The long and the short of If It Rains is, it blew me away. Complex story, complex characters, an unsympathetic MC, entwined subplots, and splendid growth arcs. What’s not to love?

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“This drought, this depression...we are in blackness. We can either shine in the dark or be overcome by it. Sometimes shining means staying. Sometimes it means going. But it never mans to quit.”
This is a story of two sisters during the Dust Bowl of 1933. Melissa who stayed in dry, dusty Oklahoma and Kathryn who set out for Indianapolis and the hope for a better future.
This is the debut novel from Jennifer L. Wright. The author writes with dramatic prose that puts you right there with Kathryn and her gut wrenching journey, trying to reconnect with her father. Melissa’s life is no less harrowing as she exchanges poverty for seeming affluence in the middle of dwindling resources. Melissa has to contend with an abusive husband and hide all for appearances sake.
Both women are strong in different ways, but the author portrays them as totally believable and shows how God is in their midst no matter what. “For so long I had focused on what I lacked, what had been taken from me — while God had been trying to show me what had always and would always remain: Him.”
I liked the way Ms. Wright used The Wizard of Oz to connect the sisters even though they were far apart. I also liked the way Kathryn looked at the stars and remembered good times with her family.
Thank you Ms. Wright for giving us a look at a troubling time in our history and a story of hope in God.
*I won a copy of this book from the author through ACFW Book Club. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.* ( )

A challenging, yet moving debut, If It Rains takes place during the Dust Bowl during the 1930s. Readers follow the journeys of two sisters on different paths, but a book ties them together.
Both Kathryn and Melissa have there moments where you don’t really like them but once you get a peek behind the curtain, so to speak, you connect with them. This is a book about facing challenges, doing good no matter the cost, and the deception of appearances. It’s also a book that is difficult to read at times. It will challenge you.
But it also offers hope (which is often woven in with that well-loved copy of The Wizard of Oz). If you are in the mood for a strong, thought-provoking historical fiction read, put this one at the top of you list.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own. ( )

This was an amazing journey of two sisters who face the horrific Dust Bowl tragedy with courage and grace. Each sister is taken on a different journey as they do their best to navigate the storms. The story is told in first person through Katheryn and Melissa point of view (chapters clearly mark which sister is speaking). Melissa is whisked off to live with her new husband, young Kathryn Baile, who has had a few more challenges to overcome than the average bear, does her best to do life without her big sister.

This novel is gritty (in parts), and heart-wrenching, yet hopeful as this family goes through unbearable circumstances. The main and minor characters tug at your heart strings and give the reader a well-rounded grasp of how different, desperate people handled the dust bowl. Kathryn’s favorite book is The Wizard of Oz. She quickly learns that the world was meaner and scarier than Oz. This is a gripping, and insightful novel I could not stop reading. I was drawn into each of these sisters lives by their circumstances, the choices they make, and by their courage to keep fighting the good fight. All the while trying to make sense of it all as they question their faith and search for God, where was he in all of this. I liked how each girl learns what true love is all about.

This would make a memorable summer read and one that would work well for your next book club pick. It is rich in character, situation and will stay with you long after you close the book. This is the author’s incredible debut novel. Jennifer L. Wright is an author to watch.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org ( )

Such a hard time in our country, the Great Depression, and on top of it bad farming practices that led to the Dust Bowl, I can't even imagine what these poor people dealt with.

Through the words of the author we put faces on these struggling people. We meet the Baile family, one marrying into the wealthiest local family and the other struggling so much they are going to leave and move to Indianapolis. We meet the Baile sister's, Melissa, and fourteen year old Kathryn, and walk in their shoes as they go about their struggles.

There are some warm and loving moments here, but there are also some gasping at what an individual is capable of doing. I loved the strong faith shown here, and those that live their walk with the Lord.

For me I really enjoyed this read and the pages flew, until there wasn't anymore.

I received this book through the Publisher Tyndale House, and was not required to give a positive review. ( )