Converge

Shades of Trouble #2

by Kitty Cox

Lives that are meant to be together always converge.

I was proud to be a simple country man. All I had to do was take care of my little girl, feed the cows, and live a good life - until Violet showed up. With one bat of her false eyelashes, that woman rocked my world. The things she offered sounded too good to be true. Then she talked about problems that only belong in big cities, not places like Cats Peak, Texas.

So I screwed it all up.

The things I said hurt her, and I know it. I walked away from a man who understands me and a friend who makes my heart beat a little faster. I told myself it was only because I was taking care of my daughter, but that was a lie.

I did it because I was scared.

Changing a lifetime's worth of beliefs is terrifying. Doesn't matter if it's what I feel for those three or the mess that's going on with my daughter. Combined, I'm living a country boy's worst nightmare. I'm supposed to be a dad first. I have to focus on my little girl - so why can't I stop thinking about them?

Because that woman is my god damned hero. I'm man enough to admit it. I might be the dude in distress, and I may have screwed up my best chance at happiness, but I'm not going to give up. This time, I'm going to fight for what I want:

My daughter.
Two men who gave me a chance.
The woman who takes my breath away.
And to get the bastard who tried to target my child.

Being a good dad isn't enough anymore. It also doesn't excuse what I've done. Somehow, I'll find a way to make this right. But even if I can't win Violet back, my daughter deserves to know who the real hero of her story is - and it ain't me.


Converge is the second book in a series of four books.​​​​​​​

TRIGGERS MAY INCLUDE: Mentions of cancer, violence, criminal history, eating disorders, bullying, self harm, and discussions of child sexual assault and trauma.

This is a love story, but broken people deserve love too - and an ally on their side.

Converge is a novel with an ending that will leave you needing more. The main female character will have multiple, often complicated, relationships with different men. Includes M/M and M/F romance. For the purposes of the story, some medical and professional ethics may be bent or even broken.   Graphic language and situations that are suitable for a mature audience are included.

Genres: Contemporary, M M Romance, Romance, Why Choose, Polyamory, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary Romance

552 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 4, 2021

Reviews

[Daisy Delfin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pages: 552
My rating: 5

I love the loyalty of the Shades of Trouble. Even though they are tough people and made a life for themselves after they left Southwind they use their resources to help each other without judgement. Just invoke the colours and you get help no questions asked. And you see all the broken parts of all the main characters, even Luke’s and Faith’s. But they put them together and turn them into something beautiful and strong. They live tolerance and teach tolerance.

Really loved the second book.

But I was annoyed because of some sentences which were repeated over and over again he/she assures someone and I/he/she promised something. Just edit some of them out of the book.


The Characters: Names and descriptions of the persons

Vera Dawson: Vera is not a main character, but she gets the first place in the list, because she started this. Gran (Vera), well loved grandmother of Violet and the successful kids, who now have a colour.
Bea: Vera’s partner, died before Vera, they both run Southwind.

Violet Dawson = Violet:
Ashton Walker = Magenta: owner of Risqué, designs lingerie, was Cyan’s boyfriend when they were Teens, split when he went away to become a model, Violet’s best friend with benefits. He loves Violet but is scared to be her boyfriend. Chief of the board of directors (BOD) of Southwind.
Luke Barrett: Cowboy, used to play Football in school. But his girlfriend and Luke didn’t practice safer sex and she got pregnant. His had to leave Highschool and his parents threw him out. Vera and Bea took him in
Dr. Cyan Marshall: Cyan became a Psychologist. Violet talks to him and find out that he is jobless and homeless and asks him to work for Southwind and come back home. So he does. He was Ashton’s boyfriend before Ashton and Violet left to become models. He broke up with Ashton, even though Ashton is his forever love. But he also fell in love with Violet, but they were only friend.
Faith: Luke’s 12 year old daughter. She meets Violet in the bathroom of the diner, where she gets caught looking at her cuts (which she self-inflicted). Likes Violet and likes that Violet is her fathers girlfriend. She adores her Dad and would like to live with him.
Darnell Booker Color: Crisom: black guy, Private Security Company owner, does the Security for Southwind. Treasurer of the BOD
Cessily Blackburn Color: Chartreuse: Secretary of the BOD, she is a lawyer, her hobby is family law. Normally she works on contracts and stuff like this. She is highly thought after and highly paid.
Shawn Color: Teal: Shawn is the IT guy of the group. He got in trouble for hacking and ended up in Southwind. He has a girlfriend, somewhere near Southwind and thinks about changing to a college there. He loves Gaming.
Roberto Caruzo Color: Cobald: State Senator for this area, formerly lived in Southwind
Billy or Liam Color: Blaze: He has a short appearance at the end of book 2. He can organise tricky stuff with a steep price.


Colours we don’t meet in book 1
Color: Scarlet:
Color: Indigo:
Color: Coral:
Color: Burgundy:
Color: Brick:

Employees of Risqué:
Leslie Bancroft: run Risqué’s office as a receptionist when Ash stayed with Violet at the beginning. She becomes the Assistant of the COO because Ashton sees a spark in her and thinks he has to help her. She is part time student and working for Risqué. Her boyfriend lives in Oregon.

Citizens of Cats Peak:
Paul Simmons: Owner of the neighbouring Farm. Wants to by Violets Farm, but wants to give her little money. He wants to sell it to builder, because on Violets Farm there is a water supply. But she doesn’t want to sell the farm.
Meredith soon to be Jackson: Luke’s ex and mother of his daughter. Meredith was a cheerleader and a really good looking Teenager, which still shows 13 years later. But she is self-centred. She wants to be a trophy wife who doesn’t have to work. She resents Luke for knocking her up but she did tell him that she was on the pill when he forgot the condom.
Brody Jackson: to be stepdad of Faith (Luke’s daughter). Creepy guy. He has lots of prejudices like most of the townies.
David Bigsby: Pastor and a good guy.



Summery: detailed, lot’s of spoiler

Luke came back to southwind because he had no place to go. Violet asked Faith and Luke to come in. Faith is sent to the guys, but Luke wants to leave. Violet tells him, that he is home again and calls him Emerald. She takes him to her office while the guys take Faith to her room. Luke shows Violet the camera and she immediately calls Teal. He tells her he will do some hacking and gets Brodies wifi Name from Luke. Then they end the call. Violet tells Luke that they have a plan in place and tells him about the rainbow. Ashton has called Cessily and she want to talk to Luke. Luke is overwhelmed that Ash tells him about the job and the rent. And that she will get the custody for him.

With Crisom and Chartreuse on their way to Southwind help is coming.

Cessily take care of Luke. She gets a hearing and Luke gets emergency custody for Faith. And Luke gets the custody. The Shades of Trouble are happy especially because they all like Faith. And for Faith being with them is a great lecture about tolerance. She never met a black guy but is over that very quickly. She starts asking questions and Darnell answers them patiently. When he gives her unicorn pool toys, he is defiantly her best friend.

But there will be another hearing at the end of the month. In-between Meredith and Luke have to do mediation. And also Meredith’s wedding is before the next hearing. In the first mediation they have to talk about the Wedding. Meredith thinks that Luke will keep her from Faith. But Luke only tells her that she can see Faith but he needs a witness like her parents there so they can testify that Brody was not there. At the wedding Luke and Violet and two other colours will attend. When Meredith peaks bad about Darnell only because of his skin colour, her attorney reigns her in and tells her that she can’t say that, because discrimination is against the law. So Meredith has to suck it up.

Meanwhile Teal found the videos, Brody took. But his girlfriend takes it on her to watch the videos. She finds some of Faith but also other girls.

Faith turns 13 the next weekend and the Shades of trouble organise a nice party with lots of presents for her. Violet gives her a shopping gift card, because she doesn’t own much stuff. Faith is happy.

Luke has to pick up Faith Flower Girl dress for the wedding. Meredith friend talked a lot of dump stuff when he meets her. And instead of giving him the dress, she wants §350 for it. Luke pays her even though Faith does not like the dress. Then he drives away.

When Ash sees the dress he is really pissed. He decides to pull the dress apart and create something beautiful. He pulls Faith into this project. Tells her to show her dress she likes and together they create beautiful dress, in which Faith still looks 13.

Ash and Cy goes to the store where they buy food for the horses and other farm supplies. When they get there they find out that Meredith spread a lot of bullshit and one of those is that Ash has a relationship with Leslie his COO. And because he is a faggot they do not want to sell supplies. Ash calls Vi and she goes there pretty mad. After telling the lady of with no result, she calls her manager. The guy is unhappy about the behavior of his employee. So he tells her to do what Violet needs. Violet picks a fight with her an tells her that he will win. The lady was telling a lot o bad things about them.

Then Faith has to go to see Meredith. She does not like it until she hears that her grandparents are there too. But Brody turns up while she is making cookies with her grandmother. She tells him to leave. She fights and runs away, Then she calls Luke to come and pick her up.

Luke was in the middle of something with Cy when he gets the call. The both run to the truck to get Faith. She is okay, but they think that she is not coping well on the inside.

Violet and Cessily take Faith out on a girls day. They spoil her and buy her lots of clothes. Then Violet tells Darnell, who went with them to carry their stuff, to sneak to a store and get a chain with a lilac gem. Because Violet wants Faith to have a reminder that she is not alone and the Shades of trouble are watching her.

Next time they go to the foodstore and farm suplies. There a guy tries to pick a fight. But they an stop is relatively unharmed.

Teal find other information and pulls some strings. But they lead to nothing.
And they are running out of time to get Brody arrested and they get desperate.

The wedding is not really good, and a lot of gossip is passed around, but it’s not bad either. Faith looks beautiful in her dress even better than the bride. Ash and Cy who showed openly that they are a couple, go home early but Faith don’t want them to be alone. The leave too. And at home Faith catches Ash and Cy kissing. But she is only embarrassed, because she never saw something like this. But she tells Luke that she is no Bully and they are allowed to kiss in their home.

Meredith and Brody left for their honeymoon.

Pastor David calls Luke because he wants Luke to bring Ash to the diner. They talk and the Pastor invites him to church. During the meeting Ash tells the Pastor what Brody did and the Pastor offers to help. Ash shows the Pastor some photos and he recognises a girl. But he does not tell them who she is. But after the meeting when Luke and Ash go home they get jumped by six people and they mainly attack Ash. But Luke is scared that Ash was injured badly when the first guy caught him in the head. They fight until the police gets there and arrest Luke and Ash because the others called in and told them that they started the fight. Ash tells Luke to say nothing because they are lawyering up. The police talk to the other guys while Ash and Luke sit in the car. They take him to the police station and Luke asks for a medic. But Ash tells him to stop, because they would only end up in county jail until a judge would hear them out. But Bev David’s mum and owner of the diner arrives at the police station to tell the police that Ash and Luke were jumped and she has security footage which shows it. Ash finally gets to call Violet and she runs out of the house and tells Cy to stay with Faith. Cessily and Darnell are on their way to Cats Peak and meet her at the police station. She gets them out and home. They tell Cessily that Bev has security footage. Faith war really scared. She sees how bad Ash was hit and her dad too. Luke explains why he helped Ash that he couldn’t let Ash die and had to help.

The return of Brody and Meredith is close and because of the fight Luke’s chances are not so good. Also Paul Simmons is helping Meredith so she has much more money at her disposal.

Ash pulls some strings and is willing to take the fall for Teal. Ash ask the Pastor for help. To turn in some material which Teal send him to the police. Ash goes to meet the pastor who is really shocked and Ash tells the Pastor that he is willing to take the fall, if they need a scrape goat who did the hacking. Because he can’t see a kid hurt like that. But while they are talking officer Dan enters the church. The pastor shows him some of the material he got and it turns out that the girl is Dan’s cousin. He tells them that they did not know why she tried to kill her.

Luke gets desperate and ask Violet to help him get a gun. Violet promises to help him but only if she can’t pull strings. And while Violet is on the phone with Blaze to order a hit. Blaze tell her to talk to Teal because otherwise she will have to take the fall. When Violet calls Teal he tell her that he will pull every string, but one of the guys needs Ash to sponsor him. Violet agrees.

Everybody is anxious when Luke gets a call from Mike a acquaintance of Luke. He tells him that things are going on at Brody’s house and wants to know what Luke did. Luke and Cy run to the car and drive to Brody’s house. There they see a guy from the FBI taking a Notebook with him. Brody’s Notebook. Charly (Meredith’s Ex) a police officer sees them and comes to talk to Luke. But he is saved by the FBI guy, who tells them that they found some footage on the Notebook. He also tells them that he will need Ash’s help soon.

At Southwind everybody is excited about the turn of Events. Now Faith doesn’t have to go and live with Brody.

[Krysteena · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, I want to preface this by saying I really enjoy Kitty Cox and what she writes. However, she isn't perfect. And this book is an example of that. Everything is great, up until the romance part. Heck, even most of that is great.
Where it falls down is over how much the characters talk about what is going on. And I don't mean they have awesome communication. In fact, I'd say that despite how often her character communicate, they are TERRIBLE at communication. What makes me say that? It is because they tend to repeat the same thing many, many, many times. I got so sick of hearing how awesome a father Luke was, but how much Violet couldn't forgive him because he said hurtful things. It had to be at least 6 times, once between each main love interest and Violet, and once between each of the two other love interests besides Luke, and I think to Luke himself twice. And once from Violet to the lawyer, as well. May have been a couple more times elsewhere that I'm not thinking of right now. And that is just one example.
The main plotline of Luke's daughter verses potential step dad, really well done. Talked about sensitively, we are given just enough information at various points to keep us in suspense while giving us pressure relief from time to time. Main romances are well done as well, I was vested. Now though, if only we can get Kitty to stop over explaining and justifying everyone's choices. We are all in Kitty, you don't have to sell me anymore. Just tell the story.

[Jacquelyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this starts off right where we left off in last book but instead of Luke’s POV it’s from VI’s. Luke said some nasty things to Vi and Cy out of fear of being a bad father… and he was still coping with the fact of discovering new about it sexuality. He realizes that Cy was right about his daughter’s stepdad being a pedophile. He runs back to Vi for help to protect his daughter. Vi calls all her contacts from the squad she grew up with.

She has a lawyer on his case and they get emergency custody, CPS is called, a report is filed, a hacker proves that there is child porn being distributed by the stepdad but that cannot be used in the court of law. A PI helps to try to pull more evidence. Despite all this proof the town is full of prejudices, including the police, that don’t like the fact that people living out of the soon to be juvenile second chance center are LGBTQ, not religious, of another race etc… so the towns sole focus is bringing Vi and her crew down. All the evidence is being swept under the rug and/or being ignored.

While this is all going on Luke is trying to regain the trust of Vi and Cy. Ash is really the glue in this story (in my opinion). His actions speak the loudest. He falls in love with Luke helping Vi and Cy to move towards forgiveness. I really enjoy the group dynamics. Some great spice with one partial group scene with Vi, Cy and Ash. They really all come together to help Luke’s daughter and puts her first.

The pinnacle is when Ash is beaten up by 6-7 other townspeople discriminating against him for admitting he is Bi. Like jumps in to save him but instead of arresting the men that beat them they are arrested. Ash and Like confess their love. This will hurt Luke’s custody battle and with the police sitting on the evidence against the stepfather it means his daughter will have to go back to live with the mom. Luke won’t have that and he’s about to make a choice when Ash steps in and had the video evidence sent anonymously to the town pastor (who is working on inclusively within his church). The town pastor reports it to the police and come to find out one of kids is a cousin to one of the policemen… but he’s low on to totem pole so the police still do nothing with the evidence. So Vi steps up and calls in a favor for a hitman… but she’s referred back to the hacker friend who is working with the FBI. The FBI race the stepfathers home and they have the evidence and they arrest the stepdad. Despite all that the townspeople, including the police (except officer Dan) threaten Luke and Cy saying they will chase them out and still believe that the stepdad is innocent. So we shall see what comes next.

There was some great teaching moments and I really hope that things work out eventually. But it’s hard to change a town full of discriminatory prejudice with narrowed thinking.

[Jennifer G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luke thought he had life figured out. He got up early, worked hard all day with the cows, went to church, and was the best father he could be to his daughter Faith. Then Violet came back to town. She turned his life upside down. Her best friends Ash and CY made him question who he was. Then they told him things about his daughter that he didn't want to believe. He panicked and turned on them. He believed the lies of the townspeople. They were right. And when he went to them for help, they took him without hesitation. Even gave him a color. Luke knows he messed up. He's still scared but he's no longer alone. He has the Rainbow.

I am still enjoying this series but my concerns are growing. It was repetitive and I feel like Violet has become secondary to the love relationships. I wasn't happy with the dynamics in book one but still had hope. Now I feel it's gotten even worse. I don't feel Luke appropriately redeemed himself with Violet. He said some hateful things that were never addressed properly. There was never a full apology. How about "I was wrong, Vera was the finest woman I ever knew and she would be proud of you. I was way out of line and only wanted to strike out at you." No, I know I messed up. Spell it out. We all know you messed up. Own it word for word. He destroyed her feelings. She told him at the time. I am not satisfied that he tried to make it better. Worse, her best friend ignored her pain and took Luke as his boy toy. Maybe Ash and Cy could wait and let Violet be the focus, have her heart mended first before they satisfy their wants?? Honestly, the guys should all pull back until Faith is legally safe. They are irresponsible. But still, the biggest problem is one Violet pointed out herself. She comes last. Ash and Cy have this epic love and now are enthralled with Luke. Luke will always need to put Faith first. It was pointed out that Luke was a bit vanilla with Violet, yet each encounter the men have together is portrayed as mindblowing. They say Violet is the glue. These words don't live up to their actions. They each say they would pick her first but in the next breath, they prove otherwise. She's so damaged, she wants to be loved. She's happy to just be included but she deserves more than any of these three men are giving her. She is beautiful, fierce, and all heart. She deserves so much more. At this point I want another man to enter the story. One who will worship her like the men do each other.

I will continue to read this story. I think Kitty Cox is a wonderful writer. These characters are real. The town is real. I am invested. But my heart hurts for Violet.

[Jessica Loski · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really wanted this book to be better than the first....but once again it wasn't. Every single chapter things get repeated over and over and over. Ugh...it made me so angry and bored. You only have to explain the relationship between all the characters once maybe twice. Not every single chapter. The over explaining of the dynamics of all the relationships really takes away from the book. WE GET IT. STOP IT. If you remove all of the repetative things the story could be great. It just doesn't go anywhere because you are way too busy saying the same thing over and over. I just wanted to know what happens with Luke and his kid but i couldn't stomach anymore. I made it to 40% of book 3 and i had to delete it. Not wasting anymore time.

[Bookworm Babe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oi. The storyline is great, the drama intense, and the bedroom is spicy! I'd love to see where this story goes, but the never ending political discussions and sermons are making me stop here.
You get about 3 pages of plot for every 30 pages of acceptance and ignorance dialog. A small amount would be pertinent to the story, but this just feels like a thousand hour speech that I personally don't need to hear again (I heard it all in book 1 already).

[H · Rating 3 out of 5]

dragged at times. repetitive but good overall story and characters.

[Katrina]

I seriously love this series. The characters are not perfect and make mistakes, but do their best to fix it. I like that even though it is RH, the character's relationships are all separate. They allow each other to move at their own paces in each relationship and don't expect everyone to be at the same spot.

This book expands on the serious issues of discrimination in Cat's Peak and while it is hard to see, and know it still happens, it is nice to meet the allies along the way. I look forward to seeing certain characters get what they deserve!

I love the 4 Shades at the center of this story, and love meeting the others along the way. The tie-ins with the Gamer Girls series and When it Rains are icing on the amazing cake that is this series. The only bad thing is having to wait for the next book!

[Sheila Johnston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inclusive & Sexy but

I'm enjoying this series though there's a few concerns that pull me out of the story. There's diversity even in a white community. They're not all uber religious. They're not all uber conservative. They're not all consumed in gossip. They're not all mindless drones that believe a scorned woman's spite. That the only nice compassionate person is one pastor is a bit much. There's no in between here. I get the obstacle needed to overcome in this trope is prejudice, dirty officials, black listing, lies, & violence etc but too much adversity spoils the soup. What miracle Kool-Aid will make it worth living in this Waco? Can you hear the banjos?

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Difficult what to say about this book. It’s still beautifully written, with love and suspense. It just takes soo long before things actually happen. I feel that the story could be 50% shorter without all the ‘talking it out or inner ramblings’. I just want to know if they end up together openly and if Luke gets to keep his daughter. I’m not sure if I have the patience to go through the next two books to know the answer.

[Rubz]

Okay, the books are really wordy like some reviews say but it just reminds me a bit about how Auryn Hadley writes.
I have learned a lot from these two books so far, it is really eye-opening how Kitty Cox describes different aspects that I thought I understood. So, big props for that!
I hated Luke by the end of Collide, okay despised? was disappointed? But Cessily (Chartreuse) and Cy and Ash I think, kinda put into perspective what Luke was experiencing and I cut him slack; the guy was going through A LOT.
There are some dark aspects here but it doesn’t get too scary or too much to stomach; but please do heed the trigger warnings.
Surprisingly, Ash is my favorite character because he reminds me of some of my favorite MCs; Daemon from The Black Jewels Trilogy: Daughter of the Blood, Heir to the Shadows, Queen of the Darkness and Eladehl from The Price We Pay; sweet but cruel too, beautifully so!
I think this is my first purely contemporary rh, I believe the author has done an amazing job with trying as much as possible to make it seem real, probable too, maybe, or possible? But mehn, homophobia and racism, this kind of hate will never make sense to me.
Each new book starts off immediately where the last one ended, something I find that I like very much. Glad we didn’t have much of a cliffhanger with this one also, just finished off a problem. Unfortunately, that just worries me about the bad thing that might happen in the next book because in this one there was no relationship angst; just the way I like it and hope it remains so.
I’m in love with the color coding or rainbow thing they got going on. I ALSO WANT A COLOR 😔

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. I'm loving this story.

This series continues to wreck my mind. It's wordy and full of people making mistakes and talking about a lot of feelings and thoughts, but I love it.

What I love the most is that this story is from the perspective of all four main characters. In the beginning it felt like it was just Violet's story about reopening a home for troubled teens and the men in her life helping out. Then it morphed into the story of a single dad discovering that he's not as straight as he thought, but more importantly trying to protect his pre teen daughter from a dangerous situation. But now, there's the story about a psychiatric doctor trying to piece together his broken heart and a businessman working on protecting his family from small town minds. This is an intense read about love and life and people looking out for each other whilst playing a dangerous game.

I am loving it, though I know it won't be for everyone. Like I mentioned before: it's wordy, but I love wordy books. It's full of some deep dialogue. And Luke, our single father, is having his whole world rocked by these "city folks" and watching him awaken and stumble through mistakes feels real to me. This book is so above my brain capacity and I'm sure I'll have to read the series a few times before I'll understand it all. But, I've become a huge Kitty Cox fan. Girl can write. Can we be friends?

[Ariel Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Satisfying and amazing

I just loved this story, there were enough reminders that I could have read this cold turkey without a reread of the first book but the pace allows for a great binge session. This was book was so good I literally read it in one sitting then reread the first one so I could read them together. I love every single one of these characters and can’t wait to meet more of the rainbow.
Even more I loved that we get to see more romance and love than just the main story. I feel like I get tired of some reverse harem/poly romance books where the FMC is collecting every available desirable man that’s ever introduced to without any regard for the chemistry and dynamics of her current relationships.
Something of a spoiler (I guess): I love that the romance and relationships in this book don’t just happen like magic. They’re all humans with all the flaws and issues that entails. Being perfect for each other doesn’t mean actually being perfect. On top of that they don’t exist in a bubble. This is the real world with real problems and I loved seeing a non-traditional relationship thrive in those circumstances. Real love and long term relationships take work and this book shows that in one of the most romantic and endearing stories I’ve ever read. 10/10 highly recommended.

[Ashley]

I don't think I can finish this one.

I liked the first book (mostly) and immediately dived into this one. It's been over a week and I have barely made it to the halfway point (I usually can get through a book this length in a day, two at most). Like the first book, this one is unnecessarily long. There is so much in it that really is irrelevant to the overall story. I find myself skimming quite a bit.

Another thing that I'm not too fond of in this book is the fact that it's not about Violet and her relationship with the guys... its more about the guys' relationship with each other. Violet is more of an afterthought. I mean it's her house, she's known Cy and Ash for most of her life, and she had a crush on Luke since she was in middle school. But we get more about how Luke is falling for Cy or wants to bump uglies w/ the beautiful Ash. She spends more time helping them w/ their relationships with each other than she does being in a relationship with them.

I'll probably eventually finish this one, but at the moment, I'm gonna have to set it aside.

[Sandi Devlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better

This is such a great 2nd book. I adored the first book in this series and this one is just as good or even better, which I did not think was possible.

This book continues immediately after book one and is just as consuming. Luke definitely needs to redeem himself and I love the process he goes through.

I love the found family trope, it is probably my favorite. The Shades of Trouble are such a great group and just always there for each other.

Violet was great, strong yet vulnerable and such a great leader. She holds everyone together. Love all the guys and how they support each other and Violet.

There are cameos from other books that are in the same world and it is nice seeing them here.

I love how it ends. There is a clear end but still with lots of questions that make you hunger for the next book. I so recommend this and can’t wait for the next in the series.

[Slaughterhouse Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

I loved this series so far. I have the next two books preordered. It’s an adorable love story and has a good storyline to follow along with.

My only 2 issues are

1) I felt like sometimes the main characters were selfish and reckless with their physical relationships when they knew/know it can directly impact Faith who is only a child and should be the most important. If the lawyer says no polygamy for 30 days so we for sure win custody of the kid snd she’s never around her abuser again. I’m not sneaking around im being a freaking nun for 30 days lol

2) I thought the MM relationships should of been on hold till violet and emerald worked their sh** out. Personal opinion but her friends/other boyfriends should of kept it their hands to themselves till she decided if she could forgive him.

[Kasumatata · Rating 5 out of 5]

50 Shades of Family



Converge picks up where Collide left off. Our favourite cowboy Luke needs help and Violet, Ashton and Cyan go all in to protect their loved ones. This book gives us the real scope of what the Shades of Trouble are capable of. 

I love the growth of the characters, the way this feels very close to reality (unfortunately) because of the way some small minded townspeople still think about diversity. The contrast between those who embrace it and those who reject it is painted in a way where I just want to insert myself and make things better. What I love is how the author manages to slip in some education along the way. 


All in all this series feels like a warm embrace on a day where you feel insecure and exhausted. The way these characters build a family and care about helping others is heartwarming! 

[Sondra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little repetitive

While I am enjoying the series, it took me a little longer to finish and stay interested in the story line. There was a lot of trust issues, angst, things to work out in the polymerase lifestyle. It seemed really slow and forced to get enough words in. I like the overall story line it's just taking a really long and slow way to get there. Parts picked up and kept me interested. There was a brief reference to the gamer girls series and I completely loved that. There is a cliffhanger and you need to read book 1 before this book. It is not a stand alone. I am enjoying this series and will continue to read every book, I just wish things weren't dragged out to fill this many books.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2, Almost as good as 1

This is the second book in the series and it picks up from Violet's POV right before the end of book 1. Plot, good. Romance and spice between the main characters, good. However, the thing that made me take 1 star away was I felt that this book got repetitive with the dialogue. In the sense that these characters are not afraid to discuss their feelings, but that means we hear the same spiel over and over and over again from different characters. Luke's a good dad, Violet is more than a pretty face, Cy has trust issues, Ash is misunderstood. I found myself skimming those sections when it felt like I wasn't going to learn anything new or have a character development come from it.

[Tab · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay

I love this story... and I'm gonna give it 5 stars even if certain aspects irk me. The over the top, high amount of talking about acceptance... some of those topics are spoken about on dang near every chapter, and it's like beating a dead horse, especially when it's the SAME individuals having the conversations. The kiddo in the story, I get it being repeated, she's a main character... but it's like every other side character gets a spiel about acceptance and they all say the same sorts of things. It's taking up sooo much room in the story that it's getting boring due to repeating the same types of phrases over and over and over again every couple of pages.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book built on a great cliffhanger

This book navigates the trouble of reporting child abuse in a small conservative town. Especially if you are queer/lgbtq+ and are hated more then the abusers. All while the main characters fall in love and form a relationship and decide who is going to be in it, openly or not, and who can know outside of the relationship.
The potential triggers are real, but so is the fact that the main characters want to be heroes. (not a spoiler, it's the basis of the plot starting from book 1.)

[Jane Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me fall in love with these characters even more! I absolutely love this world and characters that Kitty has created. This series feels to relatable to real life and really makes you see how one person can make a difference in someone’s life. I love how every character in this book is willing to help the underdog and do everything in there powers to prevent others being hurt or taken advantage of. I am so excited for book two! PS. This harem has a hot cowboy. SO READ THIS SERIES!!!

[Kim Whitehead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Moly!! What a phenomenal story!! I came across this new author, I think the cover is what sparked my interest, Kitty Cox and I’m in total awe!! Her words and wisdom were so eloquently told! I was mesmerized by the whole story line! So much love was shown and the hate was depicted in such a way, that it made you want to murder the book! It had suspense to the point I felt myself cheering internally! The chemistry was…..phew!! Over the top amazing!! Anxiously awaiting the next installment!! If I could give it a big 10, I would!! Freaking incredible!!

[Jeri L. Moseley · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good...

I'm really enjoying this series even if some of the topics are uncomfortable. I grew up with a lot of those small-minded bigots. Those suposside Christians who were Christian on Sunday but evil every other day. I love stories that don't shy away from the hard truth. Events like these probably happen every day. Ignoring it makes you part of the problem, not the solution. Thank you, Kitty for raising awareness but also for making your education material so entertaining.

[TipseyBookReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Converge picks up right we’re Collide left off. Luke is fighting for his daughter and Violet and the rest of the Shades of Troubles are on board. I loved while all the Colors are on board with helping Luke and Faith, it doesn’t automatically mean the Luke is forgiven for her jerkish words, and that he works to mend the relationship. I love that this story really focuses on the relationship and dynamics between them. This is an awesome series and I can’t wait for book 3!

[Natasha Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg kitty! You've done it again.

I love this book, and it is shaping up to be the best series Kitty has written to date. The complex issues it deals with and the clarity of which Kitty writes about them makes for an engaging, creative, and emotional read. I can't wait to read the rest of VI, Cy, Ash, Luke, and Faiths story.. because yes, it's Faiths story too, just in a different way :). Love love love it.

[Manju Bath · Rating 5 out of 5]

The feels. So many feels 🥺❤️🥰

WOW!!
There was so much, and yet not enough. I love these characters, and the rainbow is f*#king awesome. I love how this world is now connected to the Gamer Girls world. And the feels, ALL THE FEELS. You laugh, you cry, you want to reach into the book a kick some racist bigoted a$$.

Read the book. Love the book. And then read everything else that Kitty Cox & Auryn Hadley (aka Cerise Cole) have ever written.

[Jessica Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew! That was quite the book!

Things got the fan at the end of the last book and we see everyone working to come back together after Luke's (justified) meltdown. We see the troubles and problems that are part of a lot of small southern towns and whew is the journey great. I do feel the focus is more on the guys relationships but it does make sense for the story and established relationships. Definition need the next one!

[Paige T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this series and the characters!

I love how different the main characters are from each other, and how perfectly they complement each other.
None of them are perfect and they don't try to be. They try to be honest with their flaws and honest in the fact that they're trying to do/be better.
Some darker topics addressed in this book/series, but also so much love and acceptance with the main characters and the rest of the Shades of Trouble.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved these books! I got the first one during the stuff your kindle event and immediately ran through them any time I had a free minute. I'm a truck driver, so free time is at a minimum but I read all 4 books in less than a week! Usually kindle unlimited books are hit or miss and these are DEFINITELY a hit! It's going to be so hard to start a new book now that I'm done. Probably going to jump into more books by this author because she's the real deal!