Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Release: 1st August 2013
Genre: Romance, Chick-lit, Women’s Fiction, Friendship
Source: Received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Summary:
"A summer getaway to remember. But is a holiday romance on the cards…? Best friends from work May, Lara and Clare are desperate for some time away. They have each had a rough time of it lately and need some serious R & R. So they set off to a luxurious spa for ten glorious days, but when they arrive at their destination, it seems it is not the place they thought it was. In fact, they appear to have come to entirely the wrong village… Here in Ren Dullem nothing is quite what it seems; the lovely cobbled streets and picturesque cottages hide a secret that the villagers have been keeping hidden for years. Why is everyone so unfriendly and suspicious? Why does the landlord of their holiday rental seem so rude? And why are there so few women in the village? Despite the strange atmosphere, the three friends are determined to make the best of it and have a holiday to remember. But will this be the break they all need? Or will the odd little village with all its secrets bring them all to breaking point…?"
Review
I’ve read and loved four books from Milly Johnson so far and It’s Raining Men has to be my new favourite! With three lovable heroines, one secretive little village, buckets of mystery and a sprinkling of magic I found myself engrossed in the story and reading long into the night.
The book is about three unlucky in love career girls and work friends Lara, May and Clare. All three of them are having relationship problems and are tired and overworked so they decide to treat themselves to a luxurious spa break to relax and catch-up. Only fate has other plans for our lovely ladies and they end up stuck in the mysterious little town of Ren Dullem a place where clouds hover forebodingly overhead, the locals are unwelcoming and secretive and there are hardly any women around at all. However appearances are not what they seem and as the friends open up to each other about the truth behind their seemingly perfect lives and relationships the mystery of Ren Dullem is slowly revealed as are the secrets the villagers are desperately trying to keep.
As well as being a brilliant new title in women’s fiction It’s Raining Men also has a real sense of mystery throughout the novel which I thoroughly enjoyed. I found all of the little clues and folklore cleverly placed. I quickly fell in love with the curious little village and I loved watching the girls slowly come to love it there too. It was lovely to bump into Coco and Gideon (two characters I loved from An Autumn Crush!) who were staying in Ren Dullem too and to have a catch up with them.
I loved all three heroines they were all distinctive from one another and I loved their individual stories as well as their friendship. My absolute favourite had to be Lara – her relationship with Gene reminded me of a Doris Day film. The two would end up in an argument every time their paths crossed but there was also chemistry there and as you get to know them you realise how perfect they’d be together. They were both unlucky in love and I really wanted a happy ending for them.
Overall It’s Raining Men was a book that I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish and is definitely a favourite of mine from this summer. If you love warm and relatable heroines, stories about friendship, mystery, fate and a little bit of that magic in life I’d strongly recommend It’s Raining Men to old Milly Johnson fans and newbies discovering her books for the first time – this is a fantastic place to start!
