All the Colors of the Dark question

It was bittersweet and layered, Patch's choice to not stay with Grace after ALL THAT TIME.

I think the book emphasized the everchanging view of love, from the innocence of childhood love, to the pains and trials of adulthood.

Patch's love for her was deep but also obsessive, a constant drive to reclaim what he lost- and what he would never recover, moreso within himself. I think by not choosing to stay, he stepped away from the past and stepped into his future, a future that was defined by acceptance and not a pursuit.

Saint's life hurt me the entire time. She has truly become one of my all time favorite characters.

I think a big part of Patch's (and Saint's for that matter) obsession with finding Grace was simply answering the question of if Grace was actually real or not. Once that was answered for Patch, he was able to set himself free. Although he loved her for most of his life, that love came with major sacrifices, heartache, and loss. And during Patch's search for the truth, he still grew and changed as a person (as an artist, friend, father) and was able to reconcile all of this once he saw Grace again and got the closure he desperately and relentlessly dedicated his life to.

I agree with both answers (so far), and I would add that Patch could not stay with Grace for more reasons:
- Her father was his tormenter. Learning that had to hurt him. Could their relationship ever be healthy?
- The reality of Grace did not live up to his fantasy.
- Grace needed a lot of healing. She wanted to stay on her farm.
- Patch needed to hide
I agree, Saint's character was heartbreaking. Thank goodness for Charlotte.

First book i read in 2025 and 5 stars for me.

I feel like they were all in limbo after the abduction, and couldn't became who they were supposed to be. Without that singular event, Misty marries the Quarterback, Patch never finds his talent, Saint probably marries a string of not so nice men because she didn't learn to stand on her own two feet. Everything in their lives revolves around this event...Misty's hero-worship, Patch's obsession with finding proof that he hadn't imagined the voice that kept him alive, even Saint's talent and determination for solving crimes. As it turns out, Misty still didn't get to live as long as she should have (but she did get a daughter), Patch solved his mystery while finding out that Grace wasn't a victim like he was (although she was still a victim), and Saint, bless that awkward girl who loved a boy enough to change her life to fix him, grew up, developed a career and i believe realized there are many forms of love.