Not a fan of romance story lines, but the thriller aspect of this novel was phenomenal. The beginning of the story is gripping, and horrifying, and spectacular, and full of trigger warnings. As the story goes on, it shifts to more of a romance angle, but the psychological impact of earlier events remains. This is a novel I will never forget. ( )

I really liked the idea of this one. I was super ready to see how things played out. I have to admit that I was a little taken aback because it came in a romance book box I received and while it has some romance it is more thriller if you ask me. The romance is just like a side quest that the story doesn't even need to function. At first I thought the book was going to give off some similar vibes to Still Beating, but it quickly showed that was not going to be the case. Which is totally fine, I just think that would have been more of the romance element. The writing was good and intriguing and it kept you invested pretty early on, but like something was missing.

I think it was hard to make their kidnap and escape such a pivotal thing, but it takes up less than 40% of the book. I will admit I was glad we didn't get graphic and descriptive scenes really of their torture, but it also just felt like we didn't get a foundation for any of the attachment between them. After they are out we don't really see much of relationship between them and they've had no contact until Evan beings looking into their kidnapping more. At this point we get a couple unnecessary plot twists that also don't add to the story and then an investigation that seems to take like 80% of the book.

It seemed like it took forever to figure out who was behind everything all while we get random bits of another game currently happening. I also want to say that it felt like some of the reveals on their kidnapping were just supposed to be for shock value with no real motivation for why. I think more of the backstory on the Collector and the game would have been more useful. However, overall it was an engaging story. I just was missing some things that would have nailed it for me. ( )

I was a bit surprised at just how dark this book was. I read a lot of books like this one, but some may want to be aware that it is raw with visceral evil of the main theme of the storyline. The story focuses on two individuals, Noelle Meyer and Evan Sinclair. They are both kidnapped and thrown into cages in a strange room. Neither of them knows how they got there, or why they have been chosen. The two teens do have a connection to their past however, and there is "bad blood" between them. Despite that they see that they need to form what is an unlikely, but necessary, alliance if they have any chance of escaping their kidnapper. Quicky the story suddenly jumps forward and here; the story takes on a much more straightforward investigative thriller vibe...one with romance and a mystery at its heart, but it then comes full circle back to the initial ordeal the pair worked so hard to escape. It soon becomes evident that this is the work of a clever mastermind... someone who wants Evan and Noelle to work at figuring out their situation. Are they walking into danger or is this person somehow just playing a dangerous game? This creates for the book, a very strong opener and climax. In fact, the book actually ends in a really satisfying way, explaining everything and even adding a little social commentary about class also, which was a nice touch. I became a bit bogged down in the story's unlikely events and the kidnappers' expectations with the back-and-forth perspective between Evan and Noelle trying to put their lives back together again. There are several sex scenes that are described throughout the book. These didn't bother me. I read books in a genera that some would make these scenes read like children's bedtime stories...but for those that are less tolerant of this will soon find that they go on for way too long and some could have been cut off sooner or left out completely. The first, to be fair, does makes perfect sense and works really well in the context of the story. Also be aware that the book bills itself as :a really sickening, grotesque thriller", but I didn't find that to be true at all. It's actually a mystery to uncover the truth, and one that you probably will actually figure out early on. It’s not a bad story but it is just a bit "uneven". Overall, it's actually a good thriller. It’s certainly not perfect...and some readers may be put-off by the graphic, violent descriptions...but the ending is worth sticking it out for. ( )

Title: All The Little Raindrops
Authors: Mia Sheridan
Publisher: Brilliance Audio ‎Book
Narrators: Jesse Vilinsky, Aaron Shedlock, Christopher Lane, Thom Rivera, Andre Santana
Listening Length: 13 hours & 51 minutes
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"All the Little Raindrops" by Mia Sheridan

My Sentiments:

"All the Little Raindrops" is quite a story dealing with Noelle and Evans, who are both kidnapped and now living in a cage in a dark room. To find out that all of this comes down to organized crime from this psychological ... ok, I will stop here and say pick up this read...it's a good one whether you are reading or listening to the story. The narrators are great...giving one a good read as you listen to this phenomenal, intriguing story.

The reader will get a story that is twisted all over the place. Be prepared to keep up because there will be a lot to take in from this dark story that will keep one's attention as you will be kept turning the pages as you get it all from 'The Collector, The Players, and even the Viewers' from this wicked game. We are presented with two parts to the story, which helps us understand what is going on from the kidnap to the escape and then on to trying to rebuild their lives who just wanted to get back to everyday life. Will this happen to them? I like how the author throws a little romance between the two main characters. I don't want to leave off the characters...they were all well-developed and oh-so-very enjoyable for the most part.

And just finding out who was behind this whole mess presents us with quite a story! This is where you must pick up this good story to see how we will deliver an unexpected ending. ( )

Mia Sheridan has a deft touch in writing about gruesome matters. Her technique is to labour less on the horror and more on her characters' emotional responses. Kidnap and torture, mental and physical, are not the main story here. Indeed, in a few dozen pages, they set the scene for a journey of mind and heart for the main characters, their on/off relationship, and the unraveling of a complex and intriguing plot. In the end, the story is more wholesome than the setup might suggest.

Hint: Best read on Kindle. To stay with the plot twists, you'll be flipping pages backwards to remind yourself what happened earlier. ( )