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The Color of Water in July Kindle Edition

4.1 out of 5 stars 9,560 ratings

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.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

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.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00U6IQF82
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lake Union Publishing
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 18, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 928 KB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 251 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1503906372
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 9,560 ratings

About the author

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Nora Carroll
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Nora Carroll is a pseudonym for #1 New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Letts. As Nora Carroll, she writes multilayered novels filled with the things she loves most-- rambling houses, old letters and manuscripts, and most importantly, the mysteries of love, women, and family.

Nora is delighted to be published by Lake Union Publishing. Please note that her books were rereleased in 2015 in a substantially revised format. Some reviews may refer to earlier versions of her works.

To keep up with the latest from Nora Carroll:

Nora's Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/NoraCarrollBooks?ref=hl

or sign up for the mailing list: www.elizabethletts.com

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
9,560 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this novel well-written and captivating, with many twists and turns in the plot. The book features strong character development, with one review noting how it alternates between different perspectives and time periods, and customers appreciate its historical context through its use of flashbacks. The story takes place in northern Michigan, and customers find it easy to follow, with one mentioning how it starts slowly but builds with great skill. The pacing receives mixed reactions, with several customers finding it slow-moving.

94 customers mention "Character development"78 positive16 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding them mesmerizing and noting how they evolve throughout the story. One customer mentions that the chapters alternate between different characters and time periods.

"...The characters were well developed and so was the plot. Things are not necessarily as they seem...." Read more

"...at the end of the logging boom. I loved the characters, setting, the backstory, I loved every word...." Read more

"...Loved this book. Well written, great characters, switches between generations, telling about Jess as a teen, her grandmother as a young woman, and..." Read more

"Great storyline! Great character development! Great writing style! Would highly recommended!" Read more

55 customers mention "Historical context"55 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate how the book weaves together past and present narratives, with good use of flashbacks to tell the story and interesting historical settings.

"...The story is quite good. This is a novel about three generations of women - grandmother, mother and daughter - and how their..." Read more

"...I love a good coming-of-age story. I like stories with multiple narrators. And this book has all of that...." Read more

"...at the end of the logging boom. I loved the characters, setting, the backstory, I loved every word...." Read more

"...The book includes the past with her grandmother's story, and Jess's memories. Jess finally understands the journey's end...." Read more

15 customers mention "Color"15 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the color theme in the book, with one mentioning they could see the color blue.

"The Color of Water in July..." Read more

"...I could see the color blue." Read more

"The Color of Water In July - Enticing Beach Read..." Read more

"The Color of Water..." Read more

14 customers mention "Ease of follow"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to follow and relate to the story, noting that it starts slowly but builds with great skill.

"...Starts slowly builds with great skill!" Read more

"...I loved the gentle pace this story took, I could picture in my mind the scenes from the 1920's -1930's and I could feel Jess's heart shatter when..." Read more

"...between the two women and differing time periods, it is not difficult or confusing to follow...." Read more

"...Recommend for an easy, enjoyable read ." Read more

10 customers mention "Location"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's location, with several reviews noting it takes place in northern Michigan, and one customer specifically mentioning the Grand Traverse area as the setting.

"...at first by the title....then pleased to find out it takes place in Northern Michigan...." Read more

"...The similarities of the scenery and the location of this story were uncanny...." Read more

"...The author handled the transitions between time, place and character very well. I recommend this book and will look for more by this author." Read more

"I enjoyed the book. It took place in northern Michigan, of which I'm very familiar with...." Read more

64 customers mention "Pacing"33 positive31 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with several noting that the story is slow and has a slow start.

"Nice story line. Quick read. A predictable, but enjoyable girlfriend kind of book that you can take along on vacation." Read more

"Slow reading. . not much of story. ..not very interesting for me. Sorry for being negative." Read more

"...It's a nice, light novel." Read more

"...The story is slow, but being detailed in its telling that's just beautiful...." Read more

The color is a brilliant blue.
4 out of 5 stars
The color is a brilliant blue.
I related to the title as we have enjoyed a "cottage" on Lake Huron for over 100 years. We don't have the drama shared in this novel, but, I felt I was there with the characters.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Wow. Nora Carroll's novel about family secrets and their collateral damage was beautifully written as a dual-timeline story featuring Jess (both as an adult and a 17 year old) and her grandmother, Mamie. A beautiful lakeshore in Northern Michigan is the setting of this engrossing story.

    Jess inherits her grandmother's family summer home and is set on selling it as soon as possible then returning to her tiny apartment in New York City. Once she and her boyfriend arrive, the memories of her last summer at the lake at age 17 abound. Many of her memories are those of a bittersweet first love, Daniel.

    As she is preparing to sell, she comes across a packet of letters which will change the course of her life. I'm afraid to tell you any more as this is just one of those books that you MUST READ to absorb all of the details both good and bad.
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2014
    Wow, that is all I can say! Wow! This is not at all my normal genre (though I do have a guilty pleasure in Chick Lit from time to time) This is not Chick Lit either, this story was a complete surprise to me. I liked the synopsis, it was free and I thought it would make a great summer read.

    This story is hauntingly beautiful, rich in descriptions and vivid in its poignancy. It starts with Jess Carpenter, 33, living in a small apartment in a dull job with her boyfriend Russ. Jess has just inherited her family home situated on a lake in Michigan. She hasn't been back to the house since she was 17 years old. She is going back now, she is going to sell the house and finally put her past behind her.

    The story is told from three POV, Jess as she is now, her 17 year old self and Maime, her grand mother. Jess would summer with her throughout her childhood because her mother Margaret was away being an international journalist. The story centers mainly on her last summer there. One of love, tragedy and sorrow. It also tells the story of Maime's tragic sister Lila, who drowned in the lake.

    The story is slow, but being detailed in its telling that's just beautiful. It weaves in and out of Jess and Maime's lives connecting the dots to a secret too big to tell, too shameful to whisper and it will be the one secret that will rip out Jess's heart and send her on the path to no where.

    Not until she goes back with Russ does she begin a journey of self discovery, one of Maime's and Lila's past, one where she can finally put the pieces together and finally find the happiness she thought she had lost forever. Daniel, the boy she loved and couldn't be with was so dreamy, it was heart breaking to read just what stood in their way to true happiness.

    I loved the gentle pace this story took, I could picture in my mind the scenes from the 1920's -1930's and I could feel Jess's heart shatter when the one, tiny detail would rip her world apart.

    If I had any complaints about this book it would be with the end. From the final chapter, which I have to say the last line....OMG, one of the best last lines ever "There is something I need to tell you" she said. To where it picked up in the epilogue, it left me a little confused, how did she get to the point she was at, was she with Daniel and Maggie? I would've liked it to have been a little better told.

    However, overall this story was beautiful, entrancing and poetic. Again not my normal genre, but if you like stories of self discovery, love and what secrets a family can keep and how they can tear us down yet build us up then this is the book for you. Lovely story.

    Read more of my reviews at Never Judge a Book byt its Movie [...]
    22 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2014
    Like others, I thought this book needed better proof reading, but don't let that deter you. The story is quite good.

    This is a novel about three generations of women - grandmother, mother and daughter - and how their relationships evolved, mainly at the family summer house on a lake in Michigan. As the story unfolds, we learn how each generation's life experiences impact the next generation and they choices the women make.

    I do like the way the author juxtaposed the past and the present throughout the story. I did not find that it made the story difficult to follow. Instead, it helped to explain some of the characters' actions, and it did heighten the tension in the story.

    This isn't simply a romance novel, although there is an undercurrent of that in the theme. It is a lovely story about how the choices we make affect us, and how change is not impossible. It's a nice, light novel.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The Color Of Water In July by Nora Carroll is my new favorite book. I have not had a new favorite book in a while but this summer there are two new titles added to my favorite book list. The author writes with such emotional depth - love, heart break, loss, honesty, grief, family tradition, family secrets, family preservation, respect (or protecting one’s dignity). She pours her heart and soul thru her characters. There are so many twists and turns that keep the reader guessing. Many times, I found myself looking back over what I had just read. Not because it wasn't clear but because it was so clear I did not want to miss a thing. I do not care for books that provide too much description. I prefer getting to the heart of the matter. Carroll does that right from the beginning. There are brief descriptions of scenery and setting so you get a feel for the place but it does not distract from the storyline. The emotional descriptions provide the punch. They convey such compassion for all of her characters. Several times a statement is made that provides understanding to the unusual title.

    Each chapter changes point of view and time period. Some are modern time and others flash back to 1920’s when the real story began. For some readers, this may be confusing, but for me, this is one of the elements that makes the story so intriguing.

    Letters are found in an old family cottage that help explain some of the family secrets. The formal wording of these letters are true to character and the time period in which they were written.

    I am so glad I purchased this title because I know I will read it again. Rarely do I feel the desire to immediately re-read a book. Even as I am writing this review, I feel like I want to read it again. I love books that I think and wonder about after I have finished it. This is one of those books. I would love to listen to the author describe her writing process and how the characters and the ideas were created. The events that occurred and the decisions they made are rather unusual yet very believable. It is like sitting with a friend who is telling you such an outlandish, mixed up story that happened to them. It follows the saying that it is so crazy that it must be true.

    This is a shorter book than some of the popular bestsellers; about 250 pages.. This is a plus, not considered a negative. Carroll covers just the right amount of information to get her point across. So many modern writers include way more than is necessary, often dragging the story out.

    I liked the ending. All events are nicely tied together and explained. There are so many questions presented but they are all answered by the end. The epilogue provides hope and the thought that over time, we may steer away from our dreams, but something can happen that will help us refocus to get back on track.

    I loved this book. Highly recommend especially for readers who enjoy deep feeling-focused reads. The author, Nora Carroll, writes under a pseudonym, Elizabeth Letts. I am interested to see if her other books are as emotionally packed as this one.
    25 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on September 3, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    quick easy summer read. good for a summer weekend
  • V Sridhar
    4.0 out of 5 stars A family narrative
    Reviewed in India on February 2, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Oddly, I found it difficult to trace through the story line as names, anecdotes, timing kept changing. Later on I realized this is because of some intentional obfuscations in the story line. A family saga, you never realize there can be such complexities ina simple rural setup. The story takes on a life as it progresses and the subsequent sections are brisk. There are some open ends left at close.
  • Allie
    4.0 out of 5 stars Plot layers unfurled organically.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 12, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A thoroughly enjoyable read with many layers of plot. I liked the way they unfurled (rather than unfolded), emerging organically one from another, so that the story-lines seeped into each other, like water blotting into paper.
    The juxtaposition of the very correct Club set, the 'right' families, their formal dinners and impeccable manners, against the tangle of lies and secrets lurking only just beneath the surface was very well done. Perhaps I'd have liked Maimie, with a foot in both camps, to have been a little more nuanced and conflicted. The outworking of the Lila thread was skimmed over, rather. I wanted to know more about her.
    The writer evoked the Michigan lakeside landscape really well. In this she reminded me of Anita Shreve at her best.
    I will be looking out for more from this writer.
  • LP
    4.0 out of 5 stars A good way to spend a few hours
    Reviewed in Australia on July 21, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    An easy story to read despite it jumping between characters and different time frames.
    Every family has a story and this was told skillfully through the link of the summer house on the lake.
    The family dramas were easy to empathise with and the ending was very satisfying.
  • carrol
    5.0 out of 5 stars Passionate, Poetic and Mesmerisng...Memorable.
    Reviewed in Canada on March 24, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Excellent!
    I could not put this book down. The current time frame, coupled with flashbacks of the two main characters, was skilfully interwoven.
    Past and present entwined artistically. Prose embroidered with poetic undertones make this novel beautiful. Memorable.
    I loved this book and felt as if Journey's End was a place that I myself had inhabited, with its mysteries and memories melded in that special sacred soulspace - "a cathedral comprising white pines"...

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