Through the Lens

by S.A. Cantrell

SENIOR YEAR TO DO LIST

Win Through the Lens Competition

Get accepted into Providence School Of Design

Don’t let ANYTHING stand in your way

The annual Through the Lens competition is just the opportunity Bailey Grant needs to impress Providence School of Design and make her college application stand out. But creating the winning display seems impossible, when she’s partnered with football player, Ezra O’Neill, who doesn’t want to do the project at all.

Realizing he’s her only shot at victory, they strike a if she helps him put together a football photo spread for his own college applications, he’ll do the project with her.

Soon her perfect plans begin to crumble as Ezra challenges her creativity and pushes her to take new risks, including opening her heart to him.

Bailey had planned for everything…except falling in love.

Genres: Romance

337 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 14, 2024

About the author

I am a YA author from America who currently lives in the UK with my husband and two children. Together, we enjoy exploring ancient ruins, castles, small-town coffee shops and used bookstores.

Reviews

[Roz Anne]

This was such a sweet, cosy YA autumn romance. The story follows Bailey, who is driven to get into the college of her dreams, Providence School of Design. She thinks that the best way to secure her spot will be by winning 'Through the Lens' photography competition. The only problem is she has been paired with the school's champion football player Ezra... could things get any worse?

The story is so nicely written and has such a feel-good warm vibe to it. I loved the plot and the autumnal theme running throughout as it's my favourite time of the year. It is a coming of age, finding yourself kind of story, and I feel the author did such a good job at capturing the worries and stress of those late teenage years. It is difficult figuring out who you want to be and what is important, and this was done so well. I loved the contrast between Bailey and Ezra... she really needed him to help balance her out! He was so sweet.

I absolutely devoured the book in one sitting, and I  had a grin on my face for most of it. It gave me all the warm, cosy first love feels... what a lovely read for this time of year!

With thanks to the author for providing an ARC of the book. This is my honest opinion which I'm leaving voluntarily.

[Kimberlee]

This is a super nostalgic feeling YA contemporary romance with a fall setting. It was like reading The Baby-Sitter’s Club (that kind of nostalgic writing style and the setting) but aged up. It was like watching a 90’s high school rom-com and it had all the aesthetic autumn vibes. It was a little like revisiting high school without the bad parts 😂

🎃Favorite Things About the Book🎃

-The characters felt their age. They didn’t seem too grown up. It really captures how it is being a teen. The standout moment for me is when Ezra steals Bailey’s hot chocolate because that’s such a thing you used to do when you crushed on someone. It was just deeply nostalgic.

-There’s farms, pumpkins, apple cider, snickerdoodles, bonfires. I mean so much autumn packed in here.

-It’s got the ideal 90s movie trope of the hyper focused art girl and the jock that falls for her.

-I really thought it was an adorable read that was super cozy and it took me back in the best way.

🎃

-My only minor complaint was Ezra at the end because as an adult he made me so frustrated, but I had to remember this is a teen girl perspective and also, this is how teens really are. For better or worse.

🎃

I received a free copy to honestly review.

[Ashley]

Tropes:
He falls first
Sports romance
Grumpy X sunshine
Cinnamon roll MMC
High school romance

Aww! Through the Lens is a super cute YA clean romance that gives you all autumn feels! Coming from a huge high school football town, I loved the football aspect - it brought back so many Friday night memories as a teen! and, no lie, we drank hot chocolate at football games all the time!

We get apples, pumpkins, bon fires, Halloween, falls baked goods... I mean, talk about hitting the highlights! Maybe I'm old, but I loved the memory throwbacks this book gave me.

Through the Lens is a photo contest that FMC Bailey has been working towards forever! Her dream is Providence Design School and she believes this contest will get her in. However, she has to partner up... and her assigned partner is Football Star Ezra. How on earth will a jock be any help to this artsy girl? That's what Bailey wants to know.

Ezra is 100% cinnamon roll. He's so nice, I mean everyone says so. He really wants to help Bailey do well... only will his own ambitions stand in the way?

