THIRD PLACE ROMANTIC BOOK OF THE YEAR 2021 - Romance Writers of AustraliaARE SOME SECRETS TOO GOOD TO KEEP?Kat Chalmers is a high achiever. As the co-host of a leading current affairs program, she’s earned nation-wide acclaim for her interview skills. And now she plans to use those skills to find out more about her mysterious neighbor, Matt Goodridge.Matt works long hours as an obstetrician and doesn’t like talking about his past. He’s also intrigued by his famous neighbor, although getting to know her is difficult when she prefers to be the one asking the questions.But Kat can’t seem to stay away. Matt’s like no one she’s ever met and she finds herself letting her guard down. Meanwhile, Matt is discovering the woman behind the carefully crafted television persona is entirely different to who he thought she was.When Matt learns Kat has secrets of her own to hide, he begins to wonder if some secrets are too good to keep . . . even if it means risking your heart and your professional reputation.A fresh new series set in beachside Sydney featuring high-achieving women and men who aren’t afraid to be challenged, from the author of the City Love books."This book is juicy and steamy from start to finish. Great characters. Great dialogue. Very impressive read!" ★★★★★ from Faith
"Filled with witty banter, steamy chemistry and a whole lot of healing." ★★★★ from Payten
"Beautiful, raw and real... This book was written with great sensitivity and really gave a brilliant insight into mental illness." ★★★★★ from Chantelle Smith
Belinda Williams is an award-winning Australian author who writes romantic comedy and romantic suspense featuring good guys. She’s occasionally tempted by bad boys, but prefers to write strong women characters and men with big hearts.
When she’s not writing, Belinda is a music lover who sings lead vocals in cover bands. Her other love is the water and she can often be found counting laps instead of words at her local swimming pool.
Read Between the Lines is the first book in the Freshwater series by Belinda Williams. It is a great contemporary romance, with endearing, relatable, and interesting characters. The story is well written, with more to offer than just romance, as the author opens the window on some sensitive subjects which she uses in a very considerate, yet honest way. I have read a couple of Ms. Williams other books and really liked them- so I knew I wanted to see what this new series would offer. I am happy to report that this kept me entertained right from the beginning- mixing humour, emotion, and drama into quite a fun read. Kate Chalmers has made quite a life for herself. She’s the popular is the co-host of one of the hottest current affairs shows on television. She is well liked, beautiful, savvy, and smart. Kate really loves what she does but strives to keep her private life out of the public eye. Her career and the life she has may seem enviable- but she’s been unlucky in love and yearns to meet someone who she could share her life with. But, with so much to occupy her time, finding love has been put on the back-burner. Then her new neighbour sparks her interest, as there’s something quite mysterious about him, and so she’s determined to uncover everything she can about him. Matt Goodridge is a doctor who has his own obstetrics practice. He doesn’t like talking about his past, or the traumatic event that led him on this career path. After moving into the same building as Kate and meeting his ‘famous’ neighbour, the chemistry between them ignites into more. But what happens when secrets are revealed? You really should read all the intriguing developments for yourself- you are bound to enjoy it just as much as I have! This is a great start to the new series, and I can’t wait to see where we go from here.
READ BETWEEN THE LINES: Thank You to NetGalley, Victory Editing and Belinda Williams for the opportunity to read this book in advance for my honest opinion. All opinions are mine!
Kat is at the peak of her career. She co-hosts a morning current affairs program and is loved around the country for her sharp interviewing skills and her beautiful looks. She’s also known for her very public breakup, very messy breakup with a famous country singer. But Kate has secrets. She’s taken care of her sick mother her whole life, and uses that experience to write a book. She doesn’t dare let anyone read it, though. After learning there was about to be a huge change in her perfectly crafter career, Kat polishes off a bottle of wine and mopes on the deck. Que clumsy Kat and some broken glass. Suddenly her mysterious next door neighbor is hurdling walls and swooping in like some kind of knight in shining armour. But Kat doesn’t need a knight, at least that’s what she tries to tell herself. Matt loves his career as an obstetrician, though he didn’t come by the job traditionally. Matt was once a paramedic, but after responding to a horrible crash, he suddenly doesn’t know what to do with himself. Two people who learned to bottle up their secrets and put up walls to protect themselves realize they would much prefer to be on the same side of the wall as each other. The first book in a new series by Belinda Williams, Between The Lines is filled with witty banter, steamy chemistry and a whole lot of healing.
