A New Hope by Robyn Carr

Author: Robyn Carr

Publisher: Mira (HQN)
Date of pubication: June 2015

After losing her child, Ginger Dysart was lost in grief. But since moving to Thunder Point, a small town on the Oregon coast, and with the help of her cousin Ray Anne, Ginger is finally moving forward. Her job at the flower shop is peaceful and fulfilling, and she's excited to start her first big assignment, assisting with the Lacoumette wedding. 

In spite of her lasting heartache, Ginger finds herself swept up in the pleasure of the occasion. But the beauty of the Lacoumette farm and the joy of the gregarious family are ruined by an unfortunate encounter with the bride's brother, Matt. Struggling with painful memories of his own recent divorce, Matt makes a drunken spectacle of himself and Ginger when he tries to make a pass at her, forcing Ginger to flee the scene in embarrassment. 

But when Matt shows up at the flower shop determined to make amends, what started out as a humiliating first meeting blossoms into something much deeper than either of them expected. Discovering they have a lot in common, they form a solid friendship, though everyone around them worries that Ginger will end up with a broken heart yet again. But if Ginger has the courage to embrace the future, and if Matt can finally learn to let go of the past, there may still be hope for a happy ending.

After eight books about Thunder Point, I didn't think that Ms. Carr could top herself.  Well, I was wrong.  I absolutely loved A New Hope. Ginger and Matt's story was heartbreaking, yet so sweet that I just had to sigh at the end. Their story is one of the reasons that I love to read romance.  The HEA always makes me smile in the end.  Ginger has come in Thunder Point to stay with her cousin Ray Anne to recover from the loss of her baby.  She has begun to find some peace and the way back to herself while working in Grace's flower shop.  Matt has been a mess since his bitter divorce, a mess that stems from deeper problems than he has told anyone.

What I loved about this relationship is the friendship that came before the love affair.  Ginger and Matt spend hours talking on the phone and just hanging out as friends.  I really felt like that deepened their relationship and made it more believable.  They just fit so well together.  They are a couple you want to fall in love with and you just want to root for.  The relationship isn't without conflict, but that just makes their story better.

It wouldn't be a Thunder Point story without visiting with other characters in the town.  The book also involves Grace and her mother, Winnie.  I really liked how their relationship was improving.  We are also introduced to Lin Su, Winnie's nurse, and her son Charlie.  They are the focus of the next book, Wildest Dreams, which comes out in August.  I can't wait to visit Thunder Point again!