Summer Rain is a romance anthology in which the theme of rain is a common thread uniting all the stories. Each tale contains at least one rainy day scene. More than that, the various authors have donated their entire proceeds to support RAINN (The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network). This is a fantastically admirable purpose, but what about the stories themselves? Some of them are very sexy, some edgy, some sweet. But all of them address some important issues and make the reader think.

In Redemption by Ruthie Knox, Jessie and Mike have a hot “no strings” affair. They both feel like “losers” in life and use sex to temporarily escape their sense of failure. Can they forgive themselves their past mistakes, learn to hope and give intimacy a chance?

The Heart of It by Molly O’Keefe is another story about how sex can be used to create distance or bring closeness, while also touching on the after effects of abuse. Until he meets Elena, Gabe, an abuse survivor, can only have sex when he’s drunk. Though he seeks a stronger connection with her, her own past makes her hold him at arms length.

Sacrifice by Cecilia Tan is a historical threaded with mythological and paranormal tones and deals with the importance of consent.

Real Feelings by Charlotte Stein also addresses consent and objectification in a science fiction/fantasy themed story about a lonely woman who seeks closeness with an android.

Rainy Season by Mary Ann Rivers features a woman who knows how to give to others but isn’t sure how to help herself. This story addressed the fact that so many women are “givers” who rarely find time to be kind to themselves.

The Rain in Spain by Amy Jo Cousins addressed physical and emotional distance between spouses, and differences in expectations. The city of Sevilla was a charming backdrop for the story.


Fitting In by Audra North was about shame that burdens two young people who’ve been victimized by small-mindedness and bigotry. Stas spends most of his energy trying to fit in, but questions himself when he meets Leila, who refuses to let others judge her choices.

Private Study by Shari Slade took on double standards and the internet in the story of a young woman who fears being “slut shamed” by a guy she likes when he glimpses her sex vlog.

Storm Warning by Alexandra Haughton had Amy fighting feelings of failure and betrayal as she struggles with her attraction to Tom, someone she once trusted until he bitterly disappointed her.

Even though serious issues are addressed (trigger warnings are included) none of the stories skimped on romance. Let’s face it, we romance readers want the emotion, the angst, the sexy. These tales did not disappoint, and though thought-provoking, none of them felt didactic. The variety of stories will appeal to a broad array of tastes. Every reader will have her own favorites.

I highly recommend Summer Rain as a fantastic read and a fantastic way to help an organization that assists so many survivors of abuse. ( )

This is a wonderful collection of 9 short stories by 9 different authors. There is no common thread within this collection and some of the stories didn't work for me but overall the collection is good. Add to that the fact that the proceeds from the sales of this anthology will got to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) and you definitely have a winner. ( )