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Haint & Other Hues of Blue
Jess Graylon was never supposed to end up like the desperate women she'd helped as a defense attorney. Her move to Georgia–and sabbatical from work–was meant to be a healing journey that returned her to her roots after a work scandal rocked her world and halted her high-profile Dallas career. Instead, she met Bryan, a GBI agent who was fresh off his own investigation. Their shared experience quickly formed a bond that Jess didn't know she needed, and she went all in. As Jess and Bryan were making plans for their future, Bryan's colleague, Topher, was uncovering a tangled web of drugs and murder he suspected Bryan might have a hand in. When Topher approaches Jess, they are both forced to face feelings and truths they've resisted. But before either of them can draw conclusions, Jess is forced to choose between saving the man she fell in love with and herself. Neither option involves both of them making it out alive.
365 pages, Paperback
Published July 8, 2023
7 people are currently reading
191 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 1, 2023
Small town feel. Who is hiding what? Fast-paced chapters. Three very different points of view.
When this book begins, it feels cozy; its setting and the tone of a beginning stage relationship paint a pretty dang nice picture. Summertime, boat rides, and baseball games - relaxing, right?
I'm in awe of H.M. Palmer's ability to write the same town, relationship, and characters in a completely different light by the end of this story.
We went from charming and exciting to that creepy crawly ‘Is there something behind me?’ all in a matter of 300+ pages.
And she did it well.
I was on edge for the last half of the book, waiting for the shoe to drop with every page.
Within the first few chapters, I was hooked. Lately thrillers have been more than a bit disappointing for me, so I was nervous about starting this one. I am happy to say this went above and beyond my expectations.
H. M. Palmer was ridiculously kind and sent @notyourmommas.bookclub (which I am a proud member of) her new release, which is how I came to get my hands on this book.
I can't wait for you to write another.
When this book begins, it feels cozy; its setting and the tone of a beginning stage relationship paint a pretty dang nice picture. Summertime, boat rides, and baseball games - relaxing, right?
I'm in awe of H.M. Palmer's ability to write the same town, relationship, and characters in a completely different light by the end of this story.
We went from charming and exciting to that creepy crawly ‘Is there something behind me?’ all in a matter of 300+ pages.
And she did it well.
I was on edge for the last half of the book, waiting for the shoe to drop with every page.
Within the first few chapters, I was hooked. Lately thrillers have been more than a bit disappointing for me, so I was nervous about starting this one. I am happy to say this went above and beyond my expectations.
H. M. Palmer was ridiculously kind and sent @notyourmommas.bookclub (which I am a proud member of) her new release, which is how I came to get my hands on this book.
I can't wait for you to write another.
October 13, 2023
It's such a refreshing change of pace to read a book about domestic violence that doesn't end with happy rainbows and butterflies. Don't get me wrong, I love a good HEA just like the rest of the readers, but this book shines a TRUE light on domestic abuse.
The real nitty gritty feelings, the hesitancy to believe that you're stuck in an abusive relationship, the regret, naiveness of getting sucked in, and most importantly, the raw and visceral pain that comes along with finally confronting those demons screaming in your head to run and get out before you wind up six feet under.
Palmer does a wonderful job at bringing such a taboo subject to light in such a potent and realistic way. It's not always easy to realize that you are in one of these toxic relationships, because not every type of abuse is physical. The mental and emotional abusers tend to skate under the radar for years, while slowly wearing you down as a person until you are left as shell of who you used to be.
I loved that this book focused so much on that fact, because abuse can happen in so many different ways, and it's not always easy to get out once you're fully submerged.
The world needs more books like this.
The real nitty gritty feelings, the hesitancy to believe that you're stuck in an abusive relationship, the regret, naiveness of getting sucked in, and most importantly, the raw and visceral pain that comes along with finally confronting those demons screaming in your head to run and get out before you wind up six feet under.
Palmer does a wonderful job at bringing such a taboo subject to light in such a potent and realistic way. It's not always easy to realize that you are in one of these toxic relationships, because not every type of abuse is physical. The mental and emotional abusers tend to skate under the radar for years, while slowly wearing you down as a person until you are left as shell of who you used to be.
I loved that this book focused so much on that fact, because abuse can happen in so many different ways, and it's not always easy to get out once you're fully submerged.
The world needs more books like this.
September 19, 2023
First I want to say thank you to H.M. Palmer for sending Not Your Mommas Book Club copies of Haint & Other Hues of Blue! We are so thankful for the opportunity to read your book!
Spoiler Free Review:
I couldn’t put this down! I was immediately sucked in and had to keep going until I knew what happened. I loved the writing style and the story line was well written! The story was engaging the entire time. I loved the multiple POVs and was on the edge of my seat by the end!
The scenery and small town was so beautifully described and it felt like you were there. I loved the relationship between Jess and Nina. We also cannot forget about Piggy! I loved how everything was described in so much detail including Piggy! All the details provided so much to building the story!
I cannot wait to read more by Palmer! I have fallen in love with her story telling!
Spoiler Free Review:
I couldn’t put this down! I was immediately sucked in and had to keep going until I knew what happened. I loved the writing style and the story line was well written! The story was engaging the entire time. I loved the multiple POVs and was on the edge of my seat by the end!
The scenery and small town was so beautifully described and it felt like you were there. I loved the relationship between Jess and Nina. We also cannot forget about Piggy! I loved how everything was described in so much detail including Piggy! All the details provided so much to building the story!
I cannot wait to read more by Palmer! I have fallen in love with her story telling!
September 23, 2023
This book was amazing from start to finish. Absolutely hooked me from the first sentence. The multiple POV, and the changing dynamics caused me to finish this book in one day. I can not wait for what Palmer writes next. Her writing caused the book to flow so smoothly and had me invested.
January 6, 2025
4.5 rounding up.
Wow, what an emotional story.
This author reached out to me on Instagram in January and asked if I’d like to read a copy of her domestic thriller inspired by one of her own relationships. How could I refuse??
This book kind of started out slow but then it ramped up in such a big way. It’s hard to imagine that someone actually lived through similar things that happen in this book. Domestic violence isn’t always physical, it can be psychological too and the FMC in this story experiences every type of mind game imaginable.
H. M. Palmer is not just a great author and a domestic abuse survivor herself, she’s also an advocate for others and helps women get out of abusive relationships. I think the most important line in this book is “Don’t lie to yourself.” If your gut is telling you that something is awry, you’re probably right. She has tons of resources available on her IG page.
Wow, what an emotional story.
This author reached out to me on Instagram in January and asked if I’d like to read a copy of her domestic thriller inspired by one of her own relationships. How could I refuse??
This book kind of started out slow but then it ramped up in such a big way. It’s hard to imagine that someone actually lived through similar things that happen in this book. Domestic violence isn’t always physical, it can be psychological too and the FMC in this story experiences every type of mind game imaginable.
H. M. Palmer is not just a great author and a domestic abuse survivor herself, she’s also an advocate for others and helps women get out of abusive relationships. I think the most important line in this book is “Don’t lie to yourself.” If your gut is telling you that something is awry, you’re probably right. She has tons of resources available on her IG page.
October 12, 2023
Really enjoyed this book! The fact that I live in Georgia and know the area where the book was written, made you feel like you were truly a part of the book!!!!!
September 20, 2023
I really enjoyed Haint and other Hues of Blue. An exciting domestic thriller, HOHOB takes you on an emotional ride through the stages of an abusive relationship. The main character is Jess, and she’s a feisty, smart and successful woman who becomes the victim of a master manipulator. Palmer did a wonderful job of making Jess relatable, reminding us that what happens to her could happen to ANYONE. There is no profile for domestic abuse.
Palmer did a masterful job laying out the patterns and manipulations that abusers use and weaving that into the lives of these characters as their relationship develops. It feels real, and at one point almost mundane…and then, just like in real life, things start to change.
The multiple POV’s add to the suspense and the ancillary characters add warmth and some levity (shout out to Piggy!)
5 stars, great read!
Palmer did a masterful job laying out the patterns and manipulations that abusers use and weaving that into the lives of these characters as their relationship develops. It feels real, and at one point almost mundane…and then, just like in real life, things start to change.
The multiple POV’s add to the suspense and the ancillary characters add warmth and some levity (shout out to Piggy!)
5 stars, great read!
August 22, 2023
Palmer hooked me with the first 2 gut punching paragraphs. Her writing is raw, on point, and comes from a place of true experience. She took her time to develop her characters, just like an abuser takes their time showing their true colors. Psychological abusers play the long game and are very methodical with their abuse. Palmer portrays this progression perfectly. Once the characters were developed, I had a hard time putting the book down. I loved everything about this book, especially the end! I cannot wait to read more from Palmer!
August 5, 2023
This book was a page turner for me. I found myself wondering what was going to happen every time I put it down. I couldn’t wait to pick it back up.
The way she writes this novel, you can picture everything perfectly.
But most of all, it was very eye opening. It detailed how abuse comes in many forms and can be hiding in the most unsuspected places.
