What do you think?
Rate this book
The Truth Between the Lines
Leah Hale swore she’d never go back home.
Not to the town that remembers everything she’s tried to forget—or the best who made leaving the hardest thing she’s ever done. But when her sister dies, Leah returns to settle her affairs and prepare the house she left behind. She’s just trying to tie up loose ends when the lawyer delivers something a final letter written just for her—one that sends her on a scavenger hunt her sister planned before she died.
Parker Reed built a good life without her.
A job she loves, friends who feel like family, and a sense of peace she fought hard to find. She thought she’d finally let go of the past—until Leah shows up, and every carefully packed memory comes undone.
As Leah follows her sister’s trail of letters across Oakridge, Parker becomes her partner in unraveling the truths her sister left behind. What starts as a journey for closure turns into something neither of them expected—one that asks Leah to face not just where she came from, but who she’s always been. The Truth Between the Lines is a sapphic story about love, loss, and the quiet power of finding your way back to yourself—and to the one who never stopped believing you would.
Not to the town that remembers everything she’s tried to forget—or the best who made leaving the hardest thing she’s ever done. But when her sister dies, Leah returns to settle her affairs and prepare the house she left behind. She’s just trying to tie up loose ends when the lawyer delivers something a final letter written just for her—one that sends her on a scavenger hunt her sister planned before she died.
Parker Reed built a good life without her.
A job she loves, friends who feel like family, and a sense of peace she fought hard to find. She thought she’d finally let go of the past—until Leah shows up, and every carefully packed memory comes undone.
As Leah follows her sister’s trail of letters across Oakridge, Parker becomes her partner in unraveling the truths her sister left behind. What starts as a journey for closure turns into something neither of them expected—one that asks Leah to face not just where she came from, but who she’s always been. The Truth Between the Lines is a sapphic story about love, loss, and the quiet power of finding your way back to yourself—and to the one who never stopped believing you would.
- GenresLesbian
432 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 10, 2026
4 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 1, 2025
I truly enjoyed this book. The real struggles she deals with that no one else can see or understand because it’s all mental is very real for so many young boys and girls and in my opinion was depicted very well. I love the bond the sisters had and how well Rachel really knew her sister Leah and even after her passing she was able to help her learn to love and accept her herself and allow herself to be loved. Definitely worth the read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2025
STARS 5 stars
SPICE medium (2-3 detailed scenes)
CHEMISTRY good
ANGST high
SLOW BURN yes
CLIFFHANGER no
CHARACTERS Leah and Parker
FAVORITE QUOTE/QUOTES
Leah's scared, not of me, but of what wanting me means.
"I'm drowning. Every room is a different kind of ocean and you're standing there telling me to name the waves." - Leah
"I'm not telling you anything...I'm asking you to stop pretending you don't need air." Parker
MY THOUGHTS
Niki’s writing is beautifully lyrical, and it pulled me into every corner of this story. This is a heavy second-chance romance. The letters from the grave gutted me, and watching the nephew navigate life without his mother absolutely crushed me. I was really emotional through a good portion of the book. Like a knot in my throat and tears in my eyes kind of emotions.
WHAT I LOVED ABOUT THE CHARACTERS
At first, I didn’t understand Parker’s bitterness, but once the pieces fell into place, everything clicked. Watching Leah and Parker slowly find their footing together was so satisfying. Parker’s quiet persistence, even while Leah was protecting herself in ways that hurt them both, made their pain feel so real.
WHAT I LOVED ABOUT THE BOOK
The letter concept was stunning. Leah’s sister guiding her through memories, places, and truths she’d been avoiding. It hurt, but in such a beautiful way.
WHAT I WISHED FOR
Nothing wrong with it, but it’s a long, emotional story that I needed time to sit with. It took me longer to read than expected, but honestly, that felt right for a book this heavy.
TROPES
Sapphic, Second Chance
SPICE medium (2-3 detailed scenes)
CHEMISTRY good
ANGST high
SLOW BURN yes
CLIFFHANGER no
CHARACTERS Leah and Parker
FAVORITE QUOTE/QUOTES
Leah's scared, not of me, but of what wanting me means.
"I'm drowning. Every room is a different kind of ocean and you're standing there telling me to name the waves." - Leah
"I'm not telling you anything...I'm asking you to stop pretending you don't need air." Parker
MY THOUGHTS
Niki’s writing is beautifully lyrical, and it pulled me into every corner of this story. This is a heavy second-chance romance. The letters from the grave gutted me, and watching the nephew navigate life without his mother absolutely crushed me. I was really emotional through a good portion of the book. Like a knot in my throat and tears in my eyes kind of emotions.
