Reviewer Comments: A Gentle Rain by Deborah Smith is everything a good book should be. It is enrapturing and moving with the ability to draw emotions out of the reader seemingly at will.
Kara Whittenbrook is devastated when her parents die leaving her heiress to billions. Not long following their deaths, she discovers that she was adopted and embarks on a journey to learn about her birth parents. What she finds is heart breaking and moving.
Ben Thocco raised his mentally handicapped brother since he was sixteen and his brother Joey, was seven. He becomes distraught when he learns that his brother has a serious heart condition that could have been fixed as a child, but as an adult is life threatening. Added to the stress of his brother’s condition is the care of a run down ranch and its misfit crew.
Kara learns that her real parents live and work on Ben’s ranch, but knows nothing of the nature of the ranch. She travels to Ben's ranch to check them out and finds a life altering experience that will change all she comes into contact with.
Ms. Smith has penned an excellent book. It takes a look at the world as it is. It doesn’t put rosy glasses on when looking at social issues, but allows the reader to become immersed in the reality of the world she has created. The characters are wonderful and well rounded. They are characters that the reader will cheer on.
The reality of the book is only part of its charm. Paired with great characters and settings, A Gentle Rain is a book readers will read over and over.
