After the Rain

by Brandy Bruce

[phyllish]

No more Miss Lonely Heart!

My rating is 4.5 stars

From the first page, my heart cried out and I was invested in this story! Not because I had read and loved the first book – this one is a treasure on its own.

It isn’t often I think about the girl who is dumped so the heroine can get her guy when I read books like The Last Summer. Most of the time, the author is having you feel for the heroine and details all the reasons the other girl is wrong for “him”. Well, After the Rain is about the other girl. The one who was left behind. Rejected. Not good enough.

At least that is what Debra feels. Her devastation over losing Luke (on Christmas Eve!) led her to move away from Texas to Colorado so she can start over. And her grief has her family concerned enough she finally ends up going to a counselor.

In Debra’s poignantstory, she has to learn to live again. To hope again. To trust again. To love again. Prepare for a heart-wrenching journey as she struggles to get her life together and see that life can look different and that not everyone’s faith looks the same.

Ben was great! His deep love for the Lord, his heart for worship. Wow! I loved the way he was able to see into Debra’s heart and wasn’t afraid of her rejection. He seemed to know intuitively how to work his way past her defenses to provide what she really needed. It was amazing how he didn’t give up on her after the many ways she continued to reject him.

Don’t think this book was all heartache and tears, though! It was full of hope and had many touching moments as Debra’s heart began to open up. The fun non-dates that Ben took her on were great.

After the Rain results from the events in The Last Summer. Both are such compelling stories, though this stands alone, be prepared to want to re-read the other once you’ve finished this one.

I would not recommend it for a younger audience.


Read my full review with a Preview at Among the Reads


I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.