Like Sapphire Blue is a story based on Emma Landry, the main character who is madly in love with a wealthy girl in high school. They both explore love, romance, real life struggles. Pain is felt as unfortunate events unfold in their lives.Author Marissa Billions opens every chapter with a short paragraph of present day. Chapter one starts off with an elegant dinner and soft background music reminiscent of New Orleans. Emma has a conversation with her wife and she’s trying to figure out where things went wrong in their relationship. Billions ties in the past and present so brilliantly! All I can say is WOW and Bravissimo! I want to read more like this.Past- Emma is a deprived child living in a trailer, being raised by her awkward father, “Bear” and Uncle Jessie and the absence of her lost mother. Her father abandons her and is left alone at night. Little Emma finds solace in her two stuffed animals for the replacement of love, comfort and has lonely conversations with them. Love, loss and sadness overcomes her small spirit during a traumatic experience she didn’t want to partake in whilst in the woods with her father. She becomes a vegetarian and fends for herself growing up.In middle school, Emma is a loner, she is faced with mean kids that tease her because she’s not one of them rich little kids. A bully boy finds the best opportunity to torment Emma in 7th grade. In high school, Emma keeps under the radar, excels in her grades and dominates with athleticism. Her coach mentors her for personal growth with a college opportunity that sets her free from the chains of social inequities. She finds much comfort in her self identity, faces her first emotional love battle and the bully and his minions return for more torment. Emma goes on to college, reconnects with the love of her life, but not without cost. There is more homophobic words being thrown around and traumatic events that casts darkness into her soul. She suffers the loss of family, isolation and loneliness. There are so many more important characters in this book, but I will keep it short for the sake of wanting to put the lime light on the main character, Emma Landry.Billions’ use of italics brilliantly brought to life the soul and emotions of Emma Landry. As I read this book, I became influenced with Emma’s thoughts and distorted psyche. The perception I thought of Emma changes, but I still held on to the understanding that Emma is human just like anyone else. We all make mistakes in life and everyone has flaws. I found myself attached to Emma’s character and still rooting for her. Emma’s story is so real to life, that it will literally teach people to become more tolerant, heal a broken spirit and love more. This book opens your eyes to reality and suffering. Sometimes the road we take is not always an easy path. Emma Landry is a strong willed character that rises up like a Phoenix from the burning coals of hell.Billions made a playlist that helped influence the story and the characters as she wrote. I absolutely enjoyed reading “Like Sapphire Blue” and listening to the sound tracks on my headphone. I scanned the barcode in the last pages of the book. It took me straight to the playlist. I am excited and waiting for the sequel to come out for this book. Your tireless work in writing two novels has not been unnoticed. You are a very talented writer. Continue to write!Bougainvillea