When Raindrops Fall

by Brett Nelson

Ash and Brooke Ellington lead a fairy tale life in the fast-paced metropolis of Chicago. Ash lives life to the fullest until he gets the best news of his life, followed by the worst. Brooke, world-renowned violinist and star performer in the Chicago Philharmonic, has found out she is expecting their first child, and their world of happiness soon crumbles. Ash is thrilled at the prospect of fatherhood, but Brooke is unwilling to allow pregnancy and childrearing to disrupt her coveted music career. Ash's seemingly perfect life grinds to a halt when Brooke informs him that she will abort the pregnancy, with or without his approval. Desperate, he tries everything to change her mind, ultimately offering to raise the child on his own. When Brooke refuses to compromise, brokenhearted Ash leaves Chicago for a few hours to ponder life. Three days later, he arrives at the Sassafras Inn, a quaint country Bed & Breakfast in the sleepy waterfront town of Raindrop, New Hampshire. In Raindrop, the big-city outsider meets an eccentric group of locals who become Ash's unlikely allies: Mamie, the wise and resourceful Sassafras proprietor; LiliBeth, Mamie's granddaughter and employee; Colton, the kind-hearted and often rambunctious waiter at Puddle's Cafe; Holly, Colton's girlfriend who carries a secret of her own; Cindy, LiliBeth's faithful friend and sidekick. Ash will impact some of his new friends in wonderful ways, while others will rue the day they ever met him. Over the span of several weeks, a tumultuous long-distance relationship between husband and wife emerges. Will Ash's fervent and emotional pleas snatch his unborn child from certain impending demise, or will Brooke sacrifice it all, marriage and family, to preserve the career of her dreams?

TRIGGER WARNING: While "When Raindrops Fall" is free of profanity and sexual situations, themes of abortion may be triggering to some readers.

Genres: Contemporary, Romance

480 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 22, 2021

About the author

Brett is a Christian fiction author who has been an avid reader from the time he learned to read. Growing up, his favorite books were Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mysteries.

As he grew older, even to this day, his favorite authors include Mary Higgins Clark, John Grisham, and Robin Cook, to name a few.

Three of his five books have hit the Amazon Top 5 Best-Seller list, and he is an award-winning author.

His first novel "A Christmas to Live For" won the gold medal in Christian Fiction in the 2021 Readers' Favorite Awards, and his novel "War Songs" won the silver medal in Christian Fiction in the 2022 Global Book Awards.

He is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association (ACFW). He is co-host of the Christian/Clean fiction podcast, "Bookish Introverts Podcast."

Reviews

[Ricki McCallum · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very powerful book with intensely descriptive details about abortion. It portrays the father's feelings like no other book I have ever read. This is something that needs to be explored more often. I loved the characters and the way the author pulls you into an emotional roller coaster ride. I loved the book but the ending was disappointing because I wanted it to continue. Hopefully, a sequel will follow.

[dayle2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional

I loved the intensity of the emotions felt by the two main characters but HATED that the story just STOPPED! No ending…what happens next? I also caught a BIG error; at the beginning of the book, Ash says he’s 29 years old, but towards the end, he says he’s 34! But the book only covers a few months, not FIVE YEARS.

[Phil Calkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hooked from the first pages, as with Brett’s first two novels. Since,as a Christian, I am firmly in the right to life camp and against abortion, especially for personal convenience, the inevitable conflicts between the featured couple gripped my attention throughout. Brett is coming into his own as a noted author and his future indeed is bright. The novel ends suddenly, with many unanswered questions which I pray will lead to a sequel in the near future! Meanwhile looking forward to his next release this coming spring on another favorite topic, and a very time one, on Spiritual Warfare. Bring it on! Congratulations Brett on another high accomplishment!

Highly recommended! Fast reading, page to page and gripping story/telling throughout! Buy on Kindle and start reading today! You won’t regret it one bit!

[Charlene Rowe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tediously Preachy

Poorly edited and told from the viewpoint atop a very high horse, the story did get its point across. Brooke was selfish, rude and thoughtless in every way so I don't understand the basis of Ash's love to begin with. His choice in the ending is a very unhealthy one for both of them.

[Peni]

Ash and Brooke Ellington lead a fairy tale life in the fast-paced metropolis of Chicago. Ash lives life to the fullest until he gets the best news of his life, followed by the worst. Brooke, world-renowned violinist and star performer in the Chicago Philharmonic, has found out she is expecting their first child, and their world of happiness soon crumbles. Ash is thrilled at the prospect of fatherhood, but Brooke is unwilling to allow pregnancy and childrearing to disrupt her coveted music career. Ash's seemingly perfect life grinds to a halt when Brooke informs him that she will abort the pregnancy, with or without his approval. Desperate, he tries everything to change her mind, ultimately offering to raise the child on his own. When Brooke refuses to compromise, brokenhearted Ash leaves Chicago for a few hours to ponder life. Three days later, he arrives at the Sassafras Inn, a quaint country Bed & Breakfast in the sleepy waterfront town of Raindrop, New Hampshire. In Raindrop, the big-city outsider meets an eccentric group of locals who become Ash's unlikely allies: Mamie, the wise and resourceful Sassafras proprietor; LiliBeth, Mamie's granddaughter and employee; Colton, the kind-hearted and often rambunctious waiter at Puddle's Cafe; Holly, Colton's girlfriend who carries a secret of her own; Cindy, LiliBeth's faithful friend and sidekick. Ash will impact some of his new friends in wonderful ways, while others will rue the day they ever met him. Over the span of several weeks, a tumultuous long-distance relationship between husband and wife emerges. Will Ash's fervent and emotional pleas snatch his unborn child from certain impending demise, or will Brooke sacrifice it all, marriage and family, to preserve the career of her dreams?

TRIGGER WARNING: While "When Raindrops Fall" is free of profanity and sexual situations, themes of abortion may be triggering to some readers.

[Ilse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a powerful book. It will definitely trigger the pro-abortion crowd because they don't want to consider how their actions impact their significant other (husband in this case). This book, though 400+ pages, sucks you in so it is a fast read.

Ash and Brooke have a nice, happy, stable marriage. One day, he gets the best news in his life but it quickly becomes the worst. His wife, Brooke, tells Ash she is pregnant and he is over the moon. In the next breath, she informs him that there is no way she is having this baby. Her career is all that matters to her.

Ash is devastated. She has no interest in anything he has to say and refuses to listen let alone try to grasp how he feels. He is supposed to just cave to her wants. She has no problem telling him that his feelings don't count (in words and actions).

The emotions Ash feels are so well conveyed in this book that my heart broke for him. I won't give any spoilers but I can honestly say that I hated Brooke and found her to be selfish, cruel, all about me, me, me, unreasonable, doesn't really treat anyone well, and a phony when it came to love. If you love someone, you should at least hear what they are saying. I honestly don't know how anyone could have fallen in love with such a self-centered, b*tchy person. A great read but not recommended for those who are triggered by this topic.