In a moment of desperation, Devon McAllister takes her daughter and flees a place where they should have been safe and secure. She has no idea what is around the next bend, but she is pretty certain it can’t be worse than what they’ve left behind. Her plan is to escape to somewhere she can be invisible. Instead, an unexpected offer of assistance leads her to Thunder Point, a tiny Oregon town with a willingness to help someone in need.

As the widowed father of a vulnerable young boy, Spencer Lawson knows something about needing friendship. But he’s not looking for anything else. Instead, he’s thrown his energy into his new role as Thunder Point’s high school football coach. Tough and demanding to his team, off the field he’s gentle and kind just the kind of man who could heal Devon’s wounded heart.

Devon thought she wanted to hide from the world. But in Thunder Point, you find bravery where you least expect it and sometimes, you find a hero.

Reading a book in one of Robyn Carr’s series is like coming home. I love how she gives you your main characters but you also get updates on everyone you’ve met before, as well as an introduction to future stories. It’s probably not the easiest for new readers but I think that she does a pretty decent job of giving you enough information you aren’t totally lost. It’s not as involved as a series that follows one character all through the books, but you do get to keep moving forward with the lives of characters that you’ve met and fell in love with before. It just gives me a warm, happy feeling when I see a new one of her stories on the shelf because I know I’ll be with friends again.

In The Hero, we get to continue with Spencer who we met in The Newcomer. For a man who has had quite a few blows over the recent months, he’s quite well-adjusted and handles the curveballs with maturity. Of course he’s going to have a few man moments, but he’s sweet, caring, and generous. He’s not perfect, but he’s pretty darn close.

We also meet Devon for the first time. On the run from a cult, she lucks into Thunder Point and is welcomed with open arms (as is expected for these people). She’s had a rough few years too but she’s ready to start fresh and the little town is the perfect place to be. And meeting Spencer might be the best thing for both of them. I loved these two together and their growing relationship kept me quickly turning pages.

Carr is an amazingly talented writer, bringing to life not only the people but the community of Thunder Point. I always feel like I’m transported there when I pick up one of her books. They are amazingly detailed (but not too heavy-handed) with believable interactions – full of humor, heart and the occasional touch of heat.

The “Thunder Point” series is full of memorable characters, emotional story-lines and an abundance of realistic moments. The Hero just showcases Carr’s ability to deftly provide readers a vivid look into the lifelike world of her characters with both warmth and humor. You’ll laugh, tear up, and sigh right along with characters who seem to be living almost everyday lives in an everyday place. A place that you will want to visit again and again.