“The root of all madness is an unbearable truth…”
In Harmony
by Emma Scott
Released February 13, 2018
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Blurb
The root of all madness is an unbearable truth…
At seventeen, Willow Holloway’s life was torn apart. The happy, driven girl is gone, and she is left wracked by post-traumatic stress her body remembers even if she does not. When her father suddenly uproots the family from their posh penthouse in New York City to the tiny town of Harmony, Indiana, Willow becomes more untethered and lost under the weight of her secret. On a whim, she auditions for a part in the community theater’s production of Hamlet and unexpectedly wins the role of Ophelia—the girl who is undone by madness, and her love of Hamlet…
Isaac Pierce is from the ‘wrong side of the tracks.’ The town bad boy. Girls pine for his attention and guys are in awe of him. That he’s an acting prodigy only adds to his charisma. Isaac utterly disappears into his characters; the stage is the only place he feels safe from his own traumatic home life. He wants nothing more than to escape to Broadway or Hollywood, and leave Harmony behind for good.
No one can play Hamlet but Isaac, and when the director pairs him with Willow in acting class, they clash again and again—neither willing to open their hearts to anyone. But clashing leads to breaking, breaking leads to the spilling of terrible secrets, and soon Isaac and Willow find Shakespeare’s words mirroring their lives. When they are cruelly torn apart, neither know how this play will end—with madness and heartache? Or healing, love, and the discovery of who they are truly meant to be.
In Harmony is a standalone NEW ADULT love story, and is intended for readers 18 and up.
*PLEASE NOTE, this book contains sensitive material such as physical abuse, and the aftermath of sexual assault (off the page). Reader discretion is advised.
Find In Harmony on GOODREADS
Review
5+ “A2, S2” stars!
The love was there first.
PHENOMENAL! Emma Scott never ceases to amaze me. Just when I think her stories can’t get any better she blows me away with another beautifully written, emotionally gripping story of healing and everlasting love. In Harmony is a riveting love story between two broken characters silenced by tragedy who fight to gain back their voices. It is powerful, raw, honest, and inspiring, and one of my favorite Emma Scott novels!
Willow is a seventeen-year-old dealing with the aftermath of a horrifying experience that continuously haunts her. She is soundlessly suffering and refuses to let anyone in. Guilt, regret, shame, and heartache consume her while she barely exists. A once vibrant girl, she is now barely a shadow of her old self.
I was trapped in my own perpetual winter. Sealed in a cube of apathetic ice, like one of those mummies they show on the Discovery Channel. They looked so life-like but on the inside… Nothing.
When her father is relocated to Harmony, Indiana, Willow looks at it as a way to start over. She is desperate for normalcy and to no longer be broken, but without a voice, there is no possibility of healing. When she watches Isaac, a boy from school, on stage something sparks inside her. She sees pain in his eyes yet he lets his emotion flow out from his characters giving her the hope that she, too, may find a way to express herself again.
Full of feels, Willow and Isaac’s story is one you experience. You feel the heartache and devastation they must bear as well as the utter joy and unconditional love and support when they open their hearts to each other. It’s a journey of healing and growth that is hard and painful at times but so worth it in the end.
Willow is an amazing character. She’s a beautiful girl with a huge heart who feels ruined. She faced a real horror and my heart broke for her. Though the sensitive subject matter was off page, it wasn’t sugarcoated. The fear, shame, and regret are very real. She is strong and brave, enduring so much hurt, and she doesn’t let it break her.
“Someday, Willow, you might find yourself cast into darkness too. I hope that day never comes. If it does, it will be scary at first. But you will see your own brilliance. Your own strength. And you will shine.”
And she does. She perseveres as she fights to get her life back. I loved watching her come out of her shell and gain the confidence to speak up. Seeing lightness surround her after the darkness in her life was stunning.
Isaac is gorgeous, sexy, and seen as dangerous. He, too, has lived through tragedy but he finds a unique outlet for his pain and anger. His acting was a wonderfully different kind of escape for this so-called bad boy. Isaac is so different inside than what the world sees. He’s kind, gentle, patient, and caring. He has so much love in his heart and would do anything for the ones he cares about.
This stunning love story is slow-burning and realistic. I loved the progression as Willow and Isaac learn to trust each other and form a solid friendship. They understand each other like no one else and I loved watching Isaac and Willow find a safe place in each other.
When I’m with you, I don’t feel the need to be somewhere else or to be someone else. I can be in my own skin without it hurting so fucking badly.
Their bravery and strength is astounding and the power they grasp as they take charge was exhilarating. They discovered a way to let their voices be heard and it filled my heart completely.
“I hear it, Isaac. I hear it in every look, every touch. I hear you. The words of your heart.”
I wanted to revel in the story and experience the building tension between Willow and Isaac over and over just so I could relive their passion. I felt the pain through both their eyes but the love between them was everything. It’s the forever kind and I felt it deep in my soul.
Gandma’s stories always had an ‘until.’ The problem that messed everything up but showed the characters what they needed or wanted most…
“You’re my until. The one that makes everything better.”
Though they share a fierce love, there is so much standing in their way to a happily ever after and I cried so many tears for them. I felt their devotion to each other even when they were pulled apart and heartbroken, and I knew they would find their way back to each other. In Harmony is easily a top 2018 favorite read and a must read!
*ARC generously provided by the author*
Excerpt
“I’m ugaro…not into being with someone right now,” Willow said with a nervous lilt to her words. “Not for a while, anyway.”
I heard a whisper on the breeze, or ever again. A heaviness in her eyes hinted she had lost something and had almost given up trying to find it.
She hasn’t given up, I thought, a fierce admiration welling in me. That’s why she’s doing the play. To find it again.
In that moment, I vowed to try to cut out all the egotistical bullshit and jealousy over Justin. The dance was out of range now anyway. I couldn’t ask her to go even if I wanted to. Which I didn’t. My job was to help her find what she was looking for in Hamlet, however I could. Even as it dented my eagerness to get the hell out of Harmony.
Willow shielded her eyes from the sun and squinted at me. “So what about you?”
“What about me?”
“Do you like anyone?” she asked, her voice a half tone higher than usual. She laughed. “That’s such a high school thing to ask.”
“No,” I said. “If all goes to plan, I’m leaving Harmony, remember? Stupid to start something now.”
“Sure. Makes sense.”
A silence fell.
“Yeah, so I probably won’t go to the dance,” Willow said. “I’m not good in that kind of situation anymore.”
“What kind of situation?”
She shook her head. “Never mind. I should get back.”
Willow started to scoot down off the block. I held my hand out to her to help. She hesitated for a fraction of a second and then took it. I held my other hand out and she took that too. I steadied her as she hopped down and then we were standing face to face. Close enough I could see her pale blue eyes had lighter shards of blue in them, like a topaz. Close enough to smell the sweetness of her breath—coffee tinged with sugar. Close enough to dance if we wanted.
“Thanks,” Willow said, gazing up at me.
“Sure,” I said.
I still held her hands. She didn’t let go.
“So,” she breathed, still not moving.
“Yeah.”
I glanced down at our hands. I hadn’t touched something this soft and good in ages. The sleeve of her coat bunched up and I spied a black mark on the inside of her forearm, close to her wrist. Willow drew in a breath as I turned her hand over. An X, about the size of a quarter, was stark on her pale skin.
She tugged her hands away. “I really need to get back.”
Every instinct cried out to take her hand again, to ask her what the X meant. To lick my thumb and erase it off her skin. I didn’t know what it meant but the sight of it made my stomach feel heavy.
“Willow—”
“I doodle when I’m bored. I told you that.” Her voice was sharp but her smile wobbled. “Let’s go.”
We walked the short distance back to town wordlessly. Back in front of the theater, Willow shouldered her bag and glanced around. “Thanks for today. I think Martin would be happy with our progress.”
“I do too.”
God, would he, I thought.
“So, I guess I’ll see you Monday?” she said.
“You have a ride home?”
“Oh, uh…” She still wouldn’t meet my eyes. “I was thinking of walking.”
“To Emerson Hills?” I said. “That’s a mile and a half and it’s getting dark soon.”
She raised her brows. “I’m not allowed to walk in the dark?”
“You’re allowed,” I said, “but I don’t want you to.”
Giveaway
Signed Copy of In Harmony & $10 Starbucks Gift Card
ENTER HERE
The Escapist Book Blog is not responsible for this giveaway.
About the Author
Emma Scott writes romances with flawed characters, characters with artistic hearts: builders, poets, and writers of various makes and models. And love always wins. Always.
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