A New Hope (Thunder Point #8), by Robyn Carr [Start Date: August 17, 2015]

[Phoenix (Online Elf), Moderator]

                      

          A New Hope by Robyn Carr


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.

★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩

Please feel free to join us. As always expect spoilers.

Chapter Breakdown

Date		Chapters		PPDQs*
August ## 	Chp.00 – 00		????
August ##	Chp.00 – 00		????
August ## 	Chp.00 – 00		????

*PPDQs = Person Posting Discussion Questions

[Phoenix (Online Elf), Moderator]

Reserved.

[ShoSho , Moderator]

I'm in. I don't have the book yet.

[Lara]

I'm in too. I may have to buy a copy as my library doesn't have it yet and 4 people are ahead of me on the hold list. Ugh.

[ShoSho , Moderator]

Are you ok with changing to the 17th? You might get your library copy by then;)

My library doesn't have it but I recommend it to them hopefully they'll buy it by then

[Lara]

Yes, that is much better for me.

[Ezi]

I hope you all enjoy it!

[Lara]

I hope I get it in time!

[Silvia]

I'm in!

[Lindy]

I have it

[Lara]

I still have 4 people ahead of me for the ebook, and the library apparently hasn't purchased/processed the hard copies yet, though I should get one once they are available. However, I am not sure that will happen before next week. I may decide to buy the ebook if it doesn't. I own most of the series, so if I do, I hope this book is one I like more rather than less.

[ShoSho , Moderator]

My library is still ignoring my recommendation ,I'll probably have to buy it too.

A question:
Do you want to read #9 in September or wait for the libraries to buy and read it in a few month?
will be released on August 25th.

[Silvia]

I don't mind waiting! ; )

[Lara]

I don't mind waiting either. Maybe schedule it for October? My library sometimes takes a few weeks to get things, and then it takes longer before they're on the shelf.

[ShoSho , Moderator]

I don't mind either .

[Lindy]

both abe books and thrift books are cheap. Thrift books has 2 copies for 5.27

[Lara]

So, my library website says the book is "in transit." Since my branch isn't open tomorrow, I'll see if it's there on Tuesday and start then.

[Lara]

At least I already have a hold on the next book, which my library hasn't gotten in yet. Hopefully it will be in and in circulation by the time we are reading it.

[ShoSho , Moderator]

Lara wrote: "So, my library website says the book is "in transit." Since my branch isn't open tomorrow, I'll see if it's there on Tuesday and start then."

That's good . My library has ignored me so I'll buy it when I'm done with the book I'm reading now.

[ShoSho , Moderator]

Guess what ?:D
My other library has it but it'll be available on 30th so I'll wait until then.

[Lara]

Series reads are fun until we catch up to the new releases, aren't they? Then we run into those access issues--library availability, different publishing dates in different countries, etc. But, it's hard to stop when the next book is coming out next month ;-)

[ShoSho , Moderator]

Lara wrote: "Series reads are fun until we catch up to the new releases, aren't they? Then we run into those access issues--library availability, different publishing dates in different countries, etc. But, it'..."

Yep! We won't stop tho , we'll just give the libraries sometime to catch up ;)

[Silvia]

Are we going to start this book tomorrow?

[ShoSho , Moderator]

You can start reading whenever you wish ;)

[Silvia]

Ok. I'll start reading it now! ; )

[Lara]

Yea! I got my copy from the library! I'll read tonight.

[ShoSho , Moderator]

Yaay!

[Lara]

So, last night I read the first 5 chapters, then got distracted. My take initially was that Matt was a real jerk. I mean, being drunk was not an excuse for his behavior.

Then he began acting nice and I thought that the reason he really liked Ginger (despite her attractiveness) is because being with her makes him feel like who he used to be. He is distracted from his bitterness and can be himself. Ginger seems to feel the same way.

I like how open and honest they are with each other. However, I'm wondering if Matt isn't getting emotionally attached faster than Ginger.

I'm enjoying spending a bit of time with Ginger and Troy, and with Phoebe and Scott. This is definitely a book you'd want to read after the previous few to get the full meaning of the material

[Jonetta]

Lara wrote: "So, last night I read the first 5 chapters, then got distracted. My take initially was that Matt was a real jerk. I mean, being drunk was not an excuse for his behavior.

Then he began acting nice ..."

I had the same shifting opinions of Matt.

[Silvia]

I finished this yesterday and loved! I feel so invested in this series, love the author and her writing. ; )

[Lara]

This turned out to be one of my favorites so far. I loved how Ginger became stronger, yet wasn't pushy. She just learned to stand her ground and do what she needed for herself.

Also, I was glad that one of the things I didn't like about Phoebe's story didn't happen here. (view spoiler)[Neither ex became a different person. While Natalie at least came clean and was remorseful, Mick continued to be a narcissistic ass.(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[ShoSho , Moderator]

I got a problem! My holds on both this one (ebbok) and Magic Shifts(hardcover) came available yesterday. I have both here and can't decide which one to read first or just start both.

[Jonetta]

You'll fly through this one. Go for it and then sit back and take your time with Kate and friends:)

[ShoSho , Moderator]

Jonetta wrote: "You'll fly through this one. Go for it and then sit back and take your time with Kate and friends:)"

That's exactly what I decided to do. I carried Magic Shifts the whole day with me from the bedroom to kitchen and the living room. I placed my tablet on it and read a new hope! lol

[Jonetta]

Lol! We're on the same "page.":)

[ShoSho , Moderator]

My reading view
(view spoiler)[
(hide spoiler)]

[ShoSho , Moderator]

Lara wrote: "So, last night I read the first 5 chapters, then got distracted. My take initially was that Matt was a real jerk. I mean, being drunk was not an excuse for his behavior.

Then he began acting nice ..."

Huh! I feel exactly the same. I just finished chapter 5.

[ShoSho , Moderator]

I love Mikhail :D

[ShoSho , Moderator]

Halfway through :Everyone is hanging up on Matt! Too funny :D

[Lara]

ShoSho wrote: "I love Mikhail :D"

Isn't that relationship something? Mikhail is quite the character. He knows that people are the most important, despite his career as champion coach.

[ShoSho , Moderator]

I don't think I like Lin su. Well ... I think she's not interesting enough(She's up next)! how about you ?

[Lara]

ShoSho wrote: "I don't think I like Lin su. Well ... I think she's not interesting enough(She's up next)! how about you ?"

Her need to control her situation while hiding her circumstances was a bit annoying. I'm hoping that we don't see some rejection of wonderful opportunities and help from friends because she is too proud to admit she needs it. That would be irritating. She's already headed that way a few times.

Given how talented and nice she is, I'm surprised that she doesn't seem to have any friends. But, I guess she's spent all of her time working or caring for her son, so she didn't have many opportunities to make any.

[Jonetta]

ShoSho wrote: "I love Mikhail :D"

So did I:)

[Jonetta]

ShoSho wrote: "I don't think I like Lin su. Well ... I think she's not interesting enough(She's up next)! how about you ?"

I agree. I'm not looking forward to the next book.

[ShoSho , Moderator]

I finished it a little bit ago. I agree that it was one of the better books in the series. I liked Ginger a lot and I liked Matt on and off!
Although I liked reading about other characters, I thought they took a big chunk of the book and the main couple didn't have enough page time.

[Lara]

ShoSho wrote: "I finished it a little bit ago. I agree that it was one of the better books in the series. I liked Ginger a lot and I liked Matt on and off!
Although I liked reading about other characters, I thou..."

ShoSho, I think you're right. There was a lot more internal change that could have been covered. It wasn't necessary to have a big conflict, but deeper exploration of accepting their life changes would have been nice.