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The Color of Home
Audrey Needham, Bay Area interior designer to the rich and pretentious, is down to her last nerve. Her boss is impossible to please, her future is in jeopardy, and her great-aunt Daisy needs support as her husband descends into Alzheimer's. When Daisy enlists Audrey's help preparing for a move to assisted living, Audrey risks her career to return to the idyllic small town of Charity Falls, Oregon, the summer stomping grounds of her childhood. But Charity Falls was also the place that broke her heart when her father was killed in a tragic fire at the Sugar Pine Inn thirteen years ago. Despite Audrey's intent to avoid emotional entanglement, the pull of home is hard to resist. Something should be done about the deteriorating inn. A local girl with an incarcerated father needs a friend. And handsome local do-gooder Cade Carter is coloring Audrey all shades of uncertain.Join award-winning writer and debut novelist Kit Tosello in this lyrical and often humorous exploration of how God redeems brokenness and draws us to the life we're meant to find.
502 pages, Library Binding
Published February 5, 2025
28 people are currently reading
4961 people want to read
About the author
Kit Tosello
3 books75 followersKit Tosello is an award-winning writer of contemporary fiction that feels like coming home. About her debut novel, The Color of Home (September 2024, Revell), bestselling author Robin Jones Gunn said, “Kit has a winsome way of using words to paint heart-touching images." Kit's inspirational essays and devotionals appear in a number of anthologies, including Publishers Weekly and Wall Street Journal bestseller So God Made a Mother. When not writing, Kit can be found in the loose-tea shop she operates with her husband, exploring the great PNW, or enjoying the "great indoors"—bookstores and libraries. Most likely with a matcha latte in hand. Learn more at KitTosello.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
October 13, 2024
Kit Tosello brings a story full of vivid descriptions of the small town of Charity Falls, Oregon. I enjoyed the faith components and deeper themes of family, love, and forgiveness. I personally had a hard time getting into the story and connecting with the characters. Kit has more of a folksy writing style, one I don't commonly read. It took me 50% of the book to get more connected, where I enjoyed how the author incorporated horses, prison ministries, and the blossoming friendship between Audrey and Paige. I would consider this women's fiction as the romance is very light and doesn't occur until the end half of the book.
Thank you to the author and Revell Publishing for sending me an ARC copy of this book, all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
Content discretions: No spice, No language, Alzheimer’s, loss of a parent, fire, anxiety, children with a parent in prison
Thank you to the author and Revell Publishing for sending me an ARC copy of this book, all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
Content discretions: No spice, No language, Alzheimer’s, loss of a parent, fire, anxiety, children with a parent in prison
September 23, 2024
“The unexpected life IS our actual life.”
Allow debut author Kit Tosello to whisk you away to fictional Charity Falls, a small town in the PNW, where her characters discover what it means to live the good life.
I loved Tosello’s examination of reawakening and reconnection. Interior designer Audrey Needham discovers that when she invests her time and energy into the activities of daily living (helping her great aunt and uncle transition), despite it not being the best timing for her, she develops the virtues required to live the good life. It was inspiring to see Audrey’s mindset determining the direction of her feet and her destination.
I also appreciated Tosello highlighting trust (in ourselves, in God and in others), belonging, heritage, and finding/working towards our ‘dream’. We all have challenges, timing is never perfect for any of us when we’re called to help, we all experience the ‘unexpected’, and we all struggle to find our dream at times - this is what makes Tosello’s story so relatable. The faith thread woven throughout tugged at my heartstrings, kept me invested in the story and inspired me in my own journey.
Don’t pass by the author’s inspiration for the story nor Myrtle Rose’s 5 Rules for Life!
Tosello excels at developing a sense of place and creating journeys for her characters that bring out their best. I now have this author on my radar!
I was gifted his copy by Revell and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Allow debut author Kit Tosello to whisk you away to fictional Charity Falls, a small town in the PNW, where her characters discover what it means to live the good life.
I loved Tosello’s examination of reawakening and reconnection. Interior designer Audrey Needham discovers that when she invests her time and energy into the activities of daily living (helping her great aunt and uncle transition), despite it not being the best timing for her, she develops the virtues required to live the good life. It was inspiring to see Audrey’s mindset determining the direction of her feet and her destination.
I also appreciated Tosello highlighting trust (in ourselves, in God and in others), belonging, heritage, and finding/working towards our ‘dream’. We all have challenges, timing is never perfect for any of us when we’re called to help, we all experience the ‘unexpected’, and we all struggle to find our dream at times - this is what makes Tosello’s story so relatable. The faith thread woven throughout tugged at my heartstrings, kept me invested in the story and inspired me in my own journey.
Don’t pass by the author’s inspiration for the story nor Myrtle Rose’s 5 Rules for Life!
Tosello excels at developing a sense of place and creating journeys for her characters that bring out their best. I now have this author on my radar!
I was gifted his copy by Revell and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
July 17, 2024
From page one, Kit Tosello’s vividly told tale of rediscovery places the reader in the midst of a Pacific Northwest town and its endearing people. By the last page, both will feel like home. This is a must-read for fans of small-town contemporary stories centered on intergenerational connections.
October 13, 2024
Engaging debut!
I love General/Women's Fiction so was delighted to discover The Color of Home. Audrey is living in California with a promising career when her aunt from Oregon reaches out for assistance. Audrey's uncle has Alzheimer's and Aunt Daisy could use assistance preparing their home for sale.
Initially, Audrey plans to stay in Oregon for six weeks, but slowly the town and its people begin to steal her heart and cause her to question what she really wants out of life.
So many witty lines in this novel. Enjoyable from beginning to end.
My gratitude to publisher Revell for a complimentary copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.
I love General/Women's Fiction so was delighted to discover The Color of Home. Audrey is living in California with a promising career when her aunt from Oregon reaches out for assistance. Audrey's uncle has Alzheimer's and Aunt Daisy could use assistance preparing their home for sale.
Initially, Audrey plans to stay in Oregon for six weeks, but slowly the town and its people begin to steal her heart and cause her to question what she really wants out of life.
So many witty lines in this novel. Enjoyable from beginning to end.
My gratitude to publisher Revell for a complimentary copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.
September 30, 2024
4.5 stars
“The unexpected life IS our actual life.”
Oh!! Y’all!! I adored everything about Kit Tosello’s stellar debut novel, The Color of Home. Usually I give a lot of grace to debut novels because … well… when I go back and look at my first blog posts I realize that a whole lot of people gave me a whole lot of grace (how about a purchase link somewhere, Carrie? anywhere?) But The Color of Home needs no grace from me – it is everything delightful and winsome, and it just wrapped me up, heart and soul.
I provide Tawny with the thumbnail version, up to but not including the part where I ran into Cade, and altogether omitting the part where I zoned out for an hour scrolling through Bob Ross memes. Which was worth it, if only for “Ever make mistakes in life? Let’s make them birds. Yeah, they’re birds now.”
Tosello’s charming first person narratives (alternating between Audrey and her great-aunt Daisy) feel deliciously conversational, giving off a wonderful vibe of ‘Audrey (or Daisy) is telling me this part of the story while we’re seated around their kitchen table with a mug of tea’. Their personalities and relatability leap immediately off the pages and burrow deeply into your heart as the story progresses, a testament to the author’s effortless skill in the art of ‘showing vs. telling’ – also evident in how we easily come to know the other characters through their interactions with these two narrators. And even though this novel wrestles with some tough subjects – like Alzheimer’s, grief, incarceration, career pressures, etc – the tone of Tosello’s writing voice achieves the perfect balance between humor and hard … in large part, i think, because it allows for humor within the hard without diminishing the impact of either one.
“Grief isn’t something you move past, ever. It’s something you learn to carry.. And honey, we have got to allow our disappointments to draw us closer to God, not give us an excuse to drift further away.”
Bottom Line: Is ‘home’ only a residence? Can it also be a sense of place? A memory? Or maybe it can also be an inspired calling, a place where we come alive, a Divine embrace, a redeemed life, a second chance. In The Color of Home, debut novelist Kit Tosello explores these nuanced layers with sacred insight and oodles of charm. I fell head over heels in love with Charity Falls (dare I hope we can return for another visit??), as well as Audrey, Daisy, Dean, Cade, Nash, Paige, Tawny, and so many other endearing and vividly-sketched characters who started out as strangers to me but quickly became the dearest of friends. Faith is presented naturally as a meaningful extension of what’s going on in the story, and the attraction between Cade and Audrey is the icing on the cake. I cannot wait to read more books by Kit Tosello, and if you’re a fan of Cynthia Ruchti, Amanda Cox, Angela Ruth Strong, Holly Varni, and Katie Powner, you absolutely need to make sure The Color of Home is at the top of your TBR list!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed (with full disclosure) at Reading Is My SuperPower
“The unexpected life IS our actual life.”
Oh!! Y’all!! I adored everything about Kit Tosello’s stellar debut novel, The Color of Home. Usually I give a lot of grace to debut novels because … well… when I go back and look at my first blog posts I realize that a whole lot of people gave me a whole lot of grace (how about a purchase link somewhere, Carrie? anywhere?) But The Color of Home needs no grace from me – it is everything delightful and winsome, and it just wrapped me up, heart and soul.
I provide Tawny with the thumbnail version, up to but not including the part where I ran into Cade, and altogether omitting the part where I zoned out for an hour scrolling through Bob Ross memes. Which was worth it, if only for “Ever make mistakes in life? Let’s make them birds. Yeah, they’re birds now.”
Tosello’s charming first person narratives (alternating between Audrey and her great-aunt Daisy) feel deliciously conversational, giving off a wonderful vibe of ‘Audrey (or Daisy) is telling me this part of the story while we’re seated around their kitchen table with a mug of tea’. Their personalities and relatability leap immediately off the pages and burrow deeply into your heart as the story progresses, a testament to the author’s effortless skill in the art of ‘showing vs. telling’ – also evident in how we easily come to know the other characters through their interactions with these two narrators. And even though this novel wrestles with some tough subjects – like Alzheimer’s, grief, incarceration, career pressures, etc – the tone of Tosello’s writing voice achieves the perfect balance between humor and hard … in large part, i think, because it allows for humor within the hard without diminishing the impact of either one.
“Grief isn’t something you move past, ever. It’s something you learn to carry.. And honey, we have got to allow our disappointments to draw us closer to God, not give us an excuse to drift further away.”
Bottom Line: Is ‘home’ only a residence? Can it also be a sense of place? A memory? Or maybe it can also be an inspired calling, a place where we come alive, a Divine embrace, a redeemed life, a second chance. In The Color of Home, debut novelist Kit Tosello explores these nuanced layers with sacred insight and oodles of charm. I fell head over heels in love with Charity Falls (dare I hope we can return for another visit??), as well as Audrey, Daisy, Dean, Cade, Nash, Paige, Tawny, and so many other endearing and vividly-sketched characters who started out as strangers to me but quickly became the dearest of friends. Faith is presented naturally as a meaningful extension of what’s going on in the story, and the attraction between Cade and Audrey is the icing on the cake. I cannot wait to read more books by Kit Tosello, and if you’re a fan of Cynthia Ruchti, Amanda Cox, Angela Ruth Strong, Holly Varni, and Katie Powner, you absolutely need to make sure The Color of Home is at the top of your TBR list!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed (with full disclosure) at Reading Is My SuperPower
August 23, 2024
I received a copy for review purposes; all opinions are honest and mine alone.
It’s taken me a few days to think about this book before I could write the review. It’s a first book and I want to be fair to new author, Kit Tosello. She has a folksy style and used the very popular dual POV technique to tell this story, alternating between her young, upwardly mobile female protagonist and the senior, wise, caring, spiritual, mature but needing assistance, female protagonist.
Daisy, the family matriarch, lives in Charity Falls, in the family cottage that’s comfortable and full of a lifetime of love and memories but desperately in need of paint and a sprucing up. Her time is currently spent caring for her husband who’s dealing with the early stages of Alzheimer’s, but the changes are progressing steadily and he is becoming more than Daisy can handle. They have no children of their own but a moment of crisis prompts a call to Audrey, her Niece.
Audrey is a well respected interior designer, color expert in the Bay Area. She is working night and day trying to establish her career, rarely taking time off for personal reasons. When Daisy calls, Audrey realizes it must be serious, clears her schedule and goes to help her family.
The trip home begins to reveal how difficult this will be for Audrey as memories of her father surface. Some are joyful but many are painful, including the tragedy that took his life. It’s a slow process along the storyline and coincidences with character development. This technique works for the Audrey character but I found it frustrating with Daisy as it created a lack of understanding to her motivations.
Daisy is the character that’s the most grounded in spiritual things. Other characters live their faith in their daily activities. Tosello includes a few hymns as poetry and a few scripture passages as chapter introductions throughout; strategic placements. Overall, the inspirational content is what I would consider natural and subtle.
Romance is another subtle aspect of this tale. Audrey and Cade have a complex relationship that moves from tension and misunderstanding to avoidance that becomes hesitant respect before they learn understanding and eventually move to agreement on a common goal and a tentative friendship that begins to blossom into something more. I could see their relationship becoming the basis for a second book.
There are a good assortment of secondary characters, especially Audrey’s best friend, a young girl she mentors and the paint guy at the hardware store. Actually, the whole hardware store was rife with interesting people and interactions. I’d enjoy an entire story based around that store! Characters are Tosello’s strongest element; relationships could use some dramatic infusions.
Pacing is casual because there’s nothing in the story that is urgent, other than how Audrey feels. This is small town fiction that’s clean with a subtle inspirational thread. Prose has gentle descriptive detail except when it relates to interior design. Those passages are lush and artistic, painting word pictures that will put you into the setting. I really enjoyed some of the names for paint colors.
Were we permitted to give half stars, I would rate this debut novel 3.5 stars. Since that’s not possible, I’m rounding up to encourage the new author on her journey📚
Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC, with thanks
It’s taken me a few days to think about this book before I could write the review. It’s a first book and I want to be fair to new author, Kit Tosello. She has a folksy style and used the very popular dual POV technique to tell this story, alternating between her young, upwardly mobile female protagonist and the senior, wise, caring, spiritual, mature but needing assistance, female protagonist.
Daisy, the family matriarch, lives in Charity Falls, in the family cottage that’s comfortable and full of a lifetime of love and memories but desperately in need of paint and a sprucing up. Her time is currently spent caring for her husband who’s dealing with the early stages of Alzheimer’s, but the changes are progressing steadily and he is becoming more than Daisy can handle. They have no children of their own but a moment of crisis prompts a call to Audrey, her Niece.
Audrey is a well respected interior designer, color expert in the Bay Area. She is working night and day trying to establish her career, rarely taking time off for personal reasons. When Daisy calls, Audrey realizes it must be serious, clears her schedule and goes to help her family.
The trip home begins to reveal how difficult this will be for Audrey as memories of her father surface. Some are joyful but many are painful, including the tragedy that took his life. It’s a slow process along the storyline and coincidences with character development. This technique works for the Audrey character but I found it frustrating with Daisy as it created a lack of understanding to her motivations.
Daisy is the character that’s the most grounded in spiritual things. Other characters live their faith in their daily activities. Tosello includes a few hymns as poetry and a few scripture passages as chapter introductions throughout; strategic placements. Overall, the inspirational content is what I would consider natural and subtle.
Romance is another subtle aspect of this tale. Audrey and Cade have a complex relationship that moves from tension and misunderstanding to avoidance that becomes hesitant respect before they learn understanding and eventually move to agreement on a common goal and a tentative friendship that begins to blossom into something more. I could see their relationship becoming the basis for a second book.
There are a good assortment of secondary characters, especially Audrey’s best friend, a young girl she mentors and the paint guy at the hardware store. Actually, the whole hardware store was rife with interesting people and interactions. I’d enjoy an entire story based around that store! Characters are Tosello’s strongest element; relationships could use some dramatic infusions.
Pacing is casual because there’s nothing in the story that is urgent, other than how Audrey feels. This is small town fiction that’s clean with a subtle inspirational thread. Prose has gentle descriptive detail except when it relates to interior design. Those passages are lush and artistic, painting word pictures that will put you into the setting. I really enjoyed some of the names for paint colors.
Were we permitted to give half stars, I would rate this debut novel 3.5 stars. Since that’s not possible, I’m rounding up to encourage the new author on her journey📚
Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC, with thanks
April 7, 2025
Can a small life be the good life? Interior designer Audrey Needham can’t see over the rolling, mansion-studded hills of Silicon Valley to imagine a different dream. I'm chuckling at Goodreads’ prompt to add my start and finish dates. Um. As this story was over a decade in the making, I couldn’t be more excited for readers to finally get to know Audrey and Aunt Daisy! Not to mention Cade, and Paige and, and, and. The town of Charity Falls, while fictionalized, is inspired by my own small town nestled against Oregon’s Cascade Range. And yet, even with its quaint Western facades and homespun, neighborly vibe, it’s not exactly Hallmark. As with any place, there are real issues. And Audrey’s spirit will be tested by circumstances that don’t go to plan. I love it when Daisy counsels, “Audrey, the unexpected life IS our actual life.” Dear reader, thank you for taking a chance on a debut author! I so hope you enjoy your time in Charity Falls and close the book feeling a little more ready to embrace the unexpected life.
December 10, 2024
I think this was the perfect time of year for me to pick this story up. I know, I know it's not set during winter. But the whole story had a sweet Hallmark romance story feel surrounding it. I was really in the mood for those types of stories, and this one was a really good one.
I loved the sweet story of a girl searching for something she lost. Making her way back to her father's childhood home and memories she left long buried. I loved the characters as well as the small town setting.
*thank you to Revell for a complimentary copy of this book to read, a thoughts are my own.
I loved the sweet story of a girl searching for something she lost. Making her way back to her father's childhood home and memories she left long buried. I loved the characters as well as the small town setting.
*thank you to Revell for a complimentary copy of this book to read, a thoughts are my own.
August 14, 2024
Daisy has asked her great niece Audrey to come and help her move into an assisted living home because her husband has early Alzheimer's.
A story about coming to terms with our past and bravely facing the future and its challenges.
Thank you to NetGalley and Revell for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
A story about coming to terms with our past and bravely facing the future and its challenges.
Thank you to NetGalley and Revell for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 23, 2024
The Color of Home is Kit Tosello's debut novel. The cover and title represent the book well. I am struggling to put my thoughts into words, and my review will not capture all that is the essence of this story.
"Clearly I've spent years allowing external pressures, never-ending motion, to keep me from doing the inner work necessary for a life of freedom and wholeness. I've missed too many off-ramps. Truth is, I've pursued distraction on purpose."
I regret not having more quotes than the one above. I was too absorbed in the story to mark them!
Audrey is at a crossroads in her life. She is struggling under the pressure of her job when a new pressure enters, her great-aunt Daisy needs her help. Audrey is torn between her commitment to her job and her commitment to her family. I loved Audrey, I think because she is so relatable. She is trying to find her way, doing the best she can.
I also loved Aunt Daisy and Uncle Dean. Their story (and Audrey's) has hard moments, but Daisy's focus isn't on the hard. She teaches Audrey so much about life and love while Audrey is helping her out.
Audrey has a brother, who is mentioned several times, but he never appears in the story. At first glance, I thought this was weird. However, after further reflection, I appreciate that the author kept the story on point without side tangents (I can't see where he could appear in the story, and it makes sense).
This book deals with several hard topics: grief, Alzheimer's, incarceration, and job and life pressures BUT it is not a heavy read. There is a delicate, intricate balance woven throughout the story where the reader never feels bogged down by the story. This is not a fluff read, but a story worth getting entangled in. It will bring out lots of emotions but also have you pondering your own life choices.
Bottom line: The Color of Home is a beautiful story about family, finding yourself, healing, and belonging.
Thank you to Revell for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
"Clearly I've spent years allowing external pressures, never-ending motion, to keep me from doing the inner work necessary for a life of freedom and wholeness. I've missed too many off-ramps. Truth is, I've pursued distraction on purpose."
I regret not having more quotes than the one above. I was too absorbed in the story to mark them!
Audrey is at a crossroads in her life. She is struggling under the pressure of her job when a new pressure enters, her great-aunt Daisy needs her help. Audrey is torn between her commitment to her job and her commitment to her family. I loved Audrey, I think because she is so relatable. She is trying to find her way, doing the best she can.
I also loved Aunt Daisy and Uncle Dean. Their story (and Audrey's) has hard moments, but Daisy's focus isn't on the hard. She teaches Audrey so much about life and love while Audrey is helping her out.
Audrey has a brother, who is mentioned several times, but he never appears in the story. At first glance, I thought this was weird. However, after further reflection, I appreciate that the author kept the story on point without side tangents (I can't see where he could appear in the story, and it makes sense).
This book deals with several hard topics: grief, Alzheimer's, incarceration, and job and life pressures BUT it is not a heavy read. There is a delicate, intricate balance woven throughout the story where the reader never feels bogged down by the story. This is not a fluff read, but a story worth getting entangled in. It will bring out lots of emotions but also have you pondering your own life choices.
Bottom line: The Color of Home is a beautiful story about family, finding yourself, healing, and belonging.
Thank you to Revell for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
October 28, 2024
I started to physically read the book and had a hard time doing it. A lot of flowing paragraphs that had me skipping. I switched to audiobook and started to enjoy the book more. I enjoyed Audrey but I didn’t enjoy the narrator in the audiobook. Just had a hard time with this book but with all these trouble the book still was a 4 star. I enjoyed the writing of this book and the 2 protagonists were quite enjoyable. I definitely want to read more from this author in the future.
November 8, 2024
An inspirational novel brimming with heart and passion. Audrey Needham is a talented interior designer in California, she is on the brink of making it big. but she feels called to go out to Oregon to help her aging aunt and uncle. It's a place she's put off going for a long time, there are memories there and not all of them are good. Her Aunt Daisy needs help fixing up her house and putting it on the market so she and her husband can move into an assisted living facility. Uncle Dean is suffering from Alzheimer's and is going to eventually need more care than Aunt Daisy can provide. While helping tame the yard and paint fences, Audrey finds out that her boss has taken a leave of absence. Her job in California is no longer waiting on her. She is understandably distraught, but... this trip hasn't been bad, Oregon is more calming and refreshing than she remembered. Audrey decides to extend her trip from a few weeks to a few months. She befriends a shy ten year old named Paige and gets on the wrong side of a studly rancher with piercing eyes. What is God calling her to do? Audrey is at a crossroads in her life and she needs to find out where her true passions really lie. Uplifting and filled with wonderful characters. I hope this is the start of a series so we can see more stories from people in this charming town!
August 14, 2024
Wow! This is an exceptional book! I was hooked from the very beginning! The author's use of imagery placed me in the quaint town of Charity Hills, Oregon. A place I'd love to visit!
The characters are wonderful! I honestly like them all! They each touched my heart in different ways. As Daisy, Audrey, Cade, and Nash deal with loss and grief, they also keep their hearts tender to others in need.
Several difficult issues are brought up in the book. There's Alzheimer's, deaths of family members, children whose father is in prison. There's also hope, fond memories, new relationships, and new beginnings! The ending was the icing on the cake!
I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from Revell via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The characters are wonderful! I honestly like them all! They each touched my heart in different ways. As Daisy, Audrey, Cade, and Nash deal with loss and grief, they also keep their hearts tender to others in need.
Several difficult issues are brought up in the book. There's Alzheimer's, deaths of family members, children whose father is in prison. There's also hope, fond memories, new relationships, and new beginnings! The ending was the icing on the cake!
