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Behind Enemy Bylines: A cozy, low-spice, small-town romance brimming with early 2000s nostalgia
Full of small-town charm, this latest cozy, low-spice romance from USA TODAY bestselling author Kathleen Fuller offers a second chance at love for one local reporter and his big-city accountant ex.
Little Rock, Arkansas, 1995: Jade Smith's life has never been entirely stable. Bouncing back and forth between her mother and foster care, she learned that the only person she can really trust is herself. So when she starts to fall for newsroom reporter Sebastian Hudson, her defenses go up. When she gets a job offer from a company in Atlanta, Georgia, she immediately takes it, leaving Sebastian behind. He might have claimed to love her, but she knows no one sticks around for long.
Clementine, Arkansas, 2005: Ten years after his heartbreak, Sebastian is back in his tiny hometown running the local paper and writing his slice-of-life column. The numbers in the accounting book are telling a story he's not ready to read, but he's refused to entertain any buy-out offers from big conglomerates, even as other small presses are being grabbed up, and in some cases, put out of business. He's determined not to let anything happen to the Clementine Times.
In Atlanta, Jade is eager for the promotion that will finally provide the security she's always craved. There's only one hitch--her boss wants her to convince a small-town newspaper owner to sell his paper to their company. No big deal, right? Then she learns the owner is none other than Sebastian Hudson. Now it's a very big deal.
Reunited for the first time since their awful break-up, Sebastian and Jade dig in their heels, refusing to see each other's side. But the small town of Clementine won't let them stay at odds with each other for long. Between a springtime hoedown, a dangerous apartment fire, Sebastian's slightly meddling younger sister, and the surprise appearance of Jade's younger brother, Sebastian and Jade end up discussing everything but business. They also rekindle past feelings.
But when one of them makes an unforgivable decision, can they find their way back to each other? Or is this second chance the very last one?
If you love low-spice, high-heart romances where the town is as much a character as the people in it, don't miss this tender tale of love lost . . . and maybe found again. Grab your copy of Behind Enemy Bylines and fall back in love with small towns, second chances, and the people who just might surprise you.
Little Rock, Arkansas, 1995: Jade Smith's life has never been entirely stable. Bouncing back and forth between her mother and foster care, she learned that the only person she can really trust is herself. So when she starts to fall for newsroom reporter Sebastian Hudson, her defenses go up. When she gets a job offer from a company in Atlanta, Georgia, she immediately takes it, leaving Sebastian behind. He might have claimed to love her, but she knows no one sticks around for long.
Clementine, Arkansas, 2005: Ten years after his heartbreak, Sebastian is back in his tiny hometown running the local paper and writing his slice-of-life column. The numbers in the accounting book are telling a story he's not ready to read, but he's refused to entertain any buy-out offers from big conglomerates, even as other small presses are being grabbed up, and in some cases, put out of business. He's determined not to let anything happen to the Clementine Times.
In Atlanta, Jade is eager for the promotion that will finally provide the security she's always craved. There's only one hitch--her boss wants her to convince a small-town newspaper owner to sell his paper to their company. No big deal, right? Then she learns the owner is none other than Sebastian Hudson. Now it's a very big deal.
Reunited for the first time since their awful break-up, Sebastian and Jade dig in their heels, refusing to see each other's side. But the small town of Clementine won't let them stay at odds with each other for long. Between a springtime hoedown, a dangerous apartment fire, Sebastian's slightly meddling younger sister, and the surprise appearance of Jade's younger brother, Sebastian and Jade end up discussing everything but business. They also rekindle past feelings.
But when one of them makes an unforgivable decision, can they find their way back to each other? Or is this second chance the very last one?
If you love low-spice, high-heart romances where the town is as much a character as the people in it, don't miss this tender tale of love lost . . . and maybe found again. Grab your copy of Behind Enemy Bylines and fall back in love with small towns, second chances, and the people who just might surprise you.
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First published September 1, 2025
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About the author
Kathleen Fuller
118 books1,107 followersBest-selling author of Amish fiction. Also a wife, mother, crafter, coffee addict, football fan, and chocolate aficionado.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
June 22, 2025
#BehindEnemyBylines # NetGalley
A second chance romance. In 1995 Sebastián Hudson thought he was on top of the world until his girlfriend Jade Smith said she was leaving Arkansas for a job in Atlanta. Now, ten years later Sebastián owns his own newspaper and is trying to hold onto it when it fails to bring in income enough to run the newspaper and pay the staff. Enter Jade Smith, an attorney working for a company that is buying up newspaper businesses. Jadeknew that the Clementine newspaper was owned by her old boyfriend, and so she isn't surprised to find him there. Sebastián however doesn't expect to find Jade out in front of his business. Jade ran away ten years ago because of family drama and was too scared to tell Sebastián why she was leaving. Two hearts that have been broken might not be able to be mended. This book was a little slow and had several side characters that were hard to keep track of.
A second chance romance. In 1995 Sebastián Hudson thought he was on top of the world until his girlfriend Jade Smith said she was leaving Arkansas for a job in Atlanta. Now, ten years later Sebastián owns his own newspaper and is trying to hold onto it when it fails to bring in income enough to run the newspaper and pay the staff. Enter Jade Smith, an attorney working for a company that is buying up newspaper businesses. Jadeknew that the Clementine newspaper was owned by her old boyfriend, and so she isn't surprised to find him there. Sebastián however doesn't expect to find Jade out in front of his business. Jade ran away ten years ago because of family drama and was too scared to tell Sebastián why she was leaving. Two hearts that have been broken might not be able to be mended. This book was a little slow and had several side characters that were hard to keep track of.
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September 18, 2025I had such high hopes going into this book, but I started to struggle once a third POV was introduced. I had picked this up for Jade and Sebastian’s story, so Kalista’s perspective threw me off—especially since she wasn’t even mentioned in the blurb. I made it about 45% of the way through, but by then I just felt a little lost in the storyline. I honestly don’t even know what the main point was and I was almost halfway through the story.
That being said, the book itself had such a sweet, cozy feel, and I really enjoyed the clean writing style. I also had high hopes for the tension between Jade and Sebastian, but the extra POV kept pulling me out of the story. As usual, since this was a DNF for me, I won’t be leaving a star rating.
──────────
A huge thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and Kathleen Fuller for allowing me to read this arc. These are all my honest opinions in this review.
That being said, the book itself had such a sweet, cozy feel, and I really enjoyed the clean writing style. I also had high hopes for the tension between Jade and Sebastian, but the extra POV kept pulling me out of the story. As usual, since this was a DNF for me, I won’t be leaving a star rating.
──────────
A huge thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and Kathleen Fuller for allowing me to read this arc. These are all my honest opinions in this review.
August 23, 2025
I wanted to love this book. I really enjoy Kathleen Fuller’s contemporary romances, but this one was a complete miss for me.
For the first few chapters, I thought it had potential. But the further I went, the less any of it made sense. And honestly—it’s basically two completely separate stories that only share the same town. So, let’s break them down.
Story #1 – Seb and Jade
They dated for a few months in 1994. One day at lunch, he says, “I love you,” and she says, “I’m moving to Atlanta, bye.” No reconnecting until 2004, when Jade’s company wants to buy Seb’s newspaper… so her boss sends the accountant to convince him to sell? That was my first “Huh?” moment.
When they finally see each other after 20 years, it turns out they’re the blandest characters imaginable. No personality, no interests—apparently they’ve done nothing but work for two decades. I kept going, hoping the plot would save things. Then out of nowhere, Jade runs into a burning apartment building and rescues a baby. A baby she doesn’t know. In a building she’s never been in before. I kept reading only to see how Seb would find out about the ledger Jade “accidentally stole” from his desk.
Then came the part that really turned me off: Logan guilt-tripping Jade into seeing her abusive, addict mother—who abandoned her as a child—because she’s now dying of liver disease. Miraculously, seeing Jade inspires Mom to recover, get a new liver, and settle into a shiny new family life with Logan and Jade. I won’t even unpack how unrealistic this was, but I seriously questioned whether any research was done on organ transplants. Jade’s comment about the doctor being “confident” the surgery would go well was ridiculous.
Story #2 – Kalista
A spoiled 18-year-old from L.A. is sent to small-town Arkansas (a state she’s somehow never heard of) to work on a farm for the summer. Her previously uninterested father suddenly cares deeply about her future. By the end, she’s in love and wants to stay in Arkansas forever. Oh, and her dad invests in Seb’s newspaper so it doesn’t have to be sold.
Then, everyone rides off into the happily-ever-after sunset.
Why It Didn’t Work
The characters were unlikable, the throwback to 2004 felt pointless, and Seb’s refusal to embrace technology made no sense—especially in 2004, when even the most stubborn people knew it was here to stay. The plot was clunky, random subplots (like Viv, the model marrying a balding farmer) went nowhere, and by the end I just felt irritated that I’d stuck with it.
I’ve never given a 2-star review before, but here we are. I’d skip this one and read Hooked on Love or Much Ado About a Latte instead—they have the small-town charm, sweet romance, and cozy characters that Fuller usually delivers. Sadly, this one just didn’t.
I received an advance copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
For the first few chapters, I thought it had potential. But the further I went, the less any of it made sense. And honestly—it’s basically two completely separate stories that only share the same town. So, let’s break them down.
Story #1 – Seb and Jade
They dated for a few months in 1994. One day at lunch, he says, “I love you,” and she says, “I’m moving to Atlanta, bye.” No reconnecting until 2004, when Jade’s company wants to buy Seb’s newspaper… so her boss sends the accountant to convince him to sell? That was my first “Huh?” moment.
When they finally see each other after 20 years, it turns out they’re the blandest characters imaginable. No personality, no interests—apparently they’ve done nothing but work for two decades. I kept going, hoping the plot would save things. Then out of nowhere, Jade runs into a burning apartment building and rescues a baby. A baby she doesn’t know. In a building she’s never been in before. I kept reading only to see how Seb would find out about the ledger Jade “accidentally stole” from his desk.
Then came the part that really turned me off: Logan guilt-tripping Jade into seeing her abusive, addict mother—who abandoned her as a child—because she’s now dying of liver disease. Miraculously, seeing Jade inspires Mom to recover, get a new liver, and settle into a shiny new family life with Logan and Jade. I won’t even unpack how unrealistic this was, but I seriously questioned whether any research was done on organ transplants. Jade’s comment about the doctor being “confident” the surgery would go well was ridiculous.
Story #2 – Kalista
A spoiled 18-year-old from L.A. is sent to small-town Arkansas (a state she’s somehow never heard of) to work on a farm for the summer. Her previously uninterested father suddenly cares deeply about her future. By the end, she’s in love and wants to stay in Arkansas forever. Oh, and her dad invests in Seb’s newspaper so it doesn’t have to be sold.
Then, everyone rides off into the happily-ever-after sunset.
Why It Didn’t Work
The characters were unlikable, the throwback to 2004 felt pointless, and Seb’s refusal to embrace technology made no sense—especially in 2004, when even the most stubborn people knew it was here to stay. The plot was clunky, random subplots (like Viv, the model marrying a balding farmer) went nowhere, and by the end I just felt irritated that I’d stuck with it.
I’ve never given a 2-star review before, but here we are. I’d skip this one and read Hooked on Love or Much Ado About a Latte instead—they have the small-town charm, sweet romance, and cozy characters that Fuller usually delivers. Sadly, this one just didn’t.
I received an advance copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2025
1995 & 2005 Arkansas
The backdrop of the novel is a struggling newspaper with an owner resistant to change. Main characters are owner Sebastian and his former girlfriend Jade. While their storyline was engaging, it was the secondary plot of spoiled Kalista that most held my interest. Kalista's dad cuts her off from the payroll and her pampered life in California and send her to live with her former stepmother Viv in small town Arkansas.
The backdrop of the novel is a struggling newspaper with an owner resistant to change. Main characters are owner Sebastian and his former girlfriend Jade. While their storyline was engaging, it was the secondary plot of spoiled Kalista that most held my interest. Kalista's dad cuts her off from the payroll and her pampered life in California and send her to live with her former stepmother Viv in small town Arkansas.
October 25, 2025
A very pleasant rom com that is also clean and wholesome.
August 7, 2025
I started this book and then set it on hold because I lost interest. But I picked it back up to finish to review. I was glad that it finally did pick up a bit.
I think the relationship between Viv and Kalista was more interesting than Jade and Sebastian. Both of them needed some serious relationship wake up calls. They just sort of annoyed me.
Some of the things in this story were just much too "tie up in a bow". Of all the characters I think Kalista had the greatest story arc. But it was sort of weird to have her story in there as it didn't really have any relevance at all to Jade and Sebastian.
This is a Thomas Nelson publishing...but it is NOT Christian fiction. It's simply a clean story. NOthing at all that is bible or scripture related at all.
It's getting annoying when authors are published as Christian fiction but it doesn't have anything in it to even count.
3 STars. It was just okay. I was able to easily put it down and pick it back up later.
*Thanks to the publisher and NetGAlley for the ARC of this novel. All opinions are 100% my own.
I think the relationship between Viv and Kalista was more interesting than Jade and Sebastian. Both of them needed some serious relationship wake up calls. They just sort of annoyed me.
Some of the things in this story were just much too "tie up in a bow". Of all the characters I think Kalista had the greatest story arc. But it was sort of weird to have her story in there as it didn't really have any relevance at all to Jade and Sebastian.
This is a Thomas Nelson publishing...but it is NOT Christian fiction. It's simply a clean story. NOthing at all that is bible or scripture related at all.
It's getting annoying when authors are published as Christian fiction but it doesn't have anything in it to even count.
3 STars. It was just okay. I was able to easily put it down and pick it back up later.
*Thanks to the publisher and NetGAlley for the ARC of this novel. All opinions are 100% my own.
August 28, 2025
This was a one-star read for me, except Melissa Moran is a wonderful narrator, so I'm elevating my rating to 2 stars. But ONLY because of her, mind you.
I couldn't get over the misogyny in this book. At first I wrote in my notes "misogynistic undertones," but nope, they soon became very overt and explicit, both in Seb's POV and the characterisation of Kalista. There's nothing less original than a young rich girl who can't spare a single thought for anything besides shopping. I thought we'd left that in the early 00's? It's not fresh, it's not realistic, it makes me doubt your skills as a writer if you rely on such cheap stereotypes.
