by Robyn Carr
Series: Thunder Point #9
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
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.
Wildest Dream is the ninth novel in the Thunder Point series by Robyn Carr and sadly my least favorite. I have enjoyed getting to know the folks in this Oregon seaside community and will miss them. While this books wraps up threads and gives us updates on townsfolk we also get to see Lin Su Simmons and her son Charlie find their own little slice of happy.
If you have read the series then you met Lin Su and her son, Charlie in the earlier book. Lin Su is Winnie’s nurse as she deals with her ALS. Lin Su is a struggling parent who has raised Charlie on her own. It wasn’t easy for her dealing with his asthma and putting herself through nursing school but she take pride in providing a good home. In Wildest Dreams, Lin Su has to learn to set aside her pride and loosen the parental aprons. Townsfolk and newcomer Blake Smiley may just help her do that.
Lin Su is proud, stubborn and overprotective. I understood some of where she was coming from and Carr does an excellent job of giving us her story but she is not an easy character to warm up too. She is not awful or neglectful but between her need to keep things private and her smothering parenting I struggled to connect with her.
Blake Smiley was yum, yum, yummy. He is a triathlete and I loved the attention to detail Carr provided about his training. She also weaved asthma and Charlie’s health issue into the story. Blake is easy-going, confident and the man has patience particularly with Lin Su.
Sadly, the romance took a complete backseat in Wildest Dream. The first kiss didn’t even occur until the second half of the story. Even though I liked Blake, I was more excited about Charlie finding his own piece of happy. The romance wrapped up in a few sentences on the last page of the book…nope no toes curling or swoons here.
Wildest Dreams did give us wonderful updates and allowed us to spend time with Winnie and Maliki. We hear about all of the couples, and spend time with Grace as she looks for help at her Florist shop. We even witness see some bickering from others. As far as I know this is the last novel and it certainly read like one, but she did introduce a colorful character name Ronaldo. So maybe we will revisit, unless the Sullivan’s Crossing books her new series ties into this one.
While Wildest Dream was far from a favorite, I love Carr, and enjoyed my time spent in Thunder Point. I am very excited for her new series Sullivan’s Crossing series, coming in 2016.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Teddyree
bummer. My friend usually reviews this series on my blog but she was a little disappointed with the last 2 books. Can’t win them all I guess.
Lark
I had some of the same problems with Lin Su. I’m not sure this is my least favorite in the series, but close. Doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the read, but yes, more like 3 stars than 5.
kimbacaffeinate
I just didn’t feel the romance and Lin Su made me nuts.
anna (herding cats & burning soup)
Whew yeah that is taking a serious back seat on the romance. Goodness. I can’t believe there are so many of these out already!
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah, usually her books slowly build up the romance with a little chemistry and almost kisses but this one lacked that spark.
The Bibliophile Babe
Oh no! Sorry it was a bit sluggish. I hate when romances don’t focus on the romance!
kimbacaffeinate
It just didn’t have the build up I needed.
Kathy
I always miss my characters in series like this one where they all come from the same setting. I didn’t realize this was the last book in that series; I wish it had been better for you.
kimbacaffeinate
I didn’t either until it started feeling like a wrap up and I researched.
Melissa (Books and Things)
I do like that this sounds a bit different. I also love the sound of the romance. Sometimes you want something that is satisfying and not toe curling (although that is good… don’t get me wrong). I do have to read more books by her.
kimbacaffeinate
There was no build up or chemistry prior to the kiss..and I missed that aspect. Usually Carr build ups to the moment.
Braine Talk Supe
While I don’t mind a watered down romance, I guess if you’ve grown to love a ROMANCE series it follows that you come back for more of that romance. And if you don’t get the same dose, well I guess it becomes less enjoyable.
kimbacaffeinate
I don’t mind waiting on it either but there was no sizzle, or build up aside from a few random thoughts..usually I am anxious for it to finally happen. I think the fact that I didn’t quite warm up to her had an impact.
Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
I think it is so hard with authors that have these huge series to keep it completely fresh. Glad it was enjoyable regardless.
kimbacaffeinate
She does a good job adding interesting characters, I just didn’t connect and the romance didn’t have that sizzle.
Heidi
Hmmm… a bit disappointing that this finale wasn’t more impactful. Was it because the romance was a back seat affair?
kimbacaffeinate
The romance didn’t have that spark and the heroine’s control issues made it hard to connect. The series as a whole is wonderful.
Angela Adams
“Blake Smiley was yum, yum, yummy.” — I like your description (smile!). I’m always anxious to read your opinion of a Robyn Carr novel. Thanks for the post.
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, this series was a good one despite this being just ok for me
Mary Kirkland
Finding it hard to connect to a character is always something I dislike. It happens from time t time though.
kimbacaffeinate
It does even with authors we adore
Debbie Haupt
Thanks Kim, I’ve yet to travel to Thunder Point but at least when I do I won’t have to wait on any upcoming novels. 😉
thanks for the review
kimbacaffeinate
It is a lovely journey Debbie 🙂
Liz
That’s quite a number of books in a series, and that’s awesome to read them all. It sucks that you were a bit disappointed, but hey – a nice calm ending and tying up of loose ends isn’t all that bad 🙂 Love your honest review!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Liz 🙂 it was nice getting wrap ups.
Ramona
Well, color me surprised, Kimba. I never thought she could produce anything less than take-my-great-away stuff. Too bad about the no-curling-toes thing… Another excellent review!
kimbacaffeinate
It happens, in this case the romance fizzled and not connecting to the character. I still enjoyed other aspects of it, so not a total loss which is why it was a solid three.
kindlemom1
Glad you have enjoyed this series overall but boo that this was your least favorite. It is sad when last books are like that. I do know Carr is an amazing writer though so it won’t deter me at all from reading the rest of the books in this series. 😉
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah, I was so surprised as I was actually looking forward to this one.
sherry fundin
I always enjoy visiting any coastal town. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Me too, we lived in several and it always feels like home
Aubrey Wynne
I love Robyn Carr and my husband is a triathlete! Another one for my ever-growing list.
kimbacaffeinate
I adore her too, you should like out hero.
Wattle
I’m not familiar with this series, though the author’s name rings a bell. They sound like nice, enjoyable reads; think I’ll have to check one of them out (though, perhaps not this one just yet) 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I would read them in order, each deals with a new couple but getting to know the town and characters plays a large theme throughout series.
Jenny
No toe curling swoons? That’s disappointing! That’s my favorite part of any romance, whether it’s the focal point of the story or not. I’m going to take a pass on this one I think Kim, but I’m glad you still enjoyed your time in Thunder Point!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Jenny, yeah a girl need a little swoon 🙂
Tracy Terry
Reading this I’m wondering if this is a series approaching its end …. or maybe its just a case of it being a a not so good read which naturally enough you do get in long running series.
kimbacaffeinate
I think this is the last, it felt like a wrap up and she has a new series beginning in 2016.
Nick
Oh boo! I’d be disappointed with the romance taking that long to start and then being in the background. If I’m going into a small-town romance, then I expect a swoony romance!
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah, I don’t mind waiting if the build up is good, but this didn’t have that spark.
Bookworm Brandee
I’m sorry this was sort of disappointing, Kimberly. It sucks that the romance was almost non-existent. But I’m glad there were elements that you enjoyed. It’s seems like Carr did a good job incorporating health issues. And it’s sad that Carr couldn’t make Lin Su more appealing – because she sounds like someone I could admire. But with her personality, I’d be admiring from afar.
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed, and I did admire a lot of what she did and overcame but struggled overall.
Katherine
I don’t think I’ll love this one either. It is hard to connect to a character who continuously holds themselves apart from others and I can see Lin Su’s personality getting very frustrating. I can’t believe this series is ending and I haven’t even started it! I’ve got the first one coming up on my TBR and I can’t wait!
kimbacaffeinate
I was surprised too, but curious about her next series.
Lover Of Romance
I have been hearing some good things about this series. I am definitely curious about it.
kimbacaffeinate
It was a good series and I loved the small-town 🙂
Nelle
I find that the more a series goes on sometimes the stories get repetitive or sluggish. I Pre-ordered this but I’m waiting to read it 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
That usually isn’t the case with her books, it was just not understanding the character for me.
Nelle
I know, I read this review after reading another small town series book that I just thought was written by points. Robyn’s books are one of my go to books. I binge read her Virgin River series and NONE of those were disappointments. I’m caught up on these as well and love them to pieces so I’ll be reading this one soon. 🙂
blodeuedd
Maybe I will begin with some other book than this one then 😉
kimbacaffeinate
The series as a whole is wonderful, but truth be told the Virgin River series is my personal favorite 🙂