Rainwater

by Sandra Brown
Rainwater cover
Good Books rating 4.08
Historical Fiction
Technical
  • ID: 2304
  • Added: 2025-10-13
  • Updated: 2025-10-13
  • ISBN: 9780731814893
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • Published: 2010-05-01
  • Reviews: 3

Ella Barron is a strong-willed woman who manages her Texas boarding house with precision and grace, all while caring for her ten-year-old son, Solly, who struggles with communication and behavior issues. Her life takes an unexpected turn when the town doctor brings in a new boarder, the enigmatic and charming Mr. David Rainwater, whose presence stirs up a mix of curiosity and resistance in Ella. As Ella's world becomes more complicated with the addition of this mysterious stranger, she must decide whether to let him into her life and home, all while balancing the demands of her boarding house and the needs of her son. The story unfolds with a blend of emotional depth and small-town intrigue, exploring themes of family, trust, and the complexities of human connection.

Reviews
Historical Novel Society · 2025-10-13
captivating 4.00

The novel stands out as a captivating exploration of love and redemption, differing significantly from the author's previous works. It is praised for its emotional depth and historical authenticity.

The Historical Novel Society highlights how Rainwater is a departure from Sandra Brown's usual style, offering a deeply emotional and redemptive story. The reviewer appreciates the novel's ability to capture the essence of the Great Depression era, making it both historically rich and personally resonant. They note the well-drawn characters and the poignant themes of love and resilience that make the story compelling. The reviewer finds the narrative both heartwarming and thought-provoking, making it a standout in Brown's bibliography.

Quick quotes

    Rainwater, a captivating novel of love and redemption, is completely different from Sandra Brown's previous works.

    It was inspired by her grandfather's experiences during the Great Depression, adding a layer of authenticity to the story.

    The novel's exploration of love and resilience in the face of adversity makes it a compelling read.

Read and Review Books Blog · 2017-12-12
thought-provoking 3.75

The book is commended for its exploration of heavy themes such as racism, autism, despair, love, and loss. The reviewer finds the ending somewhat unsatisfying but overall praises the novel's depth and emotional impact.

The reviewer from Read and Review Books Blog appreciates how Rainwater tackles a range of heavy and relevant themes, including racism, autism, despair, love, and loss. They find the characters well-developed and the story emotionally impactful, making it a compelling read despite some reservations about the ending. The reviewer acknowledges that the novel's exploration of these themes adds layers of complexity and depth, making it a thought-provoking and memorable read.

Quick quotes

    The book deals with Racism, autism, despair, Love and loss.

    I don't have much to complain about the book apart from feeling the ending was a bit unsatisfying.

    The characters are well-developed and the story is emotionally impactful.

Reading on a Rainy Day · 2010-02-13
beautiful 4.50

The prose is described as beautiful and inviting, drawing readers into the story from the very beginning. The reviewer finds the setting and characters engaging, making the novel a pleasant read.

The reviewer from Reading on a Rainy Day is particularly taken with Sandra Brown's prose, which they describe as beautiful and inviting. They appreciate how the story starts at an antique shop, setting a tone that is both nostalgic and intriguing. The reviewer finds the characters well-developed and the setting vividly depicted, making the novel a delightful escape. They highlight the emotional depth and the engaging narrative that keeps readers hooked throughout.

Quick quotes

    Sandra Brown's prose in this book is really beautiful and inviting!

    Rainwater starts at an antique shop run by the protagonist, setting a nostalgic and intriguing tone.

    The characters are well-developed and the setting is vividly depicted, making the novel a delightful escape.

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