Carolyn Brown writes books that remind you of way back when. They're contemporary without being fussy. They make you realize that bright lights and action aren't the only things that can move you forward.

The Party Line talks about a simpler time, when gossip and 'listening in' might let you hear something that could change your life. This book was warm and comforting. An easy read and just right for a lazy afternoon. Family and change and doing good.

I loved it!

Lila discovers there was much more to her aunt Gracie than she knew when she inherits her estate (and a strawberry farm!) in Ditto, Texas. Yes. there's a secret, a secret that Gracie kept for years and that Lila's now determined to discover. This has good small town vibes, a nice romance or two, and a positive outlook. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

“The Party Line” by Carolyn Brown is a heartwarming small-town story that explores secrets, love, and family. Gracie, who grew up in Ditto, Texas, lived in a time when party lines allowed neighbors to eavesdrop on phone conversations, making privacy a rare commodity. Gracie took one secret to her grave, but when her niece Lila inherits her estate, that secret begins to unravel. Lila is left with a choice: uncover the truth or sell the farm and move on.

The novel shifts between the 1950s and present day, blending a nostalgic look at life in a simpler era with modern themes of love and family. While Lila’s investigation into her aunt’s past is engaging, the romance between Lila and Connor adds warmth to the story, even though it doesn’t dominate the plot. Brown skillfully crafts vivid scenes, but at times, the pacing slows due to excessive detail and the inclusion of side characters like Lila’s mother and business partner.

Overall, the book is a charming mix of romance, mystery, and family dynamics, earning a solid 4 out of 5 stars for its portrayal of community, relationships, and personal growth.

The Party Line by Carolyn Brown……..Aunt Gracie may have past on but her legacy lives on all through this wonderful novel about love, forgiveness, acceptance and yes, even grace. Family isn’t alway about blood but in those relationships we foster all our years. A touch of nostalgia lives throughout the pages, of sweeter times, complicated times, sorrowful times and happy times. Before we had the web, social media and such, there were the shared telephone lines where gossip abounded yet even in these times, small town gossip lives on and evidence of this is seen throughout this lovely novel. So sit back with a large glass of sweet tea and enjoy the journey! I know I did!

Such a wholesome and uplifting story, I loved the romance and the strong family focus! It’s truly an uplifting and compelling read.

Thank you so much Montlake and NetGalley for the eARC, so that I could provide my opinion!

Lila Matthews has returned home to Ditto, Texas her great aunt Gracie has passed away. She has been left her old home and she has moved in. She has a job she can work from home and her mother lives in Ditto. Aunt Gracie leased her land for a strawberry farm. She also left behind a big secret that no one's knows including Lila and her mother. Gracie, Davis, and Jasper grew up together and now Jasper is the only one left. Jasper and Davis were children of the hired help and Gracie's parents liked to remind her of that.
Jasper knows the secret but is unwilling to talk about it. Lila is taking care of Jasper and trying to find her way now she is tired of her job and quits.
Wonderful story of small town life.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were all well developed. The story flowed smoothly and nicely paced.

A truly delightful southern small town story. This book left me feeling very nostalgic of my childhood years growing up eavesdropping on my grandmothers calls with her sisters, cousins, and friends. I was too young to understand or know what they were talking about, though.

Aunt Gracie has passed on and left a huge secret, which the small town community continues to talk about. Lila tries to get Jasper to open up to her and spill the tea, but he is very tight-lipped, saying Gracie would have told her if she wanted her to know.

Gracie, Davis, & Jasper grew up with one another and were best friends, but the bond was stronger between Gracie and Davis. Jasper knew this. He understood. He wasn't upset. He loved Gracie, but he knew her heart would forever belong to Davis. But one night, one night is all it took for Gracie's world to be shattered and trust broken. It's the secret she held onto for decades.

I love older generation characters who remind me of my grandparents, both of whom I have lost within the last five years. The banter between Jasper and Lila is exactly how my grandfather and I were for much of my life. There was something truly special about that generation.

Lila continues to work to figure out the big secret while also making life changes of her own and going through Aunt Gracie's house to clear out the old. What she discovers is sure to have you laughing and feeling proud of Gracie for taking a stand.

I loved this book so much. Carolyn Brown is one of my favorite southern small town authors. She knows how to bring her stories to life on the page. Her stories have a way of making you feel right there with the characters.

Thank you, Netgalley and Montlake, for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Party Line is a cute small town romance that showcases family history, changes, and romance.
Lila moves into her Grandmother, Gracie’s house after she passes away . She tries to figure out what she wants to do with her life . For years Lila heard rumor of a big secret with the house and she tries to get Jasper, Gracie’s best friend to tell her what it was . She finds new friendships and a budding romance with one of the contractors who run the Strawberry fields, grandson.
Carolyn Brown did a great job weaving the past with the present and created a cute story.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for a copy for my opinion

This was unexpected from what I thought it would be. It was a great book about a woman who inherits a house and oh so much more. I loved all the people that were introduced and all of their stories, it was an unexpected gem. I also appreciated how the man she fell in love with that there was not a huge problem that pulled them apart and then they came back together. Nope it was like real life instead which I appreciated. The fact that the epilogue took us 10years into the future so we could really get a feel of what happened was awesome. I loved getting a glimpse and it was heartwarming.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Book and audiobook arc. Carolyn Brown’s books never disappoints and Brittany Presley is always a fantastic narrator..

Lila comes home to live in her recently deceased aunt's home. This story tells a dual story of sorts telling how her aunt passed down her traditions and secrets to Lila. Lila learns how to take chances in life and love which eventually leads to her happy ever after with Connor who recently moved to the area. A beautiful story but just a little too slowly paced for me.

A mystery aunt, secrets, an inheritance and lots of surprises I didn’t see coming. Whatever reason Aunt Gracie had for leaving Lila the secret, will it now be Lila’s secret to keep? This was a fast paced read that I really enjoyed. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Fresh and fun. Carolyn Brown is a fantastic author. Her books never disappoint. I was hooked from page one.

As always, Caroline Brown does not let her readers down with her new book. Wonderful story that will get your interest from the very first page.

I was really excited to read a story with a mystery that centered around a party line, and I enjoyed the themes of family bonds (blood-related or not) and reimagining a life calling. However, I felt like the plot point that a huge secret had enraptured small-town Texas for decades was a little far-fetched.

My friends and I often talk about and remember when we had a party line. We did not listen in on others conversations though. I guess we missed out on a lot. This story is mainly about Lila and her Aunt Grace who passed away. The choices that Lila needs to make for her life and the opportunities that opened up for her. I enjoyed reading, The Part Line.

You can’t go wrong with a book by Carolyn Brown. Her characters draw you into their lives. You feel like their family. Party Line is no different.Lila comes back home to Ditto for inheritance after her dear great aunt dies. She finds her aunt had a secret 80 years old. It’s up to Lila to find out what it is. Such a good read. Carolyn is an auto read for me

I was not expecting this story when I cracked this one open, but I fell in love with the prose and pacing the author brought to the table.

Set in a tiny town in Texas, you are easily swept into the community where everyone knows everyone and knows everything about you and your family.

I love the characters and development of them throughout the story. The stories, the love, the strength and passion for the family business, new friends.

The Party Line is a beautiful story of family ties and an amazing connection between them. I love the romance development and the short, direct conversations. This totally makes the story interesting and tough to put down!

This is my first book by Brown and I am intrigued by her storytelling. I will definitely be looking for more from her!

While I enjoyed getting to know the characters and watching their relationships develop, this wasn't my favorite book by Carolyn Brown. I will continue to seek out her work because she's awesome!

Carolyn Brown is a favorite author I found through Net Galley. She writes endearing stories of emotion, family and connections with people. This is a charming story of a naive girl inheriting her Aunt's estate with more morney then she can imagine. As a reader the theme of most womens fiction of late seems to be inheritance and I feel it detracts from featuring main characters as independent and self made. This was a main character who did stand up for herself among the wealth she inherited and how she made a life that mattered in small town Texas. A sweet story of growth with a light romance touch. This is a nice read with Texas culture at the heart of the story

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity. My review opinion is my own.,