Book Review // Stop the Rain by Kassie Angle

BACK-COVER SUMMARY:

He left his entire world in Iraq. So why did the war follow him home?

Harley Keane and his best friend Nigel were just kids when 9/11 rocked their world and changed their lives forever. When they’re finally old enough to join the Army, all their childhood dreams seem about to come true. But war wasn’t supposed to be like this. A kid’s dream isn’t supposed to become a living nightmare. Fellow soldiers aren’t supposed to bleed out in front of your eyes.

Back home, safe and unwounded, Harley feels anything but. Why would God spare him when so many others were taken? Why won’t the nightmares stop, even when he’s awake? And how long can he hide the truth that threatens everything he has left? When Harley’s invisible scars refuse to stay hidden, will he let anyone close enough to help? And how do you go on with life when “okay” isn’t okay at all?

MY REVIEW:

5+/5 stars

I read this book in two days and have been thinking about it longer than that. Even now, I'm still struggling to find the words that would adequately describe the impact Stop the Rain has made on my life. This book HURT like few other books I've read ever have (or probably ever will). At times I thought for sure I'd begin crying, which is something I don't usually experience in my reading journey. And now I've reached the end of the book, and my heart's still broken, seeing a trampoline reminds me only of Harley and Nigel, and I . . . won't be the same for a while. But that's okay; this novel was worth it. <33 Harley's story, although at first it started off slow and his own crying fits were constant and confusing, soon wrapped itself around my heart and didn't let go. Especially when I reminded myself partway through that he wasn't even twenty years old yet. The characters--each and every one of them--were a.m.a.z.i.n.g. Sgt. Rhys, Keith Hayes, Russell, Trey, Levi, Hawkins, Paul, Savannah, & Jakob Carter . . . each with their own story and the longing to reach through to Harley, no matter how rough he may have been with them. (and yes, there were moments when I wanted to shake Harley and say, "These people are looking out for you! why are you acting so ungrateful?" but it made their patience and care for him all the more evident. <3) So, yes, Stop the Rain has officially entered my very-most-favorites shelf. Excuse me while I go scream to the end of the earth how much I loved this novel by Kassie Angle. 6+ stars if I could. Due to some violence + scenes of death + the weighty topic of PTSD, however, I wouldn't recommend this to young or sensitive readers. I look forward to more by this author! =) PLACES TO FIND YOUR COPY OF STOP THE RAIN: Amazon (for ebook)|| Goodreads                   Have you read this one yet? Ever cried over a book before? Comment below! <3 Blessings, Ellen S.

Monday Musings // More Randomness

Aaaand, we've successfully made it through another week in 2021. Time for a brief recap.

I smiled over . . .

this song by Matthew West//Nerf gun battles with my siblings (two kids to each of the three teams)//another trip to the BAM bookstore with my mom and brother//texts from Grandma 💜//Ruby's scooting (er, crawling) techniques//games of Mario Kart Wii (whoosh, it sure brings back memories from the early stages of my childhood, when my older brother and I would play together all the time)//taking a walk with Ruby stuffed down inside my jacket ⬇⬇⬇

I read . . .

Stop the Rain by Kassie Angle (review for that coming Wednesday, Lord willing)

I prayed especially for . . .

my family//our nation//the new president and vice president elect//online relationships 

What about you? What have you smiled about? Read? Prayed for? Comment below! 

Also, due to the fact that the last weeks of January are gearing up to be crazy busy, I've changed my posting schedule and will probably be taking a break from doing Monday Musings until sometime next month. I still hope to blog occasionally in the meantime, though, so stay tuned!!

Blessings,

Ellen S.

Monday Musings // First Post of 2021!!

Happy New Year, everyone! How many of you stayed up till midnight to officially welcome 2021? My sibs and I attempted it after our parents and the four youngest kiddos went to bed. We popped popcorn and several of us curled up on the couch to watch an episode of I Love Lucy and another of Little House on the Prairie. It was fun, even though I knew ahead of time I wouldn't last until twelve o'clock. Only my two brothers made it that long. 😂 

Some other fun highlights from the week included Mom's and my trip to Books-a-Million, reaching The Newlywed Game episode in the Sue Thomas TV series (Jack and Sue were everything I had hoped for, BTW), and celebrating my sister, Sadie's, third birthday. (she wanted a princess party . . . talk about making me feel nostalgic.) 😄 Over the weekend, I watched God's Not Dead 3, but while Dave and Pearce made me laugh, I wasn't too impressed by the film overall. The second movie remains my favorite. 😃

I love this little girl so, so much!!! 😍

Ruby and me. (her mouth is covered in chocolate ice cream and vanilla birthday cake frosting. 😂)
She'll be a year old at the end of this month! (Crazy, I know.)

Can you believe we've entered 2021?! Do you have any New Year resolutions you'd care to share? Comment below!

Blessings,

Ellen S.