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Hometown #3
Between the Lines
Between the Lines is the 3rd book in the Hometown series. It can be read after Lucky Penny or as a standalone, and as always, has a HEA!
***
When it starts literally raining inside Fia Hanson’s hundred-year-old house, she’s left scrambling. As a single mom to a one-year-old, and coffee shop manager, she can’t afford the repairs, and she definitely can’t afford for her overbearing family to find out. If they do, they’ll force her to sell the only home she’s ever known.
She’s determined to prove she’s capable of fixing her mess, but time is ticking and Fia is running out of options… until her grumpy, off-limits boss steps in.
Caden Brooks doesn’t do personal. He owns the coffee shop; Fia runs it. That’s how he prefers it. But losing his best business asset isn’t an option—so he makes her a deal. He’ll loan her the money to repair her roof and she can stay in his guesthouse. No strings attached.
Except living across the yard from sunshine personified—and her adorable daughter—isn’t as simple as he thought it would be. And the longer the repairs drag on, the more involved Caden finds himself in their life… and the harder it becomes to ignore the pull between them.
Because keeping professional boundaries is one thing, denying your heart is another.
And when Fia starts to see a side of Caden no one else ever has, she begins to wonder whether the man everyone keeps at arm’s length is the one she should bring closer.
***
Tropes you can expect:
He's quiet!! not grumpy
She's chaotic sunshine
Age gap (22/32)
He owns the coffee shop/she runs it
Damsel (single mom) in distress
Bookish girl FMC
Hot Surfer MMC
***
When it starts literally raining inside Fia Hanson’s hundred-year-old house, she’s left scrambling. As a single mom to a one-year-old, and coffee shop manager, she can’t afford the repairs, and she definitely can’t afford for her overbearing family to find out. If they do, they’ll force her to sell the only home she’s ever known.
She’s determined to prove she’s capable of fixing her mess, but time is ticking and Fia is running out of options… until her grumpy, off-limits boss steps in.
Caden Brooks doesn’t do personal. He owns the coffee shop; Fia runs it. That’s how he prefers it. But losing his best business asset isn’t an option—so he makes her a deal. He’ll loan her the money to repair her roof and she can stay in his guesthouse. No strings attached.
Except living across the yard from sunshine personified—and her adorable daughter—isn’t as simple as he thought it would be. And the longer the repairs drag on, the more involved Caden finds himself in their life… and the harder it becomes to ignore the pull between them.
Because keeping professional boundaries is one thing, denying your heart is another.
And when Fia starts to see a side of Caden no one else ever has, she begins to wonder whether the man everyone keeps at arm’s length is the one she should bring closer.
***
Tropes you can expect:
He's quiet!! not grumpy
She's chaotic sunshine
Age gap (22/32)
He owns the coffee shop/she runs it
Damsel (single mom) in distress
Bookish girl FMC
Hot Surfer MMC
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 24, 2026
About the author
Katherine Bitner
8 books216 followersKatherine has been crafting stories since she learned to write. She has a passion for story-telling, all things romance, and loves a gritty character.
When she isn’t thinking up the next binge-worthy love story, she is probably taking pictures of her pitbull or rewatching The Office for the 400th time.
When she isn’t thinking up the next binge-worthy love story, she is probably taking pictures of her pitbull or rewatching The Office for the 400th time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 220 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
(⭐️⭐️⭐️ 2.5/5) I enjoyed Katherine’s storytelling throughout this cutie series. I absolutely loved the first two books & the characters written & was excited to see some of them back. I really wanted to love this one. While there were aspects of this book I did like, this story unfortunately just didn’t hit for me like the others.
My biggest struggle was with Fia’s character arc. I found her difficult to connect with. She was a hot mess. A lot of her frustration centered around wanting to prove that she could handle things on her own, so she repeatedly refused help, specifically from her sister, while readily accepting it from Caden despite having barely any relationship with him. It made her issues with Penny feel irritating. Fia was so insistent that she had everything under control, but the reality was that Caden was the one stepping in to solve her problems. Fia spent so much time trying to prove she didn't need help or want to feel controlled by her sister, only to rely heavily on someone else's support anyway. It was crazy to me that she wanted transparency from Caden while literally hiding things from her family & even asking others to lie for her. While I appreciated that she and Penny eventually worked through their issues, I definitely agreed with Penny from Book 2 to Book 3 & I felt like she was treated like public enemy number one for being honest. Sure, she could’ve been gentler, but Fia needed some tough love & a reality check, cause girl was not handling it.
What really worked for me though was Caden. He was so incredibly sweet, thoughtful, and selfless, and it was obvious how much he cared about Fia. Him overthinking their interactions was honestly adorable. He was all in. I mean he *literally* used whatever means necessary to show it through his actions. I do wish there had been a little more buildup though. It felt like his initial offer came on so suddenly. But that’s a damn good man. Also, LOVED Hamburger. Star of the show, truly.
Even though this book wasn't my favorite in the series, I still really enjoyed being back! I’ve loved getting to know the characters in this series. I'm so super grateful to the author for the opportunity to read an early copy, and while this last book wasn't quite the right fit for me, I'm very much looking forward to reading more from Katherine in the future! 🫶🏼
My biggest struggle was with Fia’s character arc. I found her difficult to connect with. She was a hot mess. A lot of her frustration centered around wanting to prove that she could handle things on her own, so she repeatedly refused help, specifically from her sister, while readily accepting it from Caden despite having barely any relationship with him. It made her issues with Penny feel irritating. Fia was so insistent that she had everything under control, but the reality was that Caden was the one stepping in to solve her problems. Fia spent so much time trying to prove she didn't need help or want to feel controlled by her sister, only to rely heavily on someone else's support anyway. It was crazy to me that she wanted transparency from Caden while literally hiding things from her family & even asking others to lie for her. While I appreciated that she and Penny eventually worked through their issues, I definitely agreed with Penny from Book 2 to Book 3 & I felt like she was treated like public enemy number one for being honest. Sure, she could’ve been gentler, but Fia needed some tough love & a reality check, cause girl was not handling it.
What really worked for me though was Caden. He was so incredibly sweet, thoughtful, and selfless, and it was obvious how much he cared about Fia. Him overthinking their interactions was honestly adorable. He was all in. I mean he *literally* used whatever means necessary to show it through his actions. I do wish there had been a little more buildup though. It felt like his initial offer came on so suddenly. But that’s a damn good man. Also, LOVED Hamburger. Star of the show, truly.
Even though this book wasn't my favorite in the series, I still really enjoyed being back! I’ve loved getting to know the characters in this series. I'm so super grateful to the author for the opportunity to read an early copy, and while this last book wasn't quite the right fit for me, I'm very much looking forward to reading more from Katherine in the future! 🫶🏼
July 4, 2026
#Review: *Between The Lines* - Katherine Bitner - ARC [18+]
4.6/5✨
2/5🌶️
Fia was a single mom who had to do everything in her powers to raise her baby girl as best as she could. But living in her family's old house wasn't as easy as she thought, having all kind of problems with it, things starting to fail one by one. That forced Fia in taking a decision when her boss Caden proposed by helping her with the repairs of her house. Only that meant for Fia to move out from her home fot a bit and that's how she and her baby ended up staying at her boss's house. Caden thought that he only offered his help because Fia was his most reliable employees, but soon he might realize that maybe there was a little more than he expected. Would it be worth the risk of breaking their rules and in giving love a chance?
This was such a well built opposites attract love story 💕. Fia and Caden were completely different from other another, but I really liked how well they just fitted together. Caden has changed so much while Fia was staying at his house, making him realize how easy was to fall for her and how smoothly things were in her presence. I loved his protective side, being that way with her even before he realized that there was more in his heart when it came to Fia. I also liked that, besides the romance side, there were all those real life struggling moments, which were so genuine to me and made this story quite relatable. It was hard for Fia to be a single mom and not wanting to constantly rely on her family's help. The slow burn from this story was so, so good, loving the way Fia and Caden kept on gravitating to each other and how they couldn't ignore all those feelings from their hearts.
This book was such a great read, having many things to learn from it and also being able to get lost in a beautiful love story, which was super sweet, inspiring and captivating. I loved this whole series by Katherine, liking her writing style and the way she built all her characters from these three books of this series.
