REVIEW: THE NEWCOMER (THUNDER POINT #2) by ROBYN CARR

Series: Thunder Point #2
Category/Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Harlequin Mira
Publication Date: 6/25/13
Format: eARC
Pages: 368
Source: Received from publicist for review

With humor and insight, #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr looks at letting go of the past-and knowing when you've found something worth building your future on 

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.

Step into the world of Thunder Point, a little town on the Oregon coast where newcomers are welcomed, hearts are broken and mended, and the dramas of everyday life keep the locals laughing, crying and falling in love.

 

I read and adored The Wanderer, book one in the Thunder Point series, when I read it earlier this year. So when I learned that the series was to be continued in The Newcomer, I was so happy to be able to jump back into this series. What I loved most was that the story was much bigger than I expected. So not only did I get a story about Coop (The Wanderer), but also a diverse and great cast of characters.

The Newcomer continued in that same vein. The Newcomer was not only about, well, the newcomer, but also revolved around the characters who made up book one. Which to be honest, I'm not sure how well this title represents the story because I'm not even sure "who" the newcomer was. Was it still talking about Coop, who by this point is an established member of the community? It's certainly not Mac, who by reading the synopsis, you would think it's about, and so maybe it's a character who came into the story later in the book, but wasn't a central character. I don't know, and I guess it doesn't matter because I adored the story. I just wanted to point out that the title doesn't really fit the story.

The Newcomer still centers around Coop and Sarah, who are still in love, but also establishing their relationship. Things are tough for the two in this book. Sarah is still raising her teenage brother, with a lot of help from Coop, who has a HUGE surprise in this story. The two also must make big decisions about their future. Along with those two, are Mac and Gina, whom I adore. These two have not allowed themselves to have love for so many years, and I loved seeing their relationship move forward while also dealing with the struggles of parenthood and former relationships.

What really surprised me about The Newcomer was that the teens of Thunder Point played a huge part in this book. I personally liked this for the most part, but I'm guessing that some readers who are looking for a more straightforward adult romance won't. I loved the prominent teen characters: Landon, Eve and Ashley. Landon is pretty dreamy and such a good kid. He's a great boyfriend to Eve and I loved their relationship. Ashley, pooooor Ashley. This girl had such a rough time in The Newcomer, but I appreciated the journey and it was an important message.

I admired how realistically Carr portrayed teen lives and relationships, particularly breakups and sexuality. One of the teens goes through a really bad breakup in the story, and the fall-out was pretty brutal. Mental health, sexting, online bullying, and the importance of teens having their own identity while being in a couple were all touched on, and rather well. And although the scenes were never in the story directly, these were teens who were either already sexually active or considering it in the near future. This brought up the importance of comfort in making decisions about the body, safety, knowledge, and communication. I kind of loved that this was all handled in a very even-handed manner. I will say there were times when the conversations between the characters about the topics did become overdone at points, and seemed a bit unrealistic. It was literally like a PSA.

I really enjoyed revisiting Thunder Point. The Newcomer was a good addition to the series, and definitely worked to move all of the characters and their stories ahead. The Hero is about a character introduced in The Newcomer, and I have a feeling his story will be another great Thunder Point book.


Favorite Quote:

  "It's not about him anymore, Frank. It's about me. I was so into Downy, it was almost like he absorbed me or something. It seemed so cool to have this popular senior like me, promise to love me forever...Then when he left me, I couldn't find myself again. I was so broken. Now my work is to figure out who I am. I want to go back to who I was--I want to be that strong girl again."  ~eARC, 62%


 "The best place in my life is when I'm near you, when I'm holding you, when I'm spooning you in bed. That's my peace. That's my anchor."  ~eARC, 80%

The Thunder Point Series 

(click on cover for GoodReads page)

My Review of The Wanderer

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About the author:

A RITA award-winning author of 25 novels, Robyn Carr has found a whole new following with her stories about the independent women and former marines of Virgin River."

RT's Career Achievement Best Author Award winner (2010) for Contemporary Romance.

Connect with Robyn at her website.