Find your next favorite audiobook
Become a member today and listen free for 30 daysStart your free 30 daysBook Information
Rainshadow Road
Written by Lisa Kleypas
Narrated by Tanya Eby
Book Actions
Start Listening- Publisher:
- Brilliance Audio
- Released:
- Feb 28, 2012
- ISBN:
- 9781441847706
- Format:
- Audiobook
Description
Lucy Marinn is a glass artist living in mystical, beautiful Friday Harbor, Washington, with a boyfriend, Kevin, who she believes is her soul mate. She has always had a magical side-a gift that finds its way into the breathtaking glasswork she creates-and she struggles to keep it contained. But when Lucy is blindsided by the most bitter kind of betrayal, she questions many of her choices. Her boyfriend leaves her and his new lover is none other than Lucy's own sister. Lucy's bitterness over this devastation is multiplied by the fact that she has constantly made the wrong choices in her romantic life.
Meanwhile, facing the severe disapproval of Lucy's family, Kevin asks his friend Sam Nolan, a local vineyard owner on San Juan Island, to "romance" Lucy so that she can more easily move on. But when Sam and Lucy begin to feel real sparks between them, Lucy must ask herself if she can easily risk her heart again.
As Lucy questions her beliefs about love, loyalty, old patterns, mistakes, and new beginnings, she explores the possibility that some things in life-even after being broken-can be re-made into something beautiful. And that it is only by discovering who you really are that you can find the one who truly deserves you.
"Lisa Kleypas has a knack for making readers cry, laugh, and cheer-often within the first couple of pages." - RT Book Reviews
Book Actions
Start ListeningBook Information
Rainshadow Road
Written by Lisa Kleypas
Narrated by Tanya Eby
Description
Lucy Marinn is a glass artist living in mystical, beautiful Friday Harbor, Washington, with a boyfriend, Kevin, who she believes is her soul mate. She has always had a magical side-a gift that finds its way into the breathtaking glasswork she creates-and she struggles to keep it contained. But when Lucy is blindsided by the most bitter kind of betrayal, she questions many of her choices. Her boyfriend leaves her and his new lover is none other than Lucy's own sister. Lucy's bitterness over this devastation is multiplied by the fact that she has constantly made the wrong choices in her romantic life.
Meanwhile, facing the severe disapproval of Lucy's family, Kevin asks his friend Sam Nolan, a local vineyard owner on San Juan Island, to "romance" Lucy so that she can more easily move on. But when Sam and Lucy begin to feel real sparks between them, Lucy must ask herself if she can easily risk her heart again.
As Lucy questions her beliefs about love, loyalty, old patterns, mistakes, and new beginnings, she explores the possibility that some things in life-even after being broken-can be re-made into something beautiful. And that it is only by discovering who you really are that you can find the one who truly deserves you.
"Lisa Kleypas has a knack for making readers cry, laugh, and cheer-often within the first couple of pages." - RT Book Reviews
- Publisher:
- Brilliance Audio
- Released:
- Feb 28, 2012
- ISBN:
- 9781441847706
- Format:
- Audiobook
About the author
Related to Rainshadow Road
Reviews
[Friday, July 06, 2012] Yay!! I got my copy today!!
[Saturday, August 04, 2012] Yesterday I finished this book and all I could think was WOW... I LOVED it! The story and characters really were very real to me and very close to what I'm going through, not the events but more of how things are rolling... I loved Lucy and I related to her deeply. Sam is amazing, I just wish that when a girl loves a boy she doesn't have to go through hell for him to love her back. I mean love should be the sweetest, easiest thing to do in life.
I have not read the first book in this series but I have to say wow. I am going to have to get it to read so I can understand this book more. This was such a great read.
Lucy and Kevin were such wonderful characters. I have to admit that I like the part where there was a little magic in the book. It gives it something different and make's it wonderful.
This is the first modern book I have read by this author. I usually stick with her historical romance book. I will be looking at the other modern romance books by this great author.
Speaking of the paranormal element - which is really more mystical than paranormal - I have to say it took me by surprise at first. after thinning about it, however, it shouldn't have. The theme of the first book was magic, and that carried over here. By adding a touch of whimsy, Kleypas have the story some much needed air. Otherwise I think it would have been bogged down by both Lucy and Sam's past disappointments.
There was something very real about the characters. Though its fun to read about the uber-alpha hero, I enjoyed how *normal* Sam was. Here was a man who wanted sex without complications, but was willing to offer friendship as well. There was no dark brooding if he was denied her bed, no emo-like sulking of she didn't call or fall in line with what he wanted. There were only two mature adults dealing with life and learning each other.
It was refreshing that they had interests outside each other. Lucy was passionate about her glass making and Sam about his wine making. Sam had his brothers and niece, and Lucy her friends. Too often in contemporary romance the hero and heroine find themselves wrapped up in each other, or meshing their lives completely. I'm glad that didn't happen here.
The shadow comes from Lucy's sister Alice, and her relationship with her parents. While I understood the reason Lucy thought she needed to forgive her, I wasn't at all impressed with the way Kleypas handled that story-line. I was also annoyed at the POV hopping as sequel bait. I didn't need to read things from Alice's perspective, nor from Alex or Zoe (Sam's brother and one of Lucy's best friends, who will be featured in the next book).
Overall this was an enjoyable read. I'm looking forward to the third book in August.
Rainshadow Road is a light romance novel and I really enjoyed it. The story line is interesting and the writing style was engaging. While the characters seemed a bit predictable, they were still likeable (or disagreeable as the case may be) and were well thought out by the author. The author was able to describe the surroundings in a way that made me feel like I was there in Friday Harbor living right along side the characters. Her use of color and light in her writing was especially nice.
I would recommend this book for anyone looking for a nice uplifting story.
While there are quite a few great lines here and there, nothing that standouts. A quick read. Likable characters. Learned quite a bit about glass making and winegrowing, actually made me want to go and take a course on stained glass. And a nice change of pace from the erotica kick that I'd been on. Here, the hero is down-to-earth, not a multimillionaire, and not controlling or possessive or jealous. It does fall into established formula, or cliche in places - but no more so than most of these books do.
Similar in some respects to Jennifer Cruisie and Nora Roberts.
4 Stars
The writing is smooth and seamless, the characters are well-developed and engaging, and the plot is sweet if lacking in any real conflict. Thankfully, Kleypas avoids falling into the silly misunderstanding trap even though she comes close with the idea that Sam goes out with Lucy as a favor to her ex.
While the touch of magical realism contributes to the intimacy between Sam and Lucy as they feel a kinship because of their abilities, it does not really add anything to the story and feels out of place in a contemporary romance.
Lucy is a likable heroine although she could have been more determined in standing up to her parents and sister. It seems that she did not want to rock the boat but boy did that boat need some serious rocking. Alice is a complete narcissistic bitch and I sincerely hope that Kleypas has no intention of redeeming her. I have no interest in reading a book with her as the heroine.
Sam is sweet and sexy with an adorable touch of geekiness and the way in which his feelings for Lucy hit him like a sledgehammer is very entertaining. Nevertheless, it is Alex's character who really intrigues me and I look forward to reading his book soon.
The book begins in the childhood of the main character, Lucy Marinn. It explains the first of Lucy’s experiences with magic, and how she is inspired to her life’s passion of working with glass. It also explains the Marinns’ family dynamics; especially the relationship between Lucy and her sister, Alice.
The current day story begins with Lucy being dumped by her boyfriend Kevin, for the self-centered sister. Although Lucy is well aware that Alice has always been hopelessly spoiled, the breakup causes Lucy to question everything about her romantic relationships. When she meets Sam Nolan, she is determined to just have fun because she believes it will sour if she thinks of it as a true relationship. Since Sam has his own relationship demons due to a different type of dysfunctional family, he is willing to proceed on Lucy’s terms. Neither is expecting to find love, to come to terms with their pasts, or to find that they have a common secret.
I enjoyed this book very much. Lucy’s friends were wonderful. Her parents provided a pleasant surprise. I found Lucy and her work fascinating. If Kevin proved himself a rat at every turn, Sam proved to be equally a gentleman who did the right thing. If you like romance with a little magic, I suggest you read this book.
~hangs head in shame~
This is my first ever book I won on a book social media site. I was sent this in lieu of an honest review in return. Did that happen? Nooo. I could say that that I was distracted with being so sick with the flu that the dog ate half of it in the car while I was late changing a flat tire on the way to my 4th cousin’s husband’s funeral.
But you’d get the idea that I may have, perhaps, concocted such a crazy fabrication. You would be right. Always go with the truth, that’s what my 4th cousin’s husband always says.
I found this book buried in my bookshelf behind shelved books. (how lame is that?). This is what happens when you remodel/redecorate and move your bookshelf around and then go to college leaving your thorough dusting of bookshelves till the end of the quarter…or year. College is haaaard and I dust the book tops, so put away the white gloves.
I do have a point, bear with me, no snoring.
I felt it was important to finish my review and keep my word despite book-eating dogs and dusty shelves. I am still utterly thankful to St. Martin’s Press for sending this to me garble-farble months ago.
I had not read a contemporary story by this author before now. I enjoy her writing and read this in one afternoon. There’s plenty in this book: heartbreak, betrayal, regaining trust, love, siblings, and some magical business thrown in. I didn’t feel that magical aspects contributed or took away from the story. I just wish there was more of it and more in depth (al la, Sarah Addision Allen) but still, this made for a decent beach read. The author writes compelling characters and I was happy that she avoids writing this as a typical boy meets girl and they fall in love, marry and follow it up with 2.4 kids, white picket fence, and proverbial dog
…blah, blah, blah ~glaze over~…and that’s how to make a proper souffle.
In a nutshell, Lucy is a glass artist who is dumped by her boyfriend, Kevin. Even worse, Kevin left Lucy for her cow of a sister, Alice. Lucy is bitter, so yeah, we hate Alice and Kevin already. I wanted to strangle them both. Kevin is a toad, of course and we hope that Lucy will hurdle the bitterness and move on. She was a likeable character, although it took me a bit to warm up to her.
Enter geeky, hot albeit, commitment-phobe, vineyard owner.
He’s easy going and everything perfect but has also sworn off marriage and commitment. Sparks start…teeny tiny sparks…slow and steady until they can no longer deny they have something together. And something magical and I'm not just talking about feelers. There is lots more to this but I’m not going to spoiler it for you.
I will add that I even though this is book 2 in the Friday Harbor series, I haven’t read any of the others. Maybe I would be a bit more vested in the characters if I read them in order? Regardless, I’m certain I'll read more of her stories.
And again, thank you St. Martin’s Press for generously providing this copy in exchange for an honest review...from the bottom of my newly painted bookshelves.
I was impressed that the author didn't create drama in the typical way: woman gets hurt, finds new man, ex talks to new man, the new man doesn't tell woman, woman freaks out. I just hate stories that follow that script! This book created it's drama in a completely different way that was refreshing and interesting. All the while taking you deeper into Lucy's life. I will definitely be recommending this book to my friends.
I love, love, LOVED this book! I have to say going in to it that I was a little unsure because of the role of magic in the book, but I was pleasantly surprised at how well it worked for me. The author used a light touch with it that I appreciated.
Lucy was extremely likable. She gets dumped for her sister, and she's hurt and upset, but she doesn't wallow in self-pity. As for Sam, I liked him from the moment he and his dog showed up. Then I grew to love him when I discovered what a geek he is. The dynamic between Lucy and Sam was delightful and their banter kept me grinning.
The plot was uncomplicated and lovely. Basically it was about two people learning how to love each other. Watching them come together and realize their feelings (Sam, in particular) was a real treat.
5 big stars and I will definitely be reading more about the Nolan family in the future.