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Thunder Point #1
The Wanderer: A Thunder Point Novel
Welcome back to Thunder Point! Return to where it all began, in the first book of the beloved series by #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr. You’ll fall in love with this small town filled with people and stories 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. This is the LARGE PRINT version.
559 pages, Hardcover
First published March 26, 2013
1774 people are currently reading
14356 people want to read
About the author
Robyn Carr
170 books12.4k followers Robyn Carr is a RITA® Award-winning, eleven-time #1 New York Times bestselling author of over sixty novels, including the critically acclaimed Virgin River series and Sullivan's Crossing series. Robyn's new women's fiction novel, THE FRIENDSHIP CLUB, will be released in January 2024. The new hit Sullivan's Crossing TV series (season 1) inspired by Robyn's book series was released in the USA in the fall of 2023! Plus, season 5 of the worldwide fan-favorite Virgin River TV Series is now streaming on Netflix (July 2023) with two holiday episodes coming November 30, 2023. Both TV series have been renewed for another season!
Robyn is a recipient of the Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award 2016, and in 2017, VIRGIN RIVER was named one of the HarperCollins 200 Iconic Books of the past 200 years. Robyn currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can visit Robyn Carr's website at .
Robyn is a recipient of the Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award 2016, and in 2017, VIRGIN RIVER was named one of the HarperCollins 200 Iconic Books of the past 200 years. Robyn currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can visit Robyn Carr's website at .
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,490 reviews
May 19, 2017
A good pleasure read where you don't have to put much effort into the reading itself. The characters are likable and the plot is a typical one for a romance book. The writing is simple and the story keeps your attention. Nothing life changing here really, just another feel good romance book. Good for if you just want to relax and unwind and need something a little cliched or predictable.
March 29, 2013
How could anything compare to Virgin River? I don't know, but I think Robyn Carr did it with this first book in the Thunder Point series.
Former Army helicopter pilot (friend of Luke Riordan!) Hank Cooper is the new Jack; or maybe good guy single father (women refer to him as "Deputy Yummy Pants") Roger "Mac McCain is the Jack-like character? Anyway, you can see that newcomer (to Thunder Point, Oregon) Cooper and Mac are going to have a strong bond throughout the series, just like Jack and Preacher.
"Coop"...
Coop brings his fifth-wheel to town...
Deputy "Mac" nearly steals the book...
You get romances for each of these hunks, as well as a romance for the middle-age set; a teenage romance that well may last long enough so they can eventually get their own book; colorful town characters; a beautiful setting; plenty of backstory for each of the main characters; and even a bit of mystery/suspense/who-done-it.
Coop's lady Sarah...
I loved single mom Gina...
Aunt Lou and her secrets were a hoot...
The book had me enthralled from the get-go. Robyn Carr has done it again. If she's finished with Virgin River, I have no worries now that she can duplicate the feelings I had for that series with this new one. I'm already in love with most of the characters, and can't wait to read the next story (!
ARC provided by Netgalley
Former Army helicopter pilot (friend of Luke Riordan!) Hank Cooper is the new Jack; or maybe good guy single father (women refer to him as "Deputy Yummy Pants") Roger "Mac McCain is the Jack-like character? Anyway, you can see that newcomer (to Thunder Point, Oregon) Cooper and Mac are going to have a strong bond throughout the series, just like Jack and Preacher.
"Coop"...
Coop brings his fifth-wheel to town...
Deputy "Mac" nearly steals the book...
You get romances for each of these hunks, as well as a romance for the middle-age set; a teenage romance that well may last long enough so they can eventually get their own book; colorful town characters; a beautiful setting; plenty of backstory for each of the main characters; and even a bit of mystery/suspense/who-done-it.
Coop's lady Sarah...
I loved single mom Gina...
Aunt Lou and her secrets were a hoot...
The book had me enthralled from the get-go. Robyn Carr has done it again. If she's finished with Virgin River, I have no worries now that she can duplicate the feelings I had for that series with this new one. I'm already in love with most of the characters, and can't wait to read the next story (!
ARC provided by Netgalley
March 23, 2013
Good news for Virgin River fans!! You will be happy to know we have not been abandoned, Robyn Carr has simply moved us to the rugged Oregon coastline and given us a new cast of characters to fall in love with, (and, of course, a few to hate). Best yet, anyone who hasn't read Virgin River series will have no problem jumping into this series without feeling lost.
Thunder Point is the fictional town near the very real areas of Bandon, Coos Bay, Coquille and North Bend. I was lucky enough to spend two-weeks last summer traveling the Oregon coast, and I remember these great touristy towns fondly. What a great setting for a new series!! This book made me feel like I was back on that wonderful vacation.
The Wanderer was told primarily through the POV of Hank 'Coop' Cooper, a new arrival into to town after learning his buddy Ben died in an accident and left his beachfront bar and property to him. Virgin River fans might remember a tiny cameo appearance of Hank/Coop in the last book, Sunrise Point, where Luke Riordan had an old buddy (Coop) come to town to do some hunting. (Turned out Coop had an unfriendly past with Jack, but that storyline was dropped from The Wanderer.) Coop then learns of his friend Ben's death and leaves Virgin River.
Once Coop arrives in Thunder Point, he soon finds himself the owner of prime real estate (despite the dilapidated conditions of the bar/bait shop), and for the first time in a long time is not in a hurry to leave. The town fits him, the folks are friendly, and then there is the smoking hot lady who walks her dog on the beach. Sarah. So should he sell the bar, or stay around a while?
The town and the characters are the main focus of the first half of the book, but don't give up hope of a solid romance. Coop and Sarah's story dominates the last half of the book, as well as a budding secondary romance between the town sheriff, Mac, and his best pal Gina. (I can't wait for their book next!)
The Wanderer had a great mix of characters that weaved multiple story lines. There is the mystery of Ben's death, as well as a storyline of a high-school bully pushing around the new kid Landon. Landon is Sarah's 16 y/o brother, who she has helped raise since her parents were killed 10 years ago. Even he had a small budding romance, which was fun to watch.
The reason I loved the Virgin River series is because it made me laugh, smile and always care about the characters. I can see Thunder Point easily working that same magic for me.
ARC copy provided by Harlequin through Netgalley.com
Thunder Point is the fictional town near the very real areas of Bandon, Coos Bay, Coquille and North Bend. I was lucky enough to spend two-weeks last summer traveling the Oregon coast, and I remember these great touristy towns fondly. What a great setting for a new series!! This book made me feel like I was back on that wonderful vacation.
The Wanderer was told primarily through the POV of Hank 'Coop' Cooper, a new arrival into to town after learning his buddy Ben died in an accident and left his beachfront bar and property to him. Virgin River fans might remember a tiny cameo appearance of Hank/Coop in the last book, Sunrise Point, where Luke Riordan had an old buddy (Coop) come to town to do some hunting. (Turned out Coop had an unfriendly past with Jack, but that storyline was dropped from The Wanderer.) Coop then learns of his friend Ben's death and leaves Virgin River.
Once Coop arrives in Thunder Point, he soon finds himself the owner of prime real estate (despite the dilapidated conditions of the bar/bait shop), and for the first time in a long time is not in a hurry to leave. The town fits him, the folks are friendly, and then there is the smoking hot lady who walks her dog on the beach. Sarah. So should he sell the bar, or stay around a while?
The town and the characters are the main focus of the first half of the book, but don't give up hope of a solid romance. Coop and Sarah's story dominates the last half of the book, as well as a budding secondary romance between the town sheriff, Mac, and his best pal Gina. (I can't wait for their book next!)
The Wanderer had a great mix of characters that weaved multiple story lines. There is the mystery of Ben's death, as well as a storyline of a high-school bully pushing around the new kid Landon. Landon is Sarah's 16 y/o brother, who she has helped raise since her parents were killed 10 years ago. Even he had a small budding romance, which was fun to watch.
The reason I loved the Virgin River series is because it made me laugh, smile and always care about the characters. I can see Thunder Point easily working that same magic for me.
ARC copy provided by Harlequin through Netgalley.com
August 5, 2013
3.5 Stars! A strong beginning and then it 'wandered' off course and just rambled along!
Maybe it was just me, but this was somewhat of a disappointment. I get this is a new series, however I couldn’t help but compare it to Virgin River, and this is no Virgin River.
I enjoyed the first 50% of the book, as Cooper finds his way around Thunder Point, after that he lost me. The relationship he forms with Sarah held no appeal for me at all; I didn’t feel any chemistry between them, skimmed around their scenes, and focused on the other couples in the book. I also thought being that Sarah was a female in a career that is dominated by men, that her job would bring some excitement to the book…didn’t happen. She was a helicopter pilot, so was Cooper, imagine the possibilities! Robyn Carr missed the mark with this one, it was right in front of her and she passed it by.
Gina and Mac’s relationship was more interesting, and in my opinion they should have been the featured couple in this book, not the next one, which there again, makes no sense, since they pretty much resolved their issues. I did however enjoy the budding romance between Landon and Eve, and the bullying storyline that they were involved in. Very sweet, loved Eve’s strength and Landon was adorable! I hope we hear more about them as the series moves forward.
Bottom line, there was too much going on, but nothing at the same time. The mystery surrounding Ben’s death, ended poorly in my opinion. I think the author tried to introduce us to way too much in this first book and should have focused on one couple, Gina and Mac, introduced us to Cooper and Sarah and left it at that. Then move their relationship along in book 2, along with Eve and Landon.
So, was it the book, or my expectations and comparisons to a series I love, Virgin River…I’m not sure. I was looking for that feeling that I read something special, but alas, I didn’t feel much at all.
A copy of this book was provided by Harlequin Mira via NetGalley
March 3, 2013
Robyn Carr is one of the truly great voices in contemporary romance, and fans of her Virgin River series are going to fall, and fall hard, for the people of Thunder Point.
From the cover:Robyn Carr holds a special place in my heart because she's the author who introduced me to the contemporary romance genre. A lot of people write it, but few write it as well as Ms. Carr. Story after story she delivers tales of love, passion, and hope, whether growing up or growing old. The people are not just words on a page, they come alive and make me wish I were a part of their world. Neighbors or friends, families or lovers, they're everyday people with such heart and soul that I can't get enough of them.
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.
The Wanderer is the first book in the Thunder Point series, and yet, it doesn't feel like a 'first' at all. I was immediately swept up in this community, the lives and the loves of its residents... Truly, I can't say enough good things about this wonderful story.
4.5/5
My thanks to Harlequin MIRA and Netgalley.com for providing me with a copy of this story for review. I enjoyed every minute of it!
May 21, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
Another very enjoyable, heartwarming and inspiring excellent story line by Robyn Carr.
Another very enjoyable, heartwarming and inspiring excellent story line by Robyn Carr.
January 24, 2019
A very easy audio to listen to
A well-written story, a great narrator and a cast of characters that were easy to love, made The Wanderer a very entertaining listen. Robyn Carr manages to bring Thunder Point to life and the small town and its people were positively appealing. With a bunch of romances coming to life in the small town, it was never boring. The highschool quarterback falls for the beautiful cheerleader, the deputy finally opens his eyes to the woman in front of him, and the helicopter pilot takes a risk on love with the newcomer.
The suspicious death of one of their beloved townspeople brings intrigue to their little town. It's up to The Wanderer to ask a few questions and look a little deeper into what really happened. In a small town like Thunder Point, there are no secrets and someone has to know more.
I have read Robyn Carr previously and again found myself content with how the story plays out. There is never a lot of angst and what turmoil there is, is normally handled in an intelligent and realistic way. There were limited steamy scenes, but what you do get, definitely shows a connection between the characters.
If you're looking for a great story with a fabulous narration, I highly recommend The Wanderer.
A well-written story, a great narrator and a cast of characters that were easy to love, made The Wanderer a very entertaining listen. Robyn Carr manages to bring Thunder Point to life and the small town and its people were positively appealing. With a bunch of romances coming to life in the small town, it was never boring. The highschool quarterback falls for the beautiful cheerleader, the deputy finally opens his eyes to the woman in front of him, and the helicopter pilot takes a risk on love with the newcomer.
The suspicious death of one of their beloved townspeople brings intrigue to their little town. It's up to The Wanderer to ask a few questions and look a little deeper into what really happened. In a small town like Thunder Point, there are no secrets and someone has to know more.
I have read Robyn Carr previously and again found myself content with how the story plays out. There is never a lot of angst and what turmoil there is, is normally handled in an intelligent and realistic way. There were limited steamy scenes, but what you do get, definitely shows a connection between the characters.
If you're looking for a great story with a fabulous narration, I highly recommend The Wanderer.
July 5, 2018
My issues:
1. Incorrect title
This book should be titled “Introduction to Thunder Point.” Robyn Carr uses this book to introduce the new town and ALL its inhabitants.
2. Page 171!
The MCs mentioned in the synopsis do not meet until page 171. I’M ALMOST HALFWAY DONE WITH THIS BOOK and they are just meeting?
3. Outdated language
I’m confused about the year this book is representing. Characters use words like ‘posse’ and phrases like ‘hide behind your skirt’ by a teenager, but modern technology is used.
4. Too many POVs
Every character (and there are a lot of them) has a POV.
Overall: Robyn Carr appears to be a well-loved author, but her books may not be for me. I was frustrated with this book for the reasons outlined above.
1. Incorrect title
This book should be titled “Introduction to Thunder Point.” Robyn Carr uses this book to introduce the new town and ALL its inhabitants.
2. Page 171!
The MCs mentioned in the synopsis do not meet until page 171. I’M ALMOST HALFWAY DONE WITH THIS BOOK and they are just meeting?
3. Outdated language
I’m confused about the year this book is representing. Characters use words like ‘posse’ and phrases like ‘hide behind your skirt’ by a teenager, but modern technology is used.
4. Too many POVs
Every character (and there are a lot of them) has a POV.
Overall: Robyn Carr appears to be a well-loved author, but her books may not be for me. I was frustrated with this book for the reasons outlined above.
January 18, 2022
I enjoy The Wandere more than I can expect. Miss Carr brings this sexy romance into live. There are few couples introduce in the story. The main couple is Cooper and Sarah.
This is a slow burn romance with a lot of moral messages. It is not boring. But required patience to read it until finish.
My favorite couple is Ginny and Max. They so goofy. I love how Max is clueless and yet sweet. And I love how Ginny reacting like a damsel in distress toward Max.
The background of the story is small town romance. Again, an enjoyable book.
4 stars
This is a slow burn romance with a lot of moral messages. It is not boring. But required patience to read it until finish.
My favorite couple is Ginny and Max. They so goofy. I love how Max is clueless and yet sweet. And I love how Ginny reacting like a damsel in distress toward Max.
The background of the story is small town romance. Again, an enjoyable book.
4 stars
April 16, 2014
3.5 Stars
I have been a fan of Robyn Carr for a long time. Long before I ever came on 카지노싸이트,and before I had my one-click Kindle addiction! I had come across a series that took place in a small town called Virgin River. I fell in love with that town and the people in it. So when I heard that Ms. Carr had another series coming out, this time about a town called Thunder Point; I just had to give it a try! Then I won a giveaway for book #4 and decided it was time to begin the journey to Thunder Point!
Thunder Point is a town that is along the Oregon Coast, and it is popular for its wonderful beach. Hank Cooper has been notified that his good friend from the army has died and left Cooper with his beachfront property. Cooper is the type of guy who doesn't settle down any whereand he is very content in his nomadic kind of lifestyle...or so he thought. That is until he gets to know the people in this small town, and realizes that his late friend Ben was a very big part of Thunder Point. Of course, there also is a woman that Cooper has set his sights on, and surprisingly enough he begins to develop some major feelings towards Sarah. The tables become turned when Coop would love to settle down with her and she is the one that wants to avoid commitment! Will they be able to compromise and agree on trying some kind of relationship? Or will Sarah keep protecting her heart that has already been hurt badly?
In typical Robyn Carr fashion, there are several other characters and storylines in this book. Once again, I became absorbed in everyone's lives and what was going on in them. The down fall of the story was that it was very slow at getting started; but once I became familiar with everyone then I became more invested in each scene as they played out. I have a strong feeling that as each book goes on in the series, the more interesting they will get. I do have to say that I found this series so far not to be as heavy on the romance as Virgin River was. I am hoping the romance factor will pick up as time goes on.
There is a wide variety of different problems and events that arise in the lives of the people of Thunder Point. From friendships developing, to grieving, bullying, raising children, and of course romance; there is something for everyone in Thunder Point.
I am looking forward to discovering more about the town and it's interesting people. There is something about a small town that I personally love. Especially seeing how a community will band together in the middle of a crisis and be there for one another. Usually there are lots of secrets to discover as well. One thing is for sure, there will never be a dull moment in Thunder Point, and I am glad to be a part of the ride!!
I have been a fan of Robyn Carr for a long time. Long before I ever came on 카지노싸이트,and before I had my one-click Kindle addiction! I had come across a series that took place in a small town called Virgin River. I fell in love with that town and the people in it. So when I heard that Ms. Carr had another series coming out, this time about a town called Thunder Point; I just had to give it a try! Then I won a giveaway for book #4 and decided it was time to begin the journey to Thunder Point!
Thunder Point is a town that is along the Oregon Coast, and it is popular for its wonderful beach. Hank Cooper has been notified that his good friend from the army has died and left Cooper with his beachfront property. Cooper is the type of guy who doesn't settle down any whereand he is very content in his nomadic kind of lifestyle...or so he thought. That is until he gets to know the people in this small town, and realizes that his late friend Ben was a very big part of Thunder Point. Of course, there also is a woman that Cooper has set his sights on, and surprisingly enough he begins to develop some major feelings towards Sarah. The tables become turned when Coop would love to settle down with her and she is the one that wants to avoid commitment! Will they be able to compromise and agree on trying some kind of relationship? Or will Sarah keep protecting her heart that has already been hurt badly?
In typical Robyn Carr fashion, there are several other characters and storylines in this book. Once again, I became absorbed in everyone's lives and what was going on in them. The down fall of the story was that it was very slow at getting started; but once I became familiar with everyone then I became more invested in each scene as they played out. I have a strong feeling that as each book goes on in the series, the more interesting they will get. I do have to say that I found this series so far not to be as heavy on the romance as Virgin River was. I am hoping the romance factor will pick up as time goes on.
There is a wide variety of different problems and events that arise in the lives of the people of Thunder Point. From friendships developing, to grieving, bullying, raising children, and of course romance; there is something for everyone in Thunder Point.
I am looking forward to discovering more about the town and it's interesting people. There is something about a small town that I personally love. Especially seeing how a community will band together in the middle of a crisis and be there for one another. Usually there are lots of secrets to discover as well. One thing is for sure, there will never be a dull moment in Thunder Point, and I am glad to be a part of the ride!!
April 14, 2013
I just finished the debut of Robyn Carr’s new “Thunder Point Series.” She never fails to take me places I love to go while introducing me to captivating characters every step along the way. When I’m looking for a comfortable and peaceful reading zone, her books come to my rescue. The ever popular Virgin River Series (and yes, I’ve read each and every book) always fulfilled my reading needs in every way possible. And now, I’m eager to set out on a new adventure along the coastline of Oregon in another small and beautiful place amid an entirely different set of friends and family. I have no doubt that this new series will offer me another safe and comfy place to land just when I need it.
There was a lot going on in this first book with the necessary set up and background for the new series. And it looks to be filled with an array of tempting and delightful cast members – young and old. I’m already in love with Deputy Yummy Pants McCain! Felt just a tiny bit of a disappointment when the romance between Cooper and Sarah got a late start, but I’m very hopeful we’ll see more of this couple in the next book substantiating their connection.
This book was an absolute delight to read. I’m anxiously looking forward to future trips to Thunder Point!
There was a lot going on in this first book with the necessary set up and background for the new series. And it looks to be filled with an array of tempting and delightful cast members – young and old. I’m already in love with Deputy Yummy Pants McCain! Felt just a tiny bit of a disappointment when the romance between Cooper and Sarah got a late start, but I’m very hopeful we’ll see more of this couple in the next book substantiating their connection.
This book was an absolute delight to read. I’m anxiously looking forward to future trips to Thunder Point!
November 2, 2017
This story takes a very long time to get started. There is a lot of establishing and more than a few PoV shifts. At least part of that is that Carr is following two separate romances as well as establishing a location that is fully-fleshed and rich in detail. None of this is bad, per se, but it does rather extend out the story somewhat and provide a bar to momentum and pacing.
And it works out okay. Not great, but not bad. Cooper is the biggest draw, by far. He's laid-back, understanding and just a solid, stand-up kind of guy. I loved that he took the time to understand why his friend had left him the property as well as get to know the town and people living there. And I liked that he did his best to see beyond the obvious and that he wasn't afraid to make friends in what he assumes will be a temporary location for him.
It's a good thing Cooper's so awesome because the other three romantic leads all had an enormous problem with negative motivation*. And Mack is the king of negative motivation and a frustrating moron that was painful to witness. "Someone hurt me so I must not have love in my life because there will be pain" might as well have been the tagline on this novel. It was certainly the subtext. Scratch that, it was the supertext and spilled out all over absolutely everything. Frankly, this much negative motivation could very well have derailed my enjoyment of the story if the author had been less talented.
Fortunately, Carr has a great way with both secondary characters and setting so there was lots to keep me occupied while Mack and Sarah did the whole broody pain woe-is-me dance. I was worried for a bit that we were being setup for a thriller sideline, but I'm happy to say that Carr made that plotline very reasonable and having competent adults handling things (not least Mack, so his character had fun bits, too) worked out very much in the story's favor.
So this ended up being a solid three stars where I sometimes thought I'd bounce on all the avoiding and whining.
A note about Steamy: There are some explicit sex scenes. I didn't count very closely. There are 2½ couples (Mack's aunt gets some good lovin, too) so I'm guessing four or so just to pick a round number. The middle of my steam tolerance, at any rate. And, as with the only other Carr novel I've read, the couples here have amazing sex, every time, and it's the best evar because awesome!
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. a bit back and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
And it works out okay. Not great, but not bad. Cooper is the biggest draw, by far. He's laid-back, understanding and just a solid, stand-up kind of guy. I loved that he took the time to understand why his friend had left him the property as well as get to know the town and people living there. And I liked that he did his best to see beyond the obvious and that he wasn't afraid to make friends in what he assumes will be a temporary location for him.
It's a good thing Cooper's so awesome because the other three romantic leads all had an enormous problem with negative motivation*. And Mack is the king of negative motivation and a frustrating moron that was painful to witness. "Someone hurt me so I must not have love in my life because there will be pain" might as well have been the tagline on this novel. It was certainly the subtext. Scratch that, it was the supertext and spilled out all over absolutely everything. Frankly, this much negative motivation could very well have derailed my enjoyment of the story if the author had been less talented.
Fortunately, Carr has a great way with both secondary characters and setting so there was lots to keep me occupied while Mack and Sarah did the whole broody pain woe-is-me dance. I was worried for a bit that we were being setup for a thriller sideline, but I'm happy to say that Carr made that plotline very reasonable and having competent adults handling things (not least Mack, so his character had fun bits, too) worked out very much in the story's favor.
So this ended up being a solid three stars where I sometimes thought I'd bounce on all the avoiding and whining.
A note about Steamy: There are some explicit sex scenes. I didn't count very closely. There are 2½ couples (Mack's aunt gets some good lovin, too) so I'm guessing four or so just to pick a round number. The middle of my steam tolerance, at any rate. And, as with the only other Carr novel I've read, the couples here have amazing sex, every time, and it's the best evar because awesome!
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. a bit back and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
September 3, 2013
The Wanderer centres around Cooper and Sarah. After the death of an old friend from Army, Cooper travels to Thunder Point, Oregon to learn what happened to him. While there he learns that his friend has left him a large parcel of pristine beach front land, including a ramshackle bait shop. But Cooper is a wanderer and settling down isn't in the plan.
After her ex-husband's betrayal, Sarah doesn't trust men. And especially men like Cooper who freely admits to having commitment issues. But as Cooper helps her brother deal with a bully, with faltering steps she grows closer to him.
One of the things I like most about Robyn Carr is she doesn't just write romance, she writes whole communities. We will revisit the stories that begin in this book as the series progresses. I think this book was a little cluttered with a lot of set-up for the next books in the series but after the first 30% it found it's stride and settled into a entertaining and satisfying book.
Many Thanks to Harlequin and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC
After her ex-husband's betrayal, Sarah doesn't trust men. And especially men like Cooper who freely admits to having commitment issues. But as Cooper helps her brother deal with a bully, with faltering steps she grows closer to him.
One of the things I like most about Robyn Carr is she doesn't just write romance, she writes whole communities. We will revisit the stories that begin in this book as the series progresses. I think this book was a little cluttered with a lot of set-up for the next books in the series but after the first 30% it found it's stride and settled into a entertaining and satisfying book.
Many Thanks to Harlequin and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC
February 18, 2023
audiobook: 10 hours and 20 minutes
the moment hero and heroine meet and interact for the first time: 4 hours and 36 minutes
wild guess here but;
- if you want to write an intro book make it just an intro book
- too many side characters I should care about but I don't
- when will mystery and romance kick in? 40% in and nothing is happening except getting a background story for this small town and bunch of characters
- dnf and I have no plans - right now to continue this series
1,5⭐
the moment hero and heroine meet and interact for the first time: 4 hours and 36 minutes
wild guess here but;
- if you want to write an intro book make it just an intro book
- too many side characters I should care about but I don't
- when will mystery and romance kick in? 40% in and nothing is happening except getting a background story for this small town and bunch of characters
- dnf and I have no plans - right now to continue this series
1,5⭐
August 29, 2014
I’m a huge fan of Carr’s Virgin River series and was disappointed to learn it’s on hiatus for now. But, this new series is off to a very good start with The Wanderer.
Quick summary
Hank Cooper (he goes by Cooper in this story) received a strange call that an old Army buddy of his had died and he needed to come to Thunder Point. Cooper is very much a wanderer, not really having settled anywhere for years. He travels with everything he needs, which includes a toy hauler and a Rhino. It was his intention to find out what happened to his friend and continue moving on. Well, that was the plan until he learns he’s the beneficiary of his friend’s sizeable property located right on the ocean.
What I liked
I really enjoyed this story with its assembly of interesting people in a fairly small community. While Cooper is at the center of the story, there were many others, including two more romances that were major aspects of the book. They are complicated people, some single parents, dealing with ordinary issues associated with parenting, earning a living and finding someone with whom to share their lives. There’s Mac McCain, the town’s deputy sheriff, who became a father at 19 and ended up having to raise his three children on his own, with the help of his aunt, when his wife left him. Then there’s Gina James, Mac’s best friend and a single parent of a beautiful teenaged daughter. She would like more from the relationship with the clueless Mac. Also, Sarah Dupre’s brother Landon (she’s his guardian) is having major bullying issues at school but he doesn’t want her to know or get involved. Sarah’s recovering from a failed marriage and trying to manage a challenging career.
About the romance
What was curious about the book, though, was that Coop didn’t even really meet Sarah until almost at the mid-way point of the story. Until that time, Mac and Gina, and Coop’s relationship with Landon, dominated the story. I think we’re going to have to approach these books somewhat differently. There’s an intended romantic focus for one couple but the stories will encompass all of their relationships. It worked here, at least for me. There was also a bit of a mystery included in the story, which spiced things up a bit.
The bottom line
There’s a strong sense of community in this town and the residents are good but imperfect people, parents, lovers and friends. It’s got a similar vibe to Virgin River, the one that matters, but it also has a unique identity that captured me immediately. The stories don’t end when the book comes to a close. It’s more like this chapter of the main characters’ lives have reached an end point but the next phase continues. While I’m still pining for Virgin River, I’m also eager to read the next book in this series. I want to know how things turn out for…well, you get the picture. I’m all in with Thunder Point.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley)
Quick summary
Hank Cooper (he goes by Cooper in this story) received a strange call that an old Army buddy of his had died and he needed to come to Thunder Point. Cooper is very much a wanderer, not really having settled anywhere for years. He travels with everything he needs, which includes a toy hauler and a Rhino. It was his intention to find out what happened to his friend and continue moving on. Well, that was the plan until he learns he’s the beneficiary of his friend’s sizeable property located right on the ocean.
What I liked
I really enjoyed this story with its assembly of interesting people in a fairly small community. While Cooper is at the center of the story, there were many others, including two more romances that were major aspects of the book. They are complicated people, some single parents, dealing with ordinary issues associated with parenting, earning a living and finding someone with whom to share their lives. There’s Mac McCain, the town’s deputy sheriff, who became a father at 19 and ended up having to raise his three children on his own, with the help of his aunt, when his wife left him. Then there’s Gina James, Mac’s best friend and a single parent of a beautiful teenaged daughter. She would like more from the relationship with the clueless Mac. Also, Sarah Dupre’s brother Landon (she’s his guardian) is having major bullying issues at school but he doesn’t want her to know or get involved. Sarah’s recovering from a failed marriage and trying to manage a challenging career.
About the romance
What was curious about the book, though, was that Coop didn’t even really meet Sarah until almost at the mid-way point of the story. Until that time, Mac and Gina, and Coop’s relationship with Landon, dominated the story. I think we’re going to have to approach these books somewhat differently. There’s an intended romantic focus for one couple but the stories will encompass all of their relationships. It worked here, at least for me. There was also a bit of a mystery included in the story, which spiced things up a bit.
The bottom line
There’s a strong sense of community in this town and the residents are good but imperfect people, parents, lovers and friends. It’s got a similar vibe to Virgin River, the one that matters, but it also has a unique identity that captured me immediately. The stories don’t end when the book comes to a close. It’s more like this chapter of the main characters’ lives have reached an end point but the next phase continues. While I’m still pining for Virgin River, I’m also eager to read the next book in this series. I want to know how things turn out for…well, you get the picture. I’m all in with Thunder Point.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley)
August 30, 2015
The Wanderer is so different than anything I have read in the longest time. This is my first-time experience Robyn Carr and I can tell you that this will not be my last. I adored everything about this one, and I honestly wasn’t sure what I would think of it since the main couple here doesn’t even meet really until about half way through the book. But we see other sub plots with three other couples develop so it still had the romance I was looking for. From what I can gather after reading The Wanderer is a book that sets up the series and what we see in the first half of the story is the level of friendship and warm openness this small coastal town have for each other. They support each other and back each other up and fight for what is right. Our main hero of the story Hank Cooper has come to Thunder Point to find out what happened to his friend and why he died. There are certain factors that just don’t add up about his death and Hank wants to make sure it was really an accident before he leaves. But then he finds out he is the inheritor of his friends will, which includes a large parcel of land and a local restaurant/bar and many other services. He becomes friends with the local sheriff in town, as well as a teenager “Landon who is being bullied by the local rich kid who wants to be the star of the football team instead of the newbie who is better at football than he is, and Landon also catches the eye of the sheriff’s daughter and one of the most beautiful girls in school.
He’d never been shy, but he’d always been a little uncertain around girls. He just couldn’t believe they liked him.
We also have a plot between the sheriff Mac and the next door neighbor and his best friend Gina. Gina and Mac are both single parents and have become good friends and there is chemistry between them but Mac refuses to let anything happen because of their kids and doesn’t want to ruin a friendship. The fourth sub plot we have is with Mac’s aunt Lou and her boyfriend she is keeping secret because he is ten years younger than her. Lou really struggles with him being so young.
He laughed at her and his hand found her ass. “Best looking great grandmother in the state, maybe the country.”
She lifted her head, messy red gold curles flopping around. “When you’re seventy I’ll be eighty. Eighty.”
“Christ, like you’re screwing a nineteen year old. I hope I live to be seventy. I can’t wait to see what you bring to eighty!”
Even though normally all these plots would confuse me….it didn’t and I was so pleased because that was my fear before reading this one. The romance between Cooper and Sara was sweet and warm-hearted and even though it seemed to be a bit rushed, it didn’t feel that way as I was reading. It had a natural flow to their relationship despite all that they needed to work through.
With you, I’m mentally, emotionally, physically in the moment. All in. All there. All yours.
Another aspect I really loved was seeing the ages of the majority of the couples. All over thirty, which was refreshing. We did have the young love between the teenager which was cute and fun. I just love romances where you see that love can happen at any age. Overall this book surprised me and made me fall in love with this Oregon coastal town, the people, and the atmosphere. Definitely can’t wait to pick up book 2.
This review was originally posted on
He’d never been shy, but he’d always been a little uncertain around girls. He just couldn’t believe they liked him.
We also have a plot between the sheriff Mac and the next door neighbor and his best friend Gina. Gina and Mac are both single parents and have become good friends and there is chemistry between them but Mac refuses to let anything happen because of their kids and doesn’t want to ruin a friendship. The fourth sub plot we have is with Mac’s aunt Lou and her boyfriend she is keeping secret because he is ten years younger than her. Lou really struggles with him being so young.
He laughed at her and his hand found her ass. “Best looking great grandmother in the state, maybe the country.”
She lifted her head, messy red gold curles flopping around. “When you’re seventy I’ll be eighty. Eighty.”
“Christ, like you’re screwing a nineteen year old. I hope I live to be seventy. I can’t wait to see what you bring to eighty!”
Even though normally all these plots would confuse me….it didn’t and I was so pleased because that was my fear before reading this one. The romance between Cooper and Sara was sweet and warm-hearted and even though it seemed to be a bit rushed, it didn’t feel that way as I was reading. It had a natural flow to their relationship despite all that they needed to work through.
With you, I’m mentally, emotionally, physically in the moment. All in. All there. All yours.
Another aspect I really loved was seeing the ages of the majority of the couples. All over thirty, which was refreshing. We did have the young love between the teenager which was cute and fun. I just love romances where you see that love can happen at any age. Overall this book surprised me and made me fall in love with this Oregon coastal town, the people, and the atmosphere. Definitely can’t wait to pick up book 2.
This review was originally posted on
December 14, 2017
I ABSOLUTELY CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS BOOK TO COME OUT. I LOVE HER VIRGIN RIVER AND GRACE VALLEY SERIES AND AM EXPECTING GREAT THINGS FROM THIS NEW SERIES!
This new series by Carr did not disappoint. There was a lot of set up for future books, but I absolutely loved the character development and the story itself. It can be another VR series but in a different setting.
Set in Oregon, Cooper's friend dies and leaves him his falling down place and the land. Cooper comes to Oregon in his fifth wheel and meets Mac, the Sheriff, Landon, the high school quarterback, Sarah, Landon's sister, Gina who runs the diner and many of the other charcters.
This book was almost 5 stars for me, but I felt a few things were left dangling, but a great start to a new series.
4.5 stars
This new series by Carr did not disappoint. There was a lot of set up for future books, but I absolutely loved the character development and the story itself. It can be another VR series but in a different setting.
Set in Oregon, Cooper's friend dies and leaves him his falling down place and the land. Cooper comes to Oregon in his fifth wheel and meets Mac, the Sheriff, Landon, the high school quarterback, Sarah, Landon's sister, Gina who runs the diner and many of the other charcters.
This book was almost 5 stars for me, but I felt a few things were left dangling, but a great start to a new series.
4.5 stars
January 8, 2017
This is reaaaallly slow. Our main romantic leads don't even meet each other til halfway through the book. But you know, by the end, that slowness really works and this book is still kinda stuck in my brain, so I'd say that's a successful book!
May 16, 2016
It was ok and didn't quite have the same punch that the first book in Virgin River. The world building took forever and Cooper and Susan didn't even connect until almost page 200. So the romance seemed rushed and disconnected to me and the ending was rushed. Maybe I am bit burned out on this type of small town romance.
March 26, 2021
This first book in a new series is another winner from Robyn Carr. Hank and Sarah were wonderful characters, and their story was a good one. It kept my interest, and I enjoyed every second of reading. I loved the setting, and look forward to more in the series.
June 2, 2013
Hank ‘Coop’ Cooper is a man who hasn’t put down roots in quite awhile. He’s ex-Army and most of his jobs since leaving involve flying choppers. After learning of his good friend Ben’s sudden death, he decides to make a short visit to Ben’s home in Thunder Point and hopefully get more details about his accident. Upon arrival, he finds an old, dilapidated Bar/Bait Shop sitting on some of the most gorgeous beachfront property around. Imagine his surprise when he later learns Ben has left this little piece of paradise all to him.
Pondering the motive behind Ben’s generosity, Coop decides to stick around and give the Bar a good overall before putting it on the market. Each day he becomes more involved with the town and finds himself liking the camaraderie of this community. What starts out as a short visit turns into months and when he finally meets Sarah Dupre, a beautiful, young helicopter pilot, he’s soon thinking this could be a place to finally call home?
Robyn Carr is a very talented writer and no matter what story she’s telling I’m always drawn in and have such a warm, comfortable feeling while there. As with her Virgin River series, very soon after starting The Wanderer, I felt part of this small community and invested in the lives of its citizens. I loved Coop and how he handled each obstacle he faced. It takes some time before he meets the lovely Sarah and I do wish more time had been given to them as a couple.
While the spotlight is on the relationship between Coop and Sarah, the reader will also meet a winning cast of lovable, down to earth secondary characters that will charm you. Many are involved in a love story of their own. The addition of a bully keeps you embroiled in a small mystery and the descriptive details of the area will have you longing for a visit. There are lots of things going on in Thunder Point and it all comes together for a very enjoyable read.
Robyn Carr’s first installment in her Thunder Point series is a winner and I’m looking forward to more. If you enjoy a slow building romance, centered on small town living, you’ll love this one.
ARC courtesy of Netgalley
Pondering the motive behind Ben’s generosity, Coop decides to stick around and give the Bar a good overall before putting it on the market. Each day he becomes more involved with the town and finds himself liking the camaraderie of this community. What starts out as a short visit turns into months and when he finally meets Sarah Dupre, a beautiful, young helicopter pilot, he’s soon thinking this could be a place to finally call home?
Robyn Carr is a very talented writer and no matter what story she’s telling I’m always drawn in and have such a warm, comfortable feeling while there. As with her Virgin River series, very soon after starting The Wanderer, I felt part of this small community and invested in the lives of its citizens. I loved Coop and how he handled each obstacle he faced. It takes some time before he meets the lovely Sarah and I do wish more time had been given to them as a couple.
While the spotlight is on the relationship between Coop and Sarah, the reader will also meet a winning cast of lovable, down to earth secondary characters that will charm you. Many are involved in a love story of their own. The addition of a bully keeps you embroiled in a small mystery and the descriptive details of the area will have you longing for a visit. There are lots of things going on in Thunder Point and it all comes together for a very enjoyable read.
Robyn Carr’s first installment in her Thunder Point series is a winner and I’m looking forward to more. If you enjoy a slow building romance, centered on small town living, you’ll love this one.
ARC courtesy of Netgalley
April 24, 2013
4.5 Stars
I completely adored this story. Robyn Carr is such a fantastic author and I'm already in love with this new series that has been introduced to us for 2013.
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There’s been no word on whether there will be any more Virgin River books – and that makes me very sad! – but I’m happy to say that Robyn Carr has given me another new series to fall in love with! Before even starting this book I knew that this would be yet another go-to series for me to buy and read. I’ll try to keep it as spoiler-free as possible, but I tend to get very wordy when talking about Robyn Carr books that I love.
The first installment, The Wanderer, tells the story of Hank Cooper, an ex army-pilot, who travels to the Oregon coast where there is a small beach side town that is very quaint and was home to his army buddy, Ben, who had recently passed away. Hank has no idea why he’s there, except at the request of his late friend who he had made a promise to show up there in the event that something happened. On the outside it seems as if Ben had a regular accident which resulted in his death but Hank – or Coop, as he likes to be referred to – just finds it strange that his buddy who was as huge as a bear and healthy as one too would just die like that. So upon arrival in Thunder Point, Coop meets the sheriff, Mac, who gives him the lay of the land and becomes the first friend that Coop makes in town.
Eventually, he finds out that the reason Ben wanted him there was because he’d left Coop his property and business which included a bait and tackle shop and a huge piece of very expensive beach front property that was left untouched all the years that it was in Ben’s possession.
While in town Coop makes friends with a few people, but the person he really wants to meet and get to know is the girl who walks on the beach with this monster of a dog. Sarah Dupre is a helicopter rescue pilot who has recently moved to Thunder Point with her younger brother Landon who is now in her custody after the deaths of their parents. Landon becomes good friends with Coop and vice versa. Coop is kinda starts to look out for him after an encounter on the beach that Coop intervenes on one day.
But when Landon’s sister finds out he’s been hanging out with Coop she’s not too keen on the idea of a grown man befriending her brother and decides to investigate the situation, like any good sister would.
What transpires is this really – quick – but great romance between Coop and Sarah, though at times I felt like they were cheated out a tad bit on the page front. I would have liked to have seen more of them as a couple, if I’m being honest. But the story in itself was a great one. Coop still struggles with his inability to put down roots and that was breaking my heart quite a bit – thus the name The Wanderer. He doesn’t stay in one place too long and his whole relationship with Sarah essentially had an expiry date from the start. But with all great romances sometimes it can really change the person… for the better.
There were actually many story lines, which is not unusual with a series from Carr and I loved them all. We got the setup for the next book which will feature Mac, the sheriff, and Gina who’s been a great friend to him ever since his wife left him and his kids year ago. I thought it was all very sweet and meant to be. We also see some other romances come to light and some new ones beginning.
Overall, this is not a story that you’d want to miss if you’re a fan of Robyn Carr. The writing is stellar and you can see that Carr really did her research when writing about the different job aspects for helicopter rescue pilots, it didn’t read as a huge info-dump but it read very well and I was hooked from start to finish.
An Advance copy was provided by the publisher. This review can also been seen on
March 26, 2013
Piper's review posted on
4.5 Stars
As a lot of you know I am a big Virgin River fan. When I was sent a copy of The Wanderer, the first book in Robyn Carr’s new Thunder Point series, I have to admit I was worried. I wondered would I love it as much as I love Virgin River. Would it be completely different to her style of writing that I have fallen in love with over and over with each book of hers I have read. I had absolutely nothing to worry about at all.
Hank Cooper can never seem to settle in one place for to long. Cooper is headed to Thunder Point to see what his old Army friend Ben Bailey as left him. He may have just inherited a run down bar and bait shop, but he finds so much more in Thunder Point. Once he arrives and begins to realize that Ben’s deaths may be more then accident, he stays in Thunder Point to find out if his friends death was truly an accident.
Sarah has raised her younger brother Landon since their parents death. Sarah has been through a bad divorce and has brought Landon to the small town of Thunder Point. Cooper meets Landon on the beach when he notices that Landon is being bullied. Cooper and Landon from a friendship and from there we get to see Sarah and Cooper both deal with their issues and fall in love.
This is not only another great and wonderfully written love story between Cooper and Sarah, but we get all the great small charm we have all fallen in love with when it comes to Robyn Carr’s books.
I loved that this book deals with real everyday issues. We get teenage issues, single parent issues and so much more. You will fall in love with Thunder Point and its residents. This book will draw you in and make you wish that somewhere out there Thunder Point is just waiting for you to come and visit.
Happy Reading!!
Review copy provided for an honest review.
4.5 Stars
As a lot of you know I am a big Virgin River fan. When I was sent a copy of The Wanderer, the first book in Robyn Carr’s new Thunder Point series, I have to admit I was worried. I wondered would I love it as much as I love Virgin River. Would it be completely different to her style of writing that I have fallen in love with over and over with each book of hers I have read. I had absolutely nothing to worry about at all.
Hank Cooper can never seem to settle in one place for to long. Cooper is headed to Thunder Point to see what his old Army friend Ben Bailey as left him. He may have just inherited a run down bar and bait shop, but he finds so much more in Thunder Point. Once he arrives and begins to realize that Ben’s deaths may be more then accident, he stays in Thunder Point to find out if his friends death was truly an accident.
Sarah has raised her younger brother Landon since their parents death. Sarah has been through a bad divorce and has brought Landon to the small town of Thunder Point. Cooper meets Landon on the beach when he notices that Landon is being bullied. Cooper and Landon from a friendship and from there we get to see Sarah and Cooper both deal with their issues and fall in love.
This is not only another great and wonderfully written love story between Cooper and Sarah, but we get all the great small charm we have all fallen in love with when it comes to Robyn Carr’s books.
I loved that this book deals with real everyday issues. We get teenage issues, single parent issues and so much more. You will fall in love with Thunder Point and its residents. This book will draw you in and make you wish that somewhere out there Thunder Point is just waiting for you to come and visit.
Happy Reading!!
Review copy provided for an honest review.
December 11, 2024
Vaste grond is het eerste boek in een nieuwe reeks van Robyn Carr.
Dit keer maken we kennis met de mensen uit Thunder Point, een kustplaatsje in Oregon.
Hank Cooper komt met zijn caravan toe in Thunder Point, omdat zijn goede vriend Ben, die daar woonde, overleden is, en Cooper had bericht gekregen dat hij naar het stadje moest komen.
Daar blijkt dat Ben hem een groot stuk land heeft nagelaten, met een versleten bar en aaswinkel.
Er is echter iets vreemds met de dood van Ben, en Cooper besluit om wat langer te blijven om meer informatie bijeen te scharrelen en na te denken over wat hij met Ben's erfenis moet doen.
Want de grond is heel veel waard, maar het gebouw dat erop staat, moet bijna volledig afgebroken worden.
En Cooper is gewend aan een rondtrekkend bestaan, hij heeft geen zin om zich ergens te vestigen. Eigenlijk wil hij dus het gebouw restaureren, om Ben in ere te houden, en dan alles verkopen.
Maar dan ontmoet hij Sarah....
Sarah woont nog niet zo heel lang in Thunder Point; ze heeft een zeer pijnlijke echtscheiding achter de rug en heeft het wel gehad met mannen. Maar ze draagt sinds zijn vijfde de zorg voor haar nu 17jarige broer Landon, en heeft dan ook nog een job als piloot van een reddingshelicopter.
Dit leven wordt soms wel zwaar voor Sarah.
Er is bijna onmiddellijk een klik met Cooper, maar geen van beiden wil er echt aan toegeven, vooral Sarah niet. Zal haar angst om opnieuw gekwetst te worden de overhand blijven hebben, of kan Cooper toch haar hart veroveren? En hoe staat Landon tegenover de misschien ontluikende relatie tussen zijn nieuwe vriend en zijn zus?
Dit is weer een heerlijk boek wat mij enkele aangename uurtjes heeft bezorgd.
Dit keer maken we kennis met de mensen uit Thunder Point, een kustplaatsje in Oregon.
Hank Cooper komt met zijn caravan toe in Thunder Point, omdat zijn goede vriend Ben, die daar woonde, overleden is, en Cooper had bericht gekregen dat hij naar het stadje moest komen.
Daar blijkt dat Ben hem een groot stuk land heeft nagelaten, met een versleten bar en aaswinkel.
Er is echter iets vreemds met de dood van Ben, en Cooper besluit om wat langer te blijven om meer informatie bijeen te scharrelen en na te denken over wat hij met Ben's erfenis moet doen.
Want de grond is heel veel waard, maar het gebouw dat erop staat, moet bijna volledig afgebroken worden.
En Cooper is gewend aan een rondtrekkend bestaan, hij heeft geen zin om zich ergens te vestigen. Eigenlijk wil hij dus het gebouw restaureren, om Ben in ere te houden, en dan alles verkopen.
Maar dan ontmoet hij Sarah....
Sarah woont nog niet zo heel lang in Thunder Point; ze heeft een zeer pijnlijke echtscheiding achter de rug en heeft het wel gehad met mannen. Maar ze draagt sinds zijn vijfde de zorg voor haar nu 17jarige broer Landon, en heeft dan ook nog een job als piloot van een reddingshelicopter.
Dit leven wordt soms wel zwaar voor Sarah.
Er is bijna onmiddellijk een klik met Cooper, maar geen van beiden wil er echt aan toegeven, vooral Sarah niet. Zal haar angst om opnieuw gekwetst te worden de overhand blijven hebben, of kan Cooper toch haar hart veroveren? En hoe staat Landon tegenover de misschien ontluikende relatie tussen zijn nieuwe vriend en zijn zus?
Dit is weer een heerlijk boek wat mij enkele aangename uurtjes heeft bezorgd.
June 1, 2022
The Wanderer is the first installment within the Thunder Point series. In this, you will follow a couple of people either falling in love or finding their way. On top of all that, we do get a bit of mystery to solve as well. I'll admit that this was pretty entertaining, but with so many to keep track of, I kept confusing myself. Still might jump into the sequel if I can get my hands on the audiobook.
April 22, 2020
Fun, light and wonderful romance set on the Southern Oregon coast where my family lived from 1974 thru 1982. Where my children were born and my husband had his first 8 yrs on the OSP.
May 13, 2019
I really enjoyed the first book in this series! Felt sucked in by all of the characters and their stories right away, and I'm really looking forward to seeing what the future brings for so many of them! :-)
April 13, 2013
To read this and other reviews like it check out
The Wanderer is a contemporary adult romance novel and the beginning of a new series, Thunder Point. This is a solid funny book, a good escape and left me with a sweet and satisfied feeling. Fans of author Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series will feel at home reading Thunder Point. At least one character was introduced in the Virgin River series, but that is where the association ends. There is no need to read Virgin River before embarking on Thunder Point.
The Wanderer is what I call a comfort read. There are descriptions of daily living, making food, drinking coffee, just basically the characters living their life in an ideal situation – on the coast of Oregon in a community where everyone knows and cares about each other. Similar to Virgin River, the main characters are former military, police officers and coast guard. Some are teenagers and some are in their thirties. They own and work in restaurants. And nature and the setting is almost a character of the book. It is a book about every day people. The way Carr writes the characters and intertwines them means we will see our favorite characters in books to come, there is no need to say good-bye. Reading a Carr book is like joining a family – a funny one too:
The Wanderer gives readers three romances for the price of one.
The romance is slow building, but there is pay off for sticking with it. My one complaint of this book is that there is a lot of set-up. Carr is great at writing characters and richly developing them, The Wanderer is no exception. But the first half of this book felt like a building block from the entire series. In a way, there is lots of “world building”. But in the end, it is good book and an easy read – and that is why I read Robyn Carr.
The Wanderer is a contemporary adult romance novel and the beginning of a new series, Thunder Point. This is a solid funny book, a good escape and left me with a sweet and satisfied feeling. Fans of author Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series will feel at home reading Thunder Point. At least one character was introduced in the Virgin River series, but that is where the association ends. There is no need to read Virgin River before embarking on Thunder Point.
The Wanderer is what I call a comfort read. There are descriptions of daily living, making food, drinking coffee, just basically the characters living their life in an ideal situation – on the coast of Oregon in a community where everyone knows and cares about each other. Similar to Virgin River, the main characters are former military, police officers and coast guard. Some are teenagers and some are in their thirties. They own and work in restaurants. And nature and the setting is almost a character of the book. It is a book about every day people. The way Carr writes the characters and intertwines them means we will see our favorite characters in books to come, there is no need to say good-bye. Reading a Carr book is like joining a family – a funny one too:
“Sarah, we’re both over thirty. Hopefully, we’ve overcome the idea that dinner means sex. Unless it’s an exceptional dinner.”
“We’ll split the check,” she said.
“Don’t be ridiculous. You pay for dinner. Believe me, you’ll feel more in control that way.”
The Wanderer gives readers three romances for the price of one.
“Jesus, I took you. Against the wall. In three minutes. And you still have your jacket on.” She was quiet for a moment. “That’s a relief. I thought I took you.”
The romance is slow building, but there is pay off for sticking with it. My one complaint of this book is that there is a lot of set-up. Carr is great at writing characters and richly developing them, The Wanderer is no exception. But the first half of this book felt like a building block from the entire series. In a way, there is lots of “world building”. But in the end, it is good book and an easy read – and that is why I read Robyn Carr.
May 25, 2015
Three and a half stars.After the death of his friend and army buddy Ben, Hank Cooper finds makes his way to Thunder Point to pay his last respects and also to find out what happened. Something about Ben’s death doesn’t sit right with him. Hank, better known as Cooper, is shocked to find Ben has left his waterfront property and rundown home, bar and bait shop to him. Hank’s first idea is to sell it all but there are a few complications, not the least of which is the state of the property and the attraction to Sarah Dupre. After seeing some bullying going on Hank also feels a certain protective responsibility to Sarah’s brother Landon.
Like any town, Thunder Point has its share of characters, some likeable and others definitely not so. I liked the main characters of Hank, Sarah, and Landon. Deputy Sherriff Mac, single father of three who manages his family with the help of Aunt Lou who has her own secret, are also well drawn characters. Mac is likeable if a bit dense at times, and I liked his friend Gina. Nestled on the Oregon Coast, the setting of Thunder Bay is as much a character as any of the other main characters.
The story moves along at a good pace and raises a few serious issues like bullying, violence and manipulation along the way. There is a bit of language and blasphemy and a couple of sex scenes, that didn’t add anything much to the story. There are just there. Overall an entertaining read to enjoy for a couple of hours.I'm interested enough to read more of the inhabitants of Thunder Bay.
Like any town, Thunder Point has its share of characters, some likeable and others definitely not so. I liked the main characters of Hank, Sarah, and Landon. Deputy Sherriff Mac, single father of three who manages his family with the help of Aunt Lou who has her own secret, are also well drawn characters. Mac is likeable if a bit dense at times, and I liked his friend Gina. Nestled on the Oregon Coast, the setting of Thunder Bay is as much a character as any of the other main characters.
The story moves along at a good pace and raises a few serious issues like bullying, violence and manipulation along the way. There is a bit of language and blasphemy and a couple of sex scenes, that didn’t add anything much to the story. There are just there. Overall an entertaining read to enjoy for a couple of hours.I'm interested enough to read more of the inhabitants of Thunder Bay.
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February 18, 2013
02/17/2013 --
Overall Rating = 3 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb = 3 / 3 = 3 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 3.5 Stars
Character Development = 4 Stars
Story Appreciation = 3.5 Stars
Worth the Chili = 2 Stars [received an ARC, but will about be $7.99 when released in May]
When you read Robyn Carr you must be patient. Her story unfolds like a mild Peyton Place with multiple characters drawn by a master. This reader isn't the most patient person, so this sticks for me a bit. Let me outline those things that worked for me, along with those things that didn't work.
A few things that work nicely in this story:
1 -- The rich characterization and backdrop is the true talent of this author. She can pull you into a community and into a story very quickly. She gives you the physical landscape and then adds rich personalities to go with it. I especially like the children and young adults drawn. For me, this is the key reason she could be listed as a "comfort read" author. I don't put her in this category because of my personal patience factor. More on this in a minute.
2 -- She doesn't "dummy down" her writing. She will throw a phrase or word that works best, even if it may not be the most simple or appeal to a lower denominator.
3 -- The story. It is all about a community. So many of this authors books are just that -- stories about a community. Rather like watching a movie pan a neighborhood and then zero in on the ... diner, or the florist shop, or the police station. This is how these books read. I like this whole dynamic, but some of it doesn't work for me [outlined in a minute].
4 -- I'm one of those readers who likes to read a series in order. Even if a book can stand alone, if it is a series, I'll typically put it off until I can read the previous books to catch up. Just anal that way. So, the Virgin River series intimidates me. I think I'm at about book 5. Gave it up for a bit and haven't worked my way back. There are like 19 of those things and it makes me tired just thinking about it. So, for me, starting a new series by this author was almost a relief. I can experience her without all the effort. Probably not making much sense.
So, what didn't work?
1 -- Key is the relationship between the H [Hank Cooper, Cooper or Coop] and the h [Sarah Dupre]. These two don't really meet until about 30% into the book. They don't "connect" until about 65%. Like I said, I'm not the most patient person and when the pages kept going by without any real connection between these two, I wondered how it would ever evolve. It does, but then we don't have much time with them. I liked these two characters and would have liked more depth in the relationship -- more time with them.
2 -- We have quite a bit of series set-up in this book. My experience with this author, she spends almost too much time in setting up her other books. You never get much "meat" time with the current character set. I'm betting, when I read the next in this series, I'll get a whole lot more Coop and Sarah and a bit of whoever the next couple are. Just the way she writes and I've had enough experience to know this is her format.
3 -- This was a buddy read with a few good friends. One in particular kept comparing the community building with some of the same scenario's in the Virgin River series. Didn't seem to be a problem for him, but it does appear as if she is planning to reuse. For me, if I ever make my way back to the VR series [have purchased 3 more in the series, but just not read them yet -- planned], this will be a sticking point for me. So, getting ahead of this one.
So, like I said, a good story, but be patient and let it evolve. If you've read and not really liked RC in the past, you probably won't like this one. I did like the story, but know I need to give myself a few days to read this author. If not, I lose patience all together and just want to drop kick it.
If you love Robyn Carr, this will be the book for you. Same formula she's used in the past, in use here. She is giving you a whole new community to fall in love with.
Special thanks to Ian and Searock for letting me hang out with you.
Happy Reading!
ARC provided by the Author, Harlequin Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Overall Rating = 3 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb = 3 / 3 = 3 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 3.5 Stars
Character Development = 4 Stars
Story Appreciation = 3.5 Stars
Worth the Chili = 2 Stars [received an ARC, but will about be $7.99 when released in May]
When you read Robyn Carr you must be patient. Her story unfolds like a mild Peyton Place with multiple characters drawn by a master. This reader isn't the most patient person, so this sticks for me a bit. Let me outline those things that worked for me, along with those things that didn't work.
A few things that work nicely in this story:
1 -- The rich characterization and backdrop is the true talent of this author. She can pull you into a community and into a story very quickly. She gives you the physical landscape and then adds rich personalities to go with it. I especially like the children and young adults drawn. For me, this is the key reason she could be listed as a "comfort read" author. I don't put her in this category because of my personal patience factor. More on this in a minute.
2 -- She doesn't "dummy down" her writing. She will throw a phrase or word that works best, even if it may not be the most simple or appeal to a lower denominator.
3 -- The story. It is all about a community. So many of this authors books are just that -- stories about a community. Rather like watching a movie pan a neighborhood and then zero in on the ... diner, or the florist shop, or the police station. This is how these books read. I like this whole dynamic, but some of it doesn't work for me [outlined in a minute].
4 -- I'm one of those readers who likes to read a series in order. Even if a book can stand alone, if it is a series, I'll typically put it off until I can read the previous books to catch up. Just anal that way. So, the Virgin River series intimidates me. I think I'm at about book 5. Gave it up for a bit and haven't worked my way back. There are like 19 of those things and it makes me tired just thinking about it. So, for me, starting a new series by this author was almost a relief. I can experience her without all the effort. Probably not making much sense.
So, what didn't work?
1 -- Key is the relationship between the H [Hank Cooper, Cooper or Coop] and the h [Sarah Dupre]. These two don't really meet until about 30% into the book. They don't "connect" until about 65%. Like I said, I'm not the most patient person and when the pages kept going by without any real connection between these two, I wondered how it would ever evolve. It does, but then we don't have much time with them. I liked these two characters and would have liked more depth in the relationship -- more time with them.
2 -- We have quite a bit of series set-up in this book. My experience with this author, she spends almost too much time in setting up her other books. You never get much "meat" time with the current character set. I'm betting, when I read the next in this series, I'll get a whole lot more Coop and Sarah and a bit of whoever the next couple are. Just the way she writes and I've had enough experience to know this is her format.
3 -- This was a buddy read with a few good friends. One in particular kept comparing the community building with some of the same scenario's in the Virgin River series. Didn't seem to be a problem for him, but it does appear as if she is planning to reuse. For me, if I ever make my way back to the VR series [have purchased 3 more in the series, but just not read them yet -- planned], this will be a sticking point for me. So, getting ahead of this one.
So, like I said, a good story, but be patient and let it evolve. If you've read and not really liked RC in the past, you probably won't like this one. I did like the story, but know I need to give myself a few days to read this author. If not, I lose patience all together and just want to drop kick it.
If you love Robyn Carr, this will be the book for you. Same formula she's used in the past, in use here. She is giving you a whole new community to fall in love with.
Special thanks to Ian and Searock for letting me hang out with you.
Happy Reading!
ARC provided by the Author, Harlequin Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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