Exactly The Book I Needed
5 out of 5 stars
I don’t always go from romance to romance because sometimes I can get lost in the characters, especially if I’ve read them literally back to back. But, I knew that this week I needed a pick me up so I read almost exclusively romance all week. When I saw that Read Between the Lines was being released – I knew I had to get it and read it as fast as I could. I just had a feeling that I was going to love it, and I’m happy to report that my feeling was correct. Lacey wrote a book that I fell in love with.
Read Between the Lines was one of those books that I instantly liked, too. Lacey had this way of writing the characters and the scenes where I just felt like I was instantly a part of their lives. It’s something that a good sitcom or tv show can do. Even though it’s a group of friends doing things – I feel like I’m “in on it”. This book had that feeling and more. Lacey wrote characters that I wanted to do well. And two women that I couldn’t wait until their happy endings.
This one was ironically hard to place a trope on because it was definitely an enemy to lovers… BUT with a twist. One that’s pretty interesting and one that I couldn’t wait until it was revealed. I found myself wishing both women well, so neither of them were ice queens or really hard to like – but obviously, I could tell throughout that they were perfect for each other.
Once the ending of the book started drawing nearer I was shocked that Lacey didn’t seem to be including the typical conflict point where someone walks away. I wasn’t upset, but then BLAM, she nailed me with it out of nowhere in a spot/time that I did NOT expect it. It’s funny how I can read a genre and know most of the tropes while still enjoying the book – but sometimes a book comes along and does the same things, but also surprises me.
One more thing I wanted to talk about, this book was a bit “meta” as in it was a book about a lesbian romance author written by a lesbian romance author. So there were moments that I felt like I was really getting an inside peek into what happens inside of their minds. I liked that a lot and it’s not the first book I’ve read like that, it’s something that when it happens I always enjoy.
Enough rambling – I wanted to finish up by saying that Read Between the Lines was EXACTLY the book I was hoping for. And exactly the book that I needed in the moment. Lacey nailed every aspect of it and had me in full-on tears a few times, especially towards the end. Throw in the excellent narration by Abby Craden (who I love) and it’s a great story told by a great narrator. What more could I ask for!?
Book Description:
From award-winning author Rachel Lacey comes a playful romance about a Manhattan bookstore owner and a reclusive author who love to hate – and hate to love – each other.
Books are Rosie Taft’s life. And ever since she took over her mother’s beloved Manhattan bookstore, they’ve become her home too. The only thing missing is her own real-life romance like the ones she loves to read about, and Rosie has an idea of who she might like to sweep her off her feet. She’s struck up a flirty online friendship with lesbian romance author Brie, and what could be more romantic than falling in love with her favorite author?
Jane Breslin works hard to keep her professional and personal lives neatly separated. By day, she works for the family property development business. By night, she puts her steamier side on paper under her pen name: Brie. Jane hasn’t had much luck with her own love life, but her online connection with a loyal reader makes Jane wonder if she could be the one.
When Rosie learns that her bookstore’s lease has been terminated by Jane’s family’s business, romance moves to the back burner. Even though they’re at odds, there’s no denying the sparks that fly every time they’re together. When their online identities are revealed, will Jane be able to write her way to a happy ending, or is Rosie’s heart a closed book?
Read Between the Lines by Rachel Lacey
Narrator: Abby Craden
Length: 8 hrs and 33 mins
Series: Ms. Right #1
Published by Brilliance Audio Genres: Enemies to Lovers
Format: Audiobook
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Also by this author: No Rings Attached, Don't Cry For Me
Also in this series: No Rings Attached
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