In Harmony

Emma Scott is my go-to author whenever I'm in the mood for an emotional, slow-burn romance, and In Harmony is no exception. Scott has created yet another innovative love story with two incredibly compelling characters, as well as a charming setting. Willow's journey throughout the book was heart-wrenching, compelling, and beautiful, and her relationship with Isaac was realistic and complex. The parallels between Scott's characters and the characters from Hamlet were wonderfully done, adding more depth to the story.

My one complaint, however, is that this book would have done much better as a duology. While the book itself was rather long, the last "Act" felt a bit rushed. I definitely think it could have been turned into a sequel so the new dynamic between characters had time to develop. Other than this, I loved reading about Willow and Isaac, and am excited for more of Emma Scott's books!

4/5

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.

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!

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!!!

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.

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.

Truly A Must Read!

Emma Scott has done it again with her brilliant, emotional, creative storyline. I have now come to the conclusion that if a book is stamped with Emma Scott’s name, I read it with no question. I was completely captivated by the nature and seriousness of all the topics that are portrayed in this book. My heart was all over the place and the way Scott elegantly writes her novel makes it all the more compelling to keep reading and disregard real life. That’s what I look for in a novel, take me into this fictional world for just a moment so that I can escape reality - for just a moment.

The story begins with two teenagers living tragic lives in two completely different settings. The struggle to find the light while you’re fighting so hard to get there almost seems impossible for these two. The connection they have is so intense and real yet it’s not real because it’s a fictional love story. I can only say that the authors way of telling this story really doesn’t give you much of a choice whether to feel or not, you are already caught in the moment. As you keep turning each page, your emotions are now dedicated strictly towards this book and nowhere else. That’s a “five star no brainer”.

Your attention is completely stolen the moment you begin and you do not leave this book until you’re finished. It just that good!

#OutstandingRead

“This world will try to take things away from you, but it can never take your mind or what you put in it.”

*this review is affiliated with The Book Bistro

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.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

Emma is a gifted and talented author. With her words, she has the ability to reach deep into your soul and touch every fiber of your being. Her stories are always beautifully written, her characters are likable, and her gift to make her readers “feel” is absolutely astounding.

In Harmony is nothing short of perfection. Emotional, heartbreaking and most definitely worth reading. My heart hurt for Willow and Issac. Their heartache, pain, love and hurt was so real and raw. Their story needed voice, and there is no better person who could have told it, than Emma Scott.
All the side characters made the story that much more interesting and enjoyable. Angie, oh sweet dear Angie, everyone needs Angie in their lives.
5 fantastic brightly shining stars.

How do you even begin to rate a book that practically shook your entire life? But to be fair this book deserves ninety five thousand billion stars because ISAAC PEARCE!!

At the mere ago of seventeen, Williow's life was torn apart, her power and her being snatched by a monster. Now all she is left with night terrors and PTSD that her body remembers even if her mind doesn't. When her family is suddenly uprooted from NYC to a small town called, Harmony, Williow feels this might be the perfect new start. When she sees auditions for the community theater's production of Hamlet, she signs up for the role of Ophelia. Something inside of hers believes that this play will play a huge part in her healing process and she listens to that voice with all her heart.

Isaac Pearce is the town's bad boy. Girls flock to him like bees do to flowers but he rarely pays them any attention. His sole focus is to make it big as an actor and leave this sad town of Harmony behind. He channels all his pain into his performances which brings out his raw and phenomenal talent, leaving people enthralled. He doesn't need any distraction specially none that come in the form of the most beautiful girl he's ever seen. He sees the darkness in her eyes and his heart wants to comfort her heart.

Isaac and Willow find themselves playing Hamlet and Ophelia, the two tragic lovers and staying apart is now out of the question. Will their story end in the same kind of tragedy or is their love destined for more?

Y'all I died a little while reading this book and then was resurrected because Emma Scott is a freaking literary genius.

