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Toe the Line
From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward comes a friends-to-lovers story spanning more than a decade…
At first, I thought I’d hate spending the summer with Archie Remington—the conceited son of my parents’ friends.
What I knew about Archie: he was gorgeous, pre-law, and had always treated me like I didn’t exist when we were younger.
When our families bought a house together on an island in Maine, he and I were forced to share a bathroom.
The boy I remembered was now a full-grown man—but with the same attitude.
After a rough start, Archie and I unexpectedly started getting along one day and eventually became friends. We shared secrets and bonded during our morning jogs. I discovered that Archie had a wild spirit and that he struggled to conform to his father’s expectations.
Things were cool until I had to go and ruin it, getting drunk one night, and blurting out my fantasy—involving him.
I took it back, but it was too late. Archie had heard me loud and clear. After that, we never quite knew how to toe the line.
When that summer came to an abrupt and shocking end, I headed back to college, unsure if anything would ever be the same again.
Across the miles over the years, he and I stayed in touch as friends, but fate and timing always kept us from becoming more.
You know the saying: If two people are meant to be, they’ll find their way back to each other?
Let’s just say Archie came back into my life in a way I would’ve never expected.
And this time, my heart would really be put to the test.
At first, I thought I’d hate spending the summer with Archie Remington—the conceited son of my parents’ friends.
What I knew about Archie: he was gorgeous, pre-law, and had always treated me like I didn’t exist when we were younger.
When our families bought a house together on an island in Maine, he and I were forced to share a bathroom.
The boy I remembered was now a full-grown man—but with the same attitude.
After a rough start, Archie and I unexpectedly started getting along one day and eventually became friends. We shared secrets and bonded during our morning jogs. I discovered that Archie had a wild spirit and that he struggled to conform to his father’s expectations.
Things were cool until I had to go and ruin it, getting drunk one night, and blurting out my fantasy—involving him.
I took it back, but it was too late. Archie had heard me loud and clear. After that, we never quite knew how to toe the line.
When that summer came to an abrupt and shocking end, I headed back to college, unsure if anything would ever be the same again.
Across the miles over the years, he and I stayed in touch as friends, but fate and timing always kept us from becoming more.
You know the saying: If two people are meant to be, they’ll find their way back to each other?
Let’s just say Archie came back into my life in a way I would’ve never expected.
And this time, my heart would really be put to the test.
312 pages, ebook
First published February 27, 2023
574 people are currently reading
11.6k people want to read
About the author
Penelope Ward
101 books25.4k followersPenelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.
She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.
With millions of books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over forty novels.
In 2014, Penelope’s fourth book, Stepbrother Dearest, became the #1 bestselling independently published Kindle ebook of the year on Amazon.com and was credited with igniting an entirely new subgenre of romance. Her 2016 smash hit RoomHate debuted at #2 on The New York Times Bestseller list. Penelope is an Audie Award Winner and three-time Goodreads Choice Romance of the Year Nominee. Her books have been featured in Entertainment Weekly and Publisher’s Weekly (Starred Review).
Penelope’s novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
She can often be found chatting live with her readers in her private Facebook group, Penelope’s Peeps.
She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.
With millions of books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over forty novels.
In 2014, Penelope’s fourth book, Stepbrother Dearest, became the #1 bestselling independently published Kindle ebook of the year on Amazon.com and was credited with igniting an entirely new subgenre of romance. Her 2016 smash hit RoomHate debuted at #2 on The New York Times Bestseller list. Penelope is an Audie Award Winner and three-time Goodreads Choice Romance of the Year Nominee. Her books have been featured in Entertainment Weekly and Publisher’s Weekly (Starred Review).
Penelope’s novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
She can often be found chatting live with her readers in her private Facebook group, Penelope’s Peeps.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 569 reviews
February 26, 2023
For 2 people who were such best friends, they certainly had an uneven friendship. She always wanted more. He was more interested in other girls (even going so far as marrying and knocking up someone other than the heroine. But of course we have to blame the other girl for ‘trapping’ him 🙄). He only kept her (the heroine) around because she fed his ego. She always promised to be there for him - and she certainly was - but when was he ever really there for her when it didn’t benefit him?
I don’t understand girls who stick around like Noelle did. Especially when treated as an afterthought. So when I can’t relate to the heroine (when written in first person), I find it hard to enjoy the book.
2.5 stars because it’s written well. Just not my kind of characters.
I don’t understand girls who stick around like Noelle did. Especially when treated as an afterthought. So when I can’t relate to the heroine (when written in first person), I find it hard to enjoy the book.
2.5 stars because it’s written well. Just not my kind of characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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March 3, 2023★ ★ SALE ENDING ★ ★
Going, Going, Gone! I'm about to change the price of TOE THE LINE very soon from $3.99 to $4.99. The book will not be on sale again and will NOT be going into Kindle Unlimited. So, if you were planning to buy it, it's at the lowest price it will ever be RIGHT NOW. I’ve never gotten so many messages from readers staying up to read a book of mine through the night. Have you read it?
Amazon US ➜ https://amzn.to/3xRmdH5
Amazon UK ➜ https://amzn.to/3xQxLds
Amazon CA ➜ https://amzn.to/3m9DXul
Amazon AU ➜ https://amzn.to/3m9rZkN
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3YI6827
Paperback: https://amzn.to/3J1rwu9
Nook: http://bit.ly/3lQ0RHn
Kobo: http://bit.ly/3IdxLsX
Google Play: http://bit.ly/3KlqkTg
Audible: adbl.co/3xUroWq
Amazon Audio: bit.ly/3Ikl40z
Going, Going, Gone! I'm about to change the price of TOE THE LINE very soon from $3.99 to $4.99. The book will not be on sale again and will NOT be going into Kindle Unlimited. So, if you were planning to buy it, it's at the lowest price it will ever be RIGHT NOW. I’ve never gotten so many messages from readers staying up to read a book of mine through the night. Have you read it?
Amazon US ➜ https://amzn.to/3xRmdH5
Amazon UK ➜ https://amzn.to/3xQxLds
Amazon CA ➜ https://amzn.to/3m9DXul
Amazon AU ➜ https://amzn.to/3m9rZkN
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3YI6827
Paperback: https://amzn.to/3J1rwu9
Nook: http://bit.ly/3lQ0RHn
Kobo: http://bit.ly/3IdxLsX
Google Play: http://bit.ly/3KlqkTg
Audible: adbl.co/3xUroWq
Amazon Audio: bit.ly/3Ikl40z
May 27, 2023
2.25 stars
this book took the phrase “toeing the line” to the extreme, and i did not like it one bit. the H & h spent the majority of the book skirting around their feelings while being with other people instead of each other. give me insta-love any day instead of two bestfriends wasting decades of their life being too blind/scared to reach for whats right in front of them or whatever this BS is. this is not what i consider a good slow burn.
i keep lumping this author & Vi Keeland together for always utilizing the dead ex trope or OW/OM drama; but after checking their individual author page, its actually PW who tends to use those tropes and i seem to enjoy VKs books more. also, i havent watched the movie Your Place or Mine starring Ashton Kutcher & Reese Witherspoon on Netflix, but i feel like it would be the romcom version of this book and less irritating to watch.
(read as an audiobook)
this book took the phrase “toeing the line” to the extreme, and i did not like it one bit. the H & h spent the majority of the book skirting around their feelings while being with other people instead of each other. give me insta-love any day instead of two bestfriends wasting decades of their life being too blind/scared to reach for whats right in front of them or whatever this BS is. this is not what i consider a good slow burn.
i keep lumping this author & Vi Keeland together for always utilizing the dead ex trope or OW/OM drama; but after checking their individual author page, its actually PW who tends to use those tropes and i seem to enjoy VKs books more. also, i havent watched the movie Your Place or Mine starring Ashton Kutcher & Reese Witherspoon on Netflix, but i feel like it would be the romcom version of this book and less irritating to watch.
(read as an audiobook)
February 27, 2023
Halfway into reading Toe the Line by Penelope Ward, I knew that I was in love with this book. I finished this book a week ago, but held off writing my review. I wanted to see if I was still as consumed with these characters or just feeling book-buzzed after reading such a phenomenal book. Who was I kidding? I can't stop thinking about Archie and Noelle. This book is packed with the feels and combustible chemistry. Toe the Line is the epitome of friends-to-lovers second-chance romance.
Penelope turned up the spice factor making this book unputdownable. I loved that this book wasn't a predictable, cookie-cutter romance. Just when I thought I knew where this story was going - BOOM! I was wrong. Penelope delivered another heartwarming story that will pull on your heartstrings and not let go even after you hit the last page. The epilogue is everything! Toe the Line by is on my Best of 2023!
Penelope turned up the spice factor making this book unputdownable. I loved that this book wasn't a predictable, cookie-cutter romance. Just when I thought I knew where this story was going - BOOM! I was wrong. Penelope delivered another heartwarming story that will pull on your heartstrings and not let go even after you hit the last page. The epilogue is everything! Toe the Line by is on my Best of 2023!
February 28, 2023
no, but how do I unread a book?
June 19, 2023
SPOILERS
So, in the good news department: the writing was great and the story is compelling. Also, the main female was really likable.
Now for why I’m giving this a two star rating:
If you are into a slow burn book this story is for you. They don’t get together till 83% … which at that point I was hoping Noelle would run for the hills because Archie is, at some points, a selfish assH*** .. This girl gives and gives and gives to this man continues to shut her out.
On top of that, I’m convinced this author just hated these characters and didn’t want them to be happy till the very end. They finally get together and Surprise! She can’t get pregnant. As someone who went through rounds of IUI and IVF I could seriously relate to what they were going through. But he finally decided to have sec with her … to get her pregnant. WHAT. Archie’s inability to admit how he felt about Noelle is really what killed the story for me.
These two go through the damn ringer… can’t she throw them a darn bone?
Overall, the story is well written, the characters are fully developed… but I didn’t LIKE the story and honestly Archie wasn’t likable other than he’s hot.
I don’t have much free time and when I read I want to be happy, or at least excited to find out what happens to the characters I’ve invested my time in. By the 75% mark I couldn’t care less and honestly skimmed my way to the end.
If you decide to pick up this book, god speed and good luck.
So, in the good news department: the writing was great and the story is compelling. Also, the main female was really likable.
Now for why I’m giving this a two star rating:
If you are into a slow burn book this story is for you. They don’t get together till 83% … which at that point I was hoping Noelle would run for the hills because Archie is, at some points, a selfish assH*** .. This girl gives and gives and gives to this man continues to shut her out.
On top of that, I’m convinced this author just hated these characters and didn’t want them to be happy till the very end. They finally get together and Surprise! She can’t get pregnant. As someone who went through rounds of IUI and IVF I could seriously relate to what they were going through. But he finally decided to have sec with her … to get her pregnant. WHAT. Archie’s inability to admit how he felt about Noelle is really what killed the story for me.
These two go through the damn ringer… can’t she throw them a darn bone?
Overall, the story is well written, the characters are fully developed… but I didn’t LIKE the story and honestly Archie wasn’t likable other than he’s hot.
I don’t have much free time and when I read I want to be happy, or at least excited to find out what happens to the characters I’ve invested my time in. By the 75% mark I couldn’t care less and honestly skimmed my way to the end.
If you decide to pick up this book, god speed and good luck.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Shelved as 'blurb-not-appealing'
March 17, 2023I really dislike reading friends-to-lovers romance because almost all of them include the hero & heroine sleeping with other people, wasting many years just being friends until they finally realize that they should be lovers, instead. There are only a few examples done well and still they are never perfect for me.
February 23, 2023
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
4.25 Stars
After a memorable summer together, Archie Remington and Noelle Benedict's carefree lives came to a screeching halt. While things have changed, they kept the friendship over the years. But the friendship was about to be tested when unresolved feelings were on the line.
I don't usually go for the friends-to-lovers trope, but this book worked for me, thanks to the good amount of sexual tension and angst. It was also amusing and heartwarming.
I liked both the characters and the supporting characters. They behaved maturely without any unnecessary drama. Though I wished it was sexier, I liked how the story ended without making it too much.
Toe the Line is a story of taking chances. It would appeal to readers who enjoy a slow-burn friends-to-lovers Romance.
For more reviews/interviews/book talk/promo visit:
For graphics, trailers & author services visit Warhawke Design Studio.
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
4.25 StarsAfter a memorable summer together, Archie Remington and Noelle Benedict's carefree lives came to a screeching halt. While things have changed, they kept the friendship over the years. But the friendship was about to be tested when unresolved feelings were on the line.
I don't usually go for the friends-to-lovers trope, but this book worked for me, thanks to the good amount of sexual tension and angst. It was also amusing and heartwarming.
"There are some good things about being with someone who can’t break your heart because…” My words trailed off.
“Because your heart belongs to someone else,”
I liked both the characters and the supporting characters. They behaved maturely without any unnecessary drama. Though I wished it was sexier, I liked how the story ended without making it too much.
Toe the Line is a story of taking chances. It would appeal to readers who enjoy a slow-burn friends-to-lovers Romance.
For more reviews/interviews/book talk/promo visit:
For graphics, trailers & author services visit Warhawke Design Studio.
March 4, 2023
Toe the line is a standalone contemporary romance by author Penelope Ward. It is told from both POV with a HEA.
Tropes:
✔️ friends to lovers
✔️ second chance
✔️ tortured hero
Oh my heart... This is the kind of story you literally can't put down. The angst and drama and all the heartache these two had to go through to get to their hard won HEA just about killed me and the book-hangover was real.
When Archie and Noelle’s parents bought a vacation house together, they were forced to spend the summer living under the same roof. But what started as an awkward frienemies relationship turned into a friendship that would stand the test of time, distance and heartache when their summer and budding relationship comes to a screeching halt.
I usually give a bit more details in my reviews, but I feel that anything more than this would be spoilery. I can say that Noelle and Archie’s story is about love, loss, and acceptance, about self-improvement and second chances. I was totally addicted.
★ I own a copy of this book. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title.
★See all my book edits on Instagram
Tropes:
✔️ friends to lovers
✔️ second chance
✔️ tortured hero
Oh my heart... This is the kind of story you literally can't put down. The angst and drama and all the heartache these two had to go through to get to their hard won HEA just about killed me and the book-hangover was real.
When Archie and Noelle’s parents bought a vacation house together, they were forced to spend the summer living under the same roof. But what started as an awkward frienemies relationship turned into a friendship that would stand the test of time, distance and heartache when their summer and budding relationship comes to a screeching halt.
