I never miss a book by Robyn Carr -- it's kind of an
unwritten law in my world. Carr's writing just gets to
me, it moves me and makes me laugh and smile. So it's
natural that when I spy a new offering from this goddess
of romance novels I can't wait to start reading. THE
HOMECOMING is such a wonderful story -- once again placed
in Thunder Point and neighboring towns -- that it took me
two turns to actually start writing my review. Once I
cracked open the book I didn't want to take the time to
write down any thoughts or ideas that might have crossed
my mind while reading THE HOMECOMING. So now that I have
revisited this amazing town with Robyn Carr I am ready to
review.
First let me say with gusto THE HOMECOMING is jam packed
with some of the most wonderful characters ever. Sure
there are the leads -- any show or production has leads
followed by supporting cast. THE HOMECOMING has the most
remarkable and memorable supporting cast I've ever had
the delight in meeting. And I am absolutely sure you will
agree. This is indubitably one of the most charismatic
tales in the Thunder Point series and that is saying a
lot.
This is Seth and Iris; story. Two people who have known
and loved each other all their lives -- they were next
door neighbors and their mothers were best friends. It
doesn't get much closer than that. The problem was one
that is age old -- Iris had more of her heart invested in
this friendship than Seth. Sure they hung out together
but not at school and they did not hang with the same
group. Seth was the football star and his groupies were
gorgeous and clingy. Iris was part of the brainy group
and she decidedly was a late bloomer as they say.
But this friendship between Seth and Iris was lovely --
until it was not. You see Seth being a teenage guy didn't
know how to get out of the way of a somewhat enlarged
ego. His worries were about Seth's world. He more or less
used Iris as a sounding board for what ailed him. Iris
could forgive Seth for being so self-evolved but not for
betraying her.
Fast forward many years Iris is still in Thunder Point
and Seth recently returned as part of the police
department. Seth has never quite understood why Iris has
given him the cold shoulder ever since their senior year
in high school. Sure he disappointed her about the prom
but she should have gotten over that after all these
years.
Suffice it to say Seth is going to have quite a wake-up
call when he finally gets the answer to why Iris is going
out of her way to avoid any contact with him and has
definitely shut the door on resuming their friendship.
Add to this mix some great friends and confidents and you
have the recipe for an honest look at getting past things
that hurt us when we are most vulnerable. There is no
rule book about learning self-confidence or how to
prevent having a youthful heart crushed.
Iris' job as guidance counselor has her interacting with
teenagers who are going through various and assorted
challenges associated with those tender years. Iris'
experiences are what help her interact with these young
adults. As she extends her help to her students Iris is
forced to face some of her own missteps.
Probably Iris' biggest hurdle is her inability to move
ahead. Forgive and forget past hurts. Look for that
bright future she dreams about for herself. The one she
used to picture with Seth.
THE HOMECOMING is going to excite Robyn Carr's fan base
and definitely add many more readers to that mix. THE
HOMECOMING is a reading adventure that needs no
introduction. So I purposely only touch on the basic
premise of this engaging story. It is a testament to the
talent of Robyn Carr that this series is still going
strong. THE HOMECOMING has strong characters, witty
sharp dialog, several inspiring interwoven sub plots and
promises of more to follow.
In a small town, reputation is everything. In her latest
novel, #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr
explores the burden placed on a young man returning home to
face his mistakes—the first step in claiming the life he was
meant to live
At the age of nineteen, Seth Sileski had everything. A
superb athlete and scholar, handsome and popular, he was the
pride of Thunder Point. Destined for greatness, he lost it
all in a terrible accident that put an end to his
professional football career when it had barely begun. The
people in his hometown have never forgotten what might have
been.
Seth has come to terms with the turns his life has taken.
But now he's been presented with an opportunity to return
home and show his father—and the people of Thunder
Point—he's become a better, humbler version of his former
self.
Winning over his father isn't the only challenge. Seth must
also find a way to convince his childhood neighbor and best
friend, Iris McKinley, to forgive him for breaking her
heart. With his homecoming, will Seth be able to convince
the town, his family and especially Iris that he's finally
ready to be the man who will make them all proud?