Vivian Q. (bellasgranny) -
Helpful Score: 11
Magic! I am a long time fan of Kristan Hannah's novels but was disappointed with "Firefly Lane", her last effort. I was, however, not prepared for the effect this book would have on me. The story of three sisters who band together after their mother's death is nothing new nor original. But in Ms. Hannah's very capable hands, it becomes a powerful story of love, friendship, betrayal, bigotry, healing and so much more. Vivi Ann and Dallas' love story just reached in and twisted my heart. This book delivered everything that I hope for when I read - wonderful characters, a beautiful setting and a story that completely grabs my attention and emotions and never lets go. I very highly recommend.
Helpful Score: 5
This is the first Kristin Hannah book I've read, and while I thought it was a decent read, it wasn't great by any means.
Yes, it's full of emotion and drama, and plot twists and turns that keep you turning the pages to the end. But...I never really felt connected to the characters, and honestly didn't care much about what happened to them.
The primary focus of the story is on the relationship of the three sisters, Winona, Vivi Ann, and Aurora, whose mother died when they were teens, and whose father is emotionally unavailable.
Winona was just a whiner - poor me, I'm fat; poor me, no one loves me. Yawn. The constant pity-party got old. Aurora got short shrift - her character wasn't as fully developed as it could have been, and she was really just a supporting player. And Vivi Ann was just annoying - I really wanted to slap some sense into her.
Repetitive in places (how many descriptions of the mountains or the water do we need?), and spanning a long period of time, I kept reading only to find out what happened, and not out of a desire to become a part of these characters' lives.
Worth checking out of the library (like I did), but I wouldn't buy this one at the bookstore.
Yes, it's full of emotion and drama, and plot twists and turns that keep you turning the pages to the end. But...I never really felt connected to the characters, and honestly didn't care much about what happened to them.
The primary focus of the story is on the relationship of the three sisters, Winona, Vivi Ann, and Aurora, whose mother died when they were teens, and whose father is emotionally unavailable.
Winona was just a whiner - poor me, I'm fat; poor me, no one loves me. Yawn. The constant pity-party got old. Aurora got short shrift - her character wasn't as fully developed as it could have been, and she was really just a supporting player. And Vivi Ann was just annoying - I really wanted to slap some sense into her.
Repetitive in places (how many descriptions of the mountains or the water do we need?), and spanning a long period of time, I kept reading only to find out what happened, and not out of a desire to become a part of these characters' lives.
Worth checking out of the library (like I did), but I wouldn't buy this one at the bookstore.
Helpful Score: 4
After the Prologue, the story begins in 1992 when 3 sisters were in their early/mid 20's and progresses through their lives up to 2007 when they are in their early 40's.
During the early chapters I didn't think that this was my kind of book, as I found the story a bit shallow. The women were young (and carrying on like young adults do), and the writing was light and easy. I did enjoy references to 90's movies titles, banana hair clips, Gorgio perfume.
Yet, as I kept reading what I thought was mindless chick lit, more and more depth was added to the characters, their lives, and the issues with which they were dealing. So much so that I found that I did like the book quite a bit.
During the early chapters I didn't think that this was my kind of book, as I found the story a bit shallow. The women were young (and carrying on like young adults do), and the writing was light and easy. I did enjoy references to 90's movies titles, banana hair clips, Gorgio perfume.
Yet, as I kept reading what I thought was mindless chick lit, more and more depth was added to the characters, their lives, and the issues with which they were dealing. So much so that I found that I did like the book quite a bit.
I won an unedited copy of this book. It is scheduled to come out February 2009. Kristin Hannahs new book True Colors takes us on a journey of sisterhood and love- perhaps the title should have been The Things we do or dont do or do later for love. I thought it would be hard for KH to outdo herself after writing Firefly Lane, but this book delivers such a exquisite story of family, love, choices, jealousy, hope, passion, prejudice, faith and no faith, I was breathless at times reading about this to the bone love.
The family ranch, Waters Edge, is in the beautiful and cold state of Washington. In her description of where the story takes place, I felt like I was sitting on the fence at Waters Edge. It is incredible how original and fresh Kristin Hannah writes about the kind of love that makes a person whole- and some never experience this kind. You think you know exactly where the story is going and then, BOOM, turn and then another turn, and then another. The secondary characters come off the page, giving them so much life, you start to care for all of the people entwined in the story.
