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Runaway #5

Dotted Lines

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Clara Saint-James is completing a journey started by an old friend. She’ll return a Cadillac to California, a place she’s avoided for more than a decade. But it’s time for closure and to put old ghosts to rest. And it’s time to find out if the feelings she’s cherished for the boy from her past are just fanciful memories—or if there’s a chance they are real.

Timing was never on her side, especially when it came to Karson Avery. The two of them lived in a junkyard as runaway teens, and though she wanted more than his friendship, he always belonged to another—until that one night when he was hers.

When Clara finds Karson living in a small, coastal town, she’s not surprised the beautiful boy from her past grew into a stunning man. His smile is as captivating as ever. His eyes have the same roguish glint. But timing is still working against her.

Clara must decide how far she’s willing to go to battle for Karson’s heart. Or if it’s time to let him go and surrender to the dotted lines that have always kept them apart.

270 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 2, 2021

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About the author

Devney Perry

66 books15.4k followers
Devney is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Washington with her husband and two sons. Born and raised in Montana, she loves writing books set in her treasured home state. After working in the technology industry for nearly a decade, she abandoned conference calls and project schedules to enjoy a slower pace at home with her family. Writing one book, let alone many, was not something she ever expected to do. But now that she’s discovered her true passion for writing romance, she has no plans to ever stop.

Visit Devney's website to sign up for her newsletters and learn more about upcoming books.

www.devneyperry.com

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5 stars
3,178 (49%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 825 reviews
Profile Image for Rachael*Caribbean*girl*bibliophile.
1,765 reviews395 followers
March 4, 2021
Massive spoilers ahead




Me reading through arc reviews
Hmmmm this sounds like the best in the series let me try it

Me actually reading the freaking book
😑 now y'all know damn well this is some......

**********
We come to the final book in this series about a group of runaway teens who end up living together at a junk yard. They each have tragic stories of why they ran away and Karson, the only male and original in the junkyard, helps to look out for them. As they turn 18 they all separate and go on with their lives. In book 1 Londyn took the Cadillac that she used to live in and had restored on a trip to give it to Karson, along the way the Cadillac has traded hamds as each person found love.....now the final leg of the journey falls to Clara who along with her son takes the vehicle to Karson in California.

This book is told in 2 parts
The beginning
We get the backstory of this couple and a little look at what life was like for them in the junkyard. Clara and her twin had run away from their uncle who attempted to rape Aria. They lived in the junkyard counting down the days until freedom. Karson and Clara became closer in the days leading up to them leaving.

The ending
12 years later the girls have tracked Karson down and Clara takes the car to him. They decide to make one final trip to the junkyard for closure as Karson inherited it and it's about to be sold.

***********
1)I was hesitant about this book because I knew Karson and Londyn were painted as the great love story of the junkyard. It seems Londyn and Karson basically broke up amicably as she left the junkyard while he stayed to look out for Aria and Clara until they turned 18. It seems Clara had a crush on Karson all along and when Londyn left they became closer and she finally had her shot. I'm sorry but this really upset me for 2 reasons. On one hand where I'm from we don't hook up with the leavings of our friends.....no matter what. Secondly hearing Clara talk about her crush was painful, she saw Karson and Londyn together, even heard them having sex, even the way she described the way he'd hold Londyn was painful to me.....then Londyn leaves and a while after Karson and Clara become a thing. It actually read to me like a 19 year old boy having sex where it was available.....but that's MY opinion

2) Karson and Clara don't last long because his mother suddenly appears bringing the attention of the police to the junkyard. She asks him to go with her and her sister but he refuses. As the girls turn 18 they separate.

3)Now I can't remember how long Karson and Londyn were together but it was a while,yet I'm to be convinced that a very rushed couple of weeks together was enough for Clara and Karson to fall so deeply in love that it's able to sustain through 12 years?

4)In the present Clara has a son but her relationship with his father didn't work out, she goes to Karson they chill out for the day, he's attracted to her then.....bam!!...... We meet his whole ass girlfriend.......yup he has a girlfriend who while not living with him has been with him for a year and has a key to his home. Said girlfriend seems like a lovely woman and actually suggests that the two "friends" go back to the junkyard together. Now he never told his girlfriend that he used to boink his good buddy Clara because I'm sure homegirl would've been hesitant about sending her man off with his ex.....instead she thought she was sending him off with his good buddy.

5)In the two days these two are off together at the junkyard it's enough for Karson to realize he's still in love with Clara and I shit you not....... He jumps into his vehicle one night.......races back home.......(picture it) and promptly breaks up with his serious girlfriend.....he then races back to Clara.....knocks on her door to deliver the good news.....they declare their love......have unprotected sex (because ya know he's ALWAYS used condoms and she's ONLY been with the child's father) and end scene.......We get a token cutesy scene with him and the child bonding

6) Lovely epilogue(which, along with the sweet August was my reason for 2 stars btw) with the entire crew.


I've enjoyed books by this author before and fully intend to read more from her in the future but I pride myself on being completely honest in my reviews. This couple wasn't given justice, maybe if they'd had more time together it would've worked but in all honesty Karson should've been paired with Londyn and Clara left to find her own HEA. This left a really bad taste in my mouth.

As always this is entirely MY opinion, yours may differ. There are a ton of positive reviews for this book it just didn't work for me.


No actual cheating as he broke up with his girlfriend before having sex with the h 😒
He'd looked her up on Facebook once, saw pics with her child's father and that's why he never tried to contact her after
When the h returned Kason and his girlfriend didn't have sex, he said he'd never been so glad for period week.
She always had a crush on him, in the time after him she was only with the child's father


**************

It was time. It was time to say goodbye. To get back to life in Elyria.
To Holly.
She and I had a shot. We had a chance at a future. I hadn’t felt like that about any woman I’d dated before, not Londyn. Not even Clara. Not the women I’d met along my way. Mostly because I’d been too young, but with Holly, there was a real chance.
Profile Image for Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾.
2,120 reviews13.1k followers
March 2, 2021
4 STARS
The boy I’d loved before his life had gone one direction and mine had gone the other. And between us streaked those dotted lines.

It was such a bittersweet thing to read this book. I fell so hard for this series and as much as I was anticipating Karson's story, I hated to see it come to an end.
She made me feel like I could move mountains. Like I could swim across the ocean and back.
She was . . . she was my Clara.
Maybe that was why it had been so easy to fall for her, even when I’d known I shouldn’t. Twelve years ago. Today. Here I was, still hanging on her every step. Clinging to every word. Every smile.

Now I'm not usually a reader that loves sweet romance, but something about this one just grabbed me. Maybe it was the emotional punch of the second chance romance? Maybe it was the innocent love that formed between two teens that have been through hell and found safe haven in one another. Whatever it was, it just worked. And I devoured it.

It's finally Clara's turn with the Cadillac in this book and her journey takes her back to Karson, the boy that she once shared a tent in a junk yard with. Clara loved Karson as a young girl but she never thought he'd return her feelings. I loved getting a glimpse into young Karson and Clara and watching their sweet friendship bloom to something more.

Older Clara hasn't changed much. She's a little wiser, and now with an adorable son. But one thing that hasn't changed, was her feelings for Karson. But their reunion doesn't go as she planned and timing has never been on their side. It seems like their reunion still isn't the right time.

There's so much emotion that's packed into this book. I especially loved the deeper insight into Lou through the memorabilia and notes. I cried like a baby at one part in particular. Karson is not my typical alphahole. He's sweet and caring, and he loves DEEP. He's just a genuinely nice guy that never stopped loving Clara but their timing just never seemed right. I loved their slow burn journey to a HEA. And that epilogue? OMG it was perfection!

ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review

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Profile Image for ❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books.
2,322 reviews9,242 followers
February 20, 2021
2e0pm6g 30547322-SX540-3
'DOTTED LINES' is the fifth book in Devney Perry's 'Runaway' series. It picks up where the fourth book left off. Spoken in 'Dual Perspectives.' This focuses on Clara Saint-James and Karson Avery.

Although I've only read the previous book in this series (Forsaken trail) I still fell in love with and connected with these characters and their struggles as young teens, living in a junkyard when they had nowhere else to go.

A majority of this book was set in the past, which gave us all the background feels when it came to these two, I especially enjoyed seeing first hand the protectiveness Karson placed over Clara.

When it came to these two in their teenage years their timing wasn't right for them to be together, even though they cared about each other deeply they went their separate ways, but neither forgot about the other. Years have gone by and now it's time for Clara to drive the cadillac to its final destination in California leading her right to Karson's doorstep with her wingman Gus.

I loved seeing how each junkyard kid was successful as adults considering how each of them had been homeless to start off with. The only reason why I didn't give this one 5 stars as I felt like the end was a wee bit to rushed as he said goodbye to his past and hello to his future. Other than that this was read in record time and I loved every single minute of it!

30819052-SX540-1
     
Profile Image for Warda.
1,257 reviews21.5k followers
February 1, 2023
“To the place where our stories had started and the place we’d found a family.”

Such a perfect ending to the series! Is this my favourite? I can’t decide.

It’s been so great following the lives of each of these characters. Seeing them come from broken backgrounds, broken homes and families and find themselves amidst all that they’ve gone through was beautiful to read about.

Karson’s story is one we’ve been waiting for. Like Lou (who was their caretaker of sorts when they ran away from home), he was the glue that held them together.

We go back 12 years to where these characters initially met, where Karson and Clara formed a friendship turned more whilst they were young, till present day where he finally gets the Cadillac he lived in when he was homeless.

I love it when stories include a past and present timeline, just because it allows for more character depth and detail. The past always adds to the present. And having the chance to really understand our characters even more is something I’ll never really tire of reading and Devney Perry explored that really well.

As always, her writing was a dream. It had me in a trance. From book 1 till the very end. I just adored it!

I’m about to binge the shit out of Devney Perry’s backlists. ✌🏾
Profile Image for Carvanz.
2,168 reviews794 followers
February 17, 2021
This was the most perfect ending for this incredible series!

Clara had had a crush on Karson throughout their time in the junkyard. Her emotional reaction to their time dwindling down to the day they would all be going their own ways had me choking up repeatedly. Within a few pages this author had me engulfed in the story and experiencing all the young heartache that Clara was experiencing.


Image result for white van in junkyard


Although we’ve seen bits and pieces of the kids junkyard lives, we get an ever better look this time around. It amazes me that something so out of the ordinary can feel so real when Ms. Perry puts her pen and paper to it. I felt as though I were inside that wrecked van or sitting within the walls of the tent that held so many memories for all of the kids.


Image result for feet in surf


Karson’s point of view comes up during the second half of the book and I fell in love with him even more than I already had. He has a bit of a struggle once they are reunited, but there was never a doubt where his heart had been years ago and where it remained.


description


This is a pretty angsty read with characters that stole my heart, chemistry that sizzled across the page, and an epilogue that was not only perfect for Clara and Karson, but for the whole group.

Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
Profile Image for Christy.
4,081 reviews34.6k followers
June 1, 2023
4 stars

Dotted Lines is the final book in ‘The Runaway Series’. It follows Clara, and her sun August who are taking the Cadillac on it’s final journey back to where it all began, California to Karson.

What I loved about this book is we got so much of their past and got to see what happened in the junkyard. These two felt meant to be and the very end, everything came so full circle. I do wish the book would have been slightly longer, because I wanted more of Karson and Clara in the present together, but overall I enjoyed this one a lot and it was a great ending to this series.
Audio book source: Audible
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Ava Erikson & Teddy Hamilton
Narration Rating: 4.5 stars
Genre: Romance
Length: 5h 48m



Profile Image for Alba and Her Secrets..♥.
854 reviews1,139 followers
March 2, 2021
4.5 'With you? Always' Stars!
ARC provided via Valentine PR in exchange for an honest review.


I am a mess of feelings right now. It’s always hard to say goodbye to characters you have lived with for some time and the Runaway crew will sure be unforgettable to me. The premise of this series and the fact that is written by one of my favorite authors got me hooked from the very beginning and now we sadly have reached the beautiful conclusion. We’ve been waiting for Clara and Karson’s happy ending for what it seems like forever and I can now say it was the perfect end to this long road trip of love stories.

Dotted Lines is the fifth and final installment in Devney Perry’s Runaway series and it’s the last trip with the red Cadillac because it finally reaches his rightful owner: Karson Avery. Clara Saint-James (and her adorable son August) are the ones driving it to California and surprising Karson with it. But Clara is terrified of facing the feelings she has always had for Karson, especially since they shared their last days in the junkyard (twelve years ago) finally acting on their connection. Time is never on their side. Are their feelings still burning or is it too late to rekindle their intense relationship?

There was no person on earth who'd gotten me like she always had. She knew it had been my mountain to climb.
God, how I had missed her.


OH MY. What an epic ending Devney Perry has written for the Runaway crew! Everything we expected and more, she did it! The ending these amazing people deserved. But now let’s focus on Clara and Karson. Dotted Lines feels so different from the other stories because more than half of it happens in the past, while these two were together in the junkyard. I loved seeing their friendship grow and how that connection intensifies even more as time passes and it’s impossible for Clara and Karson not to act on it. I loved them together, I loved their relationship and it broke my heart when they went on their separate ways. Their chemistry was so passionate and when they finally reunite, it’s so obvious it’s still there with the same strength. And I have to say it’s even better because the adorable August is there. He is so freaking cute! I am so happy for the reunion of this couple and seeing them finally happy together. And that ending! My God. That epilogue was PERFECTION. Seeing them all together, it melted my heart!

One look at her and the world made sense.

Therefore, I am rating Dotted Lines with 4.5 STARS because it was the beautiful ending this couple deserved, together with the rest of the crew and finally happy in each other’s arms. Seeing this crew grow and finding their much-deserved happiness after so many sufferings, it was oh so worth it. The Runaway series has now a special place in my heart and I will never forget any of these characters. Devney Perry is one of my favorite romance authors and I cannot wait to see what is next in line from her. And if you still haven’t read this series, go and do it, trust me. Highly recommend!

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Profile Image for Jessica .
2,234 reviews14.7k followers
Read
February 14, 2023
This is definitely my favorite book of this series and I just loved the angst and how well this wrapped up everyone's story! This is a second chance romance and I actually really liked how we got the first half of the book as a flashback to when Karson and Clara were falling in love in the junkyard. They were at a point in their lives where they really did have to go their separate ways to find themselves and start lives of their own. Now, Clara is a single mom and she drives to visit Karson to give him the car that's been driving across the country throughout the series.

I really loved the angst in this one and how Karson just knew that Clara was it for him and still felt that connection so many years later. I just could not put this down and was obsessed with Karson and Clara!
Profile Image for Bookgasms Book Blog.
2,836 reviews1,426 followers
March 2, 2021
I am so in my feelings right now, I can’t even tell you!

I could feel myself getting more and more invested in this series as it went on. Each couple became my new favorite and my heart seem to open itself wider and wider with each transfer of the magic Cadillac.

But Karson and Clara? I feel downright twitterpated about their love story. I was consumed by it. I stayed up past my bedtime, unable to put the book down, held completely in thrall by the honesty of their emotion and the depth of their love. This single mom / second chance romance felt like it got everything just right. It was the perfect blend of heartfelt emotion with the slight pinch of achey angst and I was positively addicted to it. Lord, I felt everything, and was completely unable to move on with my life until I got to the end. This one hit me a little differently and my greedy heart gobbled it up.

There could not have been a more perfect ending to this series. Not only because Karson and Clara’s story was so sweetly satisfying, but because it went one step beyond that and gave us this magnificent epilogue that wrecked me in the best way. I was positively weepy over it. It was beautiful, emotional, and it made my heart so happy. I'm not quite ready to move on yet, but I’m so thrilled that these amazing characters got an ending that felt so completely right for them. Dotted Lines was absolute perfection and I can’t recommend it highly enough! ~ Shelly, 5 Stars

***

Somehow I knew Dotted Lines was going to end up being my favorite of the excellent Runaway series! And I was right!

From the moment Clara and August climbed into the Cadillac to head toward California and Karson, I knew they were on the journey of a lifetime—one that would bring love, trust, and happiness into their lives forever.

And that’s just what happened—well, there were a few bumps and curves along the way, but that was just life throwing up a couple of roadblocks to test Clara and Karson. Test their resolve and their mettle. Not that they weren’t tested over and over as teens just trying to survive in the junk yard.

But, oh my heart, did they come through stronger than ever—especially since Clara and Karson were finally together again. Their love story gave me all the feels and then some! And adding Gus into the equation just made the bind even more powerful. I loved the bond between mother and son. And the bond between Gus and Karson that quickly developed too. How getting to know Gus allowed Karson a window into adult Clara’s heart and soul. And, of course, I adored the connection between Karson and Clara—one that neither could break free from after all the years apart.

I’m so sad the series is over, but my heart is so happy for all of them finding their way in the world. And with their friendships still intact. ~ Missy, 5 stars
Profile Image for Radd Reader.
920 reviews506 followers
March 8, 2021
3.5 ⭐️

“There, on the face of a man, was the smile from the boy I’d loved. The boy I’d loved before his life had gone one direction and mine had gone the other.
And between us streaked those dotted lines.”

“No amount of exploring the world would ever be as thrilling as the adventure of living life by Clara’s side.
She was the soul on earth I was made to find.”


🔸Synopsis: 🔸
The Story:
Six teenage kids (Karson, Londyn, Gemma, Katherine, Aria & Clara) ran away from home and ended up at a junkyard living in cars (a Cadillac) and tents. Bonds formed, but ultimately they went different directions.
There are five books in the series where each kid gets their well deserved HEA.
Here's a recap so far:
- Book 1: Londyn took a road trip to return the restored Cadillac to Karson, but got sidetracked along the way and fell in love
- Book 2: Gemma picked up where Londyn left off with the intent to get the Cadillac to Karson. But she took a detour and fell in love
- Book 3: Suffering from a broken heart, Katherine took the Cadillac on a road trip to see Aria. But the object of her broken heart tagged along and they ultimately fell in love.
- Book 4: Aria brought the Cadillac to her sister in Arizona and ultimately fell in love with Clara’s boss

Now it’s Clara and Karson’s turn to find their HEA and it starts with Clara and her five year old son driving the Cadillac from Arizona to California to return it to Karson.

- ”The 1964 Cadillac DeVille had once been a heap of rust and dented metal. The car had rested on flat tires in a junkyard in Temecula, California, home to bugs. Probably a mouse. And two runaway teens.
- Today was the day. Today I was returning this Cadillac to one of those runaway teens. Today, after more than a decade away, I was going to see Karson.”


The story was told in 2 parts. About half was “then” when Aria, Clara and Karson lived in the junkyard. The second half was “now”. Twelve years after they parted ways.

🔸Overview:🔸
- Trigger warning: attempted sexual assault of a minor. Verbally abusive / drunk parent. Parents killed by drunk driver.
- Setting: Elyria, California (now), Temecula, California (then)
- Do you need to read previous books in series?: Yes. Especially the previous book as it had a lot of Clara in it.
- POV: first half (then) told from Clara’s POV. Second half (now) told from Karson’s POV.
- Tropes: second chance

- Who is the Hero? Karson (31), Realtor. Mother (a drunk) verbally and emotionally abused him to the point where he felt worthless and thought he was ruining her life. So at 16 he ran away.
* The following words/phrases were used to describe Hero: protector, reckless vibe, angry, defiant, rebel, good, incredible, shameless flirt

- Who is the Heroine? Clara (30), assistant to billionaire Brody Carmichael (who married her twin in the previous book). Single mother to 5 year old August. Parents killed in a car accident when she was ten. Has had a crush on Karson since she was 15.
* The following words/phrases were used to describe Heroine: a hugger, had ageless wisdom, had a realistic vision of the world, a good listener, good mom, sweet, beautiful, tender heart, unwavering strength

- h virgin? Yes
- First time they kiss: 35%
- First time they sleep together: 46% (when they were teenagers and completely off page). The descriptive bedroom scene happened at 91%
- First time they say I Love You 90%
- steamy? Not really
- OW/OM drama? Yes. Karson had a girlfriend in the second part of the book.
- H/h cheat? No. Karson breaks up with his girlfriend before he does anything with Clara
- Time apart? Not after they declared their love
- Did I skip pages? No
- Big secrets? Not really.
- Did I cry? Yes. I shed a few tears
- Did I laugh? Not really
- Did I swoon 🥰? Karson was a good guy but I didn’t really swoon
- Cliffhanger? No
- HEA? Yes
- Epilogue? 23 years later and it brought all the couples together.
- Recommend? yes. It was a good series

“Why didn’t it work out with August’s dad?”
“He wasn’t you.”

“How could anyone in Clara’s presence not want to fall into her orbit”


📚 The following are my thoughts about this book:
- The first chapter was all this buildup and excitement of Clara finally seeing Carson and him finally getting the car (we only waited 5 books for that to happen). And when he finally sees Clara and the car, BAM......we are taken back 12 years to their time in the junkyard. That flip to the past just made the story stop in its tracks. I lost all that excitement and then I just felt like I was wading through history. And honestly it was too much because it took up 50% of the book. I really wanted to skip the “then” and get back to the “now”.

- Goodbyes are hard. When they left the junkyard........I cried 😢😢💔

- The entire beginning was told from Clara’s POV. I am never a fan of one side of the story so I would have liked Karson’s POV much earlier than 52%

- Takeaway......if you are a parent of minor children, make sure you have a will with a named guardian. ”Her mom and dad had let their daughters down by not having a better plan in case of their deaths. Clara and Aria never should have been given to their uncle.”

- I'm a bit of a sucker for broken kids who lean on each other to survive and ultimately fall in love. Gah....I love that trope.

- The 2nd half felt rushed.

- The 2nd half only told from Karson’s POV. Because I felt like I knew Clara so well by this time, it didn’t bother me not to have her POV.

- i’m not sure how I feel about the whole Holly situation. She was really nice and I’m wondering if she will pop up in another book and find her HEA there.

- The epilogue. ❤️❤️

- I loved the premise of this series and I fell in love with these 6 kids. It’s hard to say goodbye to them. 😢

🔸Quotes🔸
“I wanted love. I wanted a man to hold me at night. I wanted a man who’d be a good role model to August. I wanted a man who made me feel cherished.”

“on my darkest nights, when the ghosts escaped their confines at the California border and drifted into Arizona, it was the memory of Karson’s smile that chased them away”

“She hadn’t been mine for a long time. My mind acknowledged that truth. But in my heart . . . she’d always felt like mine.”

“I might have run away from my mother, but that didn’t mean her words hadn’t come to the junkyard with me. It took me a long time to erase them from the back of my mind. To move past them.“

“Sometimes, the best cars get rescued,” I said. “That’s what happened to the Cadillac.”
“Oh. Sort of like my puppy stuffy that got ripped but Mom fixed it so we didn’t have to throw it away.”
I grinned. “Exactly.”

“You were the rock.” Clara spoke for Londyn. “You were the glue. You saved us all when you found that junkyard.”

“How do you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Say what I’m feeling but haven’t figured out how to articulate.”

“No matter the current focus of my life, I’d kept Clara’s memory tucked into the quiet corners of my heart.”
Profile Image for Syndi.
3,133 reviews909 followers
May 23, 2021
OK, after reading so many positive reviews on Dotted Lines, I picked up the audiobook. Despite that I do not have excellent experienec with the previous books.

I have to admit, Miss Perry closed this series with a bang. There are a lot of sweet, gentle, swooning scenes in Dotted Lines. There were that sweet connection between Karson and Clara. What I wish is more time exploring the story between these two. This book is too short.

Anyway, a good ending.

4 stars
Profile Image for Shabby  -BookBistroBlog.
1,585 reviews856 followers
February 21, 2021
Oh my gawd..I've teared up, cried buckets, bawled my eyes out. The sentiment riddled story is the most perfect ending to this spectacularly unique series Devney has produced. She proves once again why she's a force to be reckoned with, in small town romance trope. her handling of these heart touching stories of struggles, survivors and second chances in life, with such delicacy and tenderness is unparalleled
"Londyn had hauled the Cadillac out of the junkyard and had it completely restored. She’d kept it herself for a time, then set out to give it to Karson. Her trip from Boston to California had only made it to West Virginia. From there, Gemma had taken the Cadillac to Montana. Katherine had been the third behind the wheel, driving it to Aria in Oregon. Then my sister had brought it to me in Arizona. "
The background is set in a broken abandoned junkyard, which became a haven for 6 adolescents seeking shelter and kinship. it has come a full circle with this sublime story reaching it's finale and what a spectacular finale after all. I think this is the Best Book of the series.

description

In the forefront is the obvious ill-timed love story between Karson Avery and Clara Saint-James. they've always been a misstep away in their togetherness over a span of 18 years.
She's been involved in her life as a single mom and he's been wandering the world with half a heart, searching for a woman to belong, find a piece of earth to call his own, a rest stop to stand and grow roots in, But his soul has been missing a piece somewhere.

description

"She was the soul on earth I was made to find"
Omg I'm crying again!!.
So they hold hands to go back to where it all started in the cinderella-esque carriage-The Red Cadillac. The journey is riddled with memories, with heartache, with nostalgia.
“I think a part of me wants to go back just to remind myself of how far I’ve come,” she said. “Or to remind myself that I won’t ever have to go back.”

description

I don't think I've ever read a series with all the characters tied up together with a shared ride. It's almost like a magic lamp, giving each rider their own HEA.
And wait till you reach the end...OMG!! The twist is sweetness personified. I just couldn't control my tears at that point.
Pick up this book, this entire series and just bathe in the sunshine of dainty emotions fabulously captured by Devney in her flowery, sometimes thorny words
5 stars cuz we all deserve to be set free
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Profile Image for Izzie d.
4,184 reviews320 followers
March 7, 2021
Second chance.
Chapters present day and chapters 12 years earlier.


The series has been about a group of young people so the Hero and heroine were part of that group.
Previously the Hero was with someone else.
'Karson and Londyn. He loved her. He’d had sex with her. I’d heard them once, giggling and kissing. Then the Cadillac had started to rock, and I’d had to sleep with the pillow over my face to block out the noise and hide my tears from Aria.'

After Londyn leaves he says it was over when she left and they were better off as friends.
The Hero and heroine share a kiss, later they have sex but due to circumstances they both leave their separate ways.

12 years later.

The heroine is a single mum, her son is almost 6.

When they meet again the Hero has a girlfriend.
He had looked her up on social media a few years back, wondering about reconnecting after he got his life on track but saw photos of her with a man and thought she was happy so left it.

'Why now? When I’d finally decided to let go of the past. When I’d finally settled down in the town I planned to live in for the rest of my life. When I’d found Holly, the first long-term girlfriend I’d had in over a decade.'

His old feelings for the heroine return as soon as he sees her but he has a girlfriend.
The Hero and heroine and her son go on a trip to sort out something from their past and he realises he still loves her.
He breaks things off with his girlfriend when he returns and goes to the heroine to declare the 'I love yous'.
He says when they first meet up again that he isn't having sex with his girlfriend, it gives the impression from that night.
The heroine says she hasn't been with anyone since the son's father.
No intimate scenes other than the Hero and heroine.

HEA.

Epilogue 23 years later.

Why 2 stars?
It felt a bit like he had sex with whoever was available when they were younger, first Londyn then she's gone so the heroine.
I'm really not keen on the heroine seeing the Hero in a relationship with someone else esp hearing them have sex.
Or the Hero or heroine moving in on the best friend when the original love interest leaves.
Then the whole emotional cheating but not physically cheating on his present girlfriend, going on a roadtrip with his ex with the girlfriend's endorsement cos she doesn't know their sexual history as he didn't tell her.
It just left a bad taste in my mouth.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sammie Reads.
899 reviews133 followers
July 9, 2022
Devney saved the best for last. When I think I’ve found my favorite book and characters of the series, she proves me wrong. Clara and Karson are the sweetest, most earnest, most fervent loves. I never recapped the premise of this series in my other reviews. It’s actually amazing.

Six runaway teenagers live together in a junkyard, all leaving behind abuse and neglect. They survive for each other, with the help of Lou, the cranky and quiet junkyard owner. Karson and his best friend Londyn live in a classic Cadillac that resides in the junkyard. They all grow up and go their separate ways, with varying degrees, but no less amazing, success. Londyn buys the car from Lou, and pays to have it restored to its former glory. She then sets out to drive it to a California to gift it to Karson. She gets waylaid and falls for a mechanic in the small town she crashes in. Then it falls to four other women to drive it to their eventual falling for their husbands.

Turns out, Clara is the fifth runaway and gets a second chance at love with Karson. Their story was so sad, but so sweet and lovely. The epilogue was what all epilogues in a series should be and it’s was five lovely and beautiful stories to read. Loved the journey!
Profile Image for ❤️Emma Book Lover ❤️.
489 reviews286 followers
March 6, 2021
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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“𝒯𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒, 𝑜𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒻𝒶𝒸𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝒶 𝓂𝒶𝓃, 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓈𝓂𝒾𝓁𝑒 𝒻𝓇𝑜𝓂 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒷𝑜𝓎 𝐼’𝒹 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒. 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒷𝑜𝓎 𝐼’𝒹 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝒷𝑒𝒻𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓁𝒾𝒻𝑒 𝒽𝒶𝒹 𝑔𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝒹𝒾𝓇𝑒𝒸𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓂𝒾𝓃𝑒 𝒽𝒶𝒹 𝑔𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝑜𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇. 𝒜𝓃𝒹 𝒷𝑒𝓉𝓌𝑒𝑒𝓃 𝓊𝓈 𝓈𝓉𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓀𝑒𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓈𝑒 𝒹𝑜𝓉𝓉𝑒𝒹 𝓁𝒾𝓃𝑒𝓈.”

Final book in this series and Im left with a bittersweet feeling, for once because its the final glimpse in the life of my favourite runaways and on the other hand I’m left with a happy smile on my face from that awesome epilogue.

A love story hard not to fall for and characters that would like to befriend in real life 🥰
Profile Image for Lilyya ♡.
327 reviews1,970 followers
January 25, 2023
5 stars.

What a beautiful way to end the series. 💚

Karson and Clara are definitely my favorite.
Also surprising, I enjoyed a second chance romance narrated with two timelines. But mainly because the book is the prefect closure for RUNAWAY. I fell in love with the main idea behind the entire series. It was brilliant and too damn beautiful. So emotionally heavy sometimes, because at the end, the Cadillac brought the junkyard’s kids together. And all along this crazy adventure they found their soulmates.

The epilogue was so emotional I had happy tears from the '23 years later' to closing the book. They all deserve their Happily Ever After what they went through.
Profile Image for Nadene  (Totally Addicted to Reading).
1,382 reviews206 followers
March 2, 2021
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Dotted Lines by Devney Perry concludes the Runaway series and what an awesome conclusion. In this emotional and satisfying conclusion, readers get the chance to experience Clara and Karsons’ story. I waited for this story with quiet anticipation, and it didn’t disappoint.

It’s Clara’s turn to ensure the Cadillac reaches its final destination, in the hands of Karson. It’s a trip that would prove bittersweet as it stirred up a combination of painful and warm memories.

Twelve years ago Clara and Karson fell in love with each other. They shared a love so innocent, sweet and full of passion. Circumstances, however, ripped them apart and their paths never crossed again until now.

With the majority of the story set in the past, readers had the chance to learn what brought these two together and how they ended up drifting apart. They both had been through a lot as teenagers  and have come such a long way as adults. They both suffered emotional and physical abuse at the hands of the persons entrusted to protect them.

The reunion did not go as smoothly as one would hope. After all, it has been twelve years. However, through it all their feelings for each other survived the years of separation. Throughout the story, I kept hoping they could overcome the obstacles and seize their happily ever after.

Perry provided her readers with a beautiful epilogue which gave insight into the lives of all the characters in series twenty-three years later. I enjoyed seeing how much each couple had grown and what they had accomplished. Seeing how their children have grown and making a life for themselves was also an added treat. I am secretly hoping Perry will write their story one day.

Overall, Dotted Lines delivered a beautiful second chance romance. Fans of Perry and contemporary romance will want to add this newest release to their library. 

This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
Profile Image for Jess .
1,034 reviews146 followers
September 8, 2021
Devney Perry has written some of the best books that I have read over the last couple of years and Dotted Lines was no different. This was the last book of the series, and it absolutely wrecked my heart in the best possible way. Clara & Karson changed the game for the Runaways making the whole story come full circle.

“I was so damn glad to be sitting across from her. And so fucking sad that I’d missed so much when maybe…
Maybe I hadn’t had to miss it.”


Clara Saint-James is taking the last leg of the journey that her friend started by returning the Cadillac to California. Clara never wanted to return to California after leaving the junkyard, but she knows that she is the only one who can return the car to Karson. He was always the protector of the group and when things started nearing the end at the junkyard he became more. Now, Clara needs to put old ghosts to rest and see if the feelings she had for the boy all those years ago were real or if they were just good memories.

Karson Avery could never quite let go of the girl from the junkyard but after all these years he never expected her to be the one that showed up on his doorstep. Clara is everything he thought she would be when she grew up, but it is too late. If she had just shown up a year ago then all those feelings, he has harbored he could have acted on, but fate has never been on their side. He knows now that seeing her again is only going to end up causing more heartache and the only thing, he can do is let her go.

I've loved every book in the Runaway series but this one might be my favorite. It was the end of the journey for all the kids in the junkyard but more than that it was the ending of a such terrible memories for them. They all got to move forward and live the lives that they dreamed about for so long and Clara & Karson's was the last story of the journey. It was such a beautifully heartbreaking story of letting go of old ghosts and finally being able to look ahead to the future.

Last note, that freaking EPILOGUE!! There really is nothing like a good epilogue to tie a story or series together and after finishing a couple of Devney Perry's series at this point I can say that she is one of the Queens of epilogues. I don't think an epilogue has made me cry like that before, but it was the best kind of cry. While I am sad that this series is over, I don't think that I will be forgetting these Runaways anytime soon.
Profile Image for Antonella.
3,695 reviews512 followers
March 5, 2021
SERIES: Runaway #5 ( it can be read as standalone but would be better if you read at least the previous book)
GENRE: contemporary romance
TROPES: second chance, single parent
CLIFFHANGER: no
HOTTIE METER: 3🌡
RATING: 3,5 rounded up to 4 ⭐

a cute ending to a lovely series..some books I loved much more than others!!
rounded up because that kid was adorable but the romance was a little bit of a letdown..
Profile Image for AC Book Blog .
976 reviews130 followers
March 1, 2021
WHOA! SAVE THE BEST FOR LAST!! I am not crying at all... sniff sniff :( All good things must come to an end but I really don't want to say goodbye to these characters...

But really I adore ALL of the books in this series. Each and every one of the characters were given such a long overdue, beautiful journey since the time they spent in the junk yard. It’s Clare Saint-James turns to complete the trip started out by Londyn. Clara will take the last trek to finally return the Cadillac to Karson in California. Clara, her sister, and Karson were the last kids to leave the junk yard. Clara and Karson grew a lot closer after every one left. They were friends but eventually gave in to the attractions they have for each other. Unfortunately their romance was short lived. As soon as the sisters turned 18, they went separate ways. All Clara has was a distant memory of a boy she loved nearly a decade before. Clara can’t avoid Karson any longer – her job is to return the Cadillac and went on her merry way. If it was that simple, right? I really feel for Clara – she was dealt a shitty card in her childhood but her adult life wasn’t a whole lot luckier. Clara is a single mom to the cutest little boy. She found Karson living in a small coastal town. He is all grown-up, successful, gorgeous and so not available. I love Karson – totally SWOON-worthy. Even as a young boy he was caring, protective, selfless person who would put someone’s need before his own. My heart ache for these two – timing was never on their side… can they rekindle their romance after so mush history, the years apart, and many obstacles that lay ahead? I have to say though I did not expect this last book to be so emotional. Single mom/second-chance romance full of hearts and sweetness.

Dotted Lines was a bittersweet and perfect ending to this series. I love every single book – truly beautiful, unique and unforgettable. Each book can be read as a standalone but you should really pick up Runaway Road first. Promise you will be hooked  This author is one of my favorite and I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next.


Profile Image for Keri Loves Books.
1,243 reviews192 followers
February 24, 2021
The Epic Journey Comes Full Circle

Incredibly special and unforgettable!!! An epic cross-country journey of six friends and the love they found along the way. Final destination for each was forever love. I am in tears as this story comes full circle and leaves an indelible mark on my heart.

It’s finally time for Clara to get the Cadillac to its intended. Her and her son are taking the final leg of the journey to find Karson.

She finds him in California and he couldn’t be more shocked or happy to see her. And so their story continues. A barrage of memories to share about old times at the junkyard and the life that happened over the past twelve years. Then an actual trip to where it all began as a reminder of how far they have come.

This is a series you’ll hold close to your heart and never want it to end. I have cherished every word in this series from the first to the last. I fell in love with these characters and their love stories, but I am sad to see it end. The best thing about books is that you can re-read them over and over. This is that kind of series. And that epilogue was perfection! A series I will never hesitate to recommend. The most perfect binge read!!!
Profile Image for Flavs is Mrs David Gandy♥~♥’.
3,117 reviews2 followers
March 25, 2021
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This is how I felt from the minute I started this book, I was in tears throughout this book.

This was Clara’s story and it was a good one. Clara and August were on their way to California to deliver the infamous car to Karson. From the minute she saw Karson again, she knew that her crush when they were teenagers was so much more. Little did she know that Karson shared the same feelings when they were younger. But does he now? And why does it seem that every time fate brings them together it seems their timing is out.

I liked that the author didn’t drag this story out. It had the part where we went back to the past to see how the relationship between Karson and Clara started. But it didn’t drag, I wanted to know more about Karson. There was no over the top drama in this book. It was just about two people re-connecting and putting the past behind them to find their happily ever after 😊

This whole series was amazing from start to finish. I loved the journey it took you on. Where each of these junkyard kids found their happily ever after, and they could put their past behind them and life amazing lives. I finished this book in one go and was sad when it got to the end. But it was so worth it 😊 ♥

Read on behalf of
Fay’s Corner
Profile Image for Carol (StarAngel's Reviews) Allen.
1,687 reviews609 followers
March 3, 2021
4.25 Stars

I'm so sad to see this series end. I feel so invested in all these runaway lives and even though we received an epic Epilogue many years later, I would still have loved for more.

Larson and Clara's story was great and the whole book was centered on this build up. Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy the anticipation...but it just felt that the ending was so rushed.
Profile Image for AJ.
3,015 reviews1,007 followers
February 16, 2021
5 stars!

OMG, what a beautiful book! And what an absolutely perfect finish to a series that has completely captured my heart. This book landed on my kindle and I dropped EVERYTHING to read it. I’ve been desperate for Carla and Karson’s story, and it was everything that I was hoping for – a beautifully emotional, sweet and sexy second-chance-romance, and I adored every moment!

Carla and Karson are the final two to have their story told from a group of runaway teens who found a home and family together while living in a run-down old junk yard. The car that Karson lived in has made its way across the country as each of the group have driven it from one to another, finding love along the way, and now it’s the last leg of the journey, Carla’s turn to drive the car from her home in Arizona to Karson in California, and it’s a reunion neither of them saw coming.

“Is it really you?”
“It’s me.”
“It’s really you.” A slow smile spread across his face, wider and wider.
It hadn’t changed. There, on the face of a man, was the smile from the boy I’d loved.

(Gah! That quote literally made me squeal out loud in delirious glee.)

Carla and Karson have both come a long way in the 12 years since they’ve seen each other. Carla is now the single mother to an adorable five-year-old son, August, and Karson has finally dealt with his demons and has found success and has settled for the first time in his life. But neither of them have found true peace.

This book takes us back to the days in the junkyard to meet Carla and Karson as teenagers, and we get to see first-hand what was hinted at in the last book, when the two friends become so much more to each other. They keep their feelings for each other a secret, but what they shared was significant and life changing, even though it was brief, so when they see each other again 12 years later, it’s every bit as spine-tinglingly amazing as I was hoping.

I was so damn glad to be sitting across from her. And so fucking sad that I’d missed so much when maybe…
Maybe I hadn’t had to miss it

I was feeling everything with these characters. Their deep emotional connection, the spark of attraction that instantly flared back to life, and the longing that they felt for each other. But timing has never been on their side. Will their ties from the past, and their short time together in the present be enough to help them find a way forward together?

This is such a gorgeous story. I read with a huge grin on my face, and my heart was pounding in anticipation through most of it, just waiting to see how it was all going to play out. And OMG, it was perfect! The characters are amazing (Karson!…….. *dreamy sigh*), I loved their strong bond, I loved their immediate reconnection, I loved that there was a touch of drama to their reunion, I loved the sense of ‘rightness’ to them being together again, and I absolutely loved the honesty between them as they figured everything out. It’s a short read and the story moves quickly, but I totally didn’t care, reading it in one sitting and lapping up every little moment and smiling like a fool the whole way through.

“I’m not going to hold back. I’m not going to take this slow. I’ve missed too many years with you, and I am not going to waste another second. You’re mine. August is mine.”

And to top it all off there is an epilogue set way into the future which gives us a glimpse of each of the couples, so we can see the important roles that they still have in each other’s lives. It was just what I needed to get closure for these characters, and their stories that I have loved so much.

If it makes you smile every time you get behind the wheel, then maybe you’ll remember that you made me – us – smile through the hardest days. You deserve a lifetime of smiles. So take that car, drive it, and be happy.

Beautifully written as always, with all the feels. I adored this one. 5 stars!

An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

March 2, 2021
My heart feels like it’s going to jump out of my chest at the pure joy I feel. I’m a sappy mess and I can’t control the happy tears that have not stopped falling after finishing this amazing book. It’s so bittersweet having to say goodbye to these characters and this world, but what a way for it to end—so perfect.

With every book in this series I had been waiting and wanting to know more about Karson. I needed his full story and when I got it there was no stopping the floodgates from opening. Life hasn’t been kind to Karson, but he’s done his best to make something of himself and build a better life. I adored Karson. He’s fantastic, caring, selfless, and protective. I really enjoyed finally getting to meet and swoon over him.

I already loved Clara in Forsaken Trail and after getting to truly know her in Dotted Lines, well that love just grew more. She’s such a bright light and an incredible mom to her son. Even though her childhood was heartbreaking she didn’t let it define her. She persevered and became stronger because of it. I adored her so much.

Clara and Karson’s timing was never on their side. There was no mistaking at the pull they felt towards each other. The connection between them was some kind of magic. And even after years of not seeing each other when they lay eyes on one another it’s as if their souls whispered “finally, I’ve been waiting for you.” I felt the electricity between them and it’s as if no time passed at all. In the end it was inevitable and a forgone conclusion that they’d always find their way back to each other.

Dotted Lines brought every and all emotions. Seriously, why does this series have to end? I’m going to miss these characters immensely, there’s just something so special about each one of them that touched my heart in different ways. And that epilogue just about took me out I was an emotional mess. Devney weaved her magic and wrote a phenomenal ending to the Runaway series.

Highly, highly recommend

*Thank you Valentine PR for this ARC*
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