The Color of Hope: A Novel

by Danielle Steel

A hopeful new novel from Danielle Steel, whose countless #1 New York Times bestselling novels have made her one of America’s favorite storytellers.

Genres: Romance, France, Contemporary, Audiobook, Fiction, Adult Fiction

272 pages, Hardcover

Published November 18, 2025

About the author

Danielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world's bestselling authors, with almost a billion copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include All That Glitters, Royal, Daddy's Girls, The Wedding Dress, The Numbers Game, Moral Compass, Spy, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; Expect a Miracle, a book of her favorite quotations for inspiration and comfort; Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved; and the children's books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood.

Facebook.com/DanielleSteelOfficial
Instagram: @officialdaniellesteel

Reviews

[Read Rest Recharge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Standard, predictable story. My guilty pleasure. Be nice, don't judge.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book by Danielle Steel that earned 5 stars. Loved the main characters, Sabrina and Xavier, as they get to know each other. Especially loved the children who came to live with Sabrina from the monastery.

[paige (ptsungirl) · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Sometimes, the price of doing the honorable thing was just too high.”

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another complicated romance/family drama.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable as always. Somewhat predictable, but not completely.

[Cyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Same old. Lonely perfect woman tries to flee from her boredom by moving into a posh little dower house overseas. She is of course wealthy, even has her yacht shipped over. She meets a beautiful sad man. Together they are happy. The end.

[Brandy Lemire · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Kaitlyn Griffith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would have DNF if I wasn’t listening via audiobook. A few themes were really beating a dead horse.

[Shari · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ok book. It was not a gripper and a quick read. There were no surprises.

[Rowley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I liked the orphanage plot in here.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful new Beginning

Loved the name The Color of Hope and all the details and thoughts of the Mural.And the peaceful feelings of the Chateau.

[Merceda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice, easy read over the holidays. Of course, the widow falls in love with a French man who owns the chateau that she is renting after her husband quickly passes away from ALS. She also volunteers at a monastery who take in children, and she leans again on the pandemic for this book. The pandemic left children orphaned, and the monastery take them in while trying to find relatives who will care for the children.
Sabrina and Xavier become friends, then eventually lovers. Her 3 adult children aren't enthused about her fostering 3 children from the monastery, and they are sort of bitchy about it. Then her son impregnates his rich girlfriend and Sabrina is really angry about that. Telling him he isn't done with school, doesn't have a job, and they should be married before his girlfriend becomes pregnant. This sort of surprised me, but I'm almost beginning to feel like she might be using a ghost writer now a days.

[Lindsey Escaja · Rating 4 out of 5]

One note for readers: the front cover contains multiple misprints, listing the main character as Samantha when her correct name throughout the book is Sabrina Thomas. It’s a small but noticeable error that can be momentarily confusing.

While the story is heartfelt, I couldn’t help but wish for something different from Steel’s usual formula. Once again, the characters are surrounded by wealth, fame, and seemingly endless resources. I’d genuinely love to read a Danielle Steel novel where the main characters are more grounded — navigating hardship without financial cushions, privilege, or high-profile lifestyles — because her emotional storytelling could shine even brighter in a more relatable, everyday setting.

That said, The Color of Hope still offers warmth, hope, and an easy emotional escape, making it an enjoyable read for longtime fans — just with room for a fresh perspective.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samantha is learning to live again after her husband's sudden illness and death. She has three children sho have their own busy lives. She wants to continue on with life but is unsure how to do that. She visits each of her children; realizing they are to busy she goes to Paris. She finds a house to rent and meets a nice man. She also begin voluntering at the monastary for children. She loves the work and it fills her free time. She agrees to foster some hildren until their grandmother is found. Life is busy and fun. She fallsin love with the owner of the house she is renting and they make plans for the future. The plot is about a widow finding her life again after her husband dies.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Samantha Thompson's husband dies unexpectedly she is lost. he was not only her husband but also her best friend. her adult children are scattered around the world and she finds herself alone in their Malibu home unsure of what to do. Her journey takes her to France and a rental home in a very rural area. Hopefully this move will start her on the path to healing. As she becomes more involved in the lives of the villagers and of her landlord the healing journey continues. As with all Danielle Steel books the characters are complex and open. A story of love, loss, healing and finding happiness again.

[Gloria L. Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished both reading and listening to the audio book “The Color of Hope” by Danielle Steel”. This is a tender story of healing and new beginnings for a newly widowed mother, whose three college age children are all living far away in different places, leaving her feeling lost and lonely, that finds new life in a little town in France. I think this is the best book she has written recently.

[Janene Martens · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audiobook.

It was easy enough to listen to and it was short but I didn't really buy into the plot and characters. It was almost like an instalove situation. Sabrina came off as entitled and arrogant but also a victim of poor life circumstances. She acted like she was a martyr and was giving and generous but it felt forced. Her kids were also entitled and obnoxious. It was family drama all around but tied up in an unrealistic happy bow.

[Alex (Alex's Version) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alright, this book was basically an AI experiment, every cliché and everything Danielle Steel has written for the last years: a beautiful widow who happens to be rich, traveling in Europe, busy children who are in their 30s. Then we meet the male lead, a kind man in an unhappy marriage, who lost his fortune but has a chateau that has some value. They fall in love, and bam—that's the book!

[Linda Reiser · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read The Color of Hope by Danielle Steele. The story is about a woman with an ideal marriage and family. Her husband dies and she is so forlorn her grown children encourage her to travel to France and stay there for a while. Very predictable things happen there. VERY predictable things. I think it’s the same basic story as the last Steele one I read. Only read it if you’re bored one day.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I believe I am finished with Danielle Steel books. On its own, this is a nice story with a lovely grief-to-happiness arch but, it is so similar to other Steel stories…following the same equation, that I am no longer surprised or frankly, entertained. Predictable, repetitive and because of that I want to give it 2 stars…but am giving it 3 as I really want to try to look at it on its own.

[Doris Kinsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Color of Hope

I liked the pace of this novel. History of the pandemic wove itself through the story. The characters were developed in such a way that each one came alive to me. The
Color of Hope showed me that happiness after loss is possible. This was another Danielle Steel book I could not put down.

[Avalon Sellars · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this. Sabrina is a new widow with children scattered world wide so treats herself a trip to Paris and comes across a beautiful old chateau in the countryside which she decides to rent for a year while helping with the children at the nearby monastery....family, hope, new beginnings, friendships. Another wonderful read from à favorite author

[Marlene Dobrenen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Found and Grown

A story of tremendous loss…a true love relationship and love beyond measure. Serious illness separates a wonderful love relationship and in the healing process new relationships and love for others abound. New love for others makes a whole new life. Great story.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very heart warming read. Sabrina's love has died, her children are out of the house. She is a shell. Malcolm's last wish was for Sabrina to buy an apartment in Paris. She decides to go visit each of her children - NYC, London, and Milan before heading to Paris. Will she buy in Paris or somewhere else? How does she begin to live again...

[Sheila Penwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book which centers on Sabrina gets on with her life after the early death of her. Follow her journey of how she eventually gets on with her life and the the meaning of the title of this book. A GREAT READ. I read it it in one day.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Yea, I zip thru her books BUT they are all getting to be the same. Widow/single women OMG-she meets a guy! Kids don’t approve, come around. AND sorry if that’s a spoiler but they really are pretty much the same. BUT my guilty pleasure!

[beverly chouest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreak and life after

If you are a fan of Danielle Steel, then I highly recommend this novel. Happiness and sadness are part of this story. Enjoyed reading this novel. Actually read it in two days. Highly recommend this read.

[Kathy Gilliland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Danielle Steel’s books are always so easy to read. I enjoyed this story of two people who find their way to each other. How they open their selves to love again and find a way to move their lives forward.

[Sparklin C Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mourning the lost of your s/o. Meanwhile your children think it’s time. For you to start living again. Only to find themselves upset. When you are slowly moving forward, but not how they expected her to.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life goes on.

How we handle the loss of a spouse is different for everyone. Moving on can bring a sense of guilt. This book addresses how we all deal with death in different ways.