The Party Line

By: Carolyn Brown

Narrated by: Brittany Pressley

A niece’s inheritance comes with family secrets, new romance, and sweet Texas strawberries in a refreshing and warmhearted novel by New York Times bestselling author Carolyn Brown.

Returning home to Ditto, Texas, is bittersweet for Lila Matthews. Her dear and feisty aunt Gracie has passed away, leaving Lila her estate. That includes a centuries-old house, a field of the freshest strawberries in Atascosa County, more money than Lila can count, and a secret Aunt Gracie took to her grave. All the angels in heaven won’t be able to pry it out of her.

For more than eighty years, generations of folks in Ditto have whispered and gossiped about what the secret could be. When Lila inherits Aunt Gracie’s legacy, ears perk up and tongues start wagging. As Lila reacquaints herself with locals, finds warmth in family—extended and otherwise—and cozies up to a handsome new neighbor, she begins collecting clues to the past. They’re revealing an Aunt Gracie nobody knew—and a life of rebellion, broken hearts, and selfless love that affected more people than anyone realized.

Whatever reason Aunt Gracie had for leaving Lila the secret, will it now be Lila’s secret to keep?

©2024 by Carolyn Brown. (P)2024 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Narrator Brittany Pressley brings the perfect Southern touch to her narration of this romance novel.… As the late Gracie whispers advice in Lila's ears, Pressley gives her voice just the right touch of feistiness. Pressley also brings Lila's elderly neighbor, Jasper, to life with a gravelly voice. When Lila takes in Gina Lou, Pressley depicts her in a nasally timbre.… Pressley exudes [Connor’s] warmth as he and Lila grow closer. Pressley's performance will keep the listener entertained as Lila settles into her new life and ferrets out truths about her family.”—AudioFile Magazine

Family secrets and love.

An awesome story of how family doesn't always mean blood relatives. And some family secrets are sometimes better kept secret. Sometimes if they are shared, it can cause love to bloom in ways that no one could ever know. this is beautifully written and worth sharing with others.

Absolutely loved this book !!

Another great book by Carolyn Brown ! Absolutely loved the narration by Brittany Pressley !! Shame she wasn't chosen to read The Wager !! Hopefully she will be strongly considered for future books.

What a sweet story!

Finally! A sweet story with a high interest and no conflict. I loved listening to this and discovering the secrets and relationships along with the characters. It was beautiful!

the ending

It is another excellent Carolyn brown book. The story is fleshed out and doesn't have gaps like so many other shorter books.

The perfect narrator

I loved the book. It made my small southern town heart happy, but the narrator is what did it for me. She brought such diversity to the characters and made them so distinguishable. I’m not a cryer, but the ending combined with the delivery from Brittany-wow. Talk about a giant lump in my throat and water works. Will be listening to other books by the author and narrator.

Great story

Loved all the characters in this book. Well written. Not what I was expecting. Family history can be a little crazy and have some secrets. This addresses all of them.

her books always have an older person. i can just hear them talking while im reading.

I love all of Carilyn Browns bookd. they are always the best. have been reading them for as long as i have had a kindle. now i listen to them. wish all authors would make there books for the listening crowd. i can craft up a storm while listening.

Family Doesn't Always Involve DNA

Another Great Story From Carolyn Brown. Great Story and Great Narration! I'm never disappointed in any of her books!

The narration .

I loved this author. I was uncertain about the narration, when I read I hear and see in my mind, easily. This is only the second audio novel I truly enjoyed listening to, the narrators were wonderful.
The story of small town secrets was a perfect story line. Anyone who lives in a small town realizes secrets are never secret.
Rarely, is someone able to keep something tragic and hurtful to their self. Aunt Gracie, knew the power of small town's gossip and never shared her secret.
Lila was an well rounded character, the narrator did so well, I felt her pain, her wonderful wit, her growth as an individual, and her learning real love.
Jasper was such an amazing secondary character. So many times it was like hearing my grandfather, without the Texas accent.
The storyline and characters, as well as the setting were amazing.
Another amazing novel from Carolyn Brown.
Exactly what I expect from this author.
The narrators were wonderful, I truly enjoyed every minute of listening to the audio book!

The story pry f family and friends was wonderful

I disliked none of this book, wonderful Story
Of family and friends in different generations