What do you think?
Rate this book
Things to Do When It's Raining
Two families are torn apart by secret pasts and broken hearts—from Globe and Mail-bestselling author Marissa Stapley.
When secrets tear love apart, can the truth mend it?
Mae Summers and Gabriel Broadbent grew up together in the idyllic Summers’ Inn, perched at the edge the St. Lawrence river. Mae was orphaned at the age of six and Gabe needed protection from his alcoholic father, so both were raised under one roof by Mae’s grandparents, Lilly and George. A childhood friendship quickly developed into a first love—a love that was suddenly broken by Gabe’s unexpected departure. Mae grew up, got over her heartbreak, and started a life for herself in New York City.
After more than a decade, Mae and Gabe find themselves pulled back to Alexandria Bay. Hoping to find solace within the Summers’ Inn, Mae instead finds her grandparents in the midst of decline and their past unravelling around her. A lifetime of secrets stand in the way of this unconventional family’s happiness. Will they be able to reclaim the past and come together, or will they remain separate islands?
From the bestselling author of Mating for Life comes a powerful story about guilt, forgiveness and the truth about families: that we can choose them, just as we choose to love.
When secrets tear love apart, can the truth mend it?
Mae Summers and Gabriel Broadbent grew up together in the idyllic Summers’ Inn, perched at the edge the St. Lawrence river. Mae was orphaned at the age of six and Gabe needed protection from his alcoholic father, so both were raised under one roof by Mae’s grandparents, Lilly and George. A childhood friendship quickly developed into a first love—a love that was suddenly broken by Gabe’s unexpected departure. Mae grew up, got over her heartbreak, and started a life for herself in New York City.
After more than a decade, Mae and Gabe find themselves pulled back to Alexandria Bay. Hoping to find solace within the Summers’ Inn, Mae instead finds her grandparents in the midst of decline and their past unravelling around her. A lifetime of secrets stand in the way of this unconventional family’s happiness. Will they be able to reclaim the past and come together, or will they remain separate islands?
From the bestselling author of Mating for Life comes a powerful story about guilt, forgiveness and the truth about families: that we can choose them, just as we choose to love.
256 pages, Paperback
First published February 6, 2018
269 people are currently reading
2795 people want to read
About the author
Marissa Stapley
10 books1,058 followersMarissa Stapley is the NYT bestselling author of the novels Lucky (a Reese's Book Club pick), The Last Resort, Things to Do When It's Raining, and Mating for life. Her fiction has been published around the world and her journalism has appeared in magazines and newspapers across North America. She has taught creative writing and editing at the University of Toronto and Centennial College, and lives in Toronto with her family.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 254 reviews
June 4, 2018
Brenda and I were once again 'Lost in a Coulee Reading' together! It has been a little while for the two of us reading a book together. We have done a lot of group reads together but not just the two of us. I love our group reads but it is always pretty special reading with my sister!
THINGS TO DO WHEN IT'S RAINING by MARISSA STAPLEY is a character-driven story that was an enjoyable, entertaining, and fast read! It's an interesting, moving, and engaging multi-generational family drama that was well-written with flawed and interesting characters. The ending was satisfying and pleasant! Would recommend!
I also really enjoyed the "Things To Do When It's Raining" recommendations that started off each chapter throughout the book. I thought that it really contributed to the theme of the story.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Canada, and Marissa Stapley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review.
Review written and posted on our themed book blog Two Sisters Lost In A Coulee Reading.
https://twosisterslostinacoulee.com
Coulee: a term applied rather loosely to different landforms, all of which refer to a kind of valley.
THINGS TO DO WHEN IT'S RAINING by MARISSA STAPLEY is a character-driven story that was an enjoyable, entertaining, and fast read! It's an interesting, moving, and engaging multi-generational family drama that was well-written with flawed and interesting characters. The ending was satisfying and pleasant! Would recommend!
I also really enjoyed the "Things To Do When It's Raining" recommendations that started off each chapter throughout the book. I thought that it really contributed to the theme of the story.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Canada, and Marissa Stapley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review.
Review written and posted on our themed book blog Two Sisters Lost In A Coulee Reading.
https://twosisterslostinacoulee.com
Coulee: a term applied rather loosely to different landforms, all of which refer to a kind of valley.
December 23, 2017
I was initially interested in this book based on the title. Fun fact about me... I LOVE rain. Especially listening to it while I'm reading <3.
Things to Do When It's Raining is a novel that explores how a lie so deep can effect two families across three generations.
Mae Summers and Gabe Broadbent grew up together in Alexandria Bay as childhood friends that eventually grew into love for one another. Gabe was initially raised by an emotionally abusive father that loved to drink. Mae's grandparents Lilly and George took Gabe under their wing and raised him as their own to protect him from his abusive father. One day Gabe unexpectedly ran off from Mae and their family.
Mae was devastated and heartbroken by Gabe's unexpected departure from her. Mae moved away from Alexandria Bay to New York City. Mae is struggling to forget her past and move forward but of course she realizes that your past always comes back to you.....
Mae finds herself back in the heart of her past in Alexandria Bay. She finds herself in the eyes of her first love Gabe. What happened so long ago that made him leave her? Can there families come together again and make peace?
Now, let's get down to the details on this novel. For some reason, I could not connect to the characters in this story. I just felt that Gabe and Mae were wallowing in their guilt the entire novel... I'm assuming that this was the author's intention? I was just annoyed by all of the characters and the self-pity feeling that they all had with the guilt that was bearing down on them and ultimately the story. I finished the book and I decided... that I just did not like it. I was waiting for the emotions to come out but I felt NOTHING.
And.. can I just say... the final ending was HORRIBLE! All of a sudden it was just like ok... were done. I thought the epilogue would have given me more a closure but I just felt that was pointless as well.
The story was not memorable for me.... bit disappointed I would say.
Overall... 2.75 stars for this one. Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin for an advanced arc in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date is 2/6/18.
Things to Do When It's Raining is a novel that explores how a lie so deep can effect two families across three generations.
Mae Summers and Gabe Broadbent grew up together in Alexandria Bay as childhood friends that eventually grew into love for one another. Gabe was initially raised by an emotionally abusive father that loved to drink. Mae's grandparents Lilly and George took Gabe under their wing and raised him as their own to protect him from his abusive father. One day Gabe unexpectedly ran off from Mae and their family.
Mae was devastated and heartbroken by Gabe's unexpected departure from her. Mae moved away from Alexandria Bay to New York City. Mae is struggling to forget her past and move forward but of course she realizes that your past always comes back to you.....
Mae finds herself back in the heart of her past in Alexandria Bay. She finds herself in the eyes of her first love Gabe. What happened so long ago that made him leave her? Can there families come together again and make peace?
Now, let's get down to the details on this novel. For some reason, I could not connect to the characters in this story. I just felt that Gabe and Mae were wallowing in their guilt the entire novel... I'm assuming that this was the author's intention? I was just annoyed by all of the characters and the self-pity feeling that they all had with the guilt that was bearing down on them and ultimately the story. I finished the book and I decided... that I just did not like it. I was waiting for the emotions to come out but I felt NOTHING.
And.. can I just say... the final ending was HORRIBLE! All of a sudden it was just like ok... were done. I thought the epilogue would have given me more a closure but I just felt that was pointless as well.
The story was not memorable for me.... bit disappointed I would say.
Overall... 2.75 stars for this one. Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin for an advanced arc in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date is 2/6/18.
September 29, 2019
The Sisters Norma and I were lost in the rainy, windy, lush coulee by ourselves reading Things to Do When It’s Raining. We both really enjoyed the "Things To Do When It's Raining" recommendations that started off each chapter throughout the book and thought that it really contributed to the theme of the story.
THINGS TO DO WHEN IT'S RAINING by MARISSA STAPLEY is an easy, simple, and fast read that explores families secret pasts and ghosts that don’t stay buried. The characters are flawed and interesting with their own demons, secrets and conflict.
MARISSA STAPLEY delivers a well-written, engaging, and character-driven multi-generational family drama story here that was enjoyable, moving and entertaining read.
MARISSA STAPLEY does a great job creating a vivid atmosphere here with the descriptions of the St. Lawrence River and really set the tone for us with this story. We could feel the magic, the danger and the mystery to the river that carries a lot of history.
The ending was satisfying and pleasant! Would recommend!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, HARLEQUIN - Graydon House Books (U.S. & Canada), and Marissa Stapley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review.
All of our Traveling Sisters Reviews can be found on our blog:
https://twogirlslostinacouleereading....
THINGS TO DO WHEN IT'S RAINING by MARISSA STAPLEY is an easy, simple, and fast read that explores families secret pasts and ghosts that don’t stay buried. The characters are flawed and interesting with their own demons, secrets and conflict.
MARISSA STAPLEY delivers a well-written, engaging, and character-driven multi-generational family drama story here that was enjoyable, moving and entertaining read.
MARISSA STAPLEY does a great job creating a vivid atmosphere here with the descriptions of the St. Lawrence River and really set the tone for us with this story. We could feel the magic, the danger and the mystery to the river that carries a lot of history.
The ending was satisfying and pleasant! Would recommend!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, HARLEQUIN - Graydon House Books (U.S. & Canada), and Marissa Stapley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review.
All of our Traveling Sisters Reviews can be found on our blog:
https://twogirlslostinacouleereading....
May 16, 2021
I think this was more of a 2.5 * read for me.
The first thing that intrigued me was the title. Then the cover. Then the setting.. An old family drama centred around the St. Lawrence River/1000 Islands area. The problem was right from the get-go I was a little confused with all the characters. When I got things straightened out I wanted to warm to them but just couldn't. Instead of a feel-good story about unravelling family secrets, and rekindling a lost love, it was just a joyless trip down memory lane. It just left me a little down and unsettled.
I'd like to thank NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for granting me the opportunity to read this Advanced Reader Edition.
The first thing that intrigued me was the title. Then the cover. Then the setting.. An old family drama centred around the St. Lawrence River/1000 Islands area. The problem was right from the get-go I was a little confused with all the characters. When I got things straightened out I wanted to warm to them but just couldn't. Instead of a feel-good story about unravelling family secrets, and rekindling a lost love, it was just a joyless trip down memory lane. It just left me a little down and unsettled.
I'd like to thank NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for granting me the opportunity to read this Advanced Reader Edition.
February 6, 2018
Powerful, poignant, and heartrending!
Things to Do When It's Raining is an absorbing novel that delves into the mental and emotional anguish that can be caused by underlying secrets, grief, guilt, family dynamics, friendship, first loves and loneliness and emphasizes the importance of closure and forgiveness.
The prose is smooth and well turned. The characters are consumed, troubled, raw, and authentic. And the character-driven plot interweaves the past and present of two multigenerational families as they learn to cope, survive, accept, support and love each other unconditionally.
Things to Do When It's Raining is ultimately an intelligent, evocative, pensive novel by Stapley that tugs at the heartstrings from start to finish.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada and Harlequin - Graydon House for providing me with a copy in an exchange for an honest review.
All my reviews can be found on my blog at https://whatsbetterthanbooks.com
Things to Do When It's Raining is an absorbing novel that delves into the mental and emotional anguish that can be caused by underlying secrets, grief, guilt, family dynamics, friendship, first loves and loneliness and emphasizes the importance of closure and forgiveness.
The prose is smooth and well turned. The characters are consumed, troubled, raw, and authentic. And the character-driven plot interweaves the past and present of two multigenerational families as they learn to cope, survive, accept, support and love each other unconditionally.
Things to Do When It's Raining is ultimately an intelligent, evocative, pensive novel by Stapley that tugs at the heartstrings from start to finish.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada and Harlequin - Graydon House for providing me with a copy in an exchange for an honest review.
All my reviews can be found on my blog at https://whatsbetterthanbooks.com
November 5, 2017
Things To Do When It's Raining is a tightly woven story that beautifully illustrates how tragedy and human weakness can cause heartbreaking ripples for years and generations to come.
March 1, 2018
I looked at the cover and was enticed. I read the blurb and got excited at the prospect of reading this book. I read the first few pages... I sighed. I read further... I was confused. Then I closed the book and thought back at the lines I have read. And I realized I understood parts of the story. Now what...? Go back and re-read or DNF...?
I didn't want a DNF in the new year, so I went back into the book but with a new technique. I hopped, I skipped, I jumped on the stepping stones to cross the pond. And that's how I finished the book. I read only the important parts.
Mae and Gabe loved each other as teenagers, till grandmother Lilly, drives Gabe away, believing him not to be good enough for her granddaughter. Lilly has her own secrets of her past, but suffering from dementia, she reveals one of them to her husband, George. George leaves her (BTW the grandparents are in their 80s) and stays in a hotel. There is a secret/mystery of their daughter Bae's mother. Gabe's father, Jonah, an alcoholic and abuser, dies. Gabe comes back home, Bae comes home after 17 years. And the story and secrets unravel....
My first book by Marissa Stapley, and probably my last. I didn't like any of the characters. All of them were morose and living in their heads, rather than in real life. There was an aura of depression and guilt surrounding them. Instead of being thankful of what they had, their thoughts were all into what they had done or the injustice they had faced. None of them knew the meaning of Enjoy the Present or Count Every Blessing.
The narration of the story wasn't clear, I got confused, whose story I was reading. And there was no gradual inclusion of characters. I stopped trying to remember who was who or their relation and just read about the 4 characters. I found the pace slow and the ending abrupt. The epilogue was better than the main story, not sure if it was because I was glad the story ended or the 2 main characters seemed to be in love.
This is the book, where I found one of the character telling the other I Love You, and the other replies Thank You, and it was supposed to imply that the other also loves. Did I get that? Nahhh!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Graydon House, and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
2.5 stars rounded to 3
I didn't want a DNF in the new year, so I went back into the book but with a new technique. I hopped, I skipped, I jumped on the stepping stones to cross the pond. And that's how I finished the book. I read only the important parts.
Mae and Gabe loved each other as teenagers, till grandmother Lilly, drives Gabe away, believing him not to be good enough for her granddaughter. Lilly has her own secrets of her past, but suffering from dementia, she reveals one of them to her husband, George. George leaves her (BTW the grandparents are in their 80s) and stays in a hotel. There is a secret/mystery of their daughter Bae's mother. Gabe's father, Jonah, an alcoholic and abuser, dies. Gabe comes back home, Bae comes home after 17 years. And the story and secrets unravel....
My first book by Marissa Stapley, and probably my last. I didn't like any of the characters. All of them were morose and living in their heads, rather than in real life. There was an aura of depression and guilt surrounding them. Instead of being thankful of what they had, their thoughts were all into what they had done or the injustice they had faced. None of them knew the meaning of Enjoy the Present or Count Every Blessing.
The narration of the story wasn't clear, I got confused, whose story I was reading. And there was no gradual inclusion of characters. I stopped trying to remember who was who or their relation and just read about the 4 characters. I found the pace slow and the ending abrupt. The epilogue was better than the main story, not sure if it was because I was glad the story ended or the 2 main characters seemed to be in love.
This is the book, where I found one of the character telling the other I Love You, and the other replies Thank You, and it was supposed to imply that the other also loves. Did I get that? Nahhh!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Graydon House, and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
2.5 stars rounded to 3
November 5, 2017
Well, I did write it . . . And I hope you all enjoy it!
November 21, 2019
2/2,5 Sterne. Ich kam mit dem schreibstil nicht so klar und auch die Charaktere waren mir nicht wirklich sympathisch.
January 23, 2018
2.5 stars rounded up. The cover of Things To Do When It's Raining really appealed to me - I imagined a cozy and quaint read of sorts that would pull on the old heartstrings. I imagined a plot with rich description and perhaps even some historical detail about the area surrounding the St. Lawrence river. I imagined a gripping story about intergenerational secrets with twists and turns leading to an emotional reveal that would leave me a blubbering.mess. I waited patiently for the right moment to dig in. Maybe my expectations were too high but I was kind of disappointed with this book.
I would describe the story as a heartwarming tale that takes the reader on a somewhat emotional journey of love, loss and secrets. We meet Mae, who has just been hoodwinked and jilted by her financé Peter. He has swindled millions of dollars through their joint company and has left Mae with his dog and to pick up the pieces. In all honesty, I was a little confused by the dog and unsure of what the point was in having him in the story. We also meet Gabe, recently divorced and following in his father's footsteps using alcohol as a crutch for his unhappy life. He finds out his father is dying and must face the decision of returning to a place he left behind years ago. Both characters return to their childhood homes in order to pick up the pieces and that's when old relationships start to rekindle and the deceptions from long ago surface. The book seems to focus more on the dialogue and aftermath of the betrayals. The origins of the secrets come out fairly early on.
At the start of the story, there were too many characters introduced at once. I found myself confused as to who was who and who was saying what. I had to keep going back to figure it out. The author uses a third perspective, which for me worked at some points but not all. It sometimes read like an ongoing narrative which didn't seem to add anything to plot or character development. I also felt like there could have been more emphasis on Gabe's background, for instance, to understand him better and the intergenerational impact of his father (and grandfather?) I also found the story lacked depth when it came to Mae's grandparents. We learn about past events and how the characters are shaped by them to a degree but what about their relationship today? I felt disconnected from many of the characters and left with many questions.
There were moments during the story that captured me and even brought a tear to my eye. I just didn't experience those moments enough. I'll even admit I skimmed a bit in this one just to get to the end. I kind of knew where it was going anyway. When reading a story dealing with tragedy, I need to feel the characters' depth of emotion. This book just didn't do that for me. I think people looking for more of a quick "surface" read might enjoy this more than I did.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I would describe the story as a heartwarming tale that takes the reader on a somewhat emotional journey of love, loss and secrets. We meet Mae, who has just been hoodwinked and jilted by her financé Peter. He has swindled millions of dollars through their joint company and has left Mae with his dog and to pick up the pieces. In all honesty, I was a little confused by the dog and unsure of what the point was in having him in the story. We also meet Gabe, recently divorced and following in his father's footsteps using alcohol as a crutch for his unhappy life. He finds out his father is dying and must face the decision of returning to a place he left behind years ago. Both characters return to their childhood homes in order to pick up the pieces and that's when old relationships start to rekindle and the deceptions from long ago surface. The book seems to focus more on the dialogue and aftermath of the betrayals. The origins of the secrets come out fairly early on.
At the start of the story, there were too many characters introduced at once. I found myself confused as to who was who and who was saying what. I had to keep going back to figure it out. The author uses a third perspective, which for me worked at some points but not all. It sometimes read like an ongoing narrative which didn't seem to add anything to plot or character development. I also felt like there could have been more emphasis on Gabe's background, for instance, to understand him better and the intergenerational impact of his father (and grandfather?) I also found the story lacked depth when it came to Mae's grandparents. We learn about past events and how the characters are shaped by them to a degree but what about their relationship today? I felt disconnected from many of the characters and left with many questions.
There were moments during the story that captured me and even brought a tear to my eye. I just didn't experience those moments enough. I'll even admit I skimmed a bit in this one just to get to the end. I kind of knew where it was going anyway. When reading a story dealing with tragedy, I need to feel the characters' depth of emotion. This book just didn't do that for me. I think people looking for more of a quick "surface" read might enjoy this more than I did.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 24, 2017
Zunächst muss ich sagen, dass das Buch wirklich schön gestaltet ist. Neben dem Cover, was ein wirklicher Hingucker ist, sind auch die Buchklappen richtig schön gestaltet, inbesondere die Karte des kleinen Ortes.
Leider konnte die Geschichte jedoch mit dem schönen Äußeren nicht mithalten. Von Anfang an hatte ich Probleme in die Geschichte reinzufinden und hatte Probleme mit den vielen Personen und den verschiedenen Zeitebenen. Ich hatte zu Beginn noch Hoffnung, dass es sich im Verlauf der Geschichte noch bessern wird, aber es zog sich leider komplett durch die Geschichte.
Es wurde alles sehr sprunghaft erzählt, so dass alles sehr distanziert auf mich wirkte und ich auch nie mit den Charakteren warm geworden bin. Die Gefühle sind hier in jeglicher Hinsicht auf der Strecke geblieben und es hat mich alles leider völlig kalt gelassen.
Es gab Wendungen in der Geschichte, aber diese passten für mich einfach nicht zum Rest und wirkten auf mich sehr erzwungen.
Ich mag Geschichten, die in kleinen Orten spielen, aber hier war überhaupt nichts von der Atmosphäre spürbar und es hätte eigentlich überall spielen können. Es war leider so gar nichts besonderes.
Die eigentlich Geschichte spielt in der Gegenwart, aber es gibt immer mal wieder Rückblicke in die Jugend von Mae und Gabe. Diese waren jedoch so schwammig, dass man Schwierigkeiten hatte festzustellen in welcher Zeit man sich nun befindet.
Ich hatte mir eine romantische Liebesgeschichte mit alten Familiengeheimnissen erhofft, aber leider habe ich so gar nicht das bekommen, was ich erwartet habe.
Leider konnte die Geschichte jedoch mit dem schönen Äußeren nicht mithalten. Von Anfang an hatte ich Probleme in die Geschichte reinzufinden und hatte Probleme mit den vielen Personen und den verschiedenen Zeitebenen. Ich hatte zu Beginn noch Hoffnung, dass es sich im Verlauf der Geschichte noch bessern wird, aber es zog sich leider komplett durch die Geschichte.
Es wurde alles sehr sprunghaft erzählt, so dass alles sehr distanziert auf mich wirkte und ich auch nie mit den Charakteren warm geworden bin. Die Gefühle sind hier in jeglicher Hinsicht auf der Strecke geblieben und es hat mich alles leider völlig kalt gelassen.
Es gab Wendungen in der Geschichte, aber diese passten für mich einfach nicht zum Rest und wirkten auf mich sehr erzwungen.
Ich mag Geschichten, die in kleinen Orten spielen, aber hier war überhaupt nichts von der Atmosphäre spürbar und es hätte eigentlich überall spielen können. Es war leider so gar nichts besonderes.
Die eigentlich Geschichte spielt in der Gegenwart, aber es gibt immer mal wieder Rückblicke in die Jugend von Mae und Gabe. Diese waren jedoch so schwammig, dass man Schwierigkeiten hatte festzustellen in welcher Zeit man sich nun befindet.
Ich hatte mir eine romantische Liebesgeschichte mit alten Familiengeheimnissen erhofft, aber leider habe ich so gar nicht das bekommen, was ich erwartet habe.
November 6, 2017
Another gorgeous family drama from Canadian writer Marissa Stapley.
January 30, 2018
***ARC received in exchange for an honest review***
In Marissa Stapley's second novel, Things to Do When Its Raining, she delivers another powerful, emotionally charged story of family, second chances, lies, forgiveness.
