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Between the Lines
You've Got Mail meets Cyrano de Bergerac in this 1900s historical romance that readers compare to Anne of Green Gables."This is a perfect read for those who are romantics at heart!" -Katie's Clean Book CollectionJane Martin is intelligent but extremely shy, especially around men. When the Aid and Cultural Society proposes a letter-writing program, Jane signs up, hoping she can find a friend across the miles. But the program doesn’t run as smoothly as expected.
Unbeknownst to her, Thomas Allred from town becomes her writing friend. Thomas has always known quiet Jane—or thought he did—but reading her letters addressed to his secret persona opens his eyes to what an amazing woman she is. Meanwhile, Jane has no idea that the romantic letters she receives are penned by Thomas—or that he’s falling in love with her in person.
Between the Lines was originally part of A Timeless Romance Love Letter Collection, published in 2014.
Unbeknownst to her, Thomas Allred from town becomes her writing friend. Thomas has always known quiet Jane—or thought he did—but reading her letters addressed to his secret persona opens his eyes to what an amazing woman she is. Meanwhile, Jane has no idea that the romantic letters she receives are penned by Thomas—or that he’s falling in love with her in person.
Between the Lines was originally part of A Timeless Romance Love Letter Collection, published in 2014.
52 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 15, 2016
15 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Annette Lyon
82 books306 followersAnnette Lyon is a USA Today bestselling author, an 9-time recipient of Utah’s Best in State medal for fiction (three times for novel-length works and five times for short fiction), and a Whitney Award winner for BAND OF SISTERS. She's the author of over a dozen novels, at least that many novellas, a cookbook, a popular grammar guide, and over a hundred magazine articles.
She’s a founder and regular contributor of the Timeless Romance Anthologies line of sweet romance stories, which she served as editor for its first three years. She's also one of the four co-authors of The Newport Ladies Book Club series. She graduated cum laude from BYU with a degree in English.
Annette is represented by Jill Marsal of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.
Her first suspense novel, Just One More, releases 2023 through Scarlet Suspense.
She’s a founder and regular contributor of the Timeless Romance Anthologies line of sweet romance stories, which she served as editor for its first three years. She's also one of the four co-authors of The Newport Ladies Book Club series. She graduated cum laude from BYU with a degree in English.
Annette is represented by Jill Marsal of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.
Her first suspense novel, Just One More, releases 2023 through Scarlet Suspense.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
July 14, 2016
This story takes place in Provo, Utah in 1926. Jane Martin is smart but has always been quiet and shy so she is basically ignored by her peers. At one of the Aid and Cultural Society meetings, the leader, Emma Tanner, proposed a letter-writing program with Canadian friends. It didn't go as planned and Thomas Allred, who works at the post office, poses as a young man from Canada (Charles) and becomes her pen pal. As he gets to really know Jane, his opinion of her changes, but how will she react when she learns the truth?
I love stories like this! This can be read in less than an hour and is a fun story about two people who grew up together but don't really know each other. Thomas has always been kind to Jane and figures he'll write her a few letters and then fade away. Jane realizes that she's not beautiful and won't attract the attention of any of the guys her age so she's interested in opening up her world a little more. She had to do things to get out of her comfort zone more so she would have something to write to Charles about. I loved how this story came together and how it highlights the power of the written word! This novella is perfect when you're looking for a quick, heartwarming romance!
I received a copy from the author for an honest review. My opinion is 100% my own.
Mel's Shelves
I love stories like this! This can be read in less than an hour and is a fun story about two people who grew up together but don't really know each other. Thomas has always been kind to Jane and figures he'll write her a few letters and then fade away. Jane realizes that she's not beautiful and won't attract the attention of any of the guys her age so she's interested in opening up her world a little more. She had to do things to get out of her comfort zone more so she would have something to write to Charles about. I loved how this story came together and how it highlights the power of the written word! This novella is perfect when you're looking for a quick, heartwarming romance!
I received a copy from the author for an honest review. My opinion is 100% my own.
Mel's Shelves
June 15, 2016
This novella was included in the Timeless Romance Anthology: Love Letter Collection. I loved it then and I love it now!
One thing that I really loved about this story is the fact that sometimes the person for you is right under your nose. My husband and I grew up in the same small town and never really knew each other until we were grown up. Thomas and Jane went to school together and grew up together, but never really knew each other. Not until Emma, president of the Aide and Cultural Society, puts together a pen pal exchange with her aunt in Canada. With no one to match up with Jane, Thomas writes to her, pretending to be a pen pal, and isn't it amazing what thoughts and feelings can be shared through the written word?
