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black0star's review against another edition
4.0
Wow.
As someone who is struggling with depression, this book was really what I needed. I highly recommend it to anyone who is also going through depression, or someone who wants to understand a depressed person's thought process.
As much as I enjoyed Black Box, and although it's a favourite, I can't give it five stars because I thought Crush was way too perfect (or maybe that's just my cynical side talking) and everything wrapped up quite quickly.
However, it is really worth the read. Crush and Mikki's characters are extremely well-developed and real. Leo put a lot of thought into the characters' background story and how it brought them together, which was really beautiful to experience.
Favourite quotes:
"This black box
Is yours to keep
This black box
Will help you sleep
This black box
Don’t know your name
This black box
Loves you just the same"
"You make me feel normal.”
We don’t understand how much those small moments of closeness mean to us until they’re taken away.
"...The pain is just a subtle reminder of how alive you made me feel."
Fear is crippling. Fear of the future can convince us that there is no way out and nothing is ever going to get better. Fear is blinding; it can make us miss the warning signs flashing right in front of our eyes. It can also make you miss those brilliant flashes of color, when the world isn’t so gray. But, if you think about it, being afraid isn’t such a bad thing. Because fear is a reminder that you still have something to lose. Something worth holding onto.
Once you see the good in someone, it’s hard not to notice the good in everyone.
As someone who is struggling with depression, this book was really what I needed. I highly recommend it to anyone who is also going through depression, or someone who wants to understand a depressed person's thought process.
As much as I enjoyed Black Box, and although it's a favourite, I can't give it five stars because I thought Crush was way too perfect (or maybe that's just my cynical side talking) and everything wrapped up quite quickly.
However, it is really worth the read. Crush and Mikki's characters are extremely well-developed and real. Leo put a lot of thought into the characters' background story and how it brought them together, which was really beautiful to experience.
Favourite quotes:
"This black box
Is yours to keep
This black box
Will help you sleep
This black box
Don’t know your name
This black box
Loves you just the same"
"You make me feel normal.”
We don’t understand how much those small moments of closeness mean to us until they’re taken away.
"...The pain is just a subtle reminder of how alive you made me feel."
Fear is crippling. Fear of the future can convince us that there is no way out and nothing is ever going to get better. Fear is blinding; it can make us miss the warning signs flashing right in front of our eyes. It can also make you miss those brilliant flashes of color, when the world isn’t so gray. But, if you think about it, being afraid isn’t such a bad thing. Because fear is a reminder that you still have something to lose. Something worth holding onto.
Once you see the good in someone, it’s hard not to notice the good in everyone.
multicoloredbookreviews's review against another edition
3.0
My impression of this book is hard to put into words.
It was a bit overtly angsty for my tastes. Given the subject, of course it was a given that it was gonna be a really emotional story. But, in my opinion, it went just a little too far, to the point it became repetitive.
Another thing I found to be a bit of an overstretch was the fact that they were basically in love with eachother from the get go. They were virtually strangers. I kinda feel like they both built up a person inside their minds and that's who they fell in love with. It was like they loved an idea and not an actual person (and what other option was there if they didn't even know eachother's name?). Because of that, it felt a touch unbelievable that they fell in love so fast.
IDK, I just felt like it was missing something. I really loved the song, though!
It was a bit overtly angsty for my tastes. Given the subject, of course it was a given that it was gonna be a really emotional story. But, in my opinion, it went just a little too far, to the point it became repetitive.
Another thing I found to be a bit of an overstretch was the fact that they were basically in love with eachother from the get go. They were virtually strangers. I kinda feel like they both built up a person inside their minds and that's who they fell in love with. It was like they loved an idea and not an actual person (and what other option was there if they didn't even know eachother's name?). Because of that, it felt a touch unbelievable that they fell in love so fast.
IDK, I just felt like it was missing something. I really loved the song, though!
somarostam's review against another edition
3.0
I had no idea what to expect when I started this book. The premise sounded unique in the blurb, so I requested it. I have been in quite a reading slump lately, but I flew past this book in only a couple of hours. Hurray!
Mikki and Crush have had two chance encounters. But when they meet for the third time in Terminal B of the airport, none of them know who the other person is. But it's easy to notice the chemistry between them. And in the course of a couple of nights, their lives will be changed forever.
