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The Colour of Home: A compelling WWII historical love story for fans of The Women and The Tattooist of Auschwitz
‘You want to risk everything – for a country that’s never cared if you live or die?’
1941: In a segregated Florida town, three young Black men enlist to fight for a freedom they’ve never known at home.
Before they leave, Cora marries in haste to secure her future – but her heart remains divided between the man she wed and the man she truly loves.
1945: As war finally ends, everything shifts. The boys Cora knew return as men she barely recognises, carrying scars no one can see – and truths that threaten to unravel everything Cora has fought to hold together.
Set against the backdrop of war where Black men and women weren’t allowed to be heroes, comes a powerful, deeply moving novel about love, sacrifice and the epic resilience of the human spirit.
Readers LOVE The Colour of Home:
'Such an intense experience I couldn’t put this book down and read it through the night' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'A powerful and poignant book' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'I devoured this book - it’s so well written and I loved the characters and the complexity of their stories' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Split into short sections which makes the novel breeze by...full of well drawn characters and period details, and one which I think a book club would get a lot out of in discussion' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
1941: In a segregated Florida town, three young Black men enlist to fight for a freedom they’ve never known at home.
Before they leave, Cora marries in haste to secure her future – but her heart remains divided between the man she wed and the man she truly loves.
1945: As war finally ends, everything shifts. The boys Cora knew return as men she barely recognises, carrying scars no one can see – and truths that threaten to unravel everything Cora has fought to hold together.
Set against the backdrop of war where Black men and women weren’t allowed to be heroes, comes a powerful, deeply moving novel about love, sacrifice and the epic resilience of the human spirit.
Readers LOVE The Colour of Home:
'Such an intense experience I couldn’t put this book down and read it through the night' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'A powerful and poignant book' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'I devoured this book - it’s so well written and I loved the characters and the complexity of their stories' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Split into short sections which makes the novel breeze by...full of well drawn characters and period details, and one which I think a book club would get a lot out of in discussion' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
377 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 2, 2026
About the author
Tammye Huf
3 books148 followersOriginally from the east and west coast of the USA, I have lived in the UK with my husband and three kids for the last twenty years. I love nothing more than to immerse myself into new places and experiences, and I love the way that books allow me to do that, travelling the globe or even back in time with the turn of a page.
Since earning my BA from Wellesley College, I have been a teacher of various ages and abilities as well as a copywriter and a translator. I've had the pleasure of seeing my short stories published in several literary magazines and being named the third-place winner of the London Magazine Short Story Prize 2018.
Since earning my BA from Wellesley College, I have been a teacher of various ages and abilities as well as a copywriter and a translator. I've had the pleasure of seeing my short stories published in several literary magazines and being named the third-place winner of the London Magazine Short Story Prize 2018.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 13, 2026
I received a gifted advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review as part of the readalong and book tour hosted by Insta Book Tours.
The Colour of Home is one of the most captivating and heartfelt reads I've read in a long time. Beautifully written with weavings of true historic history/events, fact and fiction, Tammye Huf has created a heartfelt recount of the side of history that hasn't been shared much at all so far (this is the first I have read about the young Black soldiers during WW2) and is a voice very much needed to be heard and not forgotten.
The book follows multiple POV: Cora who marries her brothers friend at his request to ensure she and his mother are taken care of if he doesn't make it home from the war. Benny (Coras brother) who can pass for being white and signs up for the war under Black segregation but gets enlisted as white and has to keep his true race a secret throughout his serving. Lee who Cora loves and who enlisted against her will (they had been in a secret relationship before the war) and who loves Cora wholeheartedly too. And Roscoe who Cora marries but doesn't love.
Each of their stories is told and is just as heartbreaking and endearing in different ways throughout the book.
The book highlights the treatment of each person based on their skin tone and standing and how even POW (prisoners of war) had more rights and freedom than a black citizen in the USA. The book touches on the UK too (namely wales) and how it differed before and after the war to the treatment of Black people and was, in whole, a very eye opening read.
The authors writing is very poignant and captivating and my emotions were all over the place reading this book.
If you enjoy historical fiction, have read many books set during WW2 or have never read one before, I urge you to pick this book up.
I can see this book being made into a movie it is that beautiful, powerfully told and hold important history that needs to be told.
The Colour of Home is one of the most captivating and heartfelt reads I've read in a long time. Beautifully written with weavings of true historic history/events, fact and fiction, Tammye Huf has created a heartfelt recount of the side of history that hasn't been shared much at all so far (this is the first I have read about the young Black soldiers during WW2) and is a voice very much needed to be heard and not forgotten.
The book follows multiple POV: Cora who marries her brothers friend at his request to ensure she and his mother are taken care of if he doesn't make it home from the war. Benny (Coras brother) who can pass for being white and signs up for the war under Black segregation but gets enlisted as white and has to keep his true race a secret throughout his serving. Lee who Cora loves and who enlisted against her will (they had been in a secret relationship before the war) and who loves Cora wholeheartedly too. And Roscoe who Cora marries but doesn't love.
Each of their stories is told and is just as heartbreaking and endearing in different ways throughout the book.
The book highlights the treatment of each person based on their skin tone and standing and how even POW (prisoners of war) had more rights and freedom than a black citizen in the USA. The book touches on the UK too (namely wales) and how it differed before and after the war to the treatment of Black people and was, in whole, a very eye opening read.
The authors writing is very poignant and captivating and my emotions were all over the place reading this book.
If you enjoy historical fiction, have read many books set during WW2 or have never read one before, I urge you to pick this book up.
I can see this book being made into a movie it is that beautiful, powerfully told and hold important history that needs to be told.
July 3, 2026
I must say, love stories are not my typical type of read, but I think it's important for authors to have the perspective of readers who are not necessarily their target audience so I try to read outside of my comfort zone as often as possible, and in this case, I'm incredibly glad I did.
Set against the backdrop of black soldiers returning from WWII and covering hardships they faced while in the military and once back home, it's a story of love under difficult circumstances in a world that has yet to wake up to inclusion.
It's a powerful, intense read, with an incredibly well written, complex and poignant story and wonderful characters with great depth that were believable and felt real.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
Set against the backdrop of black soldiers returning from WWII and covering hardships they faced while in the military and once back home, it's a story of love under difficult circumstances in a world that has yet to wake up to inclusion.
It's a powerful, intense read, with an incredibly well written, complex and poignant story and wonderful characters with great depth that were believable and felt real.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
July 9, 2026
Inspired by the author’s own Grandmother and Great Uncle, The Colour of Home is a personal, detailed and powerful tale of segregation and its consequences during and after the Second World War.
In 1941, in a segregated Florida small town, three young black friends enlist to fight following the Pearl Harbour attack. They risked everything for a country that never cared if they lived or died. Black men didn’t return home as heroes. The support and recognition afforded to white veterans didn’t extend to Negroes.
The stories featured in this novel are real. This is exactly how black men and women were treated. It’s shocking; it’s beyond abysmal; it made me recoil in anger and disgust.
Amidst the horrors of a segregated society, this is also a story about love, compassion, justice and fighting for change. The author pens a beautiful introductory message in the book reminding readers that ‘love overcomes history. While history can tell us where we’ve been and why our present is the way it is, love determines our future.’
The Colour of Home portrays exactly what American democracy looked like for the American Negro. They didn’t want special treatment; just fair treatment. In a world where racial discrimination still exists, I hope people read this story of Cora, Benny, Lee and Roscoe and truly understand that colour is not who they are…..it’s just skin.
An informative and emotional tale with characters whose stories I became really invested in; characters I could happily have continued reading about beyond the final page. Now I’d just love to sit down with the author over cups of tea and talk more about her family and this overlooked slice of history.
In 1941, in a segregated Florida small town, three young black friends enlist to fight following the Pearl Harbour attack. They risked everything for a country that never cared if they lived or died. Black men didn’t return home as heroes. The support and recognition afforded to white veterans didn’t extend to Negroes.
The stories featured in this novel are real. This is exactly how black men and women were treated. It’s shocking; it’s beyond abysmal; it made me recoil in anger and disgust.
Amidst the horrors of a segregated society, this is also a story about love, compassion, justice and fighting for change. The author pens a beautiful introductory message in the book reminding readers that ‘love overcomes history. While history can tell us where we’ve been and why our present is the way it is, love determines our future.’
The Colour of Home portrays exactly what American democracy looked like for the American Negro. They didn’t want special treatment; just fair treatment. In a world where racial discrimination still exists, I hope people read this story of Cora, Benny, Lee and Roscoe and truly understand that colour is not who they are…..it’s just skin.
An informative and emotional tale with characters whose stories I became really invested in; characters I could happily have continued reading about beyond the final page. Now I’d just love to sit down with the author over cups of tea and talk more about her family and this overlooked slice of history.
July 6, 2026
‘You want to risk everything – for a country that’s never cared if you live or die?’
This was such a powerful and moving read. When historical ‘fiction’ is based on real people and how they were treated by the masses, it really hits you. It’s also a reminder of the privilege many of us carry from day to day without even stopping to think about how, even now, that’s not the case for so many.
Tammye has written a captivating and incredibly strong love story with ‘The Colour Of Home’, based in WW2 America. Two of the main characters being based on familial ties, her great uncle Arthur North (Bran) and her grandmother, Constance North (Connie), packs even more of an emotional punch.
Her writing is heartbreaking, yet defiant and I’m really grateful I got to read this. It certainly won’t be my last book from this author.
This was such a powerful and moving read. When historical ‘fiction’ is based on real people and how they were treated by the masses, it really hits you. It’s also a reminder of the privilege many of us carry from day to day without even stopping to think about how, even now, that’s not the case for so many.
Tammye has written a captivating and incredibly strong love story with ‘The Colour Of Home’, based in WW2 America. Two of the main characters being based on familial ties, her great uncle Arthur North (Bran) and her grandmother, Constance North (Connie), packs even more of an emotional punch.
Her writing is heartbreaking, yet defiant and I’m really grateful I got to read this. It certainly won’t be my last book from this author.
July 6, 2026
Received an ARC as part of the Insta Book Tours readalong, c/o Bantam.
This book is historical fiction at its peak. For fans of Kristin Hannah, you’ll LOVE this. Set just before World War II, and spanning the length of it and just afterwards. The Colour of Home follows Benny (a young Black man who often passes as White and is enlisted in the army as such) and Cora (his sister, who stays behind during the war, and doesn’t enlist to serve in any capacity). Siblings who, over the course of a defining global conflict, face their own personal challenges. From discovering enduring love, infidelity, and owning one’s voice, in the case of Cora. To identity, early rumblings of feminism, community and belonging for Benny.
Tammye Huf beautifully uses Roscoe, Jasper and Lee, Cora and Benny’s friends, to explore broader societal issues such as discriminatory policies, geopolitics, and so much more. Tammye incredibly weaves in the personal with the factual, making heavy topics so much more relatable. I can’t recommend this enough.
This book is historical fiction at its peak. For fans of Kristin Hannah, you’ll LOVE this. Set just before World War II, and spanning the length of it and just afterwards. The Colour of Home follows Benny (a young Black man who often passes as White and is enlisted in the army as such) and Cora (his sister, who stays behind during the war, and doesn’t enlist to serve in any capacity). Siblings who, over the course of a defining global conflict, face their own personal challenges. From discovering enduring love, infidelity, and owning one’s voice, in the case of Cora. To identity, early rumblings of feminism, community and belonging for Benny.
Tammye Huf beautifully uses Roscoe, Jasper and Lee, Cora and Benny’s friends, to explore broader societal issues such as discriminatory policies, geopolitics, and so much more. Tammye incredibly weaves in the personal with the factual, making heavy topics so much more relatable. I can’t recommend this enough.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Tammye Huf first novel, A More Perfect Union, won the Diverse Book Award in 2021, was longlisted for the Jhalak Prize, and was chosen as a BBC Radio 2 Book Club pick. It was a fabulous novel and had me keen to read her follow-up, The Colour of Home (to be called Inharmonious in the US).
Huf has taken the subject of black soldiers during the Second World War as the initial backdrop to her novel, and through the lives and loves of her cast of characters details a simple, yet beautiful story. The novel slowly expands it's scope, and you can feel Huf's fury at the way in which previous generations were treated by societal racism, a structural and systematic system designed to keep black people from obtaining housing.
The novel is split into short sections which makes the novel breeze by - I was most interested in the sections that take place in Wales, where her servicemen experience a different societal re-action than the one they receive at home. It is a novel drawn from experience of her family, and this gives it the ring of authenticity.
The Colour of Home then is a very fine novel, full of well drawn characters and period details, and one which I think a book club would get a lot out of in discussion. It is a great second novel.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC.
Huf has taken the subject of black soldiers during the Second World War as the initial backdrop to her novel, and through the lives and loves of her cast of characters details a simple, yet beautiful story. The novel slowly expands it's scope, and you can feel Huf's fury at the way in which previous generations were treated by societal racism, a structural and systematic system designed to keep black people from obtaining housing.
The novel is split into short sections which makes the novel breeze by - I was most interested in the sections that take place in Wales, where her servicemen experience a different societal re-action than the one they receive at home. It is a novel drawn from experience of her family, and this gives it the ring of authenticity.
The Colour of Home then is a very fine novel, full of well drawn characters and period details, and one which I think a book club would get a lot out of in discussion. It is a great second novel.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC.
July 6, 2026
One of my very best friends, and top class book recommender; Nina (from Prima) raved about this book months ago. She told me that I would love it, and that it would remind me a little of the late Vanessa Lafaye's writing (I loved Vanessa and still miss her). I had high expectations, and they were certainly met, I adored this book.
The Colour of Home has very quickly worked its way into my heart. It is so emotionally rich and filled with beautifully created characters, the story has lingered with me for weeks.
Set in a segregated Florida community during and after the Second World War, the novel features a part of history that deserves far more attention. While many novels explore the war itself, Tammye Huf focuses on the lives of Black men and women whose courage and sacrifice were met with prejudice instead gratitude when they returned home. It is compelling and thought-provoking.
Cora is a wonderful central character. Faced with impossible choices, she is determined, loyal and so easy to root for. Her relationships with those around her are woven with love, hope, heartbreak and uncertainty. The young men who leave to fight return changed by their experiences, and watching them navigate a world that still refuses to see them as equals is so moving and unforgettable.
The Florida setting is created so very well. From close-knit neighbourhoods where everyone knows one another to the harsh realities of segregation that cast a shadow over everyday life. The contrast between the warmth of family and community and the cruelty of the society surrounding them gives the novel a real emotional depth.
Alongside its powerful historical backdrop, this is also a beautifully told story of love, family, friendship and resilience. The romance touched my heart but is not overwhelming the wider story. Tammye Huf balances hope and heartbreak with real skill, and has created a novel that is both enlightening and engaging.
I found myself completely invested in these characters and desperately wanted the best for them. Their journeys are filled with courage, difficult decisions and acts of strength, making this an emotional and utterly absorbing read.
The Colour of Home is a moving and memorable historical novel that combines impeccable research with wonderful storytelling. It's a book that entertains whilst also making the reader think, introducing readers to an overlooked chapter of history through characters they will care about. I loved every page and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with heart, depth and unforgettable characters.
The Colour of Home has very quickly worked its way into my heart. It is so emotionally rich and filled with beautifully created characters, the story has lingered with me for weeks.
Set in a segregated Florida community during and after the Second World War, the novel features a part of history that deserves far more attention. While many novels explore the war itself, Tammye Huf focuses on the lives of Black men and women whose courage and sacrifice were met with prejudice instead gratitude when they returned home. It is compelling and thought-provoking.
Cora is a wonderful central character. Faced with impossible choices, she is determined, loyal and so easy to root for. Her relationships with those around her are woven with love, hope, heartbreak and uncertainty. The young men who leave to fight return changed by their experiences, and watching them navigate a world that still refuses to see them as equals is so moving and unforgettable.
The Florida setting is created so very well. From close-knit neighbourhoods where everyone knows one another to the harsh realities of segregation that cast a shadow over everyday life. The contrast between the warmth of family and community and the cruelty of the society surrounding them gives the novel a real emotional depth.
Alongside its powerful historical backdrop, this is also a beautifully told story of love, family, friendship and resilience. The romance touched my heart but is not overwhelming the wider story. Tammye Huf balances hope and heartbreak with real skill, and has created a novel that is both enlightening and engaging.
I found myself completely invested in these characters and desperately wanted the best for them. Their journeys are filled with courage, difficult decisions and acts of strength, making this an emotional and utterly absorbing read.
The Colour of Home is a moving and memorable historical novel that combines impeccable research with wonderful storytelling. It's a book that entertains whilst also making the reader think, introducing readers to an overlooked chapter of history through characters they will care about. I loved every page and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with heart, depth and unforgettable characters.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I absolutely adored this book. It was so incredibly well written as the author shows a deft skill weaving historical detail about a segregated Florida and the experiences of black WWII veterans into a story of love and social justice. This was such a brilliant aspect of the book. She did it with the such moving storytelling that packed an absolute punch. Also it was so informative, shining a light on a part of history that I was aware of but this brings out the details in a wonderful and thought provoking way. This is one of those books that will live with me for a long time.
The author draws on her own family history and main characters Benny and Cora are inspired by her own family. You could tell that the author really cared about her characters, she describes them with warmth and tenderness. I loved that many elements of the story were based on real events and real people. That brought the horrors and injustice faced by the characters even more to life.
The story is told just before the attack on Pearl Harbour, through to the events during WW2 when three young black friends, Benny, Roscoe and Lee decide to sign up to fight to defend a country that doesn't even respect them as people. We see their horrific experiences abroad. But as they return heros their biggest challenges are back at home where we see the utterly terrible depiction of inequality WWII veterans. This holds a powerful mirror up to racial identity.
It is a compelling and multi-layered novel, with so much heart, faith and sacrifice at it's core. A gripping, heart wrenching and engaging novel, often challenging but also a story that is uplifting and full of hope.
The author draws on her own family history and main characters Benny and Cora are inspired by her own family. You could tell that the author really cared about her characters, she describes them with warmth and tenderness. I loved that many elements of the story were based on real events and real people. That brought the horrors and injustice faced by the characters even more to life.
The story is told just before the attack on Pearl Harbour, through to the events during WW2 when three young black friends, Benny, Roscoe and Lee decide to sign up to fight to defend a country that doesn't even respect them as people. We see their horrific experiences abroad. But as they return heros their biggest challenges are back at home where we see the utterly terrible depiction of inequality WWII veterans. This holds a powerful mirror up to racial identity.
It is a compelling and multi-layered novel, with so much heart, faith and sacrifice at it's core. A gripping, heart wrenching and engaging novel, often challenging but also a story that is uplifting and full of hope.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This novel portrays the hopelessness of Black soldiers returning to the US from WW2 in such a readable and informative manner. Cora lives with her mother and brother, and their lives revolve around family and her brother, Benny's 3 friends. All four of them end up in the military - 3 volunteers, one drafted - after Pearl Harbour, but their treatment as Blacks is completely different from that of white men. The women left behind arent wanted as nurses to the military either because of their skin colour. As they return home, they try to take advantage of the GI bill, to set up in business, to take out a mortgage, but - based in Florida - they find every concievable obstacle put in their way because they arent white. And every white person - bar a very few - seem to accept the status quo and, particularly with Florida white men, including the State governer, they welcome the situation. This is the story of the love between Cora and Lee, percieved by everyone as a ne'er do well, and the love story between Benny who can 'pass' as white, and the lovely white Gloria. Reading it it seems incredible that such unfairness can exist, and not just exist but be encouraged by many. In fact, this story, while no longer accurate in Black Florida, is still perpetuated in many ways around the world, so while it is an excellent novel, and while it opens up a historical world that I was formerly unaware of, it is also a novel that should make us all wonder if the world has really improved since the 1940s.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC copy
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC copy
July 18, 2026
💚💚BOOK TOUR REVIEW 💚💚
The Colour of Home by @tammyehuf
Thanks to @instabooktours for having me on the tour and to @bantambooksuk for my copy of the book.
This book reminds me so much of The Women but feels so much more authentic (no offence meant) than other books I’ve read regarding WWII from the American perspective as usually it is always from the white perspective and glosses over any person of colours view and that is if they are even included to begin with!
This book is like the film Hidden Figures and the book The Women had a beautiful baby together with equal parts history and truth all visible.
The book follows siblings Cora & Benny and their friends Lee, Roscoe & Jasper. Cora and Benny are actually based on the authors great aunt and uncle, Constance (Connie) & Arthur North (Bran).
Watching how they each navigate segregation in the US both as civilians and military personnel is interesting and also different (you’ll need to read to see why) and how that influences not only their decision making but also their ability to move through the world in even the most simple of ways.
These quotes were in the book and I believe these are still applicable in today’s climate with attitudes of some people being what they are currently:
There is a separation of colored people from white people in the United States. That separation is not a disease of colored people. It is a disease of white people. I do not intend to be quiet about it.
ALBERT EINSTEIN,
SPEAKING AT LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, 1946
It must be pointed out time and again that the exclusion of a large part of the colored population from active civil rights by the common practices is a slap in the face of the Constitution of the nation.
ALBERT EINSTEIN
TO THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE, 1946
There are so many points where I realised that as a mixed race woman I carry so many privileges today!
This has been an absolute joy to read and is a book that will remain within my collection to reread again in the future alongside other great writers like Kristin Hannah and Jodie Picoult.
I cannot urge people strongly enough to pick this book up 🤩
#TheColourOfHome #PrettyBooks #BlackBooks #DiverseBooks
The Colour of Home by @tammyehuf
Thanks to @instabooktours for having me on the tour and to @bantambooksuk for my copy of the book.
This book reminds me so much of The Women but feels so much more authentic (no offence meant) than other books I’ve read regarding WWII from the American perspective as usually it is always from the white perspective and glosses over any person of colours view and that is if they are even included to begin with!
This book is like the film Hidden Figures and the book The Women had a beautiful baby together with equal parts history and truth all visible.
The book follows siblings Cora & Benny and their friends Lee, Roscoe & Jasper. Cora and Benny are actually based on the authors great aunt and uncle, Constance (Connie) & Arthur North (Bran).
Watching how they each navigate segregation in the US both as civilians and military personnel is interesting and also different (you’ll need to read to see why) and how that influences not only their decision making but also their ability to move through the world in even the most simple of ways.
These quotes were in the book and I believe these are still applicable in today’s climate with attitudes of some people being what they are currently:
There is a separation of colored people from white people in the United States. That separation is not a disease of colored people. It is a disease of white people. I do not intend to be quiet about it.
ALBERT EINSTEIN,
SPEAKING AT LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, 1946
It must be pointed out time and again that the exclusion of a large part of the colored population from active civil rights by the common practices is a slap in the face of the Constitution of the nation.
ALBERT EINSTEIN
TO THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE, 1946
There are so many points where I realised that as a mixed race woman I carry so many privileges today!
This has been an absolute joy to read and is a book that will remain within my collection to reread again in the future alongside other great writers like Kristin Hannah and Jodie Picoult.
I cannot urge people strongly enough to pick this book up 🤩
#TheColourOfHome #PrettyBooks #BlackBooks #DiverseBooks
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Goodness me this is a wonderful historical book set in 1940’s America. Cora May North and her family live within the segregation rules of the times - separate gas stations, shops, etc. Her brother Benny enlists when America enters the Second World War but his Captain changes the tick box regarding his skin colour to white because of Benny’s brown hair and light eyes. Godless Lee Peters, in a secret relationship with good girl Cora, also enlists with friend Roscoe Crane.
This is a fiction book inspired by some family members of the author which, for me, makes it even more poignant. It highlights the differing treatment and experiences of the men during and after the war, the rejection of women applying to help out as nurses, interwoven with the plot of Cora and the men in her life. It’s a story of love, of war, of segregation, degradation and discrimination. I learnt about racial zoning, about the GI Bill and about shocking historical experiences a mere 80 years ago. I loved Aunt Teen’s Cook-Outs, the epilogue and the historical note at the end. I highly recommend reading this book for historical fiction fans.
This is a fiction book inspired by some family members of the author which, for me, makes it even more poignant. It highlights the differing treatment and experiences of the men during and after the war, the rejection of women applying to help out as nurses, interwoven with the plot of Cora and the men in her life. It’s a story of love, of war, of segregation, degradation and discrimination. I learnt about racial zoning, about the GI Bill and about shocking historical experiences a mere 80 years ago. I loved Aunt Teen’s Cook-Outs, the epilogue and the historical note at the end. I highly recommend reading this book for historical fiction fans.
April 7, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for this arc copy!
This was a gripping and beautifully written story. It was almost impossible to stop reading once I got started and took me on an emotional rollercoaster.
The characters in this story felt so real and human, perhaps because some of these are based on Huf’s own relatives and their experiences during and after the war. I could not help but fall in love with each of them and feel all of their joy and pain throughout.
Huf took a number of real historical events and made them into a deeply personal and heart wrenching story that was both accurate and a joy to read. It is clear that a lot of love went into this story along with hard work and research.
This is definitely a perspective of the war and lives of soldiers that I haven’t really been exposed to throughout education in Britain and I am so glad that I had the opportunity to learn some more through this book.
100% recommend this book to any fans of historical fiction and I will be looking out for more works from this author!
This was a gripping and beautifully written story. It was almost impossible to stop reading once I got started and took me on an emotional rollercoaster.
The characters in this story felt so real and human, perhaps because some of these are based on Huf’s own relatives and their experiences during and after the war. I could not help but fall in love with each of them and feel all of their joy and pain throughout.
Huf took a number of real historical events and made them into a deeply personal and heart wrenching story that was both accurate and a joy to read. It is clear that a lot of love went into this story along with hard work and research.
This is definitely a perspective of the war and lives of soldiers that I haven’t really been exposed to throughout education in Britain and I am so glad that I had the opportunity to learn some more through this book.
100% recommend this book to any fans of historical fiction and I will be looking out for more works from this author!
July 16, 2026
Inspired by the experiences of the author’s grandparents, this is a love story, and a tale of families, set against the backdrop of the Second World War. It explores what it was like to be a black person, wanting to serve in the war and fight alongside people where segregation was still in place. At one point the book makes a point that the things that Hitler was doing to the Jewish people was not all that different to the experience of being a Black person in the South of the US, which is a thought I’d never had before.
The book follows the stories of Cora and her brother Ben, who can pass as a white man, which brings its own challenges. The differences in his post-war access to help is contrasted with that of Cora’s husband.
This is a moving and thought-provoking read. I loved Cora, who is caught in a complicated romantic situation, but is a determined and courageous young woman. I learnt a lot of historical information I’d not previously been aware of. Highly recommended.
Thanks to NetGalley
The book follows the stories of Cora and her brother Ben, who can pass as a white man, which brings its own challenges. The differences in his post-war access to help is contrasted with that of Cora’s husband.
This is a moving and thought-provoking read. I loved Cora, who is caught in a complicated romantic situation, but is a determined and courageous young woman. I learnt a lot of historical information I’d not previously been aware of. Highly recommended.
Thanks to NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This story swept me up and enchanted me from start to finish. Beautifully written it wrapped its way round my heart and left me breathless. The emotions I felt whilst reading this went from shock and awe to rage at the injustices. I was so desperate for them all to succeed against the system so cruelly stacked against them. Whilst it's a work of fiction, it draws heavily on real life circumstances and is eye opening and fascinating, I'd recommend reading this if you're a historical fiction fan.
The story starts pre WWII and takes us over that period and beyond. Shifting across the globe at times following the war journeys for the men of the story but never forgetting those in the homefront and the war they were fighting just as much.
The characters are so well written, particularly Cora and Benny, I couldn't get enough of their stories.
I'm slowly bereft to have finished this and want to thank the author and Bantam books for my advanced copy.
The story starts pre WWII and takes us over that period and beyond. Shifting across the globe at times following the war journeys for the men of the story but never forgetting those in the homefront and the war they were fighting just as much.
The characters are so well written, particularly Cora and Benny, I couldn't get enough of their stories.
I'm slowly bereft to have finished this and want to thank the author and Bantam books for my advanced copy.
Read
July 15, 2026This meticulously researched novel casts light on the ugly reality of prejudice and segregation during and after the Second World War. All of it is shocking and uncomfortable, but I was particularly enraged by the structural racism that prevented the characters getting decent housing. The narrative is told in a straightforward style with lots of dialogue.
The author’s Historical Note at the end of the book is both powerful and informative. Well worth a close read.
This is the second fact-based novel I’ve read by Tammye Huf, the first being the excellent A More Perfect Union. She is becoming a go-to author for authentic and accurate historical fiction.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.
The author’s Historical Note at the end of the book is both powerful and informative. Well worth a close read.
This is the second fact-based novel I’ve read by Tammye Huf, the first being the excellent A More Perfect Union. She is becoming a go-to author for authentic and accurate historical fiction.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.
Review of advance copy
I received this book in advance of publication thanks to Instabooktours and the author.
The book was such a moving story of black segregation during WW2. I knew about segregation but I couldn't believe how much it affected everything. Even things like getting petrol!
As a Welsh person I was really interested to learn about the different experience that the soldier had in Wales when compared to how they were treated in The USA.
I thought that at some points the descriptions were vivid and rich but I would have liked a little bit more depth to the characters.
Overall I thought this was an informing and emotional read and I would recommend.
The book was such a moving story of black segregation during WW2. I knew about segregation but I couldn't believe how much it affected everything. Even things like getting petrol!
As a Welsh person I was really interested to learn about the different experience that the soldier had in Wales when compared to how they were treated in The USA.
I thought that at some points the descriptions were vivid and rich but I would have liked a little bit more depth to the characters.
Overall I thought this was an informing and emotional read and I would recommend.
July 12, 2026
Thank you to Random Things Tour for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The story begins with the attack on Pearl Harbour and America's entry into World War II. It follows Roscoe, Jasper, Lee, Cora, and Benny, exploring the discrimination these young people face both in the military and within their own communities. Reading about their experiences made me angry and deepened my understanding of what segregation in the United States truly meant. Books that teach me something new always leave a lasting impression, and I know this one will stay with me for a long time.
The writing is gripping and engaging, with a fast-paced plot that kept me turning the pages. Knowing that the story is based on real people and their experiences made it all the more powerful and memorable.
The story begins with the attack on Pearl Harbour and America's entry into World War II. It follows Roscoe, Jasper, Lee, Cora, and Benny, exploring the discrimination these young people face both in the military and within their own communities. Reading about their experiences made me angry and deepened my understanding of what segregation in the United States truly meant. Books that teach me something new always leave a lasting impression, and I know this one will stay with me for a long time.
The writing is gripping and engaging, with a fast-paced plot that kept me turning the pages. Knowing that the story is based on real people and their experiences made it all the more powerful and memorable.
July 14, 2026
This book was everything I wanted it to be and more.
A beautifully written, historical fiction novel with heart and soul.
Absolutely heartbreaking in places whilst hopeful and inspiring in others.
Perfectly paced and hard to put down.
I believe this to be a true and authentic depiction of the times, and the research that Huf must have completed is phenomenal. Her hard work definitely paid off and deserves a mention.
Knowing that the physical and emotional pain these characters went through is true for so many people is horrendous and should never be forgotten.
There are so many things depicted in this book that I was not aware of and the authors note is fascinating.
I felt every emotion whilst reading, and this book and the characters will stay with me.
If you love learning about black history and enjoy historical fiction reads, this book is for you.
AD|GIFTED
A beautifully written, historical fiction novel with heart and soul.
Absolutely heartbreaking in places whilst hopeful and inspiring in others.
Perfectly paced and hard to put down.
I believe this to be a true and authentic depiction of the times, and the research that Huf must have completed is phenomenal. Her hard work definitely paid off and deserves a mention.
Knowing that the physical and emotional pain these characters went through is true for so many people is horrendous and should never be forgotten.
There are so many things depicted in this book that I was not aware of and the authors note is fascinating.
I felt every emotion whilst reading, and this book and the characters will stay with me.
If you love learning about black history and enjoy historical fiction reads, this book is for you.
AD|GIFTED
Review of advance copy
This was such a beautiful and well written novel. From the very first page I was hooked and I kept reading until the end as I wanted to know what happened. The story was easy to follow and there was a great cast of characters. It's obvious that the author has done their research for the story as the attention to detail was spot on. Also the pacing was just right and there was a great cast of characters. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to -
Random Things Tours, Insta Book Tours and penguin random house for my proof copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
💝 Thank you to -
Random Things Tours, Insta Book Tours and penguin random house for my proof copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Color of Home is an insightful, intriguing tale about three young African Americans who enlist to fight for freedom in World War II. However, being Black in the segregated American South, their fight is not just abroad. The narrative explores a dual battle: fighting fascist forces on foreign soil, and navigating the harsh realities of the Jim Crow South at home, where the struggle for financial stability, space, and dignity is just as perilous.
Firstly, let me give this book its flowers. I've watched and read many wartime narratives, but generally the experiences of Black, brown, and non-white contributors—from those on the front lines to those working in the factories—are commonly sidelined. Crucially, their vital achievements are rarely highlighted, leaving their monumental efforts to fade into the background.It is a history that absolutely deserves the spotlight.
I enjoyed learning about lesser known history such as the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion in Wales and the 761st Black Panthers tank battalion in Texas. The story's plots were dramatic and kept me reading. Where the author used subtext I feel she got across her message really powerfully… HOWEVER I feel the writing left a lot to be desired for me.
I really just wanted more from the writing; I wanted more descriptive world building, messy three dimensional characters and tense emotional romantic chemistry. I found the characters lacked a lot of depth or descriptions beyond basic archetypes i.e. good church girl or bad boy seeking redemption etc.
I wanted to be able to visualise where the characters were, how they were moving, and how they were feeling. But what I got a lot of the time I got was a reporting style narrative which simply moved named characters to and from the major plot points. With the heavy themes of segregation, racial passing, discrimination, red lining - I wanted more emotional weight and complexity.
As a Black Brit, I had a real issue with what I can only call the "Welsh Wonderland" storyline. While I understand that Black American GIs were often treated with far more respect and dignity by British locals than by their own white counterparts, the book paints Wales as an almost post-racial paradise. It simply wasn't. Although we learn later in the novel that this perspective might just be a character's rose-tinted memory, the narrative lays it on far too thick initially. It felt like the history was being oversimplified for dramatic contrast, rather than honoring the complex reality of race in wartime Britain.
When the narrative does slow down, the author's message flashes with real brilliance. Unfortunately, because the writing leans so heavily on a fast, commercial pace, the book often races through its most critical moments instead of letting the emotional weight settle. The text relies too much on "emotion stickers"—literally telling us a character feels "doubt" or "fear" instead of letting the atmosphere or the subtext do the heavy lifting. Ultimately, the ending lands like a checklist of plot resolutions rather than the devastating emotional punch it should have been. It has all the right ingredients, but the execution held it back from reaching its full potential.
Firstly, let me give this book its flowers. I've watched and read many wartime narratives, but generally the experiences of Black, brown, and non-white contributors—from those on the front lines to those working in the factories—are commonly sidelined. Crucially, their vital achievements are rarely highlighted, leaving their monumental efforts to fade into the background.It is a history that absolutely deserves the spotlight.
I enjoyed learning about lesser known history such as the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion in Wales and the 761st Black Panthers tank battalion in Texas. The story's plots were dramatic and kept me reading. Where the author used subtext I feel she got across her message really powerfully… HOWEVER I feel the writing left a lot to be desired for me.
I really just wanted more from the writing; I wanted more descriptive world building, messy three dimensional characters and tense emotional romantic chemistry. I found the characters lacked a lot of depth or descriptions beyond basic archetypes i.e. good church girl or bad boy seeking redemption etc.
I wanted to be able to visualise where the characters were, how they were moving, and how they were feeling. But what I got a lot of the time I got was a reporting style narrative which simply moved named characters to and from the major plot points. With the heavy themes of segregation, racial passing, discrimination, red lining - I wanted more emotional weight and complexity.
As a Black Brit, I had a real issue with what I can only call the "Welsh Wonderland" storyline. While I understand that Black American GIs were often treated with far more respect and dignity by British locals than by their own white counterparts, the book paints Wales as an almost post-racial paradise. It simply wasn't. Although we learn later in the novel that this perspective might just be a character's rose-tinted memory, the narrative lays it on far too thick initially. It felt like the history was being oversimplified for dramatic contrast, rather than honoring the complex reality of race in wartime Britain.
When the narrative does slow down, the author's message flashes with real brilliance. Unfortunately, because the writing leans so heavily on a fast, commercial pace, the book often races through its most critical moments instead of letting the emotional weight settle. The text relies too much on "emotion stickers"—literally telling us a character feels "doubt" or "fear" instead of letting the atmosphere or the subtext do the heavy lifting. Ultimately, the ending lands like a checklist of plot resolutions rather than the devastating emotional punch it should have been. It has all the right ingredients, but the execution held it back from reaching its full potential.
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