*** I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review ***

You Between the Lines follows Leigh, a former sorority girl who gets accepted to a prestigious poetry MFA program but feels entirely unworthy. Also in the program is Will, Leigh's high school crush who once gave her criticism that continues to impact how she views her own writing.

This story hooked me - I'm talking read within the span of 12 hours on a work day - from the beginning. Leigh will absolutely frustrate the reader at times with her insecurities, her judgmental tendencies, and worst of all: her poems about Taylor Swift. Trust the journey. So many romance books make their characters perfectly likable in the beginning, leaving them with little to no room for growth. Leigh is a work in progress, and she will worm her way into your heart - flaws and all.

Leigh was obsessed with Will in high school, craving validation from who seemed to be a True Poet, whereas she always felt like a fraud. Leigh and Will's journey is raw, vulnerable, and messy - not unlike the entirety of this book. I had some concerns in the early stages that this book held too many similarities to other popular books in its genre, but by the end it carves out a space as a unique and equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking story. Easily one of my favorite romance books of all time. 5 freaking stars. ⭐️

The banter! The yearning and the poetry! What a debut, Katie Naymon! I want more of these two. Well done!!!

3.75 stars

This was a fun book. I’m a sucker for an academic rivals story and this definitely delivered. I liked how obsessed with Leigh Will was and how you could tell all his poems were about her. He was definitely down bad and did not do a good job hiding it, even if Leigh couldn’t see it.
Leigh was… not my favorite. She was very much the opposite of a “not like other girls” she was very girly and into pop music and pink and used that as the reason her work was being criticized, rather than the fact that it lacked depth. She does have some character development in the end but it didn’t really make me like her any more.
I also felt like there wasn’t a great explanation for why Leigh and Will became rivals. All the buildup of their years long dislike for each other just didn’t pay off in the end. They kept going in circles and it started to annoy me by the end. Even though Leigh was in therapy and it was a pretty significant plot point, I just felt like she needed either more or different therapy and all the issues could have been avoided.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC!

Poetry, banter and heated looks— these are the fundamentals of a romance wishlist Katie executed to perfect precision with her debut. You can feel the lushness of Will and Leigh, and also the ensemble cast of characters. Vivid and at times yearning set to a high degree, I can easily see myself falling in love and reading this book a million times over.

I really wanted to like this book, but it just missed the mark for me. I'll start with a positive note with the things that I liked. I loved that we were able to read the actual poems of the characters in the story. So many times when I read a book about writers, I don't get to read their work, but I appreciated that I got a glimpse of the work from Will and Leigh in their MFA program.

I also liked all of the Taylor Swift references because I'm a huge Swiftie. The references made sense in the context of writing and poetry. I also liked how Leigh wanted to get out of her stereotype of being a sorority girl who likes to wear pink and write about pop culture in her poetry. I was in a sorority, and I also love the color pink. This was very relatable to me.

Where the book lost me was the connection between Will and Leigh. They knew each other in high school, and they have both pined for each other over the years. When they are reunited, why can't they just be together? The 'will they, won't they, of it all was too drawn out. They would kiss, and then, they would back away. They would kiss again, and then, they would back away again. It was so frustrating because the slow burn was too long for me.

I wanted to root for them, but I just couldn't do it because I don't know why Will would want to be with Leigh. I know that they both had things that they were struggling with, but it just didn't seem like they should be together.

Overall, I liked the Taylor Swift references, the poetry from their characters, and the setting of an MFA poetry program. I felt disconnected to the romance part of this book, and that's why my rating is 3 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever for an ARC of this book.

This book is a total delight, and it captures its academic setting so well! I’m already telling my friends to preorder it.

REVIEW✨
You Between the Lines
By Katie Naymon
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OMG!!!! I think I just read my favourite book of the year! When I tell you it’s perfection, I mean it! Everything from the pacing to plot, to character development, the setting, the conflict, and the romantic chemistry was PERFECT!!! I’m obsessed with both of the main characters Leigh and Will and I love them so much! This book was beautifully written, it was original, pure, passionate, heartfelt, funny, and expertly done. I can’t believe that it is this author’s debut novel, cause it reads like a super well crafted piece of art.
The internal conflict that Leigh faces is so relatable and I felt so connected with! I felt like I was looking in the mirror (IKYKY). There was never a slow moment, the conflict between Will and Leigh was natural and not at all forced. It’s truly a beautiful novel that is so rare and pure. This is the novel that I will be buying for everyone!

