I have truly enjoyed reading Ann Napolitano's current books, however, I struggled with this reprint of her debut novel. I understood the concept of the story and that family struggles, relationships, and history were the main focus. The characters, while interesting in themselves, could not function as a family - unit in so many way. Each chapter was designated to one of the main characters in the McLaughlin family. Each member had their own distinct demons they were fighting against and trying to keep separate from their family, which was dysfunctional no matter how much Grandma Catherine wanted it to be otherwise. The writing of the author and her ability to make the reader feel invested in the characters of her books has improved greatly over the years. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Grouo, for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #WithinArm'sReach

This book had kind of a slow start, but I appreciated the relationships between the characters! The alternating perspectives were a nice way to hear from everyone and see what they were thinking, as well as how they felt about one another. Overall a great family story!

Within Arms Reach is Ann Napolitano’s debut novel that has been reissued due to success in the last couple years with Dear Edward and Hello Beautiful. It’s a story about a large Irish family told through the points of view of many of the family members and others close to them. Hello Beautiful was my favorite book last year and I liked Dear Edward as well but Within Arms Reach was a story I couldn’t get behind. It was well written and you could see how far Napolitano has grown as a writer but the characters were harsh and unlikeable. I’m glad I was able to read it though. Thank you NetGalley and Random House for an ARC of the book for a review.

Synopsis: A three generation Irish family and their lives.

Thoughts: This was a struggle to finish. The ending felt unfinished and had a lot of loose ends. I could not connect to any of the characters, and there were a lot throughout the book. I had high hopes because I really did not like Hello, Beautiful and wanted to give this author another try.

Thank you to Ann Napolitano, Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Set in the heart of New Jersey, we're introduced to the sprawling McLaughlin clan through the perspectives of not one, not two, but five family members, along with an outsider thrown into the mix for good measure. The story follows this Irish Catholic family and for anyone unfamiliar with books spanning generations, it may be an abrupt entry point. Where this book excels is in well-crafted and layered characters but it can be difficult to follow without a clear plot. Keeping track of everyone in this bustling family tree was a bit like herding cats at first. Within this novel, prepare to encounter a whirlwind of themes and emotions. From the complexities of love and loss to the tangled web of sibling rivalry and long-held grudges, Napolitano explores it all. Pregnancy out of wedlock, the weight of tradition, the delicate balance of mental illness—all are expertly woven into the fabric of this multilayered narrative. Yet, within that chaos, one theme shines through with unwavering clarity: the unbreakable bond of family. Despite their flaws and follies, the McLaughlins remind us that, in the end, family is everything.

But perhaps the biggest challenge with the book should have been the best part —the ending. While Napolitano leaves us with plenty of breadcrumbs to consider the fate of our beloved characters, I couldn't help but wish for a more concrete conclusion.

So, if you're like me and enjoy the rich storytelling of family sagas told from multiple perspectives, do yourself a favour and pick up a copy of "Within Arm’s Reach."

Thank you so so much to the publisher and netgalley. I will preface this by saying I LOVED the author’s two previous works but this one didn’t work for me. I didn’t realize this was a re-issue of a previous edition. It is a character driven multi generational story which I think readers of stories such as We are the Brennans will love,

#Withinarmsreach#netgalley
Within Arms Reach by Ann Napolitano

Catherine is the grandmother and matriarch of this family. The strength that holds everyone together but she is dying and is concerned what will happen to her kids and grandchildren when she passes so she arranges a party get together for everyone to come.
This story is told from several points of view. Admittedly I found it confusing as there were too many characters to follow.
The character development was good and the stories of problems in each relationship were believable but never really resolved.
The ending was kind of sudden and unsatisfying. However I must say although this book doesn't measure up to her other books she wrote I still found the writing very good. 3.75 for this book.

Thank you netgalley and random house for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I was so excited to see a new book by Ann Napolitano since I loved Dear Edward and Hello Beautiful. I quickly discovered this is actually a republishing of Ms. Napoliatano’s first book which was originally published 20 years ago.
This family drama chronicles the lives of the McLaughlin/Leary family during a 9 month period through the eyes of matriarch, Catharine; her oldest daughter, Kelly; Kelly’s two daughters, Gracie and Lila; and a nurse, Noreen. Everyone is dealing with their own drama and instead of working as a cohesive unit, each is so focused on their own issues that no one is able to help one another, until Lila’s eyes are opened by someone unexpected and she realizes that there’s more to life and family than what they all seem to think.
Normally I love family dramas, but this one just didn’t work for me. I don’t mind a dysfunctional family, but when there isn’t a single likable character within the pages of the book it makes it really hard to feel any kind of empathy for the characters and for the issues which they are all having.
After I read Hello Beautiful (having read Dear Edward a couple of years before) I was thrilled that Ms. Napolitano was able to write books that were so deep yet vastly different. It turns out I thought that only because I hadn’t yet read Within Arm’s Reach. I guess it’s a good thing I hadn’t read this one first because I never would have picked up her other two books. I can’t fault the 29 year old author for not writing a book with as much compassion as the 45-50 year old author did since time brings maturity, but I that doesn’t change how I feel about this debut novel. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an advanced copy of this republishing. Within Arm’s Reach hit the shelves (again) on April 30th.

Through all of her character’s imperfections, mistakes, and gray choices, I have three times now, in 3 of her books I’ve read, been moved to tears with a feeling this is real life- we aren’t all good, all bad, all right or all wrong. Families are made up of complicated choices and experiences. Some of those experiences and choices are made before and for us and shape us into who we are. Within Arms Reach felt like the generational tale of the stories that shape us- for better or worse. And a sweet reminder at the end that we can change things going forward.

True to her character-driven style, the story of the McLaughlin family is unfolded for us through 6 different POVs. This does an excellent job of demonstrating how our stories weave into each other’s. The multigenerational aspect gives a clear picture of how the eras we grow up in have such a deep impact on the ways we are raised. I believe if Ann added an addition to this story with the newest generation of McLaughlin’s, we would see the positive effects that facing emotions head-on (and some therapy!) would have in the healing they all need.
As someone with young adult children and a teenager, Catherine’s POV made me feel the agony of choices you wish you could undo as parents and the pressure of time lost/running out to correct course.

Both Dear Edward and Hello Beautiful were 5 stars for me. I can absolutely see the influences of Within Arm’s Reach in her other books. I may not have liked this one as much had I not read her others first. My attachment to the characters was quicker simply because I felt I could trust the author. This being a debut novel (re-release), the depth of her characters felt a little faster in her more recent books. My recommendation would be that if you’ve enjoyed her later two books or any stories exploring the complicated layers of relationships, you’ll enjoy this as well! If you’ve not read her other work, I would start with either Hello Beautiful or Dear Edward (which has been adapted and streaming on Apple TV).

Originally published in 2004, Napolitano’s debut was very interesting to read after having read her most recent two novels. I think had I read this one when it came out, it definitely would have stood out as a great multi-perspective family saga. As the author states in her note, her writing has gotten even stronger in the last two decades. The parallels to Hello Beautiful were definitely there and it was fascinating to be able to compare that change. It’s a slow moving read but the exploration of how the unexpected pregnancy impacts different generations was well done. There are a lot of characters to keep track of in this one but I still found it easy to follow.

Thank you so much to Dial Press for the ARC.

I am such a fan of this author’s writing and what a treat to go back in time a bit and read one of her earlier works. Though her writing has certainly evolved and sharpened over time I found this novel to still showcase her exquisite skill of showcasing emotional depth with her words.

I was captivated by characters such as Gram, Gracie and Lila though left wanting a bit when it comes to others. Though I did feel that the plot was slightly lacking and a bit underdeveloped I still appreciated how brilliantly she captured the complexities of family dynamics and the emotions that accompany those complexities.

Ann Napolitano will always be a “must read” for me and this book was no exception. I look forward to sharing my thoughts on Goodreads and my social media profiles.

In a short period of time, Ann Napolitano has become one of my favorite authors. Within Arm's Reach is a multi-generational family story told from multiple points of view and captures the messiness of family relationships. As in Napolitano's other books, there is an undercurrent of sadness. At the heart of the story is an unplanned pregnancy, but it also deals with grief, loss, ghosts from our past, and second chances in life.

Also, kudos to Jessica Miller, the artist who painted the cover for this and for Hello Beautiful. Sometimes you can judge a beautiful book by a beautiful cover.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for this ARC.

A beautiful multigenerational read about and Irish family. There were many characters but I thought reading about all of them created a full perspective of the family.

Thank you netgalley for this copy. My opinions are my own.

A new baby can be a new beginning and a second chance at coming together and being family, but it’s harder when the pregnancy itself is juxtaposed with those familial values

Multigenerational drama abounds in this closer look at an Irish American family whose stasis is rocked by the announcement of the eldest grandchild’s unplanned pregnancy. The story focuses largely on one nuclear family and their matriarch, Catharine.

Having read and enjoyed both of the author’s later works, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this one that was published earlier and with less acclaim. I actually think i like it the most of her work! Paced slow and shifting perspectives throughout, this book feels like a true study of what is left unsaid in estranged, yet geographically close families. In particular, I really enjoyed the dynamic between the two sisters, who were both dismissive of how the other is living their life, but at the same time supportive of each other, when no one else was.

I appreciated that the book both started and ended with Catharine, who could be considered responsible (as the mother) for how her children turned out, unable to communicate with each other and locked in patterns that are blocking them from satisfying lives. Yet Catharine holds a lot of hope for the future and as she nears the end of her life, she hopes to right her wrongs and leave everyone better off than they have been especially in the years since her husband died.

What kept this from being a five star for me was the way that it ended, which felt rushed in comparison to the slow, leisurely pace throughout. The climax felt a little forced and the book ended so abruptly I found myself flipping back to make sure I had actually finished the book!

I was a little disappointed in this book. There are parts of it that are great. I enjoyed the flow and how the author writes, it read like a story. But then, it was also depressing. Everyone in this family is dysfunctional and doesn’t know how to communicate. I feel that the ending didn’t resolve anything (For example, Louis and Kelly’s marriage). Yea, Gracie had a baby but baby’s don’t fix everything. Maybe it was the idea that it’s possible their family can be redeemed from past experiences…I don’t know. This was just not a book for me and it took me awhile to get through it. Thank you Net Galley and Random House for an advance copy of this book.

This is a re-issue of a novel published 20 years ago and one I had not read or heard about until Random House sent me copy through Net Galley. It was the first novel by Ann Napolitano, author of best-selling "Hello Beautiful."

I would almost sub-title this book "It's never Too Late". Like Hello Beautiful. it's about a large Irish Catholic family. Grandmother Catharine reflects on how self-control and lack of communication and reluctance to express feelings of grief and loss scars both children and parents.

Catharine's granddaughters, Gracie and Lila, daughters of eldest daughter Kelly, have never achieved adulthood and direction. Gracie, sleeps with a series of men. Lila, a medical student on hospital rotation, is having problems in her third year of school. Her photographic memory which made her so successful in school is failing her in knowing how to treat both patients and medical staff.

This beautifully crafted story, following the changes that Gracie's pregnancy brings to everyone and the changes in the lives of Catharine, her two granddaughters and yes, even in her daughter and son-in-law helps us understand that it is indeed never too late to mend fences and make lives make sense.

Thanks so much to Random House for the copy of this book I am so glad not to have missed.

I didn’t realize this was a rerelease of the author’s debut novel rather than her latest work, and that’s on me… Some potentially interesting characters and family dynamics that ended up falling mostly flat for me. I thought the ending was pretty abrupt, but I was also just glad it was over.

Stunning family saga following an Irish-American family living in contemporary New Jersey. The primary focus is on Gracie and Lila, the granddaughters of formidable matriarch Katharine, and their mother as the women seek to find their way through marriage, pregnancy, and loss. The secondary characters (including Gracie and Lila's father, and the nurse who cares for Katharine) are incredibly memorable and well-developed. Beautiful prose, excellent character development, not a whole lot of plot.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

When I requested this book, I didn’t realize that it had actually been published 20 years ago and released again based on the author’s huge hit Hello, Beautiful. I was still happy to dive right in. Told from the perspective of the matriarch of an Irish American family, Catherine, along with her daughters, granddaughters and nurse. This is a family that doesn’t talk about emotions and feelings and that leads to serious consequences for everyone. This novel touches on sexuality, pregnancy out of wedlock, grief, aging and more. Well written but I found it a bit slow at times. Still a worthy read.

Anb Napolitano's Within Arm"s Reach takes a look at how a family lives with each other, the secrets they keep, and the ways they learn to move forward together.