Canvas

Canvas #1

by Jody Kaye

—Mitch—
Every woman I get involved with proves that it’s better to live without loving anyone. I learned a long time ago that my mother was out to destroy my father using the best weapon she had: me. So keeping the people that I can’t help care about at arm's length is safer for everyone. As much as I'd like to change this it’s not worthwhile. When I show back up in Rollinsford, my crazy stepsister’s new best friend shows me everything I could have. Or rather, everything I have yet to lose. You know what sucks the worst? We’d be perfect together if either us could get past our broken hearts.

—Lindsey—
In a short time at Rollins University, I’ve managed to wreck my reputation. Mitch is one of the few who knows the underlying truth of what actually happened. He doesn’t hold my poor choices against me. But Megan’s self-destructive brother follows the pattern I need to fall out of. So why did I fall so hard and fast for a guy who can't decide if he only wants to be friends? And how do I put my heart on the line again for a guy like this?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

236 pages, ebook

First published February 13, 2016

About the author

Jody Kaye writes interconnected steamy contemporary romance, including the unbridled Kingsbrier Quintuplets and the emotionally charged, multi-generational southern Shattered Hearts of Carolina series.

“Jody is a masterful storyteller, with beautifully developed characters, incredible landscapes and every now then and plot twists that will leave you reeling.” —Goodreads review

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Reviews

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow multi person POV was interesting way to write and read a story. A few times I had to stop and think- which person's voice. Made for a different kind of read I kind of enjoyed.Mitch has been controlled by his mother his whole life even though he lived with his father and step mother who he called mom. He never felt like he could keep anyone in his life with his mother's far reaching powers. This leaves Mitch keeping everyone at a safe distance until he literally falls in love with Lindsey who he pushes away to safe everyone. not a cliff hanger ending but I knew I couldn't stop with book 1 dug right into Imprint

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lindsey's world has been turned upside down but she is moving back home for her and her daughter. Being close to the mom that has filled her own mother's shoes for years she has people around her that love her. If only she could get away from Mitch Mitch still won't fight back against his mother. Rough going. Great read though some very tough subject matter. lovely multiple POV

[Irene · Rating 2 out of 5]

"He was the one who took her jacket off, and set her down on the sofa, before not knowing what to do anymore. He vanished into the fabric waiting until she needed him." There are so many things I do not like about this book, the least of which is the characters constant inability to communicate their feelings for each other. Will not be purchasing the next book(s) in the series.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a story that is set where I grew up, I found the feel delightfully nostalgic. The characters were so complex and interesting, I couldn't put this book down. Readers will wish for the success and growth of the characters. I've already started her next book!

[Sarah Brocious · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come

[Linda Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

New author to me, Canvas was an enjoyable book. There’s a lot of toying with hearts, angst, heartbreak and frustration. Ms Kaye tells this story from several characters POV, which I quite like. There were characters I loved and others I loved to hate. I wanted Peter to man up and fight for his son. I found it difficult to understand how a loving family would choose their daughters friend over their blood. Mitch and Lindsey frustrated me, why would he treat her as a dirty secret and why did she allow it? Megan was selfish and a David seemed like the only level headed younger character. I’m going to grab a copy of Imprint now to continue with the story.

Mitch has a split family, on one side there is his disconnected mother and on the other is his father, his stepmother and half sister. The two families couldn’t be farther apart, whilst one is loving the other commits to a sense of duty and uses Mitch as an asset, not a son. His eyes were drawn to the girl running with her dog and from that moment on she held a piece of his heart. However Mitch lacked in communication and misconceptions that were never straightened out make for a sad and lonely life. Mitch makes poor choices that create a crevice wider than the Grand Canyon, leaving him on one side and his family on the other.

Lindsey is fairly new to town, she’s been hurt and has had to endure nastiness from her fellow students. Mitch’s sister Megan took her under her wing and home to her parents. Peter and Scarlett immediately opened their hearts and home to this girl in need. She clicked with Megan’s brother, but she didn’t want or need any boy trouble. Until they both took a dip in the murky water, however neither of them showed any commitment. One day Lindsey decided to cut ties with Mitch and move on.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

Wow, OK, where to begin. This is a story of a brother and half-sister, Mitch and Megan; David, Megan's boyfriend; and Lindsay, who they meet in college. There is a lot that goes on in this book, but it's really about the pitfalls of Mitch and Lindsay's relationship/non-relationship. Mitch is a damaged soul who falls in love with Lindsay, but never tells her because of the effects of his mother's treatment of him for his whole life. There are times I got frustrated with him and I really wanted him to tell his mother off so he could get on with his life and be the good man that we know he truly is.
Lindsay goes through a rough time in the beginning of college and Megan swoops in, brings her home and Megan's family becomes Lindsay's family. Everyone can see how Mitch feels about her, but she's unsure of what he truly wants, so she moves on. Lindsay meets Jason, who is more than happy to love her truly and openly. They marry and have a daughter. He is a helicopter pilot in the service and gets deployed several times.
There is so much to this story and I hate to give too much away. If you enjoy books that contain the unconditional love of family, dealing with loss, gaining trust and friendships that will last a lifetime you will enjoy this book. It is a cliffhanger, and I know a lot of people don't like the fact that you have to buy another book to find out what happens, but I am certainly going to do so.

[Bernie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of 2 parts. This is a long story..it has a second part to it, as it ends abruptly in readiness for the next book. There are many characters. The main couple is Mitch and Lindsay, who have a strained relationship over a number of years. Mitch's mother is Joan, having left his father Peter when pregnant because she didn't want a child. She is emotionally deficient, manipulating all to get her way. Why Mitch as an adult is still attached to her is difficult to understand. He knows her behaviour is toxic, seriously impeding him and in turn he is emotionally stagnant, but this is a major factor through the book.
His father remarried Scarlett and gained custody so he had some stability and affection living with them and his half sister.
He sees a happy marriage, not only his parents but with his sister, losing Lindsay to Jason.
There is love lost, friendships fraught with indecision, uncertainty, hidden feelings, death and illness...
It is well written, the characters well developed and you can have empathy for many, but Mitch brings unhappiness upon himself, wallowing in self pity runs through the years as the story unfolds.


I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bette Stanek · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 bumped to 5! WOW!!! Talk about all the feels. This was funny, maddening, inspirational, angsty, heartwrenching, heartwarming, and joyful in turns. There is so much going on and multiple stories are interwoven together, but it all flows smoothly. Canvas spans an almost eight-year timeframe, from college years to young adulthood/professional life. It is the story of four best friends and how miscommunication, lack of confidence, and sometimes snap decisions can affect the trajectory of life. The dynamics of the relationships in Canvas are multifaceted and never easy. No one has all the pieces of the puzzle. Can they find peace with their choices? Will they eventually find their way back to one another?

Warning: you'll want the second book in the series, Imprint, already downloaded before you finish Canvas.

[BigGirl BigBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised to find the book starting out from Mitch's of you. Romance novels start with the woman's point of you. Well. I found this very refreshing. I read a lot and figuring out Mitch first before I met Lindsey, gave this a 4 star instead of the 3-star I originally thought of giving.
This is one part coming of age, one part trying to figure out who you are, and one part when do you stop looking and realize everything you need you have already known. THIS is where the "will they or won't they" comes into play and lasts a little too long. If this was a romantic suspense novel, with tons of S-x-al tension...then yes I like the author to capitalize on that BUT in this case it was more of a growing up and finding out what kind of love you need. I may edit this review after I read the next installment of Mitch and Lindsey's story.

[Rachael Houlker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have just finished re-reading. Only remembered the story as reading, so felt like 1st read, having to wait to turn the page to see how the story would unfold and still managed to surprise me with the twists in the story line. Well developed characters that make you feel - laughter, annoyance, frustration, joy, love. Reminds me of why I started following the author. Can’t wait to move onto Imprint, book 2 in series’s.

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written book with a cast of strong well developed characters centering on Lindsay and Mitch's relationship over the years. The author does a great job painting her scenes and giving a multi person POV making an interesting and different type of story. She moves the story at a steady pace and ends with a cliffhanger. I'm looking forward to the next book.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Leigh Ann Atwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comfortable

Really a rambling book, but in a good way. The story covers a number of years and a wide range of characters. Each gets a voice, depending on the time and circumstance. It only works because the characters are so well sketched and their relationships so interwoven that they each deserve a part. Reading turns out to be like lying under a scratchy old wool blanket.

[AND 1515 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gem of a book....

by and1515

This story brings to light quite a few sensitive topics and the lasting damage they can leave behind.
Then of course there's the fantastic bunch of perfectly flawed characters who's voices add wonderful compelling drama to this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read several books written by Jody Kaye; she is becoming one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

She’s written a good book, Lindsey & Mitch have been friends for years, but Mitch can’t really get out from under his mother Joan.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Quinlan Marcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another new-to-me author & now hooked!

This first book was a wonderfully written story of young college students and the relationships between them over the space of a few years...to be continued!

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a good, and enjoyable romance read. The story has a good easy to follow story line, and well written read. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Petra Moss · Rating 4 out of 5]

They should not work together, both are broken interior own ways, but they are drawn to one another. Can they heal together?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Meaghan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god! The writing is so well done in this series because I wanted to reach in and shake Lindsey and Mitch! I actually messaged Jody and told her I hated Mitch and he was pissing me off. Great story about star crossed lovers and the crazy stuff you went through in college and soon after.

[diann bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

So! This is a story about a few friends and their connections with each other and their family and the bonus to this is that you get the perspectives of many of the characters involved. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline, the real life way it ended was fitting and I can appreciate it.

[Robert M Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Very well written. Strong characters. Very easy to follow the story. Couldn't put it down. Need more in this series!

[Sue Woodard Hebble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story. I loved the characters. I didn't want to put the book down.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really was feeling all over the place with this book. Story line is great though.

[Paula Genereau · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is amazing. what a great book and I love Jody's style of writing. shes amazing

[Elisha Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Canvas was well written with an easy to follow storyline. It held me captive until I finished. I couldn't put it down.

[Coco.V]

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[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Mitch and Lindsay are that couple you just want to get together. The problem is Mitch just seems to get in his own way! It's obvious he has issues with committing, based off of someone in his past. The book shows that even with a loving, supportive family, you can't always escape the disappointments that shaped your life.

The author does a great job of making the reader feel like a character in the book. The second book in the series is also out, I'm interested to see what happens next.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it really says something about the characters in the book when the reader wants to interact with them. I found this to be the case with Canvas; throughout the book I just wished that I could interact with the main characters, Mitch and Lindsey, and talk some sense into them! The novel is about these two characters, their love for each other, and the roadblocks that life puts up in front of them. It is part of a series, and I am interested in seeing where the next book takes them.

[Kerstie Hazelbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

You love them, you hate them, they frustrate you, you want the best for them, and then you can't stand that it's over. The characters in this book are so well formed that they leave you wanting more. Mitch is annoying but for some reason you desperately want to like him. Lindsey is so likeable you can only want the best for her, but what is that?? I'm just happy that there is a 2nd book to continue the saga!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jody Kaye draws you in from page one--as you are introduced to each character, you want to know more about them. I loved Canvas and can't wait to read the next book in the series, Imprint, to see what life has in store for Lindsay.