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The Color of Light
At thirty-two, pregnant and recently divorced, Jillian Parrish and her seven-year-old daughter find refuge and solace on Pawleys Island, South Carolina. Jillian had experienced her best childhood memories here-until her best friend Lauren Mills disappeared, never to be found. At the time, Linc Rising, Lauren's boyfriend and Jillian's confidant, had been a suspect in Lauren's disappearance. Now he's back on Pawleys Island-renovating the old Mills house. And as ghosts of the past are resurrected, and Jillian's daughter begins having eerie conversations with an imaginary friend named Lauren, Jillian and Linc will uncover the truth about Lauren's disappearance and about the feelings they have buried for sixteen years.
293 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2005
329 people are currently reading
5064 people want to read
About the author
Karen White
42 books7,457 followersWith more than 2 million books in print in fifteen different languages, Karen White is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of 34 novels, including the popular Charleston-set Tradd Street mystery series.
Raised in a house full of brothers, Karen’s love of books and strong female characters first began in the third grade when the local librarian issued her a library card and placed The Secret of the Old Clock, a Nancy Drew Mystery, in her hands.
Karen’s roots run deep in the South where many of her novels are set. Her intricate plot lines and compelling characters charm and captivate readers with just the right mix of family drama, mystery, intrigue and romance.
Not entirely convinced she wanted to be a writer, Karen first pursued a career in business and graduated cum laude with a BS in Management from Tulane University. Ten years later, in a weak moment, she wrote her first book. In the Shadow of the Moon was published in August, 2000. Her books—referred to as “grit lit” (Southern Women’s Fiction)—have since been nominated for numerous national contests including the SIBA (Southeastern Booksellers Alliance) Fiction Book of the Year.
Karen’s next book, THAT LAST CAROLINA SUMMER, will be published by Park Row Books in July, 2025.
When not writing, Karen spends her time reading, scrapbooking, playing piano, and avoiding cooking. Karen and her husband have two grown children and currently live near Atlanta, Georgia with two spoiled Havanese dogs.
- See more at: http://www.karen-white.com/bio.cfm#st...
Raised in a house full of brothers, Karen’s love of books and strong female characters first began in the third grade when the local librarian issued her a library card and placed The Secret of the Old Clock, a Nancy Drew Mystery, in her hands.
Karen’s roots run deep in the South where many of her novels are set. Her intricate plot lines and compelling characters charm and captivate readers with just the right mix of family drama, mystery, intrigue and romance.
Not entirely convinced she wanted to be a writer, Karen first pursued a career in business and graduated cum laude with a BS in Management from Tulane University. Ten years later, in a weak moment, she wrote her first book. In the Shadow of the Moon was published in August, 2000. Her books—referred to as “grit lit” (Southern Women’s Fiction)—have since been nominated for numerous national contests including the SIBA (Southeastern Booksellers Alliance) Fiction Book of the Year.
Karen’s next book, THAT LAST CAROLINA SUMMER, will be published by Park Row Books in July, 2025.
When not writing, Karen spends her time reading, scrapbooking, playing piano, and avoiding cooking. Karen and her husband have two grown children and currently live near Atlanta, Georgia with two spoiled Havanese dogs.
- See more at: http://www.karen-white.com/bio.cfm#st...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 439 reviews
February 20, 2017
The Color of Light was enjoyable but predictable. There were no surprises and the mystery was easy to figure out, both of them. This could be categorized as light mystery or romance, but it was mainly about relationships. I enjoyed the changes that happened within Jillian. A couple of minor complaints here; I did find it hard to believe that she went from being hugely pregnant to having a flat tummy only six weeks after her baby was born. And I was actually glad when she was no longer pregnant because I got tired of everyone treating her like she was a fragile clumsy invalid. Maybe it was just me, but I was never that clumsy while pregnant and could still carry things just fine without being able to see my feet.
