The book opens with Tristian about to be discharged from a mental health ward where he's been sectioned for 6 months. His crippling depression after the death of his father consumes his entire life. He's not really well enough to leave the ward but staff don't realise that. At the hospital he meets Zoe for the first time and the pair later discover they will be working together. Zoe, unbeknownst to Tristian has her own problems. Her own secrets. But outwardly Zoe is this zany character with a thirst for life and hair that is dyed a different colour every month. When she first meets Tristian he views her as this crazy girl with purple hair. She's unpredictable, a little bit scary, always taking photos with her disposable cameras and is completely the opposite of Tristian, whom she renames Tree because she thinks that name suits him better. Their friendship blossoms despite his  best efforts to avoid contact with Zoe. She's not the type of girl to take no for an answer when she decides she wants to be your friend. Zoe has made her mission in life to open Tristian's eyes to the beauty of being alive. She desperately wants to save him from his depression and make him see that the world would be very sad without him in it. Tristian on the other hand simply does not want to be alive. He feels nothing but overwhelming sadness. His relationship with his brother has hit rock bottom and he simply gets through every day as best he can wishing for it all to end.

While this story may initially sound quite depressing it is in fact a beautiful story about 2 people forming a friendship that forces them both to take a look inside themselves and find strength to do things they never thought possible.  And, if you've ever lived with depression yourself or support someone who does, you'll see just how accurately the author describes Tristian's state of mind and the crushing sadness he feels. She has also captured the frustrations of his brother Luke and the constant state of alert he lives on worrying about Tristian. The character of Zoe is simply stunning. I loved her quirkiness and her view on life. Despite harbouring a terrible secret herself, Zoe brings sunshine into Tristian's life. She is the colour to his darkness. A tear jerker of a book that I'd highly recommend.