You’re rooting for the protagonist the whole time and this book ended perfectly.
The way she writes this novel, you can picture everything perfectly.
But most of all, it was very eye opening. It detailed how abuse comes in many forms and can be hiding in the most unsuspected places.
You’re rooting for the protagonist the whole time and this book ended perfectly.
June 6, 2023
As a victim of abuse, this book not only raises awareness of how easy and damaging it is to fall in love with your abuser— all the while unaware sometimes that you’ve fallen victim to it— but also is a page-turner sure to keep you on your toes with suspense. H. M. executed well an easy to follow thriller you won’t want to miss!
March 13, 2024
4-4.5 stars! I almost didn't read it because it has a warning about domestic violence at the beginning. I wasn't feeling like reading something heavy but glad I did! Having lived in Flowery Branch it was so fun reading a book knowing where the author was talking about! I read in just 3 days and always wanted to pick it up and read! Has me thinking about the story and the plot line today even though I finished it last night. There was one cool thing which I have never read before in a book, where the prologue was also a chapter 2/3 through the book which I LOVED! Such a cool way to do that. Only reason I knocked it down a bit was with the skipping ahead and leaving things out I had to re-read sometimes to make sure I didn't miss something. And the conversations about the police and legal talk I had a hard time understanding what exactly they were talking about. But besides that it really was a great quick read!
January 12, 2024
This was such a different book than I have been reading. I have never read a book about domestic violence. I think this was written well. When issues like this aren’t occurring in your life you forget domestic violence is real.
It was so weird to read a book that is based on an area so close to where you live! I could almost imagine each location as it was being talked about.
Jess the FMC is a strong independent woman who knows how to hold her own. She is determined and knows what she wants.
Bryan started to me as a charming man. He knew all the right things to do and say. I almost actually liked him. That definitely changed :)
I really enjoyed the multiple POV throughout the story.
It was so weird to read a book that is based on an area so close to where you live! I could almost imagine each location as it was being talked about.
Jess the FMC is a strong independent woman who knows how to hold her own. She is determined and knows what she wants.
Bryan started to me as a charming man. He knew all the right things to do and say. I almost actually liked him. That definitely changed :)
I really enjoyed the multiple POV throughout the story.
August 21, 2023
I enjoyed connecting to the location the story was set in, as I live in the same area so it was relatable. The author continued to built the characters and pulled me into their daily life, however I would have enjoyed less day-to-day stuff. I started getting frustrated that the story was too slow to build to a climax. I needed more intensity to get that thriller, suspense building story I was anticipating. I did appreciate the clever ending. I look forward in this new author continuing to grow and develop her skills as she writes more stories.
May 6, 2024
CONNECTION, DILEMMA, AWARENESS
Jess, a defense attorney experiencing professional trouble in Texas, retreats to Georgia, caring for her ailing aunt. She meets Bryan, a GBI agent, and they form an instant connection and go all in. However, when Bryan’s colleague suspects he’s involved in a drug and murder case, Jess is caught in a dilemma!
The story tells the progression of a psychologically abusive relationship, shedding light on its subtle nature and how easy one can fall into it. Rooting for Jess, a relatable and successful woman, highlights there is not a typical profile for domestic violence. The characters’ experiences felt authentic and unsettling. The pace mirrored the unpredictably in the relationship, transitioning between slow and turbulent.
This is a fictional story but the author has personal experience hoping to help someone get out of an abusive relationship or support others who know someone to leave.
Haint & Other Hues of Blue by H.M. Palmer
Domestic Psychological Thriller | Rating: 4��
April’s #12IndiesIn12 pick
Jess, a defense attorney experiencing professional trouble in Texas, retreats to Georgia, caring for her ailing aunt. She meets Bryan, a GBI agent, and they form an instant connection and go all in. However, when Bryan’s colleague suspects he’s involved in a drug and murder case, Jess is caught in a dilemma!
The story tells the progression of a psychologically abusive relationship, shedding light on its subtle nature and how easy one can fall into it. Rooting for Jess, a relatable and successful woman, highlights there is not a typical profile for domestic violence. The characters’ experiences felt authentic and unsettling. The pace mirrored the unpredictably in the relationship, transitioning between slow and turbulent.
This is a fictional story but the author has personal experience hoping to help someone get out of an abusive relationship or support others who know someone to leave.
Haint & Other Hues of Blue by H.M. Palmer
Domestic Psychological Thriller | Rating: 4��
April’s #12IndiesIn12 pick
December 5, 2024
Domestic thrillers are definitely something I've been getting more into lately in the books I've read. My book club is currently reading this and I was intrigued to read this book as the setting is relatively close to where I live. The author did a great job representing victims of domestic abuse and the way she wrote the behavior of Bryan made me loath him from the very beginning. There is a blessing and a curse of reading something so close to home, there were a few inaccuracies which bugged me slightly throughout the novel. But overall once I got to the halfway point of the book the pace kept me going to finish.
September 11, 2023
This book is such an amazing thriller, and so much more! I cant quite describe it, but I'll try. Aside from this being an addicting thriller that keeps you turning pages until the very end, the way the story echoes the build of of a psychologically abusive relationship is masterful. It's so subtle in the beginning, and builds, almost sneaking up on you, until you realize your situation, and how difficult it will be to escape it.
April 8, 2025
Holy cow, this was such an amazingly done story.
The subtle roll of emotion that I went through while reading this was outrageous.
You’re giving laughs and giggling and smiling in the beginning and then feelings of dread and anxiety start to creep in. My nerves were on high alert at the end, and the ending was *intense* to say the least.
By the last page I was hit with an overwhelming amount of emotions, and I’m just at a loss for words.
One of the best reads of the year so far.
The subtle roll of emotion that I went through while reading this was outrageous.
You’re giving laughs and giggling and smiling in the beginning and then feelings of dread and anxiety start to creep in. My nerves were on high alert at the end, and the ending was *intense* to say the least.
By the last page I was hit with an overwhelming amount of emotions, and I’m just at a loss for words.
One of the best reads of the year so far.
March 17, 2024
Amazing book , the ending had me in tears and the ending was profound . Honestly the book has opened my eyes within domestic violence and relationships I loved the plot and the development between the Bryan and Jess. I really enjoyed the book and look forward to reading another book from the author. All I can say is it will always change the way I think and perceive things.
September 22, 2024
It’s been a few days since I finished this book and I still cannot stop thinking about it!!! It was so chilling and had me hooked from the beginning!!! The anticipation that built up around Jess and Bryan’s relationship had me holding my breath and turning the pages to find out what was going to happen! I also loved the ending so much! It made me very happy for Jess! I highly recommend this one!!!
March 26, 2024
This book is so lowkey!! I will say the buildup to what the heck was happening was a bit lengthy. Otherwise, I enjoyed the plot and writing of this, esp set in a small southern town. Took me right on back to my roots! Good job Palmer
August 5, 2023
This book was amazing and takes you on an emotional ride from the beginning to the end. The story grabs you from the start and keeps you wondering until the end. Very well written.
March 21, 2025
4.5!!! I loved this book— a realistic telling of domestic violence blended accurately and beautifully with true crime and women’s lit.
October 24, 2023
Everything you’d want in a domestic thriller…multiple POV’s, cops & robbers, and a relationship gone wrong that felt so right.
Jess moves to Georgia to help out her ailing aunt, but in truth, she needs a break. Her job as a defense attorney is taxing to say the least and after a scandal arose, she needed a break from her life in Dallas.
Starting fresh and finding herself were her two main goals. Until she met Bryan. He swept her off her feet and promised her the world. Then, he slowly broke hers.
Enter Topher, the good cop looking to weed out the bad and after working with Jess to expose the rotten apples in the force, he can’t help but be drawn to her.
Palmer weaves in her expertise to bring us a well-rounded, deeply thoughtful story that will keep you wondering how it will end and who will make it out alive.
Jess moves to Georgia to help out her ailing aunt, but in truth, she needs a break. Her job as a defense attorney is taxing to say the least and after a scandal arose, she needed a break from her life in Dallas.
Starting fresh and finding herself were her two main goals. Until she met Bryan. He swept her off her feet and promised her the world. Then, he slowly broke hers.
Enter Topher, the good cop looking to weed out the bad and after working with Jess to expose the rotten apples in the force, he can’t help but be drawn to her.
Palmer weaves in her expertise to bring us a well-rounded, deeply thoughtful story that will keep you wondering how it will end and who will make it out alive.
August 5, 2024
This is the perfect thriller.
There--I said it. 🙌
But seriously! This southern, domestic thriller was the therapy I didn’t know I needed. Palmer’s writing is beautiful and fierce, and Jess's story gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "justice is served."
Add this one to your radar, ladies! It's powerful, dark, and haunting--everything I love in a book!
There--I said it. 🙌
But seriously! This southern, domestic thriller was the therapy I didn’t know I needed. Palmer’s writing is beautiful and fierce, and Jess's story gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "justice is served."
Add this one to your radar, ladies! It's powerful, dark, and haunting--everything I love in a book!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews