Review: When it Rains (Where She Belongs Series Book 1) by Kitty Cox

When it Rains by Kitty Cox
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sweet and Sad

I’m going to start this with a trigger warning, as it’s needed for this book. If you are emotionally vulnerable regarding the discussion of child abuse, domestic abuse and animal abuse, you should probably avoid this book. Whilst the discussion of the child abuse is abstract and in the past, the domestic and animal abuse takes place during the course of the events narrated in the book.

This book is the first solo endeavour by this author. She has written three books, The Gamer Girls Series, with co-author Auryn Hadley. I really enjoyed those books, but as I pretty much adore everything Auryn Hadley writes, this isn’t surprising. I thought I’d give Kitty Cox’s solo project a try. I’m glad I did, as this is a good book.

The book revolves around Brook, who has been in relationship with her husband Owen for 10 years. Her marriage is not happy, and she has been isolated from all her friends and family during the course of the relationship. The one thing that brings her joy is working at an animal rescue shelter. She is passionate about dogs and is heartbroken Owen only allows her to have one dog.

Then she meets a new community service ‘volunteer’, Ryder. Ryder is a big man, with little to say, with the exception of how much he loves dogs. He is attracted to Brook, but as she is married, he writes her off as a possible romantic interest. Then one day Brook needs his help and he swings into action.

Brook is a complex character, who used to be bright and exciting until her liveliness was eroded by Owen. He gradually separated her from family and friends and left her completely dependent on him for everything. She loves with her whole heart and is loathe to give up on her marriage. Her heart breaks every time a dog is euthanised and she morns the loss of her friends.

Ryder is a beautiful character. He adores dogs and their loyal simplicity and cannot cope with life without his identical twin brother Hunter. He knows that he has to help Brook, in the same way he would help a wounded animal. He is also a tortured soul and something in Brook speaks to him.

I really liked Alison, Brook’s old college friend. They hadn’t seen each other in years, and still she behaved as though it was last week they last caught up. I love that she encourages the ‘old’ Brook to come back to the forefront of her personality. She is supportive without question, loving and fun. Her friendship with Brook is really important to the book.

The book is at times both sweet and sad. The plot is complex and interesting and I think the author did a great job on her first solo effort. You can definitely see some of the things she brought to the Gamer Girls Series within this book, and it’s good to see that she can write well by herself, as well as with Auryn Hadley.

The book ends as a HFN, but I think the next book in the series will make for an interesting read.

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