I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from Revell via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 12, 2024
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ & 1/2 (4.5 stars rounded up to 5)
Read: September 2024
Format: Digital Advanced Reader Copy via Net Galley
Challenge Prompt: CNL’s #8 of 50 - “featuring a character with grey hair”
Book #92 of 2024:
This is a debut novel that released 9-24-24. I definitely believe that there will be more books to come from this author! From the homey and cozy cover to the many beautiful passages, this book took me on a journey. I felt I was there in the quaint and caring town, with a hot beverage, a book, and just taking it all in.
This is a novel about finding our HOME. Not just our physical home but where we shine brightest and feel truly connected. Is it a place or a setting? Is it where we think we should be, or is it where our heart is? Maybe it is where we are truly happy, can find peace and a purpose to serve others with intention, wherever that may be. Moreover, our ultimate home is our eternal destination.
I found this novel prompted me to be very introspective. What do we do with our “woundedness?” Do we carry it with us everywhere or use it to help others with theirs? What is grief and how can we view it a little differently? Why are we our own worst critics? Do we use terms like “at risk (fill in the blank)” or do we see such people as full of promise and opportunity? How can we use our talents and gifts to help others AND ourselves? What are our real dreams that truly count at the end of the day?
There are so many lovely passages in this book that fill my senses and imagination. The author has a way with words that had me highlighting my digital copy often. Nature, baked goods, hot coffee or tea, the many colours of paint, decor, birds and other animals, etc. The love for color and design by the author shone through. (By the way: Is she available for a kitchen consultation???).
I appreciate the references to Alzheimer’s, equine therapy and mentor programs. Both are such really good and lasting contributions to anyone who needs them and society as a whole.
I narrowed down my many highlighted passages to two of my favourites:
- - Loc. 2633: And as dust motes dance in a wide beam of golden light spilling from the window, I’m left afterward to ponder a quote she dropped on me, something from Henri Nouwen, one of her favorite writers. “The main question is not ‘How can we hide our wounds?’ . . . but ‘How can we put our woundedness in the service of others?’”
- Loc. 3265: Grief isn’t something you move past, ever. It’s something you learn to carry. That ache, the one that won’t ever quit, that’s how you know for sure it meant something in the first place. It mattered then, and it still matters. So we pick it up and carry it every day. And honey, we have got to allow our disappointments to draw us closer to God, not give us an excuse to drift further away.”
*** Many thanks to #NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an advanced reader copy. I highly recommend #TheColorOfHome
Read: September 2024
Format: Digital Advanced Reader Copy via Net Galley
Challenge Prompt: CNL’s #8 of 50 - “featuring a character with grey hair”
Book #92 of 2024:
This is a debut novel that released 9-24-24. I definitely believe that there will be more books to come from this author! From the homey and cozy cover to the many beautiful passages, this book took me on a journey. I felt I was there in the quaint and caring town, with a hot beverage, a book, and just taking it all in.
This is a novel about finding our HOME. Not just our physical home but where we shine brightest and feel truly connected. Is it a place or a setting? Is it where we think we should be, or is it where our heart is? Maybe it is where we are truly happy, can find peace and a purpose to serve others with intention, wherever that may be. Moreover, our ultimate home is our eternal destination.
I found this novel prompted me to be very introspective. What do we do with our “woundedness?” Do we carry it with us everywhere or use it to help others with theirs? What is grief and how can we view it a little differently? Why are we our own worst critics? Do we use terms like “at risk (fill in the blank)” or do we see such people as full of promise and opportunity? How can we use our talents and gifts to help others AND ourselves? What are our real dreams that truly count at the end of the day?
There are so many lovely passages in this book that fill my senses and imagination. The author has a way with words that had me highlighting my digital copy often. Nature, baked goods, hot coffee or tea, the many colours of paint, decor, birds and other animals, etc. The love for color and design by the author shone through. (By the way: Is she available for a kitchen consultation???).
I appreciate the references to Alzheimer’s, equine therapy and mentor programs. Both are such really good and lasting contributions to anyone who needs them and society as a whole.
I narrowed down my many highlighted passages to two of my favourites:
- - Loc. 2633: And as dust motes dance in a wide beam of golden light spilling from the window, I’m left afterward to ponder a quote she dropped on me, something from Henri Nouwen, one of her favorite writers. “The main question is not ‘How can we hide our wounds?’ . . . but ‘How can we put our woundedness in the service of others?’”
- Loc. 3265: Grief isn’t something you move past, ever. It’s something you learn to carry. That ache, the one that won’t ever quit, that’s how you know for sure it meant something in the first place. It mattered then, and it still matters. So we pick it up and carry it every day. And honey, we have got to allow our disappointments to draw us closer to God, not give us an excuse to drift further away.”
*** Many thanks to #NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an advanced reader copy. I highly recommend #TheColorOfHome
October 18, 2024
I was pretty excited to read this story. There are many good things within the pages but it also didn't quite live up to my expectations. As a debut novel I wasn't totally certain what to expect. It is more descriptive and the dialogue is well thought out. I really love Daisy and reading her perspective. I wish there were more novels that show life from the perspective of an older person who is going through difficult life things or just life in general. Her chapters are my favorite and honestly I wish there was more of her. Audrey has a good character arc that spans the book. I don't love her character but I liked seeing how she healed and discovered in each chapter. This book was pretty slow for me and not a whole lot happens. Yes, there is character growth but I struggled to stay fully invested. For a debut novel it is enjoyable and touches on some good topics. If you want something sweet and slow this could be the book for you!
Three Stars.
"I received this book from Revell for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."
Three Stars.
"I received this book from Revell for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."
November 30, 2024
I first have to say that I absolutely love this cover! It’s so pretty! I was mainly interested in reading The Color of Home because of the pretty cover and because this is the author’s first book. I always enjoy giving new authors a try.
Unfortunately this book wasn’t my cup of tea. I had a hard time getting into the story and just didn’t find it super interesting. There wasn’t anything wrong with it, I just personally didn’t enjoy it.
Unfortunately this book wasn’t my cup of tea. I had a hard time getting into the story and just didn’t find it super interesting. There wasn’t anything wrong with it, I just personally didn’t enjoy it.
October 22, 2024
I am absolutely delighted when I discover a debut novel that sets my skin to tingling and my heart burning with a desire to share this great story with others. Such is the case with this novel with it’s intriguing title and beautiful cover! The story of Audrey and her quest for something better in life besides a demanding boss and clients is well told and engaging. When Audrey leaves her posh job in the Bay Area to travel to a little town called Charity Falls, she doesn’t expect to stay there long. In fact, her plan is a couple of weeks to help her great-Aunt Daisy prepare to live in assisted living with her great-Uncle Dean who is suffering from Alzheimer’s. What Audrey did not expect was to meet a young girl named Paige who desperately needs someone to love her and care that her dad is incarcerated without judging her. What Audrey was surprised to find in this little town was the peace she had long sought since her father died in a fire in that same little town. This book was filled with delightful surprises, family relationships and faith that was the foundation of the story. I enjoyed the plot with its moderately paced plot, perfect for the tranquil setting of Charity Falls. I especially enjoyed getting to know all of the characters who lent charm and realism to the town, making sure that Audrey was quickly caught up into the rhythm of life there. The underlying message of forgetting the past and pressing onward toward a better future was one that was not unexpected but was one that showered hope throughout the pages of the story. This was a story that begs to be read and enjoyed and shared with others because it is a timeless story of resilience, roots and restoration.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
February 1, 2025
3.5 stars
Audrey Needham is an incredibly talented interior designer working for a prestigious design firm and anticipating a step up from her present position. Her boss has other ideas. Audrey’s not overly concerned about the emergency vacation she needs to take to help out her elderly great-aunt Daisy and uncle Dean in Charity Falls, Oregon, where she grew up. But when she finds herself out of a job she reexamines her life and the things that truly matter; things that were nonexistent in her home in the Bay Area, but that surround her in Charity Falls, OR.
The Color of Home is a cozy, comforting read with characters I enjoyed becoming acquainted with. Some had their own traumas and challenges to overcome, including Audrey, who herself experienced a devastating loss thirteen years prior. A sense of community exists in Charity Falls; people are concerned about the welfare of one another. Audrey is inspired by that sense of belonging. Suddenly things in her life are meaningful: creating art for the local Sweet Reads shop, mentoring a sweet, young fatherless girl, and working at the local hardware store. And of course there’s the town’s celebrity and his handsome son, Cade Carter, the moody guy who seems to exist for the sole purpose of shaming her—at first. But everyone has a story, including Cade, and the more she gets to know him the more she understands where he’s coming from.
I liked this story about finding oneself and realizing what’s truly important in life and pursuing it. Also, confronting grief and working through it with the help and support of others around us. A nice, slow, soothing read with a happy ending.
Audrey Needham is an incredibly talented interior designer working for a prestigious design firm and anticipating a step up from her present position. Her boss has other ideas. Audrey’s not overly concerned about the emergency vacation she needs to take to help out her elderly great-aunt Daisy and uncle Dean in Charity Falls, Oregon, where she grew up. But when she finds herself out of a job she reexamines her life and the things that truly matter; things that were nonexistent in her home in the Bay Area, but that surround her in Charity Falls, OR.
The Color of Home is a cozy, comforting read with characters I enjoyed becoming acquainted with. Some had their own traumas and challenges to overcome, including Audrey, who herself experienced a devastating loss thirteen years prior. A sense of community exists in Charity Falls; people are concerned about the welfare of one another. Audrey is inspired by that sense of belonging. Suddenly things in her life are meaningful: creating art for the local Sweet Reads shop, mentoring a sweet, young fatherless girl, and working at the local hardware store. And of course there’s the town’s celebrity and his handsome son, Cade Carter, the moody guy who seems to exist for the sole purpose of shaming her—at first. But everyone has a story, including Cade, and the more she gets to know him the more she understands where he’s coming from.
I liked this story about finding oneself and realizing what’s truly important in life and pursuing it. Also, confronting grief and working through it with the help and support of others around us. A nice, slow, soothing read with a happy ending.
September 23, 2024
Coming Tuesday!!! The Color of Home is Kit Tosello’s fiction debut set in the fictional town of Charity Falls, Oregon. When Audrey Needham’s aunt Daisy needs help preparing her home to be sold, Audrey takes a leave of absence from her interior design job to return to Charity Falls, despite deeply painful memories from her teenage years. While both she and Daisy are a bit at sea as they consider their next steps, their support for each other (and various members of their small-town community) guides them to remember the One who holds all of our futures. Audrey (and I as the reader) finds herself encouraged by Elisabeth Elliot’s quote to simply “do the next right thing,” and a soul-deep sense to rest in God and His presence. Tosello’s writing shines with her rich and indeed colorful descriptions that are sprinkled throughout this novel. This book is all about love-love for God, family, love for community, and romantic love-but is also clearly a love letter to Sisters, Oregon and the surrounding area. This story has an extremely grounded sense of place, whether it’s the Shasta daisies, the Three Sisters, the foggy San Fran Bay, a throwaway line to the delicious aebelskivers in Solvang, CA, or a reminder that Oregon has no sales tax (so by all means, stock up on books when you visit!). I loved the way this story came alive with the vivid descriptions of places that really exist (made even better because I’ve been to most places referenced). I am so excited to see where Tosello’s fiction takes her next!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and Revell . I was not required to give a review and all expressed above is my own honest opinion. #thecolorofhome #kittosello
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and Revell . I was not required to give a review and all expressed above is my own honest opinion. #thecolorofhome #kittosello
September 23, 2024
Wonderful debut! The title The Color of Home is an apt description for a book with beautiful evocative language that brings to mind the memories of shared laughter with people we associate with home. It celebrates the power of friends and family.
This is a heartwarming story of a young woman who goes back home to help her aging relatives. Charity Falls is a place full of happy memories of summers in her past, but it is also the place that brought tragedy in her life.
As Audrey faces several unexpected bends in the road, she realizes she has struggled to find her place, her sense of purpose, her sense of belonging. Audrey's journey is told with beauty and depth, at times funny, tender and bittersweet.
Ms. Tosello's vivid descriptions transported me immediately to the small town of Charity Falls set in the Pacific Northwest. I found the cast of characters endearing, wishing I could walk the streets of Charity Falls with them, sitting on a porch and sharing a cup of tea as we shared life's joys and sorrows.
I really liked the way the author alternated the POV between Audrey and her great-aunt Daisy. Daisy is in a transitional season of life. I loved her ability to look for blessings in a time of trial and change. To quote Daisy "the unexpected life IS our actual life".
I love when a story slowly unfolds into something beautiful, with an inspirational faith thread woven seamlessly throughout. Fans of contemporary small-town stories, will fall in love with the inhabitants of Charity Falls.
I received a complimentary arc copy from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
This is a heartwarming story of a young woman who goes back home to help her aging relatives. Charity Falls is a place full of happy memories of summers in her past, but it is also the place that brought tragedy in her life.
As Audrey faces several unexpected bends in the road, she realizes she has struggled to find her place, her sense of purpose, her sense of belonging. Audrey's journey is told with beauty and depth, at times funny, tender and bittersweet.
Ms. Tosello's vivid descriptions transported me immediately to the small town of Charity Falls set in the Pacific Northwest. I found the cast of characters endearing, wishing I could walk the streets of Charity Falls with them, sitting on a porch and sharing a cup of tea as we shared life's joys and sorrows.
I really liked the way the author alternated the POV between Audrey and her great-aunt Daisy. Daisy is in a transitional season of life. I loved her ability to look for blessings in a time of trial and change. To quote Daisy "the unexpected life IS our actual life".
I love when a story slowly unfolds into something beautiful, with an inspirational faith thread woven seamlessly throughout. Fans of contemporary small-town stories, will fall in love with the inhabitants of Charity Falls.
I received a complimentary arc copy from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
October 31, 2024
I read a lot of books, but this one has touched me in ways I don’t often encounter. And from a debut author— I absolutely love this voice/ writing style and will gladly read any other fiction she writes!!
This book truly feels like going home.
I loved getting to know Audrey and found her story so refreshing and inspirational.
This book took me by surprise, and I found it to be unexpectedly relevant for my own life. It felt like home. Not because of the setting, but because of the writing style and the characters.
This is a story of family. Of love and loss and learning how to move on.
It is an absolutely beautiful story of a relationship between a sweet little old, small town lady, Great aunt named Daisy and a fancy-schmancy interior designer niece Audrey.
Audrey thought she knew what was most important in life. Until she went home and began to realize just what she was really missing out on.
This story brings a sweet feeling of coming home.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
This book truly feels like going home.
I loved getting to know Audrey and found her story so refreshing and inspirational.
This book took me by surprise, and I found it to be unexpectedly relevant for my own life. It felt like home. Not because of the setting, but because of the writing style and the characters.
This is a story of family. Of love and loss and learning how to move on.
It is an absolutely beautiful story of a relationship between a sweet little old, small town lady, Great aunt named Daisy and a fancy-schmancy interior designer niece Audrey.
Audrey thought she knew what was most important in life. Until she went home and began to realize just what she was really missing out on.
This story brings a sweet feeling of coming home.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
September 29, 2024
This is a debut that is impressive in its details and heartfelt in its story as we journey with Audrey Needham who returns home to take care of her great-aunt and great-uncle as they face health challenges. Audrey is introspective while being vulnerable, allowing us to have a front seat into her spiritual growth. There are a number of wonderful nuggets about God tucked throughout the book, along with descriptions of some amazing ministries taking place. It's easy to sense the love and earnestness that pour from the main character's, and consequently, the author's heart.
There is a lot in this story about weighing the choices of the world versus the choices that God would have for us, and it is told in a way that is inviting and compassionate. The prose is quite lyrical in moments, while also encompassing some colloquial terms that are of the next generation, which makes for an interesting combination that is all Audrey. Readers looking for a gentle story set in rural Oregon with much inner reflection on God's home for us will enjoy The Color of Home and all of its fascinating characters.
Review link: https://christianshelves.blogspot.com...
There is a lot in this story about weighing the choices of the world versus the choices that God would have for us, and it is told in a way that is inviting and compassionate. The prose is quite lyrical in moments, while also encompassing some colloquial terms that are of the next generation, which makes for an interesting combination that is all Audrey. Readers looking for a gentle story set in rural Oregon with much inner reflection on God's home for us will enjoy The Color of Home and all of its fascinating characters.
Review link: https://christianshelves.blogspot.com...
October 14, 2024
The Color of Home is a great debut novel, but I wouldn’t have guessed it was the author’s first novel as it was written so well. It’s the story of you cannot ever go to the home you remember, but the love will always be the same.
I loved the setting of the Pacific Northwest where Audrey goes home to help her Aunt Daisy with her husband with dementia get ready to sell their home. Audrey leaves her job in interior design and the pressure of trying to get to next level of her career to help Daisy in small town Charity Falls. Charity Falls reminds Audrey of small towns life and how wonderful life can be there.
I enjoyed the different POV’s of Audrey and Daisy and the other characters in the story. The author does a great job of portraying a small town where everyone knows everyone, and it made me a little homesick for my own! The romance did not overwhelm the more important theme of family but was enjoyable.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel thanks to Revell Publishing and Netgalley, but all opinions are my own.
I loved the setting of the Pacific Northwest where Audrey goes home to help her Aunt Daisy with her husband with dementia get ready to sell their home. Audrey leaves her job in interior design and the pressure of trying to get to next level of her career to help Daisy in small town Charity Falls. Charity Falls reminds Audrey of small towns life and how wonderful life can be there.
I enjoyed the different POV’s of Audrey and Daisy and the other characters in the story. The author does a great job of portraying a small town where everyone knows everyone, and it made me a little homesick for my own! The romance did not overwhelm the more important theme of family but was enjoyable.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel thanks to Revell Publishing and Netgalley, but all opinions are my own.
August 19, 2024
Audrey Needham, a leading designer in the Bay Area, finds her boss challenging to work for. She decides to take a two-week vacation to assist her Great Aunt Daisy, and this decision marks a turning point in her life. Daisy, who raised Audrey's father, lives in Oregon. Now, Daisy wants to sell the house to move into a retirement home and asks Audrey for help. During her time away, Audrey's design firm unexpectedly closes, leaving her jobless. However, she begins to fall in love with Charity Falls, Oregon. Meanwhile, Cade Carter, a newcomer to the town, has been assisting Daisy for the past few years.
October 11, 2024
The Color of Home is the first book I’ve read by Kit Tosello, but won’t be my last. I was drawn into the story from the first page. I loved the conflict between Audrey and Pilar, but even more important, I loved the connection between Audrey and Daisy. The storyline had an undertone of sadness to it; however, what put a smile on my face as I turned the last page was this quote when Daisy was praying: “Strengthen and refresh me, so I can refresh others. Show me where to find the holy in the hard. … Keep me facing homeward.” Without giving too much away, the “sad storyline” that weaved throughout the book ended up showing some of the biggest blessings at the end. No matter what season you are experiencing in life, this is a book that will bless you.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book to read and all opinions were my own.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book to read and all opinions were my own.
July 12, 2024
This review by librarian Christine Barth first appeared in the July 2024 issue of Library Journal.
In a debut novel that fans of chaste contemporary romance will devour, Tosello brings readers the story of workaholic Bay Area interior designer Audrey Needham. When Audrey's great-aunt and uncle call on her to help them move into a senior living facility, it is not a convenient time. Taking two weeks off to go home with them to Charity Falls, OR, could very well cause Audrey to lose traction on her upwardly mobile path, but the slow and neighborly pace of small-town life once she arrives in Charity Falls forces her to take stock of what is truly important.
Facing her past and dealing with the trauma of her father's accidental death, with the painful reminder of the derelict Sugar Pine Inn across the street, however, may take more courage than she can muster. Audrey's unlikely friendship with a young girl whose father is incarcerated brings hard lessons of letting go and trusting God while also finding the unexpected blessings in trials.
VERDICT For fans of romances that also deal in hard truths, such as Looking for Leroy by Melody Carlson and Pixels and Paint by Kristi Ann Hunter.
In a debut novel that fans of chaste contemporary romance will devour, Tosello brings readers the story of workaholic Bay Area interior designer Audrey Needham. When Audrey's great-aunt and uncle call on her to help them move into a senior living facility, it is not a convenient time. Taking two weeks off to go home with them to Charity Falls, OR, could very well cause Audrey to lose traction on her upwardly mobile path, but the slow and neighborly pace of small-town life once she arrives in Charity Falls forces her to take stock of what is truly important.
Facing her past and dealing with the trauma of her father's accidental death, with the painful reminder of the derelict Sugar Pine Inn across the street, however, may take more courage than she can muster. Audrey's unlikely friendship with a young girl whose father is incarcerated brings hard lessons of letting go and trusting God while also finding the unexpected blessings in trials.
VERDICT For fans of romances that also deal in hard truths, such as Looking for Leroy by Melody Carlson and Pixels and Paint by Kristi Ann Hunter.
September 21, 2024
When I started The Color of Home, I had a few thoughts about possible predictable events that might occur, but I was wrong! Unique aspects of a book rate high for me, and this novel did not disappoint!
I appreciate that the story focuses on family and friendships. There's no rushed, unrealistic romance. There's a book store/tea café that makes me happy. There's a bit of mystery surrounding the unknowns of the past. There are children, a cat and horses. I felt cozy.
I love the insight shown from some characters, their selflessness, ability to forgive and acknowledgement that they need God.
Sometimes a book is hard to finish because you keep crying. Not sad crying, but good, "God moment" tears. Once I got past those, the story ended with contentment. I look forward to reading more from Kit Tosello!
I received this book from the author and publisher. Opinions are my own.
I appreciate that the story focuses on family and friendships. There's no rushed, unrealistic romance. There's a book store/tea café that makes me happy. There's a bit of mystery surrounding the unknowns of the past. There are children, a cat and horses. I felt cozy.
I love the insight shown from some characters, their selflessness, ability to forgive and acknowledgement that they need God.
Sometimes a book is hard to finish because you keep crying. Not sad crying, but good, "God moment" tears. Once I got past those, the story ended with contentment. I look forward to reading more from Kit Tosello!
I received this book from the author and publisher. Opinions are my own.
January 12, 2025
What an enjoyable read for Kit Tosello's debut novel! If you like small town stories with a lot of heart and hope and honesty in dealing with some tough situations in life, you'll want to check this book out. I think you'll be glad you did!
October 4, 2024
A enjoyable debut book by the Author.
This was a lovely story of a young woman who goes back to her home town to help her aunt with her house as she prepares to move into an assisted living facility because of her husband’s dementia. It’s a coming back to you home town story where you realize how much you missed it, the memories you haven���t been a part of by being gone and a growing to love the town and that community again, She also embarks on finding out who the mysterious person is that owns the dilapidated inn across the street as she has dreams of restoring it. A lot of family with a mystery throw in,
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.
This was a lovely story of a young woman who goes back to her home town to help her aunt with her house as she prepares to move into an assisted living facility because of her husband’s dementia. It’s a coming back to you home town story where you realize how much you missed it, the memories you haven���t been a part of by being gone and a growing to love the town and that community again, She also embarks on finding out who the mysterious person is that owns the dilapidated inn across the street as she has dreams of restoring it. A lot of family with a mystery throw in,
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.
November 5, 2024
Sweet and heartwarming story that envelopes you from page one. I enjoyed Audrey’s story and would recommend to anyone who is looking for an engaging read.
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