did I finish this book or did this book finish me?

I don’t know how I’m ever going to move on 😭😭😭😭 one of the most beautifully written romances I’ve ever read. I’ve never related so hard to a character, but I am Leigh and Leigh is me!!!! At some points it felt like reading my own diary, or should I say, the words were a mirror 🫠🥲 I felt like words were being ripped from my own chest. Leigh was the star for me, but Will Langford………… I love you. The stoic, tortured poet MMC of our dreams, I’ll never get over him either. Both of their poems made me FEEL and hurt in the best way. Anyway, now I want to dust off my old poetry journal and cry 🥲

A stunning debut, I want to frame this book and hang it up for the world to see. It was tender and thought-provoking and full of so much depth (and therapy!!!), I never wanted it to end.

My mirrorball, EmHen, swiftie, people-pleasing, angsty tortured poet, perfectionist, this is me trying girlies- this one is for you 🥺 preorder this book & add it to your tbr NOW you won’t regret it!!! (Out 2/18/25) ✨

Thank you x1000000 to ReadForever & Katie Naymon for gifting me an early copy of You Between the Lines, this one is so so special to me 💗💗💗

Poetry meets contemporary romance in this slow-burn love story between two MFA cohorts. For me, a good love story has to have something special... A je ne sais quoi on top of the story of a couple getting together, and this book has it. First of all, I love being thrust into the world of academia-- nerds, unite, I don't care what your major is! Secondly, there is actual poetry in this book-- not just the poems that the characters write, but the language the author herself uses. Languid, delicious imagery. Nouns that cut. Verbs that finish the job. Bravo on this debut! It gave me Ali Hazelwood vibes, but the English major version. Looking forward to more from Katie Naymon.

i was a little skeptical at first. it started off really slow but maybe because i was never really into poetry or could really dive deep into poetry like that. it was a bit hard for me to get into. however, when things started picking up and how things turned out in the end, i found myself crying tears of joy.

our FMC really frustrated me in regards to her little self worth but i think she had a great character development in the end. the back and forth relationship with the MMC was also a bit frustrating but when they finally gave in to each other, i was relieved and happy.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review ♡

Not my favourite! I honestly found Leigh very annoying and her poetry wasn't good enough for her to be so jealous and grumpy about her cohorts poetry.

This was just a bit too corny at times. I did like the MMC - he was very pathetic about Leigh which what I look for in a romance hero.

Writing was fine, but this was just a run of the mill story for me - nothing new or exciting.

4.75 stars!!!!!

another debut that has left me floored!! the writing in this book is so beautiful and engaging. while i'm not a poem girlie (sorry katie), i absolutely loved this book!! wooooo there's no crush quite like your high school crush & katie NAILED that feeling !!!! truly. will langford & THE MAN HE IS! love his relationship with leigh so so much and how they care for each other.

i don't usually include quotes in my reviews, but if there's one that calls for it, it's this one.

"will, who's the poem about?"
"who do you think, leigh?"

!!!!!!!! yes that pining and that tension is sooooo real and it is beautifully executed i cannot !!

another thing i absolutely loved about this book was how real and raw leigh's character was. the personal growth she goes through quite honestly hits you in the gut. that feeling of inadequacy, of never being enough, of trying to fit other people's perceptions, it's something we've all struggled with to some extent.

thank you Netgalley & ReadForever for the eARC! this is my honest review.

I think I was not the target for this book. While I like some academia from time to time, You Between The Lines was very much English lit academia heavy, with classes after classes of writing and poetry, here the kind that makes me feel dumb for not understanding what the writer wants to say (pretty much like Leigh fel at times).
I skimmed some, preferring the parts with interactions of both Will and Leigh. I can still appreciate that this story was well written, it's just that it did not hold much interest for me personally.
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

This book hit way too close to home in the best way possible. As a college student who’s spent more time than I’d like to admit second-guessing my place in academic spaces, Leigh’s journey in You Between the Lines felt ridiculously relatable. She’s thrown into this super pretentious MFA program where everyone has read books you’ve only pretended to know, and she’s trying to prove she belongs—who hasn’t been there in some way?

Leigh is hilarious and self-aware, but also painfully honest about her insecurities. She’s not the “perfect poet” stereotype, which makes rooting for her so much more satisfying. And then there’s William, her high school crush-turned-MFA nemesis. Their banter is sharp and cutting, but it’s laced with this undercurrent of unresolved history that had me absolutely hooked. I swear, every time they shared a scene, I was screaming internally, “Just kiss already!”

What really sold me, though, was how real this book feels. It’s about more than just academic rivalries and romance—it’s about figuring out who you are when you’re surrounded by people who seem like they have it all together (spoiler: they don’t). It’s funny, smart, and just a little bit messy, like all the best things in life.

If you’ve ever doubted yourself, fallen for someone you shouldn’t, or felt like you were faking your way through something big, you need this book. It’s like a love letter to anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider trying to make it work.

perfect for emily henry, abby jimenez stans. katie naymon etches a heartwarmingly beautiful tale of leigh simon. some may hate her, some may love her, but there's a leigh simon in everyone. your knowledge of it depends on how self aware you are.

Katie Naymon’s debut YOU BETWEEN THE LINES is simply phenomenal! I adored it with my entire poetic English-major heart! 💜 @katienaymonwrites @readforeverpub
The poetry, the PINING, the TENSION!! It was all 🔥 😮‍💨 🫠 Swipe for one of my favorite quotes in the book (and there was a lot of competition!) YBTL releases in February, but you can preorder now to get a headatart on meeting Will & Leigh 💜

THE GIRLIES SAID BRING BACK YEARNING IN ROMANCE AND KATIE GOT TO WORK

You Between The Lines is a book about poets and the writing in this book really reflected that. Katie Naymon’s writing is beautiful, thoughtful, descriptive, clever, and poetic. I absolutely devoured this book and when I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it. I’m actually still thinking about it!! I can’t wait to go back and highlight all my favorite lines.

Leigh is such a relatable and lovable character. I truly saw myself in her. Leigh deals with imposter syndrome, not feeling good enough and molding herself to fit others’ expectations (she’s a mirrorball 🪩) and it’s also something I’ve dealt with my whole life. Leigh was having a session with her therapist and I was literally nodding like ohhhh this is good advice! Her character development was amazing and she does tend to self sabotage at times which made me want to scream but like, I am the same way! And I scream at myself!!!

WILL LANGFORD. He is truly up there with Emily Henry’s book boyfriends for me. I felt the wanting and pining on each page. He is a romance hero of all romance heroes and I absolutely adored how soft he was. Like a gentle, sweet, loving, caretaking man. He is the reason for the word wonderful!!!

If you’re looking for a well written, funny, emotional, and unique romance, please, please read You Between The Lines. This was such a wonderful debut from Katie (who is also a wonderful human) and I can’t wait to see what she does next.

Thank you NetGalley and Forever for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. You Between The Lines is out on February 18, 2025 and I will not be shutting up about it!!!

Katie Naymon delivers an irresistible debut with You Between the Lines, a romantic, witty, and surprisingly heartfelt exploration of ambition, identity, and second chances. Leigh, a former sorority girl, surprises even herself when she's accepted into a prestigious poetry MFA program in North Carolina. But her excitement quickly shifts to dread when she realizes her high school crush—and first literary critic—William is not only a classmate but also her biggest rival for the program’s top fellowship.

William, once the source of Leigh’s greatest creative insecurities, has grown into the kind of writer she despises—turtlenecks, Moleskines, and all. Yet as the two clash in workshops and trade poetic barbs, their mutual dislike starts to unravel into something far more compelling. When a personal poem of William’s reveals more about his feelings than he intends, Leigh is forced to confront not just her opinion of him but also her own self-doubt.

With sparkling enemies-to-lovers tension, You Between the Lines perfectly captures the competitive, often pretentious world of MFA programs while offering an accessible and deeply relatable heroine. Fans of Beach Read by Emily Henry will feel right at home with the literary backdrop, sharp banter, and romantic sparks—but this one cranks up the heat a notch. A wonderfully crafted debut, Naymon’s first novel cements her as a voice to watch in the romance genre.

I absolutely loved You Between the Lines. It is definitely a top read of 2024.

I loved the angst and feelings you felt between Leigh and William. Their characters were so imperfect and flawed you couldn’t help but love them. And I really appreciate that the story showed Leigh working through her anxiety and insecurity with a therapist. I think it’s important to see that mental health should be a priority.

I thought the miscommunication trope worked extremely well for this book. Usually the trope can be annoying because it’s something so small and insignificant keeping the MCs apart. But in You Between the Lines it worked perfectly for all the faults and flaws that Leigh and Will had.

Will and Leigh are poets in a MFA program so there’s a lot of discussion about poetry. I loved learning about poetry. I found myself wanting to dive into the world of poetry after listening to all their appreciation and thoughts in their workshop sessions.

I recommend You Between the Lines if you like:
💜Academic Romance
💜 Enemy to Lovers
💜 Second Chance
💜Mental Health Awareness

Thanks to Netgalley and Forever for a copy of You Between the Lines in exchange of an honest review.

I’m so glad I was able to snag an advanced copy of Katie’s debut! You Between the Lines was beautifully written and full of emotion.

It’s the story of Leigh, a sorority girl turned copywriter who was accepted into a prestigious MFA program. When she shows up to the welcome dinner, she finds her high school crush turned nemesis and is sure things can’t get worse.

I was immediately into the story and read the first 75% in one sitting!! I had to see how things would unfold. While I understood Leigh’s motivations and baggage, her character arc fell flat for me. Mostly because I didn’t understand how she could be so insufferable by the end. Will’s past was so interesting and entertaining (in a sad way) and I was happy with the resolution.

I’m so happy I read this and can’t wait to see what Katie puts on in the future!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️
Pub Date: February 18, 2025

I will be honest and admit that I often give books I enjoy 5 stars, I’m not stingy with my stars, it is what it is. I’m no professional critic, I never claimed to be.

I need you to trust me though when I say this book is one of the best I’ve read this entire year. This is one of those life altering books. This book held a mirror up to me and said: “This is you, bitch, you should see a therapist.” and I respect that.

I am Leigh and Leigh is me. Holy shit I’ve never identified with a character more in my life down to the parents’ divorce and everything. I, like Leigh, have ALWAYS been insanely concerned with what others think of me. I’ve been a chameleon all my life molding myself to fit in as best as I can to please others. And don’t get me started on the stuff with her parents, I’ll leave that for my future therapist. Just know that the similarities are uncanny, and I have a lot to reflect on.

Gosh, I just loved the vulnerability. They are just two insecure humans who have been through some shit, and are just scared. This book is the perfect portrait of many of us who battle these inner thoughts of insufficiency and self-doubt. This is the first book I’ve ever read by this author, but will by no means be the last. You absolutely MUST read this as soon as it is released in February, preorder NOW!

As always, I am honored to have been able to read this in advance. A huge thank you to Netgalley and Forever for this ARC. 🫶🏻

This book and these characters are going to stick with me for a long time. Thank you so much for writing this, Katie.

I thought this book was a successful romance novel. It was easy to read and brought the reader into the world of academia and poetry. I will say I grew tired of the POV of the main female character and how she projected her insecurities onto the other characters. She became unlikable while the male lead remained seemingly without flaws —a common pattern in romances. However, I was still invested in the story and satisfied with how it ended. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy lighthearted romance.

This one is for everyone who has sat through an advanced creative writing program. It's for anyone who felt their love of pop culture negated their intelligence. It's for anyone who ever doubted they were enough, were loveable, were deserving. Man, I loved this book. I read it in a few hours, I couldn't put it down. Leigh was such a real person to me. I recognized parts of my younger self in her. She made me reminisce about my time in college taking advance writing classes with the MFA students. I imagined things about them and contrasted it with the immature, hurting, warped view of myself, much as she does in the book. I loved Leigh's moments of honesty and vulnerability. How tightly she closes after was so true! And the author actually got therapy session right! As a therapist, I see so few authors who do, they usually just use it as a plot contrivence.

And Will. Who hasn't felt like their parent disapproves of them and moreover doesn't even really know the person they truly are and disapproves of an idea of them? The journey of him holding himself back to esteeming himself enough to stand in his truth was powerful.

The MFA program was full of character tropes, or just a little more formed than that. There was a bit of a hiccup in the third act (felt like some inauthentic choices/pacing issues). I loved Gen and the contrast of her solid sense of self/ love for Leigh and Leigh's mercurial personality and self doubt.

This book was such a fast and interesting read, I would highly recommend it! 4.75 stats Thanks to Net Galley and Forever for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Sadly this one is a DNF for me. I made it to about 36% and tried to push through. However, I have too many other books to get to and if the current read isn’t doing it for me then I need to set it down. I’m really bummed I didn’t love this one more because the cover is so cute, and the reviews were so far really positive. But the execution just wasn’t there for me.

I think my biggest struggle with this book is that I’m not a poetry girly. And poetry reading and writing is a huge element to this book. To make matters worse the book was extremely slow pacing wise and our main characters honestly have the personality of a doorknob. Every chapter was go to class, review peer work, tutoring. So basically rinse, wash and repeat. Leigh our MFC is a big hypocrite and probably needs therapy. She kept saying she wants to grow and mature but in the parts I read all she did was kept being a judgy A-hole. And eventually as I earlier mentioned I just couldn’t tolerate it anymore.

Even though I didn’t love this. I do think there is an audience for it and if you are a poetry girly I’d recommend it. Lastly big thanks to NetGalley & Forever for providing an arc for me to read and review

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5/🌶️ You Between The Lines by Katie Naymon is a sweet romance about an unrequited love story that starts in a high school writing class.

"How do you show someone you've evolved? That you're better -- because of them?"

Will and Leigh seem to keep coming back to each other since high school, never wanting to acknowledge that tiny spark that started that first day in their writing class. Never seeming to be the right time, or the right version of themselves, they part ways over and over. We get to see their character growth as they move on from high school to undergrad and finally culminating in the MFA program they happen to both be attending -- with a coveted internship that will only be awarded to one student. During their years apart, and their brief interludes together in the same place at the same time, they learn more and more about themselves and their life journeys. The story and characters are so relatable, each of them and their insecurities around their short-comings, relationships, and trying to figure out where they belong in the world. But with that place be with each other? Or were they always destined to part again?

✨Rivals-to-lovers
✨Unrequited love
✨Good girl
✨Second chance
✨the one that got away
✨Spice

I really loved this book! Thank you @netgalley for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review. And @katienaymonwrites for sharing your work with the world. It was so beautifully written -- I am really excited to read more of your work.

PS- Katie, if you, by chance, see this review.. I'm going to need to know what Will wrote on Leigh's Perrin Review!!! 😭😅

You Between the Lines was a refreshing and heartfelt departure from the typical romance novel. The book immerses readers in its world, blending picturesque settings with relatable, multidimensional characters. The novel centers around a unique love story that goes beyond the usual tropes of romance, delving into deeper emotional connections and personal growth.

What truly sets this book apart is the way it intertwines romance with a thoughtful exploration of identity, relationships, and self-discovery. The characters aren't just there to fall in love—they are fully realized individuals, each with their own struggles and aspirations. This depth adds complexity to their interactions, making their journey feel real and earned.

The pacing is just right, not rushed, allowing readers to truly invest in the characters' development. The academic setting itself feels almost like a character in the story, offering a rich backdrop that enhances the narrative without overshadowing it.

I loved everything about this book! What an amazing debut! I think I was the exact target audience for this novel - a lover of words, romance, and all things pop culture. The result was me not only enjoying myself but also relating to both Leigh and Will.
Leigh is a relatable main character that is easy to understand and empathize with, even when she made not-so-good decisions. I loved being in her mind and connecting with her.
Additionally, Will is the man of my dreams. The perfect book boyfriend. He is equally flawed but mature, and so, so lovable. I knew I was going to be hooked on him from the very beginning. That stayed true until the last page.
More than anything though, it was so heartwarming to read about two writers falling in love as a writer myself. Katie Naymon really put those feelings onto the page, and her skill in writing and weaving words together left me speechless at times. I loved it! This has been one of the most enjoyable reads of the year for me, and Katie Naymon has solidified herself as one of my auto-buy authors.