This was a brilliant read. As soon as I started reading this book I just knew I was going to love it. Highly recommended

This book was pretty cute! I was in the mood for a chick lit, and this book fit the bill pretty well. I'll be sharing it with friends who are in the mood for chick lits.

Evelyn married her high-school seetheart and she thought they’d live happily ever after, but years after she’s single and decides to go to Dublin, where her sister lives. She tries to find a job as a teacher, but the timing isn’t right. She goes to a pub, where she gets a job by accident and she’s determined to make the pub popular among clients again. Evelyn also meets a musician Danny, who is a busker playing close to the pub. Dublin gives Evelyn new opportunities, friends and love, how’s it all going to work out?
I had a great time reading this book. It was heart-warming and and entertaining story. I’m definitely looking forward to read more books by the author.

A great easy to read book that I enjoyed.
Set in Dublin and loved the references to the city centre.
Fab to read while sitting relaxing on holiday.

I really enjoyed Colleen Coleman's first novel, Don’t Stop Me Now, and I was really excited to see how this one will go. The cover alone promised that this will be a fun read, and it really is. It may not be as awesome as her first book, in my opinion, but it is also not short of amusement and entertainment. Miss Coleman sure knows how to bring a great story that is full of positivity in it. It is definitely one great book filled with laughter and good vibes and I can’t help but feel invested in the story. Evelyn is such an engaging character and is someone relatable and you can easily connect with. The message of the story was beautifully conveyed, about second chances and starting over again, about hopes and dreams and not giving up. Colleen Coleman once again delivered a heart-warming tale and I am looking forward to more books from her. All in all, it is a light, feel-good read, and definitely entertaining, one that will not only leave a smile on your face but inspire you, as well.

I love books about second chances and finding your passion, and this book had both, along with a loveable cast of characters who felt flawed enough to feel real. I was invested in their story and hoping it all worked out for them, and the ending was exactly as I'd hoped it would be!

As I said before, I’m afraid I saw Bookouture, and Irish comedy and the cover and jumped a bit too fast for this one. I love that it’s set in Dublin, with excellent settings, but with a cover like that I think I thought it might be a bit sharper and braver than it is, it’s more of a really nice descriptive romantic comedy than all out sparkly comedy, which was what I expected from the cover.

But back to the start. I’ll admit when I began I was excited, meeting Evelyn and James and accompanying them on the realisation that maybe they weren’t right for each other after years being a couple that everyone assumed would last. I smiled at the comedy and nodded along, looking forward to seeing where Evelyn’s new found singledom would take her. Evelyn was full of hope and ready to go but that’s when everything turned on its head. I felt I had been led to believe that she lived for her job, but suddenly she decided to take off and I think that’s when I wasn’t sure about the story. We were constantly told how amazing Evelyn was, and what with that and her telling us how brave she’d been, I felt disconnected from her.

I really enjoyed the descriptions, and nodded along, at times finding lots to smile about, but when the book changed from being comedy driven to description laden, with a cover like that, which screamed sparkly comedy (my love!), and after being compared to a Marian Keyes book, I’m afraid I felt my interest waiver, especially as all the issues raised were solved a bit too easily for my liking.

It’s somewhat telling for me that with only ten percent to go I switched over to something else, but did go back after a while, and I do enjoy the author’s writing . Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this book in return for an honest review.

I loved every word of this romantic, feel-good novel that was such a delight to read. Evelyn Dooley's life plan takes an unexpected detour but with uncompromising support from family and friends she figures out a new path. The writing was exceptional. I simply could not put it down and if I didn't need sleep I would have finished it in one sitting. I have found a new favorite author.

When Evelyn and her husband James realise that they want very different things from life they decide to go their separate ways. Evelyn decides to make a complete new start and heads to Dublin in the hope of finding a teaching job, plans are made to broken though and she finds herself working in a bar where she soon befriends a busker Danny.

When circumstances change again though she and Danny decide to take on the pub and restore it to it's former glory..... it can't be that hard can it?

A lovely heartwarming book with great characters.... but then I am always a sucker for the Irish books!

Having read Colleen Coleman's debut book I couldn't wait to read "Reach For The Stars" . It tells the story of Evelyn Dooley who's marriage has just broken up and she finds herself single again at 28 years of age and she flees the gossip mongers to start a new life. Evelyn is very lovable and sweet and though she gets many obstacles thrown in her way she overcomes them all. This book is a laugh out loud, feel good read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advance copy of "Reach For The Stars" by Colleen Coleman in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley. This is the most uplifting and funny while being down to earth book ever. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Definitely recommend it.

I will admit that I adore a good story set in Ireland. Maybe it is my heritage calling to me?

This book shows how what we think our life will hold is often NOT how things play out.

Evelyn Dooley married her high-school sweetheart, James. Yet, there is trouble in paradise which leads to a mutual decision to divorce. After wallowing at her mother's, Evelyn flees to Dublin to live with her jet-setting sister in the hopes of a new life.

Even this bold move shows her that the best-laid plans (get a job teaching) do not always happen. Evelyn finds refuge from a storm in a local bar where she learns the history of the establishment and soon finds herself working part-time for the owner.

As time goes on, she comes out of her shell. New love is found with a local street musician, Danny. And, she helps the landlord's niece find her own way through life. All seems to be going so well when she and Danny decide to take over the bar and restore it to former glory.

All along the way, there is a mixture of joy and disappointment. That's life and Ms. Coleman has done a great job writing a story that draws the reader in with the desire to pop on over to see everyone in this small community.

Evelyn had life planned. With her husband James they would renovate their ramshackle cottage and in five years time be there with a family of their own. James own five year plan is completely different and they soon find themselves heading in different direction. She realises her whole life has been about playing it safe so she takes a leap of faith and heads to Dublin for a new start. Before she knows it she's met a cute busker called Danny and together they're setting up music nights and finding love with each other. But the best laid plans can always go awry....

So this has been a lovely surprise of a book for me. I was expecting a laugh out loud chick lit farce ( I mean that in a good way!) but instead got a gently witty love story that I really enjoyed. There's a great supporting cast of Irish characters that lend a Celtic charm to the plot. My only criticism is Evelyn is almost too good a person to be realistic. This girl is helping the homeless, wayward kids, injured landlords and giving racing tips in the time it takes me to drag my old bones to the kettle in a morning - she's just a bit too good to be true, just once you wanted her to say feck you all. But then I suppose this wouldn't be such a feel good novel if that were the case. This is the kind of book to wrap yourself up in, suspending all cynicism for a few hours. Do that and you'll be left feeling warm and fuzzy by the end.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for my copy.

Evelyn Dooley is married to her high school sweetheart and working in her dream job as a music teacher. At the ripe old age of 28 she should be happy but her and her husband James are growing apart and wanting different things in life. After couples counselling they decide to separate.

Evelyn moves to the big city of Dublin to live with her little sister Tara. Finding work as a teacher proves difficult so Evelyn takes part time work in the local rundown pub where she encounters a cast of characters.

This was an entertaining light read but not exactly the rib buster it is described as. It skims over Evelyn's divorce and has no real emotional depth. A good what I would call frothy beach book.

Such a great book! It didn't go the way I thought it would but that was fine with me. It was sad, surprising, funny, and so moving. I was cheering for them the whole way! Had me hooked from the first therapy session! I almost wish there were a few more chapters left though. I so wanted to know more!! Hopefully Colleen Coleman will come back and write more for Evelyn, Danny and Ruby too! OR even just another story on Ruby.

I haven't read anything by this author before but was drawn to the blurb and I wasn't disappointed. A touching, heart-warming novel which made me laugh, smile and broke my heart in places.

I really loved Evelyn the lead character was behind her all the way through the book. The surrounding characters were believable and warm. I would love to have a drink in Rosies!

I really enjoyed the style of writing and when I thought I knew where the story was going it went in a different direction. Fantastic - I will be looking for more books by Colleen.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

There is something that just melts my heart when I know that a romantic novel has been written and based in Ireland and as I read the pages with those Irish accents swirling round in my mind they just make me go weak at the knees.
Evelyn Dooley and James were sweethearts from high school but now at 28 Evelyn accepts that their future life plans couldn’t be further part.  Why settle for the life someone else wants to lead when the years are ticking away and the promised carrot is getting totally out of focus. There isn’t really a choice as far as she can see, she leaves not just James but everyone she knows to go and find the life she craves for.
This is such a beautiful story of not giving up the important things in life and really not just settling for second best. Everything you have should be worth fighting for. I loved Evelyn’s character she had such a loving and caring nature but the strength to stand up for what she wanted in life too.
Evelyn has to face so many tough choices and at times it would just be easier to give in and take the easy way out. There are many forms of love. The love of a place, the love of friends and the love of your life. The last is probably the hardest and at times the most heart breaking one because everyone has their own dreams too. All of these would test Evelyn.
There are some real heart in your mouth moments and each one felt so very real. Time and time again I just held my breath as she had to make life changing choices. Beautifully written  my eyes could well up and I could chuckle all on the same page. A super feel good read that I could pull my own life experiences up and know just what Evelyn was feeling. A lovely all round super book.
I wish to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an ARC of this book which I have honestly reviewed.

