Review: Wild Man Creek by Robyn Carr

Wild Man Creek
Robyn Carr {Facebook}
Series: Virgin River Creek #12
Publisher: Mira
Publication Date: January 25, 2011
Kindle/Mass Market Paperback {p.361}
Source: Publisher/Net Galley; Personal Library
Genre: Contemporary
Characters: Jillian Matlock, Colin Riordan
Challenge: 50 States, 100+, Contemporary Romance
My Rating:

Colin Riordan came to Virgin River to recuperate from a horrific helicopter crash, the scars of which he bears inside and out. His family is wonderfully supportive, but it’s his art than truly soothes his troubled soul.

Stung personally and professionally by an ill-advised affair, PR guru Jillian Matlock arrived in town via golden parachute. She’s bought an old Victorian with a promising garden and is looking forward to cultivating something other than a corporate brand.

When Jillian finds Colin at his easel in her yard, there’s an instant connection. But both are holding romance at arm’s length— looking to simplify, not complicate, their lives. And Jill may yet be lured back to Silicon Valley...

No one arrives in Virgin River without a story, and no one leaves—if they ever do—unchanged.

Robyn Carr adds another wonderful addition to her Virgin River series! From page one I could tell Jillian was a strong, likable, and relatable lead female for any and every woman.

Jillian takes a leave of absence from her job and heads to Virgin River for some much need relaxation. Colin too has headed to Virgin River to recoup after a stint in rehab. The two seem an unlikely match from the start, but each finds a sort of kinship and attraction with the other. They are both starting over and trying to find their new place within the world.

The chemistry between them came alive. The imaginary of Jillian running down those stairs and across her front lawn to leap into Colin's arms, was almost as if I was standing in that yard watching it all unfold. Not only was those two characters alive, but all the Virgin River residents seemed to leap off the pages. If you're not laughing along with the community, you're crying along with them, or for them.

When Jillian is not encouraging Colin to follow his dreams and live his life to the fullest, even though it's breaking her heart to do so, Carr is keeping you entertained with the goings on of everyone else.

Jack has a pretty substantial side story with a potential long lost addition to his family. Your heart breaks watching that story unfold.

We also see health issues crop up for a long time citizen Lydie, Rick's grandmother. This prompts a brief return for Rick to Virgin River. Pastor Noah Kincaid also makes a very brief appearance, along with the appearance of the  entire Riordan clan.

New face arrive on the scene, Lief and his stepdaughter Courtney, who will be the main characters of book thirteen, Harvest Moon. This one also featured a wedding.

This addition to the series offers a little of everything. It sure to be a home run with longtime fans of the series.