The Wanderer

Carr takes a detour from her bestselling Virgin River books with this solid contemporary series start. Henry “Coop” Cooper Jr. heads from Virgin River, Calif., to the tiny Oregon hamlet of Thunder Point after learning his longtime Army buddy has died and bequeathed him something. What he didn’t expect: that the “something” would be over 200 acres of waterfront land, a beaten-down bar, and the fate of a small town. He also doesn’t expect to find love with Coast Guard pilot Sarah Dupre, who landed in town a year earlier with the teen brother she’s raising. While Coop isn’t one for settling down, something about Sarah draws him in. Sarah’s also cautious and not looking to get involved, but readers will cheer her on as she tentatively explores the possibility of a future with Coop. Carr neatly weaves in the lives of other town residents, laying the groundwork for future books. Agent: Liza Dawson, Liza Dawson Associates. (Apr.)