The Newcomer

By: Robyn Carr

Narrated by: Therese Plummer

Length: 10 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's Summary

Single dad and Thunder Point's deputy sheriff "Mac" McCain has worked hard to keep his town safe and his daughter 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 each other. And just when things are really taking off, their lives are suddenly thrown into chaos. When Mac's long-lost ex-wife shows up in town, drama takes on a whole new meaning. Mac and Gina know they're meant to be together, but can their newfound love withstand the pressure?

©2013 Robyn Carr (P)2013 Recorded Books

Needy, Hungry, Claimed and Length; One Man's View

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.

14 of 14 people found this review helpful

Fan of Robyn Carr

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.

12 of 12 people found this review helpful

Felt like a sequel

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.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

a charming tale

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.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Well worth the credit

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.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

5 The Newcomer Stars

YES! I loved this book, I was invested in Mac and Gina from book 1 and was elated to get more of their story in this book.

Phew this book has some heavy issues, and it’s hard to listen to from someone how kind of went through depression at a young age. So I connected a lot with Ashely in this book. But what I loved the most was how her mom stood by her, noticed something was wrong and fought tooth and nail to see her through.

These books Robyn writes are for entertainment sure but they also deal with real issues we face or have faced and it is nice to connect to a character like that.

I can’t wait to see what is to come in the books to follow, I can tell you I ready to start the next book.

Again I am going to gush about Therese Plummer this narrator is FANTASTIC, she brings these characters to life. You can hear the emotion in her voice, it’s what make her such a great story teller.

*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*

9 of 12 people found this review helpful

Good story - but Title and Description is wrong

Any additional comments?

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.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Never give up~!!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

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

What about Therese Plummer’s performance did you like?

The way her voice brings the characters to life.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Perfect - Just Perfect

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.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

And the story continues

If you could sum up The Newcomer in three words, what would they be?

heartbreaking, healing, growing

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Newcomer?

Ashley's heartbreak and hoe she over came it

What about Therese Plummer’s performance did you like?

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

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

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

Any additional comments?

can't wait for the next book

1 of 1 people found this review helpful