I dont want to give too much of the story away, but this book was like a Christmas Present to me. As every piece of paper was torn away from the package, there was a gift of a story that I will not soon forget. I was sad when I turned the last page, and the story ended.
You CANT miss reading this story. The intensity and dynamics that Kristin Hannah brings to the table with her books is ever present, and the romance in the story, is of the same caliber.
The family ranch, Waters Edge, is in the beautiful and cold state of Washington. In her description of where the story takes place, I felt like I was sitting on the fence at Waters Edge. It is incredible how original and fresh Kristin Hannah writes about the kind of love that makes a person whole- and some never experience this kind. You think you know exactly where the story is going and then, BOOM, turn and then another turn, and then another. The secondary characters come off the page, giving them so much life, you start to care for all of the people entwined in the story.
I dont want to give too much of the story away, but this book was like a Christmas Present to me. As every piece of paper was torn away from the package, there was a gift of a story that I will not soon forget. I was sad when I turned the last page, and the story ended.
You CANT miss reading this story. The intensity and dynamics that Kristin Hannah brings to the table with her books is ever present, and the romance in the story, is of the same caliber.
Helpful Score: 3
This book was amazing! I haven't read one I liked as much in several months! I read FIREFLY LANE and I liked it a lot, but this one beat it for me.
This is a great story of family, love, forgiveness and joy. It was a story of three sisters and their love and conflicts over many years. It was the story of true love for one sister, lost love for another and the longing for love by another.
I absolutely could not put this one down!
This is a great story of family, love, forgiveness and joy. It was a story of three sisters and their love and conflicts over many years. It was the story of true love for one sister, lost love for another and the longing for love by another.
I absolutely could not put this one down!
Helpful Score: 2
I absolutely loved the writing style of this author. I will read many more of her books. I could not put this book down and my 18 year old daughter loved it as well. It made you laugh, cry and angry at times. Def. worth your time.
Helpful Score: 2
I found this book to be an easy summer read that was very enjoyable. I did feel as if the ending was a bit rushed but overall I would recommend this book with 4 out of 5 stars.
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed this book because the storyline moved quickly. There are a lot of great things packed into this book. One book you do not want to miss out on reading!
Helpful Score: 1
This was a very good book. I listened to it on a CD version and I could not stop listening to this book. Well written.
Helpful Score: 1
Kristin Hannahs books are some of my favorite reads, focusing on women, family, friendship and what I suppose is often labeled chick lit or womens fiction.
True Colors centers on the three Grey sisters, Winona, Aurora and Vivi Ann, sisters who have a special relationship because their mother died when they were young and they have been each others closest allies and friends since then. When Vivi becomes engaged to Luke, whom older sister Winona is secretly harboring a long time crush on, the sisters loyalty to one another is put to the test. A murder tears the family apart as one sister turns her back on the other. Over the next sixteen years a fragile peace will be forged between the three, until questions are raised about the murder, reopening old wounds as one sister tries to atone for her betrayal.
I have to admit that I had a little trouble getting into the story at the start, as the three women seemed written as stereotypes, the fat sister struggling to prove she is good enough, the middle sister trying to keep the peace and the oh so perfect beautiful young sister who seems to sail through life. Although it took a while for me to warm up to the story once I became involved with the characters the pages began to fly, especially the last third of the book. My biggest quibble is with the father of the Grey girls- there seemed to be no depth to him and I would have liked a deeper look into why he was the way he was.
As usual Hannah knows how to tug at the heartstrings and sometimes I felt a little manipulated, but all in all I enjoyed the story, was happy with the ending and look forward to another book in the near future.
True Colors centers on the three Grey sisters, Winona, Aurora and Vivi Ann, sisters who have a special relationship because their mother died when they were young and they have been each others closest allies and friends since then. When Vivi becomes engaged to Luke, whom older sister Winona is secretly harboring a long time crush on, the sisters loyalty to one another is put to the test. A murder tears the family apart as one sister turns her back on the other. Over the next sixteen years a fragile peace will be forged between the three, until questions are raised about the murder, reopening old wounds as one sister tries to atone for her betrayal.