First off, I knew that this book would contain a lot of dark subjects. Heart-wrenching ones. But I was never prepared for all the brutal aspects. It felt so real and I could have cried for the characters -both of them- and their pain. I felt like I would never survive so much pain if it had happened to me. And I admired them for that.
Then, there are the characters. Mikki was definitely not my favorite person, at first. I didn't like how stubborn and cruel she was. I guess with a past like that, you turn into another person. But overtime, I grew to like her a lot and admire her bravery. Then, there's Crush; the guy was like a dream come true. The swoon-worthy, sexy, bad-boy and mysterious NA love interest. I fell in love with him (it was so easy to!).
The romance was not my favorite aspect. I kinda felt like it was insta-love, and I didn't like that. But after time, I understood the difference. These two people already know each other, even if they didn't know it. And they saved each other. And even though the i-love-you-confession was a bit too soon, it still sounded reasonable, given the circumstances.
The few ending chapters were the only reason why I didn't give this book a higher rating. They were made to sound sad and mystical and all about how our fates control us. But, it just sounded very unbelievable to me and I didn't feel scared for the characters at all. Aside from that, I liked the note on which this book ended. And even though this is not my favorite NA romance, I will definitely be looking forward to more books from Cassia Leo!
Mikki and Crush have had two chance encounters. But when they meet for the third time in Terminal B of the airport, none of them know who the other person is. But it's easy to notice the chemistry between them. And in the course of a couple of nights, their lives will be changed forever.
First off, I knew that this book would contain a lot of dark subjects. Heart-wrenching ones. But I was never prepared for all the brutal aspects. It felt so real and I could have cried for the characters -both of them- and their pain. I felt like I would never survive so much pain if it had happened to me. And I admired them for that.
Then, there are the characters. Mikki was definitely not my favorite person, at first. I didn't like how stubborn and cruel she was. I guess with a past like that, you turn into another person. But overtime, I grew to like her a lot and admire her bravery. Then, there's Crush; the guy was like a dream come true. The swoon-worthy, sexy, bad-boy and mysterious NA love interest. I fell in love with him (it was so easy to!).
The romance was not my favorite aspect. I kinda felt like it was insta-love, and I didn't like that. But after time, I understood the difference. These two people already know each other, even if they didn't know it. And they saved each other. And even though the i-love-you-confession was a bit too soon, it still sounded reasonable, given the circumstances.
The few ending chapters were the only reason why I didn't give this book a higher rating. They were made to sound sad and mystical and all about how our fates control us. But, it just sounded very unbelievable to me and I didn't feel scared for the characters at all. Aside from that, I liked the note on which this book ended. And even though this is not my favorite NA romance, I will definitely be looking forward to more books from Cassia Leo!
loribelle3's review against another edition
4.0
Story of Mikki and Crush, who have crossed paths unexplainably several times, saving each other from death on each occasion. Mixed feelings on this one. Some dark topics of rape, suicide and mental disorder. Wrapped a little too neatly, but I still was engrossed in the plot.
caslater83's review against another edition
3.0
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.
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.
greatbutuseless's review against another edition
5.0
Don’t mind me... I’ll just be sitting here crying while my husband looks at me like I’m a freak.
thatgirlchristin's review against another edition
5.0
I LOVED THIS BOOK!! Yes this book talks about suicide but it's not what you think. Mrs. Leo did such a great job introducing the subject to. She also did a great job explaining each character to us. I did feel a connection to both main characters and I couldn't put the book down. This is such a great read and I think you should give it a try.
xoxotawnydee's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars
To be honest I just trudged through this book. I didn't have to force myself.. but I didn't fall all over myself trying to finish it either. I want really expecting much, more or less just cleaning out my TBR list when I read this summary. It sounded like it would be something I would enjoy but I was mostly just disappointed. I thought the characters feel in love far too quickly and they never really got to know one another. They just bonded over the fact that he had saved her life.. which is more hero worship to me than love.
To be honest I just trudged through this book. I didn't have to force myself.. but I didn't fall all over myself trying to finish it either. I want really expecting much, more or less just cleaning out my TBR list when I read this summary. It sounded like it would be something I would enjoy but I was mostly just disappointed. I thought the characters feel in love far too quickly and they never really got to know one another. They just bonded over the fact that he had saved her life.. which is more hero worship to me than love.
katkfern's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
There were some rather large plot holes, but it was alright. 2012 me would have loved this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Minor: Sexual content