What do you think?
Rate this book
A Line Blurred
Kevin is a depressed executive living a predictable life. When he unexpectedly deviates from his paralyzing routine to be with another woman, he finds himself risking everything for redemption. Kylie, his frustrated and defeated wife, finds solace in a flirtatious encounter with a younger man that sparks a dangerous relationship. Both unable to pull themselves from their newfound happiness, they rationalize their actions to satisfy their guilt, coming ever closer to an emotionally shattering end for both themselves and their children, who are unwillingly swept into their downward spiral.
Critical
"Healey writes a story that was so emotional... I wasn't disappointed by the ending, as I think it was exceptionally done, but I just wasn't ready to give these characters up. Healey has an ability to capture your emotions almost right from the word go. That connection really makes his books special to read." - Just Jennifer Reading
"A Line Blurred narrates a succinctly-written, moving account of the dire consequences in its wake plunging one family into emotional doom... Healey has given life to utterly believable characters that you will immediately grow close to..." - BookPleasures.com
Critical
"Healey writes a story that was so emotional... I wasn't disappointed by the ending, as I think it was exceptionally done, but I just wasn't ready to give these characters up. Healey has an ability to capture your emotions almost right from the word go. That connection really makes his books special to read." - Just Jennifer Reading
"A Line Blurred narrates a succinctly-written, moving account of the dire consequences in its wake plunging one family into emotional doom... Healey has given life to utterly believable characters that you will immediately grow close to..." - BookPleasures.com
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 15, 2010
3 people are currently reading
538 people want to read
About the author
Bryan Healey
11 books58 followersBryan Healey studied Computer Science at Northeastern University before becoming a technology leader, specializing in start-up development. He holds an additional BA in English and an MBA in Project Management. He has technical expertise in machine learning, and he has literary expertise in fiction and essay writing. Bryan lives in Boston with his beautiful wife.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 21, 2013
This book was given to me as part of the Member Giveaway program in LibraryThing.
My first novel by Healey which has left me positively surprised.
I read the book in just a couple of days, I was completely hooked from the start.
Healey gives us a glimpse of the lives of a middle aged married couple, Kevin and Kylie, for just 5 days. We see their "attempted conversations" every morning and every night and ( that's what made the difference for me) what was really going on in their minds. What got me about this story is the way it shows how can it be possible to have an apparently happy and comfortable life whereas beneath the surface, the characters feel the most miserable and lonely people in the world, and what's even worse, that they are not even aware of it until something awakens them from their hypnotised states.
I loved the routine described each morning, the symbolism of objects, such as coffee, the only thing these married strangers share a passion for, their daily activities and their need to open up their repressed feelings with somebody, while thinking in plural to themselves as if, even with their palpable differences, they are still a team.
They resent each other for not trying harder though, being equally guilty for neglecting their shared life, and as each day passes by, they grow more and more distant until they cross the point of no return.
This seemingly unremarkable story is, in my humble opinion, one out of the thousands of family tragedies which happen every day in front of our noses. You can't help but feeling useless as you witness mistake after mistake and, at least in my case, you start questioning your own attitude towards life when you can identify with the characters with subjects such as infidelity or the continuous estrangement, or the unconscious blaming of your partner for your own failures and shattered dreams, or the silly self provoked arguments which lead to nothing good at all.
The novel also gives us a useful lesson: that life is unpredictable and that we should value what we have or, at least, try to be sincere with the ones around us because you might not have another chance to do so, leaving you with regrets you won't be able to atone for the rest of your days.
A disturbingly novel, whose simplicity and raw truth won't leave any reader indifferent.
Highly recommended.
My first novel by Healey which has left me positively surprised.
I read the book in just a couple of days, I was completely hooked from the start.
Healey gives us a glimpse of the lives of a middle aged married couple, Kevin and Kylie, for just 5 days. We see their "attempted conversations" every morning and every night and ( that's what made the difference for me) what was really going on in their minds. What got me about this story is the way it shows how can it be possible to have an apparently happy and comfortable life whereas beneath the surface, the characters feel the most miserable and lonely people in the world, and what's even worse, that they are not even aware of it until something awakens them from their hypnotised states.
I loved the routine described each morning, the symbolism of objects, such as coffee, the only thing these married strangers share a passion for, their daily activities and their need to open up their repressed feelings with somebody, while thinking in plural to themselves as if, even with their palpable differences, they are still a team.
They resent each other for not trying harder though, being equally guilty for neglecting their shared life, and as each day passes by, they grow more and more distant until they cross the point of no return.