I have to admit that I had a little trouble getting into the story at the start, as the three women seemed written as stereotypes, the fat sister struggling to prove she is good enough, the middle sister trying to keep the peace and the oh so perfect beautiful young sister who seems to sail through life. Although it took a while for me to warm up to the story once I became involved with the characters the pages began to fly, especially the last third of the book. My biggest quibble is with the father of the Grey girls- there seemed to be no depth to him and I would have liked a deeper look into why he was the way he was.
As usual Hannah knows how to tug at the heartstrings and sometimes I felt a little manipulated, but all in all I enjoyed the story, was happy with the ending and look forward to another book in the near future.
Helpful Score: 1
I finished this book over three evenings reading long into the night when I should've been sleeping. A couple places were hard for me to read on but it was due to upset for the sisters. Well written and very touching I enjoyed True Colors. This is the second Kristin Hannah book I've read and I plan to read many more.
Thoroughly enjoyed the Kristina Hannah book True Colors. Great book about family, relationships, love, crisis, assumed misunderstandings. Followed up with another FireFly, looking forward to her others. Communication, misunderstands, and resolutions are daily in everyone's lives.
This is one of the best books I've read in a long time. One of the first to bring me to tears. I really like Kristin Hannah.
loved it, great sister & family read!
Easy read! Loved the characters...good storyline.
Couldn't put it down.
Kristin Hannah is such an awesome author! If you have sisters, you can easily relate to the intricate relationships in the book. The feelings of familial responsibility that trump all else and the internal conflicts that go along with this are all captured accurately and beautifully by Hannah in this book.
I have just in the past year discovered Kristin Hannah! This is the best one yet!! I could not put this book down! Her books are always great, they draw you in right from the start and always fulfill their promise of a good story full of love, loss, and hope. I will be reading all her books.
I'm not usually drawn to this type of book -- relationships, sisters, love, trouble, etc. -- but this is one of my favorite books now. By halfway through the book, I was carrying it around with me and reading it EVERY chance I got. Tough to put down.
Kristin Hannah does a great job of developing the characters, weaving suspense, drama and even comedy throughout the story. I experienced emotional highs and lows as I related to each sister in different ways. The story was believable and I actually felt like I could have lived those lives -- it could have happened to me.
The only character I couldn't relate to was dad and I felt like the ending didn't do him justice, but I choose to overlook that 'flaw' (and his character) to enjoy everything else about the book.
I highly recommend this book as a look into families, relationships, (real) love and (pretend) love and so much more. Enjoy!
Kristin Hannah does a great job of developing the characters, weaving suspense, drama and even comedy throughout the story. I experienced emotional highs and lows as I related to each sister in different ways. The story was believable and I actually felt like I could have lived those lives -- it could have happened to me.
The only character I couldn't relate to was dad and I felt like the ending didn't do him justice, but I choose to overlook that 'flaw' (and his character) to enjoy everything else about the book.
I highly recommend this book as a look into families, relationships, (real) love and (pretend) love and so much more. Enjoy!
Excellent story-teller. Wonderful
Amanda S. (redheadedbookworm) reviewed True Colors (Audio CD) (Unabridged) on + 13 more book reviews
I loved this book!!! Kristin Hannah has not disappointed me yet!!! Must read!!!
As is true with other Kristin Hannah books I have read true colors envoked all the emotions. Great book! I couldn't put it down and didn't want it to end.
A good read, a good story about family and the ties that bind, and how those ties can be cut easier than you would think. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would and will probably read more from this author.
This book was so hard to put down through the entire book. It was one where you just didn't want it to end, but you couldn't wait to get to the end to find out what happened. I highly recommend this book!
This was on of the better books I've read in a long time..very hard to put down. It had all of the makings of a good read...love, family betrayal, heartbreak, legal compromise, prejudice, and injustice. Definitely one to recommend to friends!
The Grey sisters' mother died years ago and their father doesn't give them much attention. Winona needs her father's approval. Aurora is the peacemaker. ViviAnn is the star of the family but when she follows her heart, events will test the love and loyalties of the Grey sisters. A shocking crime will shatter their town and secrets will be revealed. This is a novel about sisters, vengeance, jealousy, betrayal and what truly means to be a family. It is well paced with interesting characters. If you love stories about sisters and family, then you will enjoy this one.
Great book! Kristin Hannah is such a great author, definitely one of my favorites. She grabs your attention on the first page.
I have become a real Kristin Hannah fan after reading this as a follow-up to "Firefly Lane." The relationships among the sisters were fascinating.
I loved this book. I love the story of the sisters and the different personalities. To see each one of them grow and come together, it was wonderfully written.
I enjoyed this 12 cd book. A small town where everyone knows everyone and a family's history in the community is important. Then comes what the town sees as trouble. Sisters who are very close and an authoritarian father have to try to learn what family really means. Kristin Hannah draws good stories with her writing. I enjoyed this one.
This story of the fictional Gray sisters of the state of Washington is well written and very well read by the narrator. I do a lot of driving and I was disappointed on several occasions when I reached my destination because that meant I had to stop listening for a while! I highly recommend this audiobook.
I loved this book so much. I cant stop thinking about it. There was so much passion and emotion dripping off of each page, i couldnt put it down. A "must read as soon as possible."
GAIL L. (my2luvsemmyandmally) reviewed True Colors (Audio CD) (Unabridged) on + 758 more book reviews
WONDERFUL BOOK !!!! Kristin Hannah never fails to impress me with her writing skills! Loved it!
Hannah's usual masterful job on characterization and her descriptions of the setting make me want to buy a ticket to Washington. 3 sisters with a strong family bond and very different personalities--I come from the same background, so can relate to the fact that it's not always roses. Captivating story, page-turner of a book--yes, I want to know what will happen next.
That said, Vivi Ann's fascination with bad boy Dallas initially smacks of lust, not love. The two characters eventually prove that it's much more than that, however. The sisters are so open in their conversations with each other,I think the plot would have benefitted from addressing that very issue.
Great research on the horse industry and legal procedure.
That said, Vivi Ann's fascination with bad boy Dallas initially smacks of lust, not love. The two characters eventually prove that it's much more than that, however. The sisters are so open in their conversations with each other,I think the plot would have benefitted from addressing that very issue.
Great research on the horse industry and legal procedure.
If you are a Kristin Hannah fan, this is a must read. She does an excellent job creating love and family chaos and dysfunction.
Shannon M. (confuzzledbooks) reviewed True Colors (Audio CD) (Unabridged) on + 482 more book reviews
Three sisters, Winona, Aurora and Vivi Anne, are as different as people can be. Vivi Anne starts seeing someone that Winona is falling for, but she never tells Vivi Anne so this causes discord among them. Luke, the guy involved with Vivi Anne, has really fallen for her and wants her hand in marriage, but Vivi Anne then falls for new farm hand Dallas Raintree. Through out their lives, each sister has her ups and down, but they remain family even if sometimes they wish they weren't.
I enjoyed this one. I especially liked the younger sister, Viva Anne, her romance with Dallas Raintree and later the introduction to their son, Noah. Author Kristin Hannah has a way with evolving the characters and bringing them to life.
I enjoyed this one. I especially liked the younger sister, Viva Anne, her romance with Dallas Raintree and later the introduction to their son, Noah. Author Kristin Hannah has a way with evolving the characters and bringing them to life.
A GREAT book. You won't be able to put it down
Engrossing story with excellent character development. You feel like you really good to know the main characters. The ending didn't exactly feel rushed, but I would have loved one more chapter with the ongoing saga. I didn't want to leave this family at all. Thumbs up!
Kind of drawn out but not a bad love story. Quick read.
I got a promo copy of this novel from work a little while ago, and after hearing so much hype about Kristin Hannah, I was really excited to read it. However, the three sisters around whom this drama revolves are thinly characterized: Winona is the brainy but insecure overweight one, Vivi Ann is the young and beautiful one, and Aurora is pretty much just the middle one - she's probably the easiest character to relate to in the entire novel, but she gets the least amount of narrative time.
Hannah has a way of repeatedly telling you how miserable and how upset and how in love her characters are without ever having them do anything to reveal these emotions, which makes the writing rather stilted. In fact, most of the storyline - the three sisters with an absentee mother battling over the affection and approval of their emotionally distant, alcoholic father - is deeply reminiscent of Jane Smiley's Pulitzer-winning A Thousand Acres, and the whole time I was reading True Colors, I was reminded of how much better Smiley's family drama is.
Hannah has a way of repeatedly telling you how miserable and how upset and how in love her characters are without ever having them do anything to reveal these emotions, which makes the writing rather stilted. In fact, most of the storyline - the three sisters with an absentee mother battling over the affection and approval of their emotionally distant, alcoholic father - is deeply reminiscent of Jane Smiley's Pulitzer-winning A Thousand Acres, and the whole time I was reading True Colors, I was reminded of how much better Smiley's family drama is.
Once I got into the book I couldn't put it down. So heartfelt, a tear jerker.
An absolutely engrossing novel.
An absolutely engrossing novel.
Love, love, love this book.
This book was not one of my favorite books by Kristin Hannah. I thought the story line drug on for longer than it needed to be. There was also some unanswered questions at the end of the book. I wouldn't rate this book as one of my favorite titles written by her, but it did have a good story line about the importance of family!
Good book although i had a hard time picturing this horse farm on the water. Also- hard to believe the amount of prejudice against an american idian in present day Washington State.
Fantastic book of faith, family, and what really happens when feelings are kept under the surface!
could not put it down! wonderful book.
Easy read. I liked the second half more than the first half. A little more interesting in terms of the characters and what they were like.
The most wonderful read. three sisters, what a life they live with turns and twists all the way to the end. You will love it too.
A good book - fairly predictable, but still a good read.
I read this book in only a few days & found myself thinking about it in my sleep to see how things would evolve. a very good story actually several interwoven good stories.
Great, great book! Hannah never disappoints! Anything I've ever read by her, I've always loved. Her books make you feel!
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book about the three sisters relationships.
I really enjoyed this book. I could totally relate to the sisters and their struggles to find their place in the family as grown-up women. The bond with sisters is strong but not always healthy unless you work at it and let some of the things of your youth go.
I listened to this as an unabridged audio book. Kristin Hannah has written some charming historical romances in the past which is why I was tempted to pick this up but Im really under whelmed with this womens fiction/chick lit/soap opera venture. Wheres the charm? Never mind that, wheres the love? All Im reading here is bitterness and jealousy and awkward relationships. Its making me edgy and impatient.
The book is about three sisters whose mom died of cancer when they were very young teens/pre-teens. Supposedly they are super close, or thats what the author keeps saying anyway. Winona is the oldest, Aurora the middle one and Vivi Anne is the young beautiful one favored by gruff old dad. Winona grows up to be a successful attorney but she is very insecure and an emotional eater and has been unable to snag a man. When Luke, a hunk from her past calls her up and asks her to meet him to discuss some legal business over a drink she instantly hopes and wishes that he wants to date her. Desperate, much? She then agonizes over her looks, insists that Aurora pretty her up and then imagines him gushing about his wife and kiddies and on and on. Blech, is she 27 or 17? But, alas, its all for naught because the moment Luke spies gorgeous Vivi Anne hes head over heels and Winona starts to seethe with jealousy and dreams up ways theyll break up so she can comfort Luke. She refuses to tell Vivi Anne about her crush on Luke and then starts being a royal bitch to everyone (including employees) because those two are dating. Emotionally stunted, much?
The middle sister, Aurora, seems to be here to act as a peace-keeper between the beauty and the bitter sister. Shes married to a doctor whom she apparently finds boring and has little children who are apparently never around. Ive heard people say that kids should be seen and not heard but these kids werent even seen. It was weird since Aurora was in the story so much whenever someone needed advice or prettying up. I began to wonder if she had some dark secret and had locked her kids in the basement or sold them for cash or something.
Vivi Anne is probably the only character I somewhat warmed up to but only because she had a soft spot for horses, especially wounded ones, and because she was a bit wild herself. Shes not so smart in the relationship department and was too eager to please others however. This gets her into a real nasty bind as the book goes along. She makes some excruciatingly stupid choices but shes the youngest so at least it made more sense than Winonas endless pining and whining over Luke, the blandest man in the land.
The whole dynamic of this relationship just wasnt working for me and none of these characters were likable enough to latch on to. The entire first part of the book annoyed me and though these three supposedly have a close relationship I didnt feel it. I understand sibling rivalry and all but the way this relationship was written was just not believable. Theres also some weird-ass dialogue that bugged me. I cant remember it all but this gem really stuck out. When Luke first calls and asks Winona to meet for a drink she responds with, How about 4:00? I hear thats Miller time? Honestly, who says things like that outside of a commercial? Its no wonder this woman cant get a date.
Later on a major plot development happens that only cements my previous dislike for Winona and helps me feel compassion towards Vivi Anne even though she is too weak of a character to fully embrace. The twist here is a total soap opera event but it does make the book a bit more interesting. Its here that the book did fully grab my attention but not because of the tangled relationship between the sisters but because of a troubled young teen boy and his journal entries. He was a great character and Hannah is a writer who can touch the emotions. Its just such a shame that she wasted so much space on a character as utterly awful as Winona and gave the third sister, Aurora, such the shaft. The end of the book where Winonas love life was resolved seemed very contrived and not believable at all. It should have ended with an epilogue where she was a bitter old cat lady. Now that I would have believed.
Ill read Kristin Hannah again because she can write an emotionally involving story but this one wont be getting a reread.
The book is about three sisters whose mom died of cancer when they were very young teens/pre-teens. Supposedly they are super close, or thats what the author keeps saying anyway. Winona is the oldest, Aurora the middle one and Vivi Anne is the young beautiful one favored by gruff old dad. Winona grows up to be a successful attorney but she is very insecure and an emotional eater and has been unable to snag a man. When Luke, a hunk from her past calls her up and asks her to meet him to discuss some legal business over a drink she instantly hopes and wishes that he wants to date her. Desperate, much? She then agonizes over her looks, insists that Aurora pretty her up and then imagines him gushing about his wife and kiddies and on and on. Blech, is she 27 or 17? But, alas, its all for naught because the moment Luke spies gorgeous Vivi Anne hes head over heels and Winona starts to seethe with jealousy and dreams up ways theyll break up so she can comfort Luke. She refuses to tell Vivi Anne about her crush on Luke and then starts being a royal bitch to everyone (including employees) because those two are dating. Emotionally stunted, much?
The middle sister, Aurora, seems to be here to act as a peace-keeper between the beauty and the bitter sister. Shes married to a doctor whom she apparently finds boring and has little children who are apparently never around. Ive heard people say that kids should be seen and not heard but these kids werent even seen. It was weird since Aurora was in the story so much whenever someone needed advice or prettying up. I began to wonder if she had some dark secret and had locked her kids in the basement or sold them for cash or something.
Vivi Anne is probably the only character I somewhat warmed up to but only because she had a soft spot for horses, especially wounded ones, and because she was a bit wild herself. Shes not so smart in the relationship department and was too eager to please others however. This gets her into a real nasty bind as the book goes along. She makes some excruciatingly stupid choices but shes the youngest so at least it made more sense than Winonas endless pining and whining over Luke, the blandest man in the land.
The whole dynamic of this relationship just wasnt working for me and none of these characters were likable enough to latch on to. The entire first part of the book annoyed me and though these three supposedly have a close relationship I didnt feel it. I understand sibling rivalry and all but the way this relationship was written was just not believable. Theres also some weird-ass dialogue that bugged me. I cant remember it all but this gem really stuck out. When Luke first calls and asks Winona to meet for a drink she responds with, How about 4:00? I hear thats Miller time? Honestly, who says things like that outside of a commercial? Its no wonder this woman cant get a date.
Later on a major plot development happens that only cements my previous dislike for Winona and helps me feel compassion towards Vivi Anne even though she is too weak of a character to fully embrace. The twist here is a total soap opera event but it does make the book a bit more interesting. Its here that the book did fully grab my attention but not because of the tangled relationship between the sisters but because of a troubled young teen boy and his journal entries. He was a great character and Hannah is a writer who can touch the emotions. Its just such a shame that she wasted so much space on a character as utterly awful as Winona and gave the third sister, Aurora, such the shaft. The end of the book where Winonas love life was resolved seemed very contrived and not believable at all. It should have ended with an epilogue where she was a bitter old cat lady. Now that I would have believed.
Ill read Kristin Hannah again because she can write an emotionally involving story but this one wont be getting a reread.
Good Story.
Great book. A must read.
This book is of several stories in one. A child who doesn't know who he is or his dad, whom he loves. A wife who loves her husband so much she let him go. A true love story. A sister who redeems herself. Family struggles. Injustice, and so much more. This is the 2nd book of Kristin Hannah's I've read and enjoyed both.
I've enjoyed a few books by Kristin Hannah over the years and had TRUE COLORS waiting in my TBR pile for quite a while so was glad to finally get to it this month with a few buddies in my online book club, The Reading Cove. For the most part I enjoyed it, but it wasn't one of my favorites by KH.
It's the story of the Grey family and opens after a mother has just passed away, leaving her husband and their three young daughters behind. As the story progresses, we get to know two of the sistersWinona and Vivi Annvery well, as most of the tale is told from their POV. But the middle sister, Aurora, comes across as a story convenience and we never get her POV, which ends up feeling like a gaping hole in the narrative by the end.
Beyond that, there was also some very repetitious characterization of Winona as the green-eyed, fat sister and Vivi as the beautiful, envied one. It was overkill, and there was too much tell, not enough show.
But overall, TRUE COLORS was a decent family drama that explored over a decade of emotional family dynamics. So I enjoyed the story despite its flaws. B-
★
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It's the story of the Grey family and opens after a mother has just passed away, leaving her husband and their three young daughters behind. As the story progresses, we get to know two of the sistersWinona and Vivi Annvery well, as most of the tale is told from their POV. But the middle sister, Aurora, comes across as a story convenience and we never get her POV, which ends up feeling like a gaping hole in the narrative by the end.
Beyond that, there was also some very repetitious characterization of Winona as the green-eyed, fat sister and Vivi as the beautiful, envied one. It was overkill, and there was too much tell, not enough show.
But overall, TRUE COLORS was a decent family drama that explored over a decade of emotional family dynamics. So I enjoyed the story despite its flaws. B-
★
(¯`·.·´¯) (¯`·.·´¯)
`·.¸(¯`·.·´¯)¸ .·
×°× ` ·.¸.·´ ×°×
This was a good story told by two sisters. You never get to hear from the third sister, I guess she is boring like her husband? It was a long book spread out over many years. As you read you start to take sides with the sisters. It is a sad story about how sisters can be torn apart but will always find their way back.
This was one of her "good ones" it held me from the beginning and I couldn't wait to get back to it! A very good read!
Lovely books about sisters & their bond !
I started this book but have not finshed it yet. I am having trouble getting into the story line. I may be due to the fact that I am so use to Karen Kingsbury books and I can not get us to another Author. I will read it. and I will rate it later. God bless.
I listened to this as an unabridged audio book. Kristin Hannah has written some charming historical romances in the past which is why I was tempted to pick this up but Im really under whelmed with this womens fiction/chick lit/soap opera venture. Wheres the charm? Never mind that, wheres the love? All Im reading here is bitterness and jealousy and awkward relationships. Its making me edgy and impatient.
The book is about three sisters whose mom died of cancer when they were very young teens/pre-teens. Supposedly they are super close, or thats what the author keeps saying anyway. Winona is the oldest, Aurora the middle one and Vivi Anne is the young beautiful one favored by gruff old dad. Winona grows up to be a successful attorney but she is very insecure and an emotional eater and has been unable to snag a man. When Luke, a hunk from her past calls her up and asks her to meet him to discuss some legal business over a drink she instantly hopes and wishes that he wants to date her. Desperate, much? She then agonizes over her looks, insists that Aurora pretty her up and then imagines him gushing about his wife and kiddies and on and on. Blech, is she 27 or 17? But, alas, its all for naught because the moment Luke spies gorgeous Vivi Anne hes head over heels and Winona starts to seethe with jealousy and dreams up ways theyll break up so she can comfort Luke. She refuses to tell Vivi Anne about her crush on Luke and then starts being a royal bitch to everyone (including employees) because those two are dating. Emotionally stunted, much?
The middle sister, Aurora, seems to be here to act as a peace-keeper between the beauty and the bitter sister. Shes married to a doctor whom she apparently finds boring and has little children who are apparently never around. Ive heard people say that kids should be seen and not heard but these kids werent even seen. It was weird since Aurora was in the story so much whenever someone needed advice or prettying up. I began to wonder if she had some dark secret and had locked her kids in the basement or sold them for cash or something.
Vivi Anne is probably the only character I somewhat warmed up to but only because she had a soft spot for horses, especially wounded ones, and because she was a bit wild herself. Shes not so smart in the relationship department and was too eager to please others however. This gets her into a real nasty bind as the book goes along. She makes some excruciatingly stupid choices but shes the youngest so at least it made more sense than Winonas endless pining and whining over Luke, the blandest man in the land.
The whole dynamic of this relationship just wasnt working for me and none of these characters were likable enough to latch on to. The entire first part of the book annoyed me and though these three supposedly have a close relationship I didnt feel it. I understand sibling rivalry and all but the way this relationship was written was just not believable. Theres also some weird-ass dialogue that bugged me. I cant remember it all but this gem really stuck out. When Luke first calls and asks Winona to meet for a drink she responds with, How about 4:00? I hear thats Miller time? Honestly, who says things like that outside of a commercial? Its no wonder this woman cant get a date.
Later on a major plot development happens that only cements my previous dislike for Winona and helps me feel compassion towards Vivi Anne even though she is too weak of a character to fully embrace. The twist here is a total soap opera event but it does make the book a bit more interesting. Its here that the book did fully grab my attention but not because of the tangled relationship between the sisters but because of a troubled young teen boy and his journal entries. He was a great character and Hannah is a writer who can touch the emotions. Its just such a shame that she wasted so much space on a character as utterly awful as Winona and gave the third sister, Aurora, such the shaft. The end of the book where Winonas love life was resolved seemed very contrived and not believable at all. It should have ended with an epilogue where she was a bitter old cat lady. Now that I would have believed.
Ill read Kristin Hannah again because she can write an emotionally involving story but this one wont be getting a reread.
The book is about three sisters whose mom died of cancer when they were very young teens/pre-teens. Supposedly they are super close, or thats what the author keeps saying anyway. Winona is the oldest, Aurora the middle one and Vivi Anne is the young beautiful one favored by gruff old dad. Winona grows up to be a successful attorney but she is very insecure and an emotional eater and has been unable to snag a man. When Luke, a hunk from her past calls her up and asks her to meet him to discuss some legal business over a drink she instantly hopes and wishes that he wants to date her. Desperate, much? She then agonizes over her looks, insists that Aurora pretty her up and then imagines him gushing about his wife and kiddies and on and on. Blech, is she 27 or 17? But, alas, its all for naught because the moment Luke spies gorgeous Vivi Anne hes head over heels and Winona starts to seethe with jealousy and dreams up ways theyll break up so she can comfort Luke. She refuses to tell Vivi Anne about her crush on Luke and then starts being a royal bitch to everyone (including employees) because those two are dating. Emotionally stunted, much?
The middle sister, Aurora, seems to be here to act as a peace-keeper between the beauty and the bitter sister. Shes married to a doctor whom she apparently finds boring and has little children who are apparently never around. Ive heard people say that kids should be seen and not heard but these kids werent even seen. It was weird since Aurora was in the story so much whenever someone needed advice or prettying up. I began to wonder if she had some dark secret and had locked her kids in the basement or sold them for cash or something.
Vivi Anne is probably the only character I somewhat warmed up to but only because she had a soft spot for horses, especially wounded ones, and because she was a bit wild herself. Shes not so smart in the relationship department and was too eager to please others however. This gets her into a real nasty bind as the book goes along. She makes some excruciatingly stupid choices but shes the youngest so at least it made more sense than Winonas endless pining and whining over Luke, the blandest man in the land.
The whole dynamic of this relationship just wasnt working for me and none of these characters were likable enough to latch on to. The entire first part of the book annoyed me and though these three supposedly have a close relationship I didnt feel it. I understand sibling rivalry and all but the way this relationship was written was just not believable. Theres also some weird-ass dialogue that bugged me. I cant remember it all but this gem really stuck out. When Luke first calls and asks Winona to meet for a drink she responds with, How about 4:00? I hear thats Miller time? Honestly, who says things like that outside of a commercial? Its no wonder this woman cant get a date.
Later on a major plot development happens that only cements my previous dislike for Winona and helps me feel compassion towards Vivi Anne even though she is too weak of a character to fully embrace. The twist here is a total soap opera event but it does make the book a bit more interesting. Its here that the book did fully grab my attention but not because of the tangled relationship between the sisters but because of a troubled young teen boy and his journal entries. He was a great character and Hannah is a writer who can touch the emotions. Its just such a shame that she wasted so much space on a character as utterly awful as Winona and gave the third sister, Aurora, such the shaft. The end of the book where Winonas love life was resolved seemed very contrived and not believable at all. It should have ended with an epilogue where she was a bitter old cat lady. Now that I would have believed.
Ill read Kristin Hannah again because she can write an emotionally involving story but this one wont be getting a reread.
