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about the book

Told in two raw, unforgettable voices, Coloring Outside the Lines: A Love Story in the Gray of Addiction, Recovery, and Redemption is a gripping husband-and-wife memoir of addiction, codependency, trauma, and the winding road to recovery, braided together with heartbreak, resilience, grace, and unexpected surrender.

Chris isn't your stereotype of a struggling addict. He's a charismatic, funny, and successful entrepreneur whose pain ran deeper than anyone could see. Beneath the charm and achievements lived unhealed trauma, childhood abuse, loss, and grief that eventually spiraled into full-blown addiction.

Katie found herself trapped between choosing love and difficult choices, while trying to save her husband without losing herself. She became the keeper of secrets, the manager of chaos, and the detective in fighting for a life that felt like it was slipping through her fingers.

Together, they expose the often-invisible toll of living with addiction. But this isn't just a story of destruction. It's about what comes after. The rebuilding. The reckoning. The radical choice to heal, not only through traditional recovery models but also through alternative paths: plant/animal medicine, therapy, faith, and deep internal exploration.

Through it all, what's tested, and ultimately redefined, is unconditional love. Not the romanticized version, but the gritty, unglamorous kind that shows up on the bathroom floor at 3 a.m. The kind that holds space without enabling, that forgives without forgetting, and that learns to draw boundaries without abandoning the heart.

Published by Landon Hail Press11.17.2025

about the authors

A man with a beard and mustache wearing a black long-sleeve shirt and a wristwatch, standing with arms crossed against a plain gray background. Chris Bowick, author of 'Coloring Outside the Lines' wrote the book with his wife Katie Bowick.

Chris Bowick / Adrift

Chris Bowick is a husband, entrepreneur, and recovering perfectionist who spent over a decade building a highly successful insurance agency from the ground up.

He studied Business Management and Finance in university and has been widely recognized in his industry.

But behind the numbers and accolades was a man quietly struggling with addiction.

This book marks a new chapter for Chris, one where truth and vulnerability matter more than any award ever could.

Through resilience and recovery, he’s learned to redefine success not by titles, but by showing up, even when it’s hard.

He hopes this book offers courage to anyone fighting their way out of the dark and into a life that finally feels like their own.

The Big Book is over 85 years old. Our book is for couples that challenge the notion that the first step is divorcing the person that led you to recovery.
— Chris Bowick
A woman with long black hair, styled with bangs and sideswept locks, looking to her left, wearing silver jewelry including earrings and layered necklaces. Katie Bowick wrote 'Coloring Outside the Lines' with her husband Chris Bowick.

Katie Bowick /Anchor

Katie Bowick is a wife, author, entrepreneur, and proud aunt. She was born and raised in Colorado and studied Communications at university.

Part memoir. Part play book. Her contributions to Coloring Outside the Lines are an invitation to others to consider alternative options to traditional recovery approaches that are often at odds with sustaining love.

When she's not writing, you can find her snowboarding, golfing, collecting art, or snuggling up with a good book and a glass of wine. As a child of God, Katie finds peace in her faith. She is driven by a deep belief in magic and the beauty that exists in both people and the world around her.

Katie has spent over a decade building a successful career in marketing, communications, and client storytelling. Known for her creative problem-solving and strategic thinking, she brings the same energy and empathy to the page that she brought to boardrooms and brand campaigns. Whether she’s crafting a heartfelt narrative or helping others feel seen through words, Katie writes with clarity, vulnerability, and purpose.

We wanted to update the language of how we speak about addiction through love. We chose the framework of anchor and adrift to empower others like us weathering the storm.
— Katie Bowick

What People Are Saying

★★★★★

“This book offers a deeply human look at the journey through addiction and recovery, not just as an individual struggle but as something that profoundly shapes a partnership. Told from both a husband’s and wife’s perspectives, it reveals the courage it takes to stay open, honest, and connected in the face of hardship. Their willingness to share both sides of the experience brings an authenticity and hope that many will find meaningful.” —Henry J.

 ★★★★★

Honest, raw, and full of heart! Coloring Outside The Lines dives deep into addiction and forgiveness, shining light on pain, healing, and resilience. It’s a story that will undoubtedly help others find their way through similar challenges. — Jessica C.

Coloring Outside the Lines is a beautiful story of the resilience of true love. While reading this book, it felt so powerful to walk with Katie and Chris through the most vulnerable time in their lives. Their love is rare, but their struggles are unfortunately common. And their willingness to share this story will undoubtedly save lives. — Izabela O.

 ★★★★★

Coloring Outside the Lines is so much more than another book about addiction. Told in dual voices, it gives a true glimpse into what life can look like, both as an addict and as the loved one. Chris and Katie invite you into their story with vulnerable honesty, raw emotion, and heartbreaking choices.

Addiction is messy, but so is healing, and I think we forget that sometimes. This book takes you through every emotion but ultimately leaves you with a deeper understanding of what addiction is, what an addict endures, how they can come out the other side, and the kind of support it truly takes to get there. — Ashley P.

 ★★★★★

Coloring Outside the Lines is honest, messy, and full of heart. Chris and Katie share what love looks like from both sides of addiction—raw, vulnerable, and deeply human. It shows how healing isn’t something you do alone, but something you learn to walk through together. — Rebecca S.

Thanks to everyone who has left a review on Amazon so far.

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the journey

A torn piece of paper with a rugged, uneven edge. This adds texture for 'Coloring Outside the Lines' by Chris and Katie Bowick which arrives November 17th, 2025