GUEST REVIEW: TRUE COLORS by Melissa Pearl

Title: True Colors

Author: Melissa Pearl

Publisher: Self-published

Publication Date: February 16, 2014

Genres: YA, Contemporary

Reviewed by: Ellen Fritz

Source: From Author for Review

Ellen’s rating: 5/5

SUMMARY

Caitlyn Davis always cruised through life, not being the type to ruffle feathers or involve herself in high school drama…until a chance encounter with a strange, homeless man changes everything.

Suddenly, Caitlyn has the ability to see behind people’s masks. She discovers that her life isn’t as simple as she imagined and her high school is filled with secrets…some very sinister ones.

Unable to ignore her new gift, Caitlyn embarks on a mission to learn why one of her friends now appears terrified, but masks her fear behind a bright, smiling veneer. Will Caitlyn’s new ability lead her into hot water? Or is her new found vision a blessing that will expose her friends’ true colors?

Her quest will lead Caitlyn to lose friends, stand up for those in need, and even find love.

At Palisades High School every face tells a story…

REVIEW

As is usually the case with Melissa Pearl's books, I couldn't put True Colors down. Not only does it contain a healthy measure of action and suspense, it is written in such a captivating way that the story pulled me in and wouldn't let go.

Caitlyn Davis's kindness to a homeless man earns her an unusual gift. A gift from which she can neither run away nor ignore as it is part of her. She can control it and use it, but, using it may prove to be rather dangerous; even life threatening.

I absolutely loved this main character. She is neither the popular cheerleader nor the utterly unwanted, bullied-by-everyone girl. Caitlyn lives the life of a perfectly normal teen, with her place in teen- and school politics, and a healthy family life. Of course, all these normal circumstances place her in the perfect position to use the gift of seeing behind the masks that people put on and be able to make a difference.

"Help those around you, one person at a time, and you will have a full and happy life."

She is a strong, capable female lead but, fortunately, she isn't invincible or stupidly fearless.  

All the other characters in this book are realistic, well fleshed out and easy to relate to. The author treats even the antagonists in the story with compassion and understanding. After all, people are often just products of their circumstances and sometimes they are controlled by someone more evil than they are.

The romance in True Colors is tender, heartwarming, and not at all overdone.

True Colors is an absolute must read for anybody who likes a well balanced novel with a touch of the paranormal, lots of action, some nail-biting suspense and a string of characters that will have become friends by the end of the book. This is one of those books that I wish I could have given more than five stars to.

PURCHASE LINK

Amazon

ABOUT the AUTHOR

Melissa Pearl was born in Auckland, New Zealand, but has spent much of her life abroad, living in countries such as Jordan, Cyprus and Pakistan... not to mention a nine month road trip around North America with her husband. "Best. Year. Ever!!" She now lives in China with her husband and two sons. She is a trained elementary teacher, but writing is her passion. Since becoming a full time mother she has had the opportunity to pursue this dream and her debut novel hit the internet in November, 2011. Since then she has produced three more books with her fifth novel, Betwixt, released in November 2012.

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