There is so much to this story. At times I felt it was hard to follow along and had to back track. There are so many complex characters that make this story what it is...a journey of unraveling lies.
Mae was living her life in NY with her fiance, but one day she wakes up and he is not there. After discovering she has been "ponzed" she returns to the place of her childhood and finds things there are not the same anymore. As the story develops, each character has their own journey or fears to face and at times the web is so tangled its hard to keep moving forward to find the light.
This is one of those stories that its all about the details. The details give you the moments where you can "see it" and "feel it", you are standing at the lake in the fog, walking down the road,or in the cafe having a conversation, feeling their pain, sorrow, and guilt. This is written in third person and that gives you a story telling effect that grabs your attention and holds on.
As there are many details and many stories to be told and unravel, this is a longer novel. For me I didn't mind it in the least. I simply enjoyed it and all the "what to do when its raining" activities.
4 heartwarming stars
In Marissa Stapley's second novel, Things to Do When Its Raining, she delivers another powerful, emotionally charged story of family, second chances, lies, forgiveness.
There is so much to this story. At times I felt it was hard to follow along and had to back track. There are so many complex characters that make this story what it is...a journey of unraveling lies.
Mae was living her life in NY with her fiance, but one day she wakes up and he is not there. After discovering she has been "ponzed" she returns to the place of her childhood and finds things there are not the same anymore. As the story develops, each character has their own journey or fears to face and at times the web is so tangled its hard to keep moving forward to find the light.
This is one of those stories that its all about the details. The details give you the moments where you can "see it" and "feel it", you are standing at the lake in the fog, walking down the road,or in the cafe having a conversation, feeling their pain, sorrow, and guilt. This is written in third person and that gives you a story telling effect that grabs your attention and holds on.
As there are many details and many stories to be told and unravel, this is a longer novel. For me I didn't mind it in the least. I simply enjoyed it and all the "what to do when its raining" activities.
4 heartwarming stars
March 28, 2018
Things to Do When It's Raining by Marissa Stapley follows Mae and Gabe and Lilly and George through love and through heart break.
Lilly and George are the grandparents, then guardians to Mae after a terrible accident killed both her parents. Then shortly following the accident they take Gabe in from his alcoholic and abusive father. Mae and Gabe are the best of friends until one day he leaves without a word. Nearly a dozen years later and they both find themselves back in their home town of Alexandria Bay for different reasons.
There were several reasons why I didn't enjoy this one..
1) I found the narrative confusing at first and didn't really know what was going on. We were introduced to so many characters at once that I had to re-read a few pages to understand who we were following for the first few narratives. I would of liked to see some names at the beginning of the chapters for some clarification.
2) I felt there wasn't enough back story for any of the characters that honestly, I just didn't care what emotional journey they were going through. I wanted more about Everett or Virginia or even Jonah. I was wishing for more in-depth backgrounds and flashbacks.
3) Can no one get over their "wrong doings" in this book? I mean, all the characters seemed hung up on some sort of betrayal from something someone did to them or something they did to someone else. Everyone just seemed to be wallowing too much in their own self pity for my liking.
4) Besides the end of the novel, it never really rained, so I don't get the whole "things to do in the rain". It is important just because Virginia wrote it? Maybe I'm just being too critical now and it's just supposed to be this beautiful metaphor that I'm taking far too literal.
I'm sure there was more, but I don't want to deter anyone too much from wanting to read this one. It wasn't all bad by any means, just not "gripping" enough for me.
2.5/5 stars, rounded up to 3
Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy of this book for my honest review.
Lilly and George are the grandparents, then guardians to Mae after a terrible accident killed both her parents. Then shortly following the accident they take Gabe in from his alcoholic and abusive father. Mae and Gabe are the best of friends until one day he leaves without a word. Nearly a dozen years later and they both find themselves back in their home town of Alexandria Bay for different reasons.
There were several reasons why I didn't enjoy this one..
1) I found the narrative confusing at first and didn't really know what was going on. We were introduced to so many characters at once that I had to re-read a few pages to understand who we were following for the first few narratives. I would of liked to see some names at the beginning of the chapters for some clarification.
2) I felt there wasn't enough back story for any of the characters that honestly, I just didn't care what emotional journey they were going through. I wanted more about Everett or Virginia or even Jonah. I was wishing for more in-depth backgrounds and flashbacks.
3) Can no one get over their "wrong doings" in this book? I mean, all the characters seemed hung up on some sort of betrayal from something someone did to them or something they did to someone else. Everyone just seemed to be wallowing too much in their own self pity for my liking.
4) Besides the end of the novel, it never really rained, so I don't get the whole "things to do in the rain". It is important just because Virginia wrote it? Maybe I'm just being too critical now and it's just supposed to be this beautiful metaphor that I'm taking far too literal.
I'm sure there was more, but I don't want to deter anyone too much from wanting to read this one. It wasn't all bad by any means, just not "gripping" enough for me.
2.5/5 stars, rounded up to 3
Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy of this book for my honest review.
February 7, 2018
2.5 STARS - This is a cozy read featuring an intergenerational story about loss, lies and secrets. It hits all the right boxes for a good Contemporary Fiction read - nice setting, varying time lines, a family with issues and an interesting premise and yet it didn't garner a high rating from me for a few reasons.
First, I thought the big family secrets were underwhelming and were revealed too early in the story. I was in it for the secrets!! Second, I wanted better connections to the characters and would have loved more backstory on a few, especially Gabe and his less than idyllic childhood. The characters show various family dynamics but the transitions between past and present felt awkward, slowed the pace and made it difficult to keep track of who was speaking.
What I enjoyed most about this book was the sensitive portrayal of Lily's progression into her illness. Her internal dialogue was distressing and touching and got to the heart of an illness that affects many families.
For a story that deals with tragedy, grief, loss and betrayal, this book felt predictable and, unfortunately, underwhelming. There are many big familial issues introduced but I didn't feel they were really examined in enough depth.
Disclaimer: This ARC was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
First, I thought the big family secrets were underwhelming and were revealed too early in the story. I was in it for the secrets!! Second, I wanted better connections to the characters and would have loved more backstory on a few, especially Gabe and his less than idyllic childhood. The characters show various family dynamics but the transitions between past and present felt awkward, slowed the pace and made it difficult to keep track of who was speaking.
What I enjoyed most about this book was the sensitive portrayal of Lily's progression into her illness. Her internal dialogue was distressing and touching and got to the heart of an illness that affects many families.
For a story that deals with tragedy, grief, loss and betrayal, this book felt predictable and, unfortunately, underwhelming. There are many big familial issues introduced but I didn't feel they were really examined in enough depth.
Disclaimer: This ARC was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
November 27, 2018
3.9 🌟
Libro molto carino,appena l'ho iniziato temevo che fosse super banale invece poi è stata una lettura piacevole.
Certo, non ci sono grandi plot twist, alla fine succede quello che ci si aspettava fin dall'inizio, ma a metà il libro ha preso una piega che non mi aspettavo ed è diventato più interessante.
È una lettura molto malinconica, adatta da leggere in un giorno di pioggia, secondo me. Lo sottolineo perché in originale il titolo era Things to Do When It's Raining ed era veramente calzante, non solo perché rispecchia veramente tutta l'atmosfera del libro, ma anche perché il titolo stesso è parte della storia (è una lista di cose da fare quando piove, scritta dalla madre della protagonista, e anche se è relativa solo al luogo dove si svolge la storia ho trovato carino che i vari punti fossero all'inizio di ogni capitolo ♡).
Mi è piaciuto molto il fatto che questo libro non si concentra solo sulla storia d'amore tra i protagonisti ma anche sul passato e sul presente di altri personaggi.
Parla moltissimo della perdita di persone care e delle reazioni differenti che ognuno può avere. Parla comunque anche di rinascita, di famiglia e di legami affettivi.
Ho trovato molto carino e toccante il prologo e in generale consiglio il libro a tutti i fan di Nicholas Sparks. E ve lo dice una che non ama particolarmente i suoi libri, quindi...si insomma, lo consiglio anche ai non-fan di Nicholas Sparks, se volete leggere qualcosa di malinconico davanti al caminetto ♡
Libro molto carino,appena l'ho iniziato temevo che fosse super banale invece poi è stata una lettura piacevole.
Certo, non ci sono grandi plot twist, alla fine succede quello che ci si aspettava fin dall'inizio, ma a metà il libro ha preso una piega che non mi aspettavo ed è diventato più interessante.
È una lettura molto malinconica, adatta da leggere in un giorno di pioggia, secondo me. Lo sottolineo perché in originale il titolo era Things to Do When It's Raining ed era veramente calzante, non solo perché rispecchia veramente tutta l'atmosfera del libro, ma anche perché il titolo stesso è parte della storia (è una lista di cose da fare quando piove, scritta dalla madre della protagonista, e anche se è relativa solo al luogo dove si svolge la storia ho trovato carino che i vari punti fossero all'inizio di ogni capitolo ♡).
Mi è piaciuto molto il fatto che questo libro non si concentra solo sulla storia d'amore tra i protagonisti ma anche sul passato e sul presente di altri personaggi.
Parla moltissimo della perdita di persone care e delle reazioni differenti che ognuno può avere. Parla comunque anche di rinascita, di famiglia e di legami affettivi.
Ho trovato molto carino e toccante il prologo e in generale consiglio il libro a tutti i fan di Nicholas Sparks. E ve lo dice una che non ama particolarmente i suoi libri, quindi...si insomma, lo consiglio anche ai non-fan di Nicholas Sparks, se volete leggere qualcosa di malinconico davanti al caminetto ♡
April 10, 2018
I received a copy of this through NetGalley for my honest review.
2.5 stars, but I'm bumping it up to 3 because maybe it's me and the fact that I've recently read so many hard-hitting, angst-ridden, rip your heart out books. I struggled with this storyline. I had a hard time following it. For the longest time I had no clue what was going on. I had to work for understanding - and I hate having to do that with books I read. So many chapters where I couldn't tell who's voice I was reading. I started skimming, then putting it down and picking up other books, and that's never a good thing. I never really connected with these characters or the tale they had to tell.
2.5 stars, but I'm bumping it up to 3 because maybe it's me and the fact that I've recently read so many hard-hitting, angst-ridden, rip your heart out books. I struggled with this storyline. I had a hard time following it. For the longest time I had no clue what was going on. I had to work for understanding - and I hate having to do that with books I read. So many chapters where I couldn't tell who's voice I was reading. I started skimming, then putting it down and picking up other books, and that's never a good thing. I never really connected with these characters or the tale they had to tell.
March 10, 2018
I won this book from Simon and Schuster facebook page. I enjoyed reading it. It is my first book by this author. It is a good drama book and would make a good pay tv movie,for sure. It had a good story to it.
November 20, 2018
When Mae's fiance disappears, leaving her and the company they share in financial ruin, she escapes back to her small hometown in upstate New York. But life there is no easier: a grandmother with dementia and a childhood friend with his own traumatic past force Mae to confront secrets that have long lay buried. If you enjoy books by Nicholas Sparks, you will adore this romantic and sentimental tale about the truths we learn on the long road home.
April 15, 2018
3,5
Bis zur Mitte hätte ich 4 Sterne gesagt aber ab der Mitte hat es sehr nachgelassen
Bis zur Mitte hätte ich 4 Sterne gesagt aber ab der Mitte hat es sehr nachgelassen
May 5, 2025
Had some cringe moments, sad moments, end the ending was kinda random af… but overall a cute read!
February 6, 2018
I received a free copy of this book from the author for an honest review. This is a well written, character driven book. It is the story of a family with too many secrets and lies going back decades. Mae’s parents die when she is a child and she is raised by her loving grandparents. Gabe, a neighbour boy, is living with his single parent, abusive, alcoholic father. Lilly and George, Mae’s grandparents, decide to save Gabe from this situation and agree to raise Gabe in their home. Gabe and Mae grow up as childhood friends and fall in love as they become teenagers. Lilly doesn’t approve of the relationship and convinces Gabe to leave through her own manipulations and lies. George is aware that Lilly has kept important secrets from him throughout the years but doesn’t make her aware that he knows. Now Mae is in her thirties and has returned to her grandparents house following a personal scandal of her own. What she discovers is that her grandma has dementia and her grandfather, tired of the secrets, has left her. Gabe has also returned to their small town due to his father’s illness. As secrets and lies come to light between Gabe, Mae, and her grandparents so does the knowledge that mistakes made over the years have caused great anguish and grief for all involved. Each of the four have suffered from all that has transpired. I found this book engaging with very real characters. There are also little recommendations throughout the book as to what to do when it’s raining as rain is an important theme throughout the book.
July 7, 2018
Salve lettrici.
Oggi vi parlo del romanzo “La locanda dei ricordi d’estate” di Marissa Stapley, edito da Sperling & Kupfer. Il romanzo racconta la storia di Mae e della sua famiglia e racconta di Alexandria Bay, il luogo in cui si svolgono le vicende. Mae è cresciuta con i nonni e con il suo migliore amico Gabe.
Mae e Gabe hanno passato ogni giorno insieme e per anni sono stati inseparabili. Crescendo, però, le cose si sono complicate. Mae adesso vive lontano dalla loro cittadina, lontano dai nonni e lontano da Gabe, con cui non parla da anni. Il destino ha voluto che i segreti che nascondevano nei loro cuori venissero fuori tutti insieme, prima che sia troppo tardi. Mae, Gabe e i nonni
avranno la possibilità di sistemare il passato e giocarsi finalmente la possibilità di essere felice, perché la loro casa è insieme, e il loro posto è ad Alexandria Bay. Insomma lettrici, una storia intrigante e molto romantica.
L’amore è il protagonista assoluto e ognuno dei personaggi dovrà affrontare parecchie scelte prima di trovare la serenità di coppia. I nonni in primis, poi Mae e Gabe. Questi ultimi sono stati separati per anni, ma mai hanno smesso di amarsi. Di pensarsi. E non è solo per questo che la coppia mi è piaciuta davvero tanto. Loro due appaiono all’occhio di chi legge molto reali, pieni di problemi e preoccupazioni.... e con un bagaglio ingombrante sulle spalle. Ma entrambi, per amore, sono pronti a tutto, sopratutto perdonare. E nonostante siano entrambi forti e coraggiosi, solo insieme troveranno la forza di affrontare il passato e ciò che esso nasconde. “La locanda dei ricordi d’estate” racconta di segreti inconfessabili e bugie, ma sopratutto racconta di perdono e famiglia. È una lettura davvero molto carina, scorrevole e piacevole.
La consiglio a chi cerca spensieratezza e dolcezza.
Oggi vi parlo del romanzo “La locanda dei ricordi d’estate” di Marissa Stapley, edito da Sperling & Kupfer. Il romanzo racconta la storia di Mae e della sua famiglia e racconta di Alexandria Bay, il luogo in cui si svolgono le vicende. Mae è cresciuta con i nonni e con il suo migliore amico Gabe.
Mae e Gabe hanno passato ogni giorno insieme e per anni sono stati inseparabili. Crescendo, però, le cose si sono complicate. Mae adesso vive lontano dalla loro cittadina, lontano dai nonni e lontano da Gabe, con cui non parla da anni. Il destino ha voluto che i segreti che nascondevano nei loro cuori venissero fuori tutti insieme, prima che sia troppo tardi. Mae, Gabe e i nonni
avranno la possibilità di sistemare il passato e giocarsi finalmente la possibilità di essere felice, perché la loro casa è insieme, e il loro posto è ad Alexandria Bay. Insomma lettrici, una storia intrigante e molto romantica.
L’amore è il protagonista assoluto e ognuno dei personaggi dovrà affrontare parecchie scelte prima di trovare la serenità di coppia. I nonni in primis, poi Mae e Gabe. Questi ultimi sono stati separati per anni, ma mai hanno smesso di amarsi. Di pensarsi. E non è solo per questo che la coppia mi è piaciuta davvero tanto. Loro due appaiono all’occhio di chi legge molto reali, pieni di problemi e preoccupazioni.... e con un bagaglio ingombrante sulle spalle. Ma entrambi, per amore, sono pronti a tutto, sopratutto perdonare. E nonostante siano entrambi forti e coraggiosi, solo insieme troveranno la forza di affrontare il passato e ciò che esso nasconde. “La locanda dei ricordi d’estate” racconta di segreti inconfessabili e bugie, ma sopratutto racconta di perdono e famiglia. È una lettura davvero molto carina, scorrevole e piacevole.
La consiglio a chi cerca spensieratezza e dolcezza.
June 7, 2019
Moving between three generations of the Summers women (Lilly, Virginia, and Mae) with select insights from the men in their lives, Stapley's novel is a classic family saga. Even though it is peppered with family tragedy, missed opportunities, and misunderstandings, this was a cozy, comforting read. Stapley's clear prose and choice of parceling the narrative out over a number of perspectives in relatively short vignettes keeps the pace ticking. The small, riverside town and rambling old Inn where much of the story takes place act as characters in the book and provide the perfect nostalgic backdrop for this classic kind of storytelling.
November 5, 2017
Marissa Stapley’s THINGS TO DO WHEN IT’S RAINING is evocative, wise and infused with heart. A deeply moving story about family, love and loss, it shows how secrets can either haunt us or set us free, depending on who we trust them with. One of my favorite books this year!
February 6, 2018
Original review can be found at https://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/...
** I received an advanced readers copy from Simon & Schuster Canada in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**
Things To Do When It's Raining was a sweeping family drama that spanned three generations but concentrated mostly on Mae and Gabe, the youngest of the generations. It was an epic story that showed how lies, deceptions and choices shaped and followed people from one generation to the next. It was a journey of self discovery and a lesson in overcoming adversity.
I enjoyed the setting of this book. Alexandria Bay or Alex Bay or A Bay (as I know it) was very familiar to me. It is not far from where I live as I am its neighbour to the north across the river. The familiarity with the setting helped to paint a clear picture of the story in my mind. In essence the river was as much a character as the people that the story portrayed.
Although I didn't dislike any of the key players in this story I can't say that I loved them either. I found that they all lacked a little bit of personality. A little more character development would have easily solved it. Most of them were depressing and because I didn't feel like I really knew them it was a little off putting.
This brings me to the plot. The synopsis gave a good overview of what the story was about so I won't go into any more detail. I will say that I really enjoyed the generational aspect of it and the telling of three different stories. However, each story I found to be a little too vague and I was left with questions about each group of people. There were tiny holes that I couldn't quite fill in and there were other aspects that I wished I knew more about. I wanted a more detailed account of Lilly and George's story particularly surrounding Everett. I also wanted to know more about Mae's parents and also her mothers friendship with Gabe's father. What was the deal with Mae's father's family? I never did understand it. I wanted to know more about Gabe's father and his back story. Finally, I wanted to understand Lilly's aversion to Gabe, a boy whom she was suppose to love. It made no sense which left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. I guess you can say that I wanted more. It was a good story but I feel like it needed to be longer and more detailed in order to get fully lost in it. Each generation had a fantastic story that would have been better served with less of a "cliff notes" type feeling.
In the end I can honestly say that I enjoyed this book but I wish it had been a little more detailed. I enjoyed Marissa Stapley's writing and won't hesitate to pick up more of her work.
** I received an advanced readers copy from Simon & Schuster Canada in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**
Things To Do When It's Raining was a sweeping family drama that spanned three generations but concentrated mostly on Mae and Gabe, the youngest of the generations. It was an epic story that showed how lies, deceptions and choices shaped and followed people from one generation to the next. It was a journey of self discovery and a lesson in overcoming adversity.
I enjoyed the setting of this book. Alexandria Bay or Alex Bay or A Bay (as I know it) was very familiar to me. It is not far from where I live as I am its neighbour to the north across the river. The familiarity with the setting helped to paint a clear picture of the story in my mind. In essence the river was as much a character as the people that the story portrayed.
Although I didn't dislike any of the key players in this story I can't say that I loved them either. I found that they all lacked a little bit of personality. A little more character development would have easily solved it. Most of them were depressing and because I didn't feel like I really knew them it was a little off putting.
This brings me to the plot. The synopsis gave a good overview of what the story was about so I won't go into any more detail. I will say that I really enjoyed the generational aspect of it and the telling of three different stories. However, each story I found to be a little too vague and I was left with questions about each group of people. There were tiny holes that I couldn't quite fill in and there were other aspects that I wished I knew more about. I wanted a more detailed account of Lilly and George's story particularly surrounding Everett. I also wanted to know more about Mae's parents and also her mothers friendship with Gabe's father. What was the deal with Mae's father's family? I never did understand it. I wanted to know more about Gabe's father and his back story. Finally, I wanted to understand Lilly's aversion to Gabe, a boy whom she was suppose to love. It made no sense which left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. I guess you can say that I wanted more. It was a good story but I feel like it needed to be longer and more detailed in order to get fully lost in it. Each generation had a fantastic story that would have been better served with less of a "cliff notes" type feeling.
In the end I can honestly say that I enjoyed this book but I wish it had been a little more detailed. I enjoyed Marissa Stapley's writing and won't hesitate to pick up more of her work.
April 20, 2020
The book title it self is realy encouraging to buy! Specially to rain lovers! (unfortunately I'm not the kind...actually the was a gift😬)
But hopefuly it didn't disappoint me.
The most interesting point was the book's character! Every single section has a note on top, telling a simple suggestion about what you can do if it's raining; and I liked it when I figured out that all these sections are related to their top notes!
This novel with smooth puzzles, emphasizes on family all over enything and I liked its point of view.
But hopefuly it didn't disappoint me.
The most interesting point was the book's character! Every single section has a note on top, telling a simple suggestion about what you can do if it's raining; and I liked it when I figured out that all these sections are related to their top notes!
This novel with smooth puzzles, emphasizes on family all over enything and I liked its point of view.
June 16, 2019
3,5 Sterne.
Ich habe es sehr gerne in die Hand genommen und gelesen.
Ich habe es sehr gerne in die Hand genommen und gelesen.
April 19, 2023
Very cozy read. Sweet topics.
Makes me think of my grandparents - wishing I had a closer relationship to them. A lot of comforting and relatable topics surrounding death and feeling at a complete loss as well as feeling brave enough to choose love.
3 stars as it wasn’t anything nail biting or overly emotional. But comforting nonetheless.
Makes me think of my grandparents - wishing I had a closer relationship to them. A lot of comforting and relatable topics surrounding death and feeling at a complete loss as well as feeling brave enough to choose love.
3 stars as it wasn’t anything nail biting or overly emotional. But comforting nonetheless.
March 10, 2018
Wunderschönes Cover aber der Rest konnte mich nicht überzeugen, leider
Displaying 1 - 30 of 254 reviews