Many thanks go to Katherine and Beyond The Books Pr, who accepted me to receive this e-ARC. Thank youu!🩵
✨Tropes
▫️Single Mom
▫️Small Town
▫️Grumpy/Sunshine
▫️Slow Burn
▫️He's Her Boss
▫️Age Gap (23/32)
▫️Forced Proximity
4.6/5✨
2/5🌶️
Fia was a single mom who had to do everything in her powers to raise her baby girl as best as she could. But living in her family's old house wasn't as easy as she thought, having all kind of problems with it, things starting to fail one by one. That forced Fia in taking a decision when her boss Caden proposed by helping her with the repairs of her house. Only that meant for Fia to move out from her home fot a bit and that's how she and her baby ended up staying at her boss's house. Caden thought that he only offered his help because Fia was his most reliable employees, but soon he might realize that maybe there was a little more than he expected. Would it be worth the risk of breaking their rules and in giving love a chance?
This was such a well built opposites attract love story 💕. Fia and Caden were completely different from other another, but I really liked how well they just fitted together. Caden has changed so much while Fia was staying at his house, making him realize how easy was to fall for her and how smoothly things were in her presence. I loved his protective side, being that way with her even before he realized that there was more in his heart when it came to Fia. I also liked that, besides the romance side, there were all those real life struggling moments, which were so genuine to me and made this story quite relatable. It was hard for Fia to be a single mom and not wanting to constantly rely on her family's help. The slow burn from this story was so, so good, loving the way Fia and Caden kept on gravitating to each other and how they couldn't ignore all those feelings from their hearts.
This book was such a great read, having many things to learn from it and also being able to get lost in a beautiful love story, which was super sweet, inspiring and captivating. I loved this whole series by Katherine, liking her writing style and the way she built all her characters from these three books of this series.
Many thanks go to Katherine and Beyond The Books Pr, who accepted me to receive this e-ARC. Thank youu!🩵
✨Tropes
▫️Single Mom
▫️Small Town
▫️Grumpy/Sunshine
▫️Slow Burn
▫️He's Her Boss
▫️Age Gap (23/32)
▫️Forced Proximity
June 19, 2026
When I found out the third installment of Katherine Bitner’s Hometown series was in the works, I was beyond excited. Between the Lines features Fia, Penny from book two’s younger sister. After unexpectedly becoming a single mom at only 22 years old, Fia is determined to provide her daughter, Daisy, with a stable and happy life — and to do so while remaining in the old, roomy, and rapidly deteriorating house where she and her siblings grew up. To make ends meet, Fia works as the successful manager of the local coffee shop Good Grinds. Meanwhile, Caden, her brooding but undeniably attractive boss who is ten years her senior, has taken notice of more than just Fia’s work ethic.
It has been such a treat to watch Katherine’s ability as a writer strengthen with time. The character development of this series, beautifully enhanced by sharp, witty dialogue and a small-town setting, is unmatched. The most prominent instance of this was seeing Penny, the bubbly and unconditionally supportive best friend from book one and the particularly sympathetic protagonist from book two, as a well-meaning but painfully overbearing big sister.
For numerous reasons, I would be terribly remiss if I did not praise Katherine for her unflinching and spot-on portrayal of anxiety and panic attacks as part of Fia’s character. Every time a book like Between the Lines is published, the stigma surrounding mental illness gradually erodes. I’m so grateful to the talented author and to Beyond the Books PR for granting me access to an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book.
It has been such a treat to watch Katherine’s ability as a writer strengthen with time. The character development of this series, beautifully enhanced by sharp, witty dialogue and a small-town setting, is unmatched. The most prominent instance of this was seeing Penny, the bubbly and unconditionally supportive best friend from book one and the particularly sympathetic protagonist from book two, as a well-meaning but painfully overbearing big sister.
For numerous reasons, I would be terribly remiss if I did not praise Katherine for her unflinching and spot-on portrayal of anxiety and panic attacks as part of Fia’s character. Every time a book like Between the Lines is published, the stigma surrounding mental illness gradually erodes. I’m so grateful to the talented author and to Beyond the Books PR for granting me access to an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book.
June 30, 2026
This was a cute workplace/forced proximity romance! I loved the dynamic between the two characters and the pace of the book was great! Thank you to Beyond The Books PR and the author, Katherine Bitner for letting me read the ARC.
June 24, 2026
I love this book! It's a very easy read, you get into the story very quickly, and you don't want to stop reading! I recommend it to everyone.
June 10, 2026
Thank you to Beyond the Books PR and Katherine Bitner for an advanced copy of this book.
When it starts literally raining inside Fia Hanson’s hundred-year-old house, she’s left scrambling. As a single mom to a one-year-old, and coffee shop manager, she can’t afford the repairs, and she definitely can’t afford for her overbearing family to find out. If they do, they’ll force her to sell the only home she’s ever known. She’s determined to prove she’s capable of fixing her mess, but time is ticking and Fia is running out of options… until her grumpy, off-limits boss steps in. Caden Brooks doesn’t do personal. He owns the coffee shop; Fia runs it. That’s how he prefers it. But losing his best business asset isn’t an option—so he makes her a deal. He’ll loan her the money to repair her roof and she can stay in his guesthouse. No strings attached. Except living across the yard from sunshine personified—and her adorable daughter—isn’t as simple as he thought it would be. And the longer the repairs drag on, the more involved Caden finds himself in their life… and the harder it becomes to ignore the pull between them. Because keeping professional boundaries is one thing, denying your heart is another. And when Fia starts to see a side of Caden no one else ever has, she begins to wonder whether the man everyone keeps at arm’s length is the one she should bring closer.
Fia does her best to be a ray of sunshine. She’s a great mum, attentive with her toddler above all else. When she’s introduced, we see her deal with anxiety and the pressures that weigh her down daily. However, this focus on her panic is quickly forgotten and it felt a little like Fia was naive about how things were going to happen. She seems to blindly trust, all in the name of being independent. Whilst she is a lovely person, I didn’t find myself feeling much for her or forming a connection which is a shame.
Caden is the epitome of grumpiness. It felt a little jarring to have him go from cold and more aloof to this caring person willing to part willy nilly with so much money. I did really like his caring side though, the fact he wanted to ensure Fia’s happiness and safety, along with Daisy’s. Considering he’s a surfer, we only see him go out once so I think it would have been fun to see more of this. Beyond mentioning maybe twice to Fia, it’s apparently not a hobby of his despite him owning multiple boards and always getting sand in his Jeep! Overall, I think he’s a great character, he just could have been fleshed out more.
This was one I stumbled across - and what a sweet read it is! I wouldn’t say it wowed me but this is the perfect book to read when you want a little palate cleanser or something a little different to your regular reads. It’s a sweet plot, if a little outlandish for the lengths things went to. I liked that it was on the simple side, no extra flourishes or side quests to detract from the main story. Character wise, I’d say it was a little sparse? We only really get to know the leads and a bit of Fia’s friend. We see family pop in and out but don’t get much of an impression of them. This may be because they were the focus of previous books (I haven’t read the other two books in the series) and the author wanted them more of a cameo appearance. But, I feel a bit more information on them and more interaction with the leads could have generally enhanced everything. Honestly, the star of the book was Hamburger, hands down. The romance was sweet and I liked that it was a little complicated too. I do feel like Fia kept holding back though, leaving it feeling stilted and forced at times which was a shame. But the little spicy moments did help too as they weren’t very detailed, maintaining the overall sweetness. The ending felt a little weak for me but it did bring everything together! I personally don’t think I’ll go back and read the other books but this was a nice change of pace for sure.
Overall, Between The Lines is a great read if you’re seeking something sweet and simple.
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you again to Beyond the Books PR and Katherine Bitner for an advanced copy of this book.
When it starts literally raining inside Fia Hanson’s hundred-year-old house, she’s left scrambling. As a single mom to a one-year-old, and coffee shop manager, she can’t afford the repairs, and she definitely can’t afford for her overbearing family to find out. If they do, they’ll force her to sell the only home she’s ever known. She’s determined to prove she’s capable of fixing her mess, but time is ticking and Fia is running out of options… until her grumpy, off-limits boss steps in. Caden Brooks doesn’t do personal. He owns the coffee shop; Fia runs it. That’s how he prefers it. But losing his best business asset isn’t an option—so he makes her a deal. He’ll loan her the money to repair her roof and she can stay in his guesthouse. No strings attached. Except living across the yard from sunshine personified—and her adorable daughter—isn’t as simple as he thought it would be. And the longer the repairs drag on, the more involved Caden finds himself in their life… and the harder it becomes to ignore the pull between them. Because keeping professional boundaries is one thing, denying your heart is another. And when Fia starts to see a side of Caden no one else ever has, she begins to wonder whether the man everyone keeps at arm’s length is the one she should bring closer.
