Overall I liked this book. I thought it was thought out, written well and I enjoyed the plot, storyline and characters, I thought that the college aged setting fit well for the miscommunication and potential immature aspects of the FMC and MMC.

I would recommend this book / audio to others.

ARC REVIEW (w/ audiobook) I was lucky enough to get the audio arc of this and listen along as I read! I will always love a romance about two authors but two poets? Ugh, this was so cute and fluffy and fun I had a really good time with this! The audio was very well done, and I really enjoyed Katie Naymon's writing style as well! Overall a really cute romance with minimal spice & lots of cuteness

If you, like me, want your contemporary romance with a healthy (??? is it??) helping of angst and pain and pining this book is for you!

As someone who is basically a Taylor Swift hater, I went into this thinking I wasn’t going to like it but I was sent a book so I was just gonna try it out… and I ended up crying, relating, and loving it.

I combo read this with audio and the narrator was so great, there are a lot of characters and she did a great job of giving them distinct voices and also her Will voice uhhhh does something for me 😳.

Thank you Forever for the eARC and finished copy, and Hachette audio for the ALC!!

Thank you to Forever Publishing for the eARC and Hachette Audio for the ALC.

I wish I had liked this one. But I think I’m a little too much of a STEM girly for most of You Between the Lines.

There is so much about poetry, and composition, and writing, and I felt like my eyes were glazing over. But I think I could have persevered and continued had I enjoyed the main characters—at all.

Leigh is a ‘pick me’ girl; always judging and putting down others in her classes. Acting like she’s better because she wears pink and listens to current pop music. And she PINES for Will, despite acting like he’s the devil. It’s like whiplash at times.

And Will? He gives off so many mixed signals. While I appreciate him being open about his depression and treatment (and I wish we all could talk about it more freely), he still felt like bland and forgettable.

Sorry, despite the great narrator, I couldn’t finish.

Thank you to Netgalley for the arc. This on audio was so good. I loved Leigh as a main character. She was so relatable and likable. I really felt for her as she was not really feeling fulfilled at her marketing job. I too can say I don't always feel happy at work. Her parents are also going through a divorce and I myself have recently gone through a divorce. So that can be tough. So Leigh is just going through a lot and she sees Will at a MFA program and hasn't seen him since High school. The banter between the two characters was very entertaining and the way they fell for each other was done phenomenally. I would rate this a 4 out of 5 stars. I highly recommend checking out this book if you also like books based on writing and poetry. I love books based off books. This was a really enjoyable and fun read.

This audiobook is absolutely fantastic. The narrator does such a BEAUTIFUL job. Between having difference voices/tones for each character and brining so much emotion to Leigh’s words and thoughts and feelings. Everything is so perfect.

And I love this book so much. It’s one of the absolute best books!

Thanks so much to Hachette for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

The narrators were nice but I was not in love with the female narrator. She played the character well but I feel like it just made me more irritated with the character. The book was good the characters were relatable but the same issue happening over and over was super frustrating and over done

This book<3

Will and Leigh are poets from the same hometown. While life brought them together once after high school, they went their separate ways before finding themselves in the same MFA program for poetry. Through some misunderstandings, they resist the pull they feel towards one another until they can't anymore.

I completely fell in love with Will and Leigh's story. They both have anxiety-related issues and they are written so well, you can really feel what Leigh is feeling throughout the book. I cannot recommend this book enough for my romantics, it is truly a fantastic read!

The wrist? The email? The feedback? I cannot wait to continue to follow Katie Naymon over her career!

3.5 stars, rounded down because I struggled to stick with this book through a large portion of it. At the end though, I was glad I did.

I was attracted to this advance review audiobook by the adorable cover and the premise. Two high school crushes turned rivals end up in the same prestigious MFA program, and the poetry he’s writing seems to pretty definitely be about her. And, overall, the book delivers.

