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Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
Not every love story starts with a magical first meeting—some begin with a packed suitcase and a brave goodbye. The Colors of Us by Long Temple reveals that anyone, at any age, can start over. Olivia, a middle-aged woman, decides to take the chance on a new, more meaningful life after feeling suffocated, unseen, and unloved in her marriage of 33 years. She moves into an apartment alone and soon begins feeling overwhelmed by the emptiness and the daunting task of starting over. However, she begins to establish a new routine filled with work, moments of self-reflection, and activities such as sewing, coloring, or art to pass the time. During one of her online crafting groups, she makes a connection with Victor, who also happens to be her neighbor. They begin as friends, but soon realize that maybe they were meant to be more. With her daughter's love and Victor by her side, she knows she will be all right.
This story is a heartfelt contemporary romance centered on themes of healing, rediscovery, and the transformative power of second chances in love and life. The Colors of Us by Long Temple poignantly captures Olivia’s journey from loneliness, nostalgia, and self-doubt to confidence, happiness, and love. I really loved how her romance with Victor began as a friendship (both of them being scared to try anything else when they met) and slowly developed into love. I thought the daughter’s initial reaction to Olivia’s relationship with Victor was portrayed realistically, as no matter what age you are, you tend to want your parents together until you realize they might be better off separate. The Covid plot twist brought back some memories and was especially authentic in the description of how being tested feels, to the anticipation of waiting for the results. Overall, The Colors of Us is a quiet, introspective, and ultimately uplifting story about a woman’s emotional rebirth and the enduring possibility of love, no matter one’s age or history. I’m glad Olivia and Victor got their second chance at love, and I got the opportunity to read about it.
