Katie Naymon’s debut novel, You Between the Lines, delivers a refreshingly authentic romance within the high-pressure world of poetry MFA programs. With a protagonist who knows more about Taylor Swift than T.S. Eliot, Naymon crafts a story that pulls us into the vulnerable spaces between who we pretend to be and who we truly are. This contemporary romance navigates the tension between academic prestige and authentic self-expression while exploring how our deepest insecurities can both sabotage and ultimately strengthen our connections.
What makes Naymon’s novel stand out is its intimate knowledge of the literary world. The politics of poetry workshops, the anxiety of influence, and the particular brand of pretension that can flourish in MFA programs are depicted with knowing precision. Yet the novel never feels like an inside joke for the literary elite—it remains accessible and emotionally resonant for any reader who has ever felt like an impostor in a world they desperately want to belong to.
A Plot That Simmers With Unresolved Tension
Leigh Simon never expected to be accepted into the prestigious Perrin MFA program. A former sorority girl from Ohio who’s been working as a copywriter at an advertising agency in Boston, she applies on a whim while dealing with burnout and her parents’ separation. When she arrives at orientation, she’s shocked to discover that her high school crush-turned-nemesis Will Langford is also in the program.
Their shared history is complex: ten years ago, Will criticized Leigh’s poetry in a high school workshop, leaving her with an “all-style-no-substance” insecurity that still haunts her. Four years later, they had a heated almost-romance at Middlebury that ended with Will rejecting her. Now, they’re competing for the same coveted fellowship with visiting poet Erica Go, Leigh’s long-time idol.
As they navigate the politics of their small cohort and their unresolved attraction, a pattern emerges: they’re drawn to each other but keep pulling away, both afraid of rejection and insecure about their place in the literary world. When Will submits a poem that’s clearly about Leigh to their workshop, the lines between their personal and creative lives begin to blur, forcing them to confront what’s really holding them back from happiness.
The push-and-pull dynamic between Leigh and Will creates a delicious slow burn that makes their eventual coming together all the more satisfying. Naymon excels at building tension through small moments—a finger pressed against another during a poetry reading, a charged conversation on a midnight deck, the vulnerable act of sharing one’s writing.
Characters With Depth and Complexity
Leigh is a wonderfully flawed protagonist whose insecurities are painfully relatable. Her people-pleasing tendencies and fear of vulnerability keep her from fully expressing herself both in her poetry and in her relationships. She hides behind persona poems about Taylor Swift and One Direction, afraid to reveal her true self on the page.
Will, meanwhile, struggles with his own demons—the shadow of his literary father’s death, the pressure to succeed, and a plagiarism scandal from his past. His journey from “William” back to “Will” mirrors his growing comfort with authenticity over pretension.
The supporting cast is equally well-drawn, particularly:
Kacey: Leigh’s new best friend whose ill-fated relationship with a second-year poet serves as a cautionary tale about dating within the program
Hazel: The talented, tattooed poet who initially represents everything Leigh feels she’s not, but ultimately becomes a friend
Gen: Leigh’s hometown best friend who provides crucial perspective from outside the MFA bubble
Bridget: Leigh’s therapist who helps her recognize her people-pleasing patterns and fear of rejection
Strengths That Shine
Naymon’s greatest strengths as a writer include:
Authentic academic setting: The dynamics of workshop politics, fellowship competitions, and academic hierarchies feel lived-in and true
Poetic prose: The writing itself has a lyrical quality that elevates the romance: “I see the back of his head first. he’s in a session with an undergrad; he’s wearing the green cable knit I like. And when the shift manager says, ‘Leigh, your appointment is here,’ I watch his entire back stiffen. But he doesn’t turn around.”
Emotional intelligence: The novel insightfully explores how childhood patterns and parental relationships shape adult love lives
Sexual tension: The chemistry between Leigh and Will crackles on the page, making their eventual coming together deeply satisfying
Growth arcs: Both protagonists undergo meaningful personal growth that feels earned rather than contrived
Areas for Improvement
Despite its considerable merits, the novel isn’t without flaws:
Pacing issues: The middle section sometimes drags with repetitive cycles of approach and retreat between the protagonists
Underutilized side characters: Some interesting secondary characters, particularly Jerry, feel underdeveloped
Convenience in plot resolution: Will’s withdrawal from the fellowship competition feels a bit too neat as a solution to their rivalry
Overreliance on miscommunication: While the emotional barriers between Leigh and Will are well-motivated, some conflicts could have been resolved with a simple conversation
Themes That Resonate
You Between the Lines thoughtfully explores several interconnected themes:
The Search for Authenticity
Both Leigh and Will struggle with being their authentic selves. Leigh hides behind persona poems and people-pleasing behaviors, while Will has adopted a more pretentious “William” persona to fit academic expectations.
The Fear of Rejection
Leigh’s core belief that she’s “not enough” stems from her parents’ relationship dynamics and past rejections. Her fear of vulnerability keeps her from fully expressing herself both in poetry and in love.
Art as Self-Expression
You Between the Lines thoughtfully examines the purpose of poetry—is it for external validation and accolades, or for authentic self-expression? Leigh’s journey toward finding her true voice mirrors her journey toward emotional vulnerability.
Breaking Generational Patterns
Both protagonists must confront how their parents’ relationships have shaped their own approaches to love and conflict. Leigh fears repeating her parents’ separation, while Will struggles to escape his father’s critical shadow.
A Satisfying Blend of Romance and Literary Fiction
What sets You Between the Lines apart from many contemporary romances is its thoughtful integration of literary themes with romantic development. The poetry workshop scenes aren’t just backdrop—they’re essential to the emotional arcs of both characters. When Leigh finally writes a vulnerable poem in her own voice instead of hiding behind personas, it represents a breakthrough not just in her art but in her ability to be emotionally available.
Similarly, Will’s struggle with his literary father’s legacy and his own writing identity adds meaningful complexity to his character beyond the typical brooding love interest. His movement from “William” back to “Will” symbolizes his return to authenticity.
Final Verdict: A Promising Debut With Emotional Depth
You Between the Lines marks Katie Naymon as a promising new voice in contemporary romance. Her MFA in poetry from UNC Greensboro is evident in the novel’s lyrical prose and authentic portrayal of the academic writing world, but she never lets literary pretension overshadow emotional truth.
You Between the Lines will particularly appeal to:
Readers who enjoyed Emily Henry’s Beach Read or Christina Lauren’s The Unhoneymooners
Anyone who’s experienced impostor syndrome in academic or creative settings
Fans of enemies-to-lovers romance with substantial emotional depth
Readers looking for romance with literary sensibilities
While this is Naymon’s debut novel, it displays the emotional intelligence and writing craft of a more seasoned author. The occasional pacing issues and convenient plot resolutions are minor flaws in an otherwise accomplished first novel.
At its heart, You Between the Lines is about the courage it takes to be vulnerable—both on the page and in love. For anyone who has ever felt like an impostor, or struggled to express their authentic self, Leigh and Will’s journey will resonate long after the final page.