The Color of Betrayal by Hollie Smurthwaite

Krysten’s Review
After devouring The Color of Trauma, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on an ARC of the follow-up novel. Like its predecessor, The Color of Betrayal is a fast-paced, sexy thriller filled with complex, snarky characters; plenty of secrets and lies; lots of unexpected twists and turns; and a deftly woven underlying theme.
Unlike its predecessor, however, I wasn’t as heavily invested in these characters or their relationships. Though Jolene and Cass certainly had depth, the romance felt a bit forced, a bit contrived. The thriller aspect of the novel was wrapped up in a satisfying way, but I was a little disappointed by the romantic conclusion. The final (sex) scene felt—somehow—both gratuitous and a little corny. That said, I know I am not the typical spicy romance reader, so this will no doubt appeal to its primary audience.
All in all, this was another entertaining and gripping read from Hollie Smurthwaite, and I am looking forward to the next installment!
The Color of Betrayal by Hollie Smurthwaite
Jolene, a recovering alcoholic with the ability to experience people’s memories, helps a secret government agency take down drug syndicates.