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Without a Trace #3
Outside the Lines
Don’t take up space.
Don’t talk too loud.
Don’t tell anyone.
I’ve always been the problem child. Blue—my name alone should have warned anyone with a half a mind that I’d be trouble. Who’s named for the broken crayon nobody wants?
Professor Rhys Kennison should have seen me coming a mile away, and I should have known better than to fall for someone so far out of my league. But his touch is like fire and his taste…like the finest chocolate. What woman could resist that combination?
We’re headed for disaster, though—after all, it’s what I know best. No matter how hard I try, I can’t stop destroying anyone who gets too close. And Rhys doesn’t understand. How could he? When I don’t even understand myself?
Trigger warning: this story contains descriptions of sexual abuse that are required for the story.
Heat rating: Entry-level BDSM (with consent) and super-steamy sexy times
Don’t talk too loud.
Don’t tell anyone.
I’ve always been the problem child. Blue—my name alone should have warned anyone with a half a mind that I’d be trouble. Who’s named for the broken crayon nobody wants?
Professor Rhys Kennison should have seen me coming a mile away, and I should have known better than to fall for someone so far out of my league. But his touch is like fire and his taste…like the finest chocolate. What woman could resist that combination?
We’re headed for disaster, though—after all, it’s what I know best. No matter how hard I try, I can’t stop destroying anyone who gets too close. And Rhys doesn’t understand. How could he? When I don’t even understand myself?
Trigger warning: this story contains descriptions of sexual abuse that are required for the story.
Heat rating: Entry-level BDSM (with consent) and super-steamy sexy times
243 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 2015
26 people want to read
About the author
Ally Bishop
10 books30 followersWhen you do something effortlessly and people commend you continuously, you have found your gift.
That's what I tell people all the time. And it's true.
I get story. I always have. I started writing when I was eight on a Smith Corona (the electronic kind -- I'm not THAT old). I wrote stories in every spiral notebook I had. Eventually, I graduated to a Mac (yes, I'm one of THOSE people). I imagined new worlds, emotional conflicts, and HEAs while I waited at stoplights or wandered the grocery store. But here's the thing: I didn't just dream it up and write it down -- I critiqued what I read. I knew when ideas were good, and when they stunk. I ran writing groups, judged creative contests, and eventually got two graduate degrees in writing. That's right: I love it that much.
So here I am, years later, writing kickass heroines and devastating good guys, along with some mystery and vampires thrown in (I promise: THEY'RE COMING). And what's really cool? I do what I love. Wanna write a success story for your life: I promise you, that's it. Do what you love. And hopefully, you can make a living at it too. That's the golden ticket, Charlie.
And chocolate doesn't hurt, either...
That's what I tell people all the time. And it's true.
I get story. I always have. I started writing when I was eight on a Smith Corona (the electronic kind -- I'm not THAT old). I wrote stories in every spiral notebook I had. Eventually, I graduated to a Mac (yes, I'm one of THOSE people). I imagined new worlds, emotional conflicts, and HEAs while I waited at stoplights or wandered the grocery store. But here's the thing: I didn't just dream it up and write it down -- I critiqued what I read. I knew when ideas were good, and when they stunk. I ran writing groups, judged creative contests, and eventually got two graduate degrees in writing. That's right: I love it that much.
So here I am, years later, writing kickass heroines and devastating good guys, along with some mystery and vampires thrown in (I promise: THEY'RE COMING). And what's really cool? I do what I love. Wanna write a success story for your life: I promise you, that's it. Do what you love. And hopefully, you can make a living at it too. That's the golden ticket, Charlie.
And chocolate doesn't hurt, either...
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 19, 2016
'Outside the Lines' by Ally Bishop is book three in the "Without a Trace" series. This is the story of Rhys and Blue. I have not read the previous books so I am not really sure if I would have read them that I might have enjoyed this book more. To be honest I didn't really know that this book was in a series until the end...for me it read as a standalone. I did have a very hard time getting into these two characters. I just couldn't make an emotional connection to them. Some books you fall in to very quickly and some you don't...this was that one for me. I did read it in one sitting as I did want to see what happen to them at the end of their story. So it did hold my interest. Overall was thought the book was good and was glad to have read it.
I received an eARC, from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
I received an eARC, from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
July 25, 2016
How to describe this book? Blue is a young woman with a deeply troubled past. Perhaps as a result, she has some serious mental health issues. Rhys is a college professor (though not technically hers) who is brilliant, but maybe lacks a bit of common sense. I liked the characters, and even mostly understood their motivations, but I just didn't buy their romance. Perhaps because Blue reminded me way too much of a friend I have that I don't believe will ever get her shit together, not because she isn't smart or beautiful or deserving but because her mental illness isn't being properly treated and despite a decent therapist, it didn't seem to me like Blue's was either. The power dynamic within the couple was also... weird. Not morally wrong, exactly, just off in a way that I couldn't pinpoint. I actually found the side stories going on with Blue's sisters really compelling, so I'd be open to reading more by the author.
*Thank you to Netgalley for a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.*
*Thank you to Netgalley for a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.*
September 30, 2016
Eager to hear Blue's story, I devoured this book and all its chocolate and espresso bean flavor. The mind is fascinating; how it copes with stress and trauma. We have no idea what the person sitting next to us on the train everyday has gone through. We assume they're average Joes because they get up, go to work, and appear to function "normally". The sad truth is, I suspect more of us are like Blue, constantly developing ways to deal with ugly truths about ourselves and the world around us. She understands we can't change the past, no matter how much we wish we could. The author demonstrates, in beautiful technicolor, Blue's struggle as she navigates locked away childhood memories and a world turned upside down. It takes strength getting up each time you fall or are pushed down. The point is getting up. Excellent writing and character development. Must read.
July 1, 2018
I will confess that I didnt read the first two books in this series and that is nobody's fault but my own. I am not really sure how I landed in the middle of the series but I did. Im fairly certain I would have enjoyed Blue's story more had I read the first two.
Blue and Rhys's story was lovely and tragic at the same time. There is a lot of sadness to this story, a lot of abuse and trauma. I know the author put a trigger warning on the book and I think that was fair and necessary. Blue has some pretty severe mental health issues and she is a college student when she meets Rhys the privileged professor. They cant be more opposites but their attraction for one another is obvious in the book and feels real as far as the story goes. Outside the Lines was a good read, but a hard one. Every so often its good for me to come across a book that is not all fluff and rainbows.
Blue and Rhys's story was lovely and tragic at the same time. There is a lot of sadness to this story, a lot of abuse and trauma. I know the author put a trigger warning on the book and I think that was fair and necessary. Blue has some pretty severe mental health issues and she is a college student when she meets Rhys the privileged professor. They cant be more opposites but their attraction for one another is obvious in the book and feels real as far as the story goes. Outside the Lines was a good read, but a hard one. Every so often its good for me to come across a book that is not all fluff and rainbows.
December 23, 2015
Want to know if the whole series is worth reading? Read my overall review of the whole series at seriesousbookreviews.com! Spoiler Free!
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own and not influenced by my source.**
This book just hit all the right notes for me!
I thought there was a fantastic balance between character growth and the romance. There was plenty of steam to keep me satisfied but there was also the right amount of character stories. I loved watching Blue's journey to find herself. Her story is heartbreaking but so well done and realistic. I thought her story was told beautifully and it definitely the strongest of the series (at least I think so). I also like how it links back to the previous novels. It felt like the best way to wrap up the story of the Trace sisters (though I hope we get those spin-offs soon!).
The romance was also strong and I loved how well they worked for each other. and I thought her romantic match was just perfect for her. It complimented Blue's story in the best way possible.
Check out more spoiler-free book and series reviews on my blog SERIESousBookReviews.com as well as read book series recaps!
Full Review: http://wp.me/p3txrs-19d
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own and not influenced by my source.**
This book just hit all the right notes for me!
I thought there was a fantastic balance between character growth and the romance. There was plenty of steam to keep me satisfied but there was also the right amount of character stories. I loved watching Blue's journey to find herself. Her story is heartbreaking but so well done and realistic. I thought her story was told beautifully and it definitely the strongest of the series (at least I think so). I also like how it links back to the previous novels. It felt like the best way to wrap up the story of the Trace sisters (though I hope we get those spin-offs soon!).
The romance was also strong and I loved how well they worked for each other. and I thought her romantic match was just perfect for her. It complimented Blue's story in the best way possible.
Check out more spoiler-free book and series reviews on my blog SERIESousBookReviews.com as well as read book series recaps!
Full Review: http://wp.me/p3txrs-19d
February 1, 2016
Blue has always been the outcast in her family. After her last stint in a rehab she is desperately trying to get her life together. Unfortunately, she is struggling with school. When she goes for help she meets a handsome professor, Rhys Kennison. There is an immediate attraction that leads to things a professor and student shouldn’t do. They are unable to keep away from each other. Both are hiding things that the other needs to know. Can Blue find her happy ending or will it go like most of her life and explode into pieces?
Blue is by far my favorite of the sisters. Her struggle and ability to overcome adversity is so touching. She is probably the most real of all the sisters. She is by far the most flawed and the most challenging but when she finds someone willing to risk it all for her she does what most women do and give in to love. The story, though still filled with the steamy sex, is very complex and enthralling. I loved Ally Bishop’s writing in this book. Having read all the books in this series I must say that as they grow so does Ally Bishop as a writer. This book could be read as a standalone, but I would recommend reading all of them. You won’t regret one page of this series.
Blue is by far my favorite of the sisters. Her struggle and ability to overcome adversity is so touching. She is probably the most real of all the sisters. She is by far the most flawed and the most challenging but when she finds someone willing to risk it all for her she does what most women do and give in to love. The story, though still filled with the steamy sex, is very complex and enthralling. I loved Ally Bishop’s writing in this book. Having read all the books in this series I must say that as they grow so does Ally Bishop as a writer. This book could be read as a standalone, but I would recommend reading all of them. You won’t regret one page of this series.
September 29, 2016
I didn't realize this book was part of a series, but can be read as a stand alone.
This story of Blue, who is a deeply troubled young woman, struggling to maintain in so many ways. She's failing in school, she isn't being treated for her mental illness properly, her family is somewhat scattered, that is understated. Blue is the family's problem child. That's her label. Failing in school, she then begins an affair with a professor who is assigned as her tutor. Their first meeting ends up in a sexual chemistry stand off. The relationship evolves from there. I'll say this for Rhys, he's patient with her, trying to understand where her lack of understanding comes from and finally she's diagnosed with a learning disability. That one was a little hard for me to swallow, but ok. It's fiction.
The story centered around their sexual chemistry and steamy it was. It's light on the kink side.
This story was just ok for me. I wouldn't go back and read the series. A little too much dysfunction and drama within the family for me.
**arc from NetGalley and Publisher** in exchange for an honest review.
This story of Blue, who is a deeply troubled young woman, struggling to maintain in so many ways. She's failing in school, she isn't being treated for her mental illness properly, her family is somewhat scattered, that is understated. Blue is the family's problem child. That's her label. Failing in school, she then begins an affair with a professor who is assigned as her tutor. Their first meeting ends up in a sexual chemistry stand off. The relationship evolves from there. I'll say this for Rhys, he's patient with her, trying to understand where her lack of understanding comes from and finally she's diagnosed with a learning disability. That one was a little hard for me to swallow, but ok. It's fiction.
The story centered around their sexual chemistry and steamy it was. It's light on the kink side.
This story was just ok for me. I wouldn't go back and read the series. A little too much dysfunction and drama within the family for me.
**arc from NetGalley and Publisher** in exchange for an honest review.
December 8, 2015
I was given a copy of this book by the Author for an Honest Review.
Outside the Lines (Without a Trace Book 4) is a book that shows that when bad things happen, we will find ways to cope with it. I loved this book and fell in love with Blue and Rhys. Blue has been in and out of hospitals, because of her destructive behavior. What she does not know that there is something in her past that she has forgotten about that pushed her to try to cope with it. So, the behavior is a by-product of this event that happened when she was younger. She meets Rhys when she goes to her math Professor to get help with her algebra that she just cannot wrap her mind around it. There first encounter is explosive and they were instantly attracted to one another. As their relationship grows, Rhys helps her find out that she has a learning disability that prevents her from understanding her school work. She also finds out what happened to her when she was younger. OUTSIDE THE LINES is a very hot read, and I give it 5/5 stars.
Outside the Lines (Without a Trace Book 4) is a book that shows that when bad things happen, we will find ways to cope with it. I loved this book and fell in love with Blue and Rhys. Blue has been in and out of hospitals, because of her destructive behavior. What she does not know that there is something in her past that she has forgotten about that pushed her to try to cope with it. So, the behavior is a by-product of this event that happened when she was younger. She meets Rhys when she goes to her math Professor to get help with her algebra that she just cannot wrap her mind around it. There first encounter is explosive and they were instantly attracted to one another. As their relationship grows, Rhys helps her find out that she has a learning disability that prevents her from understanding her school work. She also finds out what happened to her when she was younger. OUTSIDE THE LINES is a very hot read, and I give it 5/5 stars.
July 14, 2016
*ARC via netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
This story follows the lives of Blue and professor Rhys Kennison. It's told from Blues POV and to be honest it's a truely emotional and heart breaking story. It deals with some really heavy issues, lots of family drama, steam, romance and also along the way about finding true forgiveness and also finding yourself in the process. These are two are polar opposites of each other. Rhys is accomplished, driven, 'elite' and Blue suffers with dyslexia, is reasonsably poor and also has severe anxiety issues. They are the opposite of each other in almost every way except for the way they care for each other. The issues in this book are dealt with care & its wonderful to see how well the author has woven all these aspects together. Well done Ally :)
This story follows the lives of Blue and professor Rhys Kennison. It's told from Blues POV and to be honest it's a truely emotional and heart breaking story. It deals with some really heavy issues, lots of family drama, steam, romance and also along the way about finding true forgiveness and also finding yourself in the process. These are two are polar opposites of each other. Rhys is accomplished, driven, 'elite' and Blue suffers with dyslexia, is reasonsably poor and also has severe anxiety issues. They are the opposite of each other in almost every way except for the way they care for each other. The issues in this book are dealt with care & its wonderful to see how well the author has woven all these aspects together. Well done Ally :)
July 28, 2016
Blue has always been the problem child, when she is failing some of her college course she meets with Professor Rhys Kennison. The attraction is instant, Rhys helps her learn more about herself can he help her end her destructive ways? I loved the characters as well as their chemistry. This is a fast paced read that hooked me from beginning to end. Lots of steam and emotion. I loved it!
January 13, 2016
Another hot, sexy ready that doesn't insult the reader's intelligence. If you like steamy sex scenes and also want plot and good writing, check this book out.
July 24, 2016
Such a good heart wrenching romance. So well written it fully immerses you into all that is Blue. 100% recommend!
September 30, 2016
loved this book a great read couldnt put it down recommended
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews