Playing in the Rain

When All That Matters Is Freedom (Escape Series, Book 1)

By: Sandra J. Jackson

Narrated by: Carrie Coello

Length: 9 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

When the effects of a hypnosis-inducing drug fade, April slowly begins a conscious awakening. Memories of her past are unclear and she has no recollection of her identity or her whereabouts.

As the days slip by, April realizes there is more to life than existing when she is introduced to an occupant who does just that - her sister. The more she learns about her environment the more she wants to escape.

Will April remember her past, her sister? Will she have the courage to leave? And if she does, where will she go?

Experience through April’s eyes her struggle to remember and her determination to escape in this post-apocalyptic sci-fi suspense story.

©2018 Sandra J. Jackson (P)2019 Sandra J. Jackson

I want to continue listening to the sequel

I got a copy of the audiobook in return for an honest review.

The story started out with a vivid yet mysterious world building that really puts you in the shoes of the MC and really immerses you in the setting she's in. The progressions was a bit slow for my liking only because the description was very detailed so if you're into that, you'd definitely enjoy it more.

The introduction of her sister, B2, was quite timely and she definitely brought a different sense of curiosity and added some amusement. The ending gave meaning to the title which was a nice touch although there were some details I wish the writer included to address the questions that remained unanswered. Although these questions could be answered in the sequel, I would have wanted it to be able to stand on its own even with the sequel especially since there's a specific element and goal the writer can focus on for the sequel.


In terms of characters, I didn't grow fond of either MC's although April was a strong lead. I wish I got invested in them more but just that wasn't the case. The plot was definitely interesting and captivating although, as I've mentioned, there were some blanks that needed filling.

I would love to read the sequel though hoping to find answers to some of the questions left unanswered.

Good New Series

This book is very Sci Fi in that the main character April wakes up locked in a facility with little to no memory. She is being used as a Lab Rat, if you will. I will not spoil the story but I really did enjoy listening to her adventure of rediscovering who she is and why she is locked up. Well worth the listen as the narrator is great also!

Interesting thriller, hard to stop listening!

I thoroughly enjoyed this story, trying to puzzle out what was happening and why. It is a captivating post-apocalyptic/suspense novel and I can't wait for the next book to find out what happens next! Do yourself a service and don't read the description before listening/reading the story, just enjoy the mystery as it comes.

Good Listen and Narrator.

Good listen. I cannot wait for book 2 to see what happens. This book kept me listening and not wanting to put it down. April cannot figure out what is happening to her. Many questions keep her trying.



This book
was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Suspenseful dystopian tale

The story opens with two young women, known as A2 and B2, who have no memory of who they are or where they’ve come from. They are in a sterile environment, a hospital or maybe a lab, and are given daily injections to keep the memories at bay and some kind of vaccine. When the women escape, I was as curious as they were: what’s out there? They were locked up and uninformed. Have they really escaped? What has happened in the outside world? And what were they being vaccinated against?
I was sent this audiobook by the narrator Carrie Coello. She did an amazing job creating a distinct voice for each character. She has a wonderful voice that I enjoyed listening to and a great sense of pacing. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.

Intriguing and Well Read

The story, which is written in the first person, draws the reader in immediately. At first, the main character is in a confused state, but slowly becomes aware of what is happening to her. The increasing cognizance of her frightening current situation, and the slow unraveling of her past are what drives the plot and keeps the reader turning pages. The narrator does an outstanding job of setting just the right tone. She has a subtle, but very effective way of expressing many different emotions. I don't want to reveal the plot, but I will say that this would be a good story for young adult readers due to the age of the main characters, who are determined and resourceful. I'm looking forward to the sequel! 

Great listen

Not a bad story overall. There were some plot issues and moved awfully slow at times but the characters were interesting and story engaging. The voice talent did a top notch job. No complaints there at all.

Too Slow Paced for Me

The first few chapters intrigued me, but everything drags for the rest of the book and nothing really happens until the very end. The narrator was awesome with dialogue, but has a sort of rhythm to her narration that is constant no matter what's being read, and it's a bit tiring. I think she could stand to give the non-dialogue text a bit more personality, especially since this is told in the 1st person POV. I'm kind of interested in how the plot might unfold in future books, but not sure I want to risk another book that might be similarly paced.

Playing in the rain

I received this audible story in exchange for a honest review. If you like stories about viruses and survival these stories are for you. I recommend this book. 😎

I need to know more

This book is difficult to review because I think my true feelings will hinge on the second and possibly third book in the series.

Playing in the rain is about a girl who has been kept in an unknown facility for an unknown amount of time. She doesn't know her name and she doesn't know why a person comes in daily to give her shots. She doesn't know why she is locked in this room or why she has a camera watching her every move. She doesn't know why she is scared. Eventually she tries to speak to the person who gives her the daily shots, but she is told not to speak where the camera can see her.

At some point another girl is placed in the room with her. These girls are determined to try and escape this room.

By the end of the book, I was very invested in the girls. The book leaves you with so many unanswered questions. Are we in a post-apocalyptic world? What were the girls being vaccinated against? I am looking forward to book two and the answers to my questions.