It’s a real pleasure today to be joining the blog tour and sharing my review of Reach for a Star by Kathryn Freeman, published for kindle by Choc Lit on 24th September, available via Amazon in the UK and US, on all other major e-book platforms, and as an audio download. My thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me to be part of the tour and for her ongoing support, and to publishers Choc Lit for providing my e-copy for review.
I know I shouldn’t really have favourites, particularly among Choc Lit’s many excellent authors, but I’ve yet to read a book from Kathryn Freeman that I haven’t thoroughly enjoyed. Although I really wish I could have read and reviewed every single one, it’s been frustratingly impossible – but you will find reviews here on Being Anne of Search for the Truth, A Little Christmas Faith, Oh Crumbs and A Little Christmas Charm. In fact, if you pop her name into the search bar, you’ll find posts – cover reveals, spotlights and guest posts – for most of her other books too. So this was one I was really rather looking forward to…
What if your dreams were so close you could reach out and touch them?
How could anyone resist Michael Tennant, with his hypnotic blue eyes and voice like molten chocolate? Jessie Simmons certainly can’t. But Jessie’s a single mum who can’t sing to save her life – there’s no way she’ll ever cross paths with the star tenor.
At least that’s what she thinks until she’s unexpectedly invited to take part in a new reality TV show. The premise? Professional singers teach hopeless amateurs how to sing. The surprise? Jessie’s partner is none other than Michael Tennant!
As she becomes better acquainted with the man behind the voice, will Jessie find out the hard way that you should never meet your idols? Or will she get more than she bargained for?
It’s the stuff of dreams, isn’t it? A singer you already love from afar – and then your sons enter you into a TV talent show, and you find he’s going to be your partner, teaching you to sing a duet. You know, when you’re a mum and a pharmacist, and can’t really sing at all? And then you’re so disappointed to find that he’s cold and unfriendly, just filling time before his next worldwide tour, and doesn’t really want to be part of it all. But you really can’t fail to love Jessie, and the ice slowly begins to melt: we find out the reasons for Michael’s awkwardness and his cold front, and things begin to get considerably warmer.
I adored Jessie with her down-to-earth approach to life, her love for her family, her curves and her lovely sense of humour. And it turns out that Michael has considerably more depth than it appears at first too – a nicely done personal history – and there’s no doubt that he really does need her in his life. Maybe life would be easier if he settled with his stick-thin super-efficient clotheshorse PA Georgie – but it’s not Georgie that he wants. But can Jessie and Michael really make it a relationship? Their lives are poles apart, and it’s going to be many times more difficult when he’s about to leave on his tour – but who knows, perhaps they can find a way.
In essence, that’s the story – and the way it’s told is quite wonderful. I really believed in the relationship and its chemistry, took them both to my heart, and desperately wanted a happy ending – but there were umpteen times when I really thought that wasn’t going to happen. That made the whole book quite a page-turner too – it’s a really good story, so well told – and I really couldn’t put it down until I’d read to very end in the hope that the fairy tale really would come true.
The characters are thoroughly excellent – and not just Jessie and Michael, but the people in their lives too. Although the story is largely a double-hander, I really liked some of the cameos – Jessie’s laid back ex-husband Phil, her teenage sons, also Michael’s straight-talking manager. I particularly liked the scenes when their very different lives are brought together – Michael’s attempts to win over Jessie’s sons are just wonderfully written. And the author really does have the perfect touch with dialogue – the exchanges between Jessie and Michael crackle and fizz quite beautifully, with a real feel of authenticity and the most perfect foot-in-mouth moments on both sides.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one – something a little different, a wonderfully romantic story, twists and turns that were totally unexpected, and quite beautifully done. A definite recommendation from me.
Giveaway
With thanks to Kate, publishers Choc Lit and tour organiser Rachel, I’m delighted to offer the chance to win a paperback copy of one of my favourites, Oh Crumbs (open internationally). Here’s the rafflecopter for entry:
Terms and Conditions Worldwide entries welcome. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
About the author
A former pharmacist, I’m now a medical writer who also writes romance. Some days a racing heart is a medical condition, others it’s the reaction to a hunky hero.
With two teenage boys and a husband who asks every Valentine’s Day whether he has to buy a card (yes, he does), any romance is all in my head. Then again, his unstinting support of my career change proves love isn’t always about hearts and flowers – and heroes come in many disguises.
Dear Anne, what can I say? Your reviews are always ones to savour, and this is no exception. I’m so touched by your kind words. A huge thank you for taking part in the blog tour, and for putting a big smile on my face this morning 🙂