The Chance. Robyn Carr

The Chance
Robyn Carr
Publisher: Harlequin Mira
Date: February 25th 2014
Format: e-ARC
Pages:368
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

With its breathtaking vistas and down-to-earth people, Thunder Point is the perfect place for FBI agent Laine Carrington to recuperate from a gunshot wound and contemplate her future. The locals embraced Laine as one of their own after she risked her life to save a young girl from a dangerous cult. Knowing her wounds go beyond the physical, Laine hopes she'll fit in for a while and find her true self in a town that feels safe. She may even learn to open her heart to others, something an undercover agent has little time to indulge.

Eric Gentry is also new to Thunder Point. Although he's a man with a dark past, he's determined to put down roots and get to know the daughter he only recently discovered. When Laine and Eric meet, their attraction is obvious to everyone. But while the law enforcement agent and the reformed criminal want to make things work, their differences may run too deep… unless they take a chance on each other and find that deep and mysterious bond that belongs to those who choose love over fear.

I thoroughly enjoyed this new novel in Robyn Carr's Thunder Point series.  We had met Laine before in The Hero when she worked on the inside of a commune as a FBI agent, and was part of the rescue of Devon's daughter.  While these books can be read alone, I would recommend that if you haven't read one, begin at the beginning.  Characters come and go, there are some for example - like a favorite of mine - Rawley that develop over time.  

I really liked Laine - the heroine of this book.  Recovering from the shoulder wound she bagged in the rescue at the commune, she rents out the perfect little home at Thunder Point. I'd love to live there! The view sounded perfect.  Her relationship with Eric develops throughout the book and was very satisfying.  They are somewhat like chalk and cheese in regards to their backgrounds, yet they are just right for each other.

Laine has always had problems with her relationship with her Dad and this has deeply affected her. Laine has a twin brother a doctor and parents who were doctors.  Her Dad was not happy with her choice of job and has deeply wounded Laine to the point where she has cut him from her life unless he apologises and means it.  As the book develops so does this relationship, with an issue that is important - but I am not even going to mention it because I do not want to give away the plot.

As this is a family and local town community series, there are some other very satisfying relationships going on. Al, comes to work for Eric and he develops a relationship with Ray Ann - the realtor. So great to see her finding a meaningful relationship. Does it go smoothly?  Read the book and see!  Al has issues - again I am not going to say what, other than it is something very close to my heart.  I once watched a TV program about some people with this issue and cried all the way through it because of the big impact it had on their lives.  As a teacher it really mattered to me and still does.  Al also takes on Justin - a surly teenager at the gas station, who actually needs a lot of support. Can Al provide that or will he keep old patterns alive? I loved Justin's story and came to care about him and his family.

This book gives a new chance to many of the characters - will they accept the gift or will it be too much for them?  Robyn Carr has given me some hours of enjoyable reading with this book. At times I choked up and at other times sighed with joy as something just worked out perfectly.

Thunder Point series.

1.  The Wanderer

2.  The Newcomer

3.  The Hero

4.  The Chance

5.  The Promise

6.  The Homecoming