I received this book for free from Netgalley in order to prepare an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
What We Find (Sullivan's Crossing, #1) by Robyn Carr Series: Sullivan's Crossing #1
Published by MIRA on April 5th 2016
Genres: Contemporary
Pages: 352
Goodreads
“He was falling in love with her. It was a terrifying concept.”
FINAL DECISION: I fell right into this story, but for me the most compelling part of the story was the insight into two professional people who reached a crisis in their lives that made them rethink the entire trajectory of their lives. A story of a deeply personal journey which also includes a romance, I really enjoyed the path these characters take.
THE STORY: Maggie Sullivan is a neurosurgeon who reaches a crisis in her career and her personal life. This leads her to come to Sullivan’s Crossing where her father resides. Sullivan’s Crossing is a small town located where the Continental Divide Trail and the Colorado Trail cross. While there, Maggie meets a mysterious hiker named Cal Jones. Cal has his own personal struggles and the two develop a friendship and then a romance.
OPINION: I loved this story, but the romance was only the secondary reason why. I really felt a connection with both Maggie and Cal who had reached what they thought was success in their personal and professional lives only to have things fall apart on them. This is the story of how these two people emerge from their shattered lives and build a new personal and professional lives, fall in love and build a new life together.
I think that Carr really nailed the inner journey of these two characters. Lives in upheaval are sometimes prime places to build bad relationships and I appreciated that these characters know they must find themselves before they are capable to giving themselves to someone else and sharing a new life together.
Carr has a wonderful way of giving her books a special place. Sullivan’s Crossing feels real and settled and a place that anyone can go to. I love these small town stories because it gives the books a sense of community and there is much humor to be found in small town life.
While I enjoyed the romance, this book felt like a personal journey for two characters. I felt a connection with each of these people who is asking “what do I want of my life now”. The romance felt real and natural and special between these two, but I think the personal journey was even more compelling than the romance itself.
WORTH MENTIONING: Carr does quirky little towns so well.
CONNECTED BOOKS: WHAT WE FIND is the first book in the Sullivan’s Crossing series.
STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.