My heart broke for Willow is more ways than I can count. I was sad, scared and angry with her. She deserved so much more than this cruel World. I love love love the way she decided to take her power back. It was beyond admirable and GOD HELP ME I love this woman to death.

Okay now can we talk about ISAAC?!?!?!

Because I have too many feelings and I NEED TO GET THEM OUT.

SERIOUSLY!!! How freaking mind blowingly great Isaac was?

I have heart eyes and horny heart. Not even going to lie rn.

I am in stupid love with this man and his thoughts because how can someone be so pure, good, sexy, adorkable, dirty and tortured at the same time?? I had goosebumps just reading him as a Shakespearean hero so I imagine I would have had heart palpitations if I could ever see him perform.

This is the kind of book that you need to read again and again and then once more because that's how important it is. Emma Scott has a forever fan in me now and man I am stating it out that this woman can do no wrong. EVER!!!!

5* Forbidden Stars

Willow and Isaac are brought together when both of them are at their lowest in life and victims of unimaginable tragedy. Together they have to face the harsh obstacles that are presented to them. It is a very realistic and emotional book; you will feel deep sadness as well as a love that is unbreakable.

The characters in the book were well developed and very likeable, you can’t help falling in love with most of them. I loved reading the quirky sayings on Angie’s shirts throughout the book.

The story of Willow and Isaac was heartfelt and will hold you hostage until the last page is read. It was beautifully written and it is a must read for any romantic.

Many thanks to Emma Scott, the Publisher and NetGalley for making this book available for me to read and review.

I’ve been wanting to read an Emma Scott novel for quite some time now. I was happy to receive an e-arc of her novel ‘In Harmony’ since the synopsis of the book looked really impressing. So thanks to the publisher and net galley for providing me with this arc, in exchange of me leaving an honest review on the book.

What did I think? What did I feel?

I’m thinking that this was one hell of a rollercoaster read. I’m feeling overwhelmed and grateful for having had the chance of reading this book. This reading experience

I was trying to prepare myself to reading this book, since I came across other reviews saying this would become a very intense and emotional reading experience. So I kept waiting for the moment everything changes for the worse. And in the case of Willow and Isaac it gets bad, so prepare yourself hihi. But there’s definitely some good to be found as well and those moments of good are so worth the heart palpations and the tears.

felt so sorry for what happened to Willow. Not only the event itself, but especially the aftermath of it all. The fact she didn’t tell a soul made it so much worse. And Isaac had me just as emotional. He has his own ‘scars’, but that doesn’t stop him from wanting a better life for himself and I love characters like him who try to fight for a better future.

Willow and Isaac are so incredibly sweet together and my heart broke for them at times, my heart was so full of love for them at times. Such a beautiful, tragic and well developed romance.

And in the end, was it worth the heartbreak you experience while reading it all? You’ll have to find out for yourself because as of now, I’ll be only telling you that you have to pick up this book and read it! I won’t ever stop trying to recommend this book to anyone who’s into romance stories who tend to leave you a puddle of fangirl mess, sobbing on the floor because you’ve just experienced one of the most beautiful reading experiences of your life.

You feel that? Yeah, that’s an Emma Scott slow burn. That’s the good stuff. THAT’S the stuff I love to read. The type of stuff that sucks the breath straight out of you and then flings it back into you when you’re not even expecting it. That’s this book.

I’m not typically a person who feels a lot of feelings when I’m reading but with In Harmony I had so many butterflies! They fluttered in my stomach and my chest throughout the WHOLE book. I worried I wouldn’t like it because of the whole theatre and Shakespeare elements but they really freakin WORKED. That took me by a huge surprise. Especially that I devoured it!

AND CAN WE TALK ABOUT ANGIE? One of my most favorite things about a good book is the secondary characters. I love when an author makes a story revolve around not just one or two people but the people that surround them and influence and hold their hand and Emma slayed it. And don’t even get me started on Martin. We all need to be wishing we had some Martin in our lives.

“Someday, Willow, you might find yourself cast into darkness too. I hope that day never comes. If it does, it will be scary at first. But you will see your own brilliance. Your own strength. And you will shine.”

Besides completely stealing my breath- Emma did a fantastic job at sucking me into her story. The writing, the settings, and the feelings felt all too real for me and isn’t that what we all hope for as readers?

I loved it. In Harmony was a beautiful story filled with just enough angst and feels to keep me turning pages. Once I started I couldn’t put it down, not even for a second.

In Harmony
By: Emma Scott
📚💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕📚

Well let me start by saying I have become a huge fan of this author. She writes with so much intensity and emotion pulled from each book it’s felt page after page. Some are quick witted story lines that are so perfect and lets you believe you have a front row seat. So being able to read this love story didn’t disappoint. So writing like Shakespeare was risky but it works in In Harmony. The authors ability to have two separate individuals struggling in their everyday life and try to navigate someone else’s thoughts, needs and desires was intense and gives all the fills.

Authors Blurb: The root of all madness is an unbearable truth…

At seventeen, Willow Holloway’s life was torn apart. The happy, driven girl is gone, and she is left wracked by post-traumatic stress her body remembers even if she does not. When her father suddenly uproots the family from their posh penthouse in New York City to the tiny town of Harmony, Indiana, Willow becomes more untethered and lost under the weight of her secret. On a whim, she auditions for a part in the community theater’s production of Hamlet and unexpectedly wins the role of Ophelia—the girl who is undone by madness, and her love of Hamlet… 

Isaac Pierce is from the ‘wrong side of the tracks.’ The town bad boy. Girls pine for his attention and guys are in awe of him. That he’s an acting prodigy only adds to his charisma. Isaac utterly disappears into his characters; the stage is the only place he feels safe from his own traumatic home life. He wants nothing more than to escape to Broadway or Hollywood, and leave Harmony behind for good. 

No one can play Hamlet but Isaac, and when the director pairs him with Willow in acting class, they clash again and again—neither willing to open their hearts to anyone. But clashing leads to breaking, breaking leads to the spilling of terrible secrets, and soon Isaac and Willow find Shakespeare’s words mirroring their lives. When they are cruelly torn apart, neither know how this play will end—with madness and heartache? Or healing, love, and the discovery of who they are truly meant to be. 

I really enjoyed this book and it kept me engrossed throughout. I really loved the characters and the way they interacted with each other. This is a fun, hot, romantic must read book and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.

This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in dual POV my personal favorite this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know your 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.

Thanks Netgally for letting me read and review.📚💕

I was completely blown away by this book. I had never read Emma Scott before, so I had no idea what to expect. But I've been pretty down lately and was looking for something to bring me out of my funk and this seemed like a good one to try. I'm so glad I did, because even with the heavy subject matter, I was so drawn and invested in these characters.

Long review below, because this book deserves it.

I searched book after book of Celtic legend and lore, but I couldn't find the tale of Little Light. Instead, the dark found me. Two weeks after my seventeenth birthday.

Meet one of our main protagonists, Willow. I adored Willow. Here was this girl, who had something absolutely terrible happen to her and was doing her best to deal with it, especially with fairly absent parents who refuse to acknowledge how seriously their daughter is in turmoil. In the middle of her senior year, her father is moved from NYC to a small town outside of Indianapolis and Willow is the new girl at school. (Side note: Hooray to a small Indiana town not being painted in totally terrible light!) Even in a new location, Willow struggles to understand and deal with the trauma of her ordeal from the year prior.

I tried not to let myself think of him. He didn't even have a name in my reckoning. He didn't deserve one. Names are for humans.

On day one in her new school in Harmony, Willow meets two very important characters in this story: Angie, an amazing side character, and other other damaged protagonist, Isaac. I loved Angie. She was quirky but unabashedly herself. She goes out of her way to help Willow, even when Willow does not always return the favor. Their friendship was lovely and I really enjoyed when they were on the pages together.