There’s lots of lovely poetry from the MFA candidates, particularly Leigh and Will, our MCs. Leigh, though, is really struggling with her myriad insecurities. This is someone more attuned to the poetry of a Taylor Swift lyric than classic poets, and Will’s peer feedback of her work frequently centers on an all-style, no-substance critique that hits too close to home, as she knows she’s unwilling to be the level of vulnerable necessary to compete for the program’s prestigious fellowship. Will, on the other hand, is very willing to lay himself bare in his poetry. And while Leigh is struggling with feeling like she’s an outsider among the more artsy, well-read MFA candidates, that she’s responsible for her parents’ impending divorce - yes, this is an almost 30-year-old with the rather immature ability to make every situation all about her - Will is going through his own challenging personal stuff, like the recent loss of his father. This isn’t so much a will they or won’t they, but a, can I bear with these two until they hopefully get their stuff together?

In the end, I was happy with where this ended up, I really liked Will and some of the supporting characters in the MFA cohort, and both the poetry and the writing style were beautiful, as one would expect from a writer with these credentials (debut author Katie Naymon holds an MFA herself). This book had its shortcomings for me, probably largely due to a female MC that I just couldn’t relate to, but I enjoyed it overall and think the author has a voice worth following. Speaking of voices, for quite a while I felt that narrator Sarah Beth Goer was simply too low-key and chill in her delivery, but as the book went on, I couldn’t picture anyone else voicing Leigh and think she struck just the right note.

Thank you #NetGalley #HachetteAudio #Forever for the advance listen! This one comes out on Feb. 18.

The audiobook of ‘You Between the Lines’ by Katie Naymon is an evocative experience, bringing a beautifully written story to life through its sensitive and nuanced narration. Firstly, this novel is a true testament to masterful prose, with the kind of writing that feels almost poetic, pulling you into a world of vulnerability, self-discovery, and complicated relationships. It’s a love letter to anyone who has ever felt the need to shrink themselves to fit in, especially those who can relate to the experiences of being an only child or a people pleaser.

Leigh, the protagonist, is an incredibly well-crafted character — a people pleaser at her core who constantly struggles with self-worth and with being seen as "too much" in her relationships. The story, which deals with mental health, yearning, and self-acceptance, hits hard in its emotional depth. Although Leigh’s behavior can occasionally be frustrating, particularly due to her self-destructive tendencies, her character’s development is incredibly relatable. It’s a journey many of us have gone through, and it’s this authenticity that makes her both irritating and lovable at the same time.

The audiobook narrator quickly proves to be an excellent fit for the story. The narrator's performance captures Leigh’s fragility and inner turmoil beautifully, making it easy to see why she’s the perfect choice for this character. She does a wonderful job of playing with tone and cadence, especially in the more intimate or "spicier" scenes, truly bringing the emotions and subtleties of the story to life. The narrator nails the internal struggle Leigh faces in finding her voice — whether in her poetry or in her relationships. Through this performance, the audiobook doesn’t just retell the words; it feels like an extension of the story itself, adding depth to the listening experience.

The production values of this audiobook are also impressive, enhancing the emotional impact of the story. It’s one of those rare audiobooks where the voice performance and the writing work in tandem to create something far more than the sum of its parts.

However, the narrator’s lilting voice may not be for everyone. For some listeners, it may initially take time to adjust, especially if you’re not accustomed to that kind of delivery. But for those who appreciate subtleties in character portrayal, this audiobook will likely resonate deeply.

In short, ‘You Between the Lines’ is a beautifully crafted novel that is only enhanced in audiobook format. It’s the kind of story that teaches you not only about love and self-worth but also about empathy and understanding. If you’re someone who appreciates rich, introspective storytelling and the art of narration, this audiobook should not be missed.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

Thank you NetGalley for an ALC of You Between the Lines in exchange of my honest opinion.

4.5 stars

This is such an amazing story with flawed characters that are pushing through life even though they are filled with doubts.
Story is about Leigh, that got accepted into a prestigious MFA program in North Carolina and leaves behind a copyright job that is clearly burning her out. She sees that as an opportunity to follow her passion and start over. However, her past does not want to let her go as she sees her past crush attending the same program as her.

I really loved that this book has several layers that one can dissect. One of them is about Leigh's relationship with her parents and how that mirrors or not her attitude towards her own career and mental health. Speaking of mental health, I very much loved to see a character that has trouble in separating herself from her work when receiving criticism. It was so well done and I could see myself in Leigh at a times.
Will, the MMC, also have his own family issues and insecurities, but nonetheless, communicates and grow with Leigh in this book in a way that I found so delicate, not bypassing or taking the spotlight from her.

Moreover the angst and push-pull between both of the main characters is THICK! They feel so much and that bleeds into the reader.

Lastly, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book. As Leigh wants to be a poet, there is a lot of poetry throughout the book, and I thought it was amazing to have that come to life with the narrator. It really enriched the experience of hearing someone declaiming those words than just reading in silence.

The only thing that I deduct a half star is that I wish one of the threads were slightly more developed (but I don't want to spoil so I will leave it like that).
Overall an amazing read

so swoony and perfect. i loved it so much. one of my friends loved this story and i am so excited i got the opportunity to read it early as well. i loved it so much

I did not enjoy this at all. The first half of this book I had decided I was going to give it 2.5 stars and round up to 3. Because what do I know about writing a book with likeable characters? I struggle to write these reviews. Leigh is the FMC of this book and she is just the worst. Is she really supposed to be 27? Granted I have not been 27 in a decade but I feel like late 20s is when women should be getting more confident and accepting themselves. Leigh is insecure and whining about her mommy and daddy getting divorced. And the fact that this (divorce) is compared to the death of a parent is absolutely criminal in my opinion.

Then we get to the second half of the book where Leigh turns a corner from insecure and unlikeable to completely insufferable. The "intrusive thoughts" she has about Will (the MMC) that she thinks she loves are just unforgiveable. She almost treats him as a frenemy. I have read several books where the FMC and MMC are competing against each other and I don't think I've read anything so hateful from a character after they are together.

Clearly I do not like Leigh. Let's discuss Will. He also is not great. Both of these main characters are immature. That being said I felt like at least he always saw her genuine talent and never thought badly about her. Also I think the recent death of a parent gives you a decent excuse to be emotionally stunted.

Clearly this was not for me. I should mention I also have no appreciation for poetry and found the poems a little cringe.

Thank you netgalley for the ARC, this is clearly my honest opinion. This ARC was an audio format and I have no complaints about the narrator, she did a great job.

Fun, lighthearted, and addicting. I sucked this book up in a day. I can not wait for it to come out so I can giggle with all my friends about it.

First off, before I review this audiobook... I need everyone to know this is arguably one of the most well written books I've read in a while. The prose is absolutely stunning throughout this entire novel.

"I can't write a single poem where you don't exist."

Now that I have that out of the way, let's talk about this love letter to only children, people pleasers, and everyone who has ever felt like they have to become smaller, take up less space, so that everyone around you can be more comfortable. This book is for you.

Leigh is a people pleaser to her core. She doesn't want to be a burden on her family, her friends, or really in her life. Will, the man she has been pining for in high school who told her she was more "style than substance" has re-entered her life in the same MFA program. Thus solidifying through forced proximity, the decade of mutual pining and yearning.

The author did an incredible job with the mental health rep in this novel. While the FMC started to grate on my nerves at numerous times due to her self destructive behavior, the character development made sense. The character, made sense. I think most of us would find her irritating, because we have been her. We have been irritated with ourselves for the same things that Leigh struggles with.

Now onto the audiobook. At first I thought the narrator was overly breathy. However, she changed my mind very quick once I got to know the main character. She was the perfect narrator for this novel from both tone and cadence. I absolutely loved how she played with her tone throughout the scenes, especially the spicier scenes, really bringing everything to life. She was Leigh and she did an incredible job bringing Leigh's fragile voice to the surface throughout the audiobook. This is a character who isn't sure of herself, who isn't even sure she has a voice. She is writing poetry through other people's POVs... So honestly, this narrator absolutely crushed the subtleties of the character throughout this audiobook. This is one of those audiobooks where the production told the story, just as much as the words that wrote this story.

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the privilege of being able to review this heartfelt novel/audiobook. This is one of those books that teaches you a lot about yourself, people, and the empathy required to show up in life.

As a teenager, Leigh Simon got crushing feedback from her high school crush on a poem she wrote for creative writing class. Years later, she enters an MFA grad program only to come face to face with none other than Will.

I had a mixed experience with this book. YOU BETWEEN THE LINES has beautiful, lyrical writing and a standout audiobook performance that enhanced my experience with the story. While I appreciated those elements, I struggled to fully connect with the romance and character growth.

I felt the romance between Leigh and Will was unconvincing, and lacked emotional depth and continuity needed for their romance to progress from high school crush to college almost something to suddenly in love. There were a few isolated moments of strong connection, but I felt their romantic past wasn’t full explored in a way that justified a 10 year crush turned love story.

The narrator brings Leigh to life with a breathy, ethereal quality to her voice that perfectly complements the lyrical writing style. Her impressive range of character voices makes each one feel distinct, and she uses pacing masterfully, slowing down in intimate moments to heighten anticipation and tension.

Thank you Hachette Audio and Forever for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

✨ A True Masterpiece ✨

Overview:
Leigh never expected to be accepted into a prestigious poetry MFA program in North Carolina. As a former sorority girl, she’s always felt like an outsider in literary circles—especially after an embarrassing experience in high school when her poetry was torn apart by none other than Will, her former crush-turned-nemesis.
Now, years later, Will—now William—shows up at her MFA orientation. Gone is the boy who once criticized her writing; in his place is a sweater-vest-wearing, Moleskine-carrying poet who’s just as determined to prove himself as she is.
Leigh is set on proving him wrong and winning the program’s highly coveted fellowship. But when Will submits an intimate poem that’s maybe, probably, definitely about her, everything shifts. The lines between rivalry and attraction blur, forcing them both to confront what’s really between them—on the page and beyond.

My Thoughts:
Some books are good. Some books are great. And then, there are books that touch something deep inside you—stories that become part of you. You Between the Lines is one of those rare gems.
From the writing style to the characters, from the poetry woven into the prose to the emotional depth—this book was everything. It was thoughtful, gentle, creative, and so incredibly heartfelt. There was a quiet strength in the way the story unfolded, a tenderness that wrapped around me like a warm embrace.
This is, without a doubt, one of the best romance books I’ve read in a long time. It instantly earned a place in my Top 5.

Writing, Storytelling & Atmosphere:
Katie Naymon’s writing is stunning! There’s a poetic, lyrical quality to her words that makes every sentence feel intentional, like a brushstroke on a canvas. The metaphors, the rhythm, the way emotions are layered into the story—it’s all so beautifully crafted.
What I loved most was how mature and yet so fresh and young the story felt at the same time. It carries the weight of deep emotions while maintaining a lightness, a kind of hopeful vulnerability that makes you want to savor every word.

Characters & Development:
I fell completely in love with every single aspect of this book, but the character development stood out the most.
Leigh’s growth, self-doubt, ambition, and emotional unraveling felt so real and raw. Her emotions weren’t rushed or exaggerated—they were simply human. Her thoughts, insecurities, dreams, and fears were laid bare, making her feel like a real person—perhaps even a friend—rather than just a character in a story.
There’s something incredibly intimate and honest about the relationships in this book. The love, the friendships, the self-discovery—it’s all woven together so naturally and effortlessly.
And Will? William? Oh, the tension! His journey from arrogant high school critic to thoughtful poet was just as compelling as Leigh’s. Their dynamic felt like a slow dance between frustration and understanding, between rivalry and undeniable chemistry.

