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The Color of Love
THE HEART HAS THE ANSWERS WHEN LOVE IS MORE THAN SKIN DEEP
Leah Downey was a brilliant young commercial artist moving up fast on the Manhattan career track.
Jason Horn was a street-smart cop getting over a nasty divorce and an even more agonizing personal tragedy.
All the odds said they would never meet. But they did. Everyone they knew said they should break it off before they went too far. But they didn't. Even though everything about them was different...their pasts... their jobs... their worlds... and the color of their skin...
Leah Downey was a brilliant young commercial artist moving up fast on the Manhattan career track.
Jason Horn was a street-smart cop getting over a nasty divorce and an even more agonizing personal tragedy.
All the odds said they would never meet. But they did. Everyone they knew said they should break it off before they went too far. But they didn't. Even though everything about them was different...their pasts... their jobs... their worlds... and the color of their skin...
398 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 1995
70 people are currently reading
700 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Kitt
56 books237 followersSandra Kitt is the author of more than twenty novels, including The Color of Love, Significant Others, and Close Encounters, as well as numerous short stories.
Her work has been nominated for the NAACP Image Award and has appeared on theEssence and Blackboard bestseller lists. She is the recipient of the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award and the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award.
A native New Yorker, Kitt previously worked as a graphic designer, creating cards for UNICEF, illustrating books, and exhibiting her own work, which is included in the collection of the Museum of African American Art in Los Angeles. She formerly served as the managing director of the Richard S. Perkin Collection in Astronomy and Astrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History.
Her work has been nominated for the NAACP Image Award and has appeared on theEssence and Blackboard bestseller lists. She is the recipient of the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award and the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award.
A native New Yorker, Kitt previously worked as a graphic designer, creating cards for UNICEF, illustrating books, and exhibiting her own work, which is included in the collection of the Museum of African American Art in Los Angeles. She formerly served as the managing director of the Richard S. Perkin Collection in Astronomy and Astrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
September 24, 2009
I REALLY didn't like this book.
I tried to keep an open mind. I really wanted to read a well developed love story. I'd hoped that the interracial dynamic would be thought provoking as well as enlightening. If you, as a reader, are anticipating the same, this is surely not the book for you.
The characters were meagerly developed. They were often one dimensional only one minor character offered any semblance to likeability.
Leah Downey is an attractive Graphic Designer who is plagued with thoughts of self loathing, lackluster relationships, and an overwhelming fear of black men. Early on in the novel readers learn that Leah was raped. This traumatizing experience she decides to keep to herself. Throughout the novel Leah is tormented with nightmares and continues to be vexed by every black man in her life and those passing by on the street. The scapegoating of black men is surprising for a black woman, who, in all honestly can't manage to paint but even one man in an even remotely positive light: Leah Downey's father.
Even the white male love interest, Jason Horn is a despicable rogue who I found hard like, let alone love. First of all, I just couldn't understand that this attractive successful woman would meet this man for coffee even though she met him when he was pissy drunk on the street and she believed him to be homeless. He remained an alcoholic throughout the book, and about the only thing he could do well was have sex with her. Over and over again Leah's blackness and womanhood was assaulted by associates and friends of Jason's and not once did he stand up for her. Leah's preoccupation seemed to be, "I can't believe of all the beautiful blonde women in the world, he loves black me..."
Needless to say, I was disgusted.
I was hoping for a story...I don't know...about LOVE! That is what the title suggests. The abuse Leah had to endure at the hands of everyone around her just left me feeling angry and wishing that she was a stronger character. Leah was unapologetically weak. Her weakness wouldn't have been so bad had she some type of revelation or personal growth to quicken the pace of the novel.
I wouldn't suggest this book to anyone.
I tried to keep an open mind. I really wanted to read a well developed love story. I'd hoped that the interracial dynamic would be thought provoking as well as enlightening. If you, as a reader, are anticipating the same, this is surely not the book for you.
The characters were meagerly developed. They were often one dimensional only one minor character offered any semblance to likeability.
Leah Downey is an attractive Graphic Designer who is plagued with thoughts of self loathing, lackluster relationships, and an overwhelming fear of black men. Early on in the novel readers learn that Leah was raped. This traumatizing experience she decides to keep to herself. Throughout the novel Leah is tormented with nightmares and continues to be vexed by every black man in her life and those passing by on the street. The scapegoating of black men is surprising for a black woman, who, in all honestly can't manage to paint but even one man in an even remotely positive light: Leah Downey's father.
Even the white male love interest, Jason Horn is a despicable rogue who I found hard like, let alone love. First of all, I just couldn't understand that this attractive successful woman would meet this man for coffee even though she met him when he was pissy drunk on the street and she believed him to be homeless. He remained an alcoholic throughout the book, and about the only thing he could do well was have sex with her. Over and over again Leah's blackness and womanhood was assaulted by associates and friends of Jason's and not once did he stand up for her. Leah's preoccupation seemed to be, "I can't believe of all the beautiful blonde women in the world, he loves black me..."
Needless to say, I was disgusted.
I was hoping for a story...I don't know...about LOVE! That is what the title suggests. The abuse Leah had to endure at the hands of everyone around her just left me feeling angry and wishing that she was a stronger character. Leah was unapologetically weak. Her weakness wouldn't have been so bad had she some type of revelation or personal growth to quicken the pace of the novel.
I wouldn't suggest this book to anyone.
June 30, 2017
I have to say, that I am really glad that I kept my copy of this book all these years. I really enjoyed reading it as a teenager and I thank Kitt for exposing me to interracial romances as a teenager as well. I didn't even know that was a genre til I got older.
In "The Color of Love", Kitt explores an interracial relationship between an African American woman named Leah who is a graphic designer and a white man named Jason, who is a New York City police officer.
Kitt tells the story focusing on now just Leah and Jason, but also a street wise kid who is also African American who is angry that he feels that Jason is now overlooking him due to dating Leah. He gets weirdly obsessed with her, and I honestly don't get why that character was included. It just didn't fit the overall story that Kitt was trying to tell in my opinion.
Besides the interracial aspects of this relationship that Kitt takes a close look at, she also looks at how Jason's views of African Americans shifts since he may be what would be called a "casual racist." When he's interacting with suspects he thinks nothing of letting the "N" word slip, but quickly feels sickened by what he has said and thinks that he doesn't view Leah that way at all. If Kitt had more moments like that in this book, it would have been five starts to me. I like that it was open and honest about the issues that many black women have with dating outside of their race that it would have worked for me more. Leah does get accused of not being "black" anymore by a few people, but in the end, the book just wraps things up neatly and I really wish there had been a follow-up to this one.
Some of the characters did not work well at all. Leah's sister needed slapped upside her head. She does something that Leah ends up hard shrugging about that really didn't work for me at all. Let's just say that it would never occur to my sister or I to do something foul to each other like what happens in this book.
The setting of New York felt very alive and just dark to me at times. Maybe because of all the recent police shootings that involve African Americans, I just could not get into this book the way that I was able to as a teen. I just found the whole thing implausible.
Still enjoyed this look back at an older romance fave.
In "The Color of Love", Kitt explores an interracial relationship between an African American woman named Leah who is a graphic designer and a white man named Jason, who is a New York City police officer.
Kitt tells the story focusing on now just Leah and Jason, but also a street wise kid who is also African American who is angry that he feels that Jason is now overlooking him due to dating Leah. He gets weirdly obsessed with her, and I honestly don't get why that character was included. It just didn't fit the overall story that Kitt was trying to tell in my opinion.
Besides the interracial aspects of this relationship that Kitt takes a close look at, she also looks at how Jason's views of African Americans shifts since he may be what would be called a "casual racist." When he's interacting with suspects he thinks nothing of letting the "N" word slip, but quickly feels sickened by what he has said and thinks that he doesn't view Leah that way at all. If Kitt had more moments like that in this book, it would have been five starts to me. I like that it was open and honest about the issues that many black women have with dating outside of their race that it would have worked for me more. Leah does get accused of not being "black" anymore by a few people, but in the end, the book just wraps things up neatly and I really wish there had been a follow-up to this one.
Some of the characters did not work well at all. Leah's sister needed slapped upside her head. She does something that Leah ends up hard shrugging about that really didn't work for me at all. Let's just say that it would never occur to my sister or I to do something foul to each other like what happens in this book.
The setting of New York felt very alive and just dark to me at times. Maybe because of all the recent police shootings that involve African Americans, I just could not get into this book the way that I was able to as a teen. I just found the whole thing implausible.
Still enjoyed this look back at an older romance fave.
August 10, 2018
8/9/18: This is a revisit of an IR classic, originally read over 20 years ago.
A lost soul on her doorstep catches Leah Downey's attention, and prompts a show of kindness on her part. Jason Horn's life was rocked by tragedy, and but is thankful that a stranger reached out in his most vulnerable moment. She the softhearted Black artist, him the hard-bitten White cop, on paper they have very little in common. Something is sparking between them, but the reality of the worlds they both inhabit, test the depth of those feelings.
The Good:
1. I have always loved this cover. It hints at who the characters are in an artistic way. Leah's job is designing book covers, so this plays into that too.
2.The Color of Love came out when Black Literature writers like Terry McMillan, and Eric Jerome Dickey were getting a lot of attention. This story fits more in a Black Lit space, versus current Interracial Romance conventions. This is a subgenre that would not exist without books like this laying the foundation.
3. It was interesting rereading something loved decades before. It put a spotlight on how my own thinking has evolved over the years about multiple societal changes.
The Bad:
1. Leah has no backbone. She lets everyone from her sister, ex-boyfriend, and Jason walk over her at different times. I found it super aggravating. She never shows anger, and forgives the unforgivable without requiring consequences from anyone. In an effort to avoid the "angry Black woman" tag, she volunteers for doormat too readily. I can never relate to this, in fiction or real life.
2. This is not really a romance novel, a lot of time is spent exploring all their other relationship dynamics: professional, familial, and other love interests. There is crossover some romance fans will have issue with.
3. Jason uses the "N" word too casually for my liking. It is one of the things that kept me from connecting with him.
Final Thoughts:
This did not survive the test of time for me. It was groundbreaking when it first came out, it being so different made me gloss over uncomfortable moments. I give this about 2 1/2 stars as a romance, but a solid 3 as Lit. Its OG status prevents me from changing my official initial rating though.
A lost soul on her doorstep catches Leah Downey's attention, and prompts a show of kindness on her part. Jason Horn's life was rocked by tragedy, and but is thankful that a stranger reached out in his most vulnerable moment. She the softhearted Black artist, him the hard-bitten White cop, on paper they have very little in common. Something is sparking between them, but the reality of the worlds they both inhabit, test the depth of those feelings.
The Good:
1. I have always loved this cover. It hints at who the characters are in an artistic way. Leah's job is designing book covers, so this plays into that too.
2.The Color of Love came out when Black Literature writers like Terry McMillan, and Eric Jerome Dickey were getting a lot of attention. This story fits more in a Black Lit space, versus current Interracial Romance conventions. This is a subgenre that would not exist without books like this laying the foundation.
3. It was interesting rereading something loved decades before. It put a spotlight on how my own thinking has evolved over the years about multiple societal changes.
The Bad:
1. Leah has no backbone. She lets everyone from her sister, ex-boyfriend, and Jason walk over her at different times. I found it super aggravating. She never shows anger, and forgives the unforgivable without requiring consequences from anyone. In an effort to avoid the "angry Black woman" tag, she volunteers for doormat too readily. I can never relate to this, in fiction or real life.
2. This is not really a romance novel, a lot of time is spent exploring all their other relationship dynamics: professional, familial, and other love interests. There is crossover some romance fans will have issue with.
3. Jason uses the "N" word too casually for my liking. It is one of the things that kept me from connecting with him.
Final Thoughts:
This did not survive the test of time for me. It was groundbreaking when it first came out, it being so different made me gloss over uncomfortable moments. I give this about 2 1/2 stars as a romance, but a solid 3 as Lit. Its OG status prevents me from changing my official initial rating though.
November 20, 2009
My first IR book. I read it many years ago, a checkout from the library. I ended up buying it and I have reread it several times since then. And I rarely EVER reread books. Very sweet story.
December 3, 2014
I enjoyed reading this book concerning Leah Downey, who is a black graphic artist and white cop, Jason Horn. This book is controversial, not because this is an interracial romance, but that it exposed the love between a white cop and a black professional woman in New York City during the late eighties.
The distrust and polarization between white policemen and non-whites is extremely evident in Leah’s sister and housemate, guile Gail, who is a strong character in this book.
Gail’s verbal attack against Leah is brutal and burns like chili peppers in Leah’s already wounded ego. You could almost imagine the aggressive Gail snarling and spitting mad at Leah and Jason’s friendship.
But Gail is not the only one against Leah and Jason’s relationship. Their peers are either angry or appalled and one of Jason’s juvenile defenders despises Leah and might cause her harm.
Jason is revealed as a strong, sensitive character. He and Leah met under unusual circumstances, which I will not reveal.
I believe Leah is attracted to Jason’s friendliness, assertiveness, his being emotionally available, and not playing endless games. Dating Jason piques Leah’s curiosity. Although ambivalent, she accepts every date he proposes.
The book reveals both Leah and Jason have painful, unhappy pasts.
Fears concerning their relationship and where it would lead develops. And once they establish they more than like each other, both fail to address the negative impact of their blossoming romance. In the process, there are misconceptions, sometimes frayed emotions, and hurt feelings.
Although I love Leah’s character and sensitivity, in my opinion, she appears complicated and a bit quirky.
Throughout the book, Leah reveals her inability to assert herself. On the job, she is confident and her work ethic unassailable. But in her personal life, like many strong women, she has emotional difficulties and shows a lack of confidence. This appears evident when Gail spat out her disapproval of Jason. And again, when Gail and Leah’s ‘friend,’ Allen, deceives her.
Although some might question Leah’s lack of anger concerning Gail and Allen’s deception. Leah reveals that to forgive is divine. She shows strength and resilience by forgiving, forgetting and loving.
Maybe a lack of expressing emotions was due to Leah experiencing physical and emotional trauma, which surprisingly, she never shares with her family. Instead, she suffers nightmares, attempting not to address the issue with a psychotherapist.
Leah overreacts with fear when she sees Jason in his dress blues. On another occasion when he apprehends a thief, she believes Jason’s persona violent. At that point, I believed Leah’s character had serious emotional issues. Yet, Jason displays an enormous amount of patience during her apprehensiveness.
I could understand Leah’s anxiety about Jason’s job and where he stood on certain matters in the non-white community. But he appears compassionate. As an officer for juvenile delinquents, he tries to overcompensate, tirelessly helping hardened juveniles with money, housing, forming sporting events, and taking them to concerts. Jason’s peers believe he is a bleeding heart.
In conclusion, I was surprised the author didn’t focus on Leah’s bad experiences and fears being addressed in the book.
I laughed when during Leah and Jason’s reunion, she thought their lovemaking so amazing she might be considered sinful.
I enjoyed reading this book. It was a sentimentally emotional romance. This was also well written.
The distrust and polarization between white policemen and non-whites is extremely evident in Leah’s sister and housemate, guile Gail, who is a strong character in this book.
Gail’s verbal attack against Leah is brutal and burns like chili peppers in Leah’s already wounded ego. You could almost imagine the aggressive Gail snarling and spitting mad at Leah and Jason’s friendship.
But Gail is not the only one against Leah and Jason’s relationship. Their peers are either angry or appalled and one of Jason’s juvenile defenders despises Leah and might cause her harm.
Jason is revealed as a strong, sensitive character. He and Leah met under unusual circumstances, which I will not reveal.
I believe Leah is attracted to Jason’s friendliness, assertiveness, his being emotionally available, and not playing endless games. Dating Jason piques Leah’s curiosity. Although ambivalent, she accepts every date he proposes.
The book reveals both Leah and Jason have painful, unhappy pasts.
Fears concerning their relationship and where it would lead develops. And once they establish they more than like each other, both fail to address the negative impact of their blossoming romance. In the process, there are misconceptions, sometimes frayed emotions, and hurt feelings.
Although I love Leah’s character and sensitivity, in my opinion, she appears complicated and a bit quirky.
Throughout the book, Leah reveals her inability to assert herself. On the job, she is confident and her work ethic unassailable. But in her personal life, like many strong women, she has emotional difficulties and shows a lack of confidence. This appears evident when Gail spat out her disapproval of Jason. And again, when Gail and Leah’s ‘friend,’ Allen, deceives her.
Although some might question Leah’s lack of anger concerning Gail and Allen’s deception. Leah reveals that to forgive is divine. She shows strength and resilience by forgiving, forgetting and loving.
Maybe a lack of expressing emotions was due to Leah experiencing physical and emotional trauma, which surprisingly, she never shares with her family. Instead, she suffers nightmares, attempting not to address the issue with a psychotherapist.
Leah overreacts with fear when she sees Jason in his dress blues. On another occasion when he apprehends a thief, she believes Jason’s persona violent. At that point, I believed Leah’s character had serious emotional issues. Yet, Jason displays an enormous amount of patience during her apprehensiveness.
I could understand Leah’s anxiety about Jason’s job and where he stood on certain matters in the non-white community. But he appears compassionate. As an officer for juvenile delinquents, he tries to overcompensate, tirelessly helping hardened juveniles with money, housing, forming sporting events, and taking them to concerts. Jason’s peers believe he is a bleeding heart.
In conclusion, I was surprised the author didn’t focus on Leah’s bad experiences and fears being addressed in the book.
I laughed when during Leah and Jason’s reunion, she thought their lovemaking so amazing she might be considered sinful.
I enjoyed reading this book. It was a sentimentally emotional romance. This was also well written.
April 9, 2010
This is the first interracial romance I read, and it still resonates today, even after 15 years.
June 22, 2010
This was my first interracial novel ever and I enjoyed it immensely!
October 22, 2012
I liked the book but It was more cerebral than romantic . I felt like is was a study in a relationship between a black woman and a white man. This couple were attracted to each other but in this book they were not passionate about each other they just wanted to be together. I felt this was more a story of how society view I/R relationships. To me the book was a good story that explained the hardships the went through because of other people but to me they lacked the passion to make this a great romance.
July 20, 2013
It was a good story. This was a reality based book of how a real love story could truly be. No hidden billionaires or witches, or electrical first meetings. It's a book of two people who didn't have an explosive beginning, but their love grew over time. Leah was a woman with a secret that stunts her emotionally. She is very passive and introspective. She wasn't overly beautiful, but her personality made her more attractive. Jason, had a very sad event happen in his life that gave him a chance to meet Leah. They had a relationship that they had to traverse obstacles from within as well as from outsiders. Over the course of their relationship, Leah grew more assertive because she had to if she wanted her and Jason to survive. Don't expect explosive emotion or sexual exploitation in this book because you will not find it. If you just want a good love story of two people who are in need of each other and explore what they want from their lives, then this is the book for you.
January 4, 2013
It was difficult to be drawn into this acclaimed 1995 interracial romance, in part because the "telling rather than showing" style is so different from most romances being written today, and in part because the heroine is so utterly lacking in self-esteem (and the narrative doesn't present this as a problem to be overcome). Only in part 2, when the protagonists finally start dating, and clumsily try to deal with the prejudice they encounter (and their own biases) did the story begin to interest me. I can see why the book would have seemed innovative in its day, and Kitt is a solid writer, but I have a hard time imagining many readers finding its dated story and characters compelling today.
July 21, 2014
Color of Love was the first interracial romance for me where the Black characters were simply complicated human beings with brown skin who had not internalized racism. It's a romance that's simply a good novel about two people and the many obstacles they work to overcome to begin their HEA. I don't usually reread fiction, but I've reread this book more than once (along with Linda Howard's Kill and Tell).
August 15, 2013
One the first and most emtionally complex contemporary interracial lovestories published. I hope it's reissued soon. I reread periodically. It has unique and engaging characters with more in common than the issue of race
February 28, 2009
it was the first book i read about interracial relationship.it was ok
June 17, 2022
Awesome book. I re-read this book all the time!
January 3, 2015
Intense, Engrossing Beautiful Read! I Loved It!
May 22, 2017
I did not realize this book was written in 1995. It explains he references to the use of pay phones. It is amazing how writers viewed interracial relationships back then and how some authors of today have the ability to fluently write on this subject matter.
August 2, 2018
I finished this long ass read in two days. Take that as you will. It definitely was drama filled and interesting. I don't like when a character has no backbone. I understand and fully believe that you must forgive and move forward. That being said, I don't know of any woman who would just go along with the regularly scheduled program after finding out she was betrayed in the worst way by someone so close to her. That entire situation was totally unrealistic to me. I darn near put the book down in frustration reading Gail rant and rave with total disregard for Leah's feelings. I HATE GAIL SO MUCH. So please beware of her annoyance. It's bearable, but you may look crazy talking to yourself about the few choice words you'd say to Gail yourself. Also, I don't believe I ever heard the exact year the story was supposed to be taking place. I guess it was set around the time the book came out (1995) because they talk about Jason being in the Vietnam war when he was a young boy. I like that they didn't make that a point and it was implied. It's annoying being spoon-fed obvious information. I like to work my brain with the possibilities. The Color of Love WAS published about 23 years ago so... dang
I love the topic. I find it heartbreaking that shit like this ever happened. I can only imagine what my white grandfather and black grandmother had to go through in the 60/70's. I wouldn't be here if they didn't go in secret dating and marrying each other. I wish they were still alive so I could ask a million questions. This book really made me think. Going into this book I was already feeling strongly about interracial couples being a thing that's not really written and raved about. I would like to get more into all kinds of interracial romance because I read a lot of white-on-white and black-on-black stuff. While its nothing wrong, I think it's obvious and realistic that love has no color. I see interracial couples all the time. It's common as heck and I'm glad people don't really talk too much shit about it like how they were in this book.
I cried. I teared up a little in the middle of it, but the ending was a bawl fest for me. This goes to say I had a strong interest in the characters. Some parts were predictable to me, but not boring at all. I HIGHLY recommend this but beware of the annoyingness.
I love the topic. I find it heartbreaking that shit like this ever happened. I can only imagine what my white grandfather and black grandmother had to go through in the 60/70's. I wouldn't be here if they didn't go in secret dating and marrying each other. I wish they were still alive so I could ask a million questions. This book really made me think. Going into this book I was already feeling strongly about interracial couples being a thing that's not really written and raved about. I would like to get more into all kinds of interracial romance because I read a lot of white-on-white and black-on-black stuff. While its nothing wrong, I think it's obvious and realistic that love has no color. I see interracial couples all the time. It's common as heck and I'm glad people don't really talk too much shit about it like how they were in this book.
I cried. I teared up a little in the middle of it, but the ending was a bawl fest for me. This goes to say I had a strong interest in the characters. Some parts were predictable to me, but not boring at all. I HIGHLY recommend this but beware of the annoyingness.
November 17, 2022
This bar none, is the best love story I've ever read, be it interracial or otherwise. All of Sandra Kitt's books are amazing, but this one - the first - is in my opinion the best. I so wanted this book to be made into a movie back in the day. I pictured Anika Noni Rose and Tom Berenger as to two stars to play them. He's too old for the part now but I think Brad Pitt would do nicely.
I find myself re-reading this book every few years when I long for a realistic romance involving a professional black woman and cannot find anything that comes close.
Another book that is worthy is Back to Life by Wendy Coakley-Thompson.
I find myself re-reading this book every few years when I long for a realistic romance involving a professional black woman and cannot find anything that comes close.
Another book that is worthy is Back to Life by Wendy Coakley-Thompson.
December 2, 2018
Since this was written more than 20 years ago the social pressures against Leah and Jason’s relationship were a bit dated but the insights into their feelings made it seem like a contemporary romance. There was a foreboding sense of suspense throughout the story that led up to a dramatically emotional ending. I just wish it had included some sort of epilogue with a glimpse into their future.
July 29, 2023
This book was originally written in 1995. It definitely needs some trigger warnings for assault and rape on page and a flashback of a rape (the hero was in the Vietnam war…that was a rough scene). Also the hero is a cop in NYC. Racism is definitely a factor in this book as it features a biracial couple.
I found this book oddly readable even though the heroine comes across as weak. Her boyfriend rapes her (he doesn’t stop/ignores her even though she’s uncomfortable and clearly not into it) and she doesn’t tell anyone, even her sister. And her sister actually sleeps with her boyfriend and then when the heroine finds out the cheaters end up getting together. She doesn’t stand up for herself ever.
Again despite that I still wanted to see what happens. Lol The more I think about this book the more incredulous I am that I finished it? Anyway it was a hot mess but an engaging one? I’m going to try another book by this author but it really shows how far we’ve come in romance since 1995. Thank goodness.
I found this book oddly readable even though the heroine comes across as weak. Her boyfriend rapes her (he doesn’t stop/ignores her even though she’s uncomfortable and clearly not into it) and she doesn’t tell anyone, even her sister. And her sister actually sleeps with her boyfriend and then when the heroine finds out the cheaters end up getting together. She doesn’t stand up for herself ever.
Again despite that I still wanted to see what happens. Lol The more I think about this book the more incredulous I am that I finished it? Anyway it was a hot mess but an engaging one? I’m going to try another book by this author but it really shows how far we’ve come in romance since 1995. Thank goodness.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2023
Read after listening to the Sandra Kitt interview on the Fated Mates pod. Whatever I was expecting from this book, it was not what this book ended up being about. It was a romance and yet so so so much more. I actually had to check the pub date bc I could tell from the lack of cell phones that it wasn’t new but the topics in it felt so current. This book was so good and so engrossing. Leah is a young, black professional living and working on NYC. Jason is a Vietnam vet and a white cop also working in NYC. When their paths cross, speaks fly for Jason. He is open to a relationship with her and mostly oblivious to the racial blowbacks of them dating whereas Leah is much more cautious. Their path to HEA takes a long time with lots of bumps along the way. Highly recommend and can’t wait to reread/inhale the rest of Kurt’s backlist.
December 28, 2020
This book was a decent book. The love sorry was interesting but I didn’t like the authors negative view of black men. She was necessarily down right hateful but every black man mentioned in the book had some negative spin.
The black man she was dating was selfish in bed and left every time afterwards. He ended up cheating on her with her sister....
The white mans partner apparently cheated on his wife.
The black youth was either violent, misogynistic, verbally abusive or criminal minded.
It wasn’t a bad book. I read it before as a teenager and now over a decade later reading it it isn’t a book I’d recommend necessarily or reread. Definitely a giveaway book. But I’m sure when it was written in 1995 it was a hit.
Also my book had a lot of spelling errors.
The black man she was dating was selfish in bed and left every time afterwards. He ended up cheating on her with her sister....
The white mans partner apparently cheated on his wife.
The black youth was either violent, misogynistic, verbally abusive or criminal minded.
It wasn’t a bad book. I read it before as a teenager and now over a decade later reading it it isn’t a book I’d recommend necessarily or reread. Definitely a giveaway book. But I’m sure when it was written in 1995 it was a hit.
Also my book had a lot of spelling errors.
May 12, 2021
I enjoyed this book because this interracial situation is still happening. My wish is that White and Black people get over it! It's pure nonsense to hear "stay in your race" We are ALL ONE RACE
HUMAN - I understood the struggle between these characters and glad to see that in the end LOVE won! I have a few mixed couples in my family and I guess that is why I enjoyed this book because I know the struggles between couples and families. We are getting closer to balance when more people "mix" with other races....sooner or later we are going to get over this HATE and become one race!
Again HUMAN Love will always win out and when love is involved other folks need to mind their own business!!! lol This was a good book! More folks need to read it.
HUMAN - I understood the struggle between these characters and glad to see that in the end LOVE won! I have a few mixed couples in my family and I guess that is why I enjoyed this book because I know the struggles between couples and families. We are getting closer to balance when more people "mix" with other races....sooner or later we are going to get over this HATE and become one race!
Again HUMAN Love will always win out and when love is involved other folks need to mind their own business!!! lol This was a good book! More folks need to read it.
December 30, 2023
This book was a great love story about two people, taking a chance on each other against all odds. I liked Jason and Leah immediately. Her sister Gail, is one of the most awful characters I’ve ever read on screen. She steals her sisters, boyfriend, and then treats her sister like she should be happy for her advice. Gail never owns up to anything. I wish there was a second book that showed that her and Allen didn’t work out especially because of the way they got together talk about betrayal of someone you’re supposed to love.
Interracial relationships are hard and Miss Kitt really explored all the ups, downs, heartaches , and the joys this especially at the time that she wrote this book in 1995.
Interracial relationships are hard and Miss Kitt really explored all the ups, downs, heartaches , and the joys this especially at the time that she wrote this book in 1995.
July 12, 2019
Didn't look at the published date of this book when I started it so I didn't realize it wasn't a newer release. Jason is a white vietnam vet and cop who meets african american graphic designer Leah on the night of a tragedy. Months later he comes back to introduce himself to the woman who was kind to him. Leah is well aware of how her family and society will react to a black woman dating a white cop but Jason is forced to confront a life/occupation of white priviledge when they start getting serious.
April 26, 2022
A solid read! However I did suffer a little bit from the generation gap like when he said the n word absolute gasp! Just one of those things and having a blatantly racist cop is Naur nowadays too, so it was a lil hard sometimes for my gen z brain to get around but I made it out!
They also didn’t progress relationship wise very much throughout out the story or at least very slowly then I wish some more time had been taken at the end and expanded more however overall it was a good read loveeee a good interracial romance and him being a cop added a lil more spice!
They also didn’t progress relationship wise very much throughout out the story or at least very slowly then I wish some more time had been taken at the end and expanded more however overall it was a good read loveeee a good interracial romance and him being a cop added a lil more spice!
July 25, 2020
I read Ms. Kitt's novel when it was released in print. THE COLOR OF LOVE is so compelling that I still remember every detail all of these years later. That novel caused me to do a marathon read of all of Ms. Kitt's novels. Occasionally, I will re-read THE COLOR OF LOVE and I still have the same reaction. I miss Ms. Kitt's voice in this literary wasteland so much that I started writing novels for my own pleasure. Yet, I still want to hear her voice.
Ann Jeffries, Author
Ann Jeffries, Author
February 20, 2022
I had heard of this book, and then found it on the .50 cent rack at a used book store! The book was published in 1995, and it makes me sad to say not much has changed between the Black community and law enforcement. But what is so lovely about this book is the love story that overcomes racism with truth, honesty, vulnerability, and trust.
June 15, 2020
Realistic and heartwarming
The book includes sisterly rivalry, fatherly wisdom, troubled young black men and an unflinching depiction of the many challenges of an interracial relationship.
The book includes sisterly rivalry, fatherly wisdom, troubled young black men and an unflinching depiction of the many challenges of an interracial relationship.
April 30, 2021
If not my first, it was close, and this beautiful story opened my heart in excitement and made me realize that there were stories of hope like this. I will always be indebted to Ms. Kitt for writing this wonderful book.
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