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Ariel
Ariel Morton’s life was perfect… until it wasn’t. Now she’s stuck in a rut. At the age of thirty-four, she has a dead-end job, a rented hovel of a home, and a rising stack of unpaid bills to keep her company.
Just when Ariel is starting to fear she will never get her life back on track, she’s contacted by the mysterious Muse Agency. Suddenly, she is forced to question everything she thought she knew about herself and those around her.
Who is Ariel? And what does she want? The truth is she can’t answer those questions. And finding the answers is the only way out of her rut.
Just when Ariel is starting to fear she will never get her life back on track, she’s contacted by the mysterious Muse Agency. Suddenly, she is forced to question everything she thought she knew about herself and those around her.
Who is Ariel? And what does she want? The truth is she can’t answer those questions. And finding the answers is the only way out of her rut.
385 pages, Paperback
First published March 30, 2015
About the author
Fia Essen
3 books21 followersHi there,
Thanks for visiting my Author Profile.
I'm the author of "Ariel" and "Anna". What else can I tell you about myself? Let’s see… I've always been a bookworm. Growing up, the characters in my favorite novels were my best friends. Eventually, I started creating my own. I hope you'll enjoy them!
Have a great day now and thanks again for visiting my Author Profile.
-- Fia Essen
Thanks for visiting my Author Profile.
I'm the author of "Ariel" and "Anna". What else can I tell you about myself? Let’s see… I've always been a bookworm. Growing up, the characters in my favorite novels were my best friends. Eventually, I started creating my own. I hope you'll enjoy them!
Have a great day now and thanks again for visiting my Author Profile.
-- Fia Essen
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 8, 2016
Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this novel without the expectation of a review. However, I have chosen to review the novel, because of how much I enjoyed it.
In Ariel by Fia Essen, the reader meets the title character well and truly at rock bottom. Three years after an abrupt break up, employment termination, and building up a pile of credit card debt, Ariel still finds herself trapped in a web of lies (not to mention apathy). However, as the novel progresses, Ariel is able to begin rebuilding her life, with the help of her friends and the mysterious Muse Agency, who are known in the expat community for helping down-and-out individuals turn their lives around and even become wildly successful in their fields.
The best way to describe Ariel is a "feel good" novel. Despite the rut that Ariel is in, she remains an engaging and funny narrator, and the reader is easily charmed by her. While at times I found her monologues a bit repetitive, they were still entertaining, and I actually began to accept them as a quirk of the character rather than just narration. Likewise, Essen has given Ariel realistic flaws - she often is blind to the truth around her, judges herself and others too harshly, and has a habit for lying. Watching Ariel recognize these traits in herself and grow out of them is an incredibly satisfying experience.
Moreover, the other characters in the novel are very well-written and have plenty of complexity. Their relationships with Ariel are believable and elicit emotional reactions within the reader. It is easy to envision these characters existing in their own worlds, and several of them would make for interesting protagonists in their own right. Perhaps the only character that I would have liked to have learned more about is "her Colin" (the love interest). Yes, he is handsome and charming and clearly a wonderful human being. However, I did feel like he lacked depth in comparison with the other characters.
Setting sets Ariel apart from other "chick lit" novels. The novel is set in Singapore, and perhaps it is my American background, but I have not read many novels set in Asia, so the new surrounding was a welcome change. Similarly, the fact that Ariel and her family are expatriates ads another interesting (and educational) component for the reader. Seeing how her experience as an expat and world traveler affected Ariel's perspective was one of my favorite aspects of the novel.
Overall, Ariel has everything you want in a "chick lit" novel. There's a spunky female protagonist with a great growth arc, funny and lovable sidekicks, a bit of adventure (in the recollections of Ariel's travels and her unique lifestyle), and of course, a satisfying (and tasteful) romance.
On a personal note, as I finished Ariel, I couldn't help but think that this is the most fun I've had with a novel in a long time. Perhaps it's that I, too, feel a bit stuck in a rut right now (though, luckily nothing so dramatic!), or perhaps it's that Ariel exhibits a similar theme to my own novel (rock bottom female protagonist coming into her own and finding potential for love along the way), just in an entirely different genre. Either way, I'm very pleased that I read Ariel when I did, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a quick, fun and charming read.
