I loved this book. Perfect, precise writing that really captured the exact brand of imposter syndrome one experiences in grad school (not just an MFA!). Leigh’s insecurities were so well-explored and felt. I loved the development of her relationship with Will, and also seeing her come into her own with her cohort. There were also a few twists in the end that were perfectly planted and executed just right.

3.5 ⭐️
1.5 🌶️

One thing I can say about this book is that it was certainly well written. The author really dug deep setting the scenes and developing the characters. But on the flip side of having such complex characters is that I had a hard time connecting with Leigh, the FMC. She felt so self destructive at times and some of her choices really bothered me. I understand she was going through a lot but I was so frustrated with her for the majority of the story.

As for the romance between Leigh and Will, there definitely was some steam without being overly explicit. The buildup of their romance gave me all the feels in the “will they, won’t they” push and pull of it all.

Overall, this was a good read- full of angst, romance, and a nice sprinkle of pop culture and Taylor Swift references. Thanks NetGalley and Forever for an ARC!

May I have your attention, please! I urgently need to put this fantastic read on your radar! I know I might be generous with my frequent five-star reviews, but this book truly earns and deserves more than five stars! There's nothing formulaic or cliché about its romance. Everything feels pure, heartfelt, unique, and thought-provoking, with a perfect blend of sensitivity and sarcasm that tugs at your heartstrings like a beautiful love song.

If I had the talent to write a love poem for this book, that would be my review instead, as it feels like the most fitting feedback for such a brilliant debut—one that I enjoyed with every fiber of my being! The slow-burn romance between Leigh and Will, their insecurities and resentments, their coping mechanisms that hold them back from fully being themselves, their witty yet sensitive banter, and all the small, sweet moments—from sharing cider and donuts while pumpkin picking to stolen kisses behind closed doors—are nothing short of magical. It’s an underrated gem, and I’m convinced it’ll be one of the best romance reads of 2025!

The plot centers around Leigh, a former sorority girl in her late twenties who, after being accepted into a prestigious MFA program in North Carolina, leaves behind her soul-sucking copywriting job. After witnessing her parents’ troubled marriage and being dissatisfied with her career choices, she sees this as a fresh start—a chance to embrace her high school self who loved writing freely without the restrictions of corporate life. She has long missed the power of creative freedom.

Her ability to weave pop culture lyrics into her poetry sets her apart, though she’s still hesitant to fully reveal her true voice, preferring to write from other perspectives to avoid rejection. What she didn’t expect was to run into her high school crush, Will Langford—the same guy who once harshly criticized one of her favorite poems in front of the class, crushing her self-esteem. And six years after a near-kiss at his apartment, he rejected her again.

Leigh has moved on in her own way, through therapy and coping with lingering insecurities, but Will—now a pretentious, intellectual, and confident man—is also struggling. After the loss of his father, he’s numbing his feelings and focusing too hard on work, yet he sends mixed signals to Leigh, making her wonder if letting her go was a mistake. But how can she trust the boy who broke her heart, now a troubled man who could ruin her all over again? Even her parents’ 30-year relationship is on the rocks—how could she risk starting something that may not last? What if she’s still not good enough? What if Will chooses someone more like him?

Overall, this book is angsty, lyrical, eccentric, and utterly unique—A MUST READ! I’ll be promoting this book among other romances because when you find something this special, you hold on to it and treasure it. This book deserves to be highly appreciated!

I’m eagerly anticipating Katie Naymon’s next work, as much as I fell for this one!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for sharing this FANTASTIC WORK in exchange for my honest opinions!

Okay, I picked this book up fresh off reading an ARC of The Launch Date, and now I’m like, maybe 2025 romance will save me…Seriously though, similar to that book, I didn’t have super high expectations going into this because I’ve been having such a bad streak of romances, but man, did this book blow me away. In You Between the Lines, a former sorority girl who can’t take herself seriously navigates imposter syndrome and the culmination of finally getting closer with the guy she’s been wanting for the past ten years in a prestigious MFA program.

After burning out after years of working in marketing, Leigh finally pursues her dream of being a poet by starting a prestigious poetry MFA program. On the first day she immediately feels like she doesn’t belong with all these academic people, a feeling that’s confirmed even more when she realizes that Will, the guy whom she’s had a crush on since high school and who represents everything she finds lacking with herself, is one of her classmates. As the year goes on, they can’t help but give into the tension between them, especially when Will submits a poem that’s clearly about her.

If I’m being honest, I hate reading romances where the characters are hung up on a slight that happened in high school because let’s be honest, you are grown now and should be able to get over it! Thankfully, I didn’t feel that way in this book, mostly because Will’s condescension toward Leigh in class once was just one more thing in the long timeline of their thing. She’s always had a crush on him throughout high school, and when they ran into each other once in college, him rejecting her advances cements something for her that she’s still grappling with today. All this to say that I think the high-school hang-up thing works here because both of their characters are dealing with deep-seated issues and holding onto that one event says more about themselves than is used purely for the plot.

The characterizations were some of my favorite parts of this book; everyone really felt like real people to me. Leigh’s character particularly resonated with me. She’s a people pleaser, clearly dealing with some anxiety and tying her self-worth to other people’s opinion of her. One aspect of the book is her dealing with her somewhat-recently separated parents, who constantly pull her into their fights.

She’s also never really taken herself seriously, constantly comparing her sorority girl self who likes Taylor Swift and doesn’t go out of her way to study much with her more seriously academic peers. This is a very simplistic connection to make in the real world, I know, but one that I think works in the scheme of the book because she’s had a lot of people in her life who don’t believe in her. She’s clearly dealing with imposter syndrome, especially entering this very small MFA program with people who are clearly stronger writers than her, or so she thinks.

This plays into the romance because as much as Leigh can’t deny her chemistry with Will, she also self-sabotages the whole situation since she doesn’t want to be hurt. Still, the tension between them is always there, and I really enjoyed their conversations together. As much as he was rude to her years ago, he clearly supports her and wants the best for her, even as they compete for a fellowship with Leigh’s favorite poet.

I honestly was holding my breath reading some of their scenes because the tension! By the time we get to read Will’s poem about her in class, I had to admit I was a goner for this book. I absolutely could not put it down until I finished it, and even then I started reading slower in the second half since I didn’t want it to end.

A strong debut, this book grapples with imposter syndrome and never feeling good enough, even in romantic relationships. I loved the characters and the romance, and I really can’t wait to read more from this author! You Between the Lines is perfect for fans of Beach Read; I can’t recommend it enough.

I 100% support characters like Will and cheered when he said in the prologue: “It’s all style, no substance” when critiquing a piece written by our female lead Leigh. I’ve personally said this about certain pieces and books I’ve read this year and readers: it’s not a mean spirited comment, it’s a substantive critique.

On the flip side, it also made me instantly not like our female character Leigh (who obviously has to have an emotional reaction of tears welling because she cannot take constructive criticism). It’s the first time someone told her, that her writing was mediocre and challenged her to step her game up. But to use the excuse and defence of “white literary men” as the reason why the character doesn’t take the criticism and level up at the end of the prologue was just quite honestly not working for me (and for this to happen in the prologue, was a red flag for me). Believe me there’s a serious conversation to be had about the toxicity of the literary world being dominated by a select few writers (and it’s not only ‘white literary men’ that have a grip on it).

There were a lot of moments that made me cringe (I had a visceral reaction of shock, disappointment, and some cases I was just disgusted). An author not choosing her words wisely, without a care in the world, an author operating with I dare say a sense of privilege? For example the characterization used in chapter one “the pot smoking, the ones who brought books to parties” line. There’s so much to unpack there (the connotations alone in that line). I had a lot of ‘why’ and ‘wait, what happened there?’ moments while reading.

But once the romance and conflict comes around I could not bring myself to like Leigh. “You Between the Lines” lacks substance, and needs an author to once again read between the lines.

Thank you Forever for the ARC.

I am very excited to be reading this book! My full review to follow.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts and comments are my own.

Thank you Netgalley and forever publishing for the e-ARC. My opinions are being left voluntarily. What a fantastic debut book. I really enjoyed the way the author included writing and the attempts by the fmc in the book.i enjoyed how their history and self doubt played into their connection. The romance part was my favorite part. They were both down bad, but he was down bad more.

I look forward to the authors future work.

4.5/5☆

When a book makes you stay up until 2 am and cry, you know it’s a good one! I couldn’t put this down. The writing was absolutely beautiful and just draws you in.

Will and Leigh had such a sweet love story! There was a lot of miscommunication, but the book deals with the reasons behind all of it so it makes sense. I understood why they hesitated to get together. The exploration of how anxiety and depression can affect one’s relationships was handled well. The characters had great chemistry and tension. No matter how hard they tried, they could never stay away from each other for too long.

I loved the poetry and English department talk and how they wrote notes to each other on their poems in class. Reading their poems and seeing how they analyzed each other’s poems added to the development of each character. The found family aspect was top notch!!

When the book was over, I found myself wishing it was longer because I loved it so much. I can’t believe this is a debut. You will definitely want to pick this up come February. If Taylor Swift’s 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝑷𝒐𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝑫𝒆𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 was a book, it’s this one!

You Between the Lines is a book I became obsessed with after hearing the main characters went to high school in Cleveland, Ohio. I ran to download when it became available on netgalley and read in a few sittings, pacing it out because I just didn't want it to end. The tension between Will and Leigh was rising with every chapter towards the middle and I couldn't wait for them to just fuck it out of their systems. I appreciated the real take Will took towards taking an antidepressant and found myself rooting for him alll the way. I sit here and think to myself- DAMN this was a debut. I can not wait to read what Katie puts out next.

Thank you Forever for my earc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I don’t usually pick up romance novels, but You Between the Lines surprised me in the best possible way. From the very first page, I was completely hooked. Naymon’s writing is sharp and engaging, but what truly caught my attention was how she used poetry to tell the story. I don’t typically read a lot of poetry, but I found myself wanting more and more of it as I continued. Leigh and Will’s communication through their poems felt so genuine, and the way they interpreted each other’s words added an extra depth to their relationship that I really appreciated.

Coming from a scientific academic background, I also found the setting of the MFA program very interesting. Naymon creates such a vivid picture of the creative writing world that I felt like I was actually there with the students, sitting in the workshops listening to their discussions and feeling the pressure they face to create something meaningful. It felt less like reading about fictional characters and more like I was reconnecting with old classmates.

What I also loved about You Between The Lines is how it deals with very relatable and real-life issues. Mental health, impostor syndrome, people-pleasing, and difficult relationships with parents are all explored in a way that feels both personal and universal. The characters are far from perfect, but that’s what makes them so real and relatable. Their struggles and insecurities are very human, and you can easily see parts of yourself in them, which makes their stories even more powerful.

Leigh and Will’s relationship is not simple, it’s messy and complicated, but that’s what makes it feel so authentic. It’s not a typical romance. Their bond grows through their writing and poetry, and you can feel the intensity of their connection on a much deeper level. Naymon manages to express this without making it feel too intellectual or heavy. It’s very accessible and speaks to emotions in a way that feels honest. If you appreciate storytelling in the style of Taylor Swift’s lyrics or enjoy narratives told through art, this book will resonate with you.

I also have to mention the cover, it’s absolutely beautiful, and I can’t wait to have a physical copy on my bookshelf. It’s one of those books you’d be proud to display!

In the end, You Between the Lines is much more than just a romance. It’s a story about finding yourself, learning to express your feelings, and the complex ways we connect with others. Katie Naymon is definitely an author to watch, and I’m excited to see what she will write next. This book feels like the start of something truly special.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶

💓 Rivals to Lovers
💓 Found Family
💓 Mental Health Rep
💓 Poetry as Banter

First of all, I have to say that I fell in love with Katie's writing. I was hooked from the very beginning and devoured the book in just a few hours.

Leigh and Will were two characters that truly captivated me, and I could really relate to them. This book touches on topics like depression and anxiety, and I think they were handled in the best way possible because I could put myself in the characters' shoes without feeling overwhelmed.

But beyond these topics, the book brings incredible tension between the characters. Honestly, I couldn’t stop smiling and tapping my feet because of these two. The chemistry between them is simply out of this world.

I’m usually a girl who loves dual POV, but in this case, I think the single POV worked perfectly. From the very start, I found myself analyzing Will’s actions the same way Leigh did—hahaha.

I loved how their relationship developed—I could understand the insecurities they felt, but in the end, they just couldn’t stay away from each other.

I can’t forget to mention how much I loved Gen—she’s an amazing friend to Leigh.

I had the best time reading this book and would highly recommend it!

Thank you so much, Forever and NetGalley, for sending me this ARC!

Romance is not usually my go-to genre, but YBTL surprised me in the best way. What initially drew me in was the title, but what kept me engaged was the emotional depth and wit woven throughout the story. Leigh is not your conventional "likable" character, and that’s exactly what makes her so relatable. Her struggles with insecurity, people-pleasing, and self-worth are portrayed with raw honesty, making her journey of self-growth both authentic and compelling.

I appreciated how the book did not shy away from showing Leigh's vulnerabilities, allowing her to be an imperfect, fully realized character. Her emotional maturation by the end of the book was reflected beautifully in her poetry, which is a unique and intimate aspect of this novel. The academic setting, combined with the intellectual tension between Leigh and Will, made for a rich narrative that transcended the typical rivals-to-lovers trope. Their chemistry was undeniable, but what I loved most was how their relationship allowed both characters to grow emotionally and confront their own insecurities, especially through open discussions around mental health.

In a genre where sometimes women are portrayed as someone to “give in to a relationship”, this book felt refreshingly different. Both Leigh and Will matured together, and their development was handled with care and realism. The writing was sharp and thought-provoking, and I found myself rooting for both of them—not just as a couple, but as individuals on their own journeys of self-acceptance.

Overall, YBTL is a touching, beautifully written debut that blends romance, self-discovery, and the messy yet rewarding process of finding one's voice. I highly recommend it, especially if you're a fan of smart, character-driven narratives with emotional depth.

I love a good love story, and this just had something extra sweet about it. It was fabulous! Loved the characters and the setting. It was wonderfully written. Get ready for an adorable ride with this one!

A lovely romantic read perfect for Valentine’s. I swooned over Will and wanted to shake Leigh. It made me giddy with anticipation!

This was available for read-now and all I knew about it was that it was being suggested for readers that enjoy Julie Soto’s books. As a huge fan of Julie Soto, I figured I would check this out and see. Oh, boy did this exceed my every expectation. Dare I say this is my favorite read of the year? (I’ve read over 100 books so far this year, for reference. Yes, I know that is utterly insane). Will and Leigh’s story captivated me in a way few other books have. I saw so much of myself in Leigh as someone who also went to school for English and Creative Writing and someone who also struggles with anxiety over being perceived as smart and competent in a room of others. While I have not pursued my MFA, my partner recently finished his MFA for creative writing and we were giggling over the many accurate detailings of life in an MFA program throughout the book. The romance was unbelievably phenomenal. The chemistry, the tension, and the pining. AHH. It was all so palpable. This book had me giggling, crying, hyperventilating. I cannot wait to see what comes next from Katie Naymon. I will be eagerly awaiting more from her!

You Between the Lines is the perfect title for book. Leigh and William/Will went to the same high school and years later wind up at the same North Carolina University for a Masters writing and poetry program. Each week those in the program write a piece, share it and constructively critique each other; writing this review feels like one of these workshops.

Leigh and Will are interesting characters, and seem to be written well. They are hiding who and what they are to varying degrees, and it's frustrating but it's also so true in life; how many of us hide who we are because we want to be liked.
The story wraps up well tying up the loose ends and doesn't leave any strings behind.

I wanted to love this. I wanted so badly for this novel to consume me. From the moment it was presented as a must-read for fans of Julie Soto, I was in. I had high hopes. Maybe that's where it went wrong—Julie Soto's writing is fast-paced and sends you on a roller coaster of emotions. And yes, I had a roller coaster of emotions—a roller coaster of annoyance that we were doing the same dance several times in a row.

The novel started off strong; the prologue set the tone nicely. The first time Leigh and Will decided they were better off as friends, I thought, okay, yeah, that makes sense. The second time the same thing happened, I thought: okay, sure, I don't love it, but I get it. The THIRD time it happened, I thought, are you KIDDING me???? Mind you, the same dance happened six years ago, so the same situation presented itself four or five times. And I was sick of it.

There were some quotes that I resonated with, most notably because I am also a people pleaser:

"You assign your self-worth based on your perception of what others think about you."

But ultimately, this fell flat for me. Leigh was a bit unbearable. Will had some endearing moments, but at one point, I stopped caring because it just felt like we were going in circles. This novel may resonate more with English majors. I have a friend in the English program at our grad school, so I am curious what she would think of it.

Thank you Forever for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I just finished the book, and I found it to be a great read, especially for young adult and romance readers. I really appreciated how you captured the ups and downs of being a writer, particularly the way other people's intelligence can make you question your own. As a writer myself, I found that aspect very relatable. However, I did feel that, at times, I had to push myself to keep reading. The writing is good, but I think it could have used something more to fully captivate the reader. Overall, though, it was an enjoyable read!

great story and beautiful characters. This made me swoon and I loved the main male character. The cover is beautiful

Such a lovely fall read.

The tale of two ex high school crushes that find themselves in the same MFA program.
Leigh and Will are perfect for each other, if only they can each get out of their own way. Both dealing with past and current trauma related to their parents - they must both come to terms with the fact that they are their own people and the mistakes of others and the opinions of others do not define them.

Thanks to NetGalley for the E-ARC.