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After the Blu: A Diary
"Dear Diary,
It's been a long time.
We've been through a lot together, haven't we?
I'm not the same person I used to be, and I hope you aren't either.
My old diary is filled with memories. Most of you know what they are.
But I think... I don't know.
Maybe it's time to turn the page?
Show everyone what comes After the Blu?
Love,
Beatrice"
It's been a long time.
We've been through a lot together, haven't we?
I'm not the same person I used to be, and I hope you aren't either.
My old diary is filled with memories. Most of you know what they are.
But I think... I don't know.
Maybe it's time to turn the page?
Show everyone what comes After the Blu?
Love,
Beatrice"
155 pages, Paperback
Published June 23, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
June 23, 2026
remember reading A Hue of Blue two years ago. I was young, naive, desperate to be seen and cared for. When I read it, I related to Beatrice — I saw myself through the lens of her eyes. I thought to myself, how come those of us who are so desperate to be loved end up falling into the hands of the people who will hurt us the most?
I was Beatrice at such a young age. She was me — we were different faces of the same coin. I had seen many Jaces in my life, and still I fell for the traps nevertheless.
Yet I moved on. I grew up… just like Blue, just like Beatrice did. So to see her healing arc was something I related to so deeply. She deserves it as much as I do — as much as all the Blues in the world do.
So to Marie, and to all the wonderful women out there — you deserve to be loved properly. You are enough. You are kind. You are smart. You will be loved one day, not just wanted. You will let someone love you instead of hurting you. But start by loving yourself first. ❤️
I was Beatrice at such a young age. She was me — we were different faces of the same coin. I had seen many Jaces in my life, and still I fell for the traps nevertheless.
Yet I moved on. I grew up… just like Blue, just like Beatrice did. So to see her healing arc was something I related to so deeply. She deserves it as much as I do — as much as all the Blues in the world do.
So to Marie, and to all the wonderful women out there — you deserve to be loved properly. You are enough. You are kind. You are smart. You will be loved one day, not just wanted. You will let someone love you instead of hurting you. But start by loving yourself first. ❤️
July 21, 2026
OK… so why am I crying?
I knew this was going to be a sad read, but I never expected it to wreck me like this.
I felt a profound sadness—an all-too-familiar ache buried deep within me. It stirred an intimate memory of a distant life where I was once a “Blu.” It hit so close to home. Maybe that’s why this book spoke to me so deeply. Wow.
Unrequited love. Gaslighting. The vicious cycle of pushing away, letting go, coming back, regretting, begging, hoping—for love to stay, for that one person to stay.
Ugh. This book is both depressing and emotionally stirring at the same time. Damn.
And Cole? If all guys were like him, no woman would ever have to cry.
I knew this was going to be a sad read, but I never expected it to wreck me like this.
I felt a profound sadness—an all-too-familiar ache buried deep within me. It stirred an intimate memory of a distant life where I was once a “Blu.” It hit so close to home. Maybe that’s why this book spoke to me so deeply. Wow.
Unrequited love. Gaslighting. The vicious cycle of pushing away, letting go, coming back, regretting, begging, hoping—for love to stay, for that one person to stay.
Ugh. This book is both depressing and emotionally stirring at the same time. Damn.
And Cole? If all guys were like him, no woman would ever have to cry.
July 7, 2026
I still think of a Hue of blu, that book was honestly like seeing myself. She wrote about my experiences like she had lived them. My Jace hurt me, I hurt him. We were toxic. He is happy now, so am I. He reached out, I ignored. Life moves on. I'm glad she out grew Jace. That she grew up and realised he was the problem.
This, was beautiful. Cole, ah Cole. I met my Cole when I was 23. I was fresh off my break up with Jace and wanted nothing to do with Cole. But he was so easy to love. That was 6 years ago. He has been there through my diagnosis, through it all. To all the Blu's, your Cole is coming.
This was beautiful. We all have our youth, make mistakes, we live and we learn.
I'm going to be telling my Stacy about this, she'd love it.
"It's hurts sometimes. To believe you could have loved someone into loving you."
"If someone makes you a worse person, they're not the person for you. If someone makes you hate yourself, they're not the person for you."
"You will never heal in the place you learned to hate yourself."
"Love will die, when it begs to be fed."
"The same memories can look very different when you change."
"Not all men, no. But enough to make me doubt."
"It's quiet when you're distracted. It's loud when you're alone."
"In a world short of love, I had to be wanted. Never loved, no. But I was wanted."
"Because I was his fucking rain and he was my sun."
"You think it's your fault, that people treated you poorly."
"Isn't it?"
"People can only meet you where they've met themselves. And emotionally unavailable people will always make you feel unworthy, even if you're not, simply because they're not ready themselves. "
"It means you're worthy of the love you spent your whole life giving away. You never needed permission to be loved."
"When you feel like running away, run towards me."
"You're too good to me."
"I'm sorry he wasn't better."
"Truth is we learn to live with what people are willing to give us."
This, was beautiful. Cole, ah Cole. I met my Cole when I was 23. I was fresh off my break up with Jace and wanted nothing to do with Cole. But he was so easy to love. That was 6 years ago. He has been there through my diagnosis, through it all. To all the Blu's, your Cole is coming.
This was beautiful. We all have our youth, make mistakes, we live and we learn.
I'm going to be telling my Stacy about this, she'd love it.
"It's hurts sometimes. To believe you could have loved someone into loving you."
"If someone makes you a worse person, they're not the person for you. If someone makes you hate yourself, they're not the person for you."
"You will never heal in the place you learned to hate yourself."
"Love will die, when it begs to be fed."
"The same memories can look very different when you change."
"Not all men, no. But enough to make me doubt."
"It's quiet when you're distracted. It's loud when you're alone."
"In a world short of love, I had to be wanted. Never loved, no. But I was wanted."
"Because I was his fucking rain and he was my sun."
"You think it's your fault, that people treated you poorly."
"Isn't it?"
"People can only meet you where they've met themselves. And emotionally unavailable people will always make you feel unworthy, even if you're not, simply because they're not ready themselves. "
"It means you're worthy of the love you spent your whole life giving away. You never needed permission to be loved."
"When you feel like running away, run towards me."
"You're too good to me."
"I'm sorry he wasn't better."
"Truth is we learn to live with what people are willing to give us."
June 25, 2026
the change between blu and beatrice from the first and second book is incremental but beautifulifully shown. it shows the reality of healing, ups and downs and moreover the maturing and learning that loving yourself before loving someone else is really fundamental for love on it’s own. tbh this is really for the girlies that seek change and want to grow from a horrible situation and find themself again whilst still fighting against the what ifs? i think everyone needs a cole to show that jace just isn’t all that. but i do think the main take from after the blu was for me that it’s not about these men that come or go or relationships that come and go in general, it’s about learning what you need and want and what you deserve from others. self worth sometimes sky rockets and drops but really you are enough and if someone doesn’t think that is enough then they aren’t ready for you and that is okay. a small but minor thing i also loved. the character blu and her diagnosis with bpd is really portrayed wonderfully throughout this whole diary, her ups and downs, her thoughts.. i think anyone with bpd would find this such a relatable read and someone they can really resonate and apply to themselves, 😊 thanks marie you are a truly beautiful writer.
June 23, 2026
SPOILERS (kind of)
I remember finishing a Hue of Blu and although I felt the ending was perfect for that point of time in Blu’s life, it wasn’t the end. She still had so much healing to do she still needed to embrace Beatrice. This sequel was so beautiful and everything I hoped it would be for Blu, she is finally learning to love herself and appreciate life. It’s such a difficult journey but this book just feels full of hope. Cole was the best person for Beatrice, he loved her in the way she deserved and showed her how she should’ve always been treated. The amount of emotions these books provoked is crazy but I can’t help but feel proud of Blu/Beatrice, this is the first book that brought tears to my eyes because I was so happy for a character. I’m so glad Blu/Beatrice got her happy ending that she always deserved, and although she will still have her struggles I know that she will be able to get herself through it
I remember finishing a Hue of Blu and although I felt the ending was perfect for that point of time in Blu’s life, it wasn’t the end. She still had so much healing to do she still needed to embrace Beatrice. This sequel was so beautiful and everything I hoped it would be for Blu, she is finally learning to love herself and appreciate life. It’s such a difficult journey but this book just feels full of hope. Cole was the best person for Beatrice, he loved her in the way she deserved and showed her how she should’ve always been treated. The amount of emotions these books provoked is crazy but I can’t help but feel proud of Blu/Beatrice, this is the first book that brought tears to my eyes because I was so happy for a character. I’m so glad Blu/Beatrice got her happy ending that she always deserved, and although she will still have her struggles I know that she will be able to get herself through it
August 19, 2026
I relate to this so much.
August 29, 2026
This diary felt like sitting with a kind of sadness that doesn't scream. It just stays. It made me think about all the things we carry quietly, all the chaos we try to control, and how sometimes the hardest part isn't surviving what happened, but learning how to live with what it left behind.
August 22, 2026
It was like I’m reading my own diary … what a gem . WOW . Loved every second of it
You know what , this is the ending I wanted for magnolia and bj … breakup and therapy …
Jessa Hastings should takes note
You know what , this is the ending I wanted for magnolia and bj … breakup and therapy …
Jessa Hastings should takes note
July 20, 2026
ᯓ★ˎˊ˗ Everything before, and After the Blu.
The sharks are still out there, circling the current I came from.
But I’m not in it anymore. For now, everything is water – And I, Beatrice Blu Henderson, am the shore.
THIS BOOK IS SO HEALING!!! i thought i wanted blu to end up with jace but i was so so wrong & i’m happy about that. the author shows us why it wouldn’t work and it makes perfect sense. beatrice deserved better than what jace gave her and going to therapy helped her realize it, too!
⋆.*ೃ✧“This isn’t how I’m supposed to be loved. But it’s exactly how I learned to leave.”
an honorable mention to cole— this isn’t his story and it doesn’t have anything to do with beatrice and her healing but it makes me extremely happy that she found someone like him. someone patient, understanding and who knows how to love her properly!
⋆.*ೃ✧“There’s more to you than hurt, and that’s what this is for,” he leaned in, kissing the ring gently. “A promise.”
“A promise?”
“A promise,” he whispered, “that when you forget who you are, I will always remind you.”
my sweet beatrice, my honeybee 🥹 she has come such a long way from the young girl seeking validation from men who didn’t even appreciate her. the deserves all the good things in life and more. blu/beatrice will always hold a special place in my heart. i appreciate how real and honest her character is, she’s relatable in so many ways it’s hard not to love her.
highly recommend this to everyone!!
The sharks are still out there, circling the current I came from.
But I’m not in it anymore. For now, everything is water – And I, Beatrice Blu Henderson, am the shore.
THIS BOOK IS SO HEALING!!! i thought i wanted blu to end up with jace but i was so so wrong & i’m happy about that. the author shows us why it wouldn’t work and it makes perfect sense. beatrice deserved better than what jace gave her and going to therapy helped her realize it, too!
⋆.*ೃ✧“This isn’t how I’m supposed to be loved. But it’s exactly how I learned to leave.”
an honorable mention to cole— this isn’t his story and it doesn’t have anything to do with beatrice and her healing but it makes me extremely happy that she found someone like him. someone patient, understanding and who knows how to love her properly!
⋆.*ೃ✧“There’s more to you than hurt, and that’s what this is for,” he leaned in, kissing the ring gently. “A promise.”
“A promise?”
“A promise,” he whispered, “that when you forget who you are, I will always remind you.”
my sweet beatrice, my honeybee 🥹 she has come such a long way from the young girl seeking validation from men who didn’t even appreciate her. the deserves all the good things in life and more. blu/beatrice will always hold a special place in my heart. i appreciate how real and honest her character is, she’s relatable in so many ways it’s hard not to love her.
highly recommend this to everyone!!
July 13, 2026
it's meant to be her diary and i get she's dropping her persona of blu but the whole introduction bit was so cringe
really glad she met cole, she needed to get out of that toxic mess with jace, so glad he wasn't in this
really glad she met cole, she needed to get out of that toxic mess with jace, so glad he wasn't in this
August 16, 2026
It’s over and I could not feel prouder of the feelings I got from this experience.
Blu is the part of me, and so many other people, that will always be there but Beatrice has thought me how to grow and let the other sleep.
There will be no one else like her.
Blu is the part of me, and so many other people, that will always be there but Beatrice has thought me how to grow and let the other sleep.
There will be no one else like her.
August 4, 2026
I have no words!
Read
August 9, 2026Again idk what to really rate this but it was a very good conclusion to a hue of blu if u read that read this
June 30, 2026
mmmm osea si pero ????
July 9, 2026
Was this book necessary? Not really. Was it good? Meh. Did I enjoy it ? Okay.
C’était plaisant d’avoir du « closure » avec Blu. C’était un peu longuet. J’ai moins accroché que lorsque j’ai dévoré Hue of Blu.
C’était plaisant d’avoir du « closure » avec Blu. C’était un peu longuet. J’ai moins accroché que lorsque j’ai dévoré Hue of Blu.
July 11, 2026
reading this book felt like meeting my past self HAHAHAHA the version of me i almost forgot. it reminded me of a chapter in my life when i was in a toxic relationship hshsjs a girl who just trying to make sense of love, boundaries, and self-worth
September 29, 2026
i gave it a shot again, its still cringe
August 21, 2026
Never trust some videos on Tiktok anymore. This one is so boring, I don’t like her writing style, it’s so difficult to focus. Arghhh
September 23, 2026
#first2026book&itsanovellahowpathetic.leastimstillcapableofreadingwords.smallwins.
beatrice henderson i love you. you are me i am you. i stay shedding tears over you years later x x sad& happy
proud of a fictional character? lol i’m 23
way to make me cry. AGAIN. a hue of blu is one of my favourite books, i read it at a time in life where i related a lot to blu, so it hit me. cheers to me loving emotionally damaging and devastating books the most always. this then found me at a time i relate to her again, years later, different person, healing… healed, growth, progress, everything experienced in between and every little slip back into that, but growth, just like her. i think she’s one of my favourite characters ever. there’s no sugar coating or romanticising it’s just the complete brutal honest truth of it all.
what are the chances you read a book at a time where you needed it most and then you read the after years later where you find her years down the line explaining her now, and yours looks the same. life has a weird way of working i guess. this made me reflect on myself and everything that’s happened over the past few years, and all of who i am today, and all of what has happened having created me today. she reminded me that growth doesn’t leave just because you take a step back every now and again. *>> that having your past affect you now even healed and changed, is OKAY and normal, it’s really how you react to that. amen to still having the girl you once were inside you and still feeling her but also being an entirely new version of you too. pretty cool. <<*
it’s about self reflection, growth, progress, a hell of a lot of healing and self discovery. navigating healthiness after never having received that, and struggling, having to turn to yourself and highlight that you might be an issue because of your past because of what that did to you. it’s brilliant really. navigating healthy and not quite knowing what to do with having it in your grasp. but not blaming yourself for everything else. there’s so much more i don’t quite have the words to put on it too i think but oh well.
i’ve always loved marie’s writing and she remains a favourite author, not because she’s literary profound but because she’s emotionally profound. realistically and brutally. gives me something to cling to. might post some quotes later if i can be bothered.
sat on a train going through mountains in the south of france, tearing up with pride& emotion whilst staring out the window, how poetic can it get really. put me in a movie
beatrice henderson i love you. you are me i am you. i stay shedding tears over you years later x x sad& happy
proud of a fictional character? lol i’m 23
way to make me cry. AGAIN. a hue of blu is one of my favourite books, i read it at a time in life where i related a lot to blu, so it hit me. cheers to me loving emotionally damaging and devastating books the most always. this then found me at a time i relate to her again, years later, different person, healing… healed, growth, progress, everything experienced in between and every little slip back into that, but growth, just like her. i think she’s one of my favourite characters ever. there’s no sugar coating or romanticising it’s just the complete brutal honest truth of it all.
what are the chances you read a book at a time where you needed it most and then you read the after years later where you find her years down the line explaining her now, and yours looks the same. life has a weird way of working i guess. this made me reflect on myself and everything that’s happened over the past few years, and all of who i am today, and all of what has happened having created me today. she reminded me that growth doesn’t leave just because you take a step back every now and again. *>> that having your past affect you now even healed and changed, is OKAY and normal, it’s really how you react to that. amen to still having the girl you once were inside you and still feeling her but also being an entirely new version of you too. pretty cool. <<*
it’s about self reflection, growth, progress, a hell of a lot of healing and self discovery. navigating healthiness after never having received that, and struggling, having to turn to yourself and highlight that you might be an issue because of your past because of what that did to you. it’s brilliant really. navigating healthy and not quite knowing what to do with having it in your grasp. but not blaming yourself for everything else. there’s so much more i don’t quite have the words to put on it too i think but oh well.
i’ve always loved marie’s writing and she remains a favourite author, not because she’s literary profound but because she’s emotionally profound. realistically and brutally. gives me something to cling to. might post some quotes later if i can be bothered.
sat on a train going through mountains in the south of france, tearing up with pride& emotion whilst staring out the window, how poetic can it get really. put me in a movie
July 23, 2026
About 2.5/6⭐️
I have so much to say but none of it even seems appropriate. A hue of blu resonated with me in so many ways coz i felt like Blu in so many parts of my life. I have been the one who gives and gives and gives to people hoping that they'd love me back even a little bit, hoping that they'd stay and not leave but in the end i was always left. So yeah A hue if Blu is one of my favorite books.
So when I saw this a few days ago i was excited but also torn coz i loved how the first book ended. Blu decided to leave that part of her life behind and grow into better was a significant ending so i was worried and started thinking about the worst, like 'what if she goes back to him and losses herself again?' So many what ifs honestly.
I finally picked it up a few hours ago and honestly it is a disappointment.
Let's start with what i like.
I like that she finally got someone who loves her whole. Someone who doesn't just take from her. Someone who sees her and stayed even when she tried to push him away. Someone who didn't just love Blu but Beatrice too.
I love that Fawn stayed with her through it all. She's a friend we all need in this life.
I like that she went through all stages of therapy. The being lost, being afraid and acceptance before she started healing piece by piece.
What i didn't like....
That she went back to Jace. That she gave in even years after she had chosen to walk away. That she let him hurt her again. That she let him in. I can relate so much to that and that's probably why i didn't like it.
I don't like that she was written to be so weak when it comes to one man.
I do like Cole for her but their whole thing felt a bit rushed.
I would have loved to see her healing on her own, not another man being the 'motivation' for her to start healing(lol I've said that word a lot😂)
Cole feels like a 'crutch' to put it simply. Because what do you mean she's been in therapy for years and it wasn't working till he comes along? What if he leaves her. I mean sure the book offers happy ending for them but idk.
Honestly i feel like book one should have ended as it was and we could do without this.
I have so much to say but none of it even seems appropriate. A hue of blu resonated with me in so many ways coz i felt like Blu in so many parts of my life. I have been the one who gives and gives and gives to people hoping that they'd love me back even a little bit, hoping that they'd stay and not leave but in the end i was always left. So yeah A hue if Blu is one of my favorite books.
So when I saw this a few days ago i was excited but also torn coz i loved how the first book ended. Blu decided to leave that part of her life behind and grow into better was a significant ending so i was worried and started thinking about the worst, like 'what if she goes back to him and losses herself again?' So many what ifs honestly.
I finally picked it up a few hours ago and honestly it is a disappointment.
Let's start with what i like.
I like that she finally got someone who loves her whole. Someone who doesn't just take from her. Someone who sees her and stayed even when she tried to push him away. Someone who didn't just love Blu but Beatrice too.
I love that Fawn stayed with her through it all. She's a friend we all need in this life.
I like that she went through all stages of therapy. The being lost, being afraid and acceptance before she started healing piece by piece.
What i didn't like....
That she went back to Jace. That she gave in even years after she had chosen to walk away. That she let him hurt her again. That she let him in. I can relate so much to that and that's probably why i didn't like it.
I don't like that she was written to be so weak when it comes to one man.
I do like Cole for her but their whole thing felt a bit rushed.
I would have loved to see her healing on her own, not another man being the 'motivation' for her to start healing(lol I've said that word a lot😂)
Cole feels like a 'crutch' to put it simply. Because what do you mean she's been in therapy for years and it wasn't working till he comes along? What if he leaves her. I mean sure the book offers happy ending for them but idk.
Honestly i feel like book one should have ended as it was and we could do without this.
August 20, 2026
After the Blu - ⭐️ 5/5
~ spoilers ahead ~
Tears, sobs and just a story that can resonate with everyone; somehow in some way.
Hue of Blu broke me but After the Blu destroyed me and somewhat healed me at the same time. I’m glad we got more to ending of Hue of Blu and basically got the what happen’s next? I am so proud and amazed of Beatrice’s growth from the trauma and toxicity she faced not only with her past relationship but also her views on love.
Cole. Oh Cole, the love I have for this character. The patience, the kindness and the understanding. That part where he tell Beatrice to run towards him if she ever felt like running away… that part where he apologized because Jace wasn’t better or the part where he would take whatever she gave him and teach her it was enough. Oh god. My fucking heart.
This book hurt me, not because of the relationships in it, but because of what it made me confront about my relationship with myself. Like Beatrice, sometimes it’s hard to see the good in yourself when all you’ve ever known is the bad, when all you’ve ever heard, felt, or been conditioned to believe about yourself has been negative. You start to forget that there’s more to you than those things. I saw parts of myself in the way Blu felt, and it made me realize how easily we can become consumed by the negativity we’ve been taught to believe about ourselves. You forget to look beyond it. But reading this book gave me a strange sense of relief, not because other people are going through something similar but because it reminded me that we’re all just human, trying to understand ourselves, wanting to feel, and wanting to feel things more deeply than we sometimes know how to express. Everything else is just water after all.
~ spoilers ahead ~
Tears, sobs and just a story that can resonate with everyone; somehow in some way.
Hue of Blu broke me but After the Blu destroyed me and somewhat healed me at the same time. I’m glad we got more to ending of Hue of Blu and basically got the what happen’s next? I am so proud and amazed of Beatrice’s growth from the trauma and toxicity she faced not only with her past relationship but also her views on love.
Cole. Oh Cole, the love I have for this character. The patience, the kindness and the understanding. That part where he tell Beatrice to run towards him if she ever felt like running away… that part where he apologized because Jace wasn’t better or the part where he would take whatever she gave him and teach her it was enough. Oh god. My fucking heart.
This book hurt me, not because of the relationships in it, but because of what it made me confront about my relationship with myself. Like Beatrice, sometimes it’s hard to see the good in yourself when all you’ve ever known is the bad, when all you’ve ever heard, felt, or been conditioned to believe about yourself has been negative. You start to forget that there’s more to you than those things. I saw parts of myself in the way Blu felt, and it made me realize how easily we can become consumed by the negativity we’ve been taught to believe about ourselves. You forget to look beyond it. But reading this book gave me a strange sense of relief, not because other people are going through something similar but because it reminded me that we’re all just human, trying to understand ourselves, wanting to feel, and wanting to feel things more deeply than we sometimes know how to express. Everything else is just water after all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2026
I loved this book from the depth of my heart.
Reading Blue’s diary felt less like reading fiction and more like sitting quietly inside someone’s mind and watching them slowly find their way back to themselves. I related to so much of what she discovered, acknowledged, and learned about herself—especially the psychological parts. There were moments when I just wanted to reach through the pages, hug her, and tell her, I’m so fucking proud of you.
I loved watching her grow into herself, and I especially loved her relationship with her therapist. It felt safe, genuine, and healing. And seeing her finally find the right partner genuinely made me happy for her.
But what stayed with me most was the author herself. She said the characters weren’t real, but the feelings, circumstances, and struggles were. And somehow, I could feel that. I kept forgetting I was reading Blue’s diary. It felt like I was reading hers.
I love books that make you feel like you’re not just reading the writer’s words you’re having a conversation with them. This was one of those books. The sarcasm, the characters, the honesty, the psychological depth… everything about the writing felt so intimate.
And that final note? It felt like she was talking directly to me.
“As long as you are breathing, you are healing.”
Yeah. I’m keeping that one.
I gave the first book 3.5 stars, but this one? A solid, deeply deserved 5 stars.
I came for Blue.
Somehow, I left knowing a little more about myself.
And Mary Frances Vigar… I think I’m about to read everything you’ve ever written. ❤️
Reading Blue’s diary felt less like reading fiction and more like sitting quietly inside someone’s mind and watching them slowly find their way back to themselves. I related to so much of what she discovered, acknowledged, and learned about herself—especially the psychological parts. There were moments when I just wanted to reach through the pages, hug her, and tell her, I’m so fucking proud of you.
I loved watching her grow into herself, and I especially loved her relationship with her therapist. It felt safe, genuine, and healing. And seeing her finally find the right partner genuinely made me happy for her.
But what stayed with me most was the author herself. She said the characters weren’t real, but the feelings, circumstances, and struggles were. And somehow, I could feel that. I kept forgetting I was reading Blue’s diary. It felt like I was reading hers.
I love books that make you feel like you’re not just reading the writer’s words you’re having a conversation with them. This was one of those books. The sarcasm, the characters, the honesty, the psychological depth… everything about the writing felt so intimate.
And that final note? It felt like she was talking directly to me.
“As long as you are breathing, you are healing.”
Yeah. I’m keeping that one.
I gave the first book 3.5 stars, but this one? A solid, deeply deserved 5 stars.
I came for Blue.
Somehow, I left knowing a little more about myself.
And Mary Frances Vigar… I think I’m about to read everything you’ve ever written. ❤️
August 18, 2026
‼️TW: SA, toxic family dynamics, self-esteem, BPD, body dysmorphia, and mental health‼️
.
.
So I had initially seen excerpts of this book online and decided I wanted to read it. I discovered it followed A Hue of Blu which is what led me to read that book first.
I’m not entirely sure how I feel about this one. It was shorter and felt a bit rushed. I enjoyed that it’s written by two versions of Beatrice. Before and after. I think that’s what made the emotions and thoughts in the book seem so strong, relatable, and heavy even. I understand that this was essentially her diary, but the formatting felt a bit overwhelming at times, but could just be my personal experience! It felt a bit messy.
I will say that I did really enjoy seeing her growth through all of her therapy. I loved watching Beatrice heal. 🥹 my girl needed that so bad because she really deserved so much more and her happiness was always something I wanted her to find. There were still so many good quotes and take aways from this book!
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So I had initially seen excerpts of this book online and decided I wanted to read it. I discovered it followed A Hue of Blu which is what led me to read that book first.
I’m not entirely sure how I feel about this one. It was shorter and felt a bit rushed. I enjoyed that it’s written by two versions of Beatrice. Before and after. I think that’s what made the emotions and thoughts in the book seem so strong, relatable, and heavy even. I understand that this was essentially her diary, but the formatting felt a bit overwhelming at times, but could just be my personal experience! It felt a bit messy.
I will say that I did really enjoy seeing her growth through all of her therapy. I loved watching Beatrice heal. 🥹 my girl needed that so bad because she really deserved so much more and her happiness was always something I wanted her to find. There were still so many good quotes and take aways from this book!
July 6, 2026
I remember reading the first book and feeling like I took a trip back in time to my younger self, desperately holding onto someone who hurt me in the worst possible way. This book feels like taking back control of your life and finally coming alive again.
The statement “when you’re conditioned to believe that love is supposed to hurt, you stop trusting anything that feels effortless.” is really powerful because it pinpoints how hard you have to fight to break the cycles and trust stability and consistency in a partner when your brain chemistry has been altered.
The only thing that I’m disappointed by is that this book felt alittle rushed. As the author said, she wrote this in a month and I feel like it shows. It would have been great to see more of how her relationship with herself improved over time and see more of how her relationship grows with Cole as I found it hard to connect to him as a character since we didn’t really “get to know him”.
The statement “when you’re conditioned to believe that love is supposed to hurt, you stop trusting anything that feels effortless.” is really powerful because it pinpoints how hard you have to fight to break the cycles and trust stability and consistency in a partner when your brain chemistry has been altered.
The only thing that I’m disappointed by is that this book felt alittle rushed. As the author said, she wrote this in a month and I feel like it shows. It would have been great to see more of how her relationship with herself improved over time and see more of how her relationship grows with Cole as I found it hard to connect to him as a character since we didn’t really “get to know him”.
June 28, 2026
As someone who's had a very long journey with their own mental health - this story that showed Beatrice's healing also was healing for me. It had me reflecting on aspects of my life, and seeing bits of myself reflected on paper.
So so many beautiful quotes in the story but one of my favourites has to be
"𝘐𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺." 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥. "𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘦, 𝘉𝘭𝘶" - 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘥- "𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥."
A lot of us have so much deep sadness we carry with us every day, and this fear deep in our bones that we're unlovable. To see Beatrice learn to love herself and allow good things to happen, and love others was really beautiful. And that's really my take away, life will happen to us we have our highs and lows, it's what we do with those highs and lows that define us ❤️🥹
So so many beautiful quotes in the story but one of my favourites has to be
"𝘐𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺." 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥. "𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘦, 𝘉𝘭𝘶" - 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘥- "𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥."
A lot of us have so much deep sadness we carry with us every day, and this fear deep in our bones that we're unlovable. To see Beatrice learn to love herself and allow good things to happen, and love others was really beautiful. And that's really my take away, life will happen to us we have our highs and lows, it's what we do with those highs and lows that define us ❤️🥹
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2026
It wasn't a love story far from it. It's a story that makes you feel that you are not alone, that you are not crazy if you have these voices in yohr head that were supposed to keep you safe but does the opposite.
Healing is not linear and will never will and its with our own discretion if we push forward healing or go back to the mess that scarred us in the first place.
We tend to find the blame in other people more so in ourselves because we just need something someone to blame but we can just let it be
And if we are lucky we meet someone who will hold us through it all and hold space for the crashing waves above and inside our hearts
After the Blue did not kill Blu but accepted her that she is with Beatrice side by side just amplified the real voice the one who lives on what is not the what ifs.
Healing is not linear and will never will and its with our own discretion if we push forward healing or go back to the mess that scarred us in the first place.
We tend to find the blame in other people more so in ourselves because we just need something someone to blame but we can just let it be
And if we are lucky we meet someone who will hold us through it all and hold space for the crashing waves above and inside our hearts
After the Blue did not kill Blu but accepted her that she is with Beatrice side by side just amplified the real voice the one who lives on what is not the what ifs.
September 8, 2026
This was an incredible book. It truly took me through the motions of what it feels like to come out of a toxic relationship, rediscover yourself, and ultimately find peace again.
Beatrice’s story was so empowering and relatable. I saw so much of myself in her, especially because I’ve also experienced the process of deeply grieving a past relationship while going through therapy, and eventually making it to the other side feeling stronger and more like myself than ever.
I highly recommend this novel to anyone who feels lost, disconnected from themselves, or like they’ve lost their sense of purpose. It reminded me that healing isn’t always easy or linear, but there really is something beautiful waiting for you on the other side.
This book brought me to tears.
Beatrice’s story was so empowering and relatable. I saw so much of myself in her, especially because I’ve also experienced the process of deeply grieving a past relationship while going through therapy, and eventually making it to the other side feeling stronger and more like myself than ever.
I highly recommend this novel to anyone who feels lost, disconnected from themselves, or like they’ve lost their sense of purpose. It reminded me that healing isn’t always easy or linear, but there really is something beautiful waiting for you on the other side.
This book brought me to tears.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2026
Honestly, I went into it kind of expecting it to suck, like A Hue of Blu, but I was pleasantly surprised.
I loved witnessing Beatrice Blu Handerson’s healing journey. I feel like the idea that you have to go through your Jace before you find your Cole applies not only to guys but to so many things in life. And honestly, I related to it on so many levels. It put words to feelings I had never been able to explain or even acknowledge before.
At the end of the day, just like Marie said, we all have a little bit of Blu inside us, as well as Beatrice.
I hope you all get to meet the Beatrice inside you. 💙
The line I loved the most, especially as an anxious person:
“Worry when it happens. Control what you can control. And everything else, everything else is water.”
I loved witnessing Beatrice Blu Handerson’s healing journey. I feel like the idea that you have to go through your Jace before you find your Cole applies not only to guys but to so many things in life. And honestly, I related to it on so many levels. It put words to feelings I had never been able to explain or even acknowledge before.
At the end of the day, just like Marie said, we all have a little bit of Blu inside us, as well as Beatrice.
I hope you all get to meet the Beatrice inside you. 💙
The line I loved the most, especially as an anxious person:
“Worry when it happens. Control what you can control. And everything else, everything else is water.”
June 23, 2026
NOT for me. Beatrice is either acting like she’s god’s gift to everyone or suddenly a fragile victim and there is no in between. Its not “complex,” its just WHIPLASH 😭
finished the first book thinking Um ok maybe this is building somewhere… The sequel being yrs later surely we will see improvement. nope. same issue. WORSE somehow.
the trauma stuff also just gets dropped in like seasoning that never gets mixed in. its there but it’s not doing anything.
I honestly stopped trying to keep up with which version of her I was supposed to believe in.
another $20 I will NEVER see again. I am done.
finished the first book thinking Um ok maybe this is building somewhere… The sequel being yrs later surely we will see improvement. nope. same issue. WORSE somehow.
the trauma stuff also just gets dropped in like seasoning that never gets mixed in. its there but it’s not doing anything.
I honestly stopped trying to keep up with which version of her I was supposed to believe in.
another $20 I will NEVER see again. I am done.
June 25, 2026
If you're looking for a book filled with healing and growth let this be your next read!!!
Beatrice has had a very special place in my heart for the last year since reading "A hue of blu". The journey through her relationship with Jace was the most accurate portrayal of toxicity I'd ever seen, not to mention her battles with her mental health. "After the Blu" provides not just a happy ending to her story but a sense of closure for both us as the readers as well as our dear Blu. I've shed numerous tears and annotated a bunch of beautiful lines and pieces of dialogue.
Mar you've done it again, thank you for giving us Blu 💙
Beatrice has had a very special place in my heart for the last year since reading "A hue of blu". The journey through her relationship with Jace was the most accurate portrayal of toxicity I'd ever seen, not to mention her battles with her mental health. "After the Blu" provides not just a happy ending to her story but a sense of closure for both us as the readers as well as our dear Blu. I've shed numerous tears and annotated a bunch of beautiful lines and pieces of dialogue.
Mar you've done it again, thank you for giving us Blu 💙
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