I really wanted to love this book. It has everything I love in a student/teacher romance book, the age gap(without being creepy), the taboo nature of it, and a FMC that takes no shit. The writing is strong and you can tell that the author has some real talent! But it just felt like she was trying to fit 10 different plot points into a book that was less than 300 pages. Without spoiling it, there was about 3 plot points that could have been removed and it still would have been a jam packed storyline. This is not a bad book by any means, and I'm sure many people will love it. But for me, it just felt like it could have been edited down way more. Or if the different plot points were important, then the book needed to be longer. It just all felt way too rushed. I would have enjoyed to see more romance happen between the leads instead of the insane twists that were included to add adventure.

Thank you so much for this ARC!

I really liked Julian and Rowan's story. Their connection had been instant from the moment they met, and even though I personally don't enjoy surprise pregnancies in books, so much happened between them that sometimes I forgot Rowan was pregnant.

* Surprise Pregnancy
* Forbidden Romance
* Student/Professor
* Age Gap
* Sassy FMC

Thank you Azala Press for providing me with an ARC to this novel! I will be posting this on GoodReads and Amazon upon release.

Overall rating: 2 stars

What I loved about the book: I thought it was an easy read in the best kind of way. I was engaged and although the pacing was too fast (especially with how heavy some of the events that took place were) I did continuously want to read more. I also think the characters were intriguing and the music school setting was something I really enjoyed, as well as getting an insight into the classical music scene.

What I think could have been better; as already briefly mentioned, I think this book would have benefitted from a slower pace. A lot of the romance was centred around a very intense plot, and I missed some background or emotional connection to the characters. Some aspects of their personality could have been fleshed out more, like Julian’s hesitance towards love at first.


Overall I think this book wasn’t entirely for me, but it was a rollercoaster of a journey to be on and I think it voiced some important thoughts on trauma and voiced these well in its characters.

I really enjoyed this book. The communication between the characters was top tier. So many plots drown in miscommunication, but not this one

The challenges for Rowan and Julian got a little wild, but I was fully invested with how they were navigating forward and how they worked together.

The mentor vs mentee was well done. Overall I liked the characters dynamics and the story is well paced.

I will definitely be on the lookout for a possible next book with new characters.

Rowan and Julian’s story is one of forbidden attraction, intense chemistry, and emotional complexity. What makes this story so compelling is the deep emotional undercurrent that runs throughout. Their chemistry is electric, but it’s the emotional weight of their relationship, the push and pull of what they want versus what they know they shouldn’t have that makes the stakes feel so high. It’s a gripping, emotionally charged romance about love, longing, and the willingness to risk it all for something that feels as if it was always meant to be. A beautifully written tale of two people trying to navigate the line between duty and desire, making for a story you won’t soon forget.

Thankyou to NetGalley and Rachel Tork for the opportunity to read this ARC.

The Lines We Cross is an emotional, drama-filled read that will leave readers torn between the desire for a love story to triumph and the realization that some relationships are fraught with consequences. With its compelling characters, intense romantic tension, and exploration of loss and healing, Rachel Tork has created a book that will resonate with anyone who has ever dared to love someone they shouldn’t.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

The first quarter of the story felt promising, the characters and their dynamic interesting and the writing fluid enough to make me want to keep on turning the page. However, it quickly soured for me: the relationship felt rushed and underdeveloped, the pacing was off, there were far too many and unnecessary twists and turns (that sadly took the focus away from the romance). Also, the accidental pregnancy was thoroughly unexpected and not my cup of tea (it happens so early on in the story that I feel like it should be included in the synopsis as it ends up being the book's main focus).

I truly wanted to like this book, but unfortunately it just wasn't for me.

(I will be posting my review on Amazon!)

This was such a deeply emotional and moving book, and I definitely did not expect to be emotionally damaged this much. There's something about this author's writing that just inhibits an intimate space between lyrical yet incredibly accessible. I see so much potential here and I am quite looking forward to reading more works from this author.

3 pages into this book and I was extremely invested. I was GUSHING and telling myself that I needed to calm down because this book was already giving me the feels and it has only been 3 pages in!! The writing was so good. There’s something about this author’s words that just puts you in your emotions. I thought this would be a 5-star read but alas, there was a trope incorporated further along in the story, and it was the trope that is the bane of my existence. HOWEVER, although I disliked every single book, I’ve read that ended up having this trope, I still adored this book. I think that in itself, just goes to show how great of a read this was.

Things to Love:
-Teacher x student (hot and spicy and full of some amazing sexual tension)
-Lyrical prose
-Flawed and authentic characters
-Hottest MMC
-Academia setting

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this and it was such an easy, quick but emotionally damaging read that had me stressing but also pining, and in the end, I felt satisfied with the ending! Lovely read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving the opportunity to review and read the story.

I really tried to like this story but it honestly wasn’t for me.

Rowan and Julian’s story was just so dramatic. I must have missed something in the summary because an accidental pregnancy was so crazy to me. I knew it was coming after their first sexual interaction but I was dreading it.

The events like the fire and the shooting seemed so so so out of left field. It was to the point of I was trying to figure out what book I was reading.

Overall the story was not for me…

This was 3 stars for me.

I just couldn't connect with the characters and I didn't like the dynamic between the FMC and MMC. The musical aspect was interesting and the college setting was neat but the characters were just not connecting with me.

I typically don’t go for books like this, but I decided to read something different and out of my comfort zone. I am normally only a dark romance reader when I do decide to read romance. But there is just something about this book that pulls heavily from almost a slightly dark academia setting on top of a teacher/student relationship. I read it in one sitting. The story absolutely came to life for me and I enjoyed it so very much and I look forward to it coming out in January so that I may hopefully get a copy for my shelf. :)

Forbidden romance, music, and a whole lot of tension - The Lines We Cross by Rachel Tork, has all the drama you’d expect from a love story like this.

Rowan Evans is a talented music student, grieving the loss of her sister. Three years after a kind stranger shares a quiet moment with her, that same man, Julian Lynch, reappears in her life… as her professor.

Julian’s a broody, musical genius professor. While Rowan’s fiery and determined to live life her way. The sparks between them are impossible to ignore, but their relationship? Let’s just say it’s complicated (and maybe a little scandalous).

The story is emotional, messy, and keeps you hooked with its will-they-won’t-they tension. While the romance didn’t completely win me over, the blend of music and heartache definitely made it stand out.
If you love forbidden love stories with a touch of drama, this one’s worth a read.

Thank you to the author for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review

*The Lines We Cross* by Rachel Tork is an emotional and beautifully written story about love, loss, and the boundaries we’re willing to challenge for connection. Rowan and Julian’s relationship is intense and forbidden, but the way their shared past intertwines with their present makes their connection feel inevitable. The tension between them is palpable, heightened by the weight of their personal struggles and the risks they take.

Rachel Tork does an incredible job of capturing the complexities of grief, ambition, and desire. Rowan’s fiery spirit and Julian’s internal conflict make them compelling characters you can’t help but root for, even as their choices toe the line between right and wrong. The snowy, music-filled setting adds a layer of atmosphere that perfectly complements the story’s emotional depth. This book is a slow-burn romance with plenty of heartache and beauty along the way. It’s a story that makes you question how far you’d go for love—and whether some lines are meant to be crossed. A captivating and unforgettable read.

THE LINES WE CROSS is a forbidden romance tastefully done about a college student and professor. Julian and Rowan have an intense and believable connection from the very beginning. It was interesting to see their relationship evolve and deepen as they go through surprising experiences throughout the story. Julie Soto fans will definitely enjoy this one!

Thank you to Azala and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

“The Lines We Cross” is a captivating romance that explores the complexities involved between professional ethics and irresistible attraction. The story Rowan Evans, a gifted graduate music student, whose instant chemistry with her professor, Dr. Julian Lynch poses a threat to her standing in the university, thus potentially hindering her musical aspirations.

The chemistry between them is undeniable, creating tension throughout the novel. Their connection evolves into something deeper, as they struggle with their growing feelings for one another amidst the complications of student-teacher dynamics. There were elements of the book that would probably not play out the same way in real life, but I appreciate the creative license the author took to weave a deeply satisfying HEA.

This was a very enjoyable read for me. I was hooked from start to finish. The book was equal parts steamy, emotional, and surprisingly thrilling. It’s a perfect blend of forbidden attraction and intense connection. It does read like a more polished fanfiction, but I love fanfiction, so it was not an issue for me. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars for this review.

This is the first book that I have read from author, Rachel Tork. I’ll by honest, what initially drew me in was the cover of the book. It was reminiscent of my favorite AO3 pairing, Reylo. I was pleasantly surprised when reading the “about the author” note, that Ms. Tork like me is a fan of the Reylo fandom, which automatically brings her to the top of my TBR authors. I look forward to reading the follow-up novel with Lena and Oliver.

Thank you NetGalley and Azala Press for providing an eARC for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This book was absolutely fantastic and I really enjoyed reading it!
The tension was tight, the pacing was perfect, and I fell in love with both characters. I've really been digging the professor x student dynamic lately and The Lines We Cross definitely satisfied that itch. It was also very grumpy x sunshine with some clouds and I think this is one of the best tropes! I'll definitely be recommending this book to my friends.

I read it in one sitting, the plot was so gripping I couldn't stop reading.

It's a forbidden romance that starts off as a romcom but ends up becoming something else, the book changes a lot halfway and it keeps you turning pages.

I will definitely be reading more books by this author.

Thank you Netgalley and Azala Press for the arc!

The lines we cross by Rachel Tork
When the anniversary of Rowan’s sister’s death was, one person, a stranger, gave a tissue for her and suggested to watch on the sunset until stars appear.
After three years, when she went to Grandview University’s School of Music, Dr. Julian Lynch became her advisor, because of replacing person by health reason. She didn’t recognize him, the stranger with the tissue. Just after weeks she found out who he was (remembered).
Julian world was shaken when he recognized Rowan in the file of graduate students. He should teach her. It was a fire when she kissed him in their class. Boom!
It was interesting how their relationship grew. When I started this book, I thought that it will be rom-com, but then after 100 pages I understood that it is more seriously. I liked how characters are described in the book. I felt the feelings of the characters while I was reading.
The book caught my attention, I wanted to know how it would finish.
I was missing a motive for one character. But anyway, I recommend this book for people who like romance, it is a good book.
The book will be published on January 14th, 2025

The Lines We Cross by Rachel Tork is a forbidden romance read with a professor student relationship with an accidental pregnancy trope. It’s well written and a fast paced read. The setting is a picturesque college campus setting. Both main characters are musicians. The main characters have a strong connection but spend the beginning of the book fighting their attraction towards each other through tension filled interactions and conversations. From the beginning, it’s obvious they have a strong connection to one another. The tension was so well done.

The characters face some trials and tribulations together but their connection throughout the trials remains strong. Overall, I really enjoyed the romance and bits of spice. I will definitely read more books by this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and and Azala Press for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This was really something. I was originally drawn to the cover and then the marketing of the Out on a Limb x Not Another Love Song descriptor. At first the premise carried a lot of promise, the forbidden aspect of two lonely and tortured characters, student and teacher (and a bit more comfy cause she’s in grad school so aged up a little). But then this kind of goes off the rails. This really is more like romantic suspense. It got to the point where I couldn’t fathom how many bad things and obstacles 2 people can face in a year. There was not enough happy togetherness relationship building time for me to enjoy this as a romance and getting to see 2 people fall in love, they were SO stressed constantly (and understandably, everything was always going so bonkers and they couldn’t trust anyone).

Also, I can give leeway for these types of things so this is minor but the graduate school aspect I did not find to be accurate. The cafeteria style gossiping veered on high school. I know environments like that can be cliquey but it was to an extent that just really doesn’t feel accurate.

What I liked was the brooding man bun of it all with the MMC. I loved that he always showed up for the FMC even when she assumed he wouldn’t. The FMC also has complicated grief with the prior loss of her sister and that was an impactful storyline.

Thank you to Azala Press for the eARC.