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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
First in another series, this one a precursor to Virgin River. Whereas Virgin River is very male-centric. The retired military men are, largely, the center of the stories, Grace Valley is more female centric. The men THINK they make the decisions but the women work around it. This felt a little like Jan Karon's Mitford series only based on the work of a doctor instead of a minister. She deals with some difficult topics: PTSD, Vietnam vets, sexual harassment, spousal abuse but she handles them deftly. Usually when I read a book that touches on these I have a hard time (I read to relax and escape not to feel sad) but Carr's style doesn't feel like a moralistic sledgehammer. Some romance involved but more a story about a town.
At times I had a hard time keeping up with all of the characters, but then I had to remind myself that a small, close-knit, growing town was going to be full of potential characters.
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Robyn Carr has an uncanny ability to mix "issues" into small-town romance without coming off like a jerk. I was pleased with her focus on domestic violence and the interplay between men and women in a community and how the small-town minding of everyone else's business shouldn't stop for domestic matters. Also the treatment of post-Vietnam mental health issues? These topics interspersed into fun reading make a happy social worker!
Absolutely loved this book! Easily readable, about a small country town and it's people.
This is my first Robyn Carr novel. I was expecting your typical fluffy romance (a welcome break from some of the heavier reads of late) but instead found an interesting, well-written story of life in a small-town. Not as much romance as I had hoped for, but a good start.
Such a sweet book and what a great town to live in! Similar to Virgin River, her other series but a great light read.
Had a hard time getting into the book. I didn't feel I connected with the main character and didn't like how the perspective changed from the view of the different characters, it sometimes becomes hard to keep track of it all.
Solid three stars.
I liked this book for the reality factor. Small town living is not easy- everyone knows your business, there are good people and bad people, and things often go under the radar until they are too big to be ignored. The people in this story are the epitome of small town people and I love it. Someone gets hurt? The entire town bands together. They need to take a stand? Everyone does it. Everyone has their faults and are forced to face them head on eventually.
Already have the second and third books of this trilogy queued up because I am anxious to see what else happens.
I liked this book for the reality factor. Small town living is not easy- everyone knows your business, there are good people and bad people, and things often go under the radar until they are too big to be ignored. The people in this story are the epitome of small town people and I love it. Someone gets hurt? The entire town bands together. They need to take a stand? Everyone does it. Everyone has their faults and are forced to face them head on eventually.
Already have the second and third books of this trilogy queued up because I am anxious to see what else happens.