The beautiful cover and title of this book caught my attention and I knew I had to read it. Rising Sun Falling Rain is a post-WWII historical novel. Serviceman Mick Mitchell leaves his home in New Zealand and heads to Japan to help in the recovery efforts of the bombing of Hiroshima. There doesn't seem to be much in the story about those efforts, it's mainly about the love story between Mick and Emiko. This was a slow-moving book for the first half, but the ending made up for that and made it hard to put down. This was an emotional read dealing with family drama and secrets. I enjoyed reading this book. Thanks to the author Trish Devine, Olympia Publishers, and NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this ebook. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I loved this story set in a small village in Japan near Hiroshima after the war, and then in New Zealand in the 1960’s. Mick joined the New Zealand military to help Japan rebuild, and as he drives a truck to ferry locals to volunteer at a hospital, he meets Emiko. Emiko is struggling with breaking traditional roles and finding her way in the Japan that emerges after the war, with women redefining their roles. As their relationship deepens, many roadblocks will form. I highly recommend this beautifully told work of historical fiction. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

A sweeping family saga taking in 3 generations: we have Mick & Emiko in 1947 then Mick's parents, siblings, wider family in 1965. There's a big twist mid-way through the book that I didn't see coming, and I'll say no more as I don't want to spoiler the story for anyone who's not read it. I cheered, I cried, I celebrated. The character I found hardest to empathise with was Emiko - she's clearly rich yet didn't seem to mind one iota that she'd given up her status, wealth, home and family for Mick. Nevertheless, an enjoyable read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Wow. What a debut! If you like Kristin Hannah, then add this to your TBR! This is a very similar historical fiction style of story telling, full of generational plots of romance and family, and finding a place to belong. With multiple POV, this book had me gasping aloud, wiping tears from my eyes, broke my heart and then pieced it back together again. My grandmother was Japanese, my mother half Japanese, and this story gave me a new window for reflecting on their lived experiences and what life coming to America may have been like for them. I felt as though I was back in Japan reading these descriptions of people and places - very well done!

I truly enjoyed this book! It’s beautifuly written the first half was a little slow than the second half really is when it started to pick up! I love historical fiction I’m not big into romance but I thought the romance of forbidden love was pretty cute 🥰 the cover is stunning! I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy!

Thanks to NetGalley and Olympia Publishers for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

In a historical romance set in post-WWII Japan, a soldier from New Zealand meets a young Japanese woman. Their love is mutual and passionate, but not all those around them are supportive and many decisions are made that will have consequences for decades.

I struggled with this one, and it almost became my first "do not finish" of 2025. However, I am glad that I stuck with it because the second half of the book's plot was good. It wasn't enough to make me fall in love with the story.







#risingsunfallingrain #NetGalley.
Publication Date 30/01/25
Goodreads Review 22/02/25

A very enjoyable book about a young man from New Zealand who ends up in Japan , in the military, directly after the war. He comes to love the place and a beautiful young woman there. We follow their story.
I enjoyed the characters and the descriptions of Japan and its people. The pace really picked up as the story progressed. A very heartwarming story!

This story captivated me from start to finish. The depth and emotion in the writing are unlike anything I've read before. It explores the profound effects of the nuclear bomb on Japan, delving into the complex realities of time, memory, and human resilience. I learned so much about this era that I hadn't known before, especially the lasting impacts on culture, relationships, and the hearts of the people. The narrative is both heartbreaking and beautiful, with moments of raw vulnerability, yet also a sense of hope and strength. The friendships forged amidst such tragedy highlight the power of cultural diversity and the human spirit. It’s a truly moving experience that I won't soon forget.

The author's love of story-telling is apparent. She grew up in Japan, was fascinated with the culture and traditions and witnessed first hand the strength of its people.
Set in post-war Japan this is a compelling saga of forbidden love, buried secrets and unrelenting hope. New Zealand serviceman Mick Mitchell aids in the recovery of Hiroshima when he meets 18 yr old Emiko Tanazawa who is determined to break free from the pressure of her traditional upbringing and become a driving force for social reform.
Drawn together Mick and Emiko fall in love yet their plans for a better life are undone by the controlling influences of others and unforeseen circumstances.
A wonderful debut novel!

Thank you to NetGalley and Olympia Publishers for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Rising Sun Falling Rain is set in Japan in 1947, after the bombing of Hiroshima. Australia and New Zealand sent into teams of men to help restore and support the Japanese people who were facing severe hardship and devastation at every turn.
New Zealand Serviceman Mike Mitchell volunteered to be part of J Force, arriving to take over as a driver, ferrying the local villagers helping out at the Hospital, to and from each day. He is young, naïve and horrified at what he is seeing, as he takes his first trip with Buster, on the hospital run.
One of the volunteers is a beautiful, young girl who is gracious and respected by the other people on the truck. Mick is captivated at first sight but told emphatically- no fraternising!
Trish Devine has gently woven the culture of Japan, their strict traditions and the diversity of social standing into a captivating story as Mick and Emiko fall in love, both for the first time, the issues that arise from this and the decisions they both must make if they wish to have a life together.
Sensitively written, she captures the sentiment prevalent during the post war years towards the Japanese in New Zealand and Australia, the conflict that comes from keeping secrets and the heartbreak when those secrets are discovered.
Rising Sun Falling Rain wraps around many of the profound aspects of life; new beginnings forged from devastation, hope, love, friendship, acceptance and family. A most enjoyable, deeply immersive, heart wrenching debut novel from Trish Devine.

I like the cover the designer did a great job it's very pretty and I liked the description of the book but I'm having trouble getting into the story.

NPR used to promote its programming as "driveway radio" with the idea being that the content was so captivating that you would arrive at your destination but not want to get out of your car (and sit in your driveway) because you wanted to hear the end of the story. That is exactly how I felt while reading Rising Sun Falling Rain. I simply could not put it down and read it over the course of 24 hours. Trish Devine expertly crafts and develops a host of diverse, likable characters so that you end up with an equal affinity to main characters as well as those with minor roles. Devine educates the reader with an obvious love and appreciation of the Japanese people and culture, and their ethos of hospitality, and collectiveness . I was lucky enough to live in a Tokyo neighborhood with our own version of Tatami-san and the description of his craft, as well as his wife and mother brought tears to my eyes. After the first few pages I was ready to settle in to a nice little story about rural Hiroshima during Occupation and boy, was I wrong. The twists and turns taken in the plot left me surprised, devastated, and delighted. Thank you to Trish Devine for a truly wonderful book.

I know that you are not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but both the cover and the title made me cringe. I knew right away that this was going to be one of those very sappy portrayals of Japan filled with the requisite tropes. I was not wrong. The story played on many others before it and was very predictable and much too pat in the contrivances that were used to make the story fit the mold.

Yet, the writing is fairly tight. I wish the author had dug deeper into the story, but it really wasn't meant to be anything but a sappy romance. I appreciated the details that gave the reader a taste of New Zealanders in Japan after the war. For the American reader, this is quite interesting. And though the storyline was contrived, it was smoothly done. I easily read to the end, though all the way sighing at how saccharine it was.

I think that there are no major mistakes made in the portrayal of Japan. The author did her research and like I said, her writing is smooth. For what this is meant to be, it will be pleasing to those types of readers.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. It was better than I thought it would be.

What a beautiful story! When Mick leaves New Zealand to go to Japan to help after the war, he falls in love with Emiko. Mick is a thoroughly likeable character, with a good heart and practical skills. When things take a turn for the worse after their marriage, and Emiko is desperately ill after the birth of their baby, life gets hard. This is book about kindness, prejudice, family and healing. It is also about making your life in the face of adversity, and the power of friendships. What decisions would you have made if you were Dorothy in 1947? Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This book was breathtaking. I read this in less than 24 hours. The characters were wonderful, likable, full of life. The looks into Japanese culture and post WW2 life were eye opening. The flow of the story was beautiful, unexpected, and poignant. I loved everything about this book. It was real and raw, and showed love, friendships, and family connections. I will definitely buy this in print when it's released, and read it again. What a debut novel! 10/10 recommend. ❤️

I give this a 5/5!