Review: The Hero by Robyn Carr

The Hero (Thunder Point, Book #3) by Robyn Carr, AF, 2013, 384p, Rating=1
Source: ebook copy provided by publicist through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

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.

I was excited to read this final installment (I think it's the final?) and had high hopes that it would take me back to the wonderful world of book one (book two, The Newcomer, was not so great).  Oh, I was sorely disappointed.  I can see the attempt to bring out the lesson of trust but it just did not work.  I didn't feel enough substance in Devon and Spencer's relationship to care about the trust issues.  They were poor examples to carry this message.  I could see a better potential for Devon and the doctor (Scott). 

You might ask, "Jinky, how about the lesson of heroism as the book title alludes to?".  Like in book two, this title did not fit.  The hero was inconclusive to me (btw, I was incorrect to assume who the hero would be as I stated in book two's review, here).  Reading between the lines, any of the characters that overcame their personal struggles was a hero because they saved themselves.  That's an awesome sentiment but I was looking for a clear hero.  I'm fickle that way.

What I did like in this book was Rawley.  His page time brought heart to the story and I enjoyed his contribution.  But as great as his role was in this installment, he could not carry the book alone.  Devon and Spencer's characters were too intrusive.  They carried a very heavy dullness that weighed the read.  However, I was pleased to see the main characters I adored from book one.  But unfortunately, they too could not save the book.  Bummer.

Stick to book one, The Wanderer. That was very good.