Letters Across the Void

Lila and Lincoln, both reeling from the deaths of loved ones, begin a correspondence after meeting at a funeral. Their letters become a lifeline, a private world where they can be honest and vulnerable in ways they can't with anyone else. Over two years, their connection deepens, transforming from comfort to something more intimate. The written word becomes their safe space, a place to share dreams, fears, and the pain of loss. Through these letters, they build a relationship that is both real and fragile, suspended between hope and the fear of heartbreak.

Funeral Night Connection

At the funeral of Aires, Lila's best friend's brother, she meets Lincoln, whose own brother Josh died in the same military unit. The night is chaotic and emotionally raw, but their shared grief forges an immediate, unspoken understanding. They sneak away from the wake, finding solace in each other's presence. This brief encounter, charged with the intensity of loss and the awkwardness of strangers, plants the seed for their future correspondence. Both sense that this meeting, though born of tragedy, might be the start of something meaningful.

Secrets and Safe Distances

Lila and Lincoln's relationship flourishes in the safety of distance. They avoid direct contact, relying on letters to maintain a boundary that feels secure. The written word allows them to reveal truths they might never say aloud. Yet, as their bond grows, so does the temptation to cross lines—emotional and physical. The secrecy of their connection becomes both a comfort and a source of tension, especially as real-life complications and unspoken feelings threaten to break through the walls they've built.

Family Eruptions

Lincoln's family is a powder keg of unresolved grief and dysfunction. His parents argue constantly, his sister Meg is overwhelmed by teenage motherhood, and Lincoln himself is the silent, steady one—until he cracks. The chaos at home mirrors his internal turmoil, especially as he struggles with guilt over his brother's death and his own academic failures. The family's inability to communicate or support each other leaves Lincoln feeling isolated, driving him further into his correspondence with Lila and away from the reality he can't face.

Alone in the Dark

With her family away, Lila spends her first night alone in her house, battling anxiety and the ghosts of her own insecurities. Her ex-boyfriend Stephen appears, offering comfort she doesn't want. Lila's fear of being alone is both literal and symbolic—she's on the cusp of leaving for college, terrified of stepping into the unknown. The night is a crucible, forcing her to confront not just the darkness outside, but the doubts within herself about her strength and independence.

The Lie Unveiled

Lila discovers that Lincoln lied about graduating high school—a secret he kept to avoid disappointing her. The revelation shatters her trust, making her question the foundation of their relationship. Lincoln's lie is rooted in shame and fear of losing Lila, but for her, honesty was the one thing she depended on. The confrontation is explosive, with Lila slamming the door on Lincoln, both literally and figuratively. The pain of betrayal is compounded by the fear that their connection was never as real as she believed.

Roses and Regrets

Determined to fix his mistake, Lincoln drives ten hours to Lila's house, bringing her favorite purple roses as a peace offering. The gesture is heartfelt but fraught with tension. Lila, still reeling from his lie, is torn between her lingering feelings and her sense of betrayal. Their reunion is awkward and charged, with both struggling to find the words to bridge the gap between them. The roses symbolize both Lincoln's love and his regret, a tangible reminder of what's at stake.

Echoes of Loss

Both Lila and Lincoln are haunted by the deaths of their brothers, shaping their identities and decisions. Their letters are filled with memories and what-ifs, as they try to make sense of the senseless. The weight of loss is ever-present, influencing how they relate to each other and the world. For Lincoln, grief manifests as avoidance and self-sabotage; for Lila, as anxiety and a desperate need for control. Their shared pain is both a bond and a barrier, making it hard to move forward.

Fear and Friendship

Lila leans on her best friend Echo, who encourages her to confront Lincoln and her own fears. Echo's journey with her own grief and healing serves as a mirror for Lila, reminding her that moving on doesn't mean forgetting. The rekindling of old friendships and the mending of broken ones become central to Lila's growth. Through these relationships, she learns that vulnerability is not weakness, and that true friends challenge as well as comfort.

Midnight Panic

Alone in her house, Lila is convinced someone is stalking her. A midnight panic leads to a frantic call to Lincoln, who rushes to her side, fearing for her safety. The police are called, but dismiss her fears as imagination. The ordeal brings Lila and Lincoln physically together for the first time since their falling out, forcing them to confront their feelings in the aftermath of fear. The experience is a crucible, burning away pretense and leaving only raw emotion.

Truths and Forgiveness

In the quiet aftermath, Lila and Lincoln finally talk openly about their mistakes and fears. Lincoln confesses the reasons behind his lie—his grief, his sense of failure, and his fear of losing her. Lila admits her own doubts and the ways she's let fear dictate her choices. Through mutual vulnerability, they begin to forgive each other and themselves. The conversation is cathartic, marking a turning point in their relationship from secrecy and avoidance to honesty and acceptance.

Facing the Past

Both protagonists realize they've been running from their problems—Lincoln from his family and responsibilities, Lila from her fear of independence. They acknowledge that change is terrifying but necessary. Lincoln resolves to return home, face his family, and enroll in summer school to earn his diploma. Lila decides to stop letting fear dictate her future, considering whether she can still pursue her dream of going to college in Florida. The past no longer defines them; it becomes a lesson for growth.

Pranks and Power

Lila learns that her ex-boyfriend Stephen and his friends have been pranking her, trying to scare her into staying home for college. The revelation is infuriating but also liberating—her fear was manufactured, not a sign of weakness. Lila's anger transforms into resolve, and she decides to take control of the situation. The experience becomes a catalyst for reclaiming her agency, showing her that she is not as powerless as she once believed.

Reclaiming Courage

Determined to confront her fears head-on, Lila enlists Lincoln's help in planning a paintball ambush on Stephen and his friends. The act is both symbolic and literal—a way to reclaim her power and assert her independence. The adrenaline and laughter of the night help Lila shed the last vestiges of self-doubt. For Lincoln, supporting Lila in this act of defiance is a way to show his love and belief in her strength. Together, they turn fear into empowerment.

Paintball Justice

The paintball ambush is a cathartic, exhilarating moment. Lila and Lincoln work as a team, outsmarting Stephen and his friends and turning the tables on those who tried to manipulate her. The act is more than just revenge—it's a declaration of independence and self-worth. The experience bonds Lila and Lincoln further, proving that together, they can face anything. The night ends with laughter and a sense of triumph, a stark contrast to the fear and uncertainty that preceded it.

Confessions and Kisses

In the quiet aftermath, Lila and Lincoln share their true feelings for each other. The confessions are tender and honest, born of two years of longing and missed chances. Their first real kiss is electric, a culmination of all the tension and hope that's been building. The moment is both an ending and a beginning—a promise that, despite the distance and the challenges ahead, they are committed to making it work. Love, at last, is no longer just written in letters but lived in the present.

Promises for Tomorrow

With Lincoln set to return home and Lila preparing for college, they make plans for how to stay connected—letters, phone calls, visits, and the hope of being together at the University of Florida. Both are determined to face their fears and pursue their dreams, no longer held back by the past. The future is uncertain, but for the first time, it feels possible. Their promises are not just to each other, but to themselves—to be brave, to be honest, and to keep moving forward.

Sunrise Goodbyes

As dawn breaks, Lincoln and Lila share a bittersweet goodbye. The pain of separation is tempered by the knowledge that they have changed each other for the better. They are no longer defined by loss or fear, but by the courage to love and the willingness to grow. The sunrise is both a metaphor and a reality—a new beginning, full of promise and possibility. Their story ends not with an ending, but with the hope of many new chapters to come.

Characters

Lila McCormick

Lila is a meticulous, organized young woman haunted by anxiety and the loss of her best friend's brother. Her need for control masks deep-seated fears of abandonment and inadequacy. Lila's journey is one of self-discovery—learning to trust herself, confront her fears, and embrace change. Her relationship with Lincoln is both a source of strength and vulnerability, challenging her to be honest and brave. Lila's development is marked by her willingness to face the unknown, reclaim her agency, and open her heart to love, even when it terrifies her.

Lincoln Turner

Lincoln is defined by loss—his brother's death, his fractured family, and his own sense of failure. He is steady and dependable on the surface, but internally struggles with guilt, anger, and a fear of disappointing those he loves. Lincoln's correspondence with Lila becomes his anchor, offering hope and connection in a world that feels chaotic and unforgiving. His arc is one of confronting his mistakes, taking responsibility, and learning that vulnerability is not weakness. Through Lila, Lincoln finds the courage to face his past and fight for a future he thought he'd lost.

Stephen

Stephen is Lila's ex-boyfriend, unable to accept the end of their relationship or her desire for independence. His actions—pranking Lila to scare her into staying—reveal his insecurity and need for dominance. Stephen represents the pull of the familiar and the pressure to conform, standing in stark contrast to Lincoln's encouragement of Lila's growth. His presence in the story forces Lila to confront what she truly wants and to assert her boundaries, ultimately empowering her to break free from his influence.

