BOOK DESCRIPTION:::
Judd Markley is a hardworking coal miner who rarely thinks much past tomorrow until he loses his brother--and nearly his own life--in a mine cave-in. Vowing never to enter the darkness of a mine again, he leaves all he knows in West Virginia to escape to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It's 1954, the seaside community is thriving, and Judd soon hires on with a timber company.
Larkin Heyward's life in Myrtle Beach is uncomplicated, mostly doing volunteer work and dancing at the Pavilion. But she dreams of one day doing more--maybe moving to the hollers of Kentucky to help the poor children of Appalachia. But she's never even met someone who's lived there--until she encounters Judd, the newest employee at her father's timber company.
Drawn together in the wake of a devastating hurricane, Judd and Larkin each seek answers to what tomorrow will bring. As opposition rises against following their divergent dreams, they realize that it may take a miracle for them to be together.
Larkin Heyward's life in Myrtle Beach is uncomplicated, mostly doing volunteer work and dancing at the Pavilion. But she dreams of one day doing more--maybe moving to the hollers of Kentucky to help the poor children of Appalachia. But she's never even met someone who's lived there--until she encounters Judd, the newest employee at her father's timber company.
Drawn together in the wake of a devastating hurricane, Judd and Larkin each seek answers to what tomorrow will bring. As opposition rises against following their divergent dreams, they realize that it may take a miracle for them to be together.
MY THOUGHTS:::
Having never read anything by Sarah Loudin Thomas and loving many stories that are set in the Carolinas and in the mountains of the Virginias, I felt compelled to read The Sound of Rain based solely on the description on the back. What I found was a light romantic story that just lacks something that I can't put my finger on.
There were some great parts...the beginning of the story with the cave-in and Judd Markley's reaction to it are poignant and well written. It really draws a reader in. The climax of the story with another cave-in and Judd's involvement was also very well written and was riveting. I loved the characterizations of Judd and Larkin and their soul searching times, where they are trying to make sense of relationships, life, their own callings, what is happening around them, etc. I thought these were well written.
There were some great parts...the beginning of the story with the cave-in and Judd Markley's reaction to it are poignant and well written. It really draws a reader in. The climax of the story with another cave-in and Judd's involvement was also very well written and was riveting. I loved the characterizations of Judd and Larkin and their soul searching times, where they are trying to make sense of relationships, life, their own callings, what is happening around them, etc. I thought these were well written.
However, much of the story is very slow and not "deep" enough. I felt like the other main characters, Pastor Ben, Mr. Heyward, Pete, etc. were superficial and that although they were pivotal to the story you really didn't know them. I felt that the hurricane scene that is promised on the back cover of the book wasn't developed enough and left the story lacking. Also, I still haven't really figured out where the title comes from, unless it is from the hurricane scene??
That being said, I did enjoy the overall story. However, I felt there was something lacking that made it a slow read, for me at least. I feel that I could give it a 3/5 rating.
DISCLAIMER::: I received this book for free from Bethany House and the Baker Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
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