Evelyn and James were at a relationship counsellors office. They had been HS sweethearts and been together ten years and married seven years. James thinks it is stupid to pay and come to a counsellor but Evelyn wants to try to save their marriage. Evelyn remembers when they were united in their thoughts, dreams and attitudes. If Evelyn now had just met James or went on a date with him she is sure she would have picked up on his selfishness, his sarcasm, and his intolerable messiness. Evelyn and James had gotten married too soon to know who they really were. Their is no big stuff destroying their marriage just a lot of little things. After the session James and Evelyn decide to divorce. Evelyn is back at her mom’s house and feels better. Evelyn thinks she should sell the cottage so starts the procedure. But at least she didn’t feel like she was nine years old at the cottage like she does at home. Evelyn really wants to get out there and do something with her life and her new found freedom. James was already off traveling. At first Evelyn loved being spoilt and mollycoddled but then it was becoming smothering. She hadn’t lifted a finger since she came home and if she stayed like this she would never accomplish anything. Evelyn knew she had to reenter the real world. So far Evelyn had figured out that she didn’t want to build a life around someone else. Tara was her sister and an airline stewardess. And she told Evelyn “ you played it safe your whole life- you're a local teacher who married the boy next store and bought a cottage in the village and look where you are”. Then Tara said “ play it your own way, do something for you”. Tara said she was away a lot on flights to come stay at her place in Dublin. Evelyn knew it took courage to walk away from one life to say goodbye to all you know, to leave the comfort and and the familiar and the well loved to a new one but she decided to do it. Evelyn moves to Dublin and ends up tending bar at a charming but rundown pub. But to her surprise evelyn is really happy for the first time in years- making new friends and finding a new purpose in life, taking risks and even falling in love again with Danny.
I did enjoy this story a lot. I thought this was sweet and charming. It had a lot of emotional ups and downs which would be expected with a divorce then a whole new start on life as far as I am concerned. I loved Evelyn’s attitude all through this book. I loved how Danny was a friend first. I also loved how Danny understood Evelyn’s dreams and wanted to be part of them. I liked seeing Evelyn grow as the book went on. This did drag for me at times but I still continues on. I wanted to see how Evelyn came out. I loved that Danny was a musician. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I recommend.

A few months ago I had the pleasure of reading Coleman’s debut, Don’t Stop Me Now and absolutely loved it’s overall message of hope and empowerment. This time around I once again loved the themes of resilience, positivity and getting back up after getting knocked down, Coleman has a real knack for writing engaging, uplifting stories with the loveliest characters.

I just adored Evelyn right from the start, she was the type of character that you want to befriend. Coleman creates the most gorgeously relatable characters, Evelyn had me laughing and smiling so many times, she was just so sweet and I really wanted her to find her niche in the world. Her transformation from the beginning to the end of the book was amazing, she really found her groove and had such a fantastic attitude. Danny is her maybe love interest and he was adorable and their interactions were heartwarming and swoon worthy.

Often times chick lit can be slightly predictable, which is fine but this wasn’t at all which was SO refreshing. Evelyn has many curveballs thrown her way (again and again) so figuring out what would happen next was impossible. This book is perfect to pick up on a day when you’re down in the dumps, it will most assuredly put a smile on your face and make you want to go out and seize the day, it was a delightful read.

Love, Love, Love this book! After reading Don't Stop Me Now and loving it, I couldn't wait to get cracking with Reach For The Stars. I have to say wow what a title. Every time I hear the song it makes me smile because it is very uplifting. Well this is the same effect this story had on me after reading only a couple of pages because you know you're onto a winner when a book makes you laugh out loud from start to end. I was laughing that much my belly hurt.

Told from Evelyn Dooley point of view we are introduced to herself and her husband James who she has been with since high school at a marriage counseling session. Which is not something to laugh about. But OMG Colleen puts an hilarious spin in it making it freaking hilarious. Deciding to go their separate ways she starts her single life with a trip to Dublin. Not being able to find herself a job in teaching she lands herself a job behind the bar in a pub where she meets Danny...

Having done this job myself I could relate to the story and the characters. Loving every single page of this story, I was dying to know what was going to happen next and believe me it isn't just about pulling a pint! Colleen certainly knows her stuff and this is portrayed throughout the story.

Eleryn is head strong and witty and knows what she wants. I loved her and could definitely see myself having a drink or two with her.

This is a very engaging entertaining story that is to true life. Colleen has made this story so real that I felt right in the story.

Reach For The Stars tells a story about life is what you make it and being happy. What I call a proper feel good story.

I devoured this in one sitting and is definitely in my best books for 2017 I cannot recommend it enough. Giving it 5 massive stars.

Massive thank you to Kim Nash at Bookouture for recommending it to me.