Three Days of Rain by Christine Hughes

This isn't your ordinary love story. And because I don't do spoilers, I have to be careful what I say to not give anything away. This book is both hard to read and compelling at the same time. (How the heck did she manage that one?) The story starts with the kind of guy many women won't admit to dreaming of. You know, the stranger who pulls over to change the flat tire just because he's a nice guy? Yeah, that one.

Jake met Lily doing exactly that. Flat tire by the side of the road and no cell phone signal. So he turned around, headed back to her, changed her tire and went on his way. What he didn't know was that Lily was going to bring a change to his life the whole town had been waiting two years to see happen. (Don't you just love small towns?) He has a lot of pain and anger to let go of that he's been holding on to for two years. It seems he isn't the only one, but until Jake can let go, no one else can put their pain in the past either.

By the time I finished the last page, I was reeling. This was an amazing story in that it doesn't follow the path of a book typical for its genre. The book is so well written that it uncharacteristically for me, pulled me in. Not only was I up too late reading it last night, but I opted to finish the book before moving on to what I was supposed to be doing at work. The characters are believable and easy to engage with (or hate, as the case may be). I just don't get hung up in love stories. Something about this one wouldn't let me go.

What do you want from a book in this genre? Love, pain, complications and a nice resolution? Try adding hate, guilt, death, drug abuse, and alcohol. This story has it all, including the small town where everyone not only knows everyone, but everything about everyone. I was gifted this book in exchange for an honest review. (The cover art is being redesigned and is unavailable at this time.)

So... honestly? She can't get the next one out soon enough to suit me. I have certain titles on my Nook that I just don't archive after reading. When I got to the last page, I knew this would be one of them. As a romance story, the nice guy needs to be popped upside the head. But I have to stop so I don't spill it all. If you enjoy the genre (and she may have convinced me to try others in this vein) you will absolutely love this book. Get it, read it, tell your romance story friends about it. I never thought I'd be giving five stars for a romance book, but this one is not your typical love story. Hughes has earned every one of them.

This book is available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.