Review: A powerful and painful story of starting over and finding strength
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 27, 2014
Emma Hart has once again written a story that wreaks the emotions. This is a much darker read than anything else that she has ever written, so be prepared. This isn't a feel good love story that Emma has become well known for {at least to me}. This is a story of pain and despair and a girl trying to find her way out of the depths of her own personal hell.To me this story is much more about Abbi and her struggle to break free of her depression, is there a love story here? Yes. Is it the main focus of the story? I didn't really think so. We see so much of everything that Abbi struggles with, her depression, the constant pull to be drug back down into the abyss of darkness, the strength needed to grab onto something worth fighting for. To have something worth fighting to stay alive for. This is her story about finding the girl she once was and saving as much of her as she can. Blake just happens to become a part of her life when she starts her journey. His story intertwining with her own and becoming an anchor she could grab a hold of. {The book is in dual POV and Blake has a story of his own that we see as well.}When reading, I found myself highlighting so much of the things that Abbi would say. The way she would describe her depression and how it made her feel. The thoughts that would go through her head, thoughts that she would know are unhealthy but didn't seem to make a difference. The struggle of fighting against herself everyday. Being her biggest strength and biggest weakness, trying to find a balance and allowing the light to win over the darkness.Personally, Abbi's story hit very close to home and is a story that I could relate to on a very intimate level. If you know anyone who has struggled with depression or have ever struggled with it yourself you will find a way to relate to Abbi. You may even find her words explaining things that you were unable to find words for in the past.Abbi's story is a personal journey that will take you through the dark pages of depression. In a way, I was able to gain a little bit of strength from Abbi's story. Even being able to relate to a fictional character and to know that these feelings and mental illness is real. It's an ugly battle and one of the hardest ones to fight. NEVER stop fighting, never let that darkness win, never think that the only choice you have is to give-up. Find something to fight for, hold on to it with a death grip and don't let go. Everyone has a different battle and fights their fight a different way, find what works for you, this is your time to be selfish and 'fix' yourself. Because when it comes down to it, no one can 'fix' you but you. And you ARE STRONG ENOUGH!