Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Black Box

Rate this book
♥️ Three fateful encounters....
♥️ Two heart-breaking tragedies....
♥️ One last chance to get it right.

From New York Times best selling author Cassia Leo, comes an epic love story about rewriting destiny.

Over the course of five years, Mikki and Crush cross paths on three separate occasions. Their first encounter changes Mikki's life forever, but their second meeting leaves them both buried beneath the emotional wreckage of a violent attack. Mikki is left with more questions and grief than she can handle, while Crush is forced to forget the girl who saved his life.

Now nineteen years old, Mikki Gladstone has decided she's tired of the mind-numbing meds. She books a flight to Los Angeles to end her life far away from her loving, though often distant, family.

Twenty-one-year-old Crush has always channeled his blackest thoughts into his music, but he's never had great aspirations. He decides to fly to Los Angeles to record a demo of the only song he's never performed in public; a song he wrote for a girl he doesn't even know: Black Box. He has no expectations of fame and he's never felt like his life had any purpose... until he meets Mikki in Terminal B.

When Mikki and Crush cross paths for the third time in Terminal B, neither has any idea who the other person is; until they slowly piece together their history and realize that fate has more in store for them than just another love story.

394 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 2014

Loading interface...
Loading interface...

About the author

Cassia Leo

87 books6,872 followers
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cassia Leo grew up in California and has lived in three different countries. She loves to travel and her dream is to one day score a record deal based on her awesome shower singing skills. She is the author of the Shattered Hearts series (Relentless, Pieces of You, Bring Me Home). She is also the author of the popular Luke and Chase series.

Come chat with her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorcassialeo or Twitter:www.twitter.com/AuthorCassiaLeo

Or you can follow her blog at http://cassialeo.com to stay up to date on new releases and giveaways.

Thanks for reading!

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
2,306 (36%)
4 stars
2,333 (37%)
3 stars
1,190 (18%)
2 stars
355 (5%)
1 star
105 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 910 reviews
September 2, 2020
Bir tarafta hayattan hiçbir beklentisi olmayan Mikki, diğer tarafta her gün içten içe ölen Crush.
İki yaralı ruh.
Uçurumun kenarında olan Mikki’nin tek arzusu acısını dindirmek iken Crush ile karşılaşacağından tamamen habersizdi.
Belki bir tesadüf, belki kader belki de sadece şans eseri karşılaşmışlardı. Buna rağmen ikisi de aynı kara kutuyu paylaşıyorlardı.

Elimi usulca kalbine götürdüm. “Göğsün hala acıyor mu?”
“Yalnızca içi.”


Nereden başlasam, nasıl anlatsam?

Aslında ben bu kitabı anlatmak istemiyorum. Bu kitabı okumanızı istiyorum. Şu an şu dakika bu yorumu okuyan herkesin bu kitabı almasını istiyorum. Bu bir aşk romanı değil bu acı bir gerçek hayat hikayesi. Çok rahatsız olacağınız bir konusu var. Okurken çoğu zaman uzun uzun nefes alma ihtiyacı hissedeceksiniz. Yine de bu kitabı okumalısınız. Mikki’nin yaşadıklarının ağırlığıyla yüzleşmeli, Crush’ın hoşgörüsüne hayran kalmalı ve bu iki kişinin kadere nasıl boyun eğmediklerine şahit olmalısınız.
Kitabın bir teşekkür kısmı var. Onu da muhakkak okuyun. Özellikle yazarın yazdığı konu ile ilgili kendine çok fazla dönüş sağlandığını belirtmesi ise içler acısı. Bu denli hassas bir konuya sahip olan bu kitaba tüm yıldızları versem az.
Her Mikki’nin bir Crush’ı olması dileğimle.
Profile Image for Aestas Book Blog.
1,059 reviews75.2k followers
March 22, 2014


*** FULL REVIEW NOW POSTED *** 4.5 stars

This was my first book by Cassia Leo and it had me hooked from the first page! I loved it!

I don’t believe in coincidence or fate
But I know one thing for sure
Your face was meant to be
Burned into the deepest reaches
Of my blackest memories.

I'm always on the hunt for books that stand out and that have stories that are unlike any others I've read and this was one of those! The set up of Black Box was really unique and I'll actually just share the blurb with you because it does a great job of introducing the story.

Three fateful encounters...
Two heart-breaking tragedies...
One last chance to get it right.


Over the course of five years, Mikki and Crush cross paths on three separate occasions. Their first encounter changes Mikki's life forever, but their second meeting leaves them both buried beneath the emotional wreckage of a violent attack. Mikki is left with more questions and grief than she can handle, while Crush is forced to forget the girl who saved his life.

Now nineteen years old, Mikki Gladstone is tired of the mind-numbing meds. She books a flight to Los Angeles to end her life far away from her loving, though often distant, family.

Twenty-one-year-old Crush has always channeled his blackest thoughts into his music, but he's never had great aspirations. He decides to fly to Los Angeles to record a demo of the only song he's never performed in public; a song he wrote for a girl he doesn't even know: Black Box. He has no expectations of fame and he's never felt like his life had any purpose... until he meets Mikki in Terminal B.

When Mikki and Crush cross paths for the third time in Terminal B, neither has any idea who the other person is; until they slowly piece together their history and realize that fate has more in store for them than just another love story.



Like I said, I was hooked right from the prologue and immediately pulled into the story. Although the whole story is told in alternating POVs between Mikki and Crush, the beginning is in from her perspective and I have to say that I thought the author did a great job of showing us the mind set of someone who genuinely wanted to end their life. While I couldn't personally relate to it, it was portrayed in such a way that I could understand where they were coming from which I really felt was a vital component to this type of plot set up. So I was really impressed with that aspect of it.

The story is told mostly in the present day but it also had flashback chapters to Mikki and Crush's previous life-changing encounters. The way the past and present were woven together added wonderful layers to the story and constantly had the reader 'discovering' something new that tied everything together. I have to say though that what happened in their second meeting really took me by surprise! For some reason, I just wasn't expecting something that dark from this story. It was a total holy shit moment!!

"I have to ignore this crazy voice in my head telling me that this whole thing... was fate's way of bringing Mikki and me back together. That kind of stuff only happens in cheesy romantic movies. And, let's face it, if they ever made a movie for Mikki and me, it would probably have to be categorized under horror flicks."

But then, as more and more layers of the story began to be revealed, I swear to you I got full body chills!!!! Who knew a chance encounter would mean so much??

It was just unreal! The mystery, the coincidences, the way their paths had crossed, it just kept pulling me in. I think it's one of those things where it could easily have become unbelievable -- like, what are the chances of that many pieces of their lives lining up -- but the way this story was presented always kept it in the realm of believability. I mean... it is possible that theirs was one of those one in a million stories, right? And also, it kind of makes you think and wonder what else in life (that maybe you don't even know about or realize) is connected. I just found the concept of all these different elements lining up really interesting!

“I feel like I’ve known you all my life... I don’t want that feeling to go away. I want to know you all my life.”

For a good chunk of the book -- literally pages and pages on end -- I just got these intense shivers watching all the little pieces of the story fit together. You know that really cool feeling you get in that moment when the twist in a story is revealed? You know those intense chills you get? Well, it was like that here but instead it just happened over and over and over again!!! It was such a cool reading experience!

I really liked that while it kept me fully engaged in the story and certainly had some shocking moments, it still wasn't too angsy, and didn't put my heart through the ringer. But it kept me emotionally connected and absolutely kept me flipping those page. If I hadn't been travelling at the time that I read it, I would easily have wanted to finish it in one sitting.

Black Box was a beautiful story about a protective boy saving a broken girl -- bringing her back to life and showing how wonderful life could be when she'd lost all hope for it -- and a girl who had everything taken from her unknowing saving him in return. It was unique, captivating and I didn't want to put it down. If you're looking for a new standalone romance, I'd definitely recommend checking this one out!

And, as Crush says...

"Spoiler alert: Everything is going to be okay."

Rating: 4.5 stars

****************************

For more of my reviews, book news and updates:
Main blog: Aestas Book Blog
Facebook Blog Page
Twitter


Profile Image for Pavlina Read more sleep less blog  .
2,434 reviews5,107 followers
August 6, 2016
"I feel like I've known you all my life.
I don't want that feeling to go away.
I want to know you all my life."


This is amazing!Black Box is one of the books that it will stay with you forever!This book was captivated from the first pages!This story is about fate, love,hope and lost.It was painful,heartbreaking,sad,emotional,beautiful.So many emotions..I was crying a lot so be prepared and have klinex with you!!You will need them!!This book affect me a lot!!

"What's the difference between fate & luck?"

"Fate is for fairy tales.
Luck is what happens when you're in the right place at the right time...
with the right person."



Do you believe in fate??

Crush and Mikki’s story will teach you that Fate has a plan for you!No matter what are our choises, in the end we get what it meant for us....
Mikki is a girl suffering from mental illness.In her past something happened so awfull that make her want to end her life..So she decides to take a trip to LA to end her life.In the airoport she meet Crush a stranger who loves music and still has in his mind to find the one girl who saved his life and have the only copy of "Black Box"... He goes in LA to record his demo.
description

Fate brings these two together and their connection is instant!While there is a storm out and their flight canselled they are stuck together for days and they spent their time together.Crush feel that he can't leave Mikki alone..

Who would have thought, that they discover something important for both of them..
How many times fate has crossed their path..

They start they journey looking for something relevant Black Box...
I don't want to say anymore because it reveals what will happen in the book so I end it here.

description


This book was unique!!I fell in love with the characters!!They are so real!!They are so different from the other book couples!Mikki is so broken.but you will see how much she changed and seemed to heal because of Crush. He was the only one who really understood her and bring her back her life. He know exactly what Mikki needs and wants. He was perfect for Mikki.I like him from the beginning!!He was sweet!

This is definitely a must read!!


Profile Image for *J* Too Many Books Too Little Time.
1,921 reviews3,709 followers
March 13, 2014
3--Black--Stars!!

Well....there were things I liked (a few) and things I didn't (more than a few). I am going to make this a list review! :)

We'll start with the good...

Things I liked:

--The concept of the storyline
--It was well written
--Dual POV



Unfortunately, that's about it.

The story starts in the present. Mikki, the heroine, is planning to travel to LA to commit suicide. She's leaves a note under the window seal for her sister to find and sets off for the airport only to find out that her flight has been cancelled because of the snow. Enter Crush, the hero.

Crush is also headed to LA to record a song...they end up leaving and spending the remaining time before their re-scheduled flight together. In the process their story unfolds.

"Three fateful encounters.
Two heart-breaking tragedies.
One last chance to get it right."

It's really hard to say much without giving the story away. And that's one of the things I did like. I was curious to see what their three encounters were. The two tragedies that connected them. And what they would do with their one chance to get it right.

Unfortunately it just didn't all come together for me.

Things I Didn't Like:

--the actual execution of the storyline. There were just too many holes, inconsistencies and huh moments.
--INSTA-LOVE. This killed the book for me.



--I was bored, especially the last half. After they professed their love for each other.
--The drug use. I didn't feel like it added anything to the story.
--The whole Black Box element.



--Mikki's bi-polar. I mean if she really had bi-polar and quit taking her meds wouldn't she go through the highs and lows?



I don't know that much about being bi-polar but I wouldn't think you could just quit taking your meds.
--Too many people attempting and/or actually committing suicide.
--The ending.



Most of my dislikes revolve around the story just having too many unlikely coincidences making it feel un-realistic. I just wasn't able to connect to the story or the characters.

Profile Image for Seda.
568 reviews177 followers
September 16, 2018
📗✈️🐰🎤🎼🎸💚

📚(Crush)”Bekle. Gitme. Yalnızca... yalnızca yanımda kal. Lütfen.”
“Neden?”
“Çünkü yanımda kalmanı istiyorum. Ben... yanımda kalman gerektiğini düşünüyorum.”
“Yanında kalmam gerektiğini mi düşünüyorsun? Bu da ne demek oluyor?”
“Yani... Kahretsin. İtiraf edemeyeceğim kadar uzun bir zamandır seni sevdiğimi düşünüyorum ve sebebini daha yeni yeni anlamaya başlıyorum. Ve yanımda kalmanı istiyorum.”
“Beni seviyor musun? Ama... Beni tanımıyorsun bile.”
“Hakkında her şeyi kaç kişi biliyor?”
“Kimse.”
“Son üç senemi seni unutmaya çalışarak geçirdiğim düşünülürse sakın bana seni tanımadığımı söyleme.”

📚(Mikki)”O gece yüzünü hiç görmedim. Ama kokunu asla unutmadım. Bazen biri yanımdan geçer ve kokusu yüzüme tokat yemiş gibi hissetmeme neden olurdu. Buna karşın gözlerimi yumar ve hafifleyene dek o kokuyu içime çekerdim. Beni unutmaya çalışmış olabilirsin, ama benim için ne kadar acı verici olursa olsun ben seni unutmak istemedim.”
“Hayatım boyunca seni tanıdığımı hissettim. Bu hissin geçip gitmesini istemiyorum. Seni hayatımda istiyorum.”

Yine bir kendim ettim, kendim buldum durumu yaşadım. Bazı kitaplarla kapağını görür görmez bağ kuruyorum, beni üzeceğini ama ona rağmen çok seveceğimi bile bile alıp okuyorum. Kara Kutu da o kitaplardan biriydi. 5 ay önce kitabı ilk gördüğümden beri okumak için sabırsızlanıyordum ve hiç hayal kırıklığına uğramadım. Aksine hem karakterler hem konu beklentimin üstünde çıktı.

İlk olarak bir konuda uyarmak istiyorum; kitap pespembe bir aşk hikayesi değildi. Kitabın kapağında da belirtmişler: “Bildiğiniz aşk hikâyelerinden değil.” Okurken zorlandığım, rahatsız olduğum bir olay vardı içinde. Bir de karakterleri çok sevince, bu durum beni daha çok üzdü. Yazarın, her olayı işleyiş şeklini, olay örgüsünü ve dilini çok sevdim. Az ve öz kullandığı kelimeler ve cümlelerle, can acıtacak kadar etkili bir anlatım yakalamıştı. Geçmiş ve günümüzdeki olayların, hem Crush’ın hem Mikki’nin ağzından yazılması, iki karakteri de çok iyi anlamamı sağladı.

Kitabın sonunda, yazarın her bölüm için ayrı bir şarkı seçtiği, bir müzik listesi vardı. O listedeki şarkıları, dinleye dinleye okudum kitabı. Bazı şarkılar, bölümdeki olayların duygularını arttırdı. Listedeki şarkılardan “I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You” şarkısını önceden de severdim ama benim için Mikki ve Crush’ın aşkıyla daha da anlamlı oldu.♥️♥️

İki kusurlu, sorunlu, ağır hasarlı karakterin, birbirlerine sarılmasını anlatan bir aşk hikâyesi okudum. İçinde, hayata kaderci bakmayanların bile kendini sorgulamasına sebep olacak kadar tesadüfler?! barındırıyordu. Geçmişte yaşananların nasıl ilmek ilmek bugünü ve geleceği ördüğünü anlatıyordu. Uçuşları hava şartları nedeniyle iptal edilince, havaalanında karşılaşan Mikki ve Crush’ın yolları daha önce iki kez kesişmişti ama henüz tanışmamışlardı. Kader onları bir kez daha yanyana getirdi ve bu kez hayatın kötü sürprizlerinden bir sürü yara alan kahramanlarımızın, masalsı ama zorlu aşkı başladı.

Kız karakterimiz, Mikki, 19 yaşında. 14 yaşındayken, tip iki bipolar teşhisi konmuş ve o zamandan beri bir sürü tedavi denenmiş. Hem hastalığı hem de 3 yıl önce yaşadığı bir olay yüzünden Mikki ciddi anlamda sorunlu ve hasarlı bir karakter, çeşitli intihar denemeleri olmuş. Ben Mikki’ye bayıldım, aşık oldum, deli gibi ağladım. Yazar, duygularını o kadar iyi yansıtmış ki yaşadığı şeyin acısını içimde hissettim, bazı yerleri okurken rahatsız oldum, tahammül edemedim. Yaşanan olaylar açık açık anlatılmasa da Mikki’nin duygularından ve düşüncelerinden çok etkilendim. Bazı yerleri okumakta zorlandım. Çok fazla hasar almış ve yaralarını saramamış olması, yaşadıklarıyla başa çıkamaması karakteri gözümde daha da gerçek yaptı. Mikki, benim için unutmayacağım kusurlu kusursuz karakterlerin arasına girdi.

Gelelim William “Crush” Slayer’a.😍😍 Crush, 21 yaşında ve müziğe aşık bir Harvard’lı. Kız karakterin sorunlu olduğu kitaplarda genellikle erkek karakter muhteşem, kusursuz olur ve kızı toplamaya, hayata döndürmeye çalışır. Burada ise Crush, en az Mikki kadar sorunlu, hasarlıydı. 4 yıl önce yaşadığı bir olayın izlerini taşıyor ve suçluluk duygusundan kendisini kurtaramıyordu. Aynı şekilde onun da intihar etmeyi düşündüğü bir dönem olmuş, çok zorlu zamanlar geçirmişti. Crush’ı sevmemdeki en büyük sebep, Mikki’ye olan sevgisi ve yaklaşımıydı. Mikki’ye, çok kolay kırılan, nadide bir cam bibloymuş gibi yaklaştı. Her hareketine, her söylediğine dikkat etti, üstüne titredi. Mikki’nin en ufak bir tepkisinde onu üzme ya da kaybetme korkusundan aklı çıktı. Zaten yazar bütün sıkıntılarına ve sorunlarına rağmen, o kadar düzgün, kibar, düşünceli ve anlayışlı bir karakter yazmış ki başka türlü davranmasını beklemedim. İçinde yaşadığı sorunların, çalkantıların hepsini aşkıyla, kendi kendine tamir etti. Sonrasında Mikki’yi daha büyük bir aşkla sevdi ve sevildiğini hissettirerek pamuklara sarıp sarmaladı.

Çok beğendiğim kitapların epilog kısımları en büyük sorunum genelde. Ama burada epilog bölümü şahaneydi. Bir süre sonra olan olayların kısa ama tatmin edici bir özetini içeren, hem gülümseten hem gözlerimin dolmasına sebep olan, sürprizli, dolu dolu bir epilogtu. Yazarı ve kitabı, sırf epilog bölümü için bile sevebilirdim.

Kitaba hissettiklerimi anlatmak için ne yazsam yeterli gelmiyor. Saatlerce susmadan konuşabilirim kitap hakkında. Ama konunun çok ince çizgileri ve hassas noktaları var, bunları spoiler vermeden anlatmak çok zor. Ben yazarı okurken Colleen Hoover tadı aldım, duyguları aynı onun gibi basit ama etkili anlatmıştı. Yazarın kaleminin en ayırt edici özelliği, karakterlerin duygularını ve hislerini bana yaşatmasıydı. Çok ağladım, çok sinirlendim ama aralarındaki aşkla çok mutlu oldum. Çıtır çerez bir aşk kitabı arıyorsanız tercihiniz Kara Kutu olmamalı bence. Ama güzel ve biraz masalsı bir aşk hikayesi okumak istiyorsanız, biraz hüzünlensem sorun değil diyorsanız kitabı kesinlikle tavsiye ederim. Kara Kutu, benim uzun süre etkisinden çıkamayacağım bir kitap oldu.

📚(Crush)Size yakın olan birini kaybettiğinizde kendinizden bir parçanızı da yitiriyordunuz. Ve ne zaman bir diğer parçanızın ortaya çıkacağını asla bilmiyordunuz.

📚(Mikki) Görünmez değilim. Buradayım ve acı çekiyorum. Ve buna nasıl son vereceğimi bilmiyorum.
Doğru olanı yapıp yapmadığımdan emin değilim. Bir tarafım öyle olmadığına dair bana işaret verecek bir şeyi ya da birini umuyor, bekliyor. Hayatımın geri kalanını acı çekerek geçirebileceğimi hiç sanmıyorum.

📚”Yani... Bana zengin olduğunu söylemeye mi çalışıyorsun?”
İç çekerek yüzünü bana çevirdi. “Bu seni rahatsız eder mi?”
“Açıkçası, bu biraz göz korkutucu... Tamam, bundan biraz daha fazlası. Ama sanırım bu senin neden böyle göründüğünü ve Harvardvari konuştuğunu açıklıyor.”
“Harvardvari konuşmak mı? Bu bir hakaret mi?”
“Kesinlikle hayır. Çok sevimli,” dedim kendime hâkim olamadan.
Başını eğip gülümsedi. “Sevimli mi?”
“Yani, havalı. Ben yalnızca sıradan bir okula gidiyorum. Bir kıza çıkma teklifi etmek için doğru düzgün cümle dahi kuramayan pisliklerle konuşmaya alışığım.”
“Masraflı eğitimim sonunda işe yarayacak demek.”

📚”Bu benim şans penim. Ne zaman önemli bir performansım olsa bunu kullanırım.”
“Bir şans penin mi var?”
Gözlerimin içine bakarak başını salladı. “Kadere inanır mısın?”
“Hayır.”
“Ben de öyle. Peki ya şansa?”
“Evet.”
“Aradaki fark nedir?” Cevabımı beklerken bakışları yoğundu.
“Bilmiyorum. Şans penisine sahip olan sensin. Sen söyle. Kader ve şans arasındaki fark nedir?”
“Kader peri masallarında olur. Romantik bir kavram. Şans ise doğru zamanda, doğru yerde, doğru insanla olduğunda başına gelendir.”

📚Kafamın içindeki çılgın sesin, tüm bunların -fırtına, iptal edilen uçuş ve tesadüfen karşılaşmamızın- Mikki’yle beni yeniden bir araya getiren kaderin bir oyunu olduğunu söyleyip durmasını göz ardı etmem gerekiyordu. Bu tip şeyler yalnızca sıradan romantik filmlerde yaşanırdı. Ve kabul edelim, Mikki’yle benim bir filmimi çekecek olsalar büyük ihtimalle korku kategorisinde gösterime girerdi. Twitter’da tanıştığımız andan bu zamana dek yaşanan her şey mutsuz sona dair bir seri oluşturabilirdi.
Profile Image for Sara.
733 reviews352 followers
March 12, 2014
At 52%

Which was really sad for me because I am a fan of this author. This book though

Im sad. I didnt connect with either character or the story. At all. *sighs*
Mikki is a damaged girl. Legitimately so. At 15 she was hurt badly. She is on a quest to end her life. After a few tries, she devises a plan to do it in LA, where no one close to her will find her. At the airport she meets Crush. Reading this was very difficult for me, since I have lost a parent to suicide. I wasnt able to feel a connection to her struggle or need to end her life. I felt horrible for what happened to her when she was younger.
Crush- well, he's not a very interesting guy. I struggled to find anything to truly like or connect with. And his insta love profession

This is going to be an odd review so let me make this quick. There are details given that you dont know are important, but come up later. I felt like I was on a crumb trail voyage or something. Should I have taken notes? Called Dora the Explorer!?! Sometimes I felt like there was a cryptic message that I was going to need understand later on or I was getting clues that I would need to piece together as the book progressed.

The twitter encounter, the book, the box, the incident... It was all broken up, weaved between past and present. Was the book/box one thing or two?? How was he seriously in love after 20 minutes a few years ago? She was really the only one who could turn the key? And this didnt make sense either . Her bipolar issue was a big question mark also, was she or wasnt she??
I really wish I felt different about this book.
Profile Image for Cassia Leo.
Author 87 books6,872 followers
Read
March 10, 2014
Profile Image for Vilma.
623 reviews2,875 followers
March 11, 2014
One of the most emotionally raw and vulnerable stories I’ve ever read. A story of two broken people caught in the clutches of fate, thrust upon each other by circumstance and saved by a love with the power to heal the blackest recesses of our hearts.

“This black box is yours to keep, to stash your troubles away. Just lock it up and call my name, and I’ll be there… always.”


Emotional. Intense. Raw. Honest. This is such a powerful book … the story line is volatile, yet is personified by such a palpable fragility. Woven together by fate with threads of pain and fear, shame and heartache, love and hope. For the intensity of the subject matter, I thought the story unraveled in an almost a quiet way … brutally honest and piercing, as we came to know more about Crush and Mikki. Who they are, who they were and how they share the most harrowing of experiences that have irrevocably shaped – and scarred – their lives. These are two tortured souls bound by fate (or luck?) and connected by circumstance. Two people that perhaps were never destined to meet, but somehow were able to save each other, time and time again, cheating death and finding a reason to live.

“Fate is for fairy tales. Luck is what happens when you’re in the right place at the right time… with the right person.”


Mikki is prepared to die. Determined to die. With the rest of her life hovering on a pin point, she’s ready to fall into the darkness and escape the painful reality that is her life. The end is just a plane flight away … an elaborate plan set into motion that would take her away from the shame and the hurt and the turmoil that relentlessly raged within. She’s been emotionally crippled by an experience that left her dead inside and almost dead physically as well. To say she was shattered is an understatement. Over the years, she fell deeper into depression, withdrew from life and wished for death to fade it all to black. So when she arrives at the airport and a storm delays her flight, she begins to panic.

But when a handsome guy meets her eye and engages her in conversation, she’s suddenly unsettled. There’s a familiarity about him. Without money and without the ability to go home, she takes this stranger – Crush – up on his offer to have coffee. Before too long, they plunge into a storm of their own making, as memories begin to take shape in an uproar, making old wounds fester and fears consume. But as Mikki begins to spiral uncontrollably, Crush’s straightforward, pragmatic and caring demeanor begins to quell the maelstrom of her emotions.

“What are you, some fucking superhero for freaks?”


Crush has fared through his own share of anguish. The tragic loss of someone he cared very much about also pushed him to a precipice, but it was that fateful night that would once again change everything in his life. Since then, he’s been a bit lost, working to get out from underneath his parent’s control, “screaming into the void,” in hopes of finding something to fill the own hole inside of himself. When he meets Mikki at the airport, and then takes her to the cafe, he too is drawn to her. She’s familiar in a way he can’t place, but he immediately feels protective of her. He is so in tune with this girl, so observant from the beginning and I just loved that about him. It’s really interesting to see their exchanges, as they get to know each other externally, they are superficial as you would expect, but underneath the words expressed, deeper thoughts flit back and forth as if their souls recognized each other.

“I feel like I’ve known you all my life … I don’t want that feeling to go away. I want to know you all my life.”


Their story is heart wrenching. Mikki is coiled so tightly, restrained by a paralyzing fear, and Crush slowly reaches her, unravels her, heals her. She’s taken aback by his kindness and his honesty and together it’s as if the cogs fit perfectly into a groove. Together is how they should be. They are so very raw and vulnerable that the emotions they feel surge and intensify every second they spend at each other’s side. But Crush must change everything for Mikki if there is to be a happy ending.

“I hate that your smile makes me want to cry and I don’t know why. I hate that you know how to look so together on the outside when you’re screaming inside. I hate that you always know the right thing to say. I hate the way that I already know what you’re thinking just by the way you’re looking at me… I hate that you saved me. But most of all, I hate that you love me because now I love you and I don’t know how to make it stop.”


One of the aspects I so loved about this story was that sense of fragility … that vulnerability that you feel so strongly throughout. It’s so honest and the pain feels so real that you can’t help but hurt for these two people. Cassia Leo has always done a masterful job of making her character’s pain feel like your pain and in caring so much for Crush and Mikki I was entirely consumed by their story, desperately hoping for a happy ending. There’s a couple of other interesting things I pondered while reading this story. The concept of fate is of course explored and in this case, fate has been both a friend and a demon. Fate has thrust them together at the times they needed each other the most, but fate was also the catalyst for the horrors that permanently marred them.

“… the world can go black in a split second.”


Secondly, the book is entitled Black Box and as you experience the book you’ll realize there is so much more to these two words. The blackness inside of us. The place where we hide our deepest fears and most profound pain. And the carrier of all that hurt that we are meant to share with others so that we can persist and survive despite of it.

This is a powerful story of survival and love. It’s difficult to encapsulate it more succinctly or expound on it any further. Beautifully written by Cassia Leo, this is a story I won’t forget. This author seems to pour her heart and soul into each of her books and I truly feel that each time. I hope that you are as affected by this story as I was, as you immerse yourself in the blackness of how the story began and revel in the bright light of the hope they fatefully found in each other’s arms.

“Fate. I used to think fate was for religious nuts and people who were too afraid to take their fate into their own hands. Now I know the truth. Fate is death. No one escapes it. But if you stick around long enough, you might find someone to help cheat fate for a while. And when you can’t cheat anymore, and fate finally catches up to you, maybe it won’t seem so scary with that someone by your side.”



For more reviews, connect with me:
Vilma's Book Blog | Facebook | Twitter
Profile Image for ❃**✿【Yasmine】✿**❃.
810 reviews654 followers
December 25, 2015
'This Black Box is yours to keep, to stash your troubles away. Just lock it up and call my name, and I'll be there always.'

4.5 Stars.

CRUSH
description
MIKKI
description

Mikki wants to kill herself. As she plans on doing so, she can't keep the smile off her face.

Mikki is pretty messed up, she's not only bipolar but also a frequent drug taker and self-harmer. She's made a few suicide attempts over the last couple of years, this time she believes she's got it right. After convincing her family she's on her way to LA for a job interview, she sets off to the airport for 'the rest of her life'. But upon arriving, due to a bad snow storm, she finds her plane is cancelled and it could be days until there are any more flights.

Crush's sister has been trying to convince him to record his demo for years, now he's finally going to LA to do so. He's tired of 'screaming into a void', unable to confide in anyone, from trying to escape his demons. Now perhaps it's time to get away.

Something about Mikki seems familiar to him, after talking to her he realises she doesn't want to go home either, something about her makes him incredibly concerned and he decides to try and look after her until they get another plane.

Crush soon realises who Mikki is, and he realises Black Box wasn't enough, he failed her. Now he's going to do everything in his power not to fail her again.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

4.5 stars because a few little things bothered me. The prologue was a pet peeve of mine. Revealing a scene which is featured later on in the book. And Mikki's parent's seemed to give over far too easily for my liking. Otherwise, very near perfect.

Crush was an awesome guy, he was clever, talented, very intuitive and brave.

'Black Box' one of the kind of books that I love. A YA-NA crossover book about fate that, despite it's bleakness and heavy young adult issues like bullying, drugs, suicide and death, is somehow amazing, incredibly romantic and almost magical.

I found it funny at times, had me smiling and almost crying. 'Black Box' was, undeniably, wonderfully written. And for me, it was one of those books that I had to occasionally read a paragraph again, just to absorb the greatness that was written more than once.


description
Profile Image for Seyma.
696 reviews
January 9, 2020
Kitap hakkında olan düşüncelerimi ve hislerimi nasıl yazıya dökeceğimi bilmiyorum ama okurken her bir sayfada göğsüm sıkıştı,suratımı ateş bastı ve ağlayıp durdum. Kitabın duyguları yeterince hissettiremediği fikrine kesinlikle katılmıyorum hassas bir konuya sahip zaten düşüncesi bile yeterince acı vericiyken okuduklarımız yetmiyor mu? Yetiyor,fazlasıyla...

Crush'a gelirsek okuyup okuyabileceğim en harika karakter olduğunu düşünüyorum sabırlı,düşünceli,anlayışlı harika bir adamdı. Sevgili Mikki ise beni fazlasıyla derinden yaralayan bir karakter oldu. İkisinin yeri ben de her zaman ayrı olacak sizi çok seviyorum.
Profile Image for Paula Jackman.
68 reviews14 followers
February 22, 2014


I have ready many books by Cassia Leo, and I have loved them all, but she has outdone herself with this book. This is such a well-written book that once you start you will not be able to put it down. The two main characters in this book are Mikki and Crush. You will go on a journey into their lives, which in some parts will break your heart. But there are also some parts that will just melt your heart. Throughout this book, you will see the struggles of a girl who has bipolar disorder, who has to take it day by day trying to cope with everyday life and such terrible things from her past. You will also get to meet Crush who has such a beautiful heart, but he is also struggling with things from his past. I would highly recommend that you read this book and find out why Mikki and Crush's lives cross, but make sure you have those tissues ready.
Profile Image for Esra.
207 reviews90 followers
December 20, 2018
Bu kadar iyi bir kitap okuyacağımı hiç düşünmemiştim. Oldukça sorunlu ama bir o kadar da güzel iki karakter var. O kadar yürek burkan şeyler yaşıyorlar ki ikisini de alıp sıkı sıkı kucaklamak istedim tüm kitap boyunca.
Bazı yerleri okumakta zorlandım, bazı yerlerde gözyaşlarına boğuldum. Sanırım uzun bir süre aklımdan çıkmayacak bu kitap.
Çok güzeldi ve kalbimin bir köşesinde yer edindi kendine.


Not: Kapaktan cidden nefret ediyorum.
Profile Image for Natasha is a Book Junkie.
686 reviews4,767 followers
July 12, 2014
“I hate that you saved me. But, most of all, I hate that you love me because now I love you and I don’t know how to make it stop.”

It doesn’t happen very often, but once in a blue moon a book manages to grab me so fiercely that I not only end up spending the whole night enthralled by the story, unable to put it away, but I also cannot stop reflecting back upon it, and feeling the myriad of emotions that it stirred up in me from its very first page. Black Box is not a book about the rosy side of life, or perfect characters with perfect lives. This is a story about two damaged individuals whose fates keep touching at every crucial moment in their young lives, continually tying their destines to one another and making them each other’s lifeline. It shows how desolate, helpless, monochrome a person’s mind can become when filled with desperation, but it also gives us hope that that big, gloomy cloud does not have to determine the rest of a person’s life.

“Do you think saving someone’s life cancels out taking another person’s life?”

Mikki is a girl whose bipolar disorder coupled with recurring suicidal tendencies have made her determined that her only way to escape her unhappiness is by ending her own life. Crush is a young man whose unsurmountable guilt has emotionally isolated him from the people around him, convinced that no good deed could ever erase the burden of his past mistakes. They meet at an airport, headed for the same destination, but while Crush hopes the trip would help him escape all the pretences of his privileged life and find a new direction, Mikki dreams of finally putting a stop to her own suffering. It all might have started as a chance encounter, a cancelled flight leaving two lost souls stranded in the middle of a snow storm, but the more we learn about these two characters, the more we realise their whole lives have been leading up to this moment.

“Don’t tell me I don’t know you when I’ve spent the last three years trying to forget you.”

Over five short days, Mikki and Crush get to know each other and as their pasts unravel, we discover an astonishing puzzle of intertwined destinies where each piece shows the tremendous power of the human spirit and how inescapable fate can truly be. The time they spend together in their temporary little bubble gives them both an escape from their everyday lives, as well as forcing them to expose their demons and give each other a reason to seek the light at the end of the blackness of their own minds.

“I feel like I’ve known you all my life. I don’t want that feeling to go away. I want to know you all my life.”

This story deals with some very serious issues of mental illness, as well as the emotional repercussions of sexual abuse and bullying, but while those topics were handled with great care and accuracy, the overwhelming feeling this book leaves us with is one of hope and unwavering love. Mikki’s condition is not romanticised or trivialised to fit a stereotypical vision of a love story, but it is shown realistically in all its unpredictable ferociousness. It drives the story, it drives the characters and their actions, but it does not render them helpless. It only shows the true capacity of the human spirit and how much adversity a person is capable of coping with without breaking. This might be a story describing a grave human condition, but it is also a beautiful romance between two people who were born to save one another and whose connection is the very thing that anchors them to this life.

A tale of beauty born out of misery, of love conquering all, this is one of the most sensitively and candidly told stories I have ever come across and it has been a true privilege reading it.

“In the process of finding the girl I fell in love with three years ago, I found my best friend.”



See this review on my blog! | Follow me on Facebook! | Follow me on Twitter!
Profile Image for Fab Fun & Tantalizing Reads.
566 reviews99 followers
March 12, 2014
♥ MY 5 STAR REVIEW ♥
Black Box
"Don't worry, son, not all stories have happy endings; but that doesn't mean they're not worth the read."

I was mesmerized, overwhelmed and completely and utterly captivated. Black Box is beautiful and heartbreaking.
"This black box is yours to keep, to stash your troubles away. Just lock it up and call my name, and I'll be there... always."- Black Box

I loved the concept of this book. The blurb grabbed me and made me take notice. What I did not expect was the loss of my heart. This book stole it. Period!
"The pain is just a subtle reminder of how alive I felt with you.”- Black Box

I have sat here trying to think of something that I could write or say that could do it justice. How can I convey the sentiments and the depths that this book moved my heart.
"It means that I... Fuck. I think I've loved you for longer than I care to admit and I'm just starting to understand why. And I want you to stay."

The ugly and horrific truths in this book will break your heart. I was sad. I felt heartbroken, crushed and just over all my brain was on overload. There is not a perfect love and let me say, I wanted that. I begged Ms. Leo in my mind over and over please allow these two broken souls to find it. How they deserve it!

Do you believe in fate? Do you think things happen for a reason? Is all planned and pegged out on a map of this thing called life? What if just one moment of being brave and making a different choice could change it all?
Sometimes our lives are so twisted and entertained and we don't know why. We cannot see the big picture.

This story... I want to tell you so many things, I just think giving away any of it's secrets do not allow you to feel it and live it with them, and everyone needs that.
"This is called 'Black Box', for the girl who holds the key to mine."

Mikki and Crush are now cherished and loved by me. They made question my thoughts on love and life. They made me take stock. This book was a journey of healing and trust. Each and every kiss healed and fused pieces of broken into something new. Something different. I was holding my breath at various points during this story.
"I hate that you saved me. But, most of all, I hate that you love me because now I love you and I don't know how to make it stop."

Mikki has had so much heartache and ugly. I am amazed she is standing upright.
"I love that you hate me, too. Both of those emotions require a lot of energy. Don't make me go all Harvard on you and tell you the scientific difference between loving and hating someone."

Crush has had his fair share of awful and unfair too. He is strong and so kind.
"I want to kiss you, but I want to do it when you're least expecting it. Is that okay?"

I am ever so grateful for Crush and Mikki's story. I think that this book will always be in my mind, it is now etched in my soul.

I am telling you now, read this book and let it in. Bravo Ms. Leo - you have once again, written a story I cannot live without. I loved it with all my circuits!
"There's a little blackness inside all of us."

*

Profile Image for Denise.
109 reviews
March 15, 2014
Overall, I really enjoyed this book but there were a couple of things that irritated me. For starters, I can let a coincidence or two slide but there were just so many HUGE ones that I found it extremely hard to find the plot believable. Another thing that bugged me was the insta-love. Some authors can pull this off well but in this case, I ended up rolling my eyes. How can someone instantly fall in love with another human being when you have never even have a conversation with that person? It doesn't make sense. Lastly, Mikki's bi-polar disorder was not handled well. Other than having suicidal tendencies, she did not demonstrate the behavior of someone off her meds.

Despite these seemingly big irritations, I liked this book! (although it doesn't really sound like it. lol). I read it in one sitting because I felt a connection to both characters and was rooting for them till the very end.
Profile Image for Katie.
634 reviews169 followers
July 13, 2016
ARC received via NetGalley

Initially Read: September 2014 (review written)
Re-Read: June 2016


This was such a beautifully emotional story. I loved it!
Right from the beginning, this book was so easy to read. Even though the story kept alternating between the present and various events in the past, it flowed so well. It was beautifully written. The characters were easy to connect to.

With the way in which the book begins and the topics discussed (mental illness, self harm, suicide, rape), I thought I knew how the book was likely to end. I am so glad I was wrong. I loved the ending that Mikki and Crush got.
Profile Image for J.
3,040 reviews47 followers
October 1, 2016
I really don't know how to rate this book. Some parts of it were 5 star (I loved book boyfriend, Crush), but some parts I just didn't understand at all and I ended up finishing the book totally confused. I don't enjoy reading a book that confuses me even after I've finished it. So I'm going to give it a 3 star rating and leave it at that. This book includes bi-polar issues, suicidal thoughts, a horrible sexual assault and a love that saves a life (or maybe two) (or maybe none). Yes, confusing.
Profile Image for Mariam.
300 reviews132 followers
March 15, 2014
Just read this.
Bring lots of tissues and don't start the book at midnight because you'll stay up until 4 a.m. and wake up with red, puffy eyes from all the crying you did.
description
Profile Image for Beverly .
853 reviews105 followers
May 16, 2015
 photo 8743404_zps01ccba28.jpg

"This black box is yours to keep, to stash your troubles away. Just lock it up and call my name, and I'll be there... always." - Black Box

Goodreads only allows me to give Five ★★★★★ stars, but ‘Black Box’ is a Six Captivating and Overwhelming ✯✯✯✯✯✯

Before I let my heart speak, I want to say Thank You Cassia. Thank you for writing such a beautiful ‘Masterpiece’.

I am a fan of Cassia’s writing. From page one she captures your attention and you can’t let go until the end. Cassia’s books are amazing, but this one was different. If you have read Cassia’s books, you know they are a roller coaster of emotions. You cry. You laugh. You get mad. You even pick sides and make Teams. Can’t forget Team Adam and Team Chris.

I will tell you again, Black Box is different. It held me prisoner from beginning to end.
Why? Just a simple word. FATE.

I usually don’t write long reviews, but it’s like my heart wants to pour all these emotions here and share them with you.

This is not a love story written by fairies. Where everything is just perfect and we live HEA.
Black Box is Heartbreaking. Painful. It deals with situations that happen every single day.
Black Box is a story about Fate, Chaos and Love.

Do you believe in Fate? Cassia Leo asked one day one her FanPage. I answered ‘Yes’. No second thoughts.

This is what Black Box is all about and let me tell you If you don’t believe in Fate, I’m not telling you after reading this book you will be a believer, but it will make you think.

With Black Box you will experience a journey like no other. You will Meet Crush and Mikki. You will laugh with them. You will cry, until your eyes hurt, with them. You will learn to cherish and value every single touch and kiss with them. You will revalue your concept of friendship. You will revalue your concept of love and even lust. You will stop breathing with them. With Black Box you will start living again. Why? Because there is a little piece of Crush and Mikki in all of us.

With Black Box you will learn that Fate doesn’t mean that our lives are predetermined and our future is inescapable. Crush and Mikki’s story will teach you that Fate has a plan for you, but sometimes it gives you a tiny chance to rewrite your destiny. You just have to be brave and dare to take the chance when Fate offers it.

Black Box is the kind of Book that WILL stay with you Forever. I won the Black Box’s ARC in one of Cassia Leo’s GiveAways and I must say I’m honored to have read Black Box (It will be released on March 10th).

I STRONGLY RECOMMEND this Book. Read It. Live it. Love it. By the way: Buy a few boxes of Kleenex.

"The pain is just a subtle reminder of how alive I felt with you.” - Black Box




“There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be...”
― John Lennon


 photo tumblr_mb1126tdwh1rueuwoo1_500_zpsd6fd1da6.gif

 photo tumblr_n06aoxjy7I1qgwefso6_250_zps078f3924.gif

 photo tumblr_m4p78t2K101qgkj5so3_500_zps3b76989a.gif

happy photo tumblr_m63q8tX9S41r3zat8_zpsec16b02a.gif

Review - February 28th 2014















Profile Image for Cristal.
560 reviews78 followers
October 12, 2015
4.5 Stars

A well-written, inspirational love story about a truly heartbreaking topic. Cassia Leo did an admirable job portraying the immeasurable and life-saving power of love and the life-altering effects of fate. I really enjoyed reading Black Box and I don't think this will be the last book I read by this author. I recommend.
Profile Image for Melis.
513 reviews
December 21, 2018
Korkarak ama merak ederek başladım ve ve ve kesinlikle çok beğendim. Mikki ile kendimi kaybettim. Crush ile çok sevdim.. çok çok sevdim hem de. Okumanızı öneririm. Zira bu yıl içinde okuduğum birkaç en iyi kitaplardan biri.
Profile Image for Hayal Perest.
383 reviews39 followers
October 31, 2018
Bir insan hiç tanımadığı birine nasıl bu kadar vahşice kötülük yapabilir. Benim aklım almıyor bunu. İyi değilim. :( Mikki için çok üzgünüm. Tüm yaşadıkları, yaşamak zorunda bırakıldıkları için.. :( Crush'ın sevgi dolu halleri, saçına dokunmak gibi basit bir eylemde bile Mikki'den izin istemesi.. Onu incitmekten korkarcasına sevmesi.. Eridim. İnsanı hem üzen, hem darmaduman eden hem de umut veren bir tarafı var kurgunun.. Aynı zamanda kızdıran, sinir krizi geçirten kısımları da var. Bütün duygularımın allak bullak olduğu bir kurgu oldu benim için.

Canım Mikki...
Canım Crush...
Profile Image for Patricia .
317 reviews50 followers
March 14, 2014
I do not have adequate words to describe the intensely emotional experienced I had with this story. It is raw and tragic. It will break your heart and overwhelm your emotions. DO NOT let that stop you from experiencing this story. In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Life is a journey not a destination.” You will find yourself clinging to hope as you take this journey with Mikki & Crush and you will not be the same in the end.

The human spirit can only endure so much before it breaks. Mikki had encountered so much hurt and tragedy in her short life. It was in those moments where she felt hopeless and broken that fate intervened. I was overcome by emotion and had to remind myself to breathe as I read about the tragedy in Mikki’s life. More than once, I simply had to put it down and walk away to allow me time to get my emotions in check.

Crush was nothing short of an angel in that moment when fate intervened. He found courage when it was needed most and strength to do the unthinkable. His actions were heroic but the memory would forever change him. Crush’s love for Mikki grew from tragedy but it was unconditional. He was sensitive to her in a way that no one had ever been. He was perfect for her in every way and it was not hard to fall in love with him.

This is by far my most emotional read of 2014 and I adore this story and Cassia for showing us we all have a little black inside of us. I admire that Cassia took on a tough subject and shed some light on something so foreign to me. She did not glamorize the events or circumstances surrounding this story but rather handled them with the upmost of care. I applaud her on a job well done.

I was provided a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Ana Buenrostro.
422 reviews50 followers
March 13, 2014
❤️❤️❤️ 5+ stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

(I wrote this on the author's FB pg so ill just copy it to here.)

I wont lie. I just finished reading Black Box (at work, I might say) and just as I finished that last line, I got up from my seat and started slow clapping while I walked to my friend's cubicle and told her how she soooo needs to read this freaking book. Yes!! It is that good.

This is the first book I have read that is written by you, but it most definitely wont be my last. You my dear author, are a genious! I am absolutely enamored with this story and I know my words cannot do justice to how I feel. Thank you for such an emotional, raw and beautiful love story.

I wont summarize the book. I dont want to give anything away. If someone is reading this and is hesitant on reading this love story...STOP and just READ IT!!! You wont regret it.

Cassia Leo, please keep on writing beautiful masterpieces such as this one.
Profile Image for Annie Brewer.
Author 15 books776 followers
December 1, 2022
I can’t get this book out of my head. It’s consumed my thoughts even a day after I finished it. Which is a sign of a damn good book.

Mikki is a strong heroine who suffers from a mental illness. She’s diagnosed really young and has to take meds to control it. But as a young teen, it’s hard to walk around like a zombie, which are the side effects so they have to change them a few times to find one that works for her. It’s so sad to see her suffer so much. She even has to switch schools due to the bullying of asshole kids that know of her situation. She’s constantly judged and made to sound like a slut after one encounter with a guy who asks for her help, but he really just wants in her pants. Once she starts her new school, she meets Rina who becomes her best friend. She convinces Mikki to go a party so she can “hang out” with a guy she really likes. Well, I won’t get into that but Mikki eventually finds herself in a situation that changes her whole life and I’ll be honest, it affected me so much, I cried a lot.
Enter Crush. He’s the type of hero that is instantly taking over my thoughts in the best way. He’s gone through something in his life that has changed everything and he suffers the consequences. He’s absolutely wonderful and swoony but he’s also so broken by an event that changed him. When he meets Mikki, though, it all changes again. And this time, we see the way their lives are intertwined.

I loved how they meet and then they meet again later. It was such a brilliant way of bringing destiny into the equation. Also, very butterfly effect-ish too. It flowed so smoothly, the writing was flawless. I felt as if I was watching it unfold and as things come to light, I was shaken up a bit. Both characters are trying to navigate through such a dark and devastating life and it’s so sad, but when they’re together, once they confront the past, my heart broke for them and yet it put the pieces together almost perfectly. Their connection was deep and you could feel the emotion Cassia was evoking so vividly. I truly enjoyed being apart of their journey, as tragic as it was, it was also heartwarming and tender.

Gah, I can go on and on about Crush and how much I loved him. He was loving, devoted and everything a hero should be. The way he protected Mikki, showed her there was so much to live for….and then his musician side made me swoon so hard. I just fall for those broody heroes everytime. He made my heart pitter-patter and then clench with heartache.

Mikki. What a sweet and misunderstood young girl. I loved her and wanted her to be my friend. She’s just one of those heroines that I really related to in different ways. I saw parts of myself in her and I wanted to hug her and keep her safe. No one should ever go through what she did. At one scene I had to stop reading, take a breath and let the tears flow until there was nothing left. Mainly because I couldn’t see, my vision was severely compromised. It was too heavy, the situation. Cassia was fantastic at making it so fucking real, that it deeply disturbed me. Once I got through that, it never fully disappeared, the pain of that circumstance. Some topics are just so hard to experience, even through reading. Bravo to her for tackling it with care and raw emotion. I think this book will always effect me but I’m so happy I finally read it. Real life isn’t always roses and sunshine and that’s how I love my books, too. Dark, gritty, real and passionate…exactly like this.

All I know is that I didn’t know what to expect when I started this but it sure as hell took me for an emotional ride that kicked me straight in the feels. By the time I got off, I was a wreck…but in a good way. The journey was worth the destination. And these characters are surely going to live on in my heart for years to come.

I’m so happy to check out her backlog because if her other books are as good as this was, I’ll be a happy booknerd. ☺️




11/30/2022

Holy shit. I’m so mad at myself for not having read this so many years ago. I’ve had it since it came out and just never read it. I’m a bit speechless right now. This book took an unexpected toll on me. The plot is very heavy with emotion that exhausted me, but it was so well executed. I loved Crush and Mikki and hated what they both suffered, both individually and together. But their love story was beautiful, as dark and tragic as it was.

I need a minute before writing a better review because my thoughts are a bit scattered.
Profile Image for Sarah.
592 reviews80 followers
February 18, 2016
5 billion heart breaking and re-fixing stars. Love this book and this author. Tons of tears were shed over this book.

This review is impossible for me to write.  It really is.  This book means so much to me that it is ridiculously hard to even think about putting it into words.  Bear with me as I try to form coherent thoughts.




Black Box is a love story, but it is much more a story of survival.  Of hope.  Of learning to trust.  It is also a story of unimaginable horrors and devastating losses.  Of not having the kind of peace, love, and support from the people we need it from the most.  But most of all it is a story about the darkness that lives inside of all of us and working to overcome it.



"Why is it called Black Box?"


"You'll find that out too, but I'll give you a hint.  There's a little blackness inside all of us."



It is no secret that Cassia Leo is one of my very favorite authors.  She has this insane ability to draw me into her stories and feel like I am actually living in them.  This was no different, if anything it was more intense than her other books.  In Black Box Cassia writes about the very difficult issue of mental disorder, bipolar 2 to be exact.  She doesn't romanticize it, as so many other authors who have written about the disease have.  As someone who has lived with a person suffering from BP2 I can tell you that her portrayal of Mikki & her disease are very spot on.  Especially the teeny tiny manic episodes.


'Having a mental illness is like riding a really fast merry-go-round that never stops.  There's no escape.  You're stuck.'


From the very beginning I felt like I knew Mikki, I could completely understand her compulsions and the decisions that she was making.  As the story progressed the connection I felt with Mikki only grew, until the point that I could see pieces of me reflected in her.  I did know Mikki, she was the dark little voice that resided within my own head.  We all have that voice but most of us are able to quiet her, Mikki wasn't able to.  Mikki's entire existence was that voice.


'Self ownership is an illusion.  This is a lesson I learned at a very young age.  How can anyone expect a teenager to cope with that kind of realization?'


Crush.  What do I even say about him?  He was absolutely wonderful.  To the nth degree he was, with all of his messed up past, the perfect counter to Mikki.  He wasn't all sunshine and roses.  That wouldn't have worked.  He had seen the darkness, lived in it, and found a way out.  All he wanted to do was to help Mikki find her way out of that darkness.  Crush pushed, but only enough.  He seemed to intuitively know exactly what Mikki needed, what she wanted, and how to balance the two without ever going to far.  He was far from perfect, but he was perfect for Mikki.


'This Black Box is yours to keep, to stash your troubles away.  Just lock it up and call my name, and I'll be there... always.'


Fate was a huge theme in this book.  Believing or not believing in it, the very idea that no matter our choices we are headed for the ending that was meant for us.  The idea that we don't have a choice in what happens to us is scary, but very real.  It is illustrated very clearly in both Mikki and Crush's experiences.  There are things that are hard to read, but so necessary to understand how and why they have ended up where they are, which is exactly where they are meant to be.  Where their fates have led them.  It is sad and beautiful to watch play out.  How much they have had to overcome to end up where they never knew they could be.



"What's the difference between fate & luck?"


He smiles and turns his attention back to the view of the city.  "Fate is for fairy tales.  Luck is what happens when you're in the right place at the right time... with the right person."



I could go on and on about this book and how much I love it and how it has changed me, but it is really something that you should experience for yourselves.  There are very dark moments and very harrowing events in Black Box.  It is definitely on my list of must reads.  There are just not enough stars to give this book, truly.


"I feel like I've known you all my life.  I don't want that feeling to go away.  I want to know you all my life."
Profile Image for SammiesBookBlog.
543 reviews8 followers
February 18, 2014

Black Box is probably one of the most emotionally crippling, heart wrenching, beautiful, very humorous and hopeful books there could possibly be. We meet Mikki a girl suffering from mental illness and very "damaged" the poor girl has had so much happen to her in her life and she feels it's time to end her life. She decides to take a trip to LA where she feels that is place to do it. On her way she meets Crush. A handsome stranger on his way to LA to get his music heard. Fate brings these two together in more ways then one. You will find that out throughout the book. There is a storm out and they are stuck for days. Crush offers Mikki something she cannot refuse and the two start to get close and embark on a whirlwind of a story together. I cannot give much away from this book, but let me tell you it was amazing and very emotional, many tears were shed. You will need a BIG box of kleenex for this one. These characters are very dear to my heart being one of Cassia's beta readers we get to read this chapter to chapter, day by day, we talk about the story, characters, etc as a group and I very very emotional and protective of Mikki and Crush. I hope everyone loves this story as much as I do. Sometimes fate intervenes and changes everything. Cassia is a perfect example of knowing her characters and what they need. In the Shattered Hearts series she knew what was best for Claire and she knows whats best for Mikki and I commend her on her amazing writing, stories, characters. Cassia puts her all into these books and I think this is the best of her work yet. I do not even know how she does it? This was the perfect combination of an emotionally captivating story. It hooks you in from the start and it will never let you go, it will forever be in your heart and I am honored to have it in mine. Amazing story, well done Olive. Well done. Enjoy everyone!

"You might want to go and check your phone. I think you just got a text message from a really hot guy. "

"There's a little blackness inside all of us."

"Don't worry, son, not all stories have happy endings; but that doesn't mean they're not worth the read."

"What are you, some fucking superhero for freaks?"

"You make a good case. I will not be filing an appeal at this time."

"This black box is yours to keep, to stash your troubles away. Just lock it up and call my name, and I'll be there... always."

"They took way too much from you already, sis. I won't let them take this."

"Because I want you with me. I...I think you're supposed to stay with me."

"It means that I... Fuck. I think I've loved you for longer than I care to admit and i'm just starting to understand why. And I want you to stay."

"I'd never force you to do anything you don't want to do. You believe me, don't you?"

"I hope it will change everything."

"It would be my honor to keep you warm."

"Weird?Like you may start discussing your toe jam at any moment or weird you're uncomfortable with this conversation?"

"I want to kiss you, but I want to do it when you're least expecting it. is that okay?"

" I feel like I've known you all my life," "I don't want that feeling to go away. I want to know you all my life."

"I knew that fate would never stop bringing us together. No other girl could ever- will ever compare to the only girl who's meant for me. Do you understand that?"

"If I ever say something stupid like that again, feel free to punch me. Right in the face, or the ear, anywhere."

"I hate that you saved me. But, most of all, I hate that you love me because now I love you and I don't know how to make it stop."

"I love that you hate me, too. Both of those emotions require a lot of energy. Don't make me go all Harvard on you and tell you the scientific difference between loving and hating someone."

"I love you with all my circuits..."

"I'll always look out for you, "

" Kiss me or I'll make you pack my suitcase."

"Inside and out. Don't you ever forget it."

"It's just weird enough to make me fall just a little more in love with you."

"I think the thought of never having met you is worse than what happened to me that night."

"This is called 'Black Box', for the girl who holds the key to mine."

"We can do that as long as you want .But I'll need occasional breaks to go to the bathroom and reapply my lipstick. Is that cool?"

"Do not be afraid; our fate cannot be taken from us; it is a gift."

"I need you to teach me how to breathe when you're gone."

"The pain is just a subtle reminder of how alive I felt with you."

" Ooh, so generous. You're like Brad Pitt. You're hot and you love poor people."

"At least if we go down, we go down together."

"A billion times better than pizza."
Displaying 1 - 30 of 910 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.