I had to DNF this book after 30%, I am just not religious and some people and the this was mentioning faith nearly after every sentence. The plot was interesting but i wanted more writing and less sermon giving, so sorry.

This was a real page turner. It was thought provoking and beautifully written. I found it quite disturbing in places and was hard to read at times but it is worth persevering with as it is a very good read that makes you stop and think. It had a lovely ending that I was hoping for.

What a depressing book. I couldn’t finish it at timesbecause it just fully upset me. There def needs to be Trigger warnings

I wanted to like this book, but I just couldn't get past the overly religious rhetoric. As a Christian who believes that all are loved by God, the hateful comments disguised as beliefs made this one a DNF for me. I understand that the parents probably changed themselves for the sake of their son somehwere later in the book, but I was just not invested in the story.

After the Rain by Laila Ibrahim is one of the most emotional books I've read in a long time. It brought me to tears at some points. It was so well written. If you're looking for a book to make you feel....this is it.

This was such a good and heartbreaking book. I really felt for the characters and was cheering them on. I read this book in one day. I would definitely recommend this book.

This book was so good. Had amazing time reading it. It definitely gave me thoughts to think about. Thank you for netgalley giving me this book as an arc.

Thank you for allowing me to review this book. From the beginning I was expecting an easy read, however, as the story progressed it became more challenging. The challenge was due to the heavy religious bias. I found it difficult to understand how strongly and easily indoctrination manifests within a family. Jenn, the mother was deeply concerned about her son, for the wrong reason. Josh was a very likeable character who I felt very sympathetic towards. His sister, Sara was also so understanding and supportive. Set in the recent past when prejudices were obviously contentious the research was thorough. If only we had moved on from those times, but I fear that it still exists today.
The book is well written and as I said the research was clear.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

"After the Rain" by Laila Ibrahim is a poignant exploration of the complexities of familial love, acceptance, and the courage to embrace truth. The narrative unfolds with Jenn Henderson's ordinary Sunday morning taking an unexpected turn when she discovers her son, Josh, in a life-threatening state. As Josh recovers, he reveals a deeply held secret that challenges Jenn's perceptions and beliefs, setting off a cascade of emotional turmoil and introspection.

Ibrahim's storytelling delves into the themes of "unconditional love" and the "struggles of coming to terms with one's identity", making it a compelling read for those who appreciate emotionally charged narratives. The book's strength lies in its ability to evoke empathy and provoke thought, as readers are invited to reflect on their own biases and the lengths they would go to for the ones they love.

The characters are crafted with depth and realism, particularly Jenn, whose journey from shock to acceptance is portrayed with sensitivity and insight. Ibrahim's background in psychology and education shines through in her nuanced character development and understanding of human emotions.

"After the Rain" is recommended for fans of Jodi Picoult and Julianne MacLean, as it shares the same caliber of emotional depth and moral dilemmas. This novel, previously published as "Living Right" , remains a testament to Ibrahim's skill as a storyteller and her ability to address complex issues with grace and compassion. It's a book that invites readers to look inward and question their own perspectives on love and acceptance.

A very well written book and hard to read in parts but overall I really enjoyed it. A very heavy religious storyline.

This was a really challenging read from the outset with the heavy religious emphasis on homophobia and some pretty twisted behaviors all in the name of Christianity.
I find it staggering that these attitudes prevail in the recent past (and probably still do today in many places) and that the parents felt this was a problem to be fixed.
I spent the whole book feeling so sorry for Josh and delighted when his sister stepped forward and supported him, re-evaluating her belief system to do so.
I think that is the shining light of the book- that people can still follow their religion but can do so in a supportive and tolerant way. Sadly I suspect those who need this message the most are the least likely to ever pick up the book.
An uncomfortable story well told.

I tried with this one, but I could not get into the writing style, or rather the mindset of Jenn. The religious aspect was overdone and as an older person, I cannot believe that these attitudes were prevelent 20 years ago (maybe in the US) . I`m afarid to say that I gave up on the book, I have enough to keep me occupied without spending time on this one. No doubt things turn around and all is swweetness and light by the end. I don't know . A shame because I am always interested to read books about different gender orientations, this one didn't keep me hooked enough to want to carry on

Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC

3.5

“Josh didn’t feel brave, but it was nice to know that someone thought he was.”

Let’s start with a huge thank you to NetGalley and Storm publishing for letting me read the arc for this book! I really appreciate giving me a chance to read and review After the Rain.

“He’s Christian. He doesn’t do drugs.”

Okay I’m gonna start with the fact that I felt so sick in the beginning of the book. Full of Christianity and beliefs and homophobia. It literally hurt to read. It’s upsetting that this is an actual story that rings true for many people. I honestly almost DNFed because of it just feeling so suffocating. I grew up Catholic so I’m not entirely new to religion, but this was just so much. I know my mind is a lot more open compared to some people, but dear god it was hard reading someone’s perspective when they’re so close minded.

“Guess it’s a guy thing. I don’t need to know. I don’t want to know.”

Continuing on reading this, homophobia and close mindedness aside, it was actually pretty inspiring to read about people so devoted to their religion and beliefs. I’m not sure if I ever felt that way before. I know I’ve had my true devout moments, but I know I crack jokes that may be taking it a bit too far. I was dreading this book when I realized it was a book that centred on religion, but it made me think about my own beliefs and wants and how I feel about my relationship with Christianity.

“He’s giving out marriage licenses to homosexuals.”

I think the book got a lot better when the family started to take a turn in their beliefs. I’m happy that Jenn finally came to the full realization, but it was so hard to read her beliefs. I just cannot understand people who listen to one rule in the bible and ignore another like ??? Okok enough with self reflecting religion talk. It was really nice to see that there’s at least a story with a good ending regarding a Christian family whose lives turn “upside down” when their child comes out.

“That’s not a Christian name, is it?”

Haha I literally wrote “This family is giving white af”. It was pretty interesting when I saw that the nurse was Filipino. Like. Of cooourse the nurse is Filipino (speaking as a filipino myself of course). I just wish there was more diversity in books like these, but that’s a whole other thing writing about another culture and its relationship with religion so I guess it’s fine. A lot of research does have to go through with it.

“His heart twisted. Maybe they were hypocrites, but he wanted their approval so much that it hurt.”

It was pretty eye opening reading this book. The bigotry makes sense as it takes place in 2004, but still, that’s not too long ago. All in all, I enjoyed myself mostly towards the end and I don’t hate this book! I’m glad I was given the opportunity to read it.

Jenn Henderson returned home after brunch, tending to household chores before discovering her son Josh's near-tragic secret. As she nurses him back to health, their family faces the intersection of religion, beliefs, motherhood, and teenage struggles. The story delves into Jenn's unwavering faith, the challenges of acceptance, and the harsh realities of certain religious communities.

The narrative, told from different perspectives, sheds light on the profound impact of societal views on identity and the poignant aftermath of a suicide attempt. While the book may be unsettling, it prompts introspection on personal beliefs and societal attitudes. The author, Laila Ibrahim, courageously tackles a sensitive and genuine issue, offering readers a thought-provoking exploration of complex themes.


Was heavier than I expected, as I usually choose “fluff”

This is a story about a deeply religious family who after their son tries to overdose find out he's gay which is obviously a taboo in their religion. Do u as a parent support your son or stick to your religious beliefs?

I've never understood parents that claim to love their child unconditionally but, kick them out when they live someone they don't approve of. News flash! That's a condition people! This story is of deeply religious family and the aftermath of their son coming out as gay. It has strong religious aspect that may be triggering and disturbing to some. But it is a good story and fast paced and hopefully, eye-opening for many. While it is set in 2004 there are unfortunately many that maintain similar attitudes today.

This book had the potential to be really good, the premise is fantastic and meaningful for readers of today, and there were definitely aspects I liked. The overall message of acceptance is a very important one. However, I did at times find the book quite preachy, and while I understand the book was looking at this issue from a 'Christian' perspective, so much of it was centred on that quite harmful view, and not enough of the others to balance it out. I would have loved to see more from Josh's POV considering that his story was the catalyst for the whole thing, and while I understand the story was widely about a mother's acceptance, I do think so much more could be done. At times the writing was quite simplistic and even immature in some ways. I didn't hate this book, but I didn't love it like I think I could have if things were done differently.

Thank you to netgalley for the ARC

This was a hard hitting novel that felt very timely for today.
Josh and his family have a deep faith. When Josh tries to commit suicide, they cannot understand how he would risk his salvation; then Josh finds the courage to tell them that he is gay. What happens next is a difficult but important read. This was a shocking, uncomfortable read in places yet I couldn't put it down. and ended up reading it in one sitting.

I enjoyed After the Rain!

Because I did not grow up Christian or with much exposure to Christian values, it was interesting to see all the different perspectives of the Christian characters in the book: anti-LGBTQ, pro-LGBTQ, hate the sin but love the sinner, etc. Jenn's perspective in particular (especially in comparison to her husband's) was noteworthy. Laila Ibrahim honestly made me empathize with Jenn in some ways, which is something I struggled to do before.

The writing was a bit simple, straightforward, and very "tell, not show" for me, so it might be better suited for younger audiences (maybe early teens?). Also, a lot of dialogue and events that took place didn't really move the story forward. It felt like not much was happening.

The entire book focuses on Christianity, which I expected, but this may not be everyone's cup of tea. I personally have never read a book portraying this specific Christian experience so authentically, so I found After the Rain very valuable in that way. I know that this book will hit home for a lot of people, especially those living near the Dublin area (like me!).

What an emotional read this was. While there was parts that I didnt agree with, it was a compelling read.
Thanks to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC in return for an honest review