for Just Smile and Nod3/28/2015 c17 Hakalau Tom
I recently found this story and read it eagerly. I’m not into romance, so I’m not looking forward to love between Alys and Hayden, but the crackling writing will probably keep me reading. As other reviewers have written, some of the metaphors and similes are stunning. The precise, unsparing descriptions of characters and their interactions rivets me to their world, realistic or not, it doesn’t matter.
I look back on high school as an uninteresting, necessary step, like toilet training. I wish some of these kids could look back on their lives from an older perspective, but they can’t. Alys and Hayden are also denied the protective cloak of obliviousness that I wore back then, and they are suffering. How realistic is all this? Pfft. I can’t tell any more. The author makes a convincing case.
I recently found this story and read it eagerly. I’m not into romance, so I’m not looking forward to love between Alys and Hayden, but the crackling writing will probably keep me reading. As other reviewers have written, some of the metaphors and similes are stunning. The precise, unsparing descriptions of characters and their interactions rivets me to their world, realistic or not, it doesn’t matter.
I look back on high school as an uninteresting, necessary step, like toilet training. I wish some of these kids could look back on their lives from an older perspective, but they can’t. Alys and Hayden are also denied the protective cloak of obliviousness that I wore back then, and they are suffering. How realistic is all this? Pfft. I can’t tell any more. The author makes a convincing case.
3/28/2015 c16 
69Shadowswept
I love the psychological detail you describe in this story. Your descriptions convey emotion as well as action and appearance. I would have just stated that Hayden was distracted from his conversation with Ashley by the arrival of Alys. You described his every reaction to her being a half a second short. I admire how well thought out your descriptions are. First I read through the chapter just enjoying the story. Then I reread it to admire the skillful nuances of your writing. I can't thank you enough for posting this story. I just love it so much!
Okay, back to what happened in this chapter. Hayden surprised me by publicly paying attention to Alys in front of his popular crowd. It even put her on Bradley's radar. I wonder if that will play out more later in the story. Alys's secret confrontational side is coming out to play, and it was fun to see her swat at Ashley. I loved how she told Hayden not to speak to her, and he liked it too.
The last part of the chapter was very unexpected. I'm not sure what Dr. Augustine can do exactly. And for being someone who's supposed to help people, she sure comes across as a mean person. Maybe that's just Alys's perception. Since this story is told in her point of view, she influences the perception of the reader. I liked Alys's clever warning to Hayden, and I'll be interested to read how they handle this interference.
69ShadowsweptI love the psychological detail you describe in this story. Your descriptions convey emotion as well as action and appearance. I would have just stated that Hayden was distracted from his conversation with Ashley by the arrival of Alys. You described his every reaction to her being a half a second short. I admire how well thought out your descriptions are. First I read through the chapter just enjoying the story. Then I reread it to admire the skillful nuances of your writing. I can't thank you enough for posting this story. I just love it so much!
Okay, back to what happened in this chapter. Hayden surprised me by publicly paying attention to Alys in front of his popular crowd. It even put her on Bradley's radar. I wonder if that will play out more later in the story. Alys's secret confrontational side is coming out to play, and it was fun to see her swat at Ashley. I loved how she told Hayden not to speak to her, and he liked it too.
The last part of the chapter was very unexpected. I'm not sure what Dr. Augustine can do exactly. And for being someone who's supposed to help people, she sure comes across as a mean person. Maybe that's just Alys's perception. Since this story is told in her point of view, she influences the perception of the reader. I liked Alys's clever warning to Hayden, and I'll be interested to read how they handle this interference.
3/27/2015 c17 Celestial Rogue
This was such an exciting chapter! I love that you're taking your time developing their relationship. So many stories nowadays go straight to the saucy stuff and don't leave any room for readers to enjoy the characters for who they are. It's obvious you love your characters, and I find myself loving them as well! Your writing is so rich and flows so well. I am loving this story and I'm excited for more updates! Good luck writing!
This was such an exciting chapter! I love that you're taking your time developing their relationship. So many stories nowadays go straight to the saucy stuff and don't leave any room for readers to enjoy the characters for who they are. It's obvious you love your characters, and I find myself loving them as well! Your writing is so rich and flows so well. I am loving this story and I'm excited for more updates! Good luck writing!
3/19/2015 c15 A
Hey! Just wanted to say, please update. Eagerly awaiting for the next chapter !
Hey! Just wanted to say, please update. Eagerly awaiting for the next chapter !
3/20/2015 c13 10Be My Valentine
Phew! I was excited when Hayden discovered Alys's sketchbook. But then he didn't have the startling revelation that I would've liked, that there was someone on an equal and level playing field as him. The way Hayden discussed bringing down the school, it was clear to Alys and the audience, he was treating it like a game.
This infuriated me somewhat, because I wanted him to recognize Alys as a partner, someone dangerous just like him but in a different way, but he just told her, she will be his biggest and grandest puppet yet - and manipulated Alys into accepting it! With that infamous tagline, that also doubles up as your story title - "just smile and nod."
But my personal feelings aside, I understand it's keeping with Hayden's character. He's a narcissistic, psychopathic, hedonistic...guy? Of course he's going to view Alys like this.
So, when I read this chapter, I cheered when I read, she "didn't want to be his puppet forever." Because she was well aware he betrayed people, didn't have much loyalties...
So as long as Alys doesn't go on being his puppet forever, and she dares to defy her "master", I'll be happy. She has a healthy level of hatred for him, and that's a wonderful starting place. And that bit, where she convinces Mrs Lexington about wanting to do the mural? Wow. I felt like Alys was convincing ME - and I was sold!
This story is under the romance category, and I'm fascinated how this will all play out. I don't care if the romance is dark and twisted, or surprisingly light and frothy (who knows these days?), but I'm keen to stick around some more.
Don't listen to the peeps who are telling you to do different characterizations! What your doing right now , is perfect.
This type of story, totally defines you as a original writer, and if you complete it, a tantalizing sign of things to come! Keep writing.
10Be My ValentinePhew! I was excited when Hayden discovered Alys's sketchbook. But then he didn't have the startling revelation that I would've liked, that there was someone on an equal and level playing field as him. The way Hayden discussed bringing down the school, it was clear to Alys and the audience, he was treating it like a game.
This infuriated me somewhat, because I wanted him to recognize Alys as a partner, someone dangerous just like him but in a different way, but he just told her, she will be his biggest and grandest puppet yet - and manipulated Alys into accepting it! With that infamous tagline, that also doubles up as your story title - "just smile and nod."
But my personal feelings aside, I understand it's keeping with Hayden's character. He's a narcissistic, psychopathic, hedonistic...guy? Of course he's going to view Alys like this.
So, when I read this chapter, I cheered when I read, she "didn't want to be his puppet forever." Because she was well aware he betrayed people, didn't have much loyalties...
So as long as Alys doesn't go on being his puppet forever, and she dares to defy her "master", I'll be happy. She has a healthy level of hatred for him, and that's a wonderful starting place. And that bit, where she convinces Mrs Lexington about wanting to do the mural? Wow. I felt like Alys was convincing ME - and I was sold!
This story is under the romance category, and I'm fascinated how this will all play out. I don't care if the romance is dark and twisted, or surprisingly light and frothy (who knows these days?), but I'm keen to stick around some more.
Don't listen to the peeps who are telling you to do different characterizations! What your doing right now , is perfect.
This type of story, totally defines you as a original writer, and if you complete it, a tantalizing sign of things to come! Keep writing.
3/19/2015 c2 Be My Valentine
Hayden is fascinating and Alys's sketch on him even more so. Your writing is exemplary (you miss a couple of commas, before speech marks but it's nothing horrific) and deserves a lot of credit. I'm excited to read the rest of your story.
Hayden is fascinating and Alys's sketch on him even more so. Your writing is exemplary (you miss a couple of commas, before speech marks but it's nothing horrific) and deserves a lot of credit. I'm excited to read the rest of your story.
3/4/2015 c15 A
Hayden gives me mixed feelings. Just when I think he's okay his stoic demeanour scares me. Poor Alys. He knows so much about her now. More than she knows about him. Waiting for the next. :)
Hayden gives me mixed feelings. Just when I think he's okay his stoic demeanour scares me. Poor Alys. He knows so much about her now. More than she knows about him. Waiting for the next. :)
2/24/2015 c15 Sinalist
This story has enchanted me. I read it all almost in one go, and the mystery of it, the complexity of the characters, really fascinates me. I'm curious about their secrets. Please don't tone down anything when you reveal just how disgusting and hideous humanity can be. I do, like one reviewer has mentioned, hope that, together, they aspire to higher than that revenge and bitterness, and see there is both greatness and kindness outside of high school walls. I also desperately hope they both get REAL counselling. This story has really impressed me and I'm eager to read more. Thank you for sharing this, it was, really, amusing. :)
This story has enchanted me. I read it all almost in one go, and the mystery of it, the complexity of the characters, really fascinates me. I'm curious about their secrets. Please don't tone down anything when you reveal just how disgusting and hideous humanity can be. I do, like one reviewer has mentioned, hope that, together, they aspire to higher than that revenge and bitterness, and see there is both greatness and kindness outside of high school walls. I also desperately hope they both get REAL counselling. This story has really impressed me and I'm eager to read more. Thank you for sharing this, it was, really, amusing. :)
2/15/2015 c15 Amy Pond
I didn't even realize there was another chapter! I was so excited xD
I really like this story but I understand that you're busy! Take your time updating and know that we'll be here when the next chapter comes out!
I didn't even realize there was another chapter! I was so excited xD
I really like this story but I understand that you're busy! Take your time updating and know that we'll be here when the next chapter comes out!
2/15/2015 c14 Amy Pond
I really like this story and I can't wait for the next chapter! It's awesome and it really keeps my attention!
I really like this story and I can't wait for the next chapter! It's awesome and it really keeps my attention!
2/16/2015 c15 6Lara Madeline Night
I love everything about this story (never succumb to those requests of toning down the character's personalities and issues and flaws. I'm really happy you didn't. Those not interested can just not read your story.) and I was halfway trough last night and today in school I spent all my boring classes thinking about possible plot lines and twists and characters.
I can understand the character's urge to draw I kind of do that too (I have no emotional scars or mental issues or whatnot, I can assure you, drawing and painting is what I want to do as a career, so I just want to improve as fast as I can and that is only possible with practice.) and with seeing trough the lies and facades of other people.
I hope you update this soon (take your time though) and I look forward to reading more, this really is captivating.
6Lara Madeline NightI love everything about this story (never succumb to those requests of toning down the character's personalities and issues and flaws. I'm really happy you didn't. Those not interested can just not read your story.) and I was halfway trough last night and today in school I spent all my boring classes thinking about possible plot lines and twists and characters.
I can understand the character's urge to draw I kind of do that too (I have no emotional scars or mental issues or whatnot, I can assure you, drawing and painting is what I want to do as a career, so I just want to improve as fast as I can and that is only possible with practice.) and with seeing trough the lies and facades of other people.
I hope you update this soon (take your time though) and I look forward to reading more, this really is captivating.
2/14/2015 c15 69Shadowswept
I'm sorry if I keep using the same words to describe this story, but it's just absolutely fascinating. It's easy to write action between characters, but it's so hard to make them interesting and complex people. Most published books don't even have such memorable characters. I already want this story to be published so that I can buy it and keep it forever. I've never read anything like it, and I've read a lot of books.
So, to comment specifically on this chapter, I loved the conversation between Alys and Hayden. Your intelligent characters completely absorb me in this story. I have stopped trying to guess what they will say or do, and I just stay in the moment as it unfolds. It's great to read a story in which I have no idea what to expect. We are fifteen chapters in, and I still don't have the characters or the plot figured out. That's incredibly exciting!
69ShadowsweptI'm sorry if I keep using the same words to describe this story, but it's just absolutely fascinating. It's easy to write action between characters, but it's so hard to make them interesting and complex people. Most published books don't even have such memorable characters. I already want this story to be published so that I can buy it and keep it forever. I've never read anything like it, and I've read a lot of books.
So, to comment specifically on this chapter, I loved the conversation between Alys and Hayden. Your intelligent characters completely absorb me in this story. I have stopped trying to guess what they will say or do, and I just stay in the moment as it unfolds. It's great to read a story in which I have no idea what to expect. We are fifteen chapters in, and I still don't have the characters or the plot figured out. That's incredibly exciting!
2/14/2015 c15 Kismahaz
I get all excited when I see the update pop in on my email. I'm loving this story so much and also loving how deep characters are getting. I honestly can no longer stand those fast pace relationship stories, so it's nice to read one at a steady pace. Keep up the good work! I look forward to the next chapter.
I get all excited when I see the update pop in on my email. I'm loving this story so much and also loving how deep characters are getting. I honestly can no longer stand those fast pace relationship stories, so it's nice to read one at a steady pace. Keep up the good work! I look forward to the next chapter.
2/13/2015 c15 Marie Starr
Is that kid going to become important? Looking forward as always for the update!
Is that kid going to become important? Looking forward as always for the update!