The Search for Serenity
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Last published Wed, Jun 3, 2026
When Alice, a girl who seeks out the beauty in everything around her, a photographer who looks for the peace in her surroundings that she can't seem to find in her mind, crosses paths with Toby Green, a boy who sees his suffering in every direction he looks in-- an artist that lets his pain flow through his veins, down through his fingers, and into his drawings-- she notices a light within him that he cannot see for himself. Her warm nature tempts his frozen exterior to melt, revealing a boy who hides from the cruel world.
From the moment fate works its magic and the two strangers' eyes meet, they will forever change each other's lives. Whether it's for the good or the bad, it's up to them to decide. Will Toby's darkness snuff out Alice's light? Or will Alice catch sight of the beauty in Toby and open his eyes to look at himself and life through a different lens?
Perhaps we all need somebody to fill our journey with sparkling smiles, kindness, friendship, and even love. Our journey to find serenity.
(TW - this story contains themes of abuse that may be triggering to some readers).
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"If you love me, you won't leave me." Jessie has believed those words from her boyfriend, Josh, since senior year of high school. She loves him and doesn't want to leave him. Not even when he shouts at her and hits her. Jessie's best friend, Kolleen, can't stand seeing her in that situation. With a bit of convincing - and the worst beating she'd ever received - Jessie agrees to move into an apartment with Kolleen. But not long after, Jessie is scared the worst of her nightmares will soon become a reality. Josh goes missing, and suddenly Jessie would swear she's being followed. One night changes everything, and one person soon changes Jessie's outlook. A responding officer from that fateful night begins to seek her out, at first claiming it's part of his job. As she spends time with her new friend outside of his job, she starts realizing that her feelings are evolving. After being abused for over a year, Jessie is terrified she's falling in love. What's even more terrifying is that he might be, too. She isn't ready for love. Not yet. She makes up her mind that if he is falling, and if he does love her, he'll wait for her to be ready, and if she loves him, she won't let herself hurt him. Can the words that used to cage her in really be the key to her freedom? --- Featured On: @NA: Take a seat and let it be | Mature Content and 18+ reading list @NA: You deserve the world | Mental Health reading list Ambys Top Picks New Adult 2023
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