EYES ON ME

An academically driven high school student
discovers a new perspective on life—and a chance at love—when she signs up for
dance lessons in this YA novel.

For Lily Bailey, the high school
experience is all about preparing for the future. A senior at Brighton High in Texas,
she plans to become class valedictorian, then attend Harvard University, her parents’
alma mater. When the pressure of trying to maintain a perfect academic record
lands her in the hospital for stress, her father, Steven, decides she needs to
spend her Saturdays focused on an activity other than studying. She signs up
for dance lessons at Ilusiòn,
a studio run by the mother of classmate and star football player Ágoston
“Stone” Torres. After Stone helps Lily with her first salsa lesson, her father
offers the athlete a substantial amount of money to be her partner at the
studio and convince her to keep taking lessons. Stone is conflicted; he does
not want to lie to Lily or his mother, but the studio is struggling financially,
and he could use the money to help keep it open. As the lessons continue, an
attraction develops between Stone and Lily. She attends his football games and
enjoys a life outside of school. They soon fall in love; but the weight of
Stone’s secret could jeopardize their relationship. Harris’ (The Nanny Arrangement,
2017, etc.) romance is a warmhearted, breezy treat bolstered by strong
characters, an engaging and multilayered story, and sharp writing. Lily and
Stone are winsome protagonists who initially seem to have little in common. As
their relationship develops, they discover they share similar experiences. Lily’s
mother died of cancer while Stone’s sister, Angéla, survived a battle with the
disease. The chapters alternate between Lily’s and Stone’s first-person
perspectives, an approach that allows the author to explore their romance and
their relationships with their parents, particularly Lily’s bond with her
father. Her mother’s death was difficult for them, and Lily discovers a new
connection to her through the dance lessons. The compulsively readable
narrative is crisp and incisive, with flashes of wit. For example, when
describing her dancing ability, Lily says: “I have zero rhythm. Like, think of
your favorite dancer, subtract every ounce of talent they have…take a little
more, and then you’ll have me.” This tale may appeal to fans of Sarah Dessen.

A charming and delightful romance
with dynamic characters.