I enjoyed this book in many ways. The characters were interesting, especially little Aimee. I feel like the story as a whole was enjoyable, the writing style was good, and it was well paced. I feel like the initial meeting of the two leading characters was a bit coincidental, and wish it had been more a little more realistic. I also felt that the culmination of the case was a little melodramatic. I would have liked the story to have gone down a less obvious route. But all in all I really enjoyed reading this book and found it to be very easy to read. Definitely one for anyone wanting some good female LGBT+ fiction.

Constable Bridget 'Marley' Marlowe's compassion for an eight year old victim, Aimee, has led her to break the rules and place Aimee and her grandmother in hiding, safe from Aimee's father who is running a drug syndicate. Dr Devon Wolfe, is a burnt out psychiatrist, who's just trying to ease herself back into work after several months off. Devon finds Marley beat up in a back alley which brings them together in this criminal investigation and tests Devon's resolve for her return to work.
This was such an enjoyable read with the thrill of the investigation and the slow burn romance between Marley and Devon. The characters were developed really well and you got a real feel for their personalities as a result, and that includes the sub characters as well. Along with some great dialogue throughout, this book is a winner.  I'm looking forward to reading some more of Webb's books.

Two women meet by chance when one of them is injured in an alley. This is a fast paced "action-romance" which focus strongly on the bonds between people. I loved this book, and will re-read it.

Devon: Burned out from her job, Devon is struggling to find the pieces of herself she's lost. Devon is kind and insightful. After deciding on helping out, she's in Marleys corner.

Marley: After being injured when exiting a neighborhood she's not supposed to be in Marley is faced by having to ask Devon for help protecting a young girl and her grandmother (Aimee and Carla). Marley is emphatic, strong and kind. She's a cop who bends the rules, but she does it out of the goodness of her heart.

Pro:
Catching story - The story unfolds how Aimees life has been up until she started living with her grandmother. It is gripping, sad and it touches your heart.
Questioning how things are done - I like how Marley question the procedure at the police station. She wants to prevent crime. It's refreshing to read a police character so driven by her empathy.
Finding yourself - Both Devon and Marley are on a journey to find themselves. Devon wants to find parts of herself that's been lost, and Marley wants to find a place for herself where she feels she makes a difference.
Stronger together - I love the support and the trust the main character show each other. Even though there are dark parts in this story, the book left me with a warm heart. The romance is with very little angst, which fits the characters perfectly.

Con:
-

This review is based on NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.

This book was AWESOME!!! I always know I'm going to be in love with a book when I start writing my review in my head in the first chapter. I loved the main characters, the plot line, the twists and most of all the great writing. This book is going into my very small reread often pile. I can't wait to read it again! I highly recommend this book. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved reading this book. I wasn’t sure I was going to at first because the story seemed do in depth but actually this turned out to be what I loved about the book.

The 2 main leads were obviously destined to be together but what I really loved was that the built up a relationship. So many times in books I’ve read recently it has been ‘hi’/ kiss/ sex/ happy ever after. I loved that they got to know each other slowly.

I adored Aimee. As a teacher of kids who may have had unpleasant situations in their life I felt she was really really well written. Totally believable.

This is the first book ice read from this author but I will be hunting more out. An exceptional read.

The importance of friendship and family is what I thought while reading this story. Bridget Marlowe (Marley), is a good police officer with her first concern on the people. Marley reminds me of what law enforcement should be. I also understand the discussion about whether or not law enforcement are the right people that should enter into a domestic situation alone. Should social workers be more involved? Considering there is such a shortage of social workers and the pay is so low, is this possibility possible? Dr. Devon Wolf, psychologist, is a person that should be along for domestic situations. In this read, she is burned out and needs a mental break. While on break she "meets" Marley and the story unfolds from there.

This is a captivating read that includes interesting psychological, mental, and brain stuff that the author is known for. The intrigue and gutsy story arc is captivating. Though slow to unfold, it was very much worth it due the interesting information provided. Aimee, the young girl and how she was depicted was heart wrenching as well as heart warming. Her grandmother, Carla was steadfast in her love for Aimee.

This is a creative read that makes you think and feel which in my opinion is a good thing.

I had heard a lot of good things about this author's novels so was really pleased to be given the opportunity to read and review "Storm LInes". Many thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher.

Storm Lines is an interesting and engrossing read. It starts off by introducing the two main characters and moves at a pace from there. Marley is a cop and doesn't always follow the rules which is why she ended up with a stab wound and badly beaten and Devon is a trauma psychologist currrently off work with stress who happpens to find her and summons first aid. . She continues to support and help Marley and before long she is embroiled in the secret Marley is trying to hide and protect.

All the characters are multidimensional and they all have their flaws or complications . They all contribute to this fast moving story. The pace is well-judged. The atmosphere in the writing comes across and some scenes are tense. Yes there is a love story or two at the heart of this with different characters tugging at the heart strings. What the author has done here is cleverly complex, built up in layers, and with it the tension mounts and the reader is caught up in the drama. Engrossing read. For a complicated story it reads really well and it's very enjoyable. 5*

My first book by this author and it was amazing! I judged this book by its cover first, lovely, great title as well. And the story surpasses this great looking exterior. And we all know that what's on the inside counts!

When Dr. Devon Wolfe finds Constable Bridget “Marley” Marlowe the cop is in terrible shape. Devon is intrigued by her and comes to visit her in the hospital and when she is back home. Marley does the wrong thing for the right reason and with her injury, she needs help with her latest effort. Marley asks Devon for help, both are unsure about this request as there are many things on the line for both women. What unfolds is a story about family and connecting to new chosen family members. Devon and Marley find each other, but more importantly, they find themselves. After both having had some issues in the workplace they understand each other like they never expected. But the building romance between the characters isn't the main story in the book, the main story is a family drama that revolves around Devon and Marley and the people they are helping: 8-year-old Aimee and her grandmother Carla. Aimee is smart and vibrant and Carla is a force to be reckoned with. The story interlaced with crime and a bit os suspension is great.

Jessica Webb did an amazing job of writing a family drama/ crime story with a little love, romantic love as well as "family" love. The story kept me guessing and I adore intimacy that is built between the characters before they even share so much as a kiss. The secondary characters are well rounded and amazing, I'd like for all supporting characters to be like Carla. and never is a kid character as good as Aimee, this should certainly become the standard.
So this was my first Webb book, I'll be picking up the rest of them for my summer reading!

Really Good
Marley is a good cop with a need to do the right thing, even if she doesn’t do it like she should. When a young girl who was caught in her father’s drug rind needs help, its Marley to the rescue. When Marley gets injured she has no choice but to rely on the beautiful Devon to keep the girl safe. Devon is a psychologist on leave from her job. When she stumbles across Marley on the street in the rain her senses are stirred and she finds herself drawn to the pretty and brave constable. When Marley asks for help she is powerless to say no, even if she wanted to.

I liked this suspenseful thriller a lot. There was action and intrigue, drama and dastardly dudes….I loved how Marley and Devon were attracted to each other while doing wheat ever it took to keep Aimee and her grandmother safe while searching for the answers they needed to solve the crime. This book had me on edge and I couldn’t stop reading. I had to know what happened next! I loved the writing, the plot, the characters and just about everything in this tale. It was face paced and yet took the time for lovely romantic bits too. It was a lovely story and I will definitely look for more from this author!!

Constable Bridget "Marley" Marlowe had trouble following rules. After visiting Aimee, the eight-year-old daughter of drug kingpin Randolph West she secretly decided to take care of, Marley ended up knifed in the wrong side of town. Dr. Devon Wolfe, a psychologist on leave due to mental burnout, found the injured Marley in a dark alley in the rain. This unplanned encounter led Devon into West's drug chaos. But with Marley by her side, Devon was finally able to feel herself again, and everything was going to be okay.

A thunderstorm started as I was nearing the end of the book, and it was a perfect addition to my reading experience.

The main character of "Storm Lines" was probably neither Marley nor Devon, but Aimee. She was a mature eight-year-old with heavy burdens and selective mutism. Aimee's relationship with her grandmother Carla was also sweet, despite not knowing each other that well. With both Marley and Devon trying to keep the pair safe, the four of them formed somewhat of a family and I really enjoyed their home dynamics.

I love how Marley and Devon were both so in tuned with each other. A lot of the small interactions between them remained unspoken, but they picked up on all non-verbal cues. Though their romantic relationship was not the main storyline, Marley and Devon supported each other through the stressful times of cracking the drug case. I think their time together during dire times strengthened their bond significantly. Perfect timing also played a part as Marley needed help while physically recovering from the attack and Devon was trying to work her way out of her mental burnout.

While "Storm Lines" did not tug on me emotionally, I felt especially connected with Devon. I have to constantly remind myself not to drain my own energy in social encounters, too. This Webb book was a great romance intrigue and highly entertaining. I am definitely interested in checking out other works by Webb as well.

This is my first time reading author Jessica Webb. I normally go for the feel good romances with just some angst, but I liked the synopsis of Storm Lines so I gave it a go. I am super happy that I decided to read this one. It has suspense and romance and it is well done.

Dr. Devin Wolfe saves Constable Bridget “Marley” Marlowe after Marley has been stabbed. Marley is known to not always follow the rules because she is trying to do the right thing. This normally puts her in a sticky situation and likely the stabbing was caused by her do good mentality. Devin, a psychologist, is on medical leave because she is burnt out and dealing with Agoraphobia. While Marley is in the hospital, Devin starts visiting and decides to help Marley out by taking groceries to the grandmother and grandchild she is hiding from a drug dealing relative.

There are many things to like about Storm Lines. The cover is great. The story itself is really good. The chemistry between the mains is good. The secondary characters are awesome. The mains are very likable. One thing I thought Webb did exceptionally well was describing the actions of Aimee. Since Aimee doesn't speak everything had to gestured or written on paper to others and that had to be hard putting this into words. Webb handled that with ease. This was just a joy to read and I can't help but give Storm Lines 5 stars.

This arc was provided by netgalley and the publisher for an honest review.

I have enjoyed reading Jessica L. Webb’s novels ever since I picked up the first book in the Kate Morrison Series. All of her books grab you, suck you in, and won’t let you go until the very last page. Even then, you don’t want to leave the story. This is also true for her newest novel, Storm Lines.

This story has all of the things I have come to expect in a story by Ms. Webb. It has a dark theme with an undercurrent of danger that runs through the story. In Storm Lines, this danger involves a designer drug ring in Southern Ontario, specifically Hamilton, Ontario. The two main characters, Bridget “Marley” Marlowe and Dr. Devon Wolfe end up working together to save a young child, Aimee and her grandmother Carla. Aimee’s father is deeply involved in the drug ring, and for some reason he wants Aimee back, badly.

One of Ms. Webb’s strengths as an author is creating her characters, especially the main characters. Marley and Devon are very realistic. You will connect with them and probably fall in love with them. I know I did. But they are also flawed, with quirks and weaknesses just like all of us. Ms. Webb also chose the perfect setting for this tale. She couldn’t have picked a better city than Hamilton. I am amazed at some of her descriptions, especially her description of Lake Ontario with a storm rolling across the water. She is spot on with the wind whipping at the characters and actually pushing them back across the beach. I’ve actually seen a line of rain moving across this lake; a grey curtain from the dark, rolling clouds down to water that looks like it is boiling with the frothy waves. She puts you right there on the beach with the characters as they watch, feel, and hear that storm moving toward them.

Though I’ve enjoyed all of Ms. Webb’s novels, I’ve always thought her best works are the three books in the Kate Morrison Series. I’ve now added a fourth novel to that list of books. I think that Storm Lines is just as wonderful as that series, and I strongly encourage you to read this novel.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

Marley's heart is too big to be held in by the rules and restraints of her job as a cop, which gets her into trouble more often than not. When Devon saves her after she's been stabbed, the two women are thrust together into a case about a drug ring and a new dangerous drug in the streets of Hamilton. Devon is a psychologist on medical leave from the hospital when she meets Marley. Their connection grows deeper as they race against time to solve the mystery and keep people safe.

I love the science mixed in with Jessica Webb's books, and I'm a virologist so I'm always picky about how these things are written, but she always knocks it out of the park, creating both believable and out of this world ideas that just work. This is always balanced by mystery and crime procedure and a heart stopping romance. The writing is so fantastic, every moment is so very real and reaches all your senses. Aimee and Carla were really special characters as well, Aimee especially was such a bright light in at times heavy situations. The chemistry between Devon and Marley was beautiful, it was sizzling at times but at other times you could just feel the connection they had and the peace and belonging they had with each other. I felt so homey reading this book which takes place so close to home - with Timmies coffee and sticky humid summers with thunderstorms galore.

I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Jessica L. Webb delivered a book that is hard to categorize but what I got out of it most is: love. And not the romance love (yes, there is that too) but the love between people who are thrown together by circumstance and have made real connections on many levels. Sometimes those bonds are stronger than family. A grandmother who just found out she is, in fact, a grandmother takes in her 8 year old grand daughter (Aimee) whose traumatized from having lived with her drug dealing father.
Marley, a cop who doesn't always follow every rule but instead her heart and tries to help both of them keep safe from the father and his associates.
Devon, a psychologist on leave after a burn out who stumbles upon a hurt cop and decides to help both Marley and Aimee.
This story is filled with wonderful characters who have flaws and doubts and sometimes make the wrong decisions but always with good intentions. There's a bit of mystery, a bit of action, not the standard romance novel but a great read!

Devon Wolfe, a burnt-out psychologist, is on her way to a meeting when she stumbles onto a wounded cop. Bridget “Marley” Marlowe was knifed because she cares about people. At the moment, the people she cares about are Aimee, a young girl caught in a drug ring, and her grandmother Carla.

I can’t get enough of Jessica L. Webb’s writing. Despite their many differences, there’s something in her books that reminds me of Cari Hunter‘s, in that they’re equally dark and heartwarming. They tell the darkest stories, dive deep into the abyss of the most sinister parts of the human soul, yet they do this with the best characters, people you can imagine meeting and very easily getting attached to. I wouldn’t say they’re easy to love, however, but they are definitely worth the effort.

Love. There’s a lot of love in this story. Devon and Marley’s falling in love follows a very untraditional path. If you’re looking for hot and heavy, you’ll be disappointed. The romance is extremely slow burn yet intense. Fate brought these two together, they both feel it and neither wants to rush it. There’s no need to rush anything when it’s as obviously meant to be and there’s so much chemistry. Webb manages to tell that story without it being boring for even one second. It’s incredibly satisfying because it’s slow, not despite being slow.

The second love story centres around Aimee, who has already seen too much in her young life, but who is lucky enough to have found her grandmother, Marley and Devon. The four of them become a family of sorts, closer and stronger than many biological families.

As usual with Webb, the gritty arc is excellent but what’s even better is how the characters react to it, how hardship brings out the best in them. In Storm Lines even more than in her other books, at least the ones I’ve read (I still have Shadowboxer on my list), the characters’ strength stems from their vulnerability. Devon is overcoming a mental breakdown while Marley is recovering from more physical injuries. Neither allows her own trouble to prevent her from getting invested fully in saving Aimee and Carla, even if it means breaking some rules, something Marley is a lot more comfortable with than Devon. Storm Lines is very plausible as a thriller but what I will remember, I’m sure, is the people and how they come together in the face of danger.

I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

I have read everything else by Jessica Webb that I could get my hands on. I have been a fan of hers from the very first Kate Morrison novel. Until tonight, not much surpassed that series.
Until Storm Lines.

Any book with well-kept secrets, a slow-burn romance and a hint of danger has my attention. But here, in Storm Lines, Webb's writing gift is finely tuned, honed and sharpened like a fine German knife. It delivers heart-wrenching secrets, a little girl's pain, a mystery, and a slow-blossoming love story. My heart broke for Aimee, and so many times I had to stop reading because I couldn't see through the tears. I cheered for Carla, and not just because she hails from my end of Ontario. She is tough, loyal to her granddaughter and fiercely devoted to the child's mental well-being. Devon and Marley are steadfast, patient, dedicated and yet flawed enough to be any one of us. They are cracked, but not yet broken, and yet determined to stand by one another.

I read this book in two sittings, even while eating. I laughed, I cried...a lot and I cheered for Aimee.
You will too.

(Thanks to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the chance to read an amazing ARC. Thanks to Jessica Webb for once again, rocking my world)

Excellent mystery/intrigue + slow-burn romance novel. Love Jessica Webb's books. Set in Canada (Ontario but not Toronto/Ottawa). Two women are drawn together in a struggle to keep a young girl and her grandmother safe from a drug kingpin.

Constable Brigdet "Marley" Marlowe is caught between doing her job by the books and doing what she thinks is right. After bringing down a drug ring, Marley is deeply concerned about the health and safety of a young girl (8 yo) who was living with her father, the drug kingpin. Marley goes outside of police protocol to hide away Aimee and her now-guardian grandmother, in an effort to keep them away from the father.

Dr. Devon Wolfe (psychologist) is on a leave of absence from her job dealing with anxiety and depression, but on her way to a random check-in with HR, Devon finds Marley bleeding out from stab wounds in a dingy alley. With no one to turn to while she heals, Marley trusts Devon to take care of Aimee and her grandmum, uniting the two in a battle to keep them safe.

**I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

A scintillating attempt with character and well drawn up characters.

Devon, a burned out psychologist not only saved the life of injured Constable Marley but was forced to confront the things she was running from while helping Marley.

Marley, a cop who cares beyond her call of duty took on the role of protector to Carla and her granddaughter Aimee who was suffering from mutism due to trauma.

The 4 of them, each lost in their own ways found a collective identity when placed together.

There are so many layers to each character introduced in this book. I loved the character depiction of Aimee the most as her emotions, reactions and behaviours were vividly written and expounded.

The flow and engagements of the characters with each other was palpable and a big draw for me.

I just reviewed Storm Lines by Jessica L. Webb. #NetGalley

What a thriller with such heart! I loved how genuine and caring these characters were. Devon and Marley struggled not just with their roles on the front lines, their lives being out at their workplaces where very few others had ever brought their sexuality to the notice of their peers, their mental issues, their love of little Aimee and Carla and their families... it just was all so very well-depicted. It didn't feel like any of these things were plot devices, as they might've felt in the hands of a lesser author. And not only that, but the case itself didn't hold back, it wasn't one of those gently expressed background crimes in an otherwise more romance and emotional arcs sort of novels. This was absolutely all of these and very well. I really enjoyed the book, thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for this ARC - I will absolutely be back for more of Webb's stories in the future.

I am so glad Webb is back! Webb is one of my favorite authors and I was disappointed when she didn’t release a book last year. I was so happy when I heard about this book and I could not wait to read it. I’m excited to say that I really enjoyed this and it easily reminded me why I’m such a fan of Webb’s.

The story is about Dr. Devon Wolfe and Constable Bridget “Marley” Marlowe. Marley and Devon meet after a traumatic episode and the two bond quickly. Devon is a doctor of psychology who is completely burned out from her stressful job, while Marley is trying to fit in with a police force that doesn’t care for an outspoken gay woman. The two women soon realize that some rules are meant to be broken and that they will do whatever it takes to save a child that they both care for. Will the two of them working together be enough to protect her?

One of the things I really like about Webb is that she writes stories unlike any others I have read before. Her creativity gene is impressive and we readers get the benefit of it. This book is a little hard to put a tag on. While you could call this an action-romance, there is not a ton of action. There are parts I would even call family drama but I guess the best tag I could put on is intrigue. There is mysterious element through the book and some puzzle pieces to put together. But it is also really about people and this small found family unit that has come together.

This is a much slower paced book than Webb’s Dr. Kate Morrison series. However, that does not stop you from getting hooked into this book. The opening scene absolutely grabs you and you know you are in for something good. I felt like I had to finish this in one sitting since I needed to know how it would end.

Like the pace, the romance itself is very slow burn. The romance has a different feel than I expected. This book is almost not about a romance, but more about a connection and two people falling in love. I hope that makes sense. You see this bond forming and getting stronger and stronger even before the characters so much as kiss. You just know these two are meant to be together and that they will get there when they are ready. I can see some readers thinking it is too slow but I didn’t mind because it felt a bit different than the norm and I completely believed in their connection. I just suggest that people don’t go reading this expecting a hot and heavy romance. It’s lighter but substantial.

There is a young little girl character named Aimee that I have to mention. She just stole my heart. She is one of the better kid characters written in lesfic that I can remember. She was so adorable one minute and your heart is breaking for her the next. Aimee and her grandmother are so well written that they really made the book come alive.

While this book was a little less action and it was slower paced that I expected, it was still classic Webb and such a good read. This is the kind of book that will stay with me for a while. It was well written and different enough that I’m not going to forget it anytime soon. I would not be surprised if it is one of those books that the more time goes by that I will appreciate it even more. I absolutely recommend this to readers who are looking for something a little different. This was a good one and I hope we don’t have to wait another two years for Webb’s next book.