Look for Robyn’s new book, The Best of Us, a story about family, second chances and choosing to live your best life—order your copy today!An exceptional storyteller, #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr beautifully captures the emotionally charged, complex dynamics that come with being part of any family. Readers will laugh and shed a few tears as they discover what it means to be … family. Readers will laugh and shed a few tears as they discover what it means to be loved, supported and accepted by the people who mean the most.
Having left the military, Dakota Jones is at a crossroads in his life. With his elder brother and youngest sister happily settled in Sullivan’s Crossing, he shows up hoping to clear his head before moving on to his next adventure. But, like every visitor to the Crossing, he’s immediately drawn to the down-to-earth people and the seemingly simple way of life.
Dakota is unprepared for how quickly things get complicated. As a newcomer, he is on everyone’s radar—especially the single women in town. While he enjoys the attention at first, he’s really only attracted to the one woman who isn’t interested. And spending quality time with his siblings is eye-opening. As he gets to know them, he also gets to know himself and what he truly wants.
When all the Jones siblings gather for a family wedding, the four adults are drawn together for the first time in a way they never were as children. As they struggle to accept each other, warts and all, the true nature and strength of their bond is tested. But all of them come to realize that your family are the people who see you for who you really are and love you anyway. And for Dakota, that truth allows him to find the home and family he’s always wanted.
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Robyn Carr is the standard-bearer for hero-driven stories, and The Family Gathering is one of her best. Dakota always felt closer to his military family than to the family he grew up with, but when he leaves the service, he visits his siblings in Sullivan’s Crossing. Drawn to the small town and to a beautiful but prickly barmaid Sid, he decides to stick around for a while. Filled with emotion that will make your heart ache and then rejoice, The Family Gathering is a summer read that will stay with you long after you leave the beach.
Oh, how I love me some Robyn Carr! Her characters are tough but tender and very real. If you haven’t read Robyn’s books yet, you’ve been missing some terrific, sometimes spicy, romantic reads. This the third of Robyn’s “Sullivan’s Crossing” books, a series set in a campground for through-hikers in Colorado. If it would make you crazy not to read the books in order, then you should read the other two first. However, this engaging story of a young man trying to reconnect with his family and make sense of his life after leaving the military can definitely stand alone.
It’s always a pleasure to come back to Sullivan’s Crossing. I think Dakota might be my favorite Jones so far, and Sydney a wonderful heroine (not only for him, but also in her own right). I loved her background (smarty-pants physicist) and her masquerading (so to speak) as a bartender while she sorts out the pieces of her life after a major heartache of her own.
Ms. Carr always does an amazing job of weaving complicated and layered family relationships and real-world problems together, all while building an amazing community and cast of supporting characters. If I made a laundry list of issues addressed in this story, it might scare you off or make you think that the pacing would drag or the love story become diluted. Neither is true. This is Ms. Carr’s superpower writer talent—figuring out how to pack everything into a compelling story so that you feel like the world, the people, and the conflicts are part of your world, and that it all unfolds organically (and, of course, with a happy ending).
Dakota and Syd might not have had to overcome insurmountable conflict between them, but they certainly had very real, complicated issues to resolve before a true HEA could be had (including a lot of family drama that required attention). I really like that these books are like a slice of real life rather than more contrived set-ups of so many all-or-nothing romance novels. These kinds of stories give hope that enough love can help us all solve our own real-life messes!
Looking forward to the next installment in this series that seems to get better with each book.
Awesome writer. Awesome book
My subjective review: Loved it. A really good continuation from Book 1 and 2 in Sullivan’s crossing. I hope Book 3 carries on with the wonderful characters and warm storyline with that nice touch of suspense.
I am a Robyn Carr fan. When I pick up one of her books I know that I am going to find a good romance story with wonderful, realistic characters. The Family Gathering is exactly that and more. I found a book with an amazingly unique and fun family, a storyline that I lost myself in, and a series that I am looking forward to more from.
The Family Gathering is a book with a lot going on. The main story is Dakota’s return to Sullivan’s Crossing and his trying to find his new normal. He has to adjust to having family around, having friends, and living a civilian life. In addition to Dakota’s story, the reader gets to catch up with his siblings and where they are in their lives. There were a few times that I felt like I was lost in the secondary stories and there was too much going on.
While there are tough subjects touched on within this story such as divorce, stalking, adoption, and mental illness this is a romance story. If you love a good story as much as I do pick up this book and meet the wonderful people of Sullivan Crossing.
Good book
I like this series. Even though it seems everyone is a prodigy in their field. It’s still an easy read.
Another wonderful visit to Sullivan’s Crossing! Robyn Carr weaves her magic in another wonderful installment in this addictive series. This book introduces us to Dakota Jones, who’s been previously introduced as Cal and Sierra’s brother. When he falls for Sid, he has his work cut out for him after she’s been through a nasty divorce and wants nothing to do with relationships. Of course the rest of the gang is still in heavy rotation, so you’ll get your fix as well as updates on everyone’s lives. I honestly love this series just as much, if not more than Virgin River. So if you’re having withdrawals from that series ending, feel free to come visit this one!
Couldn’t put it down. This applies to the whole series.
One of the best books I’ve read in awhile. Answers question what makes a family.
She’s never reached the heights of the first six Virgin River novels again, but that is a pretty high bar
I love this whole series!
I love the books in this series
Just a great read.
I have read all of her books great author
Ms. Carr is a good storyteller. she includes a lot of characters and yet they are not strangers but friends.
A fun read.
I used to like ROBIN cARR SO I BGOT THIS BOOK. didn’t FIND IT interestomng and didn’t finish.
Love it,