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Twin Hearts #2
Seven Shades of You
**Stand Alone**
Her world was color. Canvas and paint. Indie O’Connell lived inside her head. Her voices the muse. And as a freshman at St. Peter's College, all she wanted, was to create a name for herself with the brush in her hand.
His world was over. Despite his humble upbringing, Kai Carter seemed to have it all. Captain of the swim team and a full scholarship. His golden boy status a mask he had to wear to keep his dream and his family afloat. All the pieces of his life dangled precariously from his fingertips.
Forced to fight a battle he’d never signed up for, Kai’s loyalty turned out to be his undoing, and like a good captain, no matter what the cost, he’d gone down with the ship.
They never planned for their worlds to collide.
He was her brother's best friend.
She was supposed to be invisible.
Off limits.
Being together, regardless of how much they wanted it, was a line they'd never cross. But when lives get messy, lines get blurred, and in love, nothing is ever black and white.
Her world was color. Canvas and paint. Indie O’Connell lived inside her head. Her voices the muse. And as a freshman at St. Peter's College, all she wanted, was to create a name for herself with the brush in her hand.
His world was over. Despite his humble upbringing, Kai Carter seemed to have it all. Captain of the swim team and a full scholarship. His golden boy status a mask he had to wear to keep his dream and his family afloat. All the pieces of his life dangled precariously from his fingertips.
Forced to fight a battle he’d never signed up for, Kai’s loyalty turned out to be his undoing, and like a good captain, no matter what the cost, he’d gone down with the ship.
They never planned for their worlds to collide.
He was her brother's best friend.
She was supposed to be invisible.
Off limits.
Being together, regardless of how much they wanted it, was a line they'd never cross. But when lives get messy, lines get blurred, and in love, nothing is ever black and white.
444 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 12, 2019
151 people are currently reading
1341 people want to read
About the author
A.M. Johnson
41 books2,044 followersA.M. Johnson lives in Utah with her family where she works as a full-time nurse. If she’s not at the hockey rink with her kiddos, you’ll find her buried in a book or behind the keyboard. She loves romance and all things passionate. Amanda enjoys exploring all genres and bringing life to the human experience.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 289 reviews
October 18, 2019
3.75 rounded up sweet, soft, innocent, seven shades of rainbow colors, heartwarming four stars!
I’m so happy to find a good written, soul feeding, mind relaxing, heart capturing, beautiful, poignant story of two people!
Indie has spirits on her head that they won’t go as like mentioned on Strumbellas’ song! But she’s brave enough to fight with them, try to learn how to live with them by using her talent for painting as a curing method and also as her weapon against her inner monsters which try to pull her self esteem down!
Kai is another wounded hero, trying to except her mother’s fatal disease and restrain his anger to his father boiling up each time he faces him.
He is not flawless, one of the sweetest hero who does anything for the girl he loves deep in his heart. He has his own issues to deal with them. Also his past as a man-whore a little made me worried! But he’s also brave, loyal to his friends, only one he defends Royal against his teammates, his bravery makes him lose his position as a captain of the team!
Even though he did his best for staying away from Indie because of traditional bro code( best friend with his twin which is cliche but funny thing is author also expressed it as a cliche, too. ), they find their way to each other.
The slow burning relationship and method of expression their inner hidden feelings by reflecting with art parts of the book are marvelous!
Indie is suffering from deep psychological disorders! But I liked her way to stand against her weaknesses! She was doing anything she could not to hit the rock bottom! She’s quiet fighter, strong and peculiar but vivid, original character! I liked her so much!
I cut the points because of Kai’s indecisive attitudes when Royal learn his relationship with his sister. As soon as his mother’s health condition gets worse, he breaks up with Indie and using one of the most obvious explanation as a reason: He is not good enough for him! Oh boy, we already know it! But if you’re not sure about yourself, you shouldn’t have started relationship with her. First being selfish and then being noble don’t work at the same time!!!
I was so scared that after breakup , Indie had a nervous breakdown but she didn’t ( Thanks to the author not to torment one of my loveliest heroine I’ve read lately) She went to the prom with two handsome teammates of his brother! Atta girl!
At least our hero comes to his senses( thanks to her lovely mother) we got our happy ending! Yayyy!
So the things I liked so much: Heroine, art, colors, slow burning- romantic-emotional-artsy- beautiful love story!
What I didn’t like: Their breakup, Kai’s weakness to let her go! And Daphne ! Is this girl added on the pages to put faction seeds on the couple’s mind! First she blurted out Indie’s disease and then called Indie and tell her she had sex with Kai but he didn’t call her again! She appeared at the critical times and injected her poison and disappeared ! Oh God, I hated her!!!
I loved Royal and Camden as a couple and I liked this second book, Indie and Kai’s love story so much!
If you’re looking sweet, lovely story of two tortured but not broken, brave persons, you got the right book !
I’m so happy to find a good written, soul feeding, mind relaxing, heart capturing, beautiful, poignant story of two people!
Indie has spirits on her head that they won’t go as like mentioned on Strumbellas’ song! But she’s brave enough to fight with them, try to learn how to live with them by using her talent for painting as a curing method and also as her weapon against her inner monsters which try to pull her self esteem down!
Kai is another wounded hero, trying to except her mother’s fatal disease and restrain his anger to his father boiling up each time he faces him.
He is not flawless, one of the sweetest hero who does anything for the girl he loves deep in his heart. He has his own issues to deal with them. Also his past as a man-whore a little made me worried! But he’s also brave, loyal to his friends, only one he defends Royal against his teammates, his bravery makes him lose his position as a captain of the team!
Even though he did his best for staying away from Indie because of traditional bro code( best friend with his twin which is cliche but funny thing is author also expressed it as a cliche, too. ), they find their way to each other.
The slow burning relationship and method of expression their inner hidden feelings by reflecting with art parts of the book are marvelous!
Indie is suffering from deep psychological disorders! But I liked her way to stand against her weaknesses! She was doing anything she could not to hit the rock bottom! She’s quiet fighter, strong and peculiar but vivid, original character! I liked her so much!
I cut the points because of Kai’s indecisive attitudes when Royal learn his relationship with his sister. As soon as his mother’s health condition gets worse, he breaks up with Indie and using one of the most obvious explanation as a reason: He is not good enough for him! Oh boy, we already know it! But if you’re not sure about yourself, you shouldn’t have started relationship with her. First being selfish and then being noble don’t work at the same time!!!
I was so scared that after breakup , Indie had a nervous breakdown but she didn’t ( Thanks to the author not to torment one of my loveliest heroine I’ve read lately) She went to the prom with two handsome teammates of his brother! Atta girl!
At least our hero comes to his senses( thanks to her lovely mother) we got our happy ending! Yayyy!
So the things I liked so much: Heroine, art, colors, slow burning- romantic-emotional-artsy- beautiful love story!
What I didn’t like: Their breakup, Kai’s weakness to let her go! And Daphne ! Is this girl added on the pages to put faction seeds on the couple’s mind! First she blurted out Indie’s disease and then called Indie and tell her she had sex with Kai but he didn’t call her again! She appeared at the critical times and injected her poison and disappeared ! Oh God, I hated her!!!
I loved Royal and Camden as a couple and I liked this second book, Indie and Kai’s love story so much!
If you’re looking sweet, lovely story of two tortured but not broken, brave persons, you got the right book !
August 3, 2025
A lovely story, though angstier than I expected. I liked the relationship between Kai and Indie. It was sweet and tender.
However, I was a bit disappointed with
I listened to the audiobook and both narrators were amazing. They captured the emotions of the characters perfectly and each narrator did a wonderful job with the voices for the opposite sex.
However, I was a bit disappointed with
I listened to the audiobook and both narrators were amazing. They captured the emotions of the characters perfectly and each narrator did a wonderful job with the voices for the opposite sex.
June 13, 2019
5 STARS
I love it, A.M. Johnson delivers a heartwarming,sweet,intense and beautiful story.The writing was poetic and flawless.From the moment I finished reading Let There Be Light, I was excited for Kai and Indie's story.
I fall in love with Kai and Indie, what they have was beautiful,realistic and intense.Both characters have a special place in my heart.I have so many feelings.
Such a beautiful story, I highly recommend both books in this series.If you are looking for stories with deep meaning and romance that will keep your hearts warm.This is perfect for you.
I love it, A.M. Johnson delivers a heartwarming,sweet,intense and beautiful story.The writing was poetic and flawless.From the moment I finished reading Let There Be Light, I was excited for Kai and Indie's story.
I fall in love with Kai and Indie, what they have was beautiful,realistic and intense.Both characters have a special place in my heart.I have so many feelings.
Such a beautiful story, I highly recommend both books in this series.If you are looking for stories with deep meaning and romance that will keep your hearts warm.This is perfect for you.
lost-interested
June 23, 2020DNF @ 24%
I love that cover and I like the title and so far it was an emotional read but it was too slow for my taste or maybe I’m not in the right mood…
I love that cover and I like the title and so far it was an emotional read but it was too slow for my taste or maybe I’m not in the right mood…
August 28, 2019
4 Stars
Sweet, romantic and passionate.
Heartbreaking, yet hopeful and comforting.
Seven Shades of You is a new adult, college-set romance, following Indie, a shy and sweet artist dealing with mental health illness, and her brother’s bestie, Kai, who is a swim team champ and all-around player on campus.
Indie and Kai have been enamoured with one another since they first locked eyes (back in book one), but Kai believes in the bro-code, particularly relating to how thou shall not covet thy best friends twin sister - so he stays away, thinking it’s what’s best for everyone, even if he is secretly pining away.
While Indie throws herself into her art — which is her best form of defence against the demons that plague her mind — Kai has been dealing with the stress and sadness of having a mother who has been seriously ill for years (she suffers from MS). As a coping method, Kai has spent years drowning his sorrows in alcohol and sleeping with girls he doesn’t care for. But after hitting an all-time low over winter break, Kai returns to campus determined to make some positive changes to his otherwise crumbling life.
One such change comes in the form of switching majors, from business to art, promptly putting Kai in the direct and frequent path of Indie, his beautiful and untouchable muse. As the two grow closer, teaching each other in the art studio and in the pool, they can no longer deny their chemistry, even if they are worried about Royal’s (the brother/best friend’s) reaction.
This story had a bit of everything. It was sweet and romantic, featuring a delicious slow-burn romance (especially if you consider all the hidden glances from book one). It dealt with some heavy issues, too, such as mental health illness, the (impending) death of a parent, alcohol/drug abuse and abandonment issues, to name a few. It was angsty, but not too much so, which can be attested to the beautiful writing and the way the sweet romance and the positive friendships overpowered any of the negative feelings this story elicited.
After reading and loving book one, I was more than eager to read Indie and Kai’s story, and it didn’t disappoint. They fit together so beautifully; their love overcoming all the darker shit they had to deal with in their lives. They were simply stronger together, and the way their love manifested was testament to that.
Now, it says it’s a stand-alone, and I’m sure it could be read as such.... but I wouldn’t recommend doing so. This is a direct continuation of Let There Be Light, featuring ALL the same characters and picking up just a few weeks on from where book one left off, simply following a different couple this time around. The only big difference is that this couple is an M/F pairing, whereas book one featured an M/M couple. But if you’re happy reading both types of romantic pairings in your reading, then tackling this duology in its entirety will be a no brainer!
Sweet, romantic and passionate.
Heartbreaking, yet hopeful and comforting.
Seven Shades of You is a new adult, college-set romance, following Indie, a shy and sweet artist dealing with mental health illness, and her brother’s bestie, Kai, who is a swim team champ and all-around player on campus.
Indie and Kai have been enamoured with one another since they first locked eyes (back in book one), but Kai believes in the bro-code, particularly relating to how thou shall not covet thy best friends twin sister - so he stays away, thinking it’s what’s best for everyone, even if he is secretly pining away.
While Indie throws herself into her art — which is her best form of defence against the demons that plague her mind — Kai has been dealing with the stress and sadness of having a mother who has been seriously ill for years (she suffers from MS). As a coping method, Kai has spent years drowning his sorrows in alcohol and sleeping with girls he doesn’t care for. But after hitting an all-time low over winter break, Kai returns to campus determined to make some positive changes to his otherwise crumbling life.
One such change comes in the form of switching majors, from business to art, promptly putting Kai in the direct and frequent path of Indie, his beautiful and untouchable muse. As the two grow closer, teaching each other in the art studio and in the pool, they can no longer deny their chemistry, even if they are worried about Royal’s (the brother/best friend’s) reaction.
This story had a bit of everything. It was sweet and romantic, featuring a delicious slow-burn romance (especially if you consider all the hidden glances from book one). It dealt with some heavy issues, too, such as mental health illness, the (impending) death of a parent, alcohol/drug abuse and abandonment issues, to name a few. It was angsty, but not too much so, which can be attested to the beautiful writing and the way the sweet romance and the positive friendships overpowered any of the negative feelings this story elicited.
After reading and loving book one, I was more than eager to read Indie and Kai’s story, and it didn’t disappoint. They fit together so beautifully; their love overcoming all the darker shit they had to deal with in their lives. They were simply stronger together, and the way their love manifested was testament to that.
Now, it says it’s a stand-alone, and I’m sure it could be read as such.... but I wouldn’t recommend doing so. This is a direct continuation of Let There Be Light, featuring ALL the same characters and picking up just a few weeks on from where book one left off, simply following a different couple this time around. The only big difference is that this couple is an M/F pairing, whereas book one featured an M/M couple. But if you’re happy reading both types of romantic pairings in your reading, then tackling this duology in its entirety will be a no brainer!
![Profile Image for moonlight ☾ [semi-hiatus].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1645500038i%2F37448930._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
July 2, 2022
4 stars ☆
“Love is a twisted thing. It hurts as much as it heals. It’s painful to watch you go through this…” The rough skin around his eyes crinkled. “But it’s important that you do. You can’t love someone with your whole heart if it started with a lie. Dishonesty is a shadow, Pink. It’s a shadow you can’t smudge away with your thumb, and even in the night, when everything is dark, it will follow you. It infiltrates every good thing.”
i really enjoyed Kai (H) and Indie’s (h) story! they had such a sweet romance (much sweeter than i expected, considering Kai was a player in book one, but i loved how he wasn’t one here) that had me smiling through majority of the book. i’ve always loved Indie since the beginning; she was so supportive and loving to those around her that i knew if anyone deserved happiness, it was her. 🥺 the voices she kept hearing in her head made me cry, but i’m glad she was able to stand strong, despite it all. i also loved how this book didn’t gloss over the fact that just bc she was able to find love, it would mean her schizoaffective disorder magically disappears. it was still there, and it would always be, but she’s learned to trust the voices less compared to before bc of the love Kai has shown her. as for Kai, i loved him and the way he truly cared for Indie. the way he’s so close with his mom also warmed my heart. 🥰 of course, the Royal and Camden crumbs we had was chefs kiss. 😭 i’m kinda curious if the other guys in the swim team will ever have their own stories (*cough* i just wanna know what Ellis and Sherman’s deals were and why they treated my bbs Royal and Camden like shit). 👀
my only conflict was pretty much how their ‘secret relationship’ dragged a bit for me + i understand Kai was going through things and he didn’t want to drag Indie in his problems but they were already together at that point so i wished he was able to lean on her rather than pushing her away. :(
“Love is a twisted thing. It hurts as much as it heals. It’s painful to watch you go through this…” The rough skin around his eyes crinkled. “But it’s important that you do. You can’t love someone with your whole heart if it started with a lie. Dishonesty is a shadow, Pink. It’s a shadow you can’t smudge away with your thumb, and even in the night, when everything is dark, it will follow you. It infiltrates every good thing.”
i really enjoyed Kai (H) and Indie’s (h) story! they had such a sweet romance (much sweeter than i expected, considering Kai was a player in book one, but i loved how he wasn’t one here) that had me smiling through majority of the book. i’ve always loved Indie since the beginning; she was so supportive and loving to those around her that i knew if anyone deserved happiness, it was her. 🥺 the voices she kept hearing in her head made me cry, but i’m glad she was able to stand strong, despite it all. i also loved how this book didn’t gloss over the fact that just bc she was able to find love, it would mean her schizoaffective disorder magically disappears. it was still there, and it would always be, but she’s learned to trust the voices less compared to before bc of the love Kai has shown her. as for Kai, i loved him and the way he truly cared for Indie. the way he’s so close with his mom also warmed my heart. 🥰 of course, the Royal and Camden crumbs we had was chefs kiss. 😭 i’m kinda curious if the other guys in the swim team will ever have their own stories (*cough* i just wanna know what Ellis and Sherman’s deals were and why they treated my bbs Royal and Camden like shit). 👀
my only conflict was pretty much how their ‘secret relationship’ dragged a bit for me + i understand Kai was going through things and he didn’t want to drag Indie in his problems but they were already together at that point so i wished he was able to lean on her rather than pushing her away. :(
July 7, 2019
I'm a little drained. I don't do well with angsty stories and this one was more emotional than I'm comfortable with. But I met these characters in Let There Be Light, fell in love with them and had to hear their story. It is heartbreakingly beautiful.
If you want to start at the very beginning you'll need to start with the twin's parents love story in Possession. But you can also easily read Royal's story (MM) and Indigo's story (MF) as stand alone romance novels.
I'm going to go with 3.5 stars for this one, mostly because of my allergy to angst. ;-)
If you want to start at the very beginning you'll need to start with the twin's parents love story in Possession. But you can also easily read Royal's story (MM) and Indigo's story (MF) as stand alone romance novels.
I'm going to go with 3.5 stars for this one, mostly because of my allergy to angst. ;-)
November 11, 2019
3.5 STARS!
After finishing Camden and Royal's book, Kai was very much under my skin. I couldn't wait to see how things with Indie unfolded, and AM Johnson did not disappoint; her wonderful sense of romance was imprinted all over these pages.
Plot:
Chances are that my reasons for going with a 3.5 wouldn't apply to you. I thought things might have gone on for too long and I needed a bit more of 'OMG I can't live without you!' [Don't laugh at me, I'm serious!]
But obviously I rounded up. If you're a fan of sweet, laid back and low-angst, I highly recommend this one!
Unique was a quality painted in stars and silver.~SIGH~ Kai and Indie's story was lovely and sweet and all things nice.
After finishing Camden and Royal's book, Kai was very much under my skin. I couldn't wait to see how things with Indie unfolded, and AM Johnson did not disappoint; her wonderful sense of romance was imprinted all over these pages.
Plot:
He was a man, and I was a girl.On the surface, Kai is a manwhore who can usually be found with a beer in his hand. Dig a little deeper and it becomes clear that he's struggling with a lot more than a hangover. Indie is one of only a few who see through his act.
"Kai is more than his reputation."Except Indie is off limits. Not only is she Royal's sister, but she struggles with bipolar disorder . . .
"I paint to keep them away. [the voices] I paint to see color when there's none. I paint to remember who I am, when all I remember, all I hear, is the dark.". . . which makes getting involved with someone as volatile as Kai a bad idea.
How many girls had he struck like a match?But these two can't seem to resist each other.
"Pain is not a contest," she said. "Scars are scars. The blade may be different, but it still cuts us all the same."They understand each other in ways that others can't.
"Strength is defined in many ways."And I was really pulling for them.
In her eyes, I was worthy, and maybe if I stared long enough, stayed within the crystal clear frame, I could become what she needed.~SIGH~
Chances are that my reasons for going with a 3.5 wouldn't apply to you. I thought things might have gone on for too long and I needed a bit more of 'OMG I can't live without you!' [Don't laugh at me, I'm serious!]
But obviously I rounded up. If you're a fan of sweet, laid back and low-angst, I highly recommend this one!
January 26, 2023
AM Johnson has such a beautiful way of writing, I absolutely love it. Such a nice story, I really enjoyed it.
I’m not really big on the over protective brother thing though. Are brothers really like that? And if so I’m sure glad I don’t have one 🤣
I’m not really big on the over protective brother thing though. Are brothers really like that? And if so I’m sure glad I don’t have one 🤣
November 25, 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Ms. Johnson really knows how to tug at your heartstrings. She took a disease that is overwhelming in its monstrous roots and made it beautiful.
In the previous book Let There be Light, we got to meet the twin’s family. In this we got to see the relationship between Indigo and her father. Two people that are afflicted with a form of schizophrenia that allows a monster to live inside their heads. But he taught her not only how to cope with it but to turn it into something dazzling, through painting.
Then we have Kai who has lived his entire life waiting for his mother to die because she suffers through MS. He’s dealt another crap hand in the form of a selfish father who leaves them in his mother’s greatest time of need and comes groveling back when things don’t work out. He sent into a tailspin when his mother takes his father back and almost kills himself in the process. Not to mention what he did for Royal and Camden in the first book which almost ruined his scholarship and place on the swim team.
Deciding to take all these changes and turn them into a new lease on life he changes his major to something he’s never allowed himself to love, his art. And this brings together two people that have felt unrequited love for far too long.
They think they need to hide their burgeoning relationship because of initial loyalty to Indy’s twin. In doing so they create so much guilt and a feeling of selfishness just because they found love and happiness together.
This is a story filled with so much love, affection and adorable interactions. The flip side is an immense amount of turmoil, angst and self hatred that threatens to tear themselves down inch by inch.
But that saying is true; you’ll never fully enjoy the sun without learning to dance in the rain.
Ms. Johnson really knows how to tug at your heartstrings. She took a disease that is overwhelming in its monstrous roots and made it beautiful.
In the previous book Let There be Light, we got to meet the twin’s family. In this we got to see the relationship between Indigo and her father. Two people that are afflicted with a form of schizophrenia that allows a monster to live inside their heads. But he taught her not only how to cope with it but to turn it into something dazzling, through painting.
Then we have Kai who has lived his entire life waiting for his mother to die because she suffers through MS. He’s dealt another crap hand in the form of a selfish father who leaves them in his mother’s greatest time of need and comes groveling back when things don’t work out. He sent into a tailspin when his mother takes his father back and almost kills himself in the process. Not to mention what he did for Royal and Camden in the first book which almost ruined his scholarship and place on the swim team.
Deciding to take all these changes and turn them into a new lease on life he changes his major to something he’s never allowed himself to love, his art. And this brings together two people that have felt unrequited love for far too long.
They think they need to hide their burgeoning relationship because of initial loyalty to Indy’s twin. In doing so they create so much guilt and a feeling of selfishness just because they found love and happiness together.
This is a story filled with so much love, affection and adorable interactions. The flip side is an immense amount of turmoil, angst and self hatred that threatens to tear themselves down inch by inch.
But that saying is true; you’ll never fully enjoy the sun without learning to dance in the rain.
June 22, 2019
Indie and Kai’s story was so damn good. I loved their blooming friendship and how it slowly turned into something more. Something special and forever. It was a beautiful slow burn. Indie and Kai each have their battles but through each other’s eyes they finally feel they’re been seen for the first time. Their friendship was explored through words and art. Through colors.
I’m very picky when it comes to stories about mental illness and depression but the author captures and depicts it with an authenticity that truly moved me.
Indie and her brother Royal have a special bond since they’re twins and I loved their interactions. I felt a stronger connection to everyone and that’s because I’ve read Let There Be Light which is Royal and Camden’s book. It’s not necessary to read it but for me it strengthened my connection and understanding to Indie and Kai. The epilogue couldn’t have been better.
Spot on.
4 Golden and Lavender Stars
I’m very picky when it comes to stories about mental illness and depression but the author captures and depicts it with an authenticity that truly moved me.
Indie and her brother Royal have a special bond since they’re twins and I loved their interactions. I felt a stronger connection to everyone and that’s because I’ve read Let There Be Light which is Royal and Camden’s book. It’s not necessary to read it but for me it strengthened my connection and understanding to Indie and Kai. The epilogue couldn’t have been better.
Spot on.
4 Golden and Lavender Stars
June 25, 2019
3.25 stars
The best parts are when Indie and Kai spend time getting to know one another. They're open and honest, at least with each other, and I liked it. Although, I feel one of their major problems they had was self made (keeping their relationship secret). That was disappointing and a bit hypocritical on Indie's part since she was so on Royal about his and Camden's relationship in book 1. I also wasn't a big fan of the epilogue. I wish a little more effort was put into it.
Overall, this one was a bit too angsty for me.
The best parts are when Indie and Kai spend time getting to know one another. They're open and honest, at least with each other, and I liked it. Although, I feel one of their major problems they had was self made (keeping their relationship secret). That was disappointing and a bit hypocritical on Indie's part since she was so on Royal about his and Camden's relationship in book 1. I also wasn't a big fan of the epilogue. I wish a little more effort was put into it.
Overall, this one was a bit too angsty for me.
June 14, 2019
I honestly believe that books choose you at the right moment when you need them the most, and this book is definitely one of them.
I have been reading A.M. Johnson since her debut novel, and with every book she releases, she not only gets better, she also steals a piece of my heart with each and every one of her books. So by now, I think she wholeheartedly owns me.
From page one, this enchanting, soul-stirring tale resonated with me. A.M. Johnson knows how to write characters you're desperate to spend time with, and Indie and Kai are no exception. With every turn of the pages, they burrowed deep under my skin—leaving me breathless with every word, every touch, every moment they spend together.
Sometimes it’s hard to read a book that relates to you in more ways than one, but I got through it and it was BEAUTIFUL.
With Seven Shades of You, A.M. Johnson delivers another romantic gem. A work of poetry and colors—with characters, you can't help but root for, and a unique, heart-warming tale that goes far beyond the classic boy meets girl and gives us a peek into the world of Mental Health Disorders.
Easily, my favorite book from her and a top read of this year. Thank you so much, Amanda. I can not wait to see how you're going to steal my heart next time. I RED you ♥.
June 8, 2019
Love Love Love this book! It's one of those you can't wait to finish and at the same time don't want it to end at all!
June 16, 2019
SEVEN SHADES OF YOU IS LIVE!!!!!
Grab your copy now!
Click here: https://geni.us/pj0V
Grab your copy now!
Click here: https://geni.us/pj0V
May 29, 2019
5 Cranky Stars
Indigo sees the world like her father Declan. In colors and whispered voices in her head. She bleeds paint on a canvas as a way to cope. She’s always been the other half of Royal. His mirror image living in his shadow and she’s comfortable that way. She has never wanted to stand out content in her own world then she laid eyes on Kai. A savior and best friend to her brother Royal but he’s never really given her the time of day like his other friends. When she learns he is changing his major she offers to help him in any way she can. She starts to live for the stolen moments in the art room with Kai. She opens herself to him and tells him her secrets. Secrets that only a handful of people know. How with Kai the harsh whispers go silent. They begin in secret not wanting to upset Royal but not all secrets stay that way.
Kai Carter was on top of the world or so he had everyone believing. He wore many masks and they started to fall off when he lost his position with the swim team defending Royal and Camden and then even more when he found out his mother was sick. He was on a path of destruction and one night changed a lot for him it altered his path and his mother begged him to live for himself. With one crazy decision he gets sober and changes his major. Little does he know that this new major will put him in the path of Indigo O’Connell the twin to his best friend. He feels he isn’t good enough for her but agrees to meet her in secret. They share their secrets and tell each other things no one else knows. With his family slowly falling apart he wonders if he should even start anything with Indie but is drawn to her in ways he has never felt.
This book was pure innocence, yet it was gritty. The whispers that poor Indie puts up with are heartbreaking. She is just so good and pure, yet she battled every day. I understood her need to hide I don’t like to be in crowds especially alone and when you find someone to silence the voices rather, they are real like Indies or just your subconscious you hold onto them. Kai my heart broke for him here was a boy clinging to his mother and never thinking of himself. He did everything for everyone else and was harboring so much anger. He was self-sabotaging in the worst way it seemed. I devoured this book in a day but that is always the case with AM Johnson. Her words trigger something in me, and I lose track of time.
They make me reflect on my own situation and think for once there is a book character I can truly relate to. She is a poet a wordsmith and her words reflect real true feelings that we all feel if you just willing to look deep inside yourself and face the beast. I love that we got to see more of Royal and Camden and the O’Connell family. Bravo once again for bringing Indigo and Kai to life and now I need to go find my Kleenex and wipe up these tears.
Indigo sees the world like her father Declan. In colors and whispered voices in her head. She bleeds paint on a canvas as a way to cope. She’s always been the other half of Royal. His mirror image living in his shadow and she’s comfortable that way. She has never wanted to stand out content in her own world then she laid eyes on Kai. A savior and best friend to her brother Royal but he’s never really given her the time of day like his other friends. When she learns he is changing his major she offers to help him in any way she can. She starts to live for the stolen moments in the art room with Kai. She opens herself to him and tells him her secrets. Secrets that only a handful of people know. How with Kai the harsh whispers go silent. They begin in secret not wanting to upset Royal but not all secrets stay that way.
Kai Carter was on top of the world or so he had everyone believing. He wore many masks and they started to fall off when he lost his position with the swim team defending Royal and Camden and then even more when he found out his mother was sick. He was on a path of destruction and one night changed a lot for him it altered his path and his mother begged him to live for himself. With one crazy decision he gets sober and changes his major. Little does he know that this new major will put him in the path of Indigo O’Connell the twin to his best friend. He feels he isn’t good enough for her but agrees to meet her in secret. They share their secrets and tell each other things no one else knows. With his family slowly falling apart he wonders if he should even start anything with Indie but is drawn to her in ways he has never felt.
This book was pure innocence, yet it was gritty. The whispers that poor Indie puts up with are heartbreaking. She is just so good and pure, yet she battled every day. I understood her need to hide I don’t like to be in crowds especially alone and when you find someone to silence the voices rather, they are real like Indies or just your subconscious you hold onto them. Kai my heart broke for him here was a boy clinging to his mother and never thinking of himself. He did everything for everyone else and was harboring so much anger. He was self-sabotaging in the worst way it seemed. I devoured this book in a day but that is always the case with AM Johnson. Her words trigger something in me, and I lose track of time.
They make me reflect on my own situation and think for once there is a book character I can truly relate to. She is a poet a wordsmith and her words reflect real true feelings that we all feel if you just willing to look deep inside yourself and face the beast. I love that we got to see more of Royal and Camden and the O’Connell family. Bravo once again for bringing Indigo and Kai to life and now I need to go find my Kleenex and wipe up these tears.
April 6, 2021
3.5 stars. This was a sweet romance. I loved Indie and Kai, but a lot of things reminded me why I’m mostly over MF romances. The sweet virgin, the player, the sad broken friend who sleeps around, the overprotective brother, ugh. I can’t. Let’s stop with the virgin worship please. And the slut shaming. Enough.
That being said, I enjoyed being in Indie’s head. I liked the portrayal of mental illness, showing that with medication and therapy, you can live and be happy, even though it won’t disappear. There is no magic cure.
I loved how Kai and Indie’s relationship developed, the sweetness, the romance, it felt delicate and fragile, but beautiful. I loved Corbin and Dev, and Ari and Imogen. I loved seeing Royal and Camden together again, and Camden’s friendship with Indie.
So even though I started my review with a feminist rant, I really enjoyed the book. I disliked the epilogue, but I was still left happy and satisfied.
Oh and it says stand-alone, but it’s really not. Read book 1 first.
That being said, I enjoyed being in Indie’s head. I liked the portrayal of mental illness, showing that with medication and therapy, you can live and be happy, even though it won’t disappear. There is no magic cure.
I loved how Kai and Indie’s relationship developed, the sweetness, the romance, it felt delicate and fragile, but beautiful. I loved Corbin and Dev, and Ari and Imogen. I loved seeing Royal and Camden together again, and Camden’s friendship with Indie.
So even though I started my review with a feminist rant, I really enjoyed the book. I disliked the epilogue, but I was still left happy and satisfied.
Oh and it says stand-alone, but it’s really not. Read book 1 first.
June 2, 2019
Wow! Just wow! I am completely blown away by the words A.M. Johnson has written within these pages! From all of the books she has written, this one is by far, hands down my favorite! I didn't want this story to end! I always hate that I'm a slow reader now, it takes me a few weeks to finish a book. Let me tell you, that as much as I wanted to devour this book in one sitting, I'm SO glad that my worm like speed let me spend more time with Kai and Pink. This right here is a TRUE masterpiece and one that I am having trouble walking away from! I want more, more story, more characters, more colour, MORE EVERYTHING!
Speaking of colour, I LOVED how the author uses colour in this story to describe emotion and feeling and objects and people and omggggggg for me it was my favourite thing about this entire book. I fell in absolute love! If you want a story that brings to light real life struggles but that is also heartfelt and has chemistry and witty dialogue and characters that will hold your heart in their hands until the very last page, then I HIGHLY suggest you read this book!!! A.M. Johnson's writing just gets better and better and better with every book she writes, and I'm telling you now, you will want this one on your shelves! Hands down one of my favourites this year!!
Speaking of colour, I LOVED how the author uses colour in this story to describe emotion and feeling and objects and people and omggggggg for me it was my favourite thing about this entire book. I fell in absolute love! If you want a story that brings to light real life struggles but that is also heartfelt and has chemistry and witty dialogue and characters that will hold your heart in their hands until the very last page, then I HIGHLY suggest you read this book!!! A.M. Johnson's writing just gets better and better and better with every book she writes, and I'm telling you now, you will want this one on your shelves! Hands down one of my favourites this year!!
June 3, 2025
I didn’t like Indie and Kai’s book as much as I had hoped. Let There Be Light, Indie’s twin brother Royal’s book, was so wonderful that I had high expectations for this one. Unfortunately, and I’m not sure if it was because this was MF instead of MM, there was the stupid, formulaic break-up towards the end. I was so happy that had been avoided in Royal and Camden’s book and I thought/hoped it would be the same here. So disappointed.
There were a lot of errors in both the book and the audio. I didn’t care for Samantha Summers doing Indie’s voice. She made her sound like a child. Since Teddy Hamilton did Royal’s voice in the previous book, then Kai’s voice in this one, it felt weird. Maybe that’s just because I listened to them back to back. 🤷🏻♀️
Overall, I’m glad that Indie and Kai got their HEA. The epilogue was cute, even though it was too short. I don’t think anything would’ve been missed if I had skipped this. I had been hoping for more Royal and Camden and was kinda disappointed.
There were a lot of errors in both the book and the audio. I didn’t care for Samantha Summers doing Indie’s voice. She made her sound like a child. Since Teddy Hamilton did Royal’s voice in the previous book, then Kai’s voice in this one, it felt weird. Maybe that’s just because I listened to them back to back. 🤷🏻♀️
Overall, I’m glad that Indie and Kai got their HEA. The epilogue was cute, even though it was too short. I don’t think anything would’ve been missed if I had skipped this. I had been hoping for more Royal and Camden and was kinda disappointed.
July 25, 2025
Deep and real
KU Read
435 Pages
Forbidden Romance
Brothers Best Friend
College Romance
Secret Relationship
Mental Health Rep
Triggers and Addiction
Swimmer x Painter
I knew Indie and Kai's story would have grit. With Indie having mental health issues and voices in her head, she's socially anxious and struggles to fit in. Kai is on her brothers swim team and has his own demons to fight, a mother who's sick, a strained relationship with his dad and trying not to use women and alcohol as a crutch, he's turning his life around and making changes after missing finals and changing majors this semester.
But Kai has had eyes for Indie since he first laid eyes on her, before he realised she was his best friends Sister and out of respect and 'bro code' he took a step back and out as much distance between them as he could. Indie never understood why Kai never spoke to her, he's the only boy she's ever taken notice of and this semester he is in here classes and perhaps they can be friends? Or more?
KU Read
435 Pages
Forbidden Romance
Brothers Best Friend
College Romance
Secret Relationship
Mental Health Rep
Triggers and Addiction
Swimmer x Painter
I knew Indie and Kai's story would have grit. With Indie having mental health issues and voices in her head, she's socially anxious and struggles to fit in. Kai is on her brothers swim team and has his own demons to fight, a mother who's sick, a strained relationship with his dad and trying not to use women and alcohol as a crutch, he's turning his life around and making changes after missing finals and changing majors this semester.
But Kai has had eyes for Indie since he first laid eyes on her, before he realised she was his best friends Sister and out of respect and 'bro code' he took a step back and out as much distance between them as he could. Indie never understood why Kai never spoke to her, he's the only boy she's ever taken notice of and this semester he is in here classes and perhaps they can be friends? Or more?
July 9, 2019
4.5*
Wow, what a special story! Full review to come.
Wow, what a special story! Full review to come.
August 22, 2019
This is the second Book in a series about twins. Its a beautiful series and i loved it. Its about overcoming stereotypes, mentall illness and music art and the power of love.
August 3, 2025
I read this so I could get all the Royal & Camden bread crumbs. I found it so incredibly boring, with the secret dating going on WAYYYY too long. Especially considering how Indie and Kai were so damn supportive of Royal and Camden in their book, they should’ve known Royal would’ve understood. There was a nice helping of misogyny in here which I’ve noticed in the author’s other books. The virginal FMC is held to be more “worthy” than women who have had casual sex. I haaaate that trope!
I also felt like Indie deserved better. Kai was good mostly til the third act. The epilogue was fucking stupid. I hated it so much. I just wanted more Royal and Camden and now I’m annoyed.
I also felt like Indie deserved better. Kai was good mostly til the third act. The epilogue was fucking stupid. I hated it so much. I just wanted more Royal and Camden and now I’m annoyed.
June 13, 2019
“I was free. Because of her, I was free.”
This. book. Wow. A.M Johnson did it again with this book and I felt all the feelings reading this. A.M Johnson has a way with words and she doesn’t have to force her character’s chemistry at you, the chemistry is just there and it is raw and real — it comes naturally and that is probably the thing I love most about this novel.
I loved everything about this book. Indie and Kai are both flawed; they both have deep rooted issues that they need to work through throughout the story and they do that in a way that was super realistic and not done up for the sake of fiction. I love love love A.M Johnson’s characters for that reason and because they are mature and handle their issues in an adult way, even when they have their faults. I found myself swooning and crying all within paragraphs and not many authors are capable of drawing that out of their readers.
Kai dragged his thumb over the seam of my mouth and I inhaled. My arms around his waist, I leaned up on the tips of my toes, kissing his chin, his mouth, and cupped his face between my hands. “You’re all I want.”
Overall, this book had grit and it had heart, and there was a very strong family dynamic throughout the whole book, which I always love as well. You guys definitely need to add this one to your TBRs because it is just so so good!
SIDE NOTE: If you are in need of a fantastic MM romance, I strongly urge you to pick up the first book in this duet, Let There Be Light, as well: it features Indie’s brother, Royal, and it one of my top favorite books!
This. book. Wow. A.M Johnson did it again with this book and I felt all the feelings reading this. A.M Johnson has a way with words and she doesn’t have to force her character’s chemistry at you, the chemistry is just there and it is raw and real — it comes naturally and that is probably the thing I love most about this novel.
I loved everything about this book. Indie and Kai are both flawed; they both have deep rooted issues that they need to work through throughout the story and they do that in a way that was super realistic and not done up for the sake of fiction. I love love love A.M Johnson’s characters for that reason and because they are mature and handle their issues in an adult way, even when they have their faults. I found myself swooning and crying all within paragraphs and not many authors are capable of drawing that out of their readers.
Kai dragged his thumb over the seam of my mouth and I inhaled. My arms around his waist, I leaned up on the tips of my toes, kissing his chin, his mouth, and cupped his face between my hands. “You’re all I want.”
Overall, this book had grit and it had heart, and there was a very strong family dynamic throughout the whole book, which I always love as well. You guys definitely need to add this one to your TBRs because it is just so so good!
SIDE NOTE: If you are in need of a fantastic MM romance, I strongly urge you to pick up the first book in this duet, Let There Be Light, as well: it features Indie’s brother, Royal, and it one of my top favorite books!
July 9, 2019
4 Stars!
July 29, 2019
“She could tell me to leave, tell me there was no way I could repair the damage I had done, and I’d walk away, with the feel of silk on my fingertips, her scent in my lungs, knowing I’d try again the next day. And the day after that.”
A.M. Johnson’s beautifully poetic writing creates an unforgettable story that is now one of my top reads of the year. Seven Shades of You is a tale of finding love in the most unexpected places, and sometimes it’s with the person you least expect to fall for. The poetic writing perfectly captures experiencing first love, and finding the person who completes you and calms your soul. This is one of those rare books where I fell in love with the heroine more and more with each turn of the page. Indie is such a fragile but strong girl battling mental illness and I just wanted to hug her throughout this story. Kai is a tortured kid going through family struggles and yet he always remains true to himself and his loyalty never wavers. Indie and Kai together are EVERYTHING. This book made me feel and swoon and hurt and by the end my heart was bursting with love for all of the characters in this story!
A.M. Johnson is one of my favorite authors - I love her words, her books and characters. Every single time. I urge you to read her and see for yourself why I love her so!
A.M. Johnson’s beautifully poetic writing creates an unforgettable story that is now one of my top reads of the year. Seven Shades of You is a tale of finding love in the most unexpected places, and sometimes it’s with the person you least expect to fall for. The poetic writing perfectly captures experiencing first love, and finding the person who completes you and calms your soul. This is one of those rare books where I fell in love with the heroine more and more with each turn of the page. Indie is such a fragile but strong girl battling mental illness and I just wanted to hug her throughout this story. Kai is a tortured kid going through family struggles and yet he always remains true to himself and his loyalty never wavers. Indie and Kai together are EVERYTHING. This book made me feel and swoon and hurt and by the end my heart was bursting with love for all of the characters in this story!
A.M. Johnson is one of my favorite authors - I love her words, her books and characters. Every single time. I urge you to read her and see for yourself why I love her so!
July 6, 2019
LOVED it...even better than Let There Be Light, although you just knew that even then both Kai and Indie had been struck by the old coup de foudre...
This was a lovely slow-burn, new adult, opposites attract, old-fashioned romance between two kids who both deserved their own HEA. I suppose it could be read as a standalone, but surely it's better to get the whole background to this group from book 1 of Twin Hearts. The epilogue catches us up with Royal and Camden too. 5 stars from me...and I will admit to a few tears [both happy and sad] along the way.
June 24, 2019
Not what I expected. I fell in love with Pink and Blue, their connection, their bond. It's what made the first book so special. Not so with this one, actually using it against them in a way. Making characters I loved into cliches I've read a million times over - Manwhore jock falls for the unconventional virgin but their love can't be free because...bro-code. Blue was so 2-dimensional, his only contribution to this book was serving as the overprotective brother. What killed this one for me was the fear of Blue's reaction for 75% of this, him finding out by overhearing it, and the mild reaction we got. He was used as a weak plot line rather than the "lung" I was lead to believe.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2019
Seven Shades of You by A.M. Johnson is a standalone book in the Twin Hearts duet. Indie, Royal’s twin sister, gets her story. Indie and Royal’s best friend Kai strike up a relationship. These two tortured souls come alive in a colorful palette of emotions. This poignant and chromatic love story is not to be missed! One-click worthy.
June 13, 2019
A.M. Johnson does it again with gorgeous poetic words that you want to mark and save forever. Kai & Indie's story is heartbreakingly beautiful.
A 2019 Must Read!
A 2019 Must Read!
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