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The Sound of Colors Held: A Time in Stillwater Novel
Sometimes, staying is the bravest thing you can do.
Stillwater High is a town where routines hold everything in place—especially for Eli Tibbet. Quiet, obsessive, and precise, Eli has no interest in disrupting the order he’s built. But when he transfers to a new school mid-year, his carefully measured world tilts sideways.
Enter Jackson Calder. Loud. Chaotic. Impossible to ignore. He throws paper airplanes, paints in his sketchbook during Algebra, and sits exactly where Eli doesn’t want him to.
As the school year unfolds, Eli finds himself drawn into a messy group of students who call themselves the Misfits. Between hallway arguments, diner milkshakes, and the pull of Jackson’s wild kindness, Eli begins to question whether control is really the same as safety—and whether love might mean letting someone else rearrange your world.
Told with restraint, humor, and emotional depth, The Sound of Colors Held is a story about friendship, grief, and the quiet kind of courage it takes to stay.Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is stay.
Eli Tibbet lives by rules and routines—until a mid-year transfer shatters the order he’s built. At Stillwater High, he collides with Jackson loud, chaotic, impossible to ignore.
Drawn into a circle of misfit friends, Eli begins to see that control isn’t the same as safety—and love isn’t about perfection, but about showing up.
Tender, funny, and unforgettable, The Sound of Colors Held is a YA novel about grief, found family, and the quiet courage it takes to let someone in.
Stillwater High is a town where routines hold everything in place—especially for Eli Tibbet. Quiet, obsessive, and precise, Eli has no interest in disrupting the order he’s built. But when he transfers to a new school mid-year, his carefully measured world tilts sideways.
Enter Jackson Calder. Loud. Chaotic. Impossible to ignore. He throws paper airplanes, paints in his sketchbook during Algebra, and sits exactly where Eli doesn’t want him to.
As the school year unfolds, Eli finds himself drawn into a messy group of students who call themselves the Misfits. Between hallway arguments, diner milkshakes, and the pull of Jackson’s wild kindness, Eli begins to question whether control is really the same as safety—and whether love might mean letting someone else rearrange your world.
Told with restraint, humor, and emotional depth, The Sound of Colors Held is a story about friendship, grief, and the quiet kind of courage it takes to stay.Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is stay.
Eli Tibbet lives by rules and routines—until a mid-year transfer shatters the order he’s built. At Stillwater High, he collides with Jackson loud, chaotic, impossible to ignore.
Drawn into a circle of misfit friends, Eli begins to see that control isn’t the same as safety—and love isn’t about perfection, but about showing up.
Tender, funny, and unforgettable, The Sound of Colors Held is a YA novel about grief, found family, and the quiet courage it takes to let someone in.
541 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 16, 2025
4 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 25, 2025
I wrote this for those who feel too much or not enough.
July 25, 2025
"The Sound of Colors Held" by K. Scott Goodson is more than a story; it's a beacon of hope, a celebration of individuality, and a testament to the power of found family. It's a book that will forever resonate within me and will forever be engraved in my heart and mind. From the very first pages, I knew this novel was something special. The author's decision to include resources for mental health support right at the beginning touched me deeply. As someone who understands the profound isolation that can come with mental health struggles, starting a story with such a compassionate gesture immediately made me feel seen and connected. It's a powerful reminder that we are never truly alone, and that message resonates throughout the entire book.
Goodson has crafted a cast of characters so rich, so real, that you feel like you're living alongside them. Eli, with his unique perception of the world and incredibly intelligent mind, is a true standout. Reading his perspective is like stepping into a beautifully intricate painting, where every detail is observed with precision and originality. He starts as a bit of a wallflower, preferring to do things his own way, and his straightforwardness is truly inspiring. To then witness his transformation into the quiet yet powerful anchor of the group is nothing short of magnificent.
And then there's Jackson, whose delightful clumsiness made me feel an instant kinship. His deep, heartwarming love for his brother, Leo, is palpable, and his unwavering dedication to art, no matter its form, is truly inspiring. What I loved most about Jackson, though, was his incredible dynamic with Eli. The way he listens, truly listens, to Eli and makes him feel completely seen and heard is a testament to the power of genuine connection.
The initial meeting between Jackson and Eli is one of the cutest, most heartfelt scenes I've read in a long time. The way Jackson intuitively grounds Eli during an anxiety attack is so pure and tender, a beautiful depiction of empathy and care. This book beautifully illustrates that no matter how different you feel from others, you will eventually find your place and your people – those who accept you for exactly who you are.
The entire "island of misfits," these beautiful wallflowers, is so unique and relatable. I found myself wishing desperately that I had a group like this in high school – a place where everyone is accepted exactly as they are, without judgment.
Goodson expertly weaves in beloved tropes like underdog, found family, multi-POV, and opposites attract, giving them fresh and vibrant life. The way these elements converge creates a narrative that is both comforting in its familiarity and exhilarating in its originality.
You simply cannot talk about this book without celebrating its incredible supporting characters. Maya is the ultimate hype girl and supporter, accepting everyone for who they are without an ounce of judgment. We all need a Maya in our lives! Her fierce love for others, coupled with her own yearning for that same love in return, hit me on a deeply personal level, especially as someone who has experienced the foster care system. Her constant check-ins on her friends truly showcase her compassionate heart.
Be warned: This story is an intensely emotional journey. There's a particular scene (which I won't spoil) that had me absolutely balling my eyes out for a long, long time. And the podcast – oh, the podcast – completely wrecked me in the most emotionally moving way possible. Goodson isn't afraid to delve into the depths of human emotion, and the result is a truly cathartic reading experience.
And the absolute best part? This incredible book is just the beginning of a trilogy! I am beyond excited to continue this journey with these characters who have burrowed their way into my heart.
Goodson has crafted a cast of characters so rich, so real, that you feel like you're living alongside them. Eli, with his unique perception of the world and incredibly intelligent mind, is a true standout. Reading his perspective is like stepping into a beautifully intricate painting, where every detail is observed with precision and originality. He starts as a bit of a wallflower, preferring to do things his own way, and his straightforwardness is truly inspiring. To then witness his transformation into the quiet yet powerful anchor of the group is nothing short of magnificent.
And then there's Jackson, whose delightful clumsiness made me feel an instant kinship. His deep, heartwarming love for his brother, Leo, is palpable, and his unwavering dedication to art, no matter its form, is truly inspiring. What I loved most about Jackson, though, was his incredible dynamic with Eli. The way he listens, truly listens, to Eli and makes him feel completely seen and heard is a testament to the power of genuine connection.
The initial meeting between Jackson and Eli is one of the cutest, most heartfelt scenes I've read in a long time. The way Jackson intuitively grounds Eli during an anxiety attack is so pure and tender, a beautiful depiction of empathy and care. This book beautifully illustrates that no matter how different you feel from others, you will eventually find your place and your people – those who accept you for exactly who you are.
The entire "island of misfits," these beautiful wallflowers, is so unique and relatable. I found myself wishing desperately that I had a group like this in high school – a place where everyone is accepted exactly as they are, without judgment.
Goodson expertly weaves in beloved tropes like underdog, found family, multi-POV, and opposites attract, giving them fresh and vibrant life. The way these elements converge creates a narrative that is both comforting in its familiarity and exhilarating in its originality.
You simply cannot talk about this book without celebrating its incredible supporting characters. Maya is the ultimate hype girl and supporter, accepting everyone for who they are without an ounce of judgment. We all need a Maya in our lives! Her fierce love for others, coupled with her own yearning for that same love in return, hit me on a deeply personal level, especially as someone who has experienced the foster care system. Her constant check-ins on her friends truly showcase her compassionate heart.
Be warned: This story is an intensely emotional journey. There's a particular scene (which I won't spoil) that had me absolutely balling my eyes out for a long, long time. And the podcast – oh, the podcast – completely wrecked me in the most emotionally moving way possible. Goodson isn't afraid to delve into the depths of human emotion, and the result is a truly cathartic reading experience.
And the absolute best part? This incredible book is just the beginning of a trilogy! I am beyond excited to continue this journey with these characters who have burrowed their way into my heart.
