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A review by amanda_reads13
Aria by Jennifer Hartmann
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Chelsie is a struggling waitress when she catches the eye of Devon, the frontman of a famous band. Noah, the guitarist, will do anything to get her out of the picture so she will not become a distraction. But evrything changes the night she spills all of her secrets to Noah.
THIS BOOK! Ugh, Jennifer Hartmann just rips my heart out over and over again. Love is messy and complicated, we don't always get the fairytale ending we hope for. This book is about enduring and surviving trauma, healing, love, and friendship. It is filled with so much angst and tension. Hartmann does such a good job delving into the mind of a survivor in the midst of her healing journey. I thought it was a beautiful story of the messy journey of healing trauma, it's not easy and it's not pretty, sacrifices and hard choices are made.
Chelsie is such a strong woman. She has been through unthinkable abuse and trauma, yet she manages to survive and flourish. She makes many questionable choices, but she has never really healed from her trauma so her choices are completely understandable. She is a survivor just trying to get through each day.
Although I really want to see these two together, I really respect the choice she made to leave. She needed to heal on her own terms and to grow as her own person before being able to have a healthy relationship. Her leaving was a tough pill to swallow, and even though she still loves Noah, she made the right choice for both of them.
Noah. Oh, Noah. I love him so much. He is there for Chelsie every single time she needs him. We see him slowly fall for her knowing that she will never be anything more than his friend, he is Devon's girlfriend afterall. I love seeing his character grow, seeing his rough exterior soften around Sam and Chelsie.
I actually really loved the ending of this book.Yes, it was shocking that they aren't together. But I love that both are at a point where they are happy and healed. Yes, they still love one another, which I am sure will be explored more in book one. Maybe we will get a second chance romance?!
A few things:
-The massive jump in time threw me off. I really wish there had been more time spent delving into Chelsie's healing journey and not just a play by play it it. That is such an important aspect of the story and I feel like it was just glossed over.
-I really wish this was written written in 1st POV.
-Some of the pacing felt a little off.
Tropes: rockstar, forbidden, enemies to lovers, love triangle, slow burn
THIS BOOK! Ugh, Jennifer Hartmann just rips my heart out over and over again. Love is messy and complicated, we don't always get the fairytale ending we hope for. This book is about enduring and surviving trauma, healing, love, and friendship. It is filled with so much angst and tension. Hartmann does such a good job delving into the mind of a survivor in the midst of her healing journey. I thought it was a beautiful story of the messy journey of healing trauma, it's not easy and it's not pretty, sacrifices and hard choices are made.
Chelsie is such a strong woman. She has been through unthinkable abuse and trauma, yet she manages to survive and flourish. She makes many questionable choices, but she has never really healed from her trauma so her choices are completely understandable. She is a survivor just trying to get through each day.
Noah. Oh, Noah. I love him so much. He is there for Chelsie every single time she needs him. We see him slowly fall for her knowing that she will never be anything more than his friend, he is Devon's girlfriend afterall. I love seeing his character grow, seeing his rough exterior soften around Sam and Chelsie.
I actually really loved the ending of this book.
A few things:
-The massive jump in time threw me off. I really wish there had been more time spent delving into Chelsie's healing journey and not just a play by play it it. That is such an important aspect of the story and I feel like it was just glossed over.
-I really wish this was written written in 1st POV.
-Some of the pacing felt a little off.
Tropes: rockstar, forbidden, enemies to lovers, love triangle, slow burn
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Grief, Blood, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault