In the Stillness was intense, emotional, and breathtakingly honest. This is a story that touches your heart & mind and left me speechless in the end.
“They took his soul over there, fuckers, and left me with the breathing carcass.”
____________________________________________
♦︎ The Story ♦︎
____________________________________________
“But, the thing about guilt is, no one can take away for you; you have to unpack it yourself.”
Wow, wow, wow, wow, WOW. This is a story someone can easily love. This wasn't even on my to-read list, but I though eh, what the hell and decided to go for it. Best. Decision. Ever. It's completely realistic... her hopes, struggles, voice, everything. To me, it's what made this a five-star read.
∙Recap
Natalie once had her life in order. She was going to get her degree in anthropology and travel the world.
But things changed when she unexpectedly becomes a mother and wife. In order to stay strong for her family, she patches a bandaid on a festering wound that, over the years, becomes too much to ignore. In order to escape, she seeks an old friend, her blade. And for her to get better, she's going to have to face her past and learn to let go.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the Stillness does deal with the issue of self-multilation, but it's so much more than that.
____________________________________________
♦︎ Characters ♦︎
____________________________________________
∙Natalie
I exist. Right?
Natalie is one of my favorite heroines ever. You can't help but share in her pain, betrayal and loneliness. There were so many things weighing Natalie down and holding her back, that cutting was her only way of escaping, of staying sane. She had dreams and aspirations, just like any of us, and although she loves her children, she can't help but yearn for the life she could have had.
∙Eric
I have mixed feelings about Eric... and they lean towards the negative. He's a perfect example of sometimes, love just isn't enough. Do I understand why he did the things he did? Eh… yesish. Does it justify it? Absolutely not. To put it in simpler terms, all he cared about was himself and his image.
∙Ryker
“His body came home, but his soul had been devoured in the firefight of a godless desert.”
Oh, how my heart went out to him! His character was fictional but his stubble wasn't. 
Ryker was swoon-worthy and so playful and sweet... ♥ it was difficult to read of how much they struggled to piece each other together and find their way... whether it was together or alone. I was so proud to see how much he grew as a person. ____________________________________________
♦︎ Overall ♦︎
____________________________________________
“How’d you get through it? The uncertainty, I mean.” “Because I was never uncertain about our hearts.”
This book is a must-read, for sure. From beginning to end your experiencing and feeling everything that goes on. I can't stress enough how realistic this book was, even the ending was fulfilling without being overdone.
