ColorOfYouRating: 5 stars
Buy Link:
Amazon | iBooks | Amazon UK
Length: Novel


Bowen Merlin has moved from New York City to a small New England town to become the town’s new music teacher/band director. When he gets there, he’s told the band’s Christmas concert is in three weeks and he has to crack down a plan it. Needless to say, Bowen is a little stressed.

Felix Hansen owns an orchard/Christmas tree farm. He’s also a single dad to Alan, a 15-year old, who is also Bowen’s best student. Felix has always been completely dedicated to Alan and the orchard. Also, he’s got some things in past that keep him from getting out and meeting men.

Once Bowen meets Felix, they realize they’re perfect together, and they begin a relationship. However, there are outside forces at work to run Bowen and Felix out of town, and that takes its toll. They’re not alone, though. The students and residents of the town gather around them and offer support. Both men are a little skeptical, and it seems a Christmas miracle might save them after all.

SO loved this book! Bowen and Felix meet cute, and it was love at first sight…for them and for me. Both men are a little awkward with each other, but that doesn’t last long. They fall for each other pretty quickly, but that’s not an issue. I’m a believer in love at first sight and it felt right. Also, they become intimate almost right away. Again, not an issue. The first time they have phone sex was so sweet, and even though the talking was not dirty, just romantic, it made my heart beat a little faster. Bowen and Felix are incredibly sexy together. Bowen is awesome with the dirty talk. I love a good dirty talker, and C.S. Poe wrote those scenes very well.

Speaking of scenes that were written well, I have to compliment the author here. Bowen has a condition…not a bad one, just interesting…that allows him to actually see music. It’s called synesthesia, and it’s quite rare. I’d never heard of it before, so I found this to be interesting. It actually played an important role in the story and it helps Bowen and Felix to be even more charming…if that’s even possible.

A few background characters in Color of You that are worth mentioning. Scarlet is Bowen’s best friend. I liked her. Lot of times, female BFF characters are somewhat obnoxious and tend to be annoying. Scarlet is the opposite of that. She is a little out there with her pink hair and, let’s say interesting wardrobe. It’s obvious she adores Bowen, and she’s willing to leave the city to come and help him when he needs her most. Alan is Felix’s son. He’s a talented musician, and he begins to really like Bowen as a teacher. He’s a teeny bit shocked when he learns his dad and Bowen are seeing each other, but he begins to enjoy it and is happy for them. Stephen is a fellow teacher at the high school, and he and Bowen hit it off right away. In fact, they hit it off so well, Stephen asks Bowen out on a date. Even though it didn’t work out, he remains a good friend to Bowen, and is very supportive when things begin to go bad for Bowen and Felix. Mr. Cass is the school’s principal, and he’s a real jerk. There’s more to him than meets the eye, and trust me, it’s not good.

I don’t really want to give anything away, but I will say there are some people who aren’t happy about the relationship between Bowen and Felix, and they’re doing terrible things. This is the mystery part of the story. C.S. Poe writes excellent mysteries, and this was no exception. It was well thought out and well written. When it all comes together, it’s impressive.

The book has a tiny bit of angst. It actually upset me and made me sad, but it didn’t last very long. It was necessary, though, I think. Every relationship has growing pains, but love wins in the end, as it should. Talking about the end, I found the end of Color of You to be neatly wrapped up. It fit the story, and I was pleased.

I definitely recommend this one. It kept my attention all the way through, and it was a genuine pleasure to be able to read it. You really need to pick it up.

A review copy of this book was provided by Dreamspinner Press.

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