What is your opinion?
This story made me face my own past
"This story somehow managed to open a door I thought I had already closed.💖💔💖 It is deep, painful, heartbreaking, and brutally realistic in places. While reading it, I found myself remembering parts of my own past and facing some demons I probably wasn’t expecting to meet again. And strangely enough, I’m grateful for that.🙏 There is something incredibly powerful about a story that hurts, but still makes you feel that the pain has a purpose. I absolutely loved the way the entire story is told through the prism of military tactics. Plans, strategies, missions, battles, calculated moves... somehow they become much more than just terminology. They become a way of understanding the characters themselves, their choices, their survival instincts, their relationships, and the wars they are fighting inside their own minds.🧐 And then there is the humor.😅 The amount of sarcasm, dark humor, and especially self-irony throughout this book is honestly amazing. It gives the reader moments to breathe when everything becomes unbearably heavy, and somehow makes the characters feel even more human. What impressed me most is that the story doesn’t try to make trauma beautiful or convenient. It is messy. It is painful. People break, make mistakes, hurt each other, love each other, and sometimes don't know how to save themselves. And that made the story feel real.💯 Sometimes, the people who hurt us the most are the very people we love and feel responsible for, and somehow we still have to find a way to love them, care for them, and stay beside them. This is not an easy story, and definitely not a light read. But if you are willing to face the darker corners of human emotions, this story deserves to be read! 💖💖💖 And perhaps, like me, you might walk away from it carrying a few painful memories, but also feeling strangely grateful for having faced them. Thank you, my dear author! 💟"
No words. Just beautiful!
"She did it again! 👏👏👏Some books stay with you, and this is one of them. I literally held off to finish it because I was both scared and hated that it was going to end. This is the kind of story that wraps itself around you slowly — Derrick was the kind of character that grabbed you by the collar and did not let go. He made you feel things with him. The story has everything, drama, sacrifice, fierce loyalty and devotion, love and loss so deep and achingly beautiful. The bonds created are not the easy kind. They are earned and tested and so very heartbreaking, and the author delivers it beautifully that you feel every gut wrenching moment of it. There is a devotion woven through this story that is almost unbearable in the best way; brothers that held each other together, fighting demons that did not stay away. Women that literally saved them from darkness. The loss hit me hard. I thought I was prepared. I was not. I took a few days off just to recover. When I came back, I was in tears, the entire last 6 chapters had me fighting to not break. What lingers most is the beauty of it all. Even as you cry your eyes off, even as you laugh at Derrick's dark humor, the writing is amazing. It made the heartbreak worth it. I will think about this story for a while. I highly recommend it. Read it, but keep tissues close. 🤎🤎🤎"
The drama, the tension! I loooove it!
"The characters are complex in a way that feels truly authentic, you can't help but love them. The storyline is captivating and breathtaking. I've cried, I've laughed, I've felt scared - this is a story that hits you right in the feels. ❤️🖤 I'm already sad that I'll finish it... really savoring the last chapters "
When it Rained Red - an intense read
"I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book at first but was excited to find out. It is also the first book I’ve read by this author and it does not disappoint. The prose can seem a little clipped, but emotive, and gets you in the feels. You’re living and breathing the characters and taking the journey with them. When first coming across the damaged brothers we learn of their symbiotic relationship. The dynamic between them is fuelled by trauma, and what they have works for them. Lara is a bit of an enigma to begin with, and although I didn’t want to like her at first I realised quickly that she may well redeem herself. By the time we get to ten chapters it’s just getting started with the beginning of the end, even though there’s been a lot of action and drama already. The writing style is very intense and emotive, hold on to your hats is gonna be a wild ride. Remember to set aside some time after you finish reading, it hits hard, and you’re gonna need some time to recover! I’m excited to read the rest."
When It Rained Red
"I've recommended this novel to my writing groups for its snappy prose. Even if it's not your genre, the writing style is a treat to read. The ending was a great payoff. You will care about the characters when you get there. I'm writing this review weeks after finishing because I'm still thinking about it. Great story. I'm looking forward to the next one."
I have no words...
"Another brilliant book by this author, absolutely one of my favorites to be following here on Inkitt! The plot was not your typical and even knowing that when I started reading did not protect my heart... AGAIN! It was beautifully crafted with easily loved and hated characters. I thought I had it figured at the start but boy! I was so wrong🥹 Beautifully layered and packed with emotion, this book is sure to stir those heartstrings. I finished it last night and had to wait for the tears every time I thought about leaving a review. Thanks Kika! Never stop💃🤍🌺"
An Unusual Look into the Dark Side of Human Nature
"A pretty unique experience. Definitely a story that deliberately steps away from traditional storytelling and follows its own, very distinct artistic vision. On the surface, it’s about the interpersonal dynamics between the two main characters, driven by very specific internal impulses, showing a kind of unconventional authenticity. The story doesn’t rely on the usual tools to make you identify with the characters; instead, it throws you straight into their immediate experiences, making their journey feel intensely personal. The action scenes are particularly well-crafted and flow really smoothly, making those moments feel vivid and alive. A character like 🩶 Marcus 🩶 really stands out in all of this. He carries enormous narrative potential, and there were moments when I really wished his perspective had been given way more space to fully reflect the weight of the events. The way his fate hit me completely unprepared just underscores how powerful expectations can be. All in all, a remarkable book about deep conflicts, one that definitely makes you think and has a very distinctive voice. You really have to see it for yourself. And now... I’m just gonna make myself a cup of tea."
Well done!
"Trauma looks different for everyone. When It Rained Red is a well paced, well written drama. It has romantic undertones but it's not the true star of the show. Two side of the same coin (literally...they're twins) have processed the trauma of their past differently. The result is a collision that leaves their world changed forever. "
When It Rained Red💔💔
"This is a brilliant and well written book, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, the characters are wonderful, story line is interesting and addictive, definitely worth reading. I won’t say too much to spoil the story for everyone wanting to read this fantastic book, but the ending has left me very emotional, I didn’t see or expect the ending to end in this way. Wow what a story brilliant.❤️💔 "
A masterpiece 💜
"Wow what a journey this story took me on from the very start till the very end. I mean, what an outstanding masterpiece of a book. This had me hooked from the very start, my all time favourite characters are none other than both Marcus and Derick both of them went through so much and their personalities really shined through, like you really saw them through everything when reading you could visualise them from start to the very end. As you know Kika, I dot not like to give anything away in my reviews no spoilers my end. The storm is on a risen in this book, but what a raw unforgettable book with so many emotions happening. There are lots of plots and twists and turns you are there never knowing what is happening next which I love! Loved every element to this story and honestly everyone should read. Lastly if this book is not on your reading list well it should be. "
When It Rained Red
"Kika... I don’t even know how to start because I am absolutely wrecked. I came into this book thinking I was prepared. Stone heart. Emotional armor. Zero expectations of survival. And yet you still managed to completely destroy me. Why Marcus Kane? And I mean the real Marcus, not the man who borrowed his identity. He did not deserve that ending. Marcus deserved life, peace, happiness anything but death. And Ida? Sweet, innocent Ida? I am still not over her. Not even close. I genuinely keep replaying the story in my head, wondering what was going on in your mind while writing this. Did you wake up one day and think, “Hmm... my readers have been too happy lately. Let me emotionally traumatize them”? Because if so... mission accomplished. I am heartbroken, shattered, and staring at the wall in silence. And Lara Holland or should I say Larissa, you made this book hurt in the most unfair way. You made it feel like the worst things always happen to the kindest people. I almost forgave you. I almost liked you again. And then my beloved chose to sacrifice himself like the true hero he was just to protect you and fix Dereck Kane’s sarcastic, catastrophic mistake. I will never recover. I honestly expected an ending where we were forced to pity the villains. But no. You chose pain. You chose chaos. You chose emotional damage. And somehow? It was perfect. I won’t sue you for breaking my heart (yet), and I will absolutely, obsessively read whatever you decide to write next. No hesitation. No questions asked. I loved this book deeply, painfully, and forever. "
