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.

Thank you Hachette and NetGalley for ALC in exchange for my honest review!

“Your first reaction, when someone ignores you, is to assume that there’s something wrong with you. You assign your self-worth based on your perception of what others think about you.”

THE AUDACITY TO SAY THIS TO ME PERSONALLY!!!

Where do I begin? I'll start with the narration, Sarah Beth Goer did a great job. Especially in portraying the depths of emotions between these two.

Leigh and Will felt like looking in a mirror and I'm not going to lie, it made me wildly uncomfortable at times. They are so well done. Such authentic and real portrayals of depression, anxiety, lack of confidence. It was all so well written, and I know that because I felt CALLED OUT!!

I think it's very real to be mean. Lash out. Feel so lost you don't know where to start. Not on purpose, but sometimes it just happens. I can see why so many people connect with this, myself included.

Both of these characters are flawed but they're human. They're also fun, kind, and witty. Man, they are so witty lol. The banter, the conversations, the intimacy. Ughhhh it was delicious. Made up for how many times I wanted to shake them and throw them across a room.

Overall this is a beautifully written book. Not surprising considering the author does actually have an MFA in poetry, and the poetry was great. 6 big giant stars for the poetry alone. Incredible debut,

3.5 ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley for this ALC!

Leigh has joined an MFA program after hating her job. At the program in NC, she sees her former rival and crush, Will.

Leigh is a chronic people pleaser and lover all things pink. She was a sorority girl and is never taken seriously.

Will and Leigh grow closer through working on their poems in a group. They can’t deny their feelings but they constantly are hot and cold with each other. There’s some spice and self discovery for these two.

Will had a strained relationship with his late father. Leigh’s parents are going through a separation. They have overcome their bad examples to be together.

This story was both unique and deeply relatable. I felt everything as if I were living it myself. Leigh was so real, an imperfect, pathological people-pleaser. Her struggles were my own, and they cut deep. It was so easy to step into her shoes and follow her raw mental health journey, which was beautifully portrayed.

What resonated with me most was how the book captured the way insecurities can eat us up, slowly distorting our perception of the world and our relationships. The story felt incredibly reflective, and I loved that.

The slow burn romance? Pure angst, tension, and delicious back-and-forth. Will is soft yet unreadable, but we get glimpses when we see him interact with Leigh. Their story is messy, beautiful, sometimes heartbreaking, and deeply vulnerable. I loved every second of it.

And to think this is Katie Naymon’s debut novel! I can’t wait to see what she does next. Time to pre-order a trophy shelf copy!

The narrator was incredible! I loved how she changed her tone, rhythm, and delivery to match the emotions of the story.
It felt so natural and immersive, making the experience absolutely perfect.

Thank you Net Galley & Kate Naymon for providing me with an arc, this is my honest review!

I loved this book! The chemistry between Leigh and William is fantastic. This book is a little bit of everything: second chance romance, slow burn, and rivals-to-lovers vibes. There’s always been a spark between these two since high school and a near connection in college. When they end up in the same poetry cohort of an esteemed MFA program, they meet in the margins and reignite long-held attraction. Leigh is an imperfect leading lady… I imagine some readers will be turned off by her people-pleasing overthinking, but I could relate. William has flaws, too (one that almost lost the book a star), but they work as a pair. The poetry and overall writing works. I thought the audiobook narration was only OK at first as some of the female character voices blurred together. Ultimately this was still a solid listening experience through NetGalley, and I’m grateful to have received an ARC for review!

This book was okay, I saw a lot of hype around it so was excited. It had some good parts, but it wasn’t my favorite. Some parts felt long winded, Leigh was a little insufferable at times. Parts just felt very immature, the same argument over and over. I feel like others may like this more than I did, it just wasn’t for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Hatchette audio for my gifted ALC!

I want to start by saying that I’ve never really studied poetry or worked through the process of writing poetry so I may not have been the ideal audience for this story.

Tired of her marketing job, Leigh applies for and gets accepted into a prestigious poetry MFA program in North Carolina. She arrives to the program only to discover her high school crush and poetry nemesis Will is in the same program.

The setting of the story spent a lot of time in the classroom critiquing each person’s work and at drinking nights with the people in the group. I found the pace of it to be a little slow.

