Drops of Rain

By: Kathryn Andrews

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romance

Ali Rain
Sometimes I think to myself, “How did I get here?” Then the pain hits and I remember…it’s because she’s gone. I now live in a new town, go to a new school, and I’m supposed to be moving on with my new life. Only, I no longer know who I am anymore. Dancing is all I have left and every day I feel completely alone. Silence has become the theme song to my life. She said to find some joy and light, but I don’t know how. Mostly, I feel surrounded in darkness…that is until I meet him.

Drew Hale
I have only one goal, in 298 days I’m going to drive away from this small beach town and never return. People are always watching me closely, too close, and I’m tired of wearing a mask. I need to be free. Swimming is my ticket out of here and I remind myself daily to fly under the radar, stick to my routine, and under no circumstances let anything distract me. I’m not as perfect as they think, most days I am drowning in guilt. I’m not sure I will ever be able to escape the feelings of shame, worthlessness, and just being unwanted…that is until I meet her.

**This book is for anyone who loves a good romance and it is intended for those who are 16 years of age and older.**

Reading Drops of Rain by Kathryn Andrews was by far one of the best reading experiences I’ve had in a long time. This book was just so much more. I honestly don’t think I have enough positive adjectives to describe how out of this world phenomenal it was.

I could probably use every positive adjective I know, and it still wouldn’t do this book as much justice as it deserves.

Let me begin this review by telling you that this book took me through the serious emotional wringer. (And this is from someone who watches Grey’s Anatomy on the regular, and sits through hours of Shonda Rhimes toying with my emotions.)

This book was brimming with varied, well developed, and thoughtfully crafted emotions, each one more powerful than the last. Each event, character, and instance brought on a new feeling. Sometimes it was painful as hell, sometimes it even broke my heart to read, and then other times those instances brought on so much elation, healing, and love that it took my breath away from its sheer beauty.

This book was powerful and passionate as hell, and it truly had every single aspect that makes a book an exceptional read.

What was out of this world about Drops of Rain:

• Seeing both Ali and Drew’s POV’s. Drops of Rain is from both Ali and Drew’s alternating perspectives, which illuminated so much about them both as individual characters, but especially so with how they felt about one another. Their individual P.O.V. enlighten everything about them, their pasts, and their presents while managing to capture them in such a truly enthralling and believable way.
• The emotional wringer. Like I said, this book takes you through a full on emotional wringer, but this aspect is why I loved it immensely. The anguish, pain, and desolateness that both Ali and Drew experience in their individual lives will just make your heart hurt. You’ll want to reach in and offer comfort, and just make it better for them. In the end though, that emotional wringer will make the story that comes off the page that much more memorable, and seriously worthwhile because of every emotion you experience. Music also plays an essential role with that emotional wringer, and that music just enhances everything you’re reading tenfold.
• Ali. Ali’s character was beautifully inspiring, and that girl had some serious sass to her that just drew me to her. Ali is the type of girl who is determined and focused, and stops for nothing. She could also care less what other’s think of her, and that was truly refreshing. Through everything she experiences with her loss and with Drew, her character shines and emanates through. You will feel for Ali, you will love her, and you’ll want to protect her with everything you’ve got. The connection I had to her character was outstandingly powerful.
• Drew. Drew is by far one of my favorite male characters I’ve EVER read. The time spent in his head explains what shaped him to become the man he is, and the man he is becoming when he meets Ali. Drew is severely driven and fiercely protective because of circumstances no one should ever have to experience. His character is one that’ll take root in your heart, and your love for him will continually grow with every single word. What Drew experiences will exemplify the strength he has, and will show you just how good of a person he is.
• The depth of Ali and Drew’s relationship. Because of what both characters go through individually, the depth of their feelings in their relationship become deeper and more powerful. Their relationship is beautifully developed, and even when they have their heads up their butts with stubbornness about one another, you will adore them. The magnificently crafted words on the page will make you believe that a love built on so much passion, strength, and tenacity like theirs can heal, take you to a better place, and make you a better in every single way.
• The build to be each other’s “person”. The build in Ali and Drew’s relationship exemplifies everything it takes for them to be together. Their hesitancy, doubts, emotional pushes and pulls, and steps forward and backward throughout that building of their relationship epitomizes all they are putting into it. You get to read how their connection flourishes and grows, and how they become each other’s “person” in every single way, and that’s absolutely brilliant.
• The hope with the pain. With every instance that pulled at my heart and brought tears to my eyes, there was an instance that healed and transformed it all. (And yes I really did cry!! I know, that’s shocking for me!) The transformative healing that takes place for many characters really balances in such a wonderful way with the pain they’re all experiencing, and it makes the story that more fantastic as a whole.
• You will feel it all. The way all of the emotions come across will literally have you feeling and experiencing every single thing Ali, Drew, and everyone else are. The author creates a world where you see every little and significant thing through their eyes’ fully in every facet. This aspect will make these characters wholly authentic and real to you. You’ll feel them, you’ll connect with them, and you’ll love them every damn step of the way.
• Fighting for the happy and peace. Both of these characters have the weight of the world on their shoulders. Ali is feeling utterly alone, and Drew is pulling away from everyone. They’re both at war with so many emotions and people, but when they come together, they fight for that happiness they both so totally deserve. The fight both of these remarkable characters go through for that happiness will just make you want to fight for them too. Their tenacity in the face of so much sadness, pain, and utter anguish will blow you away.
• Supporting characters for the win! Every single supporting character won me over in an instant (Even Cassidy and her horribly conniving self.), and I loved them all for their range of sparkling personalities that just made me consistently smile. There is also an instant comradery between all of these characters themselves and with Ali & Drew that is felt exceedingly real and authentic for characters of their age. Beau and Leila especially stood out because of every incredible line and moment they added with Ali and Drew and the rest of the story. (I cannot wait to read more Beau! He just melted my heart!)
• The dragonfly symbolism. The symbolism with the dragonfly with Ali and her mother that weaves its way effortlessly through the book is very poignant and beautiful. It was also powerful as hell, and served such an immense and magical purpose to Ali’s story.
• Channeling the passion. Ali is a dancer, and Drew is a swimmer. They take and put everything they feel into both of those passions, and that exemplifies so much about them both. It shows their tenacity, while also showing how both of those passions are an escape from the harsh realities they both face.

I know that this review was long, even for me, but I hope you really enjoyed it because I enjoyed Drops of Rain profoundly. It was a highly enthralling book that provided me with such a beautiful, captivating, and emotional reading experience that I won’t ever forget.

Drops of Rain is writing and storytelling at its best. The characters are thoughtfully crafted and developed, the story is one you’ll connect with instantly, the level of emotion will blow you out of the water, and in the end you’ll be glad as hell you read this book.

Kathryn Andrews blew me away with this book, and I sincerely hope you take a leap of faith with my HIGHEST recommendation & review, and give Drops of Rain a read so that you can experience its breathtaking magnificence.

Take the leap of faith people….You’d do well to remember that.

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I seriously cannot recommend this book more to each and every one of you. It is by far one of the best books I have ever read. I loved every single part of it, and I know you will too, so be sure to 1-click this book as soon as humanly possible!