Two Years, No Rain by Shawn Klomparens is a great novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. I tried to remember the last time I read a novel about a man and his issues with trying to find himself in this crazy world and I couldn’t think of one. I think that is what I liked most about this book. It was refreshing to read a book about a man struggling to find himself and I have to say that I found it hard to put this one down. It was one of those books that I picked up every second I could because I just had to know what would happen with Andy next.
Andy is a thirty-something man who has been going through a rough spot in his life for a long time. He works for a satellite radio station reporting the weather and even there hasn’t had much to report since they were getting no rain. He felt he was becoming redundant everywhere in his life including his marriage. Turns out his wife was happily having affairs while he thought they were ok, not great – but ok. She ends up leaving him and moving practically everything out of their house. Yet another blow to the already bruised ego.
He hears about a job though doing voice for a kid’s television show. He auditions for it and to his surprise gets the job and not only doing voice, but actually hosting the show. He had pulled a stunt of sorts with some kids and a magic carpet and that had managed to win him his new job. Andy has a knack with kids and a knack in front of the camera. His personality shines through and kids love him. Thing is, it seems women all over are loving him too! All of a sudden Andy can’t go out to the bar or the grocery store without being accosted by women.
Now while Andy has been struggling with trying to rebuild his life after his wife has left we find out that he has had a long standing crush on a woman who worked in the same building as he did. Hillary is married and a very interesting character and she and Andy have been carrying on a texting and phoning relationship for almost two years and of course they see each other at work. Theirs is a confusing and stormy relationship as Hillary doesn’t have a good marriage and Andy’s marriage had been on the rocks for a while. I think that while they were attracted to each other, this just added to the bond they had. Their love seems sweet, but troubled. Where will it end up leading them – to each other, or away from each other?
Andy is just a great character. He’s funny, caring, a family man and just completely likeable. The author has a way of just pulling you completely into Andy’s life. He’s had things happen in his past that have worn him down and things going on in the present and you find yourself really caring about this man and what will happen to him. He has a niece Hannah who I just took to right away. She’s delightfully funny in that teenage way and she had me laughing a few times with the things that would come out of her mouth. As a matter of fact, there were many instances in this book that had me laughing that had to do with Andy as well.
This novel shows us that even when life beats you down, there is still hope. You can get back up, dust off and try again. You also never know when things may look brighter for you, life is about possibilities and chance. Sometimes you just need to be in the right place at the right time. My favorite quote from the book is the perfect example…
- ‘Everything is shaded by degrees of possibility. Not only in the weather; every aspect of your life is colored by chance.’ (pg 347, ARC copy, may be different in final printed copy)
Two Years, No Rain is about Andy Dunne reinventing himself and hopes and dreams coming true. It’s about confronting your past and dealing with it and moving on; it’s about so many things. It’s a great read that I found different from everything I’ve been reading recently that I would easily recommend. Make sure to check out Shawn Klomparen’s website here and Two Years, No Rain is available to buy here in the US and here in Canada.
Many thanks to Lisa for having me participate in this TLC Book Tour.
When I read the book title, I thought it was a book about the Atlanta weather!
Sounds like a good book – just might have to add it to my wish list!
I'm about half-way through this one and I'm really enjoying it too. Andy is such a likable guy you can't help but root for him.
When you mentioned a book about a man and his issues trying to find himself – two books came to mind to me that I had read. First – This Book Will Save Your Life and secondly High Fidelity by Nick Hornby. I enjoyed both of these, so I think this one might be for me.
You're right, there are less books out there about a man rediscovering himself, and would be a refreshing change.
Dar, that's a good point.. I cannot remember the last time I read a book about a man going through this kind of identity crisis- or even a book with a male protagonist. I've been reading too many chick books lately, I think! I'll be reading Two Years, No Rain in a couple of weeks for a discussion on my blog, and after reading your review I am really excited bout it!
Great review! I am SO happy you enjoyed TYNR and really appreciate the time and effort that went into reading and reviewing it. THanks so much!
A male perspective on the identity issue would be refreshing, especially coming from a character as likeable as you make Andy sound.
Where does the novel take place?
I don't usually care for books with male main characters, but this one sounds really good. It's always nice to be reminded that there is always hope and a chance to turn things around.
sounds like a good book. i usually like to read books about women but i could make an exception! 🙂
Haven't read anything like this before. Sounds good.
–Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
Excellent review, Darlene! I finished reading Two Years, No Rain this morning. You really do root for Andy, who's basically a good guy.
I skimmed this really quickly because I haven't read it yet and I don't want to be influenced too much by others before I do my review :)!!
By the sounds of it I'm really going to like this one!!
Please enter me for this contest!
Jen
bookwormonamission@gmail.com
Interesting title for an interesting book. I like books with male perspective.
Sounds good! Great review!
This one sounds a bit different. I like different 🙂
Dar, I am adding this to my list. Thank you. I want to read about Andy's world.
Don't you just love when you have to keep picking up the book you're reading to see what the characters are up to? That is what a incredible book is all about!
this sounds good, and I like that cover.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
I'm looking forward to reading this one this month!
This does sound like a good book. Andy sounds like someone I wouldn't mind knowing. 🙂 Thanks for the great review, Dar.
Andy sounds so likeable 🙂 This sounds really good. Thank You!
This one sounds interesting! I'll have to check it out. Thanks for the lovely review, Dar!
I read this book and really loved it as well. Andy was just such a charismatic character, and the story was interesting as well. Great review!
This sounds terrific! Love that it's told from the male point of view, that does seem like a refreshing change. Thanks for your wonderful review 🙂
Your point about the male perspective pulled me right into your review, Dar. The vast majority of the books I read have female protagonists, and the male-centered books tend to not address that "finding yourself" issue.
Sounds like a winner on many fronts … thanks!
Great review Dar… sounds like this one is definitely TBR.
I really liked this one for the first 3/4 but then I wasn't as crazy about the way Klomparens wrapped things up. Still, it was great to read a "guy" book and be able to relate to it.