Fia does her best to be a ray of sunshine. She’s a great mum, attentive with her toddler above all else. When she’s introduced, we see her deal with anxiety and the pressures that weigh her down daily. However, this focus on her panic is quickly forgotten and it felt a little like Fia was naive about how things were going to happen. She seems to blindly trust, all in the name of being independent. Whilst she is a lovely person, I didn’t find myself feeling much for her or forming a connection which is a shame.
Caden is the epitome of grumpiness. It felt a little jarring to have him go from cold and more aloof to this caring person willing to part willy nilly with so much money. I did really like his caring side though, the fact he wanted to ensure Fia’s happiness and safety, along with Daisy’s. Considering he’s a surfer, we only see him go out once so I think it would have been fun to see more of this. Beyond mentioning maybe twice to Fia, it’s apparently not a hobby of his despite him owning multiple boards and always getting sand in his Jeep! Overall, I think he’s a great character, he just could have been fleshed out more.
This was one I stumbled across - and what a sweet read it is! I wouldn’t say it wowed me but this is the perfect book to read when you want a little palate cleanser or something a little different to your regular reads. It’s a sweet plot, if a little outlandish for the lengths things went to. I liked that it was on the simple side, no extra flourishes or side quests to detract from the main story. Character wise, I’d say it was a little sparse? We only really get to know the leads and a bit of Fia’s friend. We see family pop in and out but don’t get much of an impression of them. This may be because they were the focus of previous books (I haven’t read the other two books in the series) and the author wanted them more of a cameo appearance. But, I feel a bit more information on them and more interaction with the leads could have generally enhanced everything. Honestly, the star of the book was Hamburger, hands down. The romance was sweet and I liked that it was a little complicated too. I do feel like Fia kept holding back though, leaving it feeling stilted and forced at times which was a shame. But the little spicy moments did help too as they weren’t very detailed, maintaining the overall sweetness. The ending felt a little weak for me but it did bring everything together! I personally don’t think I’ll go back and read the other books but this was a nice change of pace for sure.
Overall, Between The Lines is a great read if you’re seeking something sweet and simple.
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you again to Beyond the Books PR and Katherine Bitner for an advanced copy of this book.
June 7, 2026
I was so pumped and lucky when I received this as an ARC read!!
This book was such a cute little read, if you’ve read unravel me and lucky penny you know how much Fia deserved her happy ending and boy oh boy did she get it!!!
First off having a cat named hamburger is top tier considering the story behind the cat.
I relate so much to Fia not only because she’s young and from North Carolina but because she’s anxious and doesn’t trust easily, but enter Caden I wouldn’t say he’s grumpy at all well not at least the typical grumpy trope. I would say he’s more reserved with himself but once he falls he falls HARD!!!!
Their dynamic was so cute throughout the whole book from the moment he saw her in cute daisy cutoffs to the special surprise in the dinner he planned for her you can’t tell me that he didn’t fall for her at page one!
I know this might be the end of the home series (hoping it’s not 🤞) but I’d really like to see Matt and Morgan’s relationship in the future!!!
I can’t wait till the next book of whatever series/standalone comes next!!!
This book was such a cute little read, if you’ve read unravel me and lucky penny you know how much Fia deserved her happy ending and boy oh boy did she get it!!!
First off having a cat named hamburger is top tier considering the story behind the cat.
I relate so much to Fia not only because she’s young and from North Carolina but because she’s anxious and doesn’t trust easily, but enter Caden I wouldn’t say he’s grumpy at all well not at least the typical grumpy trope. I would say he’s more reserved with himself but once he falls he falls HARD!!!!
Their dynamic was so cute throughout the whole book from the moment he saw her in cute daisy cutoffs to the special surprise in the dinner he planned for her you can’t tell me that he didn’t fall for her at page one!
I know this might be the end of the home series (hoping it’s not 🤞) but I’d really like to see Matt and Morgan’s relationship in the future!!!
I can’t wait till the next book of whatever series/standalone comes next!!!
July 3, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
Between the Lines is the third book in the Hometown series, and after meeting Fia in Lucky Penny, I couldn’t wait to read her story. 💚
This sweet and emotional romance follows Fia as she navigates life as a single mom while finding love in the most unexpected place.
I absolutely loved Fia and Caden together. 😍
The single mom and grumpy older guy dynamic was so much fun to read, and they were perfect for each other. I fell for Caden almost instantly. He was exactly the kind of man Fia deserved, and it was so heartwarming to watch him care not only for Fia but also for Daisy. Speaking of Daisy… she completely stole my heart. 🥺
Seeing Fia finally get the love and happy ending she deserved made me so happy. After everything she had been through, I couldn’t help but root for her every step of the way.
Between the Lines is a beautiful story about love, healing, family, and finding the people who make you feel at home. It was sweet, emotional, and heartwarming from beginning to end.
I can’t wait to read more books by Katherine Bitner! 🩷
Thanks for the ARC!
Between the Lines is the third book in the Hometown series, and after meeting Fia in Lucky Penny, I couldn’t wait to read her story. 💚
This sweet and emotional romance follows Fia as she navigates life as a single mom while finding love in the most unexpected place.
I absolutely loved Fia and Caden together. 😍
The single mom and grumpy older guy dynamic was so much fun to read, and they were perfect for each other. I fell for Caden almost instantly. He was exactly the kind of man Fia deserved, and it was so heartwarming to watch him care not only for Fia but also for Daisy. Speaking of Daisy… she completely stole my heart. 🥺
Seeing Fia finally get the love and happy ending she deserved made me so happy. After everything she had been through, I couldn’t help but root for her every step of the way.
Between the Lines is a beautiful story about love, healing, family, and finding the people who make you feel at home. It was sweet, emotional, and heartwarming from beginning to end.
I can’t wait to read more books by Katherine Bitner! 🩷
Thanks for the ARC!
July 4, 2026
What a sweet, easy read! Loveable characters with enough flaws to make them interesting make this book relatable on a lot of fronts. It follows the regular romance novel tropes: grumpy/sunshine, forbidden love, grand gesture, and more but that doesn't stop it from being a delightful read.
It was set in Wilmington, NC, one of the most charming riverside downtown locations I've ever been to, but that charm didn't come across on the page as much as I was hoping for. But the book is about the characters, not the location, so it didn't hurt the story any.
I didn't read any of the previous books in this series before this one so my emotional connection to the characters was not as deep as it could have been, but I still found myself wanting to know more about them and kicking my feet as the love story unfolded.
I read a free ARC of this novel.
It was set in Wilmington, NC, one of the most charming riverside downtown locations I've ever been to, but that charm didn't come across on the page as much as I was hoping for. But the book is about the characters, not the location, so it didn't hurt the story any.
I didn't read any of the previous books in this series before this one so my emotional connection to the characters was not as deep as it could have been, but I still found myself wanting to know more about them and kicking my feet as the love story unfolded.
I read a free ARC of this novel.
June 18, 2026
Review of an Advanced Reader Copy
“You are worth every risk”
The Quick paced, small town romance was so charming and feel good, a perfect summer read 🤌🏼
Fia is a ray of sunshine who is trying to prove to everyone she can handle everything on her own all while being a single mother to the adorable Daisy
Caden is the “grumpy” (truly not just quiet) boss that realizes he can’t run his business without Fia….. and also proves to be quite uh rash with decisions he makes revolving her
Plus you have Hamburger the cat
This is an Age-gap trope but done in a way that is not insta love which I appreciated. Thanks for telling Fia’s love story 🫶🏼
“You are worth every risk”
The Quick paced, small town romance was so charming and feel good, a perfect summer read 🤌🏼
Fia is a ray of sunshine who is trying to prove to everyone she can handle everything on her own all while being a single mother to the adorable Daisy
Caden is the “grumpy” (truly not just quiet) boss that realizes he can’t run his business without Fia….. and also proves to be quite uh rash with decisions he makes revolving her
Plus you have Hamburger the cat
This is an Age-gap trope but done in a way that is not insta love which I appreciated. Thanks for telling Fia’s love story 🫶🏼
June 8, 2026
This was my first Katherine Bitner book and while I did enjoy it, it also felt very lacking for me. I don’t feel like Caden and Fia had any real chemistry and overall I didn’t really resonate with the characters. Fia goes on and on about wanting to do things by herself and I’m not sure she actually learned it’s okay to accept help in the end. Caden was so attentive but was also constantly hot and cold and couldn’t make up his mind.
Thank you Beyond the Books PR and Katherine for the advanced copy!
Thank you Beyond the Books PR and Katherine for the advanced copy!
