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Virgin River #19
Return to Virgin River
Kaylee Sloan has wonderful memories of the woman who raised her. But the memories are prolonging her grief over her mother’s recent death. A successful author, Kaylee hoped she could pour herself into her work. Instead, she has terrible writer’s block and a looming deadline.
To escape distractions, Kaylee borrows a cabin in Virgin River. She knows the isolation will help her writing, and as she drives through the majestic redwoods, she feels inspired. Until she arrives at a building that has just gone up in flames. Devastated, she heads to Jack’s Bar to plan her next steps. The local watering hole is the heart of the town, and once she crosses the threshold, she’s surprised to be embraced by people who are more than willing to help a friend—or a stranger—in need.
Kaylee’s world is expanding in ways she never dreamed possible. And when she rescues a kitten followed by a dog with a litter of puppies, she finds her heart opening up to the animals who need her. And then there’s the dog trainer who knows exactly how to help her. As Kaylee’s grief turns to joy, she realizes there’s no better place to start over than Virgin River.
A Virgin River Novel
Book 1: Virgin River
Book 2: Shelter Mountain
Book 3: Whispering Rock
Book 4: A Virgin River Christmas
Book 5: Second Chance Pass
Book 6: Temptation Ridge
Book 7: Paradise Valley
Book 8: Forbidden Falls
Book 9: Angel''s Peak
Book 10: Moonlight Road
Book 11: Promise Canyon
Book 12: Wild Man Creek
Book 13: Harvest Moon
Book 14: Bring Me Home for Christmas
Book 15: Hidden Summit
Book 16: Redwood Bend
Book 17: Sunrise Point
Book 18: My Kind of Christmas
Book 19: Return to Virgin River
To escape distractions, Kaylee borrows a cabin in Virgin River. She knows the isolation will help her writing, and as she drives through the majestic redwoods, she feels inspired. Until she arrives at a building that has just gone up in flames. Devastated, she heads to Jack’s Bar to plan her next steps. The local watering hole is the heart of the town, and once she crosses the threshold, she’s surprised to be embraced by people who are more than willing to help a friend—or a stranger—in need.
Kaylee’s world is expanding in ways she never dreamed possible. And when she rescues a kitten followed by a dog with a litter of puppies, she finds her heart opening up to the animals who need her. And then there’s the dog trainer who knows exactly how to help her. As Kaylee’s grief turns to joy, she realizes there’s no better place to start over than Virgin River.
A Virgin River Novel
Book 1: Virgin River
Book 2: Shelter Mountain
Book 3: Whispering Rock
Book 4: A Virgin River Christmas
Book 5: Second Chance Pass
Book 6: Temptation Ridge
Book 7: Paradise Valley
Book 8: Forbidden Falls
Book 9: Angel''s Peak
Book 10: Moonlight Road
Book 11: Promise Canyon
Book 12: Wild Man Creek
Book 13: Harvest Moon
Book 14: Bring Me Home for Christmas
Book 15: Hidden Summit
Book 16: Redwood Bend
Book 17: Sunrise Point
Book 18: My Kind of Christmas
Book 19: Return to Virgin River
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 13, 2020
3267 people are currently reading
8143 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 1,009 reviews
November 17, 2020
It is always a pleasure to return to Virgin River! I was so happy to see there was another installment in the series. For some reason, I thought she was done with this series, but I for one, was not. I love this series and the characters. It is always nice to get a glimpse into their lives and see how they have grown and changed over the years. There is great character development in this book.
After her mother's death, Kaylee Sloan has decided to get away and finish writing her novel. She hopes a new quiet setting will be just what she needs to write. After driving up and finding the home she has rented in flames, she walks into Jack's bar and is welcomed by Jack and other familiar characters.
Eventually she finds a place to rent, adopts a kitten and rescues a dog with puppies (there is never a dull moment in Virgin River). Her new landlord is welcoming and while, dealing with issues of his own, helps Kaylee with hers.
I read this book in one day and wish I would have read it slower but I was so happy to be back in Virgin River with some of my favorite characters that I couldn't help myself. As with the previous books in the series, the regulars are in this. This book picks up a couple of years after the last book, so you will learn who has expanded their family, who is still together, etc.
I love the sense of community in this book, as well as every book in the series. Robyn Carr has created a great series. Yes, these books are romance, but these books area also about community, family, friendship, gratitude, food, and to some degree, food.
Will this book work as a stand-alone? Yes, I think it would work nicely as a stand-alone, but I highly recommend reading this from the beginning. I have some of the books in this series in one day.
Fans of the Virgin River series will be incredibly pleased with this book. I have my fingers crossed that there will be another book. Please, please, please, write more Robyn Carr!!
After her mother's death, Kaylee Sloan has decided to get away and finish writing her novel. She hopes a new quiet setting will be just what she needs to write. After driving up and finding the home she has rented in flames, she walks into Jack's bar and is welcomed by Jack and other familiar characters.
Eventually she finds a place to rent, adopts a kitten and rescues a dog with puppies (there is never a dull moment in Virgin River). Her new landlord is welcoming and while, dealing with issues of his own, helps Kaylee with hers.
I read this book in one day and wish I would have read it slower but I was so happy to be back in Virgin River with some of my favorite characters that I couldn't help myself. As with the previous books in the series, the regulars are in this. This book picks up a couple of years after the last book, so you will learn who has expanded their family, who is still together, etc.
I love the sense of community in this book, as well as every book in the series. Robyn Carr has created a great series. Yes, these books are romance, but these books area also about community, family, friendship, gratitude, food, and to some degree, food.
Will this book work as a stand-alone? Yes, I think it would work nicely as a stand-alone, but I highly recommend reading this from the beginning. I have some of the books in this series in one day.
Fans of the Virgin River series will be incredibly pleased with this book. I have my fingers crossed that there will be another book. Please, please, please, write more Robyn Carr!!
January 2, 2021
Kaylee Sloan is a suspense writer working on a deadline she’s going to miss if she doesn’t change something. She’s still grieving over the loss of her beloved mother and staying in her home isn’t helping her move on. She remembers fondly the childhood memories of good times in Virgin River so when the friends who own the home she used to visit invite her to stay there for an extended time, Kaylee gladly accepts. Unfortunately, she arrives to a house engulfed in flames and has to make other plans fast. Where else but Jack’s Bar can you expect to find a solution, which is where the helpful firefighters directed her to go.
The announcement that Carr was writing another book in this series took me by surprise and I did a happy dance. There’s something about this fictional town and community that connected with my heart and head, not wanting to let it go when the series ended so the chance to revisit it brought joy. It was wonderful revisiting old friends and getting updates while becoming fully absorbed into Kaylee’s journey.
Kaylee’s feelings and memories of her mother and the loss brought back my own, which I was unprepared for. It made me connect with her on a deeper level as I understood her difficulty in coming to terms with the loss of her best friend. When she confronted her paralyzing fear of dogs with the help of her landlord, Landry Moore, I saw the parallels to her being able to deal with grief. I really liked both of these characters, individually and as a couple. They didn’t rush anything, letting their relationship evolve naturally, which was not without conflict. Don’t you just love adult romances?
This was a beautiful return to one of my most favorite series. I listened to this story and Thèrése Plummer delivered her normal, excellent performance. Her voices for Kaylee and Landry seem to fit them perfectly and the pacing was just right. I finished this in one day, just reveling in being back in Virgin River. Oh, and I’ve binge watched the Netflix series, both seasons, which only served to better help me visualize the setting. I’m in a happy place.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Harlequin Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
The announcement that Carr was writing another book in this series took me by surprise and I did a happy dance. There’s something about this fictional town and community that connected with my heart and head, not wanting to let it go when the series ended so the chance to revisit it brought joy. It was wonderful revisiting old friends and getting updates while becoming fully absorbed into Kaylee’s journey.
Kaylee’s feelings and memories of her mother and the loss brought back my own, which I was unprepared for. It made me connect with her on a deeper level as I understood her difficulty in coming to terms with the loss of her best friend. When she confronted her paralyzing fear of dogs with the help of her landlord, Landry Moore, I saw the parallels to her being able to deal with grief. I really liked both of these characters, individually and as a couple. They didn’t rush anything, letting their relationship evolve naturally, which was not without conflict. Don’t you just love adult romances?
This was a beautiful return to one of my most favorite series. I listened to this story and Thèrése Plummer delivered her normal, excellent performance. Her voices for Kaylee and Landry seem to fit them perfectly and the pacing was just right. I finished this in one day, just reveling in being back in Virgin River. Oh, and I’ve binge watched the Netflix series, both seasons, which only served to better help me visualize the setting. I’m in a happy place.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Harlequin Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
October 14, 2020
When the series originally released the holiday season didn’t kick off until I had witnessed the tree lighting between Jack’s and the church. When the series ended, I wept like I had lost an old friend. Then Netflix brought the town to life in their new Virgin River series, and new fans were born.
Return to Virgin River by Robyn Carr is the nineteenth book in the series, and it felt like going home. I was overjoyed when I learned of its upcoming release and for me; it felt like coming home. While each book has its own adventures and romance, I recommend reading and meeting the characters in the order of their release.
Kaylee Sloan is headed to Virgin River to stay for the winter. She is recovering from the loss of her mother and has a deadline for her newest suspense novel looming. Thoughts of writing by the fire and enjoying views of the lake soon go up in flames.
A trip to Jack’s will soon set things to rights. He and his wife offer her their guest cabin for a few days while she scouts out new lodgings. Local artist and dog trainer Landry Moore’s provides the perfect place.
The tale that unfolds held all the magic one expects from Carr. I loved the animals, lunches at Jack’s and talks on the front porch.
Landry has suffered his own losses and the two strike up a friendship that slowly simmers. Found pets, abandoned puppies and healing all made for a wonderful tale. He and his dog help Kaylee, only to discover she has unknowingly helped them.
The relationship that develops felt genuine, even as we suffered some disturbances along the ride. I loved the surprises, one in particular, had me weeping one moment and smiling the next.
It was delightful to see beloved characters and catch up on local happenings. Virgin River magic, helpful hands, and townsfolk’s gathering to set the Christmas tree.
Carr touched on healing, friendship, giving and forgiveness. I laughed, wept and became completely swept up in the story. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Return to Virgin River by Robyn Carr is the nineteenth book in the series, and it felt like going home. I was overjoyed when I learned of its upcoming release and for me; it felt like coming home. While each book has its own adventures and romance, I recommend reading and meeting the characters in the order of their release.
Kaylee Sloan is headed to Virgin River to stay for the winter. She is recovering from the loss of her mother and has a deadline for her newest suspense novel looming. Thoughts of writing by the fire and enjoying views of the lake soon go up in flames.
A trip to Jack’s will soon set things to rights. He and his wife offer her their guest cabin for a few days while she scouts out new lodgings. Local artist and dog trainer Landry Moore’s provides the perfect place.
The tale that unfolds held all the magic one expects from Carr. I loved the animals, lunches at Jack’s and talks on the front porch.
Landry has suffered his own losses and the two strike up a friendship that slowly simmers. Found pets, abandoned puppies and healing all made for a wonderful tale. He and his dog help Kaylee, only to discover she has unknowingly helped them.
The relationship that develops felt genuine, even as we suffered some disturbances along the ride. I loved the surprises, one in particular, had me weeping one moment and smiling the next.
It was delightful to see beloved characters and catch up on local happenings. Virgin River magic, helpful hands, and townsfolk’s gathering to set the Christmas tree.
Carr touched on healing, friendship, giving and forgiveness. I laughed, wept and became completely swept up in the story. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
September 9, 2020
Over the last few years I’ve become a huge fan of RC and have read many of her standalone novels and one of her series (Sullivan’s Crossing) but I had never read the Virgin River series, despite hearing so many wonderful things about it. Late last year I finally decided to dive in both because of the release of the Netflix series and to the challenge I co hosted with Sarah at ReallyIntoThis #fallintomybacklist I adored the first book so much that I’ve spent this year reading the entire series so you can imagine my absolute delight when it was announced that Return to Virgin River was releasing this year! All of that to say, this is now one of my all time favorite series and if you’re a longtime fan you will be very pleased with the latest.
First things first, and one of my biggest burning questions before I started this one was would we be checking in with Jack and Mel? Paige and Preacher? Jilly and Colin? Paul and Vanessa? I’m so happy to say yes, you definitely get some scenes with the old gang, I didn’t totally keep track but I really believe that you at least get a brief mention of most of the characters from previous books. And while that was fantastic, so we’re the two new characters this time around. I immediately clicked with both Kaylee and Landry and could totally see them fitting together perfectly almost immediately. True to the authors style they both have obstacles to overcome before they can truly be together, but they were both so relatable and authentic and their issues were handle with RCs trademark humor and grace. It felt so good to be back in VR, I really can’t say enough wonderful things about this book, this series, hell this author! She’s really one of the best and if you’re a fan of contemporary romance she’s a must!
First things first, and one of my biggest burning questions before I started this one was would we be checking in with Jack and Mel? Paige and Preacher? Jilly and Colin? Paul and Vanessa? I’m so happy to say yes, you definitely get some scenes with the old gang, I didn’t totally keep track but I really believe that you at least get a brief mention of most of the characters from previous books. And while that was fantastic, so we’re the two new characters this time around. I immediately clicked with both Kaylee and Landry and could totally see them fitting together perfectly almost immediately. True to the authors style they both have obstacles to overcome before they can truly be together, but they were both so relatable and authentic and their issues were handle with RCs trademark humor and grace. It felt so good to be back in VR, I really can’t say enough wonderful things about this book, this series, hell this author! She’s really one of the best and if you’re a fan of contemporary romance she’s a must!
January 19, 2023
Reread: after rereading this book I bumped the rating up because I did enjoy it this time through. I think it helped that I read all the other books In this series again leading up to this one, the last one. I think I was a little upset at the idiocy of the Netflix show I watched prior to reading this a few years ago.
I hate to give a virgin river book a bad rating but some of the latest Robyn carr books just don’t seem to have been written the same way as older ones. Maybe it is just me but I wonder if she has a ghost writer. This was just mediocre to me. I have loved all the other virgin river books but this was just kinda boring. I guess some people would get over excited that some mentions of old favorites are included but I would rather read the old books again to see the faves. I really hated the Netflix series, like with a passion beyond all reasoning. I thought it was an abomination and I spent a very long time being mad about how horrifying the series was. I felt maybe this was a way to cash in on that. But I don’t know. I am glad I got this from the library and I didn’t spend my money on it.
I hate to give a virgin river book a bad rating but some of the latest Robyn carr books just don’t seem to have been written the same way as older ones. Maybe it is just me but I wonder if she has a ghost writer. This was just mediocre to me. I have loved all the other virgin river books but this was just kinda boring. I guess some people would get over excited that some mentions of old favorites are included but I would rather read the old books again to see the faves. I really hated the Netflix series, like with a passion beyond all reasoning. I thought it was an abomination and I spent a very long time being mad about how horrifying the series was. I felt maybe this was a way to cash in on that. But I don’t know. I am glad I got this from the library and I didn’t spend my money on it.
December 21, 2025
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#1 Virgin River - ★★★★
#19 Return To Virgin River - ★★★★★
This January, I read Virgin River and watched Season 1 of the Netflix TV Show. And I fell in love. With the small town, with the characters, with Robyn Carr‘s writing. When the team at Mills & Boon offered me a chance to Return to Virgin River, I couldn’t say no.
Synopsis:
Return To Virgin River is actually the 19th book in the series. But the amazing thing is that you can read each book as a standalone as well. Each book is set in Virgin River, but it focuses on different characters and their lives in the same town. It is just the chronological part that changes.
In this book, we follow Kaylee. Her mother passed away recently and she rents a house in Virgin River to try and get back to writing and to cope with her grief. But as she arrives, she finds out that the house had burnt. Devastated, she goes to Jack’s bar to figure out what’s next. Yes – the same Jack we meet in the first book. He still has his bar, and the same old charm.
As she meets more people and spends more time in Virgin River, Kaylee slowly starts to heal. And not only she heals, but she starts to find happiness, love and motivation again. Because there is no better place to mend a broken heart than Virgin River.
My Thoughts:
I loved Virgin River, but I loved Return to Virgin RIver even more. Coming back to this town and reading again about Mel, Jack, Preacher and the other characters felt good. It felt like seeing your long distance cousins for Christmas, and talking like no time has passed. And I felt this, after only reading the first book. I can only imagine how people that have read all the books might feel.
I think it was also the happy tone of the book that I loved as well. Despite the sadness, grief and stress Kaylee was going through, this book shouts with positivity. The long walks, the caring people, the caring for the animals and the kindness – it filled me with positive vibes. And reading it during the Covid pandemic felt like the perfect escape. There is something about a small, fictional village that offers second chances that feels like home.
I highly recommend it to everyone that may need to find a little bit of escape. Or to people that love heartwarming stories, and second chances in life and love.
And don’t forget that there is a Netflix TV Show of this as well – with the new season coming out. Season 1 was incredible, and I cannot wait to see Season 2 as well – I am sure it will as good!
#1 Virgin River - ★★★★
#19 Return To Virgin River - ★★★★★
This January, I read Virgin River and watched Season 1 of the Netflix TV Show. And I fell in love. With the small town, with the characters, with Robyn Carr‘s writing. When the team at Mills & Boon offered me a chance to Return to Virgin River, I couldn’t say no.
Synopsis:
Return To Virgin River is actually the 19th book in the series. But the amazing thing is that you can read each book as a standalone as well. Each book is set in Virgin River, but it focuses on different characters and their lives in the same town. It is just the chronological part that changes.
In this book, we follow Kaylee. Her mother passed away recently and she rents a house in Virgin River to try and get back to writing and to cope with her grief. But as she arrives, she finds out that the house had burnt. Devastated, she goes to Jack’s bar to figure out what’s next. Yes – the same Jack we meet in the first book. He still has his bar, and the same old charm.
As she meets more people and spends more time in Virgin River, Kaylee slowly starts to heal. And not only she heals, but she starts to find happiness, love and motivation again. Because there is no better place to mend a broken heart than Virgin River.
My Thoughts:
I loved Virgin River, but I loved Return to Virgin RIver even more. Coming back to this town and reading again about Mel, Jack, Preacher and the other characters felt good. It felt like seeing your long distance cousins for Christmas, and talking like no time has passed. And I felt this, after only reading the first book. I can only imagine how people that have read all the books might feel.
I think it was also the happy tone of the book that I loved as well. Despite the sadness, grief and stress Kaylee was going through, this book shouts with positivity. The long walks, the caring people, the caring for the animals and the kindness – it filled me with positive vibes. And reading it during the Covid pandemic felt like the perfect escape. There is something about a small, fictional village that offers second chances that feels like home.
I highly recommend it to everyone that may need to find a little bit of escape. Or to people that love heartwarming stories, and second chances in life and love.
And don’t forget that there is a Netflix TV Show of this as well – with the new season coming out. Season 1 was incredible, and I cannot wait to see Season 2 as well – I am sure it will as good!
December 5, 2020
Through the trees, up the winding mountain road into a paradise of a little town goes another wounded soul needing a place to heal. One of my most anticipated holiday season reads met and exceeded my anticipation while making me grieve that Virgin River and its inhabitants aren't real.
Return to Virgin River is the nineteenth installment in the series and probably would be even better when read in order, but it was still sensational reading it without the benefit of most of the earlier books since the main characters are new and there is something of an introduction for the reader through the eyes of the heroine.
Kaylee Sloan is a suspense writer who cannot write. She is drowning in grief from losing her mother, but she has a deadline on her latest book that is well overdue. She has the idea to go back to a place where she and her mother spent happy times, but isn't her mother's house where she is overwhelmed and hemmed in by memories. Her great idea to rent a cabin for six months where she can write in beautiful solitude goes up in smoke- literally. She thinks all is lost until another cabin is made available to her and the townspeople of Virgin River step up and make her welcome in ways that begin her healing. Then a kitten rescue and a mother dog with puppies and an attractive landlord who is a porch-setting friend and help with the strays has her in full healing. Her heart is opening once again and her pen is busy right up until the arrival of Landry's past.
Virgin River worked its magic on me once again. I have read the first book, Virgin River, and Bring Me Home For Christmas, the sixteenth book. I had grand plans of binging the whole series so I could read this book and watch the TV adaption. Didn't make it, but dove into this book because I wanted Virgin River at Christmas time and other than encountering lots of couples from previous books that I now want to have their stories even more, I had no trouble.
I noticed once again that the town and it's people are like one fabulous character in and of itself. There's a real sense of community. The holidays are treasured and made magical there with people stepping up and helping people and working hard to make the holidays special in their out of the way town.
The main characters are hurting people who have backstories they need to face. At first, I thought this was going to be all about Kaylee getting past her grief for a wonderful mother and friend. Incidentally, kudos to the author for writing a lovely and healthy mom and daughter relationship that is well-worth grieving over though yes, I got antsy for her to work through the process a little faster. However, no sooner is Kaylee well on the way out of her grief and ready to start living and loving than Landry's issues rear their ugly head. I was wary when the twist came and not keen on it, but it helped that I had the sense that Landry wasn't going to be persuaded by a chance to get a reset on his past. He knew who and what he needed though it was touch and go as he got it all ironed out.
Incidentally, I found her writing therapy choice a hoot. Kaylee was writing a romance that was mirroring her own life.
I might have only read two previous books, but I recognized several folks and enjoyed the holiday reunion feel going on in the background of this story. The animals were also an adorable addition.
What a lovely holiday ambience and tender, friendly and eventually, sensual romance that left me well-satisfied. Contemporary Romance fans definitely need to put the Virgin River series on their TBR if it's not already there.
I rec'd this book through Net Galley to read in exchange for an honest review.
Return to Virgin River is the nineteenth installment in the series and probably would be even better when read in order, but it was still sensational reading it without the benefit of most of the earlier books since the main characters are new and there is something of an introduction for the reader through the eyes of the heroine.
Kaylee Sloan is a suspense writer who cannot write. She is drowning in grief from losing her mother, but she has a deadline on her latest book that is well overdue. She has the idea to go back to a place where she and her mother spent happy times, but isn't her mother's house where she is overwhelmed and hemmed in by memories. Her great idea to rent a cabin for six months where she can write in beautiful solitude goes up in smoke- literally. She thinks all is lost until another cabin is made available to her and the townspeople of Virgin River step up and make her welcome in ways that begin her healing. Then a kitten rescue and a mother dog with puppies and an attractive landlord who is a porch-setting friend and help with the strays has her in full healing. Her heart is opening once again and her pen is busy right up until the arrival of Landry's past.
Virgin River worked its magic on me once again. I have read the first book, Virgin River, and Bring Me Home For Christmas, the sixteenth book. I had grand plans of binging the whole series so I could read this book and watch the TV adaption. Didn't make it, but dove into this book because I wanted Virgin River at Christmas time and other than encountering lots of couples from previous books that I now want to have their stories even more, I had no trouble.
I noticed once again that the town and it's people are like one fabulous character in and of itself. There's a real sense of community. The holidays are treasured and made magical there with people stepping up and helping people and working hard to make the holidays special in their out of the way town.
The main characters are hurting people who have backstories they need to face. At first, I thought this was going to be all about Kaylee getting past her grief for a wonderful mother and friend. Incidentally, kudos to the author for writing a lovely and healthy mom and daughter relationship that is well-worth grieving over though yes, I got antsy for her to work through the process a little faster. However, no sooner is Kaylee well on the way out of her grief and ready to start living and loving than Landry's issues rear their ugly head. I was wary when the twist came and not keen on it, but it helped that I had the sense that Landry wasn't going to be persuaded by a chance to get a reset on his past. He knew who and what he needed though it was touch and go as he got it all ironed out.
Incidentally, I found her writing therapy choice a hoot. Kaylee was writing a romance that was mirroring her own life.
I might have only read two previous books, but I recognized several folks and enjoyed the holiday reunion feel going on in the background of this story. The animals were also an adorable addition.
What a lovely holiday ambience and tender, friendly and eventually, sensual romance that left me well-satisfied. Contemporary Romance fans definitely need to put the Virgin River series on their TBR if it's not already there.
I rec'd this book through Net Galley to read in exchange for an honest review.
February 19, 2021
Writer Kaylee Sloan has a case of writer's block. She hasn't been able to write a word since the death of her mother six months ago. With a deadline looming, Kaylee decides to rent a cabin in Virgin River from family friends. She is hoping that getting away from her home and the things that remind her of her mother will help cure her writer's block.
Things are not as she expected when she arrives in Virgin River. The cabin she rented has just burn to the ground, so she heads to Jack's bar to see if he knows of any rentals. Kaylee soon finds herself renting a house from local artist Landry Moore. She also adopts a stray kitten, and rescues a mother dog with four puppies that were abandoned in the woods. As the holidays draw closer, Kaylee's world changes as she falls in love with her landlord.
Like everyone else, I was excited to hear there was a new book to the Virgin River series. I know I'm in the minority, but I have to say I was bored with this one. For more than half of the book, Kaylee dwelled on her mother's death. I'm sure losing someone close to you is very hard to get over, but I wasn't interested in reading about it. I liked both Landry and Kaylee, but thought this book needed more plot to keep me interested. My rating: 3 Stars.
Things are not as she expected when she arrives in Virgin River. The cabin she rented has just burn to the ground, so she heads to Jack's bar to see if he knows of any rentals. Kaylee soon finds herself renting a house from local artist Landry Moore. She also adopts a stray kitten, and rescues a mother dog with four puppies that were abandoned in the woods. As the holidays draw closer, Kaylee's world changes as she falls in love with her landlord.
Like everyone else, I was excited to hear there was a new book to the Virgin River series. I know I'm in the minority, but I have to say I was bored with this one. For more than half of the book, Kaylee dwelled on her mother's death. I'm sure losing someone close to you is very hard to get over, but I wasn't interested in reading about it. I liked both Landry and Kaylee, but thought this book needed more plot to keep me interested. My rating: 3 Stars.
October 14, 2020
I just love this series. It is, without a doubt, one of my favorites. So, I was thrilled when Robyn Carr added a new one. Although it definitely was a great addition, I thought the ending was a bit abrupt. Wonderful to visit with so many favorite characters and themes from the books.
I found it very interesting to read Ms. Carr's personal note at the end about visiting the Netflix set while they were filming the series based on her books. Having up close and personal experience and living around "the industry" for so many years, I understand the how and why Hollywood takes license with scripts based on original material. It is rare that they follow the story line exactly as it was first presented in written form. It is pretty much always disappointing and receives a lot of criticism from those who have first read the book. Ms. Carr was happy that the spirit of Virgin River was still intact. Personally, I prefer the books. Although, I think the casting director who lined up the actor and the director who ultimate chose the actor who portrayed "Jack" nailed it. ;)
I found it very interesting to read Ms. Carr's personal note at the end about visiting the Netflix set while they were filming the series based on her books. Having up close and personal experience and living around "the industry" for so many years, I understand the how and why Hollywood takes license with scripts based on original material. It is rare that they follow the story line exactly as it was first presented in written form. It is pretty much always disappointing and receives a lot of criticism from those who have first read the book. Ms. Carr was happy that the spirit of Virgin River was still intact. Personally, I prefer the books. Although, I think the casting director who lined up the actor and the director who ultimate chose the actor who portrayed "Jack" nailed it. ;)
October 29, 2020
The kind of slow, deceptively simple story where nothing of much note happens but, regardless, you may find comfort in its easy predictability. This type of story is what I consider the ‘Lifetime movie’ of books. It is not high literary fiction, the writing is passable at best, and yet—a certain mood in a certain person will find this series irresistible.
Something to note of Carr’s writing style is her heavy use of stiff, unnatural dialogue to propel her story forward. There is very little inner monologue, action, or description. I make this note solely so you can decide whether or not it might interest you based on your individual like/dislike of this strategy in storytelling.
Please note, also, that as a reviewer this is not my usual type of read. I can not speak to it as someone who is more well versed in this sub genre. I only give my opinion as a varied reader who dabbles in various sections across the literary canon.
My review copy was provided for free by the publisher. This in no way impacts my review.
Something to note of Carr’s writing style is her heavy use of stiff, unnatural dialogue to propel her story forward. There is very little inner monologue, action, or description. I make this note solely so you can decide whether or not it might interest you based on your individual like/dislike of this strategy in storytelling.
Please note, also, that as a reviewer this is not my usual type of read. I can not speak to it as someone who is more well versed in this sub genre. I only give my opinion as a varied reader who dabbles in various sections across the literary canon.
My review copy was provided for free by the publisher. This in no way impacts my review.
October 4, 2024
Loved it!
This one was a very emotional read for me. I totally related to Kaylee because my dad passed away last year exactly one month before Christmas. My heart ached for her loss as I thought about mine. Being the animal lover that I am, I could not help but be smitten with the storyline. It was a great feel-good story. It’s always a pleasure returning to Virgin River! The kindness and generosity of their residents, plus the remoteness of the community and plethora of wildlife, makes this a place that I long for!
This one was a very emotional read for me. I totally related to Kaylee because my dad passed away last year exactly one month before Christmas. My heart ached for her loss as I thought about mine. Being the animal lover that I am, I could not help but be smitten with the storyline. It was a great feel-good story. It’s always a pleasure returning to Virgin River! The kindness and generosity of their residents, plus the remoteness of the community and plethora of wildlife, makes this a place that I long for!
December 13, 2020
Return to Virgin River is a cozy autumnal romance that ends with Christmas and deals with grief around the holidays. Kaylee is grieving the loss of her mother and trying to finish writing a contracted book, so she decides to rent a place in rural Virgin River for six months. While there, she develops a relationship with a local artist and dog trainer, grapples with her grief, and finds new joy. It's a heartwarming, quiet story with a wonderful mother/daughter relationship, strong female friendships, and a sweet, slow burn romance after divorce. If you like Robyn Carr, you should know what to expect here and she delivers. I received a copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.
September 16, 2020
What to do while waiting for season two of Virgin River on Netflix? How about diving into Return to Virgin River!!! Robyn Carr is back at it again with another fabulous addition to the Virgin River Series. Releasing, October 13th!!
"It's where strangers become friends, and everyone is welcome."
This one really tugged at my heartstrings. Kaylee Sloan is heading to Humboldt county. She needs to grieve and find a way to come to terms with her new normal. One without her mother.
"You know what I learned about grief? It's always there and it's always at the center of your life and then one day you realize with some surprise that you had a fairly good day and you wonder if grief left. Or if it got smaller. It didn't - - your world got bigger."
Kaylee, after a very confusing start of unforeseen circumstances, finds herself next door to the pleasant and very attractive Landry, her new landlord. It's a slow, soft build-up where they share stories of heartbreak, parental loss, past jobs, and community relationships. They share life past and a budding present. It feels comfortable and real.
*On a personal note: I have to say, as someone who was extremely close to my mother, we talked every day and were very much like Kaylee and her mother. I totally get and understand the all-encompassing feeling of loss and the length of time it takes to be able to move forward without a mother and friend in your physical life.
I found a kindred spirit in the character of Kaylee. It's helpful in feeling not so alone in the process. Thanks for that Robyn Carr.
~Tanja
*ARC provided by publisher
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"It's where strangers become friends, and everyone is welcome."
This one really tugged at my heartstrings. Kaylee Sloan is heading to Humboldt county. She needs to grieve and find a way to come to terms with her new normal. One without her mother.
"You know what I learned about grief? It's always there and it's always at the center of your life and then one day you realize with some surprise that you had a fairly good day and you wonder if grief left. Or if it got smaller. It didn't - - your world got bigger."
Kaylee, after a very confusing start of unforeseen circumstances, finds herself next door to the pleasant and very attractive Landry, her new landlord. It's a slow, soft build-up where they share stories of heartbreak, parental loss, past jobs, and community relationships. They share life past and a budding present. It feels comfortable and real.
*On a personal note: I have to say, as someone who was extremely close to my mother, we talked every day and were very much like Kaylee and her mother. I totally get and understand the all-encompassing feeling of loss and the length of time it takes to be able to move forward without a mother and friend in your physical life.
I found a kindred spirit in the character of Kaylee. It's helpful in feeling not so alone in the process. Thanks for that Robyn Carr.
~Tanja
*ARC provided by publisher
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June 30, 2024
Robyn Carr turns to her main money maker to tie in with the TV series. But this series breaks the general rule--the books are NOT better. The show is!
You can read a review I wrote covering books 1-10 here.
The only thing that changed in the next few books was the addition of a few Native American characters--and since there are never any interracial couples here, naturally there has to be a Native American couple romance.
But here,in number 19, as $he $trives to make even more $$$$ from this $erie$, Carr outdoe$ herself by writing an even wor$e book than the 18 that came before.
Her pedestrian writing style has never been more pedestrian. She endlessly fills in the background information pedantically, instead of letting her characters be revealed by their story. She crams in adorable pets (at least there's a cat as well as dogs), an estranged father, a deceased mother, an adorable orphan, AND magic at Christmas, all in one sick making package tied up with a festive bow.
And what really scares me about these brain candy books is that I keep reading them. And when I'm looking to find something to fill in the time between other series, I just might end up looking for her other titles on my Libby app!
You can read a review I wrote covering books 1-10 here.
The only thing that changed in the next few books was the addition of a few Native American characters--and since there are never any interracial couples here, naturally there has to be a Native American couple romance.
But here,in number 19, as $he $trives to make even more $$$$ from this $erie$, Carr outdoe$ herself by writing an even wor$e book than the 18 that came before.
Her pedestrian writing style has never been more pedestrian. She endlessly fills in the background information pedantically, instead of letting her characters be revealed by their story. She crams in adorable pets (at least there's a cat as well as dogs), an estranged father, a deceased mother, an adorable orphan, AND magic at Christmas, all in one sick making package tied up with a festive bow.
And what really scares me about these brain candy books is that I keep reading them. And when I'm looking to find something to fill in the time between other series, I just might end up looking for her other titles on my Libby app!
October 11, 2020
Terrific book. It has been many years since I last read a Virgin River book, other than
My Kind of Christmas
. It didn't take me long to slip right back into the comfort of Jack's Bar and the warmth of the town. I loved seeing them take a lost young woman under their wings and help her heal.
Kaylee lost her mother to cancer on Christmas Day the previous year. Since then, she has been drowning in grief, unable even to lose herself in her writing. With her latest book's fast-approaching deadline, Kaylee escapes to Virgin River and the cabin where she and her mom spent some time. She's devastated when she arrives to find the house engulfed in flames. She heads to Jack's to regroup and decide what to do. Jack, who is the town's "Mr. Fixit," immediately offers her a place to stay for a few days, and various other people offer their assistance. But it's local artist Landry who rents her his guest cabin.
Landry is a little bit of a loner. He grew up in Virgin River, left for a while, and returned when city life didn't work out for him. His father's death hit him hard also, and he lost himself in his art as he coped with his grief. In addition to his art, Landry also works as a dog trainer.
I loved watching the relationship between Kaylee and Landry grow. It started slowly, with drinks or coffee on one porch or the other, as they talked about anything and everything. Landry and his dog helped Kaylee overcome her fear of dogs. The more time that they spend together, the more that the sparks between them intensify. I loved seeing how they supported each other's careers and respected the other's need for space. Though they acknowledge their feelings, some obstacles keep them apart. Landry's biggest obstacle came as quite a surprise and was a bit harder to overcome than expected. I loved how they were honest with each other about their needs and that both were willing to compromise to bring them the future they wanted.
There was more going on in Kaylee's life than her growing relationship with Landry. Her main reason for coming to Virgin River was to reclaim her writing mojo. I hurt for her and her fear that it wouldn't happen and loved her determination to keep plugging away. It was interesting to see the effect the people of Virgin River had on her thought processes and the "writing exercise" that became so much more. Kaylee also needed to deal with her grief, and besides her time with Landry, it was a conversation with Mel that put her on the right track: "You know what I learned about grief? It's always there, and it's always at the center of your life, and then one day, you realize with some surprise that you had a fairly good day, and you wonder if grief left. Or if it got smaller. It didn't - - your world got bigger." Something that helped make Kaylee's world a little bigger was her rescue of a tiny kitten, and later a mama dog with puppies. I loved the scenes with them, and with Landry's dog, Otis. As the weeks passed, her world got even bigger as she made friends with Virgin River's people, and she had more good days than bad. I loved how she used her grief to help another and the unexpected twist that help took.
I enjoyed being able to check in with previous Virgin River couples. There were plenty of scenes with Jack and Mel, the ones who started it all. I especially liked that these characters didn't get dropped in willy-nilly, but were logical parts of the plot. It all makes me want to reread the series.
Kaylee lost her mother to cancer on Christmas Day the previous year. Since then, she has been drowning in grief, unable even to lose herself in her writing. With her latest book's fast-approaching deadline, Kaylee escapes to Virgin River and the cabin where she and her mom spent some time. She's devastated when she arrives to find the house engulfed in flames. She heads to Jack's to regroup and decide what to do. Jack, who is the town's "Mr. Fixit," immediately offers her a place to stay for a few days, and various other people offer their assistance. But it's local artist Landry who rents her his guest cabin.
Landry is a little bit of a loner. He grew up in Virgin River, left for a while, and returned when city life didn't work out for him. His father's death hit him hard also, and he lost himself in his art as he coped with his grief. In addition to his art, Landry also works as a dog trainer.
I loved watching the relationship between Kaylee and Landry grow. It started slowly, with drinks or coffee on one porch or the other, as they talked about anything and everything. Landry and his dog helped Kaylee overcome her fear of dogs. The more time that they spend together, the more that the sparks between them intensify. I loved seeing how they supported each other's careers and respected the other's need for space. Though they acknowledge their feelings, some obstacles keep them apart. Landry's biggest obstacle came as quite a surprise and was a bit harder to overcome than expected. I loved how they were honest with each other about their needs and that both were willing to compromise to bring them the future they wanted.
There was more going on in Kaylee's life than her growing relationship with Landry. Her main reason for coming to Virgin River was to reclaim her writing mojo. I hurt for her and her fear that it wouldn't happen and loved her determination to keep plugging away. It was interesting to see the effect the people of Virgin River had on her thought processes and the "writing exercise" that became so much more. Kaylee also needed to deal with her grief, and besides her time with Landry, it was a conversation with Mel that put her on the right track: "You know what I learned about grief? It's always there, and it's always at the center of your life, and then one day, you realize with some surprise that you had a fairly good day, and you wonder if grief left. Or if it got smaller. It didn't - - your world got bigger." Something that helped make Kaylee's world a little bigger was her rescue of a tiny kitten, and later a mama dog with puppies. I loved the scenes with them, and with Landry's dog, Otis. As the weeks passed, her world got even bigger as she made friends with Virgin River's people, and she had more good days than bad. I loved how she used her grief to help another and the unexpected twist that help took.
I enjoyed being able to check in with previous Virgin River couples. There were plenty of scenes with Jack and Mel, the ones who started it all. I especially liked that these characters didn't get dropped in willy-nilly, but were logical parts of the plot. It all makes me want to reread the series.
October 13, 2020
The Return to Virgin River is everything I hoped for. There’s comfort reading a Virgin River book. We are introduced to new characters, Kaylee and Landry while still seeing some of our favorites, Jack, Mel and the gang. In order to enjoy this fully I would recommend reading the others in the series. I’m sure it can be read as a standalone but you miss the back stories of the characters and how they intertwined.
Kaylee reminded me of Mel Sheridan from book 1. She is looking to spend time in Virgin River to get away from her life after her mom’s passing. She’s struggling with her career and hopes she’ll find inspiration. I liked reading the characters thought process in writing especially when it came to her “second book”.
Landry knows Kaylee is only costing but that does stop him from wanting more. Unfortunately he doesn’t share his feelings and kept what he felt close to his chest.
The couple give into their wants but it wasn’t without emotions. I thought it was a wonderful edition to the series and truly enjoyed every moment.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
Kaylee reminded me of Mel Sheridan from book 1. She is looking to spend time in Virgin River to get away from her life after her mom’s passing. She’s struggling with her career and hopes she’ll find inspiration. I liked reading the characters thought process in writing especially when it came to her “second book”.
Landry knows Kaylee is only costing but that does stop him from wanting more. Unfortunately he doesn’t share his feelings and kept what he felt close to his chest.
The couple give into their wants but it wasn’t without emotions. I thought it was a wonderful edition to the series and truly enjoyed every moment.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
December 7, 2020
My review on my website www.bookread2day.wordpress.com
I read and enjoyed Virgin River, so my next read had to be Return to Virgin River, where strangers become friends. The most exciting news is that Virgin River has all read had multi million copies sold world wide as the bestselling series and it’s gets even more exciting as the Virgin River series is on Netflix. Once you read VirginnRiver It becomes easy to see how such an amazing series has turned into a Netflix series.
Kaylee Sloan, an fiction author, who had written a word during the first six months of her mother’s treatment and six months after of grieving after her mother’s death.
Things get a whole lot more upsetting as Kaylee finds her getaway, mountain villia that she is renting in a big smouldering pile of ash. She needed to just get away with a change of scenery for six months. The question Kaylee wants to know is what caused the villa burn up? She hopes the Cal Fire crew will help figure out how the fire started.
When she arrives at Jack’s Bar Kaylee is kindly offered a temporary place to stay in a guesthouse.
Can Kaylee’s broken heart be mended with all what has happened in her life in a short space of time?
I read and enjoyed Virgin River, so my next read had to be Return to Virgin River, where strangers become friends. The most exciting news is that Virgin River has all read had multi million copies sold world wide as the bestselling series and it’s gets even more exciting as the Virgin River series is on Netflix. Once you read VirginnRiver It becomes easy to see how such an amazing series has turned into a Netflix series.
Kaylee Sloan, an fiction author, who had written a word during the first six months of her mother’s treatment and six months after of grieving after her mother’s death.
Things get a whole lot more upsetting as Kaylee finds her getaway, mountain villia that she is renting in a big smouldering pile of ash. She needed to just get away with a change of scenery for six months. The question Kaylee wants to know is what caused the villa burn up? She hopes the Cal Fire crew will help figure out how the fire started.
When she arrives at Jack’s Bar Kaylee is kindly offered a temporary place to stay in a guesthouse.
Can Kaylee’s broken heart be mended with all what has happened in her life in a short space of time?
April 6, 2023
Return to Virgin River
Such a sweet ending for the famous Virgin River serie.
Loved it! Great Holliday spirited story.
Such a sweet ending for the famous Virgin River serie.
Loved it! Great Holliday spirited story.
October 15, 2020
Thanks to MIRA, NetGalley and Little Bird Publicity for a copy.
After twelve years Robyn Carr takes readers back to her beloved fictional town of Virgin River, California.
In Return to Virgin River we meet Kaylee Sloan, an author with writer’s block brought on by the loss of her mother in the past year. Friends have graciously allowed Kaylee to stay at their vacation home in Virgin River so she can finish her book. When she arrives she finds the fire department extinguishing a fire that has left the home uninhabitable. Someone suggests she go to Jack’s Bar for a bite to eat and perhaps a lead on where she can find a new place to rent. The book takes off from there and I settled in for the enjoyable read I’ve come to expect from Robyn Carr. I loved catching up with several characters and places featured in previous books. And I loved seeing how Kaylee’s life changed in small ways that would impact the rest of her life. The Thanksgiving/Christmas theme played a big part in the book and led to the heartwarming ending.
Return to Virgin River is a lovely read for fans of the Virgin River series and Robyn Carr. Of course, I recommend reading the entire VR series but readers could jump in here and then go back. It’s one of my favorite series ever!
After twelve years Robyn Carr takes readers back to her beloved fictional town of Virgin River, California.
In Return to Virgin River we meet Kaylee Sloan, an author with writer’s block brought on by the loss of her mother in the past year. Friends have graciously allowed Kaylee to stay at their vacation home in Virgin River so she can finish her book. When she arrives she finds the fire department extinguishing a fire that has left the home uninhabitable. Someone suggests she go to Jack’s Bar for a bite to eat and perhaps a lead on where she can find a new place to rent. The book takes off from there and I settled in for the enjoyable read I’ve come to expect from Robyn Carr. I loved catching up with several characters and places featured in previous books. And I loved seeing how Kaylee’s life changed in small ways that would impact the rest of her life. The Thanksgiving/Christmas theme played a big part in the book and led to the heartwarming ending.
Return to Virgin River is a lovely read for fans of the Virgin River series and Robyn Carr. Of course, I recommend reading the entire VR series but readers could jump in here and then go back. It’s one of my favorite series ever!
October 19, 2020
I was very happy to return to Virgin River and catch up with some old friends, especially Jack and his wife, Mel. It was a very satisfying story although I agree it ended a bit abruptly. Maybe it felt that way because with the extra materials in the back of the book, I thought there was more to the story.
September 21, 2020
4 Feel Good Stars
I have only read eleven of Ms. Carr’s novels although a low number compared to the many books she has written but is actually a good number for me as I am not a fan of chick lit/romance stories.
This is #19 in the Virgin River series. I have only read a few in this series but am somewhat familiar with the characters.
Story is about fresh starts, new friends and the magic of Christmas.
I go nutty over Christmas so this certainly seems like a nice heartwarming story and just what is needed during long long pandemic.
Kaylee Sloan is an author who is dealing with writer’s block after the death of her mother. She is having difficulties with all the memories she sees in her childhood home in Newport Beach (Actually Newport Beach is not too far from where I live ~ which of course has no bearing on this story but I like when I feel an extra connection to a story)
Kaylee has a deadline coming up so decides to find an isolated place to write. She gets the suggestion to rent her Newport Beach home and rent a cabin in the mountains. Ah perhaps Virgin River, a mountain village in Northern California.(Note: Virgin River, CA is a fictional town that Robyn Carr and Netflix made real~ true it is a lot like any of our beautiful California Mountain villages!).
An arrangement is made but upon arrival the mountain cabin is on fire!
Yikes! we are experience many fires right now in CA so this is all TOO real!
Kaylee is beyond upset but soon finds the people in this mountain community are wonderful and helpful!
With help from the locals, she finds a place and soon has become part of the village. She is finding inspiration to write in addition to overcoming her fear of dog thanks to her landlord/artist/dog trainer/very/handsome neighbor Landry who is actually helping with both her writing and her fear of dogs.
This is a “Feel Good” story ~ a few bumps but a story to just sit back and enjoy!
At the end of the book there is a look at Scar’s visit on the set of Netflix production of Virgin River.
She said the production of this series is a dream comes true and was delighted when invited to visit the set and watch her characters come to life.
Note: I am an avid reader and really don’t watch TV but I did view the “You Tube trailer of Virgin River” It was fun seeing Jack’s bar and the beautiful mountain landscape.
Want to thank NetGalley and Harlequin – Trade Publishing for this early release granted to me in exchange for an honest professional review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for October 13, 2020
I have only read eleven of Ms. Carr’s novels although a low number compared to the many books she has written but is actually a good number for me as I am not a fan of chick lit/romance stories.
This is #19 in the Virgin River series. I have only read a few in this series but am somewhat familiar with the characters.
Story is about fresh starts, new friends and the magic of Christmas.
I go nutty over Christmas so this certainly seems like a nice heartwarming story and just what is needed during long long pandemic.
Kaylee Sloan is an author who is dealing with writer’s block after the death of her mother. She is having difficulties with all the memories she sees in her childhood home in Newport Beach (Actually Newport Beach is not too far from where I live ~ which of course has no bearing on this story but I like when I feel an extra connection to a story)
Kaylee has a deadline coming up so decides to find an isolated place to write. She gets the suggestion to rent her Newport Beach home and rent a cabin in the mountains. Ah perhaps Virgin River, a mountain village in Northern California.(Note: Virgin River, CA is a fictional town that Robyn Carr and Netflix made real~ true it is a lot like any of our beautiful California Mountain villages!).
An arrangement is made but upon arrival the mountain cabin is on fire!
Yikes! we are experience many fires right now in CA so this is all TOO real!
Kaylee is beyond upset but soon finds the people in this mountain community are wonderful and helpful!
With help from the locals, she finds a place and soon has become part of the village. She is finding inspiration to write in addition to overcoming her fear of dog thanks to her landlord/artist/dog trainer/very/handsome neighbor Landry who is actually helping with both her writing and her fear of dogs.
This is a “Feel Good” story ~ a few bumps but a story to just sit back and enjoy!
At the end of the book there is a look at Scar’s visit on the set of Netflix production of Virgin River.
She said the production of this series is a dream comes true and was delighted when invited to visit the set and watch her characters come to life.
Note: I am an avid reader and really don’t watch TV but I did view the “You Tube trailer of Virgin River” It was fun seeing Jack’s bar and the beautiful mountain landscape.
Want to thank NetGalley and Harlequin – Trade Publishing for this early release granted to me in exchange for an honest professional review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for October 13, 2020
September 1, 2022
This is the best series. Carr is a master storyteller. Do not miss this series. The Books are much better than the Netflix series. I highly recommend it!
January 22, 2023
Reviewed for THC Reviews
I’m sure most Robyn Carr fans, myself included, thought that her Virgin River series ended in 2012 with the eighteenth full-length novel, My Kind of Christmas, but a couple of years ago, not long after the debut of the Virgin River television series, we got the pleasant surprise of the release of Return to Virgin River. Once again, we’re transported back to this little town in the heart of California’s Redwood country. Kaylee has been mired in grief ever since losing her mother over the holidays less than a year earlier. She’s an author on a deadline who has been finding it all but impossible to write her next book in the home that she shared with her mother. Some friends offer up their cabin near Virgin River as a writing retreat, but she arrives to discover the house has caught fire and is now unlivable. While checking around the area for a new place to stay, she runs into Landry who just happens to have an extra guest house on his property that isn’t being used. Kaylee gratefully takes up residence there and finally things start moving on her book. Over the next few months, she and Landry also start getting to know one another and gradually begin falling in love. However, Landry has a complicated relationship with the wife he’s been separated from for the past ten years, and who now doesn’t want to let him go. Not to mention, as much as Kaylee has enjoyed Virgin River for a few months, she doesn’t want to give up her mother’s home to live there permanently. The two of them will have some bumps in the road to navigate in order to make their relationship work for the long haul, but when Kaylee’s heart begins to open up to the joy and magic of the holiday season, she just might find all the answers she needs.
Kaylee’s mom and dad divorced when she was little, and her dad was never much a part of her life growing up. Her mom was her best friend, though, so ever since the other woman passed away the previous Christmas, Kaylee has felt adrift. She’s a modestly successful author who has a deadline for her next book, but she can’t seem to concentrate to write. Then some friends offer her their cabin for a writing retreat. Kaylee had spend a little time there when she was younger and remembers loving it, so she jumps at the chance. But she arrives to fire crews putting out a blaze that destroyed a large part of the house, leaving her with nowhere to go, since she’s rented out her own home in Southern California for the next several months. Jack and Mel offer her temporary accommodations in their tiny guest house, while Kaylee searches for something more comfortable and long-term. Then she meets Landry who has just the right place for her. The only possible downside is that Landry both owns and trains dogs and ever since being bitten as a child, Kaylee has had an irrational fear of the animals. She finds a tiny stray kitten she decides to keep and figures she can just avoid the dogs, but Landry is determined to help her overcome her fear. The two start spending a lot of time together, first as friends, but their relationship slowly grows into something more. As the holidays approach, Kaylee doesn’t really want to celebrate, but all of her friends, both old and new, won’t allow her to simply grieve alone. The magic of Virgin River at the holidays works on Kaylee until she finally finds all that she needs to move on, while giving back to the community and beyond. Kaylee is a nice young woman who’s weathering through a difficult time in her life. As an author, I could relate to her writing woes, and I like how she got the creative juices flowing again by writing something a little different than what she normally does. I also like how she opens her heart to stray animals and how she fits right in with the rest of the residents of Virgin River.
Landry has lived in Virgin River most of his life. He grew up there in the house that he now lives in. His life was somewhat the reverse of Kaylee’s in that his mom was never around, so he was raised by his dad who somewhat recently passed away. In fact, one of the ways in which he and Kaylee initially connect is in their shared grief over the loss of a beloved parent. Landry is an artist who works with mostly clay and glass, but he uses his love of animals to supplement his income by also being a part-time dog trainer. When Kaylee first comes to live in his guest house, she’s afraid of both his dog, Otis, and the other dogs who are temporarily residing in his kennel. He sets about helping her overcome her fear, so that when she finds an abandoned mama dog and her puppies on one of her daily walks, she doesn’t hesitate to jump into action to rescue them. As Landry and Kaylee draw closer, the one wrinkle in his life that could derail a romantic relationship is that he’s still technically married to a woman he’s only rarely seen in the past ten years. In his mind, she’s basically his ex-wife, but he never bothered to legally dissolve their union because he had no other woman in his life to give him a compelling reason to. Now with things getting more serious with Kaylee, he knows he wants to finally get a divorce, but just as he’s ready to put an end to the marriage, his wife shows up again, begging for a second chance and won’t let him go so easily. Landry is a really nice, stand-up guy who has remained friends with his ex and always treated her kindly even though she essentially abandoned him and their marriage to pursue her acting career. He’s even nicer to Kaylee, being a great friend and always lending a shoulder to cry on. He’s great with animals and a valuable member of the community, just the kind of guy you’d expect to find in Virgin River.
Overall, Return to Virgin River was another respectable entry into the Virgin River series that fit the mold well. It maybe wasn’t quite as good as some of the earlier books in the series, but it was a nice, heartwarming, and generally feel-good story that I enjoyed. It had parts that were perhaps a little more morose than we usually find in the series, because of how Kaylee is pretty caught up in her grief and slowly working through it. I couldn’t help wondering if Robyn Carr was going through something similar in her own life and writing this book was a form of therapy. I have no idea if that was the case, but it certainly seems plausible. I liked both Kaylee and Landry as characters and although I thought that their relationship went from friends to something more without enough transition in between, I also liked them as a couple and thought they fit together well. Of course, I loved getting reacquainted with the residents of Virgin River again, and Ms. Carr even managed to pull in a few characters like Colin and Jillian who hadn’t been seen in a while. I thought the cover blurb was maybe just a tad misleading, though, as it made me think this was yet another Christmas story. However, it is and it isn’t. Kaylee actually arrives in Virgin River in August and stays through the holidays, so we actually get to see the town through the rapidly changing seasons from late summer, into autumn, and on to early winter as they celebrate Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. I liked how the magic of Christmas played a role, but that part of the story only encompasses approximately the final fifty pages or so of the book. I did, once again, take issue with some of Ms. Carr’s writing quirks such as her lack of blocking and her penchant for having her characters converse in block paragraphs. Because a lot of the backstory is told in dialogue, there isn’t much in the way of the deep introspection that I prefer either. I also picked up on quite a bit of repetition and a few inconsistencies that the editor should have caught. All in all, however, Return to Virgin River was pretty much what I expect from this series. I don’t know if Ms. Carr will ever revisit Virgin River again, but as this book proves, you can never say never.
I’m sure most Robyn Carr fans, myself included, thought that her Virgin River series ended in 2012 with the eighteenth full-length novel, My Kind of Christmas, but a couple of years ago, not long after the debut of the Virgin River television series, we got the pleasant surprise of the release of Return to Virgin River. Once again, we’re transported back to this little town in the heart of California’s Redwood country. Kaylee has been mired in grief ever since losing her mother over the holidays less than a year earlier. She’s an author on a deadline who has been finding it all but impossible to write her next book in the home that she shared with her mother. Some friends offer up their cabin near Virgin River as a writing retreat, but she arrives to discover the house has caught fire and is now unlivable. While checking around the area for a new place to stay, she runs into Landry who just happens to have an extra guest house on his property that isn’t being used. Kaylee gratefully takes up residence there and finally things start moving on her book. Over the next few months, she and Landry also start getting to know one another and gradually begin falling in love. However, Landry has a complicated relationship with the wife he’s been separated from for the past ten years, and who now doesn’t want to let him go. Not to mention, as much as Kaylee has enjoyed Virgin River for a few months, she doesn’t want to give up her mother’s home to live there permanently. The two of them will have some bumps in the road to navigate in order to make their