As soon as I finished Karen White's novel, Falling Home, I picked up After The Rain. I could not wait to continue the story. Unfortunately, I was somewhat disappointed. Don't get me wrong, this is still a good book but not as good as Falling Home. Part of me really wanted Sam and Cassie's story to continue, and in a way it did, it just was not the focus of this novel.

After The Rain picks up three years after Harriet's death. Joe is trying to pick up the pieces for not only him but also for his six children. This story can be heartbreaking at times but also hopeful. Life does go on for the living.

Ms. Lena cracks me up with her romance novels and her comments on sex, as only any 80 something woman could do. Hilarious at times, you just laugh out loud.

I found that this book was sometimes repetitive and lost a bit of its luster for me but all in all I did like the book.

This is a rather simple book, but a fun read. While it is not a terribly heavy story, it does have some interesting themes for discussion.

Being a huge Karen White fan, I have not read a book of hers that I didn't like, obviously some more than others. After the Rain is not a complicated story, no big mysteries, the story line is pretty predictable, and yet there is something about the way Ms. White can describe a town or beachfront that just makes you feel like you are a part of it. After reading some heavy stories, this was a breath of fresh air to just sit back and enjoy the image of life in a small town where everyone knows everybody and life is easy. This read was a cool drink of water that certainly quenched my thirst.