And Isaac. Dark, dreamy, damaged Isaac. Isaac, who is a phenomenal actor and lives in a broken down trailer with his alcoholic father. Isaac who is determined to use his talents to get out Harmony and help those who he cares about.

After a brief but memorable meeting at the school, Willow decides to audition for the local production of Hamlet, which Isaac will star in. I really liked the author's emphasis on using art as a way of healing for both Willow and Isaac.

I didn't care whether I got the part or not. All that mattered was that for the first time, I'd told the truth. Cloaked in other words, but still my truth.

Willow ends up getting the part of Ophelia, opposite of Isaac as Hamlet, and that's really where their interaction begins. And I was here for it.

He shoved his shoulder against mine playfully, not looking at me, but his Oedipus curtain call smile slipped out, and it put a crack straight across my block of ice.

If you're looking for a slow-burn YA contemp romance, you have come to the right place. Because there is a lot both Isaac and Willow have to deal with in their personal lives, as well as their feelings for each other. I really appreciated nothing being rushed and the small moments and interactions as they got to know one another. It honestly felt so real and natural, which is exactly what I love.

Take this interaction for example:
I swallowed hard. "It doesn't matter." "Matters to me," he said, his voice gruff. "It fucking matters to me Willow."

And this one:
"You're not dead," I said, crouching down. "You're not dead, Willow." I won't let you die. "Not all of me," she said, sleepily. "But a part of me is dead and gone. And I'll never get it back." And that hit me in the heart a thousand times harder than her screaming rage at the sky.

The scene in the graveyard killed me. It was so good. Definitely one my favorites in this book, and there were a handful I could have picked from as a favorite.

If you're looking for a book that will make you want to laugh, smile, cry, be heartbroken and then whole again, look no further. There were a lot of important themes to this book and some heavy topics, but I thought they were handled in a good way. Just FYI, TW for: rape, PTSD, physical abuse, verbal abuse, use of slurs (though it is acknowledged it is wrong) and underage drinking. It's also definitely a mature YA novel, so just be aware.

Overall, I loved this book and I loved these characters. Any little issues I had are completely overwhelmed by everything else. This book was wonderful and if you are even slightly thinking you might be interested in it, you should absolutely do so.

In Harmony is a complex and interesting read by Emma Scott.

Willow is stuck moving to Harmony during her senior year of high school. Her parents have been worried about her, as she has totally changed recently, withdrawing from all her friends, and they don't know why.

Ends up that Willow was raped. She hasn't told anyone and the pain and suffering are slowly killing her. As Willow would say, she's lost in the darkness.

This part is written in an exceptional manner, told spectacularly and in a completely riveting manner. The way that the darkness is used as a description for her depression is accomplished.

In Harmony, Willow meets Isaac, a boy from the wrong side of the tracks who has a bad reputation. Isaac is a wonderfully complex character who's been extremely hardened by his experiences. His backstory is well developed, and the symbolism of his silence is perfectly executed.

As for their relationship, somehow they both help each other to slowly open up again. Isaac starts talking to her, and befriends her, which is something he never does. Willow starts to heal, with the help of Isaac and her friends. They all start to slowly pull Willow out of her darkness, as they help her change her thinking and values.

The author does an outstanding job of having Willow and Isaac paralleling their characters in their Shakespeare play. It's impressive, thought-provoking and down-right wonderful.

Overall, their story is one of the power and privilege that's afforded to the wealthy versus the prejudice and lack of control of the poor.

Willow and Isaac have a strong love that manages to heal two extremely broken hearts, helping them to find strength within themselves and the meaning in their lives.

In Harmony is absolutely superb. These two characters are so well told, and their story is absolutely amazing. Emma Scott does an exquisite job with this story. It has excellent character and story development, complicated characters who are so damn lovable, and a whole lot of heart. I love this book!