illidia316's review
5.0
No Place Too Far is the second book in the By the Sea series by Kay Bratt, and it is just as fabulous as the first book.
Book 2 follows Quinn’s best friend, Maggie, as she escapes her previous life to Hawaii with her young son. Though I’ve never been to Hawaii, the author’s descriptions are so beautifully vivid that I could easily picture all of the various settings in the story. I loved that Quinn, along with the other characters from the first book, are very involved in this story. Getting to read more of their stories playing out was extremely satisfying.
There is a fair amount of creepiness and suspense in this book, and I absolutely love it. The mystery of who the villain is and how far he/she would go to achieve their goals drew me in from the moment the villain was mentioned, but I was still shocked when the final confrontation occurred.
Kay Bratt’s writing and storytelling are brilliant, and I cannot wait for the next book in this series.
Book 2 follows Quinn’s best friend, Maggie, as she escapes her previous life to Hawaii with her young son. Though I’ve never been to Hawaii, the author’s descriptions are so beautifully vivid that I could easily picture all of the various settings in the story. I loved that Quinn, along with the other characters from the first book, are very involved in this story. Getting to read more of their stories playing out was extremely satisfying.
There is a fair amount of creepiness and suspense in this book, and I absolutely love it. The mystery of who the villain is and how far he/she would go to achieve their goals drew me in from the moment the villain was mentioned, but I was still shocked when the final confrontation occurred.
Kay Bratt’s writing and storytelling are brilliant, and I cannot wait for the next book in this series.
sonireads's review
4.0
This is the second book of the By The Sea series. It follows best friends Quinn and Maggie, who are settled in Hawaii. Hawaii was a stunning backdrop for this book. I've never been, but the way it was written, I now feel like I have. Maggie is starting a new life after escaping a stalker and Quinn is the subject of many rumours around her family and some drama from her past.
Although this book could stand alone, I really think I would have enjoyed it more if I'd read the previous book. I felt a bit disconnected from the characters, and it didn't help that there were two main characters that the book flipped between. The latter half of the book was quite exciting and hard to put down. The ending wraps a bit too quickly and neatly for my liking but I love a happy ending as much as the next person.
3.5/5, rounded up to 4.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the free eGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
Although this book could stand alone, I really think I would have enjoyed it more if I'd read the previous book. I felt a bit disconnected from the characters, and it didn't help that there were two main characters that the book flipped between. The latter half of the book was quite exciting and hard to put down. The ending wraps a bit too quickly and neatly for my liking but I love a happy ending as much as the next person.
3.5/5, rounded up to 4.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the free eGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
bookanonjeff's review
5.0
Amazing Follow-up. I wrote last year of the first book in this series that Bratt could spend the rest of her career in this world, and that I would not be disappointed. Here, she comes back to the world ostensibly to give best friend Maggie her story... that Quinn plays an even larger part in than Maggie played in Quinn's own story (where Maggie was present enough to be the obvious target of a direct sequel, but otherwise truly a secondary character). Bratt does a solid job of juggling both ladies, it just seems at times here that too much is being condensed into one book. To me, the tale here could have been told over three, maybe four, books rather than one and been more on par with the overall pacing and impact of True To Me. Going into specifics might get a bit too much into spoiler territory, so I'll simply say that to me, the division is this: Quinn gets a dedicated sequel. Maggie's story here gets its own dedicated book where Quinn becomes more of a secondary character rather than the co-lead she is here, and Maggie's own story is then broken up into effectively the first and second halves of the story here.
I know, I know. I've complained in other reviews about books being cut in half in almost blatantly obvious cash grabs, but I don't think Bratt would have done that in the above scenario. I think more time in each of these situations would have brought out much more of the depth of emotion that True To Me had, vs the constant "swinging for the fences" here.
But do not get me wrong: This is still truly an excellent book, one I am very proud to have read, and again, I want to come back to this world many, many more times. This is just me expressing my quibbles over pacing of a truly excellent book that to my mind *just* missed the "I can't stop crying and my mind is blown" level of amazement that True To Me brought. Truly a great book, and very much recommended.
I know, I know. I've complained in other reviews about books being cut in half in almost blatantly obvious cash grabs, but I don't think Bratt would have done that in the above scenario. I think more time in each of these situations would have brought out much more of the depth of emotion that True To Me had, vs the constant "swinging for the fences" here.
But do not get me wrong: This is still truly an excellent book, one I am very proud to have read, and again, I want to come back to this world many, many more times. This is just me expressing my quibbles over pacing of a truly excellent book that to my mind *just* missed the "I can't stop crying and my mind is blown" level of amazement that True To Me brought. Truly a great book, and very much recommended.
creaseinthespinebooks's review
4.0
I was hooked as soon as I started. Plenty of romance and suspense.I loved the characters and looking forward to reading more in this series. I highly recommend this book. Thank you to netgalley and lake union publishing for this arc
kimberlykaye23's review
5.0
Loved this book!! I read the first in the series, and couldn’t wait to read this one. I love how the main focus was on Maggie rebuilding her life in Maui, but also included a lot of Quinn as her story continued. I’m thankful that Maggie overcame her stalker, and allowed herself to love Colby again. Although, I was hoping she would give Dr. Starr a chance. I quickly changed my mind when Colby overcame his fear of flying to be with her and their son. I was thrilled that Quinn and Liam got married at a surprise, spur of the moment wedding. I feel that there will be another book in this series, and I really hope there will be. I’m anxious to see how Quinn and her family handle the media with her story. I also would love to see Jonah heal and start a new life. Thank you for an amazing story!
loribree83's review
4.0
When I saw this book on NetGalley and saw it was set in Maui, I immediately requested it! Then I found out this was book two in a series, and I immediately picked up the first book (True to Me). I thoroughly enjoyed both books, and loved how No Place Too Far focused on both Quinn and Maggie. I absolutely loved Maggie and her sweet dog, Woodrow. The book definitely did not end up how I thought it would midway through, but I still loved the ending. I also loved the aspects of Hawaiian culture and legend woven through the book. We had to cancel our trip to Hawaii in 2020 (for obvious reasons) so this book helped soothe my sadness of missing Hawaii just a little! These books were my first time reading this author and I definitely want to read more!
Thank you to the publisher via NetGalley for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to the publisher via NetGalley for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
oliviasbookishworld's review
3.0
This is the sequel to True to Me. I loved that I could continue with Quinn’s story and get deeper into Maggie’s story. While I enjoyed the story, I wish the author delved deeper into each woman’s relationship. Everything gets resolved fairly easily, but without much dialogue between the characters. I wish I could have witnessed it, and all the messy emotions, while it was happening instead of just being told it happened.
Thank you to those who gave me an opportunity to read the ARC. This was my honest opinion.
**Clean read
Thank you to those who gave me an opportunity to read the ARC. This was my honest opinion.
**Clean read
beauty_andherbooks's review
5.0
So let me tell you all the 100’s of reasons I loved this book. First of all, as many of you know, I have a love affair with Hawaii! It is without a doubt my favorite place in the entire world and I’m constantly longing to go back. Although I have never been to the island of Maui, I’m sure it’s just as beautiful, if not more, as Oahu. Kay Bratt’s writing brought me all the way back to Hawaii in the midst of not being able to travel right now and I am so grateful for that. Her imagery and description of Hana, the flowers, and the Hawaiian customs made me feel as if I was right there with the characters. I could smell the flowers and hear the water crashing against the sand.
After reading the synopsis, I had high expectations for this book and I wasn’t let down. It was the perfect blend of romance and suspense that I was searching for. I have read so many romance books that were predictable and all of the characters and storylines were the same. This book was different. Maggie and Quinn are both relatable characters and as the reader, I was able to sympathize with both of their stories and where they came from. I noticed that the friendship created between the two of them grew stronger once Maggie had moved out to Maui after Quinn had reunited with her family that she hadn’t seen in over twenty years. It’s the type of friendship most people look for in another person but is rare to find, someone to stand beside you through thick and thin.
The suspense starts when the man Maggie has been running from is accidentally released from prison and has now found her most recent whereabouts. Maggie is such an independent woman, unwilling to accept help from anyone around her which is something I can relate to almost entirely. It’s easy to put up a barrier and a wall to protect yourself and the feeling of asking for help feels like a weakness.
Although as the story began to unfold and I was able to start predicting the ending, I couldn’t put the book down. Of course, as a reader, you’re always hoping for a certain ending and that’s exactly what I got. This was such a cozy and quick read for me. I can’t wait to pick up more of this author’s books and start reading more. Her writing style is captivating and her storylines and character backgrounds are unique and incomparable to many. Thank you, Kay, for bringing my love for the ocean and animals together in such a brilliant novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book to ready in exchange for an honest review!
After reading the synopsis, I had high expectations for this book and I wasn’t let down. It was the perfect blend of romance and suspense that I was searching for. I have read so many romance books that were predictable and all of the characters and storylines were the same. This book was different. Maggie and Quinn are both relatable characters and as the reader, I was able to sympathize with both of their stories and where they came from. I noticed that the friendship created between the two of them grew stronger once Maggie had moved out to Maui after Quinn had reunited with her family that she hadn’t seen in over twenty years. It’s the type of friendship most people look for in another person but is rare to find, someone to stand beside you through thick and thin.
The suspense starts when the man Maggie has been running from is accidentally released from prison and has now found her most recent whereabouts. Maggie is such an independent woman, unwilling to accept help from anyone around her which is something I can relate to almost entirely. It’s easy to put up a barrier and a wall to protect yourself and the feeling of asking for help feels like a weakness.
Although as the story began to unfold and I was able to start predicting the ending, I couldn’t put the book down. Of course, as a reader, you’re always hoping for a certain ending and that’s exactly what I got. This was such a cozy and quick read for me. I can’t wait to pick up more of this author’s books and start reading more. Her writing style is captivating and her storylines and character backgrounds are unique and incomparable to many. Thank you, Kay, for bringing my love for the ocean and animals together in such a brilliant novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book to ready in exchange for an honest review!
alstrath's review
4.0
A lovely read. The second book in the series. Although the events from the first book are touched upon I think you would have needed to read book one first in order to fully grasp what is going on in book two.
Quinn and Maggie deal with problems that were exposed in book one and carried over to book two and both at the end seem to find their solutions.
Not as good as the first book, but a good weekend read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the chance to read this book.
Quinn and Maggie deal with problems that were exposed in book one and carried over to book two and both at the end seem to find their solutions.
Not as good as the first book, but a good weekend read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the chance to read this book.
louisekf's review
4.0
I didn’t realize No Place Too Far was the second book in a series when I chose to read it, but I felt that the author provided more than enough information to understand what had gone on before for one of the main characters in this book, Quinn. Quinn’s story continues in No Place Too Far; however, Maggie Dalton, Quinn’s longtime friend, is the focus of the main story. I would probably categorize this novel as “romantic suspense”.
Maggie is in Maui with her young son to rebuild her life after being the victim of a stalker. She is separated from her son’s father, Colby, but the author really didn’t make clear the WHY of this separation. Perhaps it’s made clear in the first book in this series, True To Me. This did not markedly dampen my enjoyment of the book, but it was a bit vague for me, which made subsequent occurrences less impactful than they might have been.
That being said, this is an exciting book that totally kept my interest throughout. I learned a bit about traditional Hawaiian culture along the way. I enjoyed the various characters that are introduced throughout the book, especially the irrepressible Juniper and the joke-loving veterinarian, Joe Starr. If there’s a third book in this series, I hope those two will pop up again. Another lovely “character” was Woodrow, Maggie’s service dog.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing an advance readers copy in exchange for my honest review.
Maggie is in Maui with her young son to rebuild her life after being the victim of a stalker. She is separated from her son’s father, Colby, but the author really didn’t make clear the WHY of this separation. Perhaps it’s made clear in the first book in this series, True To Me. This did not markedly dampen my enjoyment of the book, but it was a bit vague for me, which made subsequent occurrences less impactful than they might have been.
That being said, this is an exciting book that totally kept my interest throughout. I learned a bit about traditional Hawaiian culture along the way. I enjoyed the various characters that are introduced throughout the book, especially the irrepressible Juniper and the joke-loving veterinarian, Joe Starr. If there’s a third book in this series, I hope those two will pop up again. Another lovely “character” was Woodrow, Maggie’s service dog.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing an advance readers copy in exchange for my honest review.