Harley in the Sky | When A Book Can Make You Dream

From the Ground to the Trapeze Line

Harley in the Sky by Akemi Dawn Bowman (I've heard so much about Bowman's other books, but this is the first one I've read!)

Published: March 10th, 2020

Genre: YA | Contemporary | Fiction | Romance

AMAZON | GOODREADS


  Synopsis: The Greatest Showman meets This Is Us by way of Sarah Dessen in this heart-wrenching, hopeful contemporary novel about a multiracial teen who risks it all to follow her dreams by joining the circus, from the critically acclaimed author of Starfish.

Harley Milano has dreamed of becoming a trapeze artist for as long as she can remember. With parents who run a famous circus in Las Vegas, she spends almost every night in the big top watching their lead aerialist perform, wishing with all her heart and soul that she would be up there herself one day.

After a huge fight with her parents, who continue to insist she go to school instead, Harley leaves home, betrays her family, and joins the rival traveling circus Maison du Mystère. There, she is thrust into a world that is both brutal and beautiful, where she learns the value of hard work, passion, and collaboration. At the same time, Harley must come to terms with the truth of her family and her past—and reckon with the sacrifices she made and the people she hurt in order to follow her dreams.

From award-winning author Akemi Dawn Bowman comes a luminous, unforgettable examination of love, loyalty, and the hard choices we must make to find where we truly belong.

 This is the first Bowman book I've read, and I can say I'm very interested in reading more. (Do you have any you'd recommend?)
 
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts and opinions are my own!*


   One of the things that really made me love this book was the plot mixed with the setting and atmosphere- it was gorgeous! If you were a fan of The Greatest Showman or like to read books with the circus kind of setting then here you go- perfection!

 While I can't say I loved Harley, because she was honestly rather petty at times and focused on herself. She did learn from it later on, and she was still a good character but I sadly didn't feel that loving bond with the main character.

Now the side characters were absolutely worth re-reading for.

Vas especially 😍. (Where can I find me a Vas???)

[SPOILER: He's Harley's love interest!]

He was too good for Harley at several points, and I was so very happy anytime we got to see him in the book. He's one of those characters that you just know is very attractive in looks and personality xD.

He was my favorite side character, and Harley's grandmother was another. She did have me worried near the end, but all turned well!



  Plot-wise, I really liked the idea at the beginning. Then I loved the idea, but the main character handled things rather pettily at spots which is where the side characters came in and kept me in love.

  Harley running off to join the circus that her parents hate was a plot idea that definitely gave us some extra drama in the story and character relationships.
  And then later with Harley making, again, some less-than-good decisions for petty reasons didn't help with my opinion of her though it definitely got the story heading in an interesting direction. It helped to get resolve and the development needed though.



  The ending was a combination of Harley dealing with different relationships- some made me squeal happily, and some were touching and heart-warming. Again, perfection!


The only downside for me was Harley herself, she almost completely ruined the book for me and I hate her so much.

  Have you read Bowman's book before? If so, thoughts??
 Let me know what you think of Harley in the Sky!!


Thanks for reading!!
~Books with Noel