Between the Raindrops

In Schussler’s debut romance, a small-town girl meets a man online and discovers that her anonymous new crush is actually a famous movie star.

Handsome actor Jonathan Williams is so famous that it seems like he can’t trust anyone he meets. His acquaintances and alleged friends constantly tweet his every move and even wrongly accuse him of criminal acts. Jonathan’s loneliness leads him to the Internet, where he chats anonymously with all sorts of people, speaking plainly without fear of consequences. He has a strong connection with one particular blogger, whom he often seeks out online. Jonathan soon develops strong romantic feelings for her. Finally, he asks for an in-person meeting with the young woman, who he finds out is a college student and aspiring writer named Sarah Austin. (Sarah only knows him as “Will.”) Jonathan arranges to leave LA to visit her in Minnesota for a week. Sarah agrees to meet him in a public place, along with an entourage of friends to keep her safe. She’s stunned to discover that Will is the mega-famous Jonathan Williams. Despite their very different lifestyles and realities, Sarah can’t resist when Jonathan suggests an exclusive romantic relationship. Readers may have to suspend their disbelief when Jonathan professes his undying love just one day after meeting Sarah in person. However, as their often long-distance romance unfolds, Schussler aptly depicts the negative impact of fame, including paparazzi and obsessive fans. As the couple attempts to surmount these difficulties, they face constant challenges to their relationship. Despite an overreliance on exposition, the novel delivers an engaging, fast-paced tale of love and anticipation. What it lacks in steamy sex scenes, it makes up for in its portrayal of the couple’s deep connection based on shared values.

A wholesome take on the new-adult romance novel.