Category Archives: Robyn Carr

September 25, 2016 · 11:58 pm

Review: The Life She Wants by Robyn Carr

Title: The Life She Wants by Robyn Carr
Publisher: MIRA
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr brings together a poignant novel with a rich tapestry of characters. A moving story that will leave the reader laughing and crying, as two friends confront their pasts and move towards their futures.

In the aftermath of her financier husband’s suicide, Emma Shay Compton’s dream life is shattered. Richard Compton stole his clients’ life savings to fund a lavish life in New York City and, although she was never involved in the business, Emma bears the burden of her husband’s crimes. She is left with nothing.

Only one friend stands by her, a friend she’s known since high school, who encourages her to come home to Sonoma County. But starting over isn’t easy, and Sonoma is full of unhappy memories, too. And people she’d rather not face, especially Riley Kerrigan.

Riley and Emma were like sisters—until Riley betrayed Emma, ending their friendship. Emma left town, planning to never look back. Now, trying to stand on her own two feet, Emma can’t escape her husband’s reputation and is forced to turn to the last person she thought she’d ever ask for help—her former best friend. It’s an uneasy reunion as both women face the mistakes they’ve made over the years. Only if they find a way to forgive each other—and themselves—can each of them find the life she wants.

Review:

The Life She Wants by Robyn Carr is wonderful novel of forgiveness, healing and love.

Emma Shay had absolutely no idea her husband Richard was defrauding his investors with a Ponzi scheme, but that does not stop everyone from blaming her for their losses.  After she is cleared of wrongdoing, she returns to her hometown in California in hopes of picking up the pieces of her life.  Completely honest about her past, Emma is dismayed by her inability to find employment in her former career field but she is not too proud to apply for service industry jobs.  Running into her old childhood friend Adam Kerrigan is a blessing in disguise for Emma as she tries to rebuild her life.

While Emma is a likable character, she is frustratingly passive as she avoids conflict instead of facing it head on.  While she truly did not have direct knowledge of Richard’s illegal activity, she was aware that things were not quite right but she blindly accepted his explanations when she did ask questions.  In the aftermath of his conviction and subsequent suicide, Emma’s conscience will not allow her to keep any of money Richard illegally obtained.  With very little money to her name, she has no choice but to work but she greatly underestimates how difficult it will be for prospective employers to overlook her somewhat sordid past.  Renewing her friendship with Adam is surprisingly easy but she remains reluctant to act on their mutual attraction due to her complicated history with his sister (and her former best friend), Riley.

Growing up, Emma and Riley were closer than sisters, but after Emma left for college, the young women began to grow apart.  Riley betrayed Emma is the worst possible way when she had an affair with Emma’s boyfriend Jock.  After a horrible fight where they exchanged hurtful barbs, they went their separate ways.  Riley has never been able to accept responsibility for her role in the demise of their friendship but she reluctantly hires Emma to work for her.  Realizing just how precarious  her situation is, Emma refuses to do anything to upset their fragile truce. With their lives intertwining both personally and professionally, it is only a matter of time before Riley learns the truth about Emma’s relationship with Adam.  Is there any chance the estranged friends can forgive one another for past mistakes?

The storyline for The Life She Wants is conflict free and moves at a leisurely pace. The aftermath of the scandal with Emma’s husband is realistic and her desire to live life on her own terms is understandable. Her need for honesty after essentially living a lie for her entire marriage is easy to relate to but it is inevitable that she will need to alter her approach in order to find a job.  Her relationship with Adam is an absolute joy and their transition from friends to lovers is believable. 

While Emma’s desire to steer clear of confrontation is reasonable, it is very difficult to agree with her decision to keep her romance with Adam a secret. It is also quite frustrating to watch Emma allow her stepmother to continue to take advantage of her.  Avoiding unnecessary drama is one thing, but Emma takes it to a whole new level by not fighting for what is rightfully hers. She does enjoy her much simpler life but Emma sometimes makes things harder for herself than necessary by refusing to take charge of certain situations.

The Life She Wants by Robyn Carr is an engaging novel with a cast of likable characters.  Delightfully free from angst and drama, readers will be completely invested in this quiet but meaningful story of healing and resiliency.  A moving and emotional novel that fans of contemporary women’s fiction are sure to love.

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Filed under Contemporary, Harlequin, Mira, Rated B+, Review, Robyn Carr, Romance, The Life She Wants, Women's Fiction

March 30, 2016 · 11:58 pm

Review: What We Find by Robyn Carr

Title: What We Find by Robyn Carr
Sullivan’s Crossing Series Book One
Publisher: MIRA
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Join Robyn Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Virgin River and Thunder Point series, as she explores the healing powers of rural Colorado in a brand-new story of fresh starts, budding relationships and one woman’s journey to finding the happiness she’s long been missing 

Between the urban bustle of Denver and the high-stress environment of a career in neurosurgery, Maggie Sullivan has hit a wall. When an emergency high-risk procedure results in the death of a teenager, Maggie finds herself in the middle of a lawsuit—and experiencing levels of anxiety she’s never faced before. She knows she needs to slow down before she burns out completely, and the best place she can think to do that is Sullivan’s Crossing.

Named for Maggie’s great-grandfather, the land and charming general store at the crossroads of the Colorado and the Continental Divide Trails have been passed down through the generations and now belong to Maggie’s eccentric father, Sully. When she shows up unannounced, he welcomes her with open arms, and she relishes the opportunity to indulge in his simple way of life.

But shortly after arriving, Maggie’s world is rocked once again and she must take on more responsibility than she’d planned. Though she’s relieved a quiet and serious-looking hiker, Cal Jones, is willing to lend a hand, Maggie is suspicious of this mysterious man’s eagerness to help—until she finds out the true reason for his deliberate isolation.

Though Cal and Maggie each struggle with loss and loneliness, the time they spend together gives Maggie hope for something brighter just on the horizon…if only they can learn to find peace and healing—and perhaps love—with each other.

Review:

With What We Find, Robyn Carr’s newest series, Sullivan’s Crossing, is off to a fantastic beginning.  Set in Colorado, this first installment pairs neurosurgeon Maggie Sullivan with mysterious stranger Cal Jones and their unexpected romance is absolutely delightful.

When Maggie’s professional and personal worlds implode, she retreats to her family’s campground for a much needed break.  Immediately after her arrival, her beloved father Sully suffers a heart attack and what is supposed to be a short stay lengthens as she helps him through his recovery and pitches in as needed around the camp. Along with the regular employees, camper Cal volunteers to help them prepare the campground for the upcoming season. Although Maggie appreciates his help, she cannot help but be a little suspicious of the enigmatic outsider. While Cal does not reveal much information about his past, Maggie slowly begins to trust him and their friendship slowly turns romantic. With both of them at a crossroads in their lives, will their love affair survive once summer ends?

Emotionally depleted and somewhat depressed, Maggie is in desperate need of a break when she returns to Sullivan’s Crossing.  Although she is a talented and highly competent neurosurgeon, her career is unsettled due to an impending court case  and her partners’ misconduct.  Her personal life is in shambles following a heartbreaking loss and the abrupt end to her relationship with another doctor.  Maggie loves performing surgery and helping her patients but the business aspect of her job is rather draining.  She is somewhat in limbo as she tries to decide what she wants both professionally and personally and her unexpected sabbatical provides her the opportunity to reconnect with Sully while at the same time deciding what she wants for her future.

Cal is friendly and well-liked by everyone at the campground but he is very close-mouthed about his past.  He reveals just enough to alleviate Maggie’s qualms but he easily deflects her more in-depth questions.  Despite his reticence to talk about himself, Cal is always upfront and honest with Maggie about his intentions and plans. After re-evaluating his priorities and coming to term with a tragic loss, Cal is ready to move forward but he still remains uncertain exactly what comes next for not only himself, but his relationship with Maggie.

Despite Maggie’s initial doubts and misgivings about Cal, the two quickly form an easygoing friendship.  Their romance is slow-growing but passionate and free from conflict despite their uncertain futures. They are very supportive of one another as they talk through their problems and they respect one another’s boundaries.  When Cal begins to pull away from her, Maggie does not hesitate to confront him when doubts begin to creep in.

What We Find is a leisurely paced novel with an engaging storyline, a picturesque setting and a marvelous cast of characters.  Maggie and Cal are well-developed and likable protagonists with realistic flaws and true to life issues to overcome.  Sullivan’s Crossing is a delightful location and Robyn Carr brings both the locale and its residents vibrantly to life.  An enchanting romance that will leave readers impatiently awaiting the next installment in the Sullivan’s Crossing series.

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Filed under Contemporary, Harlequin, Mira, Rated B, Review, Robyn Carr, Romance, Sullivans Crossing Series, What We Find

August 23, 2015 · 11:57 pm

Review: Wildest Dreams by Robyn Carr

wildest dreamsTitle: Wildest Dreams by Robyn Carr
Thunder Point Series Book Nine
Publisher: Harlequin Mira
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 361 pages
Book Rating: C

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

With Thunder Point, #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr has created a town where hard work and determination are all it takes to make dreams come true

Blake Smiley searched the country for just the right place to call home. The professional triathlete has traveled the world, but Thunder Point has what he needs to put down the roots he’s never had. In the quiet coastal town, he can focus on his training without distractions. Until he meets his new neighbors and everything changes.

Lin Su Simmons and her teenage son, Charlie, are fixtures at Winnie Banks’s house as Lin Su nurses Winnie through the realities of ALS. A single mother, Lin Su is proud of taking charge and never showing weakness. But she has her hands full coping with a job, debt and Charlie’s health issues. And Charlie is asking questions about his family history—questions she doesn’t want to answer.

When Charlie enlists Blake’s help to escape his overprotective mother, Lin Su resents the interference in her life. But Blake is certain he can break through her barriers and be the man she and Charlie need. When faced with a terrible situation, Blake comes to the rescue, and Lin Su realizes he just might be the man of her dreams. Together, they recognize that family is who you choose it to be.

Review:

Wildest Dreams, Robyn Carr’s latest stop in Thunder Point, pairs up Blake Smiley and Lin Su Simmons, both of whom were introduced in an earlier book in the series. The languorous romance between the hardworking single mom and the champion triathlete is sweet but it is teenage Charlie who manages to steal readers’ hearts.

Lin Su is working as a home health care nurse and she meets Blake when he moves in next door to her patient Winnie Banks. Lin Su’s fourteen year old son Charlie is immediately enthralled with him but her first few encounters with Blake are adversarial. She is extremely overprotective of Charlie due to his asthma and weakened immune system and although he is doing much better, she refuses to let the poor boy spread his wings. Lin Su is great with Winnie but in her personal life, she is secretive, inflexible and judgmental. She is also extremely proud and getting her to accept help from anyone is next to impossible. Quite frankly, Lin Su is frustrating, stubborn and almost impossible to like for much of the story.

Blake is a dedicated athlete but he knows his career is beginning to wind down and buying a house is just the first step for the next stage in his life. He has come a long way from his very humble childhood and he is committed to helping other underprivileged youths. He is a genuinely caring and compassionate man who might have overstepped with Charlie initially, but to be fair, Charlie was not exactly forthcoming about his health issues. Blake is pretty unflappable and while he understands Lin Su’s concerns, he presents a calm and well thought out rebuttal to her somewhat irrational fears for Charlie’s health.

Charlie is a super smart kid who has a good head on his shoulders. He is aware of his limitations but he is also ready to be an active participant in his life. He is also incredibly curious about his family but Lin Su flat out refuses to discuss her past with him. When his curiosity gets the better of him, Charlie takes matters into his own hands but he is ill prepared for his mother’s response to the information he uncovers.

The storyline of Wildest Dreams is interesting and unique but it is very slow paced. The triathlon aspect is well researched but these details sometimes overwhelm the rest of the story. There are multiple mentions of characters from previous installments of the Thunder Point series and while it is nice to catch up with them, these peeks are a bit of a distraction from the main storyline.

The relationship between Lin Su and Blake builds at a leisurely pace but their romance does not develop until nearly the end of the novel. Once Lin Su begins dating Blake, she begins to soften somewhat but she still remains tightlipped about her past.  Things are going smoothly between the couple until Charlie’s revelations and in the aftermath, Lin Su is quick to end things with Blake. The resolution of these issues occurs in an unexpected but realistic fashion and Robyn Carr wraps up Wildest Dreams with a heartwarming epilogue that is sure to delight readers.

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Filed under Contemporary, Harlequin, Mira, Rated C, Review, Robyn Carr, Romance, Thunder Point Series, Wildest Dreams

June 28, 2015 · 11:57 pm

Review: A New Hope by Robyn Carr

new hopeTitle: A New Hope by Robyn Carr
Thunder Point Series Book Eight
Publisher: Mira
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Summary:

Starting over is never easy, but in Thunder Point, where newcomers are welcome and friends become family, it’s possible to find yourself again. #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr takes us on a moving and rewarding journey as a young woman finds new hope.

After losing her child, Ginger Dysart was lost in grief. But since moving to Thunder Point, a small town on the Oregon coast, Ginger is finally moving forward. Her job at the flower shop is peaceful and fulfilling, and she’s excited to be assisting with the Lacoumette wedding.

In spite of her lasting heartache, Ginger is swept up in the pleasure of the occasion. But the beauty of the Lacoumette farm and the joy of the gregarious family are ruined by an unfortunate encounter with the bride’s brother, Matt. Struggling with painful memories of his own, Matt makes a drunken spectacle of himself when he tries to make a pass at Ginger, forcing her to flee the scene in embarrassment.

But when Matt shows up at the flower shop determined to make amends, what started out as a humiliating first meeting blossoms into something much deeper than either of them expected. Everyone around them worries that Ginger will end up with a broken heart yet again. But if Ginger has the courage to embrace the future, and if Matt can finally learn to let go of the past, there may still be hope for a happy ending.

Review:

A New Hope, the newest addition to Robyn Carr’s heartwarming Thunder Point series, is a wonderful story of healing. This incredibly sweet friends to lovers romance pairs up two wounded people who are struggling to overcome the heartbreak from their previous relationships.

A new job in Thunder Point is just what Ginger Dysart needed to begin healing from a devastating personal loss.   She loves working in Grace’s flower shop and she is also enjoying the new friends she has made. Ginger has made significant progress on figuring out what went wrong in her marriage and she has forgiven herself and her ex-husband for the mistakes that lead to their divorce. Despite her lingering grief, she is at a good place in her life but while she may be prepared to make a commitment to staying in Thunder Point, Ginger is not ready for a new relationship.

Matt Lacoumette is still deeply bitter and angry over his divorce and he is nowhere near ready to relinquish his animosity towards his ex-wife. He also maintains an emotional distance from his close family and he has not confided in them about what lead to his divorce. Although he has been dating for the past year, Matt has no intention of committing to a serious relationship. However, after his disastrous incident with Ginger at his sister’s wedding reception, Matt knows it is time to clean up his act and settle back into his normal life.

Matt and Ginger quickly move past their embarrassing first meeting and their recent divorces unexpectedly provide common ground between them. They both find it relatively easy to discuss their failed relationships and their casual acquaintance soon deepens to friendship. They gradually transition from friends to lovers with both of them agreeing to take things slow. Matt has the most difficult time with their new romance and when he withdraws from her, Ginger has enough confidence in herself to let him go. Although their relationship easily recovers from this misstep, Matt’s unresolved issues continue to plague their blossoming romance. Ginger gently encourages him to let him go of his lingering bitterness and anger but it is not until he is finally able to confide his deepest hurt that he can truly forgive and fully commit to a future with Ginger.

