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The True Colour of Forever
323 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2017
2 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 30, 2017
The True Colour of Forever is our August Book of the Month!
We tried to make paper cranes for the release (and didn't do too well...we need a bit more practice).
Check out the teaser video here - with more videos from the Date a Book team on the way.
And remember: Choose Kindness.
We tried to make paper cranes for the release (and didn't do too well...we need a bit more practice).
Check out the teaser video here - with more videos from the Date a Book team on the way.
And remember: Choose Kindness.
July 25, 2017
I devoured this book in a day, I love love LOVE it so much.
This story of The Unlikelies is one of the most uplifting and relatable books I've read in a while. I want to be best friends with the whole gang and run around all summer - I can't say many books set during high school have made me want to return there.
Choose kindness!
This story of The Unlikelies is one of the most uplifting and relatable books I've read in a while. I want to be best friends with the whole gang and run around all summer - I can't say many books set during high school have made me want to return there.
Choose kindness!
December 22, 2023
I'm not sure what I was expecting but it wasn't that. This plot kind of goes off on a tangent -- the focus of the story becomes drug related -- and never really comes back again. What was the point of the gem plotline if they never actually did anything with them? I did enjoy the 'found family' aspect of the main character finding a 'good' group of friends when she needed them most.
March 3, 2025
I got clickbaited bro what did any of this even have to do with the premise hello?? Drug addiction of some irrelevant character we barely heard anything about?? a SPRINKLE of romance?? Bro.. summarize your book properly cause this is not what I signed up for
August 9, 2025
Not even sure what I just read…
February 5, 2024
This was actually a pretty good book, and I enjoyed it. That was not to say I didn't have a few quibbles with it, but I enjoyed it more than I initially thought I would. Without further ado, the Likes and Dislikes:
THINGS I LIKED:
- I LOVED the idea of a group of teenagers that really care about people banding together to...care about people, and try to make a change. That was such a good idea.
- I liked the Hamptons setting
- I liked most of the characters, and enjoyed their interactions, especially Jean
- I have to commend Sadie's character on being a pretty good depiction of how you're supposed to apologise to someone--she doesn't try to make excuses, doesn't centre her feelings, she acknowledges HOW she hurt Jean. It's very good.
- I also liked the way the whole thing with Shay was handled--the way that it was shown that sometimes there are no hard feelings, sometimes friends don't 'break up' and often friends want to stay friends, but people drift apart as they get older
THINGS I DIDN'T SO MUCH LOVE:
- Some of the ways that the Unlikelies tried to fix problems seemed a little unrealistic
- I felt like the story went through several tone shifts, which was odd
- The romance could have been better--or not there
- Val, as a character, is underutilised
- To me nothing is more frustrating than a book whose title has no connection whatsoever with it's contents. Like this
All up, it was a good read, and I enjoyed it
CW: swearing, a plotline that deals in detail with heroin addiction, mentions of sex, mentions of HPV, a character's friend overdoses multiple times, bigoted parents, mentions of prostitution, the main character is injured by a drunk man, mentioned of child abuse
THINGS I LIKED:
- I LOVED the idea of a group of teenagers that really care about people banding together to...care about people, and try to make a change. That was such a good idea.
- I liked the Hamptons setting
- I liked most of the characters, and enjoyed their interactions, especially Jean
- I have to commend Sadie's character on being a pretty good depiction of how you're supposed to apologise to someone--she doesn't try to make excuses, doesn't centre her feelings, she acknowledges HOW she hurt Jean. It's very good.
- I also liked the way the whole thing with Shay was handled--the way that it was shown that sometimes there are no hard feelings, sometimes friends don't 'break up' and often friends want to stay friends, but people drift apart as they get older
THINGS I DIDN'T SO MUCH LOVE:
- Some of the ways that the Unlikelies tried to fix problems seemed a little unrealistic
- I felt like the story went through several tone shifts, which was odd
- The romance could have been better--or not there
- Val, as a character, is underutilised
- To me nothing is more frustrating than a book whose title has no connection whatsoever with it's contents. Like this
All up, it was a good read, and I enjoyed it
CW: swearing, a plotline that deals in detail with heroin addiction, mentions of sex, mentions of HPV, a character's friend overdoses multiple times, bigoted parents, mentions of prostitution, the main character is injured by a drunk man, mentioned of child abuse
March 28, 2019
The stunning cover is absolutely eye-catching with it's beautiful colours and details. It is perfectly chosen for the story behind it and shows an actual scene of the book.
The author's writing style is simply amazing. She writes in such a spellbinding and thrilling way that I could barely lay the book down. I absolutely love it!
Yes, I nearly burnt the food again...
The True Colour Of Forever reminds the reader of the really important things in life - the people around you. It brought tears to my eyes more than once. There are so many emotions bundled up in this story, it left me as an emotional mess. I could actually feel every single thing the characters supposed to feel. It felt like I was standing right next to them, seeing through their eyes.
The expressive characters are actually teenagers, who show a massive amount of courage.
The protagonist Sadie is a normal teenager with your typical teenie issues during Summer holidays. Though, that's not everything. She has courage, is kind, a bit shy, loving, and cares a lot for others. She always thinks that there is nothing special about herself but in these days - sadly - it is a special character trait, if you choose kindness over looking away.
I really like all the characters in this story but I will carry Sadie forever in my heart.
In my opinion, the author sent a very important message with this story: 'If you see something, say something!' as well as 'choose kindness'. What she obviously also wants to tell you with this book is: Don't look away, if someone needs your help.
I can absolutely recommend this book to everyone as it will always be an all-time-favourite of mine. It is a must in every bookshelf!
The author's writing style is simply amazing. She writes in such a spellbinding and thrilling way that I could barely lay the book down. I absolutely love it!
Yes, I nearly burnt the food again...
The True Colour Of Forever reminds the reader of the really important things in life - the people around you. It brought tears to my eyes more than once. There are so many emotions bundled up in this story, it left me as an emotional mess. I could actually feel every single thing the characters supposed to feel. It felt like I was standing right next to them, seeing through their eyes.
The expressive characters are actually teenagers, who show a massive amount of courage.
The protagonist Sadie is a normal teenager with your typical teenie issues during Summer holidays. Though, that's not everything. She has courage, is kind, a bit shy, loving, and cares a lot for others. She always thinks that there is nothing special about herself but in these days - sadly - it is a special character trait, if you choose kindness over looking away.
I really like all the characters in this story but I will carry Sadie forever in my heart.
In my opinion, the author sent a very important message with this story: 'If you see something, say something!' as well as 'choose kindness'. What she obviously also wants to tell you with this book is: Don't look away, if someone needs your help.
I can absolutely recommend this book to everyone as it will always be an all-time-favourite of mine. It is a must in every bookshelf!
February 11, 2024
Admittedly I did not have very high hopes for this story. The cover and synopsis hint at a very cliche and overdone style of YA story that I was not looking forward to, however, I was pleasantly surprised. The main character Sadie has an entertaining monologue, albeit at times somewhat dull, however this added a touch of realism that I appreciated. The different characters she encountered throughout the story were complex and loveable and all contributed to the story in different and entertaining ways. The storyline for the book was unique and fresh and played out in a way that was enjoyable but not too unrealistic.
One (small) 'criticism' I have is that on the cover the book is described as having an 'unlikely love story' but I predicted it almost immediately, I did still very much enjoyed the romance and can appreciate that it was somewhat less predictable than other romances in a similar genre.
At the beginning of the book I found it to be a bit sluggish and contemplated putting the book back on my shelf but in the end I preserved because in the end I didn't want it to be over, something I take as a sign of a very good book.
One (small) 'criticism' I have is that on the cover the book is described as having an 'unlikely love story' but I predicted it almost immediately, I did still very much enjoyed the romance and can appreciate that it was somewhat less predictable than other romances in a similar genre.
At the beginning of the book I found it to be a bit sluggish and contemplated putting the book back on my shelf but in the end I preserved because in the end I didn't want it to be over, something I take as a sign of a very good book.
January 22, 2019
A fantastic summer story - it's written in the usual coming-of-age style but delivers more than your average story. A heart-warming tale of new friendships, exciting adventures and experiences but also some serious stuff about being kind to others and helping people out too. I have made it sound a bit twee in my description but its a very genuine story that keeps you turning the pages as well as drawing you in to the 'Unlikelies' group. I want to hang out with them. I will definitely be highly recommending to my students.
Warning - not recommended for younger readers due to frequent references to drugs use.
Warning - not recommended for younger readers due to frequent references to drugs use.
January 13, 2024
I think this book was wholesome in the sense that they are a group of kids who on a summer day decided to team up and become a group of do-gooders online, The Unlikelies. The story behind the name is so cute and so much sentiment. This isn't the type of book I would read but from the mystery of the trunk to the budding romance between Sadie and Gordie, it honestly got me hooked. I was however a little disappointed about the ending cuz it didn't really make sense. Did they not do anything about the baby's mother who used the money for something else but the baby's needs despite putting so much effort into taking down bullies? It didn't exactly finish the story it started.
May 4, 2022
Pre: Straight romance…I think
Post: I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this book at all but I loved it! Found family trope! Have I ever told you how much I love the found family trope? Particularly the ‘group of people meet coincidentally and become inseparable’ trope. Add in the ‘Summer before college’ trope and now we’re talking! I love all five of them in a different way but Jean’s definitely my fav. I honestly loved this book, the way the plot came across, the vibes and the incredible relationships between the characters and did I mention the found family trope? (4/5)
Post: I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this book at all but I loved it! Found family trope! Have I ever told you how much I love the found family trope? Particularly the ‘group of people meet coincidentally and become inseparable’ trope. Add in the ‘Summer before college’ trope and now we’re talking! I love all five of them in a different way but Jean’s definitely my fav. I honestly loved this book, the way the plot came across, the vibes and the incredible relationships between the characters and did I mention the found family trope? (4/5)
dnf
April 13, 2019The plot was intriguing enough for me to read the first 100 or so pages but the writing style was so weird. There would be an emotional or traumatic moment but there wouldn't be any emotion in the writing style if that makes sense? Like the main protagonist would narrate the story in a very matter-of-fact way and it was so off-putting.
Also this is marketed as a romance but a third of the way into the book and I still have no idea who the main character's love interest is.
Also this is marketed as a romance but a third of the way into the book and I still have no idea who the main character's love interest is.
September 7, 2020
This book is full of adventure, meeting new people, trying to solve a problem that occurs all over the world, starting within their own town and then branching out to other towns and cities. It follows the story of Sadie Sullivan, who does something that some say is brave and others say is stupid, she meets four new friends who have also done great things, one is a crush she has had since freshman year of high school.
September 12, 2018
Really, Really loved this book. The characters were so diverse and unusual (and unlikely!) and the story line was brilliant. The story has a great message about bullying and how little it takes to do a kind thing, whilst also being relateable and funny. This would be great as a light, summer read, loved it.
November 7, 2019
I really enjoyed this book and the writing style was very good. They covered the topics of drugs quite good. My only problem was that I got a little bored at certain parts but apart from that I loved it and will definitely be checking out more Carrie Firestone books.
February 10, 2021
My first DNF on Goodreads!!! DNF at 59 pages
I couldn't get into it. The baby rescuing thing was unrealistic, the characters were annoying and there was too many introduced too quick. My TBR is too long to keep going with this. Disappointed as The Loose Ends List was great. Ugh
I couldn't get into it. The baby rescuing thing was unrealistic, the characters were annoying and there was too many introduced too quick. My TBR is too long to keep going with this. Disappointed as The Loose Ends List was great. Ugh
March 14, 2021
It was gifted to meand overall I really enjoyed it. It was better than by expectations, the cover doesn't represent the true story and tone of it. I was gripped from the start and it was interesting till the end. An easy read, but with some thought-provoking themes.
August 6, 2017
So uplifting even though it deals with heavy topics.
October 30, 2019
It changed my life
September 29, 2020
One of those confusing-to-rate books that dips between a 3 and a 4 star rating, with hints of a ‘Ummmm?’
November 29, 2021
This was such a fun and moving read! Sadly -1 star for pacing and a few derogatory comments about sex work.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews