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The Color of Us
Callie Evans isn’t exactly living her best life in Los Angeles. She dropped out of college, has been repeatedly fired, and is now literally watching paint dry at a hardware store for a living. This isn’t the depressing existence she had planned for her early twenties, but here she is.
Although she’s faced a shattering trauma, she’s learning that avoiding grief has owned her for far too long. A change of scenery might be what she needs to regroup and move forward.
Callie takes a few months away from her California chaos to handle renovations on her family’s old house in small-town Vermont. This temporary escape could be just the thing to ease the pain that crushed her past and continues to impact her present. And maybe, just maybe, she’ll get a chance to reconnect with a certain boy from her childhood, whom she’s now aching to see again.
When Callie rolls back into her hometown, she finds that her preteen crush, Danny, has turned into a wildly hot twenty-something. The things that haven’t changed are his humor and kindness. But Danny’s hidden demons might possibly be even more painful than her own.
As Callie spends the summer falling in love with cooking, home repairs, and hosting brunches for her quirky neighbors, she also fights falling in actual love with Danny. After all, she knows from experience that love is never guaranteed to last.
Only the summer will tell.
Although she’s faced a shattering trauma, she’s learning that avoiding grief has owned her for far too long. A change of scenery might be what she needs to regroup and move forward.
Callie takes a few months away from her California chaos to handle renovations on her family’s old house in small-town Vermont. This temporary escape could be just the thing to ease the pain that crushed her past and continues to impact her present. And maybe, just maybe, she’ll get a chance to reconnect with a certain boy from her childhood, whom she’s now aching to see again.
When Callie rolls back into her hometown, she finds that her preteen crush, Danny, has turned into a wildly hot twenty-something. The things that haven’t changed are his humor and kindness. But Danny’s hidden demons might possibly be even more painful than her own.
As Callie spends the summer falling in love with cooking, home repairs, and hosting brunches for her quirky neighbors, she also fights falling in actual love with Danny. After all, she knows from experience that love is never guaranteed to last.
Only the summer will tell.
Kindle Edition
First published November 20, 2021
About the author
Jessica Park
17 books4,196 followersJessica is the author of 180 SECONDS, CLEAR, The Left Drowning Series (LEFT DROWNING and RESTLESS WATERS), the New York Times bestselling FLAT-OUT LOVE (& the companion novella FLAT-OUT MATT), FLAT-OUT CELESTE, and RELATIVELY FAMOUS. She lives in New Hampshire where she spends an obscene amount time thinking about rocker boys and their guitars, complex caffeinated beverages, and tropical vacations. On the rare occasions that she is able to focus on other things, she writes.
Please visit her at jessicapark.me and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/authorjessic... and Twitter @JessicaPark24
Please visit her at jessicapark.me and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/authorjessic... and Twitter @JessicaPark24
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews
May 10, 2022
5+ stars
This book was perfection. It’s been a while since Jessica Park released a book, but she’s written some of my all time favorites so my expectations were high. This surpassed them. Callie and Danny’s story was epic and one that will stay with me. And after reading it, I have this insane urge to learn to cook more… ;)
Callie lives in LA but she does not fit in there. Not like her sister and mom seem to. She feels lost. When she gets the opportunity to go back to her home town in Vermont, she jumps at the chance. She’s not sure what’s in store for her and she knows Vermont will bring back memories and the grief of losing her father, but she has to go. She has to do something.
Callie is welcomed back to Vermont with open arms. She may have forgotten a lot about this small town, but they haven’t forgotten about her. This is the town her father grew up in, and this town is family. Her dad’s best friend, Paul, is helping her with her house (the reason she’s there) and on his crew is Danny. One of her best friends from childhood.
Oh Danny… sigh. I couldn’t have loved him more. He was so great with Callie and really helped her come back to herself. Not just Danny though, there are a lot of wonderful characters in this book. In fact, pretty much the entire town of Wake Vermont was so lovable. They encouraged Callie as she found herself and learned to cook, and they made her feel like she had a place. A family. And of course, with time, her friendship with Danny turned into so much more.
This is a story of dealing with grief, overcoming trauma, finding yourself and your family (blood and found), and of course, falling in love. The romance sneaks up in a quiet kind of away and it’s the best. I loved both of these characters so much and the friendship, love, and connection they had was everything.
I can easily see The Color of Us being one of my very top favorites this year. If you’re looking for a beautifully written new adult/coming of age romance, I can’t recommend this book enough!
This book was perfection. It’s been a while since Jessica Park released a book, but she’s written some of my all time favorites so my expectations were high. This surpassed them. Callie and Danny’s story was epic and one that will stay with me. And after reading it, I have this insane urge to learn to cook more… ;)
Callie lives in LA but she does not fit in there. Not like her sister and mom seem to. She feels lost. When she gets the opportunity to go back to her home town in Vermont, she jumps at the chance. She’s not sure what’s in store for her and she knows Vermont will bring back memories and the grief of losing her father, but she has to go. She has to do something.
Callie is welcomed back to Vermont with open arms. She may have forgotten a lot about this small town, but they haven’t forgotten about her. This is the town her father grew up in, and this town is family. Her dad’s best friend, Paul, is helping her with her house (the reason she’s there) and on his crew is Danny. One of her best friends from childhood.
Oh Danny… sigh. I couldn’t have loved him more. He was so great with Callie and really helped her come back to herself. Not just Danny though, there are a lot of wonderful characters in this book. In fact, pretty much the entire town of Wake Vermont was so lovable. They encouraged Callie as she found herself and learned to cook, and they made her feel like she had a place. A family. And of course, with time, her friendship with Danny turned into so much more.
“I’m going to fall so deeply in love with you that I won’t know where I stop and where you begin, and I’ll never come back from that. And I won’t want to.”
This is a story of dealing with grief, overcoming trauma, finding yourself and your family (blood and found), and of course, falling in love. The romance sneaks up in a quiet kind of away and it’s the best. I loved both of these characters so much and the friendship, love, and connection they had was everything.
I can easily see The Color of Us being one of my very top favorites this year. If you’re looking for a beautifully written new adult/coming of age romance, I can’t recommend this book enough!
May 19, 2022
WARNING: Don’t read this book while hungry. All the food talk will have you craving something yummy to eat.
Callie finds a welcoming community when she returns to where she grew up before her father's death. To heal from the past Callie starts working on fixing up her childhood home. In her downtime, she teaches herself to cook. Her food becomes a hit with the people in the community.
Reconnecting with her childhood friend Danny breathes new life into Callie. Plus, he's on the crew to fix up her childhood home which is the reason Callie has returned to Wake, VA.
Both Callie & Danny have some family issues to work out - Callie's being the loss of her dad and Danny being the lack of a relationship with his mom.
THE COLOR OF US
● Callie (21) & Danny (21)
● fired - unemployed / construction worker
● L.A., California to Wake, Vermont
● childhood friends to lovers
● family trauma
● small-town romance
● standalone
Callie finds a welcoming community when she returns to where she grew up before her father's death. To heal from the past Callie starts working on fixing up her childhood home. In her downtime, she teaches herself to cook. Her food becomes a hit with the people in the community.
Reconnecting with her childhood friend Danny breathes new life into Callie. Plus, he's on the crew to fix up her childhood home which is the reason Callie has returned to Wake, VA.
Both Callie & Danny have some family issues to work out - Callie's being the loss of her dad and Danny being the lack of a relationship with his mom.
THE COLOR OF US
● Callie (21) & Danny (21)
● fired - unemployed / construction worker
● L.A., California to Wake, Vermont
● childhood friends to lovers
● family trauma
● small-town romance
● standalone
Audiobook source: Audible
Narrator: Arielle DeLisel
Length: 10H 51M
April 14, 2023
Ако бях прочел тази книга в друг момент, може би нямаше да ми хареса толкова. Но сега ми допадна изключително много.
Историята, атмосферата, героите, диалозите, всичко в тази книга е като от филм на Hallmark, което по принцип не ми е любимо. Не обичам сладникави истории с глупави диалози, ситуации, които са пресилено наивни и “обрати”, които са всичко друго, но не и изненадващи. Да не забравяме неловките любовни сцени и обяснения в любов на героите.
Но заради супер натоварения ми работен период, „Цветове в нас” беше идеалната компания преди заспиване, а и за начало на великденската ми ваканция. Имах нужда от един вдъхновяващ пример как може да захвърлиш всичко, да преобърнеш живота си напълно и това да е правилното решение.
Когато Кали се завръща в родната си къща и започва да й прави ремонт, не само се връща към своите корени и истинското си аз, но и започва да „ремонтира” себе си и пласт по пласт да възражда онова момиче, което е била преди да отиде в Ел Ей и да загуби цветовете в себе си.
Заедно с една голяма любов, истински приятели, тя възражда тези цветове, прави ги още по-ярки и започва нейното истинско приключение в живота.
Като прибавим, че благодарение на храната, тя намира и истинската си страст, която помага да направи смелата стъпка и за собствен бизнес, книгата се превръща в едно сладко ��етиво, което не натоварва. Само не го четете, докато сте гладни! 😉
Историята, атмосферата, героите, диалозите, всичко в тази книга е като от филм на Hallmark, което по принцип не ми е любимо. Не обичам сладникави истории с глупави диалози, ситуации, които са пресилено наивни и “обрати”, които са всичко друго, но не и изненадващи. Да не забравяме неловките любовни сцени и обяснения в любов на героите.
Но заради супер натоварения ми работен период, „Цветове в нас” беше идеалната компания преди заспиване, а и за начало на великденската ми ваканция. Имах нужда от един вдъхновяващ пример как може да захвърлиш всичко, да преобърнеш живота си напълно и това да е правилното решение.
Когато Кали се завръща в родната си къща и започва да й прави ремонт, не само се връща към своите корени и истинското си аз, но и започва да „ремонтира” себе си и пласт по пласт да възражда онова момиче, което е била преди да отиде в Ел Ей и да загуби цветовете в себе си.
Заедно с една голяма любов, истински приятели, тя възражда тези цветове, прави ги още по-ярки и започва нейното истинско приключение в живота.
Като прибавим, че благодарение на храната, тя намира и истинската си страст, която помага да направи смелата стъпка и за собствен бизнес, книгата се превръща в едно сладко ��етиво, което не натоварва. Само не го четете, докато сте гладни! 😉
February 21, 2022
4 stars. This was a solid read. I’ve been waiting for Park to release something new for a few years now, so I was beyond exciting to see the release of The Color of Us. Did anyone else feel like this came out of nowhere? Not complaining, this just wasn’t even on my radar but was a pleasant surprise.
Park knows how to write angsty new adult romances. The angst never feels manufactured for a storyline, it feels genuine to the characters’ histories. And that’s certainly the case here. Both Callie and Danny have some emotional baggage to overcome. Callie returns to the small town of Wake, Vermont to help restore her childhood home. She hasn’t been back in over a decade, since the death of her father. But life hasn’t really gone the way Callie wanted, and she’s basically barely been treading water since. The small town and the people in it may just be what she needs to find herself, her passion, and her footing. But will it be enough to save the guy who is also in an emotional tailspin, but who she’s come to care for very deeply? This wasn’t as unique as Flat Out Love, and it wasn’t as emotional or steamy as Left Drowning. But it was still very good. So much so, I finished it in a day. I was so happy to see this new release from Park, and I have no qualms about recommending this one.
Park knows how to write angsty new adult romances. The angst never feels manufactured for a storyline, it feels genuine to the characters’ histories. And that’s certainly the case here. Both Callie and Danny have some emotional baggage to overcome. Callie returns to the small town of Wake, Vermont to help restore her childhood home. She hasn’t been back in over a decade, since the death of her father. But life hasn’t really gone the way Callie wanted, and she’s basically barely been treading water since. The small town and the people in it may just be what she needs to find herself, her passion, and her footing. But will it be enough to save the guy who is also in an emotional tailspin, but who she’s come to care for very deeply? This wasn’t as unique as Flat Out Love, and it wasn’t as emotional or steamy as Left Drowning. But it was still very good. So much so, I finished it in a day. I was so happy to see this new release from Park, and I have no qualms about recommending this one.
February 8, 2022
3.75 ⭐️ Stars
January 21, 2022
2.5 stars
Felt a little too...simplified to the point where it read like a YA. Like the complex feelings and experiences that these characters are dealing with, especially at a sensitive age, felt somewhat shallow in the way they were presented. Example:
Felt a little too...simplified to the point where it read like a YA. Like the complex feelings and experiences that these characters are dealing with, especially at a sensitive age, felt somewhat shallow in the way they were presented. Example:
December 3, 2021
I got bored...
December 22, 2021
4.5 stars!
I am a big fan of Jessica Park’s writing, and was so excited to see that she is back with a new book after a writing hiatus. And she’s back with a beautifully written, emotional story about finding yourself and where you belong, and falling in love along the way. This is a beautifully heartfelt romance, and I loved it!
Callie is a 21 year old woman who is completely lost and directionless. Her mother moved her and her sister to LA after the death of her beloved father, and Callie has never really found her way. She dropped out of college, has no friends, and she’s just been fired from her boring job. So when she learns that her mother is wanting to renovate and sell her old family home in Vermont, she jumps at the chance to return to the small town that she loved so much and the house that holds all of her happy childhood memories to oversee the renovations – but really, she’s just desperate to find some sort of meaning in her life.
On arriving in the small town of Wake, she quickly comes to the realisation that people in town remember her, and she is welcomed with open arms. And nobody welcomes her more enthusiastically than her childhood friend, Danny, who is now a gorgeous twenty-something who works with the local construction company and who will be working on her house for the summer.
Danny inserts himself right into Callie’s life, and he’s just like the fun, playful boy that she remembers. They laugh, talk, and spend time together, and his kindness and obvious care are just what Callie needs to drag herself out of the funk she’s been living in. And while finally grieving her past, throwing herself into home renovations, and discovering a new passion for cooking, Callie begins to settle, feeling happy, rejuvenated, and more herself than she has for years.
This is a beautifully written story, I loved the description of the town and the people, and I was so happy to see Callie deal with her past and her emotions, and really come in to her own. But, of course, my heart was truly captured by the romance, and OMG, what a swoonfest!
Danny is absolutely gorgeous. He’s a wonderful friend and such a sweetheart, and though things move a bit slowly at first, it works to build the chemistry and allow Callie and Danny to truly become reacquainted, so that by the time the sexual tension becomes too much, they dive right in and it’s all on.
I love romance like this! Open and honest, where two people just follow their hearts and allow themselves to fall. There is no angst, or stupid behaviour, it’s just two people exploring all that they feel for each other, and I loved watching them find something so incredibly special together.
There is some drama, which comes from both Callie’s and Danny’s pasts. They have issues they need to deal with, and it brings some emotion, but like I said, the story is angst-free, and the drama is written in a way where it enhances the story without dragging it down, which I really appreciate.
There’s a fantastic cast of side characters that come into Callie’s life, each of them unique and well-developed, and I love that Park gave us some interesting and engaging side stories. If I have any complaint about this book – at times it is a little on the cheesy side, and things seemed just a little bit too perfect, but I was able to enjoy the romance, and get swept up in the happy.
This book reminds me a little of Under the Tuscan Sun, as a lost woman truly discovers herself while throwing her passion into creating a home, making beautiful meals for her friends, and creating a family for herself. It’s a great coming-of-age story with a gorgeous romance, and a whole lot of happy feels, and I loved it.
4.5 stars!
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I am a big fan of Jessica Park’s writing, and was so excited to see that she is back with a new book after a writing hiatus. And she’s back with a beautifully written, emotional story about finding yourself and where you belong, and falling in love along the way. This is a beautifully heartfelt romance, and I loved it!
Callie is a 21 year old woman who is completely lost and directionless. Her mother moved her and her sister to LA after the death of her beloved father, and Callie has never really found her way. She dropped out of college, has no friends, and she’s just been fired from her boring job. So when she learns that her mother is wanting to renovate and sell her old family home in Vermont, she jumps at the chance to return to the small town that she loved so much and the house that holds all of her happy childhood memories to oversee the renovations – but really, she’s just desperate to find some sort of meaning in her life.
I’m not expecting to have fun.
I’m only hoping I can find something more than what I have now.
On arriving in the small town of Wake, she quickly comes to the realisation that people in town remember her, and she is welcomed with open arms. And nobody welcomes her more enthusiastically than her childhood friend, Danny, who is now a gorgeous twenty-something who works with the local construction company and who will be working on her house for the summer.
Danny inserts himself right into Callie’s life, and he’s just like the fun, playful boy that she remembers. They laugh, talk, and spend time together, and his kindness and obvious care are just what Callie needs to drag herself out of the funk she’s been living in. And while finally grieving her past, throwing herself into home renovations, and discovering a new passion for cooking, Callie begins to settle, feeling happy, rejuvenated, and more herself than she has for years.
I exhale for what feels like the first time in ages. A real exhale. One that isn’t solely about breathing to sustain life. One that might be about choosing to live life. It’s both blissful and disarming.
This is a beautifully written story, I loved the description of the town and the people, and I was so happy to see Callie deal with her past and her emotions, and really come in to her own. But, of course, my heart was truly captured by the romance, and OMG, what a swoonfest!
Danny is absolutely gorgeous. He’s a wonderful friend and such a sweetheart, and though things move a bit slowly at first, it works to build the chemistry and allow Callie and Danny to truly become reacquainted, so that by the time the sexual tension becomes too much, they dive right in and it’s all on.
“I’m going to fall so deeply in love with you that I won’t know where I stop and where you begin, and I’ll never come back from that. And I don’t want to.”
I love romance like this! Open and honest, where two people just follow their hearts and allow themselves to fall. There is no angst, or stupid behaviour, it’s just two people exploring all that they feel for each other, and I loved watching them find something so incredibly special together.
“I want to know what it feels like to fall so deeply in love that I can never come out of it … I want to be so engulfed and so intrinsically tied to another person … I want that with you.”
There is some drama, which comes from both Callie’s and Danny’s pasts. They have issues they need to deal with, and it brings some emotion, but like I said, the story is angst-free, and the drama is written in a way where it enhances the story without dragging it down, which I really appreciate.
There’s a fantastic cast of side characters that come into Callie’s life, each of them unique and well-developed, and I love that Park gave us some interesting and engaging side stories. If I have any complaint about this book – at times it is a little on the cheesy side, and things seemed just a little bit too perfect, but I was able to enjoy the romance, and get swept up in the happy.
This book reminds me a little of Under the Tuscan Sun, as a lost woman truly discovers herself while throwing her passion into creating a home, making beautiful meals for her friends, and creating a family for herself. It’s a great coming-of-age story with a gorgeous romance, and a whole lot of happy feels, and I loved it.
4.5 stars!
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
January 11, 2022
Welcome back Jessica Park! A beautiful and emotional story of finding yourself.
Great cast of characters -- both main and secondaries. Angsty and might bring tears to your eyes, but still a real pleasure to read.
Could have used a final edit.
December 6, 2021
Jessica Park has a unique way of writing stories that showcase how life can break you and then restore you. A beautiful community of people who loved hard and long even when you've left the fold await you in Wake. They are the first to welcome you home and bring you back to life. It isn't just Callie and Danny who find love and healing in this gorgeously written novel, it's all the side characters...and the reader...who benefit from the wisdom of these words. Don't miss this wonderful new addition to Jessica's stories.
January 14, 2022
Oh dear lord, no. Just fking NO.
I made it through a whopping 4 chapters of this absolute rubbish before recalling that my time is actually important, and far to valuable to waste trying to read rubbish.
The heroine, Callie, is so unlikeable I see zero chance of me changing my mind. She's immature, disrespectful and lazy. She's a drunk and can't keep a job. And her behaviour is so OTT it is just not possible for me to ever give two fucks about her or her miserable existence.
I'm getting too old for this shit because I simply cannot engage with this type of writing. Call me crazy, but I prefer my attention be captured by a well-executed storyline rather than unrelatable, over-the-top behaviour and melodrama.
And to the writer - shame on you for glorifying rampant alcohol abuse and drug usage and then blithely having characters get IV's the following day to cure a hangover. Absolutely uncalled for and TOTALLY out of touch. Learn how to read a goddamn room. This isn't the '70's. If this type of behaviour is what you want to focus on then this genre clearly isn't for you. And trust me, it's full up with enough shite without you adding to it.
The one star rating is more than this mess deserves, but unrated reviews tend to disappear off this site.
I made it through a whopping 4 chapters of this absolute rubbish before recalling that my time is actually important, and far to valuable to waste trying to read rubbish.
The heroine, Callie, is so unlikeable I see zero chance of me changing my mind. She's immature, disrespectful and lazy. She's a drunk and can't keep a job. And her behaviour is so OTT it is just not possible for me to ever give two fucks about her or her miserable existence.
I'm getting too old for this shit because I simply cannot engage with this type of writing. Call me crazy, but I prefer my attention be captured by a well-executed storyline rather than unrelatable, over-the-top behaviour and melodrama.
And to the writer - shame on you for glorifying rampant alcohol abuse and drug usage and then blithely having characters get IV's the following day to cure a hangover. Absolutely uncalled for and TOTALLY out of touch. Learn how to read a goddamn room. This isn't the '70's. If this type of behaviour is what you want to focus on then this genre clearly isn't for you. And trust me, it's full up with enough shite without you adding to it.
The one star rating is more than this mess deserves, but unrated reviews tend to disappear off this site.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2022
I want to hug Jessica Park so hard for writing this book. All of Jessica's books hold a special place in my heart, but this one more than the others. I love it. (Review coming soon).
January 2, 2022
Beautiful Cover. Sweet Story. But I missed some things. No idea what really, but it was a bit too ... short or fast or ... no idea. I wanted more about the mom and sister and Paul and more about the main part: Callie and Danny's relationship. It was all too quick somehow.
They're only 21 - I sometimes had the feeling they were 35. But still - I loved reading it!
And I really loved the small town feel and the cooking and eating and Alex and the dog and the friends and the HGTV feel of the whole thing.
Very sweet small town romance with a few tragic family moments thrown in.
Tiny little thingy...
���
💜
March 17, 2022
Sadly, skipped too much to consider it reading
January 2, 2022
If there's one thing I can count on from Jessica Park, it's for her writing and stories to hit me emotionally. That's why I waited a couple of weeks from release to read The Color of Us. I needed to give myself time to mentally prepare for all of the emotions I was going to feel. Now I wish I hadn't waited because I loved this story. It had such a great small-town feel. Everyone knew everyone and they all supported each other. I loved how everyone in Wake, Vermont supported and uplifted Callie.
Callie was a mess before and when she arrived in Wake. Her life had changed drastically when her mother uprooted her family after her father's death and moved them to California. Callie was floundering and drinking away her sorrows. Returning to her childhood home helped her deal and gave her inspiration. She found her strengths there. I enjoyed the process of Callie finding herself and loving herself again.
Callie's childhood friend, Danny, was a big part of Callie getting herself together. I loved the way he supported her and reminded her of the fun in life. He was a great friend first and foremost, but also a great boyfriend. Danny had some of his own issues and I liked how they played out. It would have been fun to have his POV in this book, but it wasn't needed.
Like I said before, the Wake community was a big part of this book. I loved the relationship Callie had with her late father's best friend Paul. Danny's best friend Mary Ann was also a great character and gave Callie a new female friend to bond with. My favorite was Alex, though. I loved what his character brought to the story and Callie's relationship with him.
There were only a couple of things I had still had questions about after I was done reading. The first was Callie's drinking at the beginning of the book. I was sure she was going to have a drinking problem, but she didn't. For some reason, I needed more clarification as to why she was drinking and why she could easily go from drowning herself with vodka to just having a glass of wine at dinner. Was it just depression that drove her to drink? I felt like she was depressed at the beginning. The second was the relationship Callie had with her mom and sister after they moved to California. I understood what their relationship was and kind of why toward the end, but I guess I still had some questions about how it got to that point.
The Color of Us was a beautiful story of grief and moving past it. I loved the characters and Callie's journey. I might have been left with a few questions when I was done, but they weren't anything that destroyed the experience for me. I would love to read more about any of the characters in this book. It's another win from Jessica Park for me.
Callie was a mess before and when she arrived in Wake. Her life had changed drastically when her mother uprooted her family after her father's death and moved them to California. Callie was floundering and drinking away her sorrows. Returning to her childhood home helped her deal and gave her inspiration. She found her strengths there. I enjoyed the process of Callie finding herself and loving herself again.
Callie's childhood friend, Danny, was a big part of Callie getting herself together. I loved the way he supported her and reminded her of the fun in life. He was a great friend first and foremost, but also a great boyfriend. Danny had some of his own issues and I liked how they played out. It would have been fun to have his POV in this book, but it wasn't needed.
Like I said before, the Wake community was a big part of this book. I loved the relationship Callie had with her late father's best friend Paul. Danny's best friend Mary Ann was also a great character and gave Callie a new female friend to bond with. My favorite was Alex, though. I loved what his character brought to the story and Callie's relationship with him.
There were only a couple of things I had still had questions about after I was done reading. The first was Callie's drinking at the beginning of the book. I was sure she was going to have a drinking problem, but she didn't. For some reason, I needed more clarification as to why she was drinking and why she could easily go from drowning herself with vodka to just having a glass of wine at dinner. Was it just depression that drove her to drink? I felt like she was depressed at the beginning. The second was the relationship Callie had with her mom and sister after they moved to California. I understood what their relationship was and kind of why toward the end, but I guess I still had some questions about how it got to that point.
The Color of Us was a beautiful story of grief and moving past it. I loved the characters and Callie's journey. I might have been left with a few questions when I was done, but they weren't anything that destroyed the experience for me. I would love to read more about any of the characters in this book. It's another win from Jessica Park for me.
November 26, 2021
Jessica Park has a gift for not only words, but thoughtful, loveable characters that the reader will love and root for throughout their journey. I wasn't sure she could ever top 180 Seconds, but The Color of was equally amazing.
Callie is a 20 year old working a dead end job in a paint store and living with her realtor mom and glamorous sister in L.A. She doesn't fit in there and she's not happy. She drinks a lot of vodka, hangs out with her best friend Marlena and swallows down quinoa bowls. Then her mom's friend from Vermont says he needs help with the house she grew up in until age 11. Callie's dad died and her mom took her sister Erica and her to L.A. and never returned. The mom intends to sell the house but it needs work. Callie volunteers to go out to Wake, Vermont to help her busy mom out since she has nothing better going on. Even though she doesn't know anything about home improvement or design she remembers a boy Danny Schroeder she was friends with as a child and making snow men.
Callie arrives in Vermont in the summer and notices the house has been cared for and prepared for her by family friends Paul and others. How do they know she likes her orange juice almost frozen and Sumatra coffee? She attempts cooking and starts with eggs. Soon somehow she is hosting brunches for folks in town with the help of an interesting character Alex, who is on the autism spectrum. She has an electric re-connection with Danny and makes friends with Maryann who lives on her grandparents farm, and others. She discovers she has a talent and eye for both design and cooking. She really is coming of age as an adult. Meanwhile Danny's absent and uncaring mother is a looming ghost in his life and the town seems to fill in the gaps for him. While Callie decides to stay and convince her mother to let her keep the house, it wasn't as much as a conflict as it seemed it could be. Callie blames herself for her dad dying and feels like her mom blames her too.
I loved this book and it certainly made me hungry. I only wish there was a little more conflict or something as I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. When it did, it wasn't quite what I expected. Also Callie's relationships in L.A. seemed to disappear once she established a life in Vermont. What about her best friend Marlena? Anyway I really enjoyed this heartfelt book.
Callie is a 20 year old working a dead end job in a paint store and living with her realtor mom and glamorous sister in L.A. She doesn't fit in there and she's not happy. She drinks a lot of vodka, hangs out with her best friend Marlena and swallows down quinoa bowls. Then her mom's friend from Vermont says he needs help with the house she grew up in until age 11. Callie's dad died and her mom took her sister Erica and her to L.A. and never returned. The mom intends to sell the house but it needs work. Callie volunteers to go out to Wake, Vermont to help her busy mom out since she has nothing better going on. Even though she doesn't know anything about home improvement or design she remembers a boy Danny Schroeder she was friends with as a child and making snow men.
Callie arrives in Vermont in the summer and notices the house has been cared for and prepared for her by family friends Paul and others. How do they know she likes her orange juice almost frozen and Sumatra coffee? She attempts cooking and starts with eggs. Soon somehow she is hosting brunches for folks in town with the help of an interesting character Alex, who is on the autism spectrum. She has an electric re-connection with Danny and makes friends with Maryann who lives on her grandparents farm, and others. She discovers she has a talent and eye for both design and cooking. She really is coming of age as an adult. Meanwhile Danny's absent and uncaring mother is a looming ghost in his life and the town seems to fill in the gaps for him. While Callie decides to stay and convince her mother to let her keep the house, it wasn't as much as a conflict as it seemed it could be. Callie blames herself for her dad dying and feels like her mom blames her too.
I loved this book and it certainly made me hungry. I only wish there was a little more conflict or something as I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. When it did, it wasn't quite what I expected. Also Callie's relationships in L.A. seemed to disappear once she established a life in Vermont. What about her best friend Marlena? Anyway I really enjoyed this heartfelt book.
January 23, 2022
This book was fine, there were many cringey moments and some cute ones. I was so excited to see that Jessica Park had released a new book. It has been years since her last release.
I’m not sure if it’s because I read CoHo’s newest book before this one, or what, but it didn’t hit me the same way that 180 Seconds and Left Drowning had.
I really enjoyed the discussions on different shades of colors and home renovations. Both subjects are very prevalent in my life, so I enjoyed those sections.
I’m not sure if it’s because I read CoHo’s newest book before this one, or what, but it didn’t hit me the same way that 180 Seconds and Left Drowning had.
I really enjoyed the discussions on different shades of colors and home renovations. Both subjects are very prevalent in my life, so I enjoyed those sections.
December 14, 2021
The Color of Us
This was such a breath of fresh air. I loved Callie’s journey as well as Dannys. I love a good reminder of how amazing contemporary romances can be.
This was such a breath of fresh air. I loved Callie’s journey as well as Dannys. I love a good reminder of how amazing contemporary romances can be.
November 22, 2021
Jessica Park has done it again, she is an author that you can always count on to deliver the best stories. She has a way with words that flow effortlessly across the pages while she unravels a beautifully written story and The Color of Us is no exception. This is not just a story of love but also courage and hope, a story that breaks you and heals you at the same time!
December 6, 2021
Jessica Park’s The Color of Us simultaneously gives readers the comfort and nostalgia of an early indie romance and also bringing a brand new love story guaranteed to put you ‘all up in your feels’ - - - making it the perfect story for forever fans and new readers alike!
January 5, 2022
3.5 stars
November 28, 2021
I have loved every book I have read written by Jessica Park and The Color of Us can be added to the list! I flew through this eagerly and easily and loved every page, every word. She has a knack for creating characters that are easy to read about, that are relatable, intriguing, and just REAL. Raw emotion was portrayed and described expertly, my own heart was pierced and broken, only to be filled with warmth and love shortly after. Watching Callie transform from a sullen twenty-something year old with nothing really going on with her life to an enthusiastic ambitious young woman was exhilarating and refreshing to experience and read about. I felt so happy for her and who she became. I loved her increased independence and watching her thrive and dig into her newly acquired talent with house renovations and cooking. Seeing her become so happy, in love, and confident was so wonderful and emotional.
I have to talk about Park’s brilliant play on words in this novel. I have always had a thing about words and how some are just fun to say and feel good when you say them - like colloquial and shrubbery. I was giddy reading some word choices that jumped out at me in this book such as cerulean and splatchcocked. The color words were especially fun. I was equally excited to read about colors being used to describe emotions and feelings and moments. The scene where Danny paints on Callie is so romantic, hot, and really deep.
There were so many parts of this book that spoke to me - the idyllic town of Wake and Wakefest, the eekie scene had me chuckling loudly. Polar bears and chill (a play on Netflix and chill?), fascinators and snowmen, and the food scenes and descriptions! I think being married to a chef really helped Parks write about food the way she did so easily and spot on perfect. She had a knack for making each recipe sound so delectable! I think a recipe book should be written as an accompaniment to this book. I know I would try to make those recipes.
I would say that this novel fits the young adult category best, but I am far from young and I still loved it, so maybe not? Either way, it doesn’t matter. If you want an easy fun read, pick this one up. Loved it.
I have to talk about Park’s brilliant play on words in this novel. I have always had a thing about words and how some are just fun to say and feel good when you say them - like colloquial and shrubbery. I was giddy reading some word choices that jumped out at me in this book such as cerulean and splatchcocked. The color words were especially fun. I was equally excited to read about colors being used to describe emotions and feelings and moments. The scene where Danny paints on Callie is so romantic, hot, and really deep.
There were so many parts of this book that spoke to me - the idyllic town of Wake and Wakefest, the eekie scene had me chuckling loudly. Polar bears and chill (a play on Netflix and chill?), fascinators and snowmen, and the food scenes and descriptions! I think being married to a chef really helped Parks write about food the way she did so easily and spot on perfect. She had a knack for making each recipe sound so delectable! I think a recipe book should be written as an accompaniment to this book. I know I would try to make those recipes.
I would say that this novel fits the young adult category best, but I am far from young and I still loved it, so maybe not? Either way, it doesn’t matter. If you want an easy fun read, pick this one up. Loved it.
November 28, 2021
Back in 2012 I fell in love with the way that Jessica Park writes after I read Flat Out Love for the first time. I still think about it every year when I look up at (and into) my Christmas tree. Since that first book, Park has been one of my favorite authors and I have read everything she has written. Nothing makes me happier than to read a new Jessica Park book, full of all the things that make her books special. Callie has faced a terrible loss as a child when her father dies suddenly and her mother immediately moves Callie and her sister, Erica, away from the home they know and love in Vermont. This move doesn't allow any of them to fully grieve and Callie is still hurting years later from the losses she has faced. When the opportunity arises for her to return to Vermont, she takes it, as an escape from the depression and loneliness she is feeling in her life in California. Returning to her childhood home gives Callie the opportunity to find herself again and it happens in the form of a house renovation, learning to cook, and her childhood friend who is now a very handsome grown man. This book was full of beautiful writing and in true Park fashion, the way she deals with the heavy emotions make the reader feel the feels along with the main character. I loved the way that color was used in the story, weaving together the entire book and symbolizing so many different things. There were some beautiful, heart breaking moments in this story and an equal amount of beautiful moments of friendship , forgiveness and love. If this is your first book by Jessica Park you picked a great one to read first, but do yourself a favor and check out the rest! If you are like me and have been a long time fan of Park, enjoy The Color of Us, because reading this story was a reminder of why I fell in love with her writing so many years ago.
December 10, 2021
I’ve been sitting on this review because I’m unsure where to start. There is so much I want to say, but I cannot because it would be so easy to spoil things. So it’s going to be a jumbled mess probably, and I apologize in advance.
Fictional town in Vermont? Yes, please! Not that I wouldn’t have read this because it was a *new* Jessica Park book, but then she created a town in my beloved state, which makes it absolutely perfect.
I will fight Jessica’s fans for the right to call Danny my book boyfriend. Danny has been through something so awful, and he is such a beautiful person. I can concede that Callie is perfect for him. I love how open she is despite her traumas. She has self-doubts, but there are reasons for those. The minute I heard her cuss, I knew she was going to become my book bestie. Her bwankie comment? So me when I was younger. Seriously, she’s my spirit animal.
This book gives you all-the-feels. One minute, I’m furtively looking around, making sure no one is looking at my blush, and the next minute I’m crying. I had five crying sessions reading The Color of Us, and one of them almost broke me. Yet, this book has so much beauty, happiness, laughter, and healing. This is the absolute perfect read.
Fictional town in Vermont? Yes, please! Not that I wouldn’t have read this because it was a *new* Jessica Park book, but then she created a town in my beloved state, which makes it absolutely perfect.
I will fight Jessica’s fans for the right to call Danny my book boyfriend. Danny has been through something so awful, and he is such a beautiful person. I can concede that Callie is perfect for him. I love how open she is despite her traumas. She has self-doubts, but there are reasons for those. The minute I heard her cuss, I knew she was going to become my book bestie. Her bwankie comment? So me when I was younger. Seriously, she’s my spirit animal.
This book gives you all-the-feels. One minute, I’m furtively looking around, making sure no one is looking at my blush, and the next minute I’m crying. I had five crying sessions reading The Color of Us, and one of them almost broke me. Yet, this book has so much beauty, happiness, laughter, and healing. This is the absolute perfect read.
December 26, 2022
Харесва ми как пише Джесика Парк и въпреки че съм вече доста далеч от младежката възраст, с интерес посягам към нейните книги. "Цветовете в нас" ми вървеше много леко и увлекателно, с добра доза романтика (обичам хубавите любовни истории!). Допада ми, че не е лековата, а вкарва доста сериозни теми за травмите от детството, за семейните отношения, за самооценката. Колебаех се между 3 и 4 в оценката си заради доста небрежно скицирания (даже бих казала, непростимо клиширан) образ на Анди (майката на Дани), и тук-там малко повече захаросване, но като цяло много ми хареса, четох я с удоволствие и предпочитам да закръгля нагоре. Още един плюс - чудесният превод на младия Велин Кръстев, когото следя от известно време.
[Слагам и един цитат за разкош.]
„Ходилата ми докосват хладната вода и за пръв път от цяла вечност издишам. Истинско издишване. Не дишане с цел поддържане на живота. А такова, което ти помага да вземеш решение да живееш пълноценно. Едновременно блажено и разоръжаващо.“
[Слагам и един цитат за разкош.]
„Ходилата ми докосват хладната вода и за пръв път от цяла вечност издишам. Истинско издишване. Не дишане с цел поддържане на живота. А такова, което ти помага да вземеш решение да живееш пълноценно. Едновременно блажено и разоръжаващо.“
January 17, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I loved Jessica Park’s book 180 Seconds, and it still remains one of my favorite of all time. When I saw that she released a new book I knew I had to have it!
Park always delivers a wonderful story while addressing tough to talk about subjects. And she does this in such a delicate matter!
I absolutely loved seeing our main character, Callie, grow throughout the book as she learns to navigate and figure out who she is in the world. I loved how she went back to her home town and renovated her childhood home. I always enjoy reading about some interior designing. She also did a lot of cooking, which seemed to be a big theme of the story and emphasis on how cooking brings healing, and most importantly, brings people together.
180 Seconds will always remain my favorite but this book has all the things that make Park one of my favorite authors.
TW: neglect, death of a parent, grief & loss, alcoholism
May 13, 2022
Sadly this one just didn't work for me. ☹️
We all know I'm a sucker for the quaint small town Vermont setting but this one just missed the mark and I'm just so sad about it. The writing was just very poor and simplistic and so much of the dialogue was too corny to take seriously and if I have to continuously rewrite the dialogue in my head to sound more real, then sadly I don't think you have a good book.
The overall plot was very sweet and endearing but moved so fast and so many hard-hitting topics just either got glossed over or never even discussed. For example, Callie's drinking problem and tough family dynamics that really leave your mark etc. and her best friend from LA just kinda taking a backseat to the story.
I mean I did love all the food talk involved in this, so definitely don't read this on an empty stomach. However, it wasn't enough to save this one for me. 🙈
We all know I'm a sucker for the quaint small town Vermont setting but this one just missed the mark and I'm just so sad about it. The writing was just very poor and simplistic and so much of the dialogue was too corny to take seriously and if I have to continuously rewrite the dialogue in my head to sound more real, then sadly I don't think you have a good book.
The overall plot was very sweet and endearing but moved so fast and so many hard-hitting topics just either got glossed over or never even discussed. For example, Callie's drinking problem and tough family dynamics that really leave your mark etc. and her best friend from LA just kinda taking a backseat to the story.
I mean I did love all the food talk involved in this, so definitely don't read this on an empty stomach. However, it wasn't enough to save this one for me. 🙈
May 29, 2022
A story about grief and loss and how you can go home again... even if your parents suck.
Depressed, lost 21 yr old Callie goes back to Vermont to handle renovations on her former childhood home before sale. She's unhappy with life, loss and hasn't really come to terms with the loss of her dad 10 years ago. WARNING, we learn how he died and it's pretty traumatic.
She reunites with childhood friend and the townsfolk who embrace her return. She then learns to cope with the events of 10 yrs ago and how to find her passions in life.
I can always relate to the use of color as metaphor.
Depressed, lost 21 yr old Callie goes back to Vermont to handle renovations on her former childhood home before sale. She's unhappy with life, loss and hasn't really come to terms with the loss of her dad 10 years ago. WARNING, we learn how he died and it's pretty traumatic.
She reunites with childhood friend and the townsfolk who embrace her return. She then learns to cope with the events of 10 yrs ago and how to find her passions in life.
I can always relate to the use of color as metaphor.
November 27, 2021
Great writing. Engaging characters. Intriguing story line. Great momentum until the last 25%. The angst felt a little forced with the 2 mains. It served a purpose but it didn’t flow as smoothly at this point. Overall a good read. 4 solid stars!!!!!
March 28, 2023
2.5 stars
this book was okay, I mean look it wasn't the best writing but the storyline was good like not the best but it was okay yk? I mean it's not what I enjoy either, I didn't know what I was starting when I started this so it was very weird to start.
this book was okay, I mean look it wasn't the best writing but the storyline was good like not the best but it was okay yk? I mean it's not what I enjoy either, I didn't know what I was starting when I started this so it was very weird to start.
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