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.

The Lines We Cross is the story of Rowan, who quickly discovers that her new professor was the man who comforted her after the death of her sister...and feels an instant attraction.

I was excited to read this book after observing the Reylo influences. I personally love an accidentally pregnancy subplot, and I thought the dynamic between the characters was well done for a secret relationship, but it did feel as though the book was more serialised, rather than the themes at the beginning tying into the relationship's development.

I am excited to see more of this author as her writing develops and would recommend it to fans of Julie Soto.

3.25/5. Thank you NetGalley for the eARC of this book!

This story is an absolute rollercoaster of a ride. It starts off giving Reylo/TLH vibes with the brief meeting and secret pining. 3 years later they meet again as grad student (Rowan) and teacher (Julian). The angst is excellent and I love both Rowan and Julian immediately. The story had a really strong start and I loved the first third of the book (was gearing up for this to be a 5 star read). Around 40% is when the story changed for me. Objectively, a really well written and captivating novel. Subjectively, it wasn't my favorite romance. I felt like the relationship development began lacking for me. The plot twists and turns felt out of left field. Without spoiling anything, I do think one of the main plot points of this book that comes as a plot twist may be a DNF moment for many readers. I think this book would have excelled as a novella.

Overall, I binge read this book and was entertained. I will more than likely read another book by this author, especially if there's a standalone follow-up with other characters.

I really enjoyed the first half of this book! The atmosphere, the characters and the slightly forbidden nature of the relationship really drew me in. Sadly, I didn‘t enjoy the second half as much. There was a trope introduced that I don‘t particularly enjoy (staying vague because of spoilers) and I was also a bit surprised by some of the plot development later on (a lot of action, which I didn‘t expect from the pretty quiet and character-driven beginning). A lot of conflict was introduced that was resolved pretty quickly.
I liked the writing style and would pick up something from this author again, but sadly this one didn‘t quite work for me. It is a pretty solid romance though, and I would say if you enjoyed Julie Soto‘s latest book and also enjoy the more unhinged aspects of authors like Ana Huang or LJ Shen, this might be the book for you!
(Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel Tork and Azala Press for providing me with an eARC for this book in exchange for my honest feedback. All opinions in this review are my own.)

Professor-student romances are my weak spot and I can never get enough of them. Yet this book kind of let me down; there were so many random events thrown here and there, making the plot and pacing weird. I loved the couple, they were adorable (and the spice was so good), but the “insta-love” trope is not something I’m into. I think something slower, with more stakes would have been interesting for this plot, which is so unique with its setting and its two protagonists who have been through so much already.

I always love finding books centered around musicians. It makes it even better when there’s a forbidden love/professor x student aspect too. Rowan and Julian are two characters I rooted for, in different ways, separately. I found myself thrilled over their instant chemistry and watching it build and build over the 3 part story. Rowan chooses to pursue music in honor of her late twin sister, but also because she has true passion for it. Her character growth along with her growth in music was so inspiring to read. Julian has dealt with his own share of heartbreak and grief, just in different ways. His journey to opening up to Rowan and healing and fighting for himself and for her also made this a fantastic story.