"The gift of "ohana"-the Hawaiian word symbolizing family...."

Family is everything to the people of Hawaii. Love, devotion, trust, and dependability. All these things make a family that is bonded together no matter what. The definition of family can be different for everyone. In "No Place too Far", Kay Bratt continutes the story from the first book in the series, "True to Me" of how Quinn has found her family in Maui after more than 30 years of being separated. But the past threatens the future. Part of the past is Quinn's best friend, Maggie, who's come to Maui with her young son, Charlie. As soon as I opened this book up, I felt like I was right back with old friends and family. Ms. Bratt has a story telling gift to create stories that pull at your heart. Ones that have a message and meaning to them. I know with a Kay Bratt novel, I'm going on an emotional adventure with the characters to places that are as vividly detailed as if I were there myself. She has such a gift of bringing the reader on an emotional journey and adventure with her characters.

Quinn's past is one she's trying to keep secret in order to protect someone in her family. Keeping secrets is all good until they aren't secret anymore. Now she's in a dilemma of losing what took her so long to find again. Will ohana be enough to overcome the challenges that threaten to ruin her place with them? Will her "honu" be there to protect her through as it was before?

Maggie has a past, too. One that has haunted her and caused her to try to run from it and disappear. One that she will do anything to keep her son, Charlie, safe from as well as herself. But the past is in danger of catching up to them and shattering any sense of peace and security she's worked so hard to find. "She wanted to be strong. Competent. Self-sufficient." Who will be there for her as she faces the worst?

This is a story about family...related and unrelated...but bonded and connected by love. This is a story about hardships, struggles, fears, guilt, secrets, and uncertainty. But it's also about trust, determination, friendships that are more like family, traditions, and loyalty. Ms. Bratt weaves in drama, suspense, and heart wrenching side characters with stories that bring it all together in an unputdownable read. She throws in some mystery to add to the mix and kept me turning the pages.

Not only do I become invested in the characters but the setting in this series is like a character itself by how brilliantly Ms. Bratt creates the scenes in word pictures I could visualize in my mind. I was again taken on a philosophical and cultural tour of a place I have never been but totally feel like I learned so much about it through the characters and their experiences in Maui and the surrounding areas. It's a virtual visit that had me walking in the rainforest, hearing the waterfalls, smelling the flora, and seeing the lushness as if I were there.

Then there's Woodrow...He stole my heart. The true definition of the love of a dog for his owner. Maggie's quiet shaggy service dog. Kay Bratt's ability to tap into the devotion of a dog and put into words that faithfulness is truly from her love of dogs. I knew that feeling in my heart with each passage Woodrow was written in. "Woodrow looked up. His soulful brown eyes locked on Maggie's, instantly calming her. He had that way about him." The subject of why Maggie needed a service dog touched close to home when I read the "From the Author" passages at the end of the book. I am very grateful for her thoughts and candor. Her heart to help others.

Kay Bratt writes stories from her heart. I become a part of them as I'm reading them. No Place Too Far is no exception. I am very grateful for the opportunity of reading this novel. She brings it every time with her heart and emotions that pour out on the pages. I will wait with anticipation for the next book in the series to see which character's stories Ms. Bratt brings to us By The Sea...there's a hint at the end in those notes! I want to thank Netgalley and especially Kay Bratt for the honor and privilege of reading this continuation of a great series. I loved it! All opinions and thoughts in this review are my heartfelt own. Maika'i nui loa.... (very, very good) five tropical stars!

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 will leave a review on Amazon or B&N on Sept 1. 2020

No Place Too Far is the second book in the By the Sea series, and although it brings in new characters it is also a continutation of Quinn's story. This is another amazing book by Kay Bratt, and had me turning the pages until the very end. It is easy to relate to the characters in the book, and I would most certainly recommend this book to my friends

Another winning novel by Kay Bratt. No Place Too Far takes us further into Quinn’s story and we get to know her best friend Maggie. Maggie is very independent and has fled to Maui to get far away from her stalker and is determined to survive on her own. In True To Me we got to see Quinn’s transformation and this book we get to experience Maggie’s as well as to see even further growth in Quinn. I enjoyed the story and look forward to more from Kay Bratt.

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review -
Grab this book to read about two women who are strong and determined to conquer their fears. You will feel their emotions, fears, and victories.
Maggie, with her son moves to Maui to escape her stalker who is finally behind bars - or so she thinks. In Maui she meets Quinn, who is dealing with issues of her own. They become great friends.
And then things began to tumble - has her stalker found her? Will she ever be able to escape him?

True To Me, followed by No Place Too Far = back to back bookie goodness!

After finishing the former title, I was in a huge Hawaii mood and not ready to leave the islands. So, I checked NetGalley and low and behold, the latter was available for review! Yipppeee! I settled right in for Maggie’s installment and was not disappointed in the least! Another lovely and intoxicating Hawaiian read, with plenty of Quinn + Liam heartwarming moments thrown in. I’ll admit I didn’t see Maggie’s story going the way that it did, but without giving anything away, I was happily surprised with the way her love interests played out.

Definitely needing more of the good Dr, Juniper, and Woodrow... he made the whole story so incredibly special! Well done, Kay Bratt!

Loved this read! Kay Bratt brings the beauty of Maui to life as well as making the characters so realistic I often felt as if I were in the room with them. Maggie is running with her son Charlie from a dangerous stalker and feels she is safe on Maui reconnecting with her old friend Quinn who has a confusing family situation that she is working through. Both story lines become entwined with suspense woven throughout. Woodrow is certainly everyone’s idea of a dream dog. Loved Liam, his dad, Juniper, Joe, David and Jonah. So many characters but they each have a role in moving the plot forward. I didn’t realize that this is a series but I am definitely going to read the first in the series, True to Me and look forward to reading the next one as well. Many thanks to Kay Bratt, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for affording me the pleasure of reading an arc of this enthralling story, to be published in September.

No Place Too Far is a very well written suspense. The plot is a real page turner, characters are well developed and a beautiful setting, all the elements for a good read. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and this is my unbiased review.

The second book in the series and a new character. Maggie has moved to Maui with her son, Charlie to restart her life after dealing with a stalker. Maggie is the best friend of Quinn, who we met in book one. The book goes back and forth from Maggie’s story and developments in Quinn’s story. I enjoyed the scenery and folklore of the beautiful island; Maggie’s service dog was a huge hit as well as the new friendships made, a romance strengthened and an old one rekindled.
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the ARC

I have never been to Hawaii and will probably never go, but I love being able read these amazing books. Hearing about the history of Hawaii definitely makes for a great escape during these trying times. I loved the mystery aspect of the story, but my absolute favorite part is the stories about the legend of Hawaii.

I definitely can't wait to read more books by this amazing author.

Kay Bratt’s book, NO PLACE TOO FAR was yet another great book! Thanks, Kay! Can’t wait for the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

What do you get when you take a classic beach read, add a healthy dose of chick lit, and a pinch of cozy mystery? No Place Too Far - the latest and second entry in Kay Bratt’s By the Sea series. The perfect read for relaxing poolside on your next vacation, or to get you in the mood for planning that long-awaited trip to the islands.

Best friends Maggie and Quinn are both running. Quinn is running to the family she never knew she had. Maggie is running from a past shadowed by a now-jailed stalker, hoping the tropical paradise of Hawaii will finally allow her to feel at peace. Despite the best laid plans, however, both Maggie and Quinn find themselves in trouble from all sides.

Race along the sand with Maggie, Quinn, and a robust cast of quirky supporting characters, to the nail-biting conclusion of this tale of new beginnings, old friendships, and the sometimes uncertain nature of love.

NO PLACE TOO FAR by Kay Bratt is a beautifully-written and emotional story of family and love set on the island of Maui. I loved TRUE TO Me, the first book in the By The Sea series, and couldn’t wait to return to Maui and the wonderful characters I met in Book One. Quinn’s friend, Maggie Dalton has been on the run with her young son, Charlie trying to escape a dangerous stalker. With her stalker now in prison, Maggie moves to Maui to be near Quinn and to begin a new life. She takes a job at a local vet clinic, makes some new friends and things seem to be going smoothly until she learns that her stalker may have found her again. Is there anyone she can trust with the secrets of her past and can she overcome the paralyzing fear and anxiety that have never really left her? Quinn is also facing the some demons from her past. Having been reunited with her biological family, she soon learns that there are secrets and mysteries yet to unfold as she builds new relationships with her family. Both women are suddenly faced with heart-wrenching decisions that could change everything about their new lives. I was totally engrossed in this heartfelt story and I felt like I had been transported to Maui by the vivid descriptions of the setting and Hawaiian culture. I highly recommend this book and can’t wait for the next book in the series. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read an early copy.

I loved this book, once I started reading, I didn’t want to put it down. This book is the second in a series and we got to learn more about Quinn’s friend Maggie and everything she has endured, along with getting to know Quinn’s biological family better. It was well written and the descriptions in this book are amazing. I eagerly await the next in this series.

No Place Too Far by Kay Bratt
This book takes us back to Hawaii. This time we learn more about Maggie, Quinn’s friend. Maggie is tired of running, tired of hiding, tired of looking over her shoulder. Has she finally found peace in paradise? Join Maggie, Quinn and the rest of the gang as they learn to love once more.
The descriptions of Hawaii are wonderful. I wish I was there too!! The detailed descriptions of the landscape and traditions are phenomenal and thought provoking to say the least. Ms. Bratt has a way with words that paint a picture for you to see as you read. I could picture myself in the lush landscapes and ocean breezes. I wanted to learn more of the island traditions and way of life.
You won’t want to miss this great read.

No Place Too Far is the second book in the By The Sea series. I loved the first story so I was anxious to read this story and its another winner.. I love the setting in Hawaii and Its written so well you feel you are there. This story involves Maggie finding a safe place for her and her son after moving away from the mainland and a stalker. But is Hawaii far enough away to feel safe? I highly recommend this series and urge you to read True To Me first.
I was given a ARC by the publisher and author and this is my honest review.

I received an ARC through NetGalley.

This is the second book in a series, but can be read as a stand-alone if the reader chooses. The author does a good job of giving the important information from the first book so that new readers feel they know enough, while readers of the first book will not feel it is repetitive. However, the first book is fantastic and it is a good idea to read it anyway.

I truly enjoyed Maggie's story in this one. It was just what I needed to read at this time. Kay Bratt's writing is honest, and easy to follow. The characters are relatable and could be my friends.

What a wonderful story! This is the first book I have read by Kay Bratt but it pulled me right in. The descriptions of Maui are outstanding! They make me want to be there! Her characters have so much emotion. They are well developed and have so many feelings! You feel like you know them. Suspense! Yes, it is there. I really turned the pages to see what would happen. This is a fantastic story I highly recommend.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the author, however, I voluntarily wrote an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.

No Place Too Far (A By the Sea Novel) by Kay Bratt
Just finished this amazing book and I can honestly say once I started reading it, I couldn’t put it down!
This is a wonderful story of Maggie Dalton and the conquering of her fear of pretty much everything. Her life is in limbo because of a stalker – he went to jail, but she still lives in fear. Maggie, along with her new friends from the Veterinarian’s office overcome many obstacles and adventures to finally realize that no place is truly too far for love and friendship.
The best part of this book for me, is the continuing story of Quinn - some author’s leave you hanging and just continue another part of the story. Not here!! Kay continues to unfold Quinn’s story as well!
A great read from a great author – highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced review copy.
#truetome #netgalley

Although this is the second book in the By The Sea Series, it can easily be read as a standalone. That said, having read the first one I was able to follow the back story easier. This book was mainly Maggie’s story but intertwined with her best friend Quinn whose story was told in book one. Set in Maui, Maggie moves to be closer to her best friend and away from the mainland and her stalker. Kay Bratt does a wonderful job of mixing friendship, romance and suspense in this book. Great read. I was given this ebook in exchange for a unbiased review and this is solely my opinions.