Review of The Newcomer (Thunder Point #2) by Robyn Carr

The Newcomer is the second book in the series Thunder Point.

Sheriff "Mac" McCain has worked hard as a single dad to keep his family together and functional. That includes keeping his distance from the mother of his teenage daughter's best friend—who just happens to be his best friend and the woman he's in love with. Gina James has longed for Mac for years, and after a shared kiss years ago, she's dreamed of being with him.

As the two embark on their long-anticipated romance, their lives fill with struggles. Gina's daughter hits rock bottom after a tough breakup that she can't seem to get over, and then Mac's ex-wife, the mother of his children, shows up unexpectedly, saying she wants to get to know the children she legally relinquished any claim to.

With all the drama, making solid commitments to each other seems hopeless, but Mac and Gina are determined to combine families and households so they can finally have the happiness they've been denied for so many years.

I enjoyed this book far more than The Wanderer because, for me, the most interesting potential couple introduced in the first book was Mac and Gina. I just didn't connect well with Cooper and Sarah, who I felt didn't have a satisfying ending, and still in this book are struggling with commitment on Sarah's side. Mac and Gina's story, including their backstory, was far more interesting to me, and I found them both to be more full and well-developed characters.

Gina's daughter's struggles really broke my heart because I've been there after breakups. Some are harder to get through than others. Sometimes you hang on longer than you should, and sometimes the emotions are deeper than others. This was the more interesting subplot and source of conflict for me.

The drama with Cee Jay was mind boggling, and I couldn't believe she did what she did, but at the same time, her character was set up well enough beforehand that it didn't seem out of character.

Overall, a great book that I really enjoyed. The best in the series so far.

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