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Crossed Lines
Psychopath. Borderline. Crazy.
Seventeen-year-old Maryanne Mayweather wears each term like a badge of pride. Expelled from her twelfth boarding school, she lands on the doorstep of her flighty aunt Elaine and Elaine’s husband James, one more screw-up away from being made a ward of the state.
Once a successful author, the last thing James Thorne wants is to care for his wife's bratty teenage niece, especially with his marriage falling apart. When Maryanne crafts an elaborate plan to defame and destroy him, they both discover that words are more powerful than either of them could imagine. And as their relationship goes down a path neither envisioned, the consequences are swift and far-reaching.
Some lines weren’t meant to be crossed.
Seventeen-year-old Maryanne Mayweather wears each term like a badge of pride. Expelled from her twelfth boarding school, she lands on the doorstep of her flighty aunt Elaine and Elaine’s husband James, one more screw-up away from being made a ward of the state.
Once a successful author, the last thing James Thorne wants is to care for his wife's bratty teenage niece, especially with his marriage falling apart. When Maryanne crafts an elaborate plan to defame and destroy him, they both discover that words are more powerful than either of them could imagine. And as their relationship goes down a path neither envisioned, the consequences are swift and far-reaching.
Some lines weren’t meant to be crossed.
300 pages, ebook
First published August 19, 2019
279 people are currently reading
1700 people want to read
About the author
Lana Sky
61 books1,327 followersI am a quirky writer from the US who dabbles in dark, paranormal and contemporary romance. My stories aren't always typical, but contain a little something for everyone.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 277 reviews
September 4, 2023
Read this story with an open mind, not because the forbidden affair, it’s because the deep feelings in this situation.
It’s worth the reading.
It’s worth the reading.
August 19, 2019
★ 2 STARS ★
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August 5, 2019
4.5 Stars🅻🅰🅽🅰 🆂🅺🆈 has quickly become one of my 𝓯𝓪𝓿𝓸𝓻𝓲𝓽𝓮 authors to read. 💗 CROSSED LINES is book number six of her's that I have had the 𝕡𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕦𝕣𝕖 of reading. 🔢 Five out of those six have been ØɄ₮₴₮₳₦Đł₦₲. 👍 Including this one. 🙌
The writing was 🅕🅐🅝🅣🅐🅢🅣🅘🅒. 👍 The pacing was ŦØƤ ŇØŦĆĦ. ☑ The plot was incredibly έήģάģίήģ and certainly more 𝖕𝖗𝖔𝖋𝖔𝖚𝖓𝖉 than the synopsis would lead you to ʙᴇʟɪᴇᴠᴇ. 👀 This story is 🅼🆄🅲🅷 🅼🅾🆁🅴 than a titillating ⓣⓐⓑⓞⓞ romance. 🙈 In fact, there is very little h҉e҉a҉t҉ to be found, yet the story never ℓα¢кѕ for it. 🔥 The narrative is very 𝓶𝓪𝓲𝓷 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻 centric, so both 🅼🅰🆁🆈🅰🅽🅽🅴 and 🅹🅰🅼🅴🆂'🆂 characters are fleshed out and have some good ℂøℳρℓƎ✘î✞У to them. 📉 There is no Ø₩ or Ø₥ drama. 🙌 However, do be 🅐🅦🅐🅡🅔 that there is 👾 It's coмplιcαтed, so If you want more details, feel free to 𝕞𝕖𝕤𝕤𝕒𝕘𝕖 𝕞𝕖 and I'll be 𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓹𝔂 to share them. 💌
Last, and this is where the book 🅻🅾🆂🆃 half a star. 🙈 As much as I love this author I ʂƚɾυɠɠʅҽ sometimes with how she ĔŃĎŚ her books. 👀 This is supposed to be a 🅢🅣🅐🅝🅓🅐🅛🅞🅝🅔, but the ending leaves things open ended. 🔓 pεrš⊕ηαﾚ ƒεεﾚïηgš, it was a cliffhanger. 😪 I prefer more 🄲🄻🄾🅂🅄🅁🄴 when I am reading a 🅢🅣🅐🅝🅓🅐🅛🅞🅝🅔. 🔐 However, perhaps the author will write a 🆂🅴🆀🆄🅴🅻 at some point? 👀 Nonetheless, that was just a m̲i̲n̲o̲r̲ ̲n̲i̲g̲g̲l̲e̲ and yours truly 💯% recommends this 𝓬𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓲𝓿𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 little tale. 👍👍
October 8, 2019
This being my first Lana Sky book, I did not know what to expect. But I did not expect this book to hurt my heart, rattle my bones and touch my soul. It might seem like I am over exaggerating but I have never been this affected by a story.
I have read a lot of age gap romances none like this. This story was raw and heartbreaking from the start. I knew Maryanne was in too much pain and not just acting out because of boredom. Even if it felt like she was being unbearable just for the heck of it, you could see her sadness through the cracks. And that broke something in me. I fell insanely in love with her and I can't get over her.
James Thorne can take full control of my life, ruin it and return it back to me and I'd still thank him. He is so surly and growly and broken and I fell helplessly in love with him. The tender side of his that peaked out of the sour one gave me heart palpitations. This man just wants love and BY GOD I would have fought for him no matter what.
I am going to be thinking about this story for a long long time and honestly I want to re-read right now.
I have read a lot of age gap romances none like this. This story was raw and heartbreaking from the start. I knew Maryanne was in too much pain and not just acting out because of boredom. Even if it felt like she was being unbearable just for the heck of it, you could see her sadness through the cracks. And that broke something in me. I fell insanely in love with her and I can't get over her.
James Thorne can take full control of my life, ruin it and return it back to me and I'd still thank him. He is so surly and growly and broken and I fell helplessly in love with him. The tender side of his that peaked out of the sour one gave me heart palpitations. This man just wants love and BY GOD I would have fought for him no matter what.
I am going to be thinking about this story for a long long time and honestly I want to re-read right now.
December 8, 2024
can’t believe i just spent the last 2 and half hours reading this
December 20, 2025
it took me half the book to figure out that her love interest wasnt her actual dad because of how often she called him daddy
March 20, 2022
An uncle is teaching the niece how to write a good story of his attraction to her.
“Pick up the pen.”
My book lands in front of me, knocking my sandwich out of the way.
“Now, put yourself in my shoes,” he commands. “What are my intentions when I look at you in this way? Do I want to kill you? Or do I want to corrupt you? Pick one.”
There's the rough draft of this book. However, it went deeper than this.
To be honest, this book was heavy. I thought it was one of those campy eroticas. Imagine how confused I was when suddenly my eyes started leaking. This book talks a lot about loneliness, acceptance, moving on and of course love. Like I said, it turns poetic and angsty. God, it's too angsty for me who's avoided this vibe with a ten foot poll.
Still much praises for this book.
However, that ending. I hate it. Everything was so good, then the author turned 'literary fiction' on us and I hate it. So, no thanks.
“Pick up the pen.”
My book lands in front of me, knocking my sandwich out of the way.
“Now, put yourself in my shoes,” he commands. “What are my intentions when I look at you in this way? Do I want to kill you? Or do I want to corrupt you? Pick one.”
There's the rough draft of this book. However, it went deeper than this.
To be honest, this book was heavy. I thought it was one of those campy eroticas. Imagine how confused I was when suddenly my eyes started leaking. This book talks a lot about loneliness, acceptance, moving on and of course love. Like I said, it turns poetic and angsty. God, it's too angsty for me who's avoided this vibe with a ten foot poll.
Still much praises for this book.
However, that ending. I hate it. Everything was so good, then the author turned 'literary fiction' on us and I hate it. So, no thanks.
February 21, 2025
Age-gap and taboo books are my thing, but this? I have no clue what the hell I just read. It was so confusing, I kept wondering—did I miss something? Was there supposed to be a twist or what? :/
June 26, 2023
3.5 ✨
Went in blind and omg. You either love this read or hate it apparently. It took me about 35% to really get into it. Glad I stuck it out. This book had a rawness and sadness that I didn’t expect. My feels are all over the place and that ending!! What the hell did I just read!!?
Went in blind and omg. You either love this read or hate it apparently. It took me about 35% to really get into it. Glad I stuck it out. This book had a rawness and sadness that I didn’t expect. My feels are all over the place and that ending!! What the hell did I just read!!?
March 14, 2025
Third Reading March 2025:
Still my favorite...
Second Reading April 2024:
I'm gonna add just this to my previous review. This book is so underrated!!
The ferocity of the emotions it convey is something i cannot explain with proper words.
It's not a pretty tale: it's ugly, raw, and hard but somehow still beautiful. And it's one worth reading.
First reading February 2022:
When I started reading Crossed Lines i would have never expected to feel like this.
I don’t even know what "this" is!!
It's like a sense of melancholy....
Crossed Lines is not just a taboo story.
It's not about the forbidden relationship and its thrill.
It runs deeper than that.
The complexity of its characters, of the love it tell us about, of the souls it lets us see... it is something else.
James and Maryanne are a living contradiction: everything they say is betrayed by their actions.
They are manipulators.
They are liars.
Lies are more interesting and easier than facing themselves, right?!
They are broken.
No one wants something shattered, no one can love someone who is not whole, right?!
But somehow they only fit together.
Their demons call to each other.
The physical aspect of the relationship, although intense, doesn’t stand a chance in front of the psychological and emotional one.
The result is a gripping story whose deepness really touched me.
Still my favorite...
Second Reading April 2024:
I'm gonna add just this to my previous review. This book is so underrated!!
The ferocity of the emotions it convey is something i cannot explain with proper words.
It's not a pretty tale: it's ugly, raw, and hard but somehow still beautiful. And it's one worth reading.
First reading February 2022:
When I started reading Crossed Lines i would have never expected to feel like this.
I don’t even know what "this" is!!
It's like a sense of melancholy....
Crossed Lines is not just a taboo story.
It's not about the forbidden relationship and its thrill.
It runs deeper than that.
The complexity of its characters, of the love it tell us about, of the souls it lets us see... it is something else.
James and Maryanne are a living contradiction: everything they say is betrayed by their actions.
