Kit Tosello’s debut novel, THE COLOR OF HOME, is a journey in finding our true homes, not necessarily the physical ones, but the place where we find acceptance and can fulfill our greatest potential. It delves into the search for peace and purpose, with the end goal of living to be of service to others. This special book brings the reader to a place of self-examination, of our own failings and of our gifts and talents. It is an insightful study in human behavior.

I was excited to dive into The Color of Home after reading the synopsis, which promised an emotional journey of family, loss, and finding home again. Audrey Needham’s return to Charity Falls, a town filled with both fond memories and painful loss, seemed like the perfect setup for a heartfelt story of healing and redemption. Unfortunately, I ended up not finishing the book, and here’s why:

The main issue I had was with the writing itself. While the premise was compelling, I found the writing style difficult to engage with. The pacing felt slow, and the style seemed to lack the spark needed to pull me in. Rather than feeling immersed in Audrey’s world, I found myself detached and uninterested, as the narrative didn’t seem to flow in a way that kept my attention.

Overall, while The Color of Home might resonate with other readers, it simply didn’t work for me. The writing style wasn’t engaging enough to keep me invested in the story, and I ultimately decided to put it down. Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy to honestly read and review. If I was to rate the book, it would have been around a 3 star read.

This story is primarily about two women, Audrey and her aunt, Daisy. Audrey works for a trendy interior design firm in the city and is working to advance her career. She puts that in jeopardy when she leaves to help Daisy get her home ready for sale. Daisy’s husband, Dean, is suffering from Alzheimers, and Daisy is finding it hard to manage the home and his health care. Audrey spent many memorable times there with her father because he was raised by them. Along with helping Daisy with her home, Audrey takes on the self-appointed task of finding out who currently owns the once thriving inn across the road and why it is in such disrepair. She feels a closeness to it because her father used to help maintain the grounds, and Daisy was their cook.
While she is staying there, she meets a young girl who she takes under her wing. She also meets Cade, Daisy’s best friend’s son.
As all her relationships grow and develop, she begins to realize what is important in life. She has a strong faith but is not a ‘church goer’. She has been disillusioned by ‘fake’ Christians.
The author weaves the element of faith throughout the story but not in a preachy way.
The story switches between Audrey and Daisy’s point of view and their distinctive personalities are evident.
This is from the publisher’s website:
“The life she's designing may not be the life she's meant to live

Bay Area interior designer to the rich and pretentious, Audrey Needham is already on thin ice with her impossible-to-please boss when her great-aunt Daisy asks for support as her husband descends into Alzheimer's. Now Audrey is risking the career she worked hard to build as she returns to Charity Falls, Oregon.

Her feelings toward the idyllic small town are . . . complicated. While she has many good memories of her childhood summers there, Charity Falls is also the place her father was killed in a tragic fire at the Sugar Pine Inn thirteen years ago.

Despite Audrey's intent to avoid emotional entanglement, something should be done about the deteriorating inn. A local girl with an incarcerated father needs a friend. And handsome local do-gooder Cade Carter is coloring Audrey all shades of uncertain. The pull of home is hard to resist.”
This is an enjoyable story about self-discovery, spiritual growth, forgiveness and overcoming obstacles.
The ending came too fast and too soon!
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from the publisher, Revell and Baker Publishing via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.

The Color of Home is a debut that I was greatly looking forward to as I prefer to read contemporary fiction with a strong focus on faith and romance.
Audrey and Daisy’s point of views gave a generational aspect to this story that made me interested to keep reading.
I was hoping for more romance, as the description led me to believe that a handsome man was going to encounter Audrey and be a part of her overall development as a character.
Unfortunately, I found the writing style choppy and dragged me out of the story. Too much time was spent on description and not enough on giving me distinct personality to Audrey and Daisy.
Perhaps I am not the target audience since I like my job and have good relationships with my family. These characters were not relatable to me and the writing did not make me invest in them even as I read on.
Thank you for the chance to read this!

