Between the Lines

by Tracey Magruder

Sadie Reed never expected to be thirty-two, freshly heartbroken, and sleeping on her best friend’s couch after ending a relationship that slowly erased every piece of who she used to be. She spends her days editing other people’s stories, championing their words and their dreams, while quietly burying her own. Desperate for a new beginning, she accepts a risky assignment: travel to a small English village and coax reclusive literary genius Corbyn Pearce back to the page.

Corbyn is everything Sadie doesn’t have the energy for: prickly, brilliant, stubborn, and hiding more wounds than he will ever admit. Scarred inside and out by a devastating accident, he has built his life on keeping people out, especially editors, especially editors like her.

But somewhere between creative battles, shared secrets, and the warmth of a village that refuses to let either of them fall through the cracks, Sadie and Corbyn begin to find something neither of them were expecting: a chance to heal.

When a painful confrontation from Sadie’s past collides with a long-forgotten moment from Corbyn’s, their connection deepens into something impossible to ignore and even harder to walk away from.

Now Sadie must choose whether she is ready to reclaim her voice, her future, and the love she once thought she would never deserve.

Between the Lines is a tender, slow-burn romance about resilience, trauma recovery, found family, fate, and the power of rewriting your own story.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Workplace Romance, Found Family

290 pages, Paperback

First published February 6, 2026

About the author

Tracey Magruder writes romance stories filled with heart, humor, and the kind of emotional chemistry that refuses to be ignored. A lifelong storyteller and music instructor by day, she’s spent years helping others find their voice—now she’s finally using hers on the page.

Whether she’s crafting modern love stories or building worlds with a touch of magic, Tracey is most at home writing characters who feel real, messy, and impossible not to root for. When she’s not writing, she’s usually reading, spending time with her family, or daydreaming about her next novel.

Reviews

[The Sewist's Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐ 4.5
🌶️ .5
🥵 Spicy Chapters: March 22, 2025
❤️‍🔥 Swoon Factor: 3
📚 Tropes/Themes: grumpy sunshine, workplace romance, healing, writer MCs, forced proximity, flashbacks, disability Rep, slow burn, found family, protective MMC
👀 Dual POV 3rd person
💔 Triggers: mentions of DV, emotional abuse, assault, stalking, PTSD, panic attacks

💬 Wow. Just wow. I'm so impressed- this was a fabulous read that sucked me in so fast. Idk, it's just the best book to read cuddled up on your couch with a cozy blanket. I don't make the rules 🤷🏼‍♀️

I'm struggling to organize my thoughts so rapid fire things I liked:
⭐ I think my favorite bit was how they actually met 16 years ago and had that instant connection, but didn't realize it until the end.
⭐ Corbyn is the good kind of grumpy 😂 I don't like asshole grumpy characters, just the endearingly grumpy ones.
⭐ Beauty and the Beast vibes
⭐ Cozy, small town setting with supportive side characters. I don't often remember them but I did here, esp Maggie and Edie.
⭐ The slow burn tension. Normally I'd be annoyed about how long it takes to get together but idk it really worked for me here
⭐ Both MCs felt really authentic, fleshed out and relatable
⭐ Low spice. Not usually my thing but it really worked here and I enjoyed how it kept the focus more on their character growth arc

My biggest complaint is that I would have preferred more info/wrap-up in the epilogue, it doesn't detract from the story. I was just so invested I wasn't ready to give Corbyn and Sadie up.

🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼 Sequel?! I think Ellie needs a returning home/childhood bestie or brothers bestie/it's always been you/second chance story 😂

[cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay there’s a lot to unpack here. I went into this thinking it was going to be a romance-heavy, slow-burn kind of story. You know, grumpy author, forced proximity, all that. But it ended up being wayyyyy more about healing than anything else. Like the romance is there, but it’s not really the point of the story. 😭

Sadie Reed is an editor who spends her life fixing other people’s stories while quietly trying to deal with her own. She gets sent to a quiet English village for work—basically to convince reclusive author Corbyn Pearce to finish his book because he’s completely shut down and refusing to cooperate with anyone.

Corbyn is exactly what you’d expect at first. Closed off, grumpy, impossible to deal with. But the more Sadie is around him, the more you realize both of them are just carrying a lot they haven’t dealt with. And what starts as a work assignment slowly turns into something heavier, more emotional, and honestly more about trust and learning how to exist again than anything else. 🫶🏼

Sadie… The strength it took for her to leave a toxic, abusive relationship and still show up for her life, her career, her self?? I was rooting for her from page one. I was desperate for her to finally be okay. 😭

And then there’s Corbyn. *sigh* Grumpy, frustrating, emotionally closed off Corbyn.

He was so hard to like at first. But the more you peel back his layers, the more you realize how deeply stuck he is in his own pain. He’s not just difficult for the sake of it… he’s afraid, and it shows in everything he does. 😔

“The pain became an excuse to never even try. Until today. Until Sadie.”

That line 😭 Because it explains both of them in a way—how easy it is to stay stuck in what hurts because moving forward feels scary.

“Fear makes cowards of the best of us sometimes.”

😭😭😭🫶🏼

What I also loved is how Sadie doesn’t come in trying to fix him. She just… stays. She meets him where he is, even when he’s unbearable, even when he pushes back. And slowly that changes everything. It’s in the small moments where you realize he’s letting her in just a little more each time.

AND THIS!!!!!!

“Listen to me, Reed,” he said, his voice low and intent. “A man who destroys your work and who tries to extinguish your creativity… he doesn’t deserve a second of your doubt. He doesn’t deserve the space he’s taking up in your head right now.”

This wasn’t just a comforting scene or a cute emotional moment. It was him saying something that a lot of people actually need to hear in real life, even if they don’t realize it. Because so many people do get stuck there. Stuck questioning themselves & giving mental space to someone who already took enough from them. And the book doesn’t romanticize that or brush over it—it calls it out directly.

This is what a lot of the book felt like to me. A lot of real-life circumstances being brought up and actually talked about instead of just being used as background pain for the characters.

ALSO!! I can’t not mention the small town either. 🤭 The way they quietly look out for Sadie… it adds this soft safety net under all the emotional weight. Especially Edie 🥹 lowkey so protective & fully caring in the sweetest way.

I will say, the highlight of this book is definitely the healing aspect. It’s about learning to trust again, learning to let people in, and realizing that sometimes the thing that changes you isn’t comfort, it’s discomfort that finally pushes you forward.

I was a little sad that the romance took such a backseat, because I did go in expecting more of that. But at the same time, the emotional journey between them made sense.

“You were always meant to be a part of my story,” she replied, “both on and off the page.”

Overall, I’m sitting at a 4 ⭐️ for this one. Not because it didn’t deliver, but because it delivered something different than what I expected. But… what it did focus on, it did really well. Just maybe not what I thought I was signing up for.

things to know about the book ↓

🐕 second chance / fate
🐕 forced proximity
🐕 grumpy MMC x soft FMC
🐕 VERYYY slow burn
🐕 lots of healing
🐕 editor x author
🐕 found family
🐕 dual POV (in 3rd person)

spice rating: 🌶️🌶️
swearing: yes

Thank you to NetGalley, Victoria Editing and Netgalley Co-op & Tracey Magruder for allowing me to read this arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Between the Lines, the debut novel by Tracey Magruder. I enjoyed the story of Sadie and Corbyn, two scarred people - one emotionally, one physically - coming together for the common goal of finishing Corbyn's first novel since surviving a horrific car accident four years earlier. As this is a romance, they, of course, have an unexpected past connection. Sadie and Corbyn have a good deal of depth as characters, though, for me, their individual personalities were not well developed.
While the story and the character arcs earned 4 out of 5 stars from me, the writing let Magruder's debut down. Right from the opening scene, with an encounter on the London Underground, complete with locking eyes and time standing still, I had a bad feeling about the writing. I hoped that it was just the description through the eyes of a 17-year-old girl, but unfortunately, as the romance storyline built, so did the repetition of racing hearts, locked eyes, and several other romantic cliches. For me, the most convincingly written scene was the climactic scene between Sadie and her ex-fiancé. Magruder clearly has potential, but this one needs polishing before it is released on February 5, 2026.

[Marissa Guzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as an eARC from BookSirens and am leaving this review completely voluntarily.

I was immediately struck by how well-developed the characters are and how naturally their relationship unfolds. The female protagonist, in particular, stands out. Her traumatic background is handled with such sensitivity, adding meaningful depth to her actions and emotional responses. It also equips her to manage her difficult client with remarkable patience and composure. Even when he’s stubborn or moody, she meets each moment with a steadiness that feels both authentic and admirable.

I also love how their work together becomes a shared path toward healing. Though they’re recovering from entirely different wounds, the author shows how their interactions open space for growth, understanding, and emotional restoration. Their individual journeys don’t overshadow one another; instead, they intertwine in a way that feels organic, balanced, and genuinely transformative.

On a personal note, I deeply resonated with the way Riley came into Corbyn’s life. It reminded me of how my own Riley arrived at a time when I didn’t even realize I needed something—or someone—else to care for. Sometimes the right pet walks into your world and quietly becomes a source of grounding, comfort, and healing. Seeing that mirrored in the story made those moments feel especially meaningful and emotional for me.

[Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Between the Lines by Tracey Magruder is a slow burn romance, but it is the kind that sneaks up on you quietly and then suddenly you realize you care deeply about everyone’s feelings. Sadie travels to a small village to work as the editor for reclusive author Corbyn Pearce, staying at an inn just outside his home while trying to get his long overdue novel finished.

Corbyn is one of the grumpiest characters I have read in a while, and somehow I found myself completely loving him. Sadie, on the other hand, brings just the right amount of sass and determination to match his energy, which made their dynamic especially fun to read. Watching their relationship unfold slowly felt natural and emotionally satisfying, and their grumpy x sunshine tension was one of my favorite parts of the story.

Ellie’s character also stood out to me in such a special way. She helped tie the story together and really brought out the family and heart behind everything, which added so much warmth to the overall reading experience.

This was absolutely an ARC worth reading, and I am so grateful to both Tracey Magruder and Hawthorn & Aster for the opportunity to read it early. I loved the grumpy x sunshine aspect of this book and will definitely be picking up a physical copy when it is published.

[Jasmine Cracknell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so heartfelt and enjoyable! As a book lover I found I was really engrossed in the whole book editing storyline. It gave me Beauty and The Beast vibes mixed with a bit of Jane Eyre.

The setting of Great Missenden was described really well and has made me want to visit and complete some of the hikes mentioned. It would be great to see if the bench that features in a particular hike is actually there. The village itself sounds so perfectly British.

The main relationship didn’t feel forced at all and it progressed really naturally as they both healed. I was rooting for them to find their way to each other the whole way through. The prior missed connection was everything.

Riley (the dog) was the best side character.

Definitely makes me want to read more from this author in the future.

Thank you to Victory Editing and Tracey Magruder for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Emily Cassel · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

Thank you to NetGalley and the author, Tracey Magruder for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Between the Lines.

A cute, low stakes romance, perfect for a cozy day in. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Between the Lines is about a reclusive mystery author, who’s missed several deadlines, and an editor, who’s fresh out of a decade long relationship, who was sent to help finish the story. Corbyn and Sadie are both hard headed, no nonsense, and adorable in their own ways, and more than once, Riley the Irish Wolfhound stole the show. Taking place in a small town in England (specifically the home of Roald Dahl), where everyone knows everyone, even the supporting cast play a role in the lives of the main characters. Both Sadie and Corbyn have past wounds that they’re still trying to heal, HOWEVER, their past experiences definitely help when they slowly start to open up to one another.

Personally, I loved that both MCs were in their 30s! As someone who is approaching 30, reading about characters falling in love past the ages of 18-23 was refreshing. Between the Lines was also a nice palate cleanser after reading a particularly gory, horror novel 😬

[Nikki Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Between the Lines, the debut novel by Tracey Magruder.. This was so heartfelt and cute! I finished it fairly quickly. Can't wait to see what else Tracey writes!

⋆⟢ Tropes
📚 grumpy x sunshine
📝 found family
📚 forced proximity
📝 slooooow burn
📚 small town
📝 healing
📚 third person dual POV

[AK Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recieved an ARC from Netgalley and im so grateful. Tracey is a new to be author and I intially requested the book because of the cover alone lol I saw books! As a book girly myself I was drawn in and the story did NOT disappoint! If you're like me and love a good slow burn romance, you'll really enjoy this book!

[Nico bookreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Victory Editing and Netgalley for the ARC provided.
This book goes about pur protagonist Sadie, whom we meet when she's just seventeen years old, for a little introductory short tale, were she mets a handsome man.
We go back to Sadie fifteen years later when she dealing with the aftermath of a toxic relationship that she had the bravery to finally end. (nice one here naming the bad one, like the one in The Devil wears Prada, If you know, you know).
Whilst we reconnect with our dear Sadie now a very busy editor working for her best friend and dealing with the mental aftermath of her toxic relationship, she goes into and adventure many readers have only dreamed...She goes to England countryside, as an editor, to work with the most hardheaded author so she can get his last novel to end, as he seems to be in a white blockade and stopped writing.
Now do get excited, Corbyn isn't your fancy author, he is still recovering from wounds of his own, his wounds, unlike Sadie's are physical, he was in a car crash and came out alive but badly wounded.
His pain and shame have made of him an hermitage, relying sorely in his close family and his marvelous dog Riley (a very kind and smart Irish wolfhound) for all his needs.
What could go wrong with these two (and dog) you think? well, Many Many things, you should grab this book and find out.
I personally adored this book, as an Irish Wolfhound mama I was beyond thrilled to se my baby in a book, with some very relatable behavior lol.
The book is sweet, and it takes you into a very interesting stories, were both of our characters have scars, one invisible, the other visible, and they reach the growth and companionship that we girls only get to read about, it was very dreamy and so adorable, I think THAT part deserved more violence on the guilty, but well we can't have all we want hahaha.
I would give the book 10/10 stars if I could.
thank you.

[Maria P · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this book in just over a day! What a heartwarming debut!

The beginning is a little slow for me, but once Sadie lands in England the pacing really evens out and I got sucked into the story. Sadie is on the back of a bad breakup with a terrible ex (check the trigger warnings), and is adrift. Meeting Corbyn is the best thing that could happen to her.

I love love LOVE the dynamic of hermit author missing deadlines and stubborn yet traumatised editor hounding him. The plot damn near writes itself. Between the Lines is the perfect example of a slow burn contemporary romance! The pair build up a solid working relationship, then a friendship, and then more - all without feeling rushed. If anything, there are perhaps a bit too many almost-moments towards the end that get a little repetitive. This romance feels realistic and it's all the more wholesome for it. It's as though the pairing were set on a simmer, just the right amount of anticipation all the way through to the end.

The only other area I found a bit lacking, was the subplot around Sadie's writing journey and how it connected to the prologue that's then weaved throughout the book. It's sweet to imagine that Sadie and Corbyn's love was fated, but I genuinely don't think the story needed it! And I was so interested in Corbyn's progress with his book that I would've loved to have had more of a conclusion to that arc instead of focusing on Sadie's writing.

I love the family she finds in Edie and Paul, Maggie and the other patrons at the local pub. There's an overwhelming feeling of acceptance and community that always sets the foundation for a great small-town romance. Though I would've liked it more if Sadie's best friend and boss had a more active role beyond just checking in maybe 2-3 times over the course of the story. However, that's more than made up for by Corbyn's dog Riley - a very empathetic hound that always knows the right thing to do.

Overall, I think that anyone who loves a slow burn contemporary romance with a bookish setting would really enjoy Between the Lines. It's well-written, genuine, and I physically couldn't put it down!

Thank you to Tracey Magruder for the opportunity to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[S. Bavey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read and reviewed this book on behalf of Rosie Amber’s book review team and am grateful for the complimentary copy. My review is honest and my opinions are my own.

Between the Lines by Tracey Magruder is a light-hearted, slow-burning romance between a grumpy English author, Corbyn Pearce, and Sadie Reed, the American editor sent by his publisher to try and end his writer’s block and get his current novel over the finish line. Both of the main characters have been through difficult situations they have had to learn to endure and they are stronger, more stubborn people because of them. Corbyn survived a fiery car wreck, but his scars are much deeper than what can be seen on his skin. Sadie has recently left a manipulative, abusive ex-fiancé who is still stalking her. Their relationship begins purely professionally, but before long the barriers begin to break down as Sadie finds the whole village cares for her and is willing to protect her from her ex.
The star of the show is undoubtedly Riley, Corbyn’s adorable Irish Wolfhound, who along with the housekeeper, always seems be in the way when they are about to share their first kiss.
The Prologue sets up the twist in the tale, so readers feel a sense of dramatic irony, already knowing what the main characters end up figuring out for themselves. This little detail added an extra layer to the romantic relationship which I really enjoyed.
Readers who enjoy found family, enemies to lovers and grumpy/sunshine couples will no doubt enjoy this book!

[Georgia Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose to read Between the Lines as a member of Rosie’s Book Review Team. I received a copy from the author, but that does not alter my review.

American Sadie Reed is an editor and is sent from New York to Great Missenden, England, by her boss, Jess Harper, to help British author Corbyn Pearce finish his much delayed book. Sadie has recently parted from her ex-fiancé, Nate. Corbyn was in a terrible accident a few years before that has left him with physical and emotional scars and caused him to become something of a recluse in his manor. His only contacts being his sister, Ellie, a doctor who lives in London, and Edie and Paul, his housekeeper and groundman, who are as close to him as parents. Oh, and there is a gorgeous dog, Riley. We mustn’t forget him!

What Sadie finds when she arrives to work with Corbyn is a grumpy technophobe write who doesn’t want any help. Will she manage to get through his defences?

I enjoyed reading this well-written novel recently while on holiday. The pace is steady, the characters believable, and the outcome warm and satisfying.

For all those in search of a slow burn romance and feel-good story, this is the one for you.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, thank you, @NetGalley, for an ARC. 3.5 ⭐️🌶

I really like this book. I'm definitely a fan of literary people finding love with working on a book or in a book. This book is this trope for sure. This is very character driven book.

When a grumpy English writer meets his match with a stubborn American Editor. Each of them have their broken souls meet to find love too. I understand I love their romance. Plus, I love Riley, the Irish hound dog.

Another thing, I cried. I cried because I relate with Sadie's toxic ex and her healing from it. I also like side characters. The ending was okay.

[Lucia Pollock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Netgalley: Kindle - This was the perfect post-holiday winter read. The setting of this book was so absolutely perfect and the characters were all so charming. I loved the pacing, the true yearning. It was like a hallmark but not cheesy. It had some heavier themes but none of them overpowered the core but added ooomph to the story. I loved the growth and the love. I loved that they brought out the best, healed versions of each other. It was beautifully written and the dog really was a main character in the story which is always a huge bonus for me. It’s one of those details that makes the story feel more real. The ending was a little rushed - I would have liked to have seen it ironed a little longer but overall loved it. Fantastic debut novel.

Thank you netgalley and publishers for the advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Hawthorn & Aster and the author for an earc of this!

I really enjoyed this, the pacing was great and the characters were lovable. I also loved the character development and the build up to a relationship.

I will admit my favourite part of this book was the dog! It was an Irish wolf hound named Riley and Irish wolf hounds are one of my favourite breeds of dog. The descriptions of the dog were perfect and I could imagine it perfectly!

I also loved the setting of a UK village and found it represented villages well!

I would highly recommend it if you want a lighthearted read with some depth to it!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t had a book make my heart physically ache like this in a while.

Between the Lines by Tracey Magruder is a BEAUTIFUL romance novel about a small town and the connection between an editor and an author who start off with a rocky partnership. The connection between Sadie and Corbyn is so beautifully written and the chemistry that builds between them throughout the story is cinematic.
I love a good small town romance and the community in this book did not disappoint. Each character was built so thoroughly, like they were each given an overwhelming amount of love while writing.
The themes of love, grief, trauma, tie the romance between Sadie and Corbyn wonderfully and make them feel so real.

I had the privilege to read “between the Lines” as a NetGalley Arc. This book was absolutely fantastic and I can’t wait to see what else Tracey Magruder comes up with in the future!

If you are looking for a heartwarming romance novel filled with found family and growth, this book is absolutely for you!!

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet and heartfelt read, I really enjoyed this story and the characters. This is slow burn, grumpy/sunshine and giving very classic Beauty and the Beast vibes. My favorite part with this trope is watching the grumpy exterior of the MMC start to melt around the FMC and this did not disappoint. The pacing and yearning of the characters was perfect and swoony, watching their relationship unfold was just beautiful. Both Sadie and Corbyn had difficult pasts, but their journeys to healing felt very natural and I loved the way they helped each other through it. I thought the author did a wonderful job with the storyline, just a really well-developed, thoughtful debut novel from Tracy Magruder!

Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased thoughts!

[marialetto.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐ ⊹ ½ 🌶️ ⊹ 309 📖

⁀➴ Overall: This was a very emotional, sweet read. It definitely had me in my feelings!!

⋆⟢ Tropes + Vibes:
📚 grumpy x sunshine
📝 found family
📚 forced proximity
📝 slooooow burn
📚 small town
📝 healing
📚 third person dual POV

⁀➴ Bookish Breakdown:
This was a beautiful debut novel, full of love and emotion! Sadie and Corbyn’s relationship and time together is told absolutely beautifully.

I knew this was going to be a slow burn but it is a slooooww burn. So many almost, lost, and stolen moments. So much tension. So much pining! Corbyn’s broody and tough exterior is no match for Sadie’s determination and bright spirit. Both want the best for each other and themselves, but have spent so much time hurting and closing themselves off and it’s so tough to open back up.

I absolutely loved that the slow burn meant we didn’t have a third-act breakup or major moments of miscommunication. The moments where the communication was at its most vulnerable served to strengthen the story. Heavy topics were handled with care, and it was clear the characters cared deeply for one another and could both relate to many of these heavier scenarios.

Even with many heavy emotional moments, there are equally as many light, funny moments. The banter and the battle of wits between the MCs is very fun. It also helps to break up the intensity of the more emotional moments.

The small town is also full of such a sweet cast of characters. It would be impossible to not fall in love! :)

Thank you to Tracey Magruder and Hawthorn & Aster for this ARC!!

[Heather Guenthner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Wow, for a debut author, this book was really well done. A slow-burn, grumpy vs sunshine romance with Pride & Prejudice undertones. You follow two people who learn to open up and trust each other and in turn start to heal each other’s deep traumas. There is a beautiful background of found family and community to tie it together. My only complaint is I did feel the ending felt a tad rushed. There was so much build up and some earlier details were touched on briefly, but felt a tad too easily buttoned up and brushed aside. Also, I’m obsessed with the Irish wolfhound, Riley, I love him.

[Bookworm Denz · Rating 4 out of 5]

[ARC REVIEW 📖]

Between the Lines
Author : Tracey Magruder

Trigger alerts, please be aware : abuse (emotional & physical), assault, trauma / PTSD, & anxiety.

The story begins w/ protagonist Sadie Reed, working in publishing, suffered unforgivable abuse from her now ex-fiancé Nate who she was together with for a decade long.

As time passed, her bestfriend, roommate & boss Jessica Harper, a New York-based editorial director, offered her an opportunity she couldn't resist : an all-expense paid vacation to fly to Great Missenden - a town in Buckinghamshire, Heathrow, England, with the goal & purpose of bringing a famous author named Corbyn Pearce back to the world, after suffering writer's block following a tragic car crash accident.

With her resilience, bravery, unwavering drive, & convincing powers, despite the clash of perspectives, ideas & characteristics, she stayed professional & true to her purpose. What can the withdrawing well-known Corbyn do against that? Will there be indeed a way to save his book : "Writing Echoes of Ash" as well as his career?

For a debut novel, this was a hard-to-put-it-down type of book. The fluid narrative & plot of the story made it truly engaging, plus the characters were easily likeable!

Corbyn is the epitome of a "tsundere" type of character like in anime : harsh on the outside, soft on the inside. I found his grumpiness silly, like adult tantrums. 🤭 Although I have to say, he is not to be entirely blamed why he became that way, due to his traumatic experiences. 🥺

Sadie on the other hand, is a hardworking gal, despite her own struggles, continued to fight for her own place in the world where she finally belongs. 🥹

All in all, this is a fantastic beauty-and-the-beast vibed novel, heartwarming romance as well as a pleasant journey of healing together from painful past experiences.

P.S.

Riley is an adorable menace, I said what I said. 🐶

Thank you Netgalley & Victory Editing for this opportunity!

4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

P.S. Follow me for more book reviews on:
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[bookmom0708 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Between the Lines, a debut novel by Tracey Magruder, was such a sweet but emotionally impactful read! Sadie and Corbyn are the perfect match and walking with them as they helped each other through their own traumas to find their happy ending was a joy.

Sadie is a rockstar editor just coming out of a tough break up with her fiancé Nate. She needs a change of pace which leads her to moving across the world to help Corbyn finish his long overdue book. Corbyn is a grumpy curmudgeon who doesn't want anyone's help finishing his book or with anything at all. A horrible car accident a few years ago left him vulnerable and broken. But Sadie isn't taking his arguing and complaining which is just what Corbyn needs to get back on track.

I thought the author did a great job with the traumas for both characters. We almost find out just how abusive Nate really was to Sadie along with her. She doesn't see things clearly so as she has revelations at what she has gone through, we start to understand with her. I also love the found family aspect. Edie, Paul, Ellie, Maggie, and of course Riley are amazing support to both Corbyn and Sadie. But especially to Sadie as she is trying to figure out where she fits in.

I will say that I wish there were more scenes with them outside of Corbyn's manor. It drug on a little in the middle when they spent so much time doing the same thing in the same place.

Overall, this was a heart warming story of love and self-rediscovery. I really enjoyed it and recommend it!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Emily Levy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sadie is in a slump, breaking up with her toxic fiancé, moving in with her best friend/boss, and not sure what’s next for her. Her best friend and boss, Jess, decides to send her to England to achieve the impossible, help this reclusive, grumpy author finish his book. He’s made three editor’s quit already and is past multiple deadlines, but Jess thinks Sadie can out-stubborn him.

Corbyn has been in a traumatic accident and the pain both physically and psychologically has blocked his writing. He just wants to be left alone to figure it out. Can Sadie get past the ironclad walls of defense he puts up to actually help him? Or will he trigger past wounds?


This is such a cute story but it has some really deep themes as well. I think the found family story hits hardest especially when Sadie, like a lot of women I think, feels so alone even when surrounded by people or in a relationship. When you are so used to caring for yourself and only counting on yourself, being taken care of feels like such an unexpected luxury.

So while on the surface, this has all the aspects of a light-hearted romance, there are a lot of deeper themes to explore including manipulative and violent exes as well as medical trauma. So trigger warning there. But really I think the author brilliantly worked in some of these deeper themes throughout the story while also crafting a lasting love story with a lot of light-hearted moments and some banter and interfering pup.

But I think the storyline that stuck out to me the most was a found family that is willing to stand up for their own.

Thanks to the author and Hawthorn & Aster for an ARC!

[tleigha ✿ · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, a huge thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and the author, Tracey Magruder, for providing me with this ARC. 🥹💖
Firstly, congrats on your debut novel, Tracey! It was beautiful, heartwarming, and such a joy to read. The flashback scene and its resolution were so satisfying, and I loved the found family vibe — seeing Sadie find her place outside of her ex and build connections in a new setting. Both characters’ growth felt authentic: Corbyn learning to navigate his anxiety, and Sadie supporting him while also discovering herself.

Other highlights include Edie and Riley, who were both absolutely adorable, funny, and heartwarming, the cozy and immersive English setting, and the quiet, sweet moments that gradually build intimacy and make the romance feel so earned.

Small critique: the slow burn could have moved slightly faster at points, and I’d have liked a bit more about Sadie navigating her work life in England. Still, overall, it was an enjoyable, heartfelt debut.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tropes / Themes:
Slow-burn romance
Dual POV
Wounded hero / emotional healing
Forced proximity
Found family
Emotional vulnerability & trust
Protective hero
Dogs as emotional support

Recommended for readers who enjoy slow-burn romance, dual POV, wounded heroes, emotional growth, and dogs that steal the show.

[webbyrose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Tracey Magruder for the opportunity to read your debut ARC!

This was such a quietly beautiful read. Between the Lines takes its time and lets the characters breathe, which made everything feel real and earned. Sadie’s journey felt especially honest - her healing isn’t rushed or magically fixed, and I really appreciated that!!

Corbyn is closed-off, grumpy, and frustrating in the most believable way, and their dynamic is built through conversation, tension, and small moments rather than big dramatic gestures. The slow burn worked well, and the emotional payoff felt genuine.

My only small critique is that the opening introduces quite a few characters very quickly, and I would have loved a little more space early on to fully settle into Sadie’s perspective before meeting everyone else. Once the story found its rhythm, though, I was completely hooked.

The cozyyyy English village setting and side characters added so much warmth, and by the end I genuinely wasn’t ready to leave this story behind.

Such a strong, thoughtful debut - I’ll definitely be reading whatever Tracey writes next!!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

As soon as I saw the cover of this book I was excited to read it. Then I read the synopsis and I needed to read it.
We follow two character POVs in this story, Sadie and Corbyn. Corbyn is an author with a bad case of writer’s block after being involved in a bad car accident that left him scarred and angry, and Sadie, the editor sent to help him. She will be the third or fourth editor sent to Corbyn, all of her predecessors quit. It seems that Corbyn does not want help, and he is quite difficult to work with.

What follows is two people who want to get a book written and published, who begin to work as a team and slowly break all of the boundaries of a professional working relationship.
I loved reading from both POVs, especially when one character is fighting an internal battle and determined to not let the other person in, only to finally give in and realise they can’t be without the other person.

Between the lines was a beautifully written, slow burn romance that kept my attention the entire way through wanting to know how they finally get together. I wasn’t ready for their story to finish, but the ending was perfect and tied everything together so that all my questions were answered.

[Diamanti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello, people!
This is a book that embraced me tenderly and with enthusiasm.
The whole plot had a smoothness and the characters, in addition to being well-written and well-made, also had the ideal chemistry that did not develop quickly but step by step, slowly and completely naturally, steadily and effortlessly. It had been a while since I read a book with such gradual development, without becoming tiring, and I really loved it for this reason.
The author's writing had it all, tenderness, romance, emotion and warmth. However, there were other parts that make you love it.
Also, on the plus side was the element of trauma, of the past that everything is tarnished with time and the hero emerges stronger, more human, who, of course, did not lose himself, his sensitivity, his humanity and his smile with what he experienced. On the contrary, he fought with the beasts of his wounds, healed his wounds, found the strength and psychology he needed and emerged unscathed and strong.
Finally, whether you are an animal lover or not, you will love this four-legged creature.
Don't skip it... Read it!

Thank you very much to the author and Hawthorn & Aster for the eARC!

This is my honest review!

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Tracey Magruder and Victory Editing NetGalley co-op for the digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

A grumpy vs sunshine romance with literature at the forefront AND an Irish wolfhound? *swoon* I loved this book! The back and forth between Sadie and Corbyn as they spar over the book editing process was so real, when something means so much to you it can be hard to take feedback so the process as written on the page felt very true to life for me as I was reading. Both main characters are on a journey of healing that is revealed and worked through layer by layer, and it left me just wanting to read one more chapter each time I sat down to read!

I felt like all the characters were well-written and fleshed out so I felt like I could really walk into The Roaring Stag and pick up with everyone in town like I was an old friend.

I will definitely be looking for more from Tracey Magruder!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received this book through netgalley for free and this review is entirely what my thoughts are of the book

Halfway through the book:

Loving it so far. I'm finding it very cosy and easy to get into. My heart aches for him, and can understand his hate and anger but can also find a sense of vulnerability in it. The main f character is great in understanding him and doesn't hold it against him. They both are finding comfort in Each others company and everyone but themselves can see that. My favourite scene so far is when she massages the cream into hand, it was just wholesome as he allows himself to find comfort in it. 

Finished:

I really liked it this book and thought the ending was super cute. I loved how they finally came to be and thought it was cute that the whole town was rooting for them and was protective.


Overall i give it 4 stars

[WannabeFMC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Between the Lines was 100% a good time. I loved the show build of Sadie and Corbyn's relationship from adversaries, to collaborators, to friends and finally lovers. Each stage felt earned, and their growth was clearly shown thrif their actions on the page.

I also appreciated the accident and disability representation, particularly Corbyn's desire to continue life as it was while those around him tried to help him adapt. I will airways enjoy seeing an abusive ex get their comeuppance, and I really love the found family Sophie discovers within the towns residents.

If your enjoy a slow burn, a grumpy MMC, found family and/or a pet companion, this one is for you! If you need me, I'll be researching small English villages I can move to.

Thank you to the publisher for the advanced copy for review.