Her Lisbon Colors

by Cynthia Morris

What happens when you've made all the right moves, but ended up in the wrong place?

At forty-one, Darla Clarke has mastered the art of having it all—almost. Her career as a high-powered project manager in Boulder is picture-perfect, but the frame feels increasingly empty. When a friend's death shatters her carefully controlled world, Darla realizes that sometimes the biggest risk is playing it safe.

Armed with an unexpected inheritance and a ticket to Europe, she trades spreadsheets for sketch pads. When she lands in sun-drenched Lisbon, all her perfect planning goes awry. She meets André, a fearless young rock climber who teaches her that the most beautiful views come after the scariest climbs.

Their white-hot romance ignites against the backdrop of Lisbon's cobblestone streets and Portugal's gorgeous beaches, bringing Darla alive in ways she never knew possible.

She rediscovers the artist she abandoned for practicality and her life blooms in full color. But her next stop is Paris, and she's learning that the hardest part of living boldly isn't the leap—it's deciding whether to fly or return to solid ground.

Her Lisbon Colors is a sensual, life-affirming novel about the art of beginning again. This unforgettable story reminds us that it's never too late to paint your life in the bold strokes you've always dreamed of.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Summer Reads, Romance, Contemporary

340 pages, Paperback

First published June 9, 2025

About the author

Cynthia Morris is obsessed with books. She's either at the library, the local bookstore, or in reading position. If she's not reading, she's writing books and coaching others to write their world-changing books.

Cynthia is an illustrator and certified coach, and she can't stop making things. She’s published nine books, created and sold artwork, and leads transformational experiences for teams and creatives alike.

Her latest novel, Her Lisbon Colors, explores midlife reinvention in Portugal.

Through her company, Original Impulse, Cynthia helps people trust their creative instincts and bring their bold ideas to life.

She's the author of The Busy Woman's Guide to Writing a World-Changing Book, Create Your Writer’s Life: A Guide to Writing with Joy and Ease, Visit Paris Like An Artist, and the novels Her Lisbon Colors and Chasing Sylvia Beach.

Cynthia is grateful for Goodreads, a place where bookish people no longer feel alone with their books, but instead are connected via a fondness and commitment to the written word.

Reviews

[Sharon Hajj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever wanted to visit a country you don’t know much about? Her Lisbon Colors by Cynthia Morris takes you on an adventure to Portugal. I love this story of creativity, connection with friends, and the discovery of living in a place with a slower, more thoughtful pace. The main character, Darla, has a romance with a local man, and Morris weaves love, hope, frustration, and the realization of what matters most to Darla through the pages. Beautiful story and design of the book, including the tile artwork. I’m now ready to carry a sketchbook with me everywhere!

[Yuliya Yurchuk · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bought the book when I saw it on Instagram. I myself was on my way to Portugal and thought it would be a good read for the occasion. Unfortunately, the book disappointed me, it’s too simplistic, predictable, I couldn’t make it to the end. No complexity of the characters. The only plus (and this is my 2 stars for it) is the descriptions of Portugal.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed that—it’s a nice addition to novels about American women who find away to start a new life in Europe. The Portuguese setting was new for me—and the author’s love for it really came through.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took a writing course with Cynthia Morris several years ago and have followed her career since. So when I planned a trip to Portugal, I knew I had to read her recent novel. I don’t typically tend toward contemporary fiction like this, but it was the perfect read to get me in the mood for this trip.

Morris paints a beautiful portrait of a woman, newly single in her early 40s, who comes into an inheritance with a catch: to receive the money, she has to go to Lisbon. Whatcha gonna do?

We travel with Darla from Boulder, Colorado, to Lisbon, where she falls in love with a man and the promise of a life. As Darla sketches her way through Lisbon, falling in love with the bright colors of the city, we witness her open up to the beauty of a life abroad and question so many things that have kept her attached to a colorless life stateside. It’s a sweet story, peppered with likable characters, relatable experiences, and inspiration for the Lisbon-bound.

[Skye Griffith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The age of forty-one can be a sobering number for American women pondering whether they want marriage and children, a career--or both. Cynthia Morris explores this struggle via her character, Darla, against the beauty and exotic settings of Lisbon and Portugal in her new novel, Her Lisbon Colors. Although the book is not autobiographical, the author knows firsthand the challenges of falling in love with a younger man from a different culture. The honesty she portrays through Darla can be painfully familiar for anyone who has been in love yet struggling with the desire to express her creative artistic ability and balancing the two. The lovely descriptions of Portugal and the author's honesty were its best attributes for me. Recommended for those planning a trip to Portugal and those in the throes of a new love affair!

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Empowering Adventure for the Creative Spirit

This isn't a book I'd normally read, but knowing author, Cynthia, for many years, and the story loosely based in part about an important juncture of her life, I was very curious.

The one thing I loved most about this book is how the character Darla takes charge of beginning her life again, following her desire to allow creativity to lead the way, and make a life of her own.

While it could have been easier, in a sense, to stay with the oh-so-handsome and alluring, Andre', and think he would take care of her, she chose to follow that wise woman within and forge forward.

I'm so glad Darla (and Cynthia) did as Cynthia is someone who was instrumental, and continues to be, as I continue to follow my own creative journey too.

[Kanan Jain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her Lisbon Colors by Cynthia Morris is a life-affirming novel about a woman's journey of reinvention and rediscovery. After a friend's death shatters her "picture-perfect" but empty life, 41-year-old project manager Darla Clarke inherits a sum of money and travels to Lisbon. Trading spreadsheets for a sketchbook, she finds herself again and rediscovers her abandoned passion for art.
The novel explores the theme of second chances, emphasizing that it's never too late to paint your life with bold new strokes. In Lisbon, Darla's life blooms in full color, partly thanks to a passionate romance with a young rock climber named André. The city itself is beautifully captured, with its sun-drenched streets and vibrant atmosphere providing the backdrop for Darla's transformation.

[Alexandra Roffey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, descriptive read. I enjoyed reading about the places and the experiences Darla was having and felt that I could imagine myself in the settings described in the book. I really liked that she thanked the spaces she had been, for the experiences they had brought her. I also found myself wishing there were some sketches in the book with the scenes described.
At times I felt myself rolling my eyes at the story, or thinking “not another one of these books” … but ultimately enjoyed the story and feel it ended as it should have. A little bit of love, a little bit of exploration, and a lot of personal growth.

[MaryKay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I follow the author on instagram - she leads art workshops or traveling ones in Europe.

I bought the book to support her and get the water color paints.

The book was not high literature, but I am not a writer so must appreciate her effort. Rounded up to 3 stars. The sketchbook everywhere she went just seemed awkward.

Kind of silly…41 year old woman having a summer fling with a 20 something. They try to make a relationship work, but…. Some hot moments that I didn’t the details in. Hence the reason that i skimmed parts of the book. Why use the name Darla?? Anything would’ve been better! Wasn’t that the name of the little girl-monster in Finding Nemo??

[Laurie Blasko · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is different from the type I usually read, but there's a lot here that I admire - and for many readers, I think this story will be deeply rewarding. Darla is so relatable - a woman who feels she's checked all the boxes and yet still knows, deep in her heart, that something important is missing. She sets off on a journey to Portugal, and we travel with her into settings that are vivid and beautifully realized. You'll root for Darla as she explores her new home and you'll admire her courage. If you enjoy stories about self-discovery, romance, and second chances, settle into a cozy chair and pick up this book - Lisbon awaits.

[Cherie Ebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cynthia's writing is as vibrant as the cover itself! Painting a beautiful picture of every scene in her book following Darla's adventure and self-discovery of a lifetime.
"The sea spread out behind her. The sun glinted on the waves, an undulating bed of dancing crystals. There was no end to it. Her heart reached out, stretching as wide and open as the sea itself." Word Painting at its finest!
I am grateful to have received my copy, lovingly packaged with a few extra surprises — how fun! A skilled and talented writer, I will seek out other books by Cynthia Morris and continue to live "Full Ass" as I have been doing for the last 63 years!

[Paula Lillard Preschlack]

Once I settled into this story and got to know the main character, I really wanted to know what would happen to her and how she would navigate her challenges. This is a beautiful reflection on what it means to be an independent woman on your own, to become "untethered" from your day to day regular life and pursue a life of dreams, the senses, and creativity. It makes for a fun, colorful read on a vacation or to get away in your head to a colorful, scent-filled, vibrant land!

[Victoria Olsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming and heartfelt. Besides Darla's story, the reader learns so much about Lisbon --especially its food and language. Darla emerges as an artist and grows as a human being through her leap-of-faith adventure. Her daily sketchbook becomes another character, a constant companion as her skill grows alongside her confidence. Recommended for fans of women's personal journey stories and armchair travelers everywhere.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a delight to be swept away onto the cobblestoned streets of Lisbon and witness Darla's growth through her risk-taking and adventure. This book felt real and Darla would be a friend who I'd meet for a coffee and hold space for as she realized her worth and was able to step fully into what was next, on her own terms.

[Amy Busch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her Lisbon Colors is an inspiring story about a woman who, uninspired by her current life, is encouraged by a friend to travel. Travel and her exploration of a new creative outlet lead her on a search for a life she can be excited about. I enjoyed following the protagonist as she allowed new experiences to help her navigate toward a more joyful existence.

[Gigia Kolouch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun summer read with an interesting twist. I loved the descriptions of Lisbon. And the main characters self discovery through drawing was an innovative device. I have rarely read a book that describes the itch to create.

[Faith McLellan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved, loved, loved this book. It is full of all my favorite things: travel, adventure, sketchbooks, art supplies, exploration! If you love those things, you MUST READ THIS! Lively and full of warmth. And, even though I've been to Lisbon a few times, now I must GO AGAIN! Congrats to the author.

[Fatou · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this really engaging story in one long plane ride. You’ll love this if you are interested in Lisbon and also if you love a good midlife story. Also, loads of references to sketching and art.

[Evanna Litowitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This quick reading book has a lot of twists that take the reader on a luscious European adventure as a young adult. It brought me back to my younger years when I was trying to figure out how to express my creativity.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read that was very loosely based on the author’s experience of leaving Boulder and falling in love with and in Lisbon.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having been to Lisbon five times in the past 15 years, I really enjoyed re-experiencing the city's food, scenery, and even the trips to nearby beaches and towns through Darla's eyes. I also liked how her detour to Paris (where I've lived since the 90s) avoided the usual "City of Light" clichés.

*Spoiler Alert*
As for the main character's relationship, I can understand how some women could convince themselves to stay in the wrong for too long for many reasons, but I'm glad that Darla showed enough self-awareness to stand up for herself in the end. Too often in fiction, women end up "paying the price" for our freedom and our desire for adventure, but this book doesn't fall into that trap.

Yay for books where we're the heroines of our own lives!

[Nancie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put it down!

What an amazing book. I could not put it down. Lisbon was never on my list of places to visit but now I’d love to go. The imagery was inspiring. I enjoyed the progression of Darla’s life and how she took advantage of various opportunities. Like life, some worked out and some didn’t.

I’ve read her books on writing which I enjoyed. This is a new direction but I hope for more fiction from the author.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this novel to kick off my summer reading and my own summer travels. I found the book easy to relate to as some aspects of the story paralleled my personal life transitions. This adventurous story shows how travel inspires people to understand their world and know themselves better. Overall, great summer reading.