A good addition to the series, though I do wish the author had made Flynn's character more human. Honestly, the way she depicted him, it was as though he was a saint. I don't believe it was realistic for him to behave the way he did towards Mel after the way she had treated him. So, Mel. The main character. Not all that likeable to be honest. I get that she went through something traumatic, and the more we learnt about her helped me to understand her behaviour a bit more, but the way she behaved towards Flynn in the present day was appalling., rude for one thing. She said a lot about feeling sorry and that she had to tell Flynn that, but although we're told they had a heart to heart, I would have liked to hear Mel actually say she was sorry to Flynn. She owed him a massive apology. Seeing him for the first time in years and not able to speak to him, saying 'I can't' and running out of the pub, how immature. Most of their interactions in the present day were quite negative, due to Mel's behaviour, and this was supposed to be a 50+ year old woman. More contrition and humility was needed to be shown from her. So I have mixed feelings about this book. Love the setting, lovely to catch up with the other characters, but I didn't really warm to Mel. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book brought me joy, just like all the other Jessica Redland books. They always make me feel warm & fuzzy & cozy, this was no different. I feel like I was mad at the lead character at first, but Jessica's writing really helped me to understand what she had been through. I grew to love her & root for her!

This was a gorgeous yet devastating second chance read between Mel and Flynn. I loved seeing Mel reclaim her life that she had spent years filled with grief and resentment she didn't even realise she was holding on to. Whilst there were many heavy topics that will pull at your heart strings, there was also so much sunshine through the rain, as the title also states. It was a delight returning to familiar characters and seeing how their stories had also progressed, Mel and Flynn were the perfect addition.

I always look forward to reading a new book by Jessica. She has become a must read for me over the past few years. Her writing is so beautiful and the characters are so relatable. Sunshine After The Rain was another great read. It's the fourth book in The Escape to the Lakes series and in it we're introduced to Mel. Like with most of Jessica's books, there is a tragic back story which of course will break your heart, but Jessica's fantastic way with words will eventually put it back together. I will look forward to continuing this series (and any other one that Jessica writes) along with revisiting the characters I've come to know and love so well.

This was a beautiful read. Grief, in all its forms was dealt with sensitively and caringly be that for what is lost, or what might have been. A lot of time is spent on the day to day looking at behaviours, relationships and how outside influences make life harder or easier. Nothing happens and yet everything happens in this book and it was a pleasure to read.
I didn’t read the books in order and I absolutely should have done. This is an excellent standalone book but reading the series in order brings extra joy as the character from earlier books get a look in and a bit of a future!

This series about the Lakes is beautiful and the characters feel familiar when we meet them.

We start the book with Mel who is in Newcastle where she wanted to make a fresh start from an event that we do not yet know about, this means she has left her family behind her, and memories that she doesn't want to deal with.

A big family birthday party is the step she needs to make to heal and change her life for the better. She is stuck on a road to nowhere in Newcastle... and the rest of the book is so exciting!

She is offered a chance at her dream job at Willowdale Hall. Mel has no idea where this adventure will take her - from new friendships, healing from traumas that we learn about with her family, in no small part due to the fact she's finally home in the Lakes and becoming her old self, and learning from Alice, who we met in the last book in the series.

The Hall is a dream in itself, I think anyone can aspire to live in a grand hall, especially with a secret room .

I would recommend anyone to read this book (and series). It is a feel-good book, tinged with tragedy and regrets, leading to the hope Mel didn't know she needed or wanted.

Jessica Redland is a wonderful writer that brings her characters and book settings to life on the pages of her books. This books main character is Mel. Follow her emotional rollercoaster story when she visits then eventually moves back to her home village of Willowdale, in the Lake District.

This book is just lovely, a hug in a book and I could not put it down.

Reading a Jessica Redland novel is like sinking into a warm bubble bath. You feel enveloped and cozy, and time just disappears. This story made me cry, and made me smile in equal measure, and I was sad when it finished.

Melanie’s world imploded when her beloved son Noah died. He was only 18, with the world ahead of him, and she blamed herself for not noticing the recent anomalies in his life. Angry at herself, and the world, Mel left her beloved Flynn behind, and moved away, divorced and tried to move on with her life. Many years later, the pull of her family became too much and after a family visit Mel decides to move back home – but what will happen when she sees Flynn?

A brilliant sequel to the ‘Escape to the Lakes’ series. I loved every minute of this story, and it was wonderful meeting ‘old friends ‘again such as Emma and her Alpacas. A fabulous story that would work as a stand-alone book or part of the series.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7493766548

https://maddybooksblog.blogspot.com/2025/04/sunshine-after-rain-by-jessica-redland.html

Another brilliant visit to the Lakes, catching up with friends old and new.
Mel has been running for a long time, after the death of her son and the end of her marriage she can’t face her beloved village of Willowdale in the Lakes.
She returns for a family event and soon realises she’s missing her family and Willowdale more than she thought, she needs to heal and amyber coming home and the support of her family will start that journey.
Mel lands her dream job at Willowdale Hall and soon with the help of everyone’s kindness starts to see light at the end of the tunnel. She gets stronger everyday and soon she’s ready to face the one man she’s always loved.
Great to catch up and loving this series.

Thank you net gallery for allowing me to read and review.

I Was really looking forward to forward to reading this book and it didn't disappoint.

Mel has had a lot gong on in her life so runs away to Newcastle. Hoping this will help heal after the tragic death of her son, and leading to the divorce from her husband.

The story has so many twists and turns along the way but end wonderfully.

A real Feel good book.

This is a big warm hug in a book, this is the 4th in this series if you haven’t read them give yourself a treat and settle into this lake side greatness. The character are so well written and have depth but the books aren’t “padded” like some others, I am already looking forward to number 5,

this is a book in a series but can be read as a standalone. It has recurring characters and some new ones, always love a trip to the Lake district.

Another installment in the Lake District with the recurring cast of characters but don’t let that put you off as this can be read as a standalone book. It deals with some quite heavy topics but it still leaves you with a smile. For me, the best character is the location which is described beautifully but I enjoyed the really relatable characters, a good bit of escapism that could leave you with a tear in your eye.

After a tragic event Mel left her home and everyone she loved to start a new life in Newcastle. For seven years she has had limited contact with her family for fear of what getting too close might mean.
Now she is ready to move back to Willowdale in the Lake District, the place she always felt happy. Ready to re-connect and face the demons that still haunt her and colour her life grey.
Getting a job working on Willowdale Hall, a place Mel has always longed to get inside, is a good start.
A lot of bridges need to be re-built and some difficult conversations need to take place.
But Willowdale Hall is a special place and as Mel immerses herself in work and making new friends she begins to relax and find ways to accept the past and face the future.
Can Willowdale Hall work its magic and help Mel bring the colour back to her life and be happy again?
A book that will take you on a roller coaster of emotions, with characters you will instantly connect with, set in a beautiful place.
It can be read as a standalone, there are lots of back-story reminders, but I would absolutely recommend the full series, as all of the books are wonderful reads full of vibrant characters and great stories.

This is an emotionally heavy book dealing with loss. That said, I think it was well written with well-developed characters. Mel and Flynn are crushed when their 18-yr old son Noah dies of an accidental overdose. He hid his drug use and Mel was determined to learn who gave him the drugs. It caused a huge divide in their relationship, especially when Mel goes off to another town to escape everything including her family. When she returns home for her mom's 80th birthday, she realized how much she had missed and how she hurt her family. She decides to move back and is given the opportunity to remodel her favorite building and live there while doing so. There is a lot to this story but most importantly is talks about dealing with grief and letting those who love you be there with you. Flynn was my favorite character as he graciously let Mel work through her grief. I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

Simply stunning.

I've laughed and cried at many points throughout this book. It is beautifully written and I loved being back in the Lakes. Jessica's books always transport me into the pages and this one was no exception.

I loved catching up with characters from the other books and Mels journey was one that just got me.

I say this with every book by Jessica but she is one of my favourite authors and her books just find a way to slot perfectly into my heart.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Another wonderful story from Jessica Redland, but do make sure you have your tissues at the ready!!
This instalment follows Mel as she visits her family home and also her past. She decides to move back home and not hide from difficult events in her past.

It’s lovely to see returning characters, it’s always great to catch up on what they are up to! And it such familiar and beautiful surroundings.

This story does deal with quite a bit of grief and can be quite heart wrenching in places. The more you read the more you become involved in this families lives and appreciate just what they have all been through.

I did really enjoy it, just found it quite an emotional read, which some may find a little difficult if they have suffered loss too.

I loved the blossoming new friendships with characters we have met previously, how accepting they are and willing to help someone new. Also the dynamic between Mel and her sister is really good.

I also loved the relationship between Mel and her ex-husband as they take steps to mend what shattered for them in the past.

All in all another wonderful book, just with a lot of sadness and heartfelt moments, so have those tissues at the ready as you delve into this one!

This is book four in the series, but luckily it works perfectly as a standalone—which is how I read it. I truly enjoyed this story and will definitely be picking up the first three as soon as I can. Much like the author's other books I’ve read, it’s full of lovable, realistic characters. Her writing always feels so homely and heartwarming, yet it still takes you on an emotional rollercoaster in the best way.

Free courtesy of Netgalley.

Another visit to the lakes with Jessica Redland. I love reading books with characters I have been introduced to before, it makes you feel like you are part of the community.

This book centers around Mel, who is a middle aged woman, who has run away to Newcastle and has very little contact with her family, after the death of a loved one.

The book covers the process of grief, and how there is never a good time to "get over it", how it can completely consume you and ruin your whole life. The book follows the healing that Mel needs by reconnecting with her family and making bold choices with her work.

Making new friends and learning to live again, shows the healing process that Mel needed to go through. I loved this book as it shows understanding that everyone is different when faced with the hardest part of life, losing someone you love.

There is a lot of light heartedness in the book also and it is a beautiful book to read. You do not have to read the books beforehand to enjoy this book but it does touch on the other books that precede it, so you may want to go back and read those too.

Love Jessica Redland books especially the ones about Willowdale. Mel hasn't been back for years but has to go back for a family event. She ends up getting a job at Willowdale Hall, a place she's' always loved even though she's never been inside it