Well, this time I actually read the original before the sequel, but I was about halfway through this novel before I realized why some of the characters and mentions of past events sounded familiar!
Suzanne arrives in Walton, Georgia, obviously on the run from something. She wears a necklace, given to her by her mother and made in Walton, engraved with the sentence, "A life without rain is like the sun without shade," a sentiment that shows up over and over again throughout the novel. Suzanne meets a man, Joe Warner, the mayor of Walton, teacher, widower, and father of 6. If you've read Falling Home you you might remember that Joe's wife, Harriet, died of cancer just days after giving birth to her sixth child. It is now 3 years later.
The plot of After the Rain is predictable. Vulnerable, very attractive young woman, trying to escape her past, is accepted and embraced by a community in a way that changes her life. Along the way she falls in love, but fights it because she doesn't want the new man in her life to be hurt by her past actions. She needs to move on, but something holds her in Walton. Could it be true love?
This novel was a little too romancey for me. There was a little too much of Joe carrying Suzanne around (literally) due to illness, accidents, and passion. I did enjoy the characters, especially 17-year-old Maddie, Joe's oldest daughter, but I'm not a big fan of love at first sight and overwhelming male compassion, sensitivity, and understanding. If you like romance mixed with some intrigue and some very likable characters, you will love this book. It won't be to everyone's taste. but what novel is?
No comments:
Post a Comment