Scan barcode
sonja_ahrb's review
4.0
While this is a short little novella following one of the characters from Willow Aster’s first book in the The La Jolla series, it could definitely be read on its own.
So being a novella means the author has to get down to business quick, which means the ultimate kiss of death for me, insta love. Nothing makes me DNF a book faster than that. However, since I LOVE this author, I pushed on.
This book could have been amazing if it was a bit longer. However, I did like it in the end, it was just a tid bit rushed for me. I’ve got to lower my expectations for novellas, clearly.
~ Lia, 3.5 Stars
So being a novella means the author has to get down to business quick, which means the ultimate kiss of death for me, insta love. Nothing makes me DNF a book faster than that. However, since I LOVE this author, I pushed on.
This book could have been amazing if it was a bit longer. However, I did like it in the end, it was just a tid bit rushed for me. I’ve got to lower my expectations for novellas, clearly.
~ Lia, 3.5 Stars
profromance's review
4.0
Overall Grade: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Willow Aster has released her published version of her newsletter story, Miles Ahead. This is a novella inspired by Miles Stark, the spurned character from Aster’s 5,331 Miles. In this tale, Miles finally finds his happy ending in a way that is inspiring and sweet. Miles Ahead is an endearing little nugget of a story about resilience.
Miles is a real estate agent, still mourning his unrealized relationship with Mirabelle. This story begins with his attendance at her and Jaxson’s wedding, and his belief that he will never find anyone to fulfill her place. Fast-forward in time and Miles is preparing to show a home as a means to sell it. He meets Cortlyn “Cort” Sellers as a potential buyer. From their first meeting, Miles feels pulled to her. After a quick look, Cort decides to buy the big home, and Miles believes it will be the last time he sees her, even though it saddens him. However, while running one day, he encounters her again. They begin to meet each other for running until there is a misunderstanding, and Miles’s past hurt feelings over Mira threaten to derail his burgeoning connection with Cort. Additionally, Cort, a retired film actress, is enduring a difficult, painful situation, potentially interfering with any future with Miles. Will Miles and Cort move beyond their pasts and find a happy ending together?
I am a personal fan of newsletter stories. The delayed gratification of them reminds me of old-fashioned serials. Having to wait for the newsletter to earn a little bit of story is exciting to me. However, as a novel or novella, I struggle with them especially if the author fails to “add” to the story. For its basic premise, Miles Ahead is an interesting story. It’s good to see Miles get more story after Mira chooses Jaxson over him in 5,331 Miles. However, Cort’s story in this romance is an important one. She represents the #metoo women and their stories, and it felt glossed over in this novella. Since this is a novella, Miles and Cort’s characterizations seemed underdeveloped, and I simply wanted more. Their development is missing dimension. I don’t know Aster’s intention for this series, the La Jolla series, but I think more space could have been given to make us care more for Miles and Cort. This story attempts to develop an emotional connection with the reader, but that connection never develops beyond a surface feeling.
Even more, Aster presents her lesson of enduring trauma and empowering women to tell their stories in the face of their painful plights. However, it occurs late in the story. The lesson is there, but it’s momentary. There is a resolution to Cort’s tribulation, but, again, like the characterization, I thought it could have used more development. I know this is the danger with novellas, but I think novellas work best when they are smaller ideas or tighter stories. Since the message of this romance is necessary, Aster should have developed this into a full length novel, in my opinion.
I am a fan of Willow Aster’s storytelling. Her ideas and insight seem necessary for romancelandia. I am also thankful that Miles Stark had his “day in the sun” and finds his happy ending. Miles Ahead is a sweet story. You will fall in love with Miles’s consideration and “nice guy” persona, and he acts heroically in this book. Cort too is the representative strong heroine enduring the travesties of her life and fighting for women everywhere. You will appreciate her struggle throughout the story. However, I personally would have liked more story here. Again, that’s the danger of a novella. If you like a short read with a sweet hero, a resilient, empowered heroine, and a journey back to La Jolla, then you’ll definitely want to read Willow Aster’s Miles Ahead.
Willow Aster has released her published version of her newsletter story, Miles Ahead. This is a novella inspired by Miles Stark, the spurned character from Aster’s 5,331 Miles. In this tale, Miles finally finds his happy ending in a way that is inspiring and sweet. Miles Ahead is an endearing little nugget of a story about resilience.
Miles is a real estate agent, still mourning his unrealized relationship with Mirabelle. This story begins with his attendance at her and Jaxson’s wedding, and his belief that he will never find anyone to fulfill her place. Fast-forward in time and Miles is preparing to show a home as a means to sell it. He meets Cortlyn “Cort” Sellers as a potential buyer. From their first meeting, Miles feels pulled to her. After a quick look, Cort decides to buy the big home, and Miles believes it will be the last time he sees her, even though it saddens him. However, while running one day, he encounters her again. They begin to meet each other for running until there is a misunderstanding, and Miles’s past hurt feelings over Mira threaten to derail his burgeoning connection with Cort. Additionally, Cort, a retired film actress, is enduring a difficult, painful situation, potentially interfering with any future with Miles. Will Miles and Cort move beyond their pasts and find a happy ending together?
I am a personal fan of newsletter stories. The delayed gratification of them reminds me of old-fashioned serials. Having to wait for the newsletter to earn a little bit of story is exciting to me. However, as a novel or novella, I struggle with them especially if the author fails to “add” to the story. For its basic premise, Miles Ahead is an interesting story. It’s good to see Miles get more story after Mira chooses Jaxson over him in 5,331 Miles. However, Cort’s story in this romance is an important one. She represents the #metoo women and their stories, and it felt glossed over in this novella. Since this is a novella, Miles and Cort’s characterizations seemed underdeveloped, and I simply wanted more. Their development is missing dimension. I don’t know Aster’s intention for this series, the La Jolla series, but I think more space could have been given to make us care more for Miles and Cort. This story attempts to develop an emotional connection with the reader, but that connection never develops beyond a surface feeling.
Even more, Aster presents her lesson of enduring trauma and empowering women to tell their stories in the face of their painful plights. However, it occurs late in the story. The lesson is there, but it’s momentary. There is a resolution to Cort’s tribulation, but, again, like the characterization, I thought it could have used more development. I know this is the danger with novellas, but I think novellas work best when they are smaller ideas or tighter stories. Since the message of this romance is necessary, Aster should have developed this into a full length novel, in my opinion.
I am a fan of Willow Aster’s storytelling. Her ideas and insight seem necessary for romancelandia. I am also thankful that Miles Stark had his “day in the sun” and finds his happy ending. Miles Ahead is a sweet story. You will fall in love with Miles’s consideration and “nice guy” persona, and he acts heroically in this book. Cort too is the representative strong heroine enduring the travesties of her life and fighting for women everywhere. You will appreciate her struggle throughout the story. However, I personally would have liked more story here. Again, that’s the danger of a novella. If you like a short read with a sweet hero, a resilient, empowered heroine, and a journey back to La Jolla, then you’ll definitely want to read Willow Aster’s Miles Ahead.
amor_fati's review
5.0
Miles happy ever after is just everything. Miles and Cory story will capture your heart so. There is such an intensity that you will not be able to put it down, I wasn’t able too.
kylieeason's review
4.0
Miles Ahead is a novella follow 5331 Miles, by Willow Aster.
This book is cute, but cliche and I feel like it’s a story line I’ve read a dozen times over.
That being said, I did really love Alex. He’s my favorite. I’m not going to tell you why because that’s a huge spoiler.
I would recommend reading this book as close to 5331 Miles as possible, as I was struggling to connect the pieces between the two.
If you’re looking for a quick, whirlwind romance read, Miles Ahead is definitely for you.
This book is cute, but cliche and I feel like it’s a story line I’ve read a dozen times over.
That being said, I did really love Alex. He’s my favorite. I’m not going to tell you why because that’s a huge spoiler.
I would recommend reading this book as close to 5331 Miles as possible, as I was struggling to connect the pieces between the two.
If you’re looking for a quick, whirlwind romance read, Miles Ahead is definitely for you.
lindseydomokur's review
4.0
I am a huge fan of Willow, and I love her newsletter stories and I was so happy to see Miles get his HEA. While I didn’t love him in 5,331 miles, he really grew on me this book. It does prove to me that when he does love, he loves fiercely. It was nice to get a glimpse of Mira and Jaxson as well. This was a cute novella that had some hard hitting issues and in the end it shows us love is stronger than anything else.
bookaddict2011's review
4.0
This is book 1.5 of the La Jolla Series and focuses on Miles and Cort. Miles was introduced in 5,331 Miles as the other guy fighting for Mira’s affection. Ultimately she chose the other guy and Miles isn’t sure he will ever get over her.
The beginning of Miles Ahead is with Miles watching the wedding of Mira and Jaxson from the shadows of the beach where they are exchanging their vows.
Two years later, fate gives Miles another chance at love when he meets Cort during a walk through of a mansion he is trying to sell. Due to his lack of confidence in himself, he isn’t sure what to do with the instant attraction he feels for her. Cort is going through her own personal hell and isn’t willing to let anyone in, but fate doesn’t care about circumstances, it creates its own.
This novella was just what I needed because I was truly hoping that Miles would get his happily ever after, especially with the way 5,331 Miles ended. You can’t help but fall in love with him and Cort as they work their way around each other.
I also love that unlike book 1, this book was shown from both points of views so you get a look at what Cort is going through as well as Miles.
All in all, this was a beautiful quick read that gives you the answers you were wanting after reading the first book in the series. I look forward to seeing what else the author has up her sleeve for this series.
4 stars for this novella.
The beginning of Miles Ahead is with Miles watching the wedding of Mira and Jaxson from the shadows of the beach where they are exchanging their vows.
Two years later, fate gives Miles another chance at love when he meets Cort during a walk through of a mansion he is trying to sell. Due to his lack of confidence in himself, he isn’t sure what to do with the instant attraction he feels for her. Cort is going through her own personal hell and isn’t willing to let anyone in, but fate doesn’t care about circumstances, it creates its own.
This novella was just what I needed because I was truly hoping that Miles would get his happily ever after, especially with the way 5,331 Miles ended. You can’t help but fall in love with him and Cort as they work their way around each other.
I also love that unlike book 1, this book was shown from both points of views so you get a look at what Cort is going through as well as Miles.
All in all, this was a beautiful quick read that gives you the answers you were wanting after reading the first book in the series. I look forward to seeing what else the author has up her sleeve for this series.
4 stars for this novella.
More...