Review: Likable Characters in Heartbreaking Situations, But Ultimately Heartwarming & Super Sexy
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 10, 2014
After reading her Lost Girls series of books I came to count on Ms. Lin for an intensely emotional read that puts you through the wringer.  Chance of Rain is a quieter story that's no less emotional but doesn't rip your heart out quite as painfully as the books of hers I've read before.  It's a tale of reunited lovers who in some ways are still living in the past which affects their journey to HEA.  With small town idiosynchrocies as the backdrop there's a bit of added charm and a sense of matchmaking surrounding Natalie and Sawyer in the vividly depicted denizens of Dearling.Natalie and Sawyer might have only had three weeks together but it became a part of their lives and has had them always in each other's thoughts since.  Natalie's life essentially stopped after Sawyer left without a word and it's made her desperate to keep things from changing.  She runs the diner to keep a part of her Gram close as Gram's mind continues to deteriorate.  The diner becomes her haven in an emotional storm of loss that started with Sawyer and continues with Gram and I ached for her.  All she wants is a picture perfect life with a husband and children and deep down she sees only Sawyer in that role.  Until that time though she relies on Dearling to keep her safe and cared for and can't envision being anywhere else as the whole town is her family.Sawyer couldn't leave Dearling fast enough and the emotional abuse of his father behind.  He left to make something of himself but his father's words have kept him feeling weak.  He doesn't think himself worthy of Natalie even after all the time he's been away and it makes his return even more painful.  He thought by running away from Dearling all those feelings of inadequacy would leave him, but he's discovered that they've always been there and it's time to deal with them head-on if he wants to claim Natalie.  Only by standing together can they finally put the past behind them and move into the future together.Chance of Rain is a sweet yet immensely sensual read featuring real people dealing with real issues.  There's no big roadblocks or melodrama from others, the conflict is purely internal and therefore more difficult to overcome but more satisfying once they do.  Sawyer needs someone to support him and Natalie does that but also kicks him in the butt when needed to get him to stop hiding behind his past.  She's an admirable heroine and he's a hero worth fighting for and with and I was cheering for them every step of the way.  Under Ms. Lin's talented hand she weaves an almost poetic web that draws readers into this wonderfully atmospheric story and charms them completely.  Along with intensely steamy sexual interludes there's tender and quiet moments that allow for introspection and help us get to know the people Natalie and Sawyer have become apart from each other and who they are around each other now.  Though I wish there had been an epilogue to completely wrap things up this is ultimately a heartwarming story that's different from her previous works but no less impactful.  If you haven't read Ms. Lin's books yet now's the time to start as this book will leave you with a smile on your face!