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Silence
Silence isn't always peaceful – it can be deadly.
Zoë has spent her life drowning in shadows she can't escape. When the whispers in her head become a voice – Noxx, charming, dangerous, and unrelenting – she's force to confront the darkest parts of herself.
As her reality blurs with obsession, she must surrender to the silence...or fight for her life.
Zoë has spent her life drowning in shadows she can't escape. When the whispers in her head become a voice – Noxx, charming, dangerous, and unrelenting – she's force to confront the darkest parts of herself.
As her reality blurs with obsession, she must surrender to the silence...or fight for her life.
182 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 18, 2025
About the author
J.R. Sawyer
7 books37 followersJ.R. Sawyer is an indie author from Minnesota who writes emotionally driven stories filled with tension, secrets, and complicated characters. Drawn to darker themes and layered relationships, their work explores the blurred lines between love, loyalty, obsession, and survival.
When not writing, they can usually be found reading, spending time with family, or working on the next story idea with an energy drink nearby. J.R. Sawyer is passionate about creating immersive worlds and unforgettable characters that stay with readers long after the final page.
When not writing, they can usually be found reading, spending time with family, or working on the next story idea with an energy drink nearby. J.R. Sawyer is passionate about creating immersive worlds and unforgettable characters that stay with readers long after the final page.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 18, 2026
Silence is a powerful, heartbreaking, and deeply important story that shines a light on the realities of depression, grief, and the silent battles so many people face every day.
Zoe is a high school senior who, on the surface, appears to have everything under control. Like many teenagers struggling with mental health issues, she has become an expert at hiding her pain. She knows exactly what people want to hear and how to give them the answers they expect. In therapy, at school, at home, and even when staring at her own reflection, Zoe follows a carefully rehearsed script. She smiles when she's supposed to smile, says she's "fine" when she's falling apart, and carries the weight of her struggles alone.
After surviving a previous suicide attempt, Zoe desperately needs understanding, support, and genuine help. Instead, her parents seem more concerned with how her struggles reflect on them than with the pain she is experiencing. Rather than feeling loved and protected, Zoe is made to feel like a burden—a problem to be managed rather than a daughter who is hurting. This emotional neglect adds another layer to her loneliness and makes her isolation even more devastating.
As the pressure of maintaining her perfect façade becomes unbearable, cracks begin to form. The mask she's worn for so long starts to slip, and into those cracks creeps the silence. But this silence is not empty. It becomes something far more dangerous—attentive, understanding, seductive, and impossible to ignore. The silence begins speaking back to Zoe, drawing her deeper into her depression and forcing her to confront every painful thought and emotion she's worked so hard to suppress.
One of the most haunting elements of the story is Noxx, the manifestation of Zoe's darkness and despair. As her mental health deteriorates, Noxx becomes an increasingly powerful presence in her life, feeding her insecurities, amplifying her loneliness, and reinforcing the belief that she is alone. The portrayal of these intrusive thoughts and hallucinations is chillingly authentic. J.R. captures the relentless nature of depression in a way that feels both terrifying and heartbreakingly real.
What makes Zoe's journey especially emotional is how relatable it is. Her constant refrain of "I'm fine" and "I'm just tired" will resonate with many readers who have struggled with depression or watched someone they love suffer in silence. The novel highlights how easy it is for people to overlook warning signs when someone becomes too skilled at hiding their pain. Zoe's best friend is one of the few people who truly sees that something is wrong, but even the most caring individuals can only push so hard when they are repeatedly shut out.
The writing is raw, honest, and unflinching. It doesn't shy away from uncomfortable topics, nor does it romanticize mental illness. Instead, it presents a realistic and compassionate portrayal of what depression can look like, how isolating it can feel, and how difficult it can be to ask for help when you're convinced no one will understand.
As someone who has struggled with depression and dark thoughts, this story hit especially hard. Zoe's descent into grief, hopelessness, and self-doubt brought back memories of my own experiences and emotions. There were moments that felt almost too real, moments that forced me to pause and reflect. The portrayal of Noxx and the way depression can become an internal voice felt particularly impactful and painfully accurate.
Despite the darkness, *Silence* ultimately offers something equally important: hope. The ending is tense, emotional, and at times heartbreaking, but it also provides a glimmer of light. Watching Zoe begin to reclaim her life and fight her way back from the edge serves as a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is still a path forward.
This is not always an easy book to read, but it is an important one. It opens conversations that need to be had and challenges the stigma surrounding mental health. *Silence* serves as a reminder that mental health is health, that seeking help should never be a source of shame, and that no one should have to face their struggles alone.
A poignant, emotional, and unforgettable read, *Silence* is a book that will stay with me long after the final page. If even one reader sees themselves in Zoe's story and realizes they are not alone, then this book has accomplished something truly remarkable.
Zoe is a high school senior who, on the surface, appears to have everything under control. Like many teenagers struggling with mental health issues, she has become an expert at hiding her pain. She knows exactly what people want to hear and how to give them the answers they expect. In therapy, at school, at home, and even when staring at her own reflection, Zoe follows a carefully rehearsed script. She smiles when she's supposed to smile, says she's "fine" when she's falling apart, and carries the weight of her struggles alone.
After surviving a previous suicide attempt, Zoe desperately needs understanding, support, and genuine help. Instead, her parents seem more concerned with how her struggles reflect on them than with the pain she is experiencing. Rather than feeling loved and protected, Zoe is made to feel like a burden—a problem to be managed rather than a daughter who is hurting. This emotional neglect adds another layer to her loneliness and makes her isolation even more devastating.
As the pressure of maintaining her perfect façade becomes unbearable, cracks begin to form. The mask she's worn for so long starts to slip, and into those cracks creeps the silence. But this silence is not empty. It becomes something far more dangerous—attentive, understanding, seductive, and impossible to ignore. The silence begins speaking back to Zoe, drawing her deeper into her depression and forcing her to confront every painful thought and emotion she's worked so hard to suppress.
One of the most haunting elements of the story is Noxx, the manifestation of Zoe's darkness and despair. As her mental health deteriorates, Noxx becomes an increasingly powerful presence in her life, feeding her insecurities, amplifying her loneliness, and reinforcing the belief that she is alone. The portrayal of these intrusive thoughts and hallucinations is chillingly authentic. J.R. captures the relentless nature of depression in a way that feels both terrifying and heartbreakingly real.
What makes Zoe's journey especially emotional is how relatable it is. Her constant refrain of "I'm fine" and "I'm just tired" will resonate with many readers who have struggled with depression or watched someone they love suffer in silence. The novel highlights how easy it is for people to overlook warning signs when someone becomes too skilled at hiding their pain. Zoe's best friend is one of the few people who truly sees that something is wrong, but even the most caring individuals can only push so hard when they are repeatedly shut out.
The writing is raw, honest, and unflinching. It doesn't shy away from uncomfortable topics, nor does it romanticize mental illness. Instead, it presents a realistic and compassionate portrayal of what depression can look like, how isolating it can feel, and how difficult it can be to ask for help when you're convinced no one will understand.
As someone who has struggled with depression and dark thoughts, this story hit especially hard. Zoe's descent into grief, hopelessness, and self-doubt brought back memories of my own experiences and emotions. There were moments that felt almost too real, moments that forced me to pause and reflect. The portrayal of Noxx and the way depression can become an internal voice felt particularly impactful and painfully accurate.
Despite the darkness, *Silence* ultimately offers something equally important: hope. The ending is tense, emotional, and at times heartbreaking, but it also provides a glimmer of light. Watching Zoe begin to reclaim her life and fight her way back from the edge serves as a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is still a path forward.
This is not always an easy book to read, but it is an important one. It opens conversations that need to be had and challenges the stigma surrounding mental health. *Silence* serves as a reminder that mental health is health, that seeking help should never be a source of shame, and that no one should have to face their struggles alone.
A poignant, emotional, and unforgettable read, *Silence* is a book that will stay with me long after the final page. If even one reader sees themselves in Zoe's story and realizes they are not alone, then this book has accomplished something truly remarkable.
November 23, 2025
Zoe is a high school girl, who like many struggle in silence. However, for Zoe the silence starts talking back to her. The silence is attentive, charming, alluring, and understanding. The dangerous thing about silence, is it forces you to really hear, really see, and really feel.
Zoe has attempted suicide once before. Her parents saw it more of a burden and less of what it is, the need for help. Although she is attending therapy, its just not helping. Zoe knows the script, and knows how to play her part. She smiles and responds with just the right answers. This behavior goes beyond therapy. In school , at home with her family, even when looking in the mirror.
One day, the mask and the script she has set for her daily life, start to crack. Once the cracks start to show, the silence creeps in. Soon the world starts to blur, and she starts to fall deeper into the cracks, deeper into the silence.
This story is raw , and will touch uncomfortable subjects for many. With that being said its topics that need to be discussed even if it makes people uncomfortable. Mental health has a stigma, and we need to beat that stigma. Mental health is health, and seeking help should never be shamed.
What Zoe goes through is something many people go through, and like Zoe many are not surrounded by good supports. If you or someone you know needs help please remember, this is not the end of your story, it does get better.
The suicide hotline is 988.
you can call or text.
Thank you J.R. Sawyer for covering such an intense topic. My hopes are that this book gets in to the hands of those who need it most.
Zoe has attempted suicide once before. Her parents saw it more of a burden and less of what it is, the need for help. Although she is attending therapy, its just not helping. Zoe knows the script, and knows how to play her part. She smiles and responds with just the right answers. This behavior goes beyond therapy. In school , at home with her family, even when looking in the mirror.
One day, the mask and the script she has set for her daily life, start to crack. Once the cracks start to show, the silence creeps in. Soon the world starts to blur, and she starts to fall deeper into the cracks, deeper into the silence.
This story is raw , and will touch uncomfortable subjects for many. With that being said its topics that need to be discussed even if it makes people uncomfortable. Mental health has a stigma, and we need to beat that stigma. Mental health is health, and seeking help should never be shamed.
What Zoe goes through is something many people go through, and like Zoe many are not surrounded by good supports. If you or someone you know needs help please remember, this is not the end of your story, it does get better.
The suicide hotline is 988.
you can call or text.
Thank you J.R. Sawyer for covering such an intense topic. My hopes are that this book gets in to the hands of those who need it most.
May 13, 2026
As someone who has been struggling with depression and dark thoughts, Silence was a welcome read that opened my eyes. The way that J.R. wrote Zoe's descent into the consuming feelings of depression and grief caused me to remember how I felt as a teenager.
Zoe had an attempt and instead of her parents getting the right help and becoming invested in their daughter's wellbeing, she's treated like a fragile liability to their image. The description of Zoe pretending to be fine ("just tired") and forcing an image of being a smiling and winning high school senior was relatable.
The one person who truly shows concern is Zoe's best friend, but there are only so many times that someone can hear "I'm fine, just tired" before they stop asking. As the depression rears its head, Zoe begins to visualize the darkness as a man called Noxx. The hallucinations get worse as his voice fills her head, stirring self-doubt and feelings of loneliness. This portion of the story made me pause the book because it felt so real; this year, I've had my own Noxx moments. The ending was tense but gave way to a bright spot in Zoe's life as she reclaimed her life.
This is a potent read for everyone; it eloquently describes the symptoms of depression and mental health struggles while advocating for people to seek help.
Zoe had an attempt and instead of her parents getting the right help and becoming invested in their daughter's wellbeing, she's treated like a fragile liability to their image. The description of Zoe pretending to be fine ("just tired") and forcing an image of being a smiling and winning high school senior was relatable.
The one person who truly shows concern is Zoe's best friend, but there are only so many times that someone can hear "I'm fine, just tired" before they stop asking. As the depression rears its head, Zoe begins to visualize the darkness as a man called Noxx. The hallucinations get worse as his voice fills her head, stirring self-doubt and feelings of loneliness. This portion of the story made me pause the book because it felt so real; this year, I've had my own Noxx moments. The ending was tense but gave way to a bright spot in Zoe's life as she reclaimed her life.
This is a potent read for everyone; it eloquently describes the symptoms of depression and mental health struggles while advocating for people to seek help.
March 12, 2026
Gripping story of a woman's will to survive her own nightmare
J.R Sawyer does it again! Another soul gripping book that draws you in from the first page! Lethal Love tells the story of Marcy and Wesley. Wesley makes himself seem like the picture perfect husband, and that they have the picture perfect marriage. In truth, Marcy is the survivor of many forms of domestic violence. When her friends try to help her escape, things go haywire. Will Marcy survive? At what cost? There are so many layers to this story, and the author shows them all in perfect detail.
The last couple lines of the book will forever stick with me because they hold so true for most women in that situation
"The woman who begged for help is the one on trial, while the man who promised to love her spent years teaching her that love meant fear"
Check your triggers, this ones heavy! But so worth the read!!
J.R Sawyer does it again! Another soul gripping book that draws you in from the first page! Lethal Love tells the story of Marcy and Wesley. Wesley makes himself seem like the picture perfect husband, and that they have the picture perfect marriage. In truth, Marcy is the survivor of many forms of domestic violence. When her friends try to help her escape, things go haywire. Will Marcy survive? At what cost? There are so many layers to this story, and the author shows them all in perfect detail.
The last couple lines of the book will forever stick with me because they hold so true for most women in that situation
"The woman who begged for help is the one on trial, while the man who promised to love her spent years teaching her that love meant fear"
Check your triggers, this ones heavy! But so worth the read!!
January 6, 2026
Silence is a compact psychological descent that relies on atmosphere and interior tension rather than excess. The story blurs the line between voice, obsession, and identity in a way that feels intimate and unsettling.
Noxx’s presence is handled with restraint, making the psychological threat feel personal rather than performative. Zoë’s struggle unfolds quietly but relentlessly, and the pacing suits the narrative’s claustrophobic focus.
A dark, focused read that understands how silence can be as dangerous as noise.
Noxx’s presence is handled with restraint, making the psychological threat feel personal rather than performative. Zoë’s struggle unfolds quietly but relentlessly, and the pacing suits the narrative’s claustrophobic focus.
A dark, focused read that understands how silence can be as dangerous as noise.
May 1, 2026
I truly have no words to describe this. It got me on a very personal level. The struggle is real and it’s beyond hard. What Zoe dealt with was a lot, not truly seen by her parents. Not easily dealt with or remedied. It lives inside. It’s a challenge everyday. I’m not really sure what words to say to express this story properly.
February 14, 2026
If you, or anyone you know suffers with depression, this book is an absolute must read.. The emotional, raw, and psychological Rollercoaster your brain goes on during a depressive episode is portrayed perfectly in this book.. Beautifully written.. Loved it.
November 30, 2025
For those who feel everything too deeply and still choose to stay. For the ones who are silent when everything is not silent to them. You are seen. You are heard. You are loved.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews