Two Thousand Lines

by Michelle Jester

Olivia Brooks has been able to keep her life in Sugar Mill, Louisiana held perfectly together, far away from the small town where she grew up. Even though her past still haunts her, she has found a perfect process of surviving, until a string of events brings Luke Plaisance to Sugar Mill, turning her organized life upside down.

While Olivia fights to hold on to the life she’s created, unraveling it may be exactly what it takes for her to truly survive. She must accept her past in order to live, or let it threaten the only future she’s ever wanted. Because some secrets can’t stay buried…and shouldn’t.

An inspiring and heartbreaking tale of abandonment, survival, and purpose. A harrowing journey of self-discovery and perseverance.

Audible Audio

Published September 7, 2023

About the author

I am a hopeless romantic (I think that is the most important thing to know about me), in addition, I live in Louisiana with my husband and high school sweetheart. Throughout my life writing and photography have been my main creative outlets.

I have an addiction to commas, the words "just" and "only" which cause my editors quite a few headaches!

Thanks for reading!!

Reviews

[Danielle's · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two thousand Lines is my first book by Michelle Jester. The opening pages come with a warning and I think this book needs it.

Olivia Brooks has suffered a childhood that leaves scars. The type that changes alive. Now she’s trying to figure out how to move forward while her past haunts her.

This is a gritty read and won’t be for everyone. I would suggest sampling the first chapter as this lays down our story. When Olivia loses her parents she is left in the hands of someone who turns out to be abusive.

The story is written in both the present and past. It tells the story of Olivia and Luke. The survival and courage to move forward.

This book isn’t my usual read. The beginning of the story is heartbreaking and the aftermath is the story you want to read. Olivia is a character you want to see pull through her past. This book also shows a heartbreaking story which involves animals. The artwork is beautiful and the story has a few twists.

4 stars out of 5. I wanted to read the story but at the same time, I wanted to look away. This will suit some readers perfectly but for me, it was a little too heavy, yet addictive.

[Paula Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

For those who have read Michelle Jesters's previous titles like myself, The Funeral Flower and Love,Cutter will understand that her books are quite edgy and feature topics that can trigger memories for most. Two Thousand Lines as someone asked me on Instagram what genre I would put it as- my answer was: Edgy YA fiction. The title Two Thousand Lines stems from one of the punishments that our main character Olivia had to endure from the hand of her stepfather, Mr. Melvin. He liked doing everything in two thousand and from a young age, we see him punishing Olivia and at moments throughout the book, we read as she is subjected to his abuse mentally and physically. The book has flashbacks from Olivia as young as seven-eight and goes up to the present in her adulthood. Olivia is now training to be a vets assistant and after the death of her next-door neighbor Maureen. Her grandson Luke has moved in. He has heard all about Olivia from his grandmother's letters but there are some parts that the letters did not paint. Luke just wants to be her friend and maybe something more, but in order to do that Olivia still needs time to heal as she's not quite there yet. During this book, there are quite a few emotional parts that will have your eyes tearing up and not just for Olivia but also one of the minor characters Mary Margaret who became a favorite of mine. At times, this book can get a little confusing but Michelle Jester has tried her best to have a continuous flow between the past and the present which happens right throughout the story. I have to admit the ending at the institution/hospital really frustrated me and made me angry as I felt Olivia had been cheated by not just one parent but both in different circumstances but still cheated. If you enjoy reading edgy YA and looking for a new author to discover, then check out Michelle Jester's Two Thousand Lines today.

[Nancy (The Avid Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two Thousand Lines tell the story of how one woman survived an abusive home growing up. Two Thousand Lines is Olivia Brooke’s story of all the abuse that she endured from her step-father, Mr. Melvin. The title Two Thousand Lines does not even come close to hinting at the punishment that Olivia suffered from the hands of her step-father.

Two Thousand Lines is a story that some will not be able to read as it is so heart wrenching. The hurt and pain that Olivia had to go through was more than anyone should ever have to experience especially a child.

Two Thousand Lines tells Olivia’s story in the present and in the past. The past shows us the abuse she suffered. The future shows us how she is dealing with the past and how she is handling it all now,

I loved what Olivia was doing at the veterinary clinic of how she was helping the animals and their owners as well of the things she did that helped her to deal with her past. I thought it was a wonderful way to handle what she had been through or at least it was for her.

Two Thousand Lines is a book that will touch your heart, it will break your heart but it will also make you proud of a certain young woman and how she deals with all of it. For someone who has been through so much she sure does have a big heart with a lot of love to give even if she doesn’t know this.

If you can read stories like Olivia’s then I highly recommend Two Thousand Lines or any of Michelle Jester’s novels. Two Thousand Lines is my second book by Michelle that I have read, Love, Cutter was the first and I have to say that I really liked both very much they will stay with me for a long time to come.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Your worst day to you is no worse than anyone else’s worst day is to them, it’s still the worst day."

This is my second experience with a Michelle Jester book, with Love Cutter being the first. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to read an ARC of Two Thousand Lines.

The use of flashbacks can be jarring and bring the reader out of the flow of the story, by this was done perfectly. I never felt lost or taken out of Olivia's arc. There are Whys that will NEVER be answered, but the understanding of why Olivia had certain reactions and responses to her circumstances was such a gift. Knowing that such a strong man, Luke, could not only shed tears, but do it in front of someone else is a vulnerability that is so beautiful. There are so many characters that support this journey, that leave a lasting impression on the reader. I know I will be thinking of Mary Margaret, Lisa, and Tabitha for years to come.

[Cyndi Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Two Thousand Lines, Michelle Jester writes a heart wrenching story about a young girl experiencing loss, abuse, and trauma. There is a content warning at the beginning of the book and while the story is not graphic, heed the warning before diving in because it isn't far into the story when you come to understand what Olivia is enduring. It's also early on that you learn she can take on a lot, but she has her limits.

Olivia's story takes place in both past and the present. I really enjoyed how this unfolds. We see her at nine, at around sixteen, and finally as a young adult, making her way in the world. Jesters' writing style is wonderful, the dialogue is descriptive and captures Olivia at each age. As the story takes place in Louisiana, she includes a bit of the dialect which solidified my ability to picture the people and the places she lived. Part of what drew me to the book was the setting, having visited small towns in Louisiana myself. Halfway through I realized I knew nothing of the author and was pleased to find she has penned a few other books.

As Olivia moves from place to place, we learn about her friends and the people that have an impact of her life, who help her to conquer her demons. Ultimately this is a story about honesty, forgiveness and how the human mind and heart manage to heal. I guess this could be considered a gritty book, certainly there are some really tough moments to get through, which slowed my progress, but it also drew me back in. I found I missed her and wanted to see if she was in a safe place. I recommend to YA and general fiction readers alike. 4.5 Stars and recommendation.

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

[anie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the kind of story that breaks your heart a little when you read it. Also, the kind you have to read.

Olivia lives in a Sugar Mill, she works at a vet place, hoping to take over, once she is done with school. She created a good life for herself. It was all OK, she was holding it together until Luke came to live in her town. His grandmother died and he moved in next door. Now he is making her feel things, she was sure she couldn't feel anymore. Her life is unraveling, but the only way to move forward is to accept the past.

When the past is as hard and heartbreaking as is Olivia's that is not an easy thing to do. Olivia's mother died in a car accident when she was little and she gets to live with her step-father. he was extremely strick from the start when she started to grow up, the abuse changed with it.

I love Olivia, her character has come such a long way in the story. Her childhood was incredibly difficult and somehow she survived she manage to make a life for herself and I was so happy when she got a happy ending.

In the story, the past the present and intertwining together, to tell the story of Olivia and how she came to be, till the end when past and present collide and she has to make a choice, either to move on or stay stuck in the past.

I was crying for most of the story, it's heartbreaking and touching. It's the story of abuse and how that carries with the person into adulthood, of survival, and giving yourself a chance to live again.

I was blown away by it.

received from Xpresso Book Tours

[Michel Reinhard (Saucy Southern Readers) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two Thousand Lines is the first book I have read by author Michelle Jester. This edgy YA novel touches upon topics of abuse and may have emotional triggers. The title of the book is taken from the punishments Olivia received from an early age. Mr. Melvin, her abusive stepfather, did everything in two thousands.

The storyline flashes back from the past to the present. Readers witness the disturbing abuse Olivia has to endure throughout her youth while trying to overcome the past in the present.

Olivia meets her neighbor's grandson Luke after her death. Luke has heard all about Olivia through letters from his grandmother. Although he felt like he knew a lot about Olivia there was so much more that the words in the letters could describe. He wants to get to know her better and build a friendship but knows Olivia still needs time to heal from her past.

The author paints a vivid picture of Olivia's life and has the reader wanting Olivia to overcome her past and grasp a happy life. This is Olivia's story of survival and the courage to move on.

At times the story was a bit confusing and the pacing was a bit off but overall I was thoroughly involved with this gripping, heartbreaking story.

[Carrie Williams]

This book was so powerful! I loved how the story "flashed back" to Olivia's childhood and teen years and was so emotionally engaging to lay the groundwork for understanding her relationship with Luke. I am looking forward to finding and reading Michelle's other books.

[J. d'Merricksson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two Thousand Lines by Michelle Jester is a raw, visceral look at the effects and aftermath of trauma and abuse, and a poignant tale of forgiveness and letting go. Olivia Brooks lives in Sugar Mills, where she tries to keep her past far away. A victim of sexual abuse and neglect as a child has left her with mental scars she still struggles to deal with. When Luke Plaisance moves into the house beside hers, it causes her to panic. Luke is her friend Mama Gigi's grandson, returning after his grandmother's passing. As a former soldier, Luke's wrangling with his own demons. Can the two help each other heal?

Jester has a great insight into the mental turmoil those who suffered abuse and trauma go through. Olivia's actions and mindset ring true, as do Luke's. He suffers from PTSD. This story shows the second-guessing and low self-worth abuse victims are prone to, the fear of never being good enough. Of never being able to see their own true value. Olivia is a baby vet, an intern almost done. She has a kind and generous heart when it comes to animals. People, too, though she's pretty skittish around most.

I really liked the Clarke's, who run the Hollows. It was the place Olivia stayed after finally turning on her abuser. They really had a way with people. Everyone who stays us broken in some way or another. They give them the space to heal. The cinnamon roll 'process' was a pretty neat metaphor for the healing process. Forgiveness plays a big part of the story too, both in learning to forgive those that hurt you, and in learning to forgive oneself.

***Many thanks to the Netgalley & RopeSpring Press for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. Reviewed for XPresso Blog Tours.

[Cranky - The Book Curmudgeon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Cranky Stars


What an emotionally packed book this is. Olivia lost her mother when young and her stepfather took her on, but he was abusive in all aspects.


Her story is told in three stages of her life. When she was 12 having to deal with rejection and jealousy from school friends and the abuse she knew was wrong.


When she was in 11th grade and staying at a special school, trying to cope with her past and move forward. She didn't like to be touched in anyway and this place didn't allow personal touching without permission and intimate touching or relationship was banned. The rules were simple but had to be adhered to. It was about learning respect.


And the present time where she had become a vet. All her life she had loved animals and painting and she also still paints. Again she does not like male friendships as they have always let her down. This was until she met Luke, she didn't like him but he was slowly trying to break her wall of defence brick by brick.


It is a heartbreaking book very well written and descriptive.