When I read romance novels, there are certain components that make or break the book for me. Of course, at the most basic level, the author has to kn..Show More »ows how to write and execute a story. Given that, I have to like the main character and find myself rooting for his/her happiness, laugh aloud at least once in the story, and ultimately be left with a heart warming ending.

Rainshadow Road focuses on Lucy and her family and stayed true to the storyline without all the extra fuss and dramatics that often get thrown in gratuitously. I strongly dislike dramatic irony in fiction, especially in romance novels. Knowing the main character was deceived and will suffer because of it throughout most of the story or that something terrible has to happen in the end for the story to be resolved gives me anxiety and takes the joy out of reading for pleasure.

This is only my second contemporary novel (the first being Christmas Eve at Bar Harbor) by Lisa Kleypas. I really enjoyed her Hathaway series and Wallflower series and decided to try her contemporary fiction. Rainshadow Road does not disappoint. Lisa Kleypas has a way of infusing humor and witty banter in her dialogues. This book is definitely one that I will listen to again.

It's not absolutely necessary to read the first book in order to enjoy Rainshadow Road, but I would highly recommend starting with Christmas Eve at Bar Harbor to appreciate the interactions and development of the characters.

After reading Rainshadow Road I know I'll be waiting for the Friday Harbor books as they are released. I'm looking forward to reading Zoe's story when it comes out in August.

« Show Less

Read this excellent book. The audio narrator is miscast.

I have no idea what goes into casting decisions but I can't imagine who thought Jeff..Show More » Cummings, who has not narrated a ROMANCE before, was the right choice for a major new release in ROMANCE. He voices the HEROINE in the dreaded drag queen, breathy, I'm-so-blonde-and-dumb-as-mud-but-I'm-perky style that causes romance readers to grind their teeth. Please. As if that weren't bad enough, the ghost (a major character with a lot of lines) sounds whiney and annoying -- far from how the character is written. His hero voice is nothing to write home about either -- gruffer and ruder than he's written.

Producer? Director? Why didn't somebody clue him in?

There are so many talented narrators, both male and female, who could have hit a home run with this highly anticipated book. Narrators who GET romance. Mr Cummings buffoonish performance pretty much convinced me that he has a low opinion of romance and its readers. I don't think he liked what he was reading -- and it shows.

« Show Less