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Three Days of Rain
Just when he thought his life was turning around...
Things haven’t been easy for Jacob Morgan. Persecuted by the ghosts of his past, Jake lives each day just going through the motions, barely getting by.
Then Lily Burns comes to town and befriends him.
As Jake starts to heal, he begins to hope that he has finally overcome the mistakes and tragedies that have tormented him for so long. But just when he thinks his problems are solved, his past comes back to haunt him, and once again, Jake is confronted by situations he is ill-equipped to handle.
Can Jake hold on to the progress he has made, or will the lies, guilt, and secrets he’s tried to ignore shove him back into an abyss from which there is no escape?
Things haven’t been easy for Jacob Morgan. Persecuted by the ghosts of his past, Jake lives each day just going through the motions, barely getting by.
Then Lily Burns comes to town and befriends him.
As Jake starts to heal, he begins to hope that he has finally overcome the mistakes and tragedies that have tormented him for so long. But just when he thinks his problems are solved, his past comes back to haunt him, and once again, Jake is confronted by situations he is ill-equipped to handle.
Can Jake hold on to the progress he has made, or will the lies, guilt, and secrets he’s tried to ignore shove him back into an abyss from which there is no escape?
326 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 9, 2012
27 people are currently reading
770 people want to read
About the author
Christine Hughes
5 books256 followersI’ve always wanted to write. Ever since I was little, I would craft stories and poems but the idea to actually do it “for real” never really crossed my mind until last year. After sitting on three paragraphs of what would eventually become my first novel, I decided to expand upon what I had. At the time I had no real idea of where the story would go, I just knew I had the time to do something with it.
I hadn’t researched market trends, I had no idea about query letters or the evil synopsis, and I was green on the idea of agents and editors and all that is publishing, really. I just wanted to write something I enjoyed. I didn’t plot, outline, or character build, I just wrote. And then an author friend mentioned that I should take my writing to a conference.
So with the confidence that my novel would surely be welcomed by all who read it, I signed up for as many seminars and critiques as I could. I knew someone would love it. In those two days, I found out I had a lot to learn.
Funny, but as a former English teacher, you’d think I’d have figured out the importance of editing and revision and revising again. You’d think I’d have known that the first draft is just that, a draft. And when the critiques started coming in, I thought I was done for. Not that the premise wasn’t good (I was told it was), not that the characters weren’t believable (I was told they were), but I used too much passive voice, I tense shifted and there were some holes in the plotline.
A few agents really liked it, but the market trend couldn’t support it. Some were not fond of the way I told the story. I queried and queried my way to 57 flat out rejections and a number of partial and full requests that didn’t pan out. But along the way I got some great criticism and pointers and I made the story better. Then, on a whim, I trolled the SavvyAuthors website and signed up for a three line pitch to editor Lauri Wellington and I did a happy dance when she requested my full manuscript.
A month later, she responded that she loved the story and the concept but it moved too slowly but I could resubmit if I revised. I informed her I sent her a revision that was based on the opinions of agents, authors and peers but I had the original (cleaned up, of course) and I was sending it in to see if it was more of what she was looking for. And guess what? It was! One caveat, I had to revise the manuscript into past tense. Easy peasy, right? Wrong.
Revising into past tense from present is line editing your entire novel. And it kinda stinks. By the end, I thought my eyes were gonna start bleeding and pop out onto my keyboard. But you know what? That little “exercise” tightened up what was loose, filled in any plot holes that might’ve still been there and forced me to realize I could be a better writer.
The road to publication can be long. It can be a hop, skip and a jump from your first query. Nothing in publication is set in stone. The market is always changing. And the biggest thing I learned is that it’s all subjective. Agents A-Y may pass but all you need is Agent or Editor Z to believe in you as much as you believe in yourself. And I believe in my first novel. And I am happy that Black Opal Books does too. I hope you do, as well.
I hadn’t researched market trends, I had no idea about query letters or the evil synopsis, and I was green on the idea of agents and editors and all that is publishing, really. I just wanted to write something I enjoyed. I didn’t plot, outline, or character build, I just wrote. And then an author friend mentioned that I should take my writing to a conference.
So with the confidence that my novel would surely be welcomed by all who read it, I signed up for as many seminars and critiques as I could. I knew someone would love it. In those two days, I found out I had a lot to learn.
Funny, but as a former English teacher, you’d think I’d have figured out the importance of editing and revision and revising again. You’d think I’d have known that the first draft is just that, a draft. And when the critiques started coming in, I thought I was done for. Not that the premise wasn’t good (I was told it was), not that the characters weren’t believable (I was told they were), but I used too much passive voice, I tense shifted and there were some holes in the plotline.
A few agents really liked it, but the market trend couldn’t support it. Some were not fond of the way I told the story. I queried and queried my way to 57 flat out rejections and a number of partial and full requests that didn’t pan out. But along the way I got some great criticism and pointers and I made the story better. Then, on a whim, I trolled the SavvyAuthors website and signed up for a three line pitch to editor Lauri Wellington and I did a happy dance when she requested my full manuscript.
A month later, she responded that she loved the story and the concept but it moved too slowly but I could resubmit if I revised. I informed her I sent her a revision that was based on the opinions of agents, authors and peers but I had the original (cleaned up, of course) and I was sending it in to see if it was more of what she was looking for. And guess what? It was! One caveat, I had to revise the manuscript into past tense. Easy peasy, right? Wrong.
Revising into past tense from present is line editing your entire novel. And it kinda stinks. By the end, I thought my eyes were gonna start bleeding and pop out onto my keyboard. But you know what? That little “exercise” tightened up what was loose, filled in any plot holes that might’ve still been there and forced me to realize I could be a better writer.
