Laughter in the Rain

by Debbie Macomber

mass market paperback book

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary

187 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 1, 1986

About the author

Debbie 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.

Reviews

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Laughter in the Rain is the eleventh stand-alone romance by popular American author, Debbie Macomber. When Abby Carpenter meets Tate Harding, she is immediately attracted. Her relationship with Logan Fletcher seems dull and predictable, so when Tate asks her out, she doesn’t really hesitate. But it seems that Logan isn't willing to be a third wheel: he starts to take their romance to the next level, and when Abby continues to see Tate, gives her an ultimatum. Abby soon realises that all is not as it first appears with Tate, and that she misses Logan’s company more than she ever expected to.

This romance is not up to Macomber’s usual standard: Abby is irritating in her attitudes, Tate is selfish and proud, and just needs to grow a set and get over himself, and Logan, least annoying of the lot, is too quick to jump to conclusions. They all need to communicate more, and there was a bit too much male ego happening. A happy ending I’m not sure this lot deserved.

[Jodi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a book I would not recommend to others. It was about a girl who was dating a guy for about a year. She meets a new guy and can't stop thinking about him. Her boyfriend is a jerk and keeps telling her to choose between him and the new guy. She picks the new guy, but then misses her boyfriend. They seem to fight and leave each other on every other page. This book was hard to read and did not keep my attention well. The girl finally figures out that the new guy doesn't even like her romantically and just needs her help. She promised not to telling anyone including her boyfriend. This causes more fighting and leaving each other. The boyfriend is jealous and starts dating another girl. It is all very high schoolish and not an enjoyable read.

[Cindi]

I read some of the reviews on this book. A lot of people did not like it. One s aid she wanted to yell at the characters because they were driving her crazy. My thought, well done Debbie Macomber. You made your character so real, some one actually felt emotional about them. I think the book dealt with real life people and problems.

[Alice · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was the least enjoyable of her stories that I've read so far.

[Theresa Beauregard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not one of her best.

[Krystyl Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is pretty good and an easy read. It definitely plays out like a fantasy and any self-withstanding woman/man would not have put up with a bunch of crap that happens in this book, regardless of who started what. Everyone has an egotistical attitude and selfish behavior. Abby is a mess and shouldn’t have bent the truth to hide Tate from Logan. In reality, Abby would’ve told Logan the truth if she really loved him, regardless of what Tate felt or didn’t want to reveal. The fact that Tate wasn’t honest from the beginning and played into Logan’s jealousy only made things worse for their relationship. And for Abby to allow to it continue is absurd. Logan jumps to too many conclusions on his own and never allows anyone to speak! Geez, all of the characters need to get over themselves! Lol but overall it is a good read.

[Kristi Powers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lite reading. Better than a Hallmark movie. Always enjoy Debbie's books.

[Garnet · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is it about over thinking other people’s reactions?! It keeps us coming back for more.

[Karol · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the few books I've read by Debbie Macomber where I didn't like the main romantic interests at all. Still, I wanted to see how things turned out, thus the 3 stars.

[JoAnne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a quick read but not what I've come to expect from Debbie Macomber. Granted it was one of her earlier books but it had very little romance and what there was was fraught with friction, fighting, secrecy, unhappiness and sadness. If I was Logan I would have been long gone when Abby told me she wanted a break from our relationship to see how she feels about Tate who she's attracted to because of the attention he pays her. Little does Abby know the attraction is not what she thinks and because of it she almost loses Logan in the process. I was happy how the story resolved itself but Logan and Abby caused each other and themselves a lot of heartache along the way.

[amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a fan of Debbie Macomber and am just now delving into her earlier works from the 1990s.
The first book I read by her was “Cottage by the Sea”, and that one got me hooked on her style of storytelling and her way of illustrating the dynamics of emotions and relationships.
I can recommend this book to people who enjoy romance as well as those looking for an uplifting read. I always take away something valuable from her books.
Among her earlier short works, I also recommend “Shadow Chasing”.
I also loved the Alaska series. My favourite Alaska series book was “Because of the Baby” and also “The Marriage Risk”.
Happy reading! :)

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

What drivel. The two characters in this book deserve each other. I usually love this author’s books, but this was a waste of my time. It was so forgettable that it wasn’t only a dull read, I was almost at the end (skimming much of it) when a particular incident reminded me that I’ve read it before! Twice I’ve plodded through this forgettable snooze.

[Dyenelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was not what I expected it to be. The story seems to be a bit childish and the problem, small. I was expecting to be balling my eyes out and at the same time feel the love as I did with her other books.

[Marina Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and dramatically written, I love Debbie Macombers' books.

[Amber Hoffman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book at first and was invested so I had to see he outcome but the characters made me nuts. I’ve read all the reviews about how Logan’s character was awful but I couldn’t stand Abby! She tells him she wants to talk to another guy, he gives her time which is crazy in my mind I would have left her. When she finally realizes she loves him, mainly after realizing Tate didn’t like her like that, she expects him to trust her? She told him she wanted to see another man then gets mad when he’s jealous that she’s spending time with that man. I get she didn’t want to break Tates trust but damn. She seems like an immature brat, she actually wanted Logan to stick around while she went on dates with another man, after a year long relationship. Logan was annoying too don’t get me wrong he was very hot and cold, and childish as well.

[Dana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe it's just me, but I've found that every "older" romance novel (90s and earlier) is just full of atrocious people. They have very few redeeming qualities, and the characters in this novel are no exception. Abby is 26, but acts like a 16-year-old. Logan just REFUSES to stick with any one emotion, and he's boring. Tate is marginally better, but he pretty much left Abby on by making her think he wanted a romantic relationship when all he wanted was a tutor.

Abby and Logan's relationship is so weird and awful. They've been dating for a year, but never told each other that they loved them. I don't even think they were sleeping together. Abby wasn't even wrong in calling what they had just a friendship because they barely acted like a couple. Tate was the catalyst they needed to take their relationship to the next level.

[Corrine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another great read by Debbie Macomber. The story is centered around Abby Carpenter who is confused by what/who she wants in life. She has been in a comfortable relationship but thinks things may be greener on the other side of the fence when a good looking stranger catches her eye. It was nice to see the characters develop over the course of the novel to find happiness in unlikely places. I enjoyed reading about their different hobbies: baseball, mountain climbing, biking, painting, volunteering and roller blading. It was a fun read and once I started it, I could not seem to put it down.

[Helen Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abby Carpenter loves volunteering teaching English as a second language. She finds herself torn between two men when she meets a handsome stranger who has her longing for a different type of romance. Her long time boyfriend, Logan, has become predictable and this new stranger, Tate, has her thinking she wants more.

But when she realizes that Tate wants something different she may lose what she has with Logan. When Logan gives her an ultimatum that she has to choose, she has to make a decision.

[Emma Inman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abby drove me crazy the whole book. Her boyfriend Logan at the beginning of the book wasn't good enough; especially when she saw Tate and how outwardly attractive he was. Once Abby decided she no longer wanted Tate, she wanted Logan again; he gracefully took her back but was greatly confused when she kept seeing Tate and wouldn't give her an explanation. There were several fights between Abby and Logan based on Tate and in the end Tate finally spoke to Logan and explained why they were seeing so much of each other and that there was no relationship other than friendship.

[Cherie · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you want a story that leaves you thinking about it long after you’re done reading it, this one is not the one. I’m used to reading books with depth and conversations that don’t sound like 12 year olds. This was pretty bad in my opinion. The scenarios and conversations were so unrealistic. Idk. I really can’t even put the effort into saying what all I could say. It’s a quick read thats for sure but very lacking in every other way. I’ve read a lot better from this author. Maybe I should just stick with her Christmas stories.

[Sheryle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed but issues

I enjoyed this book and read it in a single afternoon but I have issues with the couple. For two people to end up engaged at the end and have such major issues such as selfish pride, lack of trust and honesty it begs the question of if there would actually be a happily ever after?
Other then that; the book moved right along and was very entertaining. I wanted to know how it would even if I didn’t fully care for that ending.

[Kristin Skakun · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't even finish this book. The main character has the maturity and depth of a young teenager. And, the 30-year-old boyfriend, Logan, has barely kissed her after a year of dating...not buying it. Oh, and she cannot understand why the guy she has been dating for a year is upset when she goes out with someone else. Don't waste your time on this book. I only quit a book once every couple of years - that is how bad this was.

[Hannah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was all over the place, reading this, angry, wanting to throw the book, annoyed at the characters, everything.

How was it fair for her to even go for another man, and lead another one on? Why did she not just say from the start, and be transparent 'I can help you, I just need to let my Boyfriend know what we are doing, to be open and honest'.

There was no laughter in the rain, it was a painful, frustrating read.

[Joyce A. Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trust in Love

This is another great book by Debbie Macomber, my favorite author. She manages to capture believable personalities that enhance her stories to the max. She certainly doesn't rely on sensationalism to include sexual scenes in her literary endeavors but depends on the reader's imagination to determine what is happening.

[Jo Richner · Rating 1 out of 5]

This romance is problematic in today's world. Tate said he didn't like how Logan acted like he owned Abby and he's right. This hasn't aged well on a few levels, if I'm worried today I don't stalk someone's house, I text them.

[Helen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Again, I wish we had the opportunity to put in a negative rating. This story reads like a Hallmark movie--no, that is an insult to Hallmark. The characters were loving each other on one page and hating each other on the next page. Yuck!

[Sass · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was enjoying this read very much, the last few chapters I was getting frustrated with Abby.. By the end I was like WTF!!! I'd have walked away from Logan so fast.... Him asks all his no trust for the girl he is supposedly in love with!!!
Logan needed a good throat punch and told to screw off....

[Cathie McManus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abby has been dating Logan for over a year. He has never told her he loves her. Tate enters the picture. He finally asks Abby for her help. She can't tell Logan the truth and asks him to trust her. They seemed a little wishy-washy to me. Logan acts like he can control her.

[Ruby Walters · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 10%

I stopped reading this when the boyfriend met the new guy and got extremely jealous and defensive. Why was the new guy even in her apartment, wasn’t he stalking her?? Nothing about this made sense to me. So many red flags hence the dnf.

[Lynda Watts · Rating 2 out of 5]

Laughter in the Rain is certainly an easy, lightweight read, but I found myself wishing for more substance. The plot moves along without much happening, and the story becomes predictable far too quickly. Overall, it lacked the spark and depth needed to keep me truly engaged.