What do you think?
Rate this book
Eyes on Me
From New York Times bestselling author Rachel Harris, a fun, flirty romance perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen or Huntley Fitzpatrick that proves it’s what’s on the inside that really counts.
Look up the word “nerd” and you’ll find Lily Bailey’s picture. She’s got one goal: first stop valedictorian, next stop Harvard. Until a stint in the hospital from too much stress lands her in the last place a klutz like her ever expected to be: salsa dance lessons.
Look up the word “popular” and you’ll find Stone Torres’s picture. His life seems perfect—star of the football team, small-town hero, lots of friends. But his family is struggling to make ends meet, so if pitching in at his mom's dance studio helps, he’ll do it.
When Lily’s dad offers Stone extra cash to volunteer as Lily’s permanent dance partner, he can’t refuse. But with each dip and turn, each moment her hand is in his, his side job starts to feel all too real. Lily shows Stone he's more than his impressive football stats, and he introduces her to a world outside of studying. But with the lines blurred, can their relationship survive the secret he's been hiding?
Look up the word “nerd” and you’ll find Lily Bailey’s picture. She’s got one goal: first stop valedictorian, next stop Harvard. Until a stint in the hospital from too much stress lands her in the last place a klutz like her ever expected to be: salsa dance lessons.
Look up the word “popular” and you’ll find Stone Torres’s picture. His life seems perfect—star of the football team, small-town hero, lots of friends. But his family is struggling to make ends meet, so if pitching in at his mom's dance studio helps, he’ll do it.
When Lily’s dad offers Stone extra cash to volunteer as Lily’s permanent dance partner, he can’t refuse. But with each dip and turn, each moment her hand is in his, his side job starts to feel all too real. Lily shows Stone he's more than his impressive football stats, and he introduces her to a world outside of studying. But with the lines blurred, can their relationship survive the secret he's been hiding?
345 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 26, 2019
92 people are currently reading
2825 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Harris
16 books1,335 followersNew York Times & USA Today bestselling author Rachel Harris writes humorous love stories about girls-next-door and the hot guys that make them swoon. Vibrant settings, witty banter, and strong relationships are a staple in each of her books...and kissing. Lots of kissing. Rachel's books have been featured in USA Today and Glitter Magazine, and her stories have been finalists in the National Reader's Choice Award, the Holt Medallion Award, and The Golden Quill.
For the latest news & exclusive excerpts, visit her website at www.RachelHarrisWrites.com and sign up for her NEWSLETTER: http://eepurl.com/olH75
For the latest news & exclusive excerpts, visit her website at www.RachelHarrisWrites.com and sign up for her NEWSLETTER: http://eepurl.com/olH75
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 221 reviews
February 7, 2019
Let’s dance... Salsa style 💃.
Eyes on me has a cliche predictable element but it’s executed perfectly. Lily is a hardworking nerd. In fact, she is overdoing her studying. Her dad and teachers are worried about her. She needs to relax and let loose. Her dad comes up with a rule to break her out of her mould. Saturdays will be a no study day. He signs her up for dance classes in the hope of her finding a new passion.
Agoston “Stone” Torres is the popular school quarterback. His mother moved from Hungary to Texas before he was born. The family own a dance studio. Stone wants to concentrate on football and help his family get through a difficult patch. After his ex did a number on him he’s done with girls. Lily's dad offers Stone money to encourage her to stick with the dancing but Stone sees more than a dance partner in Lily.
Stone is a twin and the start of Angela’s story is seen in this book. She’s in love with Stones best friend but it’s complicated. At a guess, her book will be the next in the series. Angela and Lily form a beautiful friendship in this book also. It has family spirit as well as a sweet romance. The book is based around the dancing.
I really enjoyed this book. It’s fun, sweet and Stone is a great book boyfriend. 4.5 stars out of 5.
*I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Eyes on me has a cliche predictable element but it’s executed perfectly. Lily is a hardworking nerd. In fact, she is overdoing her studying. Her dad and teachers are worried about her. She needs to relax and let loose. Her dad comes up with a rule to break her out of her mould. Saturdays will be a no study day. He signs her up for dance classes in the hope of her finding a new passion.
Agoston “Stone” Torres is the popular school quarterback. His mother moved from Hungary to Texas before he was born. The family own a dance studio. Stone wants to concentrate on football and help his family get through a difficult patch. After his ex did a number on him he’s done with girls. Lily's dad offers Stone money to encourage her to stick with the dancing but Stone sees more than a dance partner in Lily.
Stone is a twin and the start of Angela’s story is seen in this book. She’s in love with Stones best friend but it’s complicated. At a guess, her book will be the next in the series. Angela and Lily form a beautiful friendship in this book also. It has family spirit as well as a sweet romance. The book is based around the dancing.
I really enjoyed this book. It’s fun, sweet and Stone is a great book boyfriend. 4.5 stars out of 5.
*I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
March 25, 2019
2.5 stars
I have read and loved some of Rachel’s other books and I loved that synopsis, so I was all in.
I liked Lily and Stone well enough. They’re both more similar than they think and I enjoyed reading their relationship unfold. Sadly, I didn’t see the chemistry between them and it was more that I was told they had feelings. Stone’s sister Angela and Lily’s BFF Sydney were fantastic and I loved the positive female relationship.
Plot wise, it was a bit boring. The story moved quite slowly and I found myself skimming passages here and there. I thrive on dialogue and there were long sections of inner monologue. And as much as I was interested in the dancing thread of the plot, it felt repetitive.
Overall, it was a great set up, but for me lacked a flirty spark I was expecting.
**Huge thanks to Entangled Teen for providing the arc free of charge**
I have read and loved some of Rachel’s other books and I loved that synopsis, so I was all in.
I liked Lily and Stone well enough. They’re both more similar than they think and I enjoyed reading their relationship unfold. Sadly, I didn’t see the chemistry between them and it was more that I was told they had feelings. Stone’s sister Angela and Lily’s BFF Sydney were fantastic and I loved the positive female relationship.
Plot wise, it was a bit boring. The story moved quite slowly and I found myself skimming passages here and there. I thrive on dialogue and there were long sections of inner monologue. And as much as I was interested in the dancing thread of the plot, it felt repetitive.
Overall, it was a great set up, but for me lacked a flirty spark I was expecting.
**Huge thanks to Entangled Teen for providing the arc free of charge**
May 15, 2019
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Basically this book reminded me of every hallmark/lifetime movie out there.
Eyes on Me was predictable. After meeting the two MC's, you just know what was going to go down and what the ending was going to be like. That doesn't mean it wasn't cute AF, but it was predictable. Lily and Stone were kind of two peas in a pod. He was super popular and she was the nerd. He was dealing with his stalker-ish ex girlfriend and she just wanted to be perfect in every way for school.
Lily's life turned upside down the day her mother died from battling cancer. She also stresses out way too much and far too often when she doesn't understand something. School is her life and basically everything to her. Well, until it gets her body into trouble. Her dad steps in and makes sure she doesn't just focus her entire life on school. I mean, she's in high school and should be hanging out, getting into trouble, and idk gang-banging. Who knows what kids do nowadays.
Enter Stone. They are dancing together and wham bam - love is in the air folks. It was cute.. but I was also bored with my life. I knew that something was going to blow up in their faces - which it did. Again, predictable but still sickly cute.
Overall, the ending was adorable. Fluffy clouds and rainbows kind of thing. Enjoy kiddos.
Basically this book reminded me of every hallmark/lifetime movie out there.
Eyes on Me was predictable. After meeting the two MC's, you just know what was going to go down and what the ending was going to be like. That doesn't mean it wasn't cute AF, but it was predictable. Lily and Stone were kind of two peas in a pod. He was super popular and she was the nerd. He was dealing with his stalker-ish ex girlfriend and she just wanted to be perfect in every way for school.
Lily's life turned upside down the day her mother died from battling cancer. She also stresses out way too much and far too often when she doesn't understand something. School is her life and basically everything to her. Well, until it gets her body into trouble. Her dad steps in and makes sure she doesn't just focus her entire life on school. I mean, she's in high school and should be hanging out, getting into trouble, and idk gang-banging. Who knows what kids do nowadays.
Enter Stone. They are dancing together and wham bam - love is in the air folks. It was cute.. but I was also bored with my life. I knew that something was going to blow up in their faces - which it did. Again, predictable but still sickly cute.
Overall, the ending was adorable. Fluffy clouds and rainbows kind of thing. Enjoy kiddos.
March 21, 2019
I picked this book up right after finishing a rather dark and heavy book, and I was so glad I did. Eyes on Me was the fun, cute, and adorable romance I needed to put a smile back on my face.
Who?
• Lily - The straight-A high achiever working towards early admission to Harvard and securing her position as class valedictorian.
• Stone - The school's football hero and all around popular guy, who had sworn off women after a messy breakup.
What?
After she was hospitalized for a stress related illness, Lily's dad made a deal with her to make Saturday a day to do anything BUT schoolwork. He enrolled Lily in ballroom dancing classes at the school, which happens to be owned and run by Stone's family. Good timing and an opportunity pairs Stone and Lily together and friendship follows, but will their relationship be able to withstand the weight of Stone's secret?
Why?
I am such a sucker for the nerdy girl-sporty/popular guy pairing, and this one was done really well. One thing that stood out was that there was no making over Lily. She was pretty much her true self throughout the book, she just infused a little more fun into her life.
You know why Lily didn't get any sort of make over? Because she was fabulous to start with. She may have liked to fly under the radar, but had a lot going for her. Lily was super smart, but she also had a great sense of humor, as illustrated with her endless supply of witty t-shirts, and very generous with her time and kind, as shown via her peer tutoring. I loved how she wanted to help people see the best side of themselves, and worked hard to achieve this. She was just a very positive force, and I adored her for it. She also grew and healed a lot over the course of the book, and I was happy with the choices she made for herself.
Stone was so much more than a BMOC jock, but he made it a habit to keep those parts of himself hidden. He was a wonderful friend and brother. His adoration for his sister was absolutely precious. In fact, his dedication to his entire family was a beautiful thing, and it endeared him to me. I easily forgave him for a certain transgression, because it was done with the intention of saving his family's business, and his heart was in the right place. Gosh, he was quiet swoony. There were a so many times I wanted to high five or pat him on the back, because he said or did the exact right thing. He wore his heart on his sleeve and it was a HUGE and wonderful heart at that.
Stone plus Lily were too cute for words. The interactions between them were so fun and sweet, and I loved how much they encouraged each other. They were able to see through all the armor and the pretense to the real Stone and the real Lily, and that made me ship them even more.
As a former dance mom, who dedicated a LOT of time to my daughter's dancing, I was super excited to see ballroom dance play such a big role in this story. I loved how it bonded Lily and Stone to each other, how it helped Lily keep her mother's memory alive, how it brought the community together, how it gave Lily confidence, and how it helped her reconnect with her dad. It was great the way Harris utilized dance in this story, and I really enjoyed seeing the characters in action as well.
Other notable things:
• Siblings - The relationship between Stone and Angela was so wonderful. The love they had for each other was really sweet and touching.
• Angela - What a wonderful character! I loved her zest for life, love for her family, and fierce friendship. And, she was a master of movie references too. Lots to love about this girl. (And, I hope Rachel Harris sees it in her heart to write a book for Angela and Chase - I'm just saying.)
• Female friendship - Lily may not have had many friends, but the ones she had were high quality. Both Angela and Sydney the the type of friends people strive for. They were steadfast and supportive and there when Lily needed them most.
Overall: A fun, sweet, and swoony romance showing that not only do opposites attract, they also belong together.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
Who?
• Lily - The straight-A high achiever working towards early admission to Harvard and securing her position as class valedictorian.
• Stone - The school's football hero and all around popular guy, who had sworn off women after a messy breakup.
What?
After she was hospitalized for a stress related illness, Lily's dad made a deal with her to make Saturday a day to do anything BUT schoolwork. He enrolled Lily in ballroom dancing classes at the school, which happens to be owned and run by Stone's family. Good timing and an opportunity pairs Stone and Lily together and friendship follows, but will their relationship be able to withstand the weight of Stone's secret?
Why?
I am such a sucker for the nerdy girl-sporty/popular guy pairing, and this one was done really well. One thing that stood out was that there was no making over Lily. She was pretty much her true self throughout the book, she just infused a little more fun into her life.
You know why Lily didn't get any sort of make over? Because she was fabulous to start with. She may have liked to fly under the radar, but had a lot going for her. Lily was super smart, but she also had a great sense of humor, as illustrated with her endless supply of witty t-shirts, and very generous with her time and kind, as shown via her peer tutoring. I loved how she wanted to help people see the best side of themselves, and worked hard to achieve this. She was just a very positive force, and I adored her for it. She also grew and healed a lot over the course of the book, and I was happy with the choices she made for herself.
Stone was so much more than a BMOC jock, but he made it a habit to keep those parts of himself hidden. He was a wonderful friend and brother. His adoration for his sister was absolutely precious. In fact, his dedication to his entire family was a beautiful thing, and it endeared him to me. I easily forgave him for a certain transgression, because it was done with the intention of saving his family's business, and his heart was in the right place. Gosh, he was quiet swoony. There were a so many times I wanted to high five or pat him on the back, because he said or did the exact right thing. He wore his heart on his sleeve and it was a HUGE and wonderful heart at that.
Stone plus Lily were too cute for words. The interactions between them were so fun and sweet, and I loved how much they encouraged each other. They were able to see through all the armor and the pretense to the real Stone and the real Lily, and that made me ship them even more.
As a former dance mom, who dedicated a LOT of time to my daughter's dancing, I was super excited to see ballroom dance play such a big role in this story. I loved how it bonded Lily and Stone to each other, how it helped Lily keep her mother's memory alive, how it brought the community together, how it gave Lily confidence, and how it helped her reconnect with her dad. It was great the way Harris utilized dance in this story, and I really enjoyed seeing the characters in action as well.
Other notable things:
• Siblings - The relationship between Stone and Angela was so wonderful. The love they had for each other was really sweet and touching.
• Angela - What a wonderful character! I loved her zest for life, love for her family, and fierce friendship. And, she was a master of movie references too. Lots to love about this girl. (And, I hope Rachel Harris sees it in her heart to write a book for Angela and Chase - I'm just saying.)
• Female friendship - Lily may not have had many friends, but the ones she had were high quality. Both Angela and Sydney the the type of friends people strive for. They were steadfast and supportive and there when Lily needed them most.
Overall: A fun, sweet, and swoony romance showing that not only do opposites attract, they also belong together.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
October 21, 2020
I loved the friendships in this book, the love story was just okay. There were some cute moments but it was all a little forced.
April 1, 2019
I don't often rate a contemporary novel 5 stars. Actually, let's be honest, I don't rate 5 stars on many books at all. I guess I'm jaded.... anyway that's a topic for another day! I just wanted to point out that I don't give out 5 stars easily but this one deserves every single star! Screw 5 stars, let's go for 6! I'm serious, this book is so great. It's cute, sweet, and even at times, heartbreaking. I felt so many different emotions while reading this.
Rewind, let's go back and recap this book. This follows Lily, a super smart girl with a heart of gold. She's got her whole life planned but never lives in the now since her mother passed away. It also follows Stone, a star footballer who has no plans for the future and lives only in the now. When Lily is forced to take a dance lesson at his mum's studio their lives will change forever.
I love how they grow together, this relationship is one of the best I've ever seen, they really do make each other stronger, better people and I love that. I enjoyed watching them grow into themselves and learning where they fit into the world and figuring out their future together. I love how Lily got her dad back and Stone's family overall is freaking perfect, I want them as my own. I really can't praise this book enough! This was the first book I'd read by this author, now I'm going to go back and look through all her other books because I truly loved this one so much!
*Thanks to NetGalley for this title in exchange for an honest review*
Rewind, let's go back and recap this book. This follows Lily, a super smart girl with a heart of gold. She's got her whole life planned but never lives in the now since her mother passed away. It also follows Stone, a star footballer who has no plans for the future and lives only in the now. When Lily is forced to take a dance lesson at his mum's studio their lives will change forever.
