Embrace the Rain: A Novel

“Embrace the Rain” begins a year after the devastation of hurricane Katrina. The story takes place in a small coastal town in Mississippi. High School cheerleader Alison and football player Matt are dating. Matt comes from a wealthy family whose business is now heavily involved in the rebuilding of the area. Matt has a brother, Sean, who is homosexual and living in San Francisco. Matt’s father has difficulties with accepting his son’s homosexuality. He puts a lot of pressure on Matt to be his idea of the perfect son. Nobody realizes that Matt is in an emotional crisis that began when he had to be rescued from his bedroom during Katrina. He is keeping his problems a secret, so he has nobody to turn to. As the situation worsens, he feels that there is no way out.

When the father of the Santos family uproots them from California and moves them to the area for work, his wife and children have to deal with the cultural change. They were used to living among the people of their Mexican-American culture. Now they are living in a predominately white and black area. The whites and blacks have had their own issues to overcome with each other. The Santos’ do not feel well received or accepted.

Mr. Santos has gone to work for Matt’s father. When his handsome son Javier meets Alison, Matt’s girlfriend, they are both attracted to each other. Matt and Javier clash. When Alison breaks up with Matt, he hits bottom. Even though they haven’t done anything wrong, Javier and Alison take the brunt of the blame on what happens next.

Sean finds himself getting involved in the family crisis. Initially, he is rejected and disrespected by his father. He leaves to go back to his life and new love interest in San Francisco. Because he is a person of integrity, when the crisis reaches its highest peak, he steps in again. His mother accepts his help. This time he is able to introduce her to his life and she can see what an incredible son she has.

“Embrace the Rain,” teaches that crisis can be overcome if we learn from the lessons that are being taught while we are going through the experience. Several people in this story had to learn how to handle and overcome the feelings of guilt that they felt for not stepping in and doing something to help a teenager when he needed it. Parents and friends learned lessons about needing to try to do what is best for their loved ones, and not waiting until it is too late. There was also a strong theme about the importance of accepting other people from different cultures.

“Embrace the Rain” is an excellent novel that will impart some valuable lessons to the reader. It will be enjoyed by both young adults and adults.

Embrace the Rain: A Novel
Michael Holloway Perronne
Chances Press (2008)
ISBN 9780981718613
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (4/08)