diff --git a/bumpversion/utils.py b/bumpversion/utils.py
index f872f230..b3dd64ad 100644
--- a/bumpversion/utils.py
+++ b/bumpversion/utils.py
@@ -85,11 +85,7 @@ def contains(self, search):
                 if len(lookbehind) > len(search_lines):
                     lookbehind = lookbehind[1:]
 
-                if (
-                    search_lines[0] in lookbehind[0]
-                    and search_lines[-1] in lookbehind[-1]
-                    and search_lines[1:-1] == lookbehind[1:-1]
-                ):
+                if "\n".join(search_lines) in "\n".join(lookbehind):
                     logger.info(
                         "Found '%s' in %s at line %s: %s",
                         search,
diff --git a/tests/test_cli.py b/tests/test_cli.py
index fbbd38d8..c420aac7 100644
--- a/tests/test_cli.py
+++ b/tests/test_cli.py
@@ -1923,6 +1923,51 @@ def test_non_matching_search_does_not_modify_file(tmpdir):
     assert config_content in tmpdir.join(".bumpversion.cfg").read()
 
 
+def test_non_matching_search_does_not_modify_file_multiline(tmpdir):
+    """
+    Verify that a multiline search with trailing characters on the first line or leading characters on the last line does not
+    match (#198).
+    """
+    tmpdir.chdir()
+
+    version_content = dedent(
+        """
+        multi TRAILING
+        line
+        matching 1.0.0
+
+        multi
+        line
+        LEADING matching 1.0.0
+        """
+    )
+
+    config_content = dedent(
+        """
+        [bumpversion]
+        current_version = 1.0.0
+
+        [bumpversion:file:VERSION]
+        search = multi
+            line
+            matching
+        replace = REPLACEMENT
+        """
+    )
+
+    tmpdir.join("VERSION").write(version_content)
+    tmpdir.join(".bumpversion.cfg").write(config_content)
+
+    with pytest.raises(
+        exceptions.VersionNotFoundException,
+        match="Did not find 'multi\nline\nmatching' in file: 'VERSION'"
+    ):
+        main(['patch'])
+
+    assert version_content == tmpdir.join("VERSION").read()
+    assert config_content in tmpdir.join(".bumpversion.cfg").read()
+
+
 def test_search_replace_cli(tmpdir):
     tmpdir.join("file89").write("My birthday: 3.5.98\nCurrent version: 3.5.98")
     tmpdir.chdir()