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The Line #3

Outside the Lines

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As an ivy-league ER doctor who eats double shifts for breakfast (and lunch…and dinner), Blake Fisher has little appetite for anything other than work. Being on the staff at Brenstville Hospital means taking care of people, a need Blake understands all too well from losing his brother to cystic fibrosis eight years ago. When he’s asked to coordinate a carnival fundraiser for the cause, he jumps at the chance to help others with the disease…until it lands him side by side with the one woman he never thought he’d see again: his ex-fiancée.

Streetwise and rough around the edges, Jules Shaw is no stranger to earning a living through hard work. But when her job as the restaurant manager of Mac’s Diner puts her shoulder to really broad shoulder with Blake Fisher, she nearly balks. She’d rather dodge and deflect than admit the real reason she broke things off, but the catering contract for the carnival means big business for Mac’s, and feeding people is Jules’s lifeblood.

As Blake and Jules join reluctant forces, they quickly rediscover the spark between them. But the possibility of a future together hinges on coming clean about the past, with potentially devastating consequences. Can Blake and Jules overcome their drastically different backgrounds and learn to love again, or will they always be outside the lines?

120 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 28, 2013

39 people are currently reading
522 people want to read

About the author

Kimberly Kincaid

62 books2,678 followers
USA Today best-selling author Kimberly Kincaid writes romantic suspense that sizzles and contemporary romance with heart and heat. Equal parts action and emotion, her firefighters and first responders always save the day. When she's not finding adventure with her family and naughty Whippets, Olive, Daisy, and Jack, she can be found practicing obscene amounts of yoga, whipping up anything from enchiladas to éclairs in her kitchen, or curled up with her nose in a book.

Kimberly's series include The Intelligence Unit, Remington Medical, Station Seventeen, and her brand-new Remington Rescue Squad series. All titles stand alone for easy reading.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
Profile Image for Sabrina.
4,292 reviews2,389 followers
August 19, 2015
Outside the Lines is the third book in The Line series and just as gripping as the first two. Blake and Jules were involved eight years ago, and their relationship was becoming serious when Jules up and left. Now, they are thrown together to plan a charity carnival and old feelings are resurfacing.

There isn't the suspense in this book like there were in the first two, but we got a little angst and it made the story really interesting. I sped through reading this and couldn't wait to get to the end so I could find out what would happen when past secrets came up. But once I was finished I just wanted to turn around and read it all over again.

This was a great fast read and I really liked the characters. I was rooting for them the whole time and wanted them to get together and figure out how to deal with their pasts. This series has been great and I recommend it for anyone that liked fast paced light romances.
Profile Image for ~Nichole~  Sizzling Pages Romance Reviews.
1,716 reviews626 followers
October 8, 2014
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5 Sexy Sweet Sizzling Stars

5 Hearts for Sweet Sizzling HEAT

Here I go gushing over Kimberly Kincaid again. I can't say enough how much her writing is like a balm to my soul. Fresh, funny and witty. It always brings a smile to my face , a warmth from the sizzling love and some laughter and tears to even it out.

I love how these books have all centered around the love of food, nourishing those who are dear to us. Taking care of loved ones by simply feeding them...what a simply sweet message.
But factor in some intense emotional scenes with sexy banter and hot loving this story just fit exactly what I needed to read right now.
Blake and Jules never stopped loving each other and this story just warmed me through and through.
Sometimes it's so nice to read about true love finding it's way back and healing so many hurts.

Kimberly has a way of working in secondary characters who just add that special banter that adds to the story building it up to such sweet conclusion.
Blake and Jules were the sweetest couple and I loved when Blake laid it all out on the line.

Can't say enough about how I will be grabbing all Kimberly Kincaid books I see to read and enjoy because they are guaranteed to fill any moment of my time with sheer beauty.

Profile Image for Jennifer.
2,906 reviews6 followers
December 30, 2017
1.5 stars.

Second chance romances are hit or miss for me. I don’t mind if both MCs tried to move on with other people but I don’t really want hear about it. The H wasn’t a manho, but he also pointed out that he wasn’t a monk during their eight year separation either. TMI. I also didn’t like the h much. She had huge insecurities and what she put the H through was not cool.

Overall, I would consider this a safe read. There was no OP drama and the pacing was good. However there just wasn’t enough character development to make this short compelling. Maybe the next one will be better.
Profile Image for Romily Bernard.
Author 10 books378 followers
July 29, 2013
Okay, so as usual, I'm not doing a synopsis because everyone else already has and they've done a much better job.

So let's get to the good stuff!

