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A review by thesapphicnarratives
The Unfinished Line by Jen Lyon
4.0
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: ⭐⭐⭐⭐