Book Review: When It Rains by Lisa De Jong

Hi people! I'm back for one review (or maybe two). I couldn't miss writing this down. Believe me when I say that this story deserve your time. I'm not kidding, people. Pay attention. By the way, SPOILER ALERTS!

         So if I wasn't mistaken, I finished this story a few weeks ago. I found it randomly. I just roamed around and I found this story. Before I read this story, I had no idea what this story is about. I had completely no idea. I was like being blindfolded and pushed myself to read it. I don't know what to expect, you know. Usually, I would at least check other people reviews before jumping into the water but this time, I refrained myself.
       

'One night changed my life forever.
Beau Bennett has been my best friend since I can remember. He was my first crush before everything came crashing down, and now he wants more, but it's more than I can give him. Things are different now. I wish I could tell him why, but I can't. 
I haven’t told anyone.
I never knew how much I really needed him until the day he left for college, and I was completely alone.

Then one day, Asher Hunt rides into town with his dark, captivating eyes and cocky grin. He doesn't care who I used to be, he's simply breathing life into what’s left. People warn me to stay away from him, but he helps me forget the pain that has held me hostage for so long; something I thought was impossible before he walked into my life.

I’ve been hurt. 
I’ve been saved. 
And I’ve found hope. 
I thought my story was written that night, but now I know it was only a new beginning. Until one secret turns my world upside down…  Again.'



           Okay. This story is about a girl named Kate who was raped by a famous guy in her town. She never told anybody about that incident. Not even her mother or her best friend (which she also had a crush with), Beau. Ever since the night that haunted Kate's life, she hated rainy days. It was raining when she was raped. She stopped talking to her friends and rejected Beau's confession. She was afraid.

I’m lost. I really have no idea where my life goes from here. I want to say it can’t get any worse, but I’ve thought that before and there always seems to be a hole to sing into. Some days I don’t even know if I can go on. -- Kate, When It Rains.

          Then, came a new guy into town. His name was ASHER. Kate was attracted by this guy who walked into the diner she worked in. She couldn't stay away from him. Asher was persistent to know more about Kate. Little by little, he started to bring back Kate from her nightmare.

“I want to know you. I want to know what it is that made you cry, but more than that, I want to know what I have to do to make you happy again.” -- Asher, When It Rains

           Kate told everything that happened to her. And for a short period of time, things went well between both of them. You have no idea how happy I was when Kate started to open up to Asher. I was thinking, things are going to get GOOD. But unfortunately, it didn't go that way.

           (Aannnndddd, CUE THE WATERWORKS)  Asher was sick. Like really sick. I swear to you guys, I cried half of the story. Ugly cries. Started from the point where Kate found out that Asher had leukemia, I was sobbing hysterically.

           I never read a tragic romance before that really made me cried like a baby. I'm not kidding this time. This novel practically made me traumatic of reading any books without checking out the general reviews first. It took me about a couple of days before I completely wiped out the story plot from my head.

            Anyhow, Kate accepted the news and began spending the last remaining time with Asher. (Gosh, even writing his name made me cringe.) Kate was stronger here and although I was reading the next pages with blurry eyes, I couldn't help to enjoy the author's writing. She really did a good job in giving the readers' heartbreaks when she wrote it. Every single word was precious and meaningful.

When I was a little girl, I believed in fairy tales and one of the dreams I had was someday dancing alongside my prince. Asher's that guy for me. He's my dream and my wish come true. He's my prince. -- Kate, When It Rains.

          I couldn't write more than that. Although I think you can predict what happened next, I want you to read it yourself. Gosh, maybe telling you guys that Asher had leukemia destroy the surprise but I can't keep my mouth shuts. Just prepare yourself and put down a box of Kleenex next to you.

"I had a dream about you." 

"Yeah?" 

"You looked so pretty like always, and you were coming toward me in a white dress. The closer you got to me, the more you cried. And when you were close enough, I grabbed your hand." 

...."... After the minister said a prayer, I told you how beautiful you were." 

"Asher- " 

"I told you that every star in the sky was made for you, and they were, Kate. You light up my world even in my darkest moments. I told you that I loved you over and over again because I do, Kate. I love you so much, and the thought of leaving you alone is killing me more than cancer ever could."

 I'm going to go fishing next summer. And I'm going to try French fries dipped in ice cream. And, when I have s'mores, I'll make an extra one for you. When I hear our favourite songs, I'll dance for you. I'll do anything for you. I'll do it all for you. -- Kate, When It Rains.

           By the end of the story, I hope I could forget everything. It's too painful to remember and it's much too painful to feel. Gosh, I sound so sappy.

         And by the end of the day, I became like this. Still crying but less.

           Asher was one of the best male character I've seen so far. I still cringe whenever I heard or wrote his name. He knew that he can't live long but before he died, he wanted to change Kate. (That was either stupid or kind. I still haven't decide yet.) But, I know you all would love him. Just like I do now.

“When it rain, think of me. I'll be your umbrella, Kate. I'll be your barrier from the storm, when life gets too heavy. Don't let the storm wash you away. Allow it to nourish new life.” -- Asher, When It Rains.

It's amazing how many times in life I've said, "I want to do that someday", not thinking that someday might never come. I will never take someday for granted again. -- Kate, When It Rains.

           I have to say that although this novel got a 5 star out of 5 star from me, it still not my favourite. The story is perfect and the ending was FREAKING beautiful. You can say,  that for me, this novel is flawless in its own category. But it was not a book that I wanted to read at that time. The story is beautiful but I prefer books with humour and HEA romance rather than something that would made me sit on the porch and reflex back on my life. So, I'm sure others will find this book their type of book.

         That is all that I could comment about this book. You just have to read it yourself to know it better yourself. See you in my next review.

“When it rains, Kate. Remember me.” -- Asher, When It Rains.

Girl Who Hates Tragic Ending,

Liely

P.S. This book absolutely belongs in the group, 'best-book-but-will-never-read-it-again'. My heart ached like hell after I read this book. 

P.P.S. I love this novel so much, that I used it as an essay in my SPM English Paper 2. The question instructed to make a story that ended with "... and so I became a better person." I used it and twisted it at the end to fit the story. It was epic!