Book Summary: 

Ari Abrams has always been fascinated by the weather, and she loves almost everything about her job as a TV meteorologist. Her boss, legendary Seattle weatherwoman Torrance Hale, is too distracted by her tempestuous relationship with her ex-husband, the station’s news director, to give Ari the mentorship she wants. Ari, who runs on sunshine and optimism, is at her wits’ end. The only person who seems to understand how she feels is sweet but reserved sports reporter Russell Barringer.

In the aftermath of a disastrous holiday party, Ari and Russell decide to team up to solve their bosses’ relationship issues. Between secret gifts and double dates, they start nudging their bosses back together. But their well-meaning meddling backfires when the real chemistry builds between Ari and Russell.

Working closely with Russell means allowing him to get to know parts of herself that Ari keeps hidden from everyone. Will he be able to embrace her dark clouds as well as her clear skies?

My Review:

For those of you who love the focus and care that Mazey Eddings takes in her books when she approaches characters with mental health diagnoses, you will absolutely adore “Weather Girl.” I cannot applaud Rachel enough for the emotion, tenderness, and care she gave to Ari’s character, who suffers from depression. Her method of discussing it was brilliant, as you saw it from multiple sides: those who have depression but refuse help, those who are impacted by these individuals, and the struggle of people who do seek help but mask that part of their lives. On top of all of it, she taught the value, importance, and true science behind meteorology by addressing common stereotypes yet also acknowledging the hard work it entails. If uttering some of the put-downs mentioned hits a little too close to home, let this be an eye-opener.

What I loved most about this book was the inner struggle with stereotypes and feeling worthy. Russell didn’t feel worthy or good enough because he was a teenage father. Ari didn’t feel good enough for anyone because who would want to love someone with darkness inside of them? She felt as if she was too much. To see them come together and yet still struggle with understanding why someone would want them was heartbreaking. I also loved that Russell wasn’t your typical rom-com hunk. He was self-conscious about his weight and at one point was jealous of a guy interested in Ari, who would fit the typical male protagonist description. Amid all the enlightenment was a ton of humor. The “Parent Trap” plot of getting the bosses back together, her brother’s twins, and Elodie (Russell’s daughter) brought tons of heart and giggles throughout the story. Never one to shy away from spice but putting just enough that it doesn’t pull away from the story and overtake it, Rachel adds moments of heat, but the realness and insecurity of those moments is what makes them memorable. I always enjoy Rachel’s stories, and this one is no exception.