Thomas is a real man. Jane isn't the most outgoing and beautiful girl in their society, yet he cares more about her feelings and making her happy, than all of that. This story proves that it's not always the instant attraction to someone that makes a relationship work. Sometimes, a lot of times, a person becomes more attractive the more you get to know her/him. I loved the way Jane opened up and blossomed through these exchanges and the way Thomas told her who he really was.
This is a perfect read for those who are romantics at heart!
Content: clean, mild romance
*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*
One thing that I really loved about this story is the fact that sometimes the person for you is right under your nose. My husband and I grew up in the same small town and never really knew each other until we were grown up. Thomas and Jane went to school together and grew up together, but never really knew each other. Not until Emma, president of the Aide and Cultural Society, puts together a pen pal exchange with her aunt in Canada. With no one to match up with Jane, Thomas writes to her, pretending to be a pen pal, and isn't it amazing what thoughts and feelings can be shared through the written word?
Thomas is a real man. Jane isn't the most outgoing and beautiful girl in their society, yet he cares more about her feelings and making her happy, than all of that. This story proves that it's not always the instant attraction to someone that makes a relationship work. Sometimes, a lot of times, a person becomes more attractive the more you get to know her/him. I loved the way Jane opened up and blossomed through these exchanges and the way Thomas told her who he really was.
This is a perfect read for those who are romantics at heart!
Content: clean, mild romance
*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*
June 18, 2016
I received a copy of this novella for an honest review. This novella is also included in Timeless Romance Anthologies: Love Letter Collection. This story takes place in Provo, Utah in 1926 and is about Jane, an really shy young woman, who belongs to the Aid and Cultural Society in town. She feels as if she doesn't fit in and that she's plain. Emma, the leader of the Society decides to exchange letters with a similar organization in Canada. There aren't enough member in Canada for everyone in Provo to have a "letter friend" so Thomas, who also belongs to the Aid and Cultural Society comes up with a plan so everyone will have a "letter friend".
This is such a sweet story and a really quick read, about 50 pages (7 chapters) long.
This is such a sweet story and a really quick read, about 50 pages (7 chapters) long.
June 15, 2016
**I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**
Set in 1926, extremely shy Jane Martin is a member of the local Aid and Cultural Society. As part of a cultural exchange, the group decides to write to members of a similar society in Canada, becoming “letter friends” (or as we would call it, pen pals). When they are short a few names, Thomas (a member of Jane’s group) agrees to secretly become Jane’s letter friend—creating a new identity to spare her feelings.
Since this is a romance, you can probably guess some of what happens next. In that way, it follows a predictable course for sweet romance. But the characters and the historical details are what makes it shine. I really enjoyed this novella. At first I thought Jane was a little over the top in her belief that no man would ever be interested in her, and that she’d never really have any friends. But then I remembered myself as a young girl and decided, yep, I could relate to this girl.
I liked Thomas and his patience, allowing the friendship to develop naturally—both through the letters in his Charles persona and as himself. I also liked that he felt guilty at deceiving Jane.
The setting, the language, and behaviors were exactly as I’d imagine them to be in the 1920s.
This is a quick and easy read at only 52 pages—and my only complaint is that I genuinely prefer longer stories where you can get a little more character development. I found myself wanting to know more about both Jane and Thomas. However for a novella, it was very good.
If you like the shorter novellas, and you like clean and sweet historical romances, I think you’ll like Between the Lines. I give it 4 1/2 STARS.
Set in 1926, extremely shy Jane Martin is a member of the local Aid and Cultural Society. As part of a cultural exchange, the group decides to write to members of a similar society in Canada, becoming “letter friends” (or as we would call it, pen pals). When they are short a few names, Thomas (a member of Jane’s group) agrees to secretly become Jane’s letter friend—creating a new identity to spare her feelings.
Since this is a romance, you can probably guess some of what happens next. In that way, it follows a predictable course for sweet romance. But the characters and the historical details are what makes it shine. I really enjoyed this novella. At first I thought Jane was a little over the top in her belief that no man would ever be interested in her, and that she’d never really have any friends. But then I remembered myself as a young girl and decided, yep, I could relate to this girl.
I liked Thomas and his patience, allowing the friendship to develop naturally—both through the letters in his Charles persona and as himself. I also liked that he felt guilty at deceiving Jane.
