Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: Transparent Is a Color

SERIES: Subparheroes (Multi-Author Series)

AUTHOR: Kaje Harper

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 271 pages

RELEASE DATE: May 23, 2024

BLURB:

Perry’s mother told him he’d develop the superpower of flight, like his grandfather. She even named him Peregrine, so folks would call him “The Falcon.” Spoiler— they don’t. Because when he did come into his power, all he got was the ability to change colors. Not even himself, like some kind of Chameleon Man, but the color of objects. He can de-pukify the shade of his bedroom curtains, turn a bully’s sweatshirt pink, or even turn a red traffic light green. (Not a good idea.) He hasn’t told anyone except his disappointed mom about his power. What would they call him? The Interior Decorator?

Back in high school, under stress, he did convince his power that transparent was just another color. Now that ability’s sometimes fun in an illicit way. Then one morning, in the mailroom at work, he turns a cardboard box transparent and sees a bomb inside. And Perry’s ordinary life explodes.

Sergeant Deckard of the Nova City Bomb Squad never thought much about superheroes, or supervillains for that matter. He has plenty of work with ordinary humans and their explosives. Until he and his bomb-sniffing dog, Nix, get called to a possible-explosives situation in a highrise mailroom. The guy who reported the bomb is a nerdy twink in dark-framed glasses who pushes all of Deck’s buttons. When he finds out the young man has a weird superpower and may be the target of a villain, every protective instinct comes into play.

Deckard’s goal is to keep his job, his dog, Nova City, and Perry intact. His libido can just sit down, shut up, and take a number. But as their attraction gets hotter and the villain closes in, their future might be blown apart before it even has a chance to start.

REVIEW:

I always look forward to when I get a new Kaje Harper book. She writes men that resonate with me.

Perry got stuck with such an anti-climatic superpower. Who the heck needs someone those only power he possesses is the ability to change the surface color of objects. Then he discovers, in high school, that transparent is a color and allows him to see inside unlined objects. While bored at work one day, he “snoops” on the packages he’s delivering at the expensive luxury high rise apartment complex where he works in the mail room. You never know what those rich people are ordering and something’s you can’t forget! Suddenly one of his snoopings leads him to a bomb in a package addressed to a Supreme Court judge. But when the assailant makes it personal and an acid glitter gun is being continuously aimed at him, Sergeant Deckard from the Nova City Bomb Squad knows he has to keep the innocent, naïve young man safe. But can he keep his hands off the adorable subpar superhero?

I loved how both men knew that the other was definitely “their type” and the fumbling that went on to remain professional when all they really wanted to do was jump each other’s bones! And I also loved how protective Deck was of his naïve and clueless supe. But what really was fun was watching Perry not only own his superpower but to grow it and embrace it for the good for all. He was the perfect addition to the bomb squad with his unique and unusual powers.

Perry’s mother was noting more than what is called a “buckle bunny” in the rodeo world. Here they called them a “supef*cker”. When Perry couldn’t give her the attention that she needed, as a Mother of a Superhero with exceptional powers, she basically dismissed him and berated him. The farther he stayed away from her the better. He had people that cared about him, were impressed with his powers and he helped save lives.

I will say that I think my all-time favorite scene in this book was when Perry and Deck went to meet with the Captain from Army Intelligence! I couldn’t stop laughing it was so hilarious!

I’m used to books about flashy heroes but loved that this was about a guy who felt he had subpar powers but really just needed encouragement to use his for the good of all! Sweet, fun book that I truly enjoyed 💕.

RATING:

BUY LINKS:

Amazon