Stand AloneHer world was color. Canvas and paint. Indie O’Connell lived inside her head. Her voices the muse. And as a freshman at St. Peter’s College, all she wanted, was to create a name for herself with the brush in her hand.His world was over. Despite his humble upbringing, Kai Carter seemed to have it all. Captain of the swim team and a full scholarship. His golden boy status a mask he had … golden boy status a mask he had to wear to keep his dream and his family afloat. All the pieces of his life dangled precariously from his fingertips.
Forced to fight a battle he’d never signed up for, Kai’s loyalty turned out to be his undoing, and like a good captain, no matter what the cost, he’d gone down with the ship.
They never planned for their worlds to collide.
He was her brother’s best friend.
She was supposed to be invisible.
Off limits.
Being together, regardless of how much they wanted it, was a line they’d never cross. But when lives get messy, lines get blurred, and in love, nothing is ever black and white.
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We met Indie and Kai in Let There Be Light, and now it’s their turn for their story to be told! Royal and Indie are twins and attending college, Royal is on the swim team and Kai is An upper class man, Royal’s best friend and former swim team captain. Kai sort of hits rock bottom while on winter break due to family issues and big happens, spurring his mother to tell Kai to talk to a counselor at the college. Kai runs into Indie in the mental health waiting room, and they talk. While Kai is Royal’s best friend, Indie and Kai have circled each other during the fall semester with Kai basically ignoring Indie. A friendship and more grows from there, but issues at home, secrets and self worth confront this couple. This is a great new adult story, that doesn’t read like a new adult novel.
I like to keep my reviews short and to the point, so here we go:
A.M. Johnson has a way with words that touch deep inside your soul. You can relate to her characters even if you have nothing in common with them.
Seven Shades of You is a delicious slow burn, one that is full of small touches, secret smiles and a love that’s so pure, you can’t help but want to protect them from the world.
I wish I was better at explaining how amazing the book is, but whenever I love a story, as much as I love this one, I can’t express myself properly. I just want to shove the book in front of everyone that’ll listen and say: PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF THOR, READ THIS!
4.5 Colorful Stars!
It was endearing to see color through Indie’s eyes, feel her emotions, see her inner turmoil and watch her grow through her relationships with her dad, Royal, Camden and finally Kai…To me, relationships made this book ~ they were strong, they were realistic and there were encouraging.
To see Kai choose “Life” and do things for him was amazing, watching his transformation even through the hard stuff had me cheering for him.
This has been one of my favorite series this year.
Seven Shades of You by A.M Johnson left me with one of the biggest book hangovers ever! The second book in the Twin Hearts duet- picking up where Let There Be Light left off- Seven Shades pushed me past two of my no-go trope rules (college athlete and brother’s best friend), and honestly, I couldn’t be happier. The story, the imagery, the depth of the characters, all of it. All. Of. It! Johnson has authored a stunning tribute to trust, honesty, and the monsters overcome by genuine love. Indie and Kai lead the reader through an engaging and powerful spectrum of emotions, delving into the demons of depression and mental illness, and paint an authentic story of acceptance and tenderness. Once again, I was blown away by the author’s powerful use of language to create a deeply emotional connection to not just the characters, but the scenes themselves. I don’t think I took a single breath through the floating scene, worried if I did the intensity would evaporate and the scene would end before Kai and Indie were ready. Before I was ready. While this book can be read as a standalone, it really shines as a true duet, rekindling the reader’s fondness for Royal and Camden, while forging a heartfelt affection for Indie and Kai. It was an absolutely immersive experience, fueled by deep character development and incredible imagery, worthy of every tear, laugh, smile, and heavy sigh.
This author, brings an element to every book she writes that is so unique to others. I love that she isn’t afraid to write about those things that people try to hide or ignore. She says NOPE and makes them front and center with her characters. This book is a beautiful love story about two people that aren’t perfect but their love sure is.
** Touch your soul kind of book **
Kai is the stereotypical jock, hot guy swimmer, smart, acts like nothing bothers him, spends his free time drinking with team mates or with his one night stand of the week. He played the part everyone expected him to be. He is actually a sad, lonely, angry boy hiding from the world trying to be his mom’s savior. He is walking a fine line of being everything to everyone but himself, somewhere along the way he stopping living for himself and it was making him miserable. He has another problem, he has a crush on his best friend and team mates sister. Bro code tells him he must fight his feelings and stay far away from Indigo aka Pink.
Indigo, Indie or Pink depending on who talking to her has her own set of problems. She is bi-polar and hears voices that tell her she is not good enough, that no one sees her, etc. She paints to drown out the voices. She has a crush on Kai, but she thinks he hates her because he never talks to her, never eats with them, has avoided her all last semester. She is feels like she has spent her whole life in her outgoing twin brother Royal’s shadow. All she ever wanted was fir people to see her, but she also enjoys being invisible and out of the limelight.
One day Kai and Indigo cross paths and share a moment, and it seems to have
spark a desire for them to want to get to know each other better. Even though bro code tells Kai to stay away Indie makes him smile and feel good for the first time that he can remember, he is free to be himself with no judgements. She is calmed by his presence, the voices go into hiding and she feels free to share her thoughts and feeling with Kai. They bring color to each others lives where they had always feel pain, loneliness and darkness. They become each other light and hope for the future.
I knew that I was going to love Indie and Kai’s book, but I didn’t realize just how much. These characters steal your heart in the best way. I highly recommend reading this book.
OMG. So good. So real. Unbelievably beautiful. Author A M Johnson, you have a wonderful way with words. It was perfect. The series feels complete! Thank you!
I’ve waited so long for Indigos book and it truly did not disappoint. I absolutely adore her. She is a seriously beautiful woman and deserves someone who loves her the way Kai does. She has always been the character that I NEEDED to see her point of view. My family has multiple people who have been diagnosed and it’s been a constant worry for me to one day have this same disorder. To know that while she does deal with her own demons, she is still truly an amazing woman. It gives me hope that even if one I day I do start hearing the voices….. I can still live a beautiful colorful life.
This book is heartbreakingly beautiful. I could not put it down. When you read an AM Johnson book you not only get an amazing story but beautiful word pictures as well. This one stayed with me for a very long time. Read it and lose yourself in AM’s lovely world.
Seven Shades of You is the second book in the Twin Heart series by A.M.Johnson. This novel was a sweet, slow burn romance that was beautifully written and will touch your heart. This is Kai and Indigo’s story. We would have already met these two in Royal and Camden’s book Let There Be Light and I could honestly say I was not expecting such an emotional story.
A.M. Johnson took our emotions on a roller-coaster ride with this one. The tale was heart-breaking yet it was also sweet and tender. Its a story of love yet its also a story about dealing with substance abuse and mental illness. This novel was well-written and will evoke many emotions as we watch Kai and Indi fight their demons. However going on this journey with them was well worth it as this story was stunning.
Seven Shades of You was a fantastic page-turner and I love it. I would highly recommend this novel to all lovers of Brothers best friend romance tropes.
What a great book! This book has all the feels and I found myself needing tissues at times. Indigo and Kai’s story was so well written. Kai is Indigo’s twin brothers best friend. Kai is dealing with family issues and finds friendship with indigo. Both characters deal with emotional and mental health issues. While trying to work through their issues, they find a common interest in art. This book delves into some intense emotional and mental health issues. A M Johnson does a wonderful job writing about such issues in a very caring, knowledgeable way.
3.5 Stars – Great writing but very slow story.
I absolutely loved Let There Be Light, which was my first book by this author. So I was very excited about Indie’s book and had high expectations. While I loved seeing Royal and Camden again, and to finally have Kai and Indie’s story here, I didn’t feel the same love for this book than for the first one. I guess I expected more emotions and feelings between the characters and less drama about their secret ‘love’ and what Royal would think.
Although it was very well written I struggled for more than half of the story with the slow pace and with how dragging it felt. The story was good but it wasn’t so much about romance and love than about the dark shadows of the characters. While the slow burn fit perfectly for Royal and Camden’s story, I think it wasn’t beneficial to Indie’s story. It was just soooo slow. I know that the characters weren’t the usual carefree ones but it took me at least until 43% until I felt the butterflies in my belly from the cuteness of the characters physical pull towards each other. I understand that it couldn’t have been rushed due to especially Indie’s innocence as well as her illness and Kai’s very opposite character that fought with his anger control and alcoholism. But I just struggled too much to keep reading for such a long time before it started to get where I needed it to go. I think that if I hadn’t read and loved the first book so much, I might even have given up on this read after a few chapters.
I loved the characters as individuals and their story was very emotional in the last quarter of the book but it felt too much like a high school story with more problems than good feelings. I liked how bold and brave Indie was and how Kai wanted to be better for her. But there was also a lot going on with the secondary characters and the romance of the story was almost nonexistent. What a shame. As a love story it fell flat for me. It was mostly a 3 star read but became a 4 star way later on, so that’s why I gave it 3.5 stars but it’s a beautiful story nonetheless.
The Story:
Kai kept his distance to Indie because she was his best friend’s sister and he was not good enough for her. She deserved better than his dark days, drinking and whoring escapades. But he wanted to be better for his mom and worked hard on himself.
Indie had to fight to stay in the light her whole life. Although the voices inside her head weren’t always whispering, they always lingered and waited for moments of doubt or insecurity to raise their heads. When things changed at college and Kai and Indie’s path kept crossing, their pull towards each other became too much to ignore and although they struggled to keep their feelings hidden they eventually had to give in.
Indie and Kai’s story was so damn good. I loved their blooming friendship and how it slowly turned into something more. Something special and forever. It was a beautiful slow burn. Indie and Kai each have their battles but through each other’s eyes they finally feel they’re been seen for the first time. Their friendship was explored through words and art. Through colors.
I’m very picky when it comes to stories about mental illness and depression but the author captures and depicts it with an authenticity that truly moved me.
Indie and her brother Royal have a special bond since they’re twins and I loved their interactions. I felt a stronger connection to everyone and that’s because I’ve read Let There Be Light which is Royal and Camden’s book. It’s not necessary to read it but for me it strengthened my connection and understanding to Indie and Kai. The epilogue couldn’t have been better.
Spot on.
4 Golden and Lavender Stars
Word fail me when it comes to express how amazing this book. It was Soo amazing to read indigo and Kai’s story, and to see how there relationship evolved. Everyone should read their story. Because it’s awesome
This second book in the Twin Hearts duet is so beautiful, and raw, and real! It is a poignant look at two flawed souls who, while fighting their inner demons, find the strength to show their vulnerabilities and the acceptance, comfort and love they receive in return is so honest and beautiful. Indie has a huge support system who understands her, including her twin, Royal. But she wants to make her own way in the world. Royal’s teammate and best friend, Kai, is an admitted player. It is what he uses to deal with his heartbreaking issues. Indie is so brave and honest, and she makes him want to really live. They are opposites and forbidden, yet they are drawn to each other so intrinsically. They helped each other become stronger and whole. It wasn’t easy, but it was a journey worth taking. I loved the way that Indie related everything in shades of color. It brought a poetic beauty to this story that was melodic and seductive, capturing my heart and never letting go. I loved the ending, and catching up with the O’Connell family, and Uncle Liam is still my favorite! This is another stellar story by A.M. Johnson and a must read!
Seven Shades Of You is so beautifully written and my heart is full. Just like in Let There Be Light (book one-Royal and Camden’s book), it felt so good being back in the O’Connell twins world and Seven Shades Of You truly spoke to my soul. Kai and Indigo are absolutely everything and they seriously put me through a whirlwind of emotions. Both of them share similar issues and they needed each other more than they realized. They truly deserved each other and Ms. Johnson couldn’t have written a more lovable couple with their huge hearts and beautiful souls. Their connection was deep, intimate and their friendship to romance story flowed seamlessly which made for an excellent, engaging and consistent plot.
Seven Shades Of You is a slow burn romance and I thoroughly enjoyed the realistic aspect of it. It’s heart warming, meaningful and I strongly recommend reading it.
I am speechless in the best kind of way right now. A.M. Johnson created something truly special with this book. I wanted to devour Seven Shades of You while at the same time wishing I could slow time down to savor it. This is the book you hug to your chest when you finish it (I did).
I was intrigued by Indie and Kai when I met them in Let There be Light (you don’t have to read that one, but it might help understand a few references) and was tickled when I saw that they were getting a book. And I wasn’t excepting the powerfully emotional ride this one was.
The artist and the athlete. One who knows exactly who they are and what they want. The other lost and searching. A touch of the forbidden. A lot of redemption. A lot of hard decisions. A lot of pain. A lot of heart. They became the voice that silenced the doubt the other had. And it was a beautiful journey of growth to witness.
Hats off to A.M. Johsnon for once again taking the stigma of mental illness and turning it on its head. She approached both Kai and Indie’s situation with gentle care and showed that you aren’t your demons or the mistakes of your past. And that with love, compassion and understanding and acceptance, the true colors of your heart can show in all their vibrancy. AND! That ending…oh my heart was so happy and full it could’ve burst. It was just perfect.
Seven Shades Of You will at times shadow your heart in darkness and then bathe your soul in colours. Kai and Indie’s story is of two people fighting internal demons that find solace in each other’s arms. As colours begin to light up their worlds and they finally begin to live, it will take just a few whispers from their inner voices to push the doubts to the surface. This beautiful love story will at times be heartbreaking, enchanting, soul-stirring and poignant. As turmoil surrounds them and they lose sight of that light, you will find the tears will fall and your heart will ache from their pain. Kai and Indie will burrow deep under your skin and show you that when you find your heart, your soul and the person who lights up your world in colour nothing else matters. I was awed by the emotions that this one story could prise from me. Kai and Indie’s story is inspiring and captivating and will remain in my heart and mind for a very long time. These are two characters that you will literally fall in love with. Can I dare say, one of the best epilogues I have ever read.