Review: The Color Of Hope by Danielle Steel
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If you’re searching for a heartfelt, uplifting Danielle Steel novel, The Color of Hope delivers beautifully. As someone who reads every new Danielle Steel release, I went into this one expecting a gentle love story – but what I found was one of her strongest novels in years.
Set largely in the Biarritz region of France, this novel blends grief, healing, artistic expression, family tension, and a slow, meaningful love story between Sabrina and Xavier. I devoured this book in one sitting and truly adored it – it has that warm, luminous quality Steel does best.
If you’re keeping track of Steel’s growing bibliography, don’t miss my full guide to Danielle Steel Books in Order.
Key Takeaways: The Color Of Hope by Danielle Steel
- A warm, emotional romance set against the beautiful French coastline.
- Themes of grief, healing, rediscovery, and finding love later in life.
- Sabrina and Xavier are standout characters – tender, layered, and deeply engaging.
- Includes meaningful artistic elements, especially around Sabrina’s mural.
- A lighter, sweeter Danielle Steel novel with heartfelt moments and family drama.
- My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars (Amazon 5, but I reserve 5-stars on the blog for my absolute top-tier rereads).
Book Summary
Here’s a quick overview of the story (no spoilers beyond the publisher’s synopsis). I read a hardcover copy immediately upon release of The Color of Hope, and this review reflects my own reading experience.
Sabrina – grieving, emotionally exhausted, and feeling disconnected from her life – travels to France for space, healing, and artistic renewal. What was meant to be a temporary escape becomes something deeper when she arrives at a peaceful château surrounded by the colors, light, and artistic inspiration she’s been missing.
There she meets Xavier, a kind, grounded man who understands loss and renewal in his own way. Through meaningful conversations, shared creative energy, and gentle companionship, Sabrina slowly rediscovers joy.
Family pressures, secrets, and complicated relationships swirl around her journey – including her three adult children, whose dependency and emotional demands create tension and growth for both mother and family.
The novel explores love after heartbreak, the healing power of art, and the courage to step into a life you didn’t expect but absolutely deserve.
Why I Picked This Book Up
I read every Danielle Steel release each year, so I couldn’t wait to dive into this one. The French setting especially drew me in – and I was curious how the themes of healing and artistic renewal would compare to her previous novels.
My Review Rating – 4 out of 5 stars.
A tender, heartwarming novel filled with beauty, emotion, and hope – one of Danielle Steel’s best recent releases.
Review Of The Color Of Hope
What I Liked
The Setting:
The Biarritz region of France is one of the novel’s greatest strengths. Danielle Steel paints it with sunlight, color, and calm – a place that feels soothing and restorative. The descriptions of the coastline, the château, and the surrounding community gave me that “I want to go there right now” feeling.
It’s atmospheric without being overwrought, and it creates the perfect emotional backdrop for Sabrina’s healing.
The Characters:
Sabrina and Xavier are truly wonderful together. Their relationship unfolds naturally and tenderly – no drama-for-drama’s-sake, just two people finding hope and companionship after hardship.
Sabrina’s emotional arc is especially satisfying. She begins the story overwhelmed and stuck, and watching her rediscover joy through art, new friendships, and a gentle connection made this a feel-good read from start to finish.
The supporting characters – especially the children from the monastery and Sabrina’s family – add depth and texture, even when they frustrate.
The Art & Creativity Thread:
The mural storyline is beautiful. It symbolizes healing, growth, and the act of piecing yourself back together after grief. Several reviewers mentioned how meaningful the artistic elements are, and I completely agree – they add richness and purpose to the romance.
The Tone:
This book is warm, hopeful, and emotionally satisfying. It avoids heavy melodrama and instead leans into uplifting romance and personal rediscovery. For me, this tone worked perfectly – I flew through the chapters with a smile on my face.
What I Disliked
Some Predictability:
Like many Danielle Steel novels, some plot beats are familiar. The comfort of the formula is part of the appeal, but seasoned DS readers will see a few developments coming.
Some Family Drama Resolutions Feel Quick:
The storyline with Sabrina’s children is engaging, but a few moments wrap up a bit neatly or quickly – common for a short-format novel.
Name Mismatch:
Yes, some of you may have already noticed a discrepancy with the first name of Sabrina, the main character. On the inside flap of the book jacket (at least on my copy) she was called Samantha, but in the book it was Sabrina. This in no way affects plot comprehension, and it’s likely that many readers won’t even notice this error.
Still, none of these things detracted from my enjoyment of the book.
Who Will Love This Book
- Readers who enjoy emotional, character-driven contemporary fiction
- Fans of tender, hopeful romance set in beautiful locations
- Anyone who loves Danielle Steel’s gentler, more uplifting novels
- Readers drawn to stories about healing, reinvention, and second chances
- Those who enjoy French-set fiction with atmospheric scenery
- Fans of art-themed novels or stories with creative, reflective undertones
Frequently Asked Questions About The Color Of Hope
Is this book a romance?
Yes – it’s primarily a contemporary romance blended with emotional women’s fiction.
Is this book sad or heavy?
It begins with grief and emotional hardship, but the tone is ultimately hopeful, warm, and uplifting.
Is it similar to other Danielle Steel novels set in France?
Yes – if you enjoy her French-set novels or her gentler romances, this one fits comfortably alongside them.
Is this a standalone or part of a series?
It’s a standalone.
Would this work for book clubs?
Definitely – themes of love after loss, family dynamics, boundaries, healing, and artistic expression offer plenty to discuss.
Conclusion
The Color of Hope is tender, heartwarming, beautifully set, and deeply satisfying – easily one of Danielle Steel’s strongest recent novels. I adored the French setting, the artistic themes, and the gentle, meaningful romance between Sabrina and Xavier.
If you enjoy emotional fiction with gorgeous scenery, uplifting themes, and a heroine who finds her way back to joy, this one belongs on your reading list.
Once you’ve read it, don’t forget to explore Danielle Steel’s full bibliography – she releases multiple novels each year, and many are perfect companions to this one.
If you enjoy emotional, character-driven fiction, don’t miss my guide to the romance genre.
Did You Know?
Biarritz – the region that inspired the novel’s setting – has been a favorite retreat for artists, writers, and European nobility for over a century. Its dramatic coastline, Belle Époque architecture, and long artistic history make it a fitting backdrop for a story centered on creativity and emotional renewal.