November 9, 2012
When I picked up this book at the library yesterday, most of what I planned to do last night was quickly abandoned so I could just read! Karen White has become one of my favorite authors of contemporary fiction, and her books are the kind I would like to write if I could. Her characters are so fully developed and so beautifully damaged, that watching them cope with loss and learn to live and love again is compelling. Jillian, a divorced mother learning to be independent at the same time she is trying to be a more present and connected mother, comes home to Pawleys Island, South Carolina, hoping to put a difficult childhood to rest. She reconnects with a childhood friend, Linc, and together they solve the mystery of the disappearance of their friend Lauren. Typical White plot devices are present, including old letters, a child's treasure box, and the appearance of ghosts (all of which I liked and made sense in the story). Again, White's characters are creative types--an architect that also builds furniture, and a cook/baker who feeds people to keep them close and care for them. Even with a mostly happy ending, my heart still hurt when I finished this book--I guess because I now have one less of her books to read!
May 9, 2016
This is a silly little book, pure fluff - so if you're looking for that then is for you. It was my local book club's selection and I had reservations going in as contemporary novels aren't usually my thing. I was hoping that the mystery the blurb alluded to would be it's salvation, I was wrong. The mystery was basically an afterthought and you don't even hear much about it until the last 1/3 of the novel. The author didn't really build good characters with this novel - they weren't consistent. The novel opens with Jillian being devastated about her divorce, yet later in the novel she acknowledges that she had checked out of her marriage long before she actually got divorced. There were a lot of little things like this that made the book ridiculous. I was surprised that my fellow book club members agreed with these things, yet they said they still liked it! Not my cup of tea. I have read other books by this author though that I have enjoyed so I won't let this one ruin my perception of her.
August 1, 2020
I love the easy way Karen White has of weaving just a touch of the supernatural into a story in a completely believable way. It would be so nice to see Gracie in a later book. She is a sweet child.
July 18, 2018
This wasn't as intricate or surprising as White's other books I've read, but her attention to detail and descriptive writing made this a page turner.
December 30, 2018
This is my second Karen White book and I’m so in. The writing is lovely and descriptive without being overly taxing. The characters are real enough that they’re believable and you relate.
This story had a little scify to it that I wasn’t expecting. It didn’t bother me like I thought it would. It fit in with the storyline well and didn’t seem forced which I really liked.
I also enjoyed watching the development the 2 main characters. I don’t want to give away spoilers but this book is great all the way through!
This story had a little scify to it that I wasn’t expecting. It didn’t bother me like I thought it would. It fit in with the storyline well and didn’t seem forced which I really liked.
I also enjoyed watching the development the 2 main characters. I don’t want to give away spoilers but this book is great all the way through!
September 25, 2023
I’m glad I had a power outage to get me hooked on this book. It was a fast read, and the candlelight added to the ghost story aspect.
August 23, 2010
This is the only author who has me reading in bed IN THE MORNING before my feet hit the floor! BUT! Vacation season is over and I ended it with this 4th novel of White's this summer....The plot was most intriguing but I didn't 'fall into' the characters and craved more of the 'real' Pawleys Island. Karen White, you will be my vacation companion again in the future.....
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April 15, 2015Another great book by one of my favorite authors
This book was a real page-turner. It was full of rich, yet flawed characters, a beautiful setting, and an unsolved mystery. As always in Karen White's books, you will feel that you are right there on Pawley's Island with Jillian, Linc, and Grace.
This book was a real page-turner. It was full of rich, yet flawed characters, a beautiful setting, and an unsolved mystery. As always in Karen White's books, you will feel that you are right there on Pawley's Island with Jillian, Linc, and Grace.
August 8, 2011
I really enjoyed this book. A bit of mystery, romance, and working out individual problems. This can be a very easy read with nothing more than a fun story. But there is more underneath with the symbolism.
July 30, 2018
Loved it!
I really enjoyed this book. Karen White writes very visually. As I read the book it played out in my minds eye. It is a mystery, love story, best friends book and mother/ child relationship. It has the romantic chemistry in spades. Getting another by her tonight.
I really enjoyed this book. Karen White writes very visually. As I read the book it played out in my minds eye. It is a mystery, love story, best friends book and mother/ child relationship. It has the romantic chemistry in spades. Getting another by her tonight.
January 5, 2013
Read it in one sitting. Couldn't put it down. Will now seek out other books by her. So awesome!
March 18, 2018
I didn't like The Color of Light at all. Karen White's other books were much better.
A pregnant Jillian with her daughter Grace is traveling from Atlanta to Pawleys to live in her grandmother's house that she recently bought. Her next-door neighbor turns out to be her old friend Linc who was accused of murdering his girlfriend Lauren, has returned to the island to start a fresh life just like her. They reconnect and together try to solve Lauren's disappearance.
I didn't like the characters at all. I didn't like the plot either.
A pregnant Jillian with her daughter Grace is traveling from Atlanta to Pawleys to live in her grandmother's house that she recently bought. Her next-door neighbor turns out to be her old friend Linc who was accused of murdering his girlfriend Lauren, has returned to the island to start a fresh life just like her. They reconnect and together try to solve Lauren's disappearance.
I didn't like the characters at all. I didn't like the plot either.
May 16, 2023
I’ve read a lot of Karen White’s books and this one, while enjoyable, wasn’t as strong as many of her others. I figured out the plot twists halfway into the book but still enjoyed reading to see if I was right. There was one reveal that I didn’t see coming (the person responsible for the protagonist’s friend’s disappearance), so that’s something. I also just enjoy the author’s writing style, so overall it was decent and a pretty quick read.
March 23, 2017
I liked it but I didn't love it. The idea that the answer to this unsolved disappearance was practically staring them in the face for so long was frustrating. So much could have been avoided if the characters had even tried slightly harder to communicate. However the story itself was engaging and I liked the ending very much.
September 18, 2018
This quick read kept my interest and had some interesting plot twists.
December 14, 2023
Wonderful easy read. The story grabs you and carries you through. Even when you know how it’s going to play out, you keep reading. Great for the beach, pool or a cold winter’s day on the couch.
March 23, 2024
Audible version-not available in Goodreads list
September 6, 2011
Another great read by Karen White! This book is a few years old (now) but still one that boasts of true love and friendship, romance, and finding out what we're truly made of. It's also a story about discovering that it's not always blood that makes you family but a willingness to "show up" and just do your best that bonds you to another person.
Jillian finds herself returning home to her grandmother's house on Pawley's Island, South Carolina, 8 months pregnant, divorced, with her 7 year old daughter Grace in tow. She's faced with living a life she never expected nor wanted and even though she hasn't been back in years, she's always felt like this house, this island was "home". She hopes that being back will bring some peace to her life and give her the fresh start she so desperately needs. Little does she know she'll be forced to relive old fears and open wounds she thought were long forgotten.
She used to spend every summer growing up on the Island and always cherished her time with her Grandma Parrish as well as her two best friends Lauren and Linc. Lauren and Linc were the only two people her age who Jillian could confide in and even though the two were dating, the three friends did everything together. She always felt a special connection with Linc and he was the one who introduced her to the stars, often spending many summer nights trying to help her as she attempted to locate a new star in the night sky. He was also the one who tried his best to protect her from the hurt inflicted by her parents, knowing all too well what it felt like. She and Lauren shared all the secrets that young girls do and were always there for each other right up to the night that Lauren disappeared. Everything changed when Lauren went missing and the blame was placed on Linc. Jillian had total confidence in his innocence but was taken home abruptly by her parents before she was able to tell him.
Almost two decades later, Jilllian and Linc find themselves in the same town, facing old hurts and accusations but as they both search for answers, they quickly realize they are no longer the same people they once were. Grace, Jillian's young daughter and the gift that she seems to have, might hold the clues she and Linc have been searching for in the mystery that still surrounds Lauren's whereabouts but it may also be the undoing of Jillian. They both have obstacles to overcome the biggest being, that maybe the past isn't exactly how they remembered it.
Jillian is damaged and broken but she's also stronger than she gives herself credit for. I liked her determination and honesty too, especially when it came to motherhood. Her struggles are genuine and completely understandable and you can't fault her in the least. You also can't help but be her biggest fan because she doesn't give up despite having all the odds stacked against her, or so it seems.
Linc is just as damaged as Jillian and it's easy to see how the two (as teens) would make more easy friends. He's loving and fiercely protective of those he cares about. He expresses himself best with his hands and what he creates with them, mainly things with wood. He put others first even if it might not be in the best interest of himself, like when he restores Jillian's grandmothers house and sells it to her at an affordable price (unbeknowst to her) instead of making the profit that he could have off of it.
Lauren is beautiful, free spirited and kind and loves Jillian dearly. She tries her best to help protect her friend, albeit differently than Linc, and is always encouraging Jillian in the hopes of helping her. She's not perfect and makes some choices that end up costing her in a big way but she keeps her promises.
Grandma Parrish is a wonderful example of unconditional love! She loves Jillian and is the one bright hope in her life, besides Lauren and Linc. She spends her years loving, praising and doting on Jillian which has a lasting effect long after she's gone. Jillian often defers to things her grandmother shared with her through the years and it goes to show that it's not always quantity but quality of time we spend with children. She only had Jillian in the summers and the occasional holiday but she made that time count which is what was important in the long run.
*SPOILER* Don't read what's below if you haven't read the book yet...
I really did enjoy this story! If you are familiar with Karen White's books, you know that there are generally a couple of steamy scenes that are tastefully done. (*fans face rapidly*) The only other part of this story I feel worth mentioning is Gracie's "gift" of talking to Lauren who we find out is actually dead. I don't personally believe that dead people can speak to the living but I've also never experienced it. Even with this being a work, I know of a few people who would read this review and might be bothered by it so I just wanted to put it out there. :)
Jillian finds herself returning home to her grandmother's house on Pawley's Island, South Carolina, 8 months pregnant, divorced, with her 7 year old daughter Grace in tow. She's faced with living a life she never expected nor wanted and even though she hasn't been back in years, she's always felt like this house, this island was "home". She hopes that being back will bring some peace to her life and give her the fresh start she so desperately needs. Little does she know she'll be forced to relive old fears and open wounds she thought were long forgotten.
She used to spend every summer growing up on the Island and always cherished her time with her Grandma Parrish as well as her two best friends Lauren and Linc. Lauren and Linc were the only two people her age who Jillian could confide in and even though the two were dating, the three friends did everything together. She always felt a special connection with Linc and he was the one who introduced her to the stars, often spending many summer nights trying to help her as she attempted to locate a new star in the night sky. He was also the one who tried his best to protect her from the hurt inflicted by her parents, knowing all too well what it felt like. She and Lauren shared all the secrets that young girls do and were always there for each other right up to the night that Lauren disappeared. Everything changed when Lauren went missing and the blame was placed on Linc. Jillian had total confidence in his innocence but was taken home abruptly by her parents before she was able to tell him.
Almost two decades later, Jilllian and Linc find themselves in the same town, facing old hurts and accusations but as they both search for answers, they quickly realize they are no longer the same people they once were. Grace, Jillian's young daughter and the gift that she seems to have, might hold the clues she and Linc have been searching for in the mystery that still surrounds Lauren's whereabouts but it may also be the undoing of Jillian. They both have obstacles to overcome the biggest being, that maybe the past isn't exactly how they remembered it.
Jillian is damaged and broken but she's also stronger than she gives herself credit for. I liked her determination and honesty too, especially when it came to motherhood. Her struggles are genuine and completely understandable and you can't fault her in the least. You also can't help but be her biggest fan because she doesn't give up despite having all the odds stacked against her, or so it seems.
Linc is just as damaged as Jillian and it's easy to see how the two (as teens) would make more easy friends. He's loving and fiercely protective of those he cares about. He expresses himself best with his hands and what he creates with them, mainly things with wood. He put others first even if it might not be in the best interest of himself, like when he restores Jillian's grandmothers house and sells it to her at an affordable price (unbeknowst to her) instead of making the profit that he could have off of it.
Lauren is beautiful, free spirited and kind and loves Jillian dearly. She tries her best to help protect her friend, albeit differently than Linc, and is always encouraging Jillian in the hopes of helping her. She's not perfect and makes some choices that end up costing her in a big way but she keeps her promises.
Grandma Parrish is a wonderful example of unconditional love! She loves Jillian and is the one bright hope in her life, besides Lauren and Linc. She spends her years loving, praising and doting on Jillian which has a lasting effect long after she's gone. Jillian often defers to things her grandmother shared with her through the years and it goes to show that it's not always quantity but quality of time we spend with children. She only had Jillian in the summers and the occasional holiday but she made that time count which is what was important in the long run.
*SPOILER* Don't read what's below if you haven't read the book yet...
I really did enjoy this story! If you are familiar with Karen White's books, you know that there are generally a couple of steamy scenes that are tastefully done. (*fans face rapidly*) The only other part of this story I feel worth mentioning is Gracie's "gift" of talking to Lauren who we find out is actually dead. I don't personally believe that dead people can speak to the living but I've also never experienced it. Even with this being a work, I know of a few people who would read this review and might be bothered by it so I just wanted to put it out there. :)
July 13, 2020
A decent beach read; however, I figured out the mystery very easily and quickly. Still, not a bad story.
February 7, 2023
Karen White can describe the most vivid and beautiful places in South Carolina or which southern location she uses for her stories. But it’s the strong Southern Women, the “family secret”, and the extra secret twists in her stories that makes her enjoyable to read. I enjoyed this one like many of her other books.
September 16, 2015
Karen White -
I’ve read almost all of her books and they nearly all involve a combination of -
1. An adult woman who is somehow broken and who is confronting her past, and usually family is involved
along with an old flame or a new one.
2. A story in the past that alternates with the story in the present - the one in the past generally involves a
mystery/death/betrayal. Though each involves a mystery and a romance, I wouldn’t categorize them as either of those. They are life. Think Lauren Willig (but cleaner), Amy Tan (current and past stories going at once, but cleaner/less language), Nicholas Sparks, Kate Morton, Susanna Kearsley, or Rosamunde Pilcher.
3. Nearly entirely clean. No swearwords or so very very few that I don’t remember them, definitely no F words. In many cases the woman likes to "admire" the man, but not into graphic detail.
That being said, you can look up the specifics for this book so I’ll just tell you the pros and cons of her as a writer and then of this particular book.
She’s a great writer! Not only does she make you feel the emotions of her characters (or want to smack them upside the head for how stupid they’re being) but she also is very good at having two or three protagonist voices and/or story lines going at once without it being confusing. Additionally, her books have a wonderful amount of fact in them - totally unexpected for books that are not only fictional but also not historical/geographical in nature or of a style that would require factual details. For example; in one book the characters walk through a cemetery and the main character idly reads names off the tombstones. The names are those of the original families of the island. I wanted to look up something else in the book and ended up discovering that those really are the names of the original settlers on the island not to mention that countless other details in the book are also factual. Now, these are the kind of books where all of those details could be made up and it would never cross your mind to wonder because you don’t read these books to learn about the geographic details of Mississippi or the flora of Georgia, but when it turns out that you get a great story and all the background details are real? Paint me impressed! As I’ve read, I’ve spent more and more time on Google looking up the side-information, images of the trees or types of houses, etc. and discovering that it’s all there and all real and now I want to go to Biloxi, Mississippi and St. George Island and I want to buy a basket woven from seagrasses and I need to see what pluff mud is and.....
The Color of Light
This one had what was for this author, the most graphic sex scene. If you read books with sex scenes regularly then this won’t faze you at all, but I prefer to leave the fine details of their sex life out of the story and this one goes just a tad far for me. Once. It’s maybe 9 sentences so it’s certainly easy to skip. There are just a couple of random swearwords, again, not enough that I even remembered that they were there.
I think this was one of the best of her books and right up until the end I was thinking first that one person had committed the crime and then that someone else had. I really enjoyed the dynamic in the main character’s family in relation to her daughter and ex-husband. It starts out slow but becomes positive in a way that is reasonable, you can believe it and buy into it. I also admired this main character more than some of the others because while she had her broken spots, she wasn’t quite as difficult as some of the others so I found her more likable and relatable; her situation made sense. In several of the books the character is punishing themselves for some past wrong or perceived past wrong and that can get a little old. This gal had her issues - otherwise there wouldn’t be a story - but she was more make-sense about the situation and her life.
I’ve read almost all of her books and they nearly all involve a combination of -
1. An adult woman who is somehow broken and who is confronting her past, and usually family is involved
along with an old flame or a new one.
2. A story in the past that alternates with the story in the present - the one in the past generally involves a
mystery/death/betrayal. Though each involves a mystery and a romance, I wouldn’t categorize them as either of those. They are life. Think Lauren Willig (but cleaner), Amy Tan (current and past stories going at once, but cleaner/less language), Nicholas Sparks, Kate Morton, Susanna Kearsley, or Rosamunde Pilcher.
3. Nearly entirely clean. No swearwords or so very very few that I don’t remember them, definitely no F words. In many cases the woman likes to "admire" the man, but not into graphic detail.
That being said, you can look up the specifics for this book so I’ll just tell you the pros and cons of her as a writer and then of this particular book.
She’s a great writer! Not only does she make you feel the emotions of her characters (or want to smack them upside the head for how stupid they’re being) but she also is very good at having two or three protagonist voices and/or story lines going at once without it being confusing. Additionally, her books have a wonderful amount of fact in them - totally unexpected for books that are not only fictional but also not historical/geographical in nature or of a style that would require factual details. For example; in one book the characters walk through a cemetery and the main character idly reads names off the tombstones. The names are those of the original families of the island. I wanted to look up something else in the book and ended up discovering that those really are the names of the original settlers on the island not to mention that countless other details in the book are also factual. Now, these are the kind of books where all of those details could be made up and it would never cross your mind to wonder because you don’t read these books to learn about the geographic details of Mississippi or the flora of Georgia, but when it turns out that you get a great story and all the background details are real? Paint me impressed! As I’ve read, I’ve spent more and more time on Google looking up the side-information, images of the trees or types of houses, etc. and discovering that it’s all there and all real and now I want to go to Biloxi, Mississippi and St. George Island and I want to buy a basket woven from seagrasses and I need to see what pluff mud is and.....
The Color of Light
This one had what was for this author, the most graphic sex scene. If you read books with sex scenes regularly then this won’t faze you at all, but I prefer to leave the fine details of their sex life out of the story and this one goes just a tad far for me. Once. It’s maybe 9 sentences so it’s certainly easy to skip. There are just a couple of random swearwords, again, not enough that I even remembered that they were there.
I think this was one of the best of her books and right up until the end I was thinking first that one person had committed the crime and then that someone else had. I really enjoyed the dynamic in the main character’s family in relation to her daughter and ex-husband. It starts out slow but becomes positive in a way that is reasonable, you can believe it and buy into it. I also admired this main character more than some of the others because while she had her broken spots, she wasn’t quite as difficult as some of the others so I found her more likable and relatable; her situation made sense. In several of the books the character is punishing themselves for some past wrong or perceived past wrong and that can get a little old. This gal had her issues - otherwise there wouldn’t be a story - but she was more make-sense about the situation and her life.
January 3, 2014
This is not one of Karen White's better ones. I loved her House on Legare series, and I remember another that I loved at first then hated/skimmed the end...but this fell way flat almost the entire way through. First off, as soon as Janie was introduced along with the pathetically obvious descriptions of Janie and Gracie (-ie, ie, ie...) it was apparent what the link was. It was page 72 (out of 267!) that I figured that whole plot line out. I do mean the entire what happened there thing. It was also very obvious re: the teenage underage love "affair" that . That was obvious as soon as Lauren appeared drunk on the beach (p. 87 of 267).
The whole "I'm not sure how to be a mother" plotline was also a bit off the mark. Phrasing such as how Jillian "just noticed" that her daughter had freckles on her nose and other little comments like that were not believable-- not if later on White wanted us to believe she'd do anything for Gracie to "protect" her.
The descriptions of during and post-pregnancy (her body and functions) were somewhat pointless. Did it drive the love story? No, unless you're into that sort of thing I suppose.
The love story and non-existent one with Mason-- what a waste (the latter could have been left out completely--how very 1950s to have the cop be pissy about the new love interest over a woman he's not even dating, seriously). About the former (aka, Linc): I'm getting a sense that all of White's leading men are the same "tortured", dark haired, grey-eyed tintypes who can still be sweet on kids, be good at saving the woman (come on White, let's have a strong woman who doesn't need to be saved/rescued/faint and then need to be carried by her I'm-pretending-I-don't-like-you-when-it's-obvious-I-really-do man!!!!!).
The cat noticing things "walking across the room" (aka Lauren's ghost) was also a bit of a reach. If you want to be effective, you don't need to S-P-E-L-L it out for us. We're adults. We're intelligent. We can make inferences. It'd be creepier. I think that type of line was written in about 8 times in various spots throughout the story.
The very ending-- who actually killed Lauren-- was a slight surprise. Personally, I had it all set up for Jillian's "mother" (b/c Daddy Dearest was too much of a weakling who just liked women), so to have it be Jillian's real mother was a nice little quirk-- but not enough to save me from having basically skimmed the whole book hoping it would get better.
My mother's given me about 6 more of White's books-- I'll give another a shot, but it's all getting a bit old. She's not offering me much new in the way of reading, which is unfortunate.
The whole "I'm not sure how to be a mother" plotline was also a bit off the mark. Phrasing such as how Jillian "just noticed" that her daughter had freckles on her nose and other little comments like that were not believable-- not if later on White wanted us to believe she'd do anything for Gracie to "protect" her.
The descriptions of during and post-pregnancy (her body and functions) were somewhat pointless. Did it drive the love story? No, unless you're into that sort of thing I suppose.
The love story and non-existent one with Mason-- what a waste (the latter could have been left out completely--how very 1950s to have the cop be pissy about the new love interest over a woman he's not even dating, seriously). About the former (aka, Linc): I'm getting a sense that all of White's leading men are the same "tortured", dark haired, grey-eyed tintypes who can still be sweet on kids, be good at saving the woman (come on White, let's have a strong woman who doesn't need to be saved/rescued/faint and then need to be carried by her I'm-pretending-I-don't-like-you-when-it's-obvious-I-really-do man!!!!!).
The cat noticing things "walking across the room" (aka Lauren's ghost) was also a bit of a reach. If you want to be effective, you don't need to S-P-E-L-L it out for us. We're adults. We're intelligent. We can make inferences. It'd be creepier. I think that type of line was written in about 8 times in various spots throughout the story.
The very ending-- who actually killed Lauren-- was a slight surprise. Personally, I had it all set up for Jillian's "mother" (b/c Daddy Dearest was too much of a weakling who just liked women), so to have it be Jillian's real mother was a nice little quirk-- but not enough to save me from having basically skimmed the whole book hoping it would get better.
My mother's given me about 6 more of White's books-- I'll give another a shot, but it's all getting a bit old. She's not offering me much new in the way of reading, which is unfortunate.
March 28, 2013
This is the fifth book by Karen White that I have read and I become more intrigued with every book that I read. Karen White is quickly becoming one of my favorite contemporary fiction author to read. I could not put The Color of Light down. The characters just came to life for me. Watching them cope with loss and learn to live and love again is compelling. These characters have all been damaged in some way throughout their lives and they felt incredibly real to me. Jillian’s character especially jumped out at me. Her home life growing up was with a mother she knew could not stand her and I feel that every woman reading this book fell in love with Jillian because of that fact. Jillian now has a daughter and a new born son and she realizes that being a good mother is just having to show up. No body is perfect and there are going to be trials and tribulations along the way. Jillian finds herself again after moving back to her grandmother’s house, the only real “home” Jillian had. Of course Karen White has some amazing twists throughout the book and these twists are the reason I cannot put her books down.
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July 11, 2016
Jillian Parrish’s life has been turned upside down. After her divorce, she packs up her daughter and drives to Pawleys Island, South Carolina, where she was happiest during her childhood. Pregnant, and driving at night, her nerves are on end, when her daughter unexpectedly screams, calling out a name, Jillian hasn’t heard in years, Lauren. Lauren was her best friend, and she mysteriously disappeared, never to be heard from again. Their friend Linc was accused and run off the Island, but Jillian soon finds him back in town. Together, will they be able to heal their wounds and discover the truth about Lauren’s disappearance?
Karen White’s majestic writing brings beautiful Pawleys Island to life. The gripping storyline will keep readers guessing until the very end. This romantic suspense book has a small amount of paranormal activity running through it, which gives readers of all genres something to enjoy. The Color of Light was my first experience reading any of Karen White’s writing, but this intense beach read has me craving more.
Notes:
This review was written for Sasee Magazine and My Sister's Books.
This review was posted on the Ariesgrl Book Reviews website.
Karen White’s majestic writing brings beautiful Pawleys Island to life. The gripping storyline will keep readers guessing until the very end. This romantic suspense book has a small amount of paranormal activity running through it, which gives readers of all genres something to enjoy. The Color of Light was my first experience reading any of Karen White’s writing, but this intense beach read has me craving more.
Notes:
This review was written for Sasee Magazine and My Sister's Books.
This review was posted on the Ariesgrl Book Reviews website.
May 12, 2012
I just finished reading The Color of Light by Karen White and would highly recommend it. I thought it was an excellent book. The main character, Jillian grew up with distant and abusive parents. She spent her life trying to make her parents care about her. Because of how her parents treated her, she is afraid that she is/will be a terrible mother.
Jillian's refuge was her grandmother's house on Pawley's Island. Her grandmother was more of a mother to her than her own mother.
While a teenager one of her best friends disappeared and the best friend's boyfriend was accused of her disappearance. The book delves into this mystery and how this episode shaped Jillian and Linc (the boyfriend) and their need to come back to Pawley's Island.
The book opens with a pregnant Jillian moving back to Pawley's Island with her 6 year old daughter. She has come back to heal after her divorce and to discover who she is. Jillian's daughter calls her Jilly-bean instead of Mommy. Over the course of the book, Jillian discovers who she is as a mother and discovers she likes it and is a good mother.
Jillian's refuge was her grandmother's house on Pawley's Island. Her grandmother was more of a mother to her than her own mother.
While a teenager one of her best friends disappeared and the best friend's boyfriend was accused of her disappearance. The book delves into this mystery and how this episode shaped Jillian and Linc (the boyfriend) and their need to come back to Pawley's Island.
The book opens with a pregnant Jillian moving back to Pawley's Island with her 6 year old daughter. She has come back to heal after her divorce and to discover who she is. Jillian's daughter calls her Jilly-bean instead of Mommy. Over the course of the book, Jillian discovers who she is as a mother and discovers she likes it and is a good mother.
January 2, 2021
I cannot stop reading this author, Karen White. She is a very gifted writer this time writing about South Carolina. Once again, I am transported to a small beach town in South Carolina. I can visualize the townspeople, smell and hear the ocean and just feel the warmth of the people. Although there is an underlying angst. A local girl goes missing. Is she dead and did she just leave the town for a better life? A small girl can talk to her and what does that mean? I guess you will just have to read this book to find out.
January 4, 2021
I really enjoyed this title. I read it in 2-days because I kept thinking about the characters and the storyline wanting to know how it would turn out. Some I expected and some were a total surprise. Very colorful and clever.
February 3, 2015
So I was doing a used book sale and picked up this book. I had never heard of or read Karen White and was intrigued from the 1st page. The writing was very evocative and kept me reading. The plot points were apparent, but I didn't mind. There were some surprises, but I just enjoyed the characters and how they learned to finally live in the present. I think she did a good job with the psychology of abused children and how difficult it is for unloved children to know how to love their own children. If you want an easy read that is a good character study with lovely writing, I recommend this book.
February 2, 2018
Well written, gripping, funny and romantic, this story is about hope. Jillian, pregnant and reeling from her recent divorce, decides to move back to her grandmothers old house on Pawleys Island, which used to be her summer refuge. Taking her 7 year old daughter with her, she finds an unexpected peace on the island and reconnects with an old friend from those long ago summers. Confronting fears and hurt left over from her troubled childhood and the unsolved disappearance of her best friend 16 years ago, Jillian comes to terms with the past and finds an inner strength and a love that she didn’t realize were there. A fabulous read!
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