The Box

by Cathelina Duvert

Cathelina Duvert’s debut novel The Box is a soulful exploration of resilience, forgiveness, and the transformative journey of healing.
Estranged from her family, grappling with pressures at work, and trapped in the suffocating grip of depression as a result of childhood trauma, magazine executive Mia Hill tries to claw her way out of despair. But, her life unravels when she stumbles across a note hidden inside a painting gifted to her by her late mother. Unresolved questions about her mother’s past and their complicated relationship emerge within the delicate scrawl of her mother’s hand, compelling Mia to embark on a soul-stirring journey that ends with a truth for which she may be wholly unprepared.

Meanwhile, Mia’s work coincidentally leads her to meet the handsome artist behind her mother’s painting, and as their bond deepens, she is astonished by how his masterful works provide startling insights into her psyche. Mia wrestles with her newfound feelings for him and the mundane relationship she has been stuck in for five years. Caught between devotion to her boyfriend and the allure of the artist, Mia questions past and present choices while struggling to untangle conflicting feelings about her mother.

Will learning her mother’s secrets finally sink Mia deeper into a depression from which she will be unable to come out?
Fans of Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson and Maame by Jessica George will enjoy the raw emotions laid bare in this gripping narrative.

Content Warning: This book contains strong language, explicit intimate scenes, and depicts characters dealing with depression and suicide ideation. Reader discretion is advised.

Kindle Edition

Published July 2, 2024

Reviews

[E.D. Hackett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This emotionally-charged novel kept me reading because the protagonist’s journey was eerily relatable. The underlying theme, related to how our parents’ secrets shape us, is one that resonated with me.

The writing was raw and beautiful, the characters were unique and real, and the number of subplots interwoven through the story kept the pages turning.

Cathelina Duvert has created a debut masterpiece around mental health, family drama, and being vulnerable. It’s a novel that pierces the heart and will stay in your thoughts well after the last page is turned.

[Cozy Beauty Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked that book went into mental illness and how it really affects a persons wellbeing and relationships around them. Even when trying to control the illness and or seek help for it, mental illness of any kind is very hard to deal with. Some parts of the story I felt a lot of What the main character was feeling and some of the things she had to deal with.

That feeling of having no one to turn to or help you when you most need it is crushing especially for someone dealing with any kind of mental illness.

I did enjoy the writing and the fast pace of the story. I felt connected in some parts of the story as if personal to me. At times it did feel tad bit predictable but it really didn't take away from the story. Overall I enjoyed it and I founded it relatable.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very powerful read about a young woman who life has not been easy. She is about to find a note from her mother in a painting. What will she find out? How will it affect her? Can she get better? See how she gets on
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review

[Marie Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for anyone fighting depression or living with someone who has depression.

[Linda Zagon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cathelina Duvert, the Author of “The Box” has written a powerful, poignant, dark and emotional novel. The author provides a warning that this book contains characters dealing with depression and “Suicide Ideation”, and suggesters that reading discretion is advised. I appreciate how the author demonstrates how Art can be used in literature to express deep emotions, and provoke a search for answers. The author vividly describes the setting and the dark and dramatic characters. The genres for this story is Women’s Literature, Family Fiction, Mother’s and Children’s Fiction, and Women’s Black American Fiction.The timeline for this story is approximately 2002, and goes to the past and future when it pertains to the characters or events. Most of the story is set in New York City and vicinity.

The title of “The Box” is symbolically relevant to the artistic component in the book, and the character’s life as well. Mia is a successful Black editor, who is a mover and shaker in her industry, and has also has a 5 year relationship with a man that has been there for her. She tends to be depressed, especially after the loss of her mother. Mia is estranged from her father and sister. Mia acknowledges a painting her mother had sent to her before her death. As she inspects it, she notices a note from her mother to seek out a box that will explain many things to Mia. Mia has struggled in the past to please her mother and get recognition and love. Could the information in the box explain what has happened? Mia questions many tragic betrayals, secrets and disappointments in her life.

Therapy and the search for answers, has created conflict for Mia. In order to heal, she has to move on her journey. Through her career, she has the opportunity to meet the artist of the picture that her mother gifted her, now prominently hung on her wall. Mia feels a strong connection to the artist and the meaning of the picture.

I appreciate how the author discusses the importance of forgiveness, second chances and seeking out emotional therapy, and reaching out resources that can address mental health issues. Also the author stresses the importance of family, friends, emotional support and help, love and hope. I highly recommend this thought-provoking novel.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a touching and honest coming of age story that focuses on how depression can affect a person. Mia, the main character, is on a journey of self-discovery after finding a note her mother left her before passing away. Mia seems like she has it all figured out, but we learn that she is struggling to come to terms with her own emotions, causing a strained relationship with her father and sister, and adversely affecting her romantic relationships as well. Mia sets out to uncover the mystery of the box that her mother left her and along the way she has to confront her own depression.

Duvert writes about depression, a topic that is often taboo, in an honest way that helps the reader realize the various ways that depression can manifest itself and how deep it's grip can be on a person. This novel opened my eyes to how someone with depression might be struggling on the inside in ways that aren't visible to those around them.

[Carmelle Jean-Francois · Rating 5 out of 5]

I almost felt hypnotized as I was sucked into Mia's mind and emotions (sometimes irrational but realistic), experiencing and exploring her emotions and daily happenings. Every thought and perception was so vivid, I went from a sense of pity, to sympathy and finally, to empathy for her and had no idea when it happened. Mia took me on a dark journey in all the brightness that surrounded her. I felt her anger, her passion; I FELT her despair! The character was written very well, with so much depth and compassion- as were the other complex characters in this story. There were surprises and there were elements that were not so surprising, yet still twisted in unexpected ways… DEFINITELY WORTH THE READ!!

[Bellemichel · Rating 5 out of 5]

In ‘The Box,’ Cathelina Duvert masterfully weaves a gripping narrative that explores the intricacies of mental illness. With vivid prose and well-drawn characters, the story unfolds seamlessly, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The unexpected twists and emotional depth make it a true page-turner. Beyond entertainment, ‘The Box’ provides an excellent platform for discussing mental health, making it a must-read for anyone seeking both escapism and thought-provoking content.

[Steve O'Connell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cathelina Duvert’s debut novel “The Box” is a stunning literary work, magnificently written by a polished author.

Navigating through twists and turns in her life’s path, Mia struggles with emotional baggage from her past and carries with her an unsettling mystery. She also struggles to cope with overwhelming feelings brought about by lack of parental approval as well as relationship troubles, anxiety with her career, and stressful life decisions.

Readers will relate closely with Mia who at times feels lost, even hopeless, struggling with chronic depression and intrusive thoughts, seeing no rational way to escape her internal pain. The well-developed characters in this book feel as if I’ve known them for years.

"The Box" is stimulating, relatable, captivating and concludes on an unexpectedly satisfying note. After reading “The Box”, you’ll be rooting for Mia along her journey eagerly anticipating how the next stage of her life will unfold.

[Christy Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a beautiful and emotional book and it’s hard to believe that it’s a debut. I’m grateful for books that deal with mental health and really appreciate the realistic approach that the author used with Mia’s depression. I could feel Mia’s pain and the story really touched my heart. It was relatable for me and I think many readers will be moved by her journey.

[Booksandcoffeemx · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was an emotional rollercoaster.
Heartbreaking, intense and hopeful, The Box is a compelling story about healing and life after loss.
It touches sensitive topics like depression, loss and suicide but it’s written in a beautiful way. A great debut from this author.

Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours for this tour invite.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝘅 released July 2, 2024

[Gabi Coatsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I applaud the author for having made mental health (in this case chronic depression) the backdrop of a young woman’s path to stability and happiness. It’s a difficult topic and I had the feeling that the author knows about it from very close up.

[Air · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beautifully woven experience that you HAVE to read for yourself to fully grasp the different nuances. The author really has gorgeous writing and the mental health representation was spot on. I definitely recommend you try this book!

