DNF at 20%. Way too quick with the insta-love, perfect together, I only want you-ness. The wealthy MC cosplays as poor (like — scandalously buys a polyester dress and wears it out, and it feels so good!). There is absolutely zero build up or reason for the characters to be in love within 24 hours of meeting.

Sad bc I really liked French Holiday but this one is soooo not for me.

Sarah Ready delivers a romance filled with depth and realistic characters in The Space Between. Both Andrea (Andi) and Jace have their own strengths and own flaws when we're first introduced to the two teens, each of whom fights against their family to find their own path in life. The story isn't a typical love at first sight romance, though; there are layers and nuances that drive each character to be a fully developed, flawed, good-at-the core person. Even the supporting characters (Dean, River, Paulie, Dallas, Rob, Reed, etc) are more than just background players--they're people faltering on their own paths and then having to face the consequences, good or bad.

The dual POV and subsequent two voice narration worked so well for this book. It allowed the readers to fully embrace the two MCs and aided in the switching perspectives through their voice. Listening at 2x speed, it was easy to understand their reading, hear the emotion, and follow the pacing.

This is a SOLID romance, and I'm so glad it wasn't just surface level cheesiness, but something of real substance.

Overall: 4.5 stars

I'll tell my students about: alcohol, drugs, parental death, sexual assault, language, trauma, LGBTQIA+, cancer

**Thank you to NetGalley and W. W. Crown Audiobooks for the free ALC. All opinions expressed are my own.**

ALL. THE. STARS.

5 big, shiny, bright stars - this book has it all!!It’s official, this is my favourite romance of 2023 so far! This is my first book by author Sarah Ready, and it was a long one! I typically shy away from long books (this one was 540 pages!) but it felt so short, and I flew through it switching between audio and ebook. (Note: audiobook was so well done alternating between male and female voices which created an awesome dynamic)

The story between Jace and Andrea was just so heartfelt, beautiful, and quite frankly felt like a rollercoaster of emotions. It was a deep heartbreaking love that seeped through the pages, and I just did not want it to end. I will definitely be picking up this book when it releases.

I recommend this book if you enjoy:
- Contemporary romance genre
- First love and soulmates
- Rich vs. Poor / Upper East Side vs. The Bronx / Star-crossed lovers
- Dual POV
- Strangers to lovers tropes
- Second chance romance tropes
- Young love to adult romance
- Finding your person
- Overcoming impossible situations
- Time jumps
- Romantic connections through music
- Giving up everything for love
- Situations that come full circle
- Stories that take place in New York City

Trigger Warnings: Mention of accidental drug overdose, cancer, death, parental abandonment, cheating/infidelity

In this opposites attract romance, we meet Jace, a music prodigy from the Bronx who's had a tough life, struggling with his band as they are searching for their big break. Andrea, however, comes from a very wealthy millionaire family on the upper East side. Fate brings these two together by chance in Central Park and they're pretty much inseparable since. Everything is great, until it isn't. Circumstances drive them apart for years, until one day Jace hunts Andi down, determined to mend things between them. Except, everything's different and she's getting married now. What a rollercoaster ride! I really liked this audiobook. I found the narrator's pleasant and enjoyed the dual POV. I really cared about these characters and were rooting for each and every one of them. I laughed, I cried. Sarah somehow managed to break my heart and put it back together again. My only complaint was that it was a bit lengthy, but the story was worth it.

OHH my heart! This author has quickly become one of my faves! This is the 3rd book I've read of hers and it gets better and better! Get your tissues ready for this one. The author will rip your heart out and when she finds a few pieces not broken she'll break those too AND she won't stop! BUT she will put all the pieces of your heart back together by the end for a beautiful HEA. This book is a testimony to how we never truly know how any one scenario in our lives will work out. This book is amazing! All the stars!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an eARC of this book in return for an honest review.

This story was absolutely beautiful. It’s a story of love, loss, pain, finding the light in the dark, and forgiveness. The audiobook of this story was beautiful and well recorded. I loved that we have a male and female narrator for the two perspectives. I love that this wasn’t a straightforward romance where you expect 1+1 to equal 2. You get what can actually happen in life. You get a different perspective and road traveled. This story was beautifully written and I hate that I can’t keep reading the character’s stories. I highly recommend this book.

I am becoming a huge fan of Sarah Ready's books. This is the second one I've reviewed this year, and both have given me hours of enjoyable reading.

This novel is the decades-long saga of a romance between Andrea, daughter of a wealthy businessman, and Jace, a young musician who grew up in a poor neighborhood of the Bronx. Both are about to graduate high school as the story begins, and they meet in Central Park when she rescues him from a beating by rich bullies. Their backgrounds are so different, yet they fall in love. However, the story involves many obstacles to "forever after."

I loved the characters in this book. The narrators gave them realistic personalities. And, the way the story progresses was not expected. I found myself in tears at times and smiling at others. I could really get into the story and feel what the characters were feeling. After finishing the book, I almost want to go back and listen again. It was that good, and I highly recommend it!

Thank you NetGalley and W. W. Crown Audiobooks for sending this audiobook for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Andrea and Jace have a fateful meeting in the park and quickly form an unlikely bond. Jace has had a rough life in the Bronx, struggling to survive after his parents death, with his brothers and their band. Andrea has money, privilege, and a life of luxury on the Upper East Side. Their young romance is tested when life threatens to tear them apart. Their love story will bring you on an emotional rollercoaster that you won’t want to put down.

This is my second Sarah Ready book, and I was not disappointed. Andrea and Jace’s love story had it’s ups and downs, as well as complex relatable issues. It did feel a bit insta-lovey, but I found myself rooting for them, even when life got in the way.

I was emotionally invested in all of the characters; they had flaws, depth, and I felt I could understand their motives. Small details and large reveals were beautifully crafted to give backstory to all side characters. Dual POV added to gain insight to Andi and Jace’s feelings.

The Space Between delivers a love story for the ages with found-family, generational trauma, betrayal, hope, friendship, and love.

I am personally not a huge fan of insta-love; falling to hard, to fast just doesn't seem realistic to me. However, that aside the novel was incredibly cute. I think if someone were looking for a light read this would be the perfect book. Andi and Jace live two very different lives but this book works through love, grief and the family dynamics. Andi's childhood nemesis Reid plays a pivotal role in her life and you see her relationships develop with the story.

I LOVED this book and the narrators were great! The characters developed as the story progressed and I loved the main characters! This is a story about two young people falling in love but they are from two different walks of life. They meet by chance in Central Park and the connection is there from the beginning.

This book had it all- love, happiness, sorry, devastation, hope and closure throughout the entire book. This is my first book by the author and I will definitely be reading more! I have found a new author!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Wow this book was an unexpected emotional rollercoaster. I was expecting a romance, but this book explores grief, family dynamics, love, and so much more.

Andi and Jace come from two opposite worlds - her family in the top class of New York society and him from a poor family in the Bronx. One fateful day these two young lovebird meet in Central Park and quickly fall in into a whirlwind romance. Much to the dismay of both families. Andi chooses to leave her life behind and follow Jace and his musician brothers on the road. But the bliss doesn't last long as miscommunication and tragedy result in two broken hearts. Years later, a chance encounter reignites old feelings. Will they get a second chance when they run into each other again years later?

I will try to explain myself spoiler free here. I was really drawn into Andi and Jace's stories. In part 1 we got insight into their personal lives, family drama, and romance. I think the young love was portrayed realistically with the insta-love between two characters searching for someone who understands them in the world. The fateful night that drove these two apart had me stressed. I was excited for the eventual reunion.

In part 2, we jump ahead a few years. A certain character makes a reappearance. And wow, the author did an incredible job making this earlier villain a sympathetic and loved character. Although, I will say, while this redemption arc was so well done in part 2, it cheapened the connection between Jace and Andi for me in the end. I wish Andi and this character would've stayed platonic friends. I didn't feel the same pull between Jace and Andi in the second half because we got more chapters of Andi and this other character. Maybe if we had some of Jace's POV from their time apart. Overall, I was kind of frustrated with how everything played out in the end as I wanted to scream at the characters to just talk. I didn't understand why they had to keep Jace in the dark and then why it took so long after for them to reconnect. I am happy they got their happy ending!

4.5 rounded to 5

“You don’t have to do anything to make me love you, I’m already gone.”

“You used to be fire, not ice.”

This novel is a little different from any other Sarah Ready book that I’ve read. For one, it was pretty long BUT that’s because there were so many layers to the story. I really think that the longer novel suited this story. There was love, loss, despair, hope, betrayal, forgiveness, understanding and closure in so many ways. It sort of had some elements that reminded me of Aladdin (Jasmine) and Frozen (ice queen anyone?)

I felt like I truly knew every character in this book. Sarah really packed a lot of character development into this novel and what’s even more impressive is that she did it with NUMEROUS characters without “doing too much.” Everything flowed so well in

Usually I shy away from longer books but I’m going through Sarah Ready’s entire catalog so I was committed to trying this one and I’m so glad I did.

The first proposal that Andrea gets was so cute. I could just see it as playing out in my head.

The celebration at the hotel when the band got their big break had me sooooo stressed out. I wanted to scream!

Paul’s backstory was something I never expected. I love how good of a friend he was to Jace and his brothers. He was the level headed person in the group.

I initially got frustrated with Andrea’s mom and was worried that part of the story wouldn’t be wrapped up, but I trusted the process and got what I needed.

I just love Sarah Ready…her work never fails to capture my heart, so it’s no surprise that I adored this book too. Well done.

I absolutely recommend this for book clubs because there is so much to discuss.

I really enjoyed the audio narrators too

I’m typically not a big fan of a love triangle, but this one was beautiful. The way Andi discovers the different ways in which she loves different people is simply stunning. And the narrators brought the whole thing to life in just the most incredible way.

The plot took place over a 13-year span of time. Had I known that from the start, I probably wouldn’t have gotten so disillusioned with the ending of part one, which literally broke me. I was so devastated that I couldn’t pick this book back up for a full week. Watch out, people. But it gets so much better. Like, hearts in my eyes, “I think I just fell in love with a fictional character” better.

So I felt like the characters were really strong in this book. Sarah Ready gave us character growth for basically every major player in the story. And that felt so refreshing. So rewarding. The payoff is so good because we’ve seen so much growth literally everywhere. Also, I will love Reid forever. That’s all.

Overall, this book made me laugh and also made me sob. I didn’t know my heart could squeeze so much while reading a book. Thank you, Sarah Ready, W.W. Crown, and NetGalley for this ARC. I loved it.

I like Sarah Ready, I always know seeing something new from her that it will be worth my time.

Admittedly I wasn’t super drawn to the initial premise and unfortunately this did up end up being just so-so for me. But, I’m putting that down to the fact that second chance/ torn apart by circumstance does nothing for me as a trope. This book really is a little more melodrama than romance at times which just isn’t my vibe. Still I ended up getting through this pretty quickly and did enjoy it.

All said, I’ll be putting this one right in the middle. Not a new fave but it’s definitely a good read.

If you’re more into dramatic romances and have the patience for a slow burn, misunderstandings, and waiting for the right time relationship you’ll likely enjoy this a lot more than I did! The characters and their relationship was well done and didn’t bother me at all, it just wasn’t my speed. I think I was just in the wrong headspace for the particular type of slice of life this was.

Audio - 4/5 Great narration, it’s always my preference to have 2 narrators for a dual POV and both in this case did a great job!

"The Space Between" by Sarah Ready

I would like to begin by extending my gratitude to both Netgalley and W. W. Crown for providing me with an advanced copy of "The Space Between" by Sarah Ready. I'm always eager to sink my teeth into new works of literature, and the opportunity to do so before their public release is always exciting.

"The Space Between" is a novel that radiates with potential. Unfortunately, for me, that potential wasn't fully realized. I invested considerable time into the narrative, making it halfway through the book before reaching the difficult decision to set it aside. It's a decision I rarely make, but I believe life is too short to read books that don't fully engage us.

The genre was listed as women's fiction, with a touch of literary fiction, but personally, I felt that the book skewed more towards a young adult tone. It possesses a certain juvenile flavor that could very well appeal to a younger demographic, but for more mature audiences, this might lead to a disconnection.

One aspect that struck me as problematic was the heavy emphasis on physical descriptions of characters. While an important part of character-building, it's a balancing act. Excessive descriptions can detract from the development of a character's internal world and intellectual complexities. In "The Space Between", these descriptions often felt like they were on the verge of overshadowing the storyline itself. It is possible that others might find this attention to detail immersive, but for me, it was a bit excessive.

The prose, while undeniably packed with sentiment, frequently bordered on the saccharine. It was like consuming an overly sweet dessert; there's a point when it's simply too much. The prose felt insipid and, at times, cloying, resulting in a mild, metaphorical jaw ache from trying to chew through it.

In conclusion, while "The Space Between" wasn't quite to my taste, I am sure it could find its niche among younger readers or those who enjoy highly descriptive and emotive narratives. Literature, after all, is subjective, and what doesn't resonate with one person may well strike a chord with another. I encourage readers to try "The Space Between" for themselves and form their own opinion.

Thank you again to Netgalley and W. W. Crown for the opportunity to read and review this book. It's always a privilege to contribute to the literary conversation, even when a book doesn't completely capture my interest.

A big thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

I’m not sure how I feel about this one. I went into it knowing that there would be a happy ending, with a lot of suffering before we would get there. Andi and Jace truly were ships passing in the night for the majority of this book. This should have raised the tension, but I think I’ve nailed down one crucial issue that needed to be fixed before any of that could have been achieved: the insta-love.

It seemed like Jace only caught one glimpse of Andi and he was smitten. They only went on a couple of dates before they exchanged confessions of eternal love. I just couldn’t bring myself to suspend my disbelief for long enough to buy it, unfortunately. The progression of their relationship was so rushed that it spoiled my ability to fully root for them because I couldn’t believe in why they loved each other.

I get that Ready had lofty goals with the timeline of the book, so she couldn’t linger too long on the teenage portion of their love affair, but perhaps a complete restructuring could have salvaged it. Give us 26-year-old Andi in the present day, with flashbacks of her teenage romance with the now-famous singer Jace. Then slowly build up the romance in small scenes in between her reintroduction to Reed and the plan to marry him. This might have achieved both the aspirational timeline and a slower-burn romance woven in flashbacks, thereby anchoring the story into a stronger foundation by the time Andi and Jace see each other again after all those years have passed.

Onto Reed, he seemed to stand as the terminally ill male version of the Manic Pixie Dream Girl. It reminded me a bit of Me Before You, where the male love interest pushed the female main character to be a better version of herself before ultimately dying. I don’t think Reed’s intentions were bad, rather it came across in the narrative like Ready was using him more as a plot device than actually fleshing him out to be his own character. Some of this was salvaged by his reasoning for proposing marriage to Andi, thereby asserting that he did have motivations of his own to benefit him and his family behind the decision to marry her.

Still, I would have liked to see less of him propping up Andi all the time and more of him having his own struggles, with Andi helping him through them. While his terminal cancer wasn’t specifically named, I also will say, as someone who recently lost a close relative to late-stage cancer, that advanced cancers are tragic and tormenting to the dying person and their loved ones. There are many complications that weren’t even touched on here, aside from the fatigue, weight loss, and the briefest mention of pain that wasn’t spoken of again. This depiction felt sterilized and fantastical, rather than true-to-life and believable. I think Ready had an opportunity here to really draw attention to the impact of late-stage cancer on the dying and their family, and the opportunity was wasted in the end.

Critiques aside, I found myself really loving where the story went once Andi and Reed found their futures entangled. The interactions between Reed and Andi, between the two of them and Reed’s parents, and then between Andi and her mother, were really well done and gut-wrenching. The briefest nod was made to depression and suicidal ideation in one of these interactions and it shed light on one of the central inner conflicts Andi faced throughout the novel. This truly drove home how mental health struggles have a domino affect on everyone, including the one suffering and their loved ones. Additionally, the parallel between Andi and her mother in this moment was heart-breaking and touching all at once.

The novel wrapped up pretty neatly and left me satisfied with where the different characters’ arcs went. I just wish the romance, which was ultimately the foundation on which everything else in the story was built, had been stronger.

On the note of the audiobook narration, this one had two narrators - one for each point of view. I thoroughly enjoyed the performances from both and really found the female narrator’s voice to be particularly nice to listen to. She has a clear, bright quality that, strangely enough, reminded me a lot of Cameron Diaz’s voice.

3 stars!

This is my second audiobook form Sarah Ready and OMG I'm even more in love with her writing. My first audiobook was French Holiday and if you haven't listened to that one grab it! So when I was allowed to listen to another book I was ecstatic. This book had me feeling all kinds of emotions while listening. Like her other books, I found this book to be heartwarming, heartbreaking, emotional, riveting, and sweet. The narrators were wonderful. I HIGHLY recommend this audiobook!

Thank you NetGalley and W. W. Crown, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks for allowing me to listen to this ARC in advance for my honest opinion.

The space between by Sarah Ready this audiobook was narrated by James Fouhey & Rachel F. Hirsch. This book will be publish the 25 of July of 2023. I need start this review thanking NetGalley and W.W Crown for give me access to this audiobook. In general this is a very easy to hear and enjoy book, it got hint of romance and difficulty in a relationship since we got the POV from both of the characters it make it easy understand the trauma, love, loss, dramas, and in the end the strength to battle adversity. Is a light book that normally I call like a literary snacks because they are perfect when you feel block or when you need to read something that is good but isn’t to complex. For me is a perfect reading and a good book.

I was sad for this book to end. This book pulled at my heart strings several times throughout the story. Both narrators added to the story by conveying the deep emotions felt by the characters. This is the first book I’ve read by Sarah Ready, but it will not be the last. I highly recommend this book.

3.5 stars, rounded up.

My 2nd Sarah Ready book of the year and this one was exponentially better than the last. It’s tricky to write a love story that spans years but Ready has done a pretty good job of it here. The story felt organic and natural: missed communication is by far my least favorite trope and while some of the issues here were outright lies, they definitely could’ve used a straightforward conversation or two to find out where the relationship stands.

Andi and Jace are interesting characters that are fleshed out and wholly formed: the supporting characters as well felt unique and didn’t blend into each other like many contemporary romances. Can’t speak to Ready’s influences here but definitely noticed some of the Greasers’ dynamic from The Outsiders between Jace and his siblings (hell, one of them is even named Dallas).

Overall, this was a cute weekend read and I’m glad that Ready’s writing has improved.

Thank you to NetGalley, W.W. Crown, and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.