Emma Scott's writing is amazing. I've finally read one of her books, and it had to be this one. In Harmony broke my heart and put it back together. It was phenomenal.

A deceptively sweet love story that delves into some serious topics with respect. The main character’s quite damaged background stories were realistic and their personality flaws were accurately connected to their histories. I liked how they grew and helped each other. While the ending was satisfying, the “fast forward” did leave me wanting more in between time. I like that the author did not turn this into a cliffhanger series, but finished it with a realistic and satisfactory ending.

Emma Scott has to be one of my favourite authors. There is just something about not just her style but the type of story she tells that really resonates with me. In Harmony was no exception. This was a somewhat dark ready although not in an overpowering way. Willow and Isaac meet at time when they’re both struggling but for different reasons and in different ways. They develop a deep and powerful connection, partly through said trauma, partly through their shared love of theatre and obviously partly because of pure chemistry.
I loved both Willow and Isaac. I loved their relationship and desire to care for and protect one another, even if this was sometimes misplaced. There were some characters I truly wanted to reach into and strangle but for the most part I really loved the different people in their lives. The story highlights how sometimes love and support doesn’t necessarily come from the family we’re born with but there are other people who can fill important roles in our life ie: teachers, close friends, trusted parents of friends.
In Harmony shows how art can truly be therapeutic and can help people to heal and express themselves. It explores forgiveness as a concept and shows that with time and positive actions sometimes relationships can be repaired. But mostly In Harmony tells a story about two broken souls struggling to overcome their demons while sharing their hearts with each other and falling in love.
*Thanks to Netgalley, Publisher and Author for ARC*

The love was there first.

whoa. What a wild ride! This was my first book by Emma Scott, but it won't be my last, that's for sure!
I decided to give this book a shot because my goodreads timeline was filled with raving reviews, which is always a good indicator that I should jump on the bandwagon to find out for myself if the book is worth it - and was it worth, you guys!

In Harmony follows Willow and Isaac, two teens from two very different backgrounds. The only thing they have in common? Pasts they'd rather not talk about and compelling problems in their life that made for two very fleshed-out, well-written, angsty teens. Isaac doesn't really talk unless he's on stage of the local theatre where he bares his soul to the audience and makes everyone hold their breath. Willow's trying hard to hold on to the fire within her, but it gets harder every day. One day, she decides to audition for the play Hamlet and gets cast as Ophelia - with Isaac cast as Hamlet.
The plot of this book was so well-planned out, I kind of just wanted to bang my head against the wall that I didn't have to read Hamlet for any of my uni classes. Seriously, the entire book is mapped out along the lines of Shakespeare's tragedy, on and off-stage. Isaac and Willow are so caught up in their own minds while also wanting to make this the best performance of their lives for very different reasons, but nevertheless - the stage is where they find themselves, their voices, their salvation.

The play was probably my favorite aspect of the entire book, just because it brought everything together so perfectly. As they rehearse, Isaac and Willow fall in love and through miscommunication, forbidden dates, swoonworthy declarations of love and bitter reality barging in, they find their way back to each other through their love for theatre. For being another person for a while and just get out of their own bodies.
This book was an experience. In a sea of YA instaloves and guys that are jerks but we're supposed to ignore their behavior because they're hot, In Harmony stands out as a tale a lot of girls need to read - and hear the underlying message. You are so much stronger than you realize.

Now, excuse me while I go sparknotes Hamlet for a while.

Non avevo mail letto nulla di Emma Scott ma devo dire che il primo incontro è stato piacevole; mi spiego meglio. La storia è narrata dal pov di Willow e di Isaac, questi due giovani ragazzi che seppur molto diversi si troveranno e si innamoreranno, inutile evitare questo spoiler, tanto è palese no?
Willow era una ragazza serena finché un attimo, una notte un fatto ha cambiato tutto lasciando delle cicatrici terribili dentro di lei; la promozione che il padre ha avuto e dunque lasciare New York si preannuncia come una svolta positiva e anche il primo giorno di liceo ad Harmony non è stato traumatizzante.
Isaac, il bad boy, la star di recitazione della scuola, colpirà subito Willow (e anche voi): un ragazzo dalla vita non facile, che ha profonde cicatrici che maschera a tutti, ma l'incontro con la ragazza e il rispettivo conoscersi cambieranno le carte in tavola per entrambi.
So cosa state pensando: dove'è la novità? Ecco forse non c'è una vera novità, ma ciò che mi ha fatto apprezzare questo romanzo sono stati più fattori. Il primo sono Isaac e Willow perché insieme sono bellissimi e imperfetti: lui così protettivo, abituato a creare muri per nascondere ciò che prova ma che sul palco si trasforma e dà tutto e di più, mentre la nostra protagonista è ferita, bloccata dai suoi demoni ma che nelle braccia del ragazzo e sul palco troverà la forza di andare avanti. Sono due protagonisti non perfetti, che hanno anche loro dei difetti ma al contempo meravigliosi e nonostante ciò che il passato e anche il presente gli mette davanti hanno capito dove trovare la forza per superare i traumi e proseguire con la propria vita. Menzione particolare va ad Angie: tutti meriteremmo un'amica come lei, davvero!
Il secondo punto che mi ha colpito è stato che il tutto si svolge in contemporanea alle prove e alla successiva messa in scena della tragedia di Amleto: attraverso la stessa opera de "il bardo" i due ragazzi trovano la forza per aprirsi, affrontare i loro fantasmi del passato, i loro traumi. Adoro Shakespeare (anche se Amleto non è la mia opera preferita) e il fatto che Emma Scott l'abbia inserita come strumento di introspezione senza renderlo un momento banale o pesante mi ha colpito positivamente.
Lo stile della Scott è scorrevolissimo, mai pesante e leggerlo in lingua non è stato difficilissimo!
Una storia dolce, romantica, che mi ha colpito per le sensazioni, non sempre positive visti i fatti narrati, che mi ha fatto provare, le emozioni che mi hanno accompagnata durante la narrazione; due protagonisti che da rotti, segnati, hanno affrontato i loro demoni e hanno ritrovato la loro luce interiore e che proprio nel rapporto di coppia hanno trovato la forza per andare avanti.

This is not a book to start right before climbing into bed for the night. It will keep you up until the sun rises the next morning and leave you feeling tired as hell all day. I would know...that's where I'm at as I write this.

I really loved both of the main characters. They each had a compelling backstory that created a wealth of depth and emotional layering. Tension and longing wove in and out of the build-up of their relationship and it was flawless. I was hooked from the start and couldn't put the pages down...even though I was internally screaming at myself to get some sleep.

I enjoyed the "life imitates art" storyline in the book. The author was very clever in her comparisons between Willow and Issac's personal lives and their stage lives performing Hamlet. It was a very well-done overlapping with just the right amount of comparisons.

I thought the plot lines, the supporting characters, and the pacing were all on point until the *spoiler?* time jump after the climax. I thought the passing of 3 years was good for the story in certain ways, but I also wasn't thrilled with it for a couple reasons. Characters who were important in the beginning seemed like an afterthought as the lives of Willow and Issac moved on. When they appeared again, it sort of felt like a half-assed attempt to include everyone and threw off the flow of the book for me. Also, although I loved the "stars aligning" vibe for Willow and Issac after their time apart, it was a bit difficult to see them coming back together so easily. It felt too serendipitous.

Overall, the flaws I found were super minor compared to the immense amount of positives with this book. I'll slap a 5/5 rating on it with no hesitation. And I'll be on the lookout for more books by the author, Emma Scott!

*I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

2.5

I really enjoyed the beginning of this book. The characters had strong, interesting back stories. The setting was beautiful and picturesque. The writing was well done.

But as the story progressed it became more and more cliched. By the time we got to the end [ and her rapist makes a bizarre reappearance in her life for no apparent reason (hide spoiler)] I was rather disappointed with how the story had progressed.

This book had a lot of promise but it sort of fizzled out.

Loved this book! Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!! Not your typical high school romance/love story. Willow, a 17 yo senior has just moved to Harmony, Indiana with her parents. She used to be a normal happy well-adjusted teenager until something happened to her that completely changed her life. She really wants to try and start over and try and go back to who she was before. She meets her super coole friend Angie the first day and they hit it off. She also eventually meets Isaac, another lost soul whose mom has died leaving him with an alcoholic father deep in debt. Isaac's only release is acting and he is really good at it. Willow tries out for and is cast for the next show in town and they start spending more time together in spite of warnings from her father not to. They fall in love but are eventually torn apart because of Willow's dad and Isaac's dad and their entire terrible situation. Isaac leaves town without a word and eventually they both start healing in their own ways. This is a beautiful love story between two people facing challenging circumstances. I loved both Isaac and Willow--great characters and great writing! Will def read more by this author. Two thumbs up!

Amazing Emma !!! Who knew I could get into Shakespeare, not me. 

Emma tells a great story of tragedy, friendship,  growth and above all love.  So many different love stories in this one book, friendship love, family love, and the most important just man kind love. 

Marty and Brenda were amazing friends to Isaac they helped make him the man he is today for the love and support they gave to him.  Angie OMG how I loved Angie and Her t-shirts.  We all need an Angie in our lives. So many great supporting characters. 

Willow WOW where to begin, strong, and fierce, (even if she didn't think so) what she endured alone day after day.  The strength it took to finally tell her story.  Me too!! I matter!!!

Isaac love love love him.  With his life he could have gone the other way.  The choices he made had such a powerful impact on so many.   He grew to be such an awesome stand up guy, for everyone in his life, even his father.  His love for him, his empathy never wavered.

 Truly great amazing characters Emma gave us in this story.  The struggles were real, the heartaches were so emotional. 

I look forward to Emma's next story.

This isn't your just your typical fell in love with the bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks romance. This is so much more. In Harmony is an emotional packed read. I was left gutted a few times. I cried and had a few awe moments. One would think Willow and Isaac are really different. But once you dive into their past you see that they are not. Willow family has money. Isaac and his father are struggling. Isaac is a brilliant actor that brings the raw emotion to the stage. He has a way out of the small town life. Willow pulled into the small town life and is struggling to be the girl she used to be. They both have had tragic events in their lives and are survivors. Once you find out the tears will fall. You just want to wrap both them up and not let go. With Willow and Isaac you can see how perfectly they fit and can help heal each other as In Harmony goes on. The chemistry is so strong. You just hop this young love will last. You'll want to just smack the crap out of Willows parents and tell her to get everything out. I fell in love with Willow and Isaac more and more as the story went on. By the end you see how powerful love is. If you haven't read an Emma Scott book yet then you really should. She gives you everything you didn't know you wanted in a book and more. In Harmony is a fantastic read. One that needs to be one clicked and shared.

Oh my .... I don't know how many hankies I needed but...this book? It was amazing! Those characters are simply wonderful. Flawed, hurt, strong and wonderfully imperfect.

I hated to read about Willow's experience, I felt (and fought) with her when she met Isaac and the sparks started to fly and enjoyed every moment that brought the two of them together. Reading about the hypocrisy of the ones from the right side of the track, the "better ones", I was furious and shocked and when their actions tear Willow and Isaac apart...well, let's just say that my vocabulary may not have been very refined...

This book is intense and emotional and even though I needed a bunch of handkerchiefs, I enjoyed every single page of it!

This is one of those books that you never want to end. It has the perfect boy who says the most swooniest thing, and a strong young lady who you would fight for. I fell hard for both of them.
I loved how the play followed along in similarities to the book. Brilliant!
This is your typical extraordinary book from Emma Scott. She hasn’t disappointed me yet!

This was my first book by Emma Scott. After seeing so many rave reviews, and enticing blurbs, I found myself lucky enough to receive a copy of this on Netgalley and so began my first foray into Ms. Scott's captivating, enchanting writing.

