An angst-ridden tale filled with heartache, passion and unyielding love.Newly married and hell bent on making it on their own, Cash and Sara move to a small town away from their parent’s disapproval. There they find friends and a place to call home.The two fight to live a normal life as Sara struggles with mental illness. Proving to the world that marriage can be everlasting and love never gives … and love never gives up.
Cash and Sara William’s love story is like no love story ever told.
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‘Chasing Fireflies’ is more than just a good book; it’s an important book. I’m happy to live in a time when mental health awareness is more pronounced and less stigmatized than it ever has been before, but we still have such a long way to go in achieving understanding and support for those who need it. This book is an excellent step in that direction, and sheds light on a topic many other writers would shy away from.
What really solidified my appreciation for ‘Chasing Fireflies’ was its honesty. The books paints a picture of life that is both beautiful and heartbreaking in its accuracy. There is both hope and hopelessness in the story, and highs that we all experience are as well represented as the lows. This makes the struggles of the characters more relatable, allowing readers to really place themselves in both Cash and Sara’s shoes. I found myself being forced to confront questions I hadn’t asked myself before, wondering what I would do or how I would feel in the same situation.
The writing itself was poignant and captured the tone and atmosphere of the story well. The rustic, small town vibe comes across strongly, and immerses readers in the world of the characters. Life seems to slow down when you read this novel, matching the laconic, sitting-on-the-porch-watching-the-sunset mood that pervades throughout the book.
I still haven’t been able to get the story out of my head, and while it was difficult to read at times, it’s one that needs to be told. I applaud Paige Horne for having been brave and honest enough to tell it.
I actually don’t even know what to say right now. I’ve read all of Paige’s other books and I loved all of them for how excellent and emotional they’re written. This book took me on the emotional journey of Cash and Sara, and their story touched me deeply. One may say they lived no easy life because it wasn’t normal what they had to deal with on a daily basis but who’s to say what’s normal? Of course it’s not easy to live with a mental health disorder and it is not normal in society standards but it was their life and their kind of normal and even though they may have wished for better times (because who doesn’t?), it was enough for them. They were enough for each other.
The blurb brought me to tears, so you can imagine how I handled the book. It was an emotional rollercoaster. Reading about Sara’s struggles and Cash’s helplessness nearly broke me, but the story also had really good moments which made me smile although it never lasted for long.
The Story:
Sara and Cash have known each other since they were kids but not everybody was happy when they got married. They didn’t care though about what others said because they had a love so deep for each other, not everyone’s lucky enough to find such love in life. It’s an unconditional and endless love, a love so strong that conquers Sara’s illness at least most of the time. But a person can only hold out for so long until breaking and then one can only hope to find a way to get up again.
Thoughts:
I love Paige P. Horne’s writing. I would read any of her books even without knowing what they’re about because her stories touch me so deep, especially this one was really personal to me.
This story gives us a glimpse into Sara’s and Cash’s life and what it means to live and deal with a mental health disorder. It shows us their daily struggles and ups and downs of Sara’s illness. It’s an illness that affects everyone around her and is a constant struggle for her partner too because he always worries. She can go from happy to sad in seconds and when she’s hurting it can end terribly. This is a human’s nightmare. Not being able to control oneself, being dependent on medication and other people. Often not even realizing what you do and what’s going on. The feeling of helplessness is overwhelming. There is no cure but a constant battle even though there is help to try to make it better.
Sara means everything to Cash. She’s his whole world and there is nothing he wouldn’t do for her. He loves her no matter what and wants just the best for her. I was blown by how intense, deep and unconditional his love was for her. Any woman would be unbelievably happy to find a guy like him. He was so strong dealing with everything thrown his way where a lot of people would’ve stepped away already, he was there and never backed down even though he had some rough patches here and there.
This was such an emotional story. I loved everything about it even the sad parts. The secondary characters were just perfect. I liked that the author didn’t shy away from the bad and ugly of this topic and dealt with it so beautifully.
Although this wasn’t my first book dealing with bipolar disorder, it was one of the best I’ve read so far. It was realistic and I felt everything of what this couple went through as when it were my own.
Well, with a story like this, dealing with such sensitive topic you kinda have to expect everything. So, be prepared for good and bad feelings, overwhelming emotions, dark and heavy thoughts as well as lots of sudden mood changes but also sweet and tender moments.
This was a hard journey for all the characters involved. I won’t get into spoilers but read at your own risk. It does deal with mental illness, and doesn’t have a HEA in terms of romance but it was a beautiful story even though it was hard. I will check out the story that is connected to this one. 4 stars #2OCCjD
4.5 stars….This story is as beautiful as it is heartbreaking. It tells the story of Cash and Sara who are each others whole world. But when you are a manic depressive, life and the world around you can be too much. You will feel every bit of the happy and sad and scary and loving times in their life. This story will change you forever. It touches your heart and buries itself deep within your soul.
4.5 Promise Promise Stars!!!
I’ve come to learn that if I pick up a book written by this fantastic author, I need to have a box of tissue handy. Absolutely enjoyed reading Chasing Fireflies! Tissues and all…
Cash and Sara are such a beautiful couple. Living with a mental illness, is hard for any and all involved. When it’s your spouse, it’s so hard. You want what is best for them, you want to love them to the fullest, you want nothing but happiness for them. But when the illness comes at random times, you suffer right along with them. Constantly wondering why you are not good enough for them.
As we travel over the years of this young couple through their first years of marriage to buying their first home to securing a job, to getting promotions, to everything that goes along with your first 5 years of marriage.
In the background though the battle that Sara is battling, is strong. Always trying to rear it’s vicious head and steer her in the opposite direction than what a person who doesn’t suffer a mental illness travels. Daily battles fighting the demon.
Their love is a strong one though. Cash and Sara have been together since High school. Cash has seen Sara in her happy place and he has seen her in her sad place. But one thing always…Cash has been there.
Promise. Promise.
This is a very emotional journey of two people fighting together the battle of one having a mental illness. This author did a fantastic job bringing out all the battles that one fights when plagued with this illness. A great page turner that you have to keep reading.