RIGHT AS RAIN

A New York City 18-year-old’s future is thrown into turmoil when a cloud that’s linked to her emotional state appears.

Bangladeshi American Megh Rashid’s struggles are trifold—chronic depression, bickering parents in a loveless marriage, and being wait-listed by UCLA. With support from her cousin Sadia, Megh lands a prestigious TV production internship at The Today Show that could secure her a spot at her dream college and a ticket to freedom. But one stormy day, a lightning strike turns Megh into a magnet for real rain—with a personal cloud as her emotional barometer. Miserable and tormented by her parents’ criticism of her, Megh must learn to navigate and maybe even embrace her emotions. With the support of Turkish American Lev Osman, a kindhearted weather intern from Oregon with a sunny disposition, Megh begins to find her way, despite a disastrous miscommunication early in their relationship. The ethnically diverse cast appears in an authentically developed setting. Megh’s first-person narration convincingly portrays her struggles with depressive episodes as she forges a path out of misery and away from parents who are unable to support her battle with mental illness. Megh’s and Sadia’s parents offer contrasting models of behavior, offering a nuanced depiction of diversity among immigrant families from similar backgrounds. The accessible writing makes this an inviting read, lightened by moments of levity despite the serious themes.

An imaginative exploration of mental health and a hopeful narrative of friendship and first love.