📝 Taylor Swift and One Direction coded
📝 Set at a university in a MFA program
📝 Tons of pining from both characters
📝 Complex inner conflict (Anxiety, Self doubt, Dead of a Parent, & Child of Divorce)
📝 Beautiful poems
📝 Just the purest example of love
📝 Will Langford is my new fictional boyfriend

Romance: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Plot points: 💥💥💥💥💥
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️

This book is frustrating and beautiful and felt so REAL. Every part of it worked for me. The miscommunication felt so realistic, the connection between the two main characters that spanned a decade, Leigh’s inner thoughts and where they came from. This book was an emotional read for sure, as it literally brought me to tears multiple times. I was shocked by how much I loved reading the snippets of poetry and how by the end, I wanted even more. It is a testament to how talented Katie Naymon is and I can’t believe this book is her debut. I can’t wait to read the next thing she writes!!! Seriously a fantastic fantastic read.

Thank you NetGalley and ReadForever for the ARC in exchange for my honest review <3 out Feb 18, 2025!!!

LOVED this one. My favorite kind of romances are the ones where the author is able to make the littlest touches and interactions seem like the biggest thing in the world, and this is the perfect example of that. I was constantly hanging on to every word Leigh and Will said and every movement they made. The tension & slow burn were so so good, and the “it’s always been you” vibe gets me every single time.

As a former English major, I loved that this was based around a poetry MFA program, even if it did give me grad school anxiety flashbacks. The academic rivals aspect was great and I loved being able to actually read the characters’ poems throughout. I also loved that Leigh was a bubbly pop culture loving Swiftie amongst her edgier peers, and Will, sigh, he was just the dreamiest glasses and sweater vest wearing lit boy.

This book deals with some heavy topics such as anxiety, divorce, death of a parent, and feelings of inadequacy, and it will make you feel all of the emotions. I legit felt like I was getting therapy along with Leigh. A very satisfying read all around and I will be eagerly awaiting more from Katie in the future!

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

You Between the Lines by Kate Naymon is a super cute contemporary rivals to lovers romance following Leigh & Will from high school to grad school participating in an MFA program together for the next two years which gives them the opportunity to work with a cohort of peers to workshop their poetry and help other students with their writing.

Leigh suffers from imposter syndrome - she doesn’t think she’s good enough to be bumping elbows with the other writers in her program. She’s a sorority girl who loves pop culture & reality tv - she worries her poetry is superficial and surface level - she struggles to allow herself to be vulnerable and write more personal pieces. She struggles as an anxious people-pleaser who is working through her parents new separation and internalizing the difficulties they face.

Will was Leigh’s high school crush - he once told her that her writing was “all style and no substance” which has stuck with her for the past decade. He’s pretentious and she finds herself incredibly attracted to him no matter how hard she tries to fight those feelings and focus on the program.

The rivals to lovers romance is so satisfying - these two go back and forth in an on-again off-again will they won’t they JUST DO IT kind of way. They’re infuriating at some times - perfect examples of being imperfect humans navigating life. The supporting characters are multi-dimensional and complex as well - I loved Leigh’s high school bestie Gen as well as her therapist Bridget.

This book touches upon mental health and the impact of not feeling supported or praised by your family. The way we crave attention and approval and will do whatever we need to do to get it.

I highly recommend this book to book lovers and writers who appreciate a good rivals to lovers romance. This book was so much fun and I can’t wait to read more from Kate Naymon. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Forever Grand Central Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 stars - WOW what an excellent romance book 😍
- The rivals to lovers was beautifully done
- The tension between the FMC and MMC was *chef's kiss*
- The poetry included throughout was well-placed and timely - especially as someone who doesn't read poetry, it was really refreshing
- The mental health rep deserves a round of applause - I really felt like we were WITH Leigh in her anxiety, and having the inner monologue really helped emphasize the reality of anxiety

I definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys a sweet romance book, rivals to lovers, and mental health rep!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This might be my top romance of the year! This is an academic rivals to lovers novel. As an academic myself, I was instantly transported to the start of my grad program. The author captured the imposter syndrome feelings SO WELL.

I really related to Leigh as a character. She describes herself as a people pleaser who feels like she constantly has to prove herself. One of my favorite parts of this book is the on page therapy sessions. I honestly felt like the therapist was talking to me.

The mutual pining between the characters was believable and lovely. They were both vulnerable and earnest at times but also afraid of their feelings. When they finally give in, it is so satisfying!

I really liked getting to know the other members of their cohort. I felt that it added to the grad school setting because I know how important it is to establish those relationships. Otherwise it is hard to survive that intense, competitive experience.

