“The closing staccato chapters play out like the final minutes of a close game…Supporting characters, especially Chelsea's bass-playing younger brother, are all well drawn. With its rural setting and flirty competitive training scenes, this sexy summer romance will appeal to fans of Catherine Gilbert Murdock’s ‘Dairy Queen’ series.”
—School Library Journal

“With no slick, happily-ever-after ending, this novel will capture teens with the characters’ guilt, anger, and, especially, the intensity of the young people’s connection.”
—Booklist

What Readers And Bloggers Are Saying About Playing Hurt:

“The summer romance between Chelsea and Clint is so steamy that Playing Hurt could easily become this decade's version of Dirty Dancing.”
—Kim Tomsic at Bookshelf Detective

“A story of two broken souls who become intertwined in an effort to be whole again!”
—Valerie at Stuck in Books

“I flew through this book. I couldn't stop turning the pages, reading the very sweet love affair that developed between Chelsea and Clint. If you're craving a beautiful story about loving, losing love, and loving again, you will adore this book!”
—Andye at Reading Teen

“Reading Playing Hurt was beyond enjoyable. It was amazing. It was delicious, it was sexy, it was pure beauty.”
—Cindy at Princess Bookie

“Holly Schindler, you devil, you! This book is steamy!”
—Jess at Gone with the Words

“More than anything, Chelsea and Clint are imperfect people that struggle with what they want and what they are supposed to want. I’m really glad to have a book like this that portrays their story in a real way (rather than being a morality tale).”
—Emily at Librarian of Doom

“I ate this story alive. Literally. I sat down, ate it, digested it and it was food for my soul.”
—Lynn Marie at Bringing the Epic

“[Clint’s] viewpoint was written well, and kudos to Holly for getting a male voice down without overdoing it.”
—John at Dreaming in Books

“Playing Hurt is simply an intimate conversation taking place between two people—and you, as the reader, are fortunate to be listening in.”
—Carissa at Preternatural Primer

“Both fun and emotional, and hitting on some very hard topics in a graceful way, Playing Hurt will suck readers right in. Never shying away from realism and with characters who might not make the ‘best’ decisions, Playing Hurt is a marvel to read. Not to mention, it has one of the most swoon-worthy love interests around.”
—Kari at A Good Addiction

“Playing Hurt is a perfectly written novel, with realistic characters and the ultimate summer romance. You'll be captivated by these two broken characters searching for something that will make them whole again.”
—Kristi at The Story Siren

“Playing Hurt is a romantically charged novel about giving yourself second chances in the face of personal and physical tragedy.”
—Kate at I Just Wanna Sit Here and Read!

"Schindler always convinces me, always transports me, always opens up all of my senses so I can take in the lives of her characters as if they were my own."
—Gabrielle at The Mod Podge Bookshelf

"Playing Hurt makes us see the difference between being in a relationship and being in love...God. How many times can I say it? Holly Schindler knows how to write a perfect novel."
—Brent at The Naughty Book Kitties

“Loved Playing Hurt. You find yourself rooting for Chelsea and Clint from the moment they meet. And the writing? Wow. The writing was exceptional, and I must say, I've developed quite the writerly crush on Holly.”
—Jennifer L. Armentrout, Author of Young Adult and Adult Urban Fantasy and Romance

“In the book, Chelsea and Clint vow to ‘never live timidly,’ and to never take the coward’s way out again. As a storyteller, Holly follows her characters’ advice. She doesn’t hold anything back, whether it’s exploring sexuality, living with regret and pain, or hurting the ones you love the most and dealing with the fallout. Her characters live and breathe, and in the end, become a part of you.”
—Rachel at The Ending Unplanned

A Blue So Dark Trailer:

A Blue So Dark
One of Booklist’s Top 10 First Novels for Youth (2010)
Silver Medal, ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year (Young Adult Fiction)
IPPY Gold Medal Award Winner (Juvenile / Young Adult Fiction)

Authors Rave About A Blue So Dark:

“A Blue So Dark is one of those rare books: It never shies away from the darkness yet still manages to find the light. A truly real, emotional, and honest read.”
—Catherine Ryan Hyde, author of Pay it Forward and Love in the Present Tense

“Schindler’s lyrical debut explores the nightmare of mental illness in a voice that is sharp and funny and all her own. This is as real as teen fiction gets. A must-read.”
—Crissa-Jean Chappell, author of Total Constant Order

“A Blue So Dark is a raw, compelling and eloquent portrayal of art and madness, and the freeing, healing gift of creativity. Schindler’s voice is brilliant and true.”
—Carrie Jones, New York Times bestselling author of Need and Captivate

A Blue So Dark Reviews:

“Breathtakingly, gut-wrenchingly authentic... A haunting, realistic view of the melding of art, creativity, and mental illness and their collective impact on a young person’s life.”
—Booklist, starred review

"Any story about mental illness will not be an easy read, but a very good one will reward those who stick with it. A Blue So Dark definitely falls in that category, so powerful is the empathy the author has built for her main character."
—School Library Journal

“An excellent first novel—a definite must-read. Schindler's debut novel is a lyrical tapestry...a work of poetry.”
—VOYA

“A Blue So Dark is a captivating debut from Holly Schindler.  I followed the main character, Aura, as she swung from attempts of having a normal teenage life to the struggles of living with a mentally ill mother.  Beautifully written and bravely realistic, this is a wonderful addition to contemporary YA.”
—Medeia Sharif, YA Author 

“An unbelievably poetic and emotionally charged story of a family on the brink of collapse and on the edge of healing through creativity.”
—Chrystal at Snowdrop Dreams of Books 

“A Blue So Dark is a haunting, literary read, perfect for those who enjoy their stories to unravel piece by piece.”
—Kelly Jensen at STACKED

 “Aura’s story pulled me in quickly and I didn’t want to stop reading.  Her voice was pitch-perfect...An amazingly wonderful read!”
—Erica at Café Saturday 

“A Blue So Dark is difficult to describe in a phrase.  It’s a dark and thought-provoking read but also a shining light.  I thought about this one for hours on end after completing it.  Absolutely recommended!”
—Alyssa at Readers Unite

 “Holly Schindler has written an honest portrayal of mental illness and the effects it has on a family.  The writing is lyrical and poetic and while the journey Aura goes through is horrifying, it also leaves readers with hope.  A gritty, realistic, and needed entry into YA, Holly Schindler is an author to watch!”
—Sarah Bean Thompson at GreenBeanTeenQueen

“A Blue So Dark is poetic, haunting, beautiful, and finely-rendered. I couldn't stop reading!”
—Linda Oatman High, Author of Books for Children and Young Adults 

“This is one of the most impressively written debut novels I've read this year. But it wasn't just the writing that was so striking... the characterization, the story... everything! It was... WOW.”
—Kristi at The Story Siren 

Schindler “writes in vivid, Technicolor prose that thrills over and over with its fresh, visual appeal.”
—Susan Jensen at Bloggin’ ‘Bout Books

“A Blue So Dark is a remarkable novel that throws you right in the middle of what it’s like to live with schizophrenia. Aura takes us on one serious emotional roller-coaster, without ever losing hope. In the end, all I could think was—that was beautiful.”
—Amanda at Another Book Junkie

“Schindler’s novel is a sight to behold—the subject matter of schizophrenia is handled realistically and with care, working well with the poetic nature of the prose... an amazing debut novel.”
—James at Book Chic

“A Blue So Dark is lyrical, poetic, and enchanting. A novel that demonstrates the hardships of having to grow up too fast and wanting to still be a teenager. Holly Schindler has written something that will resonate with every single reader.”
—Patty at Yay! Reads

“Schindler writes with overwhelming clarity and truth; a brilliance you can’t hide from at times.”
—Gabrielle at The Mod Podge Bookshelf

“The writing is so vivid, I could actually feel Aura’s emotions and anticipate her fear.”
—Kiwi at Assortments…

“Reading A Blue So Dark is like reading poetry as I find Holly Schindler’s prose is simply beautiful and lyrical.”
—Melody Lee at Melody’s Reading Corner

“A Blue So Dark was haunting, raw, emotional, and a powerful debut from Schindler. One word=INTENSE.”
—Cindy at Princess Bookie

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