This book raises a sinuous tightrope that weaves through love and destiny and parallel realities. We follow a singular instance that breaks off into two different stories, and from there we catch our balance to face first one side, and then the other, to look into different lives, into versions of people and relationships that remain entangled with one another regardless - but change irretrievably.

As someone particularly enthusiastic about the significance of chance and the butterfly effect, this book was an intriguing, thorough, and heartwrenching foray into what is, what could be, love, and inevitability.

LOVED the writing style! It is lyrical, dramatic, and metafictional!! The narration at the beginning kinda breaks the fourth wall and I loved it (yes, I've said that already, but it's hard to find words)

I wish I could see the art in color cause it looked cool. The book is very different from anything else I've read - the irony and tension are delicious and predicting how things would play out seems hard and easy at the same time.

The only thing I did not like was all the mentions of farting/ passing gas, because, really, there's nothing interesting about reading a man pass gas that would hit 7.5 on the sphincter scale (an actual line from the book) multiple times.

ending hit me like a truck - that's all I have to say about that.

The story follows Chuck Hoon, an employee at a health insurance company who uncovers an anomaly in the company’s database. As Chuck digs deeper, he realizes that there’s a hidden world within the lines of code, leading him to a series of shocking discoveries that challenge his understanding of morality and justice.

The novel explores themes of corporate ethics, human interconnectedness, and the complexities of healthcare in America. Woo’s narrative style blends suspense with wit, making it both a thought-provoking and engaging read. For readers interested in technology, ethical dilemmas, or stories that reveal the hidden layers of bureaucratic systems, Lines offers a unique perspective.

Woo’s writing is lyrical and intimate, capturing both the magic of falling in love and the fragility that comes with it. The story of Josh, a writer, and Abby, an artist, is both tender and bittersweet. They are drawn together by an electric connection, yet their love is haunted by “what-ifs” and the unpredictability of life. Woo's narrative structure—moving between parallel versions of their lives—creates a sense of inevitability and tragedy, as though some loves are meant to leave a mark, even if they cannot last.

The novel is not just a love story; it’s an exploration of choice, timing, and the thin line between connection and missed opportunity. With each alternate version of their lives, Woo shows us how easily relationships can shift, how small decisions ripple into larger consequences. The discovery of a locket years later serves as a reminder of the lives they might have lived and the enduring impact of a single encounter.

For readers who enjoy thought-provoking, emotionally resonant stories, Lines is a poignant reminder of the beauty and complexity of love, filled with moments that linger long after the final page. It’s a bittersweet ode to the possibilities we encounter in life and the mystery of what might have been.

This made my head hurt. The similarities both in lives and relationships made for a very jumbled read. May have been better as a paper copy rather than ebook but whatever it didn’t do much for me.

Lines by Sung J Woo is a thought-provoking and intricately woven novel that explores the intersections of fate, choice, and the paths we take in life. Woo masterfully crafts a narrative that delves into the lives of characters whose stories are connected by a series of decisions and unforeseen consequences. The novel touches on themes of identity, destiny, and the complexity of human relationships, all while maintaining an engaging and reflective tone. With its rich character development and sharp insights, Lines offers readers a captivating journey that questions how the lines we draw in our lives shape who we are and the futures we build. It’s a compelling and introspective read that leaves a lasting impact.

[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Lines releases October 29, 2024

Have you ever wondered what your life would look like if you didn’t cross paths with a certain person, or if you never said yes to getting that cup of coffee five years ago? What if you were supposed to meet someone earlier or later in life than when you initially did?

In <I>Lines</I>, two stories unfold simultaneously: one in which Josh and Abby never met outside of Washington Square Park, and the other resulting in them getting married two months after they collided on the streets of New York City.

Each chapter alternates between the timeline where Josh and Abby are married, versus the one they are not. Since the events they live through in both timelines mirror each other nearly 1:1, keeping track of which version you’re currently reading becomes a mental workout and the story quickly starts to feel repetitive.
This is exacerbated by the fact that the spouses of Josh and Abby in the timeline where they’re not married to each other, end up being prominent side characters in the form of their close friends in the timeline where they are married.

For a star-crossed love story, it wasn’t a good sign that I was enjoying the chapters more where they weren’t together…
Josh and Abby were so miserable and I couldn’t see the connection between them that made them fall so hard and fast to begin with.

I don’t particularly find any enjoyment in reading about a man in his mid-40s passing gas, or multiple characters who are emotionally cheating.