Meg

Meg, Lincoln's teenage sister, is struggling with young motherhood and the fallout of their brother's death. Her avoidance of her own child and the chaos she brings to the family dynamic highlight the generational patterns of avoidance and dysfunction. Meg's relationship with Lincoln is strained but deeply connected, as both siblings grapple with grief in different ways. Her struggles serve as a mirror for Lincoln, pushing him to confront his own avoidance and step up as a source of stability.

Echo

Echo is Lila's lifelong friend, herself marked by trauma and loss. Her journey toward healing and love with Noah serves as inspiration for Lila, demonstrating that it is possible to move forward without forgetting the past. Echo's support is unwavering, but she also challenges Lila to be honest with herself and to take risks. Her presence in the story underscores the importance of friendship, empathy, and the courage to change.

Josh

Though deceased, Josh's influence looms large over Lincoln's life. His death is the catalyst for Lincoln's downward spiral and the source of much of his guilt and grief. Josh represents the idealized past and the weight of expectations, both familial and personal. Lincoln's journey is, in many ways, about learning to let go of Josh—not to forget him, but to stop letting his memory dictate the future.

Aires

Aires, Echo's brother and Lila's surrogate sibling, is another absent presence whose death brings Lila and Lincoln together. His memory is a touchstone for both characters, a reminder of what they've lost and what they stand to gain by opening themselves to new connections. Aires's legacy is one of love and courage, qualities that Lila strives to embody as she steps into her own future.

Grace

Grace is a former close friend of Lila's, estranged after choosing new friends over loyalty. Her return and confession about Stephen's pranks are acts of contrition, signaling her desire to mend old wounds. Grace's arc is one of regret and the hope for forgiveness, illustrating the complexities of friendship and the possibility of change.

Lila's Parents

Lila's parents are loving but overprotective, their absence during her week alone both a challenge and an opportunity for growth. Their attempts to prepare her for independence—via Post-it notes and advice—are well-intentioned but ultimately insufficient. Their role in the story is to provide the backdrop against which Lila must define herself, separate from their expectations and fears.

Lincoln's Parents

Lincoln's parents are consumed by their own grief and financial stress, unable to provide the support their children need. Their constant fighting and emotional absence contribute to Lincoln's sense of isolation and failure. Their struggles serve as a cautionary tale, motivating Lincoln to break the cycle and seek a healthier path forward.

Plot Devices

Epistolary Structure

The story is built around the exchange of letters between Lila and Lincoln, allowing for deep introspection and gradual revelation of character. The epistolary format creates intimacy, giving readers access to the protagonists' innermost thoughts and feelings. It also serves as a plot device for miscommunication, secrecy, and eventual confession, driving the emotional arc of the story.

Dual Perspectives

By shifting between Lila and Lincoln's perspectives, the narrative offers a nuanced understanding of both characters' motivations and struggles. This structure allows for dramatic irony—readers know more than the characters do at times—and heightens the emotional stakes as misunderstandings and secrets come to light.

Symbolism of Distance and Connection

The geographical separation between Lila and Lincoln mirrors their emotional barriers. Their journey is one of closing the gap—literally and figuratively—culminating in Lincoln's ten-hour drive to see Lila. The motif of distance underscores the challenges of vulnerability and the courage required to bridge divides.

Foreshadowing and Repetition

The story uses repeated images—Post-it notes, roses, letters, and references to climbing—as symbols of hope, regret, and aspiration. These motifs foreshadow key turning points, such as Lila's eventual decision to face her fears and Lincoln's commitment to change. The repetition of certain phrases and actions reinforces the themes of growth and the cyclical nature of healing.

Coming-of-Age and Self-Actualization

The central plot device is the protagonists' parallel journeys toward self-acceptance and independence. The external conflicts—family dysfunction, betrayal, fear—are ultimately vehicles for internal transformation. The story's resolution hinges not on external validation, but on the characters' willingness to confront their own limitations and embrace change.

Analysis

Katie McGarry's Crossing the Line is a poignant exploration of grief, vulnerability, and the transformative power of connection. Through the epistolary structure and dual perspectives, the novella delves into the psychological landscapes of two young people on the brink of adulthood, each grappling with loss and the fear of moving forward. The narrative's emotional core lies in its honest portrayal of anxiety, avoidance, and the slow, often painful process of healing. By centering the story on letters, McGarry emphasizes the importance of communication—not just with others, but with oneself. The book's ultimate message is one of hope: that love, honesty, and courage can bridge even the widest divides. In a world where fear and uncertainty are constant companions, Crossing the Line offers a blueprint for facing the unknown—not by erasing the past, but by carrying its lessons into a future shaped by choice and resilience.

Last updated: January 8, 2026