Having read and enjoyed Any Day Now, the second book in Robyn Carr’s Sullivan’s Crossing series, I told myself I would go back and read the first book, What We Found. I wanted more of the characters and the setting, I wanted to dig deeper into the world. Sadly, I have yet to read What We Found, but when I was given the chance to dive into the third book, The Family Gathering, I was happy to return to the world.

Personally, I would recommend reading at least the prior book before diving into this one. The romance story in this one is certainly a standalone element, having a solid starting and ending point, but there are many other elements intertwined throughout and these relate back to the prior books. In many ways, this is more family saga than romance – although the romance is enjoyable – and due to that a bit of understanding is needed to really appreciate all that occurs throughout this one.

I will be honest and say I was a little bit unsure as to how I would feel about this one at first. Despite loving Any Day Now, I wasn’t crazy about my other Robyn Carr read, The Summer That Made Us. When it took me a while to get into The Family Gathering, I feared we were going to have a repeat performance – a story I could appreciate, but not one I would love. Fortunately, in the end, I was won over by this one.

It takes a few chapters, but once you fall into the story it becomes difficult to put down. You fall in love with the characters, and the deeper you get into the story the more threads that come to light. There were some elements that felt a bit predictable, but as a whole I really enjoyed the way all the elements played out with this one.

As with my prior Robyn Carr reads, I found the main thing that won me over was how realistic the characters were. Many books go for completely outlandish characters and events to keep readers entertained, yet Robyn Carr reflects real life wonderfully. The events are easy to envision and the characters are believable, ensuring you’re sucked deeper into the story and unwilling to take a step back as you’re desperate to see how everything ends.

Dealing with many issues throughout, The Family Gathering quickly won me over and has left me even more in love with the Sullivan’s Crossing crew.

This year I have tried to read a little more fluffy contempo romances. I’ve sometimes felt that I get pigeon holed into reviewing just historical fiction—don’t get me wrong, historical fiction is my jam but sometimes I need a break and could go for something a little more modern and different just to keep things interesting.

Romances never seem to get old for me and I think a lot of women would agree. It doesn’t matter how cliche or repetitive the romance might seem–theres just something about love and having everything turn out in the end that just makes me happy and gives me hope that romance is still alive n the digital age!

Enter books like The Family Gathering. Sure I feel like I’ve read similar stories before but I enjoy love in all it’s shapes and forms and I never get tired of seeing how individual romances unfold.

Having left the military, Dakota Jones is at a crossroads in his life. With his elder brother and youngest sister happily settled in Sullivan’s Crossing, he shows up hoping to clear his head before moving on to his next adventure. But, like every visitor to the Crossing, he’s immediately drawn to the down-to-earth people and the seemingly simple way of life.

Dakota is unprepared for how quickly things get complicated. As a newcomer, he is on everyone’s radar—especially the single women in town. While he enjoys the attention at first, he’s really only attracted to the one woman who isn’t interested. And spending quality time with his siblings is eye-opening. As he gets to know them, he also gets to know himself and what he truly wants.

When all the Jones siblings gather for a family wedding, the four adults are drawn together for the first time in a way they never were as children. As they struggle to accept each other, warts and all, the true nature and strength of their bond is tested. But all of them come to realize that your family are the people who see you for who you really are and love you anyway. And for Dakota, that truth allows him to find the home and family he’s always wanted (summary from Goodreads).

When I read this review pitch, I was intrigued by the ‘taming of the shrew’ troupe. Don’t we always want what we can’t have? Dakota sounded kind of like this cocky military guy who loves the female attention he’s getting in a small town but yet he can’t get the woman he really wants….doesn’t this sound like every woman’s fantasy? Well it sounded like mine so I was totally in.

I didn’t really notice that this book was part of a series, lately I’ve started reading a few series midway an had good luck with not feeling lost so I figured that would be the case with this one. I don’t know that I would recommend starting mid series with this one. There were clearly other plots and references to previous books and characters that I felt a little lost. This is a new author to me and according to some of the other reviews I had read, it sounds like it’s pretty typical for this author to carry on multiple story lines throughout multiple books and I would say that I recognized that right away with this one.

But I don’t think that took anything away from the story itself because I still liked it but I think that as a new reader, some of the finer nuances of the plot and the characters were lost on me.

I was surprised that this book was actually more about family than about romance. Yes romance is part of the book but really the emphasis is on family and the relationships between the siblings and their parents. the story itself was emotional but again having come in to this series late in the game, some of the emotional impact was less than what other readers might have felt.

I loved how Carr really drove home the small town feel of this book. Having grown up in a small town myself and then as an adult–traveled, gone to college, and lived other places and then moved back to said small town–I think she does a fantastic job at highlighting the difficulties about ‘coming home again’ and living in a small town and that impact on the characters.

It’s hard for me to rate this book because on one hand I enjoyed it and wanted to give it a 4 star review, but I also felt like I was missing so much of the plot which left me wanting to give it a 3 star review. I decided to split the difference and go with 3.5 stars. I think people who have read the other books in the series might rate it a 4 or 5 star review but without having the total understanding of the characters etc I didn’t feel as emotionally impacted or connected to the town and characters as I had hoped.

Challenge/Book Summary:

Book: The Family Gathering (Sullivan’s Crossing #3) by Robin Carr

Kindle Edition, 352 pages
Published April 17th 2018 by MIRA
ASIN B076ZPMD44
Review copy provided by: Publisher/Author in exchange for an honest review.
This book counts toward: NA

Hosted by: NA
Books for Challenge Completed: NA
Recommendation: 3.5 out of 5

Genre: contempo lit, contempo romance, romance

Memorable lines/quotes:

After being absent for many years, Dakota Jones decides it is time to spend time with his siblings. He's not really sure where this will lead of if he will even want to stay around. He just knows that something is missing in his life. And so he comes to Sullivan's Crossing to be with his older brother and younger sister.

While this is the third book in the Sullivan's Crossing series, it is my first. I enjoyed spending time with Dakota and his family. Dakota is an interesting character who comes home with lots of emotional baggage. His family is not without their own personal struggles. But together, they support each other and work together.

This was a lovely story about redemption, perseverance and love. I liked all the characters, minus a few of the troublemakers. I thought this was a realistic portrayal of the difficulties that people encounter and what they do to overcome them.

I received this book from Harlequin via Netgalley.

The third in a series that takes place in a small town semi near Denver, CO. The series centers around the Jones family - four siblings, two boys and two girls and this book centers around Dakota Jones. Dakota Jones returns to where his siblings had flocked and is going to stay here for a bit until he moves onto his next stop. An Army guy, Dakota Jones hasn't kept in touch with his family and hasn't ever really made a home, but maybe he will want to make a home here.

Most to all of Robyn Carr books that I have read focus on one couple's romantic journey and there are little bits and pieces of other couples from previous books or future books. This one felt different. Maybe the Dakota romantic story (won't divulge the other half, don't want to spoil the unveiling!) wasn't dramatic enough to fill a complete book, but in this book there were way too many side stories that weren't small but big and I felt like it was too much and overshadowed the Dakota story.

I will continue with this series, but I didn't love this book as much as the first two in the series. I like the town and the people, but just wanted more from this story and a little less of the side stories.

The title of this book turns out to have multiple meanings. The family gathers together, and the family gathers more people into itself. This happens to multiple families during the course of this entry in the Sullivan’s Crossing series. And it’s lovely all the way around.

The main story of this book focuses on Dakota Jones, just as the previous books in the series have focused first on his older brother Cal (What We Find) and then his younger sister Sierra (Any Day Now). And while you probably don’t have to read the first two books to enjoy this one, Sullivan’s Crossing is a marvelous place, the members of the family have an interesting set of dysfunctions, and the books are relatively quick reads that end with smile-on-your-face happy endings.

These are all nice people, and it’s great to see them get their acts together. Because they all sure need the help.

Dakota comes to Sullivan’s Crossing because he’s unexpectedly out of the military after 17 years, and is at a bit of a loose end. After years of staying as far away from his family as he can get, now that he doesn’t know what to do with himself he realizes that he wants to see how they are. Or at least how his brother and younger sister are. His parents still drive him crazy (with very good reason) and his older sister is a bossy control-freak that he can’t stand to be around.

Sullivan’s Crossing pulls him right in, just as it has Cal and Sierra. Part of that pull turns out to be Sid, the beautiful bartender at the local watering hole, just as Maggie changed Cal’s life and Connie did Sierra’s. Dakota doesn’t have any other place to be, no ties anywhere else that he wants to get closer to, and his brother and sister are both happy. Their newfound friends and family are extremely welcoming, and they have babies he can spoil without having to change their diapers.

Dakota may be drifting into life in Sullivan’s Crossing, but he is actively pursuing the extremely gunshy Sid. It’s only when not one but two of the local single women go out of their way to chase Dakota down with painfully obvious sexual intent that he eventually gets the clue that he’s after much more with Sid than just a quick fling. And that’s a good thing, because it’s going to require not just a lot of patience but also a sincere friendship for Sid to let any man other than her brother close enough to see if she might be willing to let her guard down again. Ever.

Escape Rating B+: The Family Gathering, and the entire Sullivan’s Crossing series, is simply a lovely, good time with a really quirky family. The quote that opens the book sums it all up very nicely – “In our family, we don’t hide crazy…we put it on the porch and give it a cocktail.”

The Jones siblings have all been a fairly nice brand of crazy. It’s in this entry that we see some of the darker sides of what has driven all of them to end up in Sullivan’s Crossing.

Their father is a non-functional schizophrenic who self-medicates with marijuana to keep the voices toned down. He’s not violent, in fact he’s rather sweet, but his inability to function in society made for a chaotic childhood for the four kids. Their mother was too busy enabling her husband to make sure that their children had any responsible parenting, but the kids mostly turned out okay with the help and guidance of their grandparents.

While Cal seems to have ended up the most functional, Sierra’s response was to self-medicate her fears of ending up like their father with alcohol, and Dakota ran away to the military at 17 and took a vat of resentment with him. Dakota’s older sister Sedona, the bossy control freak, has anxiety and OCD issues to the point where her family has to stage an intervention. Dealing with Sedona’s crisis is a big part of the story, and an important factor in the gathering of this family back together.

The other issue holding this book together, is the stalking of Dakota. Not that Dakota is stalking anyone, but that he is being stalked by a woman who entered the series in Any Day Now seeming slightly unhinged, but with Dakota entering the picture has escalated into full-scale criminal behavior – and she’s ramping up the violence along with the crazy.

It was marvelous to see this particular shoe on the other foot. I’ve read the trope where a woman is endangered by a crazed sexual stalker so many times that they all read alike, and usually read as an excuse to put the heroine in jeopardy so the hero can save her, often with some rape-porn on the side. Ugh!

This was different, but it was fresh and it also felt realistic. Dakota wants to dismiss it all. He doesn’t want to make trouble, he doesn’t want to seem like trouble to Sid, and he really doesn’t want to get his stalker in trouble for incidents that seems merely misguided – at least at first. It’s the police chief who convinces Dakota that even though the individual incidents don’t seem like much, that there is something going on that needs to be monitored. And that just because Dakota is a soldier doesn’t mean that he can’t be misled, misguided or be a victim of something awful just because the perpetrator is a woman and not another man.

There is also a romance in The Family Gathering, and even though the developing relationship between Sid and Dakota is the tentpole of the plot, it’s really the way that Dakota falls in love with the town, his life there, and his growing relationship with the rest of his family that carries the story.

And it is a lovely read.

Robyn Carr brings readers a novel about families and the bonds that hold them together. The Family Gathering is the third book in the Sullivan's Crossing series and shares the heartfelt emotion and love that every Robyn Carr book has. Carr has a way of storytelling that you won't soon forget. With amazing characters and real life situations, Carr draws the reader in and holds them to the very end. Readers looking for a read that will make them smile, cry a little and feel genuinely satisfied after, will love this one.



What I liked:



I don't know about you guys, but I have serious soft spot for military men. Their heart for service and love for family and country is something that speaks to me. In Robyn Carr's latest book, The Family Gathering she gives reader a main character that may not be perfect but he has a good heart and a code of honor. Dakota Jones is one of my favorite leading men ever, from Carr's writings. The character embodies the idea of a man who wants to come to terms with his past and build a future that matters. After his unexpected exit from the Army, Dakota comes to Colorado where some of his sibling's have settled. It's an eye opening experience as he begins to really get to know his family. I loved the way Carr was able to show how important family is and what each person adds to the mix. Such a good character.



The family dynamic in this book is just wonderful. These kids went through an intense childhood together but never really got to know each other as adults. I know that feeling from my own experience. My family is close knit but I don't often feel that I know my siblings as people. I loved that Carr explores the ins and outs of the family bond in this novel. Though it is a romance as most of Carr's books are, the idea of family and what that means is weaved heavily throughout the book and it's such a nice aspect of it. I loved seeing Dakota interact with his brothers and sisters and how that changed him as a man.



Mental illness is not something you often see tackled in a romance novel. But in The Family Gathering, sister Sedona is dealing with the possibility that she is dealing with schizophrenia passed down from her father. The family gathers close around her and how they work through this situation is heartrending. I felt like I had actually learned quite a bit about a disease that most people don't really want to talk about. Carr not only entertains with this book but also educates and that's a pretty big challenge.



The romance was really kind of secondary for me. It was really good. I liked Sid. She was spunky and sassy and just the right compliment to Dakota. She had some issues of her own and she had to deal with the other single women being after Dakota, but she really held her own. I was so happy that Dakota was able to see himself with someone and settle down. That was very satisfying. But the family relationships in this novel were everything. It was nice to see how Sid fit in with this dynamic family group.



What I didn't like:



Why is it that a new single guy in a small town is fresh meat? And what's more, Dakota becomes stalker bait. I'm not faulting Robyn Carr's writing at all. It's the truth of what often happens. Are we that desperate people? lol... I'm not. Hope you aren't either.



Bottom Line:



Such a good book. I love Carr's writing. She is one of my favorites and this book really showed her ability as a writer. The family bonds were amazing. I loved watching these siblings get to know each other in real and meaningful ways. I loved how they pulled together for Sedona and I hope that Carr returns to Sullivan's Crossing again soon. I haven't had quite enough of this family yet. You'll be hooked for sure once you read the first page.

This is the third book in a series that’s set in an idyllic small town I Colorado, I read the second book last year and was excited to catch up with the characters again. You could easily jump in at any point, these books read fine as a standalone, although it was nice to see some familiar characters as secondary characters this time around. Last book it was Sierra’s story and this one focused on her brother, Dakota.

Carr writes the type of romance novels that I can handle, they’re not over the top gushy or unrealistic with insta love and other overdone tropes. She creates genuine, true to life characters and scenarios that are just so easy to get lost in. Dakota isn’t necessarily looking for love, but he’s not adverse to casual flings and though he has plenty of offers when he moves to town, he has eyes for only one lady, Sid. I like the whole play hard to get storyline but this was deeper than that, it wasn’t two flat characters playing games, it was two damaged grown adults who went into a relationship in a mature fashion, I love that!

This is just a really smooth read, it wasn’t all about the romance there was family issues and several serious complications, lots going on to keep you engaged. Carr is an excellent storyteller, she reels you in and makes you become invested in her characters, I’m totally in love with this little town and it’s residents and can’t wait to catch up with them again!

The Family Gathering in three words: Authentic, Charming and Heartwarming.

Robyn Carr is one of my all-time favorite contemporary romance writers. She writes realistic romances that warm your heart, usually set in a quaint small town with an abundance of lovable secondary characters. The Family Gathering is the third book in the Sullivan’s Crossing series and centered on another one of the Jones’ siblings, Dakota.

Dakota distanced himself from his wacko parents as soon as he was old enough to enlist in the army and hasn’t been around his brother and two sisters in quite some time. The circumstances surrounding his discharge from the army and a tragic love lost has made Dakota re-examine his life and reestablish a connection with his brother and sisters. Luckily for Dakota Cal and Sierra have settled in the same place, Timberlake, and so he sets off there thinking he might spend a few weeks. Being around his brother and sister and their mates, as well as the charm of Timberlake and its residents, feels right and so Dakota starts making more permanent arrangements.

There is no shortage of women in Timberlake, and two take and immediate interest in Dakota, but he only has eyes for, Sidney, a bartender at the local watering hole. Unfortunately for Dakota, Sid isn’t much interested in starting a relationship since the end of her marriage just about destroyed her. Also, unfortunately, the two woman, Neely and Alyssa, who are interested aren’t what you’d call a picture of sanity. Dakota deals with these two nut-jobs while trying to get to know Sid and patiently wait for her to come around.

I love Robyn Carr’s leading men. They have a protective streak without the usual over-the-top alpha-assholery you find in a lot of romances. Watching Dakota and Sid slowly build to a romance was a delight. Dakota was a sweet guy, patient and understanding. Also, he was smart about the Neely and Alyssa who were complete psychos!

There’s were several side stories in The Family Gathering, a standard in Carr’s stories, which were just as interesting and engaging as Dakota and Sid’s story. Sierra and Sedona, Dakota’s sisters have issues, both happy and sad to work through, and Tom Canaday and Lola sort out romance and merging families. I think the only negative about The Family Gathering is I wanted more! I wanted to see a little more of Dakota and Sid’s future, but with any luck Ms. Carr will write another installment and I’ll get to catch up with these characters I’ve come to know and love!

A copy was kindly provided by Mira Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This review is also posted at The Readers Den.

Since I found the Carr’s Virgin River series, this author has been an auto-read for me. Her talent at writing contemporaries revolving around families is done in such a realistic way it just hits every one of my buttons. The sense of community she provides in every story just speaks to a world I wish existed in real life. When I began this series I wasn’t sure about it, but as it went on I immersed myself into the characters and their lives.

In this book, we focus on Dakota Jones who’d only been mentioned in passing as Cal and Sierra’s brother. Dakota left his flakey family and joined the service as soon as he was able to. His childhood was not normal by any stretch, living in a converted bus, moving from place to place as his mother enabled the ramblings of a father who suffered from mental illness, rather than encouraging him to seek help. Even after they’d settled on their grandparent’s farm in Iowa, their lives were still influenced by their father’s illness and Dakota chose to leave right after his high school graduation. He joined the army and hadn’t been back but a few times to check in.

Dakota made the army his life and loved it. He was successful until he defied a direct order and followed his gut. It didn’t matter that he saved several lives with his defiance, his actions had to be dealt with. He served some time and was ultimately discharged. He wandered around a bit, spent time in Australia and slowly made his way to Sullivan’s Crossing to check in with his siblings. He never intended to fall in love with the place or the close knit community he finds there. Her certainly never expected to fall in love and want to make a home there.

Sidney or “Sid” moved back to Sullivan’s Crossing after her divorce. She was so blindsided when her husband left her after seven years of marriage, that she had a breakdown. Needing to completely escape, she moves home to heal and stays to help her brother Rob raise his sons. She works part time at her brother’s bar/restaurant. She is not interested in men or a relationship, her trust completely ruined by what she experienced. But there is something about Dakota Jones that makes her rethink her “don’t need a man” rule.

I really liked how Dakota and Sid’s relationship started and grew. Neither of them were looking, so their time together seemed to revolve around Dakota’s visits to the bar for a beer and a burger. Though Sid is friendly she doesn’t encourage Dakota in any way. Dakota is not deterred and continues to put himself in her path at every turn. Initially Dakota is not thinking about or looking for a relationship and he’s honest with Sid about that. Ultimately, that’s what worked for Sid. She wasn’t interested in anything serious after what she’d been through.

While Sid and Dakota are learning about each other, big things are happening for Sierra and Connie from book 2. Sierra and Connie have been together for a while now and are starting to talk about important things. Sierra was pretty sure that she didn’t want biological children, worried about passing on the mental illness gene. But she struggled with that decision because she had the feeling Connie wanted a child of his own. They decide to try being foster parents. I loved watching Sierra and Connie as they realize building a family is exactly what they want to do.

Cal and Maggie from book one are busy people! Maggie has had a baby girl and she is back to work, commuting to Denver and staying there three or four days a week. Cal is practicing law and helps Sully, Maggie’s dad, at the campground whenever he can.

Carr surprises us by bringing Sedona, the fourth sibling, to Sullivan’s Crossing when Sierra and Connie get married. Sedona comes alone, leaving her husband and children behind. Sedona has a secret and she doesn’t know how to tell her family, at the same type wanting to ignore everything about it.

While all that is going on, there is a crazy woman stalking Dakota. He catches the eye of a couple of women when he comes to town. He’s young, handsome, and new! But once he meets Sid, he’s not interested in anyone but her, much to his stalker’s dismay. I could have done without this storyline. I don’t think it was necessary at all. There was enough drama and excitement between Sedona, Cal and Sierra as they all were facing life changing decisions.

If a series has to come to an end, I want it to be written just like this book. Not only did we get a new couple to keep the story fresh, we get lots of page time with characters from previous books. We got a wedding, a new baby and so much love! I can’t wait to see what Carr has in store for us next.

I would recommend this book to folks already involved with the series. I reviewed this book for Booklist.

Wow, another awesome book by one of my absolute favorite authors.

In this book, Carr touched on a variety of issue, including stalking, dysfunctional families, mental illness and more.

Dakota Jones, returning from his stint in the Military, goes to Colorado to visit with his family. He plans to just figure out what he wants to do with his life, but sets eyes on a bartender, Sid, at a local pub and his plans immediately take a turn. Sid does everything she can to keep Dakota at arms length, but he is determined to break down her defenses.

I enjoyed the way that Tom and Lola are forming a life together as well as the new direction that Sierra and Connie are heading towards adoption. The sad part was Sedona and her illness, but I'm hoping that the family intervention helped her on the path to regaining her life back.

I love that Carr makes you feel like you are coming home each time you read one of her books. She brings in all the characters and there are always side stories that are intertwined with the main focus of the book.

