💧 ☔ "Living in the Rain" (2021) ☔ 💧 - Book Review

 

MY REVIEW 

 

Paperback: 303 pages

Publisher: Great South Bay Press (May 28, 2021) 

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0578802120

ISBN-13: 978-0578802121

⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information

“If your soulmate gives you an ultimatum, is he really the one for you? 

When Cassie Pennebaker was just fourteen years old, her mother suddenly abandoned her, leaving Cassie with her unpredictable, mentally unstable grandmother, Sally. From that moment on, Cassie had to pick up the pieces and be the responsible adult. Six years later, she’s faced with an impossible decision: leave town with her boyfriend, Joe Darby, to pursue a college degree, a career as a foreign correspondent, and a whole new life—or stay and care for Sally, who cannot care for herself.

Somehow always caught in the middle, Cassie is being pulled apart by everyone else’s needs. And it doesn’t help when her coworker, Sierra, shows her how carefree life could be—if only the weight of Sally’s past wasn’t crushing Cassie’s slim shoulders.

In this honest, heart-wrenching tale of unconditional love and familial devotion, Cassie must choose between an exciting future with Joe and doing what is right by Sally. Cassie must answer the question we’ve all asked ourselves at some time in our life: How much is she expected to sacrifice for someone she loves?”.

Thank you in advance to Kate Rock Book Tours for providing a complimentary review copy. A positive review was not required or requested, all words are my own.

A “new-to-me” author isn’t automatic grounds for not reading a book. After all, how can I get to know them if I don’t read their work? So, I am very open in reading authors and genres I wouldn’t in the past. Hence why I’ve become a fan of historical and even biblical fiction in addition to romance, suspense, and romantic-suspense.

 

Seeing the whimsical cover and reading the description, this sounded like something I REALLY wanted to read. And, in all honesty – that’s not why I finished it in a day.

 

I had seriously forgotten that this was not only a “bookstagram” tour, but a review one as well. So, I buckled down and decided to read this. And, I did – in less than 12 hours (off and on).

 

What’s sad is that the 3-star rating is NOT from how fast I read this. I’ve read other books (one recently) that was a 12 hour read and earned 5 stars. I read every single word on every single page of this book. Rather the rating is a result of multiple things –

 

Characters

Language

Content

 

The characters? Joe, Cassie, Sally, Sierra, Rick. To be honest, only Joe seemed like he was normal; and I really liked him the most.

 

Who’s who?

 

Joe – Cassie’s bi-racial boyfriend for past two years, they have identical goals, but Cassie has “responsibilities” even at age 20. His “race” will come up at different times in the story. I admired his commitment to Cassie.  

 

Cassie – Abandoned by her mom at 14 (mom moves to Australia with boyfriend; who’s idea was it to leave her behind), being left to a grandmother with mental issues, Cassie has no idea how to take care of anything, or even sure if there is money to pay the bills. It is a neighbor who helps her, at a cost.

 

Sally – Cassie’s 63 year old grandmother. Obvious mental issues, not disclosed or known. Source of contention between Joe and Cassie. Sally makes me SUPER grateful for my 69 year old mother who can do far more for herself than Sally despite a few hiccups.

 

Sierra – Cassie’s co-worker at pharmacy. Doesn’t need to work, but does it to pick up men; has issues herself.

 

Rick – Cassie’s neighbor, dishonorably discharged Marine; has a thing for Cassie; not quite stable.

 

One plus for Ormsby – her ability to craft vividly realistic characters that are identical to ones we see in the news and/or on social media; as well as some we might know in person. These were deeply complex, conflicted, and at times hurt individuals.

 

This emotionally, realistic story doesn’t shy away from trigger and content issues either. There are PLENTY to go around (almost a dozen). And, at times it can be overwhelming, if not hit close to home for some people – myself included.

 

Some potential triggering “content” issues:

 

** Racist tones or attitudes of characters (no epithets, threats, or overt actions made)

** Mental Illness (undefined – anxiety, schizophrenia alluded to)

** PTSD (multiple characters)

** Teen Abortion (mentioned – occurred off page)

** Child rape (mentioned – occurred off page)

** Rape (somewhat described in book)

** Attempted Sexual Assault

** Mention of Murder (multiple times by multiple characters)

** Underage Drinking (Cassie is 20 for most part of the book)

** Animal Cruelty/Murder

** Brutal shooting (armed rape/assault/burglary suspect shot)

 

If any of these subjects bother potential readers, my suggestion is to walk away from this book. No disrespect to the author, but there are some people who may not be comfortable with these subjects. It might cause tragic or traumatic events to be recalled or re-lived.

 

I do credit Ormsby for realistically portraying mental illness and its stress on not just the caretaker; but their family and friends as well.

 

The plot, which I THOUGHT was going to be a “sweet” read given the “will touch your heart with moments of warmth and sadness and a cast of flawed but lovable characters not to be forgotten” notation on the back cover. I did not find this to be the case. I was glad to close the book and forget the characters once I was done. I found nothing loveable about them. And, I didn’t feel an overall warmth from the book.  

 

If anything, I found the plot (as I was reading it), quite disturbing if not emotionally draining. Given the trigger and content warnings, I think that is a pretty fair way to describe it. It is, at times, emotional and gripping. But, nothing I would get the “feels” with.

 

It was very disturbing with not one or two, but three characters mentioning that someone should MURDER Sally. Okay, she wasn’t the most likeable character, though readers do discover why she is the way she is – she didn’t deserve that.

 

This is (for the most part) very well written, even if there is a constant use of profanity and offensive terms for women (“s”-word; “f”-bomb; s!ut; b!t¢h). There is also a somewhat graphic description of an “intimate” act in a vehicle. Had I known this book contained the material I might not have read it. I’ve definitely been exposed to the terms in my life – but, they’re not something I want to read. As I was not familiar with the author I don’t know if this is her usual style of writing or something for this book.

 

The book starts off innocently enough – delving into the first time Cassie and Joe meet and her questions about him (race and his amputated finger). It is clear that Joe wants Cassie to put her grandmother in an institution. And, after reading about the poor woman in the opening chapters – that might have been best for Cassie who is 20, almost 21.

 

Yet, Cassie cannot do that to the woman who didn’t leave her, even if Cassie is more like a mother to her.

 

Cassie tries to balance a life with work, college, and friendships. Yet, Sally is always in a “state”. Even an attempt at hiring a home aide worker ends in a disaster barely before the interview.

 

If that isn’t bad enough, Cassie’s neighbor Rick has some disturbing fantasies of his own, some of them involving her. One thing that is certain – Joe clearly and dearly loves Cassie. But, he also hates Sally.

 

Rick attacks Cassie not once but twice showing his propensity for violence. Cassie is shocked when her co-worker and “friend”, Sierra, goes out with Rick and “hooks up” with him. RED FLAG anyone?

 

Joe is trying to convince Cassie to head to Boston with him so she can live her life and they can pursue their dreams. In addition, it would be a bad thing to waste Cassie’s PERFECT SAT score.

 

But, things are not easy or ever “perfect”. One incident that had me not too surprised about Cassie’s decision was when she and Joe arrive at her apartment to see Sally passed out (drugged), one cat missing (this is solved later on), and the other brutally killed. And, there is no doubt who did it (not Sally). And, Cassie is worried for Sally’s safety.

 

Cassie is, after one of Sally’s hospital visits, determined to fix her. She wonders if she can care for herself after all. And, the readers see what led Sally to who she sadly is.

 

And, Joe soon realizes he’s known for a while what Cassie’s decision is going to be. But, it becomes even more apparent after an assignment that leads a “letter” from Cassie to the newspaper and to a new job.

 

Meanwhile, the reader watches Rick slowly slide from creep to a hired gun. And since the chapters are not numbered, only named, the chapter GUN FOR HIRE appears twice (165/205). It’s clear he is not just violent, but desperate.

 

Cassie begins to wonder – instead of covering world stories, why can’t she and Joe cover stories in their town? But, it is Joe’s ultimatum that pushes Cassie to her final decision.

 

After an incident between Sierra and Rick, Joe soon learns to understand the Cassie/Sally dynamic.

 

While Sally wants a better life for Cassie, it is apparent that she needs Cassie. And, Cassie learns a lot about what she wants in life as well and what is best for her.

 

Joe’s ultimatum was VERY understandable given the situation. I wanted to praise him for his range of emotions – hating and wishing Sally dead, wanting to “rescue” Cassie, understanding Cassie.

 

Joe wanted a life with Cassie, and wanted to build on that. Career? Marriage? Kids? It is hard to build a relationship with a situation like Cassie’s. Adding in a long-distance living arrangement – it becomes impossible. I almost worry that Cassie will waste much of her youth (20’s & 30’s) caring for her grandmother causing some resentment. That is why I ALMOST want a sequel to find out what really happens despite my hesitation with this book.

 

I was alternately frustrated with Cassie, amazed this YOUNG woman wanted to be there for her grandmother, and proud of what all she was doing. I don’t know what choices I would make. However, it is clear that women like Cassie do need a support system.

 

I honestly wanted to like this book and despite my first 10% reaction, I kept going. Even at 25% in, I wanted to put it down and stop. By 50% (halfway), I was regretting it. But, I did finish the book and it wasn’t too bad of a read. Not stellar, but definitely not bad. It isn’t something I would re-read again though.

 

I did appreciate the use of short chapters as it made reading the book a bit easier and definitely moved the story along at a reasonable pace which I appreciated.

 

Also, for those wondering, there are definitely no real religious tones in this book. Sally prays but doesn’t believe God hears her; Cassie is an admitted Atheist. That’s as far as that aspect goes.

 

This seems like a standalone read, though with the open-end, I wouldn’t be too sure. I do know that regardless of that, Ormsby is definitely not an author for me. She does pose SOME interesting questions and perspectives regarding caring for someone with mental illness and the caretaker who admittedly deserves a life outside of caretaker duties.

 

There is definitely no right way for everyone to deal with a situation like this as Cassie and even Joe come to learn.

 

 

RATING:

 

3 ⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads (“I Liked It”)

 

Bookbub – Book Not Listed  

 

3 ⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Ann Ormsby is the author of two novels and many short stories that dig deep into family relationships. She has also written a number of opinion pieces about public policy issues. Her op-eds have run in the New York Daily News, The Newark Star-Ledger, The Huffington Post, njspotlight.com, The Westfield Leader and The Alternative Press. Her short stories have appeared in the Greenwich Village Literary Review, Every Day Fiction, Pentimento Magazine, and October Hill Magazine.

 

 

 

You can also find her on the following social media accounts:

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ann.ormsby.1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annormsby/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ormsbywrites

Website: https://annormsby.com/

 

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