Pale Blue

by Daniel R. LaRussa

On the anniversary of a family tragedy, a disillusioned millennial seeks the counsel of his former therapist from years ago. During treatment he recounts the events of his life, and encounters a stranger that challenges his belief systems. His path is put to the test when confronting traumas from the past haunting the future.

198 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 2, 2025

About the author

Daniel R. LaRussa born (September 14th 1985) in New Hyde Park New York, is an author, and comedian living in Long Island, New York. He is a Long Island native, growing up in East Rockaway, NY. Daniel is the creator of the short lived 'Life After Pride' comedy series (2011-2013) and the supernatural 'SAGE' series, a sci-fi fantasy saga. Recently, he released 'Pale Blue', a dramatic fiction.

Reviews

[A. Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Authentic Story of Healing

An emotional roller coaster that explores trauma, relational tensions, honesty, and healing. The characters’ struggles with disillusionment and repression are incredibly raw and pull you in to their (very relatable) point of views. All in all, very compelling narratives and filled with hope.

[DeAnn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Painful Journey of Healing

This is a captivating story of trauma, self discovery and healing with the help of a therapist. Raw and heartfelt.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Thoughtful and Emotional Journey

Pale Blue is a deep and moving story about facing old wounds and finding meaning in the middle of pain. As a millennial trying to make sense of life after tragedy, the main character's return to therapy felt raw and real. I connected with the way he questioned everything and how one unexpected stranger challenged his whole worldview. The writing is thoughtful, and the emotional parts hit hard, though some sections moved a bit slowly. Still, it’s a powerful reminder that healing isn’t a straight line. This book made me reflect on my own story in ways I didn’t expect.

[Kevin Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Journey Through Pain & Healing

Pale Blue is a powerful, emotional dive into trauma, therapy, and self-discovery. The story follows a lost young man revisiting his past with a therapist while a mysterious stranger shakes his worldview. Heartbreaking yet hopeful, it’s perfect for anyone who’s ever struggled with grief or identity. Short but intense—this one sticks with you. 

[William Blackwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pale Blue chronicles the troubled lives of Ellie and Erik. They meet in a bar one night and slowly discover that they carry a lot of guilt, skeletons in their closets, and grief.

Their journey is very touching and emotional, exploring very powerfully the concepts of grief, forgiveness, guilt, healing, and recovery. There is a single strand of love that holds these two characters together, but we’re never quite sure (until the very end) if that tenuous bond will be enough to carry them through and past their mutual traumas and emotional baggage.

LaRussa’s writing style is compelling and raw, and his characters relatable in their imperfections and flaws.

Once I started reading the emotionally charged and insightful story, I found it hard to put down.
If you’re struggling with grief, forgiveness, guilt, or trauma, I believe you’ll will find this novel deeply moving. It may even help you to recover.

A recommended read!

[Garth Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prose style is authentic, economical and clipped while still managing to be lyrical, the author clearly taking their time to attempt to make everything with resonance. Gives a good sense of the humdrum banality of work and of day to day society. While dealing with complex themes of loss and estrangement. All the characters have their own particular voice and defects, making them all believably flawed while also tragically ordinary. Can see why some are annoyed by it coming across as self-absorbed but honestly that's just the flavour that the book is going for, what one can become when unable to let go.

[Lanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met Daniel with my sister out at a restaurant where he was talking about his book. It sounded like a great story so we took a chance.

Wow. This book is a combination of so many emotions. Between the nineties storyline interwoven with the therapy sessions I was crying, laughing, felt every emotion.

The love story between Erik and Ellie was brilliant. Those two stole every scene they were in.
Everything about this books heart makes it worthy of a film.

[Kris B · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't think this author tried a second draft of this. There were QUITE a few spelling and grammar errors, run-on sentences, and redundant points made throughout the book. The dialogue feels forced and the entire story doesn't seem to go anywhere. The characters are flat and the main protagonist wants us to believe he's suffering but we never see him grow within the story to meet and face that guilt to find the path forward. Basically, I don't understand the point of this book, other than the main character performing self-flagellation and not actually doing anything productive within the story.

[Sara Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost never give any book 5 stars. So for me, 4 stars is almost my 5. I read this book in a day. But if life had not gotten in the way I would have finished it in hours. While I did wish that the characters had more of a physical description to imagine it did leave it open for me to let them wear faces that fit my perception. They felt so real and the story was so raw. It took me on an emotional journey. I felt as if I had either met someone like them or lived similar stories. Erik had so much pain and anguish and yet still stayed so ridiculously positive. I am completely in love with him. The pain this book shows its reader sticks with you. I keep contemplating the characters actions and reactions to their experiences and circumstances. It shows you how hard the road to healing can be and I found myself in tears at times. I really hope this author continues to write. I would even maybe love to see a book from Ellie’s perspective and maybe see where the characters lives ended up.