Reviewed by Cheryl
TITLE: Color Blind
AUTHOR: Andrew Grey
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 127 pages
RELEASE DATE: October 18 2022
BLURB:
Setting out on your own is tough, but for Mason Fullerton, who was born blind, it’s even more of a challenge. Mase decides that the key to independence and a life of his own is getting a job. His mother, who has always been there for support, isn’t so sure, but Mase is determined. He manages to secure an interview, and one of the men conducting it has a voice that wraps around him like a blanket.
Tyrone Phillips feels he’s a disappointment to his accomplished academic parents. They don’t understand that Ty would rather spend time with his computers and programs than people. Until he meets Mason at an interview and finds a kindred spirit. Too bad his parents aren’t going to see past the fact that Mason’s white.
When Mason is hired, Ty is assigned to help him get oriented. The two of them dance around each other, but mutual attraction tugs at both of them. A work friendship builds to more, with Ty and Mase trying to find their way… and if they have courage and allow their hearts to guide them, they could be going the same direction.
REVIEW:
This book is short and sweet, holding true to the author’s easy going storytelling style. Mase and Ty are both well-rounded and likable characters, with their own personalities and voices. They were a good fit and one of my favourite things about their story was the way that Ty took Mase’s blindness entirely in his stride, not trying to minimise it, or suggest it wasn’t an issue at all, but relaxing and allowing it to not be an issue for them.
I have to admit, however, from the start that there were a few problems in this one for me. Firstly, the POV was all over the place and sometimes switched back and forth so fast it gave me whiplash. The author has always been fluid with their POV style and I don’t have a problem with that, but I think it just went a little far in this one.
Secondly, I struggled a little with the race issue. Tyrone’s parents had an issue with Ty dating a white boy and I’m on the fence about how the author dealt with that. I am not a person of colour, so not qualified to comment, but I felt it was a little too surface level, and I’m a little uncomfortable with how it was compared to blindness.
Finally, I’m found Mace, in particular, to be a bit preachy in places which irked me with him a little. To be fair though, he’s been through some stuff and having a mother who will take a long drive and try to check into the same hotel you are staying at for the weekend with your boyfriend, just to check up on you, puts a strain on the psyche no doubt.
On the whole, though, despite the gripes, I did enjoy reading the book and I very easily warmed to both characters. I think if the book were longer, the author could have gone into things in more depth and the story would have more weight. As it is, it’s very light and I’m not sure that entirely works. It’s well worth a read though and in a good coffee time book not requiring too much thought or effort.
RATING: 
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