I love how they grow together, this relationship is one of the best I've ever seen, they really do make each other stronger, better people and I love that. I enjoyed watching them grow into themselves and learning where they fit into the world and figuring out their future together. I love how Lily got her dad back and Stone's family overall is freaking perfect, I want them as my own. I really can't praise this book enough! This was the first book I'd read by this author, now I'm going to go back and look through all her other books because I truly loved this one so much!
*Thanks to NetGalley for this title in exchange for an honest review*
April 17, 2019
Eyes On Me was an adorable read! The story was everything I hoped it would be and more :) It was so cute, heart wrenching and fun to read! It made me tear up multiple times, especially towards the end. I really appreciated how it wasn't 'just' a cute read, but also discussed some serious topics like grief. I also really liked that it incorporated dancing, which kinda made me want to take dance lessons myself! I definitely recommend this if you're looking for a fun and quick read!
A big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-Arc!
A big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-Arc!
March 25, 2019
As you can tell by my rating of 5 stars, I adored this story! It was one I picked up and was immediately sucked into what was happening. The characters were extremely relatable, but also realistic. While we had the klutziness of our heroine like we see a lot of times, she was able to get over it when she wasn't spending so much time dwelling on it, and just worrying about what she was doing in the moment. And then there was our love interest, Stone, it was impossible not to adore him. Because even though he was sweet, and a perfect book boyfriend, he still was a teenage boy, and the way his character did things and reacted to situations was very realistic, in my opinion.
The one issue that I knew would be hanging over Stone's head and probably cause our big final bit of drama, while obvious, the money her father had paid him, played out in a such way that made what normally seems like an overreaction in this type of situation to me, made perfect sense. I still adored the way he made his grand gesture, loved Stone's sister Angela's movie love for this.
So much of this story had me smiling and happy, and I can't wait to share this book with my students, as well as other readers!
Also, in the interview below, I love that the author says "dude" in the way she does. It sounds so much like I talk sometimes! :-)
Review first appeared on Lisa Loves Literature.
The one issue that I knew would be hanging over Stone's head and probably cause our big final bit of drama, while obvious, the money her father had paid him, played out in a such way that made what normally seems like an overreaction in this type of situation to me, made perfect sense. I still adored the way he made his grand gesture, loved Stone's sister Angela's movie love for this.
So much of this story had me smiling and happy, and I can't wait to share this book with my students, as well as other readers!
Also, in the interview below, I love that the author says "dude" in the way she does. It sounds so much like I talk sometimes! :-)
Review first appeared on Lisa Loves Literature.
May 6, 2019
I thought it was great that in this book the book loving characters referenced a YA time traveling romance series remarkably similar to a YA time traveling series written by ... Rachel Harris! Great job with the cross promotion there! I have actually read those books but didn't really enjoy them because I felt like I was way older than the target audience, and they didn't have what it takes to grab me as an older reader of YA books. I didn't find the same problem in this book. I thought that the characters in Eyes on Me felt authentic as high school students. They talked like high school students talked. They acted like high school students acted ... for the most part. I really enjoyed this story and felt engaged with the characters and their actions for the entire story.
First of all, I have to say that this is a pretty formulaic YA romance book. It has all of the elements you expect to find in one. There is the star quarterback becoming friends with the reclusive brainiac. And, oh yeah, she's a delightful klutz. Of course. Plus she has some internal battles that no one else can see. And so does he. There is the head cheerleader who is petty and jealous and hateful and sexually promiscuous to boot. There is the quirky and supportive best friend. There is a dead parent and an absentee parent and a super amazing and supportive parent. There is a school full of people that have nothing better to do than gossip about everyone and film embarrassing moments so they can share it on their social media pages. There is a huge misunderstanding caused by a huge lie of omission that leads to the two unlikely lovers to fall apart. There is an epic declaration of love. Yeah. I've read this story a million times before. So it isn't all that revolutionary.
But ...
I really, really liked it. I liked Lily. She never felt whiny to me. Her drive to be valedictorian and get into Harvard as an early decision candidate seemed a bit ridiculous to me, but that was sort of the point. By the end of the book she gets an opportunity to examine her motivations there. I really liked Stone as a character as well. He was maybe a bit too perfect of a high school guy. A little bit too much wish fulfillment for any girls out there fantasizing about what it would be like if the star quarterback ever REALLY saw them and fell in love. But it's sometimes fun to just jump into one of these books and relive high school moments where the awkward klutz who loves books gets the hot guy who ends up being the nicest guy on the planet. And .... HE CAN DANCE!!!!!
Plus this book made me want to run out and take some salsa lessons. Seriously, I wasted about an hour of my Saturday just watching salsa videos on youtube because of this story. And that should count for something when a writer immerses me in a world so much that it inspires me to want to do something in my own real life.
Rachel Harris has come a long way in writing talent since those first books of hers that I read. I look forward to reading more of her YA books in the future. This one hit the spot for me. Four stars. I really liked it.
First of all, I have to say that this is a pretty formulaic YA romance book. It has all of the elements you expect to find in one. There is the star quarterback becoming friends with the reclusive brainiac. And, oh yeah, she's a delightful klutz. Of course. Plus she has some internal battles that no one else can see. And so does he. There is the head cheerleader who is petty and jealous and hateful and sexually promiscuous to boot. There is the quirky and supportive best friend. There is a dead parent and an absentee parent and a super amazing and supportive parent. There is a school full of people that have nothing better to do than gossip about everyone and film embarrassing moments so they can share it on their social media pages. There is a huge misunderstanding caused by a huge lie of omission that leads to the two unlikely lovers to fall apart. There is an epic declaration of love. Yeah. I've read this story a million times before. So it isn't all that revolutionary.
But ...
I really, really liked it. I liked Lily. She never felt whiny to me. Her drive to be valedictorian and get into Harvard as an early decision candidate seemed a bit ridiculous to me, but that was sort of the point. By the end of the book she gets an opportunity to examine her motivations there. I really liked Stone as a character as well. He was maybe a bit too perfect of a high school guy. A little bit too much wish fulfillment for any girls out there fantasizing about what it would be like if the star quarterback ever REALLY saw them and fell in love. But it's sometimes fun to just jump into one of these books and relive high school moments where the awkward klutz who loves books gets the hot guy who ends up being the nicest guy on the planet. And .... HE CAN DANCE!!!!!
Plus this book made me want to run out and take some salsa lessons. Seriously, I wasted about an hour of my Saturday just watching salsa videos on youtube because of this story. And that should count for something when a writer immerses me in a world so much that it inspires me to want to do something in my own real life.
Rachel Harris has come a long way in writing talent since those first books of hers that I read. I look forward to reading more of her YA books in the future. This one hit the spot for me. Four stars. I really liked it.
April 16, 2019
Disclaimer: This review MAY contain spoilers.
A book about a nerd girl that doesn't handle stress very well? *raises hand* Yes, that sounds like someone I know quite well. The main character is dealing with loads of stress, which is something that I can relate to with my anxiety disorder. I was curious to see how the author portrayed this angle. Plus, this book sounded too adorable to pass up. And don't get me started on that too-cute-for-words cover. The adorable in it could melt your eyes. This book was a delight, and I was not disappointed.
I loved the dual perspectives in this story. I always love knowing what is going through the mind of both love interests as the story progresses. It makes the "falling in love" part of the story really feel intense when you know what is going through both heads from the beginning.
I loved both the main characters. Lily was a great character and she experienced so much growth in the story. Her character was extremely realistic and I think that her character dealt with many things that can go unsaid. Her mother died of cancer at the start of her freshman year of high school and then her father pretty much checks out at that point. She has to deal with her grief on her own so she throws herself into her studies. She has a single friend that is normally occupied with family things so she has to deal with loneliness as well. She also develops anxiety. She puts too much on her plate and the stress causes her to start puking up blood, and this is where we meet our lead character.
Stone's character was good too, though he didn't have as much depth as Lily's character. Stone basically doesn't know what he wants to do with his life. His family's dance studio has hit a rough patch and the threat of losing it hangs in the balance. Stone loves his family and would do anything to stop the dance studio from going under. Since Stone doesn't have a big after-high-school-plan like most teenagers, he is just pretty much going through the motions and putting on a happy face for everyone.
When Lily and Stone come together they see that they have more in common than they think. From the outside, they would seem like total opposites. Lily, the overachieving nerd that doesn't have fun and who no one gives a second glance. Stone, the football quarterback that has everyone's attention and is the life of the party. They discover that Lily is hiding behind her books just as much as Stone is hiding behind football. When they come together they find that they can be themselves around one another and relax. They also bring out the best parts of each other. Stone shows Lily that life is worth living and she shows him that it's okay not to have it all figured out.
The romance was kind of adorable, though I felt that it came on a little too quickly. They don't kiss until about halfway through the book and then they are automatically boyfriend and girlfriend. And them becoming a couple isn't even a scene that we get to see in the book. Lily mentions it. It just felt too fast to me. Though I can't deny that they are undeniably cute together. And I love how attentive and loving Stone is with Lily. You can sense his comfort when he is around her and his love for her by the things that he says and does for her. And okay, the nerd in me had a field party inside my mind when Lily explained how he asked her to Homecoming. The Harry Potter arts and crafts proposition was melting my heart.
I loved the themes of friendship and family in this book. They really rounded everything out nicely. The friendship between Lily, Angela, and Sydney was beautiful. I loved what Lily did for her on the anniversary of her being five years cancer free. I felt that Angela's personality really meshed well with them. I liked the friendship between Chase and Stone. It was obvious that their friendship ran deep. I even loved the friendship between Lily and Stone. Before they kissed for the first time they were friends. And yes, they were falling in love, but they still did things that friends do. Helped each other, pushed each other, and did thoughtful things for each other. I loved the representation of the different family dynamics. Stone' family is amazing. They have barbecues together, would do anything for each other, and are so welcoming to others. Lily's father is a workaholic so he's never around, though it is clear that he loves his daughter. And Chase's parents are not around and seem to not care at all. I loved that Chase was like family at the Torres home.
The plot of the story was okay. I could definitely see where things were going and I wasn't surprised by anything, but I still enjoyed the story.
Overall, this was quite an adorable story. The story is fun, engaging, has a sweet romance, and touches upon some good topics for teenagers. I definitely recommend this one.
More reviews on my blog: Novel Nerd Faction
A book about a nerd girl that doesn't handle stress very well? *raises hand* Yes, that sounds like someone I know quite well. The main character is dealing with loads of stress, which is something that I can relate to with my anxiety disorder. I was curious to see how the author portrayed this angle. Plus, this book sounded too adorable to pass up. And don't get me started on that too-cute-for-words cover. The adorable in it could melt your eyes. This book was a delight, and I was not disappointed.
I loved the dual perspectives in this story. I always love knowing what is going through the mind of both love interests as the story progresses. It makes the "falling in love" part of the story really feel intense when you know what is going through both heads from the beginning.
I loved both the main characters. Lily was a great character and she experienced so much growth in the story. Her character was extremely realistic and I think that her character dealt with many things that can go unsaid. Her mother died of cancer at the start of her freshman year of high school and then her father pretty much checks out at that point. She has to deal with her grief on her own so she throws herself into her studies. She has a single friend that is normally occupied with family things so she has to deal with loneliness as well. She also develops anxiety. She puts too much on her plate and the stress causes her to start puking up blood, and this is where we meet our lead character.
Stone's character was good too, though he didn't have as much depth as Lily's character. Stone basically doesn't know what he wants to do with his life. His family's dance studio has hit a rough patch and the threat of losing it hangs in the balance. Stone loves his family and would do anything to stop the dance studio from going under. Since Stone doesn't have a big after-high-school-plan like most teenagers, he is just pretty much going through the motions and putting on a happy face for everyone.
When Lily and Stone come together they see that they have more in common than they think. From the outside, they would seem like total opposites. Lily, the overachieving nerd that doesn't have fun and who no one gives a second glance. Stone, the football quarterback that has everyone's attention and is the life of the party. They discover that Lily is hiding behind her books just as much as Stone is hiding behind football. When they come together they find that they can be themselves around one another and relax. They also bring out the best parts of each other. Stone shows Lily that life is worth living and she shows him that it's okay not to have it all figured out.
The romance was kind of adorable, though I felt that it came on a little too quickly. They don't kiss until about halfway through the book and then they are automatically boyfriend and girlfriend. And them becoming a couple isn't even a scene that we get to see in the book. Lily mentions it. It just felt too fast to me. Though I can't deny that they are undeniably cute together. And I love how attentive and loving Stone is with Lily. You can sense his comfort when he is around her and his love for her by the things that he says and does for her. And okay, the nerd in me had a field party inside my mind when Lily explained how he asked her to Homecoming. The Harry Potter arts and crafts proposition was melting my heart.
I loved the themes of friendship and family in this book. They really rounded everything out nicely. The friendship between Lily, Angela, and Sydney was beautiful. I loved what Lily did for her on the anniversary of her being five years cancer free. I felt that Angela's personality really meshed well with them. I liked the friendship between Chase and Stone. It was obvious that their friendship ran deep. I even loved the friendship between Lily and Stone. Before they kissed for the first time they were friends. And yes, they were falling in love, but they still did things that friends do. Helped each other, pushed each other, and did thoughtful things for each other. I loved the representation of the different family dynamics. Stone' family is amazing. They have barbecues together, would do anything for each other, and are so welcoming to others. Lily's father is a workaholic so he's never around, though it is clear that he loves his daughter. And Chase's parents are not around and seem to not care at all. I loved that Chase was like family at the Torres home.
The plot of the story was okay. I could definitely see where things were going and I wasn't surprised by anything, but I still enjoyed the story.
Overall, this was quite an adorable story. The story is fun, engaging, has a sweet romance, and touches upon some good topics for teenagers. I definitely recommend this one.
More reviews on my blog: Novel Nerd Faction
March 9, 2019
I really liked this super cute, young adult book. It was cheesy but soooo good. While it was a pretty common trope we see with a smart girl and a jock, this was different in many ways. There was the added factor of dance lessons, which I thought was so fun, especially between teenagers. It really showed the benefits of dance throughout the book.
All the characters added dimension to the story. The main characters, Lily and Stone, were perfect together. They thought they were so different from each other, when in reality they had a lot in common. Stone is more of a live in the moment guy vs. Lily’s planned her entire future out. While Stone was popular, Lily was a nerd, yet they both were hiding in plain sight. But, they both showed a lot of change throughout the book. Stone was seriously the nicest jock. The only problem I had was obviously him taking money from Lily’s dad to dance with her, but you do understand why he did it. And Lily, my heart seriously broke for her. She had been dealt a rough hand lately and I just wanted to give her a big hug. She also had anxiety and I thought the way Harris explained Lily’s feelings of anxiety was done exceptionally well.
My only complaint would be that it was slow paced. I really had to push to get into the book, but it was so worth it in the end.
I would definitely recommend this sweet young adult story. I really hope we can get a book for Angela and Chase now!
* ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
All the characters added dimension to the story. The main characters, Lily and Stone, were perfect together. They thought they were so different from each other, when in reality they had a lot in common. Stone is more of a live in the moment guy vs. Lily’s planned her entire future out. While Stone was popular, Lily was a nerd, yet they both were hiding in plain sight. But, they both showed a lot of change throughout the book. Stone was seriously the nicest jock. The only problem I had was obviously him taking money from Lily’s dad to dance with her, but you do understand why he did it. And Lily, my heart seriously broke for her. She had been dealt a rough hand lately and I just wanted to give her a big hug. She also had anxiety and I thought the way Harris explained Lily’s feelings of anxiety was done exceptionally well.
My only complaint would be that it was slow paced. I really had to push to get into the book, but it was so worth it in the end.
I would definitely recommend this sweet young adult story. I really hope we can get a book for Angela and Chase now!
* ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
March 26, 2019
So darn cute I had a grin stuck to my face almost the entire time. Thanks to the publisher for my advanced copy. LOVED it.
**I really appreciated that there was very little teen angst and NO overdrawn drama.
**I really appreciated that there was very little teen angst and NO overdrawn drama.
March 26, 2019
https://celebrityreaders.com/2019/03/...
I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.
5 stars — Oh dude, this one just hit ALL the right buttons for me. Dancing? Check. Nerdy heroine? Check. Sweet hero? Check. SOLD! to Lenore!!!
OK, seriously though. It took me a bit to warm up to Lily, but once I did…oh wow, I just thought she was sassy and hilarious and conflicted and I actually felt her stress. Initially I guess I didn’t quite understand her motivations for pushing herself so hard…but as the book went on, I connected with her more and more and started to see how she was using it as an escape, as something to hide behind. While I love connecting with a character right away, there’s also something amazing about an author who can take a character and make you grow to love and truly care for them. And it happened throughout the whole book, culminating in the climax with her Dad. They needed that breakdown and breakthrough, and I was so happy with how that progressed…it felt realistic.
Stone. Oh Stone. He was SUCH a sweetheart, and he was another character that I just grew to love more and more as the book went on and I learned more about him. I loved that the author compared and contrasted these two seemingly opposites, and showed how they can both be dealing with loneliness and detachment, just in very different ways. My heart ached for all the pressure he was under, and how he saw his future. You don’t always get a glimpse at the depth of a character like Stone, and I was just loved getting to know him. Now obviously, he made mistakes…but I truly felt his guilt and regret, and I understood his reasons (even if I still thought he made the wrong choice). I ADORED his relationship with his family too. I love to see those close family bonds. He and his twin had something special.
And then there’s Lily and Stone together. I loved the way their relationship progressed. It was sweet, and believable, and made me swoon and happy smile so many times. I loved that they developed crushes, and then got to know one another and connected on a deeper level. I really believed their feelings for one another. And the dancing! OMG the dancing. I love dancing, so I loved the connection they made there.
I was worried that the conflict and climax would be too cliche, and while it did follow some of the usual lines, it did so in a ++ kind of way…like taking a trope and just making it better somehow. The showcase was just mwah perfection.
SOOOOOO many great secondary characters in this one too. I loved the friendship between Sydney and Lily, and I LOVED the one that they both developed with Angéla. I loved the glimpses we got of Chase, even if I’d have liked to see more of his friendship with Stone. And I even appreciated Aidan, and how he tried to look out for Lily. I desperately hope that they ALL have books coming, because I want them desperately…PARTICULARLY Angéla and Chase. And of course I loved Stone’s Ma — she was spunky and sassy, and the perfect instructor.
So yeah. As you can tell, this one just worked for me. I figured I was going to like this one given all the elements, but I connected with it even more than expected.
I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.
5 stars — Oh dude, this one just hit ALL the right buttons for me. Dancing? Check. Nerdy heroine? Check. Sweet hero? Check. SOLD! to Lenore!!!
OK, seriously though. It took me a bit to warm up to Lily, but once I did…oh wow, I just thought she was sassy and hilarious and conflicted and I actually felt her stress. Initially I guess I didn’t quite understand her motivations for pushing herself so hard…but as the book went on, I connected with her more and more and started to see how she was using it as an escape, as something to hide behind. While I love connecting with a character right away, there’s also something amazing about an author who can take a character and make you grow to love and truly care for them. And it happened throughout the whole book, culminating in the climax with her Dad. They needed that breakdown and breakthrough, and I was so happy with how that progressed…it felt realistic.
Stone. Oh Stone. He was SUCH a sweetheart, and he was another character that I just grew to love more and more as the book went on and I learned more about him. I loved that the author compared and contrasted these two seemingly opposites, and showed how they can both be dealing with loneliness and detachment, just in very different ways. My heart ached for all the pressure he was under, and how he saw his future. You don’t always get a glimpse at the depth of a character like Stone, and I was just loved getting to know him. Now obviously, he made mistakes…but I truly felt his guilt and regret, and I understood his reasons (even if I still thought he made the wrong choice). I ADORED his relationship with his family too. I love to see those close family bonds. He and his twin had something special.
And then there’s Lily and Stone together. I loved the way their relationship progressed. It was sweet, and believable, and made me swoon and happy smile so many times. I loved that they developed crushes, and then got to know one another and connected on a deeper level. I really believed their feelings for one another. And the dancing! OMG the dancing. I love dancing, so I loved the connection they made there.
I was worried that the conflict and climax would be too cliche, and while it did follow some of the usual lines, it did so in a ++ kind of way…like taking a trope and just making it better somehow. The showcase was just mwah perfection.
SOOOOOO many great secondary characters in this one too. I loved the friendship between Sydney and Lily, and I LOVED the one that they both developed with Angéla. I loved the glimpses we got of Chase, even if I’d have liked to see more of his friendship with Stone. And I even appreciated Aidan, and how he tried to look out for Lily. I desperately hope that they ALL have books coming, because I want them desperately…PARTICULARLY Angéla and Chase. And of course I loved Stone’s Ma — she was spunky and sassy, and the perfect instructor.
So yeah. As you can tell, this one just worked for me. I figured I was going to like this one given all the elements, but I connected with it even more than expected.
March 4, 2019
Another cute YA romance by Rachel Harris. She's really good at these and as long as she writes them, I will read them. Stone and Lily were too cute for words.
November 20, 2019
A cute, sweet ya contemporary. This was my third book by this author and I have really liked them all. This one was super cute. Stone was a charmer but didn’t come off as smarmy or a tool. Lily was smart and driven. There were definitely some tearjerker moments as well. Overall super cute!
February 7, 2019
The adorableness of this book sucked me in immediately. It was one of those books where the first page sucks you in and you take off swimming with it like it's the most natural thing in the world. The writing clicked. The storytelling clicked. And I was smiling my favorite moony, lovesick smile for nearly the whole first half.
It. was. adorable!
And I loved everything. Stone with his unexpected depth, and is sweet sensitive soul. Lily with all her quirks and anxieties (which, hoo boy, could I ever relate to). I loved the secondary characters and the way they supported each other. The way the female friendships were written here was especially uplifting and fulfilling. I think we've all dreamed to have a squad at our back, holding us up and making us laugh no matter what. There were pop culture references that had me smiling so big, and just the overall vibe was...well, have I mentioned that it was adorable?
So adorable!
It did slow down for me a bit in the second half. The plot meandered a bit and I lost a little bit of patience with the conflict piece (which is not unusual for me). I might have liked a little more closure between Lily and Cameron, the arch-nemesis, but overall - it was still a super cute, super satisfying read.
This one will appeal to all ages I think. The chemistry between Stone and Lily is on point, and in case I haven't made myself clear, it was ADORABLE! I'll be back for more where this came from! ~ Shelly, 4 Stars
It. was. adorable!
And I loved everything. Stone with his unexpected depth, and is sweet sensitive soul. Lily with all her quirks and anxieties (which, hoo boy, could I ever relate to). I loved the secondary characters and the way they supported each other. The way the female friendships were written here was especially uplifting and fulfilling. I think we've all dreamed to have a squad at our back, holding us up and making us laugh no matter what. There were pop culture references that had me smiling so big, and just the overall vibe was...well, have I mentioned that it was adorable?
So adorable!
It did slow down for me a bit in the second half. The plot meandered a bit and I lost a little bit of patience with the conflict piece (which is not unusual for me). I might have liked a little more closure between Lily and Cameron, the arch-nemesis, but overall - it was still a super cute, super satisfying read.
This one will appeal to all ages I think. The chemistry between Stone and Lily is on point, and in case I haven't made myself clear, it was ADORABLE! I'll be back for more where this came from! ~ Shelly, 4 Stars
March 2, 2019
Eyes On Me was another cute Entangled Teen release.
I adored Lily. She was smart, determined, and fierce. But she also pushed herself too hard and had anxiety and panic attacks. Lily's mom died a few years previously from cancer and she lived with her dad. Her dad traveled a lot for business and he and Lily grew apart. After landing in the hospital from her stress, her dad had an idea to give her a day off from studying. She was to take dance lessons at the studio where he and her mom did. Lily is tall with long legs and not very graceful. She didn't want to do it, but agreed. She figured she would quit once her dad was out of town again.
Stone was the local football star. He was loved and popular, but still dealing with having his ex break his heart by cheating on him. He decided to swear off girls for his senior year and just focus on football and school. Stone's mom owns the dance studio and he's been dancing and teaching for years. Very few people knew this and he kept it a secret from the football team. Stone is paired up with Lily on her first day. Her dad secretly pulled Stone aside and offered him $1200 to keep Lily going to lessons. Normally Stone would pass it up, but his family was struggling and they were going to lose the studio. He took the money and agreed to keep it secret.
Stone and Lily started to spend more time together and Stone realized how amazing she was. She made him happy and more carefree. He helped her relax and have fun. He wanted her to see that high school could be enjoyable and wasn't just about grades. Stone found himself falling for Lily, but the secret was eating at him. He gave his word to keep it secret, but he felt he needed to tell Lily. But he kept putting it off until it came out in a very unfortunate way.
Stone's family was amazing. I loved this part of the story more than anything. His sister, Angela, was sweet and funny. I also loved Lily's friend, Sydney, and Stone's friend, Chase. All the side characters really added to the story and it wouldn't have been the same without them. And then there was the dancing. I love reading books with dance and that's what made me add this one to my TBR.
I gave this book 4 stars. Thank you to Entangled Teen for sending me a copy for review. They are always so good to me.
I adored Lily. She was smart, determined, and fierce. But she also pushed herself too hard and had anxiety and panic attacks. Lily's mom died a few years previously from cancer and she lived with her dad. Her dad traveled a lot for business and he and Lily grew apart. After landing in the hospital from her stress, her dad had an idea to give her a day off from studying. She was to take dance lessons at the studio where he and her mom did. Lily is tall with long legs and not very graceful. She didn't want to do it, but agreed. She figured she would quit once her dad was out of town again.
Stone was the local football star. He was loved and popular, but still dealing with having his ex break his heart by cheating on him. He decided to swear off girls for his senior year and just focus on football and school. Stone's mom owns the dance studio and he's been dancing and teaching for years. Very few people knew this and he kept it a secret from the football team. Stone is paired up with Lily on her first day. Her dad secretly pulled Stone aside and offered him $1200 to keep Lily going to lessons. Normally Stone would pass it up, but his family was struggling and they were going to lose the studio. He took the money and agreed to keep it secret.
Stone and Lily started to spend more time together and Stone realized how amazing she was. She made him happy and more carefree. He helped her relax and have fun. He wanted her to see that high school could be enjoyable and wasn't just about grades. Stone found himself falling for Lily, but the secret was eating at him. He gave his word to keep it secret, but he felt he needed to tell Lily. But he kept putting it off until it came out in a very unfortunate way.
Stone's family was amazing. I loved this part of the story more than anything. His sister, Angela, was sweet and funny. I also loved Lily's friend, Sydney, and Stone's friend, Chase. All the side characters really added to the story and it wouldn't have been the same without them. And then there was the dancing. I love reading books with dance and that's what made me add this one to my TBR.
I gave this book 4 stars. Thank you to Entangled Teen for sending me a copy for review. They are always so good to me.
March 31, 2019
I always know going in to a Rachel Harris novel that I will inevitably fall in love. She writes such witty, spunky, and romantic books that always leave me feeling pretty good afterwards. At first I didn’t know if I were going to like the main character, Lily. She’s very studious and while I liked that about her, I didn’t like how rigid and cold she seemed at first.
But I should never judge a character when only reading a few pages. Lily was awesome—as well as passionate, loyal, friendly, and seriously and all around kick-butt character. I could totally see why Stone would fall in love with her. I liked that he wasn’t your typical bad boy type. Instead, he’s kind and he cares for his friends and family like you wouldn’t believe. I loved that about him. It’s nice to see such a genuine hero for a change.
The book is centered around dancing and I highly enjoyed that. It was refreshing to see Lily overcome her plights that she felt held her back. Her story teaches that not everything can be in your control and that’s okay! There was definitely vibes for a story for certain two characters I hope we get. Soon, I hope :)
Overall, Harris has earned herself a lifetime fan. I always know that she won’t steer me wrong and will feed my unhealthy addiction to books that make me feel all goo-goo, gah-gah over them.
*Thank you to the publisher for providing a free copy for an honest and unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
But I should never judge a character when only reading a few pages. Lily was awesome—as well as passionate, loyal, friendly, and seriously and all around kick-butt character. I could totally see why Stone would fall in love with her. I liked that he wasn’t your typical bad boy type. Instead, he’s kind and he cares for his friends and family like you wouldn’t believe. I loved that about him. It’s nice to see such a genuine hero for a change.
The book is centered around dancing and I highly enjoyed that. It was refreshing to see Lily overcome her plights that she felt held her back. Her story teaches that not everything can be in your control and that’s okay! There was definitely vibes for a story for certain two characters I hope we get. Soon, I hope :)
Overall, Harris has earned herself a lifetime fan. I always know that she won’t steer me wrong and will feed my unhealthy addiction to books that make me feel all goo-goo, gah-gah over them.
*Thank you to the publisher for providing a free copy for an honest and unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 9, 2019
Awe this is such a sweet romantic YA novel. I absolutely loved it. Lily and Stone are perfect for each other, two teens with a lot of problems trying to make the best of their lives.
Lily suffers from an anxiety problem, all she worries about is college and has no interest in enjoying her high school life. Now her father is worried about her and decides to intervene. She must have fun and enjoy a little otherwise her anxiety can become a big problem. Her health comes first and college is not everything. So, it is decided that she takes dance classes every week at a place owned and run by the Torres family.
Where Lily is a complete nerd, Stone Torres is her exact opposite. He is the most popular guy at their school and now he is her dance partner. Oddly enough he has an uncanny ability to calm her anxious heart. She never thought she could dance even a little but thanks to Stone she is doing fine. At least she is not a complete disaster on the dance floor.
What started as simple dance partnership soon turned into so much more. Lily is someone he can easily fall in love with. The only problem is that she doesn't know the reason why he became her dance partner in the first place. He plans to tell her though.
All in all, it is a great and fun read with lots of references of my favorite romantic movies. I quite enjoyed the story and loved the characters.
https://www.iambookseater.com
Lily suffers from an anxiety problem, all she worries about is college and has no interest in enjoying her high school life. Now her father is worried about her and decides to intervene. She must have fun and enjoy a little otherwise her anxiety can become a big problem. Her health comes first and college is not everything. So, it is decided that she takes dance classes every week at a place owned and run by the Torres family.
Where Lily is a complete nerd, Stone Torres is her exact opposite. He is the most popular guy at their school and now he is her dance partner. Oddly enough he has an uncanny ability to calm her anxious heart. She never thought she could dance even a little but thanks to Stone she is doing fine. At least she is not a complete disaster on the dance floor.
What started as simple dance partnership soon turned into so much more. Lily is someone he can easily fall in love with. The only problem is that she doesn't know the reason why he became her dance partner in the first place. He plans to tell her though.
All in all, it is a great and fun read with lots of references of my favorite romantic movies. I quite enjoyed the story and loved the characters.
https://www.iambookseater.com
January 26, 2019
Eyes on Me is a captivating tale that makes my heart happy! I adored every minute of this book and did not want to put it down!
This book could have been cliché, but I found it to be a fresh take on the nerd and football player relationship. I think that the main reason that I enjoyed this book so much is because the characters are so relatable and were written so well.
Lily Bailey is an uncoordinated nerd that has stressed herself out to the point that she was physically ill. Now she is forced into the worst hobby for a klutz: salsa dance lessons.
Agoston “Stone” Torres is one of my new favorite characters. Although he is the star football player in the small-town, there is a lot more to him. He would do anything for his family, especially his twin sister, mother, and the family’s dance studio.
Lily and Stone think that they are completely different, but as they grow closer, they realize that they have a lot in common. My favorite thing about this book is the fact that Lily and Stone help each other grow. I highly recommend this read!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you Netgalley and Entangled: Teen for giving me the chance to read and review this book early!
This book could have been cliché, but I found it to be a fresh take on the nerd and football player relationship. I think that the main reason that I enjoyed this book so much is because the characters are so relatable and were written so well.
Lily Bailey is an uncoordinated nerd that has stressed herself out to the point that she was physically ill. Now she is forced into the worst hobby for a klutz: salsa dance lessons.
Agoston “Stone” Torres is one of my new favorite characters. Although he is the star football player in the small-town, there is a lot more to him. He would do anything for his family, especially his twin sister, mother, and the family’s dance studio.
Lily and Stone think that they are completely different, but as they grow closer, they realize that they have a lot in common. My favorite thing about this book is the fact that Lily and Stone help each other grow. I highly recommend this read!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you Netgalley and Entangled: Teen for giving me the chance to read and review this book early!
March 20, 2019
I was so excited about this new book from RH that I barely read the blurb before I started reading. This book is like Dancing with the Stars with a classic overachiever instead of a celebrity.
The chemistry between Stone and Lily was present both on and off the dance floor. These two perfectly complemented each other; so much so that sometimes I forgot that this book is YA. Of course there’s drama because high school, but it was just the right amount to keep me glued to my kindle and late for work.
I’m keeping all my fingers crossed that Angèla gets her story because that girl is too wonderful not to get a book!!
*This is my voluntary review of an advanced reader copy*
The chemistry between Stone and Lily was present both on and off the dance floor. These two perfectly complemented each other; so much so that sometimes I forgot that this book is YA. Of course there’s drama because high school, but it was just the right amount to keep me glued to my kindle and late for work.
I’m keeping all my fingers crossed that Angèla gets her story because that girl is too wonderful not to get a book!!
*This is my voluntary review of an advanced reader copy*
March 24, 2019
Eyes on Me is a wonderfully cute read that will leave you with a huge smile on your face. Lily and "Stone" are so much fun and they couldn't be more different. She is the always serious nerdy type while he is the star athlete yet they seem to balance each other out perfectly. They get to know each other when Lily's father declares Saturdays as no study days following a stress related health scare and he signs Lily up for dance class at Stone's family studio. That is where much of the story takes place. It's a sweet romance that just makes your heart happy. I highly recommend it.
Read
March 30, 2019
Guest Post & Giveaway: Eyes on Me by Rachel Harris
Fantasy gets blessed with discussions around world-building but we all stand here today, living in a world we've built. We asked Rachel Harris to talk about worldbuilding in contemporary and LOVE her take on the worldbuilding in Eyes on Me ! Check it out and be sure to enter her giveaway in partnership with Entangled at the end of the post!
Guest Post: Deep in the Heart of Texas
Worldbuilding is definitely one of my favorite aspects of reading fantasy and paranormal novels. I love losing myself in a world unlike my own, and the creativity the authors use in not only creating but keeping those worlds straight is crazy impressive. The rules of life are often different, transportation is sometimes unique, heck, everyday things like food and even language could be unusual. The shift can be so dramatic that when a reader switches to a contemporary novel they could be tempted to believe worldbuilding ceases to exist.
I’d argue that worldbuilding is just as vital in contemporary novels…it’s simply a different take on the concept.
Eyes on Me is set in small-town Texas, in a high school very similar to the same brick and mortar building readers attended…but that very familiarity is what makes the worldbuilding so tricky. If any part of the experience rings false to a true Texan, or a current or former high school student, it can rip them from the reading experience. We don’t have that problem when reading a novel set in another galaxy or even an American town overrun by vampires. We expect things to be off from the norm.
One trick that ensured authenticity was creating a calendar that ran the length of the novel. First, I grabbed local calendars for local high schools and made note of school holidays and events, added how often football teams were home vs away (Stone is a QB after all), when Homecoming landed, as well as dates for report cards, SAT testing, and application deadlines for early action. Then I took my plot plan and placed all the key moments on the calendar at times that made sense, moving things around if needed. As a reader, I’m constantly keeping track of when things occur, and I wanted other readers who did the same thing to rest assured their mental calculations were on point. An unexpected bonus: I often got ideas for plot points as I’d note how much time would pass between events.
Another worldbuilding trick was playing up key scenes that had naturally dazzling scenery and/or would be memorable. I searched my plot plan for any scene I believed would play cinematically or be key if my book were turned into a movie and then turned up the details for those scenes, making them as vivid as possible through description (using all five senses) and emotion. For Eyes on Me , I had several scenes that got a dose of extra special treatment—a small-town festival, a high school dance, a family barbecue, a sleepover/party, a couple football games, and, of course, a few special dance scenes.
Finally, it wouldn’t be a talk about worldbuilding in Eyes on Me if I didn’t talk about the dancing itself. It was a tightrope walk, giving readers who love dance enough meat to sink their teeth into, without overdoing it for other readers who came for the hot football stud and fun opposites attract aspect who could care less about the technical dance elements. Also, it must be said—writing scenes where characters are learning dance moves is a CHALLENGE! Describing the steps in such a way that a reader can understand without seeing it AND not making it a bunch of dry facts AND keep the romantic tension high AND working in scenery and emotion and dialogue to keep the scene grounded and the story moving…let’s just say it wasn’t easy. Keeping each dancing scene unique was an added challenge. In the end, however, each of those scenes added depth and interest to the story, and if I did it right, the dancing element exposed a new dimension within Lily and Stone. Plus, they’re just so much fun!
What do you think, dear reader? What are your favorite examples of worldbuilding in contemporary novels?
Giveaway
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Entangled TEEN (@entangledteen) on Mar 7, 2019 at 12:53pm PST
This review was originally posted on BookCrushin
March 22, 2019
Review to come!
March 6, 2019
An opposites attract high school romance with enough conflict and personal growth to make the story interesting without tipping into too much drama was just the thing. This author is known for her adorable teen romances and I get in the mood for these now and then when I'm feeling nostalgic.
Salsa dancing for the a klutzy brilliant girl with the most popular guy in school as her permanent dance partner nearly fries Lily's brain cells. But, then an unlikely pairing on a dare becomes a friendship and something else. Too bad there is a big secret weighing between them...
I was a teen in the eighties and I didn't have it bad so I can look back on most of it without too much cringing and shuddering. It was funny, but when they released, I thought teen movies were rather cheesy and preferred other movie genres until my thirties when I developed a taste for eighties teen movies and YA. I say all that because reading this one brought those old eighties teen movies to mind. Teenage troubles particularly with the twist of a parent's death when younger and also a failing family business to give it the substance inside the the warm fuzzies.
Lily and Stone were both cuties and I liked the progression from wariness, attempts to hide insecurities, and a little hope to the solid friendship type of love that I find believable when it comes to teen romance stories. Their parents are also solid presence. Stone's mother is the dance instructor full of warmth and support while Lily's dad shut her out in grief over his wife's death and now a health scare in Lily snaps him out of it and he has to fix the break he caused between them.
The story doesn't try to do too much. It's set against the world of high school and has the popular cheerleader ex who cheated on Stone and now wants him back as well as top school achievements in competition with Lily. There are the sects of friends who wonder what this pair are doing together. Teens looking at the future with some fear and a little hope. And, because of Stone's dare to Lily to loosen up on only academics and give teen life a chance, it was interesting seeing a girl experiencing a teen social year as a senior- football games, homecoming, and more. While they are at it, Lily helps Stone let go of the desperate need to fit in and go with the flow while he makes her take a hard look at her desperation to live a 'plan' she thinks is her mother's for her in an attempt to hold onto her mom.
But, that secret Stone is keeping added the tension to the story. It was like a grenade with the pin pulled out. The reader just knows that its going to blow up at the worst possible time. Yep, it was bad. I pitied both Stone and Lily and even the person who maliciously pulled the pin. But, I am relieved to say that it still didn't dive into deep drama.
All in all, I found this adorable and the pair of teens engaging and worth rooting for. I can recommend these who want easy low-angst sweeter highschool romance with a nostalgic tone.
My thanks to Entangled Teen for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Salsa dancing for the a klutzy brilliant girl with the most popular guy in school as her permanent dance partner nearly fries Lily's brain cells. But, then an unlikely pairing on a dare becomes a friendship and something else. Too bad there is a big secret weighing between them...
I was a teen in the eighties and I didn't have it bad so I can look back on most of it without too much cringing and shuddering. It was funny, but when they released, I thought teen movies were rather cheesy and preferred other movie genres until my thirties when I developed a taste for eighties teen movies and YA. I say all that because reading this one brought those old eighties teen movies to mind. Teenage troubles particularly with the twist of a parent's death when younger and also a failing family business to give it the substance inside the the warm fuzzies.
Lily and Stone were both cuties and I liked the progression from wariness, attempts to hide insecurities, and a little hope to the solid friendship type of love that I find believable when it comes to teen romance stories. Their parents are also solid presence. Stone's mother is the dance instructor full of warmth and support while Lily's dad shut her out in grief over his wife's death and now a health scare in Lily snaps him out of it and he has to fix the break he caused between them.
The story doesn't try to do too much. It's set against the world of high school and has the popular cheerleader ex who cheated on Stone and now wants him back as well as top school achievements in competition with Lily. There are the sects of friends who wonder what this pair are doing together. Teens looking at the future with some fear and a little hope. And, because of Stone's dare to Lily to loosen up on only academics and give teen life a chance, it was interesting seeing a girl experiencing a teen social year as a senior- football games, homecoming, and more. While they are at it, Lily helps Stone let go of the desperate need to fit in and go with the flow while he makes her take a hard look at her desperation to live a 'plan' she thinks is her mother's for her in an attempt to hold onto her mom.
But, that secret Stone is keeping added the tension to the story. It was like a grenade with the pin pulled out. The reader just knows that its going to blow up at the worst possible time. Yep, it was bad. I pitied both Stone and Lily and even the person who maliciously pulled the pin. But, I am relieved to say that it still didn't dive into deep drama.
All in all, I found this adorable and the pair of teens engaging and worth rooting for. I can recommend these who want easy low-angst sweeter highschool romance with a nostalgic tone.
My thanks to Entangled Teen for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 1, 2019
4 stars
May 27, 2020
I’d love to say I was the type of girl who could pull off a classic line and set the world to rights, but I was better suited for paper-and-pen situations. The kind where I could take my time searching for the perfect words—and then hide behind them.
This is the kind of book that leaves you feeling giddy and warm at the end. The kind that makes you sigh with contentment, wishing to find a love like it.
Before reading this, I reread one of my favorite books by the same author, The Fine Art of Pretending, so I couldn’t help comparing the two. I guess every Rachel Harris book I read will always have high expectations to live up to. But although The Fine Art of Pretending remains my favorite, this one was great too.
I admit that there was certainly a time when I wanted to give up on this book. You know that feeling when something terrible is about to happen but you know it’s inevitable? I was really anxious about it that I wanted to skip it or worse, drop the book entirely. It wasn’t even a really bad or tragic situation. It was vital to the plot but I was scared nonetheless. I guess I didn’t want Stone to screw up and get hurt because he already owned a piece of my heart. Honestly, part of the reason why I really liked this book was because of him. The way he loves and cares for Lily was just something else that it made me want someone like him for me too. 😂
This book had its fair share of cute and sweet moments and if you’re a fan of that, this one might be for you too. The plot is not mind-blowing nor unique but it was nice and made sense. The ending was a bit cliche and inspired by a movie but I didn’t mind because the situation called for it and it was really, really sweet.
Review can also be found on my blog.
Find me: Blog | Twitter | Tumblr | Instagram | Spotify
March 8, 2019
Eyes on Me is an adorable love story that is sure to capture your attention from the very beginning. A captivating read that draws you in with each page you read. Harris writes with a loving touch that makes it easy to get lost in the story, the characters. Eyes on Me is a love story for the ages. The chemistry between the main characters is electric and undeniable. I highly recommend Eyes on Me to anyone who loves a sweet romantic read
April 26, 2020
I wanted to give this more stars.
This book started great. I couldn't stop reading. But then it slowed. It was obvious what was going to happen, it just took too long to get there.
To be honest, I don't fully understand why Stone didn't think he could tell Lily the truth from the start. He was just hired to be her dance partner. If they became friends, so be it.
I really didn't like how they made it seem like Lily was this amazing dancer who could be featured after only six weeks. I'm not a dancer, but I would think it would take way more than a couple of hours a week to be as good as they made it sound, especially if she was going to be dancing with someone who had been dancing their whole life.
I find it somewhat hard to believe that people didn't know Stone was a dancer. It seems like the dance studio is relatively prominent in the town. People should have made the connection that he was a dancer. Especially if Cameron was so popular and a dancer at the studio.
Stone and Lily's whole relationship started at the dance studio. And so much of why they were hanging out revolved around dance. But after the first couple of lessons, there was very little focus on the dancing. I did like seeing them outside of the studio, but I also wanted more. I felt like that's where we really got to see their connection.
My biggest UGH moment was when . It was wayyy too cheesy. Lily probably would have hated that.
I also thought the whole idea that the whole school followed Lily to see her yell at Stone was unrealistic. Sure, people would want to know what was going on, but the way it was described seemed like something out of a very bad teen movie.
I REALLY wanted something to come out of Angéla and Chase. There was obviously something there, and the idea of them was alluded to many times, but WHY didn't we even get one or two sentences about them possibly getting together. My only hope is that there will be another book about them.
Cute story, just a little longer than needed.
This book started great. I couldn't stop reading. But then it slowed. It was obvious what was going to happen, it just took too long to get there.
To be honest, I don't fully understand why Stone didn't think he could tell Lily the truth from the start. He was just hired to be her dance partner. If they became friends, so be it.
I really didn't like how they made it seem like Lily was this amazing dancer who could be featured after only six weeks. I'm not a dancer, but I would think it would take way more than a couple of hours a week to be as good as they made it sound, especially if she was going to be dancing with someone who had been dancing their whole life.
I find it somewhat hard to believe that people didn't know Stone was a dancer. It seems like the dance studio is relatively prominent in the town. People should have made the connection that he was a dancer. Especially if Cameron was so popular and a dancer at the studio.
Stone and Lily's whole relationship started at the dance studio. And so much of why they were hanging out revolved around dance. But after the first couple of lessons, there was very little focus on the dancing. I did like seeing them outside of the studio, but I also wanted more. I felt like that's where we really got to see their connection.
My biggest UGH moment was when . It was wayyy too cheesy. Lily probably would have hated that.
I also thought the whole idea that the whole school followed Lily to see her yell at Stone was unrealistic. Sure, people would want to know what was going on, but the way it was described seemed like something out of a very bad teen movie.
I REALLY wanted something to come out of Angéla and Chase. There was obviously something there, and the idea of them was alluded to many times, but WHY didn't we even get one or two sentences about them possibly getting together. My only hope is that there will be another book about them.
Cute story, just a little longer than needed.
March 1, 2019
(I received a free eARC from Netgalley for a voluntary and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own)
Book review: Eyes on me by Rachel Harris (3.5 stars)
Twice dead (The Necromancer’s song #1) by Caitlin Seal
Genre: YA, Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
(Review)
(DISCLAIMER: All thoughts and opinions are my own)
Lily knows that she wants to be valedictorian, but when a stint gets her in the hospital her dad puts his foot down and signs her up for salsa class. Stone’s life seems perfect, he is popular and is the star of the football team, but his family is struggling to make ends meet so he helps out at his mum’s dance studio whenever he can. When Lily’s dad offers Stone more money to be Lily’s permanent dance partner, he can’t refuse. As feelings and dips and turns grow, can their relationship survive the secret?
The story is told in dual POV between Lily and Stone. I really easily related to Lily as she is shy and doesn’t like attention.
I honestly did feel that of course what she didn’t do was correct, but Cameron wasn’t THAT crazy of an ex although she did lie, she at least didn’t make Lily’s life hell unlike other romance contemporaries.
Lily and Stone are sickeningly sweet (in a good way) and the grand gesture was so heartfelt. This story was so cute and fun.
Book review: Eyes on me by Rachel Harris (3.5 stars)
Twice dead (The Necromancer’s song #1) by Caitlin Seal
Genre: YA, Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
(Review)
(DISCLAIMER: All thoughts and opinions are my own)
Lily knows that she wants to be valedictorian, but when a stint gets her in the hospital her dad puts his foot down and signs her up for salsa class. Stone’s life seems perfect, he is popular and is the star of the football team, but his family is struggling to make ends meet so he helps out at his mum’s dance studio whenever he can. When Lily’s dad offers Stone more money to be Lily’s permanent dance partner, he can’t refuse. As feelings and dips and turns grow, can their relationship survive the secret?
The story is told in dual POV between Lily and Stone. I really easily related to Lily as she is shy and doesn’t like attention.
I honestly did feel that of course what she didn’t do was correct, but Cameron wasn’t THAT crazy of an ex although she did lie, she at least didn’t make Lily’s life hell unlike other romance contemporaries.
Lily and Stone are sickeningly sweet (in a good way) and the grand gesture was so heartfelt. This story was so cute and fun.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 221 reviews