Dry as Rain by Gina Holmes
September 1, 2011 by Tyndale
Paperback, 400 Pages
Review Copy
Like many marriages, Eric and Kyra Yoshida’s has fallen apart slowly, one lost dream and misunderstanding at a time, until the ultimate betrayal finally pushes them beyond reconciliation. Just when it looks like forgive and forget is no longer an option, a car accident gives Eric the second chance of a lifetime. A concussion causes his wife to forget details of her life, including the chasm between them. No one knows when—or if—Kyra’s memory will return, but Eric seizes the opportunity to win back the woman he’s never stopped loving.
Review
Eric Yoshida has had one dream, to be successful and live a life full of riches, possibilities and achievements. And with hard work and hours of dedication to his job he has succeeded in making that dream come true. The one area though that he has failed at is his marriage to Kyra. After years of miscommunication, silent nights, missed dinners and little interaction with his son, the marriage has fell to pieces. Loneliness drives Eric to not guard his heart and what starts as harmless flirtations with another woman, leads to the discovery of questionable emails and ultimately gets Eric the boot. After Kyra kicks him out, distance and separation lead Eric to make the biggest mistake of his life…an affair with a fellow co-worker.
Divorce is on the horizon for the Yoshida’s- but after a car accident Kyra is left with a concussion that affects her long term memory. Kyra awakens as the woman before the affair, to a place where her and Eric were madly in-love, before distance created silence and before miscommunication became bitterness. As Eric fights for his second chance to win Kyra back, he delays telling her the truth about their marriage, even though at any moment she could regain her memories back. Although he is racked with guilt and begins to see the mistakes over the years, Eric fails once again in telling the truth and the few months of martial bliss doesn’t compare with the avalanche getting ready to crumble down on him…….
At first I didn't like Eric, I couldn't stand the choice he made, I hated what he did and for a moment there thought he made his bed of infidelity and should suffer for it. But as Eric progressed throughout the story and truly did suffer from his indiscretion, my heart started to soften towards him and I found myself wanting his life to turn around, wanting Kyra to never remember and for the couple to start over in their happily ever after.....however terrible mistakes- which can be forgiven- always have consequences and Eric's are real and painful. While Kyra works to forgive Eric, I had to forgive him myself and found that after I was able to do that, could easily love him. While Eric doesn't get a fairytale, God fixed everything ending- he does by the end redeem himself and the lives of those around him.
Gina's talent to write cannot be denied. God has gifted her with beauty in the flow of her words and the characters she brings to life on the page. Certainly a must read for Inspy fans and those who enjoy contemporary fiction.
Rating
Dry as Rain is recommended to adult readers and contains: Martial issues including separation, divorce, infidelity (with one alluded to scene of sexuality) and father/son relationships, friendship and lessons about loyalty, building trust and sacrificial love.
4.5/5- Inspy-Contemporary
Thanks to Tyndale for Review Galley
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Dry as Rain
Gina Holmes is an inspirational novelist, whose debut CROSSING OCEANS appeared on the CBA best seller list and was a finalist or winner of: Christy, Gold Medallion, RWA's Inspirational Reader's Choice, Christian Retailer Retailer's Choice, INSPY, and Carol Award. Her second novel, DRY AS RAIN is in stores now. Besides being a wife and mother, she founded the award-winning web-site, www.novelrocket.com. Above all else, she is a child of God, a sinner redeemed.
Ohhh I got all involved just reading your review! I was muttering to myself "he better tell her" and got strange looks from my dogs while I did so. I love books like this, ones where you have to work to forgive characters and see if those around them can forgive them as well. Amazing review Tina!
ReplyDeleteTina, great review. Very fair and kind. Thank you. I know just how you felt about Eric. I found myself wanting to write him falling to a fiery death. I didn't know how it would end and I myself really didn't want him forgiven, but he did manage to redeem himself. I thought I could never forgive infidelity myself but I would have had to in her position. Thanks for the very thoughtful, very well written review.
ReplyDeleteEric really sounds like a great character considering. His character and emotional journey seem developed in a way that would leave you more than just conflicted.
ReplyDeleteExcellent review, T. I hadn't heard of this book before, but now I'm happy to know about it.
This probably wouldn't be my "go to" book but sometimes I really want something more contemporary and "real" to read. This one could be it. I'm really curious about Eric's character.
ReplyDeleteTina, your review was perfect. I felt like I was reading a shortened version of the book sans the ending. It made me feel for characters I haven't even read yet. This sounds like one of those super emotional books that you want to throw and hug all at the same time. It sounds wonderful! Loved, LOVED your review.
ReplyDeleteNot sure this one's for me, to be honest. While I'm usually fascinated by amnesia stories, nothing about Erik from this description makes me want to root for him as a protagonist. He cheats and then he manipulates the woman he professes to love. No matter how noble the intentions, he seems to act solely out of selfish motivations, rather than altruistic ones.
ReplyDeleteSmiles!
Lori
Tina this sounds like a beautiful and emotional read. Lately I have been getting into my adult fiction so I might have to add this to my list :)
ReplyDeleteThis one is waiting for me on my Kindle. I was ripped open reading Holmes's CROSSING OCEANS and I've been putting off reading this one until I'm sure I'm emotionally ready for it! Great review -- I must get to it soon!
ReplyDelete