The Lineman by Casey Morales: Review

The Lineman by Casey Morales is a slow-burn MM romcom pairing a rugged lineman with a thoughtful teacher, blending spice, humour, and heartfelt romance.

Synopsis: The Lineman

The Lineman by Casey Morales is a warm, funny, slow-burn romance featuring one gruff power lineman, one jittery English teacher, and a dog with absolutely no sense of boundaries.

Mike Albert hates moving, but there he is, standing in the driveway of his brand, new home, exhausted, and already causing a scene thanks to his hyperactive Jack Russell.

It only get worse when his first encounter with his neighbour involves his dog enthusiastically humping the man’s leg.

That man is Eliot: broad-shouldered, wielding an axe like it’s an extension of his own body, and sporting a voice like honey over gravel.

A no-nonsense power lineman, Eliot is used to storms of every kind, but he isn’t prepared for the fast-talking new guy next door with a flair for disaster, and a dimple that should be illegal.

It begins as an awkward neighbourly connection soon turns into something warmer, and unmistakably electric. But Mike has a history of playing it safe, while Eliot has spent years keeping people at arm’s length. Letting someone in may be the biggest risk either of them has ever taken.

Can a jittery schoolteacher and a grounded, gruff lineman find common ground,or will their connection short-circuit before it has the chance to light up the night?

Packed with witty banter, steamy slow-burn tension, and plenty of adorable chaos, The Lineman is the third book in the Heartstrings of Honor series, celebrating men who serve their communities—and fall hard when they least expect it. The books can be read as standalones, but recurring characters make the series even more rewarding when read in order.

Review: The Lineman

The Lineman is book in Casey Morales’s Heartstrings of Honour series, a collection of MM romances centred on men whose professions are rooted in service and community.

This the 3rd instalment pairs a rugged lineman with a quietly principled English teacher, resulting in a warm, spicy romcom with surprising emotional depth.

Plot Overview

The romance follows Elliot, a brawny electrical lineman, and Mike, a ginger-haired English teacher.

Add in a chaotic Scottish side character and a relentlessly randy Jack Russell, and the tone is set for a story that balances humour, heat, and heart.

At over 500 pages, The Lineman is long for a romance novel, but it never feels padded. Morales makes full use of the page count to explore both characters’ lives in detail, grounding the romance in their work and daily realities rather than rushing them toward an inevitable happily-ever-after.

Work, Identity, and Everyday Heroism

One of the novel’s standout strengths is how much attention is given to the characters’ professions.

Elliot’s work repairing electrical power lines plays a major role in the story. Morales vividly shows how dangerous and essential this job is, particularly in Georgia and the surrounding states, where hurricanes frequently cause widespread damage.

These sections add tension and realism, highlighting the physical risks Elliot takes as part of his everyday life.

Mike’s storyline, meanwhile, focuses on the challenges of being a teacher. His chapters explore how influential educators can be in a child’s life, especially when it comes to identity. From a reader’s perspective, these scenes are handled thoughtfully and with care, adding emotional weight without becoming preachy.

Romance and Pacing

Despite its spice, The Lineman is very much a slow-burn romance. While Mike and Elliot have an immediate connection, their relationship develops gradually and believably.

Morales takes advantage of the novel’s length to let attraction grow into trust and affection, rather than rushing the characters into instant love.

The spicy scenes are present but well-placed, enhancing the romance rather than overwhelming it. They feel earned, arriving after genuine emotional intimacy has been established.

Supporting Cast and Comic Relief

The secondary characters, especially the friends and the unforgettable dog,add warmth and humour throughout the novel. These moments of levity prevent the heavier themes from weighing the story down and help create the sense of community that defines the Heartstrings of Honour series.

Who Should Read This Book?

The Lineman is ideal for readers who enjoy:

• MM romance with strong character development
• Slow-burn relationships with meaningful emotional payoff
• Profession-focused romance grounded in real-world work
• Spicy romcoms balanced with heart and humour

It works well both as a standalone and as part of the wider series.

Conclusion

With its engaging characters, realistic portrayal of working lives, and well-paced slow-burn romance, The Lineman by Casey Morales is a standout entry in the Heartstrings of Honour series. Funny, heartfelt, and satisfyingly spicy.

It also proves that longer romance novel can still feel focused and compelling from start to finish. Well worth reading for fans of emotionally grounded MM romance.

to see all the other 5 books in the Heartstrings of honor series check here

• Facebook
• X
• Threads
• Pinterest
• Pocket

Like follow or share if you would want similar content.

Above all Keep Safe and treat people fairly.

Mark.