The road to publication can be long. It can be a hop, skip and a jump from your first query. Nothing in publication is set in stone. The market is always changing. And the biggest thing I learned is that it’s all subjective. Agents A-Y may pass but all you need is Agent or Editor Z to believe in you as much as you believe in yourself. And I believe in my first novel. And I am happy that Black Opal Books does too. I hope you do, as well.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
March 20, 2014
This was a complete cluster fuck of how many bad things can happen to one guy. I mean at the end I was shocked he didn't shoot himself because he sure as hell didn't get a HEA. Please proceed at your own risk. Complete spoiler if you keep reading*********************************************************************
Jake was a cool guy. After he lost his mom, he lost his way. He was content living in his small town working. One night a bar fight brings Jake and Maddie together, in a whirlwind of ups and downs.
Shit, where to begin?? So much happened to Jake. The book takes you from past to present. Giving you the details of why Jake has been moping over Maddie leaving town for the last two years. Maddie was the girl that didn't give a shit, but did give it up. She finally caught Jakes eye and she dug those claws in deep. Their relationship progressed fast and hard. Lots of arguing, her hitting him, accusations, cheating, emotional highs and lows. Maddie seemed to have a mental disorder, or she was just a big fucking bitch. Either way, I don't care. She was the girl you couldn't break up with, because she went psycho nuts. S
Jake meets Lily who is in town working at the same damn bar Maddie worked at, and she's only there for the summer. Cue the insta love. Shit then just went downhill. Heres all the shit that was Jakes life.
Maddie was crazy, on drugs, cheated, got pregnant by him, delivered and left the baby. The baby ended up dying.
He mopes for two years until his insta love with Lily. Lily gets pregnant but doesn't want to tell him until she goes to the doctor, cliché like a mother fucker.
As she contemplates when the best time to tell Jake, Maddie blows into town! She has some news of her own, and shocks Lily by announcing she and Jake are still legally married! Oops, did that little tid bit get left out? Maddie has a brain tumor that is going to kill her. Cue the violins.
Lily starts bleeding, Jake rushes her to the hospital.
Meanwhile, Maddie collapses and is rushed to the hospital via ambulance.
Jake crashes into a ambulance while driving. You think its Maddie's but its not. She loses the baby (she's only 6 weeks)ahd Lily also dies.
Maddie makes it to the hospital and apologizes for all her stunts. Then she dies.
That the story of his life. The end
There was one horrible thing after another happening in this book. It was depressing, and unbelievable. Total train wreck for me.
January 13, 2013
Three days of Rain by Christine Hughes is your average romance novel. What begins with a promising premise, a romance told from the male point of view, quickly spirals into a cliche ridden, predictable, bad lifetime movie.
Jake, the perfect sad puppy, has spent two years getting over a girl. (She's blonde so you know she's evil) And he's a real nice guy because everyone in town says he is. Their relationship, so powerfully apparently, it tears the town apart and everyone in it. (One small town for sure.)
She leaves and jake gives up guitar. And the only bar in town loses the only guitar player in town.
No worries, every predictable character is here. The perfect brunette Lily, who will literally "heal" jake with a kiss. His brother Danny, who has a perfect life with wife and kids. His father who comes around with beer in hand. (Lilly also comes by with beer.) In fact, everyone comes around with beer for sad jake.
The author telegraphs every character trait so you'll never have to judge a character for yourself. Maddie is evil, because she just is. Lily is perfect, the author will tell you this many times. Characters go into flashbacks, and inside the very same flashback we switch character point of view. How did this make it past an editor?
When characters arent going into flashback in mid-action, they're acting exactly as you expect. The only surprise is the ending, which is laughably bad. Many instances the author repeats the obvious and allows no room for subtlety. Adverbs at every corner and in the books best moment jakes dad literally has a twinkle in his eye. I'm not kidding, a twinkle in his eye.
The books most well written moments come when the author describes the building of a deck. (Musta had one recently put in herself?) Even for romance this is too shlocky. The characters are two dimensional. The story is predictable and laughable.
Skip three days of rain.
August 21, 2013
Three Days of Rain
This is a story of love, of loss, of acceptance and most of all of hope.
When Maddie walks away Jake cannot carry on as he used to. His temper is tempered down and so also his pleasure in playing the guitar. Maddie walked away though from more than only this one man and with this Jake needs to come to terms with. As he meets a new love, he is reserved in giving her his heart and trust even though she eventually come to understand what it is all about. She gives him her life, her love and heart and from it he heals. Then tragedy strikes and Maddie reenters their lives, with it she brings it her past, his past and a revelation that will rock all of their worlds. As two vehicles collide so does two lives collide in an accident of tragedy, hope and understanding.
A great read.
WaAr
This is a story of love, of loss, of acceptance and most of all of hope.
When Maddie walks away Jake cannot carry on as he used to. His temper is tempered down and so also his pleasure in playing the guitar. Maddie walked away though from more than only this one man and with this Jake needs to come to terms with. As he meets a new love, he is reserved in giving her his heart and trust even though she eventually come to understand what it is all about. She gives him her life, her love and heart and from it he heals. Then tragedy strikes and Maddie reenters their lives, with it she brings it her past, his past and a revelation that will rock all of their worlds. As two vehicles collide so does two lives collide in an accident of tragedy, hope and understanding.
A great read.
WaAr
January 17, 2013
Three Days of Rain was a great book, in my opinion. It isn't a romance, because if it were, I would not have read it probably. Instead it was something, I don't know, different. Jake was obviously lost and in need of a push. His past continued to haunt him and it wasn't until Lily was able to show him that he could move on and honor the past without drowning in it. In my opinion, it was well written. I could connect with the characters in the book. It was refreshing to not have the book end with a typical happily ever after. Life isn't a fairytale. I really liked this book and I would recommend it.
March 4, 2013
"Three Days of Rain" by Christine Hughes is an tragic story and an emotional reading experience but one that is worth your while.
Jake has an almost co-dependent and raw relationship with substance using Maddie and - as the clique goes - it is rather complicated. Just as it seems that Jake has given up on love he meets Lily, who has her hands full to get him to open up and trust her.
I was recommended this book by a friend and expected a straight forward romance novel, maybe that helped to deepen the impact this book had on me. I was stunned by the raw emotions, the deep insight into the tormented characters and the intensity of it all. It is not an easy read but one that draws you in and won't let you out until it is over. I found the reading experience very compulsive and need to emphasise also that it was not all gloom and misery but where it is, it is well justified and purposeful. The author has amazing talent and a promising future. I will keep an eye on her next works.
Jake has an almost co-dependent and raw relationship with substance using Maddie and - as the clique goes - it is rather complicated. Just as it seems that Jake has given up on love he meets Lily, who has her hands full to get him to open up and trust her.
I was recommended this book by a friend and expected a straight forward romance novel, maybe that helped to deepen the impact this book had on me. I was stunned by the raw emotions, the deep insight into the tormented characters and the intensity of it all. It is not an easy read but one that draws you in and won't let you out until it is over. I found the reading experience very compulsive and need to emphasise also that it was not all gloom and misery but where it is, it is well justified and purposeful. The author has amazing talent and a promising future. I will keep an eye on her next works.
May 17, 2015
Jake has been hurt by his ex,he has been unable to move on with his life. Along comes Lily who Jake tries to keep out of his life. Once Lily breaks through to Jake he starts to deal with the pain from his past. This story broke my heart!!! Have your tissues handy
February 9, 2014
This book is too tragic for words. I was devastated reading this book.
January 11, 2014
Review 6******
This is a fantastic NA Romance story! I absolutely LOVED it!
Jacob Morgan is a fantastic character. He is a caring, loving man, but he has been hurt very badly by a relationship that was rather toxic. He is struggling to slowly pull his life together, but it's not until he meets Lily Burns that he feels hope for the future. I really liked this character a lot.
Lily Burns is also a fantastic character. She is warm, fun loving and carefree. I liked her very much. I would love to meet and befriend her, but as she is a fictional character, that would be rather difficult!
I had previously read a YA romance by this author, so I knew what her writing style was like. However, I was totally unprepared for the emotional roller coaster I would be in for. I had read some of the other reviews, but I thought I would be able to "tough it out". Nope, I was a total emotional wreck! The story starts off slowly, but as more of Jake's past is revealed in a series of flashbacks, I fell in love with Jake myself! I cannot understand what Jake saw in Maddie, as she was totally selfish and self serving. Jake is not perfect himself, but he didn't deserve to be treated in that way. However, I was glad for him when he met Lily; he deserved some happiness. The story is told mostly from both Jake's and Lily's points of view, which gives the reader the opportunity to get to know their thoughts and feelings, but some of the other characters have a say too; they all came alive on the page. The author states that this book is a work of fiction, but it felt like a true story. The events in the tale have a very lifelike quality to them. It is a good thing I keep a supply of tissues handy for my hayfever, because I needed to use more than a couple! There are some very touching scenes that had me in tears more than once and, although I didn't want to put the book down, I had to stop to mop them up! There are also a few twists that surprised me, but there is a big one near the end that nearly gave me a heart attack and left me reeling in shock! This book is an amazing and heartbreaking tale of love and tragedy that tugged on my heartstrings, and will stay with me for some time to come.
Christine Hughes has written a fantastic story that has touched me deeply! I love her ability to bring the characters to life on the page. I think this could be a great TV movie, given the opportunity. I eagerly look forward to reading more books by this author in the future.
Although there are scenes of a sensual nature, they are not explicit. I highly recommend this book if you love contemporary romance. - Lynn Worton
This is a fantastic NA Romance story! I absolutely LOVED it!
Jacob Morgan is a fantastic character. He is a caring, loving man, but he has been hurt very badly by a relationship that was rather toxic. He is struggling to slowly pull his life together, but it's not until he meets Lily Burns that he feels hope for the future. I really liked this character a lot.
Lily Burns is also a fantastic character. She is warm, fun loving and carefree. I liked her very much. I would love to meet and befriend her, but as she is a fictional character, that would be rather difficult!
I had previously read a YA romance by this author, so I knew what her writing style was like. However, I was totally unprepared for the emotional roller coaster I would be in for. I had read some of the other reviews, but I thought I would be able to "tough it out". Nope, I was a total emotional wreck! The story starts off slowly, but as more of Jake's past is revealed in a series of flashbacks, I fell in love with Jake myself! I cannot understand what Jake saw in Maddie, as she was totally selfish and self serving. Jake is not perfect himself, but he didn't deserve to be treated in that way. However, I was glad for him when he met Lily; he deserved some happiness. The story is told mostly from both Jake's and Lily's points of view, which gives the reader the opportunity to get to know their thoughts and feelings, but some of the other characters have a say too; they all came alive on the page. The author states that this book is a work of fiction, but it felt like a true story. The events in the tale have a very lifelike quality to them. It is a good thing I keep a supply of tissues handy for my hayfever, because I needed to use more than a couple! There are some very touching scenes that had me in tears more than once and, although I didn't want to put the book down, I had to stop to mop them up! There are also a few twists that surprised me, but there is a big one near the end that nearly gave me a heart attack and left me reeling in shock! This book is an amazing and heartbreaking tale of love and tragedy that tugged on my heartstrings, and will stay with me for some time to come.
Christine Hughes has written a fantastic story that has touched me deeply! I love her ability to bring the characters to life on the page. I think this could be a great TV movie, given the opportunity. I eagerly look forward to reading more books by this author in the future.
Although there are scenes of a sensual nature, they are not explicit. I highly recommend this book if you love contemporary romance. - Lynn Worton
October 6, 2013
Given a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
***Review From Amy Conley For The Nerd Girl Page***
Just when he thought his life was turning around...
Things haven’t been easy for Jacob Morgan. Persecuted by the ghosts of his past, Jake lives each day just going through the motions, barely getting by. Then Lily Burns comes to town and befriends him. As Jake starts to heal, he begins to hope that he has finally overcome the mistakes and tragedies that have tormented him for so long. But just when he thinks his problems are solved, his past comes back to haunt him, and once again, Jake is confronted by situations he is ill-equipped to handle. Can Jake hold on to the progress he has made, or will the lies, guilt, and secrets he’s tried to ignore shove him back into an abyss from which there is no escape?
My Review:
I fell in love with it! It has all the qualities one looks for when choosing a book that makes it absolutely fantastic! The story has a total WOW factor that will blow you away and you'll see things that are totally unexpected therefore leaving you in absolute shock, it never lost it's timing or dragged on, and everything about it is absolutely flawless!
The relationship between the character's is one of intensity and at times heart shattering but also they have these moments where they show their more vulnerable and caring sides that is so beautiful and touching. Every emotion they share is so raw and pure.
You can't help but feel connected to the story and get attached to the characters. It's definitely an emotional book and one that will have a huge impact on your heart!
***Review has been written in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official***
***Review From Amy Conley For The Nerd Girl Page***
Just when he thought his life was turning around...
Things haven’t been easy for Jacob Morgan. Persecuted by the ghosts of his past, Jake lives each day just going through the motions, barely getting by. Then Lily Burns comes to town and befriends him. As Jake starts to heal, he begins to hope that he has finally overcome the mistakes and tragedies that have tormented him for so long. But just when he thinks his problems are solved, his past comes back to haunt him, and once again, Jake is confronted by situations he is ill-equipped to handle. Can Jake hold on to the progress he has made, or will the lies, guilt, and secrets he’s tried to ignore shove him back into an abyss from which there is no escape?
My Review:
I fell in love with it! It has all the qualities one looks for when choosing a book that makes it absolutely fantastic! The story has a total WOW factor that will blow you away and you'll see things that are totally unexpected therefore leaving you in absolute shock, it never lost it's timing or dragged on, and everything about it is absolutely flawless!
The relationship between the character's is one of intensity and at times heart shattering but also they have these moments where they show their more vulnerable and caring sides that is so beautiful and touching. Every emotion they share is so raw and pure.
You can't help but feel connected to the story and get attached to the characters. It's definitely an emotional book and one that will have a huge impact on your heart!
***Review has been written in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official***
February 2, 2014
These were my first thoughts after finishing the book-
"wow I don't know how one book can have so much heartache. Very emotional read."
Now a few days later I think I'm ready to write my review.
Its going to be really hard to write this review with giving away any of the plot. Jacob (Jake) Morgan has had a bit of rough life so far. Three years he came out of a turbulent relationship with Maddie. However when Lily comes into his life things begin to take a turn for the better. With Lily in his life Jake begins to heal and move about from his past haunting him, however this take a turn when a face from Jake's past reappears.
This book isn't just a romance read but is also a very tragic and emotional story. The story is very beautifully written and flows really well. There are lots of twists and turns in the book and if I'm really honest it totally blew up away with amount of emotion I felt through out the story. Just when I thought everything is running smoothly something would happen that turns every 180 degrees. By the end if the book I was an emotional wreck. The author writes the book in a brilliant way that you can really connect to each characters and you really feel their emotions. The story is mainly told through Jake's and Lily's POV but also some of the other characters POV and intertwined into the story. I thought it was also very clever how the flashbacks were used throughout the story. Once I had finished the story it was in my mind for hours afterwards.
Overall a brilliantly heart breaking, emotional read which I would highly recommend everyone to read. I will most definitely be reading any future books by Christine Hughes. When you read this one just make sure that you have a box of tissues at the ready!!
"wow I don't know how one book can have so much heartache. Very emotional read."
Now a few days later I think I'm ready to write my review.
Its going to be really hard to write this review with giving away any of the plot. Jacob (Jake) Morgan has had a bit of rough life so far. Three years he came out of a turbulent relationship with Maddie. However when Lily comes into his life things begin to take a turn for the better. With Lily in his life Jake begins to heal and move about from his past haunting him, however this take a turn when a face from Jake's past reappears.
This book isn't just a romance read but is also a very tragic and emotional story. The story is very beautifully written and flows really well. There are lots of twists and turns in the book and if I'm really honest it totally blew up away with amount of emotion I felt through out the story. Just when I thought everything is running smoothly something would happen that turns every 180 degrees. By the end if the book I was an emotional wreck. The author writes the book in a brilliant way that you can really connect to each characters and you really feel their emotions. The story is mainly told through Jake's and Lily's POV but also some of the other characters POV and intertwined into the story. I thought it was also very clever how the flashbacks were used throughout the story. Once I had finished the story it was in my mind for hours afterwards.
Overall a brilliantly heart breaking, emotional read which I would highly recommend everyone to read. I will most definitely be reading any future books by Christine Hughes. When you read this one just make sure that you have a box of tissues at the ready!!
January 24, 2014
So, lets start off like this. let me give you a visual of what this book did to me.
The freaking feels have devastated me. Normally when I finish a book I feel resolution and am ready to move on to another.
Not this time. This time I want to crawl into bed with a gallon of ice cream, a bottle of wine and a box of kleenex to mourn the overload of feels that this book gave me.
I'm not saying this book is bad. it's not. That's the problem. It's really really really really good. It makes you emotionally invest in the characters. You like them, you root for them. They're complex, dynamic characters that you can't help but fall in love with, even when they aren't being exactly lovable.
This is the story of Jake andMadison Lily. The story of how a broken soul can heal with the right medicine, and how shitty things happen to good people. This isn't a story to read if you like your stories wrapped up in a tight neat little package. This is a story to read if you want to FEEL. If you want to be touched by a book and carry it with you and remember all those things that make it so wonderful to be human.
That missing star? Don't worry about that little guy. He's not really important. He's off in search of some misplaced quotation marks but once he fixes that, he'll be right back.
You know what is important? The date I started this book and the date I finished it. Because it's the same day. I could not put this book down until I finished it. Now, if you will excuse me, I have a bowl of ice cream and a box of tissues calling my name.
The freaking feels have devastated me. Normally when I finish a book I feel resolution and am ready to move on to another.
Not this time. This time I want to crawl into bed with a gallon of ice cream, a bottle of wine and a box of kleenex to mourn the overload of feels that this book gave me.
I'm not saying this book is bad. it's not. That's the problem. It's really really really really good. It makes you emotionally invest in the characters. You like them, you root for them. They're complex, dynamic characters that you can't help but fall in love with, even when they aren't being exactly lovable.
This is the story of Jake and
That missing star? Don't worry about that little guy. He's not really important. He's off in search of some misplaced quotation marks but once he fixes that, he'll be right back.
You know what is important? The date I started this book and the date I finished it. Because it's the same day. I could not put this book down until I finished it. Now, if you will excuse me, I have a bowl of ice cream and a box of tissues calling my name.
February 6, 2014
First of all, this book was given to me by the author in return for a honest review, from the FA of the month event at WaAr (on Facebook).
Of course, as always I will not summarize the book, since I feel this is giving away the story. All I can say though is this, if you LOVE a story from the heart, then I will recommend this to you.
What an incredible, awesome book. I must honestly say, this is something I haven't read before.
I'll be honest, and I did read one or two reviews before I read the book (which usually I don't do) and I was telling myself, while reading the book "What's wrong with these people? Why did they cry?" I shrugged it off as just not being too much of an emotional person.
Yeah, needless to say that changed. Well, thanks Christine, for making me cry the last two pages.
I really wanted to dislike the author, for what she did, (once again I won't give nothing away READ IT) and then I really wanted to hate Maddie, (and I did, until the end) but the way story developed, with all the heartache and pain was so beautiful.
I totally love that this is a blue collar, small town. The people (ALL OF THEM) were believable and likable. A whole town that is devastated by ones selfish actions, and sticks together to get over her... seriously that alone warmed my heart.
I am sure I could go on and on and praise this story, but I won't.
Beautifully written, excellent book, thank you Christine Hughes.
Of course, as always I will not summarize the book, since I feel this is giving away the story. All I can say though is this, if you LOVE a story from the heart, then I will recommend this to you.
What an incredible, awesome book. I must honestly say, this is something I haven't read before.
I'll be honest, and I did read one or two reviews before I read the book (which usually I don't do) and I was telling myself, while reading the book "What's wrong with these people? Why did they cry?" I shrugged it off as just not being too much of an emotional person.
Yeah, needless to say that changed. Well, thanks Christine, for making me cry the last two pages.
I really wanted to dislike the author, for what she did, (once again I won't give nothing away READ IT) and then I really wanted to hate Maddie, (and I did, until the end) but the way story developed, with all the heartache and pain was so beautiful.
I totally love that this is a blue collar, small town. The people (ALL OF THEM) were believable and likable. A whole town that is devastated by ones selfish actions, and sticks together to get over her... seriously that alone warmed my heart.
I am sure I could go on and on and praise this story, but I won't.
Beautifully written, excellent book, thank you Christine Hughes.
January 6, 2013
We’ve all seen it. The couples that spend more time fighting than anything - but swear they are happy. Everyone can see they shouldn’t be in the same county much less the same bed; everybody except them, that is. Well, this is the story of just such a couple, told in a retrospective. I applaud Christine Hughes. This style of writing is difficult to pull off without leaving some readers confused and wondering where in time they are, but she managed to perform seamless transitions and I was never flipping back and forth.
These characters are real. I could almost reach out and touch them. The male bonding scene brought tears to my eyes. I was sure if I went out to my back deck I’d find them out there.
Madison was such a self-centered child (and I think we all know a few of those too) I wanted to reach through my device and slap her. She was a category 5 to this small town. Jake was so lost I wanted to hold his hand. And Lily was so sweet; I wanted to do something nice for her.
I love it when an author makes the characters come off the page and into your heart (love them or hate them) and Ms. Hughes has that ability. AND I like surprises. I read so much that the story development is often too predictable, yet again Christine has the ability to surprise.
I am very much looking forward to what she comes up with next. I highly recommend Three Days of Rain.
These characters are real. I could almost reach out and touch them. The male bonding scene brought tears to my eyes. I was sure if I went out to my back deck I’d find them out there.
Madison was such a self-centered child (and I think we all know a few of those too) I wanted to reach through my device and slap her. She was a category 5 to this small town. Jake was so lost I wanted to hold his hand. And Lily was so sweet; I wanted to do something nice for her.
I love it when an author makes the characters come off the page and into your heart (love them or hate them) and Ms. Hughes has that ability. AND I like surprises. I read so much that the story development is often too predictable, yet again Christine has the ability to surprise.
I am very much looking forward to what she comes up with next. I highly recommend Three Days of Rain.
February 27, 2024
Wow!! If you want an emotional rollercoaster of a read then I highly suggest this one!!
This had me hooked in from the start. Jake has had his fair share of bad luck and has gone through some really emotional things. Madison, his then girlfriend/wife was not particularly good for him giving them a very rocky relationship! She left 2 years ago with no contact at all and Jake and the whole of the town have had to suffer and deal with the fall out she left behind!
That is until Lily turns up and helps by befriending him until they progress to more. Her turning up really started to save Jake and got him to come to terms with things in his past. She was definitely a welcome addition to the whole town with her free spirit!
I can't say too much because I don't want to spoil it but let's just say I haven't read anything this emotional for a long time, it had me sobbing at the end so much that I couldn't actually see my kindle and even my hubby made a comment that he 'couldn't believe i was crying at a book!' lol
The ending really was unexpected but was written so well!! The entire book was fantastic, took you through all the emotions and all i can say is if you read it, make sure you have tissues!!!
This had me hooked in from the start. Jake has had his fair share of bad luck and has gone through some really emotional things. Madison, his then girlfriend/wife was not particularly good for him giving them a very rocky relationship! She left 2 years ago with no contact at all and Jake and the whole of the town have had to suffer and deal with the fall out she left behind!
That is until Lily turns up and helps by befriending him until they progress to more. Her turning up really started to save Jake and got him to come to terms with things in his past. She was definitely a welcome addition to the whole town with her free spirit!
I can't say too much because I don't want to spoil it but let's just say I haven't read anything this emotional for a long time, it had me sobbing at the end so much that I couldn't actually see my kindle and even my hubby made a comment that he 'couldn't believe i was crying at a book!' lol
The ending really was unexpected but was written so well!! The entire book was fantastic, took you through all the emotions and all i can say is if you read it, make sure you have tissues!!!
April 21, 2015
Three Days of Rain is an ideal novel for fans of New Adult Contemporary Romance, who enjoy their stories with a combination of love, family drama, and heartache.
I particularly enjoyed the fact that Christine Hughes’ main character is Jake, which is a change from the mainly female protagonists in the genre. Jake is still dealing with his grief and mixed emotions following a particular painful break-up. Jake’s present is full of routine, but he is haunted by frequent flashbacks allowing us to understand all he has been through. Christine Hughes shows us the different sides of Jake’s character; angry and violent; focused and contented; broken and emotional.
Although we are given clues about certain elements of the story, I was unprepared for the later chapters. The sudden change of mood, along with our disbelief and that of the characters, makes the ending one which we cannot help but be moved by, no matter how we have previously felt towards particular individuals.
Three Days of Rain is a powerful and touching journey on which Christine Hughes allows us to watch her main character emotionally mature and despite his circumstances, at the story’s conclusion, we are left with hope for his future. A definite recommendation – but keep tissues nearby!
I particularly enjoyed the fact that Christine Hughes’ main character is Jake, which is a change from the mainly female protagonists in the genre. Jake is still dealing with his grief and mixed emotions following a particular painful break-up. Jake’s present is full of routine, but he is haunted by frequent flashbacks allowing us to understand all he has been through. Christine Hughes shows us the different sides of Jake’s character; angry and violent; focused and contented; broken and emotional.
Although we are given clues about certain elements of the story, I was unprepared for the later chapters. The sudden change of mood, along with our disbelief and that of the characters, makes the ending one which we cannot help but be moved by, no matter how we have previously felt towards particular individuals.
Three Days of Rain is a powerful and touching journey on which Christine Hughes allows us to watch her main character emotionally mature and despite his circumstances, at the story’s conclusion, we are left with hope for his future. A definite recommendation – but keep tissues nearby!
August 28, 2015
I read Three Days of Rain, assuming that it was going to be a sappy love story (my favourite kind), probably based on two people who come together during three days of rain....Yeah, I was that naive.
Three Days of Rain is so much more.
Our hero is no hero. He is broken and damaged and struggling to heal from a past relationship. His pain is unravelled throughout the plot so that we truly uncover what a nightmare his young life had been just trying to do the right thing for the person he loved. And still Christine Hughes creates a man we want. He is dark, moody and strangely perfect in his own dysfunctional way, a fact made more prevalent after meeting Lily.
Lily sees a need in Jake, she instinctively understands he has issues but befriends him anyway and slowly brings him back to the person he should be - one that isn't just going through the motions. Of course, I got my romance fix and then Hughes shattered my heart.
And that is all I am going to say about that.
Invest in some tissues and be ready to show your best ugly cry face. Three days of rain is going to blow you away.
Three Days of Rain is so much more.
Our hero is no hero. He is broken and damaged and struggling to heal from a past relationship. His pain is unravelled throughout the plot so that we truly uncover what a nightmare his young life had been just trying to do the right thing for the person he loved. And still Christine Hughes creates a man we want. He is dark, moody and strangely perfect in his own dysfunctional way, a fact made more prevalent after meeting Lily.
Lily sees a need in Jake, she instinctively understands he has issues but befriends him anyway and slowly brings him back to the person he should be - one that isn't just going through the motions. Of course, I got my romance fix and then Hughes shattered my heart.
And that is all I am going to say about that.
Invest in some tissues and be ready to show your best ugly cry face. Three days of rain is going to blow you away.
April 4, 2013
I received this book from the author for an honest review.
Here is a story I wasn't expecting at all! The depth the author goes into the characters and their lives makes you feel as if you are there with them or like a movie is playing within your head. This is a story of new beginnings, closure, love, anger and forgiveness. It is a story of one man who faces so much in his life you can not help but be effected by his every waking moment. Feeling his pain as well as his happiness. With twists throughout that I never saw coming, the author keeps you riveted into the pages until it is done. Not only is there tragedy there is hope so even though the story ends very different then I first envisioned, it left me walking away thinking a little differently about my own life. This is great for anyone who likes a true to life story that is not all flowers and butterflies. These are salt of the earth characters with a finish that will have you smiling and blowing your nose at the same time.
Here is a story I wasn't expecting at all! The depth the author goes into the characters and their lives makes you feel as if you are there with them or like a movie is playing within your head. This is a story of new beginnings, closure, love, anger and forgiveness. It is a story of one man who faces so much in his life you can not help but be effected by his every waking moment. Feeling his pain as well as his happiness. With twists throughout that I never saw coming, the author keeps you riveted into the pages until it is done. Not only is there tragedy there is hope so even though the story ends very different then I first envisioned, it left me walking away thinking a little differently about my own life. This is great for anyone who likes a true to life story that is not all flowers and butterflies. These are salt of the earth characters with a finish that will have you smiling and blowing your nose at the same time.
February 2, 2013
I was gifted a copy from the author for an honest review. This was a true treat for me. This is the first book I have read from Ms. Hughes and I plan on reading more. The story and characters were very well written and believable. I found myself not putting this down till I finished the last page. It’s a very heartwarming story that will have you rooting for the main characters and wanting to hold their hands and guide them thru the traumas life throws their way. Jake is terribly wounded by his relationship with Mattie so much so that it still haunts him. When Lily comes into town to visit with her Uncle Billy for the summer, she’s going to try and break down the wall Jake has put around him and see who the real person is behind all the pain. Is Jake’s wall too thick for anyone to really break thru even though he has the best supportive family and possibly a new friend? How much damage has Mattie done to Jake’s heart?
If there ever was a book I’d ask my friends to pick up and read, this would be the one. Thank you for such a well written story for all of us to read Ms. Hughes.
If there ever was a book I’d ask my friends to pick up and read, this would be the one. Thank you for such a well written story for all of us to read Ms. Hughes.
May 22, 2014
I don't quite know how to review this book without spoiling it! Going into it, I didn't really know what it was about or what to expect. What I can say is that I totally loved this book, and couldn't put it down. It was an extremely emotional read, and had me quite literally sobbing big ugly tears. Such an all consuming and tragic book, that focuses on "real" characters, not sexy billionaires or broken souls. Just ordinary people living in an ordinary town.
The only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is because I found it such a heart wrenching, tragic story and, I thought, quite inconceivable that one guy can have such relentless bad luck. I loved Jacob and I loved Lily but I didn't love the ending. Having said that, the ending does leave a feeling of hope.
BUT, I did love the book and if you like a read that is emotionally charged, different, and has an unconventional ending, you will love it too!
Highly recommended!
The only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is because I found it such a heart wrenching, tragic story and, I thought, quite inconceivable that one guy can have such relentless bad luck. I loved Jacob and I loved Lily but I didn't love the ending. Having said that, the ending does leave a feeling of hope.
BUT, I did love the book and if you like a read that is emotionally charged, different, and has an unconventional ending, you will love it too!
Highly recommended!
January 6, 2014
Three Days of Rain
This is a story of love, of loss, of acceptance and most of all of hope.
When Maddie walks away Jake cannot carry on as he used to. His temper is tempered down and so also his pleasure in playing the guitar. Maddie walked away though from more than only this one man and with this Jake needs to come to terms with. As he meets a new love, he is reserved in giving her his heart and trust even though she eventually come to understand what it is all about. She gives him her life, her love and heart and from it he heals. Then tragedy strikes and Maddie reenters their lives, with it she brings it her past, his past and a revelation that will rock all of their worlds. As two vehicles collide so does two lives collide in an accident of tragedy, hope and understanding.
A great read.
WaAr
This is a story of love, of loss, of acceptance and most of all of hope.
When Maddie walks away Jake cannot carry on as he used to. His temper is tempered down and so also his pleasure in playing the guitar. Maddie walked away though from more than only this one man and with this Jake needs to come to terms with. As he meets a new love, he is reserved in giving her his heart and trust even though she eventually come to understand what it is all about. She gives him her life, her love and heart and from it he heals. Then tragedy strikes and Maddie reenters their lives, with it she brings it her past, his past and a revelation that will rock all of their worlds. As two vehicles collide so does two lives collide in an accident of tragedy, hope and understanding.
A great read.
WaAr
May 13, 2014
I have to say I generally enjoy happy endings but I like the occasional plot twist that leaves you going what just happened. like in taking chances I was so mad at the twist but at least the ending ended up okay. I was enjoying the book up until the end but I man come on. this poor guy gave up his dreams when his mom passed, lost 2 children, the girl he thought he loved, and the girl who saved him and he was in love with. yet his brother is living happy with his high school sweat heart with their kids running around. this book would have been a 4 or 5 star book if he got a happy ending. he doesn't even need the happy ever after just like epilogue a year later he meets a girl something. I'm sure some people don't mind the way this ended it just wasn't my cup if tea. but like I said overall I enjoyed the book until the end.
January 14, 2013
Three Days of Rain was incredible. I felt close to the characters and I simply could not put the book down.
This book was more in touch with reality than most I pick up. U don't have the hair blowing in the wind Fabio but u do have the tortured heart of good ole american boy net door jake who had real issues...acts like a real man with real reactions. the women in this story are also very familiar. selfish little brat and then theres a carefree smart behind sweet woman ...
its refreshing.... its realistic, its sad (REALLY SAD) and it is mind blowing. It'll have u hating and loving Hughes at the end.
cant wait for her next book!!!!
This book was more in touch with reality than most I pick up. U don't have the hair blowing in the wind Fabio but u do have the tortured heart of good ole american boy net door jake who had real issues...acts like a real man with real reactions. the women in this story are also very familiar. selfish little brat and then theres a carefree smart behind sweet woman ...
its refreshing.... its realistic, its sad (REALLY SAD) and it is mind blowing. It'll have u hating and loving Hughes at the end.
cant wait for her next book!!!!
January 9, 2013
From the moment I started page one the characters pulled me in. I felt the joy, happiness, sadness and heartache that all the characters went through. Christine Hughes has captured life from the emptiness to the fullest! This book is one of the best truest to life I have read in a long time! This is a MUST READ!
June 8, 2014
This is not normally my type to read but I'm glad I did.. I cant even begin to tell you the emotions that this book pulled out of me... this is why I don't read "Real Life" books and stick to my paranormal books.. To "Ugly cry" is not fun...my eyes were red, my nose was sore and my tissue box is empty.. I will be telling all my friends to read this..
April 2, 2015
Eu começei a ler esse livro, pois imaginei que era algo bem diferente. Me surpreendi... ele é de uma sensibilidade impar e infelizmente nos mostra que nem tudo tem um final feliz, que a vida não é um conto de fadas e que situações tristes acontecem com todos... O livro podia não ser o que eu espera, mas foi muito lindo!
February 6, 2014
Wow what an emotional read. My heart hurts! X
April 22, 2015
Pelo amor de Deus!
June 14, 2017
2.5 Stars
I was SO invested in this story and then BAM!! Everything took a turn I wasn't expecting and frankly I'm not sure I'm okay with it, at all.
I enjoyed the writing and actually stayed up until 3 am to finish so definite points for that but I I just can't really get past that ending.
I was SO invested in this story and then BAM!! Everything took a turn I wasn't expecting and frankly I'm not sure I'm okay with it, at all.
I enjoyed the writing and actually stayed up until 3 am to finish so definite points for that but I I just can't really get past that ending.
July 5, 2017
Soooooo, extreme heartbreaking drama, I thought for sure Jake will have a happy ending after all that's happened to him. All the healing Lily brought into his life, I was extremely disappointed with how Christine Hughes ended this book..... REALY???? I was honestly pissed 😡.
June 12, 2014
So not what I was expecting, and a part of me is pissed off, but the other part of me has to say very well done. I cried my a$$ off, which in my opinion means the book delivered on an emotional level that always rate high with me. Even if it also pisses me off!
What to say without giving away too much? Meet Jake. An emotionally closed off twenty eight year old male living in a small town in South Carolina. He's basically a good guy, with a bad temper...when riled. After his volatile relationship with Maddie leaves him emotionally crippled, two years after she left and he still has not come to terms with his past and moved on. Well intentioned family and friends have tried to talk to him about living his life, but Jake just can't seem to let the past go. I'll admit I had a hard time understanding Jake at this point. We don't learn until later exactly why Jake is struggling, so relating was kind of tough. Enter Lily. I liked Lily a lot and her free spirited, kind, but slightly pushy attitude was exactly what he needed. Lily was in town spending the summer visiting her uncle. After a chance encounter with Jake, she senses he is broken and only wants to help him. Lily decides to befriend Jake, in the hopes to do what others have failed to....bring Jake back to the land of the living...not just existing day to day. What I found amazing is that Jake really was not a bad person...yes he did have a knack for getting into fights when he was younger, and he did have a fierce temper, but overall a decent guy that just could not catch a break. After his disastrous relationship with Maddie, and all of the efforts he made to finally get past the crap she put him through, tragedy strikes again. Maddie returns and all hell just breaks lose. I honestly did not think he would survive it, and a part of me really wanted to continue to dislike Maddie, but at the end, Jake came out a better man. Not completely where I wanted him to be, but no longer broken.
Lily wasn't perfect, but she had good intentions..even when she wasn't sure about what she wanted in life, including settling down. Maddie was impossibly selfish, and somewhat cruel. I loved to hate her for most of the book, then get thrown a curve at the end that somewhat changes that. Perhaps I didn't like her, but at least I understood her better and she did manage to soften my feelings toward her. Jake was by far my favorite character. After getting past his blindness to Maddie's faults that is. He had a great support group behind him, but spent a good amount of time not appreciating them. His dad, brother, even Maddie's dad were on his side, but it took a while for him to come full circle, post-Maddie desertion, to realize it.
This was definitely a good read, but if you're like me and you love your happily ever after...this doesn't quite fit that bill, so keep that in mind. Me? I would love to see Jake get that...perhaps in a book 2? ;)
What to say without giving away too much? Meet Jake. An emotionally closed off twenty eight year old male living in a small town in South Carolina. He's basically a good guy, with a bad temper...when riled. After his volatile relationship with Maddie leaves him emotionally crippled, two years after she left and he still has not come to terms with his past and moved on. Well intentioned family and friends have tried to talk to him about living his life, but Jake just can't seem to let the past go. I'll admit I had a hard time understanding Jake at this point. We don't learn until later exactly why Jake is struggling, so relating was kind of tough. Enter Lily. I liked Lily a lot and her free spirited, kind, but slightly pushy attitude was exactly what he needed. Lily was in town spending the summer visiting her uncle. After a chance encounter with Jake, she senses he is broken and only wants to help him. Lily decides to befriend Jake, in the hopes to do what others have failed to....bring Jake back to the land of the living...not just existing day to day. What I found amazing is that Jake really was not a bad person...yes he did have a knack for getting into fights when he was younger, and he did have a fierce temper, but overall a decent guy that just could not catch a break. After his disastrous relationship with Maddie, and all of the efforts he made to finally get past the crap she put him through, tragedy strikes again. Maddie returns and all hell just breaks lose. I honestly did not think he would survive it, and a part of me really wanted to continue to dislike Maddie, but at the end, Jake came out a better man. Not completely where I wanted him to be, but no longer broken.
Lily wasn't perfect, but she had good intentions..even when she wasn't sure about what she wanted in life, including settling down. Maddie was impossibly selfish, and somewhat cruel. I loved to hate her for most of the book, then get thrown a curve at the end that somewhat changes that. Perhaps I didn't like her, but at least I understood her better and she did manage to soften my feelings toward her. Jake was by far my favorite character. After getting past his blindness to Maddie's faults that is. He had a great support group behind him, but spent a good amount of time not appreciating them. His dad, brother, even Maddie's dad were on his side, but it took a while for him to come full circle, post-Maddie desertion, to realize it.
This was definitely a good read, but if you're like me and you love your happily ever after...this doesn't quite fit that bill, so keep that in mind. Me? I would love to see Jake get that...perhaps in a book 2? ;)
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