Book Review: What We Find by Robyn Carr

This is an engaging, heartwarming romance making you think about what you want, and what you might find, from life.

What We Find

by Robyn Carr

File Size: 3465 KB
Print Length: 352 pages
Publisher: MIRA (April 1, 2016)
ASIN: B0166B9HZ0
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Small Town
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Join Robyn Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Virgin River and Thunder Point series, as she explores the healing powers of rural Colorado in a brand-new story of fresh starts, budding relationships and one woman's journey to finding the happiness she's long been missing.

Between the urban bustle of Denver and the high-stress environment of a career in neurosurgery, Maggie Sullivan has hit a wall. When an emergency high-risk procedure results in the death of a teenager, Maggie finds herself in the middle of a lawsuit—and experiencing levels of anxiety she's never faced before. She knows she needs to slow down before she burns out completely, and the best place she can think to do that is Sullivan's Crossing.

Named for Maggie's great-grandfather, the land and charming general store at the crossroads of the Colorado and the Continental Divide Trails have been passed down through the generations and now belong to Maggie's eccentric father, Sully. When she shows up unannounced, he welcomes her with open arms, and she relishes the opportunity to indulge in his simple way of life.

But shortly after arriving, Maggie's world is rocked once again and she must take on more responsibility than she'd planned. Though she's relieved a quiet and serious-looking hiker, Cal Jones, is willing to lend a hand, Maggie is suspicious of this mysterious man's eagerness to help—until she finds out the true reason for his deliberate isolation.

Though Cal and Maggie each struggle with loss and loneliness, the time they spend together gives Maggie hope for something brighter just on the horizon…if only they can learn to find peace and healing—and perhaps love—with each other.

Review:
Maggie, at 37, is a strong woman but the stresses of her life are becoming overwhelming. She is a respected neurosurgeon but two of her business partners are under criminal investigation causing her to close their practice. She is being sued for the alleged mishandling of an emergency triage situation. If work issues weren’t enough, Maggie has just experienced a personal loss and her boyfriend has dumped her. A friend suggests that Maggie needs time away to calm her spirit so she goes home to her father, Sully. Sully operates Sullivan’s Crossing, a general store and campground, at the Continental Divide in Colorado.

Sully is glad to see Maggie but an unexpected turn of events has her scrambling to handle more than she expected. There are old friends around to help but one fellow who steps up to help is a stranger. Cal is a quiet, serious looking hiker who looks like a suspicious drifter to Maggie. He is short on answers when she tries to find out details.

Cal has suffered his own losses and stresses that brought him to the campground waiting for weather warm enough to head out on the trails. He isn’t accustomed to being idle so is more than happy to step in and help. He just isn’t ready to reveal his personal history. He is glad to begin a slow friendship with Maggie and it isn’t long before that builds to something more, although they still have a lot to share before they can move forward.

I liked the strong lead characters and the quirky secondary characters, including Maggie’s family and Cal’s very dysfunctional parents. The beginning of the story moved slowly for me as the relationship builds slowly. Midway things pick up and then there are several interesting events going on as the story progresses. There is a kidnapping, a search and rescue and a trail accident. Oh and let’s not forget the naked hiker and a rampage through the camp. On the relational front there are medical issues, legal issues, family issues, and personality issues.

Ms. Carr writes characters who have real to life depth and puts them in situations that readers can relate to. Both Maggie and Cal are at a point of ‘midlife’ crisis. This is a stage that many readers, particularly women, can relate to: are we where we want to be in life? Are all of our needs being met by our careers or do we still have emptiness that needs more to make us full and happy?

The writing has a good flow with natural dialogue, some humor and good revelations. I enjoyed the ‘wisdom’ quotes at chapter headings. And I liked the setting especially since I have visited many campgrounds. There is a little bit of intense sexual action but it is an add to the story, not the focus of the story as some romances these days. Beyond that, the romance was sweet and heartwarming. This is a solid, engaging story with a lovely setting, lovely romance and lovely emotions.

I received this through NetGalley and Little Bird Publicity. This qualifies for NetGalley Challenge and “W” in Alphabet Soup.