Title: Rainshadow Road
Series: Friday Harbor #2
Author: Lisa Kleypas
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: February 2012 – St. Martin’s Griffin
Synopsis: (from the back of the book) Lucy Marinn is a glass artist living in mystical, beautiful Friday Harbor, Washington, with a boyfriend, Kevin, who she believes is her soul mate. She has always had a magical side – a gift that finds its way into the breathtaking glasswork she creates – and she struggles to keep it contained. But when Lucy is blindsided by the most bitter kind of betrayal, she questions many of her choices. . . Lucy’s bitterness over this devastation is multiplied by the fact that she has constantly made the wrong choices in her romantic life. As Lucy questions her beliefs about love, loyalty, old patterns, mistakes, and new beginnings, she explores the possibility that some things in life – even after being broken – can be re-made into something beautiful. And that it is only by discovering who you really are that you can find the one who truly deserves you.
My take: Book two in the Friday Harbor series is the story of Lucy and Sam. Both have trust/commitment issues. Sam because of the way his alcoholic parents raised him; Lucy because of a betrayal by a family member and because of the way her parents treated her so differently than her sister when they were young. It’s the betrayal that brings Sam and Lucy together.
I liked Sam and Lucy’s story but at times I just wanted to urge Sam to get therapy and move forward. Also, as described in the synopsis, there’s a magical realism aspect to the story. It’s not at the forefront but I found it an intriguing connection between Lucy and Sam.
Ultimately, Lisa Kleypas does what she does so well, she had me cheering for Lucy and Sam (even though I knew the HEA would be there I wasn’t sure how) and I was happy with the ending.
I look forward to the next book in the Friday Harbor series.
Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via Goodreads First Reads program. I was not compensated for my review.
Bookfan 
I read one of her books for my book club and it was a little too graphic for me, if you know what I mean.
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LOL, Kathy, when I get to a passage that’s “a little too graphic for me” I skim 😀 I do enjoy LK’s storytelling. That’s what keeps me returning to an author’s books – not the graphic stuff.
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Lisa Kleypas is one of my auto authors.. I enjoyed Rainshadow Road. I love what she does with her characters. I like the depth that she give her characters. I too can’t wait for her next book…Which at the Library right now waiting for me to pick it up…
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I’ve only read the Friday Harbor series and one historical, Kathleen. The next book must be Alex’s story, right? It should be good!
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I’ve never read her books but Kathy’s comment makes me wonder . . .but then, you like her books. Hmmmm . . . you and I seem to have similar tastes so on the list it goes. Magic realism is a feature I like in a book. Glad you enjoyed this one, Mary.
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Well, I’ve read three of her books and enjoyed them. About the magical realism – it’s not as big a part of the story as say, a Sarah Addison Allen novel. She’s my fav when it comes to MR.
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Sounds like both a hit and miss of a read, I suppose more of a hit than a miss if you are looking forward to the next book.
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Yes, more hit than miss. Hardly a miss at all 😉
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I am not always bothered with a “happily ever after” ending, as long as the characters travel long and hard to get there. It sounds like I might need to start this series from the beginning. Very nice review today. I hadn’t heard much about this book before now.
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Heather, I try to read any series in order. That’s not always possible but I do recommend it in this case. I think the first book in any series tends to set the emotional tone for the rest of the books. That’s been my experience.
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I hope to read my first Kleypas book soon 🙂
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I’ll watch for your review!
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I’m always hesitant with magic realism. It can be difficult to pull off. But when it is done well, it can be delighful.
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This is on my TBR mountain, along with the first book. I love magical realism when it’s done well. I saw your comment regarding Sarah Addison Allen and I adore her writing so I should enjoy this series.
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I hope you enjoy the series. Where SAA incorporates magical realism throughout her novels, LK simply gives it a bit of a nod in this series. Not quite an afterthought but also nothing like SAA’s magical realism.
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Ooooh, another series with the word ‘harbor’ in it!! I would love to try her books..sounds good to me! 😀
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