Review: A New Hope by Robyn Carr

Title: A New Hope   

Author: Robyn Carr    

Series: Thunder Point, #8     

Published: June 2015, MIRA  

Format: ARC E-copy, 336 pages   

Source: Netgalley   

Starting over
is never easy, but in Thunder Point, where newcomers are welcome and
friends become family, it’s possible to find yourself again. In this
brand-new story, #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, and with the help of
her cousin Ray Anne, Ginger is finally moving forward. Her job at the
flower shop is peaceful and fulfilling, and she’s excited to start her
first big assignment, assisting with the Lacoumette wedding.

In
spite of her lasting heartache, Ginger finds herself 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
recent divorce, Matt makes a drunken spectacle of himself and Ginger
when he tries to make a pass at her, forcing Ginger 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. Discovering they have a lot in common, they form a solid
friendship, though 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.

My thoughts: This is the 8th book in Robyn Carr’s Thunder Point series and with each book I find myself loving the series even more! As much as I loved her other series, Virgin River, I think this one might be my favorite…there’s just something charming and endearing about the setting and the characters that just pull me into the story, and this one in particular, that I just love.

I’m going to admit right off the bat, this story had personal meaning to me. As soon as I met Ginger in an earlier book, I was eager for her story, desperately wanting her to have her own book and finally was excited, yet cautious to read it. I knew it would be a more heartbreaking read, but I so wanted to see her get her HEA. Ginger holds a soft spot in my heart and I loved watching her learn to overcome her grief and move on without feeling guilty. And I think Matt was her perfect compliment. He, too, has suffered loss, and needed to learn how to deal with that, and together they are able to work out how to let go. I loved how they became friends first and then moved on from there.

This book deals with a lot of heavy issues – loss and letting go and family being the two core themes and I loved that. Besides Ginger and Matt, there is also the storyline involving Grace and her mother, which is both endearing and heartwarming. If you’ve read the earlier books, you can appreciate just how far this relationship has come. If you haven’t, no worries, Robyn Carr gives you a quick background setup. We are also introduced to a few new faces, including the new nurse Grace hires for her mother, Lin Su, and her son, and if I’m not mistaken, I think they just might be the focus of a future book…

I really enjoy this series. While there’s always a bit of romance, it’s not just about that. The stories have substance and the characters are strong and relatable. It gives you a sense of hope as the characters work through their issues and find their HEA. And the issues the characters have aren’t silly ones, but real, everyday issues you and I might have. Reading about a character that’s been in my shoes or a similar situation and seeing how they deal/move on is almost therapeutic in a way.  That’s why I love this series and why I hope it’s around for a long while!

Books in this series: 

1. The Wanderer                   7.  One Wish
2. The Newcomer                 8.  A New Hope
3. The Hero                             9.  Wildest Dreams – due out Aug 25, 2015               
4. The Chance 
5. The Promise
6. The Homecoming