Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A special thank you to Mallory Thomas for providing me with a copy of great book.

This was a great debut novel by an up and coming author with an original take on the fake relationship trope. I loved it! The meet cute is quirky and fun. Piper Paulson is not starting her day off on the right foot - literally. She’s somehow managed to lose a shoe on her way to the train. Accidentally using the suede shoe of the handsome stranger she always manages to notice on her commute to rest her shoeless foot, the two have a slightly awkward exchange before getting on with their day. The two coincidentally sit next to each other the next day and through their conversation the handsome stranger manages to convince Piper to be his fake wife in order to take advantage of the family fares commuter pass.

James Newhouse can’t help but notice the stunning woman who he sees on his daily commute. He daydreams about what she must be like and has the occasional daydream about what their future could look like. Between the stresses of his job and a complicated family situation, he can’t seem to have much energy for anything else. When he learns of Piper’s financial troubles he offers up a scheme to help her out with her fare pass. When they’re caught up in an emergency on their usual commute, they realize that their innocent scheme may be more complicated than they anticipated.

James is so endearing. His crush on Piper is so adorable, and their commute banter was so much fun. James is dealing with a lot, and he’s worried how that might affect Piper. In his words, he doesn’t want to put all of his baggage on to her and he uses it as a way to keep her at a distance at first.

Piper has a big heart. She was betrayed by her previous banker boyfriend who cost her her job during their break up. Despite this, she’s not jaded. With a new job, she’s finally on the mend, and has given up dating - especially bankers. Focused on her fresh start and new job, she doesn’t see James coming. Their interactions made me smile.

They’re both so earnest and playful with each other, which is definitely something James needs very much in his life. While Piper keeps him on his toes, he provides some stability. It’s a perfect balance. I really loved them as MC’s. There’s so much humor in this novel, and I appreciated how both MC’s were slightly awkward with each other at first and that James wasn’t an alpha bro, but a complex man with insecurities who’s just trying to do the best he can. It felt real, and I truly empathized with his circumstances.
My only quibble is the third act break up. I’m not a fan of the whole I’m doing this to not hurt you, and while it is addressed, it’s not my favorite trope out there. Also, I felt their separation was a bit long.

All in all I did enjoy this novel and look forward to more books from Ms. Thomas.

This was the cutest book!!! I absolutely loved how clutzy the female lead was and both she and the male lewd were quirky and in their own heads. I love an imperfect funny couple and they fit the bill! The way their relationship bloomed without them fully realizing it and then the sparks went off!!!

"You may recall that I curled up into a catatonic ball for the remainder of the ride."
"Hmm, I don't remember it like that. My memory is of you being a very brave, concerned, and cozy ball."

Hasn't anyone who has ridden public transit had a crush on a random stranger? I adored the premise of this book, the way that fake dating and marriage of convenience were smashed together for the purposes of saving money and getting through grief. I also appreciated the way anxiety manifested differently in the two main characters, with James having intense social anxiety and Piper having more panic. The plot of being witnesses to a crime felt fresh, and the spice was well written.

Did I get a little annoyed during the third act break-up? Of course, it weakened the story for a bit. But the author rallied and had a very adorable, over-the-top ending to fit the cute-but-silly vibe throughout the book. Overall this novel was super cute, and I can't wait to see more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!!
PS: My Somewhere is the western suburbs of St. Louis, MO. I don't ride public transit, but this book makes me want to!

What an excellent debut romance!!! I absolutely loved this book and I found myself smiling multiple times at Piper and James. This book was so cute and sweet and I couldn't put it down. Thank you to Net Galley for giving me the chance to read before it comes out this month!

Somewhere Along The Line is a romantic novel that explores the unexpected journey of two strangers, Piper Paulson and James Newhouse, who find themselves in a marriage of convenience. This arrangement was initially intended to be purely practical, existing only on paper. However, as they navigate the complexities of their lives and the pressures surrounding them, they must convincingly act as if they are truly in love.

The narrative highlights the evolution of relationships from pretense to genuine affection, showcasing how love can emerge in unexpected situations. It combines humor with emotional depth, making it both entertaining and poignant.

Somewhere Along The Line gives readers a heartfelt journey filled with witty banter and moments that tug at the heartstrings, ultimately leading towards a satisfying happily ever after.

Strangers to friends to love, all from meeting on a commuter train! Loved the progression of this relationship, watching the different trials, and the ending had a cute twist I wasn’t expecting.

I flew through this book, felt like the characters grew and were easy to love, appreciated the side characters, and overall really enjoyed this read.

The only “issue” I had is finding it slightly unrealistic, but also we all suspend reality for most of the books we read anyways. Also - referring to themselves seriously as criminals because of sharing a family train pass felt a little silly (but maybe I shouldn’t be trusted since I’m all for sharing accounts with “family,” ha!)

I absolutely loved this book and won’t stop raving about it!

It starts off fun and light with charming banter, but as the story progresses, it delivers a perfect dose of angst and heart. The romance? Utterly sweet, and the few spicy scenes were written so well—tasteful but with the right emotional punch. If you enjoy contemporary romance that balances humor and heartfelt moments, you’ll fall for this one.

Piper and James are both so easy to root for. I connected with Piper instantly—her quirks and anxieties made her feel so real, and I wanted to protect her the whole way through. And James? Even when he made some questionable decisions, I couldn’t help but cheer him on. Their chemistry was everything, and the way their perspectives were written kept me glued to the story.

Mallory Thomas absolutely nailed this debut. I’m already excited for whatever she writes next—fingers crossed for more of Sami and Kyle!

This is one of those reads that leaves you with a smile on your face. I really hope we get a physical release because I need it on my shelf!

Thank you to NetGalley and Mallory Thomas for the chance to read this gem in exchange for an honest review.

Posted on Goodreads on Monday, October 7th
Will post on Amazon on publish date Tuesday, October 22nd

Are you looking for your next great read? Pick up Somewhere Along The Line. I loved this book! It was great!

Ahh, listen, I’m not gonna shut up about this book because I loved it that much!

We started with a lot of comedic banter but the second half packed an angsty punch. As a whole, the romance was so so sweet, and the few more spicy scenes, I felt, were written well.

If you enjoy romance by Hannah Bonam-Young or classic rom-coms like “While You Were Sleeping”, I think you’d like this one a lot!

I liked our two romantic leads and I enjoyed both their POVs. I thought James was so sweet even though I felt like giving him a headshake “my son, no” at times. I loved Piper wholeheartedly, I am usually the anxious person embarrassing myself on the train, so I honestly felt like I wanted to pack her in a tiny box and protect her.

Personally, the book could have ended after chapter 23 and I would have been satisfied. I believe this may be Mallory Thomas’s romance debut and I’m just sold on her next books (especially if starring Sami and Kyle…👀). I can’t wait to see her writing get even better with time.

I really really need a physical release for this, hopefully we’ll get one in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley and Mallory Thomas for providing a complimentary digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

This romance is a delightful twist on the classic marriage of convenience trope, packed with heart and humor. As Piper and James navigate the ups and downs of pretending to be married, their chemistry sizzles with witty banter that keeps the pages turning and moments that genuinely tug at the heartstrings. Watching them walk the thin line between pretense and real feelings is both hilarious and poignant. This story beautifully captures how love can blossom in the most unlikely circumstances, and their journey to a happily ever after is as satisfying as it is steamy. If you love a romance that blends humor with emotional depth, this one is a gem!

The concept of this book was just down right adorable. It was absolutely precious. From chapter one to the last page, I was so drawn in. It was absolutely fantastic! I adored the main characters and their sweet journey of love. Well done Mallory! Can't wait for your next book.