Okay, I related to Ezra ha. Hear me out, I understand the familial pressures He was under. It definitely causes stress and pulls ypu in multiple directions. I feel like the battle Ezra and Bailey face is definitely real life. I saw both their sides.... and I'm not picking sides here. I don't think either was in the right over the other. *If you read Through the Lens, let me know what you think

Definitely a great Fall read. Now I'm going to hunt down an apple strudel and hot chocolate.

[Carissa]

"Who had the time to think about the way Erza's brown hair curled a little around his ears, or how tall he was? Who cared if he had dimples that marked his cheeks when he smiled or if his blue eyes mimicked the colors of the Carribean Sea? Not me."

"... sometimes a little chaos actually makes for the best masterpieces."


Bailey is an art girl who is solely focused on getting into her dream college. Erza is a star player on the football team. Bailey and Erza end up getting paired together in their photography class for an art competition that Bailey is dead set on winning to help her get into college. Bailey thinks Erza could care less and will just ruin her chances, but as they start to work together, she begins to wonder if a boy like him could really like a girl like her.

Such a cute/cozy fall read. This is YA, so there is no spice, but I would give it a little bell 🫑 rating as there's a few kisses. Honestly, it made me hungry with all the fall activities and food mentioned 😂 pumpkin spice, apple strudel, and snickerdoodles.

This story was kind of nostalgic for me as I did sports management in high school and loved our football games, so this kind of reminds me of that time in my life.

Reversed grumpy x sunshine
Sports romance 🏈
High-school romance
All the fall vibes!

[Kady Jo Lang]

Such a feel-good read.
I was in a reading slump after reading several dark, heavy books in a row, and this was exactly what i needed to get out of it. Ezra and Bailey are *chef kiss* cute. They are such relatable characters. Their development throughout the book brings me happy feelings.
Being the fall obsessed, basic girl that i am, the theme made my heart so happy. Bring on all the pumpkin spice lattes. 😍

The photography aspect is a different piece that makes this book stand out. Artistic young adults will appreciate this detail. Heck, any age will love it.

My mom is an 8th grade reading/lit teacher, so I've read my fair share of YA reads. I definitely plan on gifting her a physical copy when this drops. May even gift one to the schools library. I think her middle school crowd will be hooked on how sweet this story is.

Thank you, S. A. Cantrell, for allowing me to read and honestly review ❤️

[Their_secret_tome]

I don't normally read this sort of book, but this was such a wholesome read. I absolutely loved the story and the MCs were cute but also relatable. It took me back to school with the anxiety and the pressures both socially and academically. I was a lot like Bailey in school with being solely focused on my studies and putting far too much pressure on myself to get where I wanted to be so I empathised so much with both MCs. The plot showed so much character progression and was just a joy to read. It was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster but yet again this author has you hooked from the start and has you going on a journey with the characters as they discover themselves. Also the imagery the author has created with the gorgeous autumnal vibes adds to the coziness of this book. I would highly recommend applying for the ARC or reading the book when it comes out in October

[Dana 🦋]

This is a cute story but it's just not for me.

If you loveee cutesy high school YA romance, I would highly recommend this book!

[Hailey]

Awwww this was an adorable high school romance 🩷
Absolutely loved the autumn and artsy vibes. Loved how it was all about the photography contest, which made the book so fun! Ezra seemed like such a sweetheart hehe 🫶🏼
I’m so glad with how everything fell into place by the end of the book.

This is literally what you need if you’re looking for an easy, feel-good read.

Thank you to the author S.A. Cantrell for giving me an ARC of this cute book🥰

[Kaitlyn Garrett]

The cutest fall cozy read ! 🩷 it brought me right back to high school… loved Ezra !
This book was really well written and easy to read!

Sports romance ✔️
Artistic ✔️
Grumpy /sunshine ✔️
Fall vibes ✔️
High school romance ✔️

[Ashlee Francois]

A feel good fall book. Artsy girl meets sporty boy. Reminders of highschool and all things I loved. Such a good clean fun read for a teen.

[Alyse Palsulich]

This was the CUTEST! Fun fall read!!! I absolutely loved it. The characters were so fun and it felt like I had fallen back into a Kasie West book from my childhood.

Every character was so fun! And I absolutely adored the sweet romance. Plus, it felt like I had fallen back into high school-but in the best way! I got to experience the football games, fall festivities and memories of figuring out college without having to go back in time.

This is the perfect fun high school sports romance! Definitely bingeable.

[Kyrsten]

ARC Review

Release Date: 10/14/24┋Rating: 3.5⭐️

Ugh I’m such a fall girl.

“Because you’re football and I’m Art Club. I know where I stand on the school’s popularity charts and it’s nowhere near you, believe me.”

Ezra and Bailey are complete opposites. Bailey has been looking forward to this photography contest..this is her chance to get into her dream college. ..but then she is paired with Ezra, the star football player. Will opposites attract? Or will they crash and burn?

I enjoyed reading this book. It was a fast easy read. This book made me incredibly excited for fall. I feel like it captured the season perfect.
I really liked Ezra in the beginning, but towards the end I really disliked him. I felt like some of the things he said
SPOILER …..
.
.
.

About her picking college over him. And her not supporting him…felt very manipulative. I mean he even tried telling her he loved her so she would go to the game instead of the photography contest.
Like look at this quote
“I’m saying I need you to see the bigger picture here. See that between the two of us, I have so much more to lose than you do.”
…ahhh really Ezra 🥴🥴
Bailey annoyed me at times. BUT she annoyed me because of how like young and naïve she acted. Which was actually perfect because I feel like she acted her age.

Overall I really did enjoy this book. I just didn’t like how Ezra started acting at the end. It’s the perfect cozy fall read!

🍁 Enemies to lovers
🍁 Slow burn
🍁 Young adult
🍁 High school romance
🍁 Football

[Tanvi]

This is such a cute, clean HEA. The first and the second half of the book, gives you different feels.

The first half of the book had me grinning like a teenager (Thank God my face was covered with a mask when I was reading it 😂).

The second part of the book deals with a lot of emotions, family pressure, societal pressure, self imposed pressure, insecurities, and the struggles of a first relationship.

I applaud the author for balancing so much in a book and still make it feel light and cozy. I really loved the photography aspect since there are too many sports books out there, it was wonderful to see the book focused on not just one thing.

I did expect the end to be what it was (and I was hoping that someone did what they did) but that's ok. I liked Bailey's character, though she does come off as a little selfish, but I guess it comes from knowing that she needs to secure her future. And I know she was wrong at times too. I loved Ezra though, he is so open and honest, even when it angers Bailey and he somehow seems perfect, even though he has his own baggage. But overall they act as they should, considering that they are teenagers.

I am definitely going to read the other books in the series as they come up.

Recommended for romance readers who are looking for a clean YA kind of read, with a little tension and some kisses that might just melt your heart.

I received an advance copy of the book and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lisa Christensen]

Spice Level: None
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2

Through the Lens by S.A. Cantrell takes you back to High School with Bailey and Ezra, and even tho I didn’t like High School that much reading their story put a smile on my face. The fact that Ezra is a star on the football team but a nice guy everyone says he is was great to read about how different a footballer could be from the typical not-so-nice guy. Having Bailey figure that out throughout the book was also great to see. It was like each layer she pulled off she was shocked to learn about him.

S.A. Cantrell was able to capture High School love and tug at your heartstrings. I couldn’t put down this book because I wanted to know how this love story would play out. Through the Lens shows a conflict between parents and their children but also how people are able to grow and change what they think is right. If you are looking for the perfect clean romance book this is the right book.

Through the Lens is four and a half stars and one you will love from start to finish. And if you are like me you will be left wanting more. Good thing this is part of the Cedar Falls series and we will be getting more from this town at some point. Since this is a clean book there is no spice, but that is okay with how everything is written it’s still a story you will want to make sure is on your TBR.

This book is available on Amazon and if you are a Kindle Unlimited member it is included in your membership.

[Morgan Jacques]

If you love cutesy cozy rom-coms, you need to add this to your tbr and read it as soon as it releases on October 14th.

Bailey and Ezra get paired to compete in this photography competition that the college she wants to get into. The only problem is that Ezra is a football player and doesn’t care. When Ezra makes a deal Bailey can’t refuse, they start to spend time together. What turns into just a photography competition, turns into so much more.

Okay, Ezra is freaking awesome. He is so humble, and most definitely not a typical jock. He doesn’t care what anyone thinks, especially about dating Bailey. The way he cares for her and goes out of his way for her made me swoon. Like most definitely book boyfriend material.

Bailey is such a freaking firecracker. She can be messy but she doesn’t care. She wears her heart on her sleeve, and I most definitely resonate with that. It was such a joy to see her start living and being a high school student and not worry about college so much. Because as my mom always tells me, everything happens for a reason.

I loved this book so much to the point where I stayed up till 2am to finish it. I have never ever read a book in one sitting, but I did with this book because I just could not put it down.

[Kate Brasington]

Through the Lens was a nice change of pace for me! As someone who has been on a stretch of reading fantasy and horror books this last month it was nice to slow down and read a contemporary ya romance! This book is definitely appropriate for anyone between the age of 10-100! I recommend reading this novel during the fall because it does give off those vibes with the setting being around Halloween and ending during Christmas and it feels like it would be nice to read curled up under a blanket with a candle lit and a nice mug of hot cider or coco to drink.
This book had that cutesy little puppy dog romance that had me kicking my feet and squealing like a young girl! There is a little bit of drama between the characters towards the end and it leaves you worried about if they’ll make it but luckily they work things out in the end! The ending of this book had me crying because it was a genuine happily ever after and the characters got everything they had been working so hard towards.
I was given an Arc of this book in exchange for my honest review! This book is going to be released on October 14th which will be just in time for the holidays and quite possibly a reread from me.

[Michelle Fernandez]

If you’re looking for a cozy read, then look no further. This was a sweet, cozy, and quick read. It is YA, so there wasn’t a ton of spice, but definitely a perfect amount that kept me excited and on the edge of my seat!

Bailey and Ezra each have big aspirations to choose a great college they'll attend post graduation. The two pair up to work on a big Photography Competition assigned by their teacher, and while working on their project, the two found comfort and happiness around one another despite their high school roles being so different (football player vs. photographer).

They challenged one another beautifully, allowing the other to truly grow, and encouraged them to follow their dreams. I loved this story, and I want to read more & see what happens once they’re in college. This book was incredibly well written, with lots of descriptions that made me feel like I was in the setting WITH the characters (I love when that happens), and tons of fantastic dialogue and banter. I now want a PSL, and I had goosebumps reading Carmichael :)

Thank you, S.A. Cantrell for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review! 🧡 I loved it!

[Becca]

This was such a fun read. Ive been eagerly waiting to get to this one in my TBR, and I read it in about 24 hours.

The two main characters, Bailey and Ezra, are from two different social groups in the high school popularity hierarchy. Thrown together by the luck of the draw, the two are partnered for a photography contest called “Through the Lens”. Bailey is an art major hoping for a win to put her college application over the top, and Ezra is only there because he needed a fine arts class.

Bailey is very Type A, anxious, bossy and pretty self-centered. I also found her to be conceited at times, and that became a little annoying. Ezra is a big puppy dog who is easy going and loves his family. He’s a football superstar, but a really sweet guy... not the jerk that Bailey assumes him to be.

As they grow closer, Ezra shares a secret with Bailey. A secret that could change the trajectory of his life...and hers. But, can Bailey put her dreams on pause to help Ezra make his own path?

I truly enjoyed the story, the farm, and when they get caught in the rain. I will admit that I was a little disappointed in Bailey toward the end, but overall it was a great read!

[Melinda]

I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have received an advanced copy of Through The Lens from the author!

