Leigh is a poet, a Taylor Swift fan, and a lover of perfectly curated outfits. But she’s also at a crossroads. Her parents’ separation has left her feeling untethered, and she’s stifled by her marketing job. Taking a leap of faith, she enrolls in an elite MFA poetry program, determined to reignite her passion. Leigh belongs in the program (she’s a published poet) but her confidence takes a hit when she discovers one of her MFA peers is none other than Will Langford, her high school lit mag editor. A decade ago, Will’s devastating critique that she was “more style than substance” shook her to her core, leaving her questioning herself ever since. Now, Leigh must navigate two years of critiques and workshops alongside him. The complication? The attraction she felt for Will back then hasn’t faded. But Will may be grappling with struggles of his own. Can Leigh find her literary voice, reconcile her feelings for Will, and forge a path that’s truly her own?
I will not do justice to this beautiful story but I don’t think I’ve ever connected more deeply with a main character than I did with Leigh, and not just because I had my heart broken into pieces by a full of himself lit mag editor in high school. Leigh’s journey feels raw and authentic, her struggles with people-pleasing and her nuanced feelings about her parents’ divorce powerfully rendered. The slow-burn tension between Leigh and Will is intoxicating, filled with beautifully restrained moments—farmers’ markets, car rides, packing boxes, stolen glances, and fleeting touches.
Katie Naymon’s writing elevates this story to something truly extraordinary. In a novel about poets, her prose feels poetic in itself, layering their connection with rhythm, structure, and literal verse. This is a romance built not on the grand and improbable but on the quiet, deeply meaningful moments of real life. You Between the Lines is a stunning, unforgettable debut.
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Book Smart Kate 