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.

14 comments:

  1. Debbie's a new author to me and the book sounds interesting. It was great to read the review to. Please count me in for the giveaway.

    ShirleyAnn(at)speakman40(dot)freeserve(dot)co(dot)uk

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  2. Absolutely love the review for this book! Also a new to me author that I would like to get to know better! Thank you for the chance at the giveaway!

    juliesmall2016(at)gmail(dot)com

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  3. Thank you for introducing me to a new author and as you say it is difficult to read about such subject, but your review was so helpful and you can sense that there is some hope for Ade through all of the angst. Such a pretty cover, but sad as well.

    Thank you also for a chance to win a copy of this book slholland22 {at} hotmail {dot} com

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  4. As a former abused spouse I was lucky to have a loving family to turn to and also, by the fact that he and I had no children together. What a mess that would have been and I may have been more swayed to stay in the relationship...I am just glad it was not a choice I had to make...to stay for the child/children's sake.
    I don't usually care to read books with domestic violence in them due to my past history (although I have never read one that I compared my relationship to the one in the story and it was 30 years ago).......this story sounds very compelling and the review makes it seem to be well worth the read. I am intrigued.
    Thank you for the honest review and the chance to win a book from a new-to-me author.

    hugs from your fan,
    jo
    johannasnodgrass(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  5. This sounds like a 'must read' book for me. I would love an opportunity to win. Thanks for the giveaway. ardent(dot)ereader(at)gmail(dot)com

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  6. I love this review. As this is a subject I am familiar with, I must pass on this contest but I applaud this author for bringing light to this horrifying subject.

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    Replies
    1. You know I love you, right? I salute your courage ❤️

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  7. Great review! Thanks for the chance to win.

    Waxapplelover (at) gmail (dot) com

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  8. This book sounds excellent! Great review and thanks for the giveaway.

    jennpurr1970@yahoo.com

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  9. Book sounds so engrossing and heart-wrenching. Thanks for the contest!
    strive4bst(AT) yahoo(Dot) com

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  10. I liked the review. It makes me want to read this one.
    DEbby
    Debby236 at gmail dot com

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  11. Sounds like a keeper! Count me in please
    wendynjason04 at gmail dot com

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  12. Not sure my head's in the right place at the moment to take this on? But the descriptive "beautiful and deep" got me and when have you guys ever been wrong?
    l.lesar@sky.com

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  13. Thank you for the great review and look at a new book and author for me! It looks great.
    jczlapin(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete