Photo Credit: Goodreads
This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration.
Desire Lines
Kathryn Campbell is returning to her hometown of Bangor, Maine. After her divorce, she’s drifting- Kathryn is unsure about what she should do next. With her high school reunion fast-approaching, Kathryn is nervous about going- and in fact, doesn’t want to attend. There are several reasons she does not want to attend- her divorce, her career plans, not keeping in contact with her high school friends…. But there is another reason, a larger reason for not wanting to attend. Kathryn’s best friend, Jennifer Pelletier, disappeared the night of their high school graduation 10 years ago. Hanging out with the group of friends, she decides to leave early and tells everyone that she’ll be fine… and she is never seen again. All in the group of friends miss Jennifer. But does someone know something about the night that Jennifer disappeared? And if so… Why haven’t they told anyone?
With Kathryn being back in Bangor, she begins to think about Jennifer. She wonders what happened that night. And, when she is offered a freelance assignment writing about the disappearance of Jennifer- she takes it.
Kathryn begins to dig deep- talking to friends and family, teachers and other people. Will she uncover what happened to Jennifer? Or will this be a mystery that haunts the town of Bangor forever?
Traveling With T’s Thoughts:
Okay- first I’ve got to shoot some tough love about DESIRE LINES- I LOVED Christina Baker Kline’s recent book, ORPHAN TRAIN. I mean just LOVED. So, when I see DESIRE LINES- I’m curious. I read the synopsis and I’m all “YES! A missing girl, a mystery, secrets- SIGN ME UP!” I get the book and I began reading…. and it’s page after page after page of talking about Kathryn’s divorce, of Kathryn trying to find herself. And I keep thinking “Where in the heck is the Jennifer part?” And then FINALLY- maybe somewhere from page 80-100, things started happening. The book changed it’s focus from Kathryn to more about the missing Jennifer. And then I am into it. I am reading as fast as I can. I am so enjoying the book.
By the time I get to the end of the book, I almost understand the book’s focus on Kathryn’s divorce, her life, her failure to follow through on many things- because…. in some ways- Kathryn’s later life is linked to Jennifer’s disappearance. And so you, the reader, has to understand some of that. But, I do think that part of the book went on too long. And it almost soured me on the enjoyment of the book. I almost set the book aside- however, after finishing it- I am glad I did not.
Final thoughts: DESIRE LINES does have some great points. And overall, I’m glad I read it. But, I did not enjoy it as much as I enjoyed ORPHAN TRAIN.
*Traveling With T was sent DESIRE LINES from William Morrow for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.
Happy Reading and Bookishly Yours,
T @ Traveling With T
Traveling With T 
I hadn’t heard she had a new book due out. I enjoyed a couple of her earlier novels (at least one was set in Maine – maybe both?). If I get to this one I’ll remember to hang in there in the beginning 🙂
This is an earlier novel that has been re-released (I assume since the popularity of ORPHAN TRAIN, some of her earlier work is getting re-released).
I know William-Morrow sent out their August review options with this book and Sweet something as options.
I haven’t read Orphan Train yet and I’ve heard such good things about it, I think I’ll probably try that one first 🙂 Great review!
We reviewed it for She Reads, but so long ago- I think you joined right after! It’s a great book. Desire Lines is not terrible- it just takes longer than I’d like to get to the good stuff! LMK what you think of ORPHAN TRAIN when you do read it- I think it’ll be right up your alley!