(Lake Union Publishing, September 1, 2020)

By Kay Bratt

A Maui-based book that begins with a shaggy dog named Woodrow? Count me in!

A highly engaging story with a smooth-as-silk plot, No Place Too Far is just plain fun. It snaps and crackles with energy throughout and is chockful of memorable characters like a precocious four year-old named Charlie, a scatter-brained but loveable veterinarian, Dr. Joe Starr, and a blue-haired dynamo named Juniper.

Lush tropical locations and a pitch-perfect pacing surf in and out of intrigue, danger, and triumph. Oh yeah. There’s this great dog and veterinary heroes, too. My kinda book!

On the run from a blind-date-gone-south mega-creepazoid, Maggie Dalton flees to Maui and her best friend, Quinn Maguire. Quinn owns and operate the Hana Hamoa Inn. Both women are looking for fresh starts.

Recently reunited with her biological parents and extended family after the death of her adoptive mother, Quinn is the long-lost granddaughter of heiress Helen Rocha. Quinn is also recovering from an unhealthy relationship. Liam is everything she ever dreamed of in a man. But “once burned, twice shy” is Quinn’s watch word. She isn’t sure she wants to risk getting burned again. And Liam’s elusive father is caring a heavy personal load that affects his son, too.

Meanwhile, it’s not always rainbows and sunshine in paradise.

Inn guest David Westbrook has checked in with his seriously ill wife. He’s also a retired detective. That comes in handy when Maggie’s stalker gets released from prison prematurely over a clerical error. And when an unscrupulous “journalist” who’ll do anything for a scoop starts sniffing around, Maggie and Quinn’s idyllic paradise could be ruined for good. And then some.

A high octane story with strong characters set amid the feral beauty of Hana, No Place Too Far will keep you on the edge of your seat, showing readers why ohana – “family” – matters most.

For more on our rating system, click here.

Note: This may have garnered a slightly higher rating except that the relationship between Maggie and Colby, her son’s father, is unclear. Maggie and Colby are estranged, but are they divorced? A little too muddy. Additionally, the “reliable source” who tipped off said opportunistic journalist is never identified, leaving a loose end dangling. Oops.

But still a worthwhile read overall. Very enjoyable.

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