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Milena McKay
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These Thin Lines Kindle Edition

by Milena McKay (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 out of 5 stars 1,260 ratings
Some lines should never be crossed...

In the heart of Paris, Chiara Conti is a Queen trapped in an Ivory Tower of haute couture, fortune and lovelessness. Lonely and dejected, she’s longing for inspiration, for direction, for understanding.

When Vi Courtenay falls at her feet, losing her shoe like a veritable Cinderella, events are set in motion that will unravel their carefully fashioned lives.

With everything tainted, will the thin lines they rend ever be mended?
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  1. Print length
    404 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    January 31, 2023
  5. File size
    3.1 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Popular Highlights in this book
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  1. “Sometimes we go our entire lives trying to persuade the people we love that we are worthy of them.” 
    Highlighted by 102 Kindle readers
  2. “Yes. We love them, and we want them to love us. Want ourselves to be good enough to be loved.”
    Highlighted by 72 Kindle readers
  3. It was the wrong gown, the wrong ball, the absolute wrong time. But this was the right woman. The only woman, and Vi looked away, if only to not allow the tears that were burning her eyes to fall. Love hurt.
    Highlighted by 61 Kindle readers
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Milena McKay is a romance fanatic, currently splitting her time between trying to write a novel and succumbing to the temptation of reading another fanfic story. She is a cat whisperer who wears four-inch heels for work while secretly dreaming of her extensive Converse collection. Would live on blueberries and lattes if she could. Milena can recite certain episodes of The West Wing by heart and quote Telanu's "Truth and Measure" in her sleep. Her love for Cate Blanchett knows no bounds.

Abby Craden works in all aspects of voice-over and can be heard in numerous commercials, animation, video games, and audiobooks. AudioFile magazine has awarded her an Earphones Award as well as named her One of 2012's Best Voices. Abby is an award-winning stage actress and a resident artist with the prestigious theaters A Noise Within and the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum in Los Angeles. She also works in film and can be seen in the Emmy Award-winning documentary Bloody Thursday. Abby hails from the East Coast and currently lives in Los Angeles.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BM59KKF7
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 31, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.1 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 404 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 1,260 ratings

About the author

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Milena McKay

Milena McKay

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Milena McKay is a Lambda Literary and Golden Crown Literary Society award-winning sapphic fiction author.

She is a cat whisperer who wears four-inch heels for work while secretly dreaming of her extensive Converse collection. Would live on blueberries and lattes if she could.

Milena can recite certain episodes of The West Wing by heart and quote “Pride and Prejudice” in her sleep. Her love for Cate Blanchett's Carol Aird knows no bounds.

More information about Milena can be found on her website and on her Patreon, where she publishes weekly short stories about her characters' lives after the books, posts character art and does patron hangouts.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
1,260 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers praise the book's literary prowess and find it a beautiful story about passion, with one review describing it as a sapphic retelling of Cinderella. The characters are well-developed, with one customer noting how they reveal inner struggles, and the book is mesmerized by its beauty. Customers appreciate the performance that carries the story, with one review highlighting the perfect pacing, and they value the themes of forgiveness and challenges of trust.

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Writing qualityStory qualityCharacter developmentBeautyForgivenessPerformancePaceReadability
52 customers mention "Writing quality"52 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, describing it as beautifully crafted with extraordinary literary prowess.

"...Her portrayal of the the city is so vibrant and real, that reading (and listening) to her descriptions makes you FEEL like you're on the..." Read more

"...Different layers to the story...very clever. This is a beautiful story about passion, loyalty, betrayal, forgiveness, sacrifice, and love...." Read more

"...this story quite as much as The Headmistress, it is still a well-written book loosely based on the fairy tale Cinderella...." Read more

"...Every emotion, every event, is described beautifully, the dialogue, the way the story flows , it’s heart pounding and emotional, you simply cannot..." Read more

48 customers mention "Story quality"46 positive2 negative

Customers praise the book's story, describing it as beautiful and captivating, with one customer noting how it weaves together life's highs and lows, while another appreciates its sapphic Cinderella retelling.

"...They're so incredibly unique and provide a cryptic glimpse into each chapter that (for me) enhances the reading experience of her work...." Read more

"...Different layers to the story...very clever. This is a beautiful story about passion, loyalty, betrayal, forgiveness, sacrifice, and love...." Read more

"...As usual, the sex scenes were well placed, delicious, and matched well with what the characters were feeling. Looking forward to the next book!" Read more

"...Every emotion, every event, is described beautifully, the dialogue, the way the story flows , it’s heart pounding and emotional, you simply cannot..." Read more

25 customers mention "Character development"25 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one customer noting how the author reveals the inner struggles of her characters and how they navigate taut situations.

"...Additionally, McKay's cast of supporting characters is just stellar...." Read more

"...well crafted romance with great MCs and other secondary, even tertiary characters...." Read more

"...the sex scenes were well placed, delicious, and matched well with what the characters were feeling. Looking forward to the next book!" Read more

"Lovely backdrop of Paris, believable characters and story. Another winner!" Read more

22 customers mention "Beauty"22 positive0 negative

Customers are mesmerized by the book's beauty, with one customer particularly appreciating how it captures the complexities of the fashion world.

"...that I was in for it because this author's writing is saturated with color and emotion - but also the cover. This cover is a STUNNER!..." Read more

"...What a lovely couple of tortured souls – each for different reasons, but both “enduring their lot”, and finding solace in each other, a solace that..." Read more

"...Chiara Conti, at 40, is a former supermodel, a beautiful woman, loyal, sensitive, she has learning disability in math but she excels in other areas,..." Read more

"...It’s lyrical, stirring, sweeping in her use of literary prowess. Yet, she has a way that nothing else suffers as a result...." Read more

8 customers mention "Forgiveness"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the themes of forgiveness and trust in the book, describing it as emotionally engaging and highlighting the challenges of maintaining relationships.

"...This is a beautiful story about passion, loyalty, betrayal, forgiveness, sacrifice, and love. An amazing read!🥰..." Read more

"...the dialogue, the way the story flows , it’s heart pounding and emotional, you simply cannot stop reading...." Read more

"...T&T Tropes: age gap, 2nd chance, betrayal and atonement, found family, rebuilding one's life, hurt/comfort, a great cat :)..." Read more

"...are mesmerizing - the insecurities and vulnerabilities, the betrayals and heart aches, the lust and the passion, and the forgiveness and love...." Read more

8 customers mention "Performance"8 positive0 negative

Customers praise the performance of the book, describing it as incredibly powerful.

"...Abbey Craden narrated this book and did a phenomenal performance. The pairing of McKay's writing style and Craden's performance is just spectacular!" Read more

"...I will just say it's a very well crafted romance with great MCs and other secondary, even tertiary characters...." Read more

"Impeccable story telling, wonderful writing and great mcs. Absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down until I finished...." Read more

"...Characters that are so incredibly deep, flawed, authentic and powerful that you can’t help but be entranced by them...." Read more

7 customers mention "Pace"5 positive2 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book.

"...the same as with The Headmistress and A Whisper of Solace, I read this book slowly, didn’t plow through it, instead leaving a gap between chapters..." Read more

"...I loved it! I got hooked in the story pretty fast. The story is a wild emotional ride that is so worth it! Wow! Glad the story ended with an HEA." Read more

"This book started a bit slow, but I started to get into the story and loved it. I'm not familiar with fashion, but I had fun learning about it." Read more

"...I read this novel slowly and carefully to ensure I followed the plot accurately. Certainly set in a world most of us are unfamiliar with...." Read more

7 customers mention "Readability"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable to read, with one mentioning they simply cannot stop reading it.

"...a cryptic glimpse into each chapter that (for me) enhances the reading experience of her work...." Read more

"...significant read. Even the five year mark, so important in this book, is significant to me, but I don’t want to give anything away...." Read more

"...This is a must read!" Read more

"...It is a pleasure to read them. Thank you." Read more

Every word breathes life
5 out of 5 stars
Every word breathes life
This has been a blissful read. I never missed a word because all is part of a bigger picture. Like the lines in Chiara's creation, the words are also seamless to this beautiful story. Milena once again did an amazing job getting us on the edge of our seat. So far, all of her books are just classic and this one for sure is one for the collection. Thank you for gracing us this beautiful talent. 💙
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Margo Campbell
    5.0 out of 5 stars Shook
    Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    WELL. I think this is the book that broke me, so to speak. I want to read it again. Read Reverence again, and then come back to this one. This is the last book of Milena's for me to read, and if there was an order in which to read her books, I definitely did not follow it. Let's take Cinderella and make it gay. Ok, let's. It's a Converse, not a glass slipper. The princess is married to a frog of a wife. *checks off boxes*

    On page 200, I found myself asking, out loud, "McKay why are you like this?" Why can't they just be happy? Must we drag them through the mud? Must we put on our boots? *pulls on boots*

    I thought Neve and Audrey were angry in A Whisper of Solace, but I think Chiara and Vi have everyone beat. Vi and Chiara are, without a doubt, the most anxious avoidant characters. Each a princess in their own ivory tower; one in a loveless marriage, and the other in a loveless family. Who can relate?

    Genevieve is ridden with anxiety looking for approval, while Chiara is avoidant and pretends to not be looking for approval. But we readers know that she is. Add a dash of ADHD and WHOOOO, here we go.

    And then! Our anxious Vi goes through an extraordinary evolution of personal growth during the five years of no contact; finding a backbone telling her parents to eff off getting a few tattoos, as we anxious attachers tend to do, only to end up face to face with the object of her feelings who has no idea where to stand, or what to do. The stomachaches these women must have. haha. However, they do know how to screw. (evil laugh) CLASSIC, Mkay, classic. The trauma bonding with hot sex is 15 out of 10. I'm here for it because we see Vi show her growth when she tells Chiara she won't be a part of the game between her and Frankie. Ah, bravo girl! Hold that boundary!

    Chiara, for all her anxious avoiding, holding together the invisible strings, and pushing down down her true feelings about Vi, running and running and running until.... Avoidants avoid, as my therapist would say.

    Both women want to be seen and heard, and held, and Milena peels back layer after layer after layer of these two onions.

    The theme of forgiveness struck a cord. "I either forgive you. Or I do not. And we either move forward together, or we move on separately. It's as simple as that, Vi." This is a real life moment, huh? And sometimes, we must forgive and move on separately.

    I have to say I didn't see the evil stepmother coming, though I should have. Charles is locked up in his own tower of grief and anger, and in a classic 'hurt people hurt people', he projects it all onto Vi. And Gwen the evil stepmother holds the key, like a true villain.

    But we get our happy ending (!!!!) when Vi and Chiara start choosing to love themselves in order to love each other better, and that is classic. I will be recovering from this book for months.

    Well done, McKay. Well done.
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  • Tacie
    5.0 out of 5 stars 5 full, wonderful stars for this slow burn sapphic romance!!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I'm convinced that Milena McKay is magic. She is a gift to the world. Her words are achingly beautiful. The way she writes is truly an art form. I went into this book blind, already knowing that I was in for it because this author's writing is saturated with color and emotion - but also the cover. This cover is a STUNNER! There's a level of elegance to this book that I just can't accurately put into words. It's something you just have to experience. The relationships and the raw sexuality of these beautiful women are so eloquently written that it's addicting. It just won't let you go. I legitimately think that McKay's writing might alter my brain chemistry.

    This book broke my heart and so incredibly slowly, stitched it back together. These Thin Lines reads as a contemporary fairy tale set in beautiful Paris. McKay brings Paris to life in a way that I've not experienced in a book before. Her portrayal of the the city is so vibrant and real, that reading (and listening) to her descriptions makes you FEEL like you're on the cobblestone streets. You feel the mist of the rain on your skin. Her descriptions and the tone of her writing bring a very clear picture to my mind of how the city looks and feels in the first part of this book. It's the same for New York in the second part of the book. It's like I can hear Renate and Aoife bickering in the studio. Her writing evokes so much feeling. I'm telling you - alters my brain chemistry!!!

    Vi and Chiara are such complex characters, both carrying wounds from their past, both resisting the pull to each other for their reasons. I was positively desperate for these two to be together. Their journey was heart-wrenching and so beautiful. From the desire they have for each other, these women working through their pasts and their secrets and finding their way to each other even when they're apart- it's just captivating.

    One of the things I love so much is McKay's chapter titles. They're so incredibly unique and provide a cryptic glimpse into each chapter that (for me) enhances the reading experience of her work. I have no idea why but I'm smitten with her chapter headings. Additionally, McKay's cast of supporting characters is just stellar. Neve Blackthorn's name was very present in this book and I'm desperate to dive into Neve's story. The worlds that McKay writes - I just need to exist in them. These incredibly powerful, beautifully flawed, gorgeous women are absolutely captivating.

    I also have to mention THE CAT! I'm obsessed with the cats that McKay writes. They just add a sense of levity and an additional layer of uniqueness to her stories that are so real... because cats just make everything better

    I listened and read this book simultaneously and I have to rave about this audiobook. Abbey Craden narrated this book and did a phenomenal performance. The pairing of McKay's writing style and Craden's performance is just spectacular!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • MLTU
    5.0 out of 5 stars These Thin Lines
    Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Not surprised that I love another Milena Mckay book!

    In the world of fashion in Paris, Chiara and Vi find themselves in the middle of a Cindirella-esque fairytale. I will just say it's a very well crafted romance with great MCs and other secondary, even tertiary characters. Also, I love that it's in two parts - part I with Vi's POV, part II with Chiara's POV. Different layers to the story...very clever.

    This is a beautiful story about passion, loyalty, betrayal, forgiveness, sacrifice, and love. An amazing read!🥰
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  • J@eke
    4.0 out of 5 stars Another very enjoyable read from one of my favorite authors
    Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Although I did not get into this story quite as much as The Headmistress, it is still a well-written book loosely based on the fairy tale Cinderella. The first part of the book was a bit slow, and I was overwhelmed by Vi's angst and self-loathing. However, the second part brings things together nicely, and give us more insight into why both characters have such feelings of inadequacy. As usual, the sex scenes were well placed, delicious, and matched well with what the characters were feeling. Looking forward to the next book!
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • L.C.
    5.0 out of 5 stars A fairytale that will remind you of courtly love and dolce stil novo. Symbolism at its best
    Reviewed in the Netherlands on February 2, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    These Thin Lines is a novel you will have to read with your eyes, your brain and most of all your understanding heart

    The people that know me, that truly know me (there are few I can count on my fingers), know that I have a peculiar hobby. I tend to ask myself and those I care about endless questions. Because there is one thing I cherish the most, and it is <i>knowing</i> what hides behind the obvious. How things are the way they are. How people act the way they do. Why we say the words we do. And the worst of all of this, it’s that I remember. I remember everything. I cannot seem to forget when one thing is fluctuating in my brain. It’s a blessing and a curse at the same time. Because my brain will fixate on things it shouldn’t and sometimes it would prompt my tongue to speak up, resulting in people having to shush me. I do beg you. You, who are reading this, right now. Do not shush me and bear with the mess that my brain is. Fall down the rabbit hole with me. A scavenger hunt to find the symbolism hidden in Milena McKay’s latest work.

    You see. It started with The Headmistress. Two years ago. Has it been already two years?
    Two years of digging into metaphors, symbols, meaning of words, images, analogies. From the mystery in The Delicate Things We Make, to the homage to Cupid in The Perfect Match, to the absolutely enchanting dragons world that The Headmistress is, passing through the checkers battle of Neve between her heart and her brain, to the fairylike world that These Thin Lines is.

    I see things… I don’t mean ghosts… I see patterns. I see lines forming a well structured pentagram where notes are transformed into words in order to form a certain melody, a certain <i>aria</i>. I want to know the meaning of each and single word. Because, in McKay’s world, words are often chosen with a specific idea behind them. Because the author, and make sure to understand this, the author and not the person, Milena McKay is a wizard in plotting and saying things that make you think something, only to show you that “Nothing is as you think it is”. There’s more to a word, a sentence, a passage, an image that meets the eye.

    If you have read the book, you are welcome to discuss this <i>symbolism</i> with me.

    You know the story, right?

    A lonely soul, trapped in an ivory tower, with all her silky garments as friends. Chiara Conti may seem to have it all to the eyes of the spectator. A glorious past as a supermodel, a ring on her middle finger, vowing her to loyalty to her absent wife. And yet, happiness has never been so far away from her as this moment. Happiness will come to her… but much later, in the form of Genevieve Courtenay.

    Yes, yes, the book is an homage to Cinderella’s fairytale. But is that all? I don’t think so.

    Did you read the epigraph?

    <i><b>To light a candle is to cast a shadow</i>/b> (Ursula K. Le Guin)…

    Does a candle even cast a shadow? The light of it doesn’t per se… A flame is light itself and shadows are the absence of light. But the person performing the action of lightning that candle will cast their shadow somewhere. Their actions will have a consequence. Lighting a flame can be like crossing a line… and when you cross a line, you already know that it will not only be light, there will be shadows along the way.

    Light vs Shadow; Good vs Evil; Happiness vs Sorrow. Dichotomy.

    My compliments to the great artwork done by Em for the cover and the graphics. You are awesome Em!!!

    CANDLE. PART I. Do you see the same dichotomy? CAN (Light); DLE (Dark)… is that isn’t an omen of what is going to happen in Candle, I don’t know what else to say…

    SHADOW. PART II. Do you see it now? SHA (Dark); DOW (Light)… what do you think? Such a smart move.

    Just a little parenthesis… I absolutely loved this book. I love Milena McKay’s choice of words, the way she can engulf you with a warm blanket made with such subtlety. A warm voice that accompanies you in your journey with troubled characters. It’s like entering a magical world. A world where you’ll have the pleasure of losing yourself for as long as you keep reading. Of letting the story captivate you, until you are a mess of thoughts. Brain burning. McKay’s novels should come with warnings. You’ll lose sleep, and yet you’ll dream with eyes open. You’ll fall in love. You’ll suffer. And trust me. You will suffer a lot… but you will also wake up in the end and think: “Damn, the woman is a witch with words!”.

    Where was I? See? I just finished the book and it’s hard to gather all my thoughts. Sorry to bore you.

    Oh yes.

    You see… I think (and this is just my opinion, as the author will have to confirm or refute all I say or parts of it)…. I think Milena McKay is one of the biggest nerds we have in the community.
    I think there’s an homage to “Courtly love” and “Dolce stil novo” in These Thin Lines. But with roles being constantly reversed…

    Genevieve Courtenay … Genevieve (Woman of race), and Courtenay (Courtly)
    Chiara Conti … Chiara (Bright, luminous), and Conti (Count, the title, those who in the beginning used to serve).

    If you have ever read any work of the Courtly Love or Dolce stil novo literature (imagine Le Roman de la Rose, or even the Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri… or the poems by Petrarca), you’ll know that in courtly love, Love nobilitated the spirit. And what is Vi made of, if not pure and infinite “Love”? She has so much love to give, and yet she’s constantly seeking for the others to love her. When Chiara appears in her life she’s a vision. An angelic vision. That’s Dolce stil novo. Chiara is light. Chiara is a beacon. Chiara is everything Vi needs to come out of her shadow. Chiara is also protection. Her amber eyes are a testament to that. Amber and its powerful symbolism.
    But if you read the Middle Ages works, you also know that “Love” was never that simple. One thing, courtly love, being tinted with secret love affairs, impossible love affairs, longing and pining, and yes, betrayal. A lot of betrayal. Bad omens…

    And isn’t Vi’s falling and carrying with her the lilies to the ground a bad omen for the fall of Lilien Haus? But she’s landing on ivory… and meeting her beacon…

    Symbolism…

    There will be spilled blood, atonement, revelations… and a lot of “Cenere” or “Ash”.

    Ash… the symbolism of it. Death and repentance. Ash is everywhere. In the eyes of Vi, in Cenerella’s nickname, in the ivory and silky garments. In those thin threads that link Vi and Chiara’s hearts.
    But nothing in McKay’s world is as it seems.

    A gopher, a queen… blue doors…

    Who is Cinderella and who is the prince or princess in the story? And… does it even matter? Roles’s reversal. No one is 100% light or 100% shadow.

    If you thought Vi was Cinderella, her love serving Chiara. Later on, you will understand that also Chiara is a Cinderella, serving others too. A Cinderella who made herself from nothing. Don’t Americans say Cinderella Man to convey the meaning? Cinderella Woman is much more of that. Who is saving who in this story? They all cross lines… they are all women making their own choices… those 3 Fates be damned.

    These Thin Lines is a journey of hearts. Opening. Breaking. Stitching. Healing and Bursting with joy.

    There’s a lot of theatrical settings in this novel, of beautiful descriptions of The City of Lights, the deepest blue of the Lake Como and its tragedies, and The City that Never Sleep.

    There are many sounds in this novel, and yet the one that always comes up in my head, it’s the sound of caressing silk...

    Silk… everything around Chiara is silk. But Chiara comes from Como… the city renown for the silk manufacturing industry… Clever Milena McKay… clever…

    You studied your Italian character to the tiniest details, you didn’t turn her into a stereotype. You showed her for what she is, a person with her quirks and her wonderful laughter. There’s even a description of a “scarpetta” making in your book. The famous of infamous way, us, Italians, dip the bread into the tomato sauce or other delicacies, to clean the plate. The scarpetta is an art… and cooking as your Mom does… it warms your heart.

    Parents… we cannot choose them, can we? Are the children to be punished for the sins of their parents? How Shakespearian …

    I’m happy Genevieve and Chiara have learnt to forgive themselves and stand their ground. Together they are stronger. Together they are Lights and Shadows. Serving and Protecting each other when needed. Roles be damned. You will serve and ask to be served. Love can be that easy sometimes. In good and bad times.

    I will close this monstrous blabbering… saying that I loved the side characters in These Thin Lines. From Aoife to Renate, and to the cameos of the characters we already loved in previous books.
    The banter. The sarcasm. The sweetness of the love making scenes and also their powerful statement… the symbolic kneeling… all the blood… and the roses…

    Milena McKay, trust me when I say this… you are a true treasure for this community and your writing is magic. Screw the numbers. The world is so much prettier with so many different brains in it.
    Neurodivergence is amazing because it gave us you and your wonderful brain. Your writing is a vision. Trust me.
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  • VV
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful
    Reviewed in France on March 12, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Wonderful, as always. Milena is quickly becoming one of my favourite WLW writer.
    Report
  • Rach LH
    5.0 out of 5 stars another winner from McKay
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 1, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I was lucky enough to get an arc for These Thin Lines by Milena McKay and once again I was blown away by the way this author writes a wistful, dreamy romance.

    Chiara Conti is trapped in a life where she is constantly trying to be enough. She lives in a grey cloud and struggles to see beyond it. She desperately wants to be seen, be inspired, and be understood for who she is! Little did she know that the color grey in the form of eyes that can see into her soul would come to her rescue, lift her out of the cloud and shower her with love and acceptance.

    Vi Courtenay’s life is a fairytale, she has a distant and withholding father, at times cruel stepmother, and stepsisters who are arrogant and dismissive. So, when she literally falls and loses her shoe like a modern-day Cinderella at the feet of the most beautiful woman, she’s ever seen she wasn’t that surprised. But when grey eyes meet amber ones, her world comes to a standstill, before one touch from the ethereal queen that is ‘The Chiara’ starts it spinning again, and Vi knows that something has changed and nothing in her world will ever be the same again.

    Oh, how I love this book! The way this author writes always transports you to another time and place. I know it’s a contemporary romance, but the language, sentence structure, and dialogue McKay uses make you feel like you’re in one of those dreamy black-and-white movies where anything is possible and you honest to godly swoon.

    Be prepared to fall in love with Chiara and Vi! These women are just beautiful. Chiara is this gorgeous, deep, complex character who is shrouded in sadness but has the most beautiful heart and soul! I was in love within minutes of reading and by the end, I was so far gone that I was bereft that the book ended! I need more! Vi is sweet, kind, and delicious, god how I wanted to protect her from the world. Together they will make your heart race and soar, you’ll want them to be happy with themselves and your heart will ache for them to be happy together. Separately they are enough and together they are everything!

    The book is set in the world of fashion, in a fashion house to be exact and the author shows us the inner workings of how a collection is brought together. There are an array of characters who leave you with strong feelings whether those feelings are good or bad is for you to find out! But I have to give a shoutout to Aoife, Chiara’s long-time friend, and employee. She’s sassy, protective, and utterly delightful. She had me laughing so many times throughout the book. I can’t not mention Binoche the ice queen kitty! It wouldn’t be a McKay book without an icy character and this time she gave us her in the form of a chocolate furball who ruled the roost with disgruntled meows, sharp claws, and an icy hiss.

    As ever in a McKay book look out for easter eggs that tie all her universes together they made me smile, I adore it when authors give us snippets and cameos of characters and places from their previous books. I was especially elated to find out more about a character I love from The Delicate Things We Make.

    You can feel the love McKay has for her characters and this book is no exception! The dedication to giving Chiara and Vi the happy ending they deserve jumps off the page. However as always in a McKay book, there is all that delicious anguish to get through first.

    Milena McKay has done it again! She’s proved that she is one of the best! Every book McKay writes is different and everyone is as beautiful as those that came before it. This book is everything! From the characters to the surroundings, McKay has written another story that whisks you away from reality and leaves you feeling like you’ve been on the most satisfying journey! Sometimes the path is smooth and at others, it’s rocky and treacherous, but in the end, you’re left with a heart full of warmth and happiness.

    So, settle into your comfy reading spot and be prepared to be held hostage there because once you start reading, you won’t want to stop.

    This is the part that I want to give more than 5 stars (pesky 5 star limit) because this book deserves all of them. Highly recommended!
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  • Maria Jesus Lerma Rueda
    5.0 out of 5 stars Essential!!
    Reviewed in Spain on May 7, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    One of my favorites from Milena! And if you have the chance, listen to the audiobook! One of the best I have listened to! Chiara and Vi are brilliant characters, and their story worth the ride!
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  • Patrícia S.P.
    5.0 out of 5 stars What's not to love?
    Reviewed in Brazil on February 3, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I knew from the very beginning I was in to feel a lot of frustration. And after I finished it I don't even feel the guilt of have neglected 2 full days of studying for a very serious exam. Reading Milena's stories feel like it should take precedence over other things such is the pleasure, the satisfaction they give.

    Me being a suqr being out of the way, let me start saying that I wasn't aware of the premise because I didn't bother reading the blurb. So it was a bit of a surprise when I saw all the fairytale's references and parallels.

    Vi was the endearing, wholesome, doe eyed character you take a liking to on the spot, there's no doubt that you'll love them, and she was really a damsel in distress, especially at first. Chiara, though, I was expecting her to be way more severe, but she was anything but; she was what we would call a knight in this parallel, and she had rescued Vi, but that also needed to grow a spine. I mean, one could think that F. person had some dirty on her to have her wrapped up that way. But seeing the truth, it actually made it all more interesting. Knights are people too, hahaha.

    Anyway, like I said, it was exasperating watching Vi and Chiara at times, each in their respective ways, being stomped off by the people who should cherish them the most. And then when some events were set in motion and culminated in that clusterfuq of a climax, and the aftermath of it, I wish I could/would've been able to scream all my dissatisfaction through the window. Urgh!!!!

    The story was rather engrossing, albeit infuriating on occasion, and it was quite hard not to think about what was coming next when I had to put it down for a while. The ending even though for some it was probably very obvious, I didn't see that revelation coming. I was absolutely blind to it.

    On one last note, the side characters were such an amazing lot! I wish I had had more time with them, with everyone (that matters) if I'm being honest. I hope Milena will do like the other books and keep giving some bits and pieces to help sate the thirst for more.
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