The setting, the language, and behaviors were exactly as I’d imagine them to be in the 1920s.
This is a quick and easy read at only 52 pages—and my only complaint is that I genuinely prefer longer stories where you can get a little more character development. I found myself wanting to know more about both Jane and Thomas. However for a novella, it was very good.
If you like the shorter novellas, and you like clean and sweet historical romances, I think you’ll like Between the Lines. I give it 4 1/2 STARS.
June 14, 2016
The captivating novella BETWEEN THE LINES follows Jane Martin, who is intelligent but extremely shy, especially around men. When the Aid and Cultural Society proposes a letter-writing program, Jane signs up, hoping she can find true friendship. The program doesn’t run as smoothly as expected, and unknown to Jane, one of the men in her city becomes her writing friend. Thomas Allred has always known shy and quiet Jane, but reading her letters written to his secret persona, opens his eyes to what an amazing woman she is. The only trouble is, Jane doesn’t know that the man who she is falling in love with through letters is also Thomas, the man who is falling in love with her in person.
FYI ~ Clean Read
Honest disclosure ~ I received a review copy from the author
FYI ~ Clean Read
Honest disclosure ~ I received a review copy from the author
April 26, 2017
I love this sweet story! Thomas starts out just trying to be the solution to the problem of matching everyone up with a pen pal, and it's great how he is able to come to know the thoughtful and vibrant personality of the shyest girl in town. Of course, then he has another problem- how to get her to fall in love with his real self, rather than his pen pal persona. The spirit of hopefulness and discovery makes this a story to remember and one I enjoy re-reading when I'm in the mood for a quick feel-good tale!
Between the Lines was originally published in the Timeless Romance Anthology: Love Letters Collection.
(I purchased this novella as part of the original collection; this is my honest review)
Between the Lines was originally published in the Timeless Romance Anthology: Love Letters Collection.
(I purchased this novella as part of the original collection; this is my honest review)
November 15, 2016
You've Got Mail/Cyrano de Bergerac in 1920s Utah.
March 11, 2017
3.5 Stars
This is part of the Love Letter Collection that I just finished reading. It wasn't my favorite of the bunch, but a cute and sweet read.
This is part of the Love Letter Collection that I just finished reading. It wasn't my favorite of the bunch, but a cute and sweet read.
June 15, 2016
I love how some of these novellas from the Timeless Romance Collections are being released as stand alone novellas. This is a cute one and well worth the time to read it again. I read it in less than an hour and loved the little escape from real life it allowed me.
I love Jane. She's always been the least popular one, both with the boys and with all of the girls that she's known since she was a young girl growing up in Provo. I love the way that she doesn't recognize that she's grown into a beautiful young woman and I loved that Thomas hadn't either until he took it upon himself to become her letter friend. That was a really fun part of the plot. Thomas falling in love with her letter by letter and Jane feeling more and more guilt about spending time with Thomas.
This is a cute novella that I enjoyed reading!
I love Jane. She's always been the least popular one, both with the boys and with all of the girls that she's known since she was a young girl growing up in Provo. I love the way that she doesn't recognize that she's grown into a beautiful young woman and I loved that Thomas hadn't either until he took it upon himself to become her letter friend. That was a really fun part of the plot. Thomas falling in love with her letter by letter and Jane feeling more and more guilt about spending time with Thomas.
This is a cute novella that I enjoyed reading!
June 15, 2016
I first read this novella (short story) as part of the Timeless Romance Anthology: Love Letter Collection so having the opportunity to read it again was a real treat! Even though it only takes about a hour to read from start to finish, I fell in love with the two main characters quite easily. Growing up I was a painfully shy child/teen, and so I quickly connected to the main character Jane, since she has a shy and quiet personality especially among men. Between the Lines was a heartwarming love story between two soft spoken people who find that they have a knack for writing and can more easily express their feelings through pen and paper, and unknowingly become pen pals who learn more and more about each other from each letter that is written. If you love clean romance and don't have a lot of time to read full length novels, you've got to check this one out!
June 14, 2016
I really enjoyed this novella! I liked how the friendship and then the romance grew through the letters. It makes the romance more real. I also loved how Thomas started to court Jane after he got to know her through the letters. Although the story is short and sweet, it had quality development and I didn't feel cheated from its shorter length. I love reading novellas when I need to wind down at night but don't want to be up all night reading a book. They are just like a sweet and savory square of quality chocolate.
June 17, 2016
I love this book. It's a sweet quick read that put a smile on my face. As Thomas under the assumed name of Charles writes to Jane, thinking it will only be temporary. But, as time goes by.... Finds he needs to be around her.....
I could have read more of this story! It kept my attention as I wanted to see what was going to be in the letters.
Was not disappointed one bit!!
I could have read more of this story! It kept my attention as I wanted to see what was going to be in the letters.
Was not disappointed one bit!!
January 10, 2021
Story: 4.5 stars
For a novella, I felt that this was a satisfying book. Both main characters experienced growth and were better for having corresponded with one another: Jane gained some confidence and began to blossom and Thomas learned to appreciate the quieter beauty and deeper intelligence of his “letter friend”. Both introduced the other to new interests; art, theater, poetry and literature.
I agree with other reviewers that this would make for an incredible novel...how I would have loved to experience the actual letters along with our protagonists!
I loved the description of hair! Waves and a low bun were called a ‘faux bob’, since actually bobbing the hair was controversial back then. Of course, it became less so as time went on and eventually wasn’t the big deal it was in the early to mid 20’s.
*poor, **ok, ***good, ****very good, *****something special
For a novella, I felt that this was a satisfying book. Both main characters experienced growth and were better for having corresponded with one another: Jane gained some confidence and began to blossom and Thomas learned to appreciate the quieter beauty and deeper intelligence of his “letter friend”. Both introduced the other to new interests; art, theater, poetry and literature.
I agree with other reviewers that this would make for an incredible novel...how I would have loved to experience the actual letters along with our protagonists!
I loved the description of hair! Waves and a low bun were called a ‘faux bob’, since actually bobbing the hair was controversial back then. Of course, it became less so as time went on and eventually wasn’t the big deal it was in the early to mid 20’s.
*poor, **ok, ***good, ****very good, *****something special
April 29, 2019
As part of
A Timeless Romance Anthology: Love Letters Collection audiobook narrated by Siiri Scott
April 24-
5 stars April 29, 2019
Between the Lines by Annette Lyons
That was so sweet! Even better than the perfect looking couple we normally see on book covers, these two fall in love with the true person! This story is every woman’s dream! That someone will love her for who she really is, how she feels, her desires, her interests, her opinions, her character and her kindness! Bravo! The narration was perfect! She truly captured the personalities of the characters!
A Timeless Romance Anthology: Love Letters Collection audiobook narrated by Siiri Scott
April 24-
5 stars April 29, 2019
Between the Lines by Annette Lyons
That was so sweet! Even better than the perfect looking couple we normally see on book covers, these two fall in love with the true person! This story is every woman’s dream! That someone will love her for who she really is, how she feels, her desires, her interests, her opinions, her character and her kindness! Bravo! The narration was perfect! She truly captured the personalities of the characters!
December 11, 2020
This novella was a historical short, very cute and fun to see the situation Thomas gets himself into with Jane and how he tries to undo it so he can be with her. Was definitely rooting for those 2 to straighten it out so they could see what was right in front of their eyes. Also loved the inclusion of the play of Peter Pan and the poetry of Elizabeth Barrett Browning and her husband Robert.
July 14, 2018
This book was wonderful. I love the characters. This is a sweet romance. This is another book where the 2 main characters need to write letters to get to know each other. It was sweet and very enjoyable.
June 23, 2022
This was a delightful story which captivated me right from the start. The two main characters were so real and likable! Love sweet, clean romantic tales and love everything that Annette Lyon writes.
September 7, 2017
What a fun novella. I like that two neighbors come to see each other as more because of their letter writing campaign. Sweet & easy read.
February 23, 2018
Cute Stories. I use to have pen pals when I was a kid. This reminds me of that time.
July 22, 2019
wonderful love story!!! Penpals who fall in love!!
March 13, 2020
I enjoyed this story about Jane & Thomas being pen-pals. It's cute how they discover they like each other & can be more than friends. I received a free copy. This is my honest, voluntary review.
July 8, 2020
A cute novella.
April 25, 2021
This was a cute short story.
The characters were likable.
Of course he falls in love with her. But how to confess his true identity without losing her?
The characters were likable.
Of course he falls in love with her. But how to confess his true identity without losing her?
March 9, 2022
I first read this in an anthology and then got it as a free book for signing up for the author's newsletter. Still a fun read, knew where it was going, but it was still a lovely ride.
July 28, 2016
Short and sweet. That is literally the best descriptor for this story.
Okay, so as a girl and a lover of romance novels I have always wanted to receive a love letter the like of Captain Wentworth or Philip Wyndham (Just to show you how obsessed I am, the love letter in question is from Chapter 16 of Edenbrook by Julianne Donaldson. I have it memorized. My book automatically opens straight to chapter 16 because of how often I go and reread that scene). This book is all about writing letters back and forth to your love. The fact that he doesn’t actually exist is a different story all together.
Thomas is super sweet and I think that shows in how he wants to help everyone by putting himself in a pickle. And the fact that he cared enough to get to know the real Jane is just super sweet. He could have easily kept his letters impersonal and sharp, but he made her feel comfortable with his fake persona. If he had stuck with the former he would have not been in the mess he made for himself, but he has a heart and that is the best thing about him.
I liked that even though this was a Novella it kept to a realistic time zone. Most novella’s I read make the two fall in love in like an hour then they have a huge fight, but magically ten minutes later they are back together. Okay, so they’re not that bad, but I liked that this took months for them to fall for each other and for the secret to slip.
This was such a cute and quick read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am going to give this 5 stars even though I wished it was longer. That’s my one problem with Novella’s they are just too short to really fill you. But it was great nonetheless and I would tell all my friends to read it.
Okay, so as a girl and a lover of romance novels I have always wanted to receive a love letter the like of Captain Wentworth or Philip Wyndham (Just to show you how obsessed I am, the love letter in question is from Chapter 16 of Edenbrook by Julianne Donaldson. I have it memorized. My book automatically opens straight to chapter 16 because of how often I go and reread that scene). This book is all about writing letters back and forth to your love. The fact that he doesn’t actually exist is a different story all together.
Thomas is super sweet and I think that shows in how he wants to help everyone by putting himself in a pickle. And the fact that he cared enough to get to know the real Jane is just super sweet. He could have easily kept his letters impersonal and sharp, but he made her feel comfortable with his fake persona. If he had stuck with the former he would have not been in the mess he made for himself, but he has a heart and that is the best thing about him.
I liked that even though this was a Novella it kept to a realistic time zone. Most novella’s I read make the two fall in love in like an hour then they have a huge fight, but magically ten minutes later they are back together. Okay, so they’re not that bad, but I liked that this took months for them to fall for each other and for the secret to slip.
This was such a cute and quick read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am going to give this 5 stars even though I wished it was longer. That’s my one problem with Novella’s they are just too short to really fill you. But it was great nonetheless and I would tell all my friends to read it.
Read
January 22, 2023I adored the concept of Between the Lines: the local postal worker Thomas matches himself as a pen pale for the shy, overlooked Jane—a woman he grew up with—and falls in love with her during their correspondence. Because she doesn’t realize his true identity, he must try to win her outside his pen pal persona. Thomas and Jane’s romance developed gradually and rather sweetly as the couple came to know and love one another on a deeper level through their sharing their thoughts and true selves with one another. I enjoyed both their exchanged letters and watching Jane blossom as her relationship with Thomas deepened, as well as the confidence Jane developed throughout their correspondence. Overall, it made for an enjoyable and sweet, romantic short story, and a lovely way to pass an evening.
July 15, 2016
I really loved this novella. Jane thinks she is plain and unattractive. She is shy, but so intelligent. Thomas is a sweet, romantic guy and wants to help Jane. He just doesn’t realize that in the process he will fall in love. I loved the idea of writing letters. Jane pours her heart out to her pen pal, unknowingly they are actually to Thomas. Of course misunderstandings ensue and Jane falls in love with both her pen pal and Thomas. It is a fun and romantic book. Great afternoon read. It will make you laugh, maybe cry but, mostly, you will love it.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
September 28, 2016
What a fun book to read! Between The Lines is short and to the point but I still saw progress with the characters. I am constantly amazed how the “Junior High/High School-ness” transcends the ages, aren’t you? Annette Lyons created characters who are completely relatable. I could easily see how their situations occurred, why Jane would be furious and why Thomas would be hesitant to tell her about himself. This would be a fun book for early YA girls as well as anyone who thinks they’re YA and just needs a pick-me-up.
4 ½ Stars. Squeaky clean.
4 ½ Stars. Squeaky clean.
July 13, 2016
The Love Letter collection is one of my favorites of the Anthologies! This novella is so sweet I love how Jane and Thomas were able to form such a wonderful relationship through letter writing and in turn it helped their in personal relationship at the same time. If you loved this story defiantly get the Love Letter Collection and the Annette Lyon Collection because both are awesome!
Note: I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Note: I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews