Outside the Lines by Amy Hatvany

Outside the Lines

by Amy Hatvany

A gripping novel about a woman who sets out to find the father who left her years ago, and ends up discovering herself.

When Eden was ten years old she found her father, David, bleeding on the bathroom floor. The suicide attempt led to her parents' divorce, and David all but vanished from Eden's life.

Twenty years later, Eden runs a successful catering company and dreams of opening a restaurant. Since childhood, she has heard from her father only rarely, just enough to know that he's been living on the streets and struggling with mental illness. But lately there has been no word at all. After a series of failed romantic relationships and a health scare from her mother, Eden decides it's time to find her father, to forgive him at last, and move forward with her own life. Her search takes her to a downtown Seattle homeless shelter, and to Jack Baker, its handsome and charming director. Jack convinces Eden to volunteer her skills as a professional chef with the shelter. In return, he helps her in her quest.

As the connection between Eden and Jack grows stronger, and their investigation brings them closer to David, Eden must come to terms with her true emotions, the secrets her mother has kept from her, and the painful question of whether her father, after all these years, even wants to be found. The result is an emotionally rich and honest novel about making peace with the past-and embracing the future.

Reviewed by Cocktails and Books on

4 of 5 stars

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"It’s incredibly hard to write about this book without giving too much away, so I’ll try my best! This is a tough and extremely emotional subject, and the author has written it beautifully. My heart broke for each and every one of the characters as their stories tragically unfolded.

Eden is a strong and courageous character who has been through so much in such a short amount of time. Her father attempted suicide, which led to her parent’s divorce and her father disappearing. Her mother is diagnosed with breast cancer. Feeling as though she must, Eden decides to track down her father, only to find out painful secrets that have been hidden from her for so many years. The pain and betrayal she feels throughout the book is agonizing, but the growth that she endures is awe-inspiring.

I walked away from this book feeling as though I found insight into my own life and the relationships that I hold dear, appreciating each and every one a little more than I did before. Inspiring and emotional, this book will touch you deeply. Just make sure you have some Kleenex close by.
"

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  • 22 January, 2013: Reviewed