Storm Lines by Jessica L. Webb
- Publisher: Bold Strokes Books, 2020
- Genre: Intrigue, Romance, LGBTQ+
- Format: Paperback (eARC)
- Page Count: 264 pages
- My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Constable Bridget “Marley” Marlowe has trouble following rules. After visiting Aimee, the eight-year-old daughter of drug kingpin Randolph West she secretly decided to take care of, Marley ends up knifed in the wrong side of town. Dr. Devon Wolfe, a psychologist on leave due to mental burnout, finds the injured Marley in a dark alley in the rain. This unplanned encounter leads Devon into West’s drug chaos. But with Marley by her side, Devon is finally able to feel herself again, and everything is going to be okay.
A thunderstorm started as I was nearing the end of the book, and it was a perfect addition to my reading experience.
The main character of Storm Lines is probably neither Marley nor Devon, but Aimee. She is a mature eight-year-old with heavy burdens and selective mutism. Aimee’s relationship with her grandmother Carla is also sweet, despite not knowing each other that well. With both Marley and Devon trying to keep the pair safe, the four of them form somewhat of a family and I really enjoyed their home dynamics.
I love how Marley and Devon are both so in tuned with each other. A lot of the small interactions between them remain unspoken, but they pick up on all non-verbal cues. Though their romantic relationship is not the main storyline, Marley and Devon have been supporting each other through the stressful times of cracking the drug case. I think their time together during dire times has strengthened their bond significantly. Perfect timing also plays a part as Marley needs help while physically recovering from the attack and Devon is trying to work her way out of her mental burnout.
While Storm Lines did not tug on me emotionally, I felt especially connected with Devon. I have to constantly remind myself not to drain my own energy in social encounters, too. This Webb book is a great romance intrigue and highly entertaining. I am definitely interested in checking out other works by Webb as well. [26 Jun 2020]
I received an e-ARC from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