Through The Lens is honestly one of the cutest stories I have read that is perfect for the fall season! 🎃🍂🏈 I read the whole story in one sitting and I loved it. It transported me back to my high school days and my feelings and emotions I experienced and I think it truly is so magical for a book to have the power to bring you back in time. Bailey is artsy and creative and her anxiety that she experiences throughout the story is so relatable. Meanwhile, Ezra is one of the popular football players who seriously has the heart of a teddy bear! 🧸 It was truly so much fun to watch them both grow so much as characters throughout the story and the life lessons scattered throughout are truly so important. My favorite scene in the book is one that involves a cow and I won’t say anything else about it other than the fact that it made me laugh so hard! 😂🐮 If you love YA books with 90s vibes, hallmark vibes, football, fall activities, he falls first, and forced proximity then this is the book for you!

[Melissa Crawford]

This YA book with all the fall vibes was a sweet, cozy, and quick read with just enough spice to keep me interested.

Bailey and Ezra have big separate goals… and then they get paired up to work on a big photography competition. Neither of them are thrilled with this, but while working on the project they discover there is more than their stereotypical rolls have led them to believe about each other… artsy girl falls for the jock, or maybe it’s the other way around?!?

As their relationship grows, you really see the characters grow. They challenge and encourage each other to follow their dreams.

This book was great! The well written descriptions made me feel like I was right there in the middle of it all. I’ve been drinking pumpkin spiced lattes since July because of this book!

I would love to see a book two and see how their love story evolves…

Thank you, S.A. Cantrell for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review!

I loved it!

[his.bimba_bookshelf]

“Through the lens” is the first book in the Cedar Falls saga and the first I read by this author.
The writing is very comfortable and cozy like the atmosphere surrounding the characters. You can literally visit this small town and experience the autumn season with all the American traditions, such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, and you can also savour local food, like apple cider, candide apple, s’mores etc…

The two main characters, Bailey Grant and Ezra O’Neill, are very stubborn: he his a football player, famous in the school and apparently focused only on football. She only has one goal to achieve at all costs: getting into the college of her dreams and nobody can distract her from that.Both are very well written and involving, and you can get into their minds and know them thoroughly.

At the end of the reading, you will have an important message to carry with you throughout your entire life.

Voto: 4,5/5⭐

[Gabyy]

4.5

I read this book in oct 2024 while on vacation (I just realized I never reviewed it here :(, my bad. But better late than never).
I still can remember a lot of scenes between Ezra & Bailey. Bailey was so sure of herself since the beginning, knowing what she wants for her future and willing to work for it. Ezra is the popular footbol player, and Bailey just can't think of any reason why would he be interested (or good) in photography. She soon discovers there's more into Ezra than she knows. Ezra is sweet & a complete cinnnamon roll. He is so nice to Bailey, and to others.

This is a book you could read in fall (it has pumpkings, apples, bon fires, fall baked goods, etc..), it has all the vibes and its super cute. This is YA, the characters are in highschool almost going to college, and it definetly takes you back to that time. I remember myself giggling, laughing and swooing with this book.

[Deanna Eli]

I loved this book. It’s such a sweet story. Like a Hallmark holiday film but YA. Reminds me a lot of High School Musical but with fall vibes and no soundtrack. Perfect cozy fall read that will make you smile with nostalgia but still made me tear up at the end. It wasn’t super long or drawn out with unnecessary plot points. If it wasn’t still 87 degrees here it would’ve been perfect single afternoon read to curl up with a blanket and mug of cider on a porch swing. I liked both the main characters and the independent but similar journeys they had to go on. Bailey’s insecurity was a little much at times, but if I look back that’s honestly how I was in high school so I can’t really fault her for behaving that way. If you want something light and fun that takes you back to high school this is the book for you.

[elocin_reads37]

Super cute and relatable. Ezra is the freaking sweetest and of course Bailey is the grumpy one.

Bailey has an upcoming project that can potentially help her get into her dream college. But she gets paired with Ezra who’s only in the class to get an easy credit. Their banter is so freaking cute ☺️ I couldn’t help but giggle whenever he would accidentally touch her hand. It reminded me of the 90s movies where they like each other, steal glances, a bit of miscommunication. The outcast falls for the popular guy and vice versa. I highly read these type of books but it was a great distraction from my usual dark romances.

Highly recommend. Great fall read also. Made me crave hot coco and pumpkin pie. ☺️

[Tatiana Paulo]

** ARC REVIEW **

I want to thank the author for the opportunity to ARC read this amazing book!

Through the Lens is the perfect autumn story. It has everything. And it adds photography which in my opinion is an amazing activity that has little prominence in the literary world.

It tells us the story of Bailey and Ezra who are colleagues but they never talk. They belong to completely different worlds. He plays football and she’s an artist. They are forced to work in a project for the photography class and have to figure out how to deal with each other.

With the tropes forced proximity, enemies to lovers, this young adult love story will have your heart and you will squeal of happiness with these two 🥰

[meevreads]

Through the Lens is a very sweet story with all the cozy fall vibes.
I loved the premise of the book; two seemingly different people, one artist and one jock, having to work on a project together, and falling for each other during the time it takes for the project to be completed.
I enjoyed the evolution of their relationship through the photography contest. It made for really cute moments and, just as Bailey realized at the end, the finished display was kind of the immortalization of the memories they created together. Which really makes me sad that I didn't like how it ended. And maybe, it's just because we only get one POV, but I wish the resolution of the conflict took a different turn.
All in all, if you like cutesy YA love stories, and fall is your favorite season, you'll probably enjoy reading Through the Lens.

*I received an early copy of this book to review*

[Tia Burgess]

-Sports romance, grumpy x sunshine, YA romance
-This was a super cute YA clean romance that gives you all the fall feels from apples, pumpkins, bonfires, and baked goods
-Perfect cozy fall read that will make you smile with nostalgia but still made me tear up at the end
-I liked both main characters and the independent but similar journeys they had to go on
-Ezra is so sure about Bailey and she starts to fall for him. Especially when they first start hanging out because of a school project they have to complete together
-Bailey and Ezra’s relationship felt so realistic for a teenage couple who were both working towards their future
-Bailey’s insecurity was a little much at times, but if I look back that’s honestly how I was in high school so I can’t really fault her for behaving that way

[chanelellelel]

it was like 4 stars read at first bc i loved how fast paced it was! however, i felt that writing was lacking a little, but i still enjoyed the plot though! its a unique plot with contest photography and football. at first i thought it was photography contest with romance as sub-plot because, it was only about the photography after they started dating, but towards the end i feel like the book was more towards romance so i believe maybe genres could be more clear next time? i also dont rlly like ezra...like i jst cant understand why he would choose football over her...when shes jst choosing him all the time. shes losing herself, loving him. it gives me the vibe of this. the yearning was not enough from the mmc. but still, enjoyed reading it and will be continuing the series!

[Ashley Wrenn]

Through The Lens should be on your fall TBR.

It is such a warm and cozy fall YA read that will have you full of all those first crush butterflies. The story has all your fall favorites, apple cider, pumpkin patches, halloween, you name it. I was hooked from abour chapter 6 on and  finished basically the whole book in on night. The storyline was well developed and quite enjoyable. It isn't often that I find myself liking the MMC more than the FMC. I really resonated with Ezra and did struggle to enjoy Bailey at first. She comes off a bit self centered but that is the Authors goal and is necessary to the plot. Overall, great read.

[Jessica Hertrampf]

Pumpkins, Apple Cider, Corn Mazes, Halloween, Autumn Photography and Football...YOU ARE SPEAKING MY LOVE LANGUAGE MISS MA'AM!!

Such a captivating book. In my mind, I could see Gilmore Girls meets Hallmark Channel, which is perfect for me. As I was reading this, I could see it being played out in my mind, the games, the project, the activities...the romance!!
Not to mention how much I want pecan pie, snicker doodles and hot chocolate now.

I cannot wait til this comes out in physical form as I will be ordering it and all the books that follow.

It can be Autumn any day now 😍🍂