What an absolutely fantastic debut! Katie deserves all the attention she is going to get for this book and I will be recommending it to everyone.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Forever publishing team for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely LOVED this one. This is a beautiful rivals / enemies to friends to lovers. Leigh & Will are everything. The tension was palpable between these two. As a non writer it was interesting to see the poetry/ literature world. I loved the poems within - It definitely hit the spot & gave me a new appreciation

I really enjoyed the healthy competitive but supportive spirit throughout. The character development brought me so much happiness - Leigh’s journey was like looking in a mirror. Therapy therapy therapy - you go girl 💪

Now let’s get to the main event… the mental health representation. The way the family dynamics and trauma was written was so raw & relatable.
I felt like I was walking this journey with Leigh. The anxiety, people pleasing and overthinking inner dialogue was such an honest representation
I will be honest by saying that I’m not the biggest fan of the miscommunication trope but it just works in this book. It’s written in such a way that makes sense & doesn’t have you yelling at the main characters

How this is a debut novel??!? Makes no sense to me - can’t wait for more from this author & I cannot wait for you all to read this! Sooo sooo good 💜💜💜

What a lovely debut novel. I lapped up the detail in this story, despite finding myself frustrated at both Leigh and Will at multiple points! Thanks for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

If you like romance books with poetry and writers I would recommend this book. When the book starts the main characters are in high school and the fmc has a crush on the mmc but is left hating him after he calls her poetry lacking substance. Years later the main characters meet again for a writing fellowship and they are forced to confront the past, present and future.

I enjoyed the poetry aspect of this, I thought it was well written(minus that one taylor swift poem lol). The romance on the other hand had a lot of ups and down. I liked the backstory between the characters and there was a lot of tension and chemistry but sometimes the main character was unlikable. Both characters were going through personal stuff and that probably affected their behaviors. I am not convinced that both main characters will last but I'm glad they got a happy ending. This is low steam and high on the emotional and character growth. I liked the mental health rep and the sweetness of the book. Thanks to Forever for this arc!

What a terrific book! Leigh is a writer who has been accepted into an MFA program and surprise…the guy she had a thing for in high school is there too. Will was a swoon-worthy love interest in this. The reason I didn’t make it a 5 star read is that I didn’t care for her struggles with her parents’ divorce. I felt like she was a bit too old to be so affected by it, and I say that as someone whose parents also divorced when I was of adult age.

Thanks as always to NetGalley for the ARC!

I really liked this one! I genuinely loved Leigh and Will and their characters so much. The fact that they were basically obsessed with each other and never really forgot each other for over 10 years was really cute to me. The one thing that I didn't love was how Leigh ran out before her big reading, I really wanted her to own that moment for herself, & I didn't love how they ended up having a big fight after that. But I love the way they came back together in the end and I really liked how Leigh really came into her character in the end. AND the epilogue was SO CUTE! I love how they both ended up proposing to each other :)

4.75 stars :)

I thought You Between the Lines would be similar to Emily Henry’s Book Lovers, and I was excited to give it a read. I enjoyed the few poems that the author included, and I thought Will was an interesting character. However, Leigh, the main character whose perspective we see everything through, was absolutely unbearable to me. If I had borrowed this from the library instead of receiving an ARC copy on the promise that I’d provide a review, I would have stopped reading about 20% into the book.
I couldn’t figure out if Leigh had severe anxiety, was a full blown narcissist, or was a severely anxious narcissist. She was also hypocritically judgemental. She had a therapist, which I was so glad to discover, but she didn’t learn anything from her therapy sessions until the book was almost done. I wish she could have overcome her struggles and grown gradually through the story instead of having it happen like a whirlwind at the end.
Although I found the story challenging to read, I’m sure there are many others who will love reading about Leigh and her struggles.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I already want to read this again! This story was so relatable, beautiful, sad, touching, and hot. Every moment Leigh and Will were around each other I wanted more.

I really loved all of Leigh’s backstory and her current issues with her family and herself.

Wow! Can’t wait to recommend this to other romance lovers!

I'm completely obsessed with YOU BETWEEN THE LINES and will be telling everyone I know about it as its publication date gets closer. While I'm often reticent about romances with writer protagonists (sometimes they edge too close to self-insert for my taste), but I'd seen so many positive reviews of YOU BETWEEN THE LINES on instagram that I requested the ARC, and I wasn't disappointed. Naymon's writing is beautiful. She embodies the voice of her poet protagonist so well, sweeping the reader away in vivid descriptions and heartfelt emotions. The characters are well-developed and the love between the protagonist and her love interest feels real. I love this book!