Just Out of Reach by N. Phillips

JustOutofReach400x600Title: Just Out Of Reach

Author: N. Phillips

Genre: Contemporary, Mystery

Length: Novella (156pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (30th March 2013)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating:   ♥♥♥♥3 – 3 ½ Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Owen McBride has had a terrible year. Reed Connor has had an equally bad time. But when the two reunite to help Reed’s brother, they find, if they play their cards right, their lives just might turn around. 

When defense lawyer Owen McBride receives a call from his former best friend Reed Conner saying his brother has been charged with a triple murder. Owen rushes home to help. Even though all the evidence points to the incarcerated man, Owen finds the murder very suspicious. Not to mention the man is strongly proclaiming his innocence. While he tries to untangle the confusing web he realizes he still loves Reed, to whom he’d broken a promise fifteen years before. And in the midst of everything else, he begins to wonder if Reed can give him a second chance.

Can Owen solve the murder and get the man he loves? Or will both remain just out of reach?

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/just-out-of-reach-ebook-p-1425.html

Review: Defense lawyer Owen is starting to get his life back on track after a really bad year, when he receives a phone call from his childhood best friend, Reed, for help. Owen rushes to his hometown to defend Reed’s brother from a triple murder charge.  The evidence is overwhelming, but Owen will do everything he can for Reed. Reed starts to think it was a mistake to ask Owen for help, he has never gotten over Owen leaving him without a word fifteen years before.  But, denying his feelings is impossible and when the murder case is over will he be able to let Owen leave his life again?

This story is a mix of murder investigation and reuniting with first love, forgiving the past and starting anew. Owen and Reed parted ways when Owen left without a word when they were eighteen.  Reed might have been able to forgive him, if it hadn’t been for the promise that Owen made the night before his departure. Now, fifteen years later Reed needs Owen’s help, hoping that he can keep his lingering feelings hidden. Owen has always thought of Reed, he had to do what he did and now he will get to see Reed again, even if it is in the middle of a horrific triple murder.  Owen just prays that he can get through to Reed that he never stopped caring.

I really liked the mystery of the murder case and the investigation that Owen launched.  Trying to discover exactly who would frame Reed’s brother all the while trying to make things right with Reed. Reed and Owen’s relationship is very rocky and it has sharp ups and downs.  You can see the reasoning behind both men and the real awkwardness of the situation.  The tension is palpable between them and you just know it could explode into passion at any time. The story is well written and although the mystery is well done, I think the relationship lacks real depth.  Even though they clearly still love each other after all the time apart, the relationship was written more as an afterthought with little real effort on either men’s side other than their continued attraction.

I will recommend this to those that love first love stories, mystery, danger, reuniting love and a happy ending.