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.
more
Beautiful story, one of my favorite reads of 2019!
I honestly don’t even know where to begin with my review. This book was so beautifully written that my simple words will not do it justice.
I fell in love with both Indigo and Kai in the first book in the series, Let There Be Light , which was based on Indigo’s brother Royal and Kai’s roommate Camden. Kai is also on the swim team and best friends with Royal, Indie’s brother. You could tell there was a connection between the two but nothing ever came from it, or so we thought, since the two books overlap during a time period we find out that things weren’t as they had seemed. The chemistry was beyond amazing between the campus man-whore and the sweet, shy, virgin.
Kai is dealing with his mothers illness and his fathers past indiscretions, he’s doing this by drowning himself in liquor and women, which is not the best way to deal with things. Over Christmas break things take a turn and Kai needs to make changes.
Indigo/Indie has been dealing with mental illness for most of her life but she has learned how best to keep the voices in her head from taking over and she does this by painting, something she is truly gifted at.
A.M. Johnson has done a wonderful job with bringing mental health issues and illnesses to light in both books in the TWIN HEARTS DUET, she has taken what many people would shy away from and given a voice to it. (no pun intended) Once I picked up this book I didn’t want to put it down. SEVEN SHADES OF YOU was so well written you feel as if you are there witnessing everything as it unfolds.
I am sad to see this duet come to an end but I loved the way it ended and the epilogue was PERFECT!
Happy Reading!!!
This book was amazing. This author wrote about mental health issues, and those emotions hit me straight in the heart. I deal with depression and agoraphobia. I am one of many. I loved Indie and Kai. There love was romantic and angsty. This duet dealt with so many issues, and is was beautiful and inspiring! Kai brought Indie out of the shadows. She taught him that it was okay to need support, and he didn’t have to walk alone.
Lyrical
As is the case, I have found, with AM Johnson’s writing, Seven Shades of You is lyrical and poetic in its emotion and intent. Indie and Kai’s love was so bright and hopeful I could not help but root for them!
A.M. Johnson’s view of the world is absolutely gorgeous. Her artist’s soul is incandescent, shining like the sun, in the way she sets her words on the page to tell Indie and Kai’s story. Seven Shades of You is a study in acceptance and hope. It touched my heart like few others have.
Indigo “Indie” O’Connell is a beautiful young woman with an equally beautiful spirit. Her take on the world is unique due circumstances beyond her control. Her optimism and determination are intentional and a bit miraculous considering the hand life has dealt her.
Kai Carter is a natural leader. His sense of right and wrong are unwavering. His determination is what makes him tops in his chosen sport of swimming. His strenght andloyalty are what makes his teammates admire and adore him.
When Indie and Kai’s worlds intersect their radical line is Indie’s twin brother, Royal. Their love for Royal is what brings them together and what ultimately makes their relationship so difficult to navigate.
I was completely immersed in every moment of the angst, drama, and exquisite attraction that is Indie and Kai. Their unlikely connection is one of the most vivid and colorful I have ever encountered. I held my breath and hoped for their success as I turned each page and witnessed each encounter between them.
As with every other book I have read by A.M. Johnson, my eyes have been open, my learning expanded, and my soul moved by her intelligent, compassionate and honest approach to the topics of mental health, human rights, and inclusion. She has quickly become one of my favorite authors – her books a staple on my shelves.
Gah! I love love love everything about this book. I finally found the time to purchase SSoY and do a full read through after beta reading it chapter by chaoter, And Let me tell you! IT WAS JUST SO FRICKEN GOOD.
I just absolutely fell in love with Indie. Not only in SSoY, but in LTBL- getting to know her, seeing her insecurities along with her strengths was breathtaking. And Kai, where do I even go. Such a strong but beautifully damaged hero. I wanted everything for these two characters and it was fantastic to see them grow.
Outside of all that- reading the content, about mental health in so many aspects, seeing how those diseases take a toll on a person and how there are ways to get help- it was a great message.
AM Johnson, I hope to get the chance to enter this world again! Please give me more!
I was waiting ( impatiently) for this book.
This is #2 in the Twin Hearts series, it follows ‘Let there be light’.
This is Indie’s & Kai’s story.
Amanda has once again captured my heart. The story is realistic, the struggles with mental health & substance abuse feels like it has been told by someone with first hand knowledge, that makes it ‘real’ to me and not just a story someone has made up. It is such a beautiful story I really loved this story and I can’t wait to see what Amanda has in store for us.
I received an ARC copy of this book – and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Indie & Kai. This book blew me away. A fantastic representation of mental illness and its effect. Indie and Kai were two souls who were drawn to each other. They way that Kai understood Indie and how he supported her was beautiful. A gorgeous love story about finding love when you least expect and want it!!
This author has an incredible way with words. She encompasses every feeling you could possibly want from a book. My heart is so full.
AM Johnson does it again with beautiful, poetic words that stay in your heart.
Indie and Kai! Kai and Indie! I love them! My first impression of Kai in Let There be Light was of a “manly man” and would totally be grossed out by Royal and Camden. Well very early in that book we were exposed to the sweet Kai. Yeah he may sleep around but he defends his friends. And Indie. Such a tortured soul. She has to deal with so much, including an overprotective brother. But she has been provided with a great foundation by her amazing parents to deal with life. So needless to say, the idea of Indie and Kai together was so exciting! Yet again another beautifully written book by AM Johnson. Let There Be Light was about the music and Seven Shades of You was about the painting and the colors. She writes so vividly and it’s so hard to let go of these characters when I finished the book. So now I’m dealing with a horrible book hangover but I would do it again in a heartbeat to live in the world of Blue, Pink, Kai, and Camden!
Reviewed by: Alexis B.
This is the second book in the Twin Hearts Duet, Indie’s story. A.M. Johnson NEVER disappoints. This is a wonderful story, beautifully and poetically written. Indie and Kai’s are amazing characters. I enjoyed reading their story. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
Seven Shades of You is the second installment in the Twin Hearts series. The first one, Let there be light, simply blew me away, and I expected nothing less of Seven Shades of You.
I was not disappointed.
Johnson’s writing style is poetic. She tells the story slowly, creating a vibrant world that sometimes feels almost dream-like. It’s exquisite and sad, but so very hopeful. Kai’s and Indie’s budding relationship is simply beautifully rendered. Johnson is truly talented in the way she portrays the love between Indie and Kai. It’s raw and real, but so very pure. Many authors tend to tip over the edge to clichéd and silly when it comes to declarations of love. But Johnson manages to capture those intimate moments perfectly, without the slightest trace of over-the-top cheesiness.
I’m also impressed by Johnson’s ability to describe the more physical aspects of new love without being overly explicit. I’m rather fond of explicit myself, and seldom feel that less is more when talking about horisontal (or vertical for that matter) shenanigans. But Johnson writes those scenes the way she writes everything else. It’s delicate. Understated. And just perfect.
I am a bit conflicted over the way Indie’s mental illness is portrayed. Her illness is at the very core of the story, an essential part of her, yet it doesn’t define her. Indie isn’t her illness. I love that distinction. However, I also feel that the severity of her illness may be a bit downplayed. Depressions are some seriously awful shit, and if you add hallucinations to that… I’d just hate to have any reader percieve her condition as slightly romantic. But. This is fiction. And a love story. And Indie’s bipolarity isn’t the main topic.
So, all in all. Seven Shades of You is an amazing, emotional, and hopeful story. And I was so sad when I finished it because I wanted more. Which of course is the true hallmark of a great read.
https://reflectionsofaswedishgirl.blog.se/
Seven Shades of You broke my heart into pieces from the start and with every page I turned, it put it back together. Indie is the shy nerdy girl who sees her world in a kaleidoscope of colour but really only wants to see red. Kai is so angry and broken that he’s not sure he can be what Indie needs. Together can Indie and Kai wade through all their problems and become whole. The epilogue in this book was one of the best I have ever read and wrapped up like it should. If I could give this book 10 stars I would.
Blog Sol and Us
PT-BR/EN
____________________________
Não pense que eu sou tendenciosa só porque caí de amores pela A.M. Johnson ao primeiro livro. A mulher sabe escrever.
A autora cobre Seven Shades of You com tamanha delicadeza que é difícil não ficar admirada com suas palavras.
A Indigo e o Kai são personagens excepcionais. Sensibilidade e força andam lado a lado com eles.
Seven Shades of You é emocionante, bonito e memorável. Foi bom retornar ao mundo de Twins Hearts.
Sigam Sol and Us: https://linktr.ee/solandus2
____________________________
Don’t think I am biased because I fell in love with A.M. Johnson at first book. The woman can write.
Amanda coats Seven Shades of You with such delicacy it is hard not to be astonished by her words.
Indigo and Kai are outstanding characters. Sensibility and strength walk side by side with them.
Seven Shades of You is emotional, beautiful and memorable. It felt good to go back to the world of Twins Hearts.
Follow Sol and Us: https://linktr.ee/solandus2
This book was so beautiful! It was real, painful, bittersweet and so beautiful! Seven Shades of You has just pushed its way into my heart forever, and I do not want to ever forget a single word is written.
This book brings colour into your life. It’s a world full of colours. It talks about grief, mental health, and addiction, and it was done sensitively. However, this book is so much more. This book literally touches your heart. It makes you look at things differently, how people express themselves, what they do to cope. It’s a book that literally makes you think, and it’s something that makes you feel. I don’t think I have ever come across a book by this author that doesn’t make you think in one way or another.
I just absolutely adored Indie and Kai. I loved how they didn’t judge one another because of their story, and I absolutely adored how they embraced one another and made each other stronger. I loved how they weren’t scared to be vulnerable, they were willing to be open and honest. And they seemed really cute together.
This book is so important to read. It’s not your usual romance, and I loved how real it was. You could feel all the emotions poured on these pages, and I feel so honoured to have read it.
Seven Shades of You is not only a must read, but it is also the read of the year for me! So poignant and beautiful. Couldn’t have asked the author to have done a better job if she tried. Just incredible!
Seven Shades of You by A.M. Johnson is a contemporary, new adult, forbidden romance told in first person, dual POV. It is book two in the Twin Hearts duet but can be read as a complete standalone. Although it’s not necessary to read book one – Let There Be Light – before reading this, I would definitely recommend it because it’s beautifully written and the characters reappear in book two.
Seven Shades of You follows Indie and Kai who were secondary characters in Let There Be Light which featured Royal and Camden as lead characters. Indie is Royal’s twin sister and Kai is his best friend and teammate. All the characters in this duet are very loveable yet flawed which makes them relatable and realistic. Indie and Kai both have some serious issues they are dealing with and the way they are drawn to each other only serves to complicate things further.
I loved this story. It was sweet and emotionally moving. My heart broke for Kai and Indie as I cheered for them to figure it all out. I was drawn into the story, captivated, experiencing everything right along with the characters from beginning to end. I count myself lucky to have won an ARC of this book and a free copy of the previous one because this duet is fantastic! I’m new to the author but not for long. I plan to get acquainted with her backlist because she’s a quality writer and I definitely want more.
*** I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC. ***
This book was filled with magic in the form
of words and colors. It felt as if it bled colors
for days…
I’ll always remember this book, always. It was
truly beautifully written. The love was so
pure but just as equally imperfect in it’s newness.
The author captured the rawness that comes with
being vulnerable because of things that can’t be
controlled for one reason or the other
(ha, no spoilers here)…
As usual, this author has written a beautiful story of first love between two damaged souls. The writing is amazing, heartfelt, and lyrical. I read this book in one night! The heroine, Indie is facing demons only she can see and feel but through her art and with the help of Declan (from Possession also by this author) she is able to navigate life. Kai is struggling with pressure from all directions and pent up anger that is sometimes hard to contain. They help each other in many ways and give each other strength. Great characters, greatwriting, great plot, and great execution, there is nothing about this book that I don’t love. It was simply beautiful.
I absolutely love this story, such a real and captivating read. The emotion was real, true and extremely intense! Kai and Indie are both flawed characters and turns out perfect for each other. This is book 2 in the Twin Hearts Series, can be read as a standalone but characters are mentioned in book 1 which by the way is M/M