ARC Review: One Wish

One Wish
Robyn Carr
Contemporary Romance
Thunder Point/Book 7
MIRA/February 24, 2015

Grace Dillon was a champion figure skater until she moved to Thunder Point to escape the ruthless world of fame and competition. And though she's proud of the quiet, self-sufficient life she's created running a successful flower shop, she knows something is missing. Her life could use a little excitement.

In a community where there are few eligible singles, high school teacher Troy Headly appoints himself Grace's fun coach. When he suggests a little companionship with no strings attached, Grace is eager to take him up on his offer, and the two enjoy…getting to know each other.

But things get complicated when Grace's past catches up with her, and she knows that's not what Troy signed up for. Faced with losing her, Troy realizes Grace is more than just a friend with benefits. He's determined to help her fight for the life she always wished for but never believed she could have—and maybe they can find real love along the way.

Can't believe we're already on book seven in the Thunder Point series.  In a way it feels like we just started but then again these characters feel so familiar, much like the Virgin River characters began to feel like family. One Wish was a relaxing romance. The hero and heroine are both intelligent, mature adults who didn't irritate the heck out of me with stupidity. That's always a relief!

Troy is attempting to heal his broken heart. Poor Troy! I didn't really feel sorry for him after his crush on Iris McKinley (see previous book) didn't pan out. Troy likes playing the field and it never felt like his heart would stay broken for long. Which is why it was no surprise when Troy took notice of Grace who just happened to be Iris' best friend.

Grace isn't blind and Troy is certainly easy on the eyes! Not only is she attracted to him physically but she finds she enjoys spending time with him. Grace's usual male friends include a medieval knight, a vampire and a Navy SEAL. Yep, Grace has book boyfriends! This made me like her that much more! She has convinced herself that she wants a quiet life and her life in Thunder Point suits her. Except she finds, after meeting Troy, a need for a little bit of excitement outside of her books. Troy offers that excitement and at first Grace thinks it's enough.

The romance starts as casual, friends with no strings but soon both Troy and Grace realize they want more. They're comfortable with each other and find they have much in common with their humor and their dedication to their work. It was a sweet friendship to lovers romance but nothing earthshaking. I found Grace's background and how she came to Thunder Point nearly as interesting as the romance.

Rating: B

Thunder Point Series ~

The Wanderer
The Newcomer
The Hero
The Chance
The Promise
The Homecoming
One Wish
A New Hope (June 30, 2015)
Wildest Dreams (August 25, 2015)

ARC Review: The Promise

The Promise
Robyn Carr
Contemporary Romance
Thunder Point/Book 5
Harlequin MIRA/June 24, 2014

Scott Grant has a bustling family practice in the small Oregon community of Thunder Point. The town and its people have embraced the widowed doctor and father of two, his children are thriving, and Scott knows it's time to move on from his loss. But as the town's only doctor, the dating scene is awkward. That is, until a stunning physician's assistant applies for a job at his clinic.

Peyton Lacoumette considers herself entirely out of the dating scene. She's already been burned by a man with kids, and she's come to Thunder Point determined not to repeat past mistakes. When Scott offers her a job, at a much lower salary than she's used to, Peyton is surprisingly eager to accept…at least for now. She's willing to stay for a three-month trial period while she explores other options.

Scott and Peyton know the arrangement is temporary—it isn't enough time to build a real relationship, never mind anything with lasting commitment. But love can blossom faster than you think when the timing is right, and this short visit just might hold the promise of forever.

Come on back to Thunder Point, Oregon.  It's a beautiful place, I want to live there!  Like Carr's Virgin River series, the setting is also a vibrant character. What make up the town are the people, those welcoming, giving souls who almost seem too good to be true.  For Doctor Scott Grant, Thunder Point is the perfect place for his little family.  For Peyton Lacoumette, a break from the city is what she needs for her

Peyton could work at a larger, more prestigious practice but small town life is calling to her.  She finds she needs the friendly, comforting feel of Thunder Point.  After the mess she left behind in Portland, Peyton is happy to find a temporary home until she decides what and where she wants her life to go.  Peyton is a woman who is easy to like.  She knows what she wants, she's not perfect but is learning from her mistakes and is mature in her professional life and personal life.

Dr. Grant is the beloved local doctor with a heart of gold.  Too good to be true?  It certainly seems like it but he's also human and not perfect which is what made him come out of that god-like persona and into the world of mere mortals.  He's friendly, hard working and easy to relate to.  A great guy for Peyton, if only she can get past the similarities to her ex.

Scott Grant is almost too good to be true.  I could totally see how Peyton would want to back away from him not only because on the surface he seems like he has the same issues Peyton's ex had, but after getting burned it's not surprising Peyton is leery of any relationship with another doctor.

We do get to catch up with the residents of Thunder Point which is always something to look forward to.  I think that's the appeal of a small town romance series.  You not only get to meet new characters but have the chance to catch up with some old favorites.  This can take away page time from the main couple which can cause their romance to feel less than fully developed.

Overall, a solid addition to the Thunder Point series.

Rating: B+

Thunder Point Series ~

The Wanderer
The Newcomer
The Hero
The Chance
The Promise
The Homecoming (August 26, 2014)

ARC Review: The Chance

The Chance
Robyn Carr
Contemporary Romance
Thunder BPoint/Book 4
MIRA(Harlequin)/February 25, 2014

With its breathtaking vistas and down-to-earth people, Thunder Point is the perfect place for FBI agent Laine Carrington to recuperate from a gunshot wound and contemplate her future. The locals embraced Laine as one of their own after she risked her life to save a young girl from a dangerous cult. Knowing her wounds go beyond the physical, Laine hopes she'll fit in for a while and find her true self in a town that feels safe. She may even learn to open her heart to others, something an undercover agent has little time to indulge.

Eric Gentry is also new to Thunder Point. Although he's a man with a dark past, he's determined to put down roots and get to know the daughter he only recently discovered. When Laine and Eric meet, their attraction is obvious to everyone. But while the law enforcement agent and the reformed criminal want to make things work, their differences may run too deep…unless they take a chance on each other and find that deep and mysterious bond that belongs to those who choose love over fear.

It's small town love on the beautiful Oregon coast.  It's hard not to enjoy the setting when Ms. Carr paints such a breathtaking picture of this fictional town.  Makes me want to visit, if not live there.  For Laine Carrington and Eric Gentry, they are living there and acclimating to small town life and the chance at love.

Ever since meeting Laine in the previous book, The Hero, I've been curious about her.  She's an FBI agent who is in desperate need of some down time.  It's also obvious she tends to keep herself from getting too close to people.  I thought it might be difficult to know Laine but her thoughts and actions allow for insight to this intelligent, independent women.

Eric Gentry has lived through some rough times but doesn't hold any anger regarding what life has thrown at him.  He simply tries to do the best he can, it's admirable if a little boring.  Eric is likable enough but he fell flat when compared to Laine.  I would have liked to see more of Eric's relationship with his daughter.  I didn't feel like I really got to know Eric as well as I would have liked.  Maybe he was too easy going, too complacent about his past.  Maybe I just needed him to be a little bit more bad.

The romance could have used more sparks.  It was sweet but predictable.  What pulled me in and kept my interest were the other characters, most of whom we've met in previous books.  I do like how Laine opens up and allows herself to make friends and settle in to her rental home.  Something she didn't plan on but instead evolved as she changed the focus of her life.

Overall, a sweet romance with a strong heroine who takes control and drives the story.

Rating: B

Thunder Point Series ~

The Wanderer
The Newcomer
The Hero
The Chance
The Promise (June 24, 2014)
The Homecoming (August 26, 2014)

ARC Review: The Hero

The Hero
Robyn Carr
Contemporary Romance
Thunder Point/Book 3
Harlequin/ August 27, 2013

In a moment of desperation, Devon McAllister takes her daughter and flees a place where they should have been safe and secure. She has no idea what is around the next bend, but she is pretty certain it can't be worse than what they've left behind. Her plan is to escape to somewhere she can be invisible. Instead, an unexpected offer of assistance leads her to Thunder Point, a tiny Oregon town with a willingness to help someone in need. 

As the widowed father of a vulnerable young boy, Spencer Lawson knows something about needing friendship. But he's not looking for anything else. Instead, he's thrown his energy into his new role as Thunder Point's high school football coach. Tough and demanding to his team, off the field he's gentle and kind...just the kind of man who could heal Devon's wounded heart.

Devon thought she wanted to hide from the world. But in Thunder Point, you find bravery where you least expect it...and sometimes, you find a hero.

In the third book of the series, we see how Spencer Lawson is settling into Thunder Point.  He's worked things out with his son's biological father, Hank Cooper, and both Spencer and his son are thriving in their new home.  Spencer is still grieving for his deceased wife but because of her prolonged illness, you could say he started his grieving before her death.

When Devon McAllister shows up in Thunder Point, she is in a desperate situation.  She lucks out when she meets Rawley, a scruffy old guy with a heart of gold.  Rawley is proof that there are good people out there who simply want to help - no strings attached.  One of my favorite parts of the book was seeing the relationships develop between Devon, Rawley and Devon's daughter.

The romance between Spencer and Devon start out as a hesitant friendship, with Devon not wanting anything looking like romance.  But Spencer is persistent and the friendship moves along into romance territory.  While I liked both Devon and Spencer, I had a hard time picturing them together.  Whether it was the age difference or the life experience difference, I'm not sure.  There was just something missing.

The Thunder Point series isn't what I would call a typical romance where the majority of the focus would be on the hero and heroine but is rather a collective romance, spreading the focus on a few different couples.  This sometimes works but in the case of The Hero, it hurt the development of the romance between Spencer and Devon.

The overall series is solid with Carr's writing bringing forth that sense of family and community she's known for.  There are some wonderful scenes in The Hero, but the romance felt weak.

Rating:  C+

Thunder Point Series ~

The Wanderer
The Newcomer
The Hero
The Chance (February 25, 2014)

ARC Review: The Newcomer

The Newcomer
Robyn Carr
Contemporary Romance
Thunder Point/Book 2
Harlequin/June 25, 2013

Single dad and Thunder Point's deputy sheriff "Mac" McCain has worked hard to keep everyone safe and happy. Now he's found his own happiness with Gina James. The longtime friends have always shared the challenges and rewards of raising their adolescent daughters. With an unexpected romance growing between them, they're feeling like teenagers themselves-suddenly they can't get enough of one another. 

And just when things are really taking off, their lives are suddenly thrown into chaos. When Mac's long-lost-and not missed-ex-wife shows up in town, drama takes on a whole new meaning. They're wondering if their new feelings for each other can withstand the pressure...but they are not going down without a fight.

After reading the first book in the series, The Wanderer, I was looking forward to reading Mac and Gina's story and was happy I didn't have to wait too long for it.  It turns out it's not just Mac and Gina but we also see Cooper and Sarah's from The Wanderer and the progression of their relationship.  Both couples have obstacles to overcome and a blending of families.  I wouldn't say the focus is an even split between the couples but Sara and Cooper definitely get plenty of page time.  Usually, I don't like so much of the focus taken off what I consider, and what the blurb implies, is the main couple.  But Carr does well in making the reader care about both couples and want to know what will happen to them.

One of my favorite romance tropes is the friends-to-lovers.  Gina and Mac embody this.  They know each other so well but as friends, their relationship takes on a different tone once they become lovers.  There is still that base of friendship but it become even deeper as they become closer.  Carr keeps that friendship going strong when Gina and Mac encounter difficulties in their romance.

The combining of the families is handled well.  There is never any doubt of Mac's love and devotion to his kids.  It's obvious he will do anything for them.  As is Gina's devotion to her daughter.  Gina's relationship with her daughter Ashley takes on a tough subject.  Carr gives it enough time to unfold without overwhelming the romance.  Then there's Mac's ex-wife, well, I could have done without her and didn't completely approve of how Mac handled the situation.

There are a number of coincidences and events that may have been intended to be a surprise but were fairly obvious but the overall story is well paced.  The secondary characters are such an essential part of the story, adding much love, humor, wisdom and stability to Thunder Point.  Another enjoyable addition for Ms. Carr's new series.  

Rating:  A-

Thunder Point Series ~

The Wanderer
The Newcomer
The Hero (August 27, 2013)

ARC Review: The Wanderer

The Wanderer
Robyn Carr
Contemporary Romance
Thunder Point/Book 1
Harlequin/March 26, 2013

Nestled on the Oregon coast is a small town of rocky beaches and rugged charm. Locals love the land's unspoiled beauty. Developers see it as a potential gold mine. When newcomer Hank Cooper learns he's been left an old friend's entire beachfront property, he finds himself with a community's destiny in his hands. 

Cooper has never been a man to settle in one place, and Thunder Point was supposed to be just another quick stop. But Cooper finds himself getting involved with the town. And with Sarah Dupre, a woman as complicated as she is beautiful. 

With the whole town watching for his next move, Cooper has to choose between his old life and a place full of new possibilities. A place that just might be home.

Happiness is a new Robyn Carr book!  When the setting is on the beautiful Oregon coast, that just sweetens the deal.  I've enjoyed Ms. Carr's Virgin River series and I'm sure there will be some comparisons but The Wanderer and its Thunder Point setting stand on its own.

Hank Cooper is in for a surprise when he lands in Thunder Point.  It isn't at all what he expected - not the town or the property his friend left him.  Soon he comes to know not only the town but the people, especially Sarah Dupre.  Hank is a lone who really doesn't want to be alone, he just doesn't know it yet.  The property and Sarah bring out this need to not only feel needed but to belong.  I liked how Carr brings Hank around to seeing that it is okay to not only want but need to stay in one place.

Sarah Dupre is a woman with a lot of responsibility.  Sarah is kept busy juggling her job, raising her teenage brother and her Great Dane Ham.  She's looking for a good, stable town to raise her brother Logan.  She hope's to find that in Thunder Point.  One thing I appreciated in this story was seeing Sarah and Logan interact.  It's a delicate balance between being big sister and stand-in parent and Sarah isn't perfect but her heart is in the right place.

Hank and Sarah work well as a couple.  We can see how they become comfortable as a couple which is a nice change from some romance where the hero and heroine continue to fight the obvious.  It wasn't a rushed romance but developed at a slower pace, due I think to how busy they both are with responsibilities they can't easily shrug off.

I liked a number of the secondary characters and can easily see myself anticipating their stories.  Thunder Point has that small town feel Carr is known for but still has plenty of influence from the outside world, giving readers a number of different issues to relate to.

I'm sure Ms. Carr's fans might miss trips to Virgin River but Thunder Point will no doubt have them coming back for more.

Rating: A-