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Rainy Day Kisses
#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber brings you a humorous and uplifting story, in which one woman's plans take an unexpected detour!
Susannah Simmons has a five-year plan to succeed in her career. And it doesn't include falling in love with her next-door neighbor!
Nate Townsend is undeniably attractive, but he seems to lack ambition. He stays home baking cookies and flying kites while Susannah struggles up the corporate ladder.
She resents the way he questions her values—and makes her question them, too. Is he right? Has she given up too much in pursuit of her career goals? Has she given up family, fun…and Nate's love?
Originally published in 1990.
Susannah Simmons has a five-year plan to succeed in her career. And it doesn't include falling in love with her next-door neighbor!
Nate Townsend is undeniably attractive, but he seems to lack ambition. He stays home baking cookies and flying kites while Susannah struggles up the corporate ladder.
She resents the way he questions her values—and makes her question them, too. Is he right? Has she given up too much in pursuit of her career goals? Has she given up family, fun…and Nate's love?
Originally published in 1990.
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 25, 1990
702 people are currently reading
923 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Macomber
895 books20.6k followersDebbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
June 14, 2020
I really loved this Debbie Macomber book. It is all about a woman that never wanted love, but of course love found her. She tried to fight it the whole book. If you are looking for a clean fast moving romance book this is that.
August 21, 2018
I like Debbie Macomber books but if you've read one you know pretty much how it's all going to end. I enjoyed this but think I won't be buying any more of her books, maybe some of the Christmas ones, as they seem to be getting pretty much the same. A nice easy read though and I enjoyed the story.
November 29, 2021
I adore a love story where one partner is restrained and uptight and the other is open and free-spirited. Rainy Day Kisses, a Harlequin Romance by Debbie Macomber, depicts those elements perfectly. It’s about a woman who has no time for frills and silly moments enjoying life. She’s a no-nonsense businesswoman. Then she butts head with her neighbor, a laid-back kind of guy who loves flying kites.
Susannah Simmons is the stereotypical career-woman with no time for romance. She has a five-year plan to rise to the top of her field. While she focuses on climbing up the corporate ladder to VP status, her family members are getting married and having babies.
She has zero patience time for neighbor Nate Townsend. The man bakes cookies, for goodness sake! Nate loves Seattle Mariners ball games. He’s all about fun and relaxing. His happy-go-lucky demeanor irritates Susannah to no end. Does the man even have a job?
Then Susannah finds herself wrangled into babysitting her niece. Have you ever seen that old Diane Keaton film “Baby Boom”? Well, that’s what this reminded me of. Susannah finds herself at wit’s end trying to deal with a crying infant. Who comes to the rescue, but her neighbor? Nate has a calming, soothing way with babies. He also has a way with adult women, as Susannah finds. For despite their difference, Susannah can’t help but be attracted to Nate.
He shows her a different side of life. If you work hard, you have to play hard, too. Susannah’s forgotten all about having some fun in her life. But is Nate’s playful nature a sign of immaturity? Or is he right and Susannah’s rigid plans mean nothing without some love and laughter added in?
Even though this is a traditional romance, I could see Nate and Susannah living a more “modern” life, where Nate stays home and takes care of the kiddos while Susannah goes off to work. I know several couples who live like this. So why can’t Nate and Susannah have love and family and career, as long as they work together to do it?
This was a breezy angst-free romance. Nate’s an adorkable hero. Susannah is icy, but not so much so that she’s an unlikeable heroine. You want to see these two get together and make it. Debbie Macomber writes sweet love stories, and if you’re looking for one, Rainy Day Kisses will hit the right spot.
4 stars
Susannah Simmons is the stereotypical career-woman with no time for romance. She has a five-year plan to rise to the top of her field. While she focuses on climbing up the corporate ladder to VP status, her family members are getting married and having babies.
She has zero patience time for neighbor Nate Townsend. The man bakes cookies, for goodness sake! Nate loves Seattle Mariners ball games. He’s all about fun and relaxing. His happy-go-lucky demeanor irritates Susannah to no end. Does the man even have a job?
Then Susannah finds herself wrangled into babysitting her niece. Have you ever seen that old Diane Keaton film “Baby Boom”? Well, that’s what this reminded me of. Susannah finds herself at wit’s end trying to deal with a crying infant. Who comes to the rescue, but her neighbor? Nate has a calming, soothing way with babies. He also has a way with adult women, as Susannah finds. For despite their difference, Susannah can’t help but be attracted to Nate.
He shows her a different side of life. If you work hard, you have to play hard, too. Susannah’s forgotten all about having some fun in her life. But is Nate’s playful nature a sign of immaturity? Or is he right and Susannah’s rigid plans mean nothing without some love and laughter added in?
Even though this is a traditional romance, I could see Nate and Susannah living a more “modern” life, where Nate stays home and takes care of the kiddos while Susannah goes off to work. I know several couples who live like this. So why can’t Nate and Susannah have love and family and career, as long as they work together to do it?
This was a breezy angst-free romance. Nate’s an adorkable hero. Susannah is icy, but not so much so that she’s an unlikeable heroine. You want to see these two get together and make it. Debbie Macomber writes sweet love stories, and if you’re looking for one, Rainy Day Kisses will hit the right spot.
4 stars
December 18, 2017
This was my first Debbie Macomber read. I recently downloaded an app that you can connect with your libraries and has so many different selections of ebooks and audiobooks. I saw this and thought that the synopsis sounded great. If I love anything when it comes to books, it's the "next door neighbor" narrative. The thought of moving into somewhere and having your neighbor be so romantic that you fall for them? Yes. Please. It's so unlikely, but a girl can dream, right?
The characters were written well. I thought that the characters were really in tune with themselves. There were times that they said something and I cracked up out loud at how funny they were. I think Macomber knows how to write a character to get the reader to feel like they are actually in this story. She knows how to embody their emotions. I liked that the most about this book.
There were parts of this book that fell flat. The narrative is the reason why I picked this book. There were times where I felt like putting this book down because it got pushed off the narrative and I wasn't sure when it would get back on track. This unfortunately made me drop the rating.
Lastly, this book seemed pretty vanilla. Like I said, this was my first Debbie Macomber, and I'm not sure if that is how her writing style is with all of her books. I felt like everything was good and simple. There's nothing wrong with that. However, personally, I like to have a little angst or a little sultry factor in a book. I think this book was good, just a little plain for my taste.
Overall, I would definitely would give another Debbie Macomber book a chance. I want to find out if all of her books are simple, easy reads. I work in a library where her books are extremely popular. Therefore, I want to see what all the hype is about.
The characters were written well. I thought that the characters were really in tune with themselves. There were times that they said something and I cracked up out loud at how funny they were. I think Macomber knows how to write a character to get the reader to feel like they are actually in this story. She knows how to embody their emotions. I liked that the most about this book.
There were parts of this book that fell flat. The narrative is the reason why I picked this book. There were times where I felt like putting this book down because it got pushed off the narrative and I wasn't sure when it would get back on track. This unfortunately made me drop the rating.
Lastly, this book seemed pretty vanilla. Like I said, this was my first Debbie Macomber, and I'm not sure if that is how her writing style is with all of her books. I felt like everything was good and simple. There's nothing wrong with that. However, personally, I like to have a little angst or a little sultry factor in a book. I think this book was good, just a little plain for my taste.
Overall, I would definitely would give another Debbie Macomber book a chance. I want to find out if all of her books are simple, easy reads. I work in a library where her books are extremely popular. Therefore, I want to see what all the hype is about.
May 18, 2009
Cute read. I like how the romance is clean. I've been looking for "innocent" romances and that is exactly what I got with this story.
September 29, 2021
Rainy Day Kisses was never on my radar until today but I'm pretty happy that I randomly decided to dive into it. In this, you will meet Susannah. Now she is very goal-oriented when it comes to work. She wants to become the VP for her marketing department and knows that she needs to work twice as hard as any normal person. Especially when it comes to having two other guys in the running for the same position.
Little does she know that Nate is going to throw a wrench into her plans. He's her new neighbor and ends up at her door when she's babysitting her niece. And by babysitting, I mean barely holding onto life because she doesn't know what to do when it comes to a crying baby.
When it comes these two, I just about loved them. I didn't like how Susannah kept thinking he was some lowlife that wound up leaching off of someone in order to live in the apartment complex as her. She was very quick to judge and had no idea what his life was like before they met. So I did like when she felt completely embarrassed by what she told him when she found out that he was indeed rich.
It made me do a little evil laugh because she deserved to feel like an asshole. I would have liked more groveling from her before Nate took her back but I could tell that he was smitten. Even the ending was pretty darn cute.
In the end, I'll have to look into another book by Debbie soon!
Little does she know that Nate is going to throw a wrench into her plans. He's her new neighbor and ends up at her door when she's babysitting her niece. And by babysitting, I mean barely holding onto life because she doesn't know what to do when it comes to a crying baby.
When it comes these two, I just about loved them. I didn't like how Susannah kept thinking he was some lowlife that wound up leaching off of someone in order to live in the apartment complex as her. She was very quick to judge and had no idea what his life was like before they met. So I did like when she felt completely embarrassed by what she told him when she found out that he was indeed rich.
It made me do a little evil laugh because she deserved to feel like an asshole. I would have liked more groveling from her before Nate took her back but I could tell that he was smitten. Even the ending was pretty darn cute.
In the end, I'll have to look into another book by Debbie soon!
March 24, 2016
What a great little romance! I love curling up on the couch once in awhile and reading a Debbie Macomber book and this one turned out to be a good one. I went on a quest one summer to find all of Debbie's books ... scoured Good Will stores, Half Price Books, etc. What fun that turned out to be! Now when I feel the need, I grab one off my shelf and read it ... makes me feel good.
December 30, 2024
This is a sweet story and I really enjoyed it! I liked the way the main characters got to know each other and help each other.
June 1, 2020
My first read by this author. Enjoyed the clean romance. Nice and easy read. Very entertaining. Would make a great chick flick. Cute fire side love story. It's also a quick read or listen.
August 23, 2012
This is one of my go-to simple reads. I've probably read it a dozen times over the years and still enjoy it when I just want a sweet love story. Debbie Macomber has written so many novels, and always does a great job building very likable characters and weaving together unlikely couples/lives.
In Rainy Day Kisses, the main woman is a woman on the rise in the corporate world, fighting her way every inch of the way in a company dominated by men. She has to be tough, not sensitive (until she gets home), and has no interest in marriage or a family of her own. When she needs a fix of family, she turns to her "earth mother" sister (makes her own..well, everything you can think of). He sister is baffled that she isn't interested in the things that bring such bliss. Well, naturally, our heroine is called upon to babysit for a weekend while the sister and her husband go away on a marriage-saving weekend. And naturally, something happens to delay their return.
Thinking she doesn't have a motherly bone in her body, she (ok ok..I can't remember her name!!) very reluctantly agrees to take on the baby for the weekend....and through many challenges finds that she can handle it, no matter how much food is on the walls and her power suit, and how many hours of crying are involved. Added bonus, her cute new neighbor comes to her rescue. She fights the idea of being a woman who needs a man to help her with anything, but quickly learns that we all need help.
In Rainy Day Kisses, the main woman is a woman on the rise in the corporate world, fighting her way every inch of the way in a company dominated by men. She has to be tough, not sensitive (until she gets home), and has no interest in marriage or a family of her own. When she needs a fix of family, she turns to her "earth mother" sister (makes her own..well, everything you can think of). He sister is baffled that she isn't interested in the things that bring such bliss. Well, naturally, our heroine is called upon to babysit for a weekend while the sister and her husband go away on a marriage-saving weekend. And naturally, something happens to delay their return.
Thinking she doesn't have a motherly bone in her body, she (ok ok..I can't remember her name!!) very reluctantly agrees to take on the baby for the weekend....and through many challenges finds that she can handle it, no matter how much food is on the walls and her power suit, and how many hours of crying are involved. Added bonus, her cute new neighbor comes to her rescue. She fights the idea of being a woman who needs a man to help her with anything, but quickly learns that we all need help.
June 11, 2013
Rainy Day Kisses is the 41st stand-alone romance novel by popular American author, Debbie Macomber. Susannah Simmons is a sound, logical, dedicated business woman with a plan to advance in her career and not the slightest hankering after marriage or children. As a favour to her very domestic sister, she agrees to babysit in an emergency, but while she is trying, unsuccessfully, to stop her baby niece from crying, her new neighbour, Nate Townsend knocks on her door and takes over. Nate is attractive and obviously interested in Susannah, but he’s all wrong for her. He doesn’t even have a job! Macomber gives the reader a couple of appealing characters and an original plot. Everytime I thought I knew where this was going, I was surprised. A very enjoyable read.
July 20, 2014
In Macomber’s romance novel, Susannah Simmons is career oriented. She has a 5-year-plan of success already written. Her neighbor, Nate Townsend, is the most attractive man she has ever met and she has trouble keeping her eyes off of him. But Nate is a homebody who prefers family fun to success and long hours. While Susannah is determined to succeed in her career, she can’t help but wonder if she has forfeited the most precious thing in life for the pursuit of success.
As always, Macomber can spin a wonderful love yarn.
As always, Macomber can spin a wonderful love yarn.
April 27, 2019
This was a birthday gift from one of our Instagram birthday swaps. I absolutely loved it. Such an easy, feel good read. Sometimes you just need to believe in the magic of love. It also has an extra short story at the end of the book which is a little cheesy but extremely likeable.
April 28, 2024
If you want a story about a determined career oriented female, this is it. (Although there were moments when the character lacked common sense.) Then toss in an extremely successful businessman.
December 24, 2024
I listened to the audiobook unfortunately I was not impressed with the narrator.
The story was well written but for me voices are very important and needs to flow with the story.
The story was well written but for me voices are very important and needs to flow with the story.
April 29, 2020
This was such a cute story 💙💙💙 So heartwarming
December 20, 2017
If I could, I’d give this book 3 1/2 stars. It wasn’t a bad story but it was a little bit too predictable. I took into consideration that it was written in 1990 as a Harlequin novel. If you’re looking for an easy read, with no violence or horrible heart ache, this book is for you.
