★★★★★ Saving Rain by Karen-Anne Stewart (Rain Trilogy book 1)I was given this Saving Rain as a R2R, in exchange for my honest opinion. This is going to be tough because I don’t know that I can truly express it in words.
Every once in a while a book truly effects you. Whether, good or bad, it has lasting impressions that you will not easily shake. I still have an extremely strong love/HATE, with this book.
Right from the start, I was imprisoned in my own personal hell, along with Rain. Every emotion flooded my senses. I was hurt, mad, ashamed, anxious, happy, doubtful, hopeful, nervous, untrusting, resentful, sympathetic, all at once. It has been an emotional roller coaster that I am utterly trapped on. If only I could get the damn seat belt, lap bar, and shoulder harness off, I might escape it.
This book is the story of the “Survivor” Rain. She has fond childhood memories, until one fateful day. That is when all hell broke loose and began raining down on her. Since that day she has lived in a constant fear, she can’t hide from.
Rain, like all survivors, lives her life day to day, and they seem to get better. I love the way she has learned to cope with her problems, it shows real courage to persevere in the face of evil. She still holds an innocence, that can’t be broken and can find humor in things. But then it comes back to slap you in the face. Proving you can never escape the ghosts that haunt you.
Kas works for the FBI. He is the lead, in a task force against human trafficking. He has everything meticulously planned out because lives are in danger, if they fail. He is used to playing the role of, “Knight in shining armor,” and he does it well. So he is absolutely beside himself, when it comes to Rain. Years of being a top profiler, when it comes to emotions and human behavior, send up all kinds of red flags. He knows she is hiding a brutal past, but can either of them truly live with the memories.
At one point, I literally threw the iPad screaming, “Don’t you dare do it, Miss Karen-Anne. Don’t you dare steal one more thing from Rain, hasn’t she been through enough.” I was so infuriated that, I had to walk away from it. But curiosity brought me back, and I had to know, if there was any hope left.
I assumed there was going to be a cliff hanger, as this is the first book in a trilogy. But never did I expect one like that. Are you f&*$ing kidding me! The absolute despair will haunt me until I get my hands on book 2.
This was like a horrific train wreck, that no matter how hard I tried, the memories came flooding back, and I could not peel my eyes from. I would highly recommend Saving Rain, but know this was an intense read, that is not for the faint of heart.
Thank you to the author for reminding me there is still hope in the world.
