Liberating Bells

Cedar Ridge #2

by Aria Harding

Five years ago, Ryan and Izabel parted ways, both shattered and heartbroken.

Izabel Sanders thinks she’s done with Ryan Miller after their relationship loses the war against long distance. When Ryan returns to Cedar Ridge, he finds that things aren’t quite how he left them.

Though Ryan used to be a bully, her new boyfriend is far worse–and it doesn’t take long for Ryan to catch on. Under the thumb of her new boyfriend, Izabel feels less like a partner and more like a prisoner. With Ryan back in her life, she is faced with the complicated nature of their past, her current reality, and the vibrancy of their future.

As Izabel finds solace in reconnecting with Ryan, she also reconnects with buried parts of herself. Can Ryan help liberate Izabel before the emotional toll becomes too high?

430 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 5, 2024

Reviews

[Brittani]

“That blissful smile on her face is making me fall in love with her all over again. I need her like I need the air I’m breathing.”

✨Second Chance
✨Small Town
✨Who Did This to You?
✨It’s Always Been You
✨HEA

This part two in the Cedar Ridge duet. TRIGGER WARNING: DV. Please protect your mental health.

Ryan Miller has come back to the United States after living and working in Germany for the last few years. Izabel Sanders has moved on and has a new relationship, although she doesn’t necessarily feel like a partner but more of a prisoner. Ryan notices right away that things are not the same and he has no idea who this new Izabel is. Izabel is surprised to see Ryan back and is reminded of her past and what she could’ve had. Ryan is determined to help Izabel escape her abusive relationship and decides he’ll do whatever it takes to make Izabel happy.

This was definitely an emotional read. Some parts I was expecting to happen, like Izabel turning to Mark and start a relationship, but there’s were other things I did not expect, and I think that’s what kept me on my toes. Just like in part one, I was completely sucked in and consumed in this incredible story. I couldn’t stop reading this one, considering I finished it in a day. The writing and pace of the story was perfection. I’ve now become obsessed with Aria Harding’s storytelling and will definitely be reading more of her work.

I felt Izabel’s pain deep in my soul. I love watching Izabel basically come back to life and take over her strength—she is by far the strongest FMC I’ve ever read about. I’m also officially obsessed with Ryan Miller and has become top tier book boyfriend. The compassion, patience, love, and adoration he has for Izabel is absolutely beautiful. Even though he had his own obstacles to endure, he did not give up. The level of strength both of these main characters have is astonishing. The ultimate power couple who can truly make it through anything together.

Once again, thank you to Aria Harding for the ARC of this incredible duet. This will definitely be one I’ll remember for a long time. ❤️

[Danii Drakeley]

I enjoyed the first part of this duet (Loathing Ryan) and the second part did not disappoint. I felt like I related to the characters a lot more (probably because they were older) but I also found the plot gripped me more. I was routing for Ryan so much! I also like how there was more suspense built up in this part. I don’t want to give away any spoilers but there were a few chapters where I was holding my breath waiting for the other shoe to drop.
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I loved how the characters continued to develop and we got to know them in even more detail. Aria really had thought about everything and the characters felt so real. This duet is happiness and heartbreak all rolled in to one and written perfectly 🥰
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TW: contains DV so please read all trigger warnings before reading.
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I received an advance review copy from Aria, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Abbey | bookishandme]

It’s been 5 years since the ending of Loathing Ryan and so much has changed but stayed the same.

Ryan has returned back to Cedar Ridge due to his family situation and he is still very much in love with Bells. However, Bells is now in a relationship with Mark [aka evil spawn as I like to refer to him as].

Throughout this second half of their story I adored how Ryan always wanted what was best for Bells. He wanted her happy, safe and loved. He constantly made sure she was ok and had a safe place to land. Bells, well I cannot blame her for the situation that she ended up in. Nevertheless, I admire her strength and conviction as she fought to free herself from Marks controlling nature and fight for what she has always wanted - Ryan.

Overall, I really enjoyed this duet. It definitely took me on a rollercoster of emotions, with a heavy dose of heartbreak and swooning along the way. This duet does deal with some heavy topics so please make sure that you check the TW before proceeding.

[Brittany Johns]

5⭐️ 3🌶️
This duet was everything. Aria does heartbreak so dang well, but she also does happiness just as impeccably. This duet will take you through a rollercoaster of emotions and every single one of them is totally worth it. If you love enemies-to-lovers, lovers-to-strangers, then lovers again, l highly recommend this duet. I will say that there is some DV content, although not between the MC's, but it can triggering if you are sensitive to that sort of content.
Please protect your mental health.

[Kylie Rudsinski]

OH MY GOOD GOD- get ready for a whirlwind of emotions! This second installment is 5 years after Loathing Ryan when Bells and Ryan are adults and back living in the same town again. I should say there is pretty detailed scenes of emotional and physical relationship abuse- so there’s your trigger warning. But this sensitive topic was portrayed in such a moving way, it gives big “It ends with us” Colleen Hoover vibes in how well it was written. I am so impressed that Aria could craft a moving highschool romance then continue that same level of emotion through their adult romance. Highly highly recommend reading when this second installment comes out in March!

[Enchantedbypages]

Liberating Bells by Aria Harding is a sequel to Loathing Ryan. This book takes place after five years of Loathing Ryan. We get to see adult and more mature Ryan and Izabel. It was quite an interesting read.
Ryan Miller returned to the United States after living and working in Germany for the last few years because of his family. Izabel Sanders has moved on and has a new relationship, although Ryan used to be a bully, her new boyfriend is far worse–and it does not take long for Ryan to catch on.
I love the character development. What Izabel went through was sad. In the first book, Izabel was so fierce but in the first half of this book, she lost her fire. She was timid, and being controlled by her boyfriend. I was happy to see her standing up for herself and returning to life. I loved how she exited that relationship and took back her strength. Seeing Ryan so in love with Izabel even when she was in another relationship was both painful and cute.
Ryan and Izabel are made for each other. These two together are the cutest.
If we talk about the plot, it is good. There was emotional and domestic abuse, so this book reminded me of the book it ends with us a little. This book is very well written. The suspense build-up was good. I felt a rollercoaster of emotions while reading this book.
I was rooting for Ryan from the start. Izabel and Ryan are perfect for each other.
Check the trigger warnings before reading the book.

[Chai Book aur Charcha]

𝙇𝙞𝙗𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘽𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙨
-𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘢 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨

The second book in the duet is a complete game changer. Where Izabel was strong, fierece and a strong headed girl in the previous book, in this one she had a total 360° change and now is timid, being controlled and avoiding a thousand red flags every second.

This book is a true example of why one should choose their partner carefully and how it changes us to be with the wrong ones. Also it shows if you are meant to be nothing can keep you apart.

I was sad, angry, frustrated and irritated with Bells for not recognizing the person's true face and loved Ryan for his true and unconditional love for Bells.

But despite all odds the end was just perfect... Loved this book Or rather duet.

All in all you should definitely read this one...

Toodles 💕

[Theresa Lambe]

It done broke my heart when Ryan and Bells ended it. And let me tell you, I hated Mark there too.

Ultimately, though, I down right despise him here. Buts it’s so great to see the reconnection of Ryan and Bells. And all the ways he shows her that they are right for each other. One of my favorite scenes is him getting the cabin. Just....swoon. I couldn't put this second one down any more than I could the first one!

I loved Loathing Ryan and would tell you to read it. And I would also say read this one because these two have such an epic love story.

[Tisha]

Oh my dear heart! Liberating Bells didn't disappoint. The time jump was perfect and showed the reconnection of Ryan and Bels. The growth that they have both developed was relatable. I started to feel like Ryan would have been the next Noah (Say You Swear). He was such a sweet book boyfriend. This was another rollercoaster and an A+ hit. Ms. Aria has done it again & again!

[Amanda Bach]

Somehow, this book was even better than the first. It was written SO well. Had me hooked from beginning to end. I am very detail oriented, and this was just a perfect read for me. Can’t wait for future Cedar Ridge stories!!!