Review: The Family Gathering by Robyn Carr

The Family Gathering

by Robyn Carr

Publisher: MIRA Books

Pages: 288

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  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.

Kritters Thoughts:  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.

Rating: enjoyable, but didn't leave me wanting more

Ebook 2018 Challenge: 38 out of 100


Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Little Bird Publicity.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.