The winter storm has passed, and David and Aaron emerge from their weekend of passionate humanity to take stock and face the rest of their lives with hope. Their bond continues to grow, but they both carry heavy burdens from pasts that return to haunt them. Each faces the specter of former lovers who bring devastation in their wake. Will Aaron and David’s fledgling love withstand the barrage, or … or will the force of separate maelstroms tear them apart?
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4.5 stars
Heat Level: 3.75
Narration: 4.5
Oh, my heart! Such an emotional next step for David & Aaron!
I’m loving this series! It’s heartfelt, steamy and so much more! After being snowed in, Aaron and David are now in a relationship and as that progresses parts of their pasts come back to challenge them. I found many parts of this book emotional, powerful and sad. I loved how Mr. Freeley approached so very serious issues with such heart and care while challenging these characters to fight for want they want. I feel like the love and passion fly off the page and I enjoyed this book even more than book one! A truly passionate, heartfelt read!!
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Review of e-book and audiobook:
This author is a favorite of mine so I’ve had the e-book sitting on my kindle since it released. However, I also knew he’d eventually team up with a favorite narrator, so I decided to wait until I could read and listen to A Lighter Shade of Blue simultaneously, and I didn’t regret it one bit. A Lighter Shade of Blue is the continuation of David and Aaron’s story first introduced in Into the Gray and should definitely be read in order.
The Colors of Love series is much more relationship focused than Mr. Feeley’s other works and definitely a lot steamier. Even though I knew that going into the first book, it still surprised me and I missed some of the depth I’ve come to associate with this author’s writing. Therefore, I liked that the continuing series allows me to spend more time with these characters and get a deeper look into their relationship as it develops and expands. I also really liked that A Lighter Shade of Blue explores David and Aaron’s past. Though some moments definitely left me choked up, they added a depth to the characters and moved the series further beyond a romance. Significant stories with some messy emotions and beautiful moments are hallmarks of this author and I was happy to see them shine in the second novella in this series.
The narration was exactly what I’ve come to expect from Mr. Bastian. His cadence, inflections, and emotions highlight the narratives and keep him on the top of my preferred narrator’s list. If you are looking for a great audiobook with some majorly steamy scenes and a story that just gets better with each novella, I’d definitely recommend the Colors of Love series.
A Lighter Shade of Blue is a continuation of Aaron and David’s story from Into the Gray, the first book in F.E. Feeley Jr.’s series The Color of Love. Between coming to grips with the speed and intensity of their feelings, and surmounting some major hurdles from their pasts, this couple definitely has some navigating to do! Beautifully written, Feeley delivers all the passion and romance from the first novel and doesn’t dismiss tackling the powerful issues as well.
Mr. Feeley is a new author for me (if you’ll forgive a bit of gushing while I’m still in my honeymoon phase) and his combination of stunning prose and unique storylines have me completely enamored. The details he adds about gestures, intentions, and inflections make the characters in his stories real. Feeley has a beautiful way of writing; like the charming comparison of snow flurries to fairy glitter, there’s a lovely poetry that flows through this whole story.
David and Aaron’s relationship is progressing fast, but the power of their connection feels very genuine. Feeley projects true intimacy through the couple’s intense lovemaking, and these are some seriously gorgeous scenes. Erotic and passionate, the bond they make blends into the story.
Both men are dealing with issues from their pasts in A Lighter Shade of Blue. I’m not going to spoil anything by discussing it here, but while I was happily wrapped up in the passion and soul baring intimacy of their romance, Mr. Feeley slips in a huge surprise. I can only imagine his already devoted fans, who are undoubtedly familiar with his penchant for unpredictable plot twists, are rolling their eyes and laughing at this newly enlightened devotee. It’s not an understatement to say I literally *gasped* out loud.
The Color of Love series is a deeply personal story of both David’s and Aaron’s journeys, as well as how their lives are blending together. Feeley explores some powerful ideas and insights as the men face the outcome of the choices they make. Finding comfort and strength in each other, they’re looking toward their future. And now that I know to expect the unexpected, I can’t wait to see how it all shakes out.
This is the second book in the series and we pick up a couple of months past the ending in book one.
Aaron seems a bit more vulnerable in this second installment. As a reader, I felt we were given a deeper look, past the false bravado. It broke my heart at times to watch him wade through the waters that seemed to constantly try and pull him under. I was thankful for those he called friends, they got it.
No judgment, No compromise. Each act of support, of love, was done with unconditional acceptance .
And David, he was trying so hard but he also seemed to be lost at times trying to navigate this “newness” in his life.
This felt a bit more intense on the emotional spectrum. Aaron trying to find his footing once again and David just learning to walk.
I hope his wife slips in the snow .. just a bruise mind you, a gentle reminder that she was on a slippery slope.
The way the author slowly brought the pieces together. The emotional push and pull. The reality of the hardships they would face as a couple made for a beautifully scripted and engaging story.
I do hope for more from these characters.