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Within Arm's Reach

Written by: Ann Napolitano
Narrated by: Ray Porter, Marin Ireland, Gilli Messer, Kimberly Farr, Cassandra Campbell, Brittany Pressley, Ann Napolitano
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Publisher's Summary

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • The tender and perceptive debut novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Hello Beautiful, about three generations of a large Catholic family jarred into crisis by an unexpected pregnancy

“This stunning . . . exquisite, skillfully written gem addresses serious issues–e.g., guilt vs. loyalty, the past vs. the present—[but] remains hopeful and includes ample doses of humor and wit.”—Library Journal (starred review)

No one in my mother’s family ever talks about anything that can be categorized as unpleasant or as having to do with emotions. . . .

This spellbinding novel by bestselling author Ann Napolitano is a poignant reminder of how connected we are to those we love, even when we cannot find the words to say it. The unforgettable story of three generations of an Irish American family, Within Arm’s Reach is another rich and deeply satisfying novel from the author who captured the many dimensions of grief in Dear Edward and the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood in Hello Beautiful.

©2024 Ann Napolitano (P)2024 Random House Audio

What the critics say

“Napolitano writes with beauty and power, skillfully bringing her characters within arms’s reach until your heart is taken and this family becomes your own. This novel is a must-read for any book group.”—Hannah Tinti, author of Animal Crackers

“Napolitano has created a fascinating family in crisis. . . . Successfully skirting melodrama, [she] gives us a family drama that says even the most contentious can find a bit of happiness.”—Hartford Courant

“As if we are friends she brought home for the holidays, Ann Napolitano plops us onto the living room sofa of a big family with big problems and gives us an intimate view of what goes on behind closed doors. Within Arm’s Reach is a deft, vivacious novel whose author compels us to stay seated until the very last word.”—Helen Ellis, author of Eating the Cheshire Cat

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Heartbreaking and Healing at the Same Time

This book is going to stay with me for a long time. It’s the first Ann Napolitano book I have read, although Hello, Beautiful has been waiting on my bookshelf for the better part of a year. Now I see why everyone loves this author.

You might not enjoy this book if you don’t like character-driven stories, deep dives into the human psyche, family dysfunction, or subtle emotional f*ckery. But if this kind of thing is in your wheelhouse, get thee to a bookstore and pick up this story.

Within Arm’s Reach revolves around the McLaughlin clan, a big, messy Irish Catholic family living in New Jersey. The story spans three generations of McLaughlins and is told from multiple points of view. While it was a little hard to learn who everyone was initially and keep all the stories straight, as the subplots began to weave everyone together, I was hooked for the duration.

I listened to this book on audio, and the narrators (Ray Porter, Marin Ireland, Gilli Messer, Brittany Presley, Cassandra Campbell and Kimberly Farr) are just SO good! (Note to self *Narrator Goals*)

This novel is about family, loyalty, secrets, repressed emotions, grief, resentment, and, well, the general messiness of life. It sounds like a downer, but it didn’t hit like that for me at all. Ultimately, Within Arm's Reach is a book about healing old wounds and forgiveness. Loved it.

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