What do you think?
Rate this book
Malt Shop Milestones #3
Ari’s Aria
Malt Shop Milestones, Book Three
Young lives. First loves. And a classic American period enlivened by jukeboxes and chocolate malts.
Ever since seventeen-year-old Ari moved to the thriving Black community of West Hill this past fall, she’s been well-known around the neighborhood. Granted, that doesn’t mean that she and her family are popular, exactly. Even so, this summer, Ari wishes to join other teenage girls in West Hill’s annual pageant: a pageant where Ari would possibly look out of place as the only biracial contestant.
On a different note, she’s been at a loss about how to handle a growing crush of hers. The guy she cares for is athletic, comical, and well-liked, but he doesn’t seem to see Ari as anything more than one of his pals.
Being the new and different girl in the area hasn’t been easy. So, what might it take for Ari to begin feeling like she’s truly at home with the people of West Hill—and that perhaps it’s good for her to be different?
Come along on a memorable milestone journey—here in this nostalgic nod to the bygone era of "malt shop" books.
Young lives. First loves. And a classic American period enlivened by jukeboxes and chocolate malts.
Ever since seventeen-year-old Ari moved to the thriving Black community of West Hill this past fall, she’s been well-known around the neighborhood. Granted, that doesn’t mean that she and her family are popular, exactly. Even so, this summer, Ari wishes to join other teenage girls in West Hill’s annual pageant: a pageant where Ari would possibly look out of place as the only biracial contestant.
On a different note, she’s been at a loss about how to handle a growing crush of hers. The guy she cares for is athletic, comical, and well-liked, but he doesn’t seem to see Ari as anything more than one of his pals.
Being the new and different girl in the area hasn’t been easy. So, what might it take for Ari to begin feeling like she’s truly at home with the people of West Hill—and that perhaps it’s good for her to be different?
Come along on a memorable milestone journey—here in this nostalgic nod to the bygone era of "malt shop" books.
148 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 14, 2025
4 people want to read
About the author
Nadine C. Keels
46 books244 followers
Nadine. A French name, meaning, "hope."
Her lifelong passion for the power of story makes reading and writing an adventure for Nadine C. Keels. She’s driven to write the kinds of stories she’s always wanted to read but couldn’t always find, featuring diverse and uncommon lead characters in a medley of genres.
Through her books and her blogs (Prismatic Prospects, Gentle Reads Fiction, and Selectively Gritty Fiction), Nadine aims to spark hope and inspiration in as many people as she can reach.
Her lifelong passion for the power of story makes reading and writing an adventure for Nadine C. Keels. She’s driven to write the kinds of stories she’s always wanted to read but couldn’t always find, featuring diverse and uncommon lead characters in a medley of genres.
Through her books and her blogs (Prismatic Prospects, Gentle Reads Fiction, and Selectively Gritty Fiction), Nadine aims to spark hope and inspiration in as many people as she can reach.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 28, 2025
4.5 stars
Oh be still my banter-loving heart! Bam and Ari are just positively delightful together in Ari’s Aria, and I could tell author Nadine C. Keels had fun writing this story because it was so fun to read. This whole series is fun (and I’m very sad to see it end), but this third book is especially so. I’ve actually had a super-soft spot for Bam from the very first time we met him in this series – he’s the kind of character that just makes me smile – so I was very happy to see him move out of ‘sidekick status’ and into a starring role in this final book. And not only did he make me smile (and giggle and even melt a little) in his time in the spotlight, he also touched my heart. I loved all the hidden dimensions we discover to Bam’s character beyond his quick sense of humor, like his ambitions and his tender side too. He’s hands-down my favorite hero in this series!
Now, you might be thinking that the title of this book isn’t Bam’s Aria – so who’s Ari and why haven’t I talked about her yet? I’m getting there, I promise! I’ve just been so eager for Bam to get a story that I had to get all my gushing about him out of the way first haha. But yes, Ari is also a wonderfully layered character that I’ve wanted to get to know better since meeting her in the book just before this one. Her backstory is culturally complex and full of layered emotions, and her personality and giftings are the perfect match for Bam. I absolutely adored how she could hold her own with him and even catch him off guard with her wit and her talent. I also really enjoyed her personal growth journey across this story; seeing her carve out her own spot in the community and understand her parents better was truly rewarding.
