Kaleidoscope Hearts

By: Claire Contreras

Narrated by: Christy Romano, Vikas Adam

Length: 8 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times & USA Today best seller. This is a full-length, standalone, contemporary romance.

He was my older brother's best friend. He was never supposed to be mine. I thought we would get it out of our systems and move on. One of us did. One of us left. Now he's back, looking at me like he wants to devour me. And all those feelings I'd turned into anger are brewing into something else, something that terrifies me. He broke my heart last time. This time he'll obliterate it.

©2015 Claire Contreras (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Not for me

I really was looking forward to this book because the plotline sounded great, but everything was so drawn out and wordy that it lost the romantic adventure. I also wasn’t a fan of the time jumps to the past then to the present. I felt that we could have easily started when they were young, skipped to the next big year, and so on. I got easily confused and lost with all the back and forth. The drama seemed to be the “slow burn” for this one and I’m just not a fan. The resolve seemed to be water in a hot pan and sizzled through to the end. This book felt forced, which I’m disappointed about because it really had potential.

As for the narrative; I felt we were stuck more in Ellie’s point of view than anything and this storyline felt like it needed more of Oliver’s POV, but the narrators did well with what they had to work with.

Awesome Love Story

Was such a real life situation so it was very enjoyable! Estelle and Oliver are so cute, I was really glad it ended the way it did.

One that I will turn around to listen to all over again

I bought this audiobook because it was recommended under Colleen Hoover's books and hers are some of my favorite.

It was an excellent recommendation because it has everything I look for in a book. A little heart ache, a little drama, a little sadness and a whole lot of romance. Loved it.

I wasn't sure about the performance of Christy Romano at first. Sometimes I got lost in who was speaking when because she doesn't do a typical voice change. But after I caught on, I really loved the way she told the punch lines and got into the way she spoke. I wasn't quite as happy with Vikas Adam. I felt his voice was a bit monotonous and emotionless. I did like the gruffness, I felt that is how this character would sound.

sweet story, but not that special

Is there anything you would change about this book?

It was a sweet story. just not that interesting. I didn't really connect with mc.

Would you be willing to try another book from Claire Contreras? Why or why not?

unlikely

Was Kaleidoscope Hearts worth the listening time?

No, I wasn't drawn into the characters

I loved it!

I loved this book when I first read it after its release in ebook and loved the audiobook even more! The narrators did a great job and I didn't want to stop listening. Definitely worth the listen and I will be relistening to this book many times!

Claire Contreras my new favorite author

Would you listen to Kaleidoscope Hearts again? Why?

YES!!!!! i have listened to this book about 5 times since I bought it! I really enjoyed Claire's writing and Christy's narration.

What other book might you compare Kaleidoscope Hearts to and why?

It's a bit similiar to Jasinda Wilder on the story line but like Tamra Baumann in her writing.

Have you listened to any of Christy Romano and Vikas Adam ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've not listened to any of Christy or Vikas's narration on any other book. But I would definitely listen to Christy's narration on other books. Vika was good as well but Christy's narration was my favorite.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely, but dang work got in the way.

Any additional comments?

I can't wait to see what Claire Contreras next book has to offer in this series.

Elle & Oliver's romance touched my heart again

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would absolutely recommend this audiobook to a friend and have already done so. Female narrator Christy does a particularly nuanced and perfectly balanced narration of both female and male characters effectively animating Elle & Ollie's struggle to embrace their longtime forbidden feelings.

What other book might you compare Kaleidoscope Hearts to and why?

I'd compare it to Come to Me Quietly by AL Jackson because they both have a similar theme of forbidden new adult love; both are well written and evoked strong reactions in me. I have read each novel twice now as well.

What does Christy Romano and Vikas Adam bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

They added another level of personality to each character and hit the right tones every single time. Their narrations were simply flawless.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, I loved having all the same feels again as I did when I read the e-book for the first time earlier this year. Mia was so funny! And I literally felt a combination of physical pangs of longing and joy during Elle and Ollie's sometimes clandestine moments together many, many times.

Any additional comments?

I've had severe chronic insomnia for weeks now, and I can't typically focus on e-book reading for long while suffering from it. Sadly, my insomnia put my early read of Paper Hearts (Mia and Jensen's full length novel) on a bit of a hold. So this reread via audiobook was perfect. I've never listened to any books narrated by either Christy Romano or Vikas Adam. Both did a great job. In fact, Christy is now one of my favorite female narrators. I definitely look forward to any new book read by either of them. Also, that bathroom scene at Elle's parents' house was incredibly sexy. I was out shopping, but I rewound it several times and had a huge grin on my face each time before moving on to the next crazy moment. ♡ I'm even more eager now to resume my interrupted read of Paper Hearts.

I LOVED this story!!!

Any additional comments?

What an emotional ride!!! I loved this book, every emotionally draining minute of it! This is a wonderful story of love, loss, and rebirth.
Elle had finally overcome her love for Oliver her brother Vic’s best friend. She is has fallen in love again and is engaged, then tragedy strikes. Ellie is alone again. She decides to sell her house, move in with Vic and recoup and move on. Her first day back she runs into the one man that could re-shatter her healing heart…Oliver.
I loved this story. I loved the way the author write about the characters’ insecurities and how they work thru them. I really liked the way Ms. Contreras took the read from present to past, describing how everything in the past pertained to the present. This book took me on an extreme range of emotions, but that is what I love in a romance novel. I loved the symbolism in Elle’s art. It was enlightening.
I have definitely found a new author to love and follow. Ms. Contreras did a phenomenal job drawing me in and not letting me out.
As far as the narrators, Christy Romano, Vikas Adam they did an outstanding job in their performances. The way they told the story kept me riveted to the story.
Thank you for reading my review. This was definitely a beautiful story! If you like reading or listening to a wonderful romance book, this one is definitely for you.

Sweet story

Was a quick and sweet love story !!
Made a rainy weekend so enjoyable. Great listen !

You know its perfect when you're crying at the end

Seriously. You know its perfect when you're crying at the end. I own this book in eBook, audio, and paperback. I've switched back and forth all the way through reading (Vikas Adam is perfect voice for Oliver) and it was so addicting and heartwarming and touching. So amazingly written.