Review of Love Beyond Reach, a time travel romance set in 17th century Scotland by Bethany Claire.
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Synopsis
Morna’s father strongly disapproves of her magic abilities and sends away the one person who can teach her. Years later, 20-year-old Morna finds a strange young man. She is Jerry’s best hope at returning to his own time, but first she has to learn all she can from some recently discovered spell-books left behind by her teacher.
As they spend more time together, Morna and Jerry grow to love each other. Then Morna’s father dies, and her old teacher returns and takes Jerry. Heartbroken, Morna agrees to marry her brother’s friend but finds that he is not the man she thought he was and leaves to fight to get Jerry back.
Review
Love Beyond Reach is the eighth book in the Morna’s Legacy series and is apparently something of a prequel. I haven’t read the previous books yet but think that I might appreciate Love Beyond Reach more once I have. I love how it was written as a book meant to help the woman in the next book. It’s definitely left me wanting more.
This book could be called a romance novel. I thoroughly enjoyed the scenes where Morna and Jerry were falling in love. However, the romance was far from overwhelming. There was a lot of intrigue and other sub-plots, so I initially categorised it as historical fiction, not romance.
The characters were all well developed and memorable, even minor characters. Morna’s brother, Alasdair, was so caring and protective of his family. Her one-time fiancée Henry had an interesting arc where we gradually discover just how bad he really is. And Mary, the housekeeper, was such a forceful, loyal, and organised person that I just had to like her.
I really liked Morna. She may not do things the way she’s expected to, but she follows her instincts and gets things done. I loved how close she was to her family and lengths she goes to protect them. Despite constant challenges, Morna keeps learning and becomes the person her brother believes she can be.
“But yer death is a ruse to save yer brother from a violent clash with Henry’s clan.”
So Henry would keep his word and spread the news of my witchcraft, and my death is all that could prevent the bloodshed of others. I would gladly fake my death for such a cause. […]
Until he asked the question, I’d not stopped to think about the ramifications of faking my own death. I would never be able to see all those I loved. For them, it would seem as if I truly were dead. It would be my last time to see my home, my nephew, my brother.
Love Beyond Reach could have been set in any time or place. There is almost nothing that sticks it to 17th century Scotland. Sure, the dialogue has the occasional bit of Scottish brogue, but the setting isn’t developed enough.
Conclusion
Have you read Love Beyond Reach? What did you think? Do you agree with what I’ve said about it? Let me know in the comments.
If you haven’t, you can buy it at Book Depository (they have free international shipping!) or Waterstones (free delivery on UK orders over £25, will ship internationally).
