Reviewer: Tracy Dancing in the Rain by Kelly Jamieson
Publisher: Loveswept
Publication Date: April 11th 2017
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A retired athlete meets the daughter he never knew—along with the woman who reignites his passions—in this powerful standalone romance from the bestselling author of Hot Shot and the Heller Brothers series.
Drew Sellers is drowning in broken dreams and empty beer bottles. Hockey was his world, until a bum knee reduced him from superstar to has-been. Then he learns that, thanks to a one-night-stand back in college, he’s the father of a preteen girl with major issues. Her protective aunt sees right through Drew’s BS, but “Auntie P” is no stereotypical spinster. With her slender curves, toned legs, and luscious lips, she has Drew indulging in fantasies that aren’t exactly family-friendly.
At another point in her life, Peyton Watt would have been all over a cocky alpha male who pushes all her buttons like Drew. Right now, though, she needs to focus on taking care of her niece during her sister’s health crisis, all while holding down a job and keeping her own head above water. Besides, Drew’s clearly no father of the year. He’s unemployed. He drinks too much. And he’s living in the past. But after Peyton gets a glimpse of the genuine man behind his tough-guy façade, she’s hooked—and there’s no going back.
Drew Sellers is having a hard time with life. He was a pro hockey player but a bum knee forced him to retire very, very early. Then his wife cheated on him with a fellow teammate and a divorced ensued. He’s now listless and having constant pity parties – as well as starting brawls in bars just to get his adrenaline pumping. He’s shocked when a woman waylays him outside his local coffee shop and tells him that he has a daughter. He and the woman, Sara, had a one night stand many years earlier. She hadn’t known his last name and though she tried to find him he had only been visiting her college. When she saw his picture in a magazine she knew she had to let him know. She offers him the chance to meet his now 11-year-old daughter, Chloe, which he has mixed feelings about. Sara is dying and he’s not sure he wants to be involved with the whole sadness/drama. Yeah, it makes him an asshole but at least he’s being truthful with himself.
Peyton is Sara’s sister and has taken time off of her work and life in New York to take care of her sister and Chloe. She’s not sure about Drew but as time goes on she realizes what a good man he is. When Sara declines and starts to be near the end of life, Drew is there for both Peyton and Chloe. They know they should stay away from each other but soon they just can’t. Unfortunately Peyton is planning on moving Chloe back to New York and then Drew will never see either of them.
Dancing in the rain is a very good but very emotional book. By the time that Drew comes into the picture Sara is already steadily declining and it’s horribly sad. I have to say that Jamieson wrote that portion of the book so very well. It was sweet and tender and I felt Sara’s death to the depth of my soul. Yes, she’s a fictional character but this author made her so very full of life that I felt like I was losing a friend when she died. Jamieson also wrote the aftermath of Sara’s death very well and very true to life. Their emotions were running high and people tend to say stupid things when they’re upset. This book was no different but the way that the author brought Peyton and Drew around was very well done.
I thought the book was so good and definitely recommend it. You’ve obviously gathered that it’s a tearjerker so have your tissues read before you pick up the book.
Rating: 4 out of 5
This does sound good! Thanks for bringing it to my attention, Tracy.