August 11, 2025
4.25 🌟 rounded down
"Told with restraint, humor, and emotional depth, The Sound of Colors Held is a story about friendship, grief, and the quiet kind of courage it takes to stay."
Yes, yes, yes. This story is beautiful and multilayered. I loved the multiple POVs and the switch between regular prose and texts between students. Each character felt relatable in their own way. Eli, especially, felt relatable to me with his quiet presence and uncertainty about how to exist in a world that isn't built for him. I also enjoyed the different relationship dynamics shown between the teens & their parents; it felt realistic. Eli, Jackson, Bianca, Ren, and Ash are really brought to life on the pages. Frankly, I wish I had had such a supportive group of friends like The Misfits growing up. Perhaps I would have spent less time hiding who I really am.
Honestly, I loved the school staff in the book. They're so dry and sarcastic, making it both hilarious and relatable. I can't imagine being a teacher, and it's clear they didn't exactly sign up for this particular challenge, but they're trying to make the best of it. The school announcements cracked me up, too; you could feel the students rolling their eyes at them through the pages.
My only qualm, and the reason I didn't give the book a 5-star rating, is some of the dialogue. I don't read YA very often, usually for this very reason. I struggled to reconcile some of the dialogue with high schoolers. Now, it's been *ahem* a minute or two since I've been in high school (or 20 years, WHATEVER). I didn't have an enjoyable time overall, and frankly, I have blocked out a lot of those years in my mind. So, maybe I'm just not remembering correctly how I interacted with my friends and peers. It just felt, overall, that the thoughts and words of the students were far above what the average high schooler would think and feel. This might be a *me* thing, though, so take that opinion with a grain of salt.
All that said, I am still delighted that I read it, and I plan to read the next novel as well.
Highly recommended for anyone looking to read a heartbreaking yet heartwarming novel about love, grief, and finding your people, that showcases LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent rep.
Thank you to the author @k.scottgoodson for the ARC and for allowing me to join the ARC team! What a beautiful group of people ❤️
"Told with restraint, humor, and emotional depth, The Sound of Colors Held is a story about friendship, grief, and the quiet kind of courage it takes to stay."
Yes, yes, yes. This story is beautiful and multilayered. I loved the multiple POVs and the switch between regular prose and texts between students. Each character felt relatable in their own way. Eli, especially, felt relatable to me with his quiet presence and uncertainty about how to exist in a world that isn't built for him. I also enjoyed the different relationship dynamics shown between the teens & their parents; it felt realistic. Eli, Jackson, Bianca, Ren, and Ash are really brought to life on the pages. Frankly, I wish I had had such a supportive group of friends like The Misfits growing up. Perhaps I would have spent less time hiding who I really am.
Honestly, I loved the school staff in the book. They're so dry and sarcastic, making it both hilarious and relatable. I can't imagine being a teacher, and it's clear they didn't exactly sign up for this particular challenge, but they're trying to make the best of it. The school announcements cracked me up, too; you could feel the students rolling their eyes at them through the pages.
My only qualm, and the reason I didn't give the book a 5-star rating, is some of the dialogue. I don't read YA very often, usually for this very reason. I struggled to reconcile some of the dialogue with high schoolers. Now, it's been *ahem* a minute or two since I've been in high school (or 20 years, WHATEVER). I didn't have an enjoyable time overall, and frankly, I have blocked out a lot of those years in my mind. So, maybe I'm just not remembering correctly how I interacted with my friends and peers. It just felt, overall, that the thoughts and words of the students were far above what the average high schooler would think and feel. This might be a *me* thing, though, so take that opinion with a grain of salt.
All that said, I am still delighted that I read it, and I plan to read the next novel as well.
Highly recommended for anyone looking to read a heartbreaking yet heartwarming novel about love, grief, and finding your people, that showcases LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent rep.
Thank you to the author @k.scottgoodson for the ARC and for allowing me to join the ARC team! What a beautiful group of people ❤️
July 27, 2025
The author K. Goodson let me read this book prepublication. YA and LGBTQI+ aren't my usual genres, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I was blown away!
I love the multiple POVs all jumbled together in chapters. It allows the reader to see how their thoughts tuck around each other and provides insight into each person's character as its read, rather than waiting until a new chapter.
The characters GET each other and interact in ways that are honorable and encouraging of each other. There's so much communication and so much realism.
The group text that Maya started - The Misfit Signal - is so priceless. To everyone. There is so much support there from Maya, but also from each to the others in ways that are most needed. They grow, they get to be themselves, saying what they feel, receiving acceptance from the family, the tribe. I found these interactions incredibly fulfilling to the misfits and to me as a reader.
At first I was very impressed with the friend energy between Jackson and Maya, then I realized after reading more how much Maya's energies flowed through each of them. Their podcast to honor her was such a legacy to the real Maya. She listened with pride and intense love.
I would definitely recommend this book to others. The story crept in and left seeds of love, friendship, understanding, acceptance. I can see this book being very impactful to LGBTQI+ teens!!
I love the multiple POVs all jumbled together in chapters. It allows the reader to see how their thoughts tuck around each other and provides insight into each person's character as its read, rather than waiting until a new chapter.
The characters GET each other and interact in ways that are honorable and encouraging of each other. There's so much communication and so much realism.
The group text that Maya started - The Misfit Signal - is so priceless. To everyone. There is so much support there from Maya, but also from each to the others in ways that are most needed. They grow, they get to be themselves, saying what they feel, receiving acceptance from the family, the tribe. I found these interactions incredibly fulfilling to the misfits and to me as a reader.
At first I was very impressed with the friend energy between Jackson and Maya, then I realized after reading more how much Maya's energies flowed through each of them. Their podcast to honor her was such a legacy to the real Maya. She listened with pride and intense love.
I would definitely recommend this book to others. The story crept in and left seeds of love, friendship, understanding, acceptance. I can see this book being very impactful to LGBTQI+ teens!!
October 2, 2025
There is so much soul in this story. The character development, the kindness, the acceptance and love… although gut wrenching at times this book pulls you in with its bizarre yet extremely whitty and creative descriptions and banter and holds your attention with the sheer amount of depth in each character.
I’ll admit, it reads a little odd. The structure of the book is written more like a script. There aren’t chapters, there are times and dates — which is beautiful in itself because it’s true to the characters. There are also a lot of minor errors in the book, personally I think it could do with a small amount of extra editing, however it didn’t deter me from enjoying, crying, feeling my heart drop out of my stomach, and profusely giggling over the dramatic entrances of my favorite diva — Carl.
This book is an LGBTQ+ love story. Not just with romance, but with friendship as a whole. It delves deep into the issues everyone faces internally with grief, self doubt and some mental health situations without judgement or needing to fix. It makes you feel as the misfits in the story feel — accepted for who you are despite your differences or who you do or do not choose to be.
I could have used a group of friends like the misfits in highschool. I think we all could. And I think the beauty of them is how genuine and kind they are. We all could do with more kindness.
I’ll admit, it reads a little odd. The structure of the book is written more like a script. There aren’t chapters, there are times and dates — which is beautiful in itself because it’s true to the characters. There are also a lot of minor errors in the book, personally I think it could do with a small amount of extra editing, however it didn’t deter me from enjoying, crying, feeling my heart drop out of my stomach, and profusely giggling over the dramatic entrances of my favorite diva — Carl.
This book is an LGBTQ+ love story. Not just with romance, but with friendship as a whole. It delves deep into the issues everyone faces internally with grief, self doubt and some mental health situations without judgement or needing to fix. It makes you feel as the misfits in the story feel — accepted for who you are despite your differences or who you do or do not choose to be.
I could have used a group of friends like the misfits in highschool. I think we all could. And I think the beauty of them is how genuine and kind they are. We all could do with more kindness.
September 8, 2025
The sound of colors held
5⭐️
“ you don’t need permission to be exactly as you are “
The Sound of Colors Held is a contemporary young adult novel that explores themes of connection, grief, found family, and what it means to find your constellation. At its heart, it follows a group of misfit teens, each navigating their own struggles, but finding strength in one another. The representation is powerful and diverse eli, one of the main characters, is neurodivergent, and the book doesn’t shy away from showing what that feels like, the silence, the difficulty of being understood, and the rare beauty of finding someone who stays through it all.
As someone who is also neurodivergent, this story resonated deeply with me. To be loved is to be seen, and this book captured that in such a raw and moving way for me.
The Sound of Colors Held is beautifully broken it shattered my heart but by the end it was put back together again. It’s not about dimming your light to fit in, but about finding the people who will help your light shine brighter instead of extinguishing it. It’s about finding your people the ones who stay, through the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Thank you so much for letting me ARC review this book it was beautiful in the most tragic, healing way.
5⭐️
“ you don’t need permission to be exactly as you are “
The Sound of Colors Held is a contemporary young adult novel that explores themes of connection, grief, found family, and what it means to find your constellation. At its heart, it follows a group of misfit teens, each navigating their own struggles, but finding strength in one another. The representation is powerful and diverse eli, one of the main characters, is neurodivergent, and the book doesn’t shy away from showing what that feels like, the silence, the difficulty of being understood, and the rare beauty of finding someone who stays through it all.
As someone who is also neurodivergent, this story resonated deeply with me. To be loved is to be seen, and this book captured that in such a raw and moving way for me.
The Sound of Colors Held is beautifully broken it shattered my heart but by the end it was put back together again. It’s not about dimming your light to fit in, but about finding the people who will help your light shine brighter instead of extinguishing it. It’s about finding your people the ones who stay, through the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Thank you so much for letting me ARC review this book it was beautiful in the most tragic, healing way.
August 16, 2025
Y’ALL. This book snuck up on me and wrecked me—in the softest, most beautiful way. Eli Tibbet is quiet, precise, and allergic to chaos… until Jackson Calder crash-lands into his life like a doodle-happy tornado in Converse. And suddenly? The world gets louder, messier, and way more alive.
This story is soaked in feeling. You can hear the scrape of diner chairs, smell the hallway sweat-and-paper vibe of high school, feel the emotional tension zip through every page. K. Scott Goodson doesn’t just write—he paints with emotion. And the way he captures friendship, grief, love, and the terrifying joy of being truly seen? Devastating. In the best way.
The Misfits crew? ICONIC. The banter? Chef’s kiss. The slow-burn pull between Eli and Jackson? Tender chaos I would protect with my life.
It’s like Heartstopper grew up a little, added a dash of emotional depth, and reminded us all that staying—really staying—can be the bravest thing of all.
Quiet, funny, heartfelt, unforgettable.
Read it. Hug it. Thank me later.
This story is soaked in feeling. You can hear the scrape of diner chairs, smell the hallway sweat-and-paper vibe of high school, feel the emotional tension zip through every page. K. Scott Goodson doesn’t just write—he paints with emotion. And the way he captures friendship, grief, love, and the terrifying joy of being truly seen? Devastating. In the best way.
The Misfits crew? ICONIC. The banter? Chef’s kiss. The slow-burn pull between Eli and Jackson? Tender chaos I would protect with my life.
It’s like Heartstopper grew up a little, added a dash of emotional depth, and reminded us all that staying—really staying—can be the bravest thing of all.
Quiet, funny, heartfelt, unforgettable.
Read it. Hug it. Thank me later.
October 14, 2025
I feel like Kevin wrote this story for people like me. I do not know the experiences that Jackson and Eli went through for their identity, but I have definitely been there in terms of mental health. I really resonated with how the mental health struggles can feel all consuming and make you self isolate. I could find myself in bits of each of the characters. In Eli, I found my nervousness and anxiety. In Jackson, I found my love for art and beautiful things and in Maya I found my love for others but the doubt that I deserved that love back. I love how the point of view jumps from one person to another and seemed to mimic my chaotic neurodivergent mind, and having a character who's mind so closely paralleled my own was refreshing to see. This story is poignant, beautiful, and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
August 17, 2025
This is on behalf of the HighLadiesQuadrant. We’re interrupting our usual fantasy content with our first ARC review, the Sound of Colors Held by K. Scott Goodson, and we were so glad this was our first. We are so attached to these characters and the connection that they all share. Eli and Jackson are absolutely precious, and we want more, more, more of their love story, but not only was this a book about love, but it was also a book about acceptance and inclusion, and we need more of that in today’s world. We can’t recommend this book enough, and we can’t wait for more to come from these characters. We laughed, we cried, and we swooned so hard.