This seemingly unremarkable story is, in my humble opinion, one out of the thousands of family tragedies which happen every day in front of our noses. You can't help but feeling useless as you witness mistake after mistake and, at least in my case, you start questioning your own attitude towards life when you can identify with the characters with subjects such as infidelity or the continuous estrangement, or the unconscious blaming of your partner for your own failures and shattered dreams, or the silly self provoked arguments which lead to nothing good at all.
The novel also gives us a useful lesson: that life is unpredictable and that we should value what we have or, at least, try to be sincere with the ones around us because you might not have another chance to do so, leaving you with regrets you won't be able to atone for the rest of your days.
A disturbingly novel, whose simplicity and raw truth won't leave any reader indifferent.
Highly recommended.
June 25, 2011
After reading Shattered Wings I had high hopes for this book. And I have to say I was not at all disappointed! Again Healey writes a story that was so emotional, and yet didn't leave me feeling emotionally drained.
In this one we're following Kevin and Kylie, a couple who are part of a marriage that just isn't working anymore. Kevin is all about his routine: get up, go to work, come home, have dinner, go to bed. Not much in his life deviates from that routine. What I liked about Kevin is that he isn't a boring person by nature, he's just living the life that was given to him. He knows he wants more, and he tries to be spontaneous, but life gets in his way and he falls back into doing what he's always done. Kylie I didn't really like in the beginning of the book. She came off as a bit prissy and heartless. But the more the story followed her the more I began to feel sorry for her. She's worried about her life: her husband, her kids, herself. But Kylie is pulled by responsibility to keep her thoughts to herself. She wants the appearance that everything is ok. She really grows through the story to become such a strong character.
The story starts with twists almost right from the beginning. I didn't see any of the things that happened coming. It was so exciting to read to see what was going to happen next. Even when there wasn't something "exciting" going on the story was still exciting. I really didn't want this one to end. I wasn't disappointed by the ending, as I think it was exceptionally done, but I just wasn't ready to give these characters up. Healey has an ability to capture your emotions almost right from the word go. That connection really makes his books special to read.
A review copy of this book was provided by the author. This is not a paid review and is a truthful and honest review.
In this one we're following Kevin and Kylie, a couple who are part of a marriage that just isn't working anymore. Kevin is all about his routine: get up, go to work, come home, have dinner, go to bed. Not much in his life deviates from that routine. What I liked about Kevin is that he isn't a boring person by nature, he's just living the life that was given to him. He knows he wants more, and he tries to be spontaneous, but life gets in his way and he falls back into doing what he's always done. Kylie I didn't really like in the beginning of the book. She came off as a bit prissy and heartless. But the more the story followed her the more I began to feel sorry for her. She's worried about her life: her husband, her kids, herself. But Kylie is pulled by responsibility to keep her thoughts to herself. She wants the appearance that everything is ok. She really grows through the story to become such a strong character.
The story starts with twists almost right from the beginning. I didn't see any of the things that happened coming. It was so exciting to read to see what was going to happen next. Even when there wasn't something "exciting" going on the story was still exciting. I really didn't want this one to end. I wasn't disappointed by the ending, as I think it was exceptionally done, but I just wasn't ready to give these characters up. Healey has an ability to capture your emotions almost right from the word go. That connection really makes his books special to read.
A review copy of this book was provided by the author. This is not a paid review and is a truthful and honest review.
June 29, 2011
I won this book on the Goodreads giveaway program. I'm not quite sure what to think of it. I think the writing is reasonably well done, although the too-frequent errors distract some...Bryan could have used a good editor.
In a way the story is a modern tragedy fueled by the bright line that became blurred as the main character and his wife each rationalized inappropriate behavior. It's main value is as a manual on how one can move, little by little, to a situation that never would have been realized in one step. The author did a good job of showing how their actions were self-justified, making each a somewhat sympathetic figure. The general outcome was inevitable and the author did a good job of filling in the specifics that led to it. The attributes that would have saved them; patience, forgiveness, and real love; were in short supply. Unfortunately their fate is repeated all too often in various ways by those of us in real life.
The moral of the story: there is danger in taking even a small step, even just in thought, in an inappropriate direction. Jesus knew what He was talking about in Matthew chapter 5.
In a way the story is a modern tragedy fueled by the bright line that became blurred as the main character and his wife each rationalized inappropriate behavior. It's main value is as a manual on how one can move, little by little, to a situation that never would have been realized in one step. The author did a good job of showing how their actions were self-justified, making each a somewhat sympathetic figure. The general outcome was inevitable and the author did a good job of filling in the specifics that led to it. The attributes that would have saved them; patience, forgiveness, and real love; were in short supply. Unfortunately their fate is repeated all too often in various ways by those of us in real life.
