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Thursday, June 27, 2013

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

The Newcomer (Thunder Point #2)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 

The Wanderer (Thunder Point, #1)The Newcomer (Thunder Point #2)The Hero
(click on cover for GoodReads page)



Purchase The Wanderer at:
(I receive no compensation for sales)
     


Purchase The Newcomer at:
(I receive no compensation for sales)
      



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.


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14 comments:

  1. Sweet..so glad you loved it too. I have book three and cannot wait to read it

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  2. This sounds like a great series! I wonder why the author chose that title, if it didn't really fit. I think it's awesome that the other introduces realistic teen situations. Especially, the not losing who you are as an individual, when your in a relationship. Great Review & quotes!

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

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  3. The premise sounds really good, I like the idea of two older ppl connecting after being friends. But, you're right about some books having too strong a message, it doesn't need to be too obvious.

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  4. This sounds like a good series and would be something a little bit different for me. I think I would like how it centered on both the adults and the teens. Great review!

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  5. Glad you liked it. The covers are great!

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  6. Glad the involvement of the teens was a pleasant surprise, and that Coop was enjoyable again

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  7. I have never read Robyn Carr, but this sounds like a series I should definitely check out. I'm glad Carr was able to portray teens so realistically. Thanks for a great review, Andrea!

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  8. This sounds like a series I would love. Great review.

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  9. It's neat to see that the teens in the community played a big part in the story. I love stories with well developed secondary characters and it seems like this one has a plethora of that. Also, love that it has a well established romance that you get to watch continue to grow!

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  10. I just read another review of this one and they really liked it too. I'm glad it's a realistic novel that focuses on a variety of characters!!

    -Lauren

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  11. I remember reading your review for the first book and it sounded really good. I'm glad that this is continuing to be good. Great review hon!!

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  12. I have the first two and need to get to them. I like the idea of teens in the story. Must be the YA reader in me. Great review, pal.

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  13. You had me at single dad.

    I don't understand though. Is this a new couples story or are they more in the background to the couple from the Wanderer? Sounds good though.

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  14. I've been curious about this series so thanks for the good review.

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