Tuesday 1 July 2014

Review: Jane Harvey-Berrick's "Playing in the Rain."

5 Hearts Review: Jane Harvey-Berrick's "Playing in the Rain." 

Amazon UK:      http://amzn.to/1rSfy5E
Amazon.com:     http://amzn.to/1iPZ126

Synopsis:

Ava Lawton can’t believe her run of bad luck. It’s supposed to be an exciting time in her life: fresh out of college, living in a new state, with a new job, and away from her family at last. But when she’s forced to quit her job, everything falls apart quickly. Suddenly, she’s alone in a crowd, with no one to turn to.

At her lowest point, a stranger gives her a message that brings her hope.

Now is the time to live life her own way.

Now is the time to choose to be happy.

And maybe it’s time to let a beautiful stranger be part of her life.

Review: Surj Harvey

"Playing in the Rain" was actually a novella and so I'm not sure how Jane Harvey-Berrick did it, but she managed to give me a beautiful love story that spanned a whole summer and she put it into around 70 pages without it feeling rushed or crammed. I was completely caught up in Cody and Ava's story. It was profound, heart felt, touching and absolutely inspirational. It made me step back and look at my own life and I love it when a book has that effect on me. 

"It's about making the most of what you get in life; 
you know, life deals you lemons so make lemonade."

When I started reading this book, I thought I knew the direction Ava's story would take and to a degree I was right. I mean it was definitely a feel good romance about embracing life to the fullest, grasping every opportunity that comes your way and having no regrets. However, very early on I detected an undercurrent of something else... I couldn't quite put my finger on what exactly but my gut was telling me to prepare myself and as such, a nervousness settled in the pit of my stomach. Be prepared to go on quite the journey with this couple, you'll laugh your ass off but you'll also cry your heart out!!! 

"I wish I could spend a lifetime just like this," I said, happily.
"Maybe we can make a lifetime from this moment."

The writing (as always with Jane's books) was flawless and the characters... well it was difficult not to connect with them in some way, shape or form. Cody completely stole my heart. he was cute and funny but it was his zest for life that really grabbed my attention. And Ava, she just needed that little push that we all need sometimes and boy did she grab the bull by the horns when given that little nudge!!! 

"You gotta practice looking for that sliver lining, pretty girl."
"It's easier with you"

This was one of those books that was full to the brim with love, meaning, feelings and emotion and it was difficult not to be affected by how the story unfolded. Just amazing and I couldn't give "Playing in the Rain" anything less than 5 Hearts. 

"I love you to the stars and beyond."

2 comments:

  1. Thanks for such a great review

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  2. Surj, that was beautiful! Thank you sooo much! Really love that you felt such connection with the characters. Thank you :) jx

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