First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if, instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

The Rules:

• Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page.
• Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first.
• Finally… reveal the book!

First Lines:

“I pick my way across what could best be described as a moor.

Aren’t moors boggy? Shrubs pull at my long dress. Heather, I think, but honestly I haven’t a clue, having never been on a moor before. My gown—not the sleeping but the dancing kind—is soaked to the knees, and clings uncomfortably to my calves. From the empire waistline, I’m thinking Jane Austenish times.”

This immediately makes me curious about what is happening here. Clearly she isn’t oriented to place and time, and I have to find out what she is doing out on potential moors and in an unfamiliar dress.

Do you recognize the lines?

Here’s a hint:

This is an upcoming rom-com novel (I know, not what I was expecting after that quote either).

Still not sure? Here’s another hint:

It is written by debut author Lee Taylor.

The First Lines Friday book is:

A Satchel of Richards by Lee Taylor.

About the Book:

• Title: A Satchel of Richards
• Author: Lee Taylor
• Page Length: 366 pages
• Publication Date: January 20, 2026
• Publisher: Periwink Press

Synopsis:

Novelist Bridget Stanton’s life needs a massive rewrite. Between the mortgage on her first home, a perfect if teensy beach cottage, and the cost of feeding her horse-sized dog, she’ll never be able to quit her day job. Until it quits her.

Suspended for teaching the suddenly and inequably banned A Wrinkle in Time, her childhood favorite, she is desperate for a book advance. So she throws herself at the mercy, literally, of her brand new, witty, suave, unflappably charming agent, who has reluctantly inherited her.

His skip the Lit Fic and write steamy romance instead. Has he met her? Actually, no. But Bridget knows nothing about passionate sex. Ever ready with advice, he proposes a research—she needs to get herself a satchel of Richards.

Enter Josh, a wildly successful romance cover model with Hollywood screenwriting dreams. His vivid descriptions have helped numerous authors navigate their spiciest scenes, but Bridget, it seems, needs a more hands-on approach.

As their “research” heats up, she offers him credit on the book—a big break that could help launch his wished-for career. But her publisher balks. The God of Abs cannot share the byline.

Now, Bridget must do it their way and save her way of life or risk it all for a real-life love story.

A Satchel of Richards is your must-have accessory for spring!

Links: Goodreads     

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