No Flowers Without Rain

by Madleen Sarah

Julie Feller is a young girl who no longer wanted to live.

Now, she sits in therapy, tasked with telling the story of how it all began.
What no one behind her thoughts lies more than mere despair.
With each conversation, Julie opens a window into her past which is a childhood filled with unfulfilled expectations, a youth where trust turned into betrayal and love into pain. But behind the painful memories, a bigger question Why does it feel like she never truly belonged? And what is with the dreams she keeps having of a stranger she’s never met, standing in the rain with an umbrella, as if he’s waiting for her to find him?
As Julie gradually reveals her truth, it becomes clear that her story isn’t just one of loss and darkness, but also of an inner struggle for freedom and a spark of hope she thought she had
long lost.

"A book about the courage to face your own demons, the strength to keep going, and the question of whether you can save yourself, or need to be saved.“

Genres: Romance

376 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2023

Reviews

[joni ౨ৎ]

okay so after some controversy with the author using ai in books and for character art, i've decided to dnf as i wasnt vibing with this and started it a month ago 😬

𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── pre-read
this is my second book by madleen and i'm excited!! a ya book with mental health topics? sounds right up my alley 🤭

[anzhelika ୨ৎ]

rtc!

pre-read:
i'm so excited to read this! and the cover is sooo cute!!

˗ˋˏ ୨୧ thank you Madleen Sarah for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review! ୨୧ ˎˊ˗

[guilia · Rating 1 out of 5]

well that was written by AI 💀 And that’s not a compliment. The writing was overly stiff and robotic; there was no emotion or depth to connect with. You know how when you read something, you want to feel connected to the writer, like they’re pulling you into their world? Yeah, that doesn’t happen here. It’s just words on a page, strung together in the most boring, flat way possible

[୨୧ Kennedy ୨୧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

⋅˚₊‧ 𐙚 ‧₊˚ ⋅ ARC READ ⋅˚₊‧ 𐙚 ‧₊˚ ⋅

⭐️4
I am genuinely so grateful that I got given a chance to read this early, I knew the minute I saw the tropes and description that I would eat this up. spoiler alert, I did. ANDD the whole flowers need rain to grow metaphor??🤌🤌🤌perfection.

I want to say a huge thank you to the wonderful Madleen Sarah for giving me the opportunity to read such a masterpiece. You have literally taken everything from my brain that I couldn’t describe and put it all into words. I will definitely be buying the physical copy asap!

This book has genuinely made me feel so seen as a young(ish) girl still trying to find her way in life, and has struggled a lot on the way, but has found a healthier way to live by romanticising life as much as possible and living your life to the fullest!


I noted down some beautiful quotes as I read so I’m going to share a couple with you now, who knows maybe these will catch your eye and make you want to read it to:

~”And after everything, I finally understood deep in my heart that without rain, there can be no flowers.
And maybe, I am finally beginning to bloom again.”


~ “Fears are real, they make us human and vulnerable. No one has the right to judge someone else's fear. It took me a long time to understand that, and even longer to believe it.”


~”Sometimes…those small moments are the ones that matter most. It doesn't have to be something dramatic. Sometimes it's just a look, a word, a feeling that doesn't let go."


~”Animals have no voice, but that does not mean that they should not be heard. I am giving it a voice in that way."


Anyways those are the only ones i’m going to share FOR NOW🤭I hope yall read it when it releases on AUGUST 29TH and it changes your life, like it has mine.🩷🩷

[Madleen Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would recommend hihi

[Halima Ahad · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

Firstly, I would like to say a huge thank you to Madleen for making my first ever ARC reader experience so smooth and nice 🥹 I’m so honoured to have read your book before it has officially come out to the world!!

Where do I begin with this book? It has left me absolutely astounded and emotional in the best way possible. As someone who has gone through mental health struggles in the past myself, the main protagonist Julie Feller acted as not only a mirror but someone so so healing for me as we go through her mental health journey throughout the book.

The book first begins with Julie being sat in her therapist’s office during the present day as she tells the story of where her mental health has led her today. Julie then alternates between her past and present perspectives as she tells her high school story, the struggles she had all throughout and those she met along the way who shaped her into the young woman she was in the present day.

I’m not a huge fan of the first person perspective but I can definitely say Sarah’s beautifully breathtaking prose has changed my views on this. Julie’s story flows so so stunningly throughout that it almost doesn’t feel like a story, it feels like reading a close friend’s intimate diary. I love how we see her telling her life story to her therapist but we also see her true experiences of how she felt all throughout these.

Some people she met along the way really stood out to me, mainly Josephine as she felt like a deeply relatable character too. Joe was bold and confident in her story with Julie, but she too had her struggles. The beautiful intimacy and vulnerability between both the girls was so amazing to read and it was definitely a story which stood out to me.

Tyler’s story also stood out so much to me as Julie tries to help him through his own struggles, but she realises that she needs to leave him to fight his own battles. A beautifully intimate relationship sparked between them both but which lasted only a short while.

Sarah’s use of flowers and rainy weather as metaphors for mental health were nothing short of brilliant. She has made the topic so easily readable to a wider audience that it doesn’t feel daunting at all.

I’ve never read a fictional book with mental health themes so prominent throughout but I’m honestly so glad to say this book was the first.

I’d like to thank Sarah once again for writing such a beautifully profound story and for making me feel so seen and loved in the best way possible 🤍

[Gurmeher Kaur · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ ARC Review ✨
I received an ARC of this book back in August and managed to finish it in 3 days and honestly, if university hadn’t been keeping me so busy, I would have devoured it in one sitting. This story completely consumed me. It made me bawl my eyes out, it made me reflect, and it left me with such a strong need to hold the physical copy in my hands. ( i was busy so i forgot to post the review in August so here it is now)
ALSO, I want to thank Madleen for the ARC 🥹 I love your writing
This book left me emotional, and deeply touched. As someone who has faced my own mental health struggles, I found so much of myself reflected in the main protagonist, Julie Feller. She wasn’t just a character she felt like a mirror, a healing presence who carried me through her journey as I read.
This isn’t just a book to me. It’s an experience. It’s something I’ll carry around quietly, like a secret, and something I need on my shelf in physical form. Because I know I’ll want to return to it, not just to reread, but to feel it again.

[Jane Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is one that I didn't know I needed to read. I'm not usually a friendships reader because growing up, I didn't have many friends. This book though (that I received as an ARC) Filled a cup that was growing empty.

Madleen is a talented author and deserves all the recognition she gets!

[Emily Jasper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a very heartfelt and beautiful story.

The dual timeline of this story was done very well and I could easily follow when something was happening in the present or the past. I felt immersed in this story as though I was right with Julie and she was a friend telling me her story.

I will say this book was a little heavy at times so please check trigger warnings and read with caution, but please don’t let it discourage you from trying it.

Also this book has a playlist that k may or may not have listened to while reading 🎶

[Marie’s Chapter · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was the most boring shit that I have ever read in my life.

[A Good Girl's booknook · Rating 4 out of 5]

"𝓦𝓮 𝓴𝓮𝓮𝓹 𝓵𝓸𝓼𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓹𝓮𝓸𝓹𝓵𝓮. 𝓑𝓾𝓽 𝓼𝓸𝓶𝓮𝓽𝓲𝓶𝓮𝓼, 𝓲𝓯 𝔀𝓮'𝓻𝓮 𝓵𝓾𝓬𝓴𝔂, 𝔀𝓮 𝓯𝓲𝓷𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓶 𝓪𝓰𝓪𝓲𝓷. 𝓞𝓻 𝔀𝓮 𝓯𝓲𝓷𝓭 𝓹𝓲𝓮𝓬𝓮𝓼 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓶 𝓲𝓷 𝓼𝓸𝓷𝓰𝓼, 𝓲𝓷 𝓼𝓶𝓮𝓵𝓵𝓼, 𝓲𝓷 𝓸𝓵𝓭 𝓽𝓮𝔁𝓽𝓼 , 𝓲𝓷 𝓭𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓶𝓼" 𓂃۶ৎ

3.75 ⭐

This book was written so beautifully. It follows Julie reflecting on her childhood through to teenage years, it was such a journey to go through that snapshot of her memories; her friendships, her struggles, moments of darkness. it really just felt like you were just watching her grow up on her journey. And also I just love a good metaphor. The flowers and the rain tied in so nicely especially in the prologue and epiologue.

The integration of the present and the past timeskips flowed really smoothly, and I thought it especially emphasised that touch of reflection afterwards. This book focuses on so many coming of age experiences like friendship breakups, first love, feeling insecure and awkward in her your skin and battle with mental health. There was also a lot on bullying and it just broke my heart. Also appreciate how it explored the importance of support from family, friends, professional therapy
for both Julie and her trying to be there for others.

One aspect I really related to was how it addressed friendships. I feel like it just captured the experience entirely into words so well.

"It wasn't a big fight or a dramatic moment that had ended our friendship. It was the slow, quiet fading of something I thought would last forever."

My one critique is whilst it was in first person and had beautiful prose it kind of felt like we were viewing her story from a distance rather than being fully immersed and there was more telling compared to showing.

Thank you so much to the author for the arc in exchange for an honest review!!

More quotes:

⋆˚✿˖° "Some battles a person has to fight on their own. And the hardest part is watching someone you care about disappear into a war where you can't fight with them"

⋆˚✿˖° "And after everything, I finally understood deep in my heart that without rain, there can be no flowers.
And maybe, I am finally beginning to bloom again."

⋆˚✿˖° "Why become a princess when you can be a butterfly?"

[Brianna (Briasbookishthings) · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review - Wow... where do I even start? This book was beautiful. It was such an inspiring piece of literature and while it was very different to my usual preferences, I appreciated every page. There is such a raw and emotional narration to this which speaks to every young person who ever had to spend their lunches wondering what they were doing wrong. The most special thing about that? There was never anything wrong with us, and that is what this book is trying to say.

"Because the rain no longer feels like something I need to run from. It feels like a reminder - of everything I've survived..."

In this book we follow a young woman who has faced so many challenges and doesn't feel like she has a place in the world. She is the perfect symbol of so many, but it doesn't matter whether or not you directly relate to her, because she can also act as a peephole into other people's lives, which is just as important. This book is perfect for anyone seeking a push to confront the bad in their life, not as a self help book, but just as a little something to get yourself thinking about the options you have and the impact you have on other people.

I can see this book being a crucial part in a lot of YA readers lives, and that would lovely.

Overall I loved this book for everything that it was. It was beautiful and heart breaking, and so undeniably human. Madleen Sarah, you nailed this! (Ps. I cried. A lot.)

I always assign a song to my reads, and this time it is 'Only for a Moment' by Danney Gokey 💜

[Shreya Srivastava · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are times when everything feels wrong, there is no such thing that feels right and you just want to give up.
From being a kid, to chasing people, trying to make them love you, betrayal in friendships, changing bestfriends, unexpected bullying and expectations we're in this constant loop of struggling from the day we enter this world, leaving our home for something we need to seek.
But there's no direction, no pathway, no one to constantly guide you - but you try to keep going.

So might be you, so is Julie Feller.
If you relate with anything above, even the slightest bit then this book is for you - where Julie ( and you can too) experiences every phase of her life, right from early schooling to every grade she passes into, having experiences and shifts in life she never thought she could handle. Yet as she sits and narrates her little life stories - she realizes they weren't too little, rather they were everything exactly what she needed to overcome everything she thought she couldn't become.
It's not just about everyone, it's about her. Her way of life, her perspective and her lens of life which brings her to keep going every single time, and it proves slowly, softly, shifting warmly with recalling those memories and trying to make sense out of it.

Do you want to be saved and truly live? But who will truly save you, is the answer you'll find in this book.
So pick up, and rediscover yourself, go through the nostalgia of your childhood memories and relive the life - because you're worth it, and let your perspective shift softly making you the centre of your life once again.

[Emilie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5

Arc review

From the beginning of this book we are transported by the poetry of the author, it’s so beautifully written and I really enjoyed reading it. 🪻

This book is separated in two timelines : The past and the present. The Julie of the past, tells us what she went through in her life, the trauma, the anxiety, the loss of a lot of friendships and above all the fact of growing up.
And in the present she revisits all of her past memories with her therapist 🌧️

Julie just wants to be loved and truly seen by the others people, but sometimes unfortunately life has different plans for us… 🥲

It was really hard sometimes for me to see all of what she went through and not be able to help her, it just felt like I was seeing a younger version of myself in her 💔

I didn’t know it was possible but this book healed the ten years old me and the sixteen year old me who was dealing with a lot of stuff and anxiety 🥹

I think it’s the kind of books everyone needs to read one day and I definitely think it’s the kind of book I would have loved to read younger 🫂

(Don’t forget to bring tissues while reading, you’re definitely gonna need it 👀)

I’m so happy to have been chosen to read this arc and don’t forget to buy it on Amazon on august 29th 🫶

And don’t also forget : without rain, there can be no flowers. 🪻✨

[Rebecca Vollmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book and wow. I'm absolutely baffled. It was so perfect. So beautiful. And so sad. I felt with the main character on every page. I cried for her. And I felt every emotion she felt. This book captivated me, took me into this world. As soon as I started reading, I went in with the flow. This book is a masterpiece and it should be a Besteller. I recommend this to everyone, especially those who want to read about mental health. And I feel sorry for everyone who relates to the main character. Know that it wasn't your fault. Know that it's them, not you. And know that you are loved.

"And after everything, I finally understood deep in my heart that without rain, there can be no flowers"
-Madleen Sarah

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️ This book was such an amazing story of the reality of girlhood! It was raw and beautifully written. I related to so many of the quotes and overall this book is definitely a must read for any girl struggling! We are all human and we’re not okay all the time.

I posted more thoughts and previews of this book on my tiktok:
chelsea_berrybooks

[läri · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ich weiß nicht so richtig was ich sagen soll. Ich hatte soooo hohe Erwartungen und dachte, das ist der perfekte Start ins neue Jahr, weil die Prämisse auch echt gut war und es tut mir im Herzen weh aber what the fuck is that???

Ich hab so viel zu sagen und irgendwie auch gar keine Worte

[Linda Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is beautiful. So much love to this book and the amazing writer. Deserves the world🥺💕💕 this is ur sign to read itttt!!!

[Leni (Taylors Version) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much! Thank you, Madi, for writing it! 🌷

[Violet · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book, but it was honestly such a struggle to get through. I do think there’s potential here, but there were sooo many grammatical errors that it completely pulled me out of the story every few pages. It’s really obvious that English isn’t the author’s first language, which is fine in itself (nothing wrong with that!), but it just means that this book desperately needed an editor. A good editor could’ve polished the grammar and helped the pacing, which was honestly all over the place. Some parts dragged on foreverrrr, while others felt rushed, and it made the whole thing feel unbalanced.

End of story: This could’ve been so much better with some professional help. It wasn’t enjoyable for me...

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forgot to update my goodreads, whoops😅
OKAY GUYS THIS BOOK OMG. Had me sobbing first of all, ‘cause wtf. Gut wrenching. I loved the writing and Julie, and overall this book was a very fun time. I’m so excited for Madleen’s next work.

[ariane ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

“In my secret thoughts, I believed that if I ever became a butterfly, I could fly from flower to flower and let the sun kiss me. Why become a princess when you can be a butterfly?”
low key, so real

[Dari Malaunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread – ARC Review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars) | 0 peppers (it’s YA without any explicit spice) 🥰

No Flowers Without Rain has come such a long way over the years, and the transformation is truly impressive. The author has done a tremendous job shaping this story into something powerful and emotionally resonant. I genuinely believe it has the potential to become a beloved and widely recognized book (the next bestseller is here, girlies!) and I wholeheartedly wish that for both the book and the author. All the best! 🌧🌸

This story dives deep into the complexities of friendship, loss, and the painful intersections of growing up. It explores how losing a friend can feel just as devastating as losing a romantic partner, and that hit close to home for me. The emotional depth made it easy to connect with the main character. especially through her adolescence, where she faced bullying and body shaming, something many of us have unfortunately experienced. Her past felt familiar, and I found myself truly understanding her pain and resilience.

Told through flashbacks and therapy sessions, the book beautifully captures how the friendships shaped the heroine’s life. The conversations with her psychotherapist touch on profound themes like death, suicide and identity, adding layers to the narrative. While I personally found the psychologist’s approach a bit cold and robotic (not my favorite style), I know that kind of neutrality can be comforting for some readers.

The heroine herself is a standout for sure, she’s kind, empathetic, and strong, even after everything she’s been through. Her story is one of being a “savior” to others while quietly needing saving herself, and that dynamic was portrayed with heartbreaking honesty.

The ending ties everything together with clarity and emotional closure, and the subtle touch of romance adds warmth to the final chapters.

For a debut, this is an excellent dramatic novel with real emotional weight. Honestly? It would’ve been the perfect book for 16-year-old me!!!

5 stars. Beautiful, raw, and deeply relatable book!

[Carolyn Schrama · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 – 𝐍𝐨 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐧

✨🌸 A Story That Breaks You, Heals You, and Leaves You Whole Again ✨

Okay, where to begin? The opening alone is pure poetry. Flowers and butterflies weave through the first pages like quiet promises—delicate, yet powerful. If you see the butterfly as a symbol of returning to life after your darkest moments, of emerging from the cocoon as the truest, most radiant version of yourself… then you’ll understand the beauty this story holds.

From the very first page, you are pulled straight into Julie’s thoughts. The writing is so vivid that it feels less like reading and more like being quietly invited into her mind. Her voice is raw yet gentle, layered with grief, hope, and moments of unexpected light. It’s the kind of narrative that makes you forget the world around you—you’re simply there with her, walking through every high and low.

The emotional depth of this book is extraordinary. There’s no cheap drama here; every tear, every smile, every sharp intake of breath feels earned. The happy moments shine even brighter because they are born out of pain and resilience. The sad moments cut deep, not because they’re meant to shock you, but because they’re human and real. You can feel the weight of love, loss, and the fragile, beautiful ways people hold each other together.

Bring tissues, because you’ll need them. This is a story that will make you cry—the happy kind of tears, the aching kind, and sometimes both at once. Whether or not I cried is for me to know… but let’s just say that for three-quarters of the book, my eyes were definitely misty.

[b.shahbaz_writer · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Book Review (5/5)

I honestly don't even know where to start with this book! It really touched my heart. Right from the very first page, I could feel Julie’s struggles, and as her story unfolded through her therapy sessions, it felt like the writer had peered right into my life. Her childhood experiences, the broken trust, those lingering questions… honestly, some parts hit really close to home.

Watching Julie piece herself back together while dealing with the shadows of her past is so relatable. You see her past and present blend into one long search for belonging, and at some point, you might find yourself thinking: This could totally be me. Maybe that’s what makes this book so special. It’s not just a story; it feels like a mirror reflecting our own journeys. It’s like a comforting hug or a deep breath after a good cry.

If you decide to dive into this book, I’d totally recommend keeping some tissues handy. It’s not just any book—it’s more of an adventure through pain, memories, healing, and perhaps, just maybe… a sprinkle of hope.

Oh, and my absolute favorite line from the book?
"Because in the end, I was left with a hollow space inside me, one that neither of us could fill."

Julie’s story really sticks with you—aching, soft, and unforgettable. This book is so relatable, so haunting, and so beautifully human.

Thank you for letting me read this early.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌸 ARC Review of No flowers without rain 🌸

I was beyond honored to receive an arc for the new edition of this fantastic book!!

The storytelling was beautiful. The first chapter had me in love with how enchanting and poetic the writing was. Madleen writes emotions so deeply that i felt for Julie on every page. Her journey with healing, being a teenager, navigating friendships and self discovery... it was so heartfelt i have a hard time finding words to describe it.

Julie's emotions were so real and raw. The dual timeline part of this book added to the story line, showing us the character's growth rather than just tell it as she went through therapy. The author really made this story human 🥹

For everyone who grew up feeling like an outcast and struggled with friendships, Julie's journey felt like a warm hug.

🦋 Why become a princess when you can be a butterfly? 🦋 - My favorite quote if we ignore the masterpiece the first chapter was!!

Mental health, self-love and true inner resilience is beautifully shown in this book. The themes were deeply healing, human, heartfelt, real and IMPORTANT. 💕

Keep writing, Madleen. Your stories carry human themes (im trying to find other words for beautiful because i swear this story was just a BEAUTIFUL story) 🫶

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most heartfelt and beautiful stories about learning to love oneself again. The character’s depth and emotions are something the reader can feel throughout the book and the situation, as sad as it may be, is written like a beautiful tragedy. It’s a book about self healing, love and a mixture of tragedy and joys of everyday life.

[Cozy Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

No Flowers Without Rain by Madleen Sarah is a heartfelt story about mental health, self-love, and finding strength in difficult times. It deals with important topics like anxiety and self-doubt in a relatable and honest way. The message is inspiring, and the characters feel real, making it a must-read for every teenager!!!! 💜

[jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

dnf at 21%

[Lena Rieder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the definition of girlhood!!!! 🫶🏼