Between the Raindrops

by Susan Schussler

Jonathan Williams seems to have it all. As a famous actor at the prime of his life, he has an endless supply of money, and countless females vying for his attention. But Hollywood has another, darker side, full of clamoring paparazzi and relentless “journalists,” not to mention the women who are simply trying to use Jonathan’s celebrity to boost their own social statuses. But he’s learned to adjust accordingly, never trusting anyone around him…especially women. All that changes, however, when he meets twenty-year-old college student Sarah Austin online. Chatting anonymously with her over the Internet and on the phone, he quickly falls for her. As their relationship deepens, he realizes that he must confess his identity. But he struggles with guilt over bringing an innocent woman into his frenzied celebrity life. Memories of a car accident caused by the paparazzi haunt Jonathan and cloud his every thought. Will Jonathan find in Sarah the love he desires? Or will celebrity prove too big of an obstacle to overcome? Between the Raindrops is a story of fame, tragedy, and above all, love.

Genres: Romance, Celebrity, Young Adult, Contemporary Romance, College

337 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 16, 2013

About the author

Susan Schussler writes realistic love stories full of twists and turns. Growing up in a large family, she discovered early that every story has multiple points of view and she writes her novels with this in mind.
Schussler lives in Minnesota with her husband and three sons. And though she hates to admit it, when she’s not writing or on the lake, you may find her catching up on celebrity news.
Visit her at: www.SusanSchussler.com

Discover more about Susan Schussler's book characters on her blog, A Life Outside the Books at
http://schusslerscharacters.blogspot..... The place where her characters go to vent their thoughts.

Reviews

[Yelena Bosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved being part of this great story. I read it in about 3 days and could not put it down! I couldn't stop reading it, which often ended up in reluctantly putting it down at 4am even when I had lectures the next day - I just couldn't stop wondering what will happen next :)

I thought I have read a somewhat similar story prior to this one, dealing with what it is like being a celebrity and going through the ups and downs of having privacy for things as important as relationships. But this book "Between the Raindrops"? Is by far one of those books that I will read at least 10 more times in my lifetime. I can even say that it reminded me of how I felt when reading The Notebook.

The Prologue is definitely what sets the reader into an adrenaline mode for needing rather than wanting to know what will happen next. Aside from the breathtakingly beautiful cover, the prologue is one of my favorites in terms of reading a romantic/action/drama.. novel. It sets the tone of what will come through the rest of the story but not in the traditional sense as it has a sad undertone with a character that the reader knows they will fall in love with.

Through the rest of the story we get to meet and form a relationship with the amazingly handsome, confident, funny, caring, lovable, protective, smart...WILL <3 Being an A-list celebrity mainly due to his very very very successful blockbuster movie "Demingod" he is surrounded by a world of an inescapable life that comes with being a world wide phenomenon. Photographers at his every step, magazines, blogs and news sites with every possible gossip, distrusting friends and so much more. He has a past in his life that left a scar on his heart which only adds to the amazingly lovable personality of his. But, through all that, he meets a girl that he ends up falling head over heels for. Sarah is a 20 year old student who has opinions of her own, is strong minded but still a girl that worries about her looks, is funny, smart and most of all a character that provides reasons while Will fell for her.

They meet on the internet and when I first read about that, I was a little skeptical about it being able to work out in a natural and truthful manner; since nowadays you can hardly find anyone to trust through social media. HOWEVER Susan Schussler writes as if she were the reader for the first time - if that makes sense? She managed to answer all the questions the reader (well at least me for the most part) would be thinking, considering, worried and skeptical about. The author provides amazing and helpful information for every instance within the book. It never comes out as boring or as if too much is being thrown into the readers mind. Not at all.

I absolutely loved Susan Schussler's writing style! It is simply yet funny, smart and effective in a way that makes you consider how you managed to read the story so fast and want to read even more. The story had very well developed plot twists which I thought I would be able to figure out before it happens, but boy was I wrong. At least three or four times within the story I was blown away by not figuring out what will happen next. That's exactly what I love about "Between the Raindrops". I could not fault this book, I really wish I could only because I always like to find things that could be improved but I really cannot.

As I am writing this review I keep looking at the novel trying to find something that I didn't particular like as I know every book would have something good and maybe even something not so great...but I just smile every time I look at the cover. Even now, as I finished the last page, I want to start reading it again :)

I want to be immersed into Will & Sarah's world again and again - I think I miss the characters... is that strange considering they are just words of a fictional world? You know what, I don't care, I only know that this book was a breath of fresh air that I was honored to be able to read. Now, excuse me whilst I slowly slowly read the excerpt of the first chapter from the sequel while I wait to read the next one :) I cannot wait to read the next one, I cannot wait to find out what happens next, and most of all, I cannot wait to read more of Susan Schussler's wonderfully inspiring writing

I hope this review does the book justice, I really do because sometimes words cannot describe how great something is until you go out and read it for yourself. From all the romantic/action/drama books I have read in the last few years, I really recommend this books if you are looking for a lovably romantic story full of heart, loss, humor, action, suspense and fictional characters that will basically become your friends for the duration of the story. I promise you will not regret reading this!

Thank you Susan Schussler for making it possible for me to be a part a novel that will stand in time - "Between the Raindrops"!! Hope you guys find this review helpful :)

[Paula · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought that the overall plot of the story was nice, I mean who wouldn't want a hot movie star to fall in love with your personality over the internet and then come whisk you off for a fairy tale ending. However, that is about where the positive review ends. After the initial romance and pretty good sex scene the book starts to ramble with little mini climaxes every other chapter that have no real significance to the overall plot. It is almost as though the entire second half of the book is just there to fill up space and talk about how the press ruins peoples' lives. So if you do end up making it through the painful writing (at times too detailed and at other times way to hurried) I would just recommend stopping when they leave the lake house and then tell yourself that they live happily ever after because after that it is about as believable or relatable as an afternoon soap opera.

[Laurie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I only got through ~25% and I couldn't take it anymore and it's been sitting on my kindle ever since. I'll probably finish it someday because I hate leaving books unfinished and this seems to have a pretty decent GR rating but this book read like a bad fanfiction about one's favorite celebrity falling in love with you blegh

[Carla Pritchett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Between the Raindrops is a beautiful read. It portrays the contrast between the glamorous and dangerous life of Hollywood and the downhome goodness of Minnesota. I quickly grew attached to the two main characters finding them enchanting in their love for each other and also struggling with inner demons and the outside world. It is a beautiful love story you won't want to put down. I can't wait to read the continuation of this love story in book #2 titled Between the Lies.

[Carolina Colleene · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were too many details about the things that didn't matter, like food and clothes, and not enough details about the important things, like the conflicts and relationships. And I skipped a scene for the sexual content.

[Carla Isabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's one of those books where after a few days you forget what it's about. I mean, you love it after reading it, but after reading a few other novels and see this in your kindle, you forget what it's about. But i do know i liked it.

[Leelah&#x1f341;♋️ Orion · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alright

It's a good story, just the writing wasn't that great, and it was long in some parts and was too jumpy in others.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It is an amazingly sweet story about a college senior named Sarah who meets a guy named Will online. They both had dating trust issues so getting to know each other anonymously online worked for them. The problems start when the two meet in person for the first time, because the Will is really the famous actor, Jonathan Williams and him being famous brings all kinds of problems into Sarah's world. She is still in college and in reality dating a famous actor bites. This story is not the usual billionaire meets college student. Jonathan struggles to protect Sarah from all the insanity that comes with his fame. It is a beautiful love story with a surprisingly fresh plot. I couldn't put the book down. Just when I thought I knew where the plot was headed the story threw me for a loop. This book had me laughing, crying and saying awe. I loved that I got to see the story from both Jonathan and Sarah's POV and the way that Jonathan showed his love for her was inspiring. There wasn't a cliffhanger at the end (I hate cliffhangers). The author tied up all the subplots before ending the story and I thank her for that. I can't wait to read Schussler's next book.

[Patty Ostrem]

This novel is an excellent portrayal of two young adults in a relationship grappling with issues from completely different backgrounds. Their common thread of seeking the best characteristics in true love led them to victory over impossible odds of (outside) betrayal, lies, and greed.

The author grabbed my attention with the beautiful cover, which represents in art the desperate and deep love the main characters share. The raindrops drenching the profound and innocent love pose told me this was not just another romance novel. She kept surprising me with layers of suspense. The author’s use of compound and longer sentences is refreshing, since most people today write and think in short phrases. Her writing style and the cursive font on the cover and at each chapter have a lilting romantic effect.

I’m not drawn to Hollywood romance fiction, but this story depicts the strength and beauty of the human behind the exterior. Truly, a modern Cinderella story.

[Kasey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Note to self:
- Third person, dual POV
- HFN (There is a book 2)

Things I liked:
- Will asking Sarah if she knew who he was when she woke up after her accident

Things I didnt like:
- Will suggesting they take a break until they can be together (I'm sorry but "breaks" just don't make any sense to me. I have to agree with Megan and Alli.. a break is just an excuse to cheat. If you truly want to be with someone you will make it work despite the distance, if you can't or don't think you should talk every day you don't but you stay together). They should have just lied to the public about a break up and stayed together privately.
- Will calling Sarah his girlfriend while theyre no their break (I knew he probably wouldn't be with anyone else during the break but still, why'd he even suggest it??!)

[Michelle Quintana · Rating 4 out of 5]

saw this book as a Goodreads give away and decided to read it. I liked how the book started with Will's POV and how it gave the background as to why he is the way he is now. However, as the book progresses, it does become a little extreme but at the same time I can understand why he does what he does. I like how Sara enters his life and how they got to know each other before they ever met. If they would not have had the 3 months getting to know each other, then things would seem like it was moving too fast but that was not the case. I still think that one of her friends is going to betray her in the next book because they seem like the jealous type. Looking foward to whenever the next book comes out.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. There is something incredibly sexy about a guy who would do anything to protect the woman he loves. The scene at the cabin was super visual and so good. When Jonathan told unconscious Sarah all his crushed dreams I was bawling. The story was funny, sad, inspiring and unpredictable. I love these characters.

I want to know when the movie is coming out, because this book is going to be made into a movie. I think Theo James or Liam Hemsworth could play Jonathan Williams, and Shelley Hennig or Lucy Hale as Sarah Austin. I can't wait.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book I loved in the beginning and couldn't put it down. Then somewhere in the middle got a bit frustrated with Sarah. Then towards the end was loving it again. Really mixed emotions about this book but will look forward to Between the Line. Was glad that this book finished with no cliff hanger even though there is a follow on. Who wouldn't want to hear the words "I can't live my life without you"

[Tammy]

Between the Raindrops

5 stars. Absolutely loved reading about Sarah abd Jon aka Will. This story was captivating and had me from the beginning, I couldn't stop reading. I highly recommend this book, you won't be disappointed. I can't wait for the next chapter to see what is going on in the lives of Sarah and Jon. This book is definitely a must have, buy it today. This book has suspense and lots of love.

[Deoro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than average contemporary romance with an average girl and a movie star. Some books leave you hanging, but this one does a nice job to cover quite a bit of timeline but still leave room for a sequel. I enjoyed that there was no cliffhanger. Some of the requisite "bumps in the road to romance" that these stories require were a little unbelievable but this didn't hurt the story. I will buy the sequel.

[Vanessa Montalvo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually don't like books that revolve around celebrities, but this one was really good!!! I am so glad that I was won this book...it was so good. It was a cute, well written love story. There were a couple of surprising twists in the story:) I can't wait to continue reading more of Will and Sarah's journey:)

[Rina Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute story. Internet communication sparking a relationship between Midwest college student and a famous actor whose identity wasn't known.

Will have to read next book to see how it all turns out.

[Maraina Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book from a Goodreads Giveaway. I absolutely loved this book. Once I started, I couldn't put the book down. It is a great love story and left me wanting more. I can't wait to read the sequel.

[RCK *don’t be all, like, uncool*]

DNF

[Maddison Hoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok but I don't think I'll be reading the sequel

[Kisima Boines · Rating 2 out of 5]

To disappointed to write a full review

[jaime louton]

.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
Very sweet book about finding true love

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Won this book in a giveaway and i enjoyed this book but it felt like there should have been more to it. Very cute book though.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I normally don't read love stories but this was a pretty good one. I laughed, I cried.

[Michele Lovegood · Rating 2 out of 5]

The storyline sounds like I should like it...but I just got bored reading it, even with the dangerous stalkers. Perhaps their physical relationship was lacking tension.

[Jay Wulf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the Minnesota setting. Characters were interesting. When I finished the book I still wanting to know more about them.

[Jody McGrath · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 27%

[Sarah Fitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute storyline with likeable characters but was written in a weird voice/person.

[Adri Le Roux · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading it. Wish the next part of their story would come out soon.