First off, eat before you read this. Or eat during. Actually, it won't matter. You'll still be hungry. I think one of Kincaid's best gifts is how evocative her writing is. You don't just picture the cinnamon buns. You can almost taste them. I eat most of my meals over the sink and this almost--ALMOST--makes me want to start cooking like her characters do. Mostly, I lie down until the feeling passes.

Jules. She's my fav kind of heroine--tough, smart, driven. The drive to prove herself also makes her stubborn. With some heroines that can make you want to pitch the book, but with Jules it just breaks your heart b/c you know she's screwing herself and it's understandable WHY she's doing it. The sacrifice was actually incredibly noble.

Blake. Wow. He doesn't understand why Jules called their engagement off and he's still carrying a torch for her. BUT he's resisting it...resisting just doesn't work so well around Jules. I also loved how he saw her as a person and not just a hottie. He's genuinely interested in her role at the diner and where she's going to go in life. It would be so easy to dismiss her ability to nourish people as less than his ability to save their lives, but Kincaid manages to show it's all just different forms of service to people. Healing someone doesn't always have to involve bandages.

Anyway, it's another great read. You should definitely try it!
Profile Image for Alex ♈.
1,568 reviews1,406 followers
March 16, 2019
Despite 2nd chance is my absolutely less favourite trope, this book was my favourite in this series *go figure* 🤔😂

I liked the heroine a lot. She was strong, she earned everything by herself, she was a fighter.
I didn't blame her she left the hero 8 years ago. I would have done it too. Well, if a mother, who just lost her child, confronts your with actually the thruth... In books rich and poor makes a sweet romance, in RL they don't mix good. Not that I didn't believe in MC'd love, but the situation was, IMO, complicated; and well, I don't blame her she left.
Of course I wish she moved on, but it never happens in books 🙄, but at least she wasn't celibate (since she had condoms in her apartment). Oh, he wasn't celibate too, they gave us even a number. Handful is 5, isn't it? 2 x 5 = 10 🤔
The hero was a good guy. I didn't blame him for trying to move on, but on the other hand he didn't try to find hee too. Typical man, but at least a good doctor.

Best part - they didn't trash his mother aka the 'villain' in this story!!!
They treated her with respect - well done!

No slut-shaming in any book.

3.5 stars
Profile Image for Ceecee.
142 reviews6 followers
July 30, 2013


This is a delicious novella that’s sweet, satisfying, and full of yummy romantic scenes.
Jules loves her job as the restaurant manager at Mac’s Diner and tends to be a workaholic. Although she doesn’t have time for a love life, she finds a rewarding alternative in feeding hungry people. When she’s given the responsibility to cater a community benefit, she feels it’s her time to shine. After a small mishap in the kitchen sends her to the ER, however, she is forced to face a troubled past and the love she left behind.

Blake has been paying his dues at the hospital by working double shifts in the ER. Although he’s been too busy lately to think about life outside of work, he’s suddenly overwhelmed with possibilities when he has to treat his ex-fiancé for a minor injury. Normally a man of great composure and control, he finds it hard to concentrate around the woman who stole his heart. With a chance of finding answers to questions that have plagued him for years, he’s determined not to let her walk out of his life again.

Kincaid definitely knows how to put a compelling story in a small package. This novella flowed with such ease I finished in less than two hours. The characters were compassionate, sweet, and easily relatable. The passion worked its way in naturally, without being forced, and the conflict was just enough to cause concern without being frustrating. The author’s mantra “food is love” shines through beautifully and adds to the story. I was very excited when I found recipes for the goodies mentioned in the book on the author’s website. How ingenious! I highly recommend this book.

I received this book in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.
Profile Image for Rachel.
656 reviews12 followers
June 27, 2013
This story is about characters we have met in the previous 2 novellas. ER doctor Blake Fisher and restaurant manager extraordinaire Jules Shaw.

When a accident at work lands Jules in Blake's ER, the last thing either expected was to see the other. Especially as they have a complicated history. A once engaged type of complicated history.

But now Blake and Jules are forced to work together on a charity event. Watch what happens when the unresolved sparks fly as they try to pull together the event of the year.

Will they fall for each other again, or will the ghosts of the past stop any chance of happiness they might find ?

This is the 3rd novella in this series and for me it was the best so far. I loved Blake and Jules. The humour and spark between them made their story jump from the page.

Plus all the food talk is almost like good food porn ! Be sure to not read this story on an empty stomach or you will be soon running for snacks.

Kimberly Kincaid has done an amazing job, she makes you cheer, chuckle and melt into a pile of happy goo with the ending. Well done. Thank you for letting me read an ARC, it was a pleasure.

I for one am hoping for a story for Aaron, Blake's wisecracking cousin. Hint hint.
Profile Image for MaggieReadsRom.
956 reviews117 followers
January 5, 2016
3,75 stars

This was another enjoyable and quick read in this series. With a foodie heroine and an emergency doctor hero you can't go wrong with me. For a novella-length story I found the development of the story and characters really well done. What I also lpved was the humorous tone of the book despite the serious topics touched. The story even had the mother figure you'll love to hate but the fact that she came around fairly quickly was an itsy bitsy disappointing. Also, though the romance was emotionally satisfying, I felt it could've done with a bit more sexiness, a bit more urgency.
This being said I really enjoyed this story and I'm looking forward to the final book in the series: firefighter Aaron's story.
Profile Image for  Reading In Pajamas .
1,091 reviews105 followers
July 29, 2013
OUTSIDE THE LINES by Kimberly Kincaid
Publication Date: July 30, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Donna
Rated: 4.5 Stars

REVIEW:
I was looking forward to Jule’s story and I was very pleased with the results. Jules has such a fun and plucky personality that I really related to and Blake just made me want to curl up in his arms. It was an enjoyable light romance with just the right amount of heat and it hit all the right spots. I’m still smiling.

*Review copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

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Profile Image for Sally Kilpatrick.
Author 16 books392 followers
Read
August 9, 2024
It's no secret that I love Kincaid's Line series, and this one has been my favorite so far--which is really saying something. So Jules is from the wrong side of the tracks but has made something of herself as the manager of Mac's. Dr. Blake Fisher comes from money AND has an Ivy League education. And Blake and Jules? They have a past.

There are characters you love and characters for whom you root viscerally. Jules and Blake have suffered in the past and are so perfect for one another, and I just want them to be together. Mainly so Jules will make some of that splendid stuffed French Toast, and I can barge on in there.

A delightful novella, both sexy and sweet.
Profile Image for Stephanie (Purdueliz) Baassler.
208 reviews37 followers
August 1, 2013
Another tasty morsel from Ms. Kincaid. Once again she's combined hot romance with characters whose world is food. When she warns not to read hungry, she's right! French toast, cinnamon rolls, and more. Jules loves to feed people and it's tied to her history. And when she gets a bad burn at work and is forced by her friend and boss to the ER, she bumps right into more of her history in the form of Dr. Blake Fisher. This is the 3rd in the series of Line novellas and all are just as delicious as this one.
Profile Image for Bette Hansen.
5,073 reviews40 followers
June 25, 2013
I got lucky enough to win an ARC copy of this new book and am so thrilled I did. It is a great second chance story between Dr. Blake Fisher (Brentsville's newest ER Doc) and Jules (Serenity's right hand at Mac's Diner). They are reunited to work on a big charity event for the hospital and it takes no time at all for them both to realize the feelings from the past where alive and flaming.
Everyone will want to grab this one has soon as it is released!
Profile Image for Alyssa.
Author 8 books252 followers
August 2, 2013
This is a great book of renewed love. Jules and Blake's old sparks reignite from the moment they meet. I think my favorite part is the combination of Jules's strength and vulnerability. She's got some guts, but she's also got some insecurities that makes her a well-rounded character. And Blake? Yum. That's all. Hot doctor and nice guy, with some steel beneath. All in all, a great novella from Kimberly Kincaid.
Profile Image for Shari.
1,859 reviews24 followers
July 30, 2013
Loved the story of Jules and Dr. Blake. Can you say hot ER doc. The chemistry of these two were sizzling. A second chance romance for both of them. Warning do not read if you are hungry. Hoping that there will be more coming out in The Line series.
Profile Image for Deborah.
2,914 reviews22 followers
February 25, 2017
A great read that will leave you smiling.
Profile Image for Anna's Herding Cats.
1,274 reviews319 followers
August 13, 2016
Reviewed for herding cats & burning soup

Kimberly Kincaid *hangs head* woman, you are killing me with these novellas! I'm loving this series and Outside the Lines was a great addition. It's fun. It's easy. The characters are charming and endearing. The sexy times are yummy and the food mouth watering. Or hmm the sexy times are mouth watering and the food yummy? Eh either way... it's excellent.

Blake and Jules were torn apart years ago by youth, insecurities and meddling but an accident brings them smack back into each others lives and gives them a second chance at finding love. *girly sigh* I loved that even though these two had been through so much and had such vastly different pasts they're perfect for each other. They have the same heart and soul and love taking care of people in their own ways-- he's an ER doctor and she loves feeding people. They're just people you can easily fall for and can't help but respect.

Things move fairly fast but, you know, it worked because that spark was there and you could really tell they never stopped loving the other. I really enjoyed getting to know them and that the things they said and thought were things I could so easily see and hear in my head.
Blake awoke to several realizations all at once. First was that he was not on one of the narrow cots the hospital allotted for catching up on sleep during downtime, as rare as it was, nor was he at home. Second was that, as best he could tell, he wasn’t wearing a single stitch of clothing.

Third— and definitely most important— was that Jules was tucked up against his chest, her face softened by the throes of early-morning sleep, and from the feel of things, she was just as naked as he was.

This was the best morning of his fucking life.

I loved how Blake was with Jules. He saw her for her. Not for her past. Not for what she didn't have or where she came from but for her. And he had faith in her. Saw her strengths and all of her talents. Even if she couldn't. He was just a hero you'd want to have as your own.And Jules, I really loved her as well. The impact the struggles in her life had on her really pulled at my heart and made me want to hug her tight.

Okay, so I loved the rekindled romance aspect but there was a nice storyline going as well as the two have to join forces for a really great cause. I really enjoyed watching it all come together and seeing them work together to pull it off.

There's really nothing to not like about Outside the Lines, except, okay, I'm a greedy reader and wish there were like 300 more pages because I love the characters so much. LOL And now I want Aaron--the oh so damn sexy and funny cousin's story. But first I'm off to the kitchen for some baking. Darn you Kimberly! You are so very very bad for my diet. But I love it. Can't wait for the next!
Profile Image for Pat.
1,374 reviews44 followers
June 29, 2013
Fair warning, have a snack before reading this novella!

This is the third novel in Ms. Kincaid's series set in Brentsville , New York. It centers around Mac's Diner where we met Serenity Gallagher owner and chef, and Jason Morgan ( Detective McHot-Hot) in Drawing the Line. Julianna (Jules) Shaw is the restaurant manager and best friend to Serenity.

Serenity and Jules are working on Mac's infamous cinnamon rolls, when a freak accident occurs, and Jules ends up with a serious burn on her arm. Forced by Serenity to go to the ER, she is treated by an exhausted Dr. finishing his shift, who agrees to take one more patient. Surprises all around when he enters and see's the patient....the woman he was engaged to eight years ago who left him a note before leaving town and disappearing. Jules had left due to circumstances she felt were in Blake's best interests. She had never stopped loving him, and still carried the guilt of running away. Blake still carried the pain, and the frustration of not knowing why she left.

This is a love story, above all else. It's fun to catch up with the people in Brentsville, and even meet a few new ones. Hunky firefighter Aaron, Blake's cousin, hopefully has a story of his own. There is laughter, yummy food, and a very controlling mother!

I enjoyed this series very much and recommend it to romance readers, and "foodies." It can be read as a stand alone, but each of her novels is a delightful read.

I received this novel from the author for an honest review.

Pat Fordyce
Profile Image for Falling In Fall Book Blog.
379 reviews66 followers
August 13, 2013
An ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. To view the full review, visit http://fallinginfall.blogspot.com

I rated Outside The Lines with FOUR AND ONE HALF LEAVES! Before you read this book, make sure you have a bunch of sweet and sticky desserts on hand. This book will leave you craving all your favorite desserts. Jules works at the local diner and she is known for her wonderful baking. We hear on multiple occasions about her desserts and by the sound of it, they are to die for. I had a very hard time putting this book down. It was such a fun, fast and easy read! I felt the descriptions were wonderful. I was able to put myself in the characters shoes and feel what they were feeling. We got to see both Jules and Blake's thoughts throughout the book. It's not very often that we get to hear from both the main character's point of view.
Blake and Jules haven't seen each other in 8 years. Blake and Jules ended on bad terms and they are both wondering what happened all that time ago. When fate brings them back together, they have to face the past and what tore them apart. I was completely hooked and wanted to keep reading to find out where life was going to lead them next! If you want to know what happens with Blake and Jules, read this book. You won't be disappointed!

XO, LO
38 reviews5 followers
August 1, 2013
Outside the Lines is really a recipe for love, life and hot, loving sex. To begin, if possible first get the best tasting cinnamon bun you can buy, warm it up and settle in to eat it while you read this tingling and scrumptious romance!
Take one spirited fiery red-head with copper curls, who smells like sweet vanilla sugar, add burns on her arm from a tray of hot cinnamon rolls, and then add one Emergency Room doctor from her past who has “smoky green eyes framed by sand-colored lashes, eyes that crinkled just enough at the edges when a rare smile traveled up from the jawline beneath”. Now incorporate a hospital Carnival for Charity event, a bachelor and bachelorette auction, a controlling female head of the hospital’s board of trustees, plus hopes for a heart thundering ending. Now you have combined the ingredients for a body warming/stimulating romance that will leave you warm, happy and feeling that life can be great! Finish with a hot apple turnover. After you read this never fail recipe, you will understand what a warm cinnamon bun and a hot apple turner both mean. I will never be able to eat either one again without thinking of Outside the Lines…and smiling.
Profile Image for Lara Petterson.
224 reviews12 followers
July 30, 2013
The third book in the line series is a good read just like the first two. Kimberly gets you invested in the characters in her books from the first book your wanting to know more. In this book the hunky Dr. Blake Fisher who dives into to his work to help him forgot about the death of his brother and the fiancée' that left him with just a note 8 years before. Things begin to heat back up with Blake and Jules(diner manager and ex fiancée) when she shows up in his ER. Find out if the flames of the past can be relit by putting this on your reading list today!
Profile Image for Denise.
4 reviews1 follower
January 3, 2014
Another winner in Kincaid's Line series. This time she gives her own special spin to a tale of lovers reunited. Like always, she walks the line between sweet and spicy with aplomb. If you're a fan of Louisa Edwards and foodie romance, Kincaid's for you.
Profile Image for Jp.
3 reviews
December 30, 2013
Marvelous! What a wonderful story! I loved every word! Even the most unlike-able characters are on my "love" list - what a story!

Kimberly Kincaid has knocked it out of the park with this novella!
Profile Image for Cheryl.
710 reviews10 followers
August 4, 2013
Another cutie another recipe ..love these books to read when I have an hour or two to kill in a happy way . All 3 of these books were fun to read .
Profile Image for Candis Terry.
Author 28 books771 followers
August 26, 2013
Loved this book. Ms. Kincaid has a very classy voice that delivered exactly what I'd been looking for at just the right time. Very enjoyable read.
114 reviews1 follower
January 5, 2018
Julianna is the manager of Mac's Diner, and she is very capable of running the diner with little interference from the owner, Serenity. I like that Jules usually has a bypass on her internal filter, so she has a lot of brain-to-mouth moments that are humorous. While Jules has a sincere wish to help and feed people, her own past is intentionally vague and mysterious. Having managed to snag a lucrative contract with the local hospital to cater their annual fundraiser, Serenity hands the responsibility of it to Jules. The only hiccup - her contact at the hospital is no one other than Jules' former fiance, Dr. Blake Fisher. Blake has never gotten over the fact that Jules walked away from him eight years prior, and while she would like to keep the past in the past, the attraction is still there between them. In spite of the frosty reception Jules receives from Blake's mother, she is determined not to let her friend Serenity down, and to do her very best as far as the fundraiser is concerned, even if she has to work side-by-side with Blake for six weeks.

Another novella in The Line series, I went into this one expecting a quick and light read, and I wasn't disappointed. While others may prefer more "meat" as far as character development, I got enough of a taste of the characters to enjoy their mutual attraction. I empathized with Jules and her sincerity in giving, while having her own battles with low self-esteem, while Blake was struggling with the loss of his brother and his own survivor guilt. I am looking forward to the last book in this series - mainly because all the characters keep showing up and getting in each other's business. Three and a half stars.
Profile Image for Debra .
1,386 reviews
October 16, 2018
This is only 103 pages long, so things had to move quickly. Jules and Blake were an odd couple. Opposites, he was from the wealthiest, most influential family in town, and became a physician. Jules grew up in foster homes and slowly made her way into a good job as a restaurant manager. I could understand her actions as a young woman, but it is eight years later and she should have more self-confidence.
3,792 reviews7 followers
April 30, 2021
Short and sweet second chance love story. Rich boy, poor girl leaves 8 years ago because she thinks she's not good enough. Now they are on the same hospital charity fundraiser committee and he is determined she won't get away again.

Nothing original or memorable about it but still a fun easy read.
2,830 reviews8 followers
August 28, 2017
A great second chance romance! I adored Jules and Blake and really loved their romance. The plot was interesting and never felt rushed for being a novella. I loved everything about it! 5 stars!
Profile Image for Katy Rose.
Author 13 books127 followers
September 17, 2017
I love this series!

I can not get enough of this series! Between the drama and the humor it is sweet and spicy! I can't wait to read more!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews

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