5 stars

Must-read women’s fiction: ‘Flying at Night,’ ‘The Secret to Southern Charm,’ ‘The Family Gathering’ and ‘Other People’s Houses’
It’s time again for some women’s fiction recommendations. What is so wonderful about this genre is there are books that explore every stage of a woman’s life — from finding love, to raising a family, to dealing with aging parents.
And while the books might explore the different challenges we face during our lifetime, the basic core of the books is the same. It’s in our DNA to build, nurture and repair relationships, and this month’s selections do a wonderful job of showcasing that.
Flying at Night by Rebecca L. Brown
What it’s about:
While she was growing up, Piper’s father, Lance “the Silver Eagle” Whitman, became a national hero piloting a plane through an emergency landing. But at home, he was a controlling and overbearing presence in her life, raining emotional and verbal abuse upon the entire family.
It’s no surprise, then, that as an adult, Piper has poured all of her energy into creating a warm and loving home for her own family, while catering to her son Fred’s ever-growing idiosyncrasies.
Then Lance has a heart attack, leaving him with a brain injury—and dependent upon Piper for his care—just before tests confirm Piper’s suspicions that Fred is on the autism spectrum.
A powerful and extraordinary novel, Flying at Night gives voice to Fred, trying to find his place in a world that doesn’t quite understand him; to Lance, who’s lost what made him the man he was, for better and worse; and to Piper, who, while desperately trying to navigate the shifting landscape around her, watches as her son and father start to connect—in the most miraculous ways.
Why you should read this: Truly a spectacular read. The developing bond between grandfather and grandson is exceptionally moving, as is the slow repair of the fractured relationship between father and daughter.
The Secret to Southern Charm by Kristy Woodson Harvey
What it’s about:
Kristy Woodson Harvey returns with the second novel in her beloved Peachtree Bluff series, featuring a trio of sisters and their mother who discover a truth that will change not only the way they see themselves, but also how they fit together as a family.
After finding out her military husband is missing in action, middle sister Sloane’s world crumbles as her worst nightmare comes true. She can barely climb out of bed, much less summon the strength to be the parent her children deserve.
Her mother, Ansley, provides a much-needed respite as she puts her personal life on hold to help Sloane and her grandchildren wade through their new grief-stricken lives. But between caring for her own aging mother, her daughters, and her grandchildren, Ansley’s private worry is that secrets from her past will come to light.
But when Sloane’s sisters, Caroline and Emerson, remind Sloane that no matter what, she promised her husband she would carry on for their young sons, Sloane finds the support and courage she needs to chase her biggest dreams—and face her deepest fears. Taking a cue from her middle daughter, Ansley takes her own leap of faith and realizes that, after all this time, she might finally be able to have it all.
Why you should read this: Looking for a perfect romancey-angsty read? Then look no further. While the story is mainly centered around Sloane, all four women have plenty of romance challenges. Harvey’s exploration of infidelity and the challenges of being a military wife add wonderful layers to an already great read. (See an excerpt from The Secret to Southern Charm on HEA.)
The Family Gathering by Robyn Carr
What it’s about:
Having left the military, Dakota Jones is at a crossroads in his life. With his elder brother and youngest sister happily settled in Sullivan’s Crossing, he shows up hoping to clear his head before moving on to his next adventure. But, like every visitor to the Crossing, he’s immediately drawn to the down-to-earth people and the seemingly simple way of life.
Dakota is unprepared for how quickly things get complicated. As a newcomer, he is on everyone’s radar—especially the single women in town. While he enjoys the attention at first, he’s really only attracted to the one woman who isn’t interested. And spending quality time with his siblings is eye-opening. As he gets to know them, he also gets to know himself and what he truly wants.
When all the Jones siblings gather for a family wedding, the four adults are drawn together for the first time in a way they never were as children. As they struggle to accept each other, warts and all, the true nature and strength of their bond is tested. But all of them come to realize that your family are the people who see you for who you really are and love you anyway. And for Dakota, that truth allows him to find the home and family he’s always wanted.
Why you should read this: For many just seeing the name Robyn Carr is enough of a recommendation. If you need additional reasons, then this story is book three in the Sullivan’s Crossing series about the Jones siblings. We’ve fallen in love with the Jones family while seeing how the challenges they’ve faced — growing up with a schizophrenic father and an enabling mother — have impacted their adult lives, more so than they realized. So it is especially rewarding to see them find love and happiness. (See an excerpt from The Family Gathering on HEA.)
Other People’s Houses by Abbi Waxman
What it’s about:
At any given moment in other people’s houses, you can find…repressed hopes and dreams…moments of unexpected joy…someone making love on the floor to a man who is most definitely not her husband…
*record scratch*
As the longtime local carpool mom, Frances Bloom is sometimes an unwilling witness to her neighbors’ private lives. She knows her cousin is hiding her desire for another baby from her spouse, Bill Horton’s wife is mysteriously missing, and now this…
After the shock of seeing Anne Porter in all her extramarital glory, Frances vows to stay in her own lane. But that’s a notion easier said than done when Anne’s husband throws her out a couple of days later. The repercussions of the affair reverberate through the four carpool families—and Frances finds herself navigating a moral minefield that could make or break a marriage.
Why you should read this: This one is wonderfully sardonic, insightful and humorous — like her interview on HEA. Waxman’s exploration of infidelity shows the impact it can have not only on family but friends, too. Her stay-at-home-mom scenarios are fun and humorous.
Leigh Davis is a former contributor to Heroes and Heartbreakers. When she is not reading, she’s usually outside throwing balls to her insatiable dogs. She loves hearing and talking about great books. You can connect with her on Twitter and Goodreads.
MORE ON HEA: See more posts by Leigh
https://happyeverafter.usatoday.com/2018/04/19/leigh-davis-womens-fiction-recommendations-rebecca-l-brown-kristy-woodson-harvey-robyn-carr-abbi-waxman/

The Family Gathering by Robyn Carr
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another member of the Jones family has come to Sullivan's Crossing. Dakota Jones has left the military and has not decided what to do or where he will end up. He has found that he is enjoying seeing family after years of staying far away. He also finds someone that he wants to get to know better so he decided to stay while. Sid is a bartender but again she is so much more. She has very large trust issues and it is going to take a lot of patience on Dakota 's part before she even begins to trust him. This is a mix of Dakota and Sid's story and everything happening to the other members of the Jones family as well as some other side characters in the story. Family and acceptance is very important as each of Jones siblings face happiness and sadness as the story progresses.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.

Every so often I look forward to reading a certain book and then feel a little let down when I read it. Not so with The Family Gathering, #3 in Robyn Carr's Sullivan's Crossing. I love, love, loved every word of it.

I've come to love this little community and the spirit that exists among them. And I really looked forward to brother Dakota's story and it was everything that I wanted and more. Yes more! Because we had updates of Maggie and Cal and little Elizabeth. We saw Sully from time to time, and Connie and Sierra's story is furthered and in such a way that had my heart hurting and hoping at the same time. And then the last sister Sedona - what a story for her too. Such a strong sense of family and community - my kind of read.

If that all sounds like you couldn't read this one without reading the previous two books - well you could because Robyn Carr does fill you in a unobtrusive way. However I am so happy to have followed the story from the beginning.

As soon as Dakota arrives and finds himself a little cabin in the woods I was hooked. Made me remember such a cabin in the Virgin River series. I loved how he talks straight and tells people (women mostly) where he's at with them or not as the case may be. I loved Sid too, she's had a knock back but in reality she is a very intelligent and strong woman.

All the characters have such interesting back stories and it impinges on their lives now. This is not just some light romance, this is a story about people - their highs and lows and struggles. And their ultimate arrival on the path to redemption. And of course there is romance and in such a perfect way.

I loved all the characters, Robyn Carr even includes the perfect nun, plus the oddest character around, we've met her in previous books and she is every bit as weird in this one, but has she finally met her match?

If you are a Robyn Carr fan this one is certainly for you. If you like a heart warming and emotional read, great characters and plenty to keep you involved in the plot then I say .... read it!

More second chances occur in Sullivan’s Crossing for more than just one new couple!

Dakota Jones spent several years of his life as an army ranger. But one decision to protect his men by defying a direct order left him discharged trying to figure out what to do with his life. After a walkabout in Australia, he decides to head to Timberlake, Colorado to visit his brother Cal and meet his newborn niece. His sister Sierra has also decided to stay in Timberlake with her fiancée Connie. Shortly after arriving, he can understand why his family feels rooted her. He also starts to meet the local women and has two prospects almost immediately. Alyssa has a hair salon and Neely is a looker that comes on a little strong the first time he meets her. In both cases, he is just not that interested. He is interested in the bartender at a local bar and grille, but she is not interested in him. Sidney has had a bad divorce and doesn’t know if she can ever trust men again, but Dakota is persistent. However, the other women don’t like that they are not receiving his affection and he has picked up a stalker. Can Dakota show this young woman that he is truly enraptured by her? Or will someone beat him to the punch?

Of the Sullivan Crossing series, this book probably goes the deepest of any of the characters. Each main character is so real, flawed, and raw that they become alive instantly. Dakota and Sid’s past romances were really tough to stomach based on the loss that each had. Sierra and Connie’s predicament will likely make readers very emotional. All this combined made the story fly off the page. I couldn’t wait to get back to Sullivan’s Crossing after the last book as I was interested in what was going to happen to the final Jones sibling. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. I would love to see this series continue with the family to see how the future plays out.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The family is one of nature's masterpieces. — George Santayana

As I've written before, I'm a huge fan of author Robyn Carr. I do believe I've read all of her many books. She has a real talent with creating complex characters that feel like friends and in writing believable dialogue.

This 3rd story in the Sullivan Crossing series centers around Dakota Jones. He is the brother of Cal, Sierra, and Sedona. He is discharged from the Army after 17 years as an Army Ranger and is at loose ends. He hasn't spent much time with his family over the years since he's been an adult so heads to Timberlake, Colorado to visit Cal and Sierra.

He ends up appreciating his brother and sisters and the town much more than he thought he would. And he ends up meeting an intriguing bartender who has quite a story of her own. But not everything is perfect and the story highlights the problems as well as the good times.

I've missed the Virgin River series and characters written by this author but I'm thinking this one is just as good.

I received this book from Harlequin Books through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.

With each new book the series has been getting a little better, and after reading this one, I felt like the author might finally be starting to hit her stride with the Sullivan's Crossing stories. There was quite a bit going on in The Family Gathering that held my attention pretty well, probably even better than the first two books, but at the same time, I found some similar weaknesses to the previous two books. However, this book ended up being my favorite of the series thus far and had some emotional and heartwarming moments that reminded me of watching a Hallmark movie. I enjoyed the small-town atmosphere and the family dynamics and look forward to the next book in this series. For my full detailed review see the link below.

The Family Gathering is a beautiful novel of the bonds of familial love that can grow from the unlikeliest places. Robyn Carr brings readers back to Sullivan's Crossing as the Jones siblings gather for Sierra and Connie's wedding and to welcome Dakota to the neighborhood.

Dakota is discharged from the army and takes this opportunity to venture to the place his brother and sister have relocated and found so much blissful happiness. Even as the women of the town flock to him, the only woman to catch his eye is the saucy bartender, Sidney. As Dakota fends off an unwanted suitor turned stalker and charms Sid, Sierra and Connie take on temporary foster care of an orphaned baby who becomes their entire world. Carr makes this story a true family gathering as the siblings rally around Sedona, who fears she may have inherited their father's schizophrenia. Her marriage is falling apart, but she'll do whatever it takes to keep the facade of perfection from shattering.

I honestly didn't think anything else in this series would top Any Day Now, but The Family Gathering really surprised me. The range of emotions from heartache to absolute joy is astounding. The characters throughout the series have become a family through the traditional means, marriage, and forming tight bonds during trying circumstances. When one of them has a breakdown they all come together to help her remain rooted in reality. Even though this is mostly Dakota and Sid's story the highlight for me was Connie and Sierra. Their part in the story was amazing and completely unexpected, but it made the story feel like it was wrapping up lose ends and giving the couples we've come to love the start of their happily ever after. I can say with absolute certainty that this is a Robyn Carr novel you don't want to miss!
*ARC provided in consideration for review*

Sullivan's Crossing #3
I loved the Virgin River series- even got my nonreader mom to read them.
I have read all of her books and every book makes me a bigger fan.

I read and really enjoyed the first two books in this series.
I enjoyed getting caught up with the family and meet some new members.
Dakota grew up a loner- as soon as he was able- he left to go with Army
so he has been gone from family for 17 years. He decides to visits Sullivan's Crossing.
Right away, he falls into family and friends and the excitement of a new relationship.

Sierra is making wedding plans and contemplating parenthood or fostering.

A family member who had appeared to have overcome childhood issues and all together also
deals with a medical misdiagnosis and the struggle to find a therapeutic combination of treatments.

Third great story- I hope not the last
I want more!

Another delightful read from Robyn Carr. I somehow missed reading book #2 in this series, but didn't feel it took away much from my enjoyment of The Family Gathering.

Filled with romance and lots of other relationship building, The Family Gathering provides readers with the opportunity to step out of their lives while also reflecting a bit on their own family. The Jones family may be a bit more strained than most, but I think we can all relate to having siblings we don't understand yet love all the same.