When loyalty turns red
"This story sweeps you up like a storm. It's beautifully written, unbearably raw, and impossible to forget! And just like after a storm, you’re left needing a moment to catch your breath 🙉 With stripped-down honesty, the author lays every emotion bare. Like the violence of the storms Marcus and Dereck faced as children, the story drenches the soul, battering the reader with every raw, unflinching truth the characters try to hide. It reveals not just physical pain but the emotional wounds the characters have carried for years. Like a storm it delivers everything at once: love, betrayal, sacrifice, devotion, and the fragile threads that bind people together even when everything else is falling apart. The storms Marcus and Dereck grew up with linger throughout the story, echoing childhood nights when fear peaked during rain storms. They had to grow up fast in those storms, and now it follows them into adulthood. Each voice cuts through the storm: Marcus controlled, Lara fierce, and Dereck, lightning in the rain - part ringmaster, part wounded narrator, performing even as his grief seeps through every crack. At its core, this is a story of two brothers bound and scarred by a childhood defined by fear. Marcus sacrifices himself to protect Dereck; Dereck obeys because it is the only way he knows to repay that love. Their lives are so tightly knotted that even attempts to save each other bring new pain. And when love enters the picture, the cost of that long-standing obedience cracks open everything they’ve built. The "red" in this story is never literal. It is the emotional residue of trauma, staining everything they touch. It becomes the colour of all that is unsaid, all they carry, and all they blame themselves for. When it finally “rains red,” their inner world spills outward. A brutal, tender, and unforgettable story, "When It Rained Red" leaves you shattered. It is a tale of trauma, loyalty, and the devastating moment when love and control become inseparable. I would 100% recommend! 𓆩🖤𓆪"
Well done
"An incredibly powerful story. The way the writer handled the delicate topic of childhood trauma was tender, precise moving. A tragic story, yet profound and beautiful. Brotherhood, loyalty, sacrifice, pain, and extreme acts of love. The writing is very strong. Dereck is theatrical charming sarcastic, while Marcus is strong, fearful, but deeply vulnerable and broken inside. A must read, even if it might shatter your heart. "
When it rained red
"The story is emotionally raw, and utterly unforgettable. The author’s ability to weave deep psychological insight into a gripping, cinematic narrative is nothing short of masterful. It's not a happily ever after in the traditional sense, but it honors the characters pain while giving them dignity and purpose. "
Heart Wrenching Masterpiece
"This story was a compelling page turner. The writing style truly stands out here. The characters are incredibly human, broken, vulnerable, and fierce. The narrative pulls you into a world of tension, sacrifice, and heartbreak, making you feel every quiet moment of tenderness and every devastating loss. This is more than a story. It’s a journey that leaves you emotionally spent yet profoundly moved, a story about sacrifice, family, and love that never shies away from showing the true cost of trauma and heroism. If you’re looking for a tale that will break your heart, yet leave you with hope and make you feel vividly alive, this is it."
A Beautiful Cinematic Tragedy
"I loved this story, even though it broke my heart. It is an emotional, gripping journey of loyalty, love, and sacrifice. The characters are complex, broken, vulnerable, strong, and loyal, and they stay with you long after the last page. A full on cinematic ride."
Binge-worthy
"This is a book to binge. Keeps your heart in a noose, blood rushing in your ears the whole read. You can’t help but fall in love with all the characters even the ones you’re meant to hate. I think my only issue, ad it’s such a minor flaw, is that there’s always high stakes. I want some downtime where life is just going. It would be a good reprieve from all the ish happening. But it is a must read..."