This was not necessarily an easy book to read. I mean, it's beautifully written and the storytelling is nearly flawless - but the subject matter is tough to read and the angst sometimes hurt my heart so much, I wanted to scream.

I mean, that's some powerful storytelling, right?

Indeed.

And it seems perhaps even more powerful as we get to experience the characters through not only Ms. Scott's writing, but also within the writings of other masterful storytellers: most notably Shakespeare, and Ibsen. There are, at times, stories within the stories here and they all come together to paint this striking, raw, honest picture of these two completely lovable characters as they struggle their way through their story arc. I felt it with them, every step of the way: heartbreak, perseverance, and redemption.

I felt them. The desperation of their love, the hopelessness of their circumstances. The joy of their happily ever after. And gah, you guys, the whole thing was just a poignant, beautiful ride. I'm so so glad I took it. And without question, this will not be the last time I get lost in Ms. Scott's wonderfully told stories.

This was an incredible beautiful story that was pack full of emotions. This was the first story I have read by his author and have become an instant fan. This is a definite must read for everyone.

I love Emma Scott, I have read ALL of her books and this was just as good as the others! There’s always such a gripping storyline, that just captures me throughout the whole story. And of course a gorg leading male! I highly reccomend any of Emma’s books!

In Harmony is a poignant tale of first love woven seamlessly with a powerful story of strength and hope. This book, this beautiful story, about characters who feel completely alone in the world, who can't depend on their parents for support or understanding, who feel shame even though they've done nothing to deserve it, consumed me from start to finish. Emma Scott, who I'm learning quickly is a force to be reckoned with in the romance genre, illustrates an unforgettable account in these pages and it's one you must experience because it is breathtaking.

Art imitates life imitates art in this book as Willow and Isaac's epic love story evolves as they bring characters to life as leads in Hamlet. Through their ill fated characters' doomed love story, their own complicated, forbidden romance plays out both on and off the stage. All the things they can't say, all the things they're too afraid to feel are expressed through Shakespeare's tragic romance and it's breathtakingly brilliant the way Emma Scott crafts this storyline.

I adored this book. I love forbidden romances, I adore high school love stories. And I so appreciate powerful storylines that tackle difficult but necessary subject matter. Emma Scott delivers an intoxicating story jam packed with heavy emotion and sweet romance on these pages and I enjoyed every beautiful page. In Harmony is a hauntingly unforgettable love story, illustrated superbly through Scott's lush writing style and there simply aren't words that can do it justice.

This book was so emotional and truly exceptional!!
Willow, 17, moves from New York City to Harmony, Indiana... Once an outgoing, cheerful and popular girl, Willow is now a loner and hides the pain from her past!!
Isaac Pearce 19, born and raised in Harmony lost his mom at the age of 8 and along with it, his happiness!! He's silent, lonely and doesn't express or speak anything!! The only place he expresses himself is in the theatre - an absolute brilliant actor!!
So when the two of them meet, they feel something for each other.. However, when Willow watches his play for the first time, she realizes that he is letting his emotions and hurt out with his acting...
So, when she lands the role of Ophelia against Isaac in Hamlet, she follows his way in expressing her pain!!
When the play rehearsals start, they start falling for each other... The walls they put to guard themselves, slowly crumbles and they fall in love.. Their love is strong, and the connection they feel is deep, though its forbidden...
But with his decision of leaving Harmony and Willow making it her new home, will they get their HEA..

I loved Isaac and Willow!! They were strong characters and the love they had for each other was so beautiful!! And i loved the stage setting in this book where most of the story happens!!
The writing was amazing and captivating - My heart broke with the characters and got healed with the story!!
Not just Willow n Isaac, i loved the side characters so much... Every one of them warmed up my heart!! I couldnt put this book down until they reached their "UNTIL"..
One of the best books I read this year!!!

3 stars

I love Emma Scott's books so much, but this one, I struggled with. I liked the characters, but I am not really sure why Emma concentrated so much on the first half of the story, and then the second half seemed a little rushed. I would have liked more focus on the adult version of Willow and Isaac, instead of the teen version.