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 Pearce 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 YOUNG ADULT/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.
Review
My Rating - 5 Stars!
In Harmony is a complex and interesting read by Emma Scott.
Willow is stuck moving to Harmony during her senior year of high school. Her parents have been worried about her, as she has totally changed recently, withdrawing from all her friends, and they don't know why.
Ends up that Willow was raped. She hasn't told anyone and the pain and suffering are slowly killing her. As Willow would say, she's lost in the darkness.
This part is written in an exceptional manner, told spectacularly and in a completely riveting manner. The way that the darkness is used as a description for her depression is accomplished.
In Harmony, Willow meets Isaac, a boy from the wrong side of the tracks who has a bad reputation. Isaac is a wonderfully complex character who's been extremely hardened by his experiences. His backstory is well developed, and the symbolism of his silence is perfectly executed.
As for their relationship, somehow they both help each other to slowly open up again. Isaac starts talking to her, and befriends her, which is something he never does. Willow starts to heal, with the help of Isaac and her friends. They all start to slowly pull Willow out of her darkness, as they help her change her thinking and values.
The author does an outstanding job of having Willow and Isaac paralleling their characters in their Shakespeare play. It's impressive, thought-provoking and down-right wonderful.
Overall, their story is one of the power and privilege that's afforded to the wealthy versus the prejudice and lack of control of the poor.
Willow and Isaac have a strong love that manages to heal two extremely broken hearts, helping them to find strength within themselves and the meaning in their lives.
In Harmony is absolutely superb. These two characters are so well told, and their story is absolutely amazing. Emma Scott does an exquisite job with this story. It has excellent character and story development, complicated characters who are so damn lovable, and a whole lot of heart. I love this book!