Thank you to the author and Suzy approved book tours!

[Debbie Rozier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an impassioned novel about depression. It dives into generational family trauma as well as the different facets of depression on different people.

It’s a book that will seep into your bones as the main character, 28 year old, Mia Hill, navigates what appears to be success in both her personal and professional life. But not far from the surface she faces a depression that has been with her since her teens.

There is a wonderful plot connection between a picture that Mia received from her mom and the artist that painted the picture.

This is a book that has depth and breath with relatable characters.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

An eye opening novel about depression and how it can look like the person is just thriving through life.

Mia finds a note hidden in a painting her mother gave her (a year to the day of her mother's funeral) before her death, alluding to truths she never got to tell Mia about.

Mia is also struggling with her boyfriend of 5 years and their stagnant relationship, her work- while at a Black owned magazine might promise a white guy over her- meeting the painter (Tyrese) of the artwork her mother gave her and how she feels more connected and comfortable with Tyrese than her boyfriend, and estrangement from her father and sister.

I liked that Mia was in therapy through the book (even though she eventually realized she needed a Black therapist to truly help her understand her depression and hardships) but the mental health support here is really an important aspect of the book.

[Cassie’s Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a brilliant and raw the author did an incredible job writing sensitive material that surrounds family drama and mental health. The story pulls at your heart it shows how mental health can affect relationships around you it’s a touching story that stays with you.
Synopsis

Estranged from her family, grappling with pressures at work, and trapped in the suffocating grip of depression as a result of childhood trauma, magazine executive Mia Hill tries to claw her way out of despair. But, her life unravels when she stumbles across a note hidden inside a painting gifted to her by her late mother. Unresolved questions about her mother’s past and their complicated relationship emerge within the delicate scrawl of her mother’s hand, compelling Mia to embark on a soul-stirring journey that ends with a truth for which she may be wholly unprepared.
Meanwhile, Mia’s work coincidentally leads her to meet the handsome artist behind her mother’s painting, and as their bond deepens, she is astonished by how his masterful works provide startling insights into her psyche. Mia wrestles with her newfound feelings for him and the mundane relationship she has been stuck in for five years. Caught between devotion to her boyfriend and the allure of the artist, Mia questions past and present choices while struggling to untangle conflicting feelings about her mother
Will learning her mother’s secrets finally sink Mia deeper into a depression from which she will be unable to come out?

[Janet Halsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the one year anniversary of her mother's death from ovarian cancer, Mia finally decides to pull out the painting her mother gifted her about a month prior to her death. Their relationship was always strained, with Mia constantly vying for her mother's approval, but always seeming to disappoint her. The painting is called "The Box" and is of a woman in the fetal position surrounded by darkness. In the back of the painting she finds a note from her mother with instructions on where to go to find all the answers Mia has been searching for on why her mother treated her so cold. Mia feels an instant connection with the painting, as she has suffered from depression her whole life. When a chance encounter puts her in contact with the artist of the painting, her mind becomes opened up to her relationship with her mother.

This book is a slow burn with very little happening as far as events. It's mostly an internal struggle in Mia's mind with her relationship to her parents, sister, boyfriend, and her job. I felt a connection with Mia in regards to her struggle to find herself rather than trying to do what her parents wanted her to do. However, I did feel that this book was very repetitive in her back and forth thoughts on her relationship with her boyfriend. I found it very exhausting and frustrating to follow her stream of thoughts. I'm sure that was the authors goal to show the stages of depression and toxic relationships, but I just couldn't relate to it. If you are interested in a deep dive into the mind of someone with depression, I feel this book did a great job showing that depression presents itself differently in each person, and it leaves readers with a note of hope that there is help out there for this mental disease.

Thank you Goodreads for gifting me this book in your Giveaway.

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised that this was a debut! Not only is it layered, with family trauma, secrets, mental health, and even romance, but it is a woman’s journey toward healing.