My biggest struggle in the story was with Leigh’s character. She was extremely insecure and that spilled over to her school work and relationships and although she was seeing a counselor throughout the book we didn’t see any growth in her until the very end of the story. The way she handled her parent’s divorce and her relationship with Will felt very childish and petty.

The romance had a lot of push and pull in it. They were either so drawn to each other they couldn’t resist or they were pushing each other away because “this could never work”. I would have loved seeing more time developing the romance.

The audio narrator did a great job with the narration on the story. I would definitely be interested in listening to more of her audiobooks.

Romance content: 2 open-door scenes with some language.

a million stars

I am not a writer so I do not have the words to express the absolutely gorgeous prose in this book. The writing is beautiful and poetic, it makes me want to come up with metaphors for every little thing in my life. I found this book to be not only incredibly romantic but also vulnerable and inspiring and deep. Being able to see both MCs struggle with their own self-worth, passions, and family relationships was a nice parallel between them - and honestly this is impressive as hell for a single POV romance. Will was incredibly fleshed out despite never being able to see into his mind beyond the poems he submits. I also am low-key in love with Leigh's therapist. You can tell the author has an MFA (but is also so unpretentious that I'm in love).

If you love Emily Henry, I truly think this is for you. Just so good and gorgeously written.

Regarding the audiobook, I wasn't a huge fan of the narrator. Very much a me issue but the lilting quality of her voice wasn't for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ALC!

I read this as an eARC and listening to this unlocked a new level of obsession for me.

This story is about a girl named Leigh who starts her Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program with the hopes of pursuing her dreams in poetry. Her dreams of honing her craft and learning are shattered on day one when she finds out that her childhood crush/rival/nemesis with impeccable, sexy poet fashion sense and annoyingly perfect writing skills who she simped for since high school is in the same program. And well… two years is a long time for history to stay in the past.

My favorite part of this story was the exploration of the main character, Leigh Simon. She is your pathological people pleaser forged from the unfortunate life experiences that repeatedly told her that she was not enough. From crush rejections (yes, plural but does it make it better its from one person???) to being the middleman bearer of the spillage from a failing marriage between her parents… Leigh quickly learned that there was no point in being herself because that only resulted in hurt. When people tell you that being you is not enough to be more than friends or save a marriage, what’s even the point? Yes, I got so frustratingly annoyed at her (especially towards the end), but I think that is just a testament to how the author got the characterization nailed down.

Then, cue Will Langford. When the forced proximity starts to unravel years of unresolved tension, feelings, and secrets, hiding behind time is no longer an option. The tension between Will and Leigh was magnetic and dare I say, fateful. When two exceptionally talented writers like Leigh and Simon fall in love, the result is a beautifully crafted masterpiece that the author executed with flying colors.

Recommend if you enjoy:
- Poetry (whether you are kind of interested or immersed in it, READ THIS)
- Artistic prose, writers being writers and it’s *chefs kiss*
- Spice with class (I kid you not, I was highlighting the spice scenes…)
- Rivals to lovers in an emotional romance format that remind you of Beach Read and Book Lover vibes from Emily Henry with a sprinkle of Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez
- An act-of-service book boyfriend who steals glimpses, protects, and has large hands, corded veins… I understand I may have a problem…

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for sharing this masterpiece early for my honest opinions.

this is one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read. perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Jessica Joyce, and Sarah Adams, this story is full of so much love, acceptance, growth, & tenderness. this audiobook is absolute perfection! the narration matched the way I read this as an eARC and let me fall so seamlessly into the story!!! the dual pov was perfect for this story and the narrators were perfectly cast for these characters!!

Leigh & William have had many almosts, almost falling into their mutual attraction, but let their real life fears, realities, & circumstances stand in the way of filling falling into it. I loved their connection throughout the whole story, not just in talking to each other but in sharing their poems & thoughts abt them. their slow burn allows them to overcome a lot of their fears & realities so when they finally do fall into their attraction & love for one another, they can do so safely & wholly. it’s just beautiful

the use of poetry in this story is brilliant! I am not a big poetry buff, but I could easily escape in these works as they exist in the context of the story & are thoughtfully explained.

overall, this is one of my absolute favorite reads, everything about this story is brilliant & beautiful. thank you so much for the alc :)