Bottom Line: Ari’s Aria by Nadine C. Keels is full of charm, heart, humor, and depth, and I enjoyed it so much that I wasn’t ready for it to end. Bam and Ari’s dynamic is just such a delight to read – snappy banter, emotional honesty, and a sweet ‘young love’ relationship that wrapped me up in readerly contentment. Keels sketches these characters with vibrancy and dimension, and she writes with a warmth and intention that makes it easy to immerse yourself in their story. As usual with this series, viewing Ari’s story through her eyes also taught me a lot about Black history – particularly in post-WW2 America – that I either hadn’t been aware of before reading the book or didn’t know much about, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to learn. Ari’s Aria is a joyful, tender, and entertaining conclusion to a wonderful series, the perfect send-off if we must say goodbye.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
Oh be still my banter-loving heart! Bam and Ari are just positively delightful together in Ari’s Aria, and I could tell author Nadine C. Keels had fun writing this story because it was so fun to read. This whole series is fun (and I’m very sad to see it end), but this third book is especially so. I’ve actually had a super-soft spot for Bam from the very first time we met him in this series – he’s the kind of character that just makes me smile – so I was very happy to see him move out of ‘sidekick status’ and into a starring role in this final book. And not only did he make me smile (and giggle and even melt a little) in his time in the spotlight, he also touched my heart. I loved all the hidden dimensions we discover to Bam’s character beyond his quick sense of humor, like his ambitions and his tender side too. He’s hands-down my favorite hero in this series!
Now, you might be thinking that the title of this book isn’t Bam’s Aria – so who’s Ari and why haven’t I talked about her yet? I’m getting there, I promise! I’ve just been so eager for Bam to get a story that I had to get all my gushing about him out of the way first haha. But yes, Ari is also a wonderfully layered character that I’ve wanted to get to know better since meeting her in the book just before this one. Her backstory is culturally complex and full of layered emotions, and her personality and giftings are the perfect match for Bam. I absolutely adored how she could hold her own with him and even catch him off guard with her wit and her talent. I also really enjoyed her personal growth journey across this story; seeing her carve out her own spot in the community and understand her parents better was truly rewarding.
Bottom Line: Ari’s Aria by Nadine C. Keels is full of charm, heart, humor, and depth, and I enjoyed it so much that I wasn’t ready for it to end. Bam and Ari’s dynamic is just such a delight to read – snappy banter, emotional honesty, and a sweet ‘young love’ relationship that wrapped me up in readerly contentment. Keels sketches these characters with vibrancy and dimension, and she writes with a warmth and intention that makes it easy to immerse yourself in their story. As usual with this series, viewing Ari’s story through her eyes also taught me a lot about Black history – particularly in post-WW2 America – that I either hadn’t been aware of before reading the book or didn’t know much about, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to learn. Ari’s Aria is a joyful, tender, and entertaining conclusion to a wonderful series, the perfect send-off if we must say goodbye.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
January 13, 2026
I really enjoyed this book! I loved how Ari was finding herself, even though her family complicated things. I did like the subtle romance that was building between her and Bam throughout the book, and it ended in a sweet kiss. I think this was a perfect sweet romance book that I enjoyed and hope to see more!
Here is my full review: https://inksip.blogspot.com/2026/01/a...
Here is my full review: https://inksip.blogspot.com/2026/01/a...
January 21, 2026
https://gabixlerreviews-bookreadershe...
Book 3... 1 and 2 also reviewed and reviews are somewhat coordinated. Start at the beginning if you haven't read any of the books yet.
Book 3... 1 and 2 also reviewed and reviews are somewhat coordinated. Start at the beginning if you haven't read any of the books yet.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews