Review: Crying in the Rain by Debbie McGowan and Giveaway

For many years, Ade Simmons has been an outsider, trapped in an abusive relationship, seeking sanctuary in his job as a radio producer, and in the checklists he makes in an attempt to regain control of his sorry excuse of a life.

Actor Kris Johansson is patient, gentle and passionate—everything that Ade’s ex-boyfriend is not. When Kris takes a role in one of Ade’s plays, the attraction is mutual and instant. It is the turning point for Ade. He can either stay on the same path, with Fergus—the bully who has repressed, used and isolated him from his friends and family—or he can look in the other direction, towards Kris—the handsome actor with family and friends who readily accept him.

But Fergus will not give up his punchbag so easily—can Ade finally find the strength to fight back?
 

Some books just resonate with certain people, and this book was definitely one of them for me.

This review won't contain any spoilers because I don't want to give anything away.

Let's discuss domestic abuse. Actually, let's not, because this book seems to speak worlds of it for itself. Fuck, this was saddening. Domestic abuse isn't something that you can take easily. It's a silent killer in many people's lives, and sometimes people don't take it seriously enough. I've read a few reviews on this book that mentioned the cheating angle, and I can completely respect and understand why that's a no-fly-zone for some people, but to put your head in the mind of a character like Ade who's been so abused, and trying to rationalize each one of their decisions, would be impossible, for me, at least.


The romance in this book was very slow. I haven't read anything else by this author, but I thought the writing style was beautiful, and very easy to follow, which I needed for this kind of story. I liked both Kris and Ade, but Ade quite a bit more. I felt his pain. While I don't have any personal experience with domestic abuse, I do have people in my life who just can't seem to make the right, "rational" decisions that I want them to make. While Ade didn't do everything I hoped he would, I felt like that was needed because him and I obviously don't have the same kind of mentality. I learned to like Kris, in his own way, but it was a slower like for me. I have a type, and Ade definitely fit more neatly into that category for me.

The secondary characters in this book were very charming. Who wouldn't like Shaunna? She's smart, strong, and felt like a rock to me. Not every relationship is like mine. Not every situation is like one I've been in. If a couple says together they're going to peel two hundred bananas every Tuesday, mash them together, and wrestle in a kiddy pool filled with their innards, who am I to judge what works?

This book wasn't easy to read. I'm not as good with angst as I used to be. I tend to avoid angst lately, but I just read the blurb and knew I had to read this one. It tore me apart so many times. I went a little grey reading this, but I think it was well worth it. This story will break your heart, and keep in mind, that nothing good comes easily. You'll fight to love these characters, and you'll fight for them to do the right things and make the right choices.

It's really difficult to write this review and not give away spoilers or specific scenarios when I wanted to strangle people/kiss them/laugh at them, but this is my best attempt.

This was a great read, and I would highly suggest bringing along the tissues for this one. Yes, it was definitely hot in many parts, but the emotional strain it took on me resonated much longer. This story was beautiful, deep, and uniquely unlike anything else I've ever read. I can't wait for more people to love and enjoy it the way I have so that we can talk about it (and in all the ways we want to toss Ferg off a f'ing cliff).

GIVEAWAY

Debbie McGowan has been kind enough to donate one copy of Crying in the Rain to one lucky reader!

To enter please comment below with:

1. Your name

2. Your email address

The giveaway will be on until December 15th, 10PM PST.

The winner of the contest will be contacted shortly after the draw has been made.