"4 Stars!...In this touching young adult novel, Ms. Story delves into the minds and hearts of teenagers, creating characters both complex and lovable without losing a sense of reality. Alyx is a sweet, if somewhat naive heroine, and Tom is the boy everyone had a crush on in high school. Their story is a heartwarming tale, sure to please romantics of all ages."—Gina Bernal, Romantic Times
"Lonely Heart is an un-put-down-able read. Karin Story has looked into the heart of an adolescent girl struggling to find her place in the world and tells Alyx's story with warmth and poignancy. I loved it!"—Nancy Warren, author of Flashback and Live a Little!
"Tom was a wonderful hero, very believable and hunky! I was most impressed with the characters' language, their thoughts and reactions, and how well Ms. Story wrote from a teenager's point of view."—Amy Leigh, author of Chance of a Lifetime
"It's been a long time since this reviewer has been so captivated by a story of young love. In Lonely Heart, Karin Story weaves a beautiful tale of isolation, fear and youthful love. Her characters are real, appealing, and they will truly capture your heart. It's no surprise that Lonely Heart was a 2002 EPPIE finalist. This one's a keeper for anyone at any age who loves a heartwarming love story, and I have to admit I eagerly anticipate other works from the talented pen of Karin Story."—Nancy Arant Williams, Timeless Tales
"A pleasure for all ages—Highly recommended! Teen struggles with self-esteem and self-worth make Lonely Heart a poignant read. Alyx's naiveté leads to painful clashes with the school's bad girl, revealing her own inability to defend herself. Yet when she does learn to assert herself, Alyx comes across as a powerful and lovable heroine readers will cheer. In addition, Tom makes a delightful hero with his male blindness but good heart, and his younger sister is absolutely wonderful. With subtle complexity and powerful characterizations, Lonely Heartcomes highly recommended."—Cindy Penn, Word Weaving
"...A must read for anyone, any age, any time, any—you get the idea. The story is poignant, compelling and just so darn good. I fell in love with the-guy-everyone-loves-in-high-school-hero Tom and the-so-beautiful-but-insecure-heroine Alyx. Carrie had me laughing, when I wasn't crying, and Randi, well, I just wanted to get on my knees and pray for her. It has been a long time since I've read such a riveting young adult novel."—Linda Mae Baldwin, The Word on Romance
"5 Stars!...Karin Story speaks in a way that young people will relate to. She brings her characters to life and keeps the reader interested in the story as it twists and turns into mystery, suspense and danger for Alyx and her new friends. The author also brings the innocence of young love into the storyline in a tender, gentle way. This was quite enjoyable and a good read."—Midwest Book Review
5 Stars!...Ms. Story does a marvelous job of capturing the mannerisms, the language and the attitudes that teenagers possess...she catches the blush of first love, the horror of high school, and the trial and tribulations they bring. Alyx is not your typical heroine; she is shy, worried that she does not fit in, and concerned that she let down her friend Sadie. Tom is portrayed with strength, kindness, and a brashness that are so apropos for a teenage boy, but his depth of character is what makes him beautiful. Carrie...is bubbly, strong, emotional, and just so delightful that you cannot help but feel not only her laughter but also her pain. This is a coming of age story, a story about the strength of understanding and a love story. But most of all Lonely Heart is a poignant story that everyone will enjoy from the pre-teen to the adult."—Sara Sawyer, The Romance Studio
...A red flush crept up Tom's cheeks. His gaze was so intense, so emotion-packed, that Alyx couldn't think straight. She could hardly stand to look into his eyes, yet she couldn't tear her gaze away either. She rearranged herself on the bench, but couldn't find anything to do with her hands. She wrapped them around the still unopened Coke can in front of her.
“All this time you've been thinking that Randi and I… Man, how could you think that? I've been trying to tell, well, to show… Jeez, Alyx.” He dropped onto the bench next to her, catching her completely off guard and filling her personal space with his warm, clean scent. She momentarily quit breathing, then air filled her lungs again with a rush. He grabbed her hand and wrapped his fingers around hers. “I guess I'm not too good at this, but I've been trying to show you since the beginning of the year how important you are to me.”
“I…I am?” She cleared her throat.
“Yes, you are. I really like you, Alyx. A lot. And I mean, I've been walking you to class, and I've asked you to come over twice now. But I guess those haven't been the right things. I'm thinking maybe I'm not too good at doing the right things, so maybe I better show you another way.”
“Y-You should?”
“Yeah. I should.” He leaned closer until his forehead nearly touched hers, until she felt his warm breath against her face, until he was so close she could clearly see the brown flecks in his golden eyes.
Then he pressed his lips against hers.
It was quick and gentle and almost over before it started. But, oh, my God.
Words deserted her. All she could do was stare at him.
“Are you starting to understand now?” he asked, his voice a deep, gentle ripple in the chaos of her universe.
Oh, Lord.
She definitely needed to shut her mouth, because it had fallen open in shock...