A New Hope by Robyn Carr is a beautiful novel of friendship, family and love. It is well-written with a poignant and emotional storyline. The characters are lifelike and vibrantly developed with realistic issues and problems to overcome. Heartfelt and moving, it is a powerful addition to the Thunder Point series that old and new fans are sure to enjoy.

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Filed under A New Hope, Contemporary, Harlequin, Mira, Rated B+, Review, Robyn Carr, Romance, Thunder Point Series

March 29, 2014 · 11:58 pm

Review: Four Friends by Robyn Carr

fourTitle: Four Friends by Robyn Carr
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: Mira
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr comes the story of four friends determined to find their stride. Ultimately, they’ll discover what it means to be a wife, mother, lover, friend…and most important: your true self.

Gerri can’t decide what’s more devastating: learning her rock-solid marriage has big cracks, or the anger she feels as she tries to repair them. Always the anchor for friends and her three angst-ridden teenagers, it’s time to look carefully at herself. The journey is more than revealing—it’s transforming.

Andy doesn’t have a great track record with men, and she’s come to believe that a lasting love is out of reach. When she finds herself attracted to her down-to-earth contractor—a man without any of the qualities that usually appeal to her—she questions everything she thought she wanted in life.

Sonja’s lifelong pursuit of balance is shattered when her husband declares he’s through with her New Age nonsense and walks out. There’s no herbal tonic or cleansing ritual that can restore her serenity—or her sanity.

Miraculously, it’s BJ, the reserved newcomer to Mill Valley, who steps into their circle and changes everything. The woman with dark secrets opens up to her neighbors, and together they get each other back on track, stronger as individuals and unfaltering as friends.

The Review:

Robyn Carr’s Four Friends is a beautiful novel about four women whose close friendship becomes a saving grace as they are each faced with life altering decisions.

Gerri, Andy and Sonja are long time neighbors whose lives fall apart right around the same time. Andy’s second marriage to a younger man comes to a dramatic end just as Gerri learns devastating news that leaves her questioning her twenty four year marriage. Sonja has worked hard to find peace and tranquility in her life, but when her husband leaves her, she descends into a deep depression. BJ is a newcomer to the neighborhood who mainly keeps to herself, but it is her astute observations that alert Gerri and Andy to Sonja’s frightening despondency.

The least complicated story arc is Andy’s unexpected romance with Bob, the carpenter who is renovating her kitchen. Bob is nothing at all like the men Andy usually dates and her feelings for him catch her completely by surprise. Bob is older, shy, a little overweight but so incredibly sweet and understanding. Their relationship begins as friendship but soon transforms into a romance that is very heartwarming.

The storyline with BJ is also fairly simple. She has a passing acquaintance with the other three women but she is rather enigmatic and closely guards her privacy. After getting Sonja into treatment for her depression, Gerri, Andy and BJ finally become closer but BJ still remains tightlipped about her past. By the novel’s end, her secrets are revealed and surprisingly enough, she and Sonja form a tight bond.

Sonja’s part of the novel is the most serious and she undergoes the biggest transformation. At first a new agey, health nut, she is absolutely stunned when her husband leaves her. She immediately falls apart and her friends get her into treatment right away, but they are slow to realize how seriously depressed she is. Once she gets the intense therapy she needs, Sonja faces her painful past and emerges much stronger and more self-aware.

Although Gerri and her husband Phil lead very hectic lives, they do a wonderful job balancing demanding jobs and parenting duties. But Phil has been keeping a secret that leads to a (hopefully) temporary separation as Gerri tries to come to terms with her hurt and anger. Gerri is quite contemplative as she searches for answers that can help her understand how she and Phil could be so far apart in how they view their marriage. A short-term crisis involving their children reunites the estranged couple but their future remains uncertain.

Four Friends by Robyn Carr is an engaging novel with a realistic plot and appealing characters. The women’s struggles are true to life and easy to relate to. The friendships are strong and enduring and while they do not always agree with one another’s decisions, their support for one another is unwavering. A heartfelt and poignant story that I greatly enjoyed and highly recommend.

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Filed under Contemporary, Four Friends, Harlequin, Mira, Rated B, Review, Robyn Carr, Romance