A Stepford Campfire Tale

Yep, I liked the first two books in the series, but this book was hard to finish. It seemed that the closer I got to the end, the harder it was to read (or listen) because it was really unbelievable.

Basically the main female character, Devon, escapes from a cult-like group and moves to Thunder Point, AKA, “Stepford Beach”. These Stepford citizens rally around this stranger and totally embrace her. Acts of kindness include coming over and cleaning up Devon’s filthy apartment and giving her furniture. She even shares an au pair with the local physician who gives her a job. Do they really know Devon or her background? Nope! But that’s okay. She’s now one of them and everything is terrific! Devon even finds a steady guy and BOOM they are in love.

So in the back of my mind, I kept wondering if it would’ve enjoyed it more had I only read the book and not listened to the audio. Why? Because the characters and situations were a bit unbelievable. Second, the dialog and actions didn’t make sense. Read previous paragraph.

Some of the questions I asked myself were: (1) If the FBI took you away for questioning, in an ongoing investigation, how many times would they let you contact friends and family to let them know what you are about to do, where you’re going…none of which is an attorney? (2) How often would the FBI let you visit, at length, with another buddy that’s also being questioned in the midst of the same ongoing investigation? (3) Would the FBI be concerned that you might discuss certain events and possibly alter your recollections to more closely reflect each other’s? (4) How does Cooper know so much about Rawley when Rawley can barely speak two sentences a day?

Back to the story. Everything is fantastic in Stepford Beach, but it can’t stay "Stepford" forever. Danger ensues, and oddly, the narrator’s voice and cadence suddenly turns uber-dramatic, I thought she might hyperventilate. Her breathing got really heavy and thick. She panted through sentences like, “He was DRIVING right down the RIVER. She shook her head in confusion, standing up to peek over the bridge and YES, HE WAS DRIVING down the river! She continued a bit later, “…she struggled and fought. ‘No, no, let the child be…leave her alone. No’”. My favorite line was “Don’t be afraid, I had a breakdown, that’s all.” Just so you know, it wasn’t a mental breakdown per se, I wouldn’t laugh at that, but in the context of the entire dialog, it was kinda silly. I giggled a lot in this chapter.

This story felt like listening to a bedtime story – albeit with adult subject matter. Most of the story was okay, but the ending was not great. The last unbelievable act was when the friends and neighbors jumped into their vehicle, guns blazing, and drove off to locate a missing person. And where was the FBI? Who knows, I can't even remember, but they weren't there.

Those were just a few examples of why I didn’t really like it. But I will say this: the narrator, Therese Plummer does excellent voices. I like her a lot! I prefer her male voices to her female voices. She's generally fantastic!

5 people found this helpful

Oops

I think that Robyn Carr and Therese Plummer respectively wrote and narrated the first romance that I knowingly ever read. Knowingly is the key word. I had read some Amish books, some paranormal, fantasy, science fiction and other genre books without really grasping they were romances in disguise.

I no longer remember which of Carr's book's was my first. It captivated me with plot, tough issues tackled and the way I was drawn into the feelings of the two protagonists. As most of her books do. Good writing trumps genre label.

This was about my least favorite of her books when I first read it and it hasn't improved with this reading. Too much back story needed, too many plot threads, and FBI inactions that broke my willing suspension of disbelef..

Why then bother with writing this review? If this is your potential first Carr romance or, as unlikely as it might be, your first "romance," then I urge you to start with another of her books. Almost any of them. Although beginning with the first of this series about Thunder Point should let you enjoy her talent.

4 people found this helpful

Robyn Carr continues to Awe inspire me.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Hero to be better than the print version?

with audio you get the emotions that come with closing your eyes and seeing it played out. Sometimes I just love to read, and others, I just love to listen and put myself right inside the book.

What other book might you compare The Hero to and why?

Robyn has a way of writing the Thunder Point series like her Virgin River series. But I got to say, I dearly love Thunder Point with each book she writes this series gets better.

What about Therese Plummer’s performance did you like?

Ms. Plummer is one of my two fav's when listening to books. As a female. She can do all the voices and you have no problem of understand who she is while talking. She is Amazing and I dearly love to listen her.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, I did, laugh and cry. I think so far is my fav of the books in the Thunder Point series.

Any additional comments?

First let me say this. This is not erotica. I started out reading Robyn Carr's books years ago. Of course it's still a little hard to go back to just fiction book, expect when it's Robyn's Thunder Point series. You have suspense, drama, clean romance, all the sweetness of dear friends that look after one another. I dearly love her books. . But with this book, I didn't leave it all day. Yep, never let go. And it's like that with her books. This book starts out dark, unsure of what is to come. If you want to read this book, I suggest you please read her other Thunder Point books. The Wanderer, The Newcomer, and The Hero. this one I just read. They will make more sense of understanding the closeness of this small Oregon town. A town that adores the beaches and each other and how they let no one down when they need a helping hand. It's hard to see the suffering in this one, but I had to remember when they are at and what they are all going to do for this girl that find her way to Thunder Point. Best thing that ever happens to her. It's a town I would love to live in. In the Hero, it's not who you suspect, as the Hero, you figure it out in the last 45 minutes of this book. Someone who is at ease with everything rears his head and takes over to protect what he feels is an unjust thing that is going on near his town. And it was. I cannot tell you, if you want a warm and fuzzy book to love and where can fall in love will all of them. This Book is for you..The entire series is. I could not wait for this one to arrive and once I did, I got everything done early and late so I could have it all to myself. I don't do that but with a couple of my books. This series is one of them. The town of Thunder Point has some of the best stories to tel. Join them and start with the first and book, and it your in a mind to, read them all. I love my Romance/ Erotica Books, no doubt, and can't wait to find the next one. but when this hit the stands, it clears my head and reminds me that sometimes we just need to pay it forward.

3 people found this helpful

Remember your heros!!!

Would you listen to The Hero again? Why?

Yes, because it brings out new twists and undercurrents in the story

What did you like best about this story?

The number of characters involved in it.

What does Therese Plummer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her voice brings warmth, joy, and realism to the characters!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Old heroes never die, they just wait until their needed again.

3 people found this helpful

4.5 The Hero Stars

Well I’ll be! This book was not what I was expected yet what I needed.

Rawley who we meet in the previous books was only one half of the hero of this book. Spencer was the second for me. He comes and save the football team when they needed it most but he also helps save Devon just as much as Rawley did.

I am loving this series, it’s a little like Virgin River but it’s also its’ own charm. I don’t think I was ready for that. Too like it almost as much as I like Virgin River.

Devon and her daughter have been through the ringer and if you think about it so has Spencer and his son. I think I like that they needed each other. I do wish we had more interaction with Austin Spencer’s son especially when his dad starts dating. I kind of want to know how he felt.

Again gushing here about Therese Plummer she is amazing again bringing each person a voice. I just love her work.

*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*

11 people found this helpful

LOVE LOVE LOVE!!

i am absolutely in love with the Thunder Point series and all of it's characters. I am so glad there are several books in this series. I love the continuation of the story and how each new character is introduced to old characters. But my favorite character of all is Raleigh.

the hero

love all of Robyn Carrs books. I am in the process of reading them all. Please keep them coming!

one of my favorites

lovely story. mystery love and family . this is part of a great series. can't wait to see what's next

I LOVE THIS BOOK

Reilly is my freakin hero. This book is filled with so much human kindness love and friendship. It made me tear up. It’s just beautiful

Good story if a little predictable

Story & Narrator were both good. Theykept my interest.
There were long pauses between chapters that made me think something was wrong with my device or the connection.