Narration & Listening Experience:
Sarah Beth Goer’s narration was absolutely breathtaking.
She didn’t just read the story—she became part of it. Her voice carried so much warmth, depth, and emotional nuance that I felt completely immersed in the story.
And not just me.
She wrapped this book up in a gift—one I didn’t expect, but one that I will cherish forever.
She took Katie Naymon’s words and turned them into something even more profound, something alive. This audiobook wasn’t just an audiobook—it was an experience, an immersion, a moment of pure magic.

Favorite Quote:
“I love everything you’ve been, everything you are, everything you could be.”

This line hit me right in the heart. It encapsulates the essence of the book—the acceptance, the love, the quiet beauty of seeing someone fully and embracing all of them.

Strengths:
Everything.

Weaknesses:
You really thought I would list something here? 😂

Final Thoughts:
I have no criticism.
Only love for this book.

It was everything I didn’t know I needed. A beautifully crafted, deeply moving, and profoundly poetic romance that will stay with me for a long, long time.

📖 Would I recommend it? Without hesitation.
🎧 Would I listen to it again? Absolutely.
🖊️ Would I read anything and everything Katie Naymon writes in the future? In a heartbeat.

If you love romance that is poetic, profound, and emotionally resonant, You Between the Lines is a book you cannot miss.

Read this book if you like:
•poetry
•forced proximity
•second chance romance

The audio was great. I’m usually skeptical about poetry but I really enjoyed learning more about it. Leigh was immature at times (but that’s part of growing up) and really started to find herself with the help of therapy. I think the themes are very common and many in their 20s will relate very much! Thank you Forever for the ALC

Thank you to Hachette and NetGalley for the advanced audiobook of this title!
This book takes place in an academia setting with forced proximity and second chances between two former high school students who had harbored crushes on one another. They meet later in college, and now in adulthood. Chance encounters and past rejections set the tone for their current interactions with one another, short and awkward, never trusting themselves to be alone together.

Eventually their walls come down and something resembling friendship blossoms as they bide for the same internship writing poetry.
The author highlights Leigh's insecurities and makes them the focus of her character arc. She has non-existent coping mechanisms to handle her unrealistic expectations. Will is more quiet in his insecurities and tends to recede when confronted. Meanwhile, Leigh attacks. Their relationship becomes one step forward and three steps back, which was quite frustrating at times.

It was nice to see Leigh finally get rid of her self loathing and become more vulnerable, but it was a long journey to get there.

The narrator used a really breathy voice for Leigh which was something fitting and sometimes made her sultry at inappropriate times. I did love the way she voiced Will and imbedded his quiet, deliberate nature perfectly.

If you enjoy academia settings and slow burns, you will appreciate this novel.

4.5⭐️

This is a must for all the #TeamJess girlies and anyone who believes notes left in the margins are a love language. As someone who loves a second chance because of the big feels, this love story that spans over a decade was so heart achingly beautiful and tender and the pining was so delicious.

Leigh was so relatable (fellow member of the overthinking, people pleasing, chronic apologizers club) and there were many times I wish I could have inserted myself in the story to give her a pep talk or a high five. I personally identified with Leigh’s self editing - the constant checks to change or consider others’ opinions before speaking or acting - and how she based her self-worth on her perception of what others thought about her. Other people’s actions and responses are mot a commentary on or indicative of our worth. Thank you, Katie, for this reminder!

Leigh and Will both heavily guard their hearts and have a great fear of rejection, which has them craving connection and community but keeping others at bay because they’re afraid of being left first. This fear of not being enough - whether that’s in a friendship, romantic relationship, or with or being left is a feeling many of us have experienced at one point or another, so seeing how Leigh and Will grew and arrived at a place where they could bet on themselves was so hopeful.

The audiobook narration was absolutely exquisite. I was moved more than once by the tenderness and vulnerability in the narration. It was such a stunning performance for this beautiful book.