(Actual rating: 4.5 stars)
When compared to the first book, this one does not quite shine as bright. However, Comrie continues to shine a light on the real life struggles that so many young teens face even when everything seems okay. I highly recommend this book as well as the first one.

I am in a major reading slump right now, so it is no fault of this book, but it was just not vibing with me. I was just looking for the thing to get me hooked again and unfortunately this wasn't it. Again, that is not to say this was not a good book, I was just not in the mood for it.

Rain's big brother has gone off to college, and now at Middle School for the first time, Rain is dealing with juggling crushes, shifting friendships, and therapy. But when a deceptive boy targets Rain, she'll have to come clean even if it will hurt her friendships, I appreciated this sequel to Rain Remembers. Seeing her grow and mature, and learn about toxic relationships seems like such a great way to help middle graders avoid similar struggles, or see their own experiences in Rain's.

Last year I really enjoyed "Rain Rising" and was super excited to pick up this sequel this year! This book continues to follow Rain as she embarks on her first year of high school while still healing and learning to love herself. Although this is a sequel, I think it could also be read and enjoyed by someone who hasn't read the first book.

Like the previous book, this one is written in moving, emotional, and lyrical verse. Rain is struggling to adjust to her brother being away at college and the adjustment of being in high school. When an older boy takes an interest in Rain, she must fight to figure out what she wants and how to stand up for herself. Rain also finds herself struggling to juggle friendships and change.

I love that the Rain books straddle the line between middle grade and YA. I think these would be great for a tween getting ready to graduate to teen fiction! I really hope the author continues this series because I would love to keep reading about Rain's journey.

This was a strong follow up to Rain Rising, but stands on its own very well. I loved the way old friendships that had drifted could be reunited, and strong friendships could withstand problems and come out the other side. This was an honest look at a girl who has been through a traumatic situation, and though she received counseling and came out feeling better, new situations are beginning to trigger her pain. Now she finds herself needing to look inside herself for strength, trust her friends, and look beyond the surface to find the truest people in her life. I highly recommend this book for all schools and libraries!

Rain Remembers was just as wonderful as Rain Rising. Thank you Courtne for writing this story. They’re excellent characters and their story feels so real.

I love a middle grade novel in verse. This is no exception and a great follow up novel. It may leave you a little lost if you don't at least know the premise of Rain Rising but that is easily solved. Might help to know it's a sequel though and the note is small on the images I've seen.

A wonderful follow-up to the first book, Rain Rising! It was wonderful to see Rain and her family coming through some of the trauma mentioned in the first book. Rain is growing up, and she learns some tough lessons- especially in regards to boys. Rain is challenged to adjust to new people and a new school environment, but as readers know from book 1, she is strong and can do it. The content of the book, while heavy in parts, is written in such a way that I feel younger middle school students can and should read the book. I just really loved this one!

"Rain Remembers" by Courtne Comrie is a poignant and thought-provoking companion to the highly acclaimed "Rain Rising." In this sequel, Rain continues her journey of self-discovery and resilience in the face of life's challenges, and once again, the author's storytelling prowess shines through.

The novel opens with Rain facing a new school year filled with changes that threaten to disrupt her sense of security and belonging. The absence of her cherished Circle Group, the guidance of Dr. McCalla, and the camaraderie of Miss Walia leave Rain feeling adrift in unfamiliar waters. These changes are skillfully woven into the narrative, highlighting the universal theme of adapting to transitions in life. Readers, especially young adults, will connect with Rain's struggle to embrace change while longing for the familiar.

One of the novel's standout qualities is the authenticity with which it portrays the emotional rollercoaster of adolescence. Rain's difficulty in opening up to her new counselor, her mother, Umi, her friend Alyssa, and even her beloved brother Xander, who seems distant since leaving for college, feels achingly real. Comrie delves deep into Rain's inner world, exploring her fears, insecurities, and the weight of expectations placed upon her. This emotional depth gives the story a resonance that lingers long after the final page.

The introduction of an older boy who disrupts Rain's life adds a layer of suspense and intrigue to the narrative. Comrie handles the sensitive subject matter of boundaries, consent, and personal agency with care and nuance. Rain's journey to assert her boundaries and regain her voice is a powerful subplot that provides an important and timely message for young adult readers.

Comrie's writing is both evocative and poetic, drawing readers into Rain's world with vivid descriptions and poignant prose. The recurring motif of Rain as a metaphor, both gentle and a force of nature, beautifully underscores her resilience and the inner strength she discovers as she faces adversity.

While "Rain Remembers" is a compelling and emotionally resonant novel, it falls just short of a perfect five-star rating due to occasional pacing issues in the narrative. Some parts of the story may feel slightly slower, testing the reader's patience. However, these moments are offset by the rich character development and the authenticity of Rain's journey.

This book is a worthy continuation of Rain's story, offering readers a deeper understanding of her character and her ongoing struggle to adapt to a changing world. Courtne Comrie's skillful storytelling, combined with the novel's relatable themes and well-drawn characters, makes it a valuable addition to the young adult genre. Like the rain it portrays, this novel is both gentle and powerful, leaving readers eager for more from this talented author. It earns a solid four-star rating and is a must-read for fans of Rain's journey.

Going into this I didn't realize this was a second novel. But I did still enjoy this book. Rain has a lot on her plate and she still manages to overcome it all

In this companion novel, Rain, the main character, continues her quest to overcome past challenges while dealing with change and coming of age without the brother she found a sense of normalcy with, instead, she must struggle to gain renewed strength to see the beauty that lies in her and her ability to create her own path to success.

I absolutely loved the first book and this one just continued that love. Rain and her family are so great and go through so much. I love the prose. The way this is presented is so lovely and heart wrenching. Impossible to not want to hug all the main characters and their friends.
I hope there is more to come but regardless I will definitely revisit this many times.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s for an eARC.

Courtne Comrie did it again!!!!!

Rain Rising was crowned my favorite middle grade book of all time, so Rain Remembers had big shoes to fill and somehow surpassed all my expectations.

These kids feel so real and so close to me. I love them so much. I feel like a mama bear at this point.

I love this series, this little book universe and Courtne's words. 💙💙💙💙

I highly recommend this book.

Rain Remembers is a visually appealing and poetic exploration of character and questions/experiences that youth face. An absorbing and well-crafted verse novel, and a must-have for young readers.

This is a great coming of age story written in prose. This story deals with a lot of topics that face young people today. I did not know that this book is a sequel so I will definitely being going back and reading the first one. The characters are rich and I love the development of Rain and all the tough topics she faces as a freshman in high school. Thanks Netgalley!

A year after the events of Rain Rising, Xander is now off to college and Rain is starting high school. It’s a lot of change for her and while she’s trying to stay in a good place, keep the promises she made to X and her mom before, it’s harder than she wants to admit. Especially when an older boy starts giving her compliments and she believes him to the point that when he turns on her she begins to doubt her self-worth again. Luckily Rain has so many people in her corner who love her and help her challenge the negative self-talk.

I really love Courtne Com roe’s voice and Rain’s voice. This book deals with several different topics, from older boys being predatory and the threat of deportation for so many families. I really love the people Rain has in her corner and especially her relationship with her brother. I love seeing her growth over the story, and seeing how she’s grown from Rain Rising. I look forward to more from Courtne and the care taken with these wonderful, important stories of growing up and loving yourself.

this had everything that I enjoyed from Rain Rising and felt just as strong as this book. It worked well as a continuation and I was invested in what was happening in this world. Courtne Comrie does a great job in writing this and it left me wanting more. The characters felt like real people and I enjoyed getting to go on this journey with them.

What an excellent companion novel to Rain Rising. Rain still feels sad, and now her brother, Xander, is off to college and she starts high school. Rain hates facing new things, but she thinks a boy, Tommy, keeps looking at her. He smiles and hugs her one day and gives her his number; she can’t believe it. Someone tells her be careful but she ignores the warning, When Tommy invites her to his house she goes without telling anyone. When something almost happens, those feelings come back that Rain has where no one loves her or cares about her. When Xander comes home from school because he misses his sister, Rain tells him everything. Xander reminds her that she is beautiful, and smart and to let people earn your trust. He tells her “ when things change you have to remember you. Find your pockets of happiness.” Can Rain find happiness?