The Passing Storm: A Novel

The Passing Storm...what a great title for this book. In much the same way that a storm buffets nature, structures, and sometimes our very souls, these characters' lives were also affected, yet like a storm when it passes, a new day dawns for those willing to welcome it.No matter what I say, it's not going to convey the beautiful and skillful layering of the multi-faceted characters, their pasts, presents, and what we can glimpse of, or hope for, their futures. Many were deeply flawed, as humans are, but some were embracing growth and change, almost against their will, which made me care for them even more. I will say that in the beginning I had a strong dislike of Rae, but the author completely turned my opinion around by about 25% of the way through the book. I just had to go on the journey with Rae, accept my dislike, and keep reading. I'm glad I did.This book deals with tough subjects very well and slowly teases out the secrets held close and shelved for another day, while giving us glimpses of hope on the horizon for reconciliation, new beginnings, and an understanding that what one thinks happened isn't always reality.If you want a book that will make you think and feel, make you realize that one person's perception of a situation isn't always correct, and give you a large dose of hope for change, this is the book. Preorder it, borrow it from the library or a friend, but you will want to dive into The Passing Storm. You will probably have a solid book hangover, but that can't be helped if you want to fully enjoy the emotion filled journey that is The Passing Storm.I am grateful to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for providing an ARC at my request. All thoughts in this review are my own and given so that others do not miss this wonderful read.

This novel has all of the feels and takes you through an emotional roller-coaster of heartbreak, reconciliation, and love. The ending was not what I had expected!

I read the entire book. When a crime was revealed it made me wish I had not read because anybody getting raped doesn't hide the fact especially a young girl. Being pregnant by the rapist and nobody asked who? It just was not well thought out.

Rae, an unmarried thirty-something, lives on her family farm in Ohio with her dad. Dealing with her share of losses, she's pretty closed off to the world, even starting arguments with a local teenager, Quinn, who sometimes trespasses on her land. Her reactions never seem to fit the crime.Eventually, Quinn is able to get into her good graces and Rea's defenses start to break down. What follows is an uncovering of secrets and heartbreak.The ending is so heart warming and truly made my heart smile. I loved this quote."Hope lights the way."It fit the book perfectly, both literally and figuratively. This was a fantastic family drama and I can't wait to read more by Christine Nolfi.

There seemed to be a lot of dialog between characters in the beginning...talking in innuendos of which you have no idea what they are referring to...and it goes on....it wasn't anything that seemed to suggest there was a good story coming.....sorry...I like another reader couldn't be enticed to try and continue.

Christine Nolfi is one of those authors that you really just should not pass up. Rae's story in The Passing Storm, is a story set in a Midwestern town, and being from one myself, I feel like I related to the story on an even deeper level than normal. Rae has been through many things in her life that most haven't, so when she begins to peel back those layers, and we catch a glimpse of what she's been through, it'll have you turning pages faster and faster as the book progresses. You cannot help but feel connected to her and just want her to find her way again to life.This book was extremely well written and all about dealing with our past in order to heal, family, grief, and forgiveness. Don't wait to buy this one, you won't regret it!

Exceptional story of loss, grief, secrets, and healing. Ms. Nolfi has a story telling gift, and her characters are completely believable and realistic. Parenting, especially of teens, is difficult at best. We all have times we wish we'd handled a situation differently, and for some, we never get the chance to remedy our errors in judgment.A truly heart-warming experience awaits you in this book.I will definitely add Christine Nolfi to my list of favorite authors.

With every storm comes a new day. A new beginning and a chance for healing. Rae has been through storms before. Starting with the White Hurricane that took her mother. But, like with any storm, it will pass and bring hope. Rae needs hope and a chance to break through the grief that has overwhelmed her. she finds hope and a chance to begin again in the unlikely form of Quinn. A boy who needs someone to care. As the two come together they learn how to continue on. Learning how to trust and to love again. Rae learns things about her daughter that she never knew and Quinn finds the safety and security of a loving family. Bringing the past full circle .Beautifully written with amazing characters that are strong and easy to love. An amazing story that will leave you believing in hope. I love Christine's characters . There is always so much depth to them. From the primary characters to the secondary ones, they are easy to fall in love with. I absolutely loved this book.

A story that I found intriguing from the start. It began with a lot of pain and mystery. After reading the initial few chapters, I was just beginning to become frustrated that the author had yet to reveal Rae's most recent loss. I had just began to suspect it was the loss of a child when Quinn confirmed that was the case. From this point the book flowed for me, I became more invested in the characters, Quinn's plight, the mystery surrounding Lark's parentage and her death. Griffin was introduced at just the right time without his relationship with Rae becoming the focal point, more a sideline bonus that she found romance after all the heartache. A truly well written , entertaining story that envoked a complex of emotions whilst read.

Although I enjoyed this book I did find it a bit slow for the first 80%. Rae certainly had had a lot to deal with in the last fifteen years but I found her a bit too suddenly changeable to feel realistic. I liked the ending.

Easy read that explores tangled past relationships and misdemeanors. Great characters and sensitively broached topics such as depression and alcoholism...

Whilst this wasn't awful it certainly wouldn't make me rush out to buy another book by this author.

Keeps jumping backwards and forwards in time. It's like living with someone that keeps saying "when I was young...." You have to keep checking at the beginning of each chapter to see if you are in the characters childhood or adulthood. Not enjoying this book and probably won't finish reading it.