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Christina Lee
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In the Gray Kindle Edition

by Christina Lee (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 747 ratings
Foster
I moved to a new city for a librarian job at the university, and though I’m enjoying the change, it does little to dispel the dull grayness of my world. When my dog, Oscar, forms an instant bond with a man living in a yellow tent, my surroundings begin to feel more vibrant and full of possibility. I’m first drawn to Lachlan’s soulful eyes, and then to his kind nature and resilient spirit. I want to know more about him, and Oscar seeking him out on our daily walks provides me with that opportunity.

Lachlan
One split-second decision leads to losing everything and living on the streets. Still, I’d choose my current conditions over being harmed by someone I loved. The only bright spot in my struggle to survive is the handsome stranger and his dog. Despite how compassionate Foster seems, I don’t want any handouts. I need to stay safe and stand on my own two feet after what I’ve been through. But when I find myself in a bind, I allow Foster to rescue me, if only for a night.

Our circumstances couldn’t be more different, and yet I’m drawn to Foster in ways I hadn’t expected. When our attraction skyrockets, Foster assures me that finding comfort in each other doesn’t hurt anyone. But when it becomes something deeper—meaningful conversations and mind-blowing intimacy—it occurs to me that I might’ve met the right man at the wrong time. Story of my life.

*CW: Discussions and depictions of domestic violence, mental health struggles, and experiencing homelessness.
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  1. Print length
    252 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    October 19, 2023
  5. File size
    3.9 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CJHPLB2V
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Christina Lee
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 19, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.9 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 252 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 747 ratings

About the author

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Christina Lee

Christina Lee

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Christina lives near Lake Erie in Northeast Ohio and her writing life happens somewhere between a cup of strong coffee and a glass of good red. She writes steamy slow burns with plenty of swoon, because who doesn't melt for those small, tender moments or grand, sweeping gestures?

She has books available through Penguin/Random House as well as self-published works in different sub-genres of romance, including the LGBTQ community because representation matters and everyone deserves a happily-ever-after.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
747 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a beautiful love story that explores second chances and building trust, with well-developed characters and an emotional journey through homelessness. They appreciate how it handles difficult topics like depression in a hopeful manner, and one customer notes it doesn't shy away from hard subjects. The book receives positive feedback for its readability, with customers describing it as a gratifying and sweet read.

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Story qualityEmotional contentUplifting storyReadabilityBeautyCharacter developmentSweetnessWriting quality
14 customers mention "Story quality"14 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the beautiful love story in this book, with one customer noting how it doesn't shy away from hard topics.

"...This was a great story of second chances, and a love story for two men with their own baggage that often weighed them down." Read more

"...An honorable mention for adorable, sweetheart “Oscar”. A thoughtful read." Read more

"...This is not just a romance story, but a story of humanity and what it means to truly support each other in our most difficult times." Read more

"...such a lovely story about building trust, finding friendship, and falling in love. Lachlan and Foster both stole my heart for different reasons...." Read more

9 customers mention "Emotional content"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the emotional depth of the book, particularly how it handles depression in a hopeful manner.

"...It touches on homelessness and depression in a hopeful manner. I must say, I was delighted that my hometown was featured in the storytelling...." Read more

"What can I say about this book? Christina Lee is one of the best at hurt/comfort, and this is another title that will be a regularly recurring..." Read more

"...While it's emotional, I didn't find it "angsty" between the 2 characters, which is not something I enjoy...." Read more

"...They are incredible individuals and have so much hurt and love. I adored their story. Highly highly recommend!" Read more

8 customers mention "Uplifting story"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's uplifting story about building trust and friendship, with one customer describing it as an emotional journey into homelessness, while another mentions finding a true partner through both good and bad times.

"...It touches on homelessness and depression in a hopeful manner. I must say, I was delighted that my hometown was featured in the storytelling...." Read more

"...There is so much support and love between Foster and Lachlan, and it shines a light on the fact that stereotypes are damaging and could lead you to..." Read more

"...overcoming obstacles, about learning to trust again, and finding your happily ever after. I loved the slow, timid, evolving friendship between them...." Read more

"...handled both the mental health aspects and the houselessness experience, and I learned some things (the word houselessness, for example)..." Read more

7 customers mention "Readability"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a gratifying and sweet read.

"...This book is worth reading it just took me awhile because my interest would dwindle...." Read more

"...I was left feeling so hopeful and happy that those experiencing being unhoused are represented in such a dignified way." Read more

"...Overall the book was sweet but mostly sad." Read more

"Such a sweet book, amazing representation for those experiencing homelessness, mental health struggles and domestic abuse...." Read more

5 customers mention "Beauty"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book lovely, with one mentioning its interesting elements.

"...This tale has some interesting elements besides the usual formulaic romance. It touches on homelessness and depression in a hopeful manner...." Read more

"...This book is beautiful and breathtaking...." Read more

"...going to be heavy and full of angst reading, but it ended up being quite lovely and heartwarming...." Read more

"...An uplifting finding of love for others and acceptance of self. A beautiful peak into understanding what real love is. The title is perfect...." Read more

5 customers mention "Character development"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the well-developed characters in the book.

"...It embraced them, and the characters dealt with and overcame them. Oscar is the sweetest!..." Read more

"...I really thought Lachlan and Foster were great characters but their struggles were so intense that I really felt for them!..." Read more

"...They are incredible individuals and have so much hurt and love. I adored their story. Highly highly recommend!" Read more

"Well written story and well developed characters! If you have read the Tacoda Outreach Center books by Sammi Cee, then you can get into this one...." Read more

3 customers mention "Sweetness"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the sweetness of the book, with one mentioning that Oscar is the sweetest character.

"...An honorable mention for adorable, sweetheart “Oscar”. A thoughtful read." Read more

"...Oscar is the sweetest! Both men had their issues but together they came out the other side stronger." Read more

"Lachlan and Foster’s story really touched my heart. Two sweet men who are struggling with their own issues but are brought together by a dog!..." Read more

3 customers mention "Writing quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, with one noting it is worded just right and another mentioning the perfect title.

"...Lee did a really, really amazing job with writing this and I highly recommend reading this one...." Read more

"...A beautiful peak into understanding what real love is. The title is perfect. The two main characters, thankfully, are not...." Read more

"...As someone who struggles with depression myself, this was worded just right. It was a slow burn but really worth the read" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • H. Spanarella
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Love Story
    Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This was a beautiful love story. Foster and Lachlan started with a tentative friendship that turned into a lovely friendship that bloomed into a wonderful romance. Foster, and (largely) his dog Oscar, befriended Lachlan on their morning walks for coffee. Lachlan was living on the streets after having left an abusive relationship the last year. With Lachlan extending his friendship and help, these two developed a friendship and bond that proved to be healing for both of them. Lachlan was an amazing g support system when Foster faced his bouts of depression. I loved that Foster was Lachlan’s biggest champion on getting his feet back on the ground and restarting his career. These two grew so much from each other’s company and I really enjoyed their slow-burn romance that ultimately left a smile on my face. This was a great story of second chances, and a love story for two men with their own baggage that often weighed them down.
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  • JDenise
    4.0 out of 5 stars The Kindness of Strangers!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    How did homeless or (unhoused) Lachlan and college librarian Foster meet? The answer is Oscar, which is how this romantic tale begins. This tale has some interesting elements besides the usual formulaic romance. It touches on homelessness and depression in a hopeful manner. I must say, I was delighted that my hometown was featured in the storytelling. An honorable mention for adorable, sweetheart “Oscar”. A thoughtful read.
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  • Lindsay Porter
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and Inspiring
    Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    What can I say about this book? Christina Lee is one of the best at hurt/comfort, and this is another title that will be a regularly recurring reread for me. Foster is a librarian who has battled depression for years. Lachlan is a hairstylist who, to escape an abusive ex, is houseless. Foster’s dog immediately takes a liking to Lachlan, and this sets into motion the kindness that leads to friendship that leads to love. There is so much support and love between Foster and Lachlan, and it shines a light on the fact that stereotypes are damaging and could lead you to lose something you desperately need without even knowing it. This book is beautiful and breathtaking. I appreciate Lee not shying away from such difficult topics and giving us characters that are so layered and multifaceted. This is not just a romance story, but a story of humanity and what it means to truly support each other in our most difficult times.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Lisa L Teetz
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Story!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Wow what a beautiful story. After a dog brings two men together, one living on the streets and one battling depression, what follows is such a lovely story about building trust, finding friendship, and falling in love. Lachlan and Foster both stole my heart for different reasons. They just connected with each other from the start and met when they both needed someone. They provided support to each other in different ways. This story just touched my heart. It was such an inspiring story about healing and overcoming obstacles, about learning to trust again, and finding your happily ever after. I loved the slow, timid, evolving friendship between them. I loved how they slowly navigated trust issues. I loved how they moved to the physical side of their new relationship to give each other what they needed. Everything just worked here to provide such an uplifting book that made my heart happy!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Sarah
    3.0 out of 5 stars Rollercoaster
    Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    You know when you’re watching a movie and it drags on with little conversation and you’re debating if you want to switch the channels or not but you hang in hoping it gets better paced? That’s how this book was. The story was good but it dragged a lot. Especially at the beginning. I liked seeing inside the characters heads but I think in the first two chapters there was so little conversation I almost didn’t keep going. Then it would pick up and pull my interest again before slowing down. It’s a good story just really slow. The heat was high when it got to it but then it was a let down again. This book is worth reading it just took me awhile because my interest would dwindle. I felt the ending was rushed and the epilogue was rushed as well and not exciting enough to tie it all up.
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  • Reva Coomer
    4.0 out of 5 stars A good read
    Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I love how this book didn't shy away from the hard topics. It embraced them, and the characters dealt with and overcame them. Oscar is the sweetest! Both men had their issues but together they came out the other side stronger.
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  • jlhappynow
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely story!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Lachlan and Foster’s story really touched my heart. Two sweet men who are struggling with their own issues but are brought together by a dog! I loved that bit.
    There are quite a few challenging topics in this book that are handled so gently that my tender heart didn’t immediately put the book down for a few days until I was ready to one back to it.
    I was left feeling so hopeful and happy that those experiencing being unhoused are represented in such a dignified way.
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  • Barb
    5.0 out of 5 stars *swoon* 💜
    Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I really loved this story and these characters. Initially, I had such powerful emotions about it that I struggled to find the right words for a review. I'm so impressed with how this author (who's one of my favs) handled both the mental health aspects and the houselessness experience, and I learned some things (the word houselessness, for example) when I thought I was already knowledgeable about both things in different ways. Lee did a really, really amazing job with writing this and I highly recommend reading this one. While it's emotional, I didn't find it "angsty" between the 2 characters, which is not something I enjoy. Oh, and I also loved that this was set in Cleveland as I don't live far from there! 💜
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Maureen Crothall
    5.0 out of 5 stars Touching Story.
    Reviewed in Canada on April 2, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A very moving but at times sorrowful tale as a slow and tender friendship grows between a homeless man living in a tent and a man that walks his dog daily. It's rather touching as each has their own mental health issues but spend a happy few minutes to chat. Homelessness, depression and spousal abuse are profound in this story and may be a trigger for some, but it is an incredible, heartwarming read, this author put the situations and feelings on page so sensitively.
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  • Cygny
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing standalone
    Reviewed in the Netherlands on June 27, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I love books where my view on the world changes a bit at a time. That was absolutely the case with my view on people without homes. I never thought about the word homeless being wrong and it just proved how much people view the world from their own point of view and how much you can hurt someone without meaning to.

    Foster and Lachlan were both amazing characters, they both had heavy issues to deal with but they way they ended up being there for each other? Perfect. The book never implied that by being in a relationship or having a house would magically fix things and I loved that about this. It didn't shy away from the difficult topics, it never was lecturing while also educating on certain topics. And the romance between them made my heart full.

    I loved every part of this and Oscar was definitely a star!
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  • Eve
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Romance, Great story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 9, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    “In The Gray” is a slow-burning, beautiful romance that is both heart-wrenching and uplifting. It tells the story of Foster and Lachlan, exploring humanity, kindness, and support during some of our most challenging moments.

    Foster is a librarian who has struggled with depression for many years, while Lachlan is a hairstylist seeking refuge from an abusive ex and is currently homeless.

    During one of Foster's regular morning walks with his dog, Oscar, the dog spots Lachlan and quickly takes a liking to him. This initiates a series of kind gestures that develop into friendship and, eventually, love.

    Foster and Lachlan form an unexpected friendship when Foster brings him coffee during his morning walks and stops to chat. This quickly becomes a routine.

    One day, during a fierce storm, Oscar rushes out to find Lachlan. This prompts Foster to extend a hand of friendship by inviting Lachlan into his house to escape the storm. From that moment on, their friendship deepens, and a romantic connection develops gradually.

    Their support for each other is both endearing and heartwarming. During Foster’s depressive episodes, Lachlan is there to provide care and support. They complement each other well; Foster becomes fiercely protective of Lachlan while Lachlan offers the care and support that Foster has always needed.

    This beautifully written story tackles crucial issues such as homelessness and depression. Christian Lee explores the harsh realities faced by Lachlan as he experiences homelessness, exploring the various reasons behind the struggles of those without stable housing. Additionally, she candidly portrays Foster, for whom depression is a constant challenge. The narrative is filled with many poignant moments.

    Great book. Loved it. Thanks, Christina Lee.
    Awesome narration, as always, by Nick J. Russo.
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  • KR Phoenix @ Books, Tattoos and Tea
    5.0 out of 5 stars A heartwarming story
    Reviewed in Australia on March 15, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this story. The writing is raw, honest and real and I fell, along with Foster and Lachlan as they faced all the challenges in their lives. Ms Lee doesn't shy away from the harsh realities Lachlan faces while suffering from homelessness. She also raw and real with her approach to writing about a character with depression like Foster. Foster's depression is unique to him and I enjoyed her approach to his condition and management. These two men were facing hard times in their lives but found each other, maybe not at "the perfect time" but at a time within their grey.
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  • SMorris
    4.0 out of 5 stars in The Gray
    Reviewed in Australia on December 9, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Lachlan, Foster and not to forget Oscar all form an unusual friendship and a wonderful alliance with each other, but also the unhomed. It was a sad but rewarding journey through the gray days of life. Another poignant read from Christina Lee.
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