June 14, 2026
3.5 stars for this one!
I got the privilege to read another ARC of this book and from the very first chapter I knew I would enjoy it.
It was well written, easy to follow the background on the characters. I liked both of them a lot and I felt like the story really flowed well. There wasn’t any insta-love and usually an age gap turns me off of a book but this one really didn’t. It wasn’t even noticeable. The cat Hamburger made me LOL.
All around a great, quick summer read and I recommend you pick it up!
“You are worth every risk”
I got the privilege to read another ARC of this book and from the very first chapter I knew I would enjoy it.
It was well written, easy to follow the background on the characters. I liked both of them a lot and I felt like the story really flowed well. There wasn’t any insta-love and usually an age gap turns me off of a book but this one really didn’t. It wasn’t even noticeable. The cat Hamburger made me LOL.
All around a great, quick summer read and I recommend you pick it up!
“You are worth every risk”
July 6, 2026
4.5 stars rounded up.
Katherine Bitner writes my three favorite things:
1) Men who are the greenest of green flags, if a little himbo-y (not dumb, but naïve in the cutest way possible.)
2) Couples who fall in love with each other at almost the exact same time.
3) Women who are so intimately relatable that I was actually tearing up at the end of this book.
I really adored Fia while reading Lucky Penny and I'm so happy that she got her own happy ending. Also, petition to change the label for grumpy men to hermit crabs.
Katherine Bitner writes my three favorite things:
1) Men who are the greenest of green flags, if a little himbo-y (not dumb, but naïve in the cutest way possible.)
2) Couples who fall in love with each other at almost the exact same time.
3) Women who are so intimately relatable that I was actually tearing up at the end of this book.
I really adored Fia while reading Lucky Penny and I'm so happy that she got her own happy ending. Also, petition to change the label for grumpy men to hermit crabs.
June 26, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I swear Katherine Bitner can do no wrong. 🥹 Every time I finish one of her books, I’m reminded why she’s one of my favorite comfort authors.
Between the Lines completely stole my heart. Fia had me rooting for her from page one, and Caden… don’t even get me started. Watching him slowly fall for Fia and her daughter was EVERYTHING. The little moments between them honestly meant more than any big grand gesture.
This book just made me happy. It was sweet, cozy, emotional, and gave me all the found family feels.
If you love grumpy heroes, single mom romances, slow burns, and characters that actually feel like real people, please pick this one up. I already miss them. 🩷
Thank you for the ARC Beyond the Books PR.
I swear Katherine Bitner can do no wrong. 🥹 Every time I finish one of her books, I’m reminded why she’s one of my favorite comfort authors.
Between the Lines completely stole my heart. Fia had me rooting for her from page one, and Caden… don’t even get me started. Watching him slowly fall for Fia and her daughter was EVERYTHING. The little moments between them honestly meant more than any big grand gesture.
This book just made me happy. It was sweet, cozy, emotional, and gave me all the found family feels.
If you love grumpy heroes, single mom romances, slow burns, and characters that actually feel like real people, please pick this one up. I already miss them. 🩷
Thank you for the ARC Beyond the Books PR.
July 1, 2026
This was a cute story about Fia, a coffee shop manager, and Caden, her boss. After Fia discovers she needs a new roof, and the repair expenses add up Caden offers to give her a loan and a place to stay while the repairs are being done. I loved seeing Caden come out of his shell and discover when you find the right people, you may prefer company over spending your time alone.
As someone who spends a lot of time in Eastern NC, I loved that the book was set in Wilmington! It was the perfect beach read and I found myself not wanting to put it down.
Tropes you can expect: forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, single mom, age gap.
This was the third and final book of The Hometown Series and can be read as a standalone. I can’t wait to go back and read the first two books.
Thank you Katherine Bitner and Beyond The Books PR for the ARC of Between The Lines.
As someone who spends a lot of time in Eastern NC, I loved that the book was set in Wilmington! It was the perfect beach read and I found myself not wanting to put it down.
Tropes you can expect: forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, single mom, age gap.
This was the third and final book of The Hometown Series and can be read as a standalone. I can’t wait to go back and read the first two books.
Thank you Katherine Bitner and Beyond The Books PR for the ARC of Between The Lines.
July 3, 2026
Thank you to my lovely friend Katherine (the author) for writing this and her PR team for giving me an e-arc of this!! This book was literally what I needed after my Dream Harbor drought 😍 everyone go binge Katherine’s books asap!! 😍
July 11, 2026
I ADORED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!! I’m a girl who loves a roommates to lovers romance. Also the bookish vibes, SIGN ME UP!! Also I loved seeing Fia as a single mom🥹
I feel like it’s rare when you see books like that now a days. Also Caden is so sweet to both of them😭
I just loved this book so much🥹
I feel like it’s rare when you see books like that now a days. Also Caden is so sweet to both of them😭
I just loved this book so much🥹
June 14, 2026
Thank you Katherine Bitner and Beyond the Books PR for this ARC copy of Between the Lines! This was my favorite of the Hometown Series, and I loved reading Fia and Caden’s story. Slow burn consisting of a strong red head mixed with a grumpy turned Mr. sunshine made for such a fun poolside read!
July 4, 2026
Such a cute story!! I loved the characters and the storyline!
I flew right through this one. It’s a cute forced proximity, employer/employee romance that keeps your attention until the very end.
I definitely need to go back & read the first 2 books in this series!
Thank you to Beyond the Books PR for this advanced reader copy!!
I flew right through this one. It’s a cute forced proximity, employer/employee romance that keeps your attention until the very end.
I definitely need to go back & read the first 2 books in this series!
Thank you to Beyond the Books PR for this advanced reader copy!!
June 24, 2026
This was an adorable and sweet read.
If you read Lucky Penny you know who Fia is, if you haven’t no worries this could read as a standalone.
Our young single mom Fia, she is struggling on the motherhood juggling bus.
22, 2 year old daughter, manager of a coffee shop
A falling apart house
Enter Caden
The coffee shop owner.
Man starts off aloof. Quiet.
Surfer rich guy.
32. So we get age gap!
This was a journey.
That involved a little guesthouse action, forced proximity.
A cat named hamburger.
A jeep. A sailboat. A broken nose.
Arc review ✨
If you read Lucky Penny you know who Fia is, if you haven’t no worries this could read as a standalone.
Our young single mom Fia, she is struggling on the motherhood juggling bus.
22, 2 year old daughter, manager of a coffee shop
A falling apart house
Enter Caden
The coffee shop owner.
Man starts off aloof. Quiet.
Surfer rich guy.
32. So we get age gap!
This was a journey.
That involved a little guesthouse action, forced proximity.
A cat named hamburger.
A jeep. A sailboat. A broken nose.
Arc review ✨
Review of advance copy received from Author
**Review Title:**
**A cozy coffee shop slow burn with a quiet hero, a sunshine single mom, and so much heart**
**Review:**
*Between the Lines* by Katherine Bitner was such a cute, cozy, and heartwarming small-town romance. It had everything I love in a soft slow burn — a chaotic sunshine single mom, a quiet off-limits boss, a coffee shop setting, forced proximity, a leaky old house, and the kind of romance that slowly sneaks up on you until suddenly your whole heart is involved.
From the very beginning, I adored Fia. The book starts with her trying to handle the fact that her hundred-year-old Victorian house is literally raining inside, and honestly, that was such a perfect way to introduce her life. She is tired, stressed, overwhelmed, and trying so hard to keep everything together for her baby girl, Daisy. It gave such “single mom doing her best” energy, and I immediately wanted to hug her.
Fia is strong, stubborn, bookish, and so determined to prove that she can handle her life on her own. Her house means so much to her because it is not just a house — it is her grandmother’s home, her memories, her safe place, and the one thing she does not want her family to pressure her into selling. I really understood why she was fighting so hard to keep it, even when everything felt like it was falling apart.
Then Caden Brooks steps in, and this is where the story became so sweet to me.
Caden owns the coffee shop, Fia runs it, and he is supposed to be her quiet, professional, off-limits boss. He does not do personal, he keeps people at a distance, and he seems like the type of man who would rather quietly fix a problem than talk about his feelings. But when he notices that Fia is exhausted and struggling, he cannot just look away.
One of my favorite things about Caden was how his care showed through his actions. He may not be loud or overly emotional, but he notices. He pays attention. He sees that Fia is stressed, he pushes just enough to understand what is happening, and when he finds out about the roof, the money worries, and everything she is carrying for Daisy, he helps in the most practical but heart-melting way.
The fact that he offers her a place to stay and gets his family’s construction crew involved made me so soft. It was not flashy. It was not dramatic. It was just him quietly becoming someone she could lean on, even when he was trying so hard to pretend this was all “no strings attached.”
But living across the yard from Fia and baby Daisy? That was never going to stay simple.
I loved watching Caden slowly get pulled into Fia’s little world. The more time he spends around her and Daisy, the harder it becomes for him to keep those boundaries he claims to care so much about. Fia is sunshine and chaos, Daisy is adorable, and even Hamburger the cat added such a cute little touch to the story. Their little world felt messy, warm, and real.
Caden’s backstory also gave his character so much more depth. His relationship with his father, and the example his father set, made it easier to understand why Caden is so careful with himself. He is always trying to make sure he does not become the kind of man who hurts people the way his father did. That made his feelings for Fia and Daisy even more meaningful, because you can see how much he wants to be better, softer, and safer than what he grew up seeing.
The romance is definitely a slow burn, and I honestly loved that. This is not the kind of romance that rushes. It builds through little moments — coffee shop conversations, quiet help, shared space, soft glances, stress, repairs, and Caden slowly becoming part of Fia and Daisy’s everyday life. It took time for the romance to fully bloom, but that made it feel more earned and more satisfying.
Fia and Caden’s connection was so sweet because it felt like love growing in the middle of real-life chaos. She is trying to save her home and protect her independence. He is trying not to get too involved. But somehow, between the leaky roof, the guesthouse, the coffee shop, and all those little moments of care, they find something neither of them expected.
Overall, *Between the Lines* was such a cozy and emotional read. It gave me small-town charm, coffee shop warmth, single mom softness, a quiet hero who cares through actions, a bookish heroine trying her best, and a slow-burn romance that felt tender and real.
If you love romances with a quiet MMC, chaotic sunshine FMC, single mom in distress, age gap, forced proximity, coffee shop vibes, a hot surfer hero, and a love story that slowly becomes a safe place, this book is absolutely worth picking up.
This story felt like a warm cup of coffee, a rainy-day comfort read, and a soft reminder that sometimes love shows up quietly — right when you need it most. 💚
**A cozy coffee shop slow burn with a quiet hero, a sunshine single mom, and so much heart**
**Review:**
*Between the Lines* by Katherine Bitner was such a cute, cozy, and heartwarming small-town romance. It had everything I love in a soft slow burn — a chaotic sunshine single mom, a quiet off-limits boss, a coffee shop setting, forced proximity, a leaky old house, and the kind of romance that slowly sneaks up on you until suddenly your whole heart is involved.
From the very beginning, I adored Fia. The book starts with her trying to handle the fact that her hundred-year-old Victorian house is literally raining inside, and honestly, that was such a perfect way to introduce her life. She is tired, stressed, overwhelmed, and trying so hard to keep everything together for her baby girl, Daisy. It gave such “single mom doing her best” energy, and I immediately wanted to hug her.
Fia is strong, stubborn, bookish, and so determined to prove that she can handle her life on her own. Her house means so much to her because it is not just a house — it is her grandmother’s home, her memories, her safe place, and the one thing she does not want her family to pressure her into selling. I really understood why she was fighting so hard to keep it, even when everything felt like it was falling apart.
Then Caden Brooks steps in, and this is where the story became so sweet to me.
Caden owns the coffee shop, Fia runs it, and he is supposed to be her quiet, professional, off-limits boss. He does not do personal, he keeps people at a distance, and he seems like the type of man who would rather quietly fix a problem than talk about his feelings. But when he notices that Fia is exhausted and struggling, he cannot just look away.
One of my favorite things about Caden was how his care showed through his actions. He may not be loud or overly emotional, but he notices. He pays attention. He sees that Fia is stressed, he pushes just enough to understand what is happening, and when he finds out about the roof, the money worries, and everything she is carrying for Daisy, he helps in the most practical but heart-melting way.
The fact that he offers her a place to stay and gets his family’s construction crew involved made me so soft. It was not flashy. It was not dramatic. It was just him quietly becoming someone she could lean on, even when he was trying so hard to pretend this was all “no strings attached.”
But living across the yard from Fia and baby Daisy? That was never going to stay simple.
I loved watching Caden slowly get pulled into Fia’s little world. The more time he spends around her and Daisy, the harder it becomes for him to keep those boundaries he claims to care so much about. Fia is sunshine and chaos, Daisy is adorable, and even Hamburger the cat added such a cute little touch to the story. Their little world felt messy, warm, and real.
Caden’s backstory also gave his character so much more depth. His relationship with his father, and the example his father set, made it easier to understand why Caden is so careful with himself. He is always trying to make sure he does not become the kind of man who hurts people the way his father did. That made his feelings for Fia and Daisy even more meaningful, because you can see how much he wants to be better, softer, and safer than what he grew up seeing.
The romance is definitely a slow burn, and I honestly loved that. This is not the kind of romance that rushes. It builds through little moments — coffee shop conversations, quiet help, shared space, soft glances, stress, repairs, and Caden slowly becoming part of Fia and Daisy’s everyday life. It took time for the romance to fully bloom, but that made it feel more earned and more satisfying.
Fia and Caden’s connection was so sweet because it felt like love growing in the middle of real-life chaos. She is trying to save her home and protect her independence. He is trying not to get too involved. But somehow, between the leaky roof, the guesthouse, the coffee shop, and all those little moments of care, they find something neither of them expected.
Overall, *Between the Lines* was such a cozy and emotional read. It gave me small-town charm, coffee shop warmth, single mom softness, a quiet hero who cares through actions, a bookish heroine trying her best, and a slow-burn romance that felt tender and real.
If you love romances with a quiet MMC, chaotic sunshine FMC, single mom in distress, age gap, forced proximity, coffee shop vibes, a hot surfer hero, and a love story that slowly becomes a safe place, this book is absolutely worth picking up.
This story felt like a warm cup of coffee, a rainy-day comfort read, and a soft reminder that sometimes love shows up quietly — right when you need it most. 💚
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you’re looking for a sweet, heartfelt, messy, real life, contemporary romance based in Wilmington, NC this one might be for you. What drew me in to want to be an ARC reader for “Between The Lines” by Katherine Bitner is the fact that it takes place in Wilmington, NC and being a North Carolina girl myself that intrigued me. I’ve been visiting Wilmington and Carolina Beach my whole life and it was nice to read about actual places I know. I was literally in downtown Wilmington two weeks ago. Masonburg Island is even mentioned and that’s pretty cool too cause my hubby has family that lives across the waterway so you can sit on their dock and see the island. Caden and Fia’s story is a little messy from the start since he’s her boss and she’s the manager of his coffee shop. He seems grumpy and closed off and she’s sunshine and out going so opposites for sure. Fia’s a single mama to a one year old little girl named Daisy and just trying to prove she can make it in this world on her own terms but when the childhood home she grew up in literally starts to fall down around her she was ends up needing help even though she keeps refusing it. She’s stubborn and is relentless on trying to prove to everyone that she’s “got it” but Caden finally steps in and makes her a deal so her house doesn’t end up being a safety hazard for her and her toddler. He values her so much as his employee and knows he needs her but having her stay in his guesthouse while her home repairs are being done has him realizing he sees her as so much more than his employee. But he doesn’t want things to get messy, he doesn’t want to be like his Dad, that’s why he left the family business and started something of his own. He tries to hide his feelings and doesn’t realize that Fia is doing the same thing. Little by little their defenses and walls are coming down the more time they spend together. She’s come to enjoy his company and craves his attention. But dang if Fia isn’t a hot mess and can’t grasp the thought of Caden being such a good man and that he’s interested in her. She almost blows it because of that stubbornness! Fia is drawn to him but she’s scared of making her life even messier. Fia’s need for independence on all fronts almost cost her though and let me just say there was a couple times I wanted to shake her and say OMG just let him help you girl cause he’s literally showing you how much you mean to him but I also could see a little of why she was being so stubborn too. I felt like their story was sweetly written and it just really felt like a real life experience kind of story. But Fia’s need for everyone to be honest with her while she was trying to cover so much up was a little irritating sometimes and her constant refusal of needing help kinda drove me nuts cause sometimes we all need someone to step in and be there for us. I was rooting for them though and hoping they’d get their shit together…lol. The spice is definitely lighter in this book than what I typically read but it’s a sweet simple little palette cleanser and I was so here for the coffee shop and bookstore vibes and it taking place in a coastal town too, yes please!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to Beyond the Books PR and Katherine Bitner for an advanced copy of this book!
This book had me smiling to myself so often that my cheeks were hurting every time I put the book down, which was quite hard to do! I wanted nothing but to just pause life and read this.
I truly love when there are pets or animals involved in the story. Personally I would have loved more Hamburger in the novel, I loved that cat 😊
I struggled a bit with Fia and her stubbornness. I completely understand wanting to prove you can do things on your own, but her constant need to do it herself truly got tiring after a while. Her withholding things from her siblings made sense but also felt a little annoying at times too. In trying to hide what was happening in the name of being mature and “handling it”, I felt that she was being quite childish and naive with the whole thing. Especially when it was obvious that her siblings just wanted to support and love her any way they could, even if it didn’t come across that way. Then for her to turn around and accept Caden’s help almost immediately made me pause for a moment (or several).
However, I loved how he acted with Fia, how he wanted nothing but the best for her. I liked watching how Fia was able to calm down and take a breath when she was with him, knowing he had her back. I can see how Caden can come across as grumpy, but personally I think he was just more reserved and cautious with other people. Which is understandable given his family ties and the crowds he is used to being around. I found his quietness a nice break from Fia’s chaos every now and then. I appreciated how aware he was of how much help Fia had been in making the coffee shop as successful as it was.
I’m not the biggest fan of young children in books, but the author does a great job with Daisy in this. She felt more like part of the cast than something to move the plot along. While parts of Fia’s insecurity in trying another relationship is her being a single mom, Daisy is never really anything more than a baby doing baby things.
Despite the few minor issues with the book, it didn’t take away from how much fun I had with Between the Lines! It was exactly what I was wanting to read in a fun little summer read. Cute and cosy, but with a little bit of drama and emotion, and a lot of chaos. Not to mention the cat!
I will definitely be picking up more of Katherine’s work 😊
This book had me smiling to myself so often that my cheeks were hurting every time I put the book down, which was quite hard to do! I wanted nothing but to just pause life and read this.
I truly love when there are pets or animals involved in the story. Personally I would have loved more Hamburger in the novel, I loved that cat 😊
I struggled a bit with Fia and her stubbornness. I completely understand wanting to prove you can do things on your own, but her constant need to do it herself truly got tiring after a while. Her withholding things from her siblings made sense but also felt a little annoying at times too. In trying to hide what was happening in the name of being mature and “handling it”, I felt that she was being quite childish and naive with the whole thing. Especially when it was obvious that her siblings just wanted to support and love her any way they could, even if it didn’t come across that way. Then for her to turn around and accept Caden’s help almost immediately made me pause for a moment (or several).
However, I loved how he acted with Fia, how he wanted nothing but the best for her. I liked watching how Fia was able to calm down and take a breath when she was with him, knowing he had her back. I can see how Caden can come across as grumpy, but personally I think he was just more reserved and cautious with other people. Which is understandable given his family ties and the crowds he is used to being around. I found his quietness a nice break from Fia’s chaos every now and then. I appreciated how aware he was of how much help Fia had been in making the coffee shop as successful as it was.
I’m not the biggest fan of young children in books, but the author does a great job with Daisy in this. She felt more like part of the cast than something to move the plot along. While parts of Fia’s insecurity in trying another relationship is her being a single mom, Daisy is never really anything more than a baby doing baby things.
Despite the few minor issues with the book, it didn’t take away from how much fun I had with Between the Lines! It was exactly what I was wanting to read in a fun little summer read. Cute and cosy, but with a little bit of drama and emotion, and a lot of chaos. Not to mention the cat!
I will definitely be picking up more of Katherine’s work 😊
Review of advance copy received from Author
Some books entertain you for a while, and some quietly find a home in your heart. Between the Lines by Katherine Bitter is undoubtedly the latter.❤️
From the very first page, Fia and Caden wrapped themselves around my heart in a way I never saw coming. And by the time I reached the final chapter, I knew I was saying goodbye to characters I would carry with me for a very long time.💕
Caden.. where do I even begin? He is softness in a world that often mistakes gentleness for weakness. He loves with patience, with understanding, with a quiet kind of devotion that doesn't demand attention and yet becomes impossible to ignore. There was something so profoundly beautiful about him—the way he showed up, the way he listened, the way he chose love over and over again. He wasn't just lovable; he was unforgettable.🥹
And Fia? She was extraordinary. Fierce yet tender, vulnerable yet incredibly resilient. She carried her scars with grace and faced life's storms with a strength that never felt forced. I admired her deeply—not because she had all the answers, but because she kept moving forward despite the weight she carried. She was raw, real, and impossibly easy to root for. And the way she cared for her daughter it was so beautiful to read.🥹
Together, they created a love story that felt less like fireworks and more like coming home. It wasn't built on grand gestures alone, but on trust, healing, friendship, and the quiet promise of I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere. Their love unfolded between whispered confessions, unspoken understanding, and the courage to let another person truly see you.🌷
This book made my heart ache in the gentlest way. It made me smile through tears and pause just to hold certain words a little longer. It reminded me that the most beautiful love stories aren't always the loudest ones—they're the ones that teach us that love can be safe, patient, and steadfast.
When I turned the last page, I didn't just finish a book. I grieved the end of a journey that had become precious to me.🦋
Between the Lines wasn't merely a story I read—it was a feeling I lived through. And long after the words have faded from the page, Caden's kindness and Fia's strength will remain etched into my heart.
Some stories are meant to be forgotten.
This one will stay with me forever.💫
From the very first page, Fia and Caden wrapped themselves around my heart in a way I never saw coming. And by the time I reached the final chapter, I knew I was saying goodbye to characters I would carry with me for a very long time.💕
Caden.. where do I even begin? He is softness in a world that often mistakes gentleness for weakness. He loves with patience, with understanding, with a quiet kind of devotion that doesn't demand attention and yet becomes impossible to ignore. There was something so profoundly beautiful about him—the way he showed up, the way he listened, the way he chose love over and over again. He wasn't just lovable; he was unforgettable.🥹
And Fia? She was extraordinary. Fierce yet tender, vulnerable yet incredibly resilient. She carried her scars with grace and faced life's storms with a strength that never felt forced. I admired her deeply—not because she had all the answers, but because she kept moving forward despite the weight she carried. She was raw, real, and impossibly easy to root for. And the way she cared for her daughter it was so beautiful to read.🥹
Together, they created a love story that felt less like fireworks and more like coming home. It wasn't built on grand gestures alone, but on trust, healing, friendship, and the quiet promise of I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere. Their love unfolded between whispered confessions, unspoken understanding, and the courage to let another person truly see you.🌷
This book made my heart ache in the gentlest way. It made me smile through tears and pause just to hold certain words a little longer. It reminded me that the most beautiful love stories aren't always the loudest ones—they're the ones that teach us that love can be safe, patient, and steadfast.
When I turned the last page, I didn't just finish a book. I grieved the end of a journey that had become precious to me.🦋
Between the Lines wasn't merely a story I read—it was a feeling I lived through. And long after the words have faded from the page, Caden's kindness and Fia's strength will remain etched into my heart.
Some stories are meant to be forgotten.
This one will stay with me forever.💫
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5/5
Review of advance book copy from author!!!!
CADEN BROOKS, THE MAN YOU ARE!!!!! 🫠
😌Caden, the boss at Good Grinds, and Fia, the manager, started as coworkers, but what began in the workplace slowly turned into something so much more. Their romance felt natural, mature, and incredibly heartwarming.
🌷Fia absolutely has my heart. As a young mother to Daisy (and Hamburger 🥹), she’s trying to build a life on her own while constantly having to prove that she’s capable. Her siblings often underestimated her, forgetting that becoming a mother young doesn’t make her any less independent or capable. Watching her find her footing and gain confidence was beautiful.
I was hooked by his charm right from the very first chapter. The way he effortlessly carried himself, his patience, his kindness, everything about him stood out. He wasn’t the typical mean, broody hero trying to act tough. Instead, he was caring, protective, and honestly? He was falling for Fia long before he even realized it himself. Despite all his insecurities, Caden proved to be the perfect book boyfriend.
I also loved that Caden wasn’t perfect. When he messed up, he did it while trying to protect Fia, but in doing so, he accidentally reinforced the very fears she had about people not believing she was capable enough. Both characters had flaws, acknowledged them, and grew from them, which made the story feel so mature and genuine.
And Daisy? Pure sunshine. ☀️ She fit so perfectly into Caden and Fia’s story. One of my favorite things was seeing how much Caden cared for both of them. He wanted Fia to feel safe and protected. I especially loved Caden’s affection toward Daisy, though I definitely wouldn’t have complained about getting a few more scenes of them together.
🥹The relationship development between Caden and Fia was exactly what I love in a workplace romance. Less spice, more feelings, more emotional connection, and more moments that made my heart melt.
🎀And can we talk about the bookstore? The way Caden helped fulfill Fia’s dream of opening a cozy used bookstore where people could gather, browse, and enjoy books felt straight out of the perfect rom-com.
I loved every single moment of it, and I won’t even deny that I was genuinely sad when I reached the last line. 😭🤍
Would recommend to anyone who loves single parent trope, small town romance ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review of advance book copy from author!!!!
CADEN BROOKS, THE MAN YOU ARE!!!!! 🫠
😌Caden, the boss at Good Grinds, and Fia, the manager, started as coworkers, but what began in the workplace slowly turned into something so much more. Their romance felt natural, mature, and incredibly heartwarming.
🌷Fia absolutely has my heart. As a young mother to Daisy (and Hamburger 🥹), she’s trying to build a life on her own while constantly having to prove that she’s capable. Her siblings often underestimated her, forgetting that becoming a mother young doesn’t make her any less independent or capable. Watching her find her footing and gain confidence was beautiful.
I was hooked by his charm right from the very first chapter. The way he effortlessly carried himself, his patience, his kindness, everything about him stood out. He wasn’t the typical mean, broody hero trying to act tough. Instead, he was caring, protective, and honestly? He was falling for Fia long before he even realized it himself. Despite all his insecurities, Caden proved to be the perfect book boyfriend.
I also loved that Caden wasn’t perfect. When he messed up, he did it while trying to protect Fia, but in doing so, he accidentally reinforced the very fears she had about people not believing she was capable enough. Both characters had flaws, acknowledged them, and grew from them, which made the story feel so mature and genuine.
And Daisy? Pure sunshine. ☀️ She fit so perfectly into Caden and Fia’s story. One of my favorite things was seeing how much Caden cared for both of them. He wanted Fia to feel safe and protected. I especially loved Caden’s affection toward Daisy, though I definitely wouldn’t have complained about getting a few more scenes of them together.
🥹The relationship development between Caden and Fia was exactly what I love in a workplace romance. Less spice, more feelings, more emotional connection, and more moments that made my heart melt.
🎀And can we talk about the bookstore? The way Caden helped fulfill Fia’s dream of opening a cozy used bookstore where people could gather, browse, and enjoy books felt straight out of the perfect rom-com.
I loved every single moment of it, and I won’t even deny that I was genuinely sad when I reached the last line. 😭🤍
Would recommend to anyone who loves single parent trope, small town romance ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is what got me out of my reading slump, that's just how good it is!!! 5 ⭐️.
Fia is a single mom who is a manager at a popular coffee shop. She manages her toddler, a hectic job and her falling house...literally. Her siblings have been pushing her to sell their grandmothers house because it was old and thought it wasn't safe for her to live in. That was before they found out about the holes in her roof and the mold in her walls. One day after being frazzled with all this news, she drops the quote for a new roof in her bosses office. To her surprise, he proposes he "loan" her the money to fix her roof. That led to her having to move out of her house and with nowhere else to go, she moves into her bosses guesthouse. From here they try to balance the line between personal and professionalism which both of them inevitably fail.
This was such a cute and wholesome book! This was a simple romance but shows the nuances of the life of a struggling single mother. Fia has so much on her plate yet she still finds it in her to be so optimistic and positive about life whenever she can. She will do anything she can for her daughter and that's something every mother can relate to. What I love especially about Fia is that her character is not reduced to being a red head or a conventional red headed character. That's something that is seen and overused a lot and it was so appreciated that she was not called 'Red' or 'Crimson' or any red nickname equivalent.
Caden was a sweetheart. He genuinely has a good heart and good intentions. I love how the conflict in the book isn't about him cheating or having too much money or being self-centered. It's refreshing when a rich MMC does good things just because.
The plot was fantastic. Like I mentioned previously it's a simple romance between boss and employee but with a little one and a man hating cat. Just the simplicity of it all made it so easy to read and something so very imaginable.
Thank you so much to Katherine and Beyondthebookspr for sending me an ARC of this book! I had a fantastic time reading this.
If you like the following tropes then this book is for you:
> Boss x Employee
> Single mom
> Grumpy x Sunshine
> Man Hating Cat
> Cozy Romance
Fia is a single mom who is a manager at a popular coffee shop. She manages her toddler, a hectic job and her falling house...literally. Her siblings have been pushing her to sell their grandmothers house because it was old and thought it wasn't safe for her to live in. That was before they found out about the holes in her roof and the mold in her walls. One day after being frazzled with all this news, she drops the quote for a new roof in her bosses office. To her surprise, he proposes he "loan" her the money to fix her roof. That led to her having to move out of her house and with nowhere else to go, she moves into her bosses guesthouse. From here they try to balance the line between personal and professionalism which both of them inevitably fail.
This was such a cute and wholesome book! This was a simple romance but shows the nuances of the life of a struggling single mother. Fia has so much on her plate yet she still finds it in her to be so optimistic and positive about life whenever she can. She will do anything she can for her daughter and that's something every mother can relate to. What I love especially about Fia is that her character is not reduced to being a red head or a conventional red headed character. That's something that is seen and overused a lot and it was so appreciated that she was not called 'Red' or 'Crimson' or any red nickname equivalent.
Caden was a sweetheart. He genuinely has a good heart and good intentions. I love how the conflict in the book isn't about him cheating or having too much money or being self-centered. It's refreshing when a rich MMC does good things just because.
The plot was fantastic. Like I mentioned previously it's a simple romance between boss and employee but with a little one and a man hating cat. Just the simplicity of it all made it so easy to read and something so very imaginable.
Thank you so much to Katherine and Beyondthebookspr for sending me an ARC of this book! I had a fantastic time reading this.
If you like the following tropes then this book is for you:
> Boss x Employee
> Single mom
> Grumpy x Sunshine
> Man Hating Cat
> Cozy Romance
Review of advance copy received from Author
Katherine Bitner has officially become one of those authors whose books I will pick up without even reading the blurb. Her stories are always the literary equivalent of being wrapped up in your favorite blanket with your favorite drink, and Between the Lines was no exception.
This book gave me everything I love in a romance: a grumpy hero who never stood a chance, a sunshine heroine who refuses to give up, forced proximity, a single mom trying her best, and a precious little girl who completely stole every scene she was in.
Fia was such an easy character to root for. She's juggling motherhood, work, financial stress, and an overbearing family while desperately trying to hold onto the home that means everything to her. I admired how fiercely independent she was, even when accepting help felt impossible. As a reader, all I wanted was for things to finally go right for her.
And then there's Caden.
I am an absolute sucker for the grumpy guy who secretly has the biggest heart, and Caden delivered. Watching him slowly let Fia and her daughter into his carefully guarded life was incredibly rewarding. The progression of their relationship felt natural and genuine, with every shared moment adding another layer to their connection. The chemistry was there from the beginning, but it was the emotional intimacy that completely won me over.
My favorite quote perfectly captures why I fell so hard for this story:
"I thought I had everything I needed in my life. But then you moved in, and I began to question everything I thought I knew for certain. For the first time I experienced how my house could feel like a home."
If that doesn't make your heart melt, I don't know what will.
What I love most about Katherine Bitner's books is that they never rely on unnecessary drama. Instead, she creates characters who feel real, relationships that develop organically, and stories that leave you feeling warm long after you've turned the final page. Between the Lines was cozy, heartfelt, romantic, and exactly the kind of comfort read I needed.
If you love grumpy/sunshine, single mom romance, slow-burn tension, found family vibes, and heroes who fall completely and irrevocably first, do yourself a favor and pick this one up.
This book gave me everything I love in a romance: a grumpy hero who never stood a chance, a sunshine heroine who refuses to give up, forced proximity, a single mom trying her best, and a precious little girl who completely stole every scene she was in.
Fia was such an easy character to root for. She's juggling motherhood, work, financial stress, and an overbearing family while desperately trying to hold onto the home that means everything to her. I admired how fiercely independent she was, even when accepting help felt impossible. As a reader, all I wanted was for things to finally go right for her.
And then there's Caden.
I am an absolute sucker for the grumpy guy who secretly has the biggest heart, and Caden delivered. Watching him slowly let Fia and her daughter into his carefully guarded life was incredibly rewarding. The progression of their relationship felt natural and genuine, with every shared moment adding another layer to their connection. The chemistry was there from the beginning, but it was the emotional intimacy that completely won me over.
My favorite quote perfectly captures why I fell so hard for this story:
"I thought I had everything I needed in my life. But then you moved in, and I began to question everything I thought I knew for certain. For the first time I experienced how my house could feel like a home."
If that doesn't make your heart melt, I don't know what will.
What I love most about Katherine Bitner's books is that they never rely on unnecessary drama. Instead, she creates characters who feel real, relationships that develop organically, and stories that leave you feeling warm long after you've turned the final page. Between the Lines was cozy, heartfelt, romantic, and exactly the kind of comfort read I needed.
If you love grumpy/sunshine, single mom romance, slow-burn tension, found family vibes, and heroes who fall completely and irrevocably first, do yourself a favor and pick this one up.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Between the Lines is the third book in The Hometown Series, and it left me feeling incredibly homesick for Eastern North Carolina. Katherine Bitner’s writing transported me right alongside Fia and Caden, and because I’ve actually been to some of the places mentioned, the story felt even more personal and nostalgic. It truly felt like coming home.
I absolutely adored Caden and Fia together. Caden is fiercely protective of Fia and constantly looks for ways to ease her burdens and show her how much he loves her. Sure, he has a tendency to bulldoze his way through situations at times, but his heart is always in the right place. I especially loved the grumpy/sunshine dynamic between them. Watching Caden discover what truly matters in life—and realizing that some risks are worth taking, even when they’re scary—made for such a heartfelt journey.
One of my favorite aspects of this story was seeing Fia through Caden’s eyes. He sees strengths and qualities in her that she struggles to recognize in herself, and through his love and support, she slowly begins to see them too. Their relationship felt genuine, tender, and deeply emotional.
While this book can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading at least book two beforehand. It provides important background and helps you fully appreciate the nuances and emotional depth of this story.
As always, Katherine writes amazing animal characters, and this time we get a feral cat named Hamburger, who completely stole my heart. One of my favorite moments was Daisy, Fia’s daughter, trying to eat Hamburger’s tail. It was such a perfectly realistic toddler moment and reminded me so much of when my own girls were that age.
This book gave me all the warm, loving, and nostalgic feelings. I couldn’t put it down and ended up reading it in a single afternoon. Caden, Fia, and the entire cast of The Hometown Series are impossible not to love. If you’re looking for a heartwarming small-town romance filled with family, love, growth, and all the feels, this is definitely one to pick up.
I absolutely adored Caden and Fia together. Caden is fiercely protective of Fia and constantly looks for ways to ease her burdens and show her how much he loves her. Sure, he has a tendency to bulldoze his way through situations at times, but his heart is always in the right place. I especially loved the grumpy/sunshine dynamic between them. Watching Caden discover what truly matters in life—and realizing that some risks are worth taking, even when they’re scary—made for such a heartfelt journey.
One of my favorite aspects of this story was seeing Fia through Caden’s eyes. He sees strengths and qualities in her that she struggles to recognize in herself, and through his love and support, she slowly begins to see them too. Their relationship felt genuine, tender, and deeply emotional.
While this book can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading at least book two beforehand. It provides important background and helps you fully appreciate the nuances and emotional depth of this story.
As always, Katherine writes amazing animal characters, and this time we get a feral cat named Hamburger, who completely stole my heart. One of my favorite moments was Daisy, Fia’s daughter, trying to eat Hamburger’s tail. It was such a perfectly realistic toddler moment and reminded me so much of when my own girls were that age.
This book gave me all the warm, loving, and nostalgic feelings. I couldn’t put it down and ended up reading it in a single afternoon. Caden, Fia, and the entire cast of The Hometown Series are impossible not to love. If you’re looking for a heartwarming small-town romance filled with family, love, growth, and all the feels, this is definitely one to pick up.
July 4, 2026
Thank you to the author and Beyond the books PR for the ARC.
As a first time mom to a 2 year old myself, Fia really resonated with me. I'm not a single mom, but watching her fight so hard just to keep her head above water really stayed with me. It was actually one of the main reasons I loved this book so much.
She just wants to prove herself, mostly to herself, but everyone around her keeps bulldozing over her. They mean well, but I completely understood her reactions. At the beginning I was actually getting frustrated with her family because they just wouldn't give her a break.
Cade was so much fun to read. He's kind of standoffish, but underneath it all he's incredibly soft. The way he cares for Fia is so sweet, especially because everyone else sees him as this strict, serious guy. Watching him try to stay away while constantly wanting to help her and make her life easier was honestly so precious. His inner monologue had me smiling the whole time.
This is the perfect summer romance. The setting was amazing, and all I wanted to do was take this book to the beach.
I did wish there had been a little more interaction between Daisy and Cade though. It didn't quite land for me when he said he was "missing my girls" because he'd only really spent time with her daughter a couple of times. I completely understand that Fia didn't want her daughter to get attached too quickly, but I still would have loved a few more moments between them.
This was my first book in the series, even though it's the third one. The author recommends reading them in order. Personally, I never felt lost and this story works really well as a standalone. That said, I do think you probably build a stronger connection with the characters if you start from the beginning. I know I'll definitely be going back to read the first two books because I love romance series where you get to know the characters more deeply over time.
I really enjoyed this book. It was cute, fast paced, and still managed to have real emotional depth. I can't wait to read more from this author and this series.
As a first time mom to a 2 year old myself, Fia really resonated with me. I'm not a single mom, but watching her fight so hard just to keep her head above water really stayed with me. It was actually one of the main reasons I loved this book so much.
She just wants to prove herself, mostly to herself, but everyone around her keeps bulldozing over her. They mean well, but I completely understood her reactions. At the beginning I was actually getting frustrated with her family because they just wouldn't give her a break.
Cade was so much fun to read. He's kind of standoffish, but underneath it all he's incredibly soft. The way he cares for Fia is so sweet, especially because everyone else sees him as this strict, serious guy. Watching him try to stay away while constantly wanting to help her and make her life easier was honestly so precious. His inner monologue had me smiling the whole time.
This is the perfect summer romance. The setting was amazing, and all I wanted to do was take this book to the beach.
I did wish there had been a little more interaction between Daisy and Cade though. It didn't quite land for me when he said he was "missing my girls" because he'd only really spent time with her daughter a couple of times. I completely understand that Fia didn't want her daughter to get attached too quickly, but I still would have loved a few more moments between them.
This was my first book in the series, even though it's the third one. The author recommends reading them in order. Personally, I never felt lost and this story works really well as a standalone. That said, I do think you probably build a stronger connection with the characters if you start from the beginning. I know I'll definitely be going back to read the first two books because I love romance series where you get to know the characters more deeply over time.
I really enjoyed this book. It was cute, fast paced, and still managed to have real emotional depth. I can't wait to read more from this author and this series.
June 30, 2026
4⭐️ ┇ Bookstagram ┇ BookTok
This was such a sweet summer romance! It had me feeling all the feels—joy, laughter, heartbreak, and all the swoony moments.
The story follows Fia, a 22-year-old single mom who's a little chaotic but impossible not to root for. She's the manager of a small-town coffee shop and lives in her late grandmother's old house that's literally falling apart. Caden, her boss & coffee shop owner, offers to lend her the money when the house needs a new roof. But after mold is discovered, the repairs become much bigger than expected, forcing Fia and her toddler daughter out of their home. That's when Caden steps in and offers them his guesthouse.
The tension and yearning between them was done so well. Their inner monologues had me laughing, and I loved watching Caden quietly show up for Fia every single time she needed him. He was truly her silent hero, and it was impossible not to fall for him.
I wasn't a fan of Fia's reaction toward the end and the third-act breakup, but I absolutely loved how Caden fought for their relationship and proved just how much he loved her. His grand gesture was everything.
Overall this was a heartwarming small-town romance with a lovable single mom, a swoony hero, plenty of pining, with all the summer vibes.
‧₊˚✧𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽✧˚₊‧
➳❥ Small Town Romance
➳❥ Single Mom
➳❥ He’s Her Boss
➳❥ Grumpy x Sunshine
➳❥ Age Gap
➳❥ Slow Burn
➳❥ Forced Proximity
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝓕𝓪𝓿 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽t𝓮𝓼
“But that's what books are for. They aren't real life. They're a break from it.”
“…beginning to realize that there isn't anything I wouldn't do for this girl.”
“I deserve a dress?”
“You deserve so much more.”
“Seeing her walk away from me is like seeing everything I care about slipping from my fingers.
Fuck the rules. I need her.”
“You are worth every risk.”
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