The Color of Hope: A Novel

by Danielle Steel

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A beautiful American widow finds new life in France in this tender portrait from #1 New York Times bestselling author Danielle Steel.

Following the unexpected death of her beloved husband, art gallery owner Sabrina Thompson finds herself adrift in their Malibu beach house. Her three adult children—scattered from New York to London to Milan—are concerned for her well-being and encourage her to take a trip to Paris.

Once abroad, an impulsive day trip from Paris to Biarritz leads Sabrina to discover the charming medieval village of Arcangues in the Basque countryside, with its unique and iconic blue shutters and historic château. The château is the ancestral home of Xavier de Bonport, who is trapped in a loveless marriage and trying to dig himself out financially after a business failed due to the pandemic. He needs rental income as urgently as Sabrina needs a refuge. With Xavier living in a smaller house on the property, Sabrina begins to transform the château into a temporary home.

As they each sense compassion and resilience in the other, as well as kindness, a friendship blossoms. Inspired by the stories of Xavier’s grandmother, who saved hundreds of Jewish children during World War II, Sabrina considers fostering some children at the request of the local Dominican nuns, whose orphanage is filled to capacity. As a newfound family begins to fill the château, Sabrina and Xavier wonder if their friendship is becoming something more.

A poignant story of healing and new beginnings, The Color of Hope is an uplifting and unforgettable novel from the master, Danielle Steel.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Audiobook, Adult Fiction, Chick Lit, France, Historical Fiction

250 pages, Kindle Edition

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.

[AlohaKarina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yeah, her books are so short you can finish in a day. Basically they’re like Danielle Steel Harlequin romances. Still cute, still her voice, but not like her old books that were twice the size. Still, if you like her books, you’ll like this one. Very Danielle Steel formula.

[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.”

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable as always. Somewhat predictable, but not completely.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another complicated romance/family drama.

[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.

[Jessica Boland · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Nana was a Danielle Steel fan, and it’s been a very long time since I’ve read one her books. This was a sweet story.🩵

[Ashley Farley · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was fun to read. took place in new york, LA, France, etc. so many places around the world was kind of fun that the main characters kids all lived in different cities around the world. once her husband passed away, she had to start finding a different way to live without him. i loved the things she got into and the love story that came later on. great book.

[Suzanne Viola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book, it was an easy read. The storyline caught your interest and kept you curious what would happen next. The authors description of the locations of the story line were very vivid.

[Deity World · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic novel about love and lost a must read but not for everyone

[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.

[Pam Krocak · Rating 2 out of 5]

Terribly Trite and Boring.

Extremely predictable and very disappointing read! Book was not anywhere near as interesting and satisfying as the many other books written by Danielle Steel!

[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.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast read. Sometimes I just need something easy to pass the time.


Following the unexpected death of her beloved husband, art gallery owner Sabrina Thompson finds herself adrift in their Malibu beach house. Her three adult children—scattered from New York to London to Milan—are concerned for her well-being and encourage her to take a trip to Paris.

Once abroad, an impulsive day trip from Paris to Biarritz leads Sabrina to discover the charming medieval village of Arcangues in the Basque countryside, with its unique and iconic blue shutters and historic château. The château is the ancestral home of Xavier de Bonport, who is trapped in a loveless marriage and trying to dig himself out financially after a business failed due to the pandemic. He needs rental income as urgently as Sabrina needs a refuge. With Xavier living in a smaller house on the property, Sabrina begins to transform the château into a temporary home.

As they each sense compassion and resilience in the other, as well as kindness, a friendship blossoms. Inspired by the stories of Xavier’s grandmother, who saved hundreds of Jewish children during World War II, Sabrina considers fostering some children at the request of the local Dominican nuns, whose orphanage is filled to capacity. As a newfound family begins to fill the château, Sabrina and Xavier wonder if their friendship is becoming something more.

[Toriii · Rating 3 out of 5]

In “The Color of Hope,” Danielle Steel masterfully weaves a poignant tale that explores the themes of grief, resilience, and the profound journey of self-discovery. Through the intricate relationship between Xavier and Samantha, the narrative delves into the complexities of love and healing.

As both characters navigate their personal struggles and past traumas, the story beautifully illustrates how connection can lead to emotional revival and strength. Steel employs vivid imagery and deeply relatable emotions, drawing readers into a world where hope shines even in the darkest of times.

The characters’ growth is both inspiring and uplifting, highlighting the idea that embracing vulnerability can pave the way to renewed purpose and joy. The novel's warmth resonated with me, leaving an indelible mark on my heart and reminding me of the transformative power of love and hope. It’s a compelling read that serves as a testament to the human spirit's capacity to heal and thrive, making it a true gem in contemporary literature.

3.5 ⭐️

[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.

[Debbie Deissler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sabrina and her husband have it all... 3 wonderful adult children, a house on the beach in Malibu, financial success and their health. Until they don't - her husband unexpectedly passes away after a short illness and Sabrina finds herself adrift. Her children live in New York, London and Milan and are active in their own lives. She owns an art gallery that runs itself.
After visiting each of the children - they encourage her to take a trip to Paris - one of her favorite places. She visits and on an impulse drives to Biarritz from Paris. That leads her to a small charming village called Arcangues. She feels peaceful here and searches out rentals.
She ends up renting a chateau from the owner Xavier de Bonport. He is in a dead end marriage and a financial mess. He spends time in a caretakers cottage on the property and they become friendly.
As Sabrina emerges herself in the local orphanage live takes on a new meaning for her.

[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.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you had to identify a color that symbolizes hope, the Basque village of Arcangues's blue epitomizes joy and a bright future. When Sabrina loses her husband at 48, the empty nester feels lost.

Her husband and best friend's aggressive diagnosis of ALS left her a widow three months later and with her family scattered abroad, struggles to pick up the pieces of her life. Her children remind Sabrina of her promise to find a place in a France and after visiting, rents a chateau for the year. What she doesn't expect is how much the area will impact her life and that giving back will color her world and light the way for a new chapter.

[Sheri Sumpter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m actually being nice by giving this 2 stars. I can’t get over the repetitive dialogue in the paragraphs at the beginning of the book. Was the author needing a minimum number of words and decided to use the same phrases over and over?! A word or two would be changed, but for the most part, every person’s dialogue was the same. Sabrina and her artists, Lizzie and her tough schedule until graduation, Coco and her fashion show, Brigitte only with Xavier for the lifestyle he gave her (mentioned 7 times in 5 pages)…over and over it went. Tough to get past the first 70 pages. I hung in there, but it wasn’t easy.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sabrina is living her best life, until her husband Malcolm is diagnosed with ALS and dies a few months later. She is overcome with grief and can't imagine her life continuing without him. Her children who are in college or just starting careers, convince her to visit each of them. Sabrina travels to New York, London and Milan but each leg is cut short as her children are busy with work & school. She decides to go to Paris which is where she had spent the previous New Year's with Malcolm. She takes a drive to Biarritz and finds a chateaux nearby to rent. Life can change in an instant & how you are able to overcome such tremendous loss.

[Tiffany Clement · Rating 4 out of 5]

In true Danielle Steel fashion, A Color of Hope is a page-turner that’s both engaging and easy to read. The story moves smoothly, making it perfect for readers who enjoy a fast, emotionally driven novel without feeling overwhelmed. What elevates this book is the touch of historical fiction woven throughout—just enough depth and context to keep things interesting while still maintaining Steel’s signature storytelling style. A compelling, comforting read that blends heart, resilience, and history beautifully.

[Miriam Kahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in Steel's gentle tones, this tale takes readers to rural France where art gallery owner Sabrina Thompson starts a new life, or rather re-shapes her life after her husband dies.

This is one of those 'empty nester now I need a new purpose' books which Steel excels at. It's the perfect book for a lazy winter day with snow falling and a cozy couch calling your name.

If you want thrills and chills, this isn't for you. If you want a feel good story, then dive into this one, turn off the phone, and just enjoy.