This is an adult coming of age novel as Audrey finds out what she really wants in life. A number of issues revolve around that frame. There is Audrey's great uncle who has dementia and there is a girl whose father is in prison. There is a potential romance but an obstacle creating misunderstanding. Healing from grief is also explored.

The plot might be a bit predictable and unrealistic with the necessary intervening event happening just a the necessary time. But then, this is fiction and a debut novel. I think Tosello will get more creative in her plot construction over time. She is a word smith and there were some passages where the writing was quite beautiful.

The first person narratives alternate between Daisy and Audrey. While the character is identified at the beginning of each section, it is not a technique I like. Reading an ebook, it is too easy to be confused as to the point of view a little way into a chapter.

This is just a feel good novel. It is one where you sigh at the end, feeling good.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

I'm excited to share my thoughts on The Color of Home! While it may have not completely blown me away, the story was warm and authentic, and I appreciated Audrey's relatable story, a woman who returns to her childhood town to support her great-aunt & confront her past. It's so inspiring to read the work of new voices entering the literary world and I was excited to have the opportunity to read Kit's debut novel. Supporting authors is so important, moreso debut authors! I can't wait to see how Kit continues to evolve in her writing journey and read her next book.

A enjoyable debut book by the Author.
This was a lovely story of a young woman who goes back to her home town to help her aunt with her house as she prepares to move into an assisted living facility because of her husband’s dementia. It’s a coming back to you home town story where you realize how much you missed it, the memories you haven’t been a part of by being gone and a growing to love the town and that community again, She also embarks on finding out who the mysterious person is that owns the dilapidated inn across the street as she has dreams of restoring it. A lot of family with a mystery throw in,

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

I’ve been looking forward to reading this debut novel for months and it did not disappoint!

Audrey Needham is a Bay-area interior designer looking to make a name for herself in her field, but her job is on the line. When her Aunt Daisy calls from Oregon saying she needs her help getting her home ready to put on the market, she’s forced to head back to the place that ruined her life by claiming her father’s.

Daisy is caring for her husband who suffers from dementia and desperately needs rest. Getting her house market-ready so they can move into an assisted living facility seems like a tall order, but she’s confident Audrey can help.

While there, Audrey must grapple with being back in the place that caused her loss while figuring out what’s next for her when she returns to California. Will Charity Falls be just the place Audrey needs to be to figure it out and heal? Or will it just make things harder and hazier?

I loved seeing Audrey grow throughout the story and the development of the different relationships she’s a part of in Charity Falls.

If you’re looking for a sweet read about family, friendship, self-discovery, redemption, and being drawn to the Lord, be sure to check this one out!

4.5 stars

“The unexpected life IS our actual life.”

Oh!! Y’all!! I adored everything about Kit Tosello’s stellar debut novel, The Color of Home. Usually I give a lot of grace to debut novels because … well… when I go back and look at my first blog posts I realize that a whole lot of people gave me a whole lot of grace (how about a purchase link somewhere, Carrie? anywhere?) But The Color of Home needs no grace from me – it is everything delightful and winsome, and it just wrapped me up, heart and soul.

I provide Tawny with the thumbnail version, up to but not including the part where I ran into Cade, and altogether omitting the part where I zoned out for an hour scrolling through Bob Ross memes. Which was worth it, if only for “Ever make mistakes in life? Let’s make them birds. Yeah, they’re birds now.”

Tosello’s charming first person narratives (alternating between Audrey and her great-aunt Daisy) feel deliciously conversational, giving off a wonderful vibe of ‘Audrey (or Daisy) is telling me this part of the story while we’re seated around their kitchen table with a mug of tea’. Their personalities and relatability leap immediately off the pages and burrow deeply into your heart as the story progresses, a testament to the author’s effortless skill in the art of ‘showing vs. telling’ – also evident in how we easily come to know the other characters through their interactions with these two narrators. And even though this novel wrestles with some tough subjects – like Alzheimer’s, grief, incarceration, career pressures, etc – the tone of Tosello’s writing voice achieves the perfect balance between humor and hard … in large part, i think, because it allows for humor within the hard without diminishing the impact of either one.

“Grief isn’t something you move past, ever. It’s something you learn to carry.. And honey, we have got to allow our disappointments to draw us closer to God, not give us an excuse to drift further away.”

Bottom Line: Is ‘home’ only a residence? Can it also be a sense of place? A memory? Or maybe it can also be an inspired calling, a place where we come alive, a Divine embrace, a redeemed life, a second chance. In The Color of Home, debut novelist Kit Tosello explores these nuanced layers with sacred insight and oodles of charm. I fell head over heels in love with Charity Falls (dare I hope we can return for another visit??), as well as Audrey, Daisy, Dean, Cade, Nash, Paige, Tawny, and so many other endearing and vividly-sketched characters who started out as strangers to me but quickly became the dearest of friends. Faith is presented naturally as a meaningful extension of what’s going on in the story, and the attraction between Cade and Audrey is the icing on the cake. I cannot wait to read more books by Kit Tosello, and if you’re a fan of Cynthia Ruchti, Amanda Cox, Angela Ruth Strong, Holly Varni, and Katie Powner, you absolutely need to make sure The Color of Home is at the top of your TBR list!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

The Color of Home is a very heartwarming novel. It involves two women separated by age but brought together as they are coping with a new phase in their lives. Audrey must determine what comes next after being laid off. And Daisy has to face the challenges of caring for a husband with Alzheimers. Change is tough but together they are able to help each other thru the transition.
This novel is written in first person. I really loved how the author used different styles of writing that matched the personality of each character. When Audrey was telling the story, the narrative became very wordy and descriptive. When Daisy was sharing her tale, the narrative became very simple and to the point. It was easy to identify within a few sentences who was speaking. The Color of Home was also filled with a lot of spiritual content. It was great to read about characters working thru their faith when life isn’t always going as expected.
Lots of wonderful things for a debut novel by Kit Tosello. It was pretty slow moving though and didn’t keep my interest. However, I know this will be enjoyed by many who like small town contemporary novels.
I received an advanced copy of The Color of Home with no obligations. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is a very heartwarming read. Enjoyed storyline and characters. Recommend. I was given an advanced reader copy of this book by NetGalley and I am freely sharing my review.

Goodreads synopsis is as follows:

"Audrey Needham, Bay Area interior designer to the rich and pretentious, is down to her last nerve. Her boss is impossible to please, her future is in jeopardy, and her great-aunt Daisy needs support as her husband descends into Alzheimer's. When Daisy enlists Audrey's help preparing for a move to assisted living, Audrey risks her career to return to the idyllic small town of Charity Falls, Oregon, the summer stomping grounds of her childhood. But Charity Falls was also the place that broke her heart when her father was killed in a tragic fire at the Sugar Pine Inn thirteen years ago. Despite Audrey's intent to avoid emotional entanglement, the pull of home is hard to resist. Something should be done about the deteriorating inn. A local girl with an incarcerated father needs a friend. And handsome local do-gooder Cade Carter is coloring Audrey all shades of uncertain.Join award-winning writer and debut novelist Kit Tosello in this lyrical and often humorous exploration of how God redeems brokenness and draws us to the life we're meant to find."

I really, really wanted to like this book but I struggled through it. Let's talk about what I did like:

Main character Audrey and secondary characters Paige and Daisy were all so delightful. I also liked the idea about the book--of coming home, healing, redemption, working through grief, and rediscovering who are you. I always enjoy a book with a small-town feel. And near the end--the full-circle moment with the horse? It was so beautiful! I also loved the faith elements.

What I didn't like:

References to zen and good vibes. I was so surprised to see them in a book where Jesus is mentioned often. There were parts I wanted to see fleshed out more, like job interviews that Audrey went on and more about the loss of her parent.

The writing was so choppy. I felt like it was hard to follow what was happening at times. My head was spinning in some of the scenes and I felt lost. Also, the last chapter of the book--I had no idea what the last chapter meant; it was so very confusing for me.

I rated this a 3 because the relationships and development of Audrey, Paige, and Daisy kept me engaged. Writing wise, I would've given this 2 stars even though I honestly considered not finishing it at times.

Audrey's life seems to be pulling her into many different directions, and she seems lost. She makes a decision to go and help her Aunt and Uncle in Charity Falls, Oregon, get ready to move into assisted living. Once there, things begin to seem different to her. She is surprised at the life she has there, She does things that make her happy, As she continues on the journey she is on now, there are things she has to face, lessons that need to be learned, and decisions that need to be made.
Charity Falls holds memories for her, and it is where her Dad died. She begins to feel a connection, and each day moves her along on the journey she is on now. As the time approaches, that she is supposed to go back, she finds herself at a crossroad. This is a beautifully written story, that relaxed me, made me think about my life, and learned a few lessons along the way too. I hope you decide to read this book.
I received an ARC from Revell through NetGalley.

Kit Tosello's debut novel is full of rich descriptions that immediately draw you into the setting and the characters' lives. Not only is her prose beautiful, but the many inspirational nuggets of wisdom laced throughout the story are a gold mine.

Here are a few examples of quotes that made me pause and ponder:

1. Maybe a brief, meaningful life, with the promise of something beyond, is in itself the gift. Anything more is grace.

2. And yet, we’re never meant to carry shame. Hadn’t Cade himself said those words? Is it possible I’ve interposed humiliation where humility is meant to live?

3. "We have got to allow our disappointments to draw us closer to God, not give us an excuse to drift further away.”

4. "It’s not a question of if life will disappoint us. It’s only a matter of when. How often. How deeply. The unexpected life is our actual life.”

5. "Like it or not—and I don’t like it one bit—the Lord brings people into our lives for seasons, not for forever. And the annoying thing about seasons is that they blow in and blow out on timetables over which we have no say. Only he who is sovereign over the seasons can give us what we need to carry on."

6. "I’m learning to accept that my identity in God’s eyes, accepted and loved and somehow forgiven, means that I make mistakes and carry regrets. But I’m never meant to carry shame.”

I could go on, but I think you get the point. This story takes the reader on a journey with a heroine we care about who learns what true home is. The unhurried pace invites us to meander through the characters' discoveries and growing relationships along with them, challenging us all to question what truly matters in life.

I loved the subtle romance between Audrey and Cade, as well as their roles in mentoring struggling teenagers. A heartwarming and poignant story!

*Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC copy. A favorable review was not required. All opinions expressed are my own.

LYRICAL!

Each scene reads like a beautiful ballad, all coming together as a stunningly moving presentation. Characters are deep and authentic; I feel as if I genuinely know them, and they will stay with me for a very long time, much like the many literary characters discussed or alluded to throughout the book—from Jane Austen’s perennial heroines to Harry Potter and his companions. The sweet romance is a subtle side story, while the main story focuses on Audrey’s holistic development, learning what matters most: family, hope, trust, honesty, and love. The Color of Home is a cozy, contemporary story with just enough tension to keep you turning pages until the end.

The Color of Home by Kit Tosellois full of emotion. I truly enjoyed reading this debut novel.
I enjoyed being in the small-town of Charity Hills, Oregon with these characters.
Tosello’s vivid storytelling brings these characters to life, immersing readers in its rich details and setting. The characters are deeply relatable. And the writing was just amazing.

Thank You NetGalley and Revell for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I had mixed feelings about The Color of Home by Kit Tosello. I began reading the story and I wanted to quit reading after the first chapter. I found it hard to like Audrey who is a self-centered woman. The point of view alternates between Audrey and Daisy (story is told in the first person). The characters develop slowly. The way the author chose to develop the characters works for Audrey, but not so much for Daisy. We are introduced to a variety of characters, and it can be hard to keep them straight (it gets easier as the story progresses). I like the town of Charity Falls which is in the pacific northwest where I would love to reside. It is a charming town with endearing residents. Faith is nicely woven into the story. It is present without being obvious or overpowering. There is romance (of course) that must overcome misunderstanding and tension before it can bloom into something more. The pacing is leisurely which reminds me of the unhurried pace of a small town. I liked the names for the paint colors. I was not a fan of the longwinded writing style (I found myself skimming often). As you can see, there are pluses and minuses. While The Color of Home did not resonate with me, I suggest you download a sample to see if it suits you.

An engaging, compelling, intergenerational story with great descriptions, authentic characters with real conflicts and issues, and a faith thread that kept me reading and pondering from start to finish.

Enjoyed especially the gradual transformation of Audrey, and the unfolding of her story. A redemptive tale that touched me. Recommended.

What a story! I received an advanced reader's copy from Revell through NetGalley and I want to thank them for the opportunity to read Kit Tosello's debut novel. This is my own unsolicited opinion.
Audrey is a young successful interior designer. She is talented, hardworking and her light is being smothered by a type of inferiority that I feel stems from grief. She isn't who she could be.
Daisy is Audrey's great-aunt who raised the young woman's father. She appears to have it all together but is overwhelmed with daily life as she watches her dear husband being overtaken by Alzheimer's. It's time to make changes and she has to admit she needs help.
Both of these characters are so realistic. I can relate to both of them. There is a lot going on in this story. As I read, I jotted down these words, grief, family, love, generations, change, God.
Cade Carter comes across as a do-gooder in Audrey's mind. They clash, more than once. As the two gradually get to know one another the importance of mentorship lends another facet to the colorful story. There are demonstrations of how damaging miscommunication or non-communication can be.
Parts of the novel hit hard. Grief is a powerful thing that can be long-lasting and life changing. Memories are important and this book stirred mine up. My emotions were involved. This story made me cry but not in a bad way. It's heart touching. I don't want to give anything away. It's a very good read which covers topics of growing older, life changes, devastating death, (non-graphic) and self-worth. It's beautifully and descriptively written. Romance has a bit part in my opinion and that was just right. I give the novel a 4.5. I'd love to see a series based in this town, Kit Tosello!
Readers who enjoy Irene Hannon's stories may very well like this book.

4.5 stars, rounded up!
This is a debut novel that releases 9-24-24. I definitely believe that there will be more books to come from this author! From the homey and cozy cover to the many beautiful passages, this book took me on a journey. I felt I was there in the quaint and caring town, with a hot beverage, a book, and just taking it all in.

This is a novel about finding our HOME. Not just our physical home but where we shine brightest and feel truly connected. Is it a place or a setting? Is it where we think we should be, or is it where our heart is? Maybe it is where we are truly happy, can find peace and a purpose to serve others with intention, wherever that may be. Moreover, our ultimate home is our eternal destination.

I found this novel prompted me to be very introspective. What do we do with our “woundedness?” Do we carry it with us everywhere or use it to help others with theirs? What is grief and how can we view it a little differently? Why are we our own worst critics? Do we use terms like “at risk (fill in the blank)” or do we see such people as full of promise and opportunity? How can we use our talents and gifts to help others AND ourselves? What are our real dreams that truly count at the end of the day?

There are so many lovely passages in this book that fill my senses and imagination. The author has a way with words that had me highlighting my digital copy often. Nature, baked goods, hot coffee or tea, the many colours of paint, decor, birds and other animals, etc. The love for color and design by the author shone through. (By the way: Is she available for a kitchen consultation???).

I appreciate the references to equine therapy and mentor programs. Both are such really good and lasting contributions to anyone who needs them and society as a whole.

I narrowed down my many highlighted passages to two of my favourites:
- - Loc. 2633: And as dust motes dance in a wide beam of golden light spilling from the window, I’m left afterward to ponder a quote she dropped on me, something from Henri Nouwen, one of her favorite writers. “The main question is not ‘How can we hide our wounds?’ . . . but ‘How can we put our woundedness in the service of others?’”
- Loc. 3265: Grief isn’t something you move past, ever. It’s something you learn to carry. That ache, the one that won’t ever quit, that’s how you know for sure it meant something in the first place. It mattered then, and it still matters. So we pick it up and carry it every day. And honey, we have got to allow our disappointments to draw us closer to God, not give us an excuse to drift further away.”

*** Many thanks to #NetGalley and the Publisher for an advanced reader copy. This book releases September 24, 2024. I highly recommend #TheColorOfHome