"there's nothing more satisfying than options, alternative possibilities, the open paths of a person's existence."

i went through a bit of a rollercoaster with this one for the first couple of chapters. while the premise—two strangers who paths cross in one world and split apart in another—piqued my interest, josh's early pov was kind of off-putting. it took a few chapters to get used to it, while abby's chapters were more engaging from the start.

this is quite an ambitious concept, as woo had to build two characters into four – joshua and abby who run into each other and build life together, and joshua and abby who once walked past each other unknowingly and now meet by chance, with josh coming across abby's art. it plays with what ifs and makes you wonder – are we sure we met someone one too early, too late, or on time?

as you compare the two versions of joshua and abby, how their lives were influenced by external factors, how the people surrounding them differ and appear the same in both worlds, you get the idea of who they are at their core, and the effect they can have on each other. "lines" is both mundane and magical. its core is love one has for their art, and how artists can bind to each other or break apart.

i'd be remiss not to mention dina brodsky, whose art adorns the pages of "lines". it's not difficult to imagine how her miniatures may inspire someone to build a little written world of their own, let alone build a novel around them.

"lines" was a unique experience in reading and an exploration of art that sees the simplicity of the everyday in all its glory.

In this complex dual timeline what-if novel, readers follow writer Josh and artist Abby in two different lifetimes; one where they run into each other and live a life together and one where they never meet at all. Exploring what could have been for the two characters and experiencing the realities and challenges of life for Josh and Abby, readers will witness their choices and understand how important single moments and simple choices are to one’s life -- and meet-cutes don’t always end happily ever after. With so many complicated moments and two very different (and yet very similar) storylines, readers will be consumed by Woo’s narrative and Josh and Abby’s lives. The complicated nature of this book forces readers to compare the two different narratives and consider the significance of one single moment. Josh and Abby are realistic, flawed, and complex characters, and their interactions with each other and other characters are really interesting in what they reveal about Josh and Abby in both timelines. A complex, immersive novel that focuses on interpersonal relationships and realistic romantic relationships, Woo’s novel is complicated and dynamic, and the evolution of their relationship in both timelines is a fascinating study of human interactions brought to life by powerful prose, complex characters, and emotional narrative structures.

A sliding doors type premise for a novel. This one was much grayer and darker than I initially expected from the blurb. The writing style was unique, but sometimes difficult to find a rhythm with for me. Didn't really stand out from other books with this general premise for me.

This book beautifully illustrates the complexity of life, where every choice impacts our destiny. It's a must-read for those who value stories that explore the subtle balance between chance and decision. I found this book truly compelling. The ending was both beautiful and memorable.

*Lines* by Sung J. Woo is a captivating and clever novel that weaves together humor, heart, and the complexities of modern life. Woo's sharp dialogue and engaging characters create a story that feels both relatable and fresh. It's a delightful, thought-provoking read that keeps you turning the pages.

I really struggled to make it to the 25% mark of this book. I have a rule where if a book is not good by 20% I will dnf, but I tried to push through because I wanted to give this a full shot. The concept is so interesting and unique but something about the writing was challenging to get into. I do not know if it is just where I am at this time in my life, but I do not usually struggle to read and complete books.

Again, wonderful concept, just very difficult for me to get into.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

This is a beautifully written and thought-provoking novel that resonates long after the final page. Woo masterfully weaves two parallel paths - one where a man and a woman collide, leading to love, and another where they pass through life, oblivious to each other. The exploration of possibilities, choices, and the delicate threads connecting their lives is captivating. However, the occasional handling of events in each version prevents a higher rating.

I enjoyed this book, and was kept interested and intrigued the whole way through. I liked the dual storyline, and the art, and the ending. I would read the author again.

Thank you Netgalley for the arc of this upcoming title.

Here we have a story of how strangers can be more. How one person can go from meaning nothing to something. The beauty in the mundaneness of life,

I ended up not finishing this story due to the writing style. I found the initial premise of the story interesting, but ultimately the way it was told did not work well for me.

I think this book didn't work for me.

I didn't hate it neither love it. It was an in between that most of the time I can't describe.

The best part of the story was definitely the difference comparing to others. I must admit this was quite unique.

The ending was so beautiful that I think I will remember it for a very long time.

The author captivated the essence of life in a unreal and magical way, with all the mess and emotion, and gave us an exceptional and heart-taking writing.

But then, I didn't really love the two main characters, at all, and that was the reason I didn't loved it.

Book apart, I will be looking foward to see other stories of the author.




I want to thank the editor and also Netgalley for giving me the chance to read this book in advance in exchange of an honest opinion/review.
- publication date: Otober 29, 2024

I DNF'd after reading 22% of the book. I really liked the description which is why I was intrigued to read it. Unfortunately, I just didn't like it.

Unfortunately this book wasn’t for me, but that doesn’t mean that it was a bad book by any means. Set in New York City, this book has elements of a sci-fi mixed with romance, and at times can be quite thought provoking. It is a very unique story, also focusing highly on art. I would recommend to people who are creative and like to read genre bending fiction.