What also made this story compelling was the use of art. Mia is a writer working in the magazine industry who has struggled with depression for years and is struggling again since her mother’s death. She finds a note from her late mother hidden inside a painting gifted to her mother. Mia then meets the artist of the painting and feels a strong connection to him and his art. Mia continues to work out her questions and conflicts about her mother and her own decisions.

This is a powerful, honest, and at times dark story about depression. I would caution anyone who may be sensitive to this subject. While this is an emotional read, the author handles the topics of depression, suicide, and grief with compassion and authenticity. The importance of support, therapy, and forgiveness are discussed positively, making this an important read.

𝑃𝑜𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡-𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑣𝑜𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔

Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @cathelinaduvert for a spot on tour and a gifted book.

[Micki Berthelot Berthelot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book on a 14-hour flight to Africa, and I never slept. I couldn’t even if I wanted to, because this book grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. The subject matter is relatable to everyone. We either suffer from depression or we all know someone who does.

The author gives us characters that are so real they jump off the page for me. As an advocate for women, this story speaks to me about the struggles women face even when they do everything to overcome external barriers they still have to deal with demons from within.

Mia Hill is successful because she works hard, she follows the rule but when faced with debilitating depression exacerbated by her love life, the competition in her profession, her toxic and confusing relationship with her mother, she shows us her humanity, her frailty and we want to prop her up. I become a cheerleader pushing her on.
Well, you have got to read this book. I absolutely LOVE it. I highly recommend it. Great job, Miss Duvert!!

[Miss W Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Box by Cathelina Duvert is an emotional, raw story.
Trigger warnings for depression and suicidal ideation. Please proceed with caution.

The story is a coming-of-age story about Mia. After she finds a note after her mom passes away, certain things come to life.

The author speaks of how depression and mental health affects not only Mia, but her fractured relationships.

This was a raw book for me as someone who struggles with mental illness. On the other hand, it was very relatable.

I applaud the author for writing on a topic is delicate.

[Dawnny · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Mia Hill finds a note hidden inside a painting, given to her by her late mother, it sends her on a journey of discovery. She discovers secrets about her mother's past. Mia is already suffering from depression and haunted by childhood trauma. She also meets the handsome artist of the painting and it leaves her questioning her relationship with her boyfriend. I really liked how this story wraps around the issues of mental illness, depression, and how it affects people and those around them. I really enjoyed this.

Dawnny Ruby
Novels N Latte
Hudson Valley NY

[Marilyn Goncalves · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is sensitive, painful and tender.
To look at Mia you’d think she has it all but underneath she suffers from deep depression. In a painting from her mom she finds a note from her mother. As Mia tries to uncover the mystery of the box her mom left her, she not only faces her own truths and battles with depression but many secrets that are at the root of her strained relationships with family and her romantic relationships.
The subject matter was handled perfectly, so much more relatable than expected. I gasped at times.

[Cathy Jean-Francois · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was funny, heart-breaking, emotional, and satisfying. It really highlighted the ways in which people carry around their pain and how that pain turns into depression. Without being preachy, it emphasizes the importance of talking out our differences with the people we love in order to avoid misunderstandings that can lead to fractured relationships. I cried at the end and any book that makes me cry at the end gets 5 stars from me!

[Lisa Albright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a raw and heartfelt look at depression and the effect it has on our lives and those around us. I appreciated reading about the author's own journey at the end of the story and also the sensitivity and care she used in writing this book. It's not an easy read, but very relatable to anyone who has ever suffered from depression and eye-opening for those who haven't.

I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Michael Duvert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt the weight of Mia’s struggle through her personal development journey of self discovery to help resolve her yet unanswered curiosities. I related well to her humanity as a human with similar searches for clarity in my life. I recommend as a piece to help guide one to gain the courage to seek answers that can free our spirits🙏🏽

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a great book. I was able to meet the author in person who was sweet and signed my copy!! The book talked a lot about mental health and genuinely what a person goes through on a day to day basis, it goes far beyond just a regular normal story. It was a lot of stuff that isn’t talked about enough in real life in real time.