*received for free from netgalley for honest review* Great read, liked how the characters were written and the overall story was really good.

This book was just not for me.
I DNF’d it at 5% gave it a month or so break and then came back and restarted it from the beginning.

The second time I DNF’d it at 36%.

I felt like there was no plot, and instead I was just mindlessly listening to a sea of characters doing random things.

However, this novel was narrated by Cassandra Campbell and I sure did love the life her southern accent brought to the main character.

Sweet, family-focused tale. Beautifully told by Leslie Hooton's signature wit and Southern charm to the page again in this triumphant coming-of-age story.

Growing up in Erob, Alabama, Nina "Little Bit" Barnes Enloe lived in the shadow of her imposing and harsh grandmother, Nina "Biggie" Barnes Enloe. If she wasn't being bossed around by Biggie, then the task fell to her best friend Win...who did win. At everything. Bit never seemed to share Win's lifetime supply of “lucky dust.” Perhaps the only thing Bit has ever chosen for herself is her friendship with Avery, the out-of-towner who showed up on the saddest day of her life―unpretentious and decidedly un-Southern―with a funeral casserole in hand.

Bit believes she can escape her grandmother’s controlling grip once and for all by moving somewhere where she is the only Nina Enloe listed: New York. Yet her world is turned upside down when an unexpected loss forces her to leave her new life in the city and return to Erob, where she must face everything―and everyone―she left behind. In the process, Bit discovers her true identity, learns the hard lessons of acceptance and forgiveness, finds herself falling in love in unexpected places, and finds comfort in the secrets of rainy days.

I am so thankful for the arc audio copy of The Secret of Rainy Days. But sadly I was unable to finish the audio book. For me I just found the narrators voice hard to listen to and my mind would wander. I did enjoy the story but was just unable to stay focused on the story as the narrator spoke to slow. When I sped up the audio the narrators voice sounded robotic and warped. I do think that for me I would thoroughly enjoy reading The Secret of Rainy Days as a physical book. I shall pick up a copy soon.

I am always a fan of novels narrated by Cassandra Campbell, as the inflections in her voice help to convey the characters in a realistic way. This narration brings Nina "Little Bit" Barnes Enloe and small town southern living to life.

Erob, Alabama is not the place that Little Bit wants to return to for any period of time, but a codicil in her grandmother's will might have the power to change her mind. Will Nina's life in the big city, the life for which her dreams became a reality, become part of her past?

Given so much, yet not appreciating anything, Nina is not an endearing character. She complains a lot about her life, though she has more than most do in a lifetime. Had I not been listening to the audio version of this book, I might not have finished it. For this reason, I would be hesitant to recommend The Secret of Rainy Days to other readers.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Audio Copy of The Secret of Rainy Days, by NetGalley and the publisher, Dreamscape Media. The decision to listen to and review this book was entirely my own.

Brilliantly narrated and set in Alabama, this is a heart-warming and moving story about finding where you belong.

The audiobook of The Secret of Rainy Days was a very moving and engaging story that was brilliantly narrated by Cassandra Campbell. It was about life in a small southern town where everyone knew everyone else. As a coming of age story it portrayed the lives of the many colorful, vivid and witty characters in The Secret of Rainy Days. It was about the complicated yet supportive friendships of five good friends that stayed true and loyal to each other no matter what life handed them. They grew up together and saw each other as only friends were able to see each other. The Secret of Rainy Days was about finding one’s self and having the ability to reconcile with the past despite the losses and tragedies that occurred. It was chock full of authentic southern charm and traditions that included family loyalty and casseroles that were lovingly prepared and delivered at times of grief and tragedy. The Secret of Rainy Days was well written and kept me engaged throughout.

“Little Bit”, named after her intimidating grandmother, “Biggie” grew up in the small fictional southern town of Erob, Alabama. Little Bit, whose real name was Nina Barnes Enloe, had always been determined to escape Erob and live her life elsewhere. After college and law school, Little Bit” found her way to New York City where she secured a position that she loved. Little Bit became Nina in New York and she liked it that way. Nina began to dress like she belonged in New York and she even met someone who she began to develop real feelings for. When “Biggie” suddenly died Nina found herself at a cross point in her life. She had loved her grandmother dearly despite of her intimidating ways. Little Bit would have to learn how to accept and deal with her loss and grief that resulted from Biggies death. Little Bit was also mad at her grandmother for the responsibilities she left her with. Even in death, Biggie was still demanding and intimidating. After Biggie’s death, Nina found herself being summoned home more and more often. Nina could not ignore the tragedies that occurred. Little Bit started to feel as if she was being beckoned back home to Erob, Alabama. One can try to escape their roots but one foot usually remained behind and its grip held tightly. It took a death and a near tragedy for “Little Bit” to realize where she truly belonged. Would Little Bit be able to make amends with her past and finally find comfort and happiness in Erob, Alabama, the place she always dreamed of escaping?

Thank you to Dreamscape Media LLC for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of The Secret of Rainy Days by Leslie Hooton through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Have you ever had a book that you were so close to DNF but kept on with it and were glad you did?
This book was my almost DNF. It was very slow for me until I hit 50% of the audiobook. That’s when a major development occurred that to me kept me more interested. It is a good overall story about growing up and the heartache and love that you might encounter along the way. I just wish I was more into it and that I didn’t have to wait until 50% through to really get into it.

I have to admit, this sort of story isn’t my normal genre, but I really enjoyed both the story and the way in which it was written. The story could easily slip in with Reese Witherspoons Book Club, and somehow maintains charm and poise while dealing with complex topics. It’s an easy book to lose yourself in, and possibly find yourself as well.

Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC of this book. It begins as a three stars but falls apart as it goes and lands as a one star. It just goes on too long while also cutting out too much. I know, I know, that seems incongruous. Time flies and years pass without so much of a wink so that this can focus on every terrible moment that ever has happened. I feel as though there are just far too many of those. One or two is understandable, but this is just the kitchen sink of misery.

I received the audio version of this book. It was a lovely story about family ties and lessons learned as we grow and age.

This book begins with Lil Bit going home to bury her grandma, Biggie. When the will is read and there are more stipulations than Lil Bit expected.

There are parts of the book that kind of drag, but the basis of the book is beautiful and I enjoyed this read.

Growing up in a small town in Alabama Nina dreams of one day living the good life in New York City. Her dream is realized after college and law school where she is happy to leave behind her small town life and the controlling grip of her grandmother whom she is named after. But when her grandmother dies, Nina is called back to her small town and forced to weigh options she never questioned before. She reunites with her brother and three best friends and then must question all that is important and what goes into in a life well lived.

Brimming with southern charm, this is a sweet story of friendship, family ties, ambitions and hardships. I loved the slow unfolding of LIttle Bit's story (aka Nina) and the stories of the friends she grew up with. I adored her grandmother Biggie and could relate to how difficult it is to leave family behind while following your dreams. These characters will resonate for quite a while.

3.5 stars rounded up

Family and friendship and all the points at which they overlap. That is the center of this book. If you love winding family/friends who are family and finding yourself stories then this one was written for you.

Nina "Little Bit" Enloe didn't have the easiest path in life, but the one thing she always had was her friends. As soon as she finished school she knew she wanted out of the town of Erob and found herself making a life for herself in New York City. When Biggie, the grandmother whom she always had a complex relationship with, passes away it adds some extra complications into her life. Add in friends in crisis and events happening back home and Nina must decide what fork in the road she must follow to stay true to herself.

I enjoyed the southern fiction aspect of this book and reading about the small-town, southern culture and different relationships. Found family is one of my favorite tropes to read about and Bit has found/friends as family in spades in this book.

There is a lot going on in this book but the author reminds you of connections, personalities, jobs, etc so it helped me from getting confused as I was getting into the book. As the book progressed I felt it was a bit repetitive but overall still a good read that I would recommend for those who enjoy emotional friendship journeys.

I enjoyed the narration of this one with the little southern drawl to add to the affect of the story.

The Secret of Rainy Days by Leslie Hooton is about southern living in the small town of Erob, Alabama where Nina "Little Bits" Barnes can't wait to leave it. She hates being under the thumb of the family matriarch her grandmother "Biggie" Barnes.

Nina escapes to NYC as a successful lawyer but as marriages, death, births and other milestones happen she is drawn back to the lives and, perhaps love, of those she left behind.

Narrator Cassandra Campbell portrayed Nina with warmth and honesty. I was fully invested in her life from the start. Fair warning, one specific loss will make you angry and tears will flow. But the journey is worth the ending.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the Dreamscape Media via NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you Net Galley for an audio copy of The Secret of Rainy Days. This is a gem of a book. I felt like I was sitting down listening to Little Bit's story. This gave me chills and made me cry. This traveled a life of all its beautiful and messy glory. The description of grief is so spot on that I burst into tears, feeling it. Highlight recommend and the narrator was awesome!

A book about love and friendship, (mostly) in a small southern town. The past threatening to hold back the future. At first, I was really enjoying this, but then felt it kind of stalled and was really slow. It would have been much better if it had been about a third shorter. I also thought the author could have tightened up (focused), and expanded the relationship between Nina and her grandmother. I wasn't really feeling that bond that had such a hold on Nina.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Secret of Rainy Days
by: Leslie Hooten
narrator: Cassandra Campbell
Dreamscape Media

Set in the small town of Erob, Alabama, The Secret of Rainy Days is rich in Southern tradition and small town life. Leslie Hooten leads readers on an emotional journey that soars with enduring friendship and family bonds, but also goes deep into grief and loss. Listening to the audiobook brought me to tears often, with Cassandra Campbell's beautiful reading of Hooten's profoundly moving writing. Campbell's exquisite performance proves once again why she is one of my favorite narrators.
Nina "Little Bit" grows up in Erob, influenced by her grandmother, Nina "Biggie". She is also one of five who are closely bonded, her brother Haynes, and friends Win, Avery, and Carter. Hooten intensely explores the progression of this groups' long-term friendship, with their life milestones of youth, college, career, marriage, and birth. As years pass, they experience love, loss, disappointment, tragedy, and healing.
I'm small-town Southern, and this book moved me. It fully portrays the warm ways of the South in the stages of life, including the role of funeral casseroles in community bereavement. Hooten's lovely story and and Campbell's expressive voice together gifted me a memorable 2021 reading experience.
Thank you to Net Galley and Dreamscape Media for the advance reader's copy and the opportunity to provide my unbiased review.
#TheSecretofRainyDays #NetGalley

More than a coming of age story, this is more of that next step...adulting. It's just as hard as coming of age and lasts a lot longer. That's what Nina learned as she tried to take control of her life after college. Sometimes our best, most thought-out plans work out well and sometimes there's plan b.
This is a satisfying read and I recommend this book.

Loved this southern small town read , full of emotions with life long friendships, family traditions , secrets and regrets.Its a wonderful rollercoaster ride of all the feels!!

Being a northerner, I am not sure how accurate the portrayal of the Southern woman is, but the story was most enjoyable. Meet Nina Enloe from Erob Alabama. All she wants to do is get away. But Biggie Enloe wants to keep her close. This is one of those tales that starts at the end, then takes you back to the develop Nina's story. It was a most enjoyable audiobook. The narrator did a wonderful job fleshing out each character.