This is the fourth book in Jessica Redland’s Escape to the Lakes series, stories in this series being set in the Lake District, primarily in the vicinity of the town of Keswick. Having read the previous books in the series, I was hoping to meet up again with some familiar characters, and indeed there were quite a few. This and the previous books could be read as standalone stories, as any important links to other parts are explained where required. A helpful list of recurring characters is included at the beginning of the book.

This story centres on Mel, a troubled lady who has spent the last seven years living on her own far away from her family and home in the Lake District village of Willowdale. Her decision to leave behind the life she loved followed a tragic event which left her bewildered and unable to cope with the familiar people and places around her. However, when she is persuaded to attend a family gathering in Willowdale, she realises that it may be time for her to move back to her home village. She is glad that she made that decision when she lands a dream job planning the renovation of Willowdale Hall, and living on the premises. There she also has the opportunity to help with the alpacas and horses who live on the estate. As she settles into village life, making new friends and spending time with her family again, Mel finds that the dark clouds in her mind are gradually clearing. The really big obstacle in her life is meeting up with Flynn, the man who was always the love of her life. Can he let her back into his heart and forgive her for leaving him behind without explanation all those years ago?

This was a very emotional but heart-warming story that I can thoroughly recommend. It was full of family and friendship helping to provide hope for the future. Mel is such a lost soul, and, as her backstory gradually unfolds, it is hard not to shed more than a few tears for her. She had been through a dreadful time, causing her to literally run away from her situation. I loved her large family who were willing to offer her support and then the new friends she made who were there for her as well. Quite apart from them, there was the lovely Flynn, who was destined, it seemed, to come back into her life. I am bursting to tell you all that he did for Mel, but no spoilers, it’s all there in the book. As always, I loved the setting for this story. The glory of the Lake District scenery is brought to life in Jessica Redland’s writing. I could easily picture the lake with the mountains rising up behind, and better still with an alpaca lying in the water humming to itself. Even if you have not read any of the other books in this series, give this one a try; I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

I really do enjoy a book by Jessica Redland. Her books are expertly written even when dealing with sensitive subjects and this book is no exception.
Sunshine After the Rain is part of a series and although it can be read as a standalone story, I would recommend reading the previous books to really get a true feeling and understanding for it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my ARC.

I love Jessica Redland's books! When I read books by her, I feel like I am spending time with people I'd like to know in real life, people I'd like to meet at the pub. This book was no exception. I have read the previous books in the series so I was familiar with some of the characters and it was like catching up with friends. Jessica has a wonderful way of engaging readers in serious and relevant issues but always with heart and soul. Thanks #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks

I love this series! And catching up with previous characters and hearing about their life updates. And I'm sure I mentioned it in my review on the previous book, I'm very pleased that this will be a BIG series!
I'm not sure I've read a second chance romance before- not in this context and I really enjoyed it.
Some serious/painful topics are touched on in the story, but as always Jessica is sensitive and they're handled in a lovely way.
While some reviewers say it could be read as a standalone I think it's much nicer to know the full context behind things that are mentioned in the book - but not fully elaborated on, so if you're curious by nature (read nosey!) go back and read them all.
Even though it was a more serious book, it was a lovely escape.

I haven't read the other books in the series but I think this book can be easily read as a standalone.

Mel is processing the grief of losing her son even though it was some time ago, and she left her family and her husband behind in an attempt to do so. However, she is now back with her family and when she sees her ex, she realises there are still some things she needs to process.

I thought this was a bit of a light book but it isn't really and deals with grief and trauma (in a sensitive way) as well as family ties and living in a small community etc.

I liked Mel but part of me wanted to shake her for the approach she took in dealing with her past trauma. Flynn was just too nice for his own good, but I thought he was lovely, nevertheless :)

Anyway, 4 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books.

Another great read set in the lakes
A book full of all different emotions
Once you start this book you’ll not want to put it down
Jessica is a brilliant author and her books never disappoint
Can’t wait for her next one
Thanks Netgalley

Thank to netgalley for the chance to read this book.

A family event is happening in Willowdale and Mel returns to take part. She doesn’t plan on staying but she begins to realise how much she missed her family and how much she needs to heal. She starts her dream job at Willowdale she slowly starts to she a happy future ahead.

Ive read all of Jessica redland books, I love them all, easy light read, great stories, lovely characters! Highly recommend all her books!

Sunshine After the Rain is the story of Mel, a woman who lost her son 7 years earlier and couldn't deal with her grief. She left her home in the Lakes, and her loving husband and soul mate, Flynn, trying to run away from her memories. She has returned home for her mother's birthday celebration and realizes what she has been missing. She doesn't like her new life and with her mother's health declining, decides to stay in the village for awhile. When she is offered a job as the architect at Willowdale Hall, she accepts. Spending time with family, friends, seeing her ex-husband and meeting new people, she has to make some decisions about what will she wants to do next.

One of the things I enjoy about Jessica Redland's books is that they are about relatable characters and events that could happen to anyone. The loss of a child is devastating and a tragedy that everyone deals with differently. Flynn wants to move on, not forget, but continue to live. Mel can't move on until she gets answers and they are not forthcoming. Many marriages break up after the death of a child, and Mel's and Flynn's joined the statistics. Coming back to the Lake District was painful in some ways, but wonderful in others. Growing up in the shadows of Willowdale Hall, and wanting to get her hands on any changes to it, she is thrilled when she is hired to be the restoration/historic architect. I enjoyed seeing her work on the Hall, as well as spend time with friends and families. These stories always leave me with warm, fuzzy, feelings. Although their is sadness and grief, there is also hope. This story is full of great characters, lots of emotion and a wonderful plot. I really enjoyed Sunshine After the Rain, and think the title was perfect for this story. I definitely recommend this book with themes of grief, family, love, forgiveness and going home again.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a nice mix of coziness and deeper themes. I enjoyed it a lot!

This was my first book by this author, and I found it to be well-written. The story explores a loss (child, parent, a marriage) and the process of dealing with grief. It took me a while to finish reading it because the content was heavy, and some parts felt slow. I was upset with Mel (MFC) at times, but given what she was going through, her actions were understandable. Eventually, everything came together in the end.

Thank you, Boldwood Books and NetGalley, for the Advanced Copy.

3.5 Stars

Absolutely loved this book and would give it 10 stars if I could! The way Jessica dealt with the difficult subject of losing a son and the slow recovery from the grief was amazing. The descriptions of the gorgeous Lakes scenery was fabulous (made better by the fact I was staying in a campsite on Derwent Water when reading the book!) The whole book had me racing to the end which was just as an ending should be, leaving you happy and thoughtful.

I enjoy reading this author and this was no exception. A heartwarming story which is gently engaging and well written. Would recommend.

I really enjoy books by this author, I like the writing style and how the characters are crafted. This was a delightful read and one I’d definitely recommend.
There’s something warming about a Jessica Redlands book

I really enjoy Jessica’ Redlands books . They are very well written , meticulously researched, great storylines with sensitive subjects handled sensitively but this book floored me. The two major bereavements in the book have happened to me , and to a close friends (son)
Generally I enjoyed Mel’s story and I can understand how the events shaped Mel’s character but it was a hard book to read

Melanie can´t handle the devastating loss and her only way to survive is to flee her home, end her marriage and leave her home town.
Since seven years she has not find a way to handle the loss and sorrow and didn´t really build a new live. When she returns for the 80th birthday of her mum he understands that she was fleeing from her past and all that means a lot to her. She loves her home town and her family and when she gets the offer to work on her dream house she accepts that it is time to face her demons as only back home she can really learn to accept what happens and hopefully start healing.

When I started reading this book I did not expect how lost Mel is, that so far her loss and sorrow is not being worked on. All her feelings are bottled up, nobody close to her could reach her any longer and she did not check to find professional help.
I really like that the main characters in this book are in their 50ths. I also like the town, who we meet here and the whole family.
The story is settled in the present but there are also chapters showing the past.
Mel as a mother who can´t handle the loss and her sorrow is well worked out. All her pain, her frustration and that she can´t see the sunshine or any colour in her live any longer. How she struggles and starts working out all of this is good written. Sometimes she frustrated me as she took one step in the right direction as she has so good support from her family and also her ex-husband but then she takes two steps back. Due to this I had some issues to really like her. She he is hurt and did not work on her issues but sometimes I found her unfair and hurtful to people who are more than supportive of her.
Flynn was for me such a wonderful character and I was wondering how patient he could be. I mean how Mel treated him after they lost their son, when she left him and moved away but most of all how he reacted when she returned. Sometimes I was wondering, if a real person could be so patient and forgiving like he is characterized here.

The scenery is wonderfully described here that I would have loved to be part of some of the walks. Also how new friendships are found here, relationships are mended is good written.
The theme is heavy so it is not an easy read. I did not expect such a heave story to be honest.
Nevertheless I think this is a good story but sometimes I had the feeling the plot was dragging a bit when Mel was not moving forward and instead took steps back.

I have read this author’s books before and I’ve enjoyed her previous titles. This one was a little harder for me to get into, but the payoff was really worth the extra effort..

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

I just love Jessica's writing and have read many of her series. I love reading these series as each book focuses on other characters, but we still get to catch up with people we have met before.

For me, not just the plot, but also the characters really drive the story and how much I love them affects my feelings abouts the books. I liked Mel and as a mother I could definitely feel her pain, but I did not love her as a character for some reason. Despite not loving Mel I still really enjoyed the story and I was definitely moved to tears more than once and also touched by her story.

I will never stop reading Jessica's books!

This is a lovely addition to the lake story. I have loved all the books by jessica she writes really well and they are so easy to get into. I can not wait to join this series or more again. I love having repeat characters rejoin a series. And this one is a lovely one about families reuniting after death. And trying to pull together again.

I’ve always read Jessica Redlands books, I think the easiness of them to read has helped in times where you just want to get away. As much as I enjoyed this book - at times I felt like the story was padded out with unneeded bits. The story as a whole is lovely and I love how all her story’s tie in, I just sadly felt bored at times and wanting to skip bits.
The story is set in the Lakes like her others in this series and this book follows Melanie, a lady who has run away for the past 7 years and now faces her past. As I say I enjoyed the book but just felt a bit meh at times. I’ll still look out for her books though and recommend to friends for easy reads.