True Colors [Paperback]

There are several things readers have come to expect when they read a Kristin Hannah book--that they'll get an amazing, compelling, emotional story, that they can't put down once they've started. While TRUE COLORS is no exception, there is a degree of depth to this novel that sets it apart from anything the author has written in the past. A degree of depth that won't simply satisfy her legions of current fans, but I dare say should bring her to the attention of many more.

Spanning nearly 30 years in the lives of the Grey sisters of Water's Edge, a waterfront ranch on the shores of Washington state's picturesque Hood Canal, first meet the sisters in 1979 just after the death of their beloved mother. It's obvious from the beginning that her loss is going to leave an enormous hole in their hearts and have long-lasting effects in the lives of these young girls. But even worse, their grieving father Henry buries his soul when he buries his wife, coping with life by drowning his sorrows in a bottle of hard liquor.

The book quickly fast forwards 13 years where we find oldest sister Winona just beginning her law practice in the nearby town of Oyster Shores, Aurora a young wife and mother of twins, while the youngest the beautiful but fragile Vivi Ann is an expert barrel racer on the western rodeo circuit, living at home, helping her father on the failing ranch that has been in their family for generations. Vivi Ann soon comes up with a plan to save the ranch and resurrects it into a thriving horse arena for lessons and competitions.

Meanwhile Winona, who has been fighting a weight problem all her life, may, at long last, have romance come her way when her childhood crush, veterinarian Luke Connelly returns to town. She is excited that this time their relationship may become more than just friendship--until he is captivated by the beautiful ViviAnn. Although Vivi Ann doesn't totally return his feelings, they eventually become engaged. Winona has a difficult time hiding her jealousy. All of this causes a rift between the sisters that won't soon be mended, especially when the new ranch hand and quintessential "bad boy" Dallas Raintree excites Vivi Ann much more than Luke ever can. This sets in place a tragedy that changes the complexion of the sisters' relationship forever.

This also sets in place events that propel this novel from one of Kristin Hannah's hallmark "domestic dramas" into one that is part legal drama, a coming of age story of a teenage boy, a story of redemption and forgiveness, and of loyalty and unfailing belief in someone when it really counts.

Kristin Hannah excels in knowing how to pull at the reader's heartstrings, to touch their emotional sweet spot, and with TRUE COLORS she pulls at those heartstrings and doesn't let go. TRUE COLORS is Kristin Hannah at her very best - maybe even better than her very best. As usual readers need to keep the hankies handy for the read that is absolutely unputdownable and totally satisfying. As impossible as it seems, Kristin Hannah just gets better and better with each read; I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

Winona, Aurora, and Vivi Ann Grey are sisters, brought closer together by their mother's death when they were children. Winona, the oldest, takes charge of her sisters, but she is plagued throughout life by her issues with her weight, her ceaseless unsuccessful quest for her father's approval, and her hope that someone will love her. Aurora is the sensible middle sister - she grows up, marries, has kids, and then struggles with the reality that life isn't a fairy tale. Vivi Ann is the wild, beautiful, optimistic youngest sister. She loves her horses, adores the father that her sisters tell her is not worth her adoration, fights to keep the Grey home and land in the family, and knows that something breathtaking is going to happen to her. When Winona's true love falls for the wrong sister, jealousy and spitefulness come between them all, and when Vivi Ann gives her heart to the dark, dangerous Dallas, the family and their small town are nearly torn apart.

Hannah does a good job of painting the portrait of small-town Oyster Shores, Washington - a town of decent, hard-working people, some of whom still hold on to old prejudices and distrust of outsiders. She also does a fine job of giving us yet another book about family loyalty, an over-controlling patriarch, and women fighting through their insecurities to become stronger and more independent.

There are countless numbers of books out there extolling the virtues of sisterhood - blood or no - and True Colors joins their ranks. This is a good, solid book with an emotional storyline, strong but flawed characters, and a compelling drama to pull everything together. Although I wasn't exactly blown away by the story, it did keep my interest, and I would pick up another Hannah novel. For me, the legal drama was a tad over the top and tended to slow down the pace of the story, and I thought that Noah's character went sadly underdeveloped, but overall this is a good novel that would be perfect for the beach or for a vacation in general.

This may be a wonderful beach read, but it's March and we need a bit more grit to keep us glued to the pages while the rain-laden winds whip through the pines. We have characters who are easily summed up in a few words - pretty and wild; overweight and unappreciated; smart and too conventional; rawboned and dangerous; troubled teen; reliable and boring; crotchedy and mean. Mix together. Add the usual gossip, jealousy, forbidden love, injustice and redemption. Bake for what seems like a long, long time. Believe it or not, what comes out of the oven is chocolate chip cookies! Yep - a happy ending for all - except old Dad, who is still crotchedy and mean - but you can't have everything!

There are no sharp edges to get in the way - no surprises or twists - just a good old, straight garden path leading to a beautiful sunset. Everybody's happy but me. I was expecting a lot more.