True Colors

by Jayne Ann Krentz

A summer romance left Jamie Garland in love with Cade Santerre, but his involvement in a scandal close to Jamie left her feeling shattered and used, unable to trust him again. Now, before they can consider a future, Cade must track down a crook gone mysteriously missing, and Jamie must find out if the man she's fallen in love with really exists.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Harlequin, Mystery, Romantic Suspense

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

The author of over 50 consecutive New York Times bestsellers, JAYNE ANN KRENTZ writes romantic-suspense in three different worlds: Contemporary (as Jayne Ann Krentz), historical (as Amanda Quick) and futuristic (as Jayne Castle). There are over 30 million copies of her books in print.

She earned a B.A. in History from the University of California at Santa Cruz and went on to obtain a Masters degree in Library Science from San Jose State University in California. Before she began writing full time she worked as a librarian in both academic and corporate libraries.

Reviews

[Kari · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't even know what to say about True Colors. I'm not sure that I have ever read a more TSTL heroine than the one in this book. Jamie is 29, but I would swear that she never set foot outside into the real world until the happenings in this story. I'm not even sure why I finished reading the book. I kept saying to myself that no one could be this stupid. But, Jamie is. I'm not even sure why Cade would find her remotely interesting. I can't even recommend this book and I do love this author.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sometimes the "Alpha male" borders on abusive. This wasn't my favorite Krentz book because the male lead is the kind of guy who makes me absolutely crazy.

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't realize when I picked up this audiobook that it was a re-release of an old story, but it certainly explains a few things.

This book had the typical "guy is an arrogant, emotionally abusive, completely aloof, jerk who treats the girl like crap but has lots of muscles and is good in bed" hero and "almost certifiably brain dead, totally ruled by her overwhelming girlie girl emotions and completely unable to make a decision for herself" heroine that used to pass for romance a couple of decades ago.

By today's standards, there's nothing to like about this book. The "hero", Cade, completely shatters the heroine, Jamie's, trust before the first page of the story and not only does he NEVER apologize for using her in the way that he did, he goes on to say over and over again that he's being "tolerant" of her silly bouts of "feminine pride" but that she really ought to have gotten over that by now and realized that she belongs with him. And as the story progresses he becomes angry that she won't trust anything he says or does. Angry with HER. Never angry with himself for hurting her in the first place. And in the mean time, he has been "calculating" and "manipulating" their various interactions to try to force Jamie to be with him, once again making it hard for her to trust him. Also, every time he refers to the time he was seducing her before the book began, he proudly talks about how she was putty in his hands. That she'd have done anything he told her to do. Even his memories of their first time sleeping together are that of a victory. A culmination of his master plan. Never does he think of her in anything even remotely resembling love or actual caring feelings.

Sadly, the heroine, Jamie, isn't much better. To begin with, despite the terrible breaking of trust that opens the story, and the fact that he then left and didn't make any attempt to contact her for six weeks, she still pursues him. Talk about pathetic! And for all her long inner monologue promises that THIS time their relationship is going to be on HER terms, within half an hour of making contact with Cade, she's meekly allowing him to order her to accompany him to dinner and directly after that she's making out with him. She makes plenty of speeches about how things have to be her way, but every time it counts, she lets Cade boss her around.....except for the few times in the story when she actually SHOULD listen to him, of course. She was incredibly naive and just too stupid to live with regards to the paper-thin mystery they were working on, so naturally that's the only subject she actually dug her heels in and fought Cade tooth and nail on.

And none of their issues really get resolved by the end. Right until the very last chapter Jamie still isn't sure if she can trust what Cade has said, up to and including his recent declaration of love. He's so proud of his calculated ability to manipulate people that she recognizes he might have just said it to manipulate her into doing what he wants. They have zero communication skills. Nothing in common with regards to job skills or backgrounds. He openly mocks her education, and she's clearly not thrilled with his job as a charter boat captain.

Basically...this is the first romance novel I've ever read where I was sure the couple would definitely get a divorce!

[Gina · Rating 1 out of 5]

True Colors (Paperback)
by Jayne Ann Krentz (Goodreads Author)

Oh my. Sometimes it's fun to go back and read early books by your favorite authors. The books they wrote when they were first getting started. It lets you see where they started and the development of their writing if it has changed over the years. Unfortunately, this book was not one of those times. Written in 1986 when the romance genre of books had a set formula of "ditsy, naive, romantic young woman meets confident, worldly man and he completes her." Because we all know that women can't be logical, smart, or have any success or self-confidence unless she has "caught" a man to tell her she is smart and successful. True Colors is a perfect example of the romance books written in the 1970s and 1980s. It's very Harlequin-esque. For readers below a "certain" age, Harlequin was a book publisher that specialized in these types of romance books. They had a formula that you had to follow if you wanted to write for them. i.e. First kiss/sexual encounter by page xx, she was young and naive, he was older, confident and successful, misunderstanding/fight on page xx, sex by page xx, man sees the light by page x and finally reconciliation and HEA (Happily ever after). All within 250 pages. The only things that changed from book to book were the names of the characters and the details of the 'situation' the young woman found herself in.

I absolutely hated this book and both of its main characters. If I could give this book a negative number of stars I would. Jamie Garland is a naive, nervous, 'see the world through rose-colored glasses', and inexperienced with men young woman (age 29). Cade Santerre is a "take-charge", confident, arrogant male lead. Honestly, neither one of them is likable. True Colors reads like a classic example of an emotionally abusive relationship that women were taught was normal back then.

Jamie constantly makes excuses for all the insults Cade throws at her because she "knows" he's a romantic deep at heart. Or she doesn't think about them at all.
Jamie: "Jamie remembered liking the house on sight..." "...felt her customary sense of pleasure.." walking through the Big Sur house.
Cade: "...Looks just like something you'd choose in which to live. I'll bet you think it's delightfully artsy and wonderfully eccentric."
Cade: "...you will close your mouth and fix me some dinner." "Come on, honey. We both know you're trying to salvage a little of your pride...I'm trying to be generous but it's beginning to wear on my temper." "Your loyalties belong to me!" (They've had sex 1 time.) "Your idiotic logic..." "You don't need excuses to come to me, sweetheart. But if it makes it easier for you, by all means use them." "I should have taken a firmer stand with her last summer..." and on and on and on.

Cade is controlling and manipulative and Jamie makes excuses for him throughout the whole book. It made me physically sick and angry to read it at times, I had to force myself to finish the book. There were a few times when he called her "Honey" or "Sweetheart" in a demeaning, derogatory sentence that I actually wanted to burn the book.

If I had read this book when I first found JAK, I'm afraid I would have missed all the wonderful books and series she has written in the 30 years since because I would never have picked up another one of her books. I'm glad the book is done and now I'll go take a shower to wash off the ick generated by reading this book. And read one of Jayne Ann Krentz's later books, beccause I do love her later writing and she is one of my favorite authors.

[Cruth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Author: Jayne Ann Krentz
First published: 1986
Length: 249 pages
Setting: Contemporary. Big Sur.
Sex: Explicit.
Hero: He's an asshole. Okay, he's an ex-accountant cum private investigator cum boat charter captain.
Heroine: PA to an elderly lady.

What a prick.

Apparently early (1980s) Krentz is really bad. Over written with unappealing, manipulative, comtrolling H and subservient, weak h, it has nothing to commend it.

For example.
He's just found out she's been on the contraceptive pill and thus isn't pregnant.

"Jamie had been quite startled at the notion of him offering marriage in the event she was pregnant.
That bothered him, Cade realized. What the hell did she think he would do? Toss her out into the cold? If he hadn't wanted her to get pregnant, he would have taken preventive measures himself. She should have understood that. She should have trusted him to take care of her. She must not have much faith in his willingness to carry out his responsibilities." P132-133

Yeah. Like I'd trust him.

Nothing to like in this book.

Disappointed.

References:
Author's website: http://jayneannkrentz.com/true-colors/

(ISBN 9780727883254)

-CR-

[Teresa Biggie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I kept hovering between one and two stars... but the 2 stars was it was just OK... and the characters really drove me nuts... he was just so arrogant and over bearing and sometimes just plain nasty and she was the little woman who didn't have a clue if it bit her who needed saving. I LOVE Jayne Krentz and after I was finished, I looked at the publishing date and found out it was one of her early books... phew.... I know she learned a lot.... I was wondering what happened the author I knew and loved. So if you want to see how someone starts out and then becomes really good with practice..... go ahead and read this book :)

[Jadzia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know, I know I should rest a bit from Krent's short novels, but I just can't seem to stop myself... Well, this one was not very good. They were already in love at the beginning and even though it's better than when they're falling in love in one week or so, their relationship didn't develop thruoghout the book - so as romance it was boring. And too much space was given to the suspence thread for such a short book.

[Michele · Rating 1 out of 5]

I only realized this was a Harlequin when the narrator read the credits after it finished. That explains why I rolled my eyes so many times listening to it that I almost had eye aches!

[Penelope · Rating 1 out of 5]

MY RATING GUIDE: 1 or 2 Stars. I finished this but simply because I normally adore Krentz novels.
1= dnf/WHAT WAS THAT?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/cute; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= I Loved it, it was great! (I seldom give 5 Stars).

TRUE COLORS is an early Contemporary Romance by Jayne Ann Krentz. See “Comments” below.

MMC Cade Santerra was secretly investigating a major financial investment scheme (which had successfully drained his sister’s nest egg) when he meets FMC Personal Assistant Jamie Garland. An attraction develops between them ending abruptly when Cade exposes the shyster as a fraud and swindler.

FMC Jamie Garland was assistant to the scammer’s sister and she is furious when she realizes Cade deceived her by omission by failing to inform her of his investigation.

Comments ~
1) TRUE COLORS is written in a very early style of writing (for Krentz) which isn’t my favorite. Instead of an intellect, spunky, confident and capable woman teaming up with an equally strong and capable male character, TRUE COLORS’ female character comes off as a resentful, stubborn, naive idiot and Cade as a possessive, bossy man in need of a much more likable and confident woman. The two characters argue the entire book. Sigh.
2) Perhaps TRUE COLORS is simply “dated” and no longer seems romantic, sweet or fun.
3) Krentz is one of my favorite authors. IMO she has other books much more agreeable and enjoyable, even among her early works. Some of my favorites - Absolutely Positively, Flash, All Night Long, Secret Sisters, Smoke in Mirrors, River Road, Trust No One, Killing Time, and the list goes on. I also much enjoy her quirky and light Amanda Quick historical romances and the Jayne Castle futuristic/fantasy romance novels. As mentioned above, the characters generally are well matched and work together as a team against seemingly unbeatable odds, ending with sweet HEAs.
4) I listened to the audio version of TRUE COLORS which I purchased (thankfully) on Sale, narrated by Susie Bernels.

READER CAUTIONS -
Quite simply, pick up one of her other works. They are delightful!

[Kathy Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published in 1985, TRUE COLORS is showing its age. Cade Santerre has infiltrated the home of an artist to try to get something on her brother who is committing financial crimes. To cement his place, he romances the artist's assistant Jamie Garland who is intensely loyal to her boss.

The raid on the brother couldn't have been more mistimed. It happened the night after Cade and Jamie make love for the first time. Jamie couldn't feel more betrayed. She had fallen in love with Cade whom she now learns had been in the household under false pretenses.

Cade couldn't convince Jamie that his romance with her had nothing to do with the job he was sent to do. He goes back home hoping she'll come to her senses and come back to him. He's sure that their one night together has made her pregnant and that she will need to return to him.

When Jamie does come to him six weeks later, he's sure that he's correct about her pregnancy. In reality, Jamie has come to him to help her determine if her boss's brother really did commit suicide. She also wonders if their romance could be salvaged.

The issue in this one is trust. Jamie has lost all faith in Cade after what she sees as his betrayal. His attitude is that he was only doing his job and she should be ready and willing to resume their relationship. Besides the fact that he wants her to be able to read his mind about his good intentions, he has some chauvinistic notions about Jamie's need for him.

I did enjoy the way the two butted heads and the way the two united to solve the problem of the missing brother.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a difference 30 years makes!! I am a JAK fan and when I saw a 2013 audio version of this title, I was excited to "read" it. I noticed the fine print after I began it which said it was originally published in the 1980s. I didn't remember reading this one years ago, so I persisted in listening. The hero is best described as "male chauvinist pig" and the heroine as "too stupid to live". Their conversations and situations made me cringe. The reader did a good job with the voices, but the relationship aspect of the plot is so dated that it is borderline emotionally abusive.
I'd give it one star, but realize that books published in this genre in the 80s had different standards...and I still read JAK's current works which are nothing like this one.
It needed an edit job before coming out in this format.

[Muri Ummu Ainun · Rating 2 out of 5]

penipu, cade mendekati Jamie Garland untuk mencari informasi. Kebetulan Jamie adalah orang kepercayaan Isabel Fizgerald. Dimana Isabel adalah kakak dari Hadley seorang yang diyakini bajingan dan penipu. Tapi pria itu berhasil lolos dan karena terdesak diyakini melakukan bunuh diri dengan terjun kelaut.

Selama dua bulan Jamie jatuh cinta kepada Cade. Sampai ketika kedoknya terungkap dalam skandal yang membuat perasaan Jamie luluh lantak. Merasa diperalat dan dibodohi.

Setelah 6 minggu berlalu, mereka bertemu lagi untuk melacak keberadaan Hadley yang diyakini Isabel melum mati. Mereka memgalami berbagai peristiwa aneh. Membuat mereka percaya ada rahasia besar dibalik kematian ini. Kebersamaan mereka kali ini juga mengungkap tabir rahasia cinta mereka berdua.

[Kamala · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this particular heroine a little hard to take, and would have given a 3.5 if possible since it was a fun but sometimes frustrating read. If this had being my first book by Krentz potentially off-putting but a writer can't always deliver gold when writing as extensively as Krentz does. Main reason for my disappointment is that what I enjoy of her writing is that most often her heroines are feisty, suspicious but are talented , reasonable and can stand on their own under difficult situations. Jamie was a little too naive or temperamental at most points and the Cade was more arrogant and persistent than the usual male love interests.

[Gena · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book because my elderly great aunt gave it to me. I've never read a romance book before so I wasn't that interested in it, but I finally got around to reading it. I didn't really enjoy the first half of the book. Way too many overdramatic scenes and it seemed like it was a dysfunctional, controlling relationship which didn't appeal to me. I enjoyed the second half of the book better when it focused more on the crime mystery. I don't think romances are really my thing:)

[Elgyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

s. 12 Byl jsi si
s. 18 „ Dělal
s. 28 četl „
s. 28 mát vždy k dispozici
s. 81 jistotu zrácí
s. 91 Dalo nám to se slečnou Isabel pěkně zabrat, než jsme ho pověsili [Ona a Isabel]
s. 118 klíič
s. 147 zbělely kloby
s. 150 „ Jestli



ji/jí - s. 12, 22
uvozovky - s. 28

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much of a read with this one. The characters are controlling and weak.
It moved at a good pace, but there was no substance. A romance with no
trust. It had a predictable ending in that all worked out ok.

[Susan Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable romance.

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just awful...

[Tina Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

Old style serial romance. I skipped most of the middle. My tolerance for the formula is definitely gone. Having said that - okay for type.

[Alison Eichler · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn’t finish it! Admittedly, I’m listening but it is terrible. Six and a half hours of whining and innuendo. Ugh!

[Cory Casper · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because a relative gave it to me, this book felt slow for the first half and got more interesting in the latter half with the crime mystery.

[Robyn Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audible

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but, not much thought required on my part, luckily, Susie Berneis read it to me as I walked my dog.

[Amanda Bright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another long drive and another enjoyable story to listen to.

[Karla Cabcam · Rating 4 out of 5]

—Supongo que tendrás una buena explicación para haberte escabullido esta mañana.
—Una explicación perfecta. Me apetecía largarme, así que lo hice.

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am not even half way done yet, but I’m not sure I can finish. This book is horrible. The characters aren’t likable and I don’t see much of a story.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fairly early book by Jayne Ann Krentz. Though I still enjoyed it, I enjoy her later books far more.

[JoAnn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can’t finish this. Worst. Characters. Ever. The dialogue was infuriating. I just can’t even.

[Barbara Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok but i thought it dragged on and was a bit repetitive

[Allieveryday · Rating 2 out of 5]

This did not age well.