Beneath the Noise

Madeline M, Reviewer

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review an advanced reader copy of Beneath the Noise. It is a deeply affecting and emotionally raw novel that takes a remarkably realistic look at post-traumatic stress disorder and secondary trauma. Rather than delivering a predictable, trope-heavy contemporary romance, the story offers a gritty and claustrophobic exploration of mental health through the eyes of a first responder. It is a narrative that demands emotional endurance, but it ultimately rewards that effort with a beautifully nuanced portrayal of healing and vulnerability. The narrative beautifully captures the internal world of Sunny Clark, a paramedic who uses a tough, chaotic exterior as a shield against the world. Her descent into debilitating insomnia, panic attacks, and intrusive memories after a brutal call feels incredibly authentic. The introduction of her neighbor, Will Harald, provides a fantastic foil to her isolation. Will is observant and persistent, refusing to look away when Sunny’s facade inevitably crumbles. The greatest strength of this novel lies in its uncompromising depiction of trauma. The text successfully avoids a sanitized version of PTSD, choosing instead to illustrate the physical and exhausting reality of hyper-vigilance. Furthermore, the romance is handled with a rare level of maturity. Will does not act as a magical cure for Sunny's pain; instead, he merely provides a stable, safe environment while Sunny commits to the difficult, non-linear work of her own recovery. The prose itself mirrors this internal struggle beautifully, utilizing sharp, rhythmic, and sometimes fragmented sentence structures to immerse the reader in Sunny’s overwhelmed state of mind. From a reader's perspective, the narrative does experience some pacing challenges in the middle section. The dynamic between the protagonists becomes somewhat repetitive as Sunny repeatedly pushes Will away only to pull him back, which, while psychologically accurate, slows the momentum of the plot. Additionally, the secondary characters, including Sunny’s family and coworkers, feel somewhat underdeveloped and function primarily as background elements rather than fully realized individuals who could add extra layers to the narrative. Ultimately, Beneath the Noise stands out as a powerful and hopeful exploration of what it means to find quiet within oneself after a tragedy. It serves as a poignant reminder that vulnerability is a form of strength and that recovery cannot be rushed. It is a compelling, necessary read that handles delicate themes with immense respect.

Daniela M, Reviewer

“chin up, clear head, calm hands” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Healing is not forgetting, that needing support does not make you weak, and that love can be quiet, patient, and safe enough to exist beneath all the noise. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I fell in love with Sunny and Will. The depth beneath this romance was incredible. Sunny's journey through grief, trauma, and healing felt so raw and real that I had to hold back literal sobs. And Will was perfect, patient, supportive, funny, and willing to meet Sunny where she was instead of trying to fix her. Their relationship developed in a way that felt natural and earned. Major credit goes to Klara Konvell for how thoughtfully she wrote about mental health, PTSD, and all the trauma that comes with it. She did an amazing, albeit heartbreaking, job of making it feel authentic and meaningful. This book will certainly stay with me and hold space in my heart. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be an ARC reader for your debut novel. You did an absolutely incredible job.

Katheryn B, Reviewer

I knew pretty quick this was going to be five stars. Ive been a nurse 10 yrs now with primary area as the ED, tons of medic and firefighter friends. this was impactful and hit hard while doing a excellent good job of representing the health care field and burnout and trauma. the difference between will and sunnys traumas being how the trauma was dealt with in the aftermath. i was sobbing, snot bubbles blowing reading through some of this. i also just love love and the idea that you meet someone and theres a pull and just accepting that its ok to feel like theres just something about them and fall in love without feeling like you have to know them a long time or know their life story - you can just see them for who they are at their core and love them with the rest coming after.

Maria R, Reviewer

Beneath the Noise by Klara Konvell is a beautifully written and emotionally immersive story about Sunny, a night-shift paramedic navigating the aftermath of personal trauma while trying to manage the demands of a job that constantly reopens old wounds. When an unexpected connection develops with her new neighbor, their relationship becomes a source of comfort, healing, and hope. Konvell’s writing is one of the book’s greatest strengths. Every character feels fully realized, and their emotions are conveyed so vividly that I felt as though I could step into any character’s perspective and understand exactly what they were experiencing. The portrayal of PTSD felt authentic and deeply informed, while the love, support, and togetherness woven throughout the story were equally convincing and heartfelt. I also loved the author’s inclusion of the playlists that inspired specific chapters—it added a unique personal touch and gave additional insight into the mood and emotion behind the scenes. There was one moment in Chapter 19 where the timeline felt slightly inconsistent, as months are described as passing before a reference is made to an assault occurring only three weeks earlier. However, this was a minor issue in an otherwise compelling read. This was the first book in quite a while that stayed with me when I wasn’t actively reading it. I found myself thinking about the characters and their journey throughout the day, which is always a sign of a memorable story. If you enjoy emotional romances that thoughtfully explore trauma, healing, and human connection, Beneath the Noise is well worth picking up.