The Newcomer: Thunder Point, Book 2

I liked this audiobook, however the book description was a little misleading. I expected more of a love story between Mac and Gina, along with how they worked their families into a whole. This was not the case.
This story is a continuation of Cooper and Sarah's romance and their issues, which might i say was great and excellent to listen to. I felt a lot more invested in them in this story. Having listened to the first in the series I now understand that it is going to be about the community of Thunder Point more than the romance of individual characters.
Carr also brought teen love and heartache into this story. I actually cried for Ashley!!! I have children so for this to happen to one would be devastating. I really think Carr nailed it, the emotions, the out of control feelings of an adolescent.
I have to add that if you are new to the Thunder Point series?, listen to The Wanderer (book 1) first as you will have a better understanding of the community and what Robyn Carr is trying to achieve in her novels.
Lastly, and I know I always say this, but Therese Plummer is my favourite narrator, she is fantastic for this series and anything of hers I have listened to I have thought a better book due to her.

I’ll start and end with a disclaimer. I’m a guy without any significant background reading romance genre books. Related books I read tend to be a bit more “women’s literature:” Sandra Dallas, Jane Smiley, Molly Harper and Willa Cather. (Plus several of Ms. Carr’s, such as Four Friends.) I’ve recently read a new paranormal romance writer, Ava Louise ("Intergalactic Matchmaking Service"), and an established one: Patricia Briggs. Among the men whose romances I read are Charles Martin and Nicholas Sparks. I have no history of reading “bodice rippers” although I’ve read enough bad / poorly written books over the years to know quickly what I won’t like. So, please understand I have a definite, but limited, basis for comparison.

The Newcomer is probably my fifth or sixth Robyn Carr book, more than I’ve listened to by any other Audible author except Molly Harper and Charles Martin. Why do I like her books so much? There is grit and complexity. In The Newcomer several themes – issues – are developed. How to raise children as a single parent (and then find love) is one, a common theme in these genres except … not all of the single parents are women and there are several examples illustrated (not just one) with different skills or lack thereof.

Another, smaller theme, is what happens when a person in a relationship withholds important relationship changing information because (s/he) thinks the other can’t or won’t cope. Again, multiple examples.

Finally, the biggest issue I saw in The Newcomer concerns what happens when one parent (not necessarily married) parts ways with the other because of a child or children … and then what happens when there is contact between that parent and the child(ren) many years later. Once more, we are treated to several examples of ways this might happen, ways the parent with custody of the child(ren) might respond when the missing parent re-emerges, and how children might respond. And ... how does the custodial parent facilitate the reintroduction, or not? Within limits Ms. Carr lets me decide how best such situations might best be handled … realizing there is no one right way that fits all. Again, men are not always the dopes. Although in real life we too often are, I accept.

Sounds a bit boring, doesn’t it? Well, I care about characters Ms. Carr creates (a sign of good writing) and enjoy the worlds they live in, worlds that do not require "willing suspension of disbelief" because the little details are off. (Ditto.) Ms. Carr keeps me reading and wanting more. In fact, my biggest problem is limiting the number of her books I buy to less than the number of credits I have available.

What about sex? Well, all these romance words make an appearance: Needy, claimed, hungry and length. And more. I’m not about to tell any woman if there are enough of these for your nighttime reading. I personally skip a few of these scenes (they just aren't quite sufficiently erotic from my male perspective), so perhaps you will find a sufficiency for your taste.

My ending disclaimer: I’m not in the writing or publishing business; I’m a reader. I don’t know Ms. Carr personally. No one asked me to review the book and I did not receive a free copy. In other words, this is just me and my thoughts.

Carr takes up the first novel in this series and continues the story, giving us a few dozen new twists and turns that I could never have imagined. The same easy going writing style that we’ve come to know and love from this author is present along with some rather large emotional kicks. One of the best parts about this novel is how all-encompassing it is. Love & heartache do come to the forefront, but there are so many individuals involved and who care for each other in their day to day lives that it’s priceless.

The cast in Thunder Point grows by leaps in bounds in this instalment. This not only happens in size, but also in the characters themselves. The younger cast goes through some growing pains, helping them become the individuals who will be able to make it in the world. The adults however, go through personal changes on an even higher level. The growth yet stability that is present in so many of these characters is breathtaking. I also love how Carr takes one of the main characters and shows how he changes from being ‘the wanderer’ to being ‘the newcomer.’

As a whole this was an emotionally intense tale that draws you in and leaves you with a sense of satisfaction. You really become part of this community, and don’t want to leave it at the end of the book. It’s a good thing there’s still more to come from Thunder point.

I am a fan of Robyn Carr and have enjoyed everyone of her books that I have read or listened to. This book is no exception. It has a great story line and is equally enjoyable on its own or with others in the series.

While the Virgin River series just built upon the general relationships, this story was exclusively just a continuation of those started in the Wanderer. It started off with all sorts of things going wrong, and didn't ever reach the laugh out loud, sweet moments I so love with her books. I'll continue reading the series, but they won't be the first thing I download anymore.

While the title and description describes a newcomer, we didn't see her till near the end. And I was never afraid that the newcomer would get the guy. Not. Even. For. A. Second. This is really the continuing story of the already established couples of Thunder Point. We see Cooper and Sarah, and Mac and Gina to great effect. The real stand out was Ashley's story. Her heartbreak and now she and her mom handled it was a real eye opener about the consequences of social media and dating. I loved the story. But the description was incorrect.

Yes, it voices that no matter what, there is always hope.

The way her voice brings the characters to life.

No one writes mature, intelligent novels with real characters like Robyn Carr. Reading one of her books is always like coming home.

Therese Plummer breathes life into the words and together they are the perfect combination.

heartbreaking, healing, growing

Ashley's heartbreak and hoe she over came it

I LOVE LOVE Love her, after listening to her it makes it hard to get into other books

Ashley realizing she wasn't the only one that suffered a heartbreak

can't wait for the next book

The same, I love to read and listen, So that don't matter either way.. Some nights it's easier to listen an some nights it's just good to fall asleep with the book in hand.

The ending, don't want to give anything away, but I cried.

When Mac told his x-wife off

I did both, I love this book

This is a great book. can't wait for the next to come out