March 21, 2013
I really enjoyed this book by Debbie Macomber! I love her writing, and this book was no different! it was interesting and a great read!
December 17, 2016
This was a fun book to read on a cold and snowy day. It was one of her older books, before cell phones.
February 1, 2019
I loved the story line, and I get that it is a romance but way too much kissing. U like him, we get it, now lets move on with the cute story line.
October 24, 2024
A nice easy read, nothing too taxing and no big surprises but a nice story
November 1, 2021
lol no thoughts just vibes for these two 2.5 rounded up hahaha
July 8, 2020
When I started this story, I thought it had promise. The idea of a workaholic babysitting for her earth mother sister and it going horribly wrong. Then the hunk next door swoops in to make it all better. The first couple of chapters went OK, but then it started going downhill for me - and then I realised it was a M&B and it all made sense.
Now don't get me wrong, M&B authors are very good at what they write - hell I used to read them as a teenager! But now? This book had the man sweep in and rescue the woman, making her realise that she should yearn to be a wife and mother else she is a failure. Yes, the central character became a successful entrepreneur, but it is the driving idea behind it that sticks in my throat a little. This strong determined woman was rendered helpless by a man within hours. Sorry...but it doesn't wash.
I didn't even glance at the bonus book at the end, I had a feeling I knew what was waiting for me. Sorry, Ms Macomber, but your book wasn't for me. It was well written for the genre, but just not for my modern mind.
Now don't get me wrong, M&B authors are very good at what they write - hell I used to read them as a teenager! But now? This book had the man sweep in and rescue the woman, making her realise that she should yearn to be a wife and mother else she is a failure. Yes, the central character became a successful entrepreneur, but it is the driving idea behind it that sticks in my throat a little. This strong determined woman was rendered helpless by a man within hours. Sorry...but it doesn't wash.
I didn't even glance at the bonus book at the end, I had a feeling I knew what was waiting for me. Sorry, Ms Macomber, but your book wasn't for me. It was well written for the genre, but just not for my modern mind.
November 24, 2018
Debbie Macomber is a hit or miss author for me. In Rainy Day Kisses, it was not quite a hit, but neither was it a total miss. The beginning of the book was somewhat a miss and had I not been listening to it as an audiobook and that it was only a 5 hr. book, I may have DNF'd the book, but in the end I'm glad that I continued with it. This was originally published and copyrighted in 1990 by I believe Harlequin and felt like what I thought a typical Harlequin was back then. As I continued and then completed this book, it greatly improved. It was not remarkable, but it was enjoyable and better than I had expected. The narrator, Karyn White was excellent and she is probably part of why I ended up finishing the book.
June 9, 2018
This story follows Susannah as she reaches for her five-year-goal of a promotion to VP at her job. Unfortunately, a babysitting mishap with her niece plants her neighbor, Nate, right in her life. Nate is everything Susannah isn't, and he won't let her forget it. There's something odd about Nate, though, and it isn't until later in the story that Susannah gets his whole background. Will it make them or break them? Well, this is women's lit, so you should have known the answer before you started.
November 10, 2019
Susanna Simmons Is kind of a workaholic whose sole focus is on business. When her sister asks Susanna to babysit her niece, It’s mostly a mess until her next-door neighbor, Nate Townsend, comes over to help. Suzanne is attracted to him but tries to reject her feelings to focus on her job. Luckily, with some effort, Nate slowly draws Susanna out of her lonely shell.
On one hand the story feels somewhat shallow and lacking. On the other, it feels realistic and sweet...
On one hand the story feels somewhat shallow and lacking. On the other, it feels realistic and sweet...
November 12, 2019
I usually love a Debbie Macomber as a fun way to escape. This one was very frustrating to me. I felt like she made the lead woman someone who was driven and strong and then let her completely fall apart at the sight of a good looking man. There were a couple of fun parts to the book but overall I had a hard time believing that she would give up her whole life and be talking marriage after a couple of weeks and I got tired of the sisters and their talks about boys and marriage.
April 30, 2016
Another sweet story by Debbie Macomber. I am always a bit sad when I finish one of her books because I feel like I have to say goodbye to friends. This book is no exception. Susannah and Nates story is so beautifully written, as all her stories are. I strongly recommend this book.
March 6, 2017
Love love stories
This was a wonderful story of a young woman who had her future planned and then met a great man who was her opposite and as they say the rest is history. A book for everyone to enjoy.
This was a wonderful story of a young woman who had her future planned and then met a great man who was her opposite and as they say the rest is history. A book for everyone to enjoy.
March 8, 2018
I needed a light read. This was perfect. It was like watching a Hallmark romance movie. Written before you could google someone or she wouldn't have been caught by surprise. But this was very predictable anyway.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews