Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
The Ditto, Texas, Gracie grew up in was a different place. Small towns are full of drama and gossip, aided quite a bit by the community’s “party lines”. The ability to listen in to your neighbors calls without their knowledge put today’s world of privacy laws in a very different light. There was one secret Gracie took to her grave, but secrets don’t always stay hidden after death. When her niece Lila inherits Gracie’s estate, Gracie’s most personal belongings and memories fall under an all new scrutiny. Will the secret everyone has been gossiping about finally come out…or will Lila settle for just selling the farm and moving back home?
Carolyn Brown is the author of dozens of smalltown romance novels including hits like The Barefoot Summer and The Magnolia Inn. Her latest release The Party Line takes readers back in time to what should have been a simple world in the 1950’s, but was complicated by the use of party lines where several neighbors shared a phone line and could eavesdrop on all the conversations. Brown also brings readers into the present with a beautiful love story full of respect and courtship, while revealing the power that family secrets can hold for generations. This is a book about forgiveness and learning to love even when it’s the last thing you want.
I give The Party Line 4 out of 5 stars. I really appreciated the storyline around Lily and her beau, as well as her investigation into her aunt. However, it felt like the plot got muddled when you add in some of the supporting characters like Lily’s mother and business partner. I appreciate the way Brown builds scenes and relationships with details that pull the reader in, but there are moments when the extra details feel cumbersome. This novel walks a fine line between beautiful novel and a Hallmark movie script but manages to stay on target with the way Lily helps to build everyone up and make the community a little bit better.
If you have enjoyed other books by Carolyn Brown, I’m sure you will love this one, too! This would be a great choice if you enjoy the Virgin River series, too – women helping women, small town romance, and a bit of family drama are all in the mix. With some light romance and some references to a time when skin color and financial status made you less than fit to be part of society, this may be best directed to readers over 13. This could easily be a fantastic book club selection with so much to unpack around the dual timelines and the secrets!
I was excited to see The Party Line available through Netgalley this month. Carolyn Brown has a reputation for great romance novels and I appreciate the opportunity to read her work! After enjoying this book so much, I’ll be going back to read her entire catalogue of works next!
The Party Line releases on November 5th – preorder your copy today in our Bookshop.org store!
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What I’m Reading
- Current print book: The Lost House, Melissa Larsen
- Current audio book: The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee, David Treuer
- Book I’m most looking forward to: Virgin River, Robyn Carr
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