This book has a very fun cover and very fresh cover. It pulled me in from the start to finish. These are very strongly written characters especially Kat. Matt is very curious about Kat and the chemistry between them is great. What will the furtuere hold for these to. I adore how this also covers real life issue such as mental health making it very relevant to alot of people and to realtionships.
This is a fresh, fun, modern romance, with some surprisingly deep issues: living with PTSD, and bipolar disorder. I absolutely loved it and can't wait for the next two in the series.
This book has such a fun cover and boasts a great new series from Belinda Williams. I have read and enjoyed several other novels by her but this one quickly has become my favorite. I loved how this book is a sweet romance but also tackles some heavy subject matter regarding mental illness and the impact it has on us and those we love. This is a topic that can be often ignored because it is too difficult or painful to discuss and we need to see more people not being afraid to take on the subject and bring awareness to things surrounding it. I loved how this book was a fabulous approach to that and still left my heart gushy with the romance side of things too.
Read Between the Lines is the first in Belinda’s newest series, the Freshwater series. In it we meet two Austrailians who have found their footing professionally but are missing that spark of love to keep them warm at night. Kate has a huge plate full with her career as a co-host on a popular political show and also balances her mother's mental disorder and care. She is afraid to add someone new to the mix but knows this is a piece missing from her life. She meets the handsome Matt Goodridge by chance on the balconies of their homes. Matt also has a full life and a strong start to a new obstetrics practice that he has a new passion for. These two are a perfect example of that organic relationship developing amongst friends and I thoroughly enjoyed reading the way they get there. I look forward to seeing what will come next in the series!
Read Between The Lines is the first book in Belinda Williams’ Freshwater series. It follows television host Kat and obstetrician Matt from their first encounter, through the broken partition on their adjoining balconies, as they get to know each other. Both are eager to get to know each other, but both have aspects of their own lives they would rather not share. I particularly liked Kat’s development over the course of the story. She was always quick to judge people, deciding how she felt about them even before she’d met them in some cases. This was a skill that helped her in her interviews, leading her to ask the right questions. But, as she got to know people and let them in to her life, she began to see that people were more than her first assessments of them. From the reader’s perspective, this meant we also had our own assumptions about characters put into question and were reminded not to judge characters, and people, we don’t really know. The setting was lovely – by the sea in Australia. I haven’t read many books set in Australia, so it was lovely having something that had a bit of local colour to it. The characters spend a lot of time looking out over the waves, or exercising on the sand. Perfect escapism! For me, this is a five star book. A really enjoyable read. I felt properly invested in the characters and enjoyed getting to know them as they became comfortable enough to reveal a bit more about themselves. Would definitely recommend to romance fans who enjoy characters with busy lives and loveable friends!
Read Between the Lines is one of those books that will pull you in from the beginning and take you on a wonderful ride. Kat and Matt are amazing characters that I found myself falling in love with. They are both strong characters that are faced with real-life problems that must be addressed before they can become something more than friends. Also, the secondary characters in this book are awesome, too! Kat is successful in the media world and Matt is building his own medical career. They are both ambitious in their public lives while battling secrets in their personal lives. However, when these secrets come to light, can they worth through them or is that the end of whatever they have been building? (You're going to have to read it to find out!) I really enjoyed the way this author dealt with real-life issues and in a way that didn't make light of them nor pass over them as if they aren't a big deal. These topics are relevant in today's world and I really enjoyed the way they were handled. This is the first book that I have read by Belinda Williams, but I know it won't be the last.
The first book in a new series by Belinda Williams, the series is set in beachside Sydney and features high-achieving women, like Kat Chalmers and men like Kat’s new mysterious neighbour Matt Goodridge who are not afraid of being challenged by the women in their lives. ‘Read Between the Lines’, is a wonderfully written contemporary romance featuring some great rounded characters and an enjoyable storyline. I found the two main characters, Kat and Matt who I grew to love both likeable and realistic and I found myself going on their emotional rollercoaster with them through the book. The secondary characters were also intriguing and I look forward to meeting those again in future books in the series. The chemistry between Kat and Matt sizzled of the page and I was cheering them on wanting them to reach their happy ever after. This was a lovely read with some real heartwarming moments and some romance but also drama, which kept me happily reading way until the night, always a sign of a good book for me. I recommend this book and I’m looking forward to reading future books in the ‘Freshwater’ series.
Belinda Williams has authored another engaging and impassioned novel with Read Between The Lines, the first book from her brand new series, Freshwater. It is a compelling read, replete with an emotional plot, well-defined characters, and an exciting romance. This story takes place in Sydney, Australia, and the two main characters are exemplary examples of honor.
Kate Chalmers is the co-host of a very popular public affairs TV show. She is smart, beautiful, and prefers to keep her private time away from the public eye. She loves her life, although it can be lonely at times. She craves someone to love and trust, however, being burned in the past has left her disillusioned. In addition, she oversees the care of her mother, who suffers from a mental disorder. Needless to say, her plate is quite full.
Matt Goodridge is building his obstetrics practice. He used to be an EMT, until a traumatic event caused him to shift into a different career in medicine. He moved into Kate's building a few months ago, and after a chance meeting on their respective balconies, they became friends. Overtime, their friendship evolved into lust and love.
I liked this book and the way Ms. Williams tackled mental health. Kate and Matt have a lot of personality, and their genuineness toward each other and those around them was poignant. They are a very sexy couple. Overall, a solid romantic read.
Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
Kat Chambers is a perfectionist at its best form of the definition. She’s co-chair on a nationwide current events show where she’s a no nonsense know-it-all. She sees fit to get to know more about her new neighbor, Matt Goodridge. Matt works long hours in a demanding career and doesn’t like to converse about his former life. He’s interested in his new neighbor but she’s been asking a rapid amount of questions that he hasn’t been able to get a word in edgewise. Kat seems to be opening up a lot more than she thought upon meeting Matt. He’s discovering she’s much more than her alter ego on the small screen. Kat has a damning secret that could ruin her onscreen life and her personal life. Will she expose her hand or keep it all bottled in? This book is juicy and steamy from start to finish. Great characters. Great dialogue. Very impressive read!
Read Between the Lines by Belinda Williams is the first book in the Freshwater series. This is such a strong way to start a new series that it will definitely leave you wanting more. Right from the word go this book caught my attention. While I tend not to pay attention to a book cover this one was so striking my eyes were unwittingly drawn to it! It meant that as soon as I got this book I just had to dive straight into it! The whole story was so well written. It was entertaining in both storyline and characters. They were so engaging and relatable I absolutely loved reading about them. This book has caught my interest fully and I cannot wait to see what is coming up in the rest of the series.
Read Between The Lines is the first book in the Freshwater series by Belinda Williams. It was the first time that I had read any of this author’s work but judging by how much I enjoyed this book, I’ll definitely be looking out for more in this series and other works by this author. Kat Chalmers is a successful current affair presenter on TV. She’s a very independent woman with fantastic interview skills which she uses to get to know her handsome new neighbour Matt Goodridge. Matt previously worked as a paramedic but has retrained as an obstetrician and has a secret that he’s determined to keep to himself. Will Kat use her interview skills and discover what Matt is trying to hide? This is a fantastic story that will draw you in from the very beginning and take you on a fantastic journey throughout the whole story. The story flows very well and has great, well written characters that you can really relate to. One thing I loves about this book is that it tackles the sometimes taboo subject of mental illness. As someone who has suffered from depression and anxiety all my adult life, I love that this author chose to tackle this brave subject and did so with great compassion, raising awareness for this often stigmatised condition. Kudos to Belinda Williams for this. 100% recommend this book to others.
I really enjoyed this book. A good, easy read that gets you thinking. Loved the characters, was nice to get to know some some different characters types, hardworking professionals who are have done well for themselves in their careers but not yet settled into the right romance. Kat has the dream media job, Matt a doctor. The storey covers some mental health issues, making it relevant and current, and more than just a romance. There are lots of funny moments bring a lightheartedness to some serious topics. Read Between The Lines introduces some fun friends and its clearly a great series in the making and i look forward to learning more about Matt and Kats friends in future books!!
Read Between The Lines Freshwater Book 1 By Belinda Williams ☆☆☆☆☆ Romance is worth the reading. The comedy is fun too.
This is Kat Chalmers, the co-host of a popular current affairs program and an acclaimed interviewer with great skills. Then there is Matt Goodridge or should I say Dr. Matt. An obstetrician who is not only good looking, but interested in his hot neighbor. Will these two strong minded independent people take a chance? Open their hearts and let down those walls? You will not be dissapointed!
Belinda Williams is a new author for me. I fell in love with her first sentence of chapter one. This story tests your own emotions. Let's not forget the characters Ms. William has written about. The reading is fast paced, so much so,you will not want to put it down. I have found a new author! Thank You Belinda Williams!
Read Between The Lines is the opening act of a new series called Freshwater by an Aussie writer Belinda Williams. I am actually surprised that I haven’t discovered Belinda earlier as I absolutely love Aussie writers and I am always on a look for new ones! Read Between The Lines is a great opening and it gives us Kat Chalmers, the high achiever and the co-host of a leading current affairs program, and Matt Goodridge, a hard working obstetrician and her next door neighbour. They are just two of the group of high achieving women and men in beachside Sydney so I can see many more great stories coming our way. We all have our secrets and it seems that Kat and Matt need to find out how to share theirs while the chemistry between them ignites and burns out of control! Come along on the ride and you will not stay cold!
I enjoyed this romance book. It is a story about two people who are interested in finding out more about each other but have hidden secrets that could change things. This is a well written story that kept me turning pages to the end. I enjoyed being pulled in right from the beginning by the characters. They made the story feel real and brought the story to life. I had no problem connecting with them. I enjoyed their chemistry together which made their story easy to read. I don’t regret picking up this book and neither will you. I highly recommend this book.
This is a nice story of the possible relationship between neighbors. The story is good. The characters are professionals but they each have another side to them. This touches on a sensitive subject. I loved reading how each of the characters reacted to the situations. It was fun watching them fall. I don’t think I have ever read a book with an OB doctor as the main character. That was different. I liked it.
The secondary characters add some fun to this story. Each character has a crazy fun best friend. They made me laugh and gave me a different look at their friend.
This is a great romance about learning to trust someone again.
Kat is a popular person on a tv show. When shes infront of the camera she is honest and open however her private life is a different story. A bad experience with an x and other secrets in her life means she has closed herself off to people especially love interests. That is until her next door neighbour arrives.
Matt is a very hard working guy in a hosptal. His work is his life and since the break up of his last relationship he hasnt looked for anyone since. Until he meets Kat. Hes knows she is guarded but she intrigues him and he wants to know more.
They both have secrets but if Matt opens up will that allow Kat to do the same. The attraction between them is real, honest and open. Can this allow Kat to let Matt in and trust a lover again.
Read Between The Lines (Freshwater Book 1) by Belinda Williams
Kat is a woman with a successful career and is a local celebrity in her hometown. She's satisfied with her life, or so she thinks. She meets Matt in the most interesting way and life gets more interesting from there.
Matt is Super Doc and shows that to us several times. He is smart, confident, humble and vulnerable which made me fall for him. I loved that he isn't the typical perfect, flawless book boyfriend.
My big question is how did I not know about this author before I stumbled on this book? I have no idea how that happened but now that I have found her I'm going to get caught up with everything she has released so far and I will be keeping up with this series.
I was lucky to read an advanced copy of Read Between the Lines, and I loved it :) I loved the chemistry and banter between Kat and Matt, and the supporting characters were all very likeable as well. This was a fun, easy read. And even though it gets deeper and more serious as the book goes on, I felt it was perfectly balanced. A great start to a new series! I'm looking forward to seeing more from this author.
I adored this book. Our heroine is strong and independent and felt like an extension of myself in ways. I loved the ebb and flow between the two main characters and found them to be engaging and relatable. This romance was fast paced and well developed. I enjoyed Williams’s tone throughout the book and look forward to reading more from this author.
This story is a quaint little story that I found interesting. The plot line is engaging. I found myself right there with Kat. I can understand where she is coming from. I like to dig deep and get to know people who I find interesting. Matt tries to keep to himself. He has no need for the spotlight. Kat and Matt have secrets that they want behind that closet door. What will Matt and Kat do to keep their secrets from coming out? This is a great love story and I recommend you pick it up to see if Kat and Matt get together.
Thanks Belinda Williams for another great book. This one has all the feels with LOTS of emotional conflict. Your characters are well written (Kat is great example of a strong woman and Matt is such a sweet man) and I love how you delve into the emotional conflict of the story. Great writing. If I could have, I would have read it in one sitting. Thanks again. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
I Enjoyed everything about this book there was nothing I didn't like about the book. I Like the setting,the writing style,the plot,the plot twists and the characters in the book were amazing.I would gladly reread it again.I also like the concept of the book.
I really loved this book and the characters we meet. Kat is independent and wants to use her interview skill on her neighbor, Matt. They both discover secrets and time will tell if they'll be revealed. The story pulled me right in and I really loved the realistic way this read. I felt like I was right there with them every step of the way. I hope the rest of the series follows some of the characters we met in this story. Highly recommend.
Read Between The Lines (Freshwater Book 1) by Belinda Williams was a deep read. On the front of it there is sass and humor but on the back end there is a heaviness. I had a great time reading and look forward to the rest of the series. Kat is strong and self sufficient and Matt is smart and challenging. I enjoyed the depth of the characters, the plot, and the growth. A well worth it contemporary romance!
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Read between the lines. I loved this book. I instantly felt a connection with Kat. I loved how it touched on mental health in a healthy manner, an issue that I think everyone has dealt with in one way or another. I find the key to a 5 star book is when I am upset the story has ended, which is exactly how I felt about this one. All in all a great read, lighthearted with an underlying serious note.
I loved this book, I couldn't put it down. I don't read a lot of romance novels but the main characters, Kat and Matt, were so well developed and complex and I especially loved the rest of the female characters who were more than just strong woman types. It also tackled mental illnesses in a raw and relatable way that wasn't preachy either. Of course, the fact that it's set in my home country of Australia and Sydney, which I've been to, also helps. I ended up crying, is how good this book is.
Who is this author and where has she been all of my life? This is the question I am asking myself as I write this review. Belinda Willams has a very creative knack for snagging a reader’s attention and not letting it go until the very end. As the first book in her Freshwater book series, Read Between the Lines was phenomenal.
So where to begin to start my review. There is just SO much about this book that I want to say and I hope I can put it here for you. Belinda Williams takes the reader on an incredible journey with this book. There’s humor; the best line EVER written in a book: ‘kale has no right to be in liquid form’ tickled my funny bone immensely!! Romance, we’re talking the swoon-worthy kind. TONS of feels, be prepared to laugh and cry. Then there are the characters, Matt & Kat. From the introduction to the end, watching them evolve and work through the ups and downs of not only their relationship but their interactions with sub-characters was wondrous. ‘Read Between the Lines’ hits all the markers for a perfect romance book.
As this is not the first series by this author but the first book for me, I definitely will be reading her other works. With a campy writing style that’s fun and easy to get through but still takes on powerful subjects and feelings, Belinda Williams covers it all. As much as I want to tell you more about this book, I don’t want to share any spoilers. Read the blurb. Pick up the book. You’ll thank me. Of this I’m certain. So I’ll just say it now: You’re welcome. :)
Read Between The Lines (Freshwater Book 1) By Belinda Williams 5 out of 5 stars
I loved reading the story Read Between The Lines (Freshwater Book 1) by Belinda Williams. It is a book that pulled me in from the beginning and didn’t let me go until the final page. I loved reading about the characters of Kat Chalmers and Matt Goodridge. Kat is a woman who independent and has good skills as an interviewer. After meeting her neighbor Matt, she finds herself using her skills to get to know him better. She soon finds that she can’t stay away from him. Matt finds himself wanting to know more about Kat as well. He is finding himself attracted to her. There is a chemistry between them. What does the future hold for Matt and Kat? Will they take a chance on each other? Some secrets are discovered. What would happen if they are revealed? Read this book to find out. This story had my emotions going up and down the entire time I was reading it. There are funny conversations and I loved the bantering back and forth between Kat and Matt. They are characters that I grew to care about with each chapter that I read and wanted them to be happy. I also loved reading about the secondary characters in the story as well. This is a book that has heartwarming and romantic moments. It is a story that I would highly recommend reading.