The Scent of Rain by Anne Montgomery

Summary

Rose Madsen will do anything to keep from being married off to one of the men in her Fundamentalist Mormon (FLDS) community, even endure the continued beatings and abuse of her mother. But when her mentally handicapped baby sister is forced to strangle the bird she loves at the behest of the Prophet, Rose frees the bird and runs away. 

Adan Reyes will do anything to escape the abusive foster care system in Phoenix, even leaving his good friends and successful high school athletic career behind him. Ill-prepared for surviving the desert, Adan hits the road only to suffer heat stroke. Found by a local handyman, he catches a glimpse of a mysterious girl--Rose--running through town, and follows her into the mountains where they are both tracked and discovered by the men of the FLDS community.

With their fates now intertwined, can Rose and Adan escape the systems locking them into lives of abuse? Will Rose be forced to marry the Prophet, a man her father's age, and be one of dozens of wives, perpetually pregnant, with no hope for an education? Will Adan be returned to the foster home where bullying and cruelty are common? Is everyone they meet determined to keep them right where they belong or are some adults worthy of their trust?


My Thoughts

Hmmm, my thoughts on this book...  I don't recall ever reading a book about the FLDS.  This was certainly something new to me.  Being that I don't know much about that community, I can't say much about the accuracy of the details.  However, to me, this book was so good yet so horrifying!  It did seem a bit slow at times but when it picked up you forgot about the slow times.

The things that Rose endures in her life... I can't even imagine.  Adan's story, although good, was definitely secondary to Rose's.  I did, however, love the dynamic between the two.  Their relationship felt real.  

If you are at all interested in books about the FLDS community then you would certainly like to read this one.  I am so glad that it was sent my way!

*Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.