Even the second time around, this book still does it for me. I read Drops of Rain in mid-August, but was lazy and didn’t write my review at the time. Since it had been a bit of time, I decided to reread in order to write this review. I can say, even the second time around, it still pulled me in and didn’t let go. It was just as fantastic during a reread as it was the first time. Although I knew how it ended, it still made me feel that wide range of emotions that it did the first go around.
What I loved most about this book is that it didn’t have to try too hard. It’s your classic new adult romance, and I love that it is. It’s unique, the storyline is different enough that you’ll forever remember it, but what it all comes down to is the sweet story of two people that need each other. It has the romance and swoon worthy moments. In fact, it has A LOT of that. I can’t count how many times I found myself sitting here smiling from ear to ear. The things Drew Hale says…sigh. It also has your all-American high school drama. It has the perfect mean girl-type villain. Although it does have all of the elements that should make for a predictable story, the underlying issues with Ali and Drew will steer you in a completely unpredictable direction. I love that an author didn’t feel the need to add in a massive shock factor or crazy plot. Andrews wrote a real love story.
It is very sweet and very romantic. But it’s also so hopeful. Seeing two people who need someone else as badly as these two did, and to find it in one another, makes for the most gorgeous story. Ali and Drew are both so individually broken and lost. Neither are sure how to gain control of their lives, but they do just that with the help and love of each other. I really feel like this book touched on every single emotion you can imagine feeling. Love, heartbreak, anger, humor, protectiveness, pain, the list goes on and on. So many emotions, but the story wouldn’t feel complete without all of it. It all combines perfectly.
I also loved the connection the two had with each other, as well as the connection with Drew’s brothers, specifically Beau. It’s very much so Ali and Drew’s story, but you’ll care about the entire family by the end of it. You hurt when they hurt. You can tell when they’re in pain, and how much it hurts Ali. She’s not just an outsider, she’s a part of their family. It was a huge plus as far as I’m concerned that the author didn’t build the entire story around two characters, but rather a group of characters.
This is so silly, or maybe it’s not, but there’s one thing that stands out more than anything else in this book for me. Hopefully this isn’t a spoiler because if you’re reading a romance novel, this is bound to happen at some point in the book. When Drew tells Ali he loves her, he says it a certain way. He doesn’t make a huge sweeping declaration. He simply says, “Love you.” I swooned every single time. It made him real, in my opinion. Sure, those massive speeches all of our male leads give will make your tummy flutter, but how many of us can say we’ve ever honestly been on the receiving end of one of those? Not me. “Love you” is so very Drew Hale. It’s simple, direct, and no nonsense. It’s everything you need to know about that character summarized into 2 words. Told you, kinda silly but I loved it.
Overall, Drops of Rain is the classic tale of two lost teens finding their way through love. They both begin the story so lonely or with hidden secrets and guilt, but overcome many different obstacles and better themselves in the end. It’s beautiful, heartwarming, sad, but above all else, it’s just plain romantic. I loved it the first time, was reminded of how much I adored the characters the second time, and now I absolutely cannot wait to dive into Beau Hale’s world in Starless Nights. Yay for more of the Hale brothers.
<3 Erin
What I loved most about this book is that it didn’t have to try too hard. It’s your classic new adult romance, and I love that it is. It’s unique, the storyline is different enough that you’ll forever remember it, but what it all comes down to is the sweet story of two people that need each other. It has the romance and swoon worthy moments. In fact, it has A LOT of that. I can’t count how many times I found myself sitting here smiling from ear to ear. The things Drew Hale says…sigh. It also has your all-American high school drama. It has the perfect mean girl-type villain. Although it does have all of the elements that should make for a predictable story, the underlying issues with Ali and Drew will steer you in a completely unpredictable direction. I love that an author didn’t feel the need to add in a massive shock factor or crazy plot. Andrews wrote a real love story.
It is very sweet and very romantic. But it’s also so hopeful. Seeing two people who need someone else as badly as these two did, and to find it in one another, makes for the most gorgeous story. Ali and Drew are both so individually broken and lost. Neither are sure how to gain control of their lives, but they do just that with the help and love of each other. I really feel like this book touched on every single emotion you can imagine feeling. Love, heartbreak, anger, humor, protectiveness, pain, the list goes on and on. So many emotions, but the story wouldn’t feel complete without all of it. It all combines perfectly.
I also loved the connection the two had with each other, as well as the connection with Drew’s brothers, specifically Beau. It’s very much so Ali and Drew’s story, but you’ll care about the entire family by the end of it. You hurt when they hurt. You can tell when they’re in pain, and how much it hurts Ali. She’s not just an outsider, she’s a part of their family. It was a huge plus as far as I’m concerned that the author didn’t build the entire story around two characters, but rather a group of characters.
This is so silly, or maybe it’s not, but there’s one thing that stands out more than anything else in this book for me. Hopefully this isn’t a spoiler because if you’re reading a romance novel, this is bound to happen at some point in the book. When Drew tells Ali he loves her, he says it a certain way. He doesn’t make a huge sweeping declaration. He simply says, “Love you.” I swooned every single time. It made him real, in my opinion. Sure, those massive speeches all of our male leads give will make your tummy flutter, but how many of us can say we’ve ever honestly been on the receiving end of one of those? Not me. “Love you” is so very Drew Hale. It’s simple, direct, and no nonsense. It’s everything you need to know about that character summarized into 2 words. Told you, kinda silly but I loved it.
Overall, Drops of Rain is the classic tale of two lost teens finding their way through love. They both begin the story so lonely or with hidden secrets and guilt, but overcome many different obstacles and better themselves in the end. It’s beautiful, heartwarming, sad, but above all else, it’s just plain romantic. I loved it the first time, was reminded of how much I adored the characters the second time, and now I absolutely cannot wait to dive into Beau Hale’s world in Starless Nights. Yay for more of the Hale brothers.
<3 Erin