In Ariel by Fia Essen, the reader meets the title character well and truly at rock bottom. Three years after an abrupt break up, employment termination, and building up a pile of credit card debt, Ariel still finds herself trapped in a web of lies (not to mention apathy). However, as the novel progresses, Ariel is able to begin rebuilding her life, with the help of her friends and the mysterious Muse Agency, who are known in the expat community for helping down-and-out individuals turn their lives around and even become wildly successful in their fields.
The best way to describe Ariel is a "feel good" novel. Despite the rut that Ariel is in, she remains an engaging and funny narrator, and the reader is easily charmed by her. While at times I found her monologues a bit repetitive, they were still entertaining, and I actually began to accept them as a quirk of the character rather than just narration. Likewise, Essen has given Ariel realistic flaws - she often is blind to the truth around her, judges herself and others too harshly, and has a habit for lying. Watching Ariel recognize these traits in herself and grow out of them is an incredibly satisfying experience.
Moreover, the other characters in the novel are very well-written and have plenty of complexity. Their relationships with Ariel are believable and elicit emotional reactions within the reader. It is easy to envision these characters existing in their own worlds, and several of them would make for interesting protagonists in their own right. Perhaps the only character that I would have liked to have learned more about is "her Colin" (the love interest). Yes, he is handsome and charming and clearly a wonderful human being. However, I did feel like he lacked depth in comparison with the other characters.
Setting sets Ariel apart from other "chick lit" novels. The novel is set in Singapore, and perhaps it is my American background, but I have not read many novels set in Asia, so the new surrounding was a welcome change. Similarly, the fact that Ariel and her family are expatriates ads another interesting (and educational) component for the reader. Seeing how her experience as an expat and world traveler affected Ariel's perspective was one of my favorite aspects of the novel.
Overall, Ariel has everything you want in a "chick lit" novel. There's a spunky female protagonist with a great growth arc, funny and lovable sidekicks, a bit of adventure (in the recollections of Ariel's travels and her unique lifestyle), and of course, a satisfying (and tasteful) romance.
On a personal note, as I finished Ariel, I couldn't help but think that this is the most fun I've had with a novel in a long time. Perhaps it's that I, too, feel a bit stuck in a rut right now (though, luckily nothing so dramatic!), or perhaps it's that Ariel exhibits a similar theme to my own novel (rock bottom female protagonist coming into her own and finding potential for love along the way), just in an entirely different genre. Either way, I'm very pleased that I read Ariel when I did, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a quick, fun and charming read.
July 20, 2015
I thought Ariel was a thought provoking look at human weakness and the corners we all tend to back ourselves into. Fia Essen was able to write a book that illuminates the difficulties of self-analysis and introspection, the importance of being brutally honest with ourselves, and the necessity of being honest with others.
I think anyone at one time or another has found themselves in a serious rut, whether out of necessity, as a result of a box we put ourselves in, or simply because we have become complacent in our routine. This makes the entire story line so easy to relate to and facilitates an easy bond with Ariel Morton, the stories heroine. She's a bit of an underdog with all of the things that life has thrown at her, but she is eventually able to recognize that her reclusive habits, her strained relationship with her family, and her dead end job can be attributed to her actions and perceptions, though unfair events were the catalyst for her downward spiral. The point is, no one was keeping Ariel in that rut except Ariel. I think it a very valuable life lesson.
I thought Ariel's journey was beautifully plotted and her development from someone who was essentially playing the victim to a person who could accept her own mistakes and come clean with the people she loved was nicely paced and truly remarkable. The inner conflict of the heroine and the outer conflicts of her circumstances furthered the plot and moved the story along quite nicely, especially because of how these conflicts played off of one another.
Ariel is a colorful, quirky character with funny inner dialogue. She certainly has a voice that stands out among the various heroines I have read thus far. The secondary characters, from her family to her coworkers, also morph from a certain archetype to another as Ariel's perceptions of them changed over time, and soon we realize that these characters are fun, eccentric and ready to rally around Ariel because of the love they have for her.
I thought this was a brilliant point to illustrate when it comes to our perception of people. Sometimes our own negative circumstances will adversely affect the way we perceive others, and once we can open our eyes to the positives we can see more clearly the wonderful qualities those people possess. Your behavior changes and their behavior changes as well. Really, wonderfully done there.
I think there were just two things I could have done without. The segment about the many jobs that Ariel has gone through before working at her last job seemed like one big info dump. It bogged down the story just a tad, and some background would have been nice, but not all of it in one fell swoop. The author could cut down on the history and give a small bit of info about how Ariel got her job with the magazine, and then pepper the other information throughout the book in a funny way. Maybe Ariel could exhibit a strange skill set, someone could ask about it, and in that offhand way Ariel has, she could mention in conversation that she learned how to do this when she was a nanny for so and so. It could be a running gag throughout the book with each new skill set and new job revealed, and it could also create fun dialogue for the reader to enjoy. Just an idea there.
The other area was when she gave her first to-do list. Listing those steps was fine, but in the next chapter Ariel's inner dialogue went through the steps explaining the necessity of each one in great detail, and it felt a little redundant. I thought the to-do list was self-explanatory. I understood the reasons for every item listed and she had already gone through why she needed to get revenge on Duncan when she was sitting in Adam's car. At this point, I just wanted to get to the action of the story and see more of Colin, whose name isn't Colin, but the reasons behind the to-do list were stopping that from happening. While it was actually pretty funny, I think it just interrupted the otherwise flawless pacing and left me feeling a little impatient. It wasn't new information so I think that part could be left out.
Other than those two items, I truly enjoyed the book, its message and the characters involved. I especially loved Ariel and would love to read more about her and Colin in the near future. I highly recommend this book to those interested in reading some inspirational, thought provoking romance.
I think anyone at one time or another has found themselves in a serious rut, whether out of necessity, as a result of a box we put ourselves in, or simply because we have become complacent in our routine. This makes the entire story line so easy to relate to and facilitates an easy bond with Ariel Morton, the stories heroine. She's a bit of an underdog with all of the things that life has thrown at her, but she is eventually able to recognize that her reclusive habits, her strained relationship with her family, and her dead end job can be attributed to her actions and perceptions, though unfair events were the catalyst for her downward spiral. The point is, no one was keeping Ariel in that rut except Ariel. I think it a very valuable life lesson.
I thought Ariel's journey was beautifully plotted and her development from someone who was essentially playing the victim to a person who could accept her own mistakes and come clean with the people she loved was nicely paced and truly remarkable. The inner conflict of the heroine and the outer conflicts of her circumstances furthered the plot and moved the story along quite nicely, especially because of how these conflicts played off of one another.
Ariel is a colorful, quirky character with funny inner dialogue. She certainly has a voice that stands out among the various heroines I have read thus far. The secondary characters, from her family to her coworkers, also morph from a certain archetype to another as Ariel's perceptions of them changed over time, and soon we realize that these characters are fun, eccentric and ready to rally around Ariel because of the love they have for her.
I thought this was a brilliant point to illustrate when it comes to our perception of people. Sometimes our own negative circumstances will adversely affect the way we perceive others, and once we can open our eyes to the positives we can see more clearly the wonderful qualities those people possess. Your behavior changes and their behavior changes as well. Really, wonderfully done there.
I think there were just two things I could have done without. The segment about the many jobs that Ariel has gone through before working at her last job seemed like one big info dump. It bogged down the story just a tad, and some background would have been nice, but not all of it in one fell swoop. The author could cut down on the history and give a small bit of info about how Ariel got her job with the magazine, and then pepper the other information throughout the book in a funny way. Maybe Ariel could exhibit a strange skill set, someone could ask about it, and in that offhand way Ariel has, she could mention in conversation that she learned how to do this when she was a nanny for so and so. It could be a running gag throughout the book with each new skill set and new job revealed, and it could also create fun dialogue for the reader to enjoy. Just an idea there.
The other area was when she gave her first to-do list. Listing those steps was fine, but in the next chapter Ariel's inner dialogue went through the steps explaining the necessity of each one in great detail, and it felt a little redundant. I thought the to-do list was self-explanatory. I understood the reasons for every item listed and she had already gone through why she needed to get revenge on Duncan when she was sitting in Adam's car. At this point, I just wanted to get to the action of the story and see more of Colin, whose name isn't Colin, but the reasons behind the to-do list were stopping that from happening. While it was actually pretty funny, I think it just interrupted the otherwise flawless pacing and left me feeling a little impatient. It wasn't new information so I think that part could be left out.
Other than those two items, I truly enjoyed the book, its message and the characters involved. I especially loved Ariel and would love to read more about her and Colin in the near future. I highly recommend this book to those interested in reading some inspirational, thought provoking romance.
