In a small town, reputation is everything. In her latest novel, #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr explores the burden placed on a young man returning home to face his mistakes—the first step in claiming the life he was meant to live

At the age of nineteen, Seth Sileski had everything. A superb athlete and scholar, handsome and popular, he was the pride of Thunder Point. Destined for greatness, he lost it all in a terrible accident that put an end to his professional football career when it had barely begun. The people in his hometown have never forgotten what might have been.

Seth has come to terms with the turns his life has taken. But now he’s been presented with an opportunity to return home and show his father—and the people of Thunder Point—he’s become a better, humbler version of his former self.

Winning over his father isn’t the only challenge. Seth must also find a way to convince his childhood neighbor and best friend, Iris McKinley, to forgive him for breaking her heart. With his homecoming, will Seth be able to convince the town, his family and especially Iris that he’s finally ready to be the man who will make them all proud?

I keep saying the same thing about Carr’s books – they are realistic, heart-warming, and addictive.  Every time I pick one up, it is like catching up with old friends and I’m ready for the next one as soon as I finish one.

In The Homecoming, we get to meet Mac’s replacement, Seth, and school counselor, Iris. Seth was mentioned during The Promise, but he doesn’t actually appear until this book and if Iris was in any of the others I don’t remember her.  But that’s OK, I love meeting new friends too.  And that also means that if this is your first Thunder Point book then you’ve chosen a good place to start.

I’ve mentioned it with other books, but the friends-to-lovers plotline is one of my favorites and Carr delivers it beautifully here.  There was a misunderstanding between Seth and Iris in high school that ruined their friendship.  Over the years, Seth realizes that the thing that has been missing from his life is Iris and now that he’s back in town he plans on getting her back.  Iris had feelings for Seth for years and even though she’s tried to move on with other guys, she’s never gotten over those feelings.But she doesn’t believe that he could feel anything romantic for her … after all, he didn’t in high school, so why should he now.

I love these two together.  They had a fantastic friendship and a connection that the years apart couldn’t destroy.  Now they have the chance to make it into more and it is super sweet and fun and sassy and cute.  We also have Seth’s attempt to reconnect with his father and some drama over a high school student who might be abused.  With Iris and Seth’s jobs, it fits in well with their developing relationship.

And that is where the true drama lies because Iris and Seth flow seamlessly into their new relationship and it works so well.  There isn’t too much angst and trouble, just a little bit where she doesn’t really trust his feelings (and a little bit about what caused their rift all those years ago), then a little bit about another guy who has feelings for Iris.  (And I love Troy, I’m pretty sure his will be the next story and I’m looking forward to finding out everything I can about him.)  Otherwise, it is a trademark Carr relationship – so real and so believable, these people could just as easily be your neighbors or friends.

And that, at its basic level, is why I love the Thunder Point books.  It all goes back to how I feel like I’m coming home again – making friends and catching up on the goings on in my favorite little coastal town.  As I mentioned earlier, this is a good place for new readers to start … but you better be ready to go back and read all of the others as well.  Addictive page turners, with characters who have depth and charm, are Carr books at their best.