Book Review: Dancing in the Rain by Eileen Rife and Jennifer Slattery

Dancing in the Rain by Eileen Rife and Jennifer Slattery

Book Description:

Loni Parker, a music major struggling to find employment, seeks refuge at Camp Hope only to encounter the man who took her sight. 

On the verge of college graduation, Loni Parker seeks employment as a music teacher, but no one will hire her since she’s blind. Or so she thinks. To take her mind off her troubles, her roommate invites her to spring retreat at Camp Hope in the gorgeous North Carolina mountains. Unbeknownst to Loni, Michael Ackerman, the director, is an ex-con responsible for the accident that caused her blindness. When Loni warms up to camp and wants to return as a summer counselor, Michael opposes the idea, which only makes Loni want to prove herself all the more. Though she doesn’t expect to fall for the guy. Still, her need for independence and dream of teaching win out, taking her far away from her beloved Camp Hope . . . and a certain director. 

Camp director Michael Ackerman recognizes Loni instantly and wants to avoid her at all costs. Yet, despite the guilt pushing him from her, a growing attraction draws him to the determined woman. She sees more with her heart than the average person does with his eyes. But her presence also dredges up a long-buried anger toward his alcoholic father that he’d just as soon keep hidden. When circumstances spin out of control, Michael is forced to face a past that may destroy his present. 

Andrea's Review:

Dancing in the Rain is a clean, Christian romance novel. It's a little lengthy and slow moving, but I was quite interested in Loni and her abilities. I have pretty bad eyesight (life would be rough without glasses or contacts). I really can't imagine how hard it would be to lose my eyesight completely. Loni was able to get around so much better than I would have expected for someone who is blind, especially in the wilderness at Camp Hope. I'm curious to know how realistic her skills were.

The main message throughout the story is forgiveness. And not only Loni forgiving Michael for causing her blindness (which happened surprisingly fast), but there are a few other characters that have a huge struggle forgiving, and their situations were quite touching.

Rorie's Review:

This book has a very interesting story line to it. A blind woman becomes a counselor at a camp that happens to be run by the man who caused her blindness in the first place.

First off, I really liked that the main female character was named Loni, which is my mom's name. Loni had come so far in life after her accident, but it seemed like she was quick to blame everything negative that happened to her on her blindness, regardless of whether it was true or not.

I really liked Michael's character. Again, he had come so far from his lousy upbringing and the horrible mistake he made one night. He was constantly trying to better himself while helping other people better themselves as well.

There are so many lessons in this story about the power and importance of forgiveness - definitely something that is much easier said than done.

Title: Dancing in the Rain
Authors: Eileen Rife and Jennifer Slattery
Published: June 2018
ISBN: B07CSH8F97
Source: We received e-copies from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Purchase: Amazon