"She is his heart's desire, yet the one forever beyond his reach."
Ambitious lawyer Veronica Reed is on the verge of a career-defining promotion. When her best friend suggests visiting an exclusive spa—a luxurious retreat where women can explore their deepest desires—Veronica's curiosity gets the best of her. There, she meets Caleb Winters, a magnetic real estate mogul who owns the retreat.
An intense, undeniable attraction immediately ignites between them. Despite her career ambitions, Veronica can't resist his intense allure. She now finds herself caught between professional aspirations and forbidden desires.
Caleb, in turn, becomes obsessively captivated by Veronica's defiant nature–to the point where his obsession pushes her boundaries, and his intensity starts to scare her.
When a mysterious threat targets Caleb and a work enemy makes Veronica's life difficult, their lives become irrevocably intertwined. As their connection deepens, they must confront their fears and secrets. Together, they face the ultimate challenge: can their undeniable attraction survive what lies ahead?
Essentially this story follows Caleb and Veronica. Caleb is a business owner and Veronica is a Lawyer trying her damn hardest to achieve all she deserves. They cross paths and the world halts. That very moment.
It is quite fast paced in my opinion, with not a huge amount of tension but it's definitely there. I did find myself skimming some parts, but that's just because i felt like too much may have been going on in particular scenes and focused on that.
A moment in this story had me absolutely screaming at the book. I didn't necessarily think that it was portrayed in the best way. It was quite quick and didn't really show how tough being in that situation is and the outcome for the character who did it, should have been more severe. As it is such a horrible situation and those that have been through it in real life would know how hard something like that is and it could have been done better in the fictional sense.
I disliked a character at the beggining but that ending.. made my opinion change so fast. Veronica, I get how your feeling and I think you may be right. Something's going on.
I did enjoy it, it was definitely a change. We had a strong FMC that rightfully didn't fall head over heels for the MMC straight away.
If your looking for a spicy, stalker romance. This is for you.
If you like banter, strong fmc and calm yet dominant mmc this book is perfect for you. Right amount of banter , right amount of spice was mentioned. From starting till end I was hooked with this book literally finished it in 2 days. Love the way story was built , it was a lil slow burn but the moment it catches the pace then it was like bomb 😭.
If we talk about the characters. Each and every character was strong in their place . Our MMC Mr. Caleb winters , okay first he is in my book husband list now 😭. Amazing personality author built for him . Love the way he was clam yet dominate in his ways. I want this man 😭😭. Our FMC Miss Veronica Reed, dashing beauty with brain. Her stubborn and bratty behavior makes me sooo happy . She was soo ambitious to her work. Love to see such strong character. One thing I adore the most in this novel was the amount of care , love and affection of Caleb regarding Veronica, like he was soo patience yet soo impatient idk if that makes sense here but in my mind it does for sure .
If we talk about smut IT WAS HELLA AMAZING . RIGHT AMOUNT OF SMUT WHICH PERFECT MOMENTS OF GETTIMG FOLD 😭😭😭😭😭
overall I am super happy that I got a chance to read this pretty book.
The characters were so weird, they were saying something and doing other things, they were not even standing on their own statements. I didn't feel any chemistry between them also, it was like they were trying hard to build some chemistry and doing anything for that. And the thing which made me interested to read the book in first place was this 'special spa' which was not even given any significance in the story, like Caleb tried so hard and did what not to keep it with him but had no passion for it? And it was just like roaming around in circles. Also the friendship between Veronica and Rachel was so toxic. They were like I love you, you are my friend and all but the things they were doing were not any friends do.
And after reading the blurb of second book, I can't even find any interest in me to read my ARC, so I decided to drop from the team. Veronica going to team up with Fiona and betray Caleb?? Then for revenge Caleb going to team up with Ethan??? Makes no sense at all and feels like a forced plot to me. I am more interested to know Rachel's story at this point.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
❥ Dual POV ❥ Push & Pull dynamic ❥ Strong fmc × Morally grey mmc ❥ He falls first ❥ Part 1 in Trilogy
𝔸𝕓𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕓𝕠𝕠𝕜 :- Meet Caleb, the mysterious billionaire CEO and owner of a high-end "spa" that's not your typical relaxation spot. And then there’s Veronica an ambitious, no-nonsense lawyer whose best friend talks her into visiting this luxe establishment. Despite her workaholic ways, even Veronica’s curiosity is piqued by this unusual “spa,” where women are matched with men based on a quiz. And who does she get paired with? None other than Caleb himself, who’s never paired with anyone… until now!
𝕄𝕪 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤 :- This book took me by surprise! I was expecting a typical spicy romance, but Veronica is far from a damsel in distress. She’s strong, opinionated, and immune to Caleb’s charm at least at first, which was hilarious because I was swooning over him from page one! Their banter is magnetic, a push-and-pull that kept me glued to the page.
The author’s writing style feels fresh and fast-paced, which I love. I got seriously attached to the main characters and also developed a strong dislike for a few others (*cough* Tyler *cough* Ethan!). This book brought out so many emotions in me, and to me, that’s the mark of a great story!
The spice? Oh, it’s there, and it’s perfectly done. But heads-up there are a few themes that might be triggering, so definitely check the content warnings. And let’s talk about that cliffhanger! I was bracing myself, but that twist? I need book 2 ASAP! Thankfully, it’s out next month!
Oh, and am I the only one with Spidey senses tingling over Rachel? She’s been giving me vibes since the beginning. Mark my words she’s up to something.
Huge thanks to @beyondthebookspr and @authorkeiramai for having me as a part of this tour!
We need to talk about the concept of this book!! A spa that caters to all your needs? And when I say all, I mean all…
Veronica, the FMC, is basically a very uptight lawyer who is ambitious and dedicated towards success. She doesn’t have time for relaxing but when her bestfriends suggests this spa, even Veronica finds herself getting curious.
The spa takes a quiz and based on that, it matches the women with suitable men. But when Veronica goes to the club, guess who she gets paired with!! The hot, secret billionaire CEO himself who has never paired himself with anyone.
Caleb Winters is my new obsession and I will not have anyone badmouthing my man. He is the type of guy women dream about having in real life (you lucky, lucky Veronica!!). No man ever came without a backstory but I loved how he moved on rather than carrying the baggage with himself.
Veronica is my spirit animal. She is the woman I aspire to be but my lazy butt won’t allow me to be. She’s not just a lawyer by profession but every pore of her body oozes that persona. She is a woman well trained in martial arts, confident with a clear voice and a keen eye for detail like she pointed about her best friend.
This combo is made for each other. The banter, the spice, the slow burn and even the rejections that Veronica gave to Caleb- I loved them all. A perfectly, well-written, well-researched and well-thought out book speaks for itself. And this book had it all.
The book ends on a cliffhanger which has me yearning for the next book because things are going to happen and I love it when things happen.
I read this is book so fast, that I'm still processing what happened and what will happen further in the storyline. This book is so addicting and the plot keeps you hooked till the end. As I was reading, I didn't even knew when the last chapter came and left me hanging for more. 😭
The plot is everything, and the way all the characters are presented is so well thought off that made it everything so much more interesting. Their personality, the chemistry, the banter, the spice, their past and overall all the small details that lead the story to where it ends, leaving us with so many unanswered questions and doubts is so smart. 🤌🏻
Also not to forget, Mr. Caleb Winters, the man you are! It sucks that he's fictional. But he definitely goes to my book boyfriends list.😏
Speaking of our FMC, Veronica Reed, Gurl! Chill out please! Also, she felt so damn relatable that while achieving our professional goals we forget about our personal life and the same is happening with our Veronica. But things change when our MMC, Caleb enters her life with the speed of a bullet train. 🤭
Definitely go give this a read if you like the below tropes this one's for you -
💙Stalker Romance 💙Lawyer X CEO 💙Dual POV 💙He falls first 💙Career Oriented FMC 💙Morally Grey MMC 💙Full of banter & spice
All I can say at the end, can't wait to see what happens next in their story. 🙊
Thank you Beyond The Books PR and Keira for providing me the opportunity to ARC reading this book. I'm beyond grateful for the same. 💙💙💙
Thank you so much Beyond the Books PR and Keira Mai for letting me join this book tour and giving me this opportunity to dive into this rollercoaster of a book!
Okay, so.. “𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭’𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞, 𝐲𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡.” Tell me that line doesn’t hook you!
So here’s the deal: Veronica Reed is this powerhouse lawyer about to score a major promotion, but her bestie convinces her to go to this high-end spa to 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘴 (cue eyebrow raise). There, she meets Caleb Winters, who, oh by the way, 𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦. Sparks? No, more like fireworks. Veronica’s all about her career, but Caleb is intense. Like, seriously intense. He’s obsessed with her independence, which you just know is a recipe for disaster.
And then there’s Rachel, Veronica’s best friend, who’s... well, a whole mystery on her own. One minute she’s totally pumped, the next she’s super jealous, and then she flips to this weirdly apologetic, supportive mode. I mean, pick a vibe, Rachel! I couldn’t figure her out for the life of me which left me to wonder if there's more to her story👀
But back to the main story—it’s steamy, twisty, and completely addictive. There’s a work enemy, shady threats, and the kind of tension that’ll keep you panting for more (iykwim). And the best part? Book two, “𝘽𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙇𝙞𝙚𝙨,” drops November 22, so get ready! If you're in the mood for a wild romance with a side of suspense, this one’s got your name all over it!
“Between The Lines” is the first book in the Broken Boundaries Trilogy. The story follows Veronica Reed, a lawyer who is working day and night to climb the success ladder and Caleb Winters, who is running a real estate business along with an exclusive luxury spa. Sparks fly when the two cross paths when Caleb cannot get Veronica out of his mind and becomes obsessed with her. Veronica on the other hand is in two minds as she wants to avoid all distractions which might dim her chances of a career defining promotion but Caleb makes it difficult for Veronica to ignore him.
What I loved the most about the book was how headstrong Veronica was, unlike other FMC she knows how to fight her battles and she fights them well. I really liked their push-pull dynamics and the banter was absolutely amazing.
Keira Mai employs a straightforward writing style. Mai's writing is very expressive, capturing the emotional depth of her protagonists. The plot flows smoothly making the readers get fully immersed in the story. I found the pacing pretty well-balanced making it an addictive read. I finished this book within 24 hours. It just had me hooked.
If you are looking for a steamy, plot driven, top-notch banter, grumpy- sunshine read then this is the book for you! The book ends at a cliffhanger and I am counting days to read the second book in the trilogy because I am not done with Veronica and Caleb and I want to know what happens with Rachel since she seemed a bit mysterious!
Reading this book was like sitting on a rollercoaster ride. The story is very unique and captivating. I was completely hooked from the start till the end.
𝙎𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙮 : Veronica Reed is an uptight lawyer with straight goals and a career she has worked very hard for. Her path soon crosses with Caleb. Caleb is the CEO of a real estate business with a mysterious past as well as a side business. They try their best to avoid feeling for each other, but ever since their paths crossed, they can't seem to think about anything else. The narrative is captivating with a blend of several themes.
𝙒𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 : The story is fast-paced and bingeable in one sitting. The banter, the tension❤️🤌🏻✨️ Strong FMC and Morally grey MMC, where she wouldn't stand for anything wrong ??? This had me in a complete chokehold.
𝙁𝙖𝙫 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙧 : Veronica Reed, omg, she is an Fmc that will completely shock you. Veronica is determined, ambitious, strong, and witty. She is the star of the book. I was in awe the entire time how she knew where to take the stand for herself and for others and where to not even waste time arguing. She stood up for what was wrong but also defended her colleague rightfully even though his mistakes were irrevocable.
𝙁𝙖𝙫 𝙌𝙪𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙨 : "With you, I find peace. You inspire me to become better, not just to feel better."
I loved Keira's writing style. This book, the first in the 'Broken Boundaries' trilogy, is meant for mature audiences only and it is filled with tension and witty banter and snark, especially from the FMC, Veronica Reed.
Veronica is a lawyer who is driven, ambitious and her sole focus in life is to pour in her sweat and blood into moving up the ladder in her corporate firm. She has a colleague who becomes a threat to her ambitions.
Meanwhile, we have Caleb Winters, who has a passion for real estate- skyscrapers, luxury apartments, commercial buildings and....an exclusive spa which isn't complete above board.
When Rachel, V's best friend since school, encourages her to take a break and do something for herself for a change, she suggests going to a spa...which happens to be Caleb's spa.
When they meet, Caleb feels an instant attraction to Veronica and his obsession with her does get out of hand but Veronica is a goner for him too, but doesn't want to accept it.
The book has some great twists and you see unexpected characters coming to sabotage the lives and romance of and between C and V. This book ends with a cliffhanger.
Hold onto your hats, ladies. A new red flag man has arrived! Meet Caleb, the owner of a spa with 'additional services' on the menu. Where do I sign up? I am ready for a bit of stress relief!
This original storyline follows the meeting of Veronica and Caleb and their developing relationship, which is hot, hot, hot! The book is action-packed and filled with intense moments that kept me on the edge of my seat. The chemistry between the characters is scorching, and the sex scenes are both passionate and tastefully written, just the right level of spice! I enjoyed the story; there was enough background storytelling to help me understand the individual characters and the battles they faced. The ending was a cliffhanger, totally unexpected! I am impatiently waiting for book 2!
If you love a spicy read where the male main character is a 100% red flag, but in the way that we love our book boyfriends, along with a feisty female main character, this is the book for you!
When I tell you this book is everything,I MEAN IT IS EVERYTHING 🤌🏻… The characters,the plot,the friendship in the book Lawwwdddd I need me a CALEB in this life 😭. I started reading this book blindly,without reading the blurb whatsoever and it’s the best decision I’ve made this month 😂😂 got me finishing a book in less than 4 hours,the chemistry 🤌🏻 the tension,the tensionnnnn will have you feeling like you’re part of the book,i giggled,i laughed and i had to pause and walk around for a minute(that’s how you know the book is good) Now if you want a calm yet a dominant MMC Caleb is your guy (well he’s mine but it’s okay we can do something about it) I absolutely love how Veronica didn’t fall head over heels for Caleb like straight away I love that she took her time to know Caleb well.
I gotta agree with Veronica though something doesn’t feel quite right.Good thing book two is coming out sooon 🥳🥳🤭
I love the intended intensity of this book. Between The Lines by Keira Mai surpasses everything a novel should have, from the first line which was captivating to the last line. I loved every bits of it and the tension that caught me in a frenzy was really palpable that I could cut it with a knife. Although Caleb really had some issues like when he reverted to masochism to release the hurt he was feeling when Veronica rejected him the second time, it also reflected the kind of man that he really was and it was matched with who he is at the present. I love the way the characters chemistry boomed from the start and it gives readers time to think. This book is everything I need and more and I am going to reread this after my exams.
Favorite quote: "It's time to step beyond the familiar, to embrace the unknown with an open heart."
Between the Lines is a captivating exploration of love, ambition, and self-discovery, anchored by the intriguing relationship between Veronica and Caleb. Their dynamic is the heart of the story, and it’s one that kept me hooked from start to finish.
Veronica, with her drive and vulnerability, contrasts beautifully with Caleb's steadfast loyalty and quiet strength. Their relationship is complex, layered with emotional depth and tension, making their interactions both compelling and heartfelt. As their journey unfolds, the way they navigate their personal struggles and growing feelings is both relatable and deeply moving.
Keira’s writing is engaging and evocative, drawing readers into the world of her characters while exploring themes of trust, compromise, and personal growth. For anyone who enjoys character-driven romances with a touch of realism, Between the Lines is a must-read.
This book gave me whiplash. The FMC kept changing her mind so quickly.
Why the HELL did the MMC go to a “sketchy” part of town to fight a bunch of drunk dudes to blow off some steam? What the hell did I just read?!
And he goes to speak with a “friend” from the past and injects a “memory erasing” serum into her? WTF? Is he a spy???
FMC is also a doormat. Her friend blows up at her due to her jealousy and insecurity, but FMC goes to grovel at her door and beg for forgiveness? Why?!
Rachel (FMC’s friend) is aggressively flirting with Caleb one day and engaged to another man the next. And the wedding happened nearly immediately. I assume the drama surrounding that is covered in one of the sequels, which I won't be bothering to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Thank you to Keira for offering me this ARC! I had so much fun reading through this story. Veronica and Caleb have such a strong and natural attraction towards each other. The chemistry and tension between them is undeniable and will make you all jittery. The ending will have you craving for more, desperate to read the next book in this series!
The book is very spicy, but certainly has an interesting storyline with several things going on. Veronica and Caleb both have their own battles to fight, but it's sweet how they want to be there for each other.
Book about two people who are successful. Secret spa that provides more than treatments. Lawyer who is looking for more than just work. Outsiders trying to tear them down from being successful.
I've not read a book like this before, there were a few times I wanted to delete the book due to Caleb's intensity but I stuck through. I definitely enjoyed the book once the camera situation was done (sorry for slight spoiler)
"Nobody walks away from me," he asserts his voice faced with the certainty of someone used to getting their way. "I did." As the words leave my mouth, I can't help but let a grin spread across my face. ---------
This quote sums up the entire dynamic between these characters and is amazing! One thing that stuck with me throughout this book was the shifts in power and dynamics, but Veronica was also powerful in her own right. She is a lawyer and a bratty as hell because she is also used to getting her own way, and it's awesome.
Caleb, Caleb, Caleb... he wants not to care but cares so deeply. He gives into his impulses regarding Veronica even if they toe the line of stalker, but he also feels regret and thrill simultaneously. It's nice to see a character who feels remorse, even if it is mostly private, and he never tells anyone. He is a red-flag boyfriend and has his issues, but also I think that's why it works.
Also, this read has the right amount of spice for the right amount of story, which is brilliant and sometimes tricky to balance, so big thumbs up to me for that.
Also, how did this end on such a cliffhanger?! Yes!! It ended on a cliffhanger. Did I see that coming? No, not at all, but I am here for it.
I really had to push myself to finish this one. It was hard to feel anything for the characters.
It gave mild 50 Shades vibes.
You have Caleb, who owns a "spa" to fulfill fantasies. But he doesn't even want the spa until the lady who groomed him years prior popped up, asking him to sign it over to her. Meanwhile, he has this love at first sight moment with Veronica, whom he puts at risk by not signing the spa he doesn't want over.
I also had a hard time feeling any connection to the characters... i know it's supposed to be a book series... but NOTHING was answered in the first book. It felt almost forceful... in order for me to know what happens or what anything even means i have to read the next book?!
Almost 400 pages & i felt like most of it was repetitive. The internal monologuing is monotonous... idk. I wish I really wanted to love it.
I soo much loved this book!! The banter between Caleb and Veronica was soo riveting and it was like a push and pull kind of thing for them and the love Veronica has for her bestfriend is soo wholesome and cute😍😍!! The storyline is very unique and written so good and the unexpected cliffhanger towards the end left me craving more of the second book ASAP🫠🫠🫣!! What started as a normal visit to a spa has turned into something soo sweet and cute and a wholesome love story!!! I loved this book so much
An utterly captivating read that is both thrilling and maddening. Veronica, a career obsessed lawyer, meets Caleb, a charismatic real estate mogul, when she visits an exclusive spa, of which he owns. We watch as worlds collide and obsession sparks, where choices made can either make or break you. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, from beginning to end this book delivered in spice, plot, drama, and suspense. Kudos to the talented author, I can't wait to read more. Copy courtesy of Voracious Readers Only.