July 29, 2015
Title: Tempestuous Ruin, Prosperous Renewal
“Ariel” by Fia Essen
Reviewed by A. Anthony
07/28/2015
7:47 p.m.
The right to a happy life—one with a dream job and house, loyal friends, and a significant other with which to share it all—is one to which everyone has a claim. Most, however, aren’t able to gain all of these things, though often they are able to gain some. It is the wish fulfillment that the romantic comedy provides which gives hope that it is all possible.
Ariel by Fia Essen doesn’t escape the common formula of the romantic comedy, which is probably inescapable. All the writer can do is to add unique variations, and this Essen accomplishes through the exotic setting of her novel.
Ariel Morton is an expatriate whose family traveled extensively before finally settling in Singapore. Readers are taken out of their comfort zone by the atypical setting, and this challenge makes Ariel stand out. The narrative is enriched by details of the country’s customs, landscape, and diverse populace as we come to know Ariel.
Ariel was dumped three years ago, and was fired from her job; she doesn’t want anyone to know it, so she lies about how she was the dumper, and she quit her job, etc. She is oppressed by her lie of a life, so it is fortunate that she is contacted by the mysterious Muse Agency, which has counseled countless people towards success. Agency head Celine Valois works her magic, becoming like a Prospero to the suffering life of Ariel, who knows she must reform or fall completely.
Essen develops a likeable, humorous cast of characters as the inspiring, enjoyable narrative progresses incident by incident into a better future for Ariel. The only major flaw is that Ariel’s love-interest, Colin, remains inhumanly perfect. Colin betrays his humanity slightly at one point, but we are left with the impression that he is some flawless being, as we never really come to know him.
I give “Ariel” 4 out of 5 stars
Until Next Time,
A. Anthony
www.mcwpub.blogspot.com
“Ariel” by Fia Essen
Reviewed by A. Anthony
07/28/2015
7:47 p.m.
The right to a happy life—one with a dream job and house, loyal friends, and a significant other with which to share it all—is one to which everyone has a claim. Most, however, aren’t able to gain all of these things, though often they are able to gain some. It is the wish fulfillment that the romantic comedy provides which gives hope that it is all possible.
Ariel by Fia Essen doesn’t escape the common formula of the romantic comedy, which is probably inescapable. All the writer can do is to add unique variations, and this Essen accomplishes through the exotic setting of her novel.
Ariel Morton is an expatriate whose family traveled extensively before finally settling in Singapore. Readers are taken out of their comfort zone by the atypical setting, and this challenge makes Ariel stand out. The narrative is enriched by details of the country’s customs, landscape, and diverse populace as we come to know Ariel.
Ariel was dumped three years ago, and was fired from her job; she doesn’t want anyone to know it, so she lies about how she was the dumper, and she quit her job, etc. She is oppressed by her lie of a life, so it is fortunate that she is contacted by the mysterious Muse Agency, which has counseled countless people towards success. Agency head Celine Valois works her magic, becoming like a Prospero to the suffering life of Ariel, who knows she must reform or fall completely.
Essen develops a likeable, humorous cast of characters as the inspiring, enjoyable narrative progresses incident by incident into a better future for Ariel. The only major flaw is that Ariel’s love-interest, Colin, remains inhumanly perfect. Colin betrays his humanity slightly at one point, but we are left with the impression that he is some flawless being, as we never really come to know him.
I give “Ariel” 4 out of 5 stars
Until Next Time,
A. Anthony
www.mcwpub.blogspot.com
April 20, 2015
Ariel Morton is at rock bottom, living in a gardener’s cottage in the grounds of a stately home in Singapore. She works in a call centre where she has to wear stockings. Having been dumped by Duncan, the man loved, three years earlier, losing her beautiful penthouse apartment, and all her friends she had become a bit of a recluse. This was mostly due to the lies she’d spun since her dumping. He had made out she dumped him, that’s where the lies began.
A Pisces her brother Adam nicknamed her Fishy as it went with her name and star-sign. She was fond of him but not close. The other members of her family put her through torture during a monthly family get together lunch. She could not let them know she was on the brink of financial ruin, depressed and living in a near-hovel.
She has received four letters from ‘The Muse Agency’ and she was too scared to open the first three, so she filed them in her toaster. When she did summon up the courage to open the letter this is what she read.
ATTN: Ariel Morton
You have been scheduled for a consultation on the 12thof August. We will expect you to present yourself in our office at noon.
Sincerely,
The Muse Agency
She didn’t realise that responding to this could be life changing. Although, the rumour mill said those who had been ‘Mused’ were sworn to secrecy and had became very successful. What follows changes her outlook on her world, brings her close to her siblings and a near death experience at work.
This is a truly delightful book which I’m happy to recommend to anyone wanting to enjoy an escape from the mundane world.
Reviewed by Jill Smith©April 15
A Pisces her brother Adam nicknamed her Fishy as it went with her name and star-sign. She was fond of him but not close. The other members of her family put her through torture during a monthly family get together lunch. She could not let them know she was on the brink of financial ruin, depressed and living in a near-hovel.
She has received four letters from ‘The Muse Agency’ and she was too scared to open the first three, so she filed them in her toaster. When she did summon up the courage to open the letter this is what she read.
ATTN: Ariel Morton
You have been scheduled for a consultation on the 12thof August. We will expect you to present yourself in our office at noon.
Sincerely,
The Muse Agency
She didn’t realise that responding to this could be life changing. Although, the rumour mill said those who had been ‘Mused’ were sworn to secrecy and had became very successful. What follows changes her outlook on her world, brings her close to her siblings and a near death experience at work.
This is a truly delightful book which I’m happy to recommend to anyone wanting to enjoy an escape from the mundane world.
Reviewed by Jill Smith©April 15
August 3, 2016
This is the second book I have read of Fia Essen. With this book I had the same feelings that I did with the other one. The beginning of the book was really hard to get thru. There was alot going on and so many details that I had a hard time following what exactly the deal was with this book. There was a woman who was dumped by the love of her life, there was this mysterious Muse Agency that I did not know what to make of, and quite honestly am not sure exactly what that agency actually did even after reading this book. The first half of the book was very difficult to get thru, so much so that I almost gave up on this book....but then I remembered her last book that I had the same feeling with....and with that book the last half was really good. So, again, I suffered thru the details that were not really important to me as a reader and the long wait to get to the good stuff. If I had any advise for this author, it would be to really think about editing out alot of the details. Speaking for myself as a reader, I really just want to get to the good stuff. I only need enough information about the characters past to make the present make sense. That and ixnay on the repeating of phrases (OK, I lied)...it gets annoying after awhile. In terms of the story, it is a relevant story about how relationships progress and how sometimes the loss of one makes you stronger, and that that strength was with you all along, even when you did not realize it.
June 14, 2015
I won an e-book copy of this book from one of the many giveaways I’ve entered and the following is my honest opinion for the good.
Many of us I believe we’re living in a relatively idyllic life, that is until some “catastrophic” event occurs which upsets it. Such is the case with Ariel who suddenly gets dumped by her long term boyfriend; an event which many women can easily relate to.
Getting the rug pulled from under her, Ariel, like any other woman begins to wonder what as she done to precipitate this as there had ever been a sign of anything being wrong. She reaches rock bottom as everything around her begins to deteriorate; her living environs is now shambles, her finances are now askew; and her being in a dead end job doesn’t help matters.
Being a child of the 1950’s I’ve seen numerous cult-like groups continuously looking for individuals who have experienced some major setback in their lives to psychologically persuade them to join. The mysterious and secretive nature of the Muse Agency made me wonder whether any cult element existed there.
This is a wonderfully constructed story of a woman’s self-discovery, elements of which can be easily shared by other women as it tugs at their heartstrings and might do the say with you.
For pulling on my own heartstrings with the right amount of emotions and romance I’m giving Ms. Essen 5 STARS for her endeavor here.
Many of us I believe we’re living in a relatively idyllic life, that is until some “catastrophic” event occurs which upsets it. Such is the case with Ariel who suddenly gets dumped by her long term boyfriend; an event which many women can easily relate to.
Getting the rug pulled from under her, Ariel, like any other woman begins to wonder what as she done to precipitate this as there had ever been a sign of anything being wrong. She reaches rock bottom as everything around her begins to deteriorate; her living environs is now shambles, her finances are now askew; and her being in a dead end job doesn’t help matters.
Being a child of the 1950’s I’ve seen numerous cult-like groups continuously looking for individuals who have experienced some major setback in their lives to psychologically persuade them to join. The mysterious and secretive nature of the Muse Agency made me wonder whether any cult element existed there.
This is a wonderfully constructed story of a woman’s self-discovery, elements of which can be easily shared by other women as it tugs at their heartstrings and might do the say with you.
For pulling on my own heartstrings with the right amount of emotions and romance I’m giving Ms. Essen 5 STARS for her endeavor here.
June 20, 2015
A contempory fairy tale you don't want to miss!
Author Fia Essen's modern-day Cinderella story gives hope to the weary, no matter their age. What happens when a thirty-something gal thinks she's lost everything? She has lost the love of her life--when her boyfriend of ten years dumps her and life begins to spiral down below the doldrums. Ariel Morton not only lost her man, she's lost a job that she loves and the high-style social life that she's grown accustomed to living. One little lie leads to another until Ariel thinks she has no where to turn. No friends, a family that she thinks is self-absorbed and non-caring and a dull job and co-workers with many a flaw. Forced to live in what she describes as her hovel, this young woman is faced with challenge after challenge. Ariel Morton is in a deep dark mire when a mysterious letter arrives and things begin to change. Slowly and mysteriously... The Muse Agency, a mysterious man, her family and a neighbor all play an integral part. Will Ariel find her Prince Charming? Will she find out who she really is and what's really important in life? Real life drama, mystery and romance all play a part in this modern-day novel. ~ Bette A. Stevens
Author Fia Essen's modern-day Cinderella story gives hope to the weary, no matter their age. What happens when a thirty-something gal thinks she's lost everything? She has lost the love of her life--when her boyfriend of ten years dumps her and life begins to spiral down below the doldrums. Ariel Morton not only lost her man, she's lost a job that she loves and the high-style social life that she's grown accustomed to living. One little lie leads to another until Ariel thinks she has no where to turn. No friends, a family that she thinks is self-absorbed and non-caring and a dull job and co-workers with many a flaw. Forced to live in what she describes as her hovel, this young woman is faced with challenge after challenge. Ariel Morton is in a deep dark mire when a mysterious letter arrives and things begin to change. Slowly and mysteriously... The Muse Agency, a mysterious man, her family and a neighbor all play an integral part. Will Ariel find her Prince Charming? Will she find out who she really is and what's really important in life? Real life drama, mystery and romance all play a part in this modern-day novel. ~ Bette A. Stevens
October 8, 2015
Ariel is a story of how a woman comes to terms with losing it all including herself. Ariel thought she had it all, a handsome boyfriend, Duncan, a penthouse apartment and a good job. Suddenly her boyfriend drops her like a hot potato, she loses her job, and the apartment and finds herself deeply in credit card debt and living in a hovel. She doesn't know where to turn for help. Her parents are too involved with their own lives to notice she is in need. All they can do is put her down as a failure on all counts. Ariel and her siblings seem to be trying to avoid any confrontation and try to make themselves invisible to their parents.
When Ariel receives a summons to go to the Muse Agency, a mysterious agency that is reputed to delve into people's lives and change them. She must face her fears and move forward with her life. What does this agency want from her? Will Ariel find her way back? Will Duncan come back to her?
This was an enjoyable read that touched on many issues that will make women feel empathic and sympathetic towards Ariel. I thoroughly enjoyed the authors' fascinating characters and Ariel's journey toward discovering herself. I was given a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
When Ariel receives a summons to go to the Muse Agency, a mysterious agency that is reputed to delve into people's lives and change them. She must face her fears and move forward with her life. What does this agency want from her? Will Ariel find her way back? Will Duncan come back to her?
This was an enjoyable read that touched on many issues that will make women feel empathic and sympathetic towards Ariel. I thoroughly enjoyed the authors' fascinating characters and Ariel's journey toward discovering herself. I was given a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
February 10, 2016
I threw myself into this novel, finally, after wanting to read it for quite a while. With so many reviews hinting that this novel was a fresh take on contemporary romance, I wanted to know if they were right. Romance novels have the unfortunate stigma of 'wishy washy' or 'bucket worthy', yet Essen's novel, Ariel removes this label. It's been called 'a contemporary Cinderella story', and although I wouldn't compare it to Cinderella itself, it is most definitely a rags to debt free story.
Protagonist, Ariel Morton, is just trying to live without guilt, without debt and without the heartache of her ex, yet all three constantly creep up on her. Ariel is relatable, possibly more so to the thirty-something crowd. She has an ever changing list of things to achieve, and a tendency to stretch the truth. Most of all, she just wants to survive. The story takes place in Singapore which is refreshing, another element that makes this novel a stand out in the contemporary romance genre.
