Death.
For some, it’s simply one of life’s certainties, nothing more. For others, it’s merely a fleeting thought, one often overshadowed by the reckless delusion that they have been blessed with the gift of immortality.
For Aubrey Miller, death is the definition of her very existence. Overcome with the guilt resulting from the loss of her beloved family, she alters her appearance from the once beautiful, blonde-haired, blue-eyed little girl to that of one shrouded in complete darkness, enveloping herself in her own unbreakable fortress of solitude as a form of protection for others.
As she enters her first year of college, her goal is simple: Earn a degree with the least amount of social interaction as possible. What she never anticipates is the formation of very unlikely relationships with two people who will change her life in ways she never believed possible: Quinn Matthews, the boisterous former pageant queen, and Kaeleb McMadden, a childhood friend from her past who never really let her go.
Over the years, as their connections intertwine and grow, a seemingly indestructible bond is formed between the three…
But when death painfully reemerges, Aubrey is lost once again, burying herself deeper than ever before inside the familiar fortification of her fears.
Will the refuge of friendship, the solidarity of life-long bonds, and the power of unconditional love be enough to do the impossible?
Will they be enough to finally bring about…
The Resurrection of Aubrey Miller?
L.B. Simmons hit it out of the park with this one, it was so thought provoking, heartwarmingly sad & happy at the same time. I have never had so many emotions while reading a book. My heart broke for the loss that Aubrey went through in her young life and the extreme steps that she took to close herself off from the world around her, since she truly believed that she caused the people around her to die. It was through Kaeleb & Quinn's friendship that she began to return back to the girl she was before death consumed her thoughts and became the mask that she wore to keep the walls up to protect herself and her heart. What reader wouldn't love Kaeleb?? He was caring and pushed Aubrey just enough to get her to slowly return to a "normal" coleege girl. The bond between Quinn and Aubrey was strong, each of them dealing with a past they didn't know how to over-come. It's through their never-ending support of each other that they are able to pursevere through to a place of happiness and content.
The simplicity of living astounds me.
But it's the terror of death that devours me.
This story was a very emotional read and I sobbed multiple times in this story, it was gut wrenchingly sad in many parts. I have to say L.B. Simmons has quite the mind because this story blew me away... I would love to one day walk in the mind of many authors and L.B. would be one of those. This story is told in Aubrey's POV and was told beautifully. I would recommend this to just about anyone I come in contact with. Its a 5 outstanding stars!
Aubrey Miller AKA Raven is a deeply broken girl that fights her way through darkness that has engulfed her from a young age, she is determined to believe that she is the reason for so many deaths that have occurred around her, so she masks her pain with her image. She is starting college and is scared to death of what might happen, when she finally starts to bring some light back into her darkness it takes her under again, can she survive if another deaths happens around her or will she just block everyone out that cares about her? Can she fight the darkness and finally have the sunshine even though she feels she doesn't deserve this, can her friend Kaeleb and Quinn help her through or do they have to many demons of there own to live with?
I don't want to give away too much with my review.. but I will tell you this bring a box of tissues and even though its a dark story there is romance and swoon worthy men namely Kaeleb 
, so get ready to get your heart broken multiple times and mended in the end because yes my dear fans of SDBB there is most definitely and HEA!
, so get ready to get your heart broken multiple times and mended in the end because yes my dear fans of SDBB there is most definitely and HEA!
Here are some little excerpts:
Kaeleb- "Some would say that I really haven't dealt with my anger. That I haven't forgiven myself for leaving her with them. Some might even say that I use women to help alleviate some of that guilt, to take some of that pain away and forget, even if it's only for the night. But regardless of what I do, It always remains."
"As long as you continue to travel through life in this darkness, you will never know how beautiful your light truly shines when you let yourself love and be loved. Trust me when I say, it's a breathtaking sight to see. You burn as bright as the sun." He dips his head and peers at me from under his lashes, " You see, I found the strength and courage to fight my demons because of how brightly you shined. I hope that one day you'll find that source of light and let it heal you, too. Because if you do, it will illuminate your path and eventually lead you home. To me."
Aubrey- Every being in this world makes and impact on at least one person they encounter during their lifetime. You can change the course of someone's life by just a kind word, a hateful one, or even by simply choosing not to say anything at all. Every choice you make has potential to create a ripple effect, trickling into and affecting the lives of others. Life, your existence in this world, is indeed a very powerful thing. Truly a gift that you can give to others.
Without heartache, there is no understanding of the true meaning of love. Without anger, passion cannot be comprehended. Without fear, there is nothing gained when over come. And without sorrow, happiness can never be realized.
L.B. Simmons is a graduate of Texas A&M University and holds a degree in Biomedical Science. She has been a practicing Chemist for the last 11 years. She lives with her husband and three daughters in Texas and writes every chance she gets.
