A review by books_and_daydreaming
You Between the Lines by Katie Naymon

4.75

 

“Somehow you knew who I was before I did.” 

 

What a debut! You Between the Lines has made its way into my 2am book club; a collection of books that have consumed me, embedded in me, and have me crying at, you guessed it, 2am. 

 

I do love an academic rivals to lovers, who share a history and are coincidentally placed in each other’s lives again romance. Add in beautiful and poetic writing - I ate this up. 

 

Leigh, my relatable queen. She’s imperfect, vulnerable and a pathological people pleaser. Honestly felt called out one too many times, but also felt a sense of serenity in that relatability, knowing I’m not alone in those feelings. Her journey and growth is one I’ll hold close. I’ve said this in a previous review that though I love the escapism of books, the ones that make me feel seen, hit different, and YBTL is one of those books 💜 

 

Will, the tortured poet - I swoon! I was craving Will’s POV but in the best way because of the significance of the little moments in his and Leigh’s interactions, like Mr. Darcy hand flex levels - moments that had be squealing! But the payoff was so worth it for every time his feelings were revealed 🥹😍 

 

The mental health rep was exemplary. I appreciate the depth this went into and the openness of the characters and the conversations around anxiety and depression. 

 

Leigh and Will together ARE poetry. The push/pull, angst, yearning, pining, flirting, banter, the stolen glances, the healing, I could go on - this slow burn all leading to a stunning crescendo. No doubt these two are soulmates and their love is a cherished one, that you can’t help be slightly envious of. Two beautifully raw and flawed characters with so much depth to them - it was a joy to read their story 💜 

 

This one is must-read for all the romance lovers. 

 

Something restless in my belly takes over, and I feel like he sees me. I want him to see even more. 

 

•Academic rivals to lovers 

•Second chance 

•Mental health rep 

•Found Family 

•Poetry as banter and love language