Eyes on Me by Rachel Harris

Look up the word “nerd” and you’ll find Lily Cooper’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, straight-A student, lots of friends. But his family is struggling to make ends meet, so if pitching in at the Torres 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. But in dance, as in life, one wrong move and someone could get hurt.

Author: Rachel Harris (Website, Twitter, Facebook)
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Buy online: Amazon | Book Depository
**The ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
(Actual) Rating: 3 of 5 stars


Eyes on Me captures the truth about one's life through dancing in whichever the flow the song goes the body follows. Same goes to what the heart says. Lily Bailey, who has to cope up with her stress level she is going through, followed by the requirements she has to attain to be able to win her dream to enter a prestigious college. Be valedictorian - that is what she all aims and hopes for throughout her high school life but her dad suggested her to take up something other than stuck in academics - dancing. Then comes, the popular crush-worthy - Agoston Torres that will sweep her off of her feet and perhaps take the wonders of dancing on another level.

Firstly, I have to mention that I truly have the most respect and absolutely admire the cover! It attracted me and so is the synopsis to the book. Very appealing indeed! Then comes the word - dancing. I had flashbacks to the time dancing was one of the things I cherished the most and that was a year ago. I doubted myself because I thought I really have no talent towards dancing. It was certainly frustrating not to have the rhythm. Honestly, I felt the character's annoyance towards this fact. Another thing about dancing that made me change my thoughts towards it was, it is truly magical! Especially dancing with a beautiful handsome partner.

I am way out of topic discussing about the book but I will get on to that soon. I told this to one of my friend: 'The last time I remembered I have no interest in the art of dancing. Now I see how magical it can be, you know.' Romantic and elegant at the same time.

This is how I imagined it all to be: Dancing with him is better than the pigments of my imagination. The sun shines, I love Wednesdays with you. May it lasts for as long as time will allow. In the stillness of his breath, the water-like way he moves. He is making a dance. We are making a dance.

Describing my real experience compared with the book after reading Eyes on Me, it lacks the excitement I was searching and hoping to feel. The first part was not so bad. Although I am still expecting a meet-cute scenario, the sparks and tingling feelings. Towards the end, I have to say I was bored to the point that the scenes got predictable especially the one with Stone and Lily's dad issue. Lily suddenly upset and everything. That part got me all losing interest.

Eyes on Me has the potential to attract more readers that will sure excite them to take up dancing if not reading then dancing it is!