They are manipulators.
They are liars.
Lies are more interesting and easier than facing themselves, right?!
They are broken.
No one wants something shattered, no one can love someone who is not whole, right?!
But somehow they only fit together.
Their demons call to each other.
The physical aspect of the relationship, although intense, doesn’t stand a chance in front of the psychological and emotional one.
The result is a gripping story whose deepness really touched me.
February 15, 2021
WHAT WAS THAT ENDING???
June 20, 2024
4.5
so painful and relatable and WTH??
so painful and relatable and WTH??
August 8, 2019
REVIEW COMING SOON
THIS BOOK IS EVE.R.Y.THING.
BUY IT.
FULL REVIEW:
From page one this book had me hooked. It’s so, so different and so brutally forbidden and the name is perfect. This might be my favorite story from Lana—which says a LOT. It’s so twisted, flawed, and beautiful. The suspense is expertly woven with the romance. One minute you’re certain you know who the villain of the story is, the next you’re in love with them.
Like I said, the title fits it perfectly.
I’ve read a lot of age gap romances. This is the only one that I felt really captured the subject matter. It’s a twisted, unconventional romance that will hook you from page one and keep you on the edge of your seat until after the book ends.
Both of the characters are deeply, deeply broken but in such a beautiful way. They somehow both bring out each other’s flaws while healing them.
Crossed Lines is a book that will live inside you forever. Months will pass and you’ll still feel the forbidden temptation, the delicious shame, the raw heat, and the pressure to cross lines.
THIS BOOK IS EVE.R.Y.THING.
BUY IT.
FULL REVIEW:
From page one this book had me hooked. It’s so, so different and so brutally forbidden and the name is perfect. This might be my favorite story from Lana—which says a LOT. It’s so twisted, flawed, and beautiful. The suspense is expertly woven with the romance. One minute you’re certain you know who the villain of the story is, the next you’re in love with them.
Like I said, the title fits it perfectly.
I’ve read a lot of age gap romances. This is the only one that I felt really captured the subject matter. It’s a twisted, unconventional romance that will hook you from page one and keep you on the edge of your seat until after the book ends.
Both of the characters are deeply, deeply broken but in such a beautiful way. They somehow both bring out each other’s flaws while healing them.
Crossed Lines is a book that will live inside you forever. Months will pass and you’ll still feel the forbidden temptation, the delicious shame, the raw heat, and the pressure to cross lines.
October 5, 2021
pissed at the way this woman writes ‘romance novels’ she’s should be banned from writing them. no HEA and it isn’t just this book. such a good idea horrible execution. 😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2023
I was really curious with this book because of the tropes but this ended up being a boring mess 🥴
Thank you, next.
▬ 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬: age gap, guardian
▬ 𝐭𝐰: mental health disorders, death
Thank you, next.
▬ 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬: age gap, guardian
▬ 𝐭𝐰: mental health disorders, death
July 30, 2019
This was the best book I've read this year. One of the best books I've EVER read. How do you describe a book that makes you feel alive? Makes you feel flayed open, along with the characters? Makes you want to understand how one author can create a masterpiece of family relationships and dissect it to its bare bones? I was stunned by this epic and felt changed after reading it.
When you meet Maryanne, and understand her background, you will find her eminently relatable. She uses humor and anger to push people away before they can get rid of her. A frightening incident occurred when she was young, and it has identified her as she's grown up. Now, she's moving in with her Uncle James until she turns 18 and graduates.
James Thorne, or Thorny as she calls him, is a complex character who oozes regret. He doesn't take Maryanne 's crap, living life through a fog of alcohol. He's married to Elaine, who take smiles through everything. Thorny seems to hate having Maryanne there, but does he really?
"He’s like thunder, Thorny. He can’t help that he’s a herald for something wild and out of control, or that the storm in his wake destroys everything in its path. His only course of action is to rumble through the chaos, slamming doors and snatching wine bottles from his study."
The inner dialogue of Maryanne will make you sob. Not cry...I'm talking big, messy, snotty tears. She could be any misunderstand teenager acting out. Your heart will wrap around her words to give her a metaphorical hug.
"It lets the monsters in the shadows know you’re onto them. They can hear what their mere presence does to you, and you might be tempted to do something stupid in return. Stupid like… Throw myself off the balcony a second time. Intentionally fall down the stairs. Trip into the ocean. Hurt myself again. Hurt myself more. Anything to prove he doesn’t really care. I still win. It’s when the monster crawls out from under your bed that he becomes the scariest. When he takes a seat right beside you and pretends to watch you. Protect you. Deep down, you know the truth: he’s just waiting for you to fail so he can utter those terrible words. I knew it. You were never going to change."
The catalyst to this story is the written word. Sentences created from imagination and desire. Maryanne is given several assignments to write, and magic appears. She decides to use this opportunity to lay it all out, and in return, she learns about herself.
"The best writing is drawn from inspiration, he said once. Inspiration found in the moments that contain too much to explain in one go. You have to choose the right words to convey them. Like intoxicating to describe a particular smell: sea salt with a hint of wine. Or enigmatic to describe a certain look cast your way by someone who thinks you aren’t watching them. Fleeting to describe how it feels to know that this moment can never last. And desperate. That impulse urging you to extend the silence any way you can. It expresses itself in a racing, greedy heartbeat that gobbles at the blood meant for your brain, hoarding it."
"I merely tap the nib of my pen against a blank page, mulling over my assignment. Good, dutiful daughters do their homework. They journal down their feelings in nice, neat paragraphs with no concern that they might be read by anyone else down the line. Naïveté is the word du jour. That’s the trap of a diary: they’re practically designed to be read. This bright-red cover screams intrigue to anyone willing to turn the page— and everyone knows that secrets make the best weapon fodder. I learned that the hard way. Those written about are forever trapped on the page, locked within a certain context or moment with no shading to color the perspective. Just emotion."
Nothing that occurs in this brilliant story feels artificial. The emotion just bleeds from every page. There are no cliches. Thorny and Maryanne work together to heal in a chaotic way. These characters are damaged severely from life's expectations and turn to each other out of necessity...And then find their own version of nirvana. It's scary and outrageous and beautiful the way they discover each other. And I love how writing was the center of their universe. I loved everything to do with this uniquely poignant story. It has remained with me, affecting my mind and emotional well being in the best of ways. Don't assume you fully understand what this book is about becAuse you will be surprised and wrong. It's more than all the story tropes out there. It's more than a romance. It's more than a family drama. It's just more.
When you meet Maryanne, and understand her background, you will find her eminently relatable. She uses humor and anger to push people away before they can get rid of her. A frightening incident occurred when she was young, and it has identified her as she's grown up. Now, she's moving in with her Uncle James until she turns 18 and graduates.
James Thorne, or Thorny as she calls him, is a complex character who oozes regret. He doesn't take Maryanne 's crap, living life through a fog of alcohol. He's married to Elaine, who take smiles through everything. Thorny seems to hate having Maryanne there, but does he really?
"He’s like thunder, Thorny. He can’t help that he’s a herald for something wild and out of control, or that the storm in his wake destroys everything in its path. His only course of action is to rumble through the chaos, slamming doors and snatching wine bottles from his study."
The inner dialogue of Maryanne will make you sob. Not cry...I'm talking big, messy, snotty tears. She could be any misunderstand teenager acting out. Your heart will wrap around her words to give her a metaphorical hug.
"It lets the monsters in the shadows know you’re onto them. They can hear what their mere presence does to you, and you might be tempted to do something stupid in return. Stupid like… Throw myself off the balcony a second time. Intentionally fall down the stairs. Trip into the ocean. Hurt myself again. Hurt myself more. Anything to prove he doesn’t really care. I still win. It’s when the monster crawls out from under your bed that he becomes the scariest. When he takes a seat right beside you and pretends to watch you. Protect you. Deep down, you know the truth: he’s just waiting for you to fail so he can utter those terrible words. I knew it. You were never going to change."
The catalyst to this story is the written word. Sentences created from imagination and desire. Maryanne is given several assignments to write, and magic appears. She decides to use this opportunity to lay it all out, and in return, she learns about herself.
"The best writing is drawn from inspiration, he said once. Inspiration found in the moments that contain too much to explain in one go. You have to choose the right words to convey them. Like intoxicating to describe a particular smell: sea salt with a hint of wine. Or enigmatic to describe a certain look cast your way by someone who thinks you aren’t watching them. Fleeting to describe how it feels to know that this moment can never last. And desperate. That impulse urging you to extend the silence any way you can. It expresses itself in a racing, greedy heartbeat that gobbles at the blood meant for your brain, hoarding it."
"I merely tap the nib of my pen against a blank page, mulling over my assignment. Good, dutiful daughters do their homework. They journal down their feelings in nice, neat paragraphs with no concern that they might be read by anyone else down the line. Naïveté is the word du jour. That’s the trap of a diary: they’re practically designed to be read. This bright-red cover screams intrigue to anyone willing to turn the page— and everyone knows that secrets make the best weapon fodder. I learned that the hard way. Those written about are forever trapped on the page, locked within a certain context or moment with no shading to color the perspective. Just emotion."
Nothing that occurs in this brilliant story feels artificial. The emotion just bleeds from every page. There are no cliches. Thorny and Maryanne work together to heal in a chaotic way. These characters are damaged severely from life's expectations and turn to each other out of necessity...And then find their own version of nirvana. It's scary and outrageous and beautiful the way they discover each other. And I love how writing was the center of their universe. I loved everything to do with this uniquely poignant story. It has remained with me, affecting my mind and emotional well being in the best of ways. Don't assume you fully understand what this book is about becAuse you will be surprised and wrong. It's more than all the story tropes out there. It's more than a romance. It's more than a family drama. It's just more.
August 14, 2019
This book has a dull kind of feel.
It could have been interesting but unfortunately it’s so dull and choppy. It abruptly moves from one scene to another. It’s like we don’t even know we have already moved into the next scene. Choppy kind of writing. Very hard to get in.
The heroine was very unlikable and a brat. The author tried to create a suspense kind of writing but it was very confusing.
The book did had potentials. But lost it.
It could have been interesting but unfortunately it’s so dull and choppy. It abruptly moves from one scene to another. It’s like we don’t even know we have already moved into the next scene. Choppy kind of writing. Very hard to get in.
The heroine was very unlikable and a brat. The author tried to create a suspense kind of writing but it was very confusing.
The book did had potentials. But lost it.
February 12, 2021
My first time reading this author and it was so good! I was starting to think I was broken. Nothing was drawing me in or making me feel, but Maryanne and James Thorne fixed me! Their story is a tale of unfiltered, messy, red lines but I was rooting for them both together and individually! I loved the writing, the story, the rawness. It isn’t your typical love story, but it was perfect for them.
August 25, 2019
Full review can be found HERE --> https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
*ARC provided for a voluntary honest review.* ~Sonal
*ARC provided for a voluntary honest review.* ~Sonal
July 21, 2020
"I’ll never get enough of the ocean. It will always be too vast. No matter how cautiously I approach, it’s quick to shove me back with wave after wave."
Oh man, what a book.
"Now I know why he writes about death so much: it’s the quickest, easiest means to an end. Even if it hurts, someone gets their freedom."
Lana Sky should own a different genre altogether, her stories are nothing like others, her writings are nothing like others, she owns what she writes so well- I could legit tell when it’s a Lana Sky book just by reading a few chapters- that’s how distinctive she is.
"Look into his eyes—really look. They’re so dark blue. I could easily drown in them, fade without a trace. Ocean? He’s more than that: he is the fucking night sky."
And that’s amazing.
"He looks so tired, Thorny. Eyes like fire. No, like the ocean, a deep endless blue. I have a choice of whether or not I’ll drown. So I just stop swimming."
This novel is about Seventeen-year-old Maryanne Mayweather as she lands on the doorstep of her flighty aunt Elaine and Elaine’s husband James, one more screw-up away from being made a ward of the state.
Once a successful author, the last thing James Thorne wants is to care for his wife's bratty teenage niece, especially with his marriage falling apart.
AND that’s all I’m telling you guys- YOU GUYS NEED TO READ THIS NOW.
"He tastes like sea salt, and wine, and all those dangerous, delicious things his books whispered of. Kisses were like lightning, he described once. Zap. The main character was forever changed."
I don’t know how to say this but woah man. It's difficult to conjure my emotions and feels for what I read in this- everything was perfect. The main characters were messed up in the head and from the very starting, it gripped me- it will grip the readers with one of the most fascinating pPOV of a human. You would want to know more, more and more about the main character, Maryanne- she’s different, she’s volatile, she’s faulty and I loved her.
"My heart gets electrocuted the moment his tongue meets mine. All those boundaries hardwired into me since childhood go out the window. I’m climbing onto his lap, inhaling him so deeply that it hurts. He’s a piece of me that I didn’t know was missing, shoving through my battered skin, making me whole."
Her life was not easy with everyone leaving her eventually- the same with her uncle whom she wanted more than anything to be close to when she needed the comfort but even he pushed her away for reasons we got to know somewhere at the end. Gosh, I can’t put into words how much I loved the book- YOU GUYS NEED TO READ IT ASAP.
"This pain… It’s sharper than anything I’ve ever felt. So raw that it chases away everything else but the need to keep feeling. Everything."
The last two chapters were WTF. My skin was cold all of a sudden ( I’m not even exaggerating ) and I just held into a hope and the epilogue was only two pages and fuck man, oh so good. I can’t stop bragging how perfect the book was- there would be no changes, no freaking changed I would want in this book.
"But he keeps kissing me. Touching me. Drowning me."
I can’t wait to read more, more and more from this author. You are a masterpiece Lana Sky always.
"Words have the power to destroy—Thorny taught me that. So does silence, when nothing is deemed important enough to say and the words shrivel up inside you with no one around to hear them. You just burn. But at least you feel something."
July 28, 2019
Lana Sky has blown me away this year with her books.
(Must Read Series - The Savage Fall Duet and War of Roses Trilogy)
HOWEVER! Crossed Lines is on a whole other level. I’m not kidding.
Maryanne is someone you will never forget. Thorny..on my goodness..brilliant and broken.
This read is raw and real. Maryanne and Thorny made no excuses or apologies for their actions. Crossed lines made me FEEL EVERYTHING.
I truly applaud Lana Sky for the magnificent writing. She captured difficult issues and made them relatable to us all.
Please give us more of them and the Cherry Red Book!
~BREAKDOWN OF RATINGS~
Plot~ 5/5
Main Characters (hero/heroine)~ 5/5
Secondary Characters~ 5/5
The Feels~ 5/5
Pacing~ 5/5
Addictiveness~5/5
Angst~ 5/5
Steam/Hotness/Chemisty ~ 5/5
Theme or Tone~ 5/5
Flow (Writing Style)~ 5/5
Backdrop (World Building)~ 5/5
Originality~ 5/5
Ending~ 5/5
Book Cover~ Eye catching
Series~ stand-alone
Source~ Kindle eBook - ARC for honest review
Would I read more from the author? Yes
Would I recommend this book? Yes
(Must Read Series - The Savage Fall Duet and War of Roses Trilogy)
HOWEVER! Crossed Lines is on a whole other level. I’m not kidding.
Maryanne is someone you will never forget. Thorny..on my goodness..brilliant and broken.
This read is raw and real. Maryanne and Thorny made no excuses or apologies for their actions. Crossed lines made me FEEL EVERYTHING.
I truly applaud Lana Sky for the magnificent writing. She captured difficult issues and made them relatable to us all.
Please give us more of them and the Cherry Red Book!
~BREAKDOWN OF RATINGS~
Plot~ 5/5
Main Characters (hero/heroine)~ 5/5
Secondary Characters~ 5/5
The Feels~ 5/5
Pacing~ 5/5
Addictiveness~5/5
Angst~ 5/5
Steam/Hotness/Chemisty ~ 5/5
Theme or Tone~ 5/5
Flow (Writing Style)~ 5/5
Backdrop (World Building)~ 5/5
Originality~ 5/5
Ending~ 5/5
Book Cover~ Eye catching
Series~ stand-alone
Source~ Kindle eBook - ARC for honest review
Would I read more from the author? Yes
Would I recommend this book? Yes
February 27, 2024
3.7⭐️
When you delve into Maryanne's story and grasp her background, you'll find her incredibly relatable. She employs a blend of humor and anger to keep people at arm's length, stemming from a traumatic incident in her youth that has defined her as she's matured. Now, she's moving in with her Uncle James until she reaches 18 and finishes school.
James Thorne is a multifaceted character weighed down by regret. He doesn't tolerate Maryanne's behavior, navigating life through a haze of alcohol. He's married to Elaine, Maryanne's aunt. Thorny appears to resent Maryanne's presence, but is there more to his feelings?
Both characters are deeply hurt, imperfect, and yet captivating in their own way. Despite their flaws, they seem to amplify each other's weaknesses while also helping to mend them.
Safety
Uncle/niece
H(40+)/h(18)
Virgin h
Cheating(not between MCs)
TW: suicide, mental health issues, child abuse
HEA(not written)
When you delve into Maryanne's story and grasp her background, you'll find her incredibly relatable. She employs a blend of humor and anger to keep people at arm's length, stemming from a traumatic incident in her youth that has defined her as she's matured. Now, she's moving in with her Uncle James until she reaches 18 and finishes school.
James Thorne is a multifaceted character weighed down by regret. He doesn't tolerate Maryanne's behavior, navigating life through a haze of alcohol. He's married to Elaine, Maryanne's aunt. Thorny appears to resent Maryanne's presence, but is there more to his feelings?
Both characters are deeply hurt, imperfect, and yet captivating in their own way. Despite their flaws, they seem to amplify each other's weaknesses while also helping to mend them.
Safety
Uncle/niece
H(40+)/h(18)
Virgin h
Cheating(not between MCs)
TW: suicide, mental health issues, child abuse
HEA(not written)
avoid
September 21, 2021Not romance, no HEA.
November 12, 2021
solo voy a decir que este libro termino conmigo, tiene a los mejores personajes complejos que he leído y necesito más de ellos. y Lana Sky se acaba de convertir en una de mis autoras favoritas, no podes escribir y transmitir tanto mujer. leanlo ya.
xoxo
xoxo
August 18, 2019
J’ai un peu hésité à lire ce roman d’une auteure que je ne connais pas sur un sujet qui sombre souvent dans le glauque. Ce n’est pas le cas ici et la romance est vraiment atypique.
Le sujet est connu et le titre exprime bien ce qu’il veut traiter. Crossed Lines signifie que de nombreuses limites sont franchies et c’est bien le cas ici puisque le héros est l’oncle par alliance de la jeune héroïne qui est à trois mois de son dix-huitième anniversaire au début du livre. Maryanne est une enfant compliquée et on comprend vite en débutant le roman que l’histoire est complexe. Maryanne est perturbée, a été virée de tous les établissements scolaires possibles et est confiée à son oncle par alliance James Thorne. Celui-ci a l’air de détester l’idée et Maryanne se réjouit de lui causer des désagréments. Maryanne et Thorny, comme elle l’appelle, commence alors une difficile relation où il cherche à la soumettre et à la faire obéir, notamment terminer ses études. Thorny est un écrivain célèbre, que Maryanne admire profondément sans le dire. Il est également marié à sa tante… Comme vous le voyez, entre une mineure, un oncle par alliance, marié de surcroît, l’auteure n’a pas lésiné sur les interdits.
J’ai craint le pire au départ, avec une Maryanne qui prend un malin plaisir à provoquer Thorny en l’appelant papa, mais en réalité, le roman n’a rien d’érotique mais au contraire est une exploration des relations familiales complexes qui lient les deux personnages. Que s’est-il passé auparavant ? Pourquoi Maryanne est aussi perturbé ? Pourquoi Thorny n’écrit plus, se contentant d’être un prof, qui a tendance à boire ?
L’histoire est très tourmentée et si vous connaissez L’affaire Harry Québert ou Lolita, il y a des clins d’œil du côté de ces histoires. L’écriture est très efficace, l’histoire mystérieuse et très torturée. La romance n’a rien d’évident au départ et ne le deviendra pas miraculeusement. Cela est très cohérent avec le reste de l’histoire. Tout cela ne respire pas la légèreté comme vous devez vous en douter, donc il vaut mieux se préparer à ce petit jeun avec les limites qu’entretiennent les héros et à une histoire pas rose bonbon du tout. La littérature et l’écriture est très importante dans cette histoire, ce qui est intéressant et bien vu.
Cela demeure une lecture plutôt réussie même si je n’ai pas adhéré à tout et que certains passages m’ont paru longuets.
Le sujet est connu et le titre exprime bien ce qu’il veut traiter. Crossed Lines signifie que de nombreuses limites sont franchies et c’est bien le cas ici puisque le héros est l’oncle par alliance de la jeune héroïne qui est à trois mois de son dix-huitième anniversaire au début du livre. Maryanne est une enfant compliquée et on comprend vite en débutant le roman que l’histoire est complexe. Maryanne est perturbée, a été virée de tous les établissements scolaires possibles et est confiée à son oncle par alliance James Thorne. Celui-ci a l’air de détester l’idée et Maryanne se réjouit de lui causer des désagréments. Maryanne et Thorny, comme elle l’appelle, commence alors une difficile relation où il cherche à la soumettre et à la faire obéir, notamment terminer ses études. Thorny est un écrivain célèbre, que Maryanne admire profondément sans le dire. Il est également marié à sa tante… Comme vous le voyez, entre une mineure, un oncle par alliance, marié de surcroît, l’auteure n’a pas lésiné sur les interdits.
J’ai craint le pire au départ, avec une Maryanne qui prend un malin plaisir à provoquer Thorny en l’appelant papa, mais en réalité, le roman n’a rien d’érotique mais au contraire est une exploration des relations familiales complexes qui lient les deux personnages. Que s’est-il passé auparavant ? Pourquoi Maryanne est aussi perturbé ? Pourquoi Thorny n’écrit plus, se contentant d’être un prof, qui a tendance à boire ?
L’histoire est très tourmentée et si vous connaissez L’affaire Harry Québert ou Lolita, il y a des clins d’œil du côté de ces histoires. L’écriture est très efficace, l’histoire mystérieuse et très torturée. La romance n’a rien d’évident au départ et ne le deviendra pas miraculeusement. Cela est très cohérent avec le reste de l’histoire. Tout cela ne respire pas la légèreté comme vous devez vous en douter, donc il vaut mieux se préparer à ce petit jeun avec les limites qu’entretiennent les héros et à une histoire pas rose bonbon du tout. La littérature et l’écriture est très importante dans cette histoire, ce qui est intéressant et bien vu.
Cela demeure une lecture plutôt réussie même si je n’ai pas adhéré à tout et que certains passages m’ont paru longuets.
September 26, 2019
**Review of the audiobook**
STORY
“A girl with no thoughts in her head other than the need to have all eyes on her. Always.”
When we are first introduced to Marianne, we are told that she is a hellion. With personality disorders that have caused her to be kicked out of schools, mental hospitals and from the homes of all of her family members, I was very eager to read about this dysfunctional diva. Unfortunately, the majority of Marianne’s debacles occur BEFORE the story starts, so we don’t get to enjoy many of her antics. Even worse, instead of getting to see/feel the drama Marianne previously caused, we are told about it. If she’d had flashbacks or memories of her past, I’m sure this book would have been much more entertaining.
In this book, Marianne is given her last chance, being given the opportunity to live with her uncle James Thorne (who Marianne taunts by calling “Thorny” in public and “daddy” in private). Again, I found the story severely lacking in regard to their relationship. Aside from Marianne constantly taunting her uncle, the drama was minimal and IMO, dull. During 99% of the book, I had no idea why James and Marianne even despised one another.
This was my second book by Ms. Sky, and I am certain this will be the last. Her books have fabulous premises, yet the execution always fall short.
PERFORMANCE
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Krystal Wascher. Ms. Wascher makes an obvious attempt to sound like the snotty, spoiled main character, yet her over eagerness was excessive to say the least. Her performance was so over the top and overdone; she was constantly “on“, trying to convince us of how whiny and annoying Marianne was, and because of this, it was hard to tell when Wascher was reading dialogue versus non-dialogue portions of the book. If you want to read this book, I highly recommend NOT listening to this audiobook but opting to read the e-book.
STORY
“A girl with no thoughts in her head other than the need to have all eyes on her. Always.”
When we are first introduced to Marianne, we are told that she is a hellion. With personality disorders that have caused her to be kicked out of schools, mental hospitals and from the homes of all of her family members, I was very eager to read about this dysfunctional diva. Unfortunately, the majority of Marianne’s debacles occur BEFORE the story starts, so we don’t get to enjoy many of her antics. Even worse, instead of getting to see/feel the drama Marianne previously caused, we are told about it. If she’d had flashbacks or memories of her past, I’m sure this book would have been much more entertaining.
In this book, Marianne is given her last chance, being given the opportunity to live with her uncle James Thorne (who Marianne taunts by calling “Thorny” in public and “daddy” in private). Again, I found the story severely lacking in regard to their relationship. Aside from Marianne constantly taunting her uncle, the drama was minimal and IMO, dull. During 99% of the book, I had no idea why James and Marianne even despised one another.
This was my second book by Ms. Sky, and I am certain this will be the last. Her books have fabulous premises, yet the execution always fall short.
PERFORMANCE
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Krystal Wascher. Ms. Wascher makes an obvious attempt to sound like the snotty, spoiled main character, yet her over eagerness was excessive to say the least. Her performance was so over the top and overdone; she was constantly “on“, trying to convince us of how whiny and annoying Marianne was, and because of this, it was hard to tell when Wascher was reading dialogue versus non-dialogue portions of the book. If you want to read this book, I highly recommend NOT listening to this audiobook but opting to read the e-book.
August 8, 2020
You either love this book or you absolutely hate it. There's nothing in between.
February 18, 2024
Ok. I liked this. It was strange but in a Good way. I think the romance should have started a teensie bit earlier but I get why it didn’t also. What a wild ride. I loved the ending so much.
It was clever and I enjoyed the little weird mysteries in general.
It was clever and I enjoyed the little weird mysteries in general.
March 21, 2024
tell me why i thought this was gonna be a mystery thriller based on the blurb and then it was a whole ass age gap forbidden stepfather romance BYE
September 26, 2019
I have been a big fan of Lana Sky for years, starting with her first book Drain Me. Crossed Lines has to be one of my favorites. Lana has dabbled in many genre's (especially dark ones) and though this is not a dark romance, it deals with dark topics as suicide, mental health, drinking, etc. I loved the 'taboo' age difference between the two main characters.
As the story unfolds, we learn that Maryanne is a very troubled seventeen year old who is taken in by her aunt and uncle. James is the one who see's her for what she is, crying out for attention and inadvertently destroying lives of the people who attempt to help her. In the past she has been moved from one family to another, kicked out of a multitude of boarding schools, being helped by shrinks while in rehab. Nothing works. Maryanne is a total brat but she is looking for someone to love her, to be there for her...not put on a fake smile (aunt Elaine) and ignore her behaviour. With a past like hers (abandoned by mother, father committed suicide) you want someone to step up and be in her corner.
As the story unfold, we realize that Maryanne is not the only one suffering, James is as well. Nicknamed Thorny, he is an author/professor who drinks ALOT at all times of the day and when he is angry his thing is to leave the situation/house and disappear. The relationship between James and his wife Elaine is severely damaged. If there was any love between them you do not feel it when they are in each others company.
Well Maryanne gets off on the wrong foot on purpose when James brings her to their beach house. It infuriates him and he wagers that she won't last one month not purposely messing up (instead of the three months they have her until she turns 18). If she is able to behave he will give up his and Elaine's share of the inheritance. Though he seems to hate her on the surface, James was the only one who did not want her thrown away in another 'home' or psychic ward. One of the OMG moments was when James spanks her. I think she likes pushing his buttons, getting a rise, and James is such an uptight individual that by spanking her (on two occasions) it is a 'release' of emotions for him. Eventually the intense emotional feelings felt between the two becomes physical.
What I liked is when Maryanne becomes serious about her education and writing, James guides her so she is able to achieve the goal. He may have a round about way of doing things but he is invested in her well being. With that, I would highly recommend this unusual love story between two broken individuals.
As the story unfolds, we learn that Maryanne is a very troubled seventeen year old who is taken in by her aunt and uncle. James is the one who see's her for what she is, crying out for attention and inadvertently destroying lives of the people who attempt to help her. In the past she has been moved from one family to another, kicked out of a multitude of boarding schools, being helped by shrinks while in rehab. Nothing works. Maryanne is a total brat but she is looking for someone to love her, to be there for her...not put on a fake smile (aunt Elaine) and ignore her behaviour. With a past like hers (abandoned by mother, father committed suicide) you want someone to step up and be in her corner.
As the story unfold, we realize that Maryanne is not the only one suffering, James is as well. Nicknamed Thorny, he is an author/professor who drinks ALOT at all times of the day and when he is angry his thing is to leave the situation/house and disappear. The relationship between James and his wife Elaine is severely damaged. If there was any love between them you do not feel it when they are in each others company.
Well Maryanne gets off on the wrong foot on purpose when James brings her to their beach house. It infuriates him and he wagers that she won't last one month not purposely messing up (instead of the three months they have her until she turns 18). If she is able to behave he will give up his and Elaine's share of the inheritance. Though he seems to hate her on the surface, James was the only one who did not want her thrown away in another 'home' or psychic ward. One of the OMG moments was when James spanks her. I think she likes pushing his buttons, getting a rise, and James is such an uptight individual that by spanking her (on two occasions) it is a 'release' of emotions for him. Eventually the intense emotional feelings felt between the two becomes physical.
What I liked is when Maryanne becomes serious about her education and writing, James guides her so she is able to achieve the goal. He may have a round about way of doing things but he is invested in her well being. With that, I would highly recommend this unusual love story between two broken individuals.
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