July 28, 2025
This isn't a book I would probably pick up if I was in a bookstore and this story was a tough read but it was truly beautiful. It's a story that is going to stay with me for a very long time. It healef apart of my soul that I didn't realise needed healing.
I don't want to spoil anything for anyone who hasn't read this but it is truly a book that everyone should read. Please if you have a moment, give this book a read
I don't want to spoil anything for anyone who hasn't read this but it is truly a book that everyone should read. Please if you have a moment, give this book a read
July 28, 2025
This is a story that feels like a conversation with your younger self: Unguarded, strange, painful, and necessary. It is a love letter to neurodivergent kids, queer kids, and any kid (or adult) who ever felt like too much or not enough.
This is a story for anyone who’s ever felt like an outlier, a mapless wanderer, or a song without harmony. The Sound of Colors Held doesn’t just tell you you’re not alone. It shows you, vividly and with great care.
This is a story for anyone who’s ever felt like an outlier, a mapless wanderer, or a song without harmony. The Sound of Colors Held doesn’t just tell you you’re not alone. It shows you, vividly and with great care.
July 30, 2025
Just finished reading “The Sound of Colors Held” by @k.scottgoodson and wow.
💙 This book is a bold, heartfelt journey filled with humor, sincerity, and raw emotion. It’s a powerful reminder to embrace your true self, unapologetically, and to love without shame.
When life feels heavy, this book is like a guiding light in the dark—I laughed, cried, and knew that people will feel deeply understood after reading it. 🥹✨
💙 This book is a bold, heartfelt journey filled with humor, sincerity, and raw emotion. It’s a powerful reminder to embrace your true self, unapologetically, and to love without shame.
When life feels heavy, this book is like a guiding light in the dark—I laughed, cried, and knew that people will feel deeply understood after reading it. 🥹✨
August 7, 2025
It is lovely.
Brave.
This story made me feel things. It matters.
It's about being seen, being accepted, and knowing it’s okay to be different.
Reading it made me nostalgic for high school nights at the coffee shop after Improv—those friendships, those feelings.
I also appreciated the insight into neurodivergent perspectives.
I can’t wait for book two.
Well done. 👏👏👏
Brave.
This story made me feel things. It matters.
It's about being seen, being accepted, and knowing it’s okay to be different.
Reading it made me nostalgic for high school nights at the coffee shop after Improv—those friendships, those feelings.
I also appreciated the insight into neurodivergent perspectives.
I can’t wait for book two.
Well done. 👏👏👏
August 17, 2025
This entire story is a landscape of empathy, a subtle teacher of what the heart cannot always access. More therapy than anything I began to yearn for what the friend group was offering. The quiet, the rhythm, like the rise and fall of a sleeping loved ones chest was precisely timed and put me in touch with the rhythm of my own heart. Look for some of my favorite parts where the slowly emerging romance was heavily overshadowed by a greater all encompassing love. Look for the pep-rally and subsequent janitor's closet. Look for the conversation by the pool with Eli's dad. Look for Jackson as he receives his gift from Maya, some of her pottery. I am not a strong reader, but the overarching human warmth drew me back time and again until the satisfying end.
August 17, 2025
This book is loud and proud, funny and heartfelt. It shouts be who you are, unapologetically and fully, and love who you love with all your being. It is a love letter to the universe, a tribute to finding your people, and an invitation to open your heart. It’s all that and more, disguised as a young adult novel that will grab you from page one and not let go. Get ready to laugh and cry as you follow Maya and her constellation of Misfits as they traverse the rocky landscape that is high school and the teen years.
Grab a copy of this one. You won’t regret it. Available August 19 on KU.
Thank you to the author for entrusting me with an ARC of the book.
Grab a copy of this one. You won’t regret it. Available August 19 on KU.
Thank you to the author for entrusting me with an ARC of the book.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews