I I was utterly inspired by how effortlessly this story seized my attention, drawing me in with Felicity's journey and leaving me deeply invested. Right from the start, I found myself rooting for her with unwavering enthusiasm, yearning to celebrate her triumphs and offer solace during her struggles. There's something profoundly captivating about a beautifully crafted small-town romance, and this one shines with the same irresistible charm that has captivated me in the works of Abby Jimenez and Emily Henry. While certain moments may feel a touch sentimental, the dialogue remains refreshingly genuine and delightful, allowing me to envision these characters thriving in real life. As I grew to cherish each character, including those in supporting roles, I appreciated the closed-door approach to this romance, where the palpable chemistry between Felicity and Jesse was masterfully woven, rendering the absence of explicit content utterly inconsequential. What resonated deeply with me was the story's thoughtful balance, where Felicity's personal growth took center stage, and the romance elegantly complemented her journey rather than defining it. Although the narrative's pacing occasionally felt uneven, making it challenging to discern the passage of time and external events, this minor quibble did little to diminish my enchantment with this profoundly moving tale.

This is a delightful read for fans of feel-good, laugh-out-loud romantic comedies who enjoy stories about overcoming heartbreak, self-discovery, and second chances, with a dash of witty humor and a strong, relatable heroine.

Book Review: Stars in the Gutter by Maxine Morrey

Maxine Morrey’s Stars in the Gutter is a heartwarming and hilariously charming rom-com that is the perfect antidote to a tough day. A delightful fixer-upper romance with a relatable heroine, swoon-worthy hero, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, this book is a must-read for fans of romantic comedies.

Fliss’s life takes a nosedive after a bad breakup with her ex-fiancé, whose perfect wedding to another woman she can’t escape on social media. In an impulsive attempt to escape her heartache, Fliss makes a rash decision that leaves her jobless but gains her the kind of project she never expected: a rundown farmhouse in the country. Though the house may be a money pit, Fliss’s new life offers the promise of a fresh start, especially with the kind and handsome Jesse Woods around to help with the renovations. But as sparks fly between them, Fliss is reluctant to trust her heart again.

Fliss is a relatable and endearing protagonist, and her journey from heartbreak to healing is both touching and full of humor. Her self-deprecating humor and witty inner monologue had me laughing out loud throughout the book. I absolutely adored how she navigates her emotional turmoil, from her struggle to let go of her past to the hilarious mishaps as she tries to fix up her new home.

Jesse is the perfect romantic lead—genuinely kind, down-to-earth, and incredibly helpful. His patience and understanding are just what Fliss needs as she learns to open up and trust again. The chemistry between them is undeniable, and their slow-burn romance kept me eagerly turning the pages. Jesse’s willingness to lend a hand (and a heart) to Fliss is swoon-worthy, and his unwavering support as she takes on the challenges of her new life makes him utterly irresistible.

The book also has a perfect blend of supporting characters who add warmth and humor to the story, while the beautiful country setting creates a cozy, feel-good backdrop for the romance to blossom. Maxine Morrey has a wonderful ability to create lovable, relatable characters that readers can’t help but root for, and Stars in the Gutter is no exception.

If you’re looking for a charming, uplifting rom-com filled with heart and humor, Stars in the Gutter is the perfect read. Maxine Morrey’s writing is sharp, witty, and brimming with warmth. I couldn’t put it down, and it left me with a smile on my face and a lightness in my heart. If you’re a fan of Sophie Kinsella, Lindsey Kelk, or Sophie Ranald, you’ll love this delightful, romantic tale.

Rating: 5/5
A fun, heartfelt rom-com that will make you laugh, swoon, and believe in second chances. Maxine Morrey delivers a story that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading.

If you are looking for a cosy, uplifting romantic read then look no further. Reach for the Stars was a delight to read and I really enjoyed my time with the characters. Let’s just say that Fliss does not have it easy at the start of this book. I was willing her to succeed and turn all the little and well, big disasters into something more positive. I especially loved the first meeting between Fliss and Jesse. It made me smile and was kind of embarrassing for both of them, albeit for different reasons. What follows is a tentative friendship that develops into something more.

I thought Maxine Morrey did a lovely job of crafting their romance. It was a bit of a slow burn and it worked so well for Fliss and Jesse. I felt for both characters, both with pasts that could have had negative effects on them. Let’s just say that I was really rooting for them. The pacing of the book was good and I was fully invested in Fliss and Jesse’s story. I also really liked some of the minor characters too like Caro and Julie.

Reach for the Stars was a complete hug in a book. I definitely recommend this wonderful feel good story!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book got off to a slow start, but I ended up really enjoying it!

"Reach for the Stars" by Maxine Morrey follows Felicity (Fliss), whose life takes an unexpected turn when her ex-fiancé decides to marry someone else – at the very wedding she paid for. In the aftermath of this betrayal and a drunken night, Fliss finds herself unemployed in London and the surprising owner of a run-down farmhouse in the countryside.

Adjusting to village life proves challenging for the fiercely independent Fliss, especially when it comes to accepting help from others. Her path crosses with Jesse, a generous soul whose natural inclination to assist others conflicts with her self-reliant nature. It takes a tree crashing through her roof for Fliss to finally begrudgingly accept that sometimes, we all need a helping hand.

Morrey excels at peeling back the layers of both Fliss and Jesse's characters, revealing their depths through moments of kindness and vulnerability. The novel thoughtfully explores how past hurts can lead us to build walls, as Fliss embodies the belief that avoiding trust means avoiding disappointment.

This compelling story strikes a delicate balance between raw emotion and humor while offering insightful observations about human nature. Though romance plays a significant role, "Reach for the Stars" transcends the genre, delivering a nuanced exploration of trust, healing, and the courage it takes to open oneself to new possibilities.

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Boldwood Books. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was such a heart warming book, I just couldn't stop reading, Felicity and Jesse were just amazing characters and their story was really special, I really liked the fact they were more adults
Thanks Netgalley and Boldwood books

A lovely funny and engaging rom-com that's well worth reading. Thanks n5 and publishers for allowing me a copy of this book.

Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it

I loved this book! A fun romance with the perfect amounts of drama, comedy, and friendship. The characters were the kind of people I'd live to sit with and have coffee and a chat. Thanks #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks

This was a sweet romcom with a super appealing MMC! Jesse was super swoony and he broke down Felicity’s walls like a bulldozer! There was witty banter, loveable supporting characters, and two MCs dealing with loss. Overall, it was a great story and I will definitely be checking out more of this author’s work!

In this emotional, engaging, and charming new rom-com from Maxine Morrey, readers join city girl Fliss on the adventure of a lifetime. Having recently lost her job and her fiance (and seeing her ex-fiance’s extravagant wedding on social media), Fliss moves to her new beautiful country home to find that it’s a wreck in dire need of serious and extensive repairs. When a tree falls through her roof and everything else seems to follow, handsome handyman Jesse Woods is there to help Fliss out even when she least wants it. As Fliss heals herself and works on her new house, she might learn that maybe Jesse Woods might be the exception to her experiences. With a complex and relatable protagonist and great chemistry between Fliss and Jesse, readers will love this new title for its tropes, obstacles, and heartwarming moments. Morrey’s characters continue to impress with their wide range of emotions and their brilliant personalities and interactions with other characters that readers will really connect with. The location and the obstacles it presents for Fliss are really charming and add to the atmosphere and enjoyability of this new release that romance readers and fans of Morrey’s other books will love.

Fliss is every woman who has seen her ex move on in a fabulous way and just doesn't know what to do. Enter Jesse.... enough said. I devoured this book, it was so good and I could not put it down! I so wanted Fliss to have everything she deserved! Now to go find more Morrey books to read.

City girl Fliss finds herself falling for the bucolic charms of the countryside in Maxine Morrey’s latest romantic comedy, Reach for the Stars.

Everything seems to be going wrong for Fliss. Single, unemployed and with her life in tatters, Fliss seems to be having a horrible run of bad luck and just when she thinks things cannot get any worse for her, she becomes the unexpected owner of a dilapidated farmhouse in desperate need of renovation. Fliss will need to win the lottery to reverse the ailing fortunes of her farmhouse. But living in the countryside does have its compensations – mainly her handsome neighbour Jesse Woods, who looks like he’s just walked off a magazine cover.

When a tree has an unexpected encounter with her roof that leaves Fliss seeing stars – literally! – she realises that she needs help and somewhere to live. Luckily for her, dishy Jesse is on hand with the perfect solution to her problems. As the two of them begin to get closer, Fliss realises that she’s falling for Jesse, but having been burnt many times before by men, is she willing to take a chance on romance? Will she break her own rules for the sake of her own happy ending? Or is Fliss about to lose her last chance at happiness?

An adorable romantic comedy that made me laugh out loud, Reach for the Stars is a fantastic read by Maxine Morrey perfect for Sarah Bennett and Phillipa Ashley fans. Funny, heartwarming and delightful from start to finish, Reach for the Stars by Maxine Morrey is a lovely tale about fresh starts, learning to trust and falling in love sure to brighten up every reader’s day!

Fliss has run away and bought a falling apart farm house. Neighbour Jesse rescues her more than once, but will these opposites attract?

Thank you author Maxine Morrey and @netgalley for allowing me to read an arc of this book.

This book is an absolutely hilarious, beautifully written, heartwarming, romance.

Fliss grew up in a family with money, that is until her father and step mother frittered it all away. Not one to give up, she worked hard in school and now is a high flying interior stylist, when suddenly her life implodes. Firstly, she has to see the photos of her ex-fiancé getting married to an heiress all over social media. In a fit of rage, she resigns from her job. Then, whilst drowning her sorrows in a month's supply of wine, she sells her swanky London flat and buys a house in the country. What she doesn't realise is, just what a rundown shell the house she has bought actually is.

Jesse, owns his own construction business. Sadly, there's just him and his dog Ned after losing his wife in fatal car accident 5 years ago. But he is resigned to how his life is now and makes the best of it.

Fate, and a really bad storm throw these two together. Well, that and Fliss nearly taking Jesse's head off with a piece of 4x2 in a DIY shop. Slowly, they become begrudging friends and Jesse helps Fliss restore her new home.

This book really is a fantastic read. The descriptions of the beautiful landscapes and the catastrophic storm have you imagining you are right there. The emotions felt by so many of the characters have you on an rollercoaster, right there with them. But, most of all, the storyline has you rooting for these two wonderful characters, in the hope that they will eventually find happiness together.

Felicity tries to channel her heartbreak and embarrassment into a project. A huge project; a fixer-upper farmhouse outside of London. Jesse is the swoony guy who keeps coming to her rescue. Cue the sparks!

Felicity's independence is both admirable and frustrating. Jesse's insistence on rescuing her is charming and frustrating. Their communication skills grow at a remarkable rate and you can't help but rooting for them as a couple.

Reach for the Stars by Maxine Morrey ⭐⭐⭐⭐

After a slow burn, it was a light cozy small town romance.
The characters are very likeable, easily to be friends with.

Can't wait to discover more books from Maxine, as this one was my first.

Reach for the Stars by Maxine Morrey completely charmed me. I went into it expecting a light, cozy read, but it ended up hitting me right in the feels. It’s one of those books that pulls you in so quickly, you forget about everything else for a while—and honestly, that’s exactly what I needed.

The story follows Felicity, who’s having the absolute worst time. Her fiancé dumps her for someone else (and marries her in a wedding Felicity paid for), and after drowning her sorrows in one too many drinks, she impulsively buys a rundown farmhouse in the countryside. It’s supposed to be her fresh start, but when she arrives, it’s more like a disaster zone. Things spiral from there—storms, trees falling through the roof, and so much mud. Enter Jesse, her grumpy, too-good-to-be-true neighbor who reluctantly helps her piece her life (and her house) back together.

I loved Felicity. She’s messy, stubborn, and so relatable. I’ve definitely had moments where I’ve felt like everything was falling apart, so seeing her find her way again was really satisfying. And Jesse? Ugh, he’s the dream: kind, dependable, and a little rough around the edges. Their slow-burn romance was everything I wanted—sweet, funny, and so natural. Even though it’s a closed-door romance, the chemistry between them was perfect.

What really made this book for me, though, was the small-town vibe. The neighbors, the gossip, the sense of community—it was all so comforting. The side characters weren’t just filler; they felt like real people, and I loved how they rallied around Felicity when things got tough. It gave the story such a warm, feel-good energy.

If I had one tiny complaint, it’s that the ending wrapped up a little too quickly. After such a great buildup, I would’ve loved a few more chapters to spend with these characters. But honestly, that’s more of a “me not wanting to let go” problem than a real issue with the book.

This story was just so lovely. It’s funny, heartwarming, and full of those little emotional moments that stick with you. If you love small-town romances with messy-but-lovable characters and a focus on personal growth, you’re going to adore this one. I know I did, and I can’t wait to read more from Maxine Morrey.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for letting me read this one early—it’s a book I’ll be recommending to everyone!

I really enjoy this book. It feels like a Hallmark movie
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the book