issue with Blake it is probably the early 1960s. I figured out the issue long before the author revealed it. Good enough to read and finish but not one of the author’s best. Turns out it’s a reissue of one of her early books.
June 15, 2018
so long! Took the author long enough to resolve everything. Regarding other comments that it's similar to a Harlequin novel, Barbara Delinsky started her career with Harlequin/Silhouette type books. This book was originally written in 1986, but it still held my interest for the most part, though about half way through, I was getting frustrated with Danica's choices, though admirable, I guess. Doubt there are many men such as Michael out there - he had the patience of a saint! Glad Danica finally stepped up before the last chapter.
January 6, 2020
Based in a time of no cell phones and other hang ups, this story was a true romance.
A woman that, even thought is pretty much ignored by her husband, falls in love with another man, but can’t brake the vows she made to her husband.
Much happens, before she’s able to move on.
A little sappy and for the 90s, when it was based, there were several things that were far fetched. Some were more apt for the 1950s.
But an enjoyable story all the same.
A woman that, even thought is pretty much ignored by her husband, falls in love with another man, but can’t brake the vows she made to her husband.
Much happens, before she’s able to move on.
A little sappy and for the 90s, when it was based, there were several things that were far fetched. Some were more apt for the 1950s.
But an enjoyable story all the same.
Read
April 7, 2020The book was GOOD! So many ups and downs.
She wants a loving husband, but her husband isn't having it. He's involved in his job.. PERIOD.
She wants a baby to love... but he doesn't even touch her.
But then they bought another house. I guess you call it a vacation house. But she lives in it most of the time, while he's at work in another state. I won't mention her neighbor ;-)
I think you'll love it.
She wants a loving husband, but her husband isn't having it. He's involved in his job.. PERIOD.
She wants a baby to love... but he doesn't even touch her.
But then they bought another house. I guess you call it a vacation house. But she lives in it most of the time, while he's at work in another state. I won't mention her neighbor ;-)
I think you'll love it.
March 21, 2021
Really enjoyed love story! Danica was a very interesting character falling in love with Michael! The Maine, Boston and DC locations were vividly written by author! The novel had plenty of interaction with suspense, love and mystery to mage it a very interesting read. Blake was the surprising charter throughout and William the Dad was most unforgiving! The ending was overwhelming amicable to everyone especially Michael and Danica who found the love of their life!
April 15, 2021
I believe this is the first book I have read by this author. Not sure I would try another one. Maybe it was just me, but I felt the story was boring and I didn't like the characters. In fact I kind of thought Michael and Danica were a bit annoying. Three years of waiting for a life together while she was married to another man and they never shared a harsh word or argued. They were just perfect! Any suggestions of other titles by this author or are all her books the same?
May 24, 2021
In summer of 2020 .📖📙📘📓📕📗📚📒 #WithinReach a book released in 1992 by #BarbaraDelinsky I guess my first #BritishBook of this genre and it wont be the last! especially from Barbara Delinsky.. the story somehow gave me opportunity to see myself differently from what others sees in me , full of positivities and challenges ! 500 pages within a day, it was so beautiful while flipping each page that i couldn't stop in the middle . highly recommended!✔💯👍😍 .@barbaradelinsky thank you😊💗 .
July 17, 2023
Within Reach is a poignant story filed with so much emotion: pain, power, betrayal, loss, longing and love with a few twists along the way. It's told with such sincerity and hope for the future. Barbara Delinsky has always been one of my favorite authors of women's fiction with her multi-layered and heart-warming story telling. Christina Traister's narration was rich, warm, tender and inviting which really pulled me into the story. Kudos to her as well!
February 10, 2019
Disappointing
Not up to par for this author. Story line totally predictable and it seemed never ending. I plodded through, was relieved to have finished and was shocked when I saw the authors name (I read so many it’s hard to remember). Just not what I expected based on the high caliber of her previous books.
Not up to par for this author. Story line totally predictable and it seemed never ending. I plodded through, was relieved to have finished and was shocked when I saw the authors name (I read so many it’s hard to remember). Just not what I expected based on the high caliber of her previous books.
July 31, 2020
3-3 1/2 stars. It was strange to read a book written almost 35 years ago - no cellphone conversations, no internet research throughout the story. This is a nice beach read, mostly love story, but also involves power struggles, a little politics, and some unethical mysteries uncovered.
A quick read right from the start, I didn’t want to put it down.
A quick read right from the start, I didn’t want to put it down.
April 28, 2025
I've read her books before, but this one isn't among my favorites. It was fine, and Danica and Michael have endearing qualities. However, although I haven't looked up when this was written, it has not held up well over time. The chauvinistic, homophobic comments were offensive. The writing was also on the corny side. I enjoy a good love story, and this book has that. It just felt very dated.
February 2, 2018
Unrealistic
I don't think anyone could be as selfless as Danica was in this book. After the way her husband treated her there was no reason for her to delay her and Michaels future for him and I think that was unrealistic.
I don't think anyone could be as selfless as Danica was in this book. After the way her husband treated her there was no reason for her to delay her and Michaels future for him and I think that was unrealistic.
January 16, 2021
I have liked all previous Delinsky books I've read but this one was just repetitive throughout and nothing ever really happened - no surprises and no real conflicts that weren't apparent at the start. I agree with the reviewer who said it could have been a Harlequin novel, not my cup of tea.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews