Waves the Color of Onyx: An Addictive Relationship Drama / Slow Burn Romance Novel

About

Twenty-Three-year-old Valletta Skye has scars. Scars that sleeping pills can only mask for so long.

“My two best friends and my apartment, that’s all I have. Sleeping pills are my solace, forcing my memories to remain dormant, so I can make it through the night. But hey, I have to do what works, and I’m OK with that...” - Valletta Skye

Snarky, sassy and flawed, the beautiful 23-year-old waitress Valletta Skye struggles to overcome the deep-seated emotional scars that popping pills can only mask for so long. Her two best friends continually push her to connect more with the world around her, but that would mean risking the little bit of trust that she’s managed to gather. Her security is shattered when her estranged mother shows up at her doorstep needing a place to crash.

Amidst the crisis, an attractive mysterious stranger with jet-black curls and dark, mesmerizing eyes walks into her life. Owen’s charm alone is addicting, drawing her out of her shell, and into dangerous emotional territory. Will this connection help her heal... or will it leave her with the deepest scar yet?

Waves the color of Onyx is author Leah Joanne’s unforgettable debut novel that was over 10 years in the writing - a fast-paced, immersive slow burn romance story, with breathtaking plot twists and complex character arcs, set in the suburbs of beautiful San Diego.

Valletta Skye’s emotional journey towards self-acceptance and soul-wrenching struggle to repair broken relationships with her parents are stirring rollercoaster rides that will sink deep into your bones and leave you longing for Valletta’s next chapter in the upcoming sequel.

Praise for this book

“Waves the Color of Onyx” is raw, messy, emotional, and completely unflinching. Just like Valletta Skye herself.

This book took me on an emotional ride I wasn’t fully prepared for—and I mean that in the best way.

Valletta is one of the most complex, flawed, and real characters I’ve read in a while. She’s sharp-tongued and guarded, numbing herself with pills and sarcasm, yet there’s this undeniable softness underneath that makes you want to root for her, even when she’s pushing people away. Watching her unravel, resist healing, and then inch her way toward vulnerability felt so human.

And then there’s Owen—brooding, patient, kind. He’s not the "fix her" type, thank goodness. He’s just there, in a steady, grounding way that makes you believe someone could really see your worst parts and stay anyway. Their chemistry simmers from the moment they meet, but it’s the emotional intimacy that really got me.

I finished it in just two sittings because I was completely engrossed. Let’s just say this story won’t be leaving my mind anytime soon.

The book follows Valletta, a 23-year-old girl navigating a lot in her life. I love how well Leah portrayed her character and struggles. Told from Valletta’s POV, the story felt incredibly personal. She was deeply relatable to me, and I loved being inside her head.

One of my favorite aspects of this book was its emphasis on friendship. Mark and Mel always had Valletta’s back, ready to do anything for her. Their friend group felt like a true found family, and honestly, I wish I had a circle like that. I also appreciated how the author resolved Valletta’s relationship with her father—it was beautifully written.

Things started to change in Valletta’s life when Owen suddenly appeared and began taking care of her. But as the story unfolded, it became clear that everything he did had a purpose. I had a feeling something was off about him from the start.
Also, I loved the dinner scene where Valletta made Indian curry to impress Owen with her cooking skills.

The book delves into heavy themes like mental health, trauma, parental neglect, and alcoholism. I felt everything Valletta was going through—I could relate to her deeply and saw parts of myself in her.

I can’t wait to read Mark and Valletta’s story next!

This was such an emotional yet enjoyable read. Leah’s writing is stunning, and for a debut novel, it was beautifully crafted. She's officially on my " 𝑰𝒇 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒕, 𝑰'𝒍𝒍 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒊𝒕 "

Highly recommend it to everyone!!

I don’t know how to properly sum up this book. It was so captivating I found myself carving out more and more time to read over the course of the last 24 hours and ignoring my normal time I like to go to bed. Don’t miss this one!

Valletta has so many things she needs to move past, but sometimes the only way to move past is by dealing with what is in the past. The trick is finding the person or people that will walk beside you through the process. Owen might seem like he is the right one to do just that. Yet, he doesn’t know her as well as Mark and Mel do. So who should she trust? This book will lead you on a journey that you won’t be able to walk away from. A great debut book by this indie author!

Wow. What an experience! What a story!
My first new to me Indie Author, Leah Joanne, really knows how to tell a story and make you feel real raw emotions through her characters and send you on a roller coaster of thrilling suspense!

Valletta in her early 20s has a very simple life. She has her best friends, she works at a restaurant with them and loves a nice latte sitting outside of her favorite shop.

You learn a lot about Valetta and her trauma that she carries into her adulthood that started when she was just a child. You can’t help but feel for her as her only way to cope is to numb her mind with sleeping pills.

When things take a 360 after meeting her boyfriend, Owen, her relationship with her best friend, Ryan, goes south.
The most intense love triangle I’ve ever read lol
Rolling through the motions of friends being over protective and her wanting to be left alone.
The red flags were there, but do we ever stay away from them? 😬
The suspense and turns of events really had me shook!
I really enjoyed this book! It was engaging the whole time and to be honest didn’t think it was going to be on the list of one of my favorite books this year! I enjoyed this book that much!