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Saving Raine
Raine Reynolds stands at the crossroads of despair and opportunity.
When the life you've built crumbles and the past refuses to release its grip, sometimes, all you need is a fresh start—a new beginning that promises hope and redemption.
Once a successful author, Raine's life unraveled, sending her fleeing to the picturesque streets of Paris to escape the tormenting heartache that threatened to consume her. Yet, no matter how far she traveled, the pain remained her unwelcome companion.
Returning to bustling Atlanta as a senior VP for an ad agency, Raine is forced to confront a city steeped in memories she'd rather forget. But as life would have it, an old friend resurfaces, offering a glimmer of healing in the midst of her turmoil. Can she summon the courage to trust and love once more, to embark on a journey of resilience and redemption?
In a world where everyone yearns for the saving grace of love, Raine is no exception. Her story is a testament to the enduring human spirit, a reminder that a path to love can be found even in the face of the darkest storms.
When the life you've built crumbles and the past refuses to release its grip, sometimes, all you need is a fresh start—a new beginning that promises hope and redemption.
Once a successful author, Raine's life unraveled, sending her fleeing to the picturesque streets of Paris to escape the tormenting heartache that threatened to consume her. Yet, no matter how far she traveled, the pain remained her unwelcome companion.
Returning to bustling Atlanta as a senior VP for an ad agency, Raine is forced to confront a city steeped in memories she'd rather forget. But as life would have it, an old friend resurfaces, offering a glimmer of healing in the midst of her turmoil. Can she summon the courage to trust and love once more, to embark on a journey of resilience and redemption?
In a world where everyone yearns for the saving grace of love, Raine is no exception. Her story is a testament to the enduring human spirit, a reminder that a path to love can be found even in the face of the darkest storms.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 16, 2024
5 people are currently reading
2336 people want to read
About the author
Marian L. Thomas
16 books456 followersMarian L. Thomas is an award-winning author known for crafting emotionally rich, character-driven women’s fiction. Her novels explore themes of love, resilience, motherhood, and second chances, earning praise from readers and critics alike.
Marian’s work has been featured in USA Today, Black Enterprise, Southern Writers Magazine, and on media outlets including Fox, NBC, and CBS. She is the author of several novels, including Saving Raine, Someone Like Me, and The Caged Butterfly—recipients of the USA Best Book Award for African-American Fiction.
With a passion for storytelling that touches the heart,
Marian writes to inspire women to embrace their own strength, healing, and joy. She lives in a suburb of Atlanta with her husband of over 20 years and is an avid fan of classic films like Pride and Prejudice—and firmly believes popcorn should be its own food group.
Marian’s work has been featured in USA Today, Black Enterprise, Southern Writers Magazine, and on media outlets including Fox, NBC, and CBS. She is the author of several novels, including Saving Raine, Someone Like Me, and The Caged Butterfly—recipients of the USA Best Book Award for African-American Fiction.
With a passion for storytelling that touches the heart,
Marian writes to inspire women to embrace their own strength, healing, and joy. She lives in a suburb of Atlanta with her husband of over 20 years and is an avid fan of classic films like Pride and Prejudice—and firmly believes popcorn should be its own food group.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 17, 2024
LOVE CONQUERS ALL!!!
This book brought back memories of me and my husband, James had so many qualities as my husband had. I didn’t realize how much this story was parallel to my life until I read the book. The synopsis of the book doesn’t allude to what you will actually read. I just hope my life story ends just like Raines’. Dealing with grief is hard and NO ONE will ever understand it until one has suffered like myself and the character Raine. It changes you forever! Author Marian L. Thomas’ “ Saving Raine” left me in shock and having to re-evaluating my life. Great Job Marian!!
This book brought back memories of me and my husband, James had so many qualities as my husband had. I didn’t realize how much this story was parallel to my life until I read the book. The synopsis of the book doesn’t allude to what you will actually read. I just hope my life story ends just like Raines’. Dealing with grief is hard and NO ONE will ever understand it until one has suffered like myself and the character Raine. It changes you forever! Author Marian L. Thomas’ “ Saving Raine” left me in shock and having to re-evaluating my life. Great Job Marian!!
May 2, 2024
Goodreads Kindle Book Winner - Romance is my favorite genre. I couldn’t put this book down. A very quick and easy read. I would recommend Saving Raine to anyone looking for a great vacation or beach read.
May 20, 2025
4.25
April 10, 2024
Raine is saved
Raine and James fell in love at a Waffle House. They went on for15 years and Raine thought it would last forever until James was shot by his mistress. She also killed herself. Raine was torn and finally made the decision to see a therapist. She only made it to1 session when her bff was killed. Heartbroken and more she ran off to Paris. Raine, an author, gave all that up and poured her energy into advertising. The company gave her a promotion and wanted her to return to the states for1 year. This was the hardest thing for her to do. She just wanted to be left alone and get this year over with. Her real estate agent pushes her to meet her brother. Well this is where Raine's life changes. Her new boyfriend is Donavan, her therapist. Things progress but a monkey wrench throws Raine spiraling downward again. A man keeping secrets from her. Donavan saves Raine but some factors come into play.
Raine and James fell in love at a Waffle House. They went on for15 years and Raine thought it would last forever until James was shot by his mistress. She also killed herself. Raine was torn and finally made the decision to see a therapist. She only made it to1 session when her bff was killed. Heartbroken and more she ran off to Paris. Raine, an author, gave all that up and poured her energy into advertising. The company gave her a promotion and wanted her to return to the states for1 year. This was the hardest thing for her to do. She just wanted to be left alone and get this year over with. Her real estate agent pushes her to meet her brother. Well this is where Raine's life changes. Her new boyfriend is Donavan, her therapist. Things progress but a monkey wrench throws Raine spiraling downward again. A man keeping secrets from her. Donavan saves Raine but some factors come into play.
June 15, 2024
Raine Reynolds has been through the ringer. She has loved and lost, and her experiences sent her reeling to Paris, where she lived as quietly as possible. Her emotions followed her, though, and they would not leave her in peace. Raine is the epitome of the notion that sometimes, having loved and lost is worse than having never experienced love at all.
When Raine is compelled to return to Atlanta, a city she once knew well, an old friend reappears. To Raine’s surprise, this could turn out to be a second chance at love and happiness. Her memories could be what holds her back from contentment, though. Will Raine figure out how to reconcile what happened with the new feelings that are being kindled in her?
Raine is a compelling and sympathetic character. Readers will have no trouble cheering her on as she tries to find a path forward to an island of peace and serenity among the tumultuous storms of modern life.
When Raine is compelled to return to Atlanta, a city she once knew well, an old friend reappears. To Raine’s surprise, this could turn out to be a second chance at love and happiness. Her memories could be what holds her back from contentment, though. Will Raine figure out how to reconcile what happened with the new feelings that are being kindled in her?
Raine is a compelling and sympathetic character. Readers will have no trouble cheering her on as she tries to find a path forward to an island of peace and serenity among the tumultuous storms of modern life.
June 18, 2024
"Saving Raine" is a touching and profound story that follows Raine Reynolds, a woman who has experienced the pain of lost love. Raine takes refuge in Paris to escape her emotions, but they follow her, demonstrating that the past cannot simply be left behind. Her return to Atlanta, where painful memories resurface, and the unexpected encounter with an old friend offer a second chance in her life. This reunion could be the key to her healing and future happiness.
Raine is a three-dimensional and empathetic character. The narrative of her internal struggle between past memories and the possibility of new love is authentic. Thomas's writing style perfectly captures the intensity of her emotions, making one feel connected to her experiences.
It is a read that I recommend to those looking for a love story with rich emotions and hope, ideal for fans of contemporary romance.
Raine is a three-dimensional and empathetic character. The narrative of her internal struggle between past memories and the possibility of new love is authentic. Thomas's writing style perfectly captures the intensity of her emotions, making one feel connected to her experiences.
It is a read that I recommend to those looking for a love story with rich emotions and hope, ideal for fans of contemporary romance.
June 20, 2024
This book is extremely interesting and emotional because it raises the dilemma that many people will have had in their lives, the fact of choosing a different path after a failed attempt. The power that some people have to rise from the ashes seems to me to be an incredible human ability and this story reflects resilience from beginning to end.
Raine Reynolds is a strong protagonist, a woman whose happiness as she knew it collapsed and had to learn to make the best of every situation even as storms raged around her.
It is impossible not to fall into the nets of this writer who made me feel every experience of the characters as if I were there. I was able to create an unbreakable bond with them and that is invaluable.
Raine Reynolds is a strong protagonist, a woman whose happiness as she knew it collapsed and had to learn to make the best of every situation even as storms raged around her.
It is impossible not to fall into the nets of this writer who made me feel every experience of the characters as if I were there. I was able to create an unbreakable bond with them and that is invaluable.
June 21, 2024
Saving Raine is a book that mixes love and drama and I must say that I loved it. Written by Marian Thomas, it tells the story of Raine, a strong and charming woman who escapes her hometown after a heartbreak to build a new life for herself, a life in which she can forget and heal. When some turns disturb her path, she will return to her city and find true friendship and love to overcome the difficulties and start living again.
What I liked the most about this story were the characters. They are believable and realistic; the dialogues between them are entertaining, clever, and insightful. The story is very interesting and highlights the resilience of the human spirit. It has romance but it also includes some twists that make it compelling and captivating. I highly recommend it.
What I liked the most about this story were the characters. They are believable and realistic; the dialogues between them are entertaining, clever, and insightful. The story is very interesting and highlights the resilience of the human spirit. It has romance but it also includes some twists that make it compelling and captivating. I highly recommend it.
June 23, 2024
I highly recommend this book. Personally, I enjoy love books, but more than that, books that leave you with a message and make you finish the reading inspired and wanting to make changes in your life. In this book , you will read the story of Raine, who like everyone at some point in life, is going through a stage where nothing is working, where all roads say 'You need a change'. I found in this book a strong protagonist but with many fears, an interesting plot full of emotions, and an incredible narrative that will make you feel 100% connected with this story. I really liked that despite showing the reality of feeling stuck in the past and in our thoughts, it still gives us hope and motivates us to look for love.
June 15, 2024
Moving book
Wow, this is such an excellent book, an excellent read! The story pulls you in from the start with a bang, and then keeps you hooked with not only the twists and turns, but the pain mixed with betrayal and anger felt by the main character. Really good, emotional, dramatic, and engaging story. The writing is well done and does a good job not only with the serious and intense parts, but also the bits of humor that are sprinkled here and there. I highly recommend this book; it's a great read that will keep you turning pages until the end. I'm definitely going to check out this author's other works.
Wow, this is such an excellent book, an excellent read! The story pulls you in from the start with a bang, and then keeps you hooked with not only the twists and turns, but the pain mixed with betrayal and anger felt by the main character. Really good, emotional, dramatic, and engaging story. The writing is well done and does a good job not only with the serious and intense parts, but also the bits of humor that are sprinkled here and there. I highly recommend this book; it's a great read that will keep you turning pages until the end. I'm definitely going to check out this author's other works.
June 16, 2024
Saving Raine by Marian L. Thomas is an intriguing contemporary romance novel that follows protagonist Raine Reynolds as she tries to heal from past trauma and open up to new opportunities. I appreciated the raw and immediate writing style, which will resonate with readers who have similar experiences of love and rejection in their lives (which, as we get older, is most of us). The plot of this romance and second chance novel has plenty of well-known and effective tropes from the romance genre but also means that it is perhaps not as original as it could. Nevertheless, it’s a solid and satisfying read for fans of modern contemporary romance novels.
June 17, 2024
Saving Raine tells a story about change and overcoming adversity, letting go of the past to embrace a brighter future. The plot revolves around Raine, who escapes to a foreign country to let go of the past. But, sometimes, in order to heal, it is necessary to go back and face the monsters.
It was a delightful read; Marian Thomas explores trauma and life decisions, creating a lovable character anyone can relate to. The story changes over the pages, as time passes and Raine grows, building up for an unthinkable ending.
Overall, I recommend this book for the reader searching for a moving and empowering read which is easy to read but hard to forget.
It was a delightful read; Marian Thomas explores trauma and life decisions, creating a lovable character anyone can relate to. The story changes over the pages, as time passes and Raine grows, building up for an unthinkable ending.
Overall, I recommend this book for the reader searching for a moving and empowering read which is easy to read but hard to forget.
June 19, 2024
Saving Raine is a contemporary fiction novel about Raine Reynolds, a former author who goes to Paris to have a change of scenery escaping from her past. After trying, she goes back to Atlanta as a senior VP for an ad agency. Raine faces her fears and trauma, finding a friend who offers her a second chance at healing and even loves.
Overall, I really enjoyed the story; you can see true growth within the main character, going from sadness to feeling alive again. This book has resilience as a key within the whole plot, making the reader part of the journey and emotional distress! This story is one that might stick with you, it inspires people! Solid.
Overall, I really enjoyed the story; you can see true growth within the main character, going from sadness to feeling alive again. This book has resilience as a key within the whole plot, making the reader part of the journey and emotional distress! This story is one that might stick with you, it inspires people! Solid.
June 20, 2024
When pain and anguish press, the best thing is to let go and start again, that is what Raine Reynolds did, when the course of her life took an unexpected turn. Reconnecting, trusting, forming new bonds, are some of the things that Raine will have to do to heal the past.
I really enjoyed this novel, which has an extremely engaging plot and is set in two big cities, Paris and Atlanta. The reader falls in love with the protagonist, feeling empathy for her and sometimes, thinking that they would act in the same way as her. I recommend this reading to all those women who enjoy contemporary fiction, with empowered characters.
I really enjoyed this novel, which has an extremely engaging plot and is set in two big cities, Paris and Atlanta. The reader falls in love with the protagonist, feeling empathy for her and sometimes, thinking that they would act in the same way as her. I recommend this reading to all those women who enjoy contemporary fiction, with empowered characters.
June 20, 2024
This book made me reflect
In this read, Raine Reynolds, an author, wakes up to her husband's murder. I cannot even imagine how horrible that must be. There were so many layers of complex feelings and personal experiences. It really shows how complicated the human experience in life is. I was able to get a good insight into Raine as a person and her reactions to trauma were really palpable and raw. The chaos between grief and confusion becomes evident. Themes of loss, betrayal, and the search for truth, made me feel intense empathy and suspense. This book made me reflect quite a lot on the fragility of life and the abrupt shifts that redefine it.
In this read, Raine Reynolds, an author, wakes up to her husband's murder. I cannot even imagine how horrible that must be. There were so many layers of complex feelings and personal experiences. It really shows how complicated the human experience in life is. I was able to get a good insight into Raine as a person and her reactions to trauma were really palpable and raw. The chaos between grief and confusion becomes evident. Themes of loss, betrayal, and the search for truth, made me feel intense empathy and suspense. This book made me reflect quite a lot on the fragility of life and the abrupt shifts that redefine it.
June 21, 2024
Well written.
It is a love story in which the protagonist, Raine Reynolds, started a way of healing, redemption and self-discovery. When her perfectly constructed life is destroyed, she decides to escape to Paris but the pain continues to accompany her and she soon discovers that she must face the past in order to move forward.
I liked how the characters are constructed and grow throughout the plot. The story is easy to read because it is possible to identify with what happens since, in my opinion, most of us have been through a similar situation. All in all, it is a recommendable book, especially for fans of romance and love. I enjoyed it!
It is a love story in which the protagonist, Raine Reynolds, started a way of healing, redemption and self-discovery. When her perfectly constructed life is destroyed, she decides to escape to Paris but the pain continues to accompany her and she soon discovers that she must face the past in order to move forward.
I liked how the characters are constructed and grow throughout the plot. The story is easy to read because it is possible to identify with what happens since, in my opinion, most of us have been through a similar situation. All in all, it is a recommendable book, especially for fans of romance and love. I enjoyed it!
June 21, 2024
Loved this novel!
I actually identified myself with Raine so much and I particularly loved this book.
Raine Reynolds is a successful author, who unfortunately goes through many things that drive her to seek for a new panorama which she finds in France. She learns that you can’t always run from the moments you left or, that until you let go of the past, it will always follow you. So, she returns home and decides that it is time for changes.
I really loved this book and I highly recommend it. I really did find myself in many of Raine’s characteristics and I loved the authors writing style.
I actually identified myself with Raine so much and I particularly loved this book.
Raine Reynolds is a successful author, who unfortunately goes through many things that drive her to seek for a new panorama which she finds in France. She learns that you can’t always run from the moments you left or, that until you let go of the past, it will always follow you. So, she returns home and decides that it is time for changes.
I really loved this book and I highly recommend it. I really did find myself in many of Raine’s characteristics and I loved the authors writing style.
April 27, 2024
FAST PACED BUT GOOD
I typically don't read romance novels but this was decent. It was a little fast paced and I would have liked a little more in between big events in the story. Overall it was a decent read and would be a good quick read when you need to kill a little time.
I typically don't read romance novels but this was decent. It was a little fast paced and I would have liked a little more in between big events in the story. Overall it was a decent read and would be a good quick read when you need to kill a little time.
January 9, 2025
Page Turner
It’s been a long time since I’ve read a romance novel; Marian Thomas kept you engaged and anticipating with bated breath what was going to happen next. You can feel the pain and the love revealed in the friendship, heartache and love of the characters. A good read!!!
It’s been a long time since I’ve read a romance novel; Marian Thomas kept you engaged and anticipating with bated breath what was going to happen next. You can feel the pain and the love revealed in the friendship, heartache and love of the characters. A good read!!!
June 3, 2025
This read like a young adult blog and I mean that in the most negative way possible
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews