Tangled Lines: A Hatteras Island Novel

by Jan Dawson

Jo thought she was ready to make the move. She had worked for years to achieve her goal. Now she was leaving Hatteras Island, along with the life and the people she knew and loved.


A summer at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute was a dream come true. She could focus on her work and leave the distractions of Hatteras behind. She was sure that living and working in a new environment would be exciting and fulfilling. Saying goodbye to her parents, grandparents, and her lifelong friend Dare would be difficult; however, JoBell believed it would all be worth it in the end.
But life in the lab isn’t what Jo envisioned. She finds herself often alone and undeniably homesick. When she hears unsettling news from Hatteras about everyone close to her, she begins to question her dedication to her work. But then her major benefactor, Adam Longford, starts taking more than a passing interest in her research and in her. To her surprise she’s finding him more and more attractive and her feelings are in turmoil.


Then, one night she receives a phone call no one wants to receive, and she realizes she has a decision to make. Will she stick with her plans for the future, a future that now just might include Adam, or will she head back to the island, and the life she thought she’d left behind? Is Dare just her forever best friend or is he something much, much more?


“Tangled Lines” is a stand-alone sweet romance, continuing the characters from both “Storm Season” and “Hooked on You.” If you enjoy stories about resolving inner conflicts, learning to follow one’s heart, and realizing what’s truly important in life, you’ll enjoy this story of untangling all of the lines of love.

164 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 16, 2025

Reviews

[Kathy Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tangled Lines is a wonderful story about a young woman who has an opportunity to follow her life dreams and yet must determine which dreams are most important. This book grabbed me from the moment I started reading it and held my interest through its entirety. I couldn’t put it down and finished in one day. Jan Dawson did an excellent job of reintroducing characters that had been in her two previous books, Storm Season and Hooked on You, in a way that flowed really well. This helps to set this story line up, even for those that hadn’t read the previous two books first. This author is an excellent writer. Reading this book was almost like having the author sitting in the room with me telling the story. Five stars for this book and the author!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jennifer Neathery · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’ve read Jan’s first two books, you know you’re in for a treat (though, sadly, no shrimp basket is included)! Tangled Lines has to be my favorite so far. As someone who grew up in North Carolina, graduated from ECU, and later moved to Chicago to start a new chapter, I found myself deeply connecting with Jo’s journey. Life is full of dreams, unexpected twists, and the friendships we forge along the way, and Jan captures all of this beautifully. But what resonated most was the theme of being honest with ourselves and the people we love. It was truly a perfect read! I’m already hoping for another series soon!

I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kittie Vanalstyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed all of Jan‘s Hatteras Island novels so far, but this is my favorite! It was a seamless read, but took some unexpected twists and turns which made it even more exciting. You fall in love with all of the characters because they ring true to all of us, in a multitude of ways. I especially love the descriptions of the common place experiences of the Outer Banks which are anything but common place when you take a moment to savor them. I also really appreciate Jan sharing her true to life love story with Dave, which is encouraging to all of us hopeless romantics! I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jane A · Rating 5 out of 5]

What are your dreams? Will they take you where you planned? Picking up Tangled Lines by Jan Dawson was like finding and becoming reacquainted with old friends. Ms. Dawson’s comfortable style of storytelling allows us to follow the lives of Jo, Dare and Jo’s family through changes and growing pains. We get to follow along as that change brings new experiences, challenges and self-realization/awareness for each of them. Once again, Ms. Dawson is able to make you feel at home with her realistic characters and life in a world that revolves around the ocean. It is well worth picking up for a leisurely read! I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Ada Senior · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Spent a cold January day curled on the couch. Picked up the book, found it enjoyable and easy to read. Loved how everything came together for Jo and Dare in the end. Reading about the Outer Banks always brings back memories of my family's favorite place.

[Dixie Bowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet beach read.

[Sharon Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good beach read!