Where to begin ...
I couldn't decide whether to rate this a 2 star or a 3 star and whether the fact that by the fourth chapter i was so angry was a good thing or not.
The plot is very "religion" based and how "religion" and "homosexuality" clash, how some people think that it is an illness that can be cured by conversion therapy. Personally i disliked the main character Jenn and maybe that was the point, she was so focussed on her religious beliefs and appearance that she lost sight of what really mattered, her son Joshs' happiness and wellbeing. Whereas the author seemed to really connect with Jenn and make her a wholly believable character i felt that the others were a little two dimensional and more could have been done with them

Amazing book!
I was thoroughly engaged throughout this book and I didn't want to put it down! The author captured my attention from the get go! Five stars from me :)

A book about a highly religious mother coming to terms with her son’s sexuality. I think this book had potential, however it also felt a little stuck in the past?

Jenn was such an infuriating character. How anyone could put their faith ahead of their own children is completely alien to me.

The conversations sometimes felt a little drawn out and I don’t think the story packed as much power as it could’ve.

But, it was fine.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.

Ahh, this one is tough to review. As a mother with pastor in-laws, it did make me quite emotional. The mother did not have as much sympathy as I would have liked to see, regardless of the situation. That being said, I was irritated with her most of the time and couldn’t get behind her.

This novel is something I believe will (or should) make a LARGE impact on an older generation that was born raised in a less progressive time. There are a few people I will definitely be introducing this to.

Pretty cover, the story is believable, good writing... I just had a hard time getting beyond how this mother acted towards her son and his lifestyle. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This novel has gone under my skin!!!! Jenn, the mother, has infuriated me with her love of Jesus over her love for her son: James is 16 and is homosexual. This is not acceptable and James has to be healed..... Religion can be important of course, but should it take over a mother's life and responsibility for her children? I was amazed at her way of interpreting the Bible: she wants to follow all its rules, but is she aware that she actually doesn't? What I particularly found interesting and positive is that not all Christians are so extreme as she is. Even though I am an agnostic, I enjoyed the discussions about religion and its various interpretations especially as far as homosexuality is concerned. I found this novel thought provoking: what are the real lessons of the Bible, how can there be so many interpretations? A great read about family, love and tolerance.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.

I’m a little conflicted about this book. Being set 20 years ago, it seems a bit dated as the world has moved on. However, as a study in religion, beliefs, motherhood and teenage issues, it is pertinent. Jenn truly believes she is a good mother and woman, and proud of her religion and spirituality, When her son attempts suicide because he is worried about his sexuality, her world is turned upside down. What was interesting was the POV of Josh and the way he approached the issue. Not knowing much about such churches, I was rather confronted by the response of the church and the pastors. And it is quite probable that stuff like this still goes on. This is not a book that you read for entertainment, however, it will make you think about issues and your own beliefs.

After the rain is an emotional and gripping story by Laila Lbrahim.
This was such a heartbreaking book. The story was sad and a bit emotional at times. The author's writing is beautiful and I kept reading until the end. I also liked the cast of characters. A brilliant novel that I highly recommend.
💖 Thank you to netgalley and storm publishing for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

My heart absolutely broke for this mother. I know I've been there except for the suicide part. But the other thing, well you just can't pray it away. I know. I've tried. So I've decided that it's his choice not mine however bad I wish it wasn't.
I found myself wanting to reach through the pages to give Jen a big fat hug and wishing I could tell her it would be ok.

Jenn's family are devout Christians and live what she thinks is a blissful life. Her eldest daughter is in college and her son and youngest daughter are in school. They come home from church one day to find their son has taken an overdose and later learn he thinks he's gay. This is a very complex story about the challenges very religious families face. Jenn is convinced that her son can be 'cured' and they've send him to a conversion camp. It's a harrowing story and it is harder knowing this really happens. Its interesting to make it the mother the one who struggles the most. I had mixed feelings about this book but its definitely an interesting perspective.

3.5 stars, rounded down to 3.

Hmmm. I just finished this, and I'm not sure how I feel. On the one hand, it was set in 2004, so it was clearly a different time. It was also set outside San Francisco, which is probably the most progressive city in the country. I could certainly appreciate the struggle that the family went through, but, not coming from an evangelical Christian background, it was hard to empathize with. The mom was clearly an unsympathetic character, and everyone else was written like they were angels. That was a little hard for me to accept. The dialogue felt a little forced, and slightly unrealistic to me.

This story would have made more of an impact 20 years ago, certainly. As for today, I'm not so sure. In most places, that river has been crossed.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being given freely.