Two Thousand Lines by Michelle Jester is a raw, visceral look at the effects and aftermath of trauma and abuse, and a poignant tale of forgiveness and letting go. Olivia Brooks lives in Sugar Mills, where she tries to keep her past far away. A victim of sexual abuse and neglect as a child has left her with mental scars she still struggles to deal with. When Luke Plaisance moves into the house beside hers, it causes her to panic. Luke is her friend Mama Gigi’s grandson, returning after his grandmother’s passing. As a former soldier, Luke’s wrangling with his own demons. Can the two help each other heal?

Jester has a great insight into the mental turmoil those who suffered abuse and trauma go through. Olivia’s actions and mindset ring true, as do Luke’s. He suffers from PTSD. This story shows the second-guessing and low self-worth abuse victims are prone to, the fear of never being good enough. Of never being able to see their own true value. Olivia is a baby vet, an intern almost done. She has a kind and generous heart when it comes to animals. People, too, though she’s pretty skittish around most. 

I really liked the Clarke’s, who run the Hollows. It was the place Olivia stayed after finally turning on her abuser. They really had a way with people. Everyone who stays us broken in some way or another. They give them the space to heal. The cinnamon roll ‘process’ was a pretty neat metaphor for the healing process. Forgiveness plays a big part of the story too, both in learning to forgive those that hurt you, and in learning to forgive oneself. 

***Many thanks to the Netgalley & RopeSpring Press for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. Reviewed for XPresso Blog Tours.