#BookReview: Sunshine After the Rain by H Pearce @Harrypwrites @bookroar_tweets
Hi everyone! Today, I have a book review for a book by an author I came across in January of this year, H Pearce, and here is another book of hers I’ve now read >>>
About the Book:
When Sarah’s world is devastated in the blink of an eye, she’s left behind with the broken pieces of her former life. Trying to navigate through the grief she’s faced with, and struggling to let go of her pain, she meets a stranger who helps her see you can learn to love someone while still loving another from your past.Will Sarah grow from her pain and search for happiness, or will she succumb to the darkness she’s afraid to crawl out of?
My Review:
🌟🌟🌟🌟
A Moving Read.
“Grief: I have found myself hunting for its very meaning for the better part of the last year.” From this intriguing opening, the reader is taken into heartbreak and ultimate betrayal when Sarah loses everything in her life that means anything to her. Right away, I connected with the main character and, a little later, with Sam. The tragedy is raw and real, as is the anger and grieving. The only reason this book doesn’t get five stars from me is because of the abundance of errors, which interrupted the read frequently. The narrative is written in first person, present tense, for the most part, but–unfortunately–keeps switching back and forth between present and past with no warning or apparent reason. Likewise, spelling mistakes abound, as do crutch words and repetition. “I knew” is one culprit that keeps on gatecrashing the party, and in one memorable paragraph made an entrance three consecutive times.
Having said all of this, I admire the skill of expression throughout, and with a thorough clean up, this would be an easy five-star read. Here are some lines I loved …
“Acceptance is never easy when there are things you wish you could change,”
And …
“I saw the beauty in grief. I saw the devotion in love.”
And ...
“I was blind when he needed me to see through his lies.”
There are so many hard and heart-warming home-truths in this book, and it resonates so strongly with me. In fact, it is so well portrayed, I could almost believe I was reading a memoir rather than a book of fiction. The author’s work in mental health shines through. Sunshine after the Rain gets a solid 3.5 stars from me, rounded up to 4 for rating purposes.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
Quick note from me: I won’t be blogging reviews for the next two weeks, as I’m taking some time out to celebrate turning 05 and have a holiday … okay, there MIGHT be a bit of number dyslexia there! lols 😂 … I’ll be back with my usual routine from July 24th onwards. You may see me around the web, but I can’t make any promises! Have a good couple of weeks, everyone! (And I’ll see you again when I’m older and wiser 🤪)
I’d love to hear what you think of this review. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
You can find my review for Forget Me Not on GoodReads HERE.
For anyone interested, here are the Amazon links …
UK … https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/
US … https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/
This sounds like a good read, Harmony—except for all of the errors. What a shame. I came looking for you. I’d not seen you on Twitter and thought I’d better stop by and say hello. ❤️
Thanks for stopping by, Colleen! 💕🙂
That’s too bad that the book is so full of errors. Otherwise, it sounds like a great read. I hope the author reads your review, takes it to heart, and ends up with a five-star book. 🙂
A five-star book would be fantastic. There’s a lot of talent here. Thanks, Diana 💕🙂
HI Harmony, this is an interesting sounding book and I like the quotes you shared. The mistakes in abundance are a little off putting for me.
Thanks, Robbie 💕🙂
I hope you enjoyed your 05 birthday Harmony. I always enjoy your truthful reviews. The fact that you still rated the book 4 stars despite some real turn offs, the storyline captivates me, so I’m adding it. <3 Birthday hugs xx
P.S. I’ll let you know if I receive your reply <3
I’m sure this read will speak to you, Debby. Such emotion from grief and feeling your way forward. Thanks for the birthday wishes! Hugs 💕🙂
Happy Birthday and do enjoy your holiday
Thanks, Janet! 💕🙂
This seems a little too depressing a read for me. I like the title, though 🙂
Happy birthday, Harmony!
Thanks, Jacquie! 💕🙂
Sounds like a good story that can easily be tidied up. I like 05, that means I get to to be 06 a couple days after you:) I didn’t mind 05 but not liking 06. Enjoy your holiday and celebrations. Xo
Happy 06, Denise! Yes, I believe this can be tidied up quite easily, and it’s a good story. Hugs 💕🙂
Hmmm. I just wrote a reply to another post about a review, saying that sometimes a good story trumps writing errors. But it has to be an exceptional story for me if there are a lot of errors.
Having said that, I’m of the opinion that the average reader isn’t that worried by a few errors.
Agreed on the average reader. However, there were too many for me to ignore, which I do if it’s just a few. Thanks, Vivienne 💕🙂
Thanks for the review, Harmony! As theothers commentors wrote, it has its very own charme, also the black and white coverwork. Let’s have a look on it. I am sure i will go back to it. xx Michael
I think this read would move you. Thanks, Michael 💕🙂
This sounds like a deeply touching story, Harmony. Too bad the author opted for no editing. Kudos to you for finishing it. I probably wouldn’t have.
The author said to me today on Twitter she plans to get it proofed come August. It is a deeply moving story. Thanks, Jan 💕🙂
What a shame that this book didn’t get a better edit (or any at all?), Harmony. It sounds like a powerful story. Thanks for the honest review. AND … HAPPY 05TH BIRTHDAY!! I hope you have super day, and that you’ll enjoy your time off doing all your favorite things! Sending you loads of birthday hugs!
🤗🤗🤗💖💖💖🤗🤗🤗
An incredibly powerful read. Thanks for your birthday wishes, Marcia! Hugs! 🤗🤗🤗🤗💖💖💖💖🙂🙂🙂🙂💕💕💕
Thank you for introducing me to this author and her work. Have a wonderful time off and Happy Birthday to you! (and many more).
Thanks, Annette! 💕🙂
When an author handles grief well, I think it’s a sign of a good storyteller. Happy birthday, Harmony!
I think this author has so much potential! Thanks, Priscilla 💕🙂
An excellent review, Harmony.
I gather it’s a strong story, but the author hasn’t completed the work. That’s a shame; I wouldn’t get past the first repeated-too-closely word.
We’ll miss you, but enjoy the break, and obviously, one never says which big birthday, 🙂
Yep, I’m sticking with ‘05’! 😉 This is a good, strong story for sure. Thanks, Sarah 💕🙂