For as long as I could remember, Theodore West was in my life as the support system I needed when my parents were too busy building our family’s future. He offered me shoes to dance on, a shoulder to absorb my tears, and the harsh reality of where my life was leading when I was at my lowest point. And when the future my parents planned derailed after a statewide scandal, I had no choice but to … no choice but to fantasize about one for myself that didn’t involve them.
But Theo? He was always in it.
My father’s best friend.
The man who would undoubtedly end me if I didn’t end him first.
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Just in case you all have been living under a freaking rock and don’t already know…Theodore “Theo” West is all MINE (of course right alongside our fierce leading lady Adele “Della” Saint James and my girl Barbara AKA the incredibly talented author, B. Celeste)! I put my FIRM claim on this sexy as sin older man before I knew anything about him and I am so glad that I did because I am head over heels in LOVE with him! This is my one and only WARNING that you all better back the F*CK off MY man. Now that we got that FACT out of the way, I can tell you all about one of my favorite reads of 2020!
Color Me Pretty is a sexy as sin age gap and father’s best friend romance that captivated every inch of my soul with the perfect amount of angst that left me swooning the entire time I inhaled all the words. I have been addicted to B. Celeste’s words since before she was B. Celeste (back when she was writing under Barbara C. Doyle) and I have got to tell you that she continues to surprise me every FREAKING time. Her writing is beautifully flawless and gives me ALL THE FEELS as I find myself deeply lost among the pages. Her characters always manages to invoke intense emotions that I never experienced before and has me feeling EVERYTHING.
Della and Theo’s love is raw and emotional, it’s the kind of story that will tug on all of your heartstrings. They had this invisible force pulling them towards one another and I am so happy that Theo pulled his head out of his ass before he lost Della forever. These two were so perfectly matched and that forbidden age gap left me swooning…especially during those sexy time scenes. These were some of the hottest scenes that we have read from our girl B. Celeste and I could read them over and over again FOREVER.
I am all one for the forbidden and taboo. I found this book interesting. I really love this author. This book was enjoyable for the most part, but this book didn’t pull me in as well as her other books. I will still continue to read all her books, as her work for the most part is fascinating.
This was an intense, amazing book. Not your typical age gap book – this is a book about self love through life’s unfair obstacles. With the bond of Della and Theo – this is finally a possibility. Everything bad that could happen-had. But that hea was well deserved. Not because it was a happily ever after – but because this story teaches us that life is a work in progress – and color me pretty is a testament to that.
An emotionally charged love story that is so much more than your average love story.
I really admire how B. Celeste is always willing to have characters with real-life struggles. A lot of people can relate to Della (in various degrees), and it was really nice to see so much care put into how people deal with their demons in real life. I think Della did a ton of self-searching and goes through a really inspiring transformation. As someone still in university, I really appreciated how realistic her thoughts were and how she navigated her life (especially being pretty much on her own).
I really liked Della and Theo as a couple. I loved how they supported one another and were willing to talk issues through rather than running away. Theo is so thoughtful about Della and who she is. He knows her like nobody else does. Their relationship is organic and pure and so refreshing. This is by no means the angstiest or most stressful, action-packed love story you’ll read, but there was something beautiful about watching these two unfold and come together naturally against the odds and stigma.
You’ll love the main characters. There’s just not any other option; they’re hardworking and loving and strong and rooted. I just loved them so much.
4 Pretty Stars!
I couldn’t put it down! I found myself losing sleep and sneaking chapters in at work! B. Celeste just keeps getting better with each book! If you love an age gap romance I definitely recommend this one!
I was so looking forward to this age gap romance, isn’t the cover simply stunning. B Celeste is an author that always writes from the heart her books have meaning and touch on real life issues. One of my favourite things reading a book is when we get both perspectives. We get up close and personal with both Della and Theo which for me was a pivotal to the story. Reading Theo’s inner turmoil just made me love him more. All the ways he cares and protects her whilst encouraging her to fulfill her ambitions was pure love. I won’t go into it but everything Della has been through and managed to come through although slightly damaged was well written. There are steamy scenes with drama and a little mystery.
I really enjoyed the story but it was slow to get started and I wished we’d seen more of the inevitable judgement regarding their relationship from other people.
These are the reviews I hate writing the most.
Color Me Pretty has a great story to it. It has some amazing characters that have been through a ton of sh*t. It is well written, and I am sure there are several people out there who will love this book.
However, this book was just not for me. It never did hook me. I managed to finish the book, but it never fully engaged me, or hit that I don’t want to put it down point.
Loved this emotional, age gap romance from B Celeste! Theo is Della’s father’s best friend and I was hooked. I felt a few parts dragged a little but nothing major! 4.5 stars!
Forbidden Romance | Father’s Best Friend
Color Me Pretty is a work of art by B. Celeste. Not only does she weave a forbidden tale filled with the highest of emotions, but she tells a story that readers want to hear. All too often society judges us by our choices and this book shows that sometimes, hiding isn’t an option. Told with her signature prose, this story of romance brings readers the feeling of hope. I loved every second of it.
I don’t want to give ANYTHING about the plot away because this is a story that needs to be felt by readers. I will say this though, if you enjoy a story that will leave an imprint on your heart and soul this is the kind of book that will do it. I highly recommend it.
Woven within this beautiful love story is an unforgettable journey of overcoming obstacles and learning to embrace what’s truly best for oneself. With each new book that I’ve come across by this author I’m blown away by her ability to craft stories that resonate so deeply with me as a reader and how they leave me thinking days later like Color Me Pretty did.
Della was a truly relatable character for me whose struggles closely mirror ones I’ve battled. Her strength and resilience in her journey of healing and acceptance pulled at my heartstrings. I completely adored Theo and the way he was always a pillar of strength and support for Della. These two were captivating perfection and I loved watching their story unfold.
Color Me Pretty was a beautiful and thought-provoking read with amazing characters who wove themselves around my heart. This story resonated with me on so many levels and brought on all the feels. If you love your taboo, age gap reads with tons of heart then dive into Color Me Pretty and be prepared to love Della and swoon for Theo.
Blog Sol and Us
PT-BR/EN
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Foi difícil ler Color Me Pretty porque eu não gostei dos personagens e eu preciso gostar deles.
Eu não sei o que aconteceu, em geral eu amo os livros da B. Celeste.
Como eu sempre falo, é a minha opinião e as suas podem ser diferentes. Dêem uma chance ao livro.
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Sol and Us https://linktr.ee/solandus2
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I struggled with Color Me Pretty because I didn’t like the characters and I need to like them.
I don’t know what happened, I usually love B. Celeste’s books.
As I always say, it is my opinion and yours could be different. Give the book a chance.
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Sol and Us https://linktr.ee/solandus2
This was my first B. Celeste’s book, and won’t be my last. Color Me Pretty is a sweet, and beautiful father’s best friend / forbidden romance / and age gap. Della (Adele) is a beautiful and strong young woman, who’s struggling with her heartbreaking past. Theo (Theodore) is HANDSOME, protective, caring, and supportive. They share an undeniable and intense chemistry. Their story is a slow burn romance, and the storyline is complex, and unfolds at a slow pace. The cast of supporting characters is impressive. The ending is heartwarming and beautiful. I loved it! I need more of these two characters! Looking forward to read more books written by B. Celeste.
Every book that I’ve read by B. Celeste has left me in tears. Della and Theo’s story is hard, forbidden and messy but it was also so right. Della snuggled with many demons and it took her time to accept them all and move forward in her life, but her one constant was Theo. Theo knew what he wanted and accepted his flaws, but what does he do when the one thing he really wanted was wrong for him. This story had me crying and swooning. I was rooting for these two because they deserved happiness after all of the ugliness. Color is so much more than just a forbidden romance. It’s about taking chances, true love and forgiveness. This is a must read!
B. Celeste is one of my absolute favorite forbidden/taboo authors to read. I love the whole father’s best friend.
I was disappointed in the fact that I had a hard time getting into Color Me Purple. It took me a couple tries before I could sit down and read it without wanting to stop. Once things started picking up the angst and emotions I love from Celeste. The relationship that Theo and Della has is looked at differently from the outside world. It’s clear that they have an attraction. Theo is Della’s dad’s best friend and the two have a history.
The realism that B. Celeste brings to her stories is like no one else. Some of the issues Della faced are so relatable. Her mental health and self-image issues are such a huge real issue. But with all of that I just felt like something was missing. So much focus was on Della that I felt like I missed out on really getting all of Theo.
Color Me Pretty may not be my favorite B. Celeste book but that doesn’t mean it still wasn’t good. Her ability to bring real life issues to light is there and there in a big way. Her writing is always beautiful. Theo & Della were fantastic characters.
I was not expecting this story when I started reading this. This is a age gap, dad’s best friend romance and where I was expecting more angst and more a forbidden tale, I was not expecting the emotional story that brought these characters together and the troubles they faced in life.
Della is 22 and is already hurting. She lost her mum when she was younger and her dad has just died in prison after some controversy. One of her main strengths is how independent she is and I admired this, however, it sometimes leads to her being too much in her own head. She has her own demons she’s trying to fight, her body image and an eating disorder from years of trying to be what her mother wanted and to fit into the ballet world. While reading this, it really pulled me into the story and I was fascinated with how she dealt with this, her struggles and denial and was so beautifully written.
Theo, he is everything. He is the most caring and loving person in Della’s life. She fully trusts him and is always her support, giving her just what she needs without being judgmental.
From the beginning, the attraction between Della and Theo has always been there. As a young girl, he cared for her when her parents couldn’t, being the person she would want to spend time with. As she got older, to a more mature age, he started to notice her in a different light. But as a 40-year-old who was best friends with her dad, he kept his feelings hidden, until one night it bubbles over and he struggled with his feelings ever since until Della gave him no choice but to act on them further.
There were so many meaning moments in the story and really made me think, and I love how authors can turn that around to make you take note. The journey Della goes though is very enlightening and I loved the hope it brought to show you can get through something with work on your part and with help from those who love you, giving that support. A really good inspirational read that I was not expecting!
ARC received for an honest review
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Overall Ratings;u2063
First Sex Scene – 44%
POV – Dual
Hero –
Heroine –
Story –
Steam –
Chemistry –
Author B.Celeste has done it AGAIN.
Color Me Pretty brings the amazing forbidden/age gap/father’s best friend romance that we all know and love, with the signature twist that B.Celeste is known for!
When you pick up a B.Celeste book, you know that you are going to get so much more than the trope.
Color Me Pretty is the kind of book that leaves you thinking, even days after finishing. It will connect with so many people on a deeper level, because it is about the struggles between what we all wish and want to see in the mirror. Della’s strength and resilience will also show you why it is worth it to fall in love with the person you see in the mirror, because perfection isn’t achievable, but striving for good health is! &Once you find that for yourself, there is so much more you can offer when it comes to falling in love with your soulmate.
&That is what Theo is for Della. He is her soul mate. They go together like a perfected duet….like two dancer’s who seem as if they have worked their entire lives to find the synchronicity in one another’s movements, in the same way that some lover’s can sometime’s finish each other’s sentences. He was her strength when she needed to build up hers.
CMP has it all, and not only will it set your kindle on fire, you will also be gripping your kindle with it’s suspenseful backstory where you won’t know what to expect!
I honestly cannot recommend this book more, just grab your copy and start reading…you will discover exactly what I mean when I say I couldn’t put it down!
LOVED Theo & Della! The further I read, the more I loved them and their story. I just wanted to take them and their cute little world; wrap them up in a bubble where the world couldn’t hurt their love.
I enjoy B. Celeste’s books for the realism that she brings into them. You begin to feel like you aren’t just reading a book but peeking into the world of someone real that has real problems and just like all of us doesn’t know how to fix it. This is where Della’s dad’s best friend comes in. Theo has been a huge part of her world her entire life in different ways; he gives her what she needs to be who she truly wants and you will most definitely be swept up in their romance.
It took me a bit to get into this book, right off the bat I was intrigued because of the opening scene but immediately after it got hard for me. Without giving anything away; I’ll just say that it felt like it kind of went into a lull that lasted too long for me. It was then that I realized this book was going to be more than just your regular taboo/forbidden age-gap romance. I started looking at it in a different light entirely and I fell hard and fast for these two.
Color Me Pretty by B. Celeste is the story of Theo and Della.
Della is a women around 22 who has been through some things and has worked to get to the top of it. Della one person that has always been there for her is Theo. Although he is her dad’s friend she has always thought of him as more and wanted more. This is a story of forbidden romance but it has some other parts to it. Enjoyed this book and will want to read more from this author.
“The sky isn’t weak, is it, sweet Della? It cries too sometimes.”
Forbidden. Emotional. Intense.
B. Celeste has been one of my favorites since day one. Her writing is emotional, angsty, addicting, and always so intense. She pulls you in from page one and has you sucked in until Then End’.
Color Me Pretty is an emotional read with a pinch of angst and a dash of steam.
Theo and Della are forbidden but their love is true and pure. I loved Theo throughout the ENTIRE book. He’s protective, understanding, loving, and a lot dirty. Della is a strong, independent woman that knows what she wants. She’s felt pain in its rawest form, she’s drowned in self doubt, and has risen from darkness. Both characters have stories that each of us can relate to in one shape or another.
Overall, a 3.5 rating for me.
“You told me I’d fall and fail and break but that I wouldn’t give up…”
“But you will also rise, succeed, and put yourself back together because only you can.”