Tina (Iranian name Pahlavi) was born in a deeply religious country where women were seen as chattels and had their whole lives controlled. She was also born into a dysfunctional family and had a bad history of changing schools. But one thing that could not be taken away from Tina was her American dream and her belief that she would live in America, where she would be free from the shackles of religious oppression and dictates. True to her belief, she achieves her American dream after many hurdles. In America, she has a wonderful career and a husband that adores her. Her life seems perfect but is it? Tina's hindrance to being fully happy in her present is a love interest from her past. Who is this person? What makes him so unforgettable? Find out in Counting Crows by Neda Aria.

There is only one word to describe Counting Crows: Excellent! Neda Aria hooks her readers from the very first page. The story is told from a first-person point of view, which takes readers into the innermost thoughts of the narrator. The settings, described at different points, help the reader gain a proper understanding and appreciation of Tina's feelings and actions. Counting Crows touches on different themes ranging from betrayal to guilt, love, desire, and family which also contains different life-changing lessons. The author also points out societal issues, especially about the rights of women. I believe readers have a lot to learn from reading Counting Crows. It is a must-have for every lover of interesting novels, and Neda Aria deserves every accolade for this beautiful literary work.

Counting Crows by Neda Aria tells the story of Tina, a successful Iranian-American painter living in Manhattan. On the surface, she has everything; a successful career, a dream life, and a great husband. However, her reality is very different. She is unable to break free from a creative block that threatens to destroy her career. As she searches for inspiration, memories of Gus, a man from her past, resurface. Their fleeting encounters in dive bars and cafés in Grand Rapids haunt her, leading to an obsession that she believes holds the key to rediscovering both her lost artistry and sense of self. As Tina searches for Gus, she is forced to confront her past, her present, and the elusive nature of true happiness.

Author Neda Aria did a fantastic job of writing a poignant story with realistic characters and a stellar plot! Tina's journey of self-discovery is both relatable and engaging as she grapples with the pressures of success. The lasting effects of her upbringing and the complexities of finding love and meaning in her life are all different things Tina struggled with throughout the story. Neda masterfully captures the complexities of nostalgia, longing, and the immigrant experience. She created a protagonist who is both flawed and profoundly human. I loved how the narrative felt like a look into Tina's heart and mind as she shared her past and present with readers. There were no flaws in the story. The pace was perfect, the characters were well-developed, and the dialogues were crisp. I enjoyed the descriptions of 90s Tehran, I loved Tina’s development, and I absolutely adored the fragmented narrative. Five well-deserved stars from me!