In a desperate bid to reduce the books that are collecting dust on my TBR shelves, I have decided to collaborate with another avid reader and fellow book reviewer, Nicole from Certified Book Addicts. The #20BACKLISTIN2020 challenge is a self paced challenge hosted by Jaylamm.Reads, Reading and Sunshine, and Cassidys.Bookshelf. The overall goal of this challenge is to read 20 titles from the backlist books that are currently sitting on your TBR pile. For this challenge I will be reading non review books and taking my selections directly from my chock-a-block TBR bookcases (there are two shelved back to back). I will be publishing my reviews of these books on my blog and social media sites on the first and third Tuesday of the month.
Book #3 in the #20BACKLISTIN2020 challenge
Estimated TBR Shelf Life: less than 1 year
Join Robyn Carr, No.1 New York Times bestselling author of the Virgin River and Thunder 
Point series, as she explores the healing powers of rural Colorado in a brand–new story of fresh starts, budding relationships and one woman’s journey to finding the happiness she’s long been missing
Between the urban bustle of Denver and the high–stress environment of a career in neurosurgery, Maggie Sullivan has hit a wall. When an emergency high–risk procedure results in the death of a teenager, Maggie finds herself in the middle of a lawsuit–and experiencing levels of anxiety she’s never faced before. She knows she needs to slow down before she burns out completely, and the best place she can think to do that is Sullivan’s Crossing.
Named for Maggie’s great–grandfather, the land and charming general store at the crossroads of the Colorado and the Continental Divide Trails have been passed down through the generations and now belong to Maggie’s eccentric father, Sully. When she shows up unannounced, he welcomes her with open arms, and she relishes the opportunity to indulge in his simple way of life.
But shortly after arriving, Maggie’s world is rocked once again and she must take on more responsibility than she’d planned. Though she’s relieved a quiet and serious–looking hiker, Cal Jones, is willing to lend a hand, Maggie is suspicious of this mysterious man’s eagerness to help–until she finds out the true reason for his deliberate isolation.
Though Cal and Maggie each struggle with loss and loneliness, the time they spend together gives Maggie hope for something brighter just on the horizon…if only they can learn to find peace and healing–and perhaps love–with each other.
Review:
‘At that moment she had no plan except to escape from the life of persistent strain, anxiety and heartache.’
The No. 1 Bestselling New York Times Bestselling, Robyn Carr, uses her novel What We Find, to introduce a series that is set between Colorado and the Continental Divide Trails. What We Find is a story of leaving your past behind, healing, new relationships, family love, comfort and happiness. What We Find is a sweet and comforting story, that will embrace you with its small town charms.
What We Find begins in the busy location of Denver, as neurosurgeon Maggie Sullivan is faced with a personal and career crisis. When we are acquainted with Maggie she is dealing with a wrongful death lawsuit, that coincides with the demise of her relationship and a shock pregnancy loss. Maggie’s confusion and desperation to take stock leads her back home to her open arms of Sullivan’s Crossing. This charming locale, based in the mountains of Colorado, offers Maggie a lifeline and a sense of solace at an incredibly trying time. Reconnecting with her father, Maggie begins to see the light, until a health crisis close to home changes everything. Maggie decides that her short term stay in Sullivan’s Crossing must now be a long term arrangement. The care of her father is of the utmost importance. In helping with her father’s recovery, Maggie finds that the tight knit local community and the campers on her father’s grounds are more than happy to lend a hand. Maggie becomes acquainted with a camper, who has also come to Sullivan’s Crossing to heal old wounds. Together and apart, this couple negotiates the tricky road to forgiveness, acceptance and recovery.
What We Find represents the introductory novel in popular novelist Robyn Carr’s Sullivan’s Crossing series. I am a newcomer to Carr’s work. Carr recently came to my attention following the Netflix series Virgin River, which is based on another series of books penned by this prolific writer. I enjoy small town romances and now that I have finished the Virgin River television series, I was hungry for more from Carr, which is why I turned to this backlist title, published in 2016.
Maggie Sullivan is the appealing heroine of this tale. When we first meet this likeable character, her life is in a shambles. A career, relationship, health and family crisis all compound at the same time, sending this woman in a spin and back to her home town. I immediately developed a sense of sympathy and empathy for Maggie, it did seem unfair that a series of unfortunate events happened to her. I agreed with her move to return home, a place of comfort. I’m sure I would do the same! Maggie is a reliable character, facing believable obstacles that we could easily be faced with.
Alongside Maggie is her gruff, but sprightly father Sully, who also suffers from a medical crisis as the story progresses. I enjoyed his musings and banter with the characters of this novel. Sully was also quite witty, which added a nice touch of humour to the unfolding story. Cal Jones, the hero of the tale, enters as the mysterious stranger with an equally shady past. Like Maggie, Cal is at a crossroads in his life. Cal uses Sullivan’s Crossing as a sanctuary to help him heal. When the paths of Maggie and Cal cross, there is a gentle friendship that eventually spurns into a sensuous romance. I enjoyed the personal growth of these characters a tad more than the unfolding romance.
The shining light What We Find is the setting, the Colorado mountain ranges and Sullivan’s Crossing, which are both full of charm. The locale base of this novel is a strong force that commands the reader’s attention. This is an area I am very green to, so the opportunity to indulge in a spot of armchair travel to this appealing location was great. I enjoyed taking in the pristine air and the picturesque mountain based locale of this well depicted township.
Carr ties up her novel very neatly by the close of What We Find. We see the characters go full circle and reach a point of understanding in their lives. Carr definitely has paved the way for continued exploration of the interesting townsfolk in further issues in this series.
There isn’t too much I can fault about What We Find. It was an enjoyable way to pass the weekend. I’m unsure as to whether or not I will commit to further books by Carr due to my time demands, but I would happily recommend this one to readers who like to reach for small town romances.
*** 3.5 stars
What We Find by Robyn Carr was published on 21st March 2016 by Mira AU. Details on how to purchase the book can be found here.
To learn more about the author of What We Find, Robyn Carr, visit here.
