Monday, November 4, 2013

ARC REVIEW ~Chance of Rain by Amber Lin~

Title: Chance of Rain
Author: Amber Lin
Release Date: November 4, 2013

My Rating: 4.5 Stars
The only things Natalie Bouchard wants to change are the weekly specials in her Gram's diner. So when her high school sweetheart strolls back into Dearling, Texas, she allows herself to indulge in a little flirtation, but that's as far as it goes.

Navy SEAL Sawyer Nolan has returned to sell his father's land and get the hell out, no matter how enticing he still finds Natalie. Until a storm rolls over the Texas hills, stranding them together at the farm…and the memories of their steamy past lead to a reunion filled with hot days and long nights.

Soon Natalie's so far under Sawyer's skin he can't imagine being without her. But he has a lot of history in Dearling he'd like to leave behind, and Natalie is practically married to this town. If Sawyer wants to be more than just another person who leaves Natalie, he'll have to give his hometown—and himself—one more chance.
It seems like forever ago (it was only a year ago..) that I was reviewing Giving It Up by Amber Lin. I absolutely fell in love with her writing style and her no-apologies, raw, and honest story. So I started to hear rumblings about a her new book that was separate from the Lost Girls series, called Chance of Rain and got super excited. I read the synopsis, flailed a little, and requested it on Net Galley ASAP. And I'll have you know that Ms. Amber Lin has so many facets to her writing ability, that it is astonishing. Chance of Rain is not as "dark" as the Lost Girls but, it is every bit as wonderful. At first, I thought it wasn't going to hold the grit that I had come to love from Ms. Lin's books but, fear not it definitely does.

"His hands on her hips and his mouth over hers. He would swallow her whole, and please, yes, where could she sign up?"

When Sawyer Nolan returns to Dearling to determine the future of his late father's farmland, Natalie Bouchard's heartbreak and girlhood crush come back with a vengeance. He might have up and left without a proper goodbye, but she can't help how her heart and body reacts when she sees him again. Up until now, Natalie as been stationary in her life. She never left Dearling to explore the world, instead she took over her grandmother's diner and has been content to lead the life she always has. That is until Sawyer pops back in her life, and awakens a yearn for more. Sawyer would have loved to never have to step foot in Dearling again, not even for a glimpse of the girl he thought he could have a future with. But just has he makes her want new things out of life, she is beginning to tear down the 10 foot wall around his heart. Sawyer and Natalie and two peas in a pod. They both are not thrilled with how their life turned out in some form or fashion. And while all Natalie knows and wants is to stay in Dearling, that is the exact opposite of what Sawyer wants. Truth be told, I saw Natalie and Sawyer both slowly changing the other's mind set on to stay or not stay in Dearling and I couldn't tell how this was going to end. Was Natalie going to break away from the obligation she thinks she has to keep running her grandmother's diner? Or was Sawyer going to put his seemingly ugly past with his father aside and make Natalie and Dearling his home for good?

"My sweet girl. My practical, crazy girl. Love you."
~Sawyer

I felt for these two so much. I wanted both of them to find the happiness they deserved. But, that's easier said than done, because they are two of the most bull-headed people ever! Natalie is so unsure of herself and of Sawyer, however part of that is due to Sawyer's aloof nature. On the other hand, Sawyer has blocked himself off from any feeling for so long, that once he feel a glimmer of anything for Natalie he turns into a real asshat. Although, their interactions and squabbles were quite hilarious. Eventually, they enter into a physical only relationship. Well, they try to but, those pesky feelings.. *tsk tsk*. Logically, Natalie knows she can't expect anything more from Sawyer than what he's offering at face-value. Her heart on the other hand, has no qualms about going haywire and becoming emotionally attached. She wants a family and a home and try as she might, she's finding it hard to sell those points to Sawyer. I think Natalie wants a family so bad so she can reinvest herself into something that is her own. Right now, she's just filling the void of her ailing grandmother, and it's breaking her heart and spirit. So while they're busy playing doctor every time they set eyes on one another, they missed the part where they have irreparably become a part of one another. They have a very distinct symbiotic relationship by the end and I was thrilled to see these two find their own version of a happy ending. So, if Amber Lin is one of your faves- pick this up, you'll love it! If Amber Lin is a new-to-you author- pick this up, you'll love it! :) All joking aside, this a fantastic book and I am so thrilled to have gotten an advanced copy so I could share my enthusiasm for it.

Happy Reading!
*ARC provided by publisher/author in exchange for an honest review*

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