WHAT I LOVED ABOUT THE CHARACTERS
At first, I didn’t understand Parker’s bitterness, but once the pieces fell into place, everything clicked. Watching Leah and Parker slowly find their footing together was so satisfying. Parker’s quiet persistence, even while Leah was protecting herself in ways that hurt them both, made their pain feel so real.
WHAT I LOVED ABOUT THE BOOK
The letter concept was stunning. Leah’s sister guiding her through memories, places, and truths she’d been avoiding. It hurt, but in such a beautiful way.
WHAT I WISHED FOR
Nothing wrong with it, but it’s a long, emotional story that I needed time to sit with. It took me longer to read than expected, but honestly, that felt right for a book this heavy.
TROPES
Sapphic, Second Chance
December 7, 2025
The good: This was a very compelling read. The writing falls into that category where it pulls you along with it and makes it easy to keep going. Where the writing really shined was in the description of emotions, big things were felt and named in the body in a way that felt utterly true to life. The characters struggles were revealed in little snippets and the journey felt like someone realistically confessing to you. The wins really felt like wins.
The challenges: nothing here was bad, but a few things that could be tweaked for me were the tropes and the voices of the kids. Tropes aren't bad- they exist because they work however I would have loved to have seen the characters earn them a little more. The voices of the kids were difficult too. This is a little harder to define because they were not the focus of the story and the voices didn't feel true to kids. The voices felt too grown up and too easy.
Overall a fun read with a lot of moments that pull you through the emotional journey.
The challenges: nothing here was bad, but a few things that could be tweaked for me were the tropes and the voices of the kids. Tropes aren't bad- they exist because they work however I would have loved to have seen the characters earn them a little more. The voices of the kids were difficult too. This is a little harder to define because they were not the focus of the story and the voices didn't feel true to kids. The voices felt too grown up and too easy.
Overall a fun read with a lot of moments that pull you through the emotional journey.
January 14, 2026
This book is amazing. Grab your box of tissues and hang on for the ride. This book is layer upon layer of content. The author captures the grief process, parental abuse and the lasting trauma associated with it, longing, second chance romance, the challenges of coming out, slow burn and everything in between. Fixtion captures your heart and doesn’t let go with this book. The Truth Between the Lines is such a wonderful story and Fixtion has created the best characters and the best plot that I have seen in a book of its kind. She celebrates Leah and all her ups and downs, Leah’s sister Rachael who has passed away, she celebrates Parker in all her steadfast ways, Eli the charming yet grieving son, Naomi, Parker’s faithful best friend and she made you love each and every one of them. Without spoiling this book I must tell you that you really should read this one, grab the tissues, prepare to smile to cry and to enjoy all the feels in between. I can’t recommend this one enough. Love, love, love it!!!!
December 9, 2025
I am a voluntary ARC reader, and this is my honest review of "The Truth Between the Lines."
Fair warning, this book will definitely make you cry. Leah, one of the main characters had a difficult upbringing to say the least and we get to follow her through the challenges she faces breaking through what society expects of her and what her upbringing caused her to doubt about herself. It was nice to see a character fleshed out so well when it comes to the mistakes that any of us would make in her position and how she navigates through those challenges.
Parker, on the other hand, is so refreshing in her responses to how she navigates her past and present relationships with Leah. I found myself rooting for Parker throughout the entire book.
I would definitely recommend you pick this up if you are in the mood for some tears, catharsis, and heartwarming moments that make you wish you had a Parker and Rachel in your life.
Fair warning, this book will definitely make you cry. Leah, one of the main characters had a difficult upbringing to say the least and we get to follow her through the challenges she faces breaking through what society expects of her and what her upbringing caused her to doubt about herself. It was nice to see a character fleshed out so well when it comes to the mistakes that any of us would make in her position and how she navigates through those challenges.
Parker, on the other hand, is so refreshing in her responses to how she navigates her past and present relationships with Leah. I found myself rooting for Parker throughout the entire book.
I would definitely recommend you pick this up if you are in the mood for some tears, catharsis, and heartwarming moments that make you wish you had a Parker and Rachel in your life.
December 8, 2025
A book has never quite stirred me the way this one did. Did I cry? Yes-yes I did. I started reading thinking this would be a book about second chances- a best friends to lovers. But it was so much more. Niki Fixtion’s words bring the emotions, views, and characters to life with her consistent descriptions and successfully built every scene into something I could fully see in my imagination. The deeper I dove into Leah and Parker’s story the deeper the meaning of this story grew- bringing me through each stage of revelation as the characters experienced them.
Prepare for love, loss, self discovery, blurred lines, high emotional spice, found family, lost family and so much more. The Truth Between the Lines brings the past out of the dark and shines light on what could be when you live your truths.
Prepare for love, loss, self discovery, blurred lines, high emotional spice, found family, lost family and so much more. The Truth Between the Lines brings the past out of the dark and shines light on what could be when you live your truths.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Leah and Parker's story pulled me in immediately, immersing me in their past and present in a way that left me biting my nails to see what would happen next.
Returning to the childhood town she swore never to return to, we get to see the vast difference between the life Leah created and the one she left behind.
Including Parker (who I absolutely loved), someone she shared a deep friendship with, one on the cusp of being more.
I loved how the sister's letters were the guiding light for Leah to work through her trauma and how patient Parker was through it all.
Eli and Scout stole plenty of scenes, adding depth to the world of Leah and Parker.
All in all, a fantastic read that surpassed all my expectations.
Returning to the childhood town she swore never to return to, we get to see the vast difference between the life Leah created and the one she left behind.
Including Parker (who I absolutely loved), someone she shared a deep friendship with, one on the cusp of being more.
I loved how the sister's letters were the guiding light for Leah to work through her trauma and how patient Parker was through it all.
Eli and Scout stole plenty of scenes, adding depth to the world of Leah and Parker.
All in all, a fantastic read that surpassed all my expectations.
January 13, 2026
This book was such an emotionally charged read! The chemistry was palpable and the angst was definitely angsty. I really enjoyed how the writing flowed and how descriptive the characters emotions were conveyed in the book! I had to take some breaks while reading because of how connected I felt with the characters and could easily relate and feel their emotions. I enjoyed the spicy scenes as well and Parker was definitely my favorite! I recommend if you’re looking for a great chemistry, angsty, slightly spicy book this is the one for you, just be prepared for some tears! Thank you again to Niki Fixtion for the eArc and of course this review is my honest thoughts and opinions!
January 13, 2026
Don’t add it to your TBR. READ IT NOW!!!
It’s the 12th day of the year and I’ve already read plenty of books already but this one is the one you’re looking for. I already know that it’ll probably be my favorite at the end of the year. I read it on KU but after finishing it in under 24hrs, I’m also buying a physical for my shelf because it deserves a spot.
It’s funny, witty, spicy, and all around good time. It’s well written as well! Parker, Leah, Eli, and Rachel will live in my mind rent free for a long time.
Do yourself a favor and read it. It’s worth it!
TW: mentions some abuse in flashbacks
It’s the 12th day of the year and I’ve already read plenty of books already but this one is the one you’re looking for. I already know that it’ll probably be my favorite at the end of the year. I read it on KU but after finishing it in under 24hrs, I’m also buying a physical for my shelf because it deserves a spot.
It’s funny, witty, spicy, and all around good time. It’s well written as well! Parker, Leah, Eli, and Rachel will live in my mind rent free for a long time.
Do yourself a favor and read it. It’s worth it!
TW: mentions some abuse in flashbacks
January 20, 2026
Sometimes the hardest person to come out to, is yourself.
This book hits heavy and hard. No matter which side of the table you sit on while you read this story, give yourself space to feel it. Give yourself space to forgive whatever part you played in your own story. There’s importance in what we’re traveling through while we read the Truth Between the Lines. I know I felt things. Too many things. I had to take my own breaks. I had to reflect, and forgive, and move forward. There’s grace in that, If you allow yourself to have it.
Do I recommend this book? I do. Do I caution you? I do. Bring tissues.
I can only thank Niki for being brave enough to tell this story.
This book hits heavy and hard. No matter which side of the table you sit on while you read this story, give yourself space to feel it. Give yourself space to forgive whatever part you played in your own story. There’s importance in what we’re traveling through while we read the Truth Between the Lines. I know I felt things. Too many things. I had to take my own breaks. I had to reflect, and forgive, and move forward. There’s grace in that, If you allow yourself to have it.
Do I recommend this book? I do. Do I caution you? I do. Bring tissues.
I can only thank Niki for being brave enough to tell this story.
February 14, 2026
Omg this book was amazing!!!! I was so honored to be chosen to read this before its release date. Leah and Parker are my favorite couple of the year so far! This book has all of the emotions and you’ll feel them right along the characters. I can relate to Leah’s story so much that I felt her hurt deeply. But then also celebrated in her victories so joyfully! You do not want to miss this book!!! 10/10 highly recommend!!
January 22, 2026
One of the most grounded and emotionally evocative books I’ve read in a while. This feels so special, and all I can say is read it! If you want to cry and laugh and fall in love with an FMC (both of them) you want to just wrap in a hug and never let go, this is the book for you.
January 9, 2026
Oh how I loved this story. The self acceptance, the power of a sisters love from beyond the grave, the slow burn nearly took me out. Leah and Parker are perfection.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews