True Colors (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: loafing shed, Vivi Ann, Kristin Hannah, Dallas Raintree (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In her 17th novel, bestseller Hannah portrays the delicate and enduring bonds of sisterhood. The story of the Grey sisters is set in a small Washington town and follows Winona, Aurora and Vivi Ann from the time of their mother's death, when they are young teens in 1979, on through adulthood, cataloguing their trials and the men who typically come bearing them, beginning with Luke, Winona's high school best friend and secret crush. But when he falls in love with Vivi Ann, who later cheats on him with farmhand Dallas, it leads a jealous Winona to betray her sister. Vivi Ann and Dallas get married, have a baby and run the Grey family farm, but Dallas is eventually arrested for murder, and lawyer Winona refuses to take his case, seemingly killing her relationship with Vivi Ann. Dallas is convicted and things look bleak for Vivi Ann and her son, but Winona's late-breaking friendship with her nephew paves the way for the happy ending. Though Hannah boldly embraces over-the-top drama, she really knows what women—her characters and her audience—want. (Feb.)
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Product Description

True Colors is New York Times bestselling author Kristin Hannah’s most provocative, compelling, and heart-wrenching story yet. With the luminous writing and unforgettable characters that are her trademarks, she tells the story of three sisters whose once-solid world is broken apart by jealousy, betrayal, and the kind of passion that rarely comes along.

The Grey sisters have always been close. After their mother’s death, the girls banded together, becoming best friends. Their stern, disapproving father cares less about his children than about his reputation. To Henry Grey, appearances are everything, and years later, he still demands that his daughters reflect his standing in the community. 

Winona, the oldest, needs her father’s approval most of all. An overweight bookworm who never felt at home on the sprawling horse ranch that has been in her family for three generations, she knows that she doesn’t have the qualities her father values. But as the best lawyer in town, she’s determined to someday find a way to prove her worth to him.

Aurora, the middle sister, is the family peacemaker. She brokers every dispute and tries to keep them all happy, even as she hides her own secret pain.

Vivi Ann is the undisputed star of the family. A stunningly beautiful dreamer with a heart as big as the ocean in front of her house, she is adored by all who know her. Everything comes easily for Vivi Ann, until a stranger comes to town. . . .

In a matter of moments, everything will change. The Grey sisters will be pitted against one another in ways that none could have imagined. Loyalties will be tested and secrets revealed, and a terrible, shocking crime will shatter both their family and their beloved town.

With breathtaking pace and penetrating emotional insight, True Colors is an unforgettable novel about sisters, rivalry, forgiveness, redemption---and ultimately, what it means to be a family.

See all Editorial Reviews

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Product Details Hardcover: 400 pages Publisher: St. Martin's Press; 1 edition (February 3, 2009) Language: English ISBN-10: 0312364105 ISBN-13: 978-0312364106 Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (136 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,605 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in these categories: (What's this?) #10 in  Books > Literature & Fiction > Women's Fiction > Sisters #33 in  Books > Literature & Fiction > Women's Fiction > Domestic Life

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Inside This Book (learn more)

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
loafing shed

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Vivi Ann, Kristin Hannah, Dallas Raintree, Water's Edge, Oyster Shores, Aunt Winona, Sara Hamm, Luke Connelly, Shore Drive, Myrtle Michaelian, Catherine Morgan, Thank God, Cat Morgan, Christmas Eve, Outlaw Tavern, Waves Restaurant, Main Street, Eagles Hall, Grey Park, Merry Christmas, First Street, Winona Grey, Krislin Hannah, Native American, Erik Engstrom

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	68% buy the item featured on this page: True Colors 3.9 out of 5 stars (136) $17.13
	10% buy Handle with Care: A Novel 3.4 out of 5 stars (299) $9.36
	8% buy Between Sisters: A Novel 4.8 out of 5 stars (41) $10.20
	8% buy Home Again: A Novel 4.4 out of 5 stars (23) $6.99

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Customer Reviews

136 Reviews 5 star:  (58) 4 star:  (37) 3 star:  (19) 2 star:  (8) 1 star:  (14)           Average Customer Review 3.9 out of 5 stars (136 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 29 of 33 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars KRISTIN HANNAH AT HER VERY BEST!!!!, February 3, 2009 By  Maudeen Wachsmith "BeachReader" (Port Townsend, WA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)       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. 13 of 15 people found the following review helpful: 3.0 out of 5 stars Solid, if not unique, story, February 8, 2009 By  mellion108 (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews    (What's this?) 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. 6 of 6 people found the following review helpful: 3.0 out of 5 stars Predictable - no surprises here. A family picnic with no ants..., March 22, 2009 By  Barbara McArthur "writer/editor" (Scottsdale) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)       (What's this?) 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.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 3.0 out of 5 stars Too much I've followed this author for years and True Colors is not one of her best in my opinion. She tried to mix too many components into the plot. Read more Published 27 days ago by Melanie Courtelle 2.0 out of 5 stars Sisters I did not like this novel as much as I enjoyed Hannah's Firefly Lane. The depth to the sister's depression to the loss of her husband to the prison system and all the energy... Read more Published 1 month ago by P. Stine 5.0 out of 5 stars From Steve at J. Kaye's Book Blog "True Colors", by Kristin Hannah, is a powerful and emotional charged story that is part family drama, part legal thriller, and part love story. Read more Published 1 month ago by J. Kaye Oldner 5.0 out of 5 stars Kristin Hannah does it again I have been a fan of Kristin Hannah for many years. In fact my first book I read by her was On Mystic Lake way back in 2000. Read more Published 2 months ago by Annie 1.0 out of 5 stars Not good I absolutely could not get into this book. Like several of the other reviewers, I loved Kristin Hannah's "Firefly Lane" so much I bought "True Colors" instantly. Read more Published 2 months ago by A. Waters 5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!!! This is the first book that I read by Hannah, and I absoultly loved it! The story is very fast paced and doesn't drag along. The ending isn't forced like a lot of books either. Read more Published 2 months ago by Becky D. 3.0 out of 5 stars Kindle problem with this book This is the first book I am reading on my Kindle, and while I love the author and the device there is a problem in the translation to Kindle. Read more Published 3 months ago by Susan H. Beerman 5.0 out of 5 stars Loved This Book The Grey Sisters are one's we can all relate to. Winona, is the oldest sister and one who has never fully felt loved from her father. Read more Published 3 months ago by Chantay W. 4.0 out of 5 stars One of those books I did not want to end! I had recently read Kristin Hannah's Firefly Lane and enjoyed it and then chose True Colors and it was wonderful, one of those books you do not want to end! Read more Published 3 months ago by Kathy H. Chapman 3.0 out of 5 stars WAS NOT CRAZY ABOUT TRUE COLORS I am a big Kristin Hannah fan. I loved THE THINGS WE DID FOR LOVE, ANGEL FALLS, MYSTIC LAKE, DISTANT SHORES, FIREFLY LANE, and some others that are a few years older... Read more Published 3 months ago by Mara Pemberton Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; 1 edition (February 3, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312364105
• ISBN-13: 978-0312364106
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (136 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,605 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #10 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > Women's Fiction > Sisters
  #33 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > Women's Fiction > Domestic Life

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars KRISTIN HANNAH AT HER VERY BEST!!!!, February 3, 2009

By	Maudeen Wachsmith "BeachReader" (Port Townsend, WA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Solid, if not unique, story, February 8, 2009

By	mellion108 (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews

(What's this?)

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.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Predictable - no surprises here. A family picnic with no ants..., March 22, 2009

By	Barbara McArthur "writer/editor" (Scottsdale) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

(What's this?)

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.