I remember watching Twister for the first time when it came out in the Nineties. I had been so fascinated by the story that I had started informing myself about tornadoes and the F scale (back then, since nowadays it is replaced by the EF scale). Luckily, as much as these atmospheric events are fascinating to know about, I have never experienced one and the subsequent horrible destruction they cause to nature and humans alike. I don’t think I would have the strength to endure one, even from a distance, but reading about them? Feeling the adrenaline in an action and emotions packed book? Why not?
Through the Storms by Rita Potter is the first indie book published by the author. I loved her previous works Thundering Pines and Love or Hate, and I was sure I was going to enjoy also this one. I could already taste the action and the emotional turmoil from the cover, which gives you a pretty good indication of the journey you’ll experience, and which is gorgeous.
Together with her brother Asher, Oakley Pierce is the owner of Two Trees Storm Chasing, a company of storm chasers who organize tailored trips for those who would like to feel the excitement of witnessing storms from a front row seat. Incessant hail, rain, giant cumulonimbus clouds, hurricanes and tornadoes, Oakley has seen them all and discussed their forecasting with her longtime partner Lana Monroe, a renowned meteorologist at the local KOOK 13 weather channel. But after so many years of sharing dreams, their relationship seems to take a turn for a standstill before they can go further. A newly organized trip by Two Trees Storm will test their love for each other.
If you enjoy books that let you immerse yourself into the action, feeling the adrenaline on your skin, but also let you think about how lives are touched by natural events, then this is the book for you.
Rita Potter did a great job in plotting not only the storm chasing action, but also the storm that haunts the characters in the story. And while we get to read and learn all kinds of insightful information about tornadoes, we also experience how people navigate romantic, family and friendship relationships, whether they seem to be consolidated or in their first stages.
This is what I loved the most about the book, its variety in showing that love should never be taken for granted, should never be underestimated, but always cultivated. You always need to be alert and open to communication with your partner, to understand each other’s needs better. The insecurities each of us carry from our past are the obstacle that prevent us from letting others help us, take care of us, be proud of us, trust us, fall in love with who we are.
The main characters’ plots, Lana and Oakley and Riley and Chloe, are developed parallel to each other and after a while become interwoven through the happenings; and this “finding each other”, whether it is for friendship or love, is beautiful. It is a reminder that sometimes you can choose your own family of people to support you, and where your biological family failed you, you can succeed in making someone else’s life better. You are not your parents, you are not their errors, you are you. You can choose to be kind when others haven’t been to you. You are worthy, because of who you are, and you are enough.
What will I remember of Storm Chasing?
How responsible and protective Lana was, how much in need of recognition for her devotion to a cause. How she couldn’t resist the free-spirited Oakley and how Oakley is chasing a dream to prove herself worthy of love. How sometimes, you spend years with a person, and yet never know their deepest fears.
How gentle and romantic Riley was, and how sweet with everybody. How afraid of hurting and insecure of being worthy of love. She is probably my favorite character of the whole book. And Chloe, a loving mother who always put everybody’s needs before hers, and who doesn’t know anymore who she is. After years of psychological abuse, kindness is something that she can’t handle. Kindness makes her feel alive again and it scares her.
And… storm chaser tough companion Britt! She needs her own novel, please. I feel it would be a funny rom-com to read!
Not to forget how communities come together in case of natural disasters and the storm of a conscience being fascinated by such events, when they know the destruction they bring. But from the knowledge of them comes the possibility of helping to save lives.
4.5 stars for me! Entertaining, informative and heartfelt.
And, oh yes, I have been watching many YouTube storm chasing videos.