Review: Wildest Dreams by Robyn Carr

Title: Wildest Dreams   

Author: Robyn Carr    

Series: Thunder Point, #9      

Published: August 2015, MIRA  

Format: ARC E-copy, 384 pages   

Source: Netgalley via Publicist  

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’ 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.

My thoughts: This is the 9th book in Robyn Carr’s Thunder Point series and once again I find myself falling in love not only with Thunder Point itself, but with all the characters, especially the main ones of this story. How Robyn Carr manages to create these wonderful story lines that capture our hearts book after book I don’t know, but she does – story lines that feel different and really just make you want to move to Thunder Point!

The main couple this story focuses on is Blake and Lin Su, both introduced in the previous book, A New Hope. Their relationship is a slow one – it’s not until the second half of the book that they share their first kiss – but it’s a sweet one, nonetheless. They have a shared background, though it takes a lot of breaking down walls and secrets for Lin Su to realize that, but luckily Blake is a patient guy and willing to go the distance. 

I loved that Charlie, Lin Su’s son, was also a big focus in this book and that Blake was involved. Charlie’s health issues made Lin Su that overprotective, strong, fierce mama-bear type and Blake, being a world-class athlete seemed like a good role model and coach for Charlie. I just had a soft spot in my heart for him.

The other big story line involves Winnie and her health. This has been an on-going story line for a while now and it’s been so nice watching how Grace and Winnie’s relationship has become stronger as unfortunately Winnie’s health has deteriorated. If you’ve read the earlier books, you’ll understand the change. And then there’s Mikhail – oh how I adore his devotion to Winnie!

There were quite a few touching scenes in this book and I am not looking forward to the scene when Winnie finally does succumb to ALS – but that brings me to a question about this book…is this the last book in the series? At one point, it seemed as if we got updates on quite a few of the major characters of this series, some not even a part of this particular story – and it seemed as if it came out of no where. The updates were kind of like a this is what’s going on now and what will be happening with them going forward type thing…did anyone else pick up on this? Have we read our last Thunder Point book? Does this mean Robyn Carr has something new in the works???   

Books in this series: 

1. The Wanderer                   7.  One Wish
2. The Newcomer                 8.  A New Hope
3. The Hero                             9.  Wildest Dreams            
4. The Chance 
5. The Promise
6. The Homecoming