In Rock Haven, a picturesque New England town split between privilege and struggle, high school sports are more than competition; they draw the boundaries of belonging.
Jessie Brandt seems to have it all: wealth, beauty, intelligence, and the relentless drive to win at every meet. On the track, she dominates. Off it, she manages her life with the same precision, and is convinced that control is the key to success. But when life refuses to stay within her carefully drawn lines, Jessie must confront what it really means to lose her footing.
Joe Goncalves is Rock Haven's golden arm, a working-class kid whose talent and determination might finally open doors long closed to his family. Yet as pressure mounts, he learns that strength isn't always measured by what you can throw or how far you can run.
At the center of their world stand Coaches Harvey Lancaster and Lucas Knox, men who understand that lessons learned in competition reach far beyond the field. Bound by friendship and a shared belief that as teachers and coaches, they can make a difference, they strive to steady their students as they navigate both the uncertainty of growing up and the consequences of their actions.
From the roar of the baseball diamond to the breathless stillness before a high jump, Crossing the Lines captures the fierce beauty of ambition, the burden of expectation, and the fragile transition between youth and adulthood. Peter Stipe delivers a powerful, deeply human novel about resilience, redemption, and the enduring bonds that hold a community together when everything else begins to shift.
Perfect for readers of Friday Night Lights, The Art of Fielding, and We Are the Goldens, Crossing the Lines captures the soul of small-town America and the timeless drama of growing up under the bright lights of expectation.
Review :
Growing up is never easy, but in the community of Rock Haven, no one has to go through it alone. In Peter Stipe's captivating new novel, the often-bumpy transition from high school student to young adult is a multi-layered journey filled with sharp-eyed detail and enormous heart. Set against the backdrop of a New England town deeply divided between the haves and have-nots, the high school teachers play a pivotal role in preparing every graduate for a future career-whatever it may be. Stipe gently explores the influences of family, friends, and first loves while allowing each character a chance to take center stage. The individual narratives are deftly woven into a rich tapestry of community. The fictional town of Rock Haven is so realistically portrayed that you might find yourself looking for it on the map! In this timeless coming-of-age tale, Stipe shows us the evolution of unforgettable young adults and the town that raised them. Ellen Smith, author of Time Wrecker Trilogy
Engaging and contemporary, "Crossing the Lines" shares the triumphs and frustrations of Jessie the all-star athlete who finds herself pregnant just when her bright future is unfolding. While Joe, her major-league drafted boyfriend who is living the dream suddenly faces reality with a career ending injury. Peter's easy reading style draws us in as we root for characters to find their way in this compelling and heartbreaking story. Michael St. Laurent
In Crossing the Lines Peter Stipe enumerates the trials and tribulations of growing up in Rock Haven. One can imagine one's self in the shoes of these teenagers facing deep moral choices as they navigate life's unexpected curve balls. I loved it! Archibald Campbell, Educational Administrator