Read my full review here: http://www.gcmacquarie.com/reviews/ar...
Protagonist, Ariel Morton, is just trying to live without guilt, without debt and without the heartache of her ex, yet all three constantly creep up on her. Ariel is relatable, possibly more so to the thirty-something crowd. She has an ever changing list of things to achieve, and a tendency to stretch the truth. Most of all, she just wants to survive. The story takes place in Singapore which is refreshing, another element that makes this novel a stand out in the contemporary romance genre.
Read my full review here: http://www.gcmacquarie.com/reviews/ar...
April 1, 2015
Ariel Morton, dumped by her long term boyfriend, is now in a long term rut. She needs to rediscover who she is and figure out what she really wants so she can change her life. Fortunately, the mysterious and secretive Muse Agency has decided to step in and give her some guidance.
I loved the way this story unfolded, and that the author took the time to fully develop the characters. I enjoyed hanging out in Ariel’s world so much that it kept me turning the pages, anxious to see what would happen next. At the same time, I found myself checking page numbers, dreading the end of the book that I could see rushing up to meet me.
“Ariel” is funny, sometimes touching, frequently perceptive, with just the right touch of romance. This is a thoroughly entertaining novel which I highly recommend. Fia Essen is an author I look forward to reading again.
Disclosure: I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review. –Jayne Hyatt, author of “Looking for the Good Life.”
I loved the way this story unfolded, and that the author took the time to fully develop the characters. I enjoyed hanging out in Ariel’s world so much that it kept me turning the pages, anxious to see what would happen next. At the same time, I found myself checking page numbers, dreading the end of the book that I could see rushing up to meet me.
“Ariel” is funny, sometimes touching, frequently perceptive, with just the right touch of romance. This is a thoroughly entertaining novel which I highly recommend. Fia Essen is an author I look forward to reading again.
Disclosure: I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review. –Jayne Hyatt, author of “Looking for the Good Life.”
July 1, 2015
The author of Ariel describes her work as 'self-help, turned fiction', which is an accurate description of this novel. Our eponymous heroine undergoes a journey of discovery and self-actualisation under the watchful eye of The Muse Agency, a clandestine organisation that occasionally takes on pro-bono clients like the hapless Ariel.
Anyone who's ever felt stuck in a rut, consumed with regret, or just plain lost, will find the character of Ariel relatable. Recently single, forced to downsize and losing touch with her friends, Ariel receives a helping hand from the mysterious Muse Agency.
The characters in the novel are memorable, well-rounded and meticulously detailed, particularly those of Ariel's dysfunctional family, who remind me of The Royal Tenenbaums. The narrative is very descriptive and frequently amusing...
Read the full review at www.MJMeads.com
Anyone who's ever felt stuck in a rut, consumed with regret, or just plain lost, will find the character of Ariel relatable. Recently single, forced to downsize and losing touch with her friends, Ariel receives a helping hand from the mysterious Muse Agency.
The characters in the novel are memorable, well-rounded and meticulously detailed, particularly those of Ariel's dysfunctional family, who remind me of The Royal Tenenbaums. The narrative is very descriptive and frequently amusing...
Read the full review at www.MJMeads.com
August 11, 2016
Fia Essen's books are always a cool refreshing glass of water on a hot day. I described her first book Change of Pace as a beach read, Ariel is also a beach read, but now there is more confidence and strength in Essen's prose.
"There had been a time when I could sprint across rough terrain in stilettos without faltering, but those days were long gone. Few occasions now called for fancy footwear. I was out of practice and my toes were wildly objecting to being squished into such cruelly narrow vessels."
There is a bit of mysterious element to Ariel which I enjoyed. Ariel, the title character, broke up with her boyfriend and is struggling financially. With the help of the Muse Agency, she is on a path of self discovery and the ability to love again. What is the Muse Agency? Why are they so secretive? How do they know so much?
So if you are looking for a fun beach read, give Ariel a shot.
"There had been a time when I could sprint across rough terrain in stilettos without faltering, but those days were long gone. Few occasions now called for fancy footwear. I was out of practice and my toes were wildly objecting to being squished into such cruelly narrow vessels."
There is a bit of mysterious element to Ariel which I enjoyed. Ariel, the title character, broke up with her boyfriend and is struggling financially. With the help of the Muse Agency, she is on a path of self discovery and the ability to love again. What is the Muse Agency? Why are they so secretive? How do they know so much?
So if you are looking for a fun beach read, give Ariel a shot.
September 2, 2016
Firstly, Ariel was well written and edited. At the start, I did think Ariel was beating herself up a lot over the misfortunes in her life, but then as the story unfolded I began to understand Ariel and her journey of self-awareness. Secondly, the author has a wonderful insight into human nature, sometimes uncomfortably so, since I think many readers would have seen something of themselves in Ariel's character.
I loved the descriptions of Singapore and the many other very interesting characters that populated the story, each with their own unique quirkiness. It seemed the author had a nickname for every character; sometimes I don't think the character's real name was ever mentioned. Even the man in Ariel's life was nicknamed 'Colin'. I've never come across that in any novel I've read.
A well deserved four stars.
I loved the descriptions of Singapore and the many other very interesting characters that populated the story, each with their own unique quirkiness. It seemed the author had a nickname for every character; sometimes I don't think the character's real name was ever mentioned. Even the man in Ariel's life was nicknamed 'Colin'. I've never come across that in any novel I've read.
A well deserved four stars.
June 10, 2015
This is smart, savvy writing from Fia Essen. I was unsure about this book but a friend of mine recommend it strongly.... so I had to ask myself: What's so good about it? After finishing the book in one night I must admit I need to have another fix!! My only complaint is that it went by so fast and left me wanting more. Ariel Morton is down in the dumps after been dumped by her boyfriend. Ariel is a wonderful character, she is funny but also insecure and uncertain. From the descriptions of the characters, to the witty banter between the characters, I felt like I knew them and couldn't wait to find out what happened next. So here is some simply advice = get it, read it, and DO NOT let this one sit on kindle while you flit with other 4-5 star book, jump in, this one is a 10 star book straight up!
August 14, 2015
Ariel, by Fia Essen, tells the story of Ariel Morton, an ex-pat living in Singapore. She's been living in Rock Bottomville after being left by her boyfriend, losing her job and driver’s license, largely estranged from her family, and racking up a huge credit card debt. Worse, her boyfriend, Duncan, told everyone that she broke up with him ostensibly to save her ego. She lost her job while nursing her sorrows. Worse yet, Ariel accidentally drove while under the influence of Duncan’s Valium (she thought it was migraine medication). She has been lying to everyone around her for months regarding how she managed to end up in Rock Bottomville...
...read the rest of this review at UndergroundBookReviews.com
...read the rest of this review at UndergroundBookReviews.com
August 16, 2015
I was first attracted to this book by the cover which, to me, suggested many possibilities. When I read a bit of the synopsis, I knew this was a good read as I'm sick and tired of sex, violence, and unrealistic story lines. I wanted an entertaining read and was pleasantly surprised that it is not only entertaining but the humor made me laugh out loud. The characters are well crafted and the family relationships very believable. Ariel begins in a less than advantageous situation in her life but her journey through self-examination and honesty is a good example for everyone. I would have liked a few more details tied up in the end, but that will not stop me from reading more of Fia Essen's work. I highly recommend this book to those who read for pure enjoyment.
May 1, 2015
Fia Essen once again creates a captivating novel with Ariel! The reader is immediately drawn into Ariel’s story as she comes to accept her reality and her struggle to change it. What I love most about Fia’s work is her ability to create such well-defined, memorable characters. Endearing qualities, quirky idiosyncrasies, self-deprecating humor, and steely resolve all unfold beautifully as Fia weaves her tale of a woman marching toward self-discovery. From the very beginning, you feel you know Ariel, and as other characters are introduced, you develop a connection to them, as well. It’s a special talent, and one that Fia has mastered flawlessly. I highly recommend this book!
December 6, 2015
I really enjoyed reading this book. I liked how the story of the main character gradually built up. I enjoyed the relationships Ariel had with her family members. i could relate to Ariel and was really rooting for her to find happiness.
November 12, 2016
A Fun Read, loved the Singapore setting
A fast moving, funny book with a poignant story of family reconciliation as well as romance. Loved how Ariel's world grew aided by the mysterious Muse Agency.
A fast moving, funny book with a poignant story of family reconciliation as well as romance. Loved how Ariel's world grew aided by the mysterious Muse Agency.
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