'The minute you glimpse a future that isn't entirely filled with loneliness and despair, the world becomes a different place. Maybe the world isn't black. Maybe it's more like a murky gray with flashes of color here and there. Blink and you'll miss them.'

Plot

Mikki and Crush have crossed paths three times over the course of five years. Their first meeting changed Mikki's life forever, but the second scarred them both with memories of a violent attack. Mikki is left with more grief than she can handle, and questions that she can't find the answers to, while Crush must try to forget the girl that saved his life.

Now Mikki has had enough of numbing herself with meds, and decides to end her life in Los Angeles, far away from her loving family. Crush is flying to Los Angeles to record the only song he's ever performed live; Black Box. Crush has never felt that his life has any purpose, until he meets Mikki in Terminal B.

When their paths cross for the third time, neither of them realise who each other is, until they start to piece together their histories. They'll come to realise that this is more than just a love story.

My Thoughts

Having read a few of Cassia Leo's books, and seeing a lot of people recommending this book on Facebook and Goodreads, I decided to buy it. I've loved everything I've read by Cassia Leo so far, and this book was no exception. In fact, this was one of my favourite books of the year so far.

I was immediately drawn into this book. The story was told through alternating POV, between Mikki and Crush. As I started to learn more about their pasts, I started to realise that their pasts were linked, and I couldn't wait to find out exactly how. It only took me a few days to read this as it was impossible to put down for more than a few hours.

From the start of the story we're told that Mikki has had some problems in her past, and an 'accident' was often referred to. I was really curious about what could have caused Mikki so much upset that she wanted to take her own life. When I did discover what had happened to Mikki, it was truly horrifying and I immediately felt for her and admired her strength for carrying on for so long.

I loved Crush's character. He was so gentle and understanding with Mikki, never pushing her or expecting more than she was willing to give. He really helped her to open up and start to see that she can still enjoy her life despite the horrors of her past.

This story was incredibly emotional, and had me coming back for more time and time again. This was a lovely standalone from Cassia Leo, and I'll definitely be reading some more of her books. ( )

Okay. If you can't stand emotionally intense books, then please put down this book and walk away. Because it will get to you. It will nag you. And it will stay with you until you work your way through this book.

This is story of two individuals with their own struggles. One with mental illness, a victim of rape and bullying, and the other who has to live with the consequences of his choices: rape and murder.

Cassia Leo is a unique author because rather than allowing one to kill himself/herself; she allows them to connect, to find each other, and ultimately to give each other life--a reason to go on living. They become each other's light in the darkness. A key to their own black box.

Special note: If mental illness and/or suicide runs in your family, this may not be a good reading choice for you. ( )

Let me start by saying I am so glad I didn't read the blurb for this book. It gave everything away!! This is one of those stories that unfolded in bits and pieces, very purposefully (in fact, the details of Mikki and Crush's initial contact were not revealed until the final page of the book). While there were many dark aspects (she'd been brutally raped and tormented, they'd both contemplated suicide), I felt the author handled it in such a way that we understood the characters' feelings while still maintaining a sense of hope. The one thing I had a hard time with was the amount of coincidence involved in Crush and Mikki's meetings. But, after all, it IS fiction. ;) (99 cents right now for Kindle) ( )

This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review


Do you know when you just want to read a book that is completely different from the normal romances that you read.
Well this one was it for me.

The emotions that I went through reading this book from sadness, disgusted, heartbreaking to happiness, this book gave you all of them.

When I first started reading this book I really really didn't think that it would be this good.

We have both people Crush & Mikki that really didn't want to go on but they found each other 3 times that stopped them doing the unthinkable.

This book really makes you think and wonder is fate real, do we all have lives that are fated.

You really need to read this book, I want to thank Cassia Leo for writing such a heart feeling, heartwarming read. ( )

This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review


Do you know when you just want to read a book that is completely different from the normal romances that you read.
Well this one was it for me.

The emotions that I went through reading this book from sadness, disgusted, heartbreaking to happiness, this book gave you all of them.

When I first started reading this book I really really didn't think that it would be this good.

We have both people Crush & Mikki that really didn't want to go on but they found each other 3 times that stopped them doing the unthinkable.

This book really makes you think and wonder is fate real, do we all have lives that are fated.

You really need to read this book, I want to thank Cassia Leo for writing such a heart feeling, heartwarming read. ( )