Title: The Weight Of Rain
Author: Mariah Dietz
Genre: New Adult
Release Date: October 27, 2015
Synopsis
One night changed my life—one that I barely remember.
When I close my eyes, my mind paints a picture of his smile and shades the contours of his hands, the deep scar around his bicep.
I'm an artist, yet my hands are unsteady. With his presence, he has unknowingly broken that something inside of me that makes me who I am.
Being around him is like standing in a rainstorm. First the drops tickle my skin, and then they coat me, refusing to be ignored. Finally, they soak into me, reaching parts of me I don’t think anyone has ever touched.
When dreams turn into reality, will the picture in my mind transfer to paper?
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Excerpt
“Why are you fidgeting again?” Allie’s scolding is in the form of a whisper but still reaches my ears as a yell because I know by the sharp look in her eye that she’s ready to stab me with a pin if I don’t stop.“Sorry,” I whisper. I work to ignore an itch on the back of my neck and another on my shoulder. As I think about how much I hate standing still and why I didn’t see King at all today though he always works in the home office on Fridays, I feel several more tickles across my skin that arise because I know I can’t move.
My eyes scan over the large space that we’re filling. There are at least two hundred other students in here, each with a model who, like me, is standing atop a crate, making a select few of us even more uncomfortably tall. Several people look perfectly relaxed as they stand completely still, their shoulders back and chins raised as though they’re already on stage. My eyes trace over each of them, noticing their poise, boldness, and beauty.
“She’s really pretty.”
Allie’s looks up at me with minimal interest. “Who?”
“The girl over there with the dark blond hair.” I nod in the direction of where she’s standing.
“You’re an artist, Lo. She’s definitely pretty, but her confidence is what makes her stand out so much.”
Allie’s comment makes me stare longer at the girl, noticing her eyes are a little too close together, and her forehead too short to be what is believed to be the definition of attractive. It brings me to hate those ignorant facts even more because she is beautiful, and I’m grateful she seems to believe so without meeting the dictated standards.
“Lo,” Allie hisses in warning, making my hand drop from where it’s rubbing across my mostly bare thigh.
“You should really consider asking Kenzie.”
“I would have if I had known you have ADHD. What’s with you?”
“I don’t know.”
“It’s because you can’t draw, huh?” My attention drops to Allie as she places another pin along the hemline.
“That’s definitely not helping.”
“When do you think you’ll be able to hold a pencil again? Are your professors freaking out?”
“I don’t know. I’m hoping by the end of this week so I can draw while I’m home for Christmas.”
“Are you excited?”
Her gaze remains fixed on the dress as I raise my eyebrows, her question sinking into my thoughts. “I guess. I don’t know.”
“You don’t talk about your family much.” Allie’s eyes dart to mine for just a fraction of a second, but I’m sure it’s long enough to notice mine working to evade contact.
“There’s not a whole lot to say.”
“What happened to your mom this week?” I feel her briefly glance up again before moving her hands to a new spot where she begins measuring the fabric for the next pin.
“Something came up. I’m sure I’ll see her after the holidays. You know how this time of year is.”
She places a white chalk pencil between her teeth and nods slowly as if debating that it’s the correct response. She frees it again, intently focusing on the fabric, and places a careful mark. “You aren’t mad?”
I shrug, earning a glare from her that I return with a frown. Her lips fall open into a laugh.
“You just need to focus on someone and mentally draw them; otherwise, you’re never going to make it out of here tonight, at least not without a thousand pinholes.”
My neck twists as I look around the room again. There are so many people in here. So much beauty, anticipation, desire, and passion: things I seek for my own inspiration, yet when I close my eyes and start sketching lines across my imagination, they don’t make up anyone that’s in here. I think I’d be surprised at this point if they ever do again. There are times like yesterday when I genuinely wish I hated him. Hell, he’s been a jackass to me enough that I could justifiably say I do, and anyone would be able to understand where I’m coming from. Then again, that would also require having someone to discuss my feelings for and interactions with him.
I wish I hadn’t been exposed to the kinder sides of him.
I wish I didn’t see how he acts around Mercedes to witness his unconditional love for her.
I wish my memories of that night were fading rather than becoming clearer.
I wish I wasn’t falling for this asshole.
I wish he’d fall for me.
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About The Author
Mariah Dietz lives in Eastern Washington with her husband and two sons that are the axis of her crazy and wonderful world.
Mariah grew up in a tiny town outside of Portland, Oregon where she spent the majority of her time immersed in the pages of books that she both read and created.
She has a love for all things that include her sons, good coffee, books, travel, and dark chocolate. She also has a deep passion for the stories she writes, and hopes readers enjoy the journeys she takes them on, as much as she loves creating them.
Sonja's Review
From the very beginning I was excited to read The Weight of Rain - first from the synopsis and then when that gorgeous cover was revealed, I wanted to read it even more! And then when I actually started reading it, I immediately fell in love with it! I never wanted to stop reading and I would say I'm so glad that I found this book, but really, it found me. It was extraordinary and when I look back on the books that I remember and loved the most at the end of the year, I have no doubts that one I will remember is The Weight of Rain!
I'm not going to tell you the hero's name because I don't want to spoil anything for you - although I'm pretty sure you won't be surprised when you found out who he is, but still. It was a little harder to connect to him just because the story is told from Lauren's POV, but that didn't stop me from loving him! I loved how he fought for Lo (Lauren) and how he pushed her to be better. I loved his teasing and playfulness, even his jerkishness sometimes, but I especially loved that I knew how he felt about her and I didn't have to worry about him.
Just like I immediately fell in love with the book, I immediately loved Lauren! She's so kind and thoughtful and down to earth. She's so deep, positive, wise, and she's sees the beauty in everything. And not only is Lo just an awesome person, but she's also a wicked talented artist and even though drawing and I have never been friends, Lo made me wish I could draw like she can. She is a passionate, amazing heroine and although she made me worry when her head wasn't in the right place at times, I really loved her and didn't mind being in her head the whole time!
The Weight of Rain made me laugh, brought tears to my eyes, and made my heart pound and race. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed reading this book - I didn't want to stop reading for anything and there was just so much that I loved about it. I loved the characters and how fun they were, I loved the art and how it made me feel, and I loved the little love/hate thing that Lo and her hero had going on. I just loved this beyond beautiful, deep, moving story and I can't wait to read more of Ms. Dietz!
The Weight of Rain is a standalone told from Lauren's POV, and Lauren and her hero did get their HEA!
~ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars
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