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4.57 AVERAGE
4.57 AVERAGE
sometimes, a book doesn’t just tell a story—it feels like a conversation with your soul. that’s what the unfinished line by jen lyon did for me. it wasn’t just a book i read; it was an experience i lived. a raw, emotional, beautifully messy experience.
at its core, the unfinished line is about kameryn kingsbury, a rising hollywood actress whose star is on the verge of brilliance, and dillon sinclair, a british triathlete grappling with her own demons. their paths cross, and from there, it’s like watching two comets streak through the sky, colliding in moments of breathtaking beauty and heart-wrenching despair.
what sets this book apart isn’t just the love story. don’t get me wrong—the romance is incredible, with tension and chemistry that feel electric. but what hit me the hardest was lyon’s unflinching dive into the personal struggles of her characters. kameryn and dillon aren’t just dealing with fame or ambition. they’re grappling with mental health, identity, and the deeply personal fears we rarely speak aloud.
jen lyon writes mental health with the kind of nuance and sensitivity that makes you pause and think, has she lived this? the scenes where the characters wrestle with their inner darkness hit close to home. the highs of success and love are matched with lows that feel like being caught in an undertow, unable to surface. it’s both comforting and terrifying to see that reflection of real life, that reminder that growth isn’t linear and neither is healing.
but what really makes the unfinished line so unforgettable is how lyon manages to balance it all. yes, this book will wreck you emotionally. there were chapters where i had to stop reading because my heart was too heavy. yet, it also made me laugh out loud—those moments of humor that feel like a deep breath after crying too hard. lyon’s writing is sharp, funny, and brimming with warmth. it reminds you that even in the darkest moments, there’s light to be found.
one of my favorite parts of the book is how it explores ambition. kameryn and dillon are two people at the peak of their respective worlds, but the pressure to be perfect weighs heavily on both of them. there’s something deeply relatable about their journey. who hasn’t felt like they’re sprinting to meet impossible expectations? and who hasn’t wondered if stopping—just for a second—might make them lose everything?
now, here’s the thing. i was ready to dnf the book at around 90% (and still give it the same high rating) because i could no longer ignore the signs. i knew what the organic ending would be. but i pushed through. did i regret it? yes. a little. no. maybe? i don’t know. jesus christ. despite having the alternate ending, i couldn’t shake the feeling that “take 1” made the most sense, and i feel like throwing up or breaking something or screaming to the universe because why, why??
what stays with me most about the unfinished line is how it feels unfinished in the best way. lyon doesn’t tie every thread into a neat little bow. she lets life stay messy, leaves you thinking about kameryn and dillon long after the last page. their story is about love, yes, but also about the courage it takes to live authentically and imperfectly.
if you’re looking for a lighthearted romance, this isn’t it. but if you’re ready for a story that will break you down and rebuild you, that will challenge you to sit with discomfort and celebrate resilience, the unfinished line is worth every tear and every smile it’ll pull from you.
it’s a book i’ll be thinking about for a long time.
rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
at its core, the unfinished line is about kameryn kingsbury, a rising hollywood actress whose star is on the verge of brilliance, and dillon sinclair, a british triathlete grappling with her own demons. their paths cross, and from there, it’s like watching two comets streak through the sky, colliding in moments of breathtaking beauty and heart-wrenching despair.
what sets this book apart isn’t just the love story. don’t get me wrong—the romance is incredible, with tension and chemistry that feel electric. but what hit me the hardest was lyon’s unflinching dive into the personal struggles of her characters. kameryn and dillon aren’t just dealing with fame or ambition. they’re grappling with mental health, identity, and the deeply personal fears we rarely speak aloud.
jen lyon writes mental health with the kind of nuance and sensitivity that makes you pause and think, has she lived this? the scenes where the characters wrestle with their inner darkness hit close to home. the highs of success and love are matched with lows that feel like being caught in an undertow, unable to surface. it’s both comforting and terrifying to see that reflection of real life, that reminder that growth isn’t linear and neither is healing.
but what really makes the unfinished line so unforgettable is how lyon manages to balance it all. yes, this book will wreck you emotionally. there were chapters where i had to stop reading because my heart was too heavy. yet, it also made me laugh out loud—those moments of humor that feel like a deep breath after crying too hard. lyon’s writing is sharp, funny, and brimming with warmth. it reminds you that even in the darkest moments, there’s light to be found.
