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Hold Back the Rain
A gripping true story about a family unraveling—and how one woman regains her mental health and finds solace after becoming a widow.
The recounting of an emotional and personal experience, Hold Back the Rain shares the true story of one woman’s journey through a challenging adulthood. What happens when a stable, happy life begins to slowly drift away, further and further out of reach? What happens when life continuously goes wrong at every turn—from career changes to marriage strife to illness to death? And who will be there to help pick up the pieces?
With honesty and confidence (and a touch of Duran Duran), Michelle Vignault shares her journey of ups and downs through a complicated life, and how a special friendship helped her through the darkness to find a second chance at happiness. With the support of a best friend, Vignault discovers the tools she needs to overcome one obstacle after another until she eventually regains control of her family. Hold Back the Rain brings to light the difficult realities of life but ultimately is the story of how inner strength and perseverance are the keys to making it through.
Life is full of heartbreaking moments—but it is in these darkest hours that true bonds are formed.
The recounting of an emotional and personal experience, Hold Back the Rain shares the true story of one woman’s journey through a challenging adulthood. What happens when a stable, happy life begins to slowly drift away, further and further out of reach? What happens when life continuously goes wrong at every turn—from career changes to marriage strife to illness to death? And who will be there to help pick up the pieces?
With honesty and confidence (and a touch of Duran Duran), Michelle Vignault shares her journey of ups and downs through a complicated life, and how a special friendship helped her through the darkness to find a second chance at happiness. With the support of a best friend, Vignault discovers the tools she needs to overcome one obstacle after another until she eventually regains control of her family. Hold Back the Rain brings to light the difficult realities of life but ultimately is the story of how inner strength and perseverance are the keys to making it through.
Life is full of heartbreaking moments—but it is in these darkest hours that true bonds are formed.
- GenresNonfiction
144 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 5, 2023
7 people are currently reading
2444 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Vignault
1 book10 followersMichelle Vignault is a widowed warrior with an art degree from Warren Wilson College. She works for a tech company and spends time with her two daughters, extended family, and friends in Atlanta, Georgia. Hold Back the Rain is her writing debut.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 11, 2023
I received an ARC of this book from Kirkus Reviews (full review on their website).
A brave documentation of one family’s struggles with mental illness and addiction, told with honesty, tenderness, and hope.
A brave documentation of one family’s struggles with mental illness and addiction, told with honesty, tenderness, and hope.
September 26, 2023
a beautiful account of love, loss and finding a sense of footing again
A raw, grippingly beautiful account of heartbreak, devastating loss, and path back to hope. Shared in a very human and honest manner.
A raw, grippingly beautiful account of heartbreak, devastating loss, and path back to hope. Shared in a very human and honest manner.
April 20, 2026
READ her story because its concise, engaging/gripping, and will humble your heart. You may either find solace that you aren't alone in suffering or count your blessings you aren't in her shoes.
Michelle's story gives a brief picture of what life was like before her husband took a turn for the worse, teasing in the beginning about the tragedy and spending the rest of the story building up to it in letters and medical recaps.
I met Michelle at a local book fair and had no idea her story when I stumbled upon her table.
I was humbled to remember that you never know what someone else is going through. She generously gave me a copy of her book for my friend. I put off reading it until I was going to see my long distance friend so I could talk about it with fresh memories. I needn't have worried, I don't think I'll be forgetting the heartbreak any time soon.
Its important to share our tragedies, hardships, struggles, and lessons learned so that we can help others who cross our path with an option ahead or roadblock for what not to do. Michelle's story shows that there is an other side and parts of the journey will be lonely, and parts of the journey show us just how blessed and supported we are.
I cried several times in the 6 or 7 hours it took me to read this. I hugged my husband and talked about it with my mom. I was living down the road from Michelle in 2016/2017; I go to Morgan Fallas park often (maybe not any more?); I've been admitted to the Northside Hospital ER; my old roommate is from Kingsville, TX and lived near Austin, TX (yeah, she knows Leslie); and I was absorbed in my own struggles and life during all of this. And that's okay, but it is a solid reminder that when we meet a stranger or a colleague and they seem down or like they are pretending to be upbeat, if they are frustrating for some reason, let's show them patience. Lets show them kindness. Because there could be a lot going on behind the mask and you might just make or break their day.
I took a lot away from this story, and a little soul cleansing goes a long way.
Michelle's story gives a brief picture of what life was like before her husband took a turn for the worse, teasing in the beginning about the tragedy and spending the rest of the story building up to it in letters and medical recaps.
I met Michelle at a local book fair and had no idea her story when I stumbled upon her table.
I was humbled to remember that you never know what someone else is going through. She generously gave me a copy of her book for my friend. I put off reading it until I was going to see my long distance friend so I could talk about it with fresh memories. I needn't have worried, I don't think I'll be forgetting the heartbreak any time soon.
Its important to share our tragedies, hardships, struggles, and lessons learned so that we can help others who cross our path with an option ahead or roadblock for what not to do. Michelle's story shows that there is an other side and parts of the journey will be lonely, and parts of the journey show us just how blessed and supported we are.
I cried several times in the 6 or 7 hours it took me to read this. I hugged my husband and talked about it with my mom. I was living down the road from Michelle in 2016/2017; I go to Morgan Fallas park often (maybe not any more?); I've been admitted to the Northside Hospital ER; my old roommate is from Kingsville, TX and lived near Austin, TX (yeah, she knows Leslie); and I was absorbed in my own struggles and life during all of this. And that's okay, but it is a solid reminder that when we meet a stranger or a colleague and they seem down or like they are pretending to be upbeat, if they are frustrating for some reason, let's show them patience. Lets show them kindness. Because there could be a lot going on behind the mask and you might just make or break their day.
I took a lot away from this story, and a little soul cleansing goes a long way.
October 10, 2023
This was such a stunning, emotional, and rewarding read! I stayed up way past my bedtime to read it. I could not put it down! A beautiful account of one woman’s journey navigating through mental health concerns, loss, and grief. A MUST READ! I would highly recommended this for ANY book club! There are so many topics within its pages to discuss. These are conversations we all should be having!
February 18, 2024
I have no words for Michelle and her strength to be able to hold through what she had to deal with and being the superhero for her two little girls. This is such an amazing life story in the sad truth of addiction.
February 2, 2025
Thank you to Goodreads and Michelle Vignault for my signed copy of this book. Having also experienced profound losses of my own, it's always nice to be reminded that I'm not alone and there will be sun after the rain .
February 23, 2024
You should read this book! I met Michelle at a bookstore and she is so kind and genuine. This story is full of hardship but also passion. Read to be inspired.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews