This is writing at its finest, and it's a debut novel guys! I fell like Jennifer Wright has been writing for years and years! It's amazing. She's super talented and you need to read it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Two sisters, Melissa and Kathryn, who learn to stand on their own two feet but still support each other in the trials every midwesterner faced during the dust bowl era. Jennifer Wright did an excellent job of describing the depth of desperation felt by so many when the rains didn't come and the earth blew away. She skillfully uses the sisters and their community to add to the history of this trying era. Each sister faces challenges they must over come to grow and prosper, taking the readers deep into their lives and stories.

I'm tired, seriously tired of Christian fiction being used as a genre that can be slapped on any book.

I'm not finishing this or reviewing more than to say why add sex? Where has faith gone? What makes this book okay from a Christian publisher?

This book was very well written. But it was very challenging to read because of the difficult subject matter. The Depression and Dust Bowl time periods are difficult enough. But add disability, domestic abuse, abandonment, and a dangerous journey with a sketchy character, well... I continually found myself putting the book down because I just couldn't take it. Then I would pick it back up an hour or so later and continue. The characters are very well-drawn, and the storyline is complex. But I, personally, had a hard time reading it. I gratefully received this free ebook ARC from the publisher and author in exchange for my unbiased review.

Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Haunting and moving. A harsh but real look into the dust bowl. Great character development. This author has something to bring us and I look forward to reading more!

What a moving read! I was utterly shocked at Kathryn being left behind, but her journey is inspiring and made for a book that I consider one of my all-time favorites now! I don' t have a sister but reading about how Kathryn and Melissa grow throughout the book, ultimately discovering what a true bond of sisterhood entails is beautiful. I adored the zany characters that Kathryn meets along her journey and how each imprints an important lesson her. I remember barely touching on the history of the Dust Bowl and love how it's intertwined with the story. Fantastic!

Review published on Goodreads,

I'm a sucker for an atmospheric historical novel, especially one about sisters, so IF IT RAINS is right up my alley. It didn't disappoint either, as the story is rich, absorbing, compelling, and moving. The sisters are sympathetic, both root-worthy in their own right as they display courage, determination, grit, and compassion. The tale has plenty of action, which kept the plot moving along at a swift place, keeping me turning pages. I also appreciate that this is a clean read (although there is abuse described) and a faith-promoting one. Christian novels are hit-and-miss for me as I like those that are inspirational without being preachy or cheesy. Wright weaves in the religious elements of her story in a way that feels natural, realistic, and moving. All in all, then, I very much enjoyed this debut. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for what Wright does next.

If I could, I would give IF IT RAINS 4 1/2 stars. Since I can't, I'm rounding up.

I don’t have the words to convey what a beautiful book this is. If It Rains is a moving story about the love of sisters as they struggle to survive and strive to do the right thing while living through the horrors of the Dust Bowl. It was filled with regret and hope, full of heart and emotion and a powerful testament of conviction and strength. Overall, it was a stunning faith journey and an incredible testimony of God’s love. Highly recommended!

Trigger warning for some emotional and domestic abuse, although I feel it was handled accurately and with tact.

Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Can the closeness of two sisters keep them together in spirit and love even when they must endure such hardship? That is the question for Melissa and her younger sister, Kathryn who live in Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl. Things seem to be perfect for Melissa as she is going to marry a wealthy man and move up in life. Kathryn was born with a club foot that people always made her feel incapable and stupid for. She is not like this and has strength and a fighting will. Her father convinces her that to sell his land is best and to move. He promises her she will get surgery for her club foot. So, Kathryn also thinks life will turn out very well.

It doesn’t work this way for either sister, but for very different reasons. Still, both have a strong faith and love each other. Both long to have their family back. Trying to get by during the Dust Bowl was very difficult, and many died or were displaced and had to leave their homes. The book, The Wizard of Oz was referenced many times. Each sister relied on it as a child and you can see the parallels in each sister’s life and the themes of the book. I really enjoyed this part.

Overall, it is a tribute to the love the sisters share, their faith, and their strength to find goodness and carry on. It was a hard time, but both sisters’ spirits shine through. I routed for both of them and wanted them to find home someway.

Thank you NetGalley, Jennifer L. Wright, and Tyndale House Publishers for a copy of this book.

READ MY REVIEW

Cover: Powerful.

The long and the short of If It Rains is, it blew me away. Complex story, complex characters, an unsympathetic MC, entwined subplots, and splendid growth arcs. What’s not to love?

The two MCs, Kathryn and Melissa, are relatable and they both have powerful, unique voices. It’s hard to accomplish such a feat with a double POV novel, as one of them tends to read weaker than the other, but Wright did it. It’s a testament to her writing skills, and I couldn’t be happier about it.

Speaking of skills, I’m amazed at Wright’s prose. It flows in a beautiful way, with no grammar mistakes or typos in sight, and the structure of the book has a rock-solid foundation. Realism plays a big role in If It Rains, too: the gritty historical details are not glossed over, but they’re on display—this is how life was like, they tell the reader, this is how people survived.

The Christian element is woven within the historical background, adding a layer to it, and that’s a welcome detail. Faith is a central plot point, yet it’s not thrust in your face, but period-accurate and relevant to the story.

One more praise goes to the growth arc of Kathryn and Melissa. Truth be told, even the cast of characters goes through a similar arc (Helen!), but the self-discovery and acceptance of the two sisters is something beautiful to witness.

If I really had to find a flaw, my red pen would point at Henry. He’s on the brink, as I think a couple more layers would have added and shaped up his personality. As it is, he reads a bit, um, static? A villain with little chance of redemption may sound unidimensional.

4.5 stars on GR, rounded up to 5.

Set in the dust storms in Oklahoma in the 1930s, this story follows a down-on-their-luck family as they leave Boise City. The oldest daughter makes a marriage of convenience to the town's favored son. Domestic abuse begins right after the wedding. The father and younger daughter head for Indianapolis with the father's new, young wife, Helen. The daughter never liked Helen and it was mutual. The daughter suffered from a club foot and now, at fourteen, has the opportunity for surgery in Indianapolis.
I thought the story was quirky. I'm glad to have read it, but I thought it followed awkwardly.

Descriptive and well-written; really transports readers to this novel's setting. It was just difficult to feel "settled," as the story jumped POV and a lot happened early on.

I had hoped this one would be fantastic, because the Dust Bowl is intriguing to me, and I adored the cover with its muted, earthy tones. The Dust Bowl part of this story was the best part for me. I especially enjoyed the haboob (dust storm), which is not an often-featured disaster in the books I read, and Kathryn’s journey through that event.

However, there was an explicit nudity/sex scene in chapter two, and none of the positives in this book could redeem that moment for me. I understand the author was setting up Henry to be an abusive husband from the jump, but there are cleaner ways of doing that. I do NOT need to read (or hear, as I was listening to the audio and following along on my Kindle) what happens between a man and woman on their honeymoon (or any time afterward, for that matter)—those are intended to be between-man-and-wife moments, NOT share-them-with-the-whole-class moments.

The church ladies knew Melissa was in an abusive relationship, and I think they did well to encourage her to be an obedient, submissive wife (Malachi 2:14; 1 Peter 3:1). Yet, there are also verses about men not abusing their wives, but these weren’t broached at all.

For example:

Colossians 3:19 “Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.”

1 Peter 3:7 “Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.”

Malachi 2:14-15 “… the Lord has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, with whom you have dealt treacherously; yet she is your companion and your wife by covenant. But did He not make them one, having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth.”

1 Corinthians 13:4 “Love is patient and kind…”

Ephesians 5:28-29 “In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church.”

John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”

Not all of those verses are strictly about husbands, but they are still overall human-decency verses about loving one another and are useful for husbands and wives alike.

I understand the church ladies were encouraging Melissa to do right by her husband, and that was a great point, but why did no one ever approach her husband about doing right by his wife? He was not honoring at all toward her, as husbands are instructed to be in 1 Peter 3:7. He wasn’t loving (John 13:34 and 1 Corinthians 13:4), but he WAS harsh with her (Colossians 3:19) and “dealt treacherously” with her (Malachi 2:14-15). Yet NOBODY in the entire town confronted him about his wrong and sinful behavior, even though they KNEW it was happening. Where were the church ladies (or gentlemen) on that side of things? The man never acknowledged his sinful ways, either.

I really adored Melissa’s heart for doing more than the bare basics where her charity work was concerned. It was so admirable that she was going above and beyond the expectations and actions of her fellow church ladies. I was disheartened to see they didn’t change their ways and do more too, but that is completely realistic and something I’ve personally seen in my own life. I strive to go above and beyond too, and always have, because there are many needs in the world, and if I can meet a few of them during my journey, then the extra time and effort involved are absolutely worth it.

Kathryn had an interesting journey. I was highly concerned for her, because she was a young teenager forced to rely on different strangers to survive through the book. It wasn’t safe to do such a thing, especially for someone as youthful as she. However, I love that she learned more about courage and pushing past what she thought she was capable of accomplishing. I also liked that, as a lead, she had clubfoot. It’s not every day that a leading lady (youngster or otherwise) has a deformity or disability, and it was fantastic to see this sort of thing highlighted and so well written. I also enjoyed that she had to face a natural disaster and its aftermath, got to meet a real cowboy, and hopped a train. She definitely had some wild adventures, and I rather enjoyed most of her portion of the story. This is what pulled my rating up from a single star and helped me push through to the end of the book even though I wasn’t really enjoying Melissa’s side of things much (because of Henry and the lack of reproach for his sins, as well as the explicit scene in chapter two).

The narrator, Sarah Zimmerman, did a fantastic job of bringing the era and community to life. Her voice inflections were spot-on, and her pacing was really great. I especially enjoyed her country accent. It felt very accurate to the South, and it was underplayed and subtle instead of exaggerated and over-the-top. She found the perfect balance and tone for the story.

I feel like I could have loved this story if it didn’t start off by offending the sacred bonds of marriage by displaying its intimate acts on the page for anyone and everyone to see.

Content: explicit nudity/sex scene, tobacco, alcohol, derogatory terms, replacement expletives, replacement profanity, crude and sexual talk, expletives, profanity, sexual abuse from a husband, domestic abuse, child abuse

A powerful novel of two sisters in the epicenter of the Oklahoma Dust Bowl.

A poignant coming of age story of faith, as two sisters navigate new worlds on their own struggling to believe in a good, omnipotent God in the unforgiving landscape of the Great Depression.

Kathryn is straightforward and adventurous, she doesn't hold back her feelings. I admired her courage and bravery to keep fighting despite the obstacles that came her way, she is headstrong and doesn't like asking for help. I liked how she persevered, but never shied away from speaking up for herself.

Melissa is a young wife, married to the son of the richest man in town, but marriage quickly loses its rosy glow in the face of abuse. Melissa struggles to see the light in what feels like a hopeless situation. I liked how the sisters are so different, Melissa isn't brave in the ways that Kathryn is, but she finds her own voice and clings to her faith throughout.

Overall, this debut blew me away. It was absolutely stunning. The alternating first person narratives, pulled me into each of the sisters' lives, as they fight their battles for survival and faith, learning to trust in the darkest times. A coming of age novel, set against the unforgiving backdrop of the Dust Bowl, with a powerful message of faith that made me see The Wizard of Oz in a brand new way. Truly a must read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

If It Rains
Jennifer L. Wright

Description:
"A story of resilience and redemption set against one of America’s defining moments—the Dust Bowl.
It’s 1935 in Oklahoma, and lives are determined by the dust. Fourteen-year-old Kathryn Baile, a spitfire born with a severe clubfoot, is coming of age in desperate times. Once her beloved older sister marries, Kathryn’s only comfort comes in the well-worn pages of her favorite book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Then Kathryn’s father decides to relocate to Indianapolis, and only the promise of a surgery to finally make her “normal” convinces Kathryn to leave Oklahoma behind. But disaster strikes along the way, and Kathryn must rely on her grit and the ragged companions she meets on the road if she is to complete her journey.

Back in Boise City, Melissa Baile Mayfield is the newest member of the wealthiest family in all of Cimarron County. In spite of her poor, rural upbringing, Melissa has just married the town’s most eligible bachelor and is determined to be everything her husband—and her new social class—expects her to be. But as the drought tightens its grip, Henry’s true colors are revealed. Melissa covers her bruises with expensive new makeup and struggles to reconcile her affluent life with that of her starving neighbors. Haunted by the injustice and broken by Henry’s refusal to help, Melissa secretly defies her husband, risking her life to follow God’s leading.

Two sisters, struggling against unspeakable hardship, discover that even in their darkest times, they are still united in spirit, and God is still with them, drawing them home."

Review:
Amazing debut novel set in Oklahoma and Kansas, during the Dust Bowl years. Highly recommend!

I liked the contrast of the Baile sisters. Kathryn, the younger sister was difficult to like. Older sister, Melissa was the star of the book, in my opinion.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - theme throughout. Some evil/nasty characters as well as helpful ones. If made into a movie, I would love to see Sam Elliott cast as the cowboy, Mr. Hickory!

Poverty, dust storms, death, social class, injustice, prayer, home, sisterly love,

I was gifted this advance copy by NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

1935 Oklahoma

Well written debut! Two sisters survive the Dust Bowl.

Melissa and Kathryn were poor and raised by their father. Older sister Melissa acts as a pseudo mom for Kathryn. When Melissa marries and with their father already remarried, Kathryn is angry at most everything. These life changes are on top of dismal living conditions and a nationwide depression.

The story is told through two points of view: Melissa's and Kathryn's. The chapters alternate between the two sisters. Their story lines diverge early on. I found myself more engaged in Melissa's, however, both were engaging.

The book The Wizard of Oz is an integral part of the novel. I loved the way the author blended in details from The Wizard of Oz and made them applicable to the story line.

The love of Christ shines throughout the novel. I look forward to the author's next release. Definitely an author to watch. Her writing style is smooth and kept this reader turning digital pages quickly.

The afterward provides good detail on what was based on fact. I loved the author's note which said to her husband and children: "I love you all even more than books (and that's saying something). So cute and relate-able to readers!

If It Rains was a heart wrenching book about a family trying to survive the Dust Bowl in Oklahoma. The story mainly revolves around two sisters and their different ways of coping and growing as they face adversaries. Kathryn is a headstrong 14 year old who hates people looking down at her and pitying her because of her clubbed foot. Her older sister Melissa is the beauty of their hometown and had just married the man of her dreams and is looking forward to a life of wedded happiness and bliss. The book switches from each sisters perspective as it progresses. Kathryn wants to stay in Oklahoma and wait for the rain but Pa and his wife, Helen, have decided it was time to go to Indianapolis to escape all the dust and also take Kathryn to see Melissa’s father so he can fix her clubbed foot. Kathryn doesn’t want to go but is comforted knowing her sister is being taken care of and she will be back some day. Melissa unfortunately finds out quickly that her new husband is not the man she thought he was, he starts physically abusing her and expecting her to do exactly what he says and if not he inflicts physical punishment. Throughout the story each sisters faith in God is tested, for one she grapples with how being a good Christian can end in such devastation for the other trying to understand why God seems to constantly be punishing her. By the end of the book both sisters overcome their struggles in their faith as they see how the Lord intervened and took care of them.

Beautifully written. Memorable characters. Excellent story line. Thought provoking theme. Savor this novel. Five stars.

The Great Depression and the Dust Bowl is the setting of this story. Learned so much about this time period and the hard times people went through. Their faith in the Lord to get them through-amazing. Enjoyed this book so much.

If it rains by Jennifer Wright
Well written about the dust bowl and the Great Depression. A story about two sisters that were separated during the dust bowl. Kathryn loved her father and sister, Melissa. She had to leave her home with her father, leaving her sister behind because she had married a wealthy resident of the town. Melissa couldn’t accept her life with her new husband, Henry because he didn’t care about the poor people of her town and treated Melissa with abuse.
The adventures will keep you reading and is hard to put down.
I received an ARC from the publisher and NetGallery. All opinions are my own.