one of my favorite parts of the book is how it explores ambition. kameryn and dillon are two people at the peak of their respective worlds, but the pressure to be perfect weighs heavily on both of them. there’s something deeply relatable about their journey. who hasn’t felt like they’re sprinting to meet impossible expectations? and who hasn’t wondered if stopping—just for a second—might make them lose everything?
now, here’s the thing. i was ready to dnf the book at around 90% (and still give it the same high rating) because i could no longer ignore the signs. i knew what the organic ending would be. but i pushed through. did i regret it? yes. a little. no. maybe? i don’t know. jesus christ. despite having the alternate ending, i couldn’t shake the feeling that “take 1” made the most sense, and i feel like throwing up or breaking something or screaming to the universe because why, why??
what stays with me most about the unfinished line is how it feels unfinished in the best way. lyon doesn’t tie every thread into a neat little bow. she lets life stay messy, leaves you thinking about kameryn and dillon long after the last page. their story is about love, yes, but also about the courage it takes to live authentically and imperfectly.
if you’re looking for a lighthearted romance, this isn’t it. but if you’re ready for a story that will break you down and rebuild you, that will challenge you to sit with discomfort and celebrate resilience, the unfinished line is worth every tear and every smile it’ll pull from you.
it’s a book i’ll be thinking about for a long time.
rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Hey first of all fvck u (I’m sorry). Second of all. A few our ago when i knew i was about to finish the story i was mentally writing the review i was gonna write in my head. And then you came by and derailed everything. I DID NOT READ THE WARNING. So yeah when i tell you i was shocked i was. I am still in denial and i loved take two until u ended it with “And that's how our scene should have been written.” I mean. Who hurt you??!
So yeah I LOVED the story ( yeah loved. Past tense. I’m not mentally ok rn because of it). I loved how it wasn’t a slow burn. They both knew what the wanted even though Kam didn’t even know she’s gay. I loved how Kam was so unafraid and so passionate about her love for Dillon. I loved how that’s one of the few sapphic celebrity romance where the mc actually says fvck u to fame from the start. She wasn’t even at the peak of her career when she decided that she would never risk her love for Dillon for anything. Even her hard earned career she struggled for.
This is how far i went with my mental review.
Unfortunately I don’t have anything to say about dillion at the moment ( I don’t think ever) because I’m still mentally processing everything thing that happened and I’m re analyzing her character from the start.
So yeah. I didn’t know reading Jen Lyon’s other book after finishing the trilogy would shatter me like that. Definitely was not on my end of 2024 bingo card.
Edit. It’s been a couple of days anrn what I’m feeling towards this book is HATE (I’m sorry for being harshed im still traumatized and broken) . Like im officially traumatized from any mc who’s an athlete. Na-uh not risking it with any book. Bye. Btw I almost cried again (my eyes are starting to water atm) from just seeing the book cover again here. So i wanted to write it out here in my review. Bye fr
So yeah I LOVED the story ( yeah loved. Past tense. I’m not mentally ok rn because of it). I loved how it wasn’t a slow burn. They both knew what the wanted even though Kam didn’t even know she’s gay. I loved how Kam was so unafraid and so passionate about her love for Dillon. I loved how that’s one of the few sapphic celebrity romance where the mc actually says fvck u to fame from the start. She wasn’t even at the peak of her career when she decided that she would never risk her love for Dillon for anything. Even her hard earned career she struggled for.
This is how far i went with my mental review.
Unfortunately I don’t have anything to say about dillion at the moment ( I don’t think ever) because I’m still mentally processing everything thing that happened and I’m re analyzing her character from the start.
So yeah. I didn’t know reading Jen Lyon’s other book after finishing the trilogy would shatter me like that. Definitely was not on my end of 2024 bingo card.
Edit. It’s been a couple of days anrn what I’m feeling towards this book is HATE (I’m sorry for being harshed im still traumatized and broken) . Like im officially traumatized from any mc who’s an athlete. Na-uh not risking it with any book. Bye. Btw I almost cried again (my eyes are starting to water atm) from just seeing the book cover again here. So i wanted to write it out here in my review. Bye fr
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Kam and Dillon’s journey in this unforgettable story is as profound as it is beautifully written. The depth of their backstories makes each character feel as real as they are relatable, drawing readers in with the complexities of their lives. Dillon’s perspective, especially, brings a raw, palpable weight to her grief—her pain and memories resonate deeply, creating an emotional connection that feels almost tangible. Through reflective glimpses into her past, the narrative unfolds with a rare blend of heartbreak and hope, punctuated by an achingly tender love story.
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The conclusion leaves readers with a powerful sense of sorrow yet also speaks to the quiet resilience of the human spirit, making this a story that will stay with you long after you’ve closed the book.
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The conclusion leaves readers with a powerful sense of sorrow yet also speaks to the quiet resilience of the human spirit, making this a story that will stay with you long after you’ve closed the book.
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
had a crash out.
emotional
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“This is a love story, not a romance” WHAT KIND OF WARNING IS THAT?! I THOUGHT THEY WERE GONNNA BREAK UP! WTF! FUCK YOU, JEN LYON! I HATE U! AND I HATE MYSELF MORE FOR GIVING YOU FIVE STARS!
MINUS .25 FOR HURTING ME
MINUS .25 FOR HURTING ME
I asked my book club friends to suggest me a book that will make me cry and they did not disappoint.
This is probably one of, if not the best, love stories I have ever read. The love between Kam and Dillon, as well as their loss, was so palpable. 5 stars for such an outstanding story.
I think I’m going to cry some more now 😭
This is probably one of, if not the best, love stories I have ever read. The love between Kam and Dillon, as well as their loss, was so palpable. 5 stars for such an outstanding story.
I think I’m going to cry some more now 😭
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Suicide
Moderate: Alcoholism, Homophobia
wow yea so like of course this book carried its own reputation and I guess it sorta lived up to it. Despite the rather steep negative trajectory this took, none of the issues that were slathered onto Dillion felt like they'd been done deliberately just for the sake of it. Each one of them felt organic and crafted into the narrative with reasonable authenticity. Kam in her own likeness did feel like a slightly different counterpoint in the way that she handles fame and its surrounding pressures better than Dillion did, despite having some of her own pressures at home. This book also concerns a lot of discourse surrounding people's supporting networks and how it ties into the wider issue of mental health esp with regards to high performing careers
Prosewise, I'm not entirely sure why the author chose FPOV/TPOV alternating esp since Dillion's story appeared more personal and hence more warranting of a FPOV. But then again it's also probably meant to be a commentary on viewing her issues from the lens of an outsider (i.e. Kam, hence why she's written in FPOV). It's not bad, it's just - slightly confusing and took a little while to get used to
The romance, while sweet at parts, still felt a little not-built up (although it was so good later on) in the sense that I never really got to understand why these two fell for each other. Not that we needed a reason, just that more motivations would've been good. And are you fucking kidding me? Fade-to-black spice? I want my money back.
Thank jesus for the alternate endings. I would've been a wreck otherwise
So I guess- good book. Loved the way it handled heavy-handed issues, and definitely did capture the crux of being a high performance athlete with all the pressures that came with it. This was genuinely a rollercoaster to read and I enjoyed it immensely.
Prosewise, I'm not entirely sure why the author chose FPOV/TPOV alternating esp since Dillion's story appeared more personal and hence more warranting of a FPOV. But then again it's also probably meant to be a commentary on viewing her issues from the lens of an outsider (i.e. Kam, hence why she's written in FPOV). It's not bad, it's just - slightly confusing and took a little while to get used to
The romance, while sweet at parts, still felt a little not-built up (although it was so good later on) in the sense that I never really got to understand why these two fell for each other. Not that we needed a reason, just that more motivations would've been good. And are you fucking kidding me? Fade-to-black spice? I want my money back.
Thank jesus for the alternate endings. I would've been a wreck otherwise
So I guess- good book. Loved the way it handled heavy-handed issues, and definitely did capture the crux of being a high performance athlete with all the pressures that came with it. This was genuinely a rollercoaster to read and I enjoyed it immensely.
Jen Lyon is a master of words. I feel shattered and heartbroken but also grateful to have experienced it. I can say without a doubt, I look forward to every single word Jen writes. The amount of anxiety and emotions I felt during the last few chapters felt overwhelming in the most perfect way.