Overall, the writing style felt uninspired to the point of trite. The dialogue might have been taken from a boring movie, so stilted, no subtext, just stating facts in an info-dumpy way that doesn't sound natural at all. I eventually DNF'd.
Thank you to Netgalley, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I couldn't get over the misogyny in this book. At first I wrote in my notes "misogynistic undertones," but nope, they soon became very overt and explicit, both in Seb's POV and the characterisation of Kalista. There's nothing less original than a young rich girl who can't spare a single thought for anything besides shopping. I thought we'd left that in the early 00's? It's not fresh, it's not realistic, it makes me doubt your skills as a writer if you rely on such cheap stereotypes.
Overall, the writing style felt uninspired to the point of trite. The dialogue might have been taken from a boring movie, so stilted, no subtext, just stating facts in an info-dumpy way that doesn't sound natural at all. I eventually DNF'd.
Thank you to Netgalley, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 15, 2025
I thought I would be getting a cute romance about a couple trying to revive a newspaper in the digital age, but it wasn’t really about that. Yes, there were mentions of the workings of a newspaper, but this was more about relationships, messy as they are, and how they need to be nurtured. The story follows two women who end up in Arkansas at the same time but rarely cross paths. I found this more to be a women’s fiction book rather than a romance, though there was some there, but I felt the focus was more on their families than it was their romance. It was a quick read and I enjoyed it but it wasn’t really what I thought it was going to be about.
I received a copy from #NetGalley and #HarperAudioAdult for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley and #HarperAudioAdult for an honest review.
October 26, 2025
Thank you to Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Fiction Audio, and NetGalley for the ALC!
Behind Enemy Bylines has a sweet story at its core, but it didn’t completely pull me in the way I hoped. The plot and characters were cute, just not as gripping or immersive as some of the other books I’ve read in this genre.
Melissa Moran’s narration, though, really kept me invested. She brought the characters to life with distinct voices and great energy. Her performance added personality and charm to the audiobook, and I appreciated how she made each scene easier to visualize.
Overall, a light and pleasant listen with an excellent narration performance.
Behind Enemy Bylines has a sweet story at its core, but it didn’t completely pull me in the way I hoped. The plot and characters were cute, just not as gripping or immersive as some of the other books I’ve read in this genre.
Melissa Moran’s narration, though, really kept me invested. She brought the characters to life with distinct voices and great energy. Her performance added personality and charm to the audiobook, and I appreciated how she made each scene easier to visualize.
Overall, a light and pleasant listen with an excellent narration performance.
September 10, 2025
Behind Enemy Bylines is a sweet, small-town second chance romance with plenty of cozy charm and early 2000s nostalgia. I liked the premise and the low-spice style, which makes it an easy, light read.
For me, though, the story felt a little too familiar and didn’t bring much that felt new or memorable. I never fully connected with the characters or their journey, even though I wanted to. That said, fans of gentle romances with small-town settings and a touch of nostalgia may enjoy this one more than I did.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
For me, though, the story felt a little too familiar and didn’t bring much that felt new or memorable. I never fully connected with the characters or their journey, even though I wanted to. That said, fans of gentle romances with small-town settings and a touch of nostalgia may enjoy this one more than I did.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 26, 2025
Didn't love this as much as I was expecting to. I'm always a fan of small town romances but this one felt like there was just too much going on which ended up taking away from the main love interests. There was a spoiled rich girl growing up story, a complicated foster sibling story, a neglectful parent reunion/forgiveness story, saving an indie newspaper story AND the second chance romance story. It was good on audio but definitely not my fav by this author. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!
September 18, 2025
I’m generally reluctant to give romance writers low ratings because it takes a lot to put your heart out there. But this author must be a prude. There’s closed door and then there’s “I feel zero human emotion between the characters”
B plot characters showed more character growth than A plot ones
B plot characters showed more character growth than A plot ones
September 6, 2025
Another that I thoroughly enjoyed!
And it was special!
This book begins in 1995, and I think that’s why I loved it so much. It was pre-phones and internet everything… and it seems like it was finished shortly after, but somehow didn’t get published until 2025! There’s talk of palm pilots, and moving to “computers” , and who ever thought that that was going to be such a big thing??
It totally charmed my heart! ❤️
Sebastian (Seb) is a journalist. He’s working with Jade, who’s an accountant… in a big city.
He’s in love. She’s looking to move on to bigger and better things… but, she also has a VERY complicated life.
So, they move apart… and, fall apart.
He returns home to small town Clementine (I forget where, maybe Alabama?) and purchases the newspaper he worked at as a kid from his mentor Buford… for a dollar! It’s not a huge paper, it’s a small town. But, Seb is happy there. Hes the editor in chief, and he still gets to go out and cover some stories. He’s got a great staff working there, as well as his sister Evelyn, and life is good. Years pass by…
Next up we have Calista. She’s a HS graduate from LA. Her father is rich…with a capital R! He’s decides that she needs to grow up and take on some responsibility. So he reaches out to wife #2 or 3 and asks her to take Calista for the summer, and try to get her a job. (She was the closest mother figure the girl ever had… 😕) He wants her to understand “work” and life itself! And the ex is happy to do it!
But, when Calista gets there she realizes they live on a FARM! There no Wi-Fi. What has she gotten herself into?
But, as time goes on, she begins to appreciate the little things in life… and realizes that LA may not be her happy place after all.
More years go by, and Jade is now working at a top firm. One that purchases small town papers and basically chews them up and spits them out. And her boss wants her to go to Clementine to speak with the owner of a paper… and try to get him to speak to him. 😮
I’m going to 🛑🛑 STOP RIGHT HERE!! 🛑🛑
This one was truly just special! Brought out so many raw feelings, and realities… and brought a much needed break from the current world and life-styles. I mean, they kept talking about the new flip phones! What a wonderful memory! Simpler times….
And, the story itself was just, well… beautiful…. All-around!
5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 for me! Because yes, it brought out all the feels!
#BehindEnemyBylines by @KathleenFuller and narrated beautifully by @MelissaMoran.
*** THIS HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED YET!!! LOOK 👀 FOR IT SOON. RELEASE DATE IS 9/16/25!! ***
Thanks so much to #NetGalley #ThomasNelson and #ZondervanFictionAudio for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Insta @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
And it was special!
This book begins in 1995, and I think that’s why I loved it so much. It was pre-phones and internet everything… and it seems like it was finished shortly after, but somehow didn’t get published until 2025! There’s talk of palm pilots, and moving to “computers” , and who ever thought that that was going to be such a big thing??
It totally charmed my heart! ❤️
Sebastian (Seb) is a journalist. He’s working with Jade, who’s an accountant… in a big city.
He’s in love. She’s looking to move on to bigger and better things… but, she also has a VERY complicated life.
So, they move apart… and, fall apart.
He returns home to small town Clementine (I forget where, maybe Alabama?) and purchases the newspaper he worked at as a kid from his mentor Buford… for a dollar! It’s not a huge paper, it’s a small town. But, Seb is happy there. Hes the editor in chief, and he still gets to go out and cover some stories. He’s got a great staff working there, as well as his sister Evelyn, and life is good. Years pass by…
Next up we have Calista. She’s a HS graduate from LA. Her father is rich…with a capital R! He’s decides that she needs to grow up and take on some responsibility. So he reaches out to wife #2 or 3 and asks her to take Calista for the summer, and try to get her a job. (She was the closest mother figure the girl ever had… 😕) He wants her to understand “work” and life itself! And the ex is happy to do it!
But, when Calista gets there she realizes they live on a FARM! There no Wi-Fi. What has she gotten herself into?
But, as time goes on, she begins to appreciate the little things in life… and realizes that LA may not be her happy place after all.
More years go by, and Jade is now working at a top firm. One that purchases small town papers and basically chews them up and spits them out. And her boss wants her to go to Clementine to speak with the owner of a paper… and try to get him to speak to him. 😮
I’m going to 🛑🛑 STOP RIGHT HERE!! 🛑🛑
This one was truly just special! Brought out so many raw feelings, and realities… and brought a much needed break from the current world and life-styles. I mean, they kept talking about the new flip phones! What a wonderful memory! Simpler times….
And, the story itself was just, well… beautiful…. All-around!
5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 for me! Because yes, it brought out all the feels!
#BehindEnemyBylines by @KathleenFuller and narrated beautifully by @MelissaMoran.
*** THIS HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED YET!!! LOOK 👀 FOR IT SOON. RELEASE DATE IS 9/16/25!! ***
Thanks so much to #NetGalley #ThomasNelson and #ZondervanFictionAudio for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Insta @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
May 7, 2025
I received a complimentary copy of this book given to me by Thomas Nelson Fiction via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
A compelling and a bit nostalgic journey into a small-town newspaper life in the mid 2000s, “Behind Enemy Bylines”, by Kathleen Fuller, is also a story about second chances in love with two unique characters.
I loved this evocative incursion into a past so recent yet so distant, showing the often rocky transition of newspapers to online publishing.
Sebastian – a great male lead, the complete reporter/director/editor/PR, a true “jack of all trades” – personifies the aversion/reluctance to the new internet and social media era.
He’s also the epitome of devotion, passion for small-town press and its importance for the community, and is often operating in the red.
I loved his selfishness, intelligence, humbleness, and the tendency to clutter.
Jade is a great heroine, one who has had a hard life, and still managed to strive. She’s guarded because of these experiences, but is still so capable of giving and loving.
I also loved that the leads are attractive but that’s not the most important thing about them. And in Sebastian’s case his charm is so understated – it is really written well.
I also enjoyed having Kalista’s perspective, and watch her character change for the better – it was fun. And watching a young love bloom was so cool.
There are a lot of interesting secondary characters, full of inner beauty (kindness, goodness, gentleness) and I liked the way the author also gave them a distinctive voice.
There’s also sadness, hardship, troubled times in this wonderful story about second chances later in life.
A compelling and a bit nostalgic journey into a small-town newspaper life in the mid 2000s, “Behind Enemy Bylines”, by Kathleen Fuller, is also a story about second chances in love with two unique characters.
I loved this evocative incursion into a past so recent yet so distant, showing the often rocky transition of newspapers to online publishing.
Sebastian – a great male lead, the complete reporter/director/editor/PR, a true “jack of all trades” – personifies the aversion/reluctance to the new internet and social media era.
He’s also the epitome of devotion, passion for small-town press and its importance for the community, and is often operating in the red.
I loved his selfishness, intelligence, humbleness, and the tendency to clutter.
Jade is a great heroine, one who has had a hard life, and still managed to strive. She’s guarded because of these experiences, but is still so capable of giving and loving.
I also loved that the leads are attractive but that’s not the most important thing about them. And in Sebastian’s case his charm is so understated – it is really written well.
I also enjoyed having Kalista’s perspective, and watch her character change for the better – it was fun. And watching a young love bloom was so cool.
There are a lot of interesting secondary characters, full of inner beauty (kindness, goodness, gentleness) and I liked the way the author also gave them a distinctive voice.
There’s also sadness, hardship, troubled times in this wonderful story about second chances later in life.
August 15, 2025
i finished this book with a big appreciation for the family (and found family) dynamics than the romance itself. more than just the main love interests, we are introduced to a flurry of individuals - each with their own personalities, backgrounds, and character arcs. all of their stories combined made this book memorable and heartwarming because we see bits and pieces of everyone's lives much like how it would actually be if you lived in a small town where you're bound to know just about everyone.
admittedly, i had a little bit of a slow start with this book. i kept getting caught off guard with the abrupt shifts in whose storyline we're about to get into within the same chapter. but once i felt more comfortable with the characters and their individual set-ups, i got the hang of it and breezed through the rest of the story.
the small town setting and the newspaper business was what caught my attention, and i was happy with how both played a role in the story's development! of course, bringing more attention to supporting local businesses and independent stores is always a plus.
thank you netgalley for sending over an eARC copy of this book!
admittedly, i had a little bit of a slow start with this book. i kept getting caught off guard with the abrupt shifts in whose storyline we're about to get into within the same chapter. but once i felt more comfortable with the characters and their individual set-ups, i got the hang of it and breezed through the rest of the story.
the small town setting and the newspaper business was what caught my attention, and i was happy with how both played a role in the story's development! of course, bringing more attention to supporting local businesses and independent stores is always a plus.
thank you netgalley for sending over an eARC copy of this book!
October 9, 2025
Kathleen Fuller takes readers back to small town journalism during the mid 2000s in her latest romantic comedy. She uses the challenges papers faced during the shift to digital as the catalyst for her story.
Sebastian, the owner and reporter of the small town paper, is visited by his former love interest, Jade, when she is given the mission to get him to agree to a buyout. As the two reacquaint themselves, they are forced to face decisions they made and obstacles they avoided ten years earlier. Their story is intertwined with a second story involving teenagers Calista and Tyler. The story that runs parallel to Sebastian and Jade’s is lighthearted and involves the challenges teens faced in the days of landline phones.
Anyone who loves a good happy every after story will not be disappointed.
Sebastian, the owner and reporter of the small town paper, is visited by his former love interest, Jade, when she is given the mission to get him to agree to a buyout. As the two reacquaint themselves, they are forced to face decisions they made and obstacles they avoided ten years earlier. Their story is intertwined with a second story involving teenagers Calista and Tyler. The story that runs parallel to Sebastian and Jade’s is lighthearted and involves the challenges teens faced in the days of landline phones.
Anyone who loves a good happy every after story will not be disappointed.
September 17, 2025
Behind Enemy Bylines was fun, entertaining, but also held depth.
Jade and Sebastian's chemistry was tangible on the page. But like any real life person, Jade allowed her past, her fears and her insecurities to become between them. There was the forgiveness and reconciliation part of Jade’s story which allowed her to fully release her past.
Sebastian was one of those heroes who came across as a solid leader, but he was drowning in expectation he placed on himself. Only after he was able to be honest with himself, others and ask for help were he able to fully grow his potential.
Other characters who played secondary but very vital roles were Sebastian’s sister - I loved her photo of the day at the office, Viv who played such a big role in the character growth of Kalista, which was one of my favourite parts of the story.
If you are looking for a sweet lighter romance but one which includes depth and character growth, this one should be on your TBR.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*
Jade and Sebastian's chemistry was tangible on the page. But like any real life person, Jade allowed her past, her fears and her insecurities to become between them. There was the forgiveness and reconciliation part of Jade’s story which allowed her to fully release her past.
Sebastian was one of those heroes who came across as a solid leader, but he was drowning in expectation he placed on himself. Only after he was able to be honest with himself, others and ask for help were he able to fully grow his potential.
Other characters who played secondary but very vital roles were Sebastian’s sister - I loved her photo of the day at the office, Viv who played such a big role in the character growth of Kalista, which was one of my favourite parts of the story.
If you are looking for a sweet lighter romance but one which includes depth and character growth, this one should be on your TBR.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*
September 8, 2025
Was this a little silly and predictable at times? Yes. Was I satisfied with the silliness and predictability and the different storylines? Also yes.
June 25, 2025
Sometimes the life you planned isn’t the one your heart keeps pulling you back to.
Behind Enemy Bylines is a sweet, Southern small-town romance about two people who thought their story was over—but life has other plans.
Jade left Arkansas chasing stability, a future, and the dream of adopting her little foster brother. Ten years later, she’s sent back to convince her ex—Sebastian—to sell his struggling local paper. Their reunion? Complicated, tense, and filled with all the feelings they’ve spent years burying.
This is a story about missed chances, quiet hopes, and the kind of love that never fully lets go. With a warm setting, lovable side characters, and a whole lot of heart, it’s the kind of book that makes you want to call someone you once loved and say, “Hey… remember us?”
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC.
Behind Enemy Bylines is a sweet, Southern small-town romance about two people who thought their story was over—but life has other plans.
Jade left Arkansas chasing stability, a future, and the dream of adopting her little foster brother. Ten years later, she’s sent back to convince her ex—Sebastian—to sell his struggling local paper. Their reunion? Complicated, tense, and filled with all the feelings they’ve spent years burying.
This is a story about missed chances, quiet hopes, and the kind of love that never fully lets go. With a warm setting, lovable side characters, and a whole lot of heart, it’s the kind of book that makes you want to call someone you once loved and say, “Hey… remember us?”
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC.
May 1, 2025
Kathleen Fuller may be best known for her Amish romance, but personally, it's her contemporary romance that have made me a fan... and this one is a prime example as to why. Centered around a smalltown newspaper in the mid-2000s, this one had all the small-town charm that I absolutely adore... and I found that newspaper aspect to be a really interesting one as well. Sebastion and Jade had their first chance at love ten years earlier... but, well, things just didn't work out. Ten years later, they're reunited when her boss sends her to his small newspaper to try and buy him out... something he has absolutely no interest in doing. As they spend more time together and get to know each other again (and learned things from their pasts that hadn't been shared before), it seems like perhaps those old feelings are making a return. Second chance romances are some of my favorites, and I thought this one was done really well. I loved seeing their growth throughout the story, allowing them to truly get that happily ever after after all that time--- though there are certainly some challenges along the way. The side characters added a lot to this story as well, and I loved seeing their stories and growth as well. If you enjoy Christian romance with small town charm, this is certainly one to check out.
**ARC received via Netgalley for consideration. All opinions are my own.
**ARC received via Netgalley for consideration. All opinions are my own.
May 19, 2025
2⭐️
Behind Enemy Bylines is the second time I was unaware I was reading a Christian romance novel until I was like 1/3 in. I have nothing against non-spicy romance novels but beyond that, I don’t go out of my way to choose books with a particularly modest message. There was some judgmental statements about clothing choices and eating habits that really rubbed me the wrong way.
Overall, I found the story to be pretty predictable if not bland. The side characters were interesting but sometimes it felt like there were too many to really get that depth I was craving from any of them. It felt like a weird choice to be following three characters but one of them isn’t really related to the other two’s storyline all that much.
I’m sure there are plenty of people who would enjoy this book, I just thought it was only ok.
Thanks NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an advanced copy of this book!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*
Behind Enemy Bylines is the second time I was unaware I was reading a Christian romance novel until I was like 1/3 in. I have nothing against non-spicy romance novels but beyond that, I don’t go out of my way to choose books with a particularly modest message. There was some judgmental statements about clothing choices and eating habits that really rubbed me the wrong way.
Overall, I found the story to be pretty predictable if not bland. The side characters were interesting but sometimes it felt like there were too many to really get that depth I was craving from any of them. It felt like a weird choice to be following three characters but one of them isn’t really related to the other two’s storyline all that much.
I’m sure there are plenty of people who would enjoy this book, I just thought it was only ok.
Thanks NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an advanced copy of this book!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*
October 14, 2025
⭐️ 2
🌶️ 0
What can I say? The concept of this book was cute. But it felt a little too unrealistic to me. Second chance love but between two characters who felt like they had no personality except being married to their work and then finding each other attractive 15 years later. Then there’s a third POV focusing on a spoiled city brat turned responsible step daughter. Everything just felt really choppy. At one point the FMC runs into a burning building to save a baby? Like it just felt really bizarre. I listened to this while I was doing laundry and honestly I zoned out so many times because my laundry was more interesting.
If you like clean romance books that read like an EXTREMELY cheesy and unrealistic hallmark movie, you might like this. But if you are looking for more, I wouldn’t recommend this one.
Thank you NetGalley for the ALC. These opinions are my own honest review.
🌶️ 0
What can I say? The concept of this book was cute. But it felt a little too unrealistic to me. Second chance love but between two characters who felt like they had no personality except being married to their work and then finding each other attractive 15 years later. Then there’s a third POV focusing on a spoiled city brat turned responsible step daughter. Everything just felt really choppy. At one point the FMC runs into a burning building to save a baby? Like it just felt really bizarre. I listened to this while I was doing laundry and honestly I zoned out so many times because my laundry was more interesting.
If you like clean romance books that read like an EXTREMELY cheesy and unrealistic hallmark movie, you might like this. But if you are looking for more, I wouldn’t recommend this one.
Thank you NetGalley for the ALC. These opinions are my own honest review.
October 15, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for an ARC of this audiobook.
Zero chemistry felt between any characters. How do you go from dating for 4 months, to "I love you", to breaking up and then back together 10 years later?? I'm going to need more than that to believe it's a second chance romance
Why is Kalista in this?? I hate her character from start to finish
Tingles in her tummy? What, are we 5?
Why are we so focused on women's size, what women eat, and being on diets? It seems like that is how each character is described and it irks me
1 star because of the step mom that took in her ex step daughter/spawn of Satan
Zero chemistry felt between any characters. How do you go from dating for 4 months, to "I love you", to breaking up and then back together 10 years later?? I'm going to need more than that to believe it's a second chance romance
Why is Kalista in this?? I hate her character from start to finish
Tingles in her tummy? What, are we 5?
Why are we so focused on women's size, what women eat, and being on diets? It seems like that is how each character is described and it irks me
1 star because of the step mom that took in her ex step daughter/spawn of Satan
October 15, 2025
The relationships felt juvenile then random sprinkles of undeveloped trauma dumping mixed in
October 14, 2025
🏡📠💕 A charming slice-of-life small-town romance set in the early 2000's -exploring family, community and a second chance romance. This was a fun and light read - great as an audiobook.
📖 Story Rating: 3.5 ⭐
🎧 Audiobook Rating: 4 ⭐ (Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio)
🎙 Narrated by: Melissa Morano
Audiobook review: The narrator had a very pleasant and expressive voice. The southern accents were charming, and I liked her voices for the male character's as well. Overall, it was highly enjoyable to listen to. (rounding up my rating due to this)
Story review:
📰 The main character's both work in the publishing industry - I liked the set-up and it felt nostalgic that it was set in the early 2000's. Jade is from a rival publishing company trying to buy out the small town paper the Sebastian owns.
📰 Main character's re-connect after 10 years, close to when they're 40. I liked that the character's were all older, it gives a different slice-of-life.
📰 There were significant aspects of family (traditional and non-traditional), that were explored in the story, and its impact on both the main character's lives. I liked the sense of community that was showcased in the town, and all the side-character were good additions to the story.
📰 There were 3 POV's (in third person narrative) - the 3rd was Calista, a city girl who comes to stay with her former step-mother over the summer and learns to appreciate the country life. She gets a job at Sebastian's company, and grows through her experiences there. The inclusion of this POV made it feel like a broader slice-of-life story set in the small town exploring a variety of character's.
A few things I felt could have been better:
💭 The introduction of the 3rd POV felt kind of random at first, and I was confused about her connection to the main character's in the story. Sometimes the POV shifted within the chapters, which was easy to miss when listening to it as an audiobook.
💭 Jade & Seb's feelings about their past relationship felt a bit disconnected to me. They were together for 4 months, and they met again after 10 years. That's a long time to be hung up. Either the relationship should have been longer and shown with more depth - or the gap after which they were meeting should have been shorter.
💭 I didn't like the misunderstanding/lack of communication that featured in the third act breakup. There was a lack of trust, and a lot of second-guessing. It was fairly reasonable from the character's backstories, but I just don't prefer this type of execution and timing of events for things going wrong. The ending was overall a bit dramatic and cliche in parts (the fire scene!).
On the whole - the writing was good and I liked the underlying themes addressed in the story, along with the variety of characters and the small-town charm. I would be open to trying out some other books by this author.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complementary audiobook arc of this story. All opinions expressed here are my own.
📖 Story Rating: 3.5 ⭐
🎧 Audiobook Rating: 4 ⭐ (Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio)
🎙 Narrated by: Melissa Morano
Audiobook review: The narrator had a very pleasant and expressive voice. The southern accents were charming, and I liked her voices for the male character's as well. Overall, it was highly enjoyable to listen to. (rounding up my rating due to this)
Story review:
📰 The main character's both work in the publishing industry - I liked the set-up and it felt nostalgic that it was set in the early 2000's. Jade is from a rival publishing company trying to buy out the small town paper the Sebastian owns.
📰 Main character's re-connect after 10 years, close to when they're 40. I liked that the character's were all older, it gives a different slice-of-life.
📰 There were significant aspects of family (traditional and non-traditional), that were explored in the story, and its impact on both the main character's lives. I liked the sense of community that was showcased in the town, and all the side-character were good additions to the story.
📰 There were 3 POV's (in third person narrative) - the 3rd was Calista, a city girl who comes to stay with her former step-mother over the summer and learns to appreciate the country life. She gets a job at Sebastian's company, and grows through her experiences there. The inclusion of this POV made it feel like a broader slice-of-life story set in the small town exploring a variety of character's.
A few things I felt could have been better:
💭 The introduction of the 3rd POV felt kind of random at first, and I was confused about her connection to the main character's in the story. Sometimes the POV shifted within the chapters, which was easy to miss when listening to it as an audiobook.
💭 Jade & Seb's feelings about their past relationship felt a bit disconnected to me. They were together for 4 months, and they met again after 10 years. That's a long time to be hung up. Either the relationship should have been longer and shown with more depth - or the gap after which they were meeting should have been shorter.
💭 I didn't like the misunderstanding/lack of communication that featured in the third act breakup. There was a lack of trust, and a lot of second-guessing. It was fairly reasonable from the character's backstories, but I just don't prefer this type of execution and timing of events for things going wrong. The ending was overall a bit dramatic and cliche in parts (the fire scene!).
On the whole - the writing was good and I liked the underlying themes addressed in the story, along with the variety of characters and the small-town charm. I would be open to trying out some other books by this author.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complementary audiobook arc of this story. All opinions expressed here are my own.
October 21, 2025
This one was a bit of a miss for me. There's nothing exactly wrong with the writing itself, the writing style itself wasn't immature or bad, it just wasn't really engaging. I'm not a huge fan of third person, though I didn't mind it in this book, however I don't like how it jumps from one persons perspective to the next. In some cases the perspective would change in the next paragraph, some jumps would be a new chapter, others there would be a breaker in a chapter that seperated the perspectives. It was just really inconsistant.
It's not just Seb and Jade, the characters discussed in the books discription, there is also a third POV from a young girl named Kalista. Kalista is the daughter of a Californian multimillionaire who gets sent to Seb's small town to essentially learn not to be a brat. The inclusion of her story line is honestly just random. Apart from being in the same town and working at Seb's paper, where we see basically no interaction between her and Seb, or Jade for that matter, her story line is completely seperate. I honestly don't understand why she's there apart from to add extra pages to the book. I feel like if she had her own book then a lot more could have been done with the character. As it is, we do see some decent character development from her in that she starts to feel guilt for treating people badly, becomes less materialistic and enjoys the satisfaction of a job, but this all happens before the time jump towards the end of the book, so it's really only over about a week. This short period of time makes the character growth seems inauthentic and just done because that's what you do with a main character. If she had her own book that had better pacing for just her, it could have been a good little book, and left more room for some actual development between Seb and Jade in this one.
Seb and Jade really don't spend much time together, don't talk a whole lot and basically every time that they do start to have a real conversation they get interrupted a few lines in. Seb's a likeable character, but I had a hard time enjoying Jade. As a reader you understand that the character is going to have some issues with her backstory, but even with that consideration shes just kind of....empty. And unlikable.
Also not sure why other reviews say that it's 'spicyish', and the book is described as low-spice. There's literally 0 spice (not that I'm complaining about that), they barely even kiss. Seems odd to try and label it that way, spice reader's don't generally go for low spice, nor do clean readers. Not labelling it simply as no spice is an odd choice. It's also selling under the Christian fiction label though I wouldn't call it that. It's clean, and the characters do go to Church or 'say a quick prayer' but there is amnk actual talk of God, of faith, or of a spiritual development or faith journey.
Unfortunately this one's only a 2.5 🌟 for me. Thanks to Netgallery and Thomas Nelson for a copy of this book.
It's not just Seb and Jade, the characters discussed in the books discription, there is also a third POV from a young girl named Kalista. Kalista is the daughter of a Californian multimillionaire who gets sent to Seb's small town to essentially learn not to be a brat. The inclusion of her story line is honestly just random. Apart from being in the same town and working at Seb's paper, where we see basically no interaction between her and Seb, or Jade for that matter, her story line is completely seperate. I honestly don't understand why she's there apart from to add extra pages to the book. I feel like if she had her own book then a lot more could have been done with the character. As it is, we do see some decent character development from her in that she starts to feel guilt for treating people badly, becomes less materialistic and enjoys the satisfaction of a job, but this all happens before the time jump towards the end of the book, so it's really only over about a week. This short period of time makes the character growth seems inauthentic and just done because that's what you do with a main character. If she had her own book that had better pacing for just her, it could have been a good little book, and left more room for some actual development between Seb and Jade in this one.
Seb and Jade really don't spend much time together, don't talk a whole lot and basically every time that they do start to have a real conversation they get interrupted a few lines in. Seb's a likeable character, but I had a hard time enjoying Jade. As a reader you understand that the character is going to have some issues with her backstory, but even with that consideration shes just kind of....empty. And unlikable.
Also not sure why other reviews say that it's 'spicyish', and the book is described as low-spice. There's literally 0 spice (not that I'm complaining about that), they barely even kiss. Seems odd to try and label it that way, spice reader's don't generally go for low spice, nor do clean readers. Not labelling it simply as no spice is an odd choice. It's also selling under the Christian fiction label though I wouldn't call it that. It's clean, and the characters do go to Church or 'say a quick prayer' but there is amnk actual talk of God, of faith, or of a spiritual development or faith journey.
Unfortunately this one's only a 2.5 🌟 for me. Thanks to Netgallery and Thomas Nelson for a copy of this book.
October 17, 2025
Okay so picture this: you open Behind Enemy Bylines thinking you’re getting a sweet little historical romance about faith and courage, and BAM, you’re suddenly knee-deep in espionage, moral dilemmas, hidden identities, and a slow-burn connection that had me whisper-screaming “oh noooo” and “oh YESSS” at the same time. Kathleen Fuller really said, “let’s make your heart do cardio.”
The story drops you right into WWII Europe, where bravery isn’t just on the battlefield, it’s in every whispered plan, every coded message, every impossible choice. The FMC? A total standout. She’s clever, gutsy, and has this quiet strength that sneaks up on you. You know that feeling when a character isn’t flashy but then absolutely owns every page they’re on? That’s her. The MMC (you already know the vibes) gives stoic-soldier-with-a-heart energy, the kind who acts all mission-first but secretly remembers every little thing she says. Ugh. I was so not emotionally prepared.
The pacing? A little uneven in parts (hence the 4 instead of 5 stars), but in the best “lemme savor this” kind of way. Like a slow sip of something warm while bombs are dropping metaphorically and literally. Fuller’s writing is cinematic, you can see the fog, the hidden tunnels, the trembling hands holding onto hope. There’s this undercurrent of faith and redemption running through everything that never feels preachy, just powerful. It reminded me that love, in all its forms, is its own rebellion.
My favorite part, though? The tension. The romantic, moral, and situational tension. Like, ma’am, why did you make me feel this much in a war novel?! The dialogue crackles with unspoken meaning. Every glance carries risk. Every decision feels like it could break or build a life.
By the time I turned the last page, I wasn’t just thinking about the ending, I was thinking about what it means to do the right thing when everything’s falling apart. Fuller balanced romance, danger, and divine purpose so beautifully that even though I wanted just a touch more emotional payoff at the end, I closed it smiling and a little teary-eyed.
In short: Behind Enemy Bylines is like if “The Notebook” and “The Imitation Game” had a morally complex, faith-filled baby, full of secrets, sacrifice, and just the right amount of swoon. Highly recommend if you love historical romance that actually feels historical but still feeds your hopeless romantic soul.
The story drops you right into WWII Europe, where bravery isn’t just on the battlefield, it’s in every whispered plan, every coded message, every impossible choice. The FMC? A total standout. She’s clever, gutsy, and has this quiet strength that sneaks up on you. You know that feeling when a character isn’t flashy but then absolutely owns every page they’re on? That’s her. The MMC (you already know the vibes) gives stoic-soldier-with-a-heart energy, the kind who acts all mission-first but secretly remembers every little thing she says. Ugh. I was so not emotionally prepared.
The pacing? A little uneven in parts (hence the 4 instead of 5 stars), but in the best “lemme savor this” kind of way. Like a slow sip of something warm while bombs are dropping metaphorically and literally. Fuller’s writing is cinematic, you can see the fog, the hidden tunnels, the trembling hands holding onto hope. There’s this undercurrent of faith and redemption running through everything that never feels preachy, just powerful. It reminded me that love, in all its forms, is its own rebellion.
My favorite part, though? The tension. The romantic, moral, and situational tension. Like, ma’am, why did you make me feel this much in a war novel?! The dialogue crackles with unspoken meaning. Every glance carries risk. Every decision feels like it could break or build a life.
By the time I turned the last page, I wasn’t just thinking about the ending, I was thinking about what it means to do the right thing when everything’s falling apart. Fuller balanced romance, danger, and divine purpose so beautifully that even though I wanted just a touch more emotional payoff at the end, I closed it smiling and a little teary-eyed.
In short: Behind Enemy Bylines is like if “The Notebook” and “The Imitation Game” had a morally complex, faith-filled baby, full of secrets, sacrifice, and just the right amount of swoon. Highly recommend if you love historical romance that actually feels historical but still feeds your hopeless romantic soul.
October 6, 2025
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This novel by Kathleen Fuller made me laugh, shake my head in agreement/solidarity over character quirks with a "so do I" feeling, almost-cry over portions of plot, be quite confused with a secondary character POV is added without much preamble or easy integration into the current plot between two MCs, and wonder how in the world the main couple will get together at the end after choices the FMC made. Basically, all the emotions in one novel. The audiobook narrator did an amazing job of multiple characters and three primary POVS (2 female, 1 male) without missing a beat.
I felt that the book was more somber, bittersweet, and heartfelt, rather than the romcom I expected from the blurb and title (hence 4 stars). Jade, the older of the two FMCs, deals with being the sibling of a drug user and daughter of another, while also juggling a complicated work assignment and feelings for an old flame, the male MC. Seb, Jade's former boyfriend, grapples with his local newspaper finances being dismal in light of folks increasingly using digital news options (the novel is set in the 90s so computers, Blackberries, and cell phones are mentioned as new and popular, and it hurts me to mark it as "historical fiction," since that is my childhood). Finally, Calista, the younger FMC, was a hard detour to the Jade-Seb reconnection when she is shipped off from posh LA to Clementine, AR to learn how to mature and live without all the perks of her dad's hefty allowance while living with a former stepmother. Her life intersects both Jade's and Seb's eventually, although I felt often that I was engaging with two different novels simultaneously. Calista didn't add much at all to what I felt was the primary storyline (hence 3 stars). As far as the "clean romance" category, a star was taken away because the last line of the epilogue mentions plans for a married couple to "make love" later, which could totally have been edited out of the narrative (hence 2 stars). Overall, though, a nice-ish read that I would recommend to folks wanting something stronger than the typical romcom.
This novel by Kathleen Fuller made me laugh, shake my head in agreement/solidarity over character quirks with a "so do I" feeling, almost-cry over portions of plot, be quite confused with a secondary character POV is added without much preamble or easy integration into the current plot between two MCs, and wonder how in the world the main couple will get together at the end after choices the FMC made. Basically, all the emotions in one novel. The audiobook narrator did an amazing job of multiple characters and three primary POVS (2 female, 1 male) without missing a beat.
I felt that the book was more somber, bittersweet, and heartfelt, rather than the romcom I expected from the blurb and title (hence 4 stars). Jade, the older of the two FMCs, deals with being the sibling of a drug user and daughter of another, while also juggling a complicated work assignment and feelings for an old flame, the male MC. Seb, Jade's former boyfriend, grapples with his local newspaper finances being dismal in light of folks increasingly using digital news options (the novel is set in the 90s so computers, Blackberries, and cell phones are mentioned as new and popular, and it hurts me to mark it as "historical fiction," since that is my childhood). Finally, Calista, the younger FMC, was a hard detour to the Jade-Seb reconnection when she is shipped off from posh LA to Clementine, AR to learn how to mature and live without all the perks of her dad's hefty allowance while living with a former stepmother. Her life intersects both Jade's and Seb's eventually, although I felt often that I was engaging with two different novels simultaneously. Calista didn't add much at all to what I felt was the primary storyline (hence 3 stars). As far as the "clean romance" category, a star was taken away because the last line of the epilogue mentions plans for a married couple to "make love" later, which could totally have been edited out of the narrative (hence 2 stars). Overall, though, a nice-ish read that I would recommend to folks wanting something stronger than the typical romcom.
July 31, 2025
Kathleen Fuller’s Behind Enemy Bylines sets up a promising premise: a second-chance romance between small-town columnist Sebastian Hudson and corporate accountant Jade Smith, reunited in 2005 when she returns to Clementine, Arkansas to convince him to sell his beloved paper. With flashbacks to the mid-90s, the book attempts to explore themes of ambition, loyalty, addiction, and family—but unfortunately, the execution never quite comes together.
The romantic leads were hard to root for. Jade is consistently dishonest, impulsive, and bafflingly self-sabotaging, while Sebastian’s defining trait is being a luddite and nostalgic (see: the typewriter he insists on using in 2005). The plot hinges on unnecessary miscommunications and withheld information that could be resolved with one honest conversation. Meanwhile, side characters (like Seb's sister) are far more interesting and compelling—they at least have personality. Attempts at early-2000s worldbuilding, like repeated references to Nissans or awkward pop culture nods, feel forced rather than immersive.
Kalista, the rich teen from L.A., was nearly insufferable to read. I'm not really sure why the author thought we needed to follow 3 characters/POVs. Her character felt like a cartoon...an overblown stereotype of vanity and selfishness used to prop up a condescending narrative that all big-city people are shallow while rural folks hold a monopoly on morality. The book also had an underlying tone of supporting diet culture. There were several references to needing to eat "healthy" or characters KNOWING they "should" eat a salad but eating something else instead. I'm just personally over that way of thinking and find it toxic and certainly unenjoyable to read.
Ultimately, Behind Enemy Bylines reads like a rough draft of a Hallmark movie that forgot to earn its resolution. It had all the right ingredients (nostalgia, second chances, a quaint setting) but the writing style, character development, and pacing left me frustrated rather than charmed.
The romantic leads were hard to root for. Jade is consistently dishonest, impulsive, and bafflingly self-sabotaging, while Sebastian’s defining trait is being a luddite and nostalgic (see: the typewriter he insists on using in 2005). The plot hinges on unnecessary miscommunications and withheld information that could be resolved with one honest conversation. Meanwhile, side characters (like Seb's sister) are far more interesting and compelling—they at least have personality. Attempts at early-2000s worldbuilding, like repeated references to Nissans or awkward pop culture nods, feel forced rather than immersive.
Kalista, the rich teen from L.A., was nearly insufferable to read. I'm not really sure why the author thought we needed to follow 3 characters/POVs. Her character felt like a cartoon...an overblown stereotype of vanity and selfishness used to prop up a condescending narrative that all big-city people are shallow while rural folks hold a monopoly on morality. The book also had an underlying tone of supporting diet culture. There were several references to needing to eat "healthy" or characters KNOWING they "should" eat a salad but eating something else instead. I'm just personally over that way of thinking and find it toxic and certainly unenjoyable to read.
Ultimately, Behind Enemy Bylines reads like a rough draft of a Hallmark movie that forgot to earn its resolution. It had all the right ingredients (nostalgia, second chances, a quaint setting) but the writing style, character development, and pacing left me frustrated rather than charmed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2025
This heartwarming story is set in the South, beginning in 1995, when Jade Smith resigns from her accounting position at a local newspaper in Little Rock, Arkansas, to accept a better offer at a newspaper in Atlanta, Georgia. Without much explanation, she leaves behind Sebastian Hudson, a reporter she had been dating.
Having grown up in the foster system, Jade took the position in Atlanta for two important reasons: the higher salary would enable her to adopt her young foster brother. Fast forward ten years—Jade’s adoption plans have not materialized, and now her boss wants her to travel back to a small town in Arkansas to convince the owner of the local paper to sell. That owner is none other than Sebastian, her former boyfriend. Their reunion is far from joyous; in fact, both are reluctant to be in the same vicinity as each other.
The small town of Clementine soon realizes that Sebastian and Jade share a tumultuous history, and the townsfolk make every effort to facilitate a reconciliation. Meanwhile, we also meet Kalista, a young high school graduate from Los Angeles. She has been sent to Clementine by her wealthy father to spend the summer with the first of her four stepmothers. Living a privileged and somewhat spoiled life, Kalista finds herself confronted with unexpected challenges—her phone has been turned off, and she has no access to her credit cards. She is expected to live on a farm and get a job. Kalista adds an interesting twist to the story when the only job available is delivery of newspapers in the early morning hours.
This is a charming small-town story that has many twists and turns along with surprises. I found it hard to put down until the last page was turned. When I see a book by Kathleen Fuller, I know I’m in for delightful, fun read!
I received a compliment copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.
Having grown up in the foster system, Jade took the position in Atlanta for two important reasons: the higher salary would enable her to adopt her young foster brother. Fast forward ten years—Jade’s adoption plans have not materialized, and now her boss wants her to travel back to a small town in Arkansas to convince the owner of the local paper to sell. That owner is none other than Sebastian, her former boyfriend. Their reunion is far from joyous; in fact, both are reluctant to be in the same vicinity as each other.
The small town of Clementine soon realizes that Sebastian and Jade share a tumultuous history, and the townsfolk make every effort to facilitate a reconciliation. Meanwhile, we also meet Kalista, a young high school graduate from Los Angeles. She has been sent to Clementine by her wealthy father to spend the summer with the first of her four stepmothers. Living a privileged and somewhat spoiled life, Kalista finds herself confronted with unexpected challenges—her phone has been turned off, and she has no access to her credit cards. She is expected to live on a farm and get a job. Kalista adds an interesting twist to the story when the only job available is delivery of newspapers in the early morning hours.
This is a charming small-town story that has many twists and turns along with surprises. I found it hard to put down until the last page was turned. When I see a book by Kathleen Fuller, I know I’m in for delightful, fun read!
I received a compliment copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.
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