Behind Enemy Bylines by Kathleen Fuller is an engaging read that pulls you in right from the start. The characters are easy to root for, and the story blends tension, heart, and just the right amount of intrigue. Fuller’s writing style makes the pages turn quickly, and there’s a nice balance of drama and warmth throughout. It’s one of those books that leaves you satisfied but still thinking about it afterward.

I absolutely loved this book, but some parts were hard to get through because they hit too close to home. A introverted woman who feels like she never fit in and became even more introverted during the pandemic, inherited a house from her deceased grandmother with the only stipulation that she needs to take care of her grandfather. Originally just hoping to make repairs and rent it out decides to take a few days to go see the house and her grandfather in person. She ends up staying longer than she was supposed to and finds out more about herself, her grandfather and learns how to come out of her shell.

Another that I thoroughly enjoyed!
And it was special!

This book begins in 1995, and I think that’s why I loved it so much. It was pre-phones and internet everything… and it seems like it was finished shortly after, but somehow didn’t get published until 2025! There’s talk of palm pilots, and moving to “computers” , and who ever thought that that was going to be such a big thing??

It totally charmed my heart! ❤️

Sebastian (Seb) is a journalist. He’s working with Jade, who’s an accountant… in a big city.
He’s in love. She’s looking to move on to bigger and better things… but, she also has a VERY complicated life.

So, they move apart… and, fall apart.

He returns home to small town Clementine (I forget where, maybe Alabama?) and purchases the newspaper he worked at as a kid from his mentor Buford… for a dollar! It’s not a huge paper, it’s a small town. But, Seb is happy there. Hes the editor in chief, and he still gets to go out and cover some stories. He’s got a great staff working there, as well as his sister Evelyn, and life is good. Years pass by…

Next up we have Calista. She’s a HS graduate from LA. Her father is rich…with a capital R! He’s decides that she needs to grow up and take on some responsibility. So he reaches out to wife #2 or 3 and asks her to take Calista for the summer, and try to get her a job. (She was the closest mother figure the girl ever had… 😕) He wants her to understand “work” and life itself! And the ex is happy to do it!

But, when Calista gets there she realizes they live on a FARM! There no Wi-Fi. What has she gotten herself into?
But, as time goes on, she begins to appreciate the little things in life… and realizes that LA may not be her happy place after all.

More years go by, and Jade is now working at a top firm. One that purchases small town papers and basically chews them up and spits them out. And her boss wants her to go to Clementine to speak with the owner of a paper… and try to get him to speak to him. 😮

I’m going to 🛑🛑 STOP RIGHT HERE!! 🛑🛑

This one was truly just special! Brought out so many raw feelings, and realities… and brought a much needed break from the current world and life-styles. I mean, they kept talking about the new flip phones! What a wonderful memory! Simpler times….
And, the story itself was just, well… beautiful…. All-around!

5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 for me! Because yes, it brought out all the feels!

#BehindEnemyBylines by @KathleenFuller and narrated beautifully by @MelissaMoran.

*** THIS HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED YET!!! LOOK 👀 FOR IT SOON. RELEASE DATE IS 9/16/25!! ***

Thanks so much to #NetGalley #ThomasNelson and #ZondervanFictionAudio for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

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Okay, can we talk about this title! How incredibly clever and cute and catchy! I was so excited to read this book based on the title alone. The cover is also pretty cute and I am not usually a fan of the illustrated covers, but this combo really worked for me, I was impatient to finish the books on my list before this one.

Let me just bury the lede- it totally lived up to my excitement and expectation. Behind Enemy Bylines by Kathleen Fuller is adorable, it's cozy with main characters you really really want to figure it out and be together with an equally adorable town and full cast of complex characters. That's right, I said complex- all things can be true and it is impressive because of that.

Jade hasn't had it easy, save for four months when she first dated Seb maybe. A life striving for the feeling of safety and comfort with a family that her mother was unable to provide for her and later the courts would refuse her when she tried to adopt Logan her brother from foster care who also grew up with anger and went down a troubled path. Seb, short for Sebastian, had his sister and a boss he could look to for his safety and comfort and really wanted to be there for Jade only to be devastated when she left not knowing it was to try and secure the adoption. When they meet again ten years later they are on opposite sides of the business spectrum, but only as it appears superficially and their hearts begin beating again from the pause they were in when they split.

The town is charming, and even a little more charming as this part of the story is set in 2005, so technology hadn't completely taken over yet, And you get to experience Seb as one of the last sort of gumshoe newspaper pro and a town that still relies on their newspaper being delivered. He, Seb, now owns the small town paper where he started and it has taken up all of his time. Jade is sent to talk to him because the company she works for wants to buy up all the small newspapers to being a big soulless conglomerate, Don't worry through lost briefcases, stolen paper balance sheets, unexpected visitors, unexpected mentorings, more couplings across the town, familial obstacles faced, and their hearts that just keep bringing them together you've no choice but to root for them through every twist and turn.

So, grab some popcorn or a funnel cake, download this audiobook, and take your car through a carwash to listen to Melissa Moran perform this story with such aplomb you might want to listen to it again, not because you got lost for the narration dazzles with clarity and oomph and heart, but because like the car wash, you won't want it to end.
~Sincerely, sm for BB

Behind Enemy Bylines was a fun trip to the recent past. Just far enough back that technology was really starting to become a thing and our world wasn’t yet dominated by computers and cell phones. Two primary characters, Jade and Sebastian, are the key storytellers, although there are a few secondary characters who create some nice subplots as well. I enjoyed how the stories intersected and served to enhance the other perspective. As the story unfolds, I found myself thinking about how often hindsight is twenty-twenty. If Jade could only trust and appreciate how amazing Sebastian was, her path would likely have looked very different. And yet, that is the way of choices and decisions we make. It made me so very thankful for second chances. There were some awkwardly painful moments, but they were just perfect to draw out Jade and bring in Sebastian a little closer. I am glad all worked out as everyone learned the value of family, honesty, and community.
Additionally, the audiobook has wonderful narration and captures the characters, male and female, with accuracy. I found the pace to be spot on for the story and truly helped the story come to life in my mind’s eye.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

I was fortunate enough to get this as a digital book as well as the audiobook. I have included my review from the book below.
I am keeping the rating the same, even with the re-read(listen).
I did appreciate the narrator's voice/tone/pacing.

I liked the enemies to lovers aspect and I’m a sucker for small town romances, like with most second chance romances, I felt that it was a little forced and hard to get into their attraction as they had the relationship off page the first time.
Ultimately, I found myself getting attached to the characters and I did like the overall story.

This is a dual love story. It mainly follows Jade and Sebastion but it also has a subplot of an 18 year old named Kalista, who goes through a growing up and maturing period and she also finds love. It is an enemies to more, second chance romance set in 2004 with a 1994 prologue. This retro time telling is unique and fun. It was very nostalgic for me.

I loved seeing the growth and change Kalista went through. I'm still not quite sure why her substory is included but I'm glad it is. Kalista learns to see beyond herself and strive for something better. Jade has to learn to forgive, open up, and become vulnerable with others. Seb has to to learn that its ok to ask for help.

There are no swears or alcohol and level 1 kisses only. Triple POV (Sebastion, Jade, and Kalista.)

The narration on the audiobook is great and easy to listen to.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from @thomasnelsonpub @tnzfiction and @netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A great rom-com! It takes you through ups and downs of the past, regrets, self perseverance, and ends with the power of forgiveness and happily ever after. I mean they had a lot of work to do, but great minds brought and awesome plan.
The narrator did a fabulous job.

Kathleen Fuller delivers a heartfelt, small-town romance in Behind Enemy Bylines. When Jade Smith returns to her roots for a career opportunity, she finds herself face-to-face with Sebastian Hudson—the man who broke her heart years ago and now owns the very newspaper her new boss wants to buy. What starts as a professional clash quickly turns into a rekindling of old feelings, complicated by quirky town events, meddling family members, and unexpected surprises.
Fuller’s storytelling shines in the way she brings the town of Clementine to life, making it feel like another character in this tender romance. With warmth, humor, and just the right touch of tension, Behind Enemy Bylines is perfect for listeners who enjoy second-chance love stories in charming, close-knit communities.

If you love a romance that feels like a warm hug mixed with a little bit of "what if," you need to pick up Behind Enemy Bylines.

​The Vibe: A nostalgic trip to the pre-cellphone era where the stakes felt higher and the connections felt deeper.

The Leads: Jade (strong but guarded) and Sebastian (absolutely swoon-worthy).

The Theme: Hindsight is 20/20! I spent half the book wanting to shake Jade and the other half rooting for her to finally take that leap of faith.

​The subplots were woven in beautifully, and the themes of family and honesty really hit home. Plus, the audiobook performance was incredible, the narrator’s pacing was perfect, making the characters feel like real people I was hanging out with.

​Huge thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the early copy!

Fantastic easy read with a a similar type story line but a fresh take. Listened to it one sitting- while driving. Would totally recommend.