What do you think?
Rate this book
Outside the Lines
Sparks fly when 23-year-old New Yorker Bellarina Levitsky lands on the South Carolinian doorstep of 89-year-old Tilly Wilson, a flawed old woman with an unwavering faith in God and a mouth rife with unsolicited advice. The only thing the unlikely pair have in common is waiting for death’s door to creak open.
As an adult orphan facing terminal cancer, Bella flees her home to die in peace, but her new landlady has her own ideas. After all, the old woman is an expert on everything. Just ask her.
Refusing to let Bella wallow in self-pity, Tilly makes it her mission to help the young woman spend her last year living outside the lines, squeezing every experience out of life, and finding the three things she has given up on—God, love, and family.
As an adult orphan facing terminal cancer, Bella flees her home to die in peace, but her new landlady has her own ideas. After all, the old woman is an expert on everything. Just ask her.
Refusing to let Bella wallow in self-pity, Tilly makes it her mission to help the young woman spend her last year living outside the lines, squeezing every experience out of life, and finding the three things she has given up on—God, love, and family.
356 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 17, 2023
2 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 19, 2024
I loved this book. So pure and sweet.
March 2, 2023
Bella's life has been a rollercoaster of hardships, from a childhood without proper care to bouncing between foster homes. She thought she had seen it all. But now, the devastating news of her terminal cancer diagnosis and only having one year to live shatters her world once again. Seeking solace, Bella travels to South Carolina, where she meets the quirky and charming Tilly, her new landlady and unexpected best friend. Tilly is determined to help Bella make the last year of her life count. Although they are many years apart, they share something in common. Both women know their deaths are soon.
Together, they embark on a journey of living life to the fullest and making every moment count. Bella's unwavering strength and resilience are a true inspiration, and Tilly's unpredictable nature will have you laughing one moment and tearing up the next. Without a family to support her, she has always been strong on her own. She has such a beautiful soul. Tilly was a fascinating character. The 90-year-old woman had unpredictable moods and was known for her sharp tongue. Although she said mean things sometimes, she had a big heart and was loved by almost everyone.
Mary Perrine provides masterful character development and an absorbing plot, and you'll find yourself hooked from the first page. Outside the Lines explores the depths of friendship, love, and the power of the human spirit. It's a powerful story of triumph over adversity that will touch your heart and leave you feeling inspired. The author’s writing is powerful, and I found myself at times wishing things were different for Bella, and then I would burst out laughing at Tilly's remarks.
Outside the Lines is a must-read for fans of realistic fiction. Get ready to be transported into Bella and Tilly's world and experience a story that will stay with you long after the last page. Don't miss out on this beautiful and touching tale of courage and hope.
Together, they embark on a journey of living life to the fullest and making every moment count. Bella's unwavering strength and resilience are a true inspiration, and Tilly's unpredictable nature will have you laughing one moment and tearing up the next. Without a family to support her, she has always been strong on her own. She has such a beautiful soul. Tilly was a fascinating character. The 90-year-old woman had unpredictable moods and was known for her sharp tongue. Although she said mean things sometimes, she had a big heart and was loved by almost everyone.
Mary Perrine provides masterful character development and an absorbing plot, and you'll find yourself hooked from the first page. Outside the Lines explores the depths of friendship, love, and the power of the human spirit. It's a powerful story of triumph over adversity that will touch your heart and leave you feeling inspired. The author’s writing is powerful, and I found myself at times wishing things were different for Bella, and then I would burst out laughing at Tilly's remarks.
Outside the Lines is a must-read for fans of realistic fiction. Get ready to be transported into Bella and Tilly's world and experience a story that will stay with you long after the last page. Don't miss out on this beautiful and touching tale of courage and hope.
February 8, 2023
Mary Perrine's insightful character development spurred a touching moveable feast of emotions. Conceived in empathy and beautifully written.
February 3, 2024
What a heartwarming story. Had me wanting to stay up late and come home early to find out where the story goes next.
October 16, 2024
Best book I have read in a long time. Thus book made me laugh and cry. Do moving and so many wonderful messages.
February 14, 2025
Wonderful character representation! Difficult subject but so well dealt with through her character writing!
January 22, 2024
Written by a Minnesota author, this book has no trace of Minnesota in it. Set in a fictional town in the Carolinas, it tells a story of found family, faith, and (ironically) hope. Bella and Tilly could not be more different. Bella is young, white, educated, a city girl, but alone, homeless, and bitter. Tilly is old, black, working class, a small town icon, beloved by many, and wise. Her sharp tongue belies her big heart. The only thing the two women have in common is that they are both dying. Tilly takes Bella into her home (a "boarding house", despite having no other residents) and an odd, tentative friendship begins. Bella is drawn into and embraced by Tilly's inner circle of friends. Tilly has a lot to teach Bella in the short time they have left, and Bella has a few things to share with Tilly as well. I enjoyed reading this book. It's not nearly as well done as 100 Years of Lenni and Margot, but the overall premise is similar.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews