The Color of Water in July

Written by Nora Carroll

Narrated by Kate Rudd

It’s been a long seventeen years since Jess last saw her grandmother or visited the family cottage set on an idyllic lake in Northern Michigan. For all that time, she’s been haunted by loss—of her innocence and her ability to trust and, most of all, of a profound summer romance that might have been something more. So when her grandmother leaves the house to her, Jess summons her courage and returns to a place full of memories—and secrets.

There, she stumbles upon old letters and photographs of a time not so much forgotten as buried. As she begins to unravel the hidden histories of her mother and her grandmother, she makes a startling discovery about a tragic death that prompted her family’s slow undoing. With every uneven and painful step into the past, Jess comes closer to a truth that could alter her own path—and open a door to a different future.

Revised edition: This edition of The Color of Water in July includes editorial revisions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Jun 30, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543613568

Nora Carroll

Nora Carroll is a pseudonym for #1 New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Letts. A former obstetric nurse, Nora Carroll now writes full time. She lives with her husband, four children, and a madcap golden retriever in Southern California.

Reviews for The Color of Water in July

[twileteyes · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I had made a prediction early on, then at just about 51% a shocking twist I wasn't expecting happened!!! I love when that happens! However, it was short-lived; it quickly became apparent that things were not as they seemed and the original prediction I made came through after all.

I didn't mind the multiple POV, it was easy to follow and I felt the author did a decent job of giving each POV a distinct enough voice to not get confusing. My only complaint was that the ending, maybe even the full last half of the book, felt a little rushed-I want to know more!

[kimkimkim-7 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I received this book from NetGalley.
The strong points of the book: the descriptions of the scenery, the back and forth conversations Jess had with herself, a tickling sensation that all would not end well, or would it?

I really disliked: the stilted and archaic dialog attributed to Jess' Grandmother, the "sometimes" weakness in Jess' character that never seemed to fit the story, and the abrupt ending.

"I can still call to mind the precise shade of the water that day. I call that summer blue, the color of water in July—all of promise wrapped up in it, and every disappointment too." That quote from the book defines the story succinctly, promises and disappointment.

[jenn88-1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Growing up, Jess would spend her summers at her grandmother's cottage, but she hasn't been back there in seventeen years. Now her grandmother has passed away and left her the cottage; a cottage that is filled with memories, secrets and if Jess digs deep enough - the truth about her family.

It tried, but this book never made it over that edge where it starts to get good. It was slow going at first. I didn't like any of the characters.. Daniel was okay, but nothing special. Things that happened just seemed too convenient.

[susan0316 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book takes place in a part of Michigan that I love so I was prepared to like it based on location alone...and I really did enjoy it. A summer cottage is left to Jess by her grandmother. She wants to sell it because of the memories of her last summer there as a teenager. When she goes to Michigan to prepare it for sale, she finds some letters that change the course of her life and help answer questions about her family heritage. A quick read but very good.

[boudicca123 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The cover of this book is very tranquil but the story is anything but. After her grandmother dies Jess returns to the family cottage in a lakeside community to sort it out ready to sell. It is pretty much in its' original condition which excites Russ (boyfriend) no end. He is forceful, inviting himself along and is such a shallow, unlike able man. The book tells the story from three perspectives - Mamie (grandmother) and Jess aged 17 and 33, so gradually all the secrets are revealed. Great descriptions, easy to read, enjoyable story too. I would like to read more books by this author.

[mmoj_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As I read this book I kept wondering what was the point. This was a book filled with layers that needed to be peeled away just as the secrets were revealed, on layer at a time. This is a story of Jess who's grandmother has left her an inheritance what she thinks is the family's summer cottage but could be far more valuable. This is also the story of Margaret a woman who has kept other people's secrets for so long. Margaret is from a different era where it important to masquerade those things that all families want to remain hidden. The problem with bidding secrets is that you are locked in to a certain course of action and ultimately they lock Jess into what seems like an unavoidable path. I felt this book read like one of those old fashioned stories from Margaret's era