The Family Gathering

by Robyn Carr

An exceptional storyteller, #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr beautifully captures the emotionally charged, complex dynamics that come with being part of any family. Readers will laugh and shed a few tears as they discover what it means to be loved, supported and accepted by the people who mean the most.

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.(Overview and book cover from Goodreads)

My Thoughts

After being absent for many years, Dakota Jones decides it is time to spend time with his siblings. He's not really sure where this will lead of if he will even want to stay around. He just knows that something is missing in his life. And so he comes to Sullivan's Crossing to be with his older brother and younger sister.

While this is the third book in the Sullivan's Crossing series, it is my first. I enjoyed spending time with Dakota and his family. Dakota is an interesting character who comes home with lots of emotional baggage. His family is not without their own personal struggles. But together, they support each other and work together.

This was a lovely story about redemption, perseverance and love. I liked all the characters, minus a few of the troublemakers. I thought this was a realistic portrayal of the difficulties that people encounter and what they do to overcome them.

I received this book from Harlequin via Netgalley