Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Release Day Review: The Wanderer by Robyn Carr

The Wanderer
by Robyn Carr
Series: Thunder Point #1
Publisher : Harlequin 
Publication date: March 26, 2013
Genre: Adult Contemporary small-town series
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon/Book Depository
ARC provided in exchange for unbiased review
*purchase through buy links supports this blog


From Robyn Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the popular Virgin River novels, comes Thunder Point-the highly anticipated new series that will make you laugh, make you sigh, and make you fall in love with a small town filled with people you'll never forget. Nestled on the Oregon coast is a small town of rocky beaches and rugged charm. Locals love the land's unspoiled beauty. Developers see it as a potential gold mine. When newcomer Hank Cooper learns he's been left an old friend's entire beachfront property, he finds himself with a community's destiny in his hands.  Cooper has never been a man to settle in one place, and Thunder Point was supposed to be just another quick stop. But Cooper finds himself getting involved with the town. And with Sarah Dupre, a woman as complicated as she is beautiful.  With the whole town watching for his next move, Cooper has to choose between his old life and a place full of new possibilities. A place that just might be home.
Robyn Carr is the author of one of my favorite small town romance series Virgin River and when it came to an end after twenty books and five years I was deeply sadden. I worried that her new series Thunder Point would not give me the same warm and fuzzy feeling that Jack and the folks of Virgin River gave me. The Wanderer blasted those fears out of the park, and I am in love with a small beach town nestled on the Oregon coast line and the folks who live there.

The tale begins as Hank Cooper is making his way to Thunder Point after a message that his fellow military buddy has died and left him something. We met Hank previously in Virgin River. He is retired military and a former Black Hawk helicopter pilot. He has been working odd jobs as a civilian pilot and living out of his trailer. His plan is to find out what happen to his buddy before moving on to the next job. What he finds may just have him rethinking his nomad, no strings life.

Cooper as his friends like to call him is rugged, tall and oh so smexy. He’s been told he has intimacy issues and he would agree. I really liked this noble, stand up guy and he quickly stole my heart. We meet the townsfolk and learn some of their stories. Mac, thirty-six is the police chief and father of three. He married young after his high school sweetheart got pregnant and while he was in for the long haul she was not. He lives with his kids and his hilarious Aunt. Gina is a single mom working at the local diner and putting herself through college. She and Mac are best buddies and she secretly wishes it was more. Sarah is a Coast Guard Rescue pilot and is raising her sixteen year old brother. This strong woman was seriously damaged by her rocky, emotional marriage and is not looking for commitment. We meet other unique characters and I cannot wait to go back. The character interaction, witty banter and romantic moments are all things I adore in Carr's small-town series.

This was a delightful intro to the series, and Carr did an excellent job of introducing us to the characters and town. There were several threads and a few romances in this quaint little seaside town. This was really Sarah and Coopers romance, and things did not really develop between them until about half way through the book. While the wait was killer the romance was sweet,  hot, delicious, and heartwarming. There was bully, a murder and other town drama that kept me completely immersed and of course sold me on this little town. While I can seem similarities in friendships, and settings I think Thunder Point will hold its own against my beloved Virgin River.

Fans of small-towns, romance and endearing characters will love The Wanderer. I am looking forward to The Newcomer the second book in the series scheduled to release on June 25, 2013.

Four cups of diner coffee out of five
Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer Kimba The Caffeinated Book Reviewer Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer
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53 Comments:

At March 26, 2013 at 11:37 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

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At July 17, 2013 at 10:07 PM , Anonymous Barbara Walker said...

I started the Virgin River series so late that I've only managed to read four of the latest ones so far, but I'm so glad you say this new series is just as good. I can finally start one from the beginning! Except..horror: my mom will want to do a tandem read since she likes Robyn Carr. *screams* ;)

 
At July 17, 2013 at 10:09 PM , Anonymous Pooja said...

YES. Small town romances <3

 
At July 17, 2013 at 10:32 PM , Anonymous Melissa (Books and Things) said...

Oh sometimes I do love a book like this. I have the author on my need to read list and I swear you have moved her up the list. It may be this book b/c I love the way this town sounds! Okay, I also love the way Cooper sounds. ;)

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:31 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

ooh we need to get you reading Stacey..http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/149808.Shannon_Stacey

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:31 PM , Anonymous Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard said...

Sounds good. I've just added the first Kowalski book to my Goodreads to-read list -- I liked your review.

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:31 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

Aww, I know the feeling my next 5 books need to be ARC's after all this TBR pile madness in March..LOL but I have reviews posted all over the place for the next three months.

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:31 PM , Anonymous Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard said...

Yes, I already have 5 or 6 ARCs and review copies to work on between now and August -- most of them for April or May and one of them by Sunday. Eep. And I don't have a lot of reviews already written, so I'm scrambling a bit to get caught up. But I love getting all these new books, especially when they are books I really want to read anyway!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:31 PM , Anonymous Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard said...

I could tell when he wandered into Virgin River in the last book that he was destined for his own series, but I couldn't quite fit him into Virgin River. I just bought the ebook, but darn it all, I have to get through several ARCs and at least two books that have to go back to the library, first!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:31 PM , Anonymous Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard said...

I don't know Stacey, but agree on Mallery!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:32 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

I was nervous and was glad Cooper was from VR

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:32 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

if you like Stacey and Mallery you will enjoy Carr!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:32 PM , Anonymous GRgenius said...

Despite being a newbie to this genre (and only keeping my feet wet, not fully immersing mind you), I certainly recognize this author's name. Her covers are always serene with a touch of beauty. Sounds like even though its a new series, you weren;t disappointed. Woo-hoo, right?! ^_^ Happy reading and thanks for the great share!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:32 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

thanks, yes it was nice and I am looking forward to getting to know more of the characters

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:32 PM , Anonymous Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard said...

Great review, Kimba. I'm so glad this lives up to the Virgin River books, and can't wait to get my hands on it!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:32 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

enjoy, I know you liked the VR series too :)

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:35 PM , Anonymous Anna@herding cats said...

LOL a horrid case of author ADD and one book having 12 storylines. 12 Kimberly. 12! lol I don't mind a couple secondary storylines but it was just a bit much. They were all well done but you just didn't get a chance to really care about any of them or get invested because half a page later you were in another thread. And 3/4ths of a page later in yet another.


I'll definitely read her again but whew had to take a break after that last one. Now Virgin River Christmas? One of my all time favorite reads. Loved that book but it didn't have the author ADD going on in it and really just focused on the main couple which I loved.

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:35 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

ok, now i am so dang curious as to what one got to you and why..LOL so glad you are giving this one a go!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:35 PM , Anonymous Sam @ Realm of Fiction said...

Rugged, tall and oh so smexy? That's all I need to hear! ;)



I'm glad you liked this, Kimba. I haven't heard of this author's first series, but I'll definitely have to jump on board with this one before it's too late. I love the thought of a story set in a small seaside town. Great review!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:35 PM , Anonymous Anna@herding cats said...

Alright I think I might have to give this one a try. I've really loved some of Carr's books but the last one was rough for me so I haven't been back yet. Gonna change that though. The heroine in this one sound amazing!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:35 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

I have read all of her books Sam, you always get a feel good, heartwarming story and the VR series the characters felt like family.

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:35 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

I adore her, and its exciting that some of you will be trying her for the first time

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:35 PM , Anonymous Lily B said...

Interesting, I never read Carr's books but I heard good things about them. I love the whole small town feel, so it's pretty exciting that she has a brand new series coming out! The characters and the storyline sounds great, kind of a kick back book by the sound of it for me, something to enjoy. Plus I totally love small town romances <3 the characters can be heartwarming.

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:35 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

Right! *dances*

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:35 PM , Anonymous Maja (The Nocturnal Library) said...

A new series by Robyn Carr?! I totally failed with Virgin River, by the time I wanted to read it, there were already so many installments that I felt too intimidated to even start. But a new series from an author you love so much is a must read for me.
I'll go order a copy right away.

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:35 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

Yes, its a good beginning, despite waiting for the romance :)

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:35 PM , Anonymous Giselle Cormier said...

Great review, Kimba! I know it's far off but for some reason it reminded me of PS I Love You. >.< Sounds like a good book I never read anything by this author before.

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:35 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

ooh love VR series and cried when it ended

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:35 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

you made me choke on my coffee as I read the your last sentence...LOL

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:35 PM , Anonymous Candace's Book Blog said...

This does sound great! I especially love that it's a small town on the Oregon Coast. We are very close to the Oregon coast and visit it a couple times a year and the small towns are just so quaint! I would love to read a book that takes place there!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:35 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

I have been to Tillamook Oregon and driven through some of the small towns it is a pretty area.

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:35 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

It had some intense moments, but yes it has a feel good small town feel

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:35 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

i do too Ellen and Carr is one of my favorite small-town romance writers.

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:35 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

hahaha!!!!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:35 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

Do you like small town romances?

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:35 PM , Anonymous thegeekyblogger said...

I liked the Shannon Stacey series and I like Susan Mallery :) Most of my Cowboy romances are small town (I think they would qualify). I am iffy about contemporary romances but I do love them when done right

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:35 PM , Anonymous Diana Leigh said...

The town of Thunder Point sounds amazing, doesn't it? I think I could split my time between there and Virgin River. :) Loved Cooper... P.S. I sent you an e-mail today!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:35 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

got your email cupcake and yes I could split my time between the two and Cooper is a peach!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:35 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

thanks Jenea:)

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:35 PM , Anonymous brandileigh2003 said...

Aw, the characters and setting sound great.

Brandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:35 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

thanks Brandi I love small town series

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:35 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

you know me I like to mix it up. Have a great day Danny :)

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:35 PM , Anonymous kindlemom1 said...

I love Robyn Carr! I am so glad this new series is good too, not that I should have doubted that by any means but it is nice to hear none the less.


So glad you liked this one!!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:35 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

yeah, but oh man I am going to miss VR

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:35 PM , Anonymous Christy (Love of Books) said...

Ha. I just had to check to see if Thunder Point is a real place, my friend and her family recently moved to a small town on the Oregon coast. I wanted to know if it was near it. lol.. But I guess it's not real. This book sounds good, though!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:35 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

hehehe..i did too :(

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:35 PM , Anonymous Andrea @The Bookish Babe said...

I took this for review b/c I knew how much you love Carr's writing. I'm so happy to see The Wanderer lived up to expectations. Great review!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:35 PM , Anonymous Blodeuedd said...

One day I will read a Carr book, one day

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:35 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

I hope you like it, despite the late romances I am anxious to spend more time in the town

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:36 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

*nods head*

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:36 PM , Anonymous Lauren said...

I adore small town settings, and the writing sounds beautiful. I've never read Robyn Carr, but this seems like a good book to start with. Sigh....I need about five weekends in a row to catch up on all my reading. So many books I want to read! Thanks for introducing me to this one, and great review!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:36 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

ooh if only we had a time machine that could freeze a couple hours each day

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:36 PM , Anonymous thegeekyblogger said...

Christi told me I need to try Robyn Carr. I thought she would be to "sweet" for me (I admit I like a little "romance" in my romance books) but I think I need to give her a whirl.

 

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