A Kaleidoscope of Colors and Feelings: "Tilly in Technicolor" by Mazey Eddings - REVIEW

“Okay, but for real is there anything more intimidating than going solo to a freaking pub, in Copenhagen, to meet up with a girl you desperately want to be best friends with, her bandmates, and a guy you definitely have overwhelming unreciprocated feelings for?”

- pg. 165, Tilly a.k.a. Eddings

Mazey Eddings is a neurodiverse author and dentist from North Carolina with a mission to “destigmatize mental health issues and write love stories for every brain.”¹ She published five books so far, including Tilly in Technicolor, The Plus One, Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake, A Brush with Love, and most recently, Late Bloomer.

“To my fellow neurodivine individuals navigating a world not built for them. Your brain is beautiful, and I’m so glad you’re here.”

- Eddings’ dedication, Tilly in Technicolor

In a nutshell, Tilly is against going to college, so her parents sent her to intern for Tilly’s sister Mona, who created her own start-up company in Europe, for the summer. Things go haywire because Tilly meets Oliver on the plane, they have a meet-not-so-cute, and then they spend the summer together. Tilly in Technicolor explores themes of neurodivergent struggles and highlights, familial relationships, romance, and growing up.

‘Lost’ perfectly describes these technicolored characters–Tilly has ADHD and loses items regularly, Oliver is autistic and loses track of time, and Mona loses her confidence. As someone who often feels lost and loses personal belongings on the regular, I relate with Tilly on a deep level. As someone who does deep dives into particular subjects–usually when I’m writing about them in a book–I relate to and admire Oliver’s passion for colors. As someone struggling with perfectionism, I highly relate to Mona.

One day, I was shopping at Barnes and Noble–as one does–and the cover of this novel stole my attention. Usually, I’m not a huge fan of having real or semi-realistic people on covers, especially because of how common that style currently is for romance books. However, I fell in love with this cover, and I fell in love over and over again while reading the synopsis and the story.

I’ve read Tilly in Technicolor two times now, and both times I’ve found that it’s an easy but emotional read. I can sit down and read all 306 pages in five hours, and it’s a comforting story to pick up when I’m in a reading rut, not feeling well, or just want a fun, little romance. While reading, I laugh, cry, and feel embarrassed, angry–because the miscommunication trope is present–and comforted. Eddings takes you on a smooth rollercoaster that randomly spikes and scares you out of your wits, only to calm down, offering you a hug and a cup of water.

I look forward to reading more of Eddings’ novels and to rereading Tilly in Technicolor for many years to come.

Rating: 4.5 / 5

No spice. Some language.

Diversity: Neurodivergent, LGBTQ+

¹From the introduction on Eddings’ website: Mazey Eddings