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Virgin River #4
Wintermärchen in Virgin River
Book by Robyn Carr
332 pages, Paperback
First published October 28, 2008
2942 people are currently reading
13259 people want to read
About the author
Robyn Carr
164 books12.6k followers Robyn Carr is a RITA® Award-winning, eleven-time #1 New York Times bestselling author of over sixty novels, including the critically acclaimed Virgin River series and Sullivan's Crossing series. Robyn's new women's fiction novel, THE FRIENDSHIP CLUB, will be released in January 2024. The new hit Sullivan's Crossing TV series (season 1) inspired by Robyn's book series was released in the USA in the fall of 2023! Plus, season 5 of the worldwide fan-favorite Virgin River TV Series is now streaming on Netflix (July 2023) with two holiday episodes coming November 30, 2023. Both TV series have been renewed for another season!
Robyn is a recipient of the Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award 2016, and in 2017, VIRGIN RIVER was named one of the HarperCollins 200 Iconic Books of the past 200 years. Robyn currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can visit Robyn Carr's website at https://www.robyncarr.com/.
Robyn is a recipient of the Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award 2016, and in 2017, VIRGIN RIVER was named one of the HarperCollins 200 Iconic Books of the past 200 years. Robyn currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can visit Robyn Carr's website at https://www.robyncarr.com/.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,710 reviews
August 4, 2021
Marcie Sullivan ist eine junge Witwe. Ihr Mann Bobby ist im Irakkrieg so schwer verletzt worden, dass er danach gelähmt und hirngeschädigt war. Nach drei Jahren als Pflegefall ist er gestorben, und gut ein Jahr nach seinem Tod macht Marcie sich auf, um Ian Buchanan zu suchen. Ian war der beste Freund von Bobby und hat ihm zudem damals im Irak das Leben gerettet. Doch Ian macht sich Vorwürfe und hat sich ganz von der Welt zurückgezogen. Alleine lebt er in einer primitiven Berghütte in den Bergen, als plötzlich Marcie bei ihm auftaucht und sein Leben als Einzelgänger ganz schön durcheinanderwirbelt...
* Meine Meinung *
Das Buch ist wundervoll romantisch und bezaubernd und passt perfekt in die Weihnachtszeit!
Es ist lange her, dass ich einen Liebesroman gelesen habe, der mich so überzeugen konnte wie dieser! Die Figuren sind absolut glaubwürdig und liebenswert, und die Umgebung und Jahreszeit fügen sich auch perfekt in die Geschichte ein.
Mag sein, dass die Menschen in Virgin River fast ein wenig zu gut für diese Welt zu sein scheinen, doch gerade in der Winter- und Weihnachtszeit finde ich das nicht übertrieben, sondern sehr passend und herzerwärmend.
Es ist ein Buch für lange kalte Winternächte. Ich habe es genossen, diesen Roman zu lesen!
* Meine Meinung *
Das Buch ist wundervoll romantisch und bezaubernd und passt perfekt in die Weihnachtszeit!
Es ist lange her, dass ich einen Liebesroman gelesen habe, der mich so überzeugen konnte wie dieser! Die Figuren sind absolut glaubwürdig und liebenswert, und die Umgebung und Jahreszeit fügen sich auch perfekt in die Geschichte ein.
Mag sein, dass die Menschen in Virgin River fast ein wenig zu gut für diese Welt zu sein scheinen, doch gerade in der Winter- und Weihnachtszeit finde ich das nicht übertrieben, sondern sehr passend und herzerwärmend.
Es ist ein Buch für lange kalte Winternächte. Ich habe es genossen, diesen Roman zu lesen!
November 14, 2014
4 ½-Feel Good-Stars
My favorite in the series. Unlike the other books, this one focused only on the main couple. The other couples/characters that we've grown to love over the course of the series didn't take up page time like they normally do and I loved that.
These books are the perfect "getting into the holiday spirit" type of read. They have a quaint, almost Hallmark-movie type feel to them that leaves me feeling uplifted. That said, I don't think I'd have the patience to read them, as they're not as couple centered as I prefer in my romances. However, I've loved listening to them as I go about my day.
My favorite in the series. Unlike the other books, this one focused only on the main couple. The other couples/characters that we've grown to love over the course of the series didn't take up page time like they normally do and I loved that.
These books are the perfect "getting into the holiday spirit" type of read. They have a quaint, almost Hallmark-movie type feel to them that leaves me feeling uplifted. That said, I don't think I'd have the patience to read them, as they're not as couple centered as I prefer in my romances. However, I've loved listening to them as I go about my day.
December 10, 2019
So in the mood for a Holiday romance and I couldn't hold myself back from a reread of one of my favorites from 2016.
**reread 12/07 -12/10/19**
Just as enchanting!!! A sublime read.
So heart touching!! It brings tears to my eyes.
Cannot recommend this one enough.🧡
I really need to get cracking on this full series.
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
Probably my favorite Christmas story that I have read this year and I have read several already. I think this is mainly because the story stayed in my thoughts even after I had moved on to my next book. It touched my heart deeply and I fell in love with Ian and Marcie equally. This was a damn good book!!!
It was a funny, tender, sad at times and ultimately uplifting book experience.
Must remember to add this to my reread list for next year. Also this is the first book I have read by Robyn Carr but it will not be the last.
**reread 12/07 -12/10/19**
Just as enchanting!!! A sublime read.
So heart touching!! It brings tears to my eyes.
Cannot recommend this one enough.🧡
I really need to get cracking on this full series.
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
Probably my favorite Christmas story that I have read this year and I have read several already. I think this is mainly because the story stayed in my thoughts even after I had moved on to my next book. It touched my heart deeply and I fell in love with Ian and Marcie equally. This was a damn good book!!!
It was a funny, tender, sad at times and ultimately uplifting book experience.
Must remember to add this to my reread list for next year. Also this is the first book I have read by Robyn Carr but it will not be the last.
October 28, 2010
This was a really sweet, tender romance, that had me in tears sometimes, but put a smile on my face at the end.
This is the story of Marcie Sullivan, a young widow, and former Marine Ian Buchanan. Marcie recently lost her Marine husband, Bobby, due to injuries he suffered while serving in Iraq. Bobby and Marcie were childhood buddies, then sweethearts, before marrying as teenagers. Bobby enlisted in the military, while Marcie worked in an insurance office. They were in love and had a bright future ahead of them until one day Bobby was severly injured in Iraq from a car bomb explosion. If it wasn't for his Sergeant and best friend, Ian Buchanan, who hauled him to safety amidst enemy fire, he surely would have died on the streets of Fallujah. And even though Bobby never recovered from his injuries, and basically was totally incapacitated, Marcie was grateful for the additional three years she got to spend taking care of Bobby and just being with him. It's been a year since Bobby's death, and Marcie would like to move forward with her life, and get a little closure. But in order to do that, she needs to track down her husband's best friend from the military, Ian Buchanan, and thank him again for saving Bobby and give him a few momentos she thinks Bobby would like him to have. It might be a tall order, because it seems Ian has dropped off the face of the earth.
Since that day in Fallujah 4 years ago, Ian's life hasn't been the same. He had planned to serve 20 years in the Marines, but after he saved Bobby and sentenced him to a life as a total invalid, he suffered such enormous guilt that he let it wreck his life and his career. Once a well-liked and respected man with a bright future, he broke up with his fiancee, got in meaningless fights with other soldiers, and was basically forced out of the Marines. He wishes he had let Bobby die in Fallujah, thinking he has sentenced him and his family to more grief than they would have suffered if he had just died on the battlefield. Ian decides to just drop out of life for a while, living a minimal existence selling firewood on a mountaintop near the small California town of Virgin River.
With a little luck and some dogged persistence, Marcie tracks Ian to the quaint little town of Virgin River. She hears rumors about a mountain man who likes to whistle and sing and lives hermit-like in a small cabin just outside of town. Could this be Ian?
When Marcie meets up with Ian, he is almost unrecognizable from the picture of the handsome man she carries with her. With his dark hair tied back in a long ponytail, a bushy red beard and wearing tattered clothes, and living in a small one room cabin without indoor plumbing, Ian looks and acts like a dropout from life. He tells Marcie he just wants to be left alone, but of course Marcie, being the stubborn girl she is, will not hear of it. She's determined to break through all the walls Ian has placed around himself. She only has a few weeks before she's due home for Christmas--will that be enough time for her to convince Ian to rejoin the world and start living again? And can she help Ian heal his wounded heart? And will Marcie learn something about herself in the process?
While this wasn't my favorite of all the Virgin River books, it certainly was enjoyable. It was fun to revisit that small California town again--after Marcie's first encounter with some of the residents, it was like I never left. Some of the past characters have small roles, including Preacher and Paige, Mike and Brie, Doc, and with larger roles, Mel and Jack. ********possible spoiler******************* I like that a romance between Marcie and Ian didn't happen right away, although now that I think of it, 10 days is pretty fast! But it just seemed that Marcie and Ian got to know a lot about each other in that time, and each also knew a lot about the other through Bobby's letters home and Marcie's letters to Bobby. And once Ian came home with a hair-cut and a closely trimmed beard, I knew the fireworks would start to happen between the two! And they did--they provided a lot of 'heat' for that small, one-room cabin! There were some tear-jerking moments too, when Marcie relates the circumstances of Bobby's death, and when Ian lets Marcie go home for Christmas. I wanted him to beg her to stay!*********************************************************** The ending was heart-warming and beautiful, but I could have used a few pages more, to let me in on what would happen in the future. But that is not a problem--I'm sure Robyn Carr will cover that ground in her next Virgin River novel, titled "Second Chance Pass" due out in February 2009. That's one I can't wait to read!
This is the story of Marcie Sullivan, a young widow, and former Marine Ian Buchanan. Marcie recently lost her Marine husband, Bobby, due to injuries he suffered while serving in Iraq. Bobby and Marcie were childhood buddies, then sweethearts, before marrying as teenagers. Bobby enlisted in the military, while Marcie worked in an insurance office. They were in love and had a bright future ahead of them until one day Bobby was severly injured in Iraq from a car bomb explosion. If it wasn't for his Sergeant and best friend, Ian Buchanan, who hauled him to safety amidst enemy fire, he surely would have died on the streets of Fallujah. And even though Bobby never recovered from his injuries, and basically was totally incapacitated, Marcie was grateful for the additional three years she got to spend taking care of Bobby and just being with him. It's been a year since Bobby's death, and Marcie would like to move forward with her life, and get a little closure. But in order to do that, she needs to track down her husband's best friend from the military, Ian Buchanan, and thank him again for saving Bobby and give him a few momentos she thinks Bobby would like him to have. It might be a tall order, because it seems Ian has dropped off the face of the earth.
Since that day in Fallujah 4 years ago, Ian's life hasn't been the same. He had planned to serve 20 years in the Marines, but after he saved Bobby and sentenced him to a life as a total invalid, he suffered such enormous guilt that he let it wreck his life and his career. Once a well-liked and respected man with a bright future, he broke up with his fiancee, got in meaningless fights with other soldiers, and was basically forced out of the Marines. He wishes he had let Bobby die in Fallujah, thinking he has sentenced him and his family to more grief than they would have suffered if he had just died on the battlefield. Ian decides to just drop out of life for a while, living a minimal existence selling firewood on a mountaintop near the small California town of Virgin River.
With a little luck and some dogged persistence, Marcie tracks Ian to the quaint little town of Virgin River. She hears rumors about a mountain man who likes to whistle and sing and lives hermit-like in a small cabin just outside of town. Could this be Ian?
When Marcie meets up with Ian, he is almost unrecognizable from the picture of the handsome man she carries with her. With his dark hair tied back in a long ponytail, a bushy red beard and wearing tattered clothes, and living in a small one room cabin without indoor plumbing, Ian looks and acts like a dropout from life. He tells Marcie he just wants to be left alone, but of course Marcie, being the stubborn girl she is, will not hear of it. She's determined to break through all the walls Ian has placed around himself. She only has a few weeks before she's due home for Christmas--will that be enough time for her to convince Ian to rejoin the world and start living again? And can she help Ian heal his wounded heart? And will Marcie learn something about herself in the process?
While this wasn't my favorite of all the Virgin River books, it certainly was enjoyable. It was fun to revisit that small California town again--after Marcie's first encounter with some of the residents, it was like I never left. Some of the past characters have small roles, including Preacher and Paige, Mike and Brie, Doc, and with larger roles, Mel and Jack. ********possible spoiler******************* I like that a romance between Marcie and Ian didn't happen right away, although now that I think of it, 10 days is pretty fast! But it just seemed that Marcie and Ian got to know a lot about each other in that time, and each also knew a lot about the other through Bobby's letters home and Marcie's letters to Bobby. And once Ian came home with a hair-cut and a closely trimmed beard, I knew the fireworks would start to happen between the two! And they did--they provided a lot of 'heat' for that small, one-room cabin! There were some tear-jerking moments too, when Marcie relates the circumstances of Bobby's death, and when Ian lets Marcie go home for Christmas. I wanted him to beg her to stay!*********************************************************** The ending was heart-warming and beautiful, but I could have used a few pages more, to let me in on what would happen in the future. But that is not a problem--I'm sure Robyn Carr will cover that ground in her next Virgin River novel, titled "Second Chance Pass" due out in February 2009. That's one I can't wait to read!
January 26, 2010
I'm not sure of the circumstances of this book's release, but it was about a hundred pages shorter than the one previous. It definitely had a 'novella' feel to it, and there weren't really any side stories going on, so I'm thinking it might have appeared first in an anthology.
No matter, it's very good and might even be my favorite of the first four.
A young widow is searching for her late husband's former best friend who has dropped off the map entirely after leaving the Marine Corps.
Ian Buchanan has become your basic mountain man. He saved his best friend, Bobby's, life in Falluja only to find that Bobby had ended up a quadriplegic in what amounted to a persistent vegetative state. Just the boot to kick Ian into emotional and mental chaos.
Marcie is a little firebrand who needs closure after three years of nursing Bobby until his final, peaceful breath. I was really impressed with this character. She was funny, loving, compassionate, incredibly strong and more stubborn than anything. Definitely my favorite character of the series so far, and probably in the top five female characters I've read this year. It was fascinating to see this person who basically made the world turn for so many being thought of as the one who needed to be handled with fragile care. She, naturally, chafes at it as much as the reader does for her, and it makes for some pretty good moments.
I cried more reading this than any of the others. This was a really excellently written story, I thought, and the joy of the romance against the backdrop of grief and isolation was very satisfying.
It loses half a star for no epilogue (I rounded up). It ends right before something I feel we either needed to see or hear about after the fact. Perhaps these two show up again in the rest of the series -- I certainly hope so, but don't tell me! -- but I want to know what happened next. It felt like the story was unfinished.
But if you make it this far in the series, there's no way you're NOT going to read on, so just enjoy.
No matter, it's very good and might even be my favorite of the first four.
A young widow is searching for her late husband's former best friend who has dropped off the map entirely after leaving the Marine Corps.
Ian Buchanan has become your basic mountain man. He saved his best friend, Bobby's, life in Falluja only to find that Bobby had ended up a quadriplegic in what amounted to a persistent vegetative state. Just the boot to kick Ian into emotional and mental chaos.
Marcie is a little firebrand who needs closure after three years of nursing Bobby until his final, peaceful breath. I was really impressed with this character. She was funny, loving, compassionate, incredibly strong and more stubborn than anything. Definitely my favorite character of the series so far, and probably in the top five female characters I've read this year. It was fascinating to see this person who basically made the world turn for so many being thought of as the one who needed to be handled with fragile care. She, naturally, chafes at it as much as the reader does for her, and it makes for some pretty good moments.
I cried more reading this than any of the others. This was a really excellently written story, I thought, and the joy of the romance against the backdrop of grief and isolation was very satisfying.
It loses half a star for no epilogue (I rounded up). It ends right before something I feel we either needed to see or hear about after the fact. Perhaps these two show up again in the rest of the series -- I certainly hope so, but don't tell me! -- but I want to know what happened next. It felt like the story was unfinished.
But if you make it this far in the series, there's no way you're NOT going to read on, so just enjoy.
October 11, 2025
This is a Romantic Suspense, and this is the fourth book in the Virgin River series. I have read and reviewed the first three books in this series before picking this book up. I do feel this is a series that you should read in order. I loved the characters in this book, but I did miss having the other characters from the other books in this series. Unlike, the other books in this series the past characters are not really in this book. I enjoyed the storyline of this book, and I enjoyed the very slow moving romance in this book. This is not a cute romance. I did not love the ending of this book, and I really felt there was no real closer in this book. I read this book via Kindle Unlimited/Library and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book.
February 20, 2022
3'5 Estrellitas. Ha estado bien y es bonito, pero hasta la fecha, es que menos me ha llenado de la serie. Aún así, está bastante bien.
En éste cuarto libro de Virgin River, Robyn Carr nos presenta a dos desconocidos, Marcie Sullivan, e Ian Buchanan.
Marcie se casó muy joven con su amor de juventud, Bobby, a los diecinueve años. Bobby era marine y poco tiempo después fue herido en un bombardeo en Irak. Quien lo salvó fue su mejor amigo y superior, Ian Buchanan. Pero sus heridas fueron fatales y lo dejaron inválido hasta que murió tres años después.
Un año después de la muerte de Bobby, Marcie decide ponerse en contacto con su amigo, Ian Buchanan; que lleva unos años desaparecido en las montañas del norte de California viviendo como un ermitaño.
Finalmente y tras muchos suplicios, Marcie consigue dar con Ian. Pero descubre a un hombre muy diferente del que conoció, es un extraño y huraño hombre, con profundas heridas en su interior.
Tras el bombardeo en que casi muere su mejor amigo, Ian se pregunta si hizo lo mejor por él, o habría sido mejor dejarlo morir. Un tiempo después del accidente, y de vuelta en América, Ian rompió con su novia, decidió dejar el ejército y discutió con su padre. Ése cambio de rumbo lo llevó a las montañas de California, donde conoció a un anciano ermitaño, a quien cuidó, y le dejó en herencia su cabaña y tierras.
Ian se ha convertido en un solitario que se dedica a cortar y vender leña y pescar. La montaña le ofrece todo lo que necesita para sobrevivir. Y aunque de vez en cuando baja a alguna población a por provisiones, no establece relación con nadie. Hasta que llega a su cabaña una diminuta pelirroja resuelta a hablar con él.
Discuten, él la echa. Pero Marcie no se va a ir hasta que le escuche y le haga saber lo agradecida que le estuvo por devolverle a Bobby, a pesar de lo ocurrido. Finalmente, Ian debe recular y dejarla quedarse temporalmente en su cabaña debido al temporal de nieve que está empezando a caer, y a que Marcie enferma de gripe.
Las circunstancias harán que se queden unos días aislados, y descubran los secretos más intensos que ambos guardan, mientras poco a poco se van enamorando.
Éste es también uno de los libros más cortos de la serie, debido a que Robyn Carr se centra en los protagonistas, y no dedica capítulos a personajes secundarios, como en su momento sí pasó con Jack y Mel o Predicador y Paige. Sí que aparecen todos estos personajes, pero de manera esporádica y anecdótica para ayudar a los protagonistas. Además la historia de éste libro transcurre justo antes de Navidad y antes de que acabe la historia del tercer libro "La roca de los susurros".
El romance está bien, se cuece poquito a poco, pero lo que menos me ha convencido es que cuando realmente ocurre, pasa todo muy rápido y no sabes cuándo han reculado uno y otro y se han dado cuenta de que se han enamorado, prácticamente en las últimas veinte páginas del libro.
Aún así está muy bien, aunque el libro no ocurre principalmente en Virgin River, pero sí lo suficientemente cerca como para que salga el bar de Jack y todos los personajes que conocimos en libros anteriores. Espero no tardar en leerme los siguientes de la serie, pues aún hay libros de personajes que estoy esperando.
En éste cuarto libro de Virgin River, Robyn Carr nos presenta a dos desconocidos, Marcie Sullivan, e Ian Buchanan.
Marcie se casó muy joven con su amor de juventud, Bobby, a los diecinueve años. Bobby era marine y poco tiempo después fue herido en un bombardeo en Irak. Quien lo salvó fue su mejor amigo y superior, Ian Buchanan. Pero sus heridas fueron fatales y lo dejaron inválido hasta que murió tres años después.
Un año después de la muerte de Bobby, Marcie decide ponerse en contacto con su amigo, Ian Buchanan; que lleva unos años desaparecido en las montañas del norte de California viviendo como un ermitaño.
Finalmente y tras muchos suplicios, Marcie consigue dar con Ian. Pero descubre a un hombre muy diferente del que conoció, es un extraño y huraño hombre, con profundas heridas en su interior.
Tras el bombardeo en que casi muere su mejor amigo, Ian se pregunta si hizo lo mejor por él, o habría sido mejor dejarlo morir. Un tiempo después del accidente, y de vuelta en América, Ian rompió con su novia, decidió dejar el ejército y discutió con su padre. Ése cambio de rumbo lo llevó a las montañas de California, donde conoció a un anciano ermitaño, a quien cuidó, y le dejó en herencia su cabaña y tierras.
Ian se ha convertido en un solitario que se dedica a cortar y vender leña y pescar. La montaña le ofrece todo lo que necesita para sobrevivir. Y aunque de vez en cuando baja a alguna población a por provisiones, no establece relación con nadie. Hasta que llega a su cabaña una diminuta pelirroja resuelta a hablar con él.
Discuten, él la echa. Pero Marcie no se va a ir hasta que le escuche y le haga saber lo agradecida que le estuvo por devolverle a Bobby, a pesar de lo ocurrido. Finalmente, Ian debe recular y dejarla quedarse temporalmente en su cabaña debido al temporal de nieve que está empezando a caer, y a que Marcie enferma de gripe.
Las circunstancias harán que se queden unos días aislados, y descubran los secretos más intensos que ambos guardan, mientras poco a poco se van enamorando.
Éste es también uno de los libros más cortos de la serie, debido a que Robyn Carr se centra en los protagonistas, y no dedica capítulos a personajes secundarios, como en su momento sí pasó con Jack y Mel o Predicador y Paige. Sí que aparecen todos estos personajes, pero de manera esporádica y anecdótica para ayudar a los protagonistas. Además la historia de éste libro transcurre justo antes de Navidad y antes de que acabe la historia del tercer libro "La roca de los susurros".
El romance está bien, se cuece poquito a poco, pero lo que menos me ha convencido es que cuando realmente ocurre, pasa todo muy rápido y no sabes cuándo han reculado uno y otro y se han dado cuenta de que se han enamorado, prácticamente en las últimas veinte páginas del libro.
Aún así está muy bien, aunque el libro no ocurre principalmente en Virgin River, pero sí lo suficientemente cerca como para que salga el bar de Jack y todos los personajes que conocimos en libros anteriores. Espero no tardar en leerme los siguientes de la serie, pues aún hay libros de personajes que estoy esperando.
October 13, 2018
One of the best romance books ever. This was my second time reading A Virgin River Christmas and, yall, this book. You need to read this book. It's everything.
The Gist: Marcie's husband died a year ago after being injured while deployed. And she's determined to find his best friend and the man who risked everything to save him years earlier and then disappeared.
Seriously. Marcie and Ian. They're incredible. Marcie is a force to be reckoned with. She's lovely and kind. Sweet, fiery, full of faith and hope. Has a will of steel. She was wonderful.
And Ian. He's such a good man but lost. His life fell apart years earlier and to cope with it he ran and became more or less a recluse. Living tucked away in the mountains in a rustic cabin with no electricity or comforts. He's hard working but keeps to himself. Cut off from anything gentle or easy, from nearly all forms of relationships. He's resourceful, quiet and underneath his wild mountain man exterior he's gentle and caring and lonely.
Their romance was very slow going. They're both dealing with such loss and having trouble moving on. Finding who they are and used to be. Marcie having to get him to even let her in the door and then slowly over the weeks pulling more out of him. Getting him to talk, to leave his mountain, to enjoy things and reconnect with people. It was just incredible and touching. Seeing them form a connection again and finally find a way to heal from the loss of her husband and his best friend. They have a total beauty and the beast vibe going.
My only issue was that Carr cannot get Marine right. Half the time it's not capitalized and it should ALWAYS be capitalized no matter if it's the branch or the individual.
But other than that A Virgin River Christmas is a moving romance that'll bring you to tears and leave you full of hope and wonder. Really you just need to read this one. You need to meet these two. See their journey and their incredible strength and resilience. It's such an experience and a simple review can't do it justice.
Amazon https://amzn.to/2pT0TOi
The Gist: Marcie's husband died a year ago after being injured while deployed. And she's determined to find his best friend and the man who risked everything to save him years earlier and then disappeared.
Seriously. Marcie and Ian. They're incredible. Marcie is a force to be reckoned with. She's lovely and kind. Sweet, fiery, full of faith and hope. Has a will of steel. She was wonderful.
And Ian. He's such a good man but lost. His life fell apart years earlier and to cope with it he ran and became more or less a recluse. Living tucked away in the mountains in a rustic cabin with no electricity or comforts. He's hard working but keeps to himself. Cut off from anything gentle or easy, from nearly all forms of relationships. He's resourceful, quiet and underneath his wild mountain man exterior he's gentle and caring and lonely.
Their romance was very slow going. They're both dealing with such loss and having trouble moving on. Finding who they are and used to be. Marcie having to get him to even let her in the door and then slowly over the weeks pulling more out of him. Getting him to talk, to leave his mountain, to enjoy things and reconnect with people. It was just incredible and touching. Seeing them form a connection again and finally find a way to heal from the loss of her husband and his best friend. They have a total beauty and the beast vibe going.
My only issue was that Carr cannot get Marine right. Half the time it's not capitalized and it should ALWAYS be capitalized no matter if it's the branch or the individual.
But other than that A Virgin River Christmas is a moving romance that'll bring you to tears and leave you full of hope and wonder. Really you just need to read this one. You need to meet these two. See their journey and their incredible strength and resilience. It's such an experience and a simple review can't do it justice.
Amazon https://amzn.to/2pT0TOi
October 29, 2012
Nothing brings me more hope, more excitement, more anticipation for a romance novel than....
....finding out the hero has a beard!!!! Hallelujah!
So, imagine my everlasting surprise and happiness when I discovered that the hero for Robyn Carr's A Virgin River Christmas has a beard. And not just any ol' beard, but a full-on, hard-core, lumber jack-style beard. And....it's red!
(Please take a moment of silence to process this wonderful ditty).
In spite of the fact that I don't love contemporary romance, I am loving this series. The characters are wonderful, the love stories incredibly satisfying, and the setting is rugged, natural, earthy....it's a great combination. This book was freaking fantastic! I didn't think Carr could create a better hero than Preacher, but I absolutely adore Ian! He roars like a wounded wild animal, and then gently, quietly feeds a deer from his hand. Swooning here, people. Swooning!
Ian and Marcie's story is perfectly done....their love unfolds slowly and believably as they bond in his tiny cabin. It is wonderful to see how Marcie helps to pull him out of his isolation and introduces him to the world again. Their love is healing, powerful and transforming. The scene at the end of the book when Ian sings in front of the memorial Christmas tree is astounding. One of the best scenes I've ever read. Robyn Carr is a true master of romance.
Grade: A+++++++ (can you tell I liked this one? hee hee.....)
....finding out the hero has a beard!!!! Hallelujah!
So, imagine my everlasting surprise and happiness when I discovered that the hero for Robyn Carr's A Virgin River Christmas has a beard. And not just any ol' beard, but a full-on, hard-core, lumber jack-style beard. And....it's red!
(Please take a moment of silence to process this wonderful ditty).
In spite of the fact that I don't love contemporary romance, I am loving this series. The characters are wonderful, the love stories incredibly satisfying, and the setting is rugged, natural, earthy....it's a great combination. This book was freaking fantastic! I didn't think Carr could create a better hero than Preacher, but I absolutely adore Ian! He roars like a wounded wild animal, and then gently, quietly feeds a deer from his hand. Swooning here, people. Swooning!
Ian and Marcie's story is perfectly done....their love unfolds slowly and believably as they bond in his tiny cabin. It is wonderful to see how Marcie helps to pull him out of his isolation and introduces him to the world again. Their love is healing, powerful and transforming. The scene at the end of the book when Ian sings in front of the memorial Christmas tree is astounding. One of the best scenes I've ever read. Robyn Carr is a true master of romance.
Grade: A+++++++ (can you tell I liked this one? hee hee.....)
December 23, 2010
4.5 Stars
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read — my first e-book, actually. I read it on my computer using Kindle for Mac. Because I just don't spend enough time with my computer, you know?
This book tells the story of Ian Buchanan, an emotionally scarred former Marine, and Marcie Sullivan, widow of Ian's best friend, who died from injuries sustained while at war despite Ian's attempt to save him. Set in the snowy mountains above Virgin River, it brings together so many things that make the Virgin River series so enjoyable — the remote mountain setting, the sense of community, and the strong men and women who make up that community.
Marcie has been searching for Ian, feeling that there is unfinished business between them. As her husband's best friend, Ian should have been there during the three years her husband lingered between life and death. Instead, Ian had vanished. Marcie wants to know why — and she wants to give him her husband's baseball card collection. Truth is, she's not sure why she's searching for him. She is driven by needs she doesn't completely understand.
The man she meets is not the man she remembers. With a heavy beard and a nasty temper, Ian has been hiding in a cabin in the mountains, living an unadorned life as a hermit — no ties, no toilet, no contact with the outside world. Ian knows who Marcie is — he met her at one point when he came back from the war while her husband was in a long-term care facility — but he wants nothing to do with her. He does his best to drive her away and acting a bit nuts in the process.
But Marcie becomes ill, and Ian has no choice but to take care of her. The ten days that follow as she regains her health transform both of them. Watching Marcie and Ian face their shared pain together, finding love and healing in each other's arms, was wonderful, even if Marcie at times seemed a little too perfect.
The love story is sweet, as are the love scenes. The emotion feels genuine. I found myself forgiving Marcie's PITA older sister, Erin, as I learned why she was a PITA. It was great to see the other characters again — Mel and Jack; Paige and Preacher; Doc, etc. (I haven't read Brie and Mark Venezuela's story yet...) The sense of community that permeates these stories is so addictive. Who wouldn't want to live in a town where everyone cared about everyone else? Heck, I'd pack my junk tomorrow if I knew of such a place. It's pretty far removed from the world I know, I must say.
I love to read Christmas-themed romances, but most often I read historicals. There's something about the Christmas season that makes historicals particularly enjoyable. This is the first contemporary romance I've read with a Christmas theme, and I enjoyed it. I still prefer Christmas historicals, but then historicals are what I love to read most anyway.
For those who haven't read the Virgin River series or who've read only a few, this book stands alone. I think a person could read it and then go back and pick up at the beginning.
Over all, a very enjoyable and satisfying read. I will admit to sneaking some reading time in while at work. D'oh!
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read — my first e-book, actually. I read it on my computer using Kindle for Mac. Because I just don't spend enough time with my computer, you know?
This book tells the story of Ian Buchanan, an emotionally scarred former Marine, and Marcie Sullivan, widow of Ian's best friend, who died from injuries sustained while at war despite Ian's attempt to save him. Set in the snowy mountains above Virgin River, it brings together so many things that make the Virgin River series so enjoyable — the remote mountain setting, the sense of community, and the strong men and women who make up that community.
Marcie has been searching for Ian, feeling that there is unfinished business between them. As her husband's best friend, Ian should have been there during the three years her husband lingered between life and death. Instead, Ian had vanished. Marcie wants to know why — and she wants to give him her husband's baseball card collection. Truth is, she's not sure why she's searching for him. She is driven by needs she doesn't completely understand.
The man she meets is not the man she remembers. With a heavy beard and a nasty temper, Ian has been hiding in a cabin in the mountains, living an unadorned life as a hermit — no ties, no toilet, no contact with the outside world. Ian knows who Marcie is — he met her at one point when he came back from the war while her husband was in a long-term care facility — but he wants nothing to do with her. He does his best to drive her away and acting a bit nuts in the process.
But Marcie becomes ill, and Ian has no choice but to take care of her. The ten days that follow as she regains her health transform both of them. Watching Marcie and Ian face their shared pain together, finding love and healing in each other's arms, was wonderful, even if Marcie at times seemed a little too perfect.
The love story is sweet, as are the love scenes. The emotion feels genuine. I found myself forgiving Marcie's PITA older sister, Erin, as I learned why she was a PITA. It was great to see the other characters again — Mel and Jack; Paige and Preacher; Doc, etc. (I haven't read Brie and Mark Venezuela's story yet...) The sense of community that permeates these stories is so addictive. Who wouldn't want to live in a town where everyone cared about everyone else? Heck, I'd pack my junk tomorrow if I knew of such a place. It's pretty far removed from the world I know, I must say.
I love to read Christmas-themed romances, but most often I read historicals. There's something about the Christmas season that makes historicals particularly enjoyable. This is the first contemporary romance I've read with a Christmas theme, and I enjoyed it. I still prefer Christmas historicals, but then historicals are what I love to read most anyway.
For those who haven't read the Virgin River series or who've read only a few, this book stands alone. I think a person could read it and then go back and pick up at the beginning.
Over all, a very enjoyable and satisfying read. I will admit to sneaking some reading time in while at work. D'oh!
December 6, 2019
A great installment in the series before it started going a bit downhill for me. This book follows Marcie Sullivan as she tries to find the man (Ian Buchanan) who saved her now dead husband who is holed up in Virgin River. I honestly loved the character of Marcie and I enjoyed how she and Ian get together. Seeing how the small town comes together to celebrate Christmas together was really good too. We have appearances by my nemesis Jack and his wife Mel, and of course Paige and Preacher and others.
"A Virgin River Christmas" has widow Marcie Sullivan tracking down Ian Buchanan. When she gets to the wilds of Virgin River and realizes it won't be smooth going, she refuses to go home, she vows to stay and make sure that Ian comes back to the land of the living. Ian's life since being injured hasn't been great. He is angry and no longer in the Marines. He just wants to be left alone. Marcie though has other ideas.
I just had a great time watching Marcie and Ian bounce off of each other before they finally let go and just got together. Carr doesn't write steamy love scenes (in my opinion) but it was great to read how Marcie and Ian finally get together.
"A Virgin River Christmas" has widow Marcie Sullivan tracking down Ian Buchanan. When she gets to the wilds of Virgin River and realizes it won't be smooth going, she refuses to go home, she vows to stay and make sure that Ian comes back to the land of the living. Ian's life since being injured hasn't been great. He is angry and no longer in the Marines. He just wants to be left alone. Marcie though has other ideas.
I just had a great time watching Marcie and Ian bounce off of each other before they finally let go and just got together. Carr doesn't write steamy love scenes (in my opinion) but it was great to read how Marcie and Ian finally get together.
December 7, 2023
Does anything say Christmas romance than a virgin river Christmas book? Ugh I loved all the characters and it was so nice to be catching up with virgin rivers favorites Mel and Jack! Though the books deviate from the Netflix series I still love them book — though books are better — Ian and Marcie’s story was just perfect. She was exactly what Ian needed. Get past story with Bobby was so sad and really made you put things into perspective.
September 1, 2022
This was fantastic, I could not put it down but then again I binged watch this on Netflix. I loved this sweet romance and I have to say I HIGHLY recommend this 5 read. Anytime of year this feel good read will lift you up!
August 9, 2020
December 21, 2021
A Virgin River Christmas - #4
I have a new favorite! By far the best part yet.
Ian and Marcie's story is one from the heart.
5 golden stars!!
I have a new favorite! By far the best part yet.
Ian and Marcie's story is one from the heart.
5 golden stars!!
December 19, 2011
Opening Line: "Marcie Sullivan drove into the small town, her sixth small mountian town of the day, and found herself face-to-face with a Christmas tree trimming."
AVRC is my first Robyn Carr book which would make me...you guessed it, a Robyn Carr virgin. Anyways, this isn’t the type of contemporary romance I usually read (I like a bit of action, suspense or the occasional vampire in my mix) However the Virgin River series is so hugely popular and was recommended to me by a ton of people so I just had to check it out.
...And I’m happy to say that except for the author’s unusual fixation with an outhouse I got sucked right into this heart tugging romance. Enough so that I didn’t want to read anything else when I finished and have gone back to start the series at the beginning.
Yes this is book #4 in a series of 13 (and counting) however that doesn't seem to have any bearing on this particular story (I think because it’s a special Christmas edition). Sure there were a few characters I might have enjoyed more if I’d know their ‘story’ but this stood just fine on its own and centered pretty much solely on Ian and Marcie’s heartbreaking journey of love and healing.
The best word I could use to describe Robyn Carr’s writing is comfortable. It’s just relaxed and easy and felt like I was reading about friends or I imagine if you’re well into the series like coming home. Carr never once had me shaking my head thinking that’s wrong or ridiculous or the H/h would never do that. The story flows very well too, is funny in parts and heart wrenching in others and except for letting the outhouse become a character of its own, left me wanting more. I feel like Carr could become the sort of author I’d pick up when nothing else is striking my fancy and know that I’d enjoy it.
Marcie Sullivan is looking for closure; she’s come to Virgin River to find her husbands Sergeant and best friend. The man responsible for saving Bobby in Iraq and giving her three years to say goodbye while he slowly died from his battle injuries. As Marcie cared for her husband she forged a friendship (through letters) with his sergeant Ian, pouring out her heart, frustrations and sadness to a man she’d never met. Then suddenly the letters stopped and soon her husband was gone too. Now a year later Marcie still can’t seem to move on with her life, she’s decided she has to find Ian. To talk to him about what happened over there and make sure he‘s okay.
But locating Ian hasn’t been easy, nobody’s seen him for years and his family has all but written him off. After following several leads Marcie at last finds her hero but he doesn’t want to be found and definitely doesn’t want to be reminded of Iraq. Ian’s living far off the grid of society, a recluse in a rundown cabin in the woods with no amenities. Yes that’s right an…outhouse (dun dun dah) Ian Growls at Marcie to leave him alone, sounding much like the bear he now resembles what with all that hair but Marcie refuses to go until she completes her mission. Of course this leads to her almost freezing to death, catching hypothermia and Ian having to save and care for her until she’s better (It is a romance after all)
Marcie’s character is a bit of a goof and I really liked her and her adventures with living in a rustic cabin. I found it odd though that suffering a burn from not knowing how to light propane stove was hilarious while a flu/cold was a matter of life and death? I also didn’t find this quite as romantic as I’m sure others will as I have lived in the bush without power and it loses its appeal mighty fast especially in the winter. So while some might think it quaint that they cook on a woodstove, and read by candlelight, I cringed.
Anyways you don’t need to know much else, all the townsfolk turn up in one way or another and Marcie and Ian forge into a new type of friendship, one with benefits. Oh and it all happens right around Christmas. Sigh.
AVRC is my first Robyn Carr book which would make me...you guessed it, a Robyn Carr virgin. Anyways, this isn’t the type of contemporary romance I usually read (I like a bit of action, suspense or the occasional vampire in my mix) However the Virgin River series is so hugely popular and was recommended to me by a ton of people so I just had to check it out.
...And I’m happy to say that except for the author’s unusual fixation with an outhouse I got sucked right into this heart tugging romance. Enough so that I didn’t want to read anything else when I finished and have gone back to start the series at the beginning.
Yes this is book #4 in a series of 13 (and counting) however that doesn't seem to have any bearing on this particular story (I think because it’s a special Christmas edition). Sure there were a few characters I might have enjoyed more if I’d know their ‘story’ but this stood just fine on its own and centered pretty much solely on Ian and Marcie’s heartbreaking journey of love and healing.
The best word I could use to describe Robyn Carr’s writing is comfortable. It’s just relaxed and easy and felt like I was reading about friends or I imagine if you’re well into the series like coming home. Carr never once had me shaking my head thinking that’s wrong or ridiculous or the H/h would never do that. The story flows very well too, is funny in parts and heart wrenching in others and except for letting the outhouse become a character of its own, left me wanting more. I feel like Carr could become the sort of author I’d pick up when nothing else is striking my fancy and know that I’d enjoy it.
Marcie Sullivan is looking for closure; she’s come to Virgin River to find her husbands Sergeant and best friend. The man responsible for saving Bobby in Iraq and giving her three years to say goodbye while he slowly died from his battle injuries. As Marcie cared for her husband she forged a friendship (through letters) with his sergeant Ian, pouring out her heart, frustrations and sadness to a man she’d never met. Then suddenly the letters stopped and soon her husband was gone too. Now a year later Marcie still can’t seem to move on with her life, she’s decided she has to find Ian. To talk to him about what happened over there and make sure he‘s okay.
But locating Ian hasn’t been easy, nobody’s seen him for years and his family has all but written him off. After following several leads Marcie at last finds her hero but he doesn’t want to be found and definitely doesn’t want to be reminded of Iraq. Ian’s living far off the grid of society, a recluse in a rundown cabin in the woods with no amenities. Yes that’s right an…outhouse (dun dun dah) Ian Growls at Marcie to leave him alone, sounding much like the bear he now resembles what with all that hair but Marcie refuses to go until she completes her mission. Of course this leads to her almost freezing to death, catching hypothermia and Ian having to save and care for her until she’s better (It is a romance after all)
Marcie’s character is a bit of a goof and I really liked her and her adventures with living in a rustic cabin. I found it odd though that suffering a burn from not knowing how to light propane stove was hilarious while a flu/cold was a matter of life and death? I also didn’t find this quite as romantic as I’m sure others will as I have lived in the bush without power and it loses its appeal mighty fast especially in the winter. So while some might think it quaint that they cook on a woodstove, and read by candlelight, I cringed.
Anyways you don’t need to know much else, all the townsfolk turn up in one way or another and Marcie and Ian forge into a new type of friendship, one with benefits. Oh and it all happens right around Christmas. Sigh.
November 11, 2008
Finished it in one sitting. Loved it! I can't wait for the next in this series. I really loved Marcie as a heroine, her humor and take on life was so refreshing. Her willingness to adapt to the rugged lifestyle of the mountains made for several good laughs. The premise of her being in Virigin River to help her dead husbands best friend (Ian) was a bit of a stretch, but it really worked. When they finally came together I melted. This book is a stand alone so you don't need to read the series in order for this one, but you will get to see a bit of Jack, Mel, Preacher, Mike, Brie...etc. I really wish this book had a huge epilouge as I wanted to know more about how life works out for these two. I hope we see more of Marcie and Ian's story in future books.
April 15, 2024
No se porqué tenía la sensación de que este libro no me iba a gustar, y estoy feliz de que haya sido al contrario. Me enganchó desde el primer capítulo y no pude dejar de escuchar hasta acabarlo (lo he escuchado en audiolibro).
Me ha gustado que Marcie busque a Ian y no se deje asustar de lo gruñón que es, quizás me ha faltado pasión, pero he disfrutado mucho de su historia. A ver si no dejo pasar otros tres años para continuar con la saga.
Me ha gustado que Marcie busque a Ian y no se deje asustar de lo gruñón que es, quizás me ha faltado pasión, pero he disfrutado mucho de su historia. A ver si no dejo pasar otros tres años para continuar con la saga.
October 30, 2008
I have to admit I had an initial smidge of disappointment when I realized this book didn't feature existing Virgin River characters, but introduced two new ones. But I quickly got over it because the new characters were interesting, and the old ones had big enough supporting roles to make you feel the connection to the previous books.
Like the other books, this one has a slight military theme in the characters. Marcie Sullivan was widowed a year ago when her Marine husband Bobby died three years after sustaining devastating injuries in Iraq. Since then, she's felt stuck in a rut, unable to go forward, and obviously unable to go back. And she can't stop thinking that if she could find Bobby's best friend and superior, Ian Buchanan, and settle some things with him, that maybe she'd finally find her way. She'd only ever met him a few times, but she'd come to know him through the letters they'd exchanged and from what Bobby had told her about him. But then Ian had disappeared after he left the Marines not long after Bobby's injury, and Marcie knows he must be hiding from the emotional scars he's suffered. She thinks if she can just find him and talk to him, help him move on, then she would be able to as well. But things don't go quite a planned when she finally does manage to locate him near the quaint mountain town of Virgin River.
True, this is a romance, but honestly, it doesn't come into play until fairly late in the book. A lot of this story is about the characters and their emotional dramas. There were a couple scenes that brought tears to my eyes - especially the one where Marcie flashes back to Bobby's death. I had to go dig up some tissues. That was so sad.
But even though the romance is late in developing, this was an enjoyable book to read (for romance readers). The characters are fantastic. I liked Marcie - though I wished she'd learned to stand up to her sister a little better. And Ian was rather interesting, with his wild, mountain-man look, but gentle and kind heart, and an amazing singing voice. He's such a contradiction. And though they didn't hook up till late, you could feel the connection between Ian and Marcie from the start. They just had to work their way to the right point.
I also really enjoyed how the characters from past Virgin River books had more than just passing roles. Jack and Mel had a fairly active part of the story, and Preacher, Paige, Mike and Bree all had varying smaller roles. It was great to catch up with all those characters.
I had only one or two quibbles with things. I wished the ending had been a little more settled, maybe an epilogue to give us some idea how things went with Ian's reentry into the normal world. Hopefully Carr with update us on them in the upcoming new set of VC books. The only other thing that bothered me was that once Marcie and Ian did hook up, they were together a lot, but there was never once a mention of birth control. It just annoyed me a little bit to have something that important ignored.
Anyway, A Virgin River Christmas is a nice edition to the Virgin River series. It's a great people story with just enough romance to satisfy those of us who like our HEA's. And after read the sneak peak of Second Chance Pass, the upcoming VC novel, I can't wait to read it!
Like the other books, this one has a slight military theme in the characters. Marcie Sullivan was widowed a year ago when her Marine husband Bobby died three years after sustaining devastating injuries in Iraq. Since then, she's felt stuck in a rut, unable to go forward, and obviously unable to go back. And she can't stop thinking that if she could find Bobby's best friend and superior, Ian Buchanan, and settle some things with him, that maybe she'd finally find her way. She'd only ever met him a few times, but she'd come to know him through the letters they'd exchanged and from what Bobby had told her about him. But then Ian had disappeared after he left the Marines not long after Bobby's injury, and Marcie knows he must be hiding from the emotional scars he's suffered. She thinks if she can just find him and talk to him, help him move on, then she would be able to as well. But things don't go quite a planned when she finally does manage to locate him near the quaint mountain town of Virgin River.
True, this is a romance, but honestly, it doesn't come into play until fairly late in the book. A lot of this story is about the characters and their emotional dramas. There were a couple scenes that brought tears to my eyes - especially the one where Marcie flashes back to Bobby's death. I had to go dig up some tissues. That was so sad.
But even though the romance is late in developing, this was an enjoyable book to read (for romance readers). The characters are fantastic. I liked Marcie - though I wished she'd learned to stand up to her sister a little better. And Ian was rather interesting, with his wild, mountain-man look, but gentle and kind heart, and an amazing singing voice. He's such a contradiction. And though they didn't hook up till late, you could feel the connection between Ian and Marcie from the start. They just had to work their way to the right point.
I also really enjoyed how the characters from past Virgin River books had more than just passing roles. Jack and Mel had a fairly active part of the story, and Preacher, Paige, Mike and Bree all had varying smaller roles. It was great to catch up with all those characters.
I had only one or two quibbles with things. I wished the ending had been a little more settled, maybe an epilogue to give us some idea how things went with Ian's reentry into the normal world. Hopefully Carr with update us on them in the upcoming new set of VC books. The only other thing that bothered me was that once Marcie and Ian did hook up, they were together a lot, but there was never once a mention of birth control. It just annoyed me a little bit to have something that important ignored.
Anyway, A Virgin River Christmas is a nice edition to the Virgin River series. It's a great people story with just enough romance to satisfy those of us who like our HEA's. And after read the sneak peak of Second Chance Pass, the upcoming VC novel, I can't wait to read it!
July 23, 2020
Overall book rating: 3.8
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 3.5
So I did the Wendy thing and started this series at book 4. Totally oblivious to the fact that it’s based on a series.
Needless to say I ended up checking out the series because who can resist troubled marines and a small mountain town right?
This, the series as well as the book, has a very Hallmark feeling about it. Just warm and fuzzy and boy did I catch myself running through 5 or 6 episodes after my ‘sample’.
I’m thinking this might not be the best I’ve read, but in the time we are currently finding ourselves in, it’s just what I need. Just feel good warm & fuzzy. Good old fashioned romance.
Ps. Loving Jack and Mel in the series.
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 3.5
So I did the Wendy thing and started this series at book 4. Totally oblivious to the fact that it’s based on a series.
Needless to say I ended up checking out the series because who can resist troubled marines and a small mountain town right?
This, the series as well as the book, has a very Hallmark feeling about it. Just warm and fuzzy and boy did I catch myself running through 5 or 6 episodes after my ‘sample’.
I’m thinking this might not be the best I’ve read, but in the time we are currently finding ourselves in, it’s just what I need. Just feel good warm & fuzzy. Good old fashioned romance.
Ps. Loving Jack and Mel in the series.
December 16, 2019
I liked the story of Marcie and Ian but the book was fairly one dimensional, unlike the other books in the series. Those stories had recurring characters with substantive story lines; they pretty much have cameo roles in this book. It lacks that wonderful sense of community we've come to expect.
I'd recommend the book because Marcie and Ian deserve it but it doesn't have the magic of the other stories.
I'd recommend the book because Marcie and Ian deserve it but it doesn't have the magic of the other stories.
June 1, 2016
I enjoyed this Christmas story very much. Got to visit with all of the people of Virgin River...I felt like I have grown to know them all!
October 4, 2020
These books are so bad and I will read all of them
February 9, 2021
This was a very sweet, tender love story that seemed entirely appropriate for a Christmas book. I didn't like it quite as well as the three previous books in the series, but it was still a wonderful story. I am anxiously anticipating the next book in the series.
It has been a year since the death of her husband, but Marcie Sullivan is just unable to move forward with her life. She feels that she needs closure that will come from locating her husband's best friend and former superior officer, Ian Buchanan. Four years ago, Ian risked his life to save Bobby in Iraq. Bobby suffered paralysis and extreme brain damage, and after one visit to Bobby four years ago, Ian broke off contact and disappeared. Marcie travels through numerous small California mountain towns in search of Ian after hearing that he is living as a hermit in the woods. Spending an entire month searching exhausts Marcie and her finances, but she finally finds Ian, who is extremely unfriendly and unwilling to talk to her. When he realizes that she is ill, Ian reluctantly takes Marcie in and cares for her. Ian feels that he did Bobby an injustice by saving his life only to sentence him to three years of total impairment, and he is unable to get past this. Ian has other issues that have helped to cause his reclusive behavior. As Marcie and Ian spend the enforced time together while she recovers, they get to know and care for one another. After they become intimately involved, Ian will have to decide if he is willing to risk being part of the world again in order to continue a relationship with Marcie.
This was an emotional, touching book. The reason I did not like this book quite as much as the others in the series is that it did not have enough closure for me. I felt that Ian still had too much doubt about himself and whether he could have a successful relationship with Marcie. I would also have liked to see the story continue enough to give some idea of what Ian planned to do with his future. I hope that the next books will give a little more information about what is happening to Ian and Marcie. It was wonderful to read a bit more about the Virgin River characters from the previous books of this great series.
It has been a year since the death of her husband, but Marcie Sullivan is just unable to move forward with her life. She feels that she needs closure that will come from locating her husband's best friend and former superior officer, Ian Buchanan. Four years ago, Ian risked his life to save Bobby in Iraq. Bobby suffered paralysis and extreme brain damage, and after one visit to Bobby four years ago, Ian broke off contact and disappeared. Marcie travels through numerous small California mountain towns in search of Ian after hearing that he is living as a hermit in the woods. Spending an entire month searching exhausts Marcie and her finances, but she finally finds Ian, who is extremely unfriendly and unwilling to talk to her. When he realizes that she is ill, Ian reluctantly takes Marcie in and cares for her. Ian feels that he did Bobby an injustice by saving his life only to sentence him to three years of total impairment, and he is unable to get past this. Ian has other issues that have helped to cause his reclusive behavior. As Marcie and Ian spend the enforced time together while she recovers, they get to know and care for one another. After they become intimately involved, Ian will have to decide if he is willing to risk being part of the world again in order to continue a relationship with Marcie.
This was an emotional, touching book. The reason I did not like this book quite as much as the others in the series is that it did not have enough closure for me. I felt that Ian still had too much doubt about himself and whether he could have a successful relationship with Marcie. I would also have liked to see the story continue enough to give some idea of what Ian planned to do with his future. I hope that the next books will give a little more information about what is happening to Ian and Marcie. It was wonderful to read a bit more about the Virgin River characters from the previous books of this great series.
January 27, 2013
(Jan) I have been enjoying my visits to Virgin River, but this particular visit was a bit boring to me. I liked Ian, and seeing other members of the VR community was fun, but I didn't warm up to Marcie, probably because I didn't really get her. I don't understand why she felt she had the right to intrude on a virtual stranger's life to demand answers, to understand his life. Yes, she'd met him a couple of times and yes, he was her husband's best friend. But after years of unanswered letters to him she should have just left him alone. Of course it all worked out in the end, but I still feel like she had no right to find him and no right to understand him. There is a small scene in another book I read right afterwards that I feel fits the situation...
Step mother talking to step daugther about s-d's new (and somewhat damaged husband) - "You think if you can bring order to Mr. McBride's life, he will be well. He is in disaray and you must fix him. But people can't be fixed, especially not men like Mr. McBride. Not in the way you mean. You have to undertand and help him, dear. Not repair him." Substitute Ian instead of Mr. McBride and it helps explain how I feel. Marcie felt she had this right to dig into his psyche, to understand why he disappeared from life (in the scene above, at least the wife had the right to understand, as she was his wife) - but that's not her business. Even if she did help heal him in the end, help him understand that what he did (saving her husband) was a good thing, it still was not her place to barrel her way, uninvited, into his life and demand answers. It just bugged me. Also, she went snooping in his stuff to find her letters that she'd written him - I don't like that! I know I'm in the minority here, but to me, Marcie was pushy and overbearing - and it just didn't work for me that she'd go w/o money, away from her family, sleeping in her car, to find this guy she really knows nothing about.
Step mother talking to step daugther about s-d's new (and somewhat damaged husband) - "You think if you can bring order to Mr. McBride's life, he will be well. He is in disaray and you must fix him. But people can't be fixed, especially not men like Mr. McBride. Not in the way you mean. You have to undertand and help him, dear. Not repair him." Substitute Ian instead of Mr. McBride and it helps explain how I feel. Marcie felt she had this right to dig into his psyche, to understand why he disappeared from life (in the scene above, at least the wife had the right to understand, as she was his wife) - but that's not her business. Even if she did help heal him in the end, help him understand that what he did (saving her husband) was a good thing, it still was not her place to barrel her way, uninvited, into his life and demand answers. It just bugged me. Also, she went snooping in his stuff to find her letters that she'd written him - I don't like that! I know I'm in the minority here, but to me, Marcie was pushy and overbearing - and it just didn't work for me that she'd go w/o money, away from her family, sleeping in her car, to find this guy she really knows nothing about.
July 17, 2024
Bobby and Marcie married young. Bobby was a marine. He was wounded in combat, suffering irreparable brain damage. He was shipped home, and Marcia cared for him and loved him for three years before he died.
Marcie has come to Virgin River looking for Ian, Bobby's best friend and commanding officer. Ian carried Bobby to safety through heavy fire, for sure saving his life in the process. Following his tour of duty, Ian left the Marine Corps and disappeared, and now Marcie has been travelling from town to town, sleeping in her car, showing an old photograph, and searching for the man who gave her those three short years with her husband.
So, another tale of a strong, plucky woman and a strong, taciturn ex-Marine on a path of self-discovery featuring small-town/wilderness adventure and just a little hot, steamy sex.
This is the fourth book set in and around Virgin River, and very little time has passed since the conclusion of "Whispering Rock." Each book so far has dealt with a different couple. This one features fewer appearances from returning characters than has become the norm, but everyone gets a look in before the story is done. It's a shorter book than others in the series and could be read as a stand-alone.
Marcie has come to Virgin River looking for Ian, Bobby's best friend and commanding officer. Ian carried Bobby to safety through heavy fire, for sure saving his life in the process. Following his tour of duty, Ian left the Marine Corps and disappeared, and now Marcie has been travelling from town to town, sleeping in her car, showing an old photograph, and searching for the man who gave her those three short years with her husband.
So, another tale of a strong, plucky woman and a strong, taciturn ex-Marine on a path of self-discovery featuring small-town/wilderness adventure and just a little hot, steamy sex.
This is the fourth book set in and around Virgin River, and very little time has passed since the conclusion of "Whispering Rock." Each book so far has dealt with a different couple. This one features fewer appearances from returning characters than has become the norm, but everyone gets a look in before the story is done. It's a shorter book than others in the series and could be read as a stand-alone.
December 16, 2020
I have a happy sigh over here because I am the worst to please when it comes to Christmas stories; they rarely work for me. I knew this one had a chance because I’ve become a fan of this series, both book and TV.
What was fabulous about this Christmas story was that the Virgin River characters were very in the background and the main characters were two new recruits to the series. This story was very focused around marine (combat) experiences which fit with Jack and Preacher’s legacy well.
Marcie was a widow of a marine searching for the best friend and Sargeant of her late husband. Ian was that man but really he was a wild bear of man, nomading in the wilderness, in a very sparse cabin. Their story was just beautiful and their forced proximity was aided by flu, snow, Doc and Mel. Marcie won me over with her determination and big heart.
There was a scene in the book where Marcie recounted her late husband’s death and I had quiet tears just dripping down. This book truly had all the feels. I really hope that these two characters will feature further in the series because I am such a fan.
Thank you to Mills & Boon for the review copy to fit with the season.
This review can be found on A Take From Two Cities Blog.
What was fabulous about this Christmas story was that the Virgin River characters were very in the background and the main characters were two new recruits to the series. This story was very focused around marine (combat) experiences which fit with Jack and Preacher’s legacy well.
Marcie was a widow of a marine searching for the best friend and Sargeant of her late husband. Ian was that man but really he was a wild bear of man, nomading in the wilderness, in a very sparse cabin. Their story was just beautiful and their forced proximity was aided by flu, snow, Doc and Mel. Marcie won me over with her determination and big heart.
There was a scene in the book where Marcie recounted her late husband’s death and I had quiet tears just dripping down. This book truly had all the feels. I really hope that these two characters will feature further in the series because I am such a fan.
Thank you to Mills & Boon for the review copy to fit with the season.
This review can be found on A Take From Two Cities Blog.
December 3, 2016
awww good Christmas read! In a very Virgin River way! Ian Buchanan is a wonderful and heart-warming character!
October 27, 2019
Audiobook: Narrator – Therese Plummer
I’m in awe of this narrator. She does every character with such amazing life and clarity that I can’t imagine them any other way. I love listening to her and each time I start I a new audiobook in this series, it feels like coming home as soon as she begins to speak. This is a performance, not just a reading or attempted performance, and I fall more in love with her even as she makes me fall deeper in love with the characters of Virgin River.
While I love all the characters in this series, and have learned to appreciate that each new book is not going to be totally centered on just the “new” couple, the fact that this one was primarily Macie and Ian’s story made me pretty happy.
Macie’s late husband and Ian were best friends in the service together. Ian saved his life and Macie will forever be grateful for that. Although he came home less than the man he was, she had a few years with him before he died. But Ian has disappeared and feeling a little lost, Macie sets out to find him.
What she finds is a mountain man who has isolated himself completely in a small cabin. While Ian is living a life that most would call “barely surviving”, Macie finds herself in a position of depending on him. And soon she realizes there is so much more about Ian and what led him to his mountain than what she initially thought.
This is such a wonderful story of first friendship and then love. I was a bit disappointed to learn that Ian didn’t really think or feel any true attraction towards Marcie in the beginning, despite her having been there for some time. I like my heroes to feel at least desire upon seeing the heroine. But I loved that this couple were building trust and it is on that trust that they begin to build their relationship.
The deceased spouse can be tricky, but I didn’t feel that it affected the way Macie felt towards Ian. In fact, it was very much because of her husband that she felt the way she did and that was surprising and refreshing. Watching Ian come out of his shell and begin to open up to Macie was both heartbreaking and beautiful, especially when she is able to shed light on the one thing that Ian most feared regarding her husband.
One of the things I enjoy the most about this series is the strong military respect within the characters, and this showcased that respect in spades. I can’t deny I was choked up on several occasions throughout the narration of this book as the service of men and women are highlighted in various ways. And when the culmination of this story arrived, let’s just say I was never more glad to be listening to this at home, rather than in my car, when the waterworks started.
We still get a good look at the Virgin River gang and all their wonderfulness and I can’t wait to move on to the next book.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
I’m in awe of this narrator. She does every character with such amazing life and clarity that I can’t imagine them any other way. I love listening to her and each time I start I a new audiobook in this series, it feels like coming home as soon as she begins to speak. This is a performance, not just a reading or attempted performance, and I fall more in love with her even as she makes me fall deeper in love with the characters of Virgin River.
While I love all the characters in this series, and have learned to appreciate that each new book is not going to be totally centered on just the “new” couple, the fact that this one was primarily Macie and Ian’s story made me pretty happy.
Macie’s late husband and Ian were best friends in the service together. Ian saved his life and Macie will forever be grateful for that. Although he came home less than the man he was, she had a few years with him before he died. But Ian has disappeared and feeling a little lost, Macie sets out to find him.
What she finds is a mountain man who has isolated himself completely in a small cabin. While Ian is living a life that most would call “barely surviving”, Macie finds herself in a position of depending on him. And soon she realizes there is so much more about Ian and what led him to his mountain than what she initially thought.
This is such a wonderful story of first friendship and then love. I was a bit disappointed to learn that Ian didn’t really think or feel any true attraction towards Marcie in the beginning, despite her having been there for some time. I like my heroes to feel at least desire upon seeing the heroine. But I loved that this couple were building trust and it is on that trust that they begin to build their relationship.
The deceased spouse can be tricky, but I didn’t feel that it affected the way Macie felt towards Ian. In fact, it was very much because of her husband that she felt the way she did and that was surprising and refreshing. Watching Ian come out of his shell and begin to open up to Macie was both heartbreaking and beautiful, especially when she is able to shed light on the one thing that Ian most feared regarding her husband.
One of the things I enjoy the most about this series is the strong military respect within the characters, and this showcased that respect in spades. I can’t deny I was choked up on several occasions throughout the narration of this book as the service of men and women are highlighted in various ways. And when the culmination of this story arrived, let’s just say I was never more glad to be listening to this at home, rather than in my car, when the waterworks started.
We still get a good look at the Virgin River gang and all their wonderfulness and I can’t wait to move on to the next book.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
![Profile Image for Michelle [Helen Geek].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1448463806i%2F5557851._CR0%2C13%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
January 29, 2012
Another 3.5 Stars for me.
I liked so many things about this book, but am giving it 3.5 stars because I was bored in places and found myself skimming [never good for me].
What did I like:
1 -- the author addressing the real issue of our fighting troops and the people who love and care for them.
2 -- the courage Marcie had in searching for Ian against all odds.
3 -- the Holiday theme [wish I'd read it at Christmas]. Love, love, loved the Christmas tree and all it represented.
4 -- the love of this community.
I really liked much about this story, but there was a depth missing. It is almost like the author has so many characters to keep up with and she has to weave each into the story, it loses depth for the main characters. Plus, as poignant as this particular topic was, I felt she could have spent more time on it. The topic being the fragile human condition after returning from a war front. Of course we expect the troop to be impacted, but not much thought given to those supporting and loving the returning individual. So heart wrenching.
Overall, a good story, but could have been more [my opinion]. If you are courageous enough to tackle some of the social issues this author addresses, then you should be damn sure to give it the attention it deserves.
I'm giving myself a break from this series for a bit and will return later this year.
Happy Reading!
I liked so many things about this book, but am giving it 3.5 stars because I was bored in places and found myself skimming [never good for me].
What did I like:
1 -- the author addressing the real issue of our fighting troops and the people who love and care for them.
2 -- the courage Marcie had in searching for Ian against all odds.
3 -- the Holiday theme [wish I'd read it at Christmas]. Love, love, loved the Christmas tree and all it represented.
4 -- the love of this community.
I really liked much about this story, but there was a depth missing. It is almost like the author has so many characters to keep up with and she has to weave each into the story, it loses depth for the main characters. Plus, as poignant as this particular topic was, I felt she could have spent more time on it. The topic being the fragile human condition after returning from a war front. Of course we expect the troop to be impacted, but not much thought given to those supporting and loving the returning individual. So heart wrenching.
Overall, a good story, but could have been more [my opinion]. If you are courageous enough to tackle some of the social issues this author addresses, then you should be damn sure to give it the attention it deserves.
I'm giving myself a break from this series for a bit and will return later this year.
Happy Reading!
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