I usually give a bit more details in my reviews, but I feel that anything more than this would be spoilery. I can say that Noelle and Archie’s story is about love, loss, and acceptance, about self-improvement and second chances. I was totally addicted.
“You’re the bookends of my life: my first love and my last love.”
★ I own a copy of this book. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title.
★See all my book edits on Instagram
February 27, 2023
This book literally made me nauseous the entire time (not in a good way). Save yourself and don’t bother reading it :/
February 28, 2023
5 Stars!
(ARC provided by author)
Noelle Benedict wasn't thrilled when her parents bought a beach house on an island in Maine with their friends. Since the two families would co-own the vacation home, that meant she'd have to be around their stuck up perfect son. Archie was gorgeous, but since they were young acted like she didn't exist. Once they cross paths again she's shocked how much he's changed. The boy she remembered is now all grown up, and she couldn't deny the effect he had on her. She develops a bit of a crush, but knew he was unattainable, and the attraction wouldn't go anywhere. After a somewhat rocky start they bond and become important to one another. Lines get blurred and their relationship turns complicated. She'd never felt such a strong connection to someone, but timing wasn't on their side, and their lives took them in different directions. They stayed in touch over the years, and remained best friends. After seven years will they find their way back to one another? Will they finally become more, or will memories of that summer together in Maine be all they ever have?
Toe the Line by Penelope Ward is a fabulous, friends to lovers, second chance romance full of emotion, angst, and amazing chemistry! It's a standalone story told in dual POV that goes from past to present as we follow two best friend's journey over a decade. I absolutely loved this book! It has so much heart, and captivated me from start to finish. It's one of my favorites by Penelope Ward. It has so many twist and turns that kept me wanting more. I couldn't put it down. Archie is book boyfriend gold! <333
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWW1XR85?...
(ARC provided by author)
Noelle Benedict wasn't thrilled when her parents bought a beach house on an island in Maine with their friends. Since the two families would co-own the vacation home, that meant she'd have to be around their stuck up perfect son. Archie was gorgeous, but since they were young acted like she didn't exist. Once they cross paths again she's shocked how much he's changed. The boy she remembered is now all grown up, and she couldn't deny the effect he had on her. She develops a bit of a crush, but knew he was unattainable, and the attraction wouldn't go anywhere. After a somewhat rocky start they bond and become important to one another. Lines get blurred and their relationship turns complicated. She'd never felt such a strong connection to someone, but timing wasn't on their side, and their lives took them in different directions. They stayed in touch over the years, and remained best friends. After seven years will they find their way back to one another? Will they finally become more, or will memories of that summer together in Maine be all they ever have?
Toe the Line by Penelope Ward is a fabulous, friends to lovers, second chance romance full of emotion, angst, and amazing chemistry! It's a standalone story told in dual POV that goes from past to present as we follow two best friend's journey over a decade. I absolutely loved this book! It has so much heart, and captivated me from start to finish. It's one of my favorites by Penelope Ward. It has so many twist and turns that kept me wanting more. I couldn't put it down. Archie is book boyfriend gold! <333
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWW1XR85?...
March 5, 2023
Just an average read that had a few ups and more downs. I wasn't impressed with Archie and his behavior. And I felt like Noelle was just a doormat-type character. It's hard to enjoy a book when you don't click with the main characters. On top of that, the messy relationship between them went on far too long. In the end, the whole baby deal just annoyed the heck out of me and I was glad to be finished and move on.
February 20, 2023
OMG! This book just about kill me with all the feels. I laugh so hard and I cried too. My heart hurts bad for these two - they are like two trains that always passing each to different destinations. Angst, yearning, heartbreak over 10 years. I am bursting at the ending and the epilogue 🫶🏼 I was expecting a light-hearted romance but there is so much more to the characters and the plot. This book is going in my ALL TIME FAVORITE pile! I stayed up all night and finished in one sitting. The story paced well, suck you right in from the start. Beautifully written. This author is amazing! ❤️ Thanks for the emotional roller coaster ride. I needed a book with that extra oomph and this author delivered. LOVE IT 🙏
PS- slept for a few hours and already re-read the last few chapters TWICE ... Ugh! I'm having a massive book hangover 😵
PS- slept for a few hours and already re-read the last few chapters TWICE ... Ugh! I'm having a massive book hangover 😵
February 28, 2023
The model cover of this book is gorgeous!
But that’s about to the good thing I can say about this book. Oh and Jason. I love Jason.
Noelle was on eternal pause until Archie was ready. She put up with the way he treated her, always halfway through. Halfway affection, halfway love, halfway trust, halfway communication.
And that’s the most frustrating things authors tend to put their characters through.
It’s almost always the male lead who has a say on what pace the relationship should be, on what grounds, on WHEN will they become more, on WHEN will he give their female leads the something they deserve.
And meanwhile, female leads have to be on standby, have to be on this very very fake “I have to move on” “I have to find my worth” “I can’t trust him with my heart anymore” spiel all the while they are really WAITING for their male leads to get their shit together and then present the most uninteresting, unsatisfying message or grovel or letter or whatever it is they think is worth all the bullshit they’ve put me(the reader), and the heroine through. Andddd of course of course that is enough to satisfy the female characters.
I wished Noelle knew her worth. She was Archie’s safety blanket and she was LETTING herself be that. She was letting Archie decide her future, not her career, but her relationship.
Where’s the growth on the woman side?
Archie’s growth could be okay if it is done gradually, slowly, but surely you’ll see the result in pieces, only then his fear made sense and you’ll root for him, only then the healing is believable, only then the way he treated Noelle can be seen acceptable. But NO, it was done in a 1-2 paragraphs and on the LAST chapter 😭
But that’s about to the good thing I can say about this book. Oh and Jason. I love Jason.
Noelle was on eternal pause until Archie was ready. She put up with the way he treated her, always halfway through. Halfway affection, halfway love, halfway trust, halfway communication.
And that’s the most frustrating things authors tend to put their characters through.
It’s almost always the male lead who has a say on what pace the relationship should be, on what grounds, on WHEN will they become more, on WHEN will he give their female leads the something they deserve.
And meanwhile, female leads have to be on standby, have to be on this very very fake “I have to move on” “I have to find my worth” “I can’t trust him with my heart anymore” spiel all the while they are really WAITING for their male leads to get their shit together and then present the most uninteresting, unsatisfying message or grovel or letter or whatever it is they think is worth all the bullshit they’ve put me(the reader), and the heroine through. Andddd of course of course that is enough to satisfy the female characters.
I wished Noelle knew her worth. She was Archie’s safety blanket and she was LETTING herself be that. She was letting Archie decide her future, not her career, but her relationship.
Where’s the growth on the woman side?
Archie’s growth could be okay if it is done gradually, slowly, but surely you’ll see the result in pieces, only then his fear made sense and you’ll root for him, only then the healing is believable, only then the way he treated Noelle can be seen acceptable. But NO, it was done in a 1-2 paragraphs and on the LAST chapter 😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 13, 2023
Kitabın başları Sen bana yasak kitabına benziyordu hemen hemen. Kadın ve erkek karakter bir türlü birbirlerine açılamadılar nereden baksan kitabın yarısından fazlası hep bu şekilde geçti. İşte kadın karakter başka bir adamla birlikte, erkek karakter başka bir kadınla evleniyor ondan çocuğu oluyor. Aradan yıllar geçiyor yıllar sonra tekrardan buluşuyorlar. Bu sırada adam karısından boşanıyor ama bu seferde kadının ciddi bir ilişkisi var. Kitap sürekli birbirlerine güvensizlikleri yüzünden aynı döngüde sürüklenip gidiyor ve bu şekilde uzuyor. 312 sayfa ve bunun sadece son 30 sayfasında nihayet birleştiler bir an kitap bitecek ve bunlar hala birbirlerine açılmayacaklar diye düşünmedim desem yalan olur. Bu yazar neden hep bu şekilde kitaplar yazıyor bir türlü anlamış değilim ama okumaktan da hiç vazgeçemiyorum😄
March 2, 2023
3- 3.5 Stars
I really was enjoying the past chapters and the writing. However, I didn't love the storyline in the present ...
:
I really was enjoying the past chapters and the writing. However, I didn't love the storyline in the present ...
:
February 27, 2023
She was a doormat and he didn’t love her. The whole “have my sperm” thing was just a weird turn. Bummer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2023
Тази книга ми изпълни душата! Реалистична, истинска, откровенна, имах чувството, че всичко се случваше пред очите ми! Прекрасно написана, нямаше нищо излишно! Силни главни герои, плавно разказана история за изпитания в живота, за борбата, която всеки води със себе си, за страха да разкриеш чувствата си, за неизречените думи! Бях обсебена, докато я четях, истинско удоволствие! Радвам се, че Ноел и Арчи имаха своя щастлив край, заслужаваха го! ❤️
March 31, 2023
Well these two took really “toe the line” indeed! It took them 12 f@$king years to get together 😭🤦🏾♀️ i didn’t not dislike this book but it just reminded me why I don’t like the friends to lovers trope. All that wasted years….ughhhhhh…
March 2, 2023
4.5 Stars
Teenage friends to lovers story.
Archie and Noel meet at a vacation house in Maine for summer vacation with their parents.
Archie being set in his ways only sees Noel as a friend and wants no commitments or long term relationships as a teenager.
The story goes from past to present as their lives change . It dragged in some places but was otherwise a great romance.
Worth checking out!
Teenage friends to lovers story.
Archie and Noel meet at a vacation house in Maine for summer vacation with their parents.
Archie being set in his ways only sees Noel as a friend and wants no commitments or long term relationships as a teenager.
The story goes from past to present as their lives change . It dragged in some places but was otherwise a great romance.
Worth checking out!
March 3, 2023
DNF 66%
The Hero is basically going all the way with every girl except the heroine. He's apparently so in love with the heroine but goes after everyone but her. The heroine also wanted marriage and kids (it was a deal breaker for her) but after all these years she has neither while he gets a woman knocked up and marries her. So now that he's divorced he offers to be her donor??? And he gets butt hurt when she rejects the offer because she loves him and wants everything with him. She eventually comes around and once she's moved across the country for him she asks if he's been with anyone else since his ex-wife and he tells her about a week long affair with a buisness partner. That was my breaking point.
The Hero is just so insecure and the whole time I was waiting for him to have the revelation that he's not a bad person for Noelle but instead he just shows he's not a good person for Noelle. I could've gotten past the marriage but not him immediately hooking up with another woman and not going after Noelle.
The Hero is basically going all the way with every girl except the heroine. He's apparently so in love with the heroine but goes after everyone but her. The heroine also wanted marriage and kids (it was a deal breaker for her) but after all these years she has neither while he gets a woman knocked up and marries her. So now that he's divorced he offers to be her donor??? And he gets butt hurt when she rejects the offer because she loves him and wants everything with him. She eventually comes around and once she's moved across the country for him she asks if he's been with anyone else since his ex-wife and he tells her about a week long affair with a buisness partner. That was my breaking point.
The Hero is just so insecure and the whole time I was waiting for him to have the revelation that he's not a bad person for Noelle but instead he just shows he's not a good person for Noelle. I could've gotten past the marriage but not him immediately hooking up with another woman and not going after Noelle.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2023
ARC Review
One thing about Penelope Ward is that she ALWAYS delivers! I read this book in four hours after a book slump and now I’m in a book hangover. This book had all the old school angst and feels that I ABSOLUTELY love and these characters will stay with me for a long time. So sad this book is over. I definitely want to be like Roz when I get older.
“But I will do everything in my power not to hurt you. I will never take you for granted, and I will always love you.”
One thing about Penelope Ward is that she ALWAYS delivers! I read this book in four hours after a book slump and now I’m in a book hangover. This book had all the old school angst and feels that I ABSOLUTELY love and these characters will stay with me for a long time. So sad this book is over. I definitely want to be like Roz when I get older.
“But I will do everything in my power not to hurt you. I will never take you for granted, and I will always love you.”
March 7, 2023
Loved it!
February 11, 2024
Einmal wäre fast mehr aus ihrer Beziehung geworden, aber dann sind Noelle und Archie doch nur gute Freunde geblieben. Trotzdem überrascht es Noelle ganz schön, als sie plötzlich die Einladung zu Archies Hochzeit erhält. Heißt das, dass es gar keine Chance mehr für ihre Gefühle gibt?
Die Geschichte spielt in verschiedenen Lebensphasen der Protagonisten, wie ich es bei Penelope Ward schon oft gelesen habe. Der erste Teil beginnt in der Gegenwart, ist aber geprägt von Rückblicken zum Sommer vor sieben Jahren, als die beiden sich näherkamen. Später gibt es einen weiteren Zeitsprung, der die Dynamik zwischen den Charakteren noch mal verändert – dazu will ich aber auch nicht zu viel verraten. Obwohl ich die einzelnen Abschnitte schon gut fand, gab mir die große Zeitspanne auch das Gefühl, dass ihre Beziehung ewig auf der Stelle tritt. Besonders die Zeit beim Zeitsprung war für mich auch gar nicht greifbar und das hat mich aus der Geschichte geworfen.
Es fällt mir auch schwer, etwas über die Charaktere und ihre Entwicklung zu sagen, ohne auf die wichtigen Ereignisse in ihrem Leben einzugehen. Sie stehen sich schon nahe, aber es kommt irgendwie immer etwas dazwischen, sodass nie mehr draus werden kann, obwohl man schon spüren kann, dass sie es sich beide wünschen. Ansonsten haben sie auch mal andere Beziehungen, aber man hat ja gewisse Erwartungen an einen Liebesromanen und denkt sich daher schon seinen Teil. Außerdem haben sie noch berufliche Träume: Während Noelle schon früh dem entsprechenden Karriereweg nachgeht, braucht Archie noch ein bisschen, um seine eigenen Ziele mit den Erwartungen seiner Eltern unter einen Hut zu bringen.
Die Geschichte spielt in verschiedenen Lebensphasen der Protagonisten, wie ich es bei Penelope Ward schon oft gelesen habe. Der erste Teil beginnt in der Gegenwart, ist aber geprägt von Rückblicken zum Sommer vor sieben Jahren, als die beiden sich näherkamen. Später gibt es einen weiteren Zeitsprung, der die Dynamik zwischen den Charakteren noch mal verändert – dazu will ich aber auch nicht zu viel verraten. Obwohl ich die einzelnen Abschnitte schon gut fand, gab mir die große Zeitspanne auch das Gefühl, dass ihre Beziehung ewig auf der Stelle tritt. Besonders die Zeit beim Zeitsprung war für mich auch gar nicht greifbar und das hat mich aus der Geschichte geworfen.
Es fällt mir auch schwer, etwas über die Charaktere und ihre Entwicklung zu sagen, ohne auf die wichtigen Ereignisse in ihrem Leben einzugehen. Sie stehen sich schon nahe, aber es kommt irgendwie immer etwas dazwischen, sodass nie mehr draus werden kann, obwohl man schon spüren kann, dass sie es sich beide wünschen. Ansonsten haben sie auch mal andere Beziehungen, aber man hat ja gewisse Erwartungen an einen Liebesromanen und denkt sich daher schon seinen Teil. Außerdem haben sie noch berufliche Träume: Während Noelle schon früh dem entsprechenden Karriereweg nachgeht, braucht Archie noch ein bisschen, um seine eigenen Ziele mit den Erwartungen seiner Eltern unter einen Hut zu bringen.
March 2, 2023
Angsty BUT DUMB. She should’ve picked Jason. It just felt like Archie grew a pair only when convenient for him ughh
August 17, 2023
Part I of 'Toe the Line' easily a 5 star read, Part II teetering between 1 and 2 stars.
Noelle and Archie's families co-own a vacation home in Maine. The past few years Archie has been indifferent towards Noelle but this summer something is different. They become friends and there is an undeniable attraction between them but Archie lives in California and Noelle is about to start her first year of college in Boston so he doesn't want to start anything serious with her. Noelle wants Archie any way she can have him so she convinces him that she's able to separate their friendship from sex and they begin to hook up. Of course right before they decide to fully give in to one another something dramatic happens.
Part II jumps 7 and 12 years into the future and is where the book fell apart for me. The story was all over the place, the romance and tension between Noelle and Archie that was present in Part I was all but gone. It was replaced with wife then later ex wife drama, boyfriend then later ex boyfriend drama and Noelle and Archie both having feelings for one another but being too immature to just tell the other person. Overall, the book wasn't bad but after reading the first half I had such high expectations that the rest of it felt like a disappointment.
Noelle and Archie's families co-own a vacation home in Maine. The past few years Archie has been indifferent towards Noelle but this summer something is different. They become friends and there is an undeniable attraction between them but Archie lives in California and Noelle is about to start her first year of college in Boston so he doesn't want to start anything serious with her. Noelle wants Archie any way she can have him so she convinces him that she's able to separate their friendship from sex and they begin to hook up. Of course right before they decide to fully give in to one another something dramatic happens.
Part II jumps 7 and 12 years into the future and is where the book fell apart for me. The story was all over the place, the romance and tension between Noelle and Archie that was present in Part I was all but gone. It was replaced with wife then later ex wife drama, boyfriend then later ex boyfriend drama and Noelle and Archie both having feelings for one another but being too immature to just tell the other person. Overall, the book wasn't bad but after reading the first half I had such high expectations that the rest of it felt like a disappointment.
March 9, 2023
There’s a reason I don’t read Penelope Ward novels and Toe the Line reminded me of it.
I picked up Toe the Line because I read the synopsis and thought I would LOVE it. Toe the Line starts off checking all my favourite boxes (friends-to-lovers, summer beach house, seemingly unrequited love) until it starts to check the not so loved boxes (poor writing, annoying main character, miscommunication, and other more spoiler cliches).
The first 25% of the novel is the best as Ward oscillates between past and present Noelle giving readers the chance to experience Noelle and Archie’s past and connect with the present that will then feature in the rest of the novel.
I very much dislike virgin/inexperienced heroines who are given a sensual awakening by the love interest. Not only is Noelle a virgin, but she’s also naive (which continues throughout the whole novel) and reads as much younger than she’s supposed to be. This makes her and Archie’s pairing uncomfortable at times.
As the novel transitions from past and present to solely present, Noelle meets a woman with cancer who is interested in Noelle’s story/drama. It felt like Ward wanted to structure the novel so that it would feel as if Noelle was telling this woman (and us the reader) her past and present to communicate insights. However, this addition felt out of place and incredibly useless. Why spend so much time telling readers about this woman and her cancer and her family dynamics only for her to disappear after two chapters?
Spoilers
Overall, Toe the Line cemented my dislike for Penelope Ward novels. Her writing style and plots are not for me, which is strange because I love her collaborations with Vi Keeland. Maybe Keeland has a heavier hand in those stories. Who knows?
I picked up Toe the Line because I read the synopsis and thought I would LOVE it. Toe the Line starts off checking all my favourite boxes (friends-to-lovers, summer beach house, seemingly unrequited love) until it starts to check the not so loved boxes (poor writing, annoying main character, miscommunication, and other more spoiler cliches).
The first 25% of the novel is the best as Ward oscillates between past and present Noelle giving readers the chance to experience Noelle and Archie’s past and connect with the present that will then feature in the rest of the novel.
I very much dislike virgin/inexperienced heroines who are given a sensual awakening by the love interest. Not only is Noelle a virgin, but she’s also naive (which continues throughout the whole novel) and reads as much younger than she’s supposed to be. This makes her and Archie’s pairing uncomfortable at times.
As the novel transitions from past and present to solely present, Noelle meets a woman with cancer who is interested in Noelle’s story/drama. It felt like Ward wanted to structure the novel so that it would feel as if Noelle was telling this woman (and us the reader) her past and present to communicate insights. However, this addition felt out of place and incredibly useless. Why spend so much time telling readers about this woman and her cancer and her family dynamics only for her to disappear after two chapters?
Spoilers
Overall, Toe the Line cemented my dislike for Penelope Ward novels. Her writing style and plots are not for me, which is strange because I love her collaborations with Vi Keeland. Maybe Keeland has a heavier hand in those stories. Who knows?
February 28, 2023
The beginning of 'Toe the Line' started out as a potential 5-star read.
The main characters, Noelle and Archie's parents are co-owners of a holiday home in Maine.
In previous times, Archie was indifferent towards Noelle but during this summer holiday, they recognised their attraction to each other. A close friendship develops but from that point, it became a very long drawn out slow burn. Penelope Ward played the "friends" role who "toed the line" for the majority of the storyline. Just when you think their relationship is going to go to the next stage, Archie's father dies and Archie becomes responsible for his mother who is in the early stages of dementia.
We move 12 years on and all that romantic tension between Archie and Noelle was gone. The story was all over the place. It was replaced with Archie getting married because his "friend with benefits" becomes pregnant. It was painful to read how much Noelle loved Archie and then watch him, pointlessly marry a woman he didn't love. The marriage didn't last and she becomes his ex-wife. Archie is once again on his own but with a 4-year-old daughter. Noelle by this point has a boyfriend but again she cannot commit because her heart has only belonged to Archie. Penelope Ward then reinstates the relationship when Noelle decides she wants a baby but the man she is with is older, has two teenage children and doesn't want anymore. Archie convinces Noelle to have a child with him and they go through AI until eventually feelings are admitted and they have sex for the first time. Sadly, after all this Noelle doesn't conceive and they end up adopting.
That for me was one of the most disappointing endings that I have come across in a book. Something that had so much potential nosed dived.
The main characters, Noelle and Archie's parents are co-owners of a holiday home in Maine.
In previous times, Archie was indifferent towards Noelle but during this summer holiday, they recognised their attraction to each other. A close friendship develops but from that point, it became a very long drawn out slow burn. Penelope Ward played the "friends" role who "toed the line" for the majority of the storyline. Just when you think their relationship is going to go to the next stage, Archie's father dies and Archie becomes responsible for his mother who is in the early stages of dementia.
We move 12 years on and all that romantic tension between Archie and Noelle was gone. The story was all over the place. It was replaced with Archie getting married because his "friend with benefits" becomes pregnant. It was painful to read how much Noelle loved Archie and then watch him, pointlessly marry a woman he didn't love. The marriage didn't last and she becomes his ex-wife. Archie is once again on his own but with a 4-year-old daughter. Noelle by this point has a boyfriend but again she cannot commit because her heart has only belonged to Archie. Penelope Ward then reinstates the relationship when Noelle decides she wants a baby but the man she is with is older, has two teenage children and doesn't want anymore. Archie convinces Noelle to have a child with him and they go through AI until eventually feelings are admitted and they have sex for the first time. Sadly, after all this Noelle doesn't conceive and they end up adopting.
That for me was one of the most disappointing endings that I have come across in a book. Something that had so much potential nosed dived.
March 17, 2024
Been a while since I read PW book. This one was so so good. Quite a beautiful book, the story was very much at the usual style, lots of anguish until the main characters get their happy ending. Archie and Noelle were epic, their journey was unforgettable. Loved Clancy, Archie's daughter she was such a cuttie. 5 solid stars to this story. ❤️🌹
February 26, 2023
Gahhhh, I absolutely loved this book! An epically beautiful slow-burn romance, which was pure perfection! I don't know how Penelope Ward does it, but it seems every book I read of hers is better than the last, and this one was no exception.
Noelle and Archie broke my heart several times, but ended up putting it back together. The story was epic. I laughed, I cried, I cheered out loud, and I even wanted to throw my eReader across the room once, but I knew Penelope would make up for all of those emotions, which, of course, she did. Besides Stepbrother Dearest, because that's my favorite book of all-time, this is my new favorite Penelope book! Seriously, it deserves so many more stars than just five, and I can't recommend it highly enough!
Noelle and Archie broke my heart several times, but ended up putting it back together. The story was epic. I laughed, I cried, I cheered out loud, and I even wanted to throw my eReader across the room once, but I knew Penelope would make up for all of those emotions, which, of course, she did. Besides Stepbrother Dearest, because that's my favorite book of all-time, this is my new favorite Penelope book! Seriously, it deserves so many more stars than just five, and I can't recommend it highly enough!
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