The moral of the story: there is danger in taking even a small step, even just in thought, in an inappropriate direction. Jesus knew what He was talking about in Matthew chapter 5.
January 11, 2012
I really enjoyed this story. It was a great look at the reality that family can be. I found myself sucked into the story and how real it was. The best thing about this story is that at first, you feel like Kevin is a total jerk and Kylie is a royal bitch but as it progresses you realize that they are both seriously flawed in their own way. Then, you look at the kids and realize that the issues the parents are having are reflected in the children even though they, as parents do not actually see it until nearly the end of the story.
My only complaint, like so many is the grammatical errors that were in the book. A fresh set of eyes to do more editing would have been helpful and I am unclear as to why the thoughts of the characters were in the plural, ie: "We are married" not "I am married" etc. This was unclear and a possible grammatical error but I am not sure. The ending was a total shock and just a great way to end it. I was sad to see Kevin's ending but I think Rachael handled everything with a LOT of class. I enjoyed this story immensely and I am looking forward to Shattered Wings.
My only complaint, like so many is the grammatical errors that were in the book. A fresh set of eyes to do more editing would have been helpful and I am unclear as to why the thoughts of the characters were in the plural, ie: "We are married" not "I am married" etc. This was unclear and a possible grammatical error but I am not sure. The ending was a total shock and just a great way to end it. I was sad to see Kevin's ending but I think Rachael handled everything with a LOT of class. I enjoyed this story immensely and I am looking forward to Shattered Wings.
November 23, 2015
I won this as part of Goodreads Firstreads Giveaway-thank you!!
2.5 stars. In the span of 5 days, Kevin and Kylie’s marriage, which has slowly been unraveling for years, reaches a point that may be beyond salvaging. They have each simultaneously started new relationships with other people. Kevin, depressed and driven to live by routine, finds an emotional bond with Rachel who he meets on the way to work. Kylie, a stay at home mom, who struggles with the weekday chore of getting the kids ready for school, begins an affair with a younger waiter. Both Kevin and Kylie’s new relationships allow them to take a good look at the state of their personal lives, marraige and family. What I liked: we fully understand the marriage from both perspectives. What I didn’t like: the novel was heavy on dialogue; both Kevin and Kylie's thoughts were written in plural form which was confusing/distracting.
2.5 stars. In the span of 5 days, Kevin and Kylie’s marriage, which has slowly been unraveling for years, reaches a point that may be beyond salvaging. They have each simultaneously started new relationships with other people. Kevin, depressed and driven to live by routine, finds an emotional bond with Rachel who he meets on the way to work. Kylie, a stay at home mom, who struggles with the weekday chore of getting the kids ready for school, begins an affair with a younger waiter. Both Kevin and Kylie’s new relationships allow them to take a good look at the state of their personal lives, marraige and family. What I liked: we fully understand the marriage from both perspectives. What I didn’t like: the novel was heavy on dialogue; both Kevin and Kylie's thoughts were written in plural form which was confusing/distracting.
May 25, 2011
Can one event conspire to ruin a life? In this novel, one blurred line sparks a chain of events throughout the novel. Kevin is a depressed executive whose life didn't turn out quite like he thought it would while Kylie, his wife, is hanging in the seemingly loveless marriage they share. Rachel comes into Kevin's life and they immediately begin an affair. Kylie begins an desperate affair with a younger man, Christopher. The unhappy spouses ignore each other and their infidelities. They eventually tire of their deceit, their bad decisions run rampant. Their family begins to fall apart, as the reader may suppose, expected. The reader may grow close to the characters, feel the frustration and anger. The reader will question why the two even remain in marriage. This novel is a good book for exploring the lines of marriage and consequences, this novel is great for adults.
June 10, 2011
This book was hard for me to rate. I was involved talking to them.'Don't to that or say that. They did not listen to me
It looks into Kevin and kylie's marraiage. they start fighting and talking have the fight in thier heads half the time. Kevin works in a office in town. Kylie a stay at home mom. they have a girl and a boy house in suberbs. Kevin meets Rachel on subway on monday. Same day Kylie' meets chris. You see themselves telling lies and rationalize what they are starting to do
One major little thing that bugged me was when they were talking in thier minds they were always saying we.
the story was well written and made you get involved in thier story. Its easy to make small wrong steps to the big ones. I was given the ebook in exchange of review.
It looks into Kevin and kylie's marraiage. they start fighting and talking have the fight in thier heads half the time. Kevin works in a office in town. Kylie a stay at home mom. they have a girl and a boy house in suberbs. Kevin meets Rachel on subway on monday. Same day Kylie' meets chris. You see themselves telling lies and rationalize what they are starting to do
One major little thing that bugged me was when they were talking in thier minds they were always saying we.
the story was well written and made you get involved in thier story. Its easy to make small wrong steps to the big ones. I was given the ebook in exchange of review.
November 23, 2011
I loved and hated this book. The story took me on a rollercoaster of personal emotions and memories. The view of the husbands thoughts and hurts helped to open my own eyes to the other side of a failing marriage. The story helpled give me resolution to a painful time in my personal life and a better preception of it. The emotions of the characters where very well written caputuring the mood and drama of the situation.
Want to read
December 31, 2010I am SO excited to have won "A Line Blurred" and will definitely review it when it arrives!
February 22, 2011
Goodreads Giveaway! Thanks Bryan!
I'm still struggling to come to terms with the ending but, overall, I thought this was a pretty good story.
I'm still struggling to come to terms with the ending but, overall, I thought this was a pretty good story.
October 20, 2012
So I had high expectations for this book, based on all the good reviews I read but I have to say that I was disappointed. I didn't really like any of the characters, especially Kylie. I thought that she was a selfish bitch who couldn't take responsibility for her actions.
Kevin and Kylie's marriage failed because of the both of them and Kylie couldn't admit to that. Even when she cheated on him, she didn't have the balls to tell him, even though he was the one that brought up the ending of their relationship. I thought that Kylie was a bitter, angry wife who didn't communicate with her husband about her needs and wants. It takes trust and communication for a marriage to work and Kylie do either with Kevin.
That being said, I didn't think that Kevin was innocent but I did like him more than any other character. Although I didn't agree with him lying to Rachel about already being divorced but I could understand why he did it. I felt bad for Kevin throughout the story because I felt like Kylie treated him like shit and he never stood up for himself.
I felt like the ending was a copout. The way that Kylie treated Rachel I thought was unjustified and unfair because she was doing the exact same thing behind Kevin's back and she had no right to be pissed off. SHe was such a bitch to an innocent woman who did nothing wrong. Kylie was still bitter and angry at the end of the story and I feel bad for her kids because their world was going to be turned upside down and I don't that Kylie has the necessary tools to deal with what should happen next.
Like I said, I had high expectations for this book but in the end it just made me lose faith in making a marriage work.
Kevin and Kylie's marriage failed because of the both of them and Kylie couldn't admit to that. Even when she cheated on him, she didn't have the balls to tell him, even though he was the one that brought up the ending of their relationship. I thought that Kylie was a bitter, angry wife who didn't communicate with her husband about her needs and wants. It takes trust and communication for a marriage to work and Kylie do either with Kevin.
That being said, I didn't think that Kevin was innocent but I did like him more than any other character. Although I didn't agree with him lying to Rachel about already being divorced but I could understand why he did it. I felt bad for Kevin throughout the story because I felt like Kylie treated him like shit and he never stood up for himself.
I felt like the ending was a copout. The way that Kylie treated Rachel I thought was unjustified and unfair because she was doing the exact same thing behind Kevin's back and she had no right to be pissed off. SHe was such a bitch to an innocent woman who did nothing wrong. Kylie was still bitter and angry at the end of the story and I feel bad for her kids because their world was going to be turned upside down and I don't that Kylie has the necessary tools to deal with what should happen next.
Like I said, I had high expectations for this book but in the end it just made me lose faith in making a marriage work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2012
I enjoyed this not because of originality in the story but because it is tragic and its hard to pull yourself away from it and because of the creative quirks of the protagonists. I think we all know a married couple in a situation like Kevin and Kylie. It did at first seem unrealistic that their lives could be so simple with so few social connections but it does happen. The one part that was unrealistic was that Kylie and the kids would always be home every single evening when Kevin returned home from work. Surely doctor's appointments, errands, social visits to friends' houses, etc. would come into play even if the kids weren't involved in any formal extracurricular activities.
I thought it wrapped up too quickly in the end and it would have been better if Kylie reflected more on what she had been through in the past week and the parallels between hers and Kevin's paths to bring more closure to the story.
I thought it wrapped up too quickly in the end and it would have been better if Kylie reflected more on what she had been through in the past week and the parallels between hers and Kevin's paths to bring more closure to the story.
May 19, 2016
A marriage on the rocks causes Kevin and Kylie to reevaluate what their relationship, vows, and family means. Healey clearly describes the daily drudgery of marries life when one or both partners question it value. The characters are shallow with some twists and turns. The ending is not what you would expect.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews