True Colors

by: Kristin Hannah

Published by: St. Martins Press (February 3 release)

Reviewed by Andrea Sisco

Few authors can keep me reading far into the night. But Kristin Hannah writes relationship novels that I’m unable to put down.

True Colors follows the lives of the three Grey sisters. Winona, the oldest, is book smart, overweight, longs for her father’s approval, and is jealous of another sister’s love interest. Aurora is the middle sister and her job is that of peacemaker. Vivi Anne is the youngest. She is the family beauty and the one who comes closest to receiving her father’s approval.

Oyster Shores, Washington is the home of the Greys. Four generations helped build the area and they are the local nobility. But with nobility comes responsibility and there is a clear idea how the family will behave in all situations.

The Grey sisters lives were set on a course when their mother died of cancer in 1979, leaving them in the hands of their distant and silent father. While the girls were best friends, their intertwined lives clashed on numerous levels and the result was jealousy, rivalry and unrequited love.

Winona loses her love (a love she betrays) to her youngest sister and that sets the stage for tragedy of huge proportions. Aurora spends so much time making peace that she’s unable to address her own demons, and Vivi Anne’s wild child choices set the stage for years of sorrow. The Grey family is shattered. The question is, are the bonds of family, of sisters, strong enough to overcome the most horrific of offenses?

Kristin Hannah delivers what is probably my favorite of all her novels in True Colors. The characters are multi-dimensional people with fragilities that almost destroy them. But this is also a story about strength, determination, love, reconciliation and forgiveness. Hannah’s characters are so vivid you feel as if you know them personally. The plot is delicious.

This is a book that will be sold word of mouth because people won’t be able to forget it.

Armchair Interviews says: A grand read.