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Thunder Point #4
The Chance
Share the joys, heartbreaks and triumphs of the people who inhabit the small Oregon town of Thunder Point with #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr
With its breath-taking 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.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 15, 2014
1684 people are currently reading
4945 people want to read
About the author
Robyn Carr
164 books12.6k followers Robyn Carr is a RITA® Award-winning, eleven-time #1 New York Times bestselling author of over sixty novels, including the critically acclaimed Virgin River series and Sullivan's Crossing series. Robyn's new women's fiction novel, THE FRIENDSHIP CLUB, will be released in January 2024. The new hit Sullivan's Crossing TV series (season 1) inspired by Robyn's book series was released in the USA in the fall of 2023! Plus, season 5 of the worldwide fan-favorite Virgin River TV Series is now streaming on Netflix (July 2023) with two holiday episodes coming November 30, 2023. Both TV series have been renewed for another season!
Robyn is a recipient of the Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award 2016, and in 2017, VIRGIN RIVER was named one of the HarperCollins 200 Iconic Books of the past 200 years. Robyn currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can visit Robyn Carr's website at https://www.robyncarr.com/.
Robyn is a recipient of the Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award 2016, and in 2017, VIRGIN RIVER was named one of the HarperCollins 200 Iconic Books of the past 200 years. Robyn currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can visit Robyn Carr's website at https://www.robyncarr.com/.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 713 reviews
January 30, 2014
The set up
This story continues the theme of the series to integrate the stresses of everyday life with the romance of the featured characters.This time it's FBI agent Laine Carrington who was injured during the raid on the compound in the last story. She's decided to take a year off and recuperate in Thunder Point instead of her home in Virginia, wanting the time to evaluate her life and career direction. Eric Gentry is also new to the town, having moved there after discovering he had a 17-year old daughter there and is slowly developing and nurturing a relationship with her. When he and Laine meet, they can't deny their instant attraction (not to be confused with insta-love).
The issues
Neither Laine or Eric were looking for a long term commitment when they started their romance. They were just two consenting adults enjoying each other's company, both having other demands and fairly transient existences. He's building a new body shop business with a skeleton crew and she's trying to figure out what her next career option will be and where she will live. They were ill prepared to fall for one another let alone figure out how to make it work. Family demands surfaced, creating another wedge in their fragile relationship.
What I loved about the story
Laine and Eric's honesty in the romance really worked for me. When Eric was slow to make the first move, Laine had no trouble stepping forward and giving him a needed shove. Eric's insecurity about having deeper feelings for Laine than she for him was something he didn't try to hide and she didn't try to falsely pacify him. Their relationship was sorely tested when her family issues threatened to permanently separate them and he responded unselfishly. They handled adult issues maturely and freely expressed their raw emotions with each other. I loved how they loved each other.
What was also very interesting was the contrast between two families, one with means and the other almost indigent, trying to cope with serious parental health issues. The strains may have been different but the impact was almost equally taxing and devastating. Both situations were heartbreaking and not easily resolved.
The bottom line
I struggled to connect with the romance in the last book in this series and had the complete opposite reaction to this story. I felt Laine and Eric's pain, joy and whatever other emotion they experienced, just really loving this couple. They faced some really tough issues to create a relationship and make it work. Their courage was refreshing and I continue to be hooked on this series.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley)
This story continues the theme of the series to integrate the stresses of everyday life with the romance of the featured characters.This time it's FBI agent Laine Carrington who was injured during the raid on the compound in the last story. She's decided to take a year off and recuperate in Thunder Point instead of her home in Virginia, wanting the time to evaluate her life and career direction. Eric Gentry is also new to the town, having moved there after discovering he had a 17-year old daughter there and is slowly developing and nurturing a relationship with her. When he and Laine meet, they can't deny their instant attraction (not to be confused with insta-love).
The issues
Neither Laine or Eric were looking for a long term commitment when they started their romance. They were just two consenting adults enjoying each other's company, both having other demands and fairly transient existences. He's building a new body shop business with a skeleton crew and she's trying to figure out what her next career option will be and where she will live. They were ill prepared to fall for one another let alone figure out how to make it work. Family demands surfaced, creating another wedge in their fragile relationship.
What I loved about the story
Laine and Eric's honesty in the romance really worked for me. When Eric was slow to make the first move, Laine had no trouble stepping forward and giving him a needed shove. Eric's insecurity about having deeper feelings for Laine than she for him was something he didn't try to hide and she didn't try to falsely pacify him. Their relationship was sorely tested when her family issues threatened to permanently separate them and he responded unselfishly. They handled adult issues maturely and freely expressed their raw emotions with each other. I loved how they loved each other.
What was also very interesting was the contrast between two families, one with means and the other almost indigent, trying to cope with serious parental health issues. The strains may have been different but the impact was almost equally taxing and devastating. Both situations were heartbreaking and not easily resolved.
The bottom line
I struggled to connect with the romance in the last book in this series and had the complete opposite reaction to this story. I felt Laine and Eric's pain, joy and whatever other emotion they experienced, just really loving this couple. They faced some really tough issues to create a relationship and make it work. Their courage was refreshing and I continue to be hooked on this series.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley)
February 10, 2014
After being shot in the line of duty, FBI Special Agent Laine Carrington moves to Thunder Point to recuperate and make some life decisions.
Eric Gentry is another newcomer to the Oregon coast. When the local gas station and auto repair shop went up for sale he saw an opportunity to move to Thunder Point and be closer to his teenage daughter.
On the surface they are very different, he's an ex-con and she's an FBI agent, but they fit together and over time his things take up more and more wardrobe space until they are living together. But he is committed to Thunder Point and the daughter he has only just reconnected with, while Laine's home and career are on the East coast.
Fans of the author's Virgin River series are in for a real treat with this book. The Chance, much more than the previous three books is a showcase of what Robyn Carr does best. A strong central story with brief detours into the stories of other characters. It's really what contemporary romance should be. Nothing too tricky, just a simple story about two people finding love and family.
Eric Gentry is another newcomer to the Oregon coast. When the local gas station and auto repair shop went up for sale he saw an opportunity to move to Thunder Point and be closer to his teenage daughter.
On the surface they are very different, he's an ex-con and she's an FBI agent, but they fit together and over time his things take up more and more wardrobe space until they are living together. But he is committed to Thunder Point and the daughter he has only just reconnected with, while Laine's home and career are on the East coast.
Fans of the author's Virgin River series are in for a real treat with this book. The Chance, much more than the previous three books is a showcase of what Robyn Carr does best. A strong central story with brief detours into the stories of other characters. It's really what contemporary romance should be. Nothing too tricky, just a simple story about two people finding love and family.
June 16, 2018
4.5 The Chance Stars
Well I can say I wasn’t expecting that. I wasn’t really keen on Laine from the book previous, I liked her sure but I guess I saw her as older. But once I got into this story I see that I was wrong. I really liked that she and Eric go together. Oddly it fit.
I even had TEARS!! I am a big ole softy and this book had me so emotional. Laine’s father and what goes on with him just hurt my heart so much.
I really enjoyed this book and getting a little more of characters we know but didn’t get a lot of detail with from other books. This book gave us more on them I really liked that.
Again Therese Plummer is amazing; she can narrate the heck out of a book!
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
Well I can say I wasn’t expecting that. I wasn’t really keen on Laine from the book previous, I liked her sure but I guess I saw her as older. But once I got into this story I see that I was wrong. I really liked that she and Eric go together. Oddly it fit.
I even had TEARS!! I am a big ole softy and this book had me so emotional. Laine’s father and what goes on with him just hurt my heart so much.
I really enjoyed this book and getting a little more of characters we know but didn’t get a lot of detail with from other books. This book gave us more on them I really liked that.
Again Therese Plummer is amazing; she can narrate the heck out of a book!
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
June 23, 2014
Really good book. Laine first appeared in the previous book, The Hero, as the undercover FBI agent who helped Devon and others escape from the commune. She was shot during the operation and has returned to Thunder Point to recover. She had been put on desk duty which she hated, so she has taken a year's leave of absence to finish her recovery and decide what she wants to do now. Eric sold his business in Eugene and has moved to Thunder Point to be closer to his daughter. Neither is looking for a relationship, but the chemistry between them is too strong to ignore.
I loved both Laine and Eric. Laine is trying to figure out what she wants to do next. The undercover operation took a lot out of her besides the injury she sustained and she isn't sure that she wants to continue as an agent. She liked what she saw of Thunder Point and has gone there for her recovery time. It also gets her away from her father, who has always given her grief about her profession. She is drawn to Eric from the first time she met him, and she can see that he's interested too. I loved the way that she asked him out when he didn't move fast enough for her.
Eric is a pretty laid back kind of guy. After a less than stellar youth that earned him a stint in prison he has turned his life around. He spends most of his time building his new business and trying to spend time with his teenage daughter. He encounters Laine several times and is more attracted each time. He doesn't consider himself a good bet relationship wise, so he tries to keep his distance from Laine. That doesn't work, and they are soon deeply involved with each other.
I really liked to developing romance between them. They are honest with each other about their expectations, which reduces their chances of conflict. Those that they do have they are able to resolve fairly easily by talking things out. She is surprised by his prison record, but she doesn't let it stop her from getting to know Eric better. Laine's job as an FBI agent surprises Eric, and he has a hard time at first accepting that she constantly puts herself into dangerous situations. I loved her demonstration of how well she can take care of herself and Eric's reaction to it. It was a great illustration of how well the two of them suit each other. Though they started out as simply two adults enjoying each other's company, they soon found themselves in a much deeper relationship than they expected. I loved Eric's support of Laine as she dealt with her issues with her father. Laine's difficult relationship with her father takes an interesting turn when he shows up in Thunder Point. When those issues pulled them apart, their unhappiness at being separated was obvious. Eric worries that Laine won't be able to return to Thunder Point and he can't leave as he gets to spend time with his daughter. I was really rooting for them to get their HEA, and loved the way it worked out at the end.
I loved seeing Laine's relationships with various members of her family. As her relationship with Eric changes her, her relationships with her family change also. I loved seeing the discussions she had with her sister-in-law as they finally got to know each other. The changes she went through also affected the way she looked at her father and their relationship. Her pain as she deals with him is heartbreaking but also makes the resolution of that story line very satisfying.
There are also two wonderful side stories. An old friend and employee of Eric's shows up to work with him and takes a liking to Ray Anne. She has always been an interesting character with her flamboyant clothing and direct attitude. She and Al hit it off in an unexpected way, and I really enjoyed seeing the way she changes around him. Al is an interesting guy who has some issues that cause him some insecurity around her. Al also takes an interest in helping a teenage employee of Eric's who is dealing with some major family issues. He does what he feels he can, but those same issues make him feel that he can't do more. I loved seeing him finally get the courage to reach out for a second chance.
I loved both Laine and Eric. Laine is trying to figure out what she wants to do next. The undercover operation took a lot out of her besides the injury she sustained and she isn't sure that she wants to continue as an agent. She liked what she saw of Thunder Point and has gone there for her recovery time. It also gets her away from her father, who has always given her grief about her profession. She is drawn to Eric from the first time she met him, and she can see that he's interested too. I loved the way that she asked him out when he didn't move fast enough for her.
Eric is a pretty laid back kind of guy. After a less than stellar youth that earned him a stint in prison he has turned his life around. He spends most of his time building his new business and trying to spend time with his teenage daughter. He encounters Laine several times and is more attracted each time. He doesn't consider himself a good bet relationship wise, so he tries to keep his distance from Laine. That doesn't work, and they are soon deeply involved with each other.
I really liked to developing romance between them. They are honest with each other about their expectations, which reduces their chances of conflict. Those that they do have they are able to resolve fairly easily by talking things out. She is surprised by his prison record, but she doesn't let it stop her from getting to know Eric better. Laine's job as an FBI agent surprises Eric, and he has a hard time at first accepting that she constantly puts herself into dangerous situations. I loved her demonstration of how well she can take care of herself and Eric's reaction to it. It was a great illustration of how well the two of them suit each other. Though they started out as simply two adults enjoying each other's company, they soon found themselves in a much deeper relationship than they expected. I loved Eric's support of Laine as she dealt with her issues with her father. Laine's difficult relationship with her father takes an interesting turn when he shows up in Thunder Point. When those issues pulled them apart, their unhappiness at being separated was obvious. Eric worries that Laine won't be able to return to Thunder Point and he can't leave as he gets to spend time with his daughter. I was really rooting for them to get their HEA, and loved the way it worked out at the end.
I loved seeing Laine's relationships with various members of her family. As her relationship with Eric changes her, her relationships with her family change also. I loved seeing the discussions she had with her sister-in-law as they finally got to know each other. The changes she went through also affected the way she looked at her father and their relationship. Her pain as she deals with him is heartbreaking but also makes the resolution of that story line very satisfying.
There are also two wonderful side stories. An old friend and employee of Eric's shows up to work with him and takes a liking to Ray Anne. She has always been an interesting character with her flamboyant clothing and direct attitude. She and Al hit it off in an unexpected way, and I really enjoyed seeing the way she changes around him. Al is an interesting guy who has some issues that cause him some insecurity around her. Al also takes an interest in helping a teenage employee of Eric's who is dealing with some major family issues. He does what he feels he can, but those same issues make him feel that he can't do more. I loved seeing him finally get the courage to reach out for a second chance.
April 8, 2015
There is something so endearing about this series and it starts with the narrator Therese Plummer. Her voice feels smooth and velvety. When I am listening to this book, I feel relaxed and chilled out-- like I am sitting on a hammock with a glass of wine. Her various voices fit the personalities so well, her pace is excellent, her cadence is soothing and her chuckles make me chuckle. The narrator makes the story come to life!
The Chance picked up right after the raid on the compound from Book 3, The Hero. FBI Agent Laine Carrington was still recovering from the gunshot wound she sustained while being held hostage by the cult leader. She was successful in rescuing Devyn and the other members and as a result, she was getting a commendation from the FBI. She wasn’t sure what direction her career would take after that, so she decided to come Thunder Point to recuperate and also get closure. There, Laine met ex-con and local garage owner Eric Gentry (also the father of Gina’s daughter Ashley) and she was instantly attracted to him. They were both trying to find solid ground and they had fun together.
Laine was hilarious as she was such a cavewoman. Me see, me want, me take. Good for her. It was really cool to see a woman not playing games or pretend coyness. Instead, Laine was aggressive, vocal and upfront about what she wanted from Eric. I also loved her devotion to the father who inadvertently hurt her so much over the years. She got a chance to bond with him as well as closure while starting a new life with Eric. Eric was redeemed in this book because we finally see the dependable man he has become. He paid his debt to society and now cherishes his responsibilities to his loved ones.
I really enjoyed the side story with Al, Ray Anne & Justin. Ray Anne has been a permanent fixture in all the prior stories as she is the local relator extraordinaire. She’s had some epic battle with Lou Anne but we finally see the softer side of Ray Anne. I loved the “make up” regime and Al being nonplussed about it. I also loved Justin’s unwavering devotion to his family and how his tenacity made the runaway Al finally put down some roots.
This series is becoming one of my favorites. It’s everything I enjoy in Contemporary Romances. It has a great plot, great writing, and such likable characters. It has been a fun ride so far. I look forward to the next one.
The Chance picked up right after the raid on the compound from Book 3, The Hero. FBI Agent Laine Carrington was still recovering from the gunshot wound she sustained while being held hostage by the cult leader. She was successful in rescuing Devyn and the other members and as a result, she was getting a commendation from the FBI. She wasn’t sure what direction her career would take after that, so she decided to come Thunder Point to recuperate and also get closure. There, Laine met ex-con and local garage owner Eric Gentry (also the father of Gina’s daughter Ashley) and she was instantly attracted to him. They were both trying to find solid ground and they had fun together.
Laine was hilarious as she was such a cavewoman. Me see, me want, me take. Good for her. It was really cool to see a woman not playing games or pretend coyness. Instead, Laine was aggressive, vocal and upfront about what she wanted from Eric. I also loved her devotion to the father who inadvertently hurt her so much over the years. She got a chance to bond with him as well as closure while starting a new life with Eric. Eric was redeemed in this book because we finally see the dependable man he has become. He paid his debt to society and now cherishes his responsibilities to his loved ones.
I really enjoyed the side story with Al, Ray Anne & Justin. Ray Anne has been a permanent fixture in all the prior stories as she is the local relator extraordinaire. She’s had some epic battle with Lou Anne but we finally see the softer side of Ray Anne. I loved the “make up” regime and Al being nonplussed about it. I also loved Justin’s unwavering devotion to his family and how his tenacity made the runaway Al finally put down some roots.
This series is becoming one of my favorites. It’s everything I enjoy in Contemporary Romances. It has a great plot, great writing, and such likable characters. It has been a fun ride so far. I look forward to the next one.
January 27, 2014
This advance copy was received from Net Galley in response for a honest review.
This is the newest release by Robyn Carr from her romance/chick-lit Thunder Point series. In this book we get to know Laine, FBI agent extraordinaire, when she decides to take a leave of absence after her most recent undercover job. We have been introduced to her in a previous book, but this is the first time we really delve into her assertive and strong personality. Her love interest turns out to be Eric, also a known entity as the deadbeat father of Ashley (OK, he's a former deadbeat dad, newly informed about his teenage daughter) and ex of Gina. Laine and Eric are quite the odd couple since Eric is an ex-con, although that "problem" is explained away quite conveniently by inferring that he was pretty much innocent and got a raw deal.
Love is in the air, and things progress quickly in their relationship since Laine is an aggressive woman and pushes things forward in a hurry because she wants this man and doesn't want to waste any time getting him. This establishes Eric as a quiet and stable guy who doesn't want to rush into anything, but boy does he jump in with both feet once he's convinced that they should get together!
As with any romance, there are a few hiccups along the way, but in this case they are mostly caused by outside influences rather than anything personal coming between them. Although there's something to be said for a peaceful feel-good book, this one takes Laine's desire to have "a nice quiet break from her dangerous life" a little too far. Their everyday lives are almost too good to be true with very little conflict or much of compelling interest. That being said, I very much enjoyed the characters, and it was nice to visit with old friends from Thunder Point. I look forward to reading the next in the series, but I hope it has more "meat."
This is the newest release by Robyn Carr from her romance/chick-lit Thunder Point series. In this book we get to know Laine, FBI agent extraordinaire, when she decides to take a leave of absence after her most recent undercover job. We have been introduced to her in a previous book, but this is the first time we really delve into her assertive and strong personality. Her love interest turns out to be Eric, also a known entity as the deadbeat father of Ashley (OK, he's a former deadbeat dad, newly informed about his teenage daughter) and ex of Gina. Laine and Eric are quite the odd couple since Eric is an ex-con, although that "problem" is explained away quite conveniently by inferring that he was pretty much innocent and got a raw deal.
Love is in the air, and things progress quickly in their relationship since Laine is an aggressive woman and pushes things forward in a hurry because she wants this man and doesn't want to waste any time getting him. This establishes Eric as a quiet and stable guy who doesn't want to rush into anything, but boy does he jump in with both feet once he's convinced that they should get together!
As with any romance, there are a few hiccups along the way, but in this case they are mostly caused by outside influences rather than anything personal coming between them. Although there's something to be said for a peaceful feel-good book, this one takes Laine's desire to have "a nice quiet break from her dangerous life" a little too far. Their everyday lives are almost too good to be true with very little conflict or much of compelling interest. That being said, I very much enjoyed the characters, and it was nice to visit with old friends from Thunder Point. I look forward to reading the next in the series, but I hope it has more "meat."
March 29, 2021
The Chance was another fantastic book from Robyn Carr. I wouldn't have thought that any series could live up to Virgin River, but the Thunder Point books are easily holding their own. After meeting Laine Carrington in the last book, I was very glad to get to know her better and read her story. Eric Gentry was also a character that I enjoyed getting to know and found myself admiring. When I read the first two books in the series, I would have never imagined myself as a fan of Eric, but Carr turned him into a credible hero. I loved the easy way the relationship developed between these two, and was charmed by how perfectly they meshed with one another. There was a sweetness to their relationship that I loved. I enjoyed the secondary characters and the storylines that revolved around them. I'm already anticipating my next venture into the world of Thunder Point.
August 30, 2015
Two-haiku review:
She was shot last book
Rehabbing from surgery
Comes to Thunder Point
Complex characters
Story of new friends and old
Overcoming hurt
Rereading series August 2015. Still love it!
She was shot last book
Rehabbing from surgery
Comes to Thunder Point
Complex characters
Story of new friends and old
Overcoming hurt
Rereading series August 2015. Still love it!
March 7, 2014
Reviewed for THC Reviews
"3.5 stars" Robyn Carr has been a favorite author of mine for a while. I'm a big fan of her Virgin River series and up to this point, the Thunder Point series has been good too. That's why it pains me to have to give The Chance less than four stars, but in all honesty, I didn't feel it was up to her normally high standards. For starters, the vast majority of the first ¾ or so of the story was told in dialog. I'll be the first to admit that rich dialog that advances the plot and character development is a must in any book, and to some extent it accomplishes that goal here. However, there were many times that the dialog would drag along, then be briefly punctuated by a tidbit of narrative, only to slip right back into another lengthy conversation. This is a classic extroverted style of writing that simply doesn't work well for an introvert like me. With so little narrative, it was difficult to get a feel for the setting and plot, which seemed to meander anyway, and with so little introspection, it was nearly impossible to connect with the characters in a meaningful way. The author has never been the best writer when it comes to blocking during dialog (ie. interspersing bits of narrative that show where the characters are and what they're doing or thinking while talking), but in the early parts of this book, this deficiency became painfully obvious. Normally, Ms. Carr does a better job with integrating the narrative and dialog together, but in The Chance, the story was very top-heavy in favor of dialog.
I liked Laine in The Hero for her heroic efforts in saving the women and children from a cult commune, but I'm sorry to say that I never fully warmed up to her in The Chance. It's not that I disliked her either. Her personality is just so different from my own that I had a hard time relating to her. She's a woman who enjoys the domestic side of life such as cooking, organizing and painting her house, and while she's willing to share those talents with Eric, she has no intention of becoming a mere housewife. She's a daredevil, who even as a little girl, liked to live on the edge, which is why the FBI appealed to her so much. After getting shot though, she's ready to relax a little and do some soul-searching. Laine is a very bold, take charge kind of woman, a little too much so for my taste. I guess it was kind of cute that she asked Eric out first when she felt like he was taking too long, but overall, I prefer a more traditional heroine. I also think there could have been more introspection to explain why he was waiting and why she was feeling impatient. Laine is basically the alpha female, taking the bull by the horns in their relationship. She's the first to ask for sex (on their first date, no less) and invites Eric to move in with her mere weeks later. Luckily for her, he's a very laid back kind of guy who isn't bothered by this and just takes it all in stride. Overall, Laine seemed to think more like a man, which was hard for me to understand. She does have some daddy issues, since her father never supported any of her choices in life and constantly downplays her accomplishments. This helped to make her a bit more sympathetic, and in the end, she showed what a devoted daughter she was anyway despite not having a very good relationship with him. These things made her a little more relatable, but she was simply never a stand-out heroine for me.
For an ex-con who walked out on his possibly pregnant girlfriend seventeen years ago, Eric turned out to be a pretty likable guy. As it turns out, the event that got him thrown in prison for five years in his wild youth ended up not entirely being his fault, but the judge threw the book at him anyway. Even though he got a rather harsh sentence for what he did, Eric isn't bitter about it, which is something I admired about him. He's also done a great job of turning his life around since getting out. He built a very profitable body shop, which he then sold for a very good price to move to Thunder Point, where he's starting fresh with a new service station. He works long hours, but always tries to find time for Ashley, the daughter he just recently found out about. Then Laine comes into the picture, and he's totally smitten. I liked that Eric was a gentleman on their first date, even turning Laine down on her initial offer of sex, although that resolve only lasted a day. He's also a bit on the old-fashioned side and very protective toward Laine when he finds out the truth of what she does for a living, although he backed off on his concern after she “proved” she could take care of herself. Although Eric might not make it to the top of my favorite heroes list, he had grown into a pretty admirable and laid-back guy, who was willing take whatever Laine offered and never pressured her for more.
Where things kind of fell apart for me was in their romance, which was pretty mundane for a Robyn Carr book. When they first met and then started seeing each other around town, there was some underlying interest on both their parts, but no strong spark of attraction, not even one of them thinking "Wow, he/she is gorgeous!" With that being the case, I wasn't entirely sure why they liked each other and wanted to go out in the first place. This is where I felt that more body language and introspection would have helped build these two characters and their emotional connection better. On their first date, I could see more of a connection, but overall, their romance was still pretty bland. They fell into bed on their second date and had explosive sexual chemistry (although for the most part, that's told, not shown, since there is only the one moderately descriptive love scene), but they literally don't have anything at all in common. This makes it difficult to see how a long-term relationship would work. Also, despite them living together, they still keep their relationship relatively casual, saying that they aren't looking for any commitments, especially Laine. Eric is quite aware too that once her leave of absence is up, she very well may return to the bureau and leave Thunder Point (and him) behind. The other thing I thought was weak about the romance is that there's virtually no conflict to speak of. The cover blurb alludes to the primary conflict being the differences that arise from Laine being an FBI agent and Eric being an ex-con, which could have been quite interesting if that was the case, but nothing could have been further from the truth. They get along famously right from the start and never have any arguments or misunderstandings. While there's something to be said for characters not keeping secrets from one another, them getting it all out in the open so early in the story left little else of interest which is probably why their relationship seemed so ordinary to me. Laine does have to go away to Boston to deal with her father toward the very end of the book, leaving at least a little doubt as to whether she would get things worked out and find a way to get back to Eric and Thunder Point, but it was too little too late, in my opinion. Up to that point, I was starting to get bored with them as a couple.
Robyn Carr's signature writing style is usually full of secondary characters who have their own POVs and side plots, but sadly, there weren't very many in The Chance. Most of the characters from the first three books of the series barely show up, and only a couple of new characters, both employees of Eric's, are introduced, who might play roles in future books. First is Al, a middle-aged drifter who has trouble settling down in one place because of past mistakes. Almost immediately upon coming to town, he kindles a romance with real estate agent, Raye Ann. However, we don't really even get into the meat of his storyline until near the end of the book. Once I started learning more about him, he was a pretty interesting guy. His sub-plot intertwines with that of Justin, a seventeen year old young man whose mother is gravely ill and whose father skipped out on the family a long time ago. He's trying to hold things together for the sake of his two younger brothers, both of whom are in danger of winding up in foster care. Again, he was an intriguing character, but things don't really get rolling for him either until near the end. I would have liked to see their stories woven into the narrative earlier and more seamlessly instead of being crammed into the final chapters. The final supporting characters who played important roles were Laine's family. Her twin brother, Pax, is basically her support system and the only one who can really deal with their irritating father, but he's a busy doctor with little time to himself. As with the other sub-plots, Laine's father appears during approx. the last ¼ of the novel, but I have to say his storyline was pretty predictable. I realized almost instantly what was happening with him, and it didn't do much else besides providing a little family drama and giving Laine the opportunity to reconcile with him. Even Eric's daughter, Ashley, was barely seen. We're simply told about her and the other kids from the first three books graduating high school rather than being shown, which would have been nice. The new town doctor, Scott Grant, who becomes the hero of the next book, The Promise, shows up briefly in a few scenes, just enough to give the reader the impression that his story is coming.
While The Chance had some good points, in general, it was the weakest of Robyn Carr's full-length novels I've read to date. At times, it felt like she'd run out of ideas and was just writing stuff to fill in the word count without really taking the time and care to breathe life into her characters, particularly Laine and Eric. With no real commitment until the final pages (even then it was more of an HFN ending since there's no proposal or anything), and the stakes being pretty low for our happy couple, even the romance was lacking. I know for a fact that Ms. Carr is capable of much better. Just about any book in the Virgin River series is proof of this. The final 1/3 or so of The Chance actually reflected more of the writer I've come to know and love. The fact that the ending was considerably better than the first 2/3 of the book is what prevented my rating from being lower, but I still couldn't help feeling like this book was rushed to publication when it could have been more carefully crafted to tell a truly compelling story. One misstep certainly isn't enough to put me off Ms. Carr's writing, so I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that with The Promise, she'll get back to the engaging storytelling that won me over as a fan and give the sexy doctor a meatier plot.
Note: I received a copy of this book from the publicist via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
"3.5 stars" Robyn Carr has been a favorite author of mine for a while. I'm a big fan of her Virgin River series and up to this point, the Thunder Point series has been good too. That's why it pains me to have to give The Chance less than four stars, but in all honesty, I didn't feel it was up to her normally high standards. For starters, the vast majority of the first ¾ or so of the story was told in dialog. I'll be the first to admit that rich dialog that advances the plot and character development is a must in any book, and to some extent it accomplishes that goal here. However, there were many times that the dialog would drag along, then be briefly punctuated by a tidbit of narrative, only to slip right back into another lengthy conversation. This is a classic extroverted style of writing that simply doesn't work well for an introvert like me. With so little narrative, it was difficult to get a feel for the setting and plot, which seemed to meander anyway, and with so little introspection, it was nearly impossible to connect with the characters in a meaningful way. The author has never been the best writer when it comes to blocking during dialog (ie. interspersing bits of narrative that show where the characters are and what they're doing or thinking while talking), but in the early parts of this book, this deficiency became painfully obvious. Normally, Ms. Carr does a better job with integrating the narrative and dialog together, but in The Chance, the story was very top-heavy in favor of dialog.
I liked Laine in The Hero for her heroic efforts in saving the women and children from a cult commune, but I'm sorry to say that I never fully warmed up to her in The Chance. It's not that I disliked her either. Her personality is just so different from my own that I had a hard time relating to her. She's a woman who enjoys the domestic side of life such as cooking, organizing and painting her house, and while she's willing to share those talents with Eric, she has no intention of becoming a mere housewife. She's a daredevil, who even as a little girl, liked to live on the edge, which is why the FBI appealed to her so much. After getting shot though, she's ready to relax a little and do some soul-searching. Laine is a very bold, take charge kind of woman, a little too much so for my taste. I guess it was kind of cute that she asked Eric out first when she felt like he was taking too long, but overall, I prefer a more traditional heroine. I also think there could have been more introspection to explain why he was waiting and why she was feeling impatient. Laine is basically the alpha female, taking the bull by the horns in their relationship. She's the first to ask for sex (on their first date, no less) and invites Eric to move in with her mere weeks later. Luckily for her, he's a very laid back kind of guy who isn't bothered by this and just takes it all in stride. Overall, Laine seemed to think more like a man, which was hard for me to understand. She does have some daddy issues, since her father never supported any of her choices in life and constantly downplays her accomplishments. This helped to make her a bit more sympathetic, and in the end, she showed what a devoted daughter she was anyway despite not having a very good relationship with him. These things made her a little more relatable, but she was simply never a stand-out heroine for me.
For an ex-con who walked out on his possibly pregnant girlfriend seventeen years ago, Eric turned out to be a pretty likable guy. As it turns out, the event that got him thrown in prison for five years in his wild youth ended up not entirely being his fault, but the judge threw the book at him anyway. Even though he got a rather harsh sentence for what he did, Eric isn't bitter about it, which is something I admired about him. He's also done a great job of turning his life around since getting out. He built a very profitable body shop, which he then sold for a very good price to move to Thunder Point, where he's starting fresh with a new service station. He works long hours, but always tries to find time for Ashley, the daughter he just recently found out about. Then Laine comes into the picture, and he's totally smitten. I liked that Eric was a gentleman on their first date, even turning Laine down on her initial offer of sex, although that resolve only lasted a day. He's also a bit on the old-fashioned side and very protective toward Laine when he finds out the truth of what she does for a living, although he backed off on his concern after she “proved” she could take care of herself. Although Eric might not make it to the top of my favorite heroes list, he had grown into a pretty admirable and laid-back guy, who was willing take whatever Laine offered and never pressured her for more.
Where things kind of fell apart for me was in their romance, which was pretty mundane for a Robyn Carr book. When they first met and then started seeing each other around town, there was some underlying interest on both their parts, but no strong spark of attraction, not even one of them thinking "Wow, he/she is gorgeous!" With that being the case, I wasn't entirely sure why they liked each other and wanted to go out in the first place. This is where I felt that more body language and introspection would have helped build these two characters and their emotional connection better. On their first date, I could see more of a connection, but overall, their romance was still pretty bland. They fell into bed on their second date and had explosive sexual chemistry (although for the most part, that's told, not shown, since there is only the one moderately descriptive love scene), but they literally don't have anything at all in common. This makes it difficult to see how a long-term relationship would work. Also, despite them living together, they still keep their relationship relatively casual, saying that they aren't looking for any commitments, especially Laine. Eric is quite aware too that once her leave of absence is up, she very well may return to the bureau and leave Thunder Point (and him) behind. The other thing I thought was weak about the romance is that there's virtually no conflict to speak of. The cover blurb alludes to the primary conflict being the differences that arise from Laine being an FBI agent and Eric being an ex-con, which could have been quite interesting if that was the case, but nothing could have been further from the truth. They get along famously right from the start and never have any arguments or misunderstandings. While there's something to be said for characters not keeping secrets from one another, them getting it all out in the open so early in the story left little else of interest which is probably why their relationship seemed so ordinary to me. Laine does have to go away to Boston to deal with her father toward the very end of the book, leaving at least a little doubt as to whether she would get things worked out and find a way to get back to Eric and Thunder Point, but it was too little too late, in my opinion. Up to that point, I was starting to get bored with them as a couple.
Robyn Carr's signature writing style is usually full of secondary characters who have their own POVs and side plots, but sadly, there weren't very many in The Chance. Most of the characters from the first three books of the series barely show up, and only a couple of new characters, both employees of Eric's, are introduced, who might play roles in future books. First is Al, a middle-aged drifter who has trouble settling down in one place because of past mistakes. Almost immediately upon coming to town, he kindles a romance with real estate agent, Raye Ann. However, we don't really even get into the meat of his storyline until near the end of the book. Once I started learning more about him, he was a pretty interesting guy. His sub-plot intertwines with that of Justin, a seventeen year old young man whose mother is gravely ill and whose father skipped out on the family a long time ago. He's trying to hold things together for the sake of his two younger brothers, both of whom are in danger of winding up in foster care. Again, he was an intriguing character, but things don't really get rolling for him either until near the end. I would have liked to see their stories woven into the narrative earlier and more seamlessly instead of being crammed into the final chapters. The final supporting characters who played important roles were Laine's family. Her twin brother, Pax, is basically her support system and the only one who can really deal with their irritating father, but he's a busy doctor with little time to himself. As with the other sub-plots, Laine's father appears during approx. the last ¼ of the novel, but I have to say his storyline was pretty predictable. I realized almost instantly what was happening with him, and it didn't do much else besides providing a little family drama and giving Laine the opportunity to reconcile with him. Even Eric's daughter, Ashley, was barely seen. We're simply told about her and the other kids from the first three books graduating high school rather than being shown, which would have been nice. The new town doctor, Scott Grant, who becomes the hero of the next book, The Promise, shows up briefly in a few scenes, just enough to give the reader the impression that his story is coming.
While The Chance had some good points, in general, it was the weakest of Robyn Carr's full-length novels I've read to date. At times, it felt like she'd run out of ideas and was just writing stuff to fill in the word count without really taking the time and care to breathe life into her characters, particularly Laine and Eric. With no real commitment until the final pages (even then it was more of an HFN ending since there's no proposal or anything), and the stakes being pretty low for our happy couple, even the romance was lacking. I know for a fact that Ms. Carr is capable of much better. Just about any book in the Virgin River series is proof of this. The final 1/3 or so of The Chance actually reflected more of the writer I've come to know and love. The fact that the ending was considerably better than the first 2/3 of the book is what prevented my rating from being lower, but I still couldn't help feeling like this book was rushed to publication when it could have been more carefully crafted to tell a truly compelling story. One misstep certainly isn't enough to put me off Ms. Carr's writing, so I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that with The Promise, she'll get back to the engaging storytelling that won me over as a fan and give the sexy doctor a meatier plot.
Note: I received a copy of this book from the publicist via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 22, 2015
After I finished reading I have mixed feelings. Excluding a failed attempt at book #9 (it had way too many past characters), this is the first book by Robyn Carr that I've read. I liked her writing style and she quickly pulled me into the story of Eric and Laine. I didn't read books 1 though 3 in the series and there was definitely past characters from the prior books pulled in. I would definitely say this is a series which although the books are stand alone, due to the number of past characters, it works best to read the series in order.
What I liked about the beginning of the book is that the characters felt real and although they had some issues, it didn’t seem like contrived drama. (I hate contrived drama and angst.) I liked both Laine and Eric and I did like their romance. Although the problem that geographically separates them feels real, the length of time it goes on starts to feel contrived. There's way too much money and other people around to provide support that Laine should have been able to make a quick trip or two back to visit Eric. I also thought it portrayed some of the healthcare profession that supports the elderly in a very negative light. Yes, there are issues but there are also a number of very good people out there. I've met them. When you have the money and have people in the medical profession (like Laine's family is portrayed), the good ones are easier to find.
There were a number of short little scenes that didn’t seem to serve much purpose. There was one scene where the doctor internalized his loneliness which just felt like a set up for a future novel, but didn’t really have any place in this one. I looked at the next book in the series and sure enough he is the male MC. There was a rush to get married by Devon and her fiancé but really she barely showed up in this book. It was just a contrived plot point to have Lainie break down in tears. Some of the characters from past books didn’t really seem like part of this book’s plot and were simply brought in because they were in past books. This is where I have to say edit them out. Either make them part of the plot or edit them out; don’t just have them appear to say they are still living in Thunder Point.
For me what really happened is that the story of the supporting characters upstaged Eric and Laine. I was much more interested in Ray Anne, AL and Justin and his brothers. The real story was with them and I thought Eric and Laine should have been the supporting cast. I would have really liked to have this story line expanded as there was so much potential there.
At the end, it seemed like the author got bored and rushed to finish. There really wasn't any epilogue and I'm huge on good epilogues. However as this is a 9 book series, the author is probably wrapping up some issues in follow up novels.
What I liked about the beginning of the book is that the characters felt real and although they had some issues, it didn’t seem like contrived drama. (I hate contrived drama and angst.) I liked both Laine and Eric and I did like their romance. Although the problem that geographically separates them feels real, the length of time it goes on starts to feel contrived. There's way too much money and other people around to provide support that Laine should have been able to make a quick trip or two back to visit Eric. I also thought it portrayed some of the healthcare profession that supports the elderly in a very negative light. Yes, there are issues but there are also a number of very good people out there. I've met them. When you have the money and have people in the medical profession (like Laine's family is portrayed), the good ones are easier to find.
There were a number of short little scenes that didn’t seem to serve much purpose. There was one scene where the doctor internalized his loneliness which just felt like a set up for a future novel, but didn’t really have any place in this one. I looked at the next book in the series and sure enough he is the male MC. There was a rush to get married by Devon and her fiancé but really she barely showed up in this book. It was just a contrived plot point to have Lainie break down in tears. Some of the characters from past books didn’t really seem like part of this book’s plot and were simply brought in because they were in past books. This is where I have to say edit them out. Either make them part of the plot or edit them out; don’t just have them appear to say they are still living in Thunder Point.
For me what really happened is that the story of the supporting characters upstaged Eric and Laine. I was much more interested in Ray Anne, AL and Justin and his brothers. The real story was with them and I thought Eric and Laine should have been the supporting cast. I would have really liked to have this story line expanded as there was so much potential there.
At the end, it seemed like the author got bored and rushed to finish. There really wasn't any epilogue and I'm huge on good epilogues. However as this is a 9 book series, the author is probably wrapping up some issues in follow up novels.
April 15, 2020
I enjoyed all the storylines in this one but it ended so abruptly.
Want to read
March 28, 2014WOOOHOOOO! I won my first Goodreads contest!!! Heehee..I'm super excited as I have always wondered why I never get picked!!
So thank you to Harlequin Books for putting this contest on; and as soon as I get my copy I will read and review it! Thank you for making my night!!!♥
So thank you to Harlequin Books for putting this contest on; and as soon as I get my copy I will read and review it! Thank you for making my night!!!♥
February 27, 2014
A good story in which the couple falling in love are more mature, but not yet middle-aged.
June 8, 2015
I absolutely loved this book!
August 10, 2020
FBI when Laine and Gas station owner Eric are the leads in the 4th book in the Thunder Point series. We get to enjoy a new guy named Al fall in love with Ray Anne, a local. We get a deeper look into Dr Scott Grant and I have a feeling he’s up next for a turn at love. All the rest of the characters add in there for a little bit.
July 30, 2022
The main characters way of talking in this book were harsh to me. Laine does not just talk, she commands in a rude way to me. Laine, FBI agent is recuperating and trying to decide on life. She is from a wealthy family. Eric, had station owner and classic car remodel, is an ex-con from the poor past of life. That is ok, but when he asks a question, she says to get over it! The sex scenes were good. I just had a hard time reading it when she sounded more like a man then she did.
October 27, 2023
Thunder Point #4 The Chance
3🌟
3🌟
September 20, 2025
With every book in this series that I read, I wish even harder that Thunder Point was a real place, and that I could move there. What a wonderful escape from real life this series is.
May 2, 2020
Fun, enjoyable, fast paced romance!
April 24, 2021
Just a feel good book
March 2, 2014
Piper‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
Review copy provided for an honest review
4 STARS
The Chance is book 4 in The Thunder Point series. I have loved each one of these stories. The Chance is a wonderful addition to this series. With each new book I fall more in love with this series and the characters.
We met Laine Carrington in The Hero. Laine was the FBI agent that helped Devon and her daughter Mercy escape from a bad situation they all found themselves in. I was hoping that we would get more Laine in future books after reading The Hero, so I was glad to see she was the heroine of the next book.
Laine has come to Thunder Point after taking leave from the FBI. She was injured in the line of duty, and is taking time off to heal, and make some decisions that could change her life. I enjoyed getting Laine’s back story and getting to know her family. The story with Laine and her dad was very emotional. You felt Laine’s pain, confusion and regret. Several times I just wanted to hug her and tell her it would all work out in the end. Laine is such a strong character that you just root for her the entire story. I love strong kick a$$ women, and Laine is certainly in that category.
Eric Gentry has not lived the perfect life by any means. But, Eric has turned is life around for the good. Eric owned a successful repair and auto body shop in Oregon, but has moved to Thunder Point to be closer to his daughter. Eric is the father of Gina’s daughter Ashley. I was hoping we would get a little more interaction with Eric and Ashley since he just found out that he is father. I have loved “watching” the relationship grow between Eric and Ashley. I hope Ms. Carr explores this father daughter relationship further in future stories. Eric has bought the local gas station and is busy expanding the business to include auto repair and body work. Eric may have made lots of bad decisions in his younger years, but he has seen the error of his ways. For me Eric is just one of those heroes that you just fall in love with.
When Laine and Eric meet there is an instant attraction, but I was glad it was not done as Insta-Love! Their relationship develops over time. These are two people not looking for anything permanent, but want to explore their attraction further. They worry that since they come from two completely different worlds how can a relationship work between them, but soon realize that those differences make them perfect for each other. Things seem to be working against them when Laine has to deal with a major family issue. But, I loved that even apart they were stronger.
The Chance is a wonderfully written emotional love story between not only a man and a woman, but the story of love between families. Another great read from Robyn Carr.
Happy Reading!!
Review copy provided for an honest review
4 STARS
The Chance is book 4 in The Thunder Point series. I have loved each one of these stories. The Chance is a wonderful addition to this series. With each new book I fall more in love with this series and the characters.
We met Laine Carrington in The Hero. Laine was the FBI agent that helped Devon and her daughter Mercy escape from a bad situation they all found themselves in. I was hoping that we would get more Laine in future books after reading The Hero, so I was glad to see she was the heroine of the next book.
Laine has come to Thunder Point after taking leave from the FBI. She was injured in the line of duty, and is taking time off to heal, and make some decisions that could change her life. I enjoyed getting Laine’s back story and getting to know her family. The story with Laine and her dad was very emotional. You felt Laine’s pain, confusion and regret. Several times I just wanted to hug her and tell her it would all work out in the end. Laine is such a strong character that you just root for her the entire story. I love strong kick a$$ women, and Laine is certainly in that category.
Eric Gentry has not lived the perfect life by any means. But, Eric has turned is life around for the good. Eric owned a successful repair and auto body shop in Oregon, but has moved to Thunder Point to be closer to his daughter. Eric is the father of Gina’s daughter Ashley. I was hoping we would get a little more interaction with Eric and Ashley since he just found out that he is father. I have loved “watching” the relationship grow between Eric and Ashley. I hope Ms. Carr explores this father daughter relationship further in future stories. Eric has bought the local gas station and is busy expanding the business to include auto repair and body work. Eric may have made lots of bad decisions in his younger years, but he has seen the error of his ways. For me Eric is just one of those heroes that you just fall in love with.
When Laine and Eric meet there is an instant attraction, but I was glad it was not done as Insta-Love! Their relationship develops over time. These are two people not looking for anything permanent, but want to explore their attraction further. They worry that since they come from two completely different worlds how can a relationship work between them, but soon realize that those differences make them perfect for each other. Things seem to be working against them when Laine has to deal with a major family issue. But, I loved that even apart they were stronger.
The Chance is a wonderfully written emotional love story between not only a man and a woman, but the story of love between families. Another great read from Robyn Carr.
Happy Reading!!
November 25, 2025
Welcome to Thunder Point. When you open the pages of The Chance, you feel like you are pulled into Home Town USA. The people are friendly and are willing to lend a helping hand.
The Chance is FBI agent Laine Carrington's and ex-con Eric Gentry's story. Laine is looking for a place to rehabilitate after a near fatal shooting. Eric came to Thunder Point to get to know his teenage daughter. But when the two meet, an unlikely attraction thrives. Unexpected circumstances and family tragedy threaten to drive them apart, but through it all it is an utterly sweet and tender romance.
Carr also toys with us by giving us details into a secondary/side story. I have to admit I was more drawn to the secondary story and am looking forward to seeing this plot come to fruition.
The Chance is an endearing romance taking us to a place where we'd call our neighbors friends, and the local diner is the town meeting place. Open the pages and take a trip to Thunder Point; you won't regret the trip.
I received this ARC copy of The Chance from Harlequin MIRA in exchange for an honest review. This book is set for publication on February 25, 2014.
The Chance is FBI agent Laine Carrington's and ex-con Eric Gentry's story. Laine is looking for a place to rehabilitate after a near fatal shooting. Eric came to Thunder Point to get to know his teenage daughter. But when the two meet, an unlikely attraction thrives. Unexpected circumstances and family tragedy threaten to drive them apart, but through it all it is an utterly sweet and tender romance.
Carr also toys with us by giving us details into a secondary/side story. I have to admit I was more drawn to the secondary story and am looking forward to seeing this plot come to fruition.
The Chance is an endearing romance taking us to a place where we'd call our neighbors friends, and the local diner is the town meeting place. Open the pages and take a trip to Thunder Point; you won't regret the trip.
I received this ARC copy of The Chance from Harlequin MIRA in exchange for an honest review. This book is set for publication on February 25, 2014.
January 1, 2015
I loved this book, with one exception.
The reason that Laine moved to Thunder Point was because of Devon and I found that storyline lacking a bit. She got together with Devon once or twice and I thought there should have been a bit more involvement.
Other than that I love the story of Laine and Eric. Eric has certainly turned himself around since his high school days. He is friendly with Gina, takes an interest in his daughter, even encouraging her to go to a State College and offering to pay for it, and now his love interest with Laine.
How fun was it that the tables were turned and Laine had to ask Eric out. I thought that was great. Their relationship is really starting to gel when a know on the door comes. Laine opens the door to find her father there, after not having been a supporter of her for almost all of her life. Now he wants to make amends.
I loved the way Justin and his family worked with the story and Al coming back to work was a bonus. Al's relationship with Rae Ann was wonderful and I'm looking forward to this developing relationship.
5 stars
The reason that Laine moved to Thunder Point was because of Devon and I found that storyline lacking a bit. She got together with Devon once or twice and I thought there should have been a bit more involvement.
Other than that I love the story of Laine and Eric. Eric has certainly turned himself around since his high school days. He is friendly with Gina, takes an interest in his daughter, even encouraging her to go to a State College and offering to pay for it, and now his love interest with Laine.
How fun was it that the tables were turned and Laine had to ask Eric out. I thought that was great. Their relationship is really starting to gel when a know on the door comes. Laine opens the door to find her father there, after not having been a supporter of her for almost all of her life. Now he wants to make amends.
I loved the way Justin and his family worked with the story and Al coming back to work was a bonus. Al's relationship with Rae Ann was wonderful and I'm looking forward to this developing relationship.
5 stars
January 6, 2014
I like how with this book Thunder Point becomes a second chance place for so many. I thought that Laine fit in with the others in Thunder Point very well and hoped that it would work it's magic on her so that she would stay. I loved how smitten Eric was with Laine, but was shy and wouldn't ask her out, instead Laine had to take the reins and do the asking.
As Laine and Eric's relationship developed, they were sweet together. They did have some bumps, but they weathered them by talking things through. I was worried about the one big bump at the end, worried that what Laine had been searching for all her life would interfere with the love she had found with Eric.
I also really liked the secondary story line with Eric's employees. I liked how things worked out there. Al and Justin needed each other and I think that they will each learn a lot from the other.
As Laine and Eric's relationship developed, they were sweet together. They did have some bumps, but they weathered them by talking things through. I was worried about the one big bump at the end, worried that what Laine had been searching for all her life would interfere with the love she had found with Eric.
I also really liked the secondary story line with Eric's employees. I liked how things worked out there. Al and Justin needed each other and I think that they will each learn a lot from the other.
March 3, 2014
Typical sweet read, except with the twist was that she was the alpha of the relationship and he was beta.
July 28, 2018
Robyn Carr does life in a small community very well. In this one (which takes up some characters from #3 The Hero), wounded FBI agent Laine Carrington returns to Thunder Point to take a break from the agency as well as recover from the shoulder wound received when she was undercover at The Fellowship commune nearby. She has a couple of friends from that episode, but she's on the west coast primarily to avoid her hypercritical father who lives in Boston.
As she settles in, Laine meets Eric Gentry, new owner of a garage and expanding car restoration business. The two have an immediate attraction, but they are as different as two people can be. She upholds the law; Eric was in prison for breaking it. She grew up wealthy; he grew up on the margins, working class poor. They are both disappointments to their parents – he because of his wild teen years and prison; she for being in law enforcement rather than medicine.
As always in Carr novels, the protagonists are involved in the life of their community and the lives of their fellow citizens. Among them are: a young man (not yet 18), his ill mother and his two younger brothers; one of Eric’s wandering mechanics who comes and goes on a regular basis; and at a distance, Laine’s twin brother Pax and his family.
There are a lot of threads here, and some of them divide the focus enough to make the story slightly less involving than previous books, but the characters are realistic and likeable. Family responsibilities and crises are true to all of us. This is an enjoyable visit with old and new friends. Recommended.
Readalikes:
Victoria Dahl’s Girls’ Night Out novels; Jill Gregory’s Lonesome Way novels; Nora Roberts’ Chesapeake Bay saga; Christie Ridgway’s Beach House No. 9 novels; Emma Cane’s Valentine Valley romances; Kelly Moran’s Covington Cove novels; Fiona Lowe’s Medicine River romances; Sara Richardson’s Heart of the Rockies novels; Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series.
Pace: Fast
Characters: Large cast of characters; realistic; likeable
Story: Character-driven
Writing style: Engaging
Tone: Heartwarming; moving; steamy
Frame: Thunder Point OR; contemporary
As she settles in, Laine meets Eric Gentry, new owner of a garage and expanding car restoration business. The two have an immediate attraction, but they are as different as two people can be. She upholds the law; Eric was in prison for breaking it. She grew up wealthy; he grew up on the margins, working class poor. They are both disappointments to their parents – he because of his wild teen years and prison; she for being in law enforcement rather than medicine.
As always in Carr novels, the protagonists are involved in the life of their community and the lives of their fellow citizens. Among them are: a young man (not yet 18), his ill mother and his two younger brothers; one of Eric’s wandering mechanics who comes and goes on a regular basis; and at a distance, Laine’s twin brother Pax and his family.
There are a lot of threads here, and some of them divide the focus enough to make the story slightly less involving than previous books, but the characters are realistic and likeable. Family responsibilities and crises are true to all of us. This is an enjoyable visit with old and new friends. Recommended.
Readalikes:
Victoria Dahl’s Girls’ Night Out novels; Jill Gregory’s Lonesome Way novels; Nora Roberts’ Chesapeake Bay saga; Christie Ridgway’s Beach House No. 9 novels; Emma Cane’s Valentine Valley romances; Kelly Moran’s Covington Cove novels; Fiona Lowe’s Medicine River romances; Sara Richardson’s Heart of the Rockies novels; Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series.
Pace: Fast
Characters: Large cast of characters; realistic; likeable
Story: Character-driven
Writing style: Engaging
Tone: Heartwarming; moving; steamy
Frame: Thunder Point OR; contemporary
February 16, 2015
Originally published at Reading Reality
Now that I’m on my fourth book in Robyn Carr’s Thunder Point series, I have come to a couple of conclusions.
Thunder Point is a really terrific small town, one that I might like to live in. Possibly live in more than visit - it seems like it is not unconscionably far from Portland, or even Seattle, but still has the small-town feel that turns newcomers into friends very easily.
Thunder Point also seems to be the place where second chances finally make it all the way to the finish line, no matter how much has gone wrong in between. Sometimes its a second chance at a first love, and sometimes its a second chance in life. Most of us need one of those sometime in our lives, so that idea has a lot of resonance.
(Bliss County Wyoming, in Linda Lael Miller’s Brides of Bliss County series, seems to be another place of the same lovely type. More on that Thursday)
Back in Thunder Point, Eric and Laine are both people who have come to Thunder Point for a second chance at something. Eric is there for a second chance with the daughter he never knew he had. (The mother of said daughter married the sheriff back in The Newcomer)
Laine was the undercover FBI agent who rescued Devon and her daughter Mercy, and helped shut down the cult in The Hero. Laine is taking some leave from the FBI to recuperate from her gunshot wound and to do some reassessment about what she wants from her life. She’s also on the west coast to get as far away as possible from her father on the east coast. Dad has always disapproved of Laine’s career in the FBI, but on her last visit, he said that she wasn’t saving lives or doing anything important by being an agent, and that he wasn’t interested in watching her get a medal for wasting her life.
If you think there is something wrong with that scenario, you are not alone. Because the other chance that Laine needs is a chance to have a real relationship with her father, before it is too late.
Eric and Laine gravitate towards each other instantly, even though neither of them is looking for a relationship. Eric is working all hours starting a new business in town, and Laine is only planning to be in the area for six months at the most. Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, neither of them is the type of person for casual sex. They are both in their 30s, and casual hookups have lost their appeal.
They are the last two people who should ever get together. Laine is an FBI agent, and part of Eric’s past where he never checked up on the possibility that he left his girlfriend pregnant all those years ago included 5 years in prison for a crime committed by his friends. But they had involved parents, and he was wild and on his own. But those 5 years made him examine his life and turn it around before it was too late.
So Eric and Laine walk into this relationship trying not to think about the expiration date until they are both in much too deep to think of walking away. And then a kind of backwards miracle happens.
Laine’s father shows up on her doorstep, with no luggage but an intense desire to straighten out their relationship while he still can. Her father is a doctor, and has been self-medicating for Alzheimer’s for several years. His time to make amends is running out. But as his symptoms increase, Senior not only needs Laine more than ever, but he has finally come to appreciate her.
Laine finally has the relationship with her father that she always wanted, but at a terrible price. He is slipping away, but in order to give him the best care she can, Laine has to go back east and make arrangements that take forever.
Nearly letting her relationship with Eric slip away in her exhaustion and frustration. The rest of her family has to stage an intervention to get her to go back home to see if the man she loves is still waiting for her.
Escape Rating B+: Having read four of the books in this series, it’s starting to feel like one single long and lovely story. Each book flows right into the next, almost seamlessly. And while I think you could pick up the series at almost any point, I can’t imagine why anyone would. Thunder Point is a terrific place and its a joy to spend time there.
That being said, each book does have a defined beginning, middle and end, and the major threads of the single story are pretty much resolved by the end of the book. (The exception to this is the first two books, The Wanderer and The Newcomer. That really is one story.)
In this fourth book, we do get glimpses of people we’ve met in the previous books, especially the ones who helped rescue Liane and Devon’s daughter Mercy at the end of The Hero. They are all important people in Laine’s life, and she feels a lot of gratitude, as well as the experience of shared danger that never goes away.
Because the big problem in this stoy is about Laine’s relationship with her dad, rather than a direct crisis in her relationship with Eric, we see a lot more of Laine than we do Eric, or we spend more time inside her head. She wants her father’s approval, and she feels she has never had it. It’s a gaping wound in her life that she can’t move past. Most of us have difficulty moving past issues with our parents.
Laine didn’t do what was expected, the way that her brother did. So it seemed as if her father gave Pax his conditional approval and benefit of the doubt, where Laine always got an argument. Most parents would be proud of Laine’s job. Most parents would also be scared to death. But with our parents, our logic and theirs tends to go out the window. Dad wanted her safe, and he acted as if the only way to achieve that was to suppress who she was. The way that their relationship gets patched up in the middle of a dreadful crisis was sadly wonderful.
Laine’s dilemma was realistically portrayed. Her father really does need her, and he clings to her. She has the relationship with him that she has always wanted. She is also caught in the mental and emotional trap that the only way to take care of him properly is to do it all herself. Which is unrealistic and exhausting and emotionally draining, but Laine past the point where she couldn’t find a solution through her exhaustion.
This was a bittersweet happy ending that felt emotionally right.
Now that I’m on my fourth book in Robyn Carr’s Thunder Point series, I have come to a couple of conclusions.
Thunder Point is a really terrific small town, one that I might like to live in. Possibly live in more than visit - it seems like it is not unconscionably far from Portland, or even Seattle, but still has the small-town feel that turns newcomers into friends very easily.
Thunder Point also seems to be the place where second chances finally make it all the way to the finish line, no matter how much has gone wrong in between. Sometimes its a second chance at a first love, and sometimes its a second chance in life. Most of us need one of those sometime in our lives, so that idea has a lot of resonance.
(Bliss County Wyoming, in Linda Lael Miller’s Brides of Bliss County series, seems to be another place of the same lovely type. More on that Thursday)
Back in Thunder Point, Eric and Laine are both people who have come to Thunder Point for a second chance at something. Eric is there for a second chance with the daughter he never knew he had. (The mother of said daughter married the sheriff back in The Newcomer)
Laine was the undercover FBI agent who rescued Devon and her daughter Mercy, and helped shut down the cult in The Hero. Laine is taking some leave from the FBI to recuperate from her gunshot wound and to do some reassessment about what she wants from her life. She’s also on the west coast to get as far away as possible from her father on the east coast. Dad has always disapproved of Laine’s career in the FBI, but on her last visit, he said that she wasn’t saving lives or doing anything important by being an agent, and that he wasn’t interested in watching her get a medal for wasting her life.
If you think there is something wrong with that scenario, you are not alone. Because the other chance that Laine needs is a chance to have a real relationship with her father, before it is too late.
Eric and Laine gravitate towards each other instantly, even though neither of them is looking for a relationship. Eric is working all hours starting a new business in town, and Laine is only planning to be in the area for six months at the most. Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, neither of them is the type of person for casual sex. They are both in their 30s, and casual hookups have lost their appeal.
They are the last two people who should ever get together. Laine is an FBI agent, and part of Eric’s past where he never checked up on the possibility that he left his girlfriend pregnant all those years ago included 5 years in prison for a crime committed by his friends. But they had involved parents, and he was wild and on his own. But those 5 years made him examine his life and turn it around before it was too late.
So Eric and Laine walk into this relationship trying not to think about the expiration date until they are both in much too deep to think of walking away. And then a kind of backwards miracle happens.
Laine’s father shows up on her doorstep, with no luggage but an intense desire to straighten out their relationship while he still can. Her father is a doctor, and has been self-medicating for Alzheimer’s for several years. His time to make amends is running out. But as his symptoms increase, Senior not only needs Laine more than ever, but he has finally come to appreciate her.
Laine finally has the relationship with her father that she always wanted, but at a terrible price. He is slipping away, but in order to give him the best care she can, Laine has to go back east and make arrangements that take forever.
Nearly letting her relationship with Eric slip away in her exhaustion and frustration. The rest of her family has to stage an intervention to get her to go back home to see if the man she loves is still waiting for her.
Escape Rating B+: Having read four of the books in this series, it’s starting to feel like one single long and lovely story. Each book flows right into the next, almost seamlessly. And while I think you could pick up the series at almost any point, I can’t imagine why anyone would. Thunder Point is a terrific place and its a joy to spend time there.
That being said, each book does have a defined beginning, middle and end, and the major threads of the single story are pretty much resolved by the end of the book. (The exception to this is the first two books, The Wanderer and The Newcomer. That really is one story.)
In this fourth book, we do get glimpses of people we’ve met in the previous books, especially the ones who helped rescue Liane and Devon’s daughter Mercy at the end of The Hero. They are all important people in Laine’s life, and she feels a lot of gratitude, as well as the experience of shared danger that never goes away.
Because the big problem in this stoy is about Laine’s relationship with her dad, rather than a direct crisis in her relationship with Eric, we see a lot more of Laine than we do Eric, or we spend more time inside her head. She wants her father’s approval, and she feels she has never had it. It’s a gaping wound in her life that she can’t move past. Most of us have difficulty moving past issues with our parents.
Laine didn’t do what was expected, the way that her brother did. So it seemed as if her father gave Pax his conditional approval and benefit of the doubt, where Laine always got an argument. Most parents would be proud of Laine’s job. Most parents would also be scared to death. But with our parents, our logic and theirs tends to go out the window. Dad wanted her safe, and he acted as if the only way to achieve that was to suppress who she was. The way that their relationship gets patched up in the middle of a dreadful crisis was sadly wonderful.
Laine’s dilemma was realistically portrayed. Her father really does need her, and he clings to her. She has the relationship with him that she has always wanted. She is also caught in the mental and emotional trap that the only way to take care of him properly is to do it all herself. Which is unrealistic and exhausting and emotionally draining, but Laine past the point where she couldn’t find a solution through her exhaustion.
This was a bittersweet happy ending that felt emotionally right.
August 28, 2016
FBI Agent Laine Carrington has been out of action for months, following an injury sustained in the line of duty. Desk work just isn’t cutting it for her, and although the town of Thunder Point is close to the area where she was wounded, it sounds like the perfect place to recuperate and figure out where to go next with her life. Her friend, Devon, has settled into the coastal town and is planning to get married soon, and Laine relishes in the opportunity to catch up with her. Plus, Oregon is about as far away as Laine can get from her father without leaving the country, and she’s had enough of his patronising comments about her work.
Eric Gentry has entirely different reasons for settling into Thunder Point. He’s just found out that he has a teenage daughter, and he’s determined to have an active role in her life, before she heads off to college. He’s just opened a garage in Thunder Point, and although he isn’t making an effort to get involved in the local life, he can’t help but be concerned about one of his teenage part-timers, a boy who seems to have far too much responsibility on his shoulders.
Given that Thunder Point is a small town, it isn’t long before Laine and Eric cross paths. They come from entirely different worlds—Laine’s career in the FBI never lived up to the expectations of her surgeon father, while Eric earned a stint in prison and fathered a child far too young. Laine has never had a long-term relationship, thanks to her demanding job and undercover work, but she’s willing to take a chance on Eric. But when Laine’s father falls ill and requires her attention, Eric begins to doubt if Laine can settle in Thunder Point permanently. Eric isn’t leaving his daughter now that he’s found her, but is Laine willing to make similar compromises?
The Chance is the fourth instalment in Robyn Carr’s Thunder Point series, and while I haven’t fallen in love with these books as quickly as I did with her Virgin River series, I do enjoy revisiting the coastal Oregon town whenever a new volume releases. I was intrigued when I realised that the fourth book was going to focus on Laine and Eric, who were briefly introduced in the previous book in the series. Eric’s ex-girlfriend hunted him down to find out his family history when his daughter—who he’d never known about—fell ill, while Laine was working undercover at a local religious camp that was secretly growing marijuana. While I imagined that Eric would become a regular in Thunder Point, I was pleasantly surprised that Laine was going to get a story of her own.
While I enjoyed reading about Laine and Eric’s romance, and I won’t deny that it was a sweet story, I never really fell in love with them as a couple. I don’t mind romances that aren’t full of action and complications, but maybe this one was just a little bit too simple and relaxing. Aside from a few incidents where Laine and Eric neglected to communicate details about their lives to each other (Laine’s job and Eric’s daughter) there was a distinct lack of conflict in the first half of the book. Even the few miscommunication issues were dealt with before their third date. I don't need the hero and heroine to hate each other at first sight, but their relationship was practically perfect from the beginning, and it didn't make for the most riveting read. There was some conflict towards the end of the novel when Laine’s father fell ill, but most of that was in the characters’ heads and focused on them worrying that the other wouldn’t want to be together any more. There wasn’t enough to make me concerned that they wouldn’t be able to make their relationship work.
At times, I actually found the side-story about Al, an employee from Eric’s garage, more interesting than the main romance. Al has worked for Eric on and off for years, and when he moves to Thunder Point he ends up mentoring a teenage boy who is caring for his ailing mother and younger siblings. This storyline shed a lot of light on the stresses of teenagers who are also caregivers, and what happens when the one parent has to move into a nursing facility. As always, Robyn's portrayal of teenagers is encouraging and not at all patronising. This is something other authors fail to master, and I'm always impressed with Robyn's realism in this area.
Al's story linked into Ray Anne's, a regular in the Thunder Point series, and this reminded me of what I love so much about Robyn Carr's stories--she gives people second chances to fall in love and have families, even if they've made huge mistakes in their pasts or are beyond the typical romance novel age for finding love. I was glad to see Ray Anne finally get her happy ending.
Aside from Ray Anne, we only saw a few glimpses of other characters in the town in this book, and I would have actually liked more updates on how characters from previous books were getting on. I know some reviewers complain about how Robyn hops from one storyline to the next in her novels, but I actually enjoy the continuity of her books and seeing how the families in Thunder Point evolve over time.
I'm about halfway through Robyn Carr's Virgin River series right now, and while I don't adore every volume, there have been several couples that I've fallen in love with in that series. I've really connected with their stories and cared about whether they solved their problems and managed to get together. So far, I haven’t had a couple like that in Robyn’s Thunder Point series. I was glad that Laine and Eric found each other and were happy, but they didn't seem to have a whole lot to overcome in order to get there. I’m still waiting for the couple that makes me fall in love with Thunder Point. Perhaps that will happen in the fifth book, where Scott is slated to finally get his own happily ever after?
Although this definitely isn’t my favourite Thunder Point or Robyn Carr novel, I know I can rely on her to provide me with a nice, relaxing read that indulges my love of small-town stories. If you’re looking for a sweet romance without a lot of conflict, this is definitely the book for you.
Review title provided by Harlequin MIRA.
Eric Gentry has entirely different reasons for settling into Thunder Point. He’s just found out that he has a teenage daughter, and he’s determined to have an active role in her life, before she heads off to college. He’s just opened a garage in Thunder Point, and although he isn’t making an effort to get involved in the local life, he can’t help but be concerned about one of his teenage part-timers, a boy who seems to have far too much responsibility on his shoulders.
Given that Thunder Point is a small town, it isn’t long before Laine and Eric cross paths. They come from entirely different worlds—Laine’s career in the FBI never lived up to the expectations of her surgeon father, while Eric earned a stint in prison and fathered a child far too young. Laine has never had a long-term relationship, thanks to her demanding job and undercover work, but she’s willing to take a chance on Eric. But when Laine’s father falls ill and requires her attention, Eric begins to doubt if Laine can settle in Thunder Point permanently. Eric isn’t leaving his daughter now that he’s found her, but is Laine willing to make similar compromises?
The Chance is the fourth instalment in Robyn Carr’s Thunder Point series, and while I haven’t fallen in love with these books as quickly as I did with her Virgin River series, I do enjoy revisiting the coastal Oregon town whenever a new volume releases. I was intrigued when I realised that the fourth book was going to focus on Laine and Eric, who were briefly introduced in the previous book in the series. Eric’s ex-girlfriend hunted him down to find out his family history when his daughter—who he’d never known about—fell ill, while Laine was working undercover at a local religious camp that was secretly growing marijuana. While I imagined that Eric would become a regular in Thunder Point, I was pleasantly surprised that Laine was going to get a story of her own.
While I enjoyed reading about Laine and Eric’s romance, and I won’t deny that it was a sweet story, I never really fell in love with them as a couple. I don’t mind romances that aren’t full of action and complications, but maybe this one was just a little bit too simple and relaxing. Aside from a few incidents where Laine and Eric neglected to communicate details about their lives to each other (Laine’s job and Eric’s daughter) there was a distinct lack of conflict in the first half of the book. Even the few miscommunication issues were dealt with before their third date. I don't need the hero and heroine to hate each other at first sight, but their relationship was practically perfect from the beginning, and it didn't make for the most riveting read. There was some conflict towards the end of the novel when Laine’s father fell ill, but most of that was in the characters’ heads and focused on them worrying that the other wouldn’t want to be together any more. There wasn’t enough to make me concerned that they wouldn’t be able to make their relationship work.
At times, I actually found the side-story about Al, an employee from Eric’s garage, more interesting than the main romance. Al has worked for Eric on and off for years, and when he moves to Thunder Point he ends up mentoring a teenage boy who is caring for his ailing mother and younger siblings. This storyline shed a lot of light on the stresses of teenagers who are also caregivers, and what happens when the one parent has to move into a nursing facility. As always, Robyn's portrayal of teenagers is encouraging and not at all patronising. This is something other authors fail to master, and I'm always impressed with Robyn's realism in this area.
Al's story linked into Ray Anne's, a regular in the Thunder Point series, and this reminded me of what I love so much about Robyn Carr's stories--she gives people second chances to fall in love and have families, even if they've made huge mistakes in their pasts or are beyond the typical romance novel age for finding love. I was glad to see Ray Anne finally get her happy ending.
Aside from Ray Anne, we only saw a few glimpses of other characters in the town in this book, and I would have actually liked more updates on how characters from previous books were getting on. I know some reviewers complain about how Robyn hops from one storyline to the next in her novels, but I actually enjoy the continuity of her books and seeing how the families in Thunder Point evolve over time.
I'm about halfway through Robyn Carr's Virgin River series right now, and while I don't adore every volume, there have been several couples that I've fallen in love with in that series. I've really connected with their stories and cared about whether they solved their problems and managed to get together. So far, I haven’t had a couple like that in Robyn’s Thunder Point series. I was glad that Laine and Eric found each other and were happy, but they didn't seem to have a whole lot to overcome in order to get there. I’m still waiting for the couple that makes me fall in love with Thunder Point. Perhaps that will happen in the fifth book, where Scott is slated to finally get his own happily ever after?
Although this definitely isn’t my favourite Thunder Point or Robyn Carr novel, I know I can rely on her to provide me with a nice, relaxing read that indulges my love of small-town stories. If you’re looking for a sweet romance without a lot of conflict, this is definitely the book for you.
Review title provided by Harlequin MIRA.
May 14, 2020
What a heartfelt tale The Chance by Robyn Carr was. You will be impressed by how Eric Gentry has turned his life around. He is now residing in Thunder Point to be near his daughter, Ashley and also has his own garage/body shop.
Laine Carrington went against her fathers wishes and became an FBI agent. Her last assignment sent her undercover and she ended up being shot. This has led her to reassess her life and what she wants. She has chosen to recover in Thunder Point. It is there that Eric and Laine meet and the smoldering fire becomes something much more.
You will not be able to turn the pages fast enough to read what comes next. Eric and Laine's story is not without tears but in the end they will be tears of happiness. I loved every minute of this book and always look forward to Robyn Carr's next book.
Laine Carrington went against her fathers wishes and became an FBI agent. Her last assignment sent her undercover and she ended up being shot. This has led her to reassess her life and what she wants. She has chosen to recover in Thunder Point. It is there that Eric and Laine meet and the smoldering fire becomes something much more.
You will not be able to turn the pages fast enough to read what comes next. Eric and Laine's story is not without tears but in the end they will be tears of happiness. I loved every minute of this book and always look forward to Robyn Carr's next book.
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