My small hands and stubby fingers are very, very happy with the Shimano R700 levers. I had definite reach problems with the Tiagra that came on my bike--I could only brake from the hoods, and even then I was stretching my fingers to get far enough down the lever to pull them in. Since making the switch, I can reach the levers with ease the hoods or the drops.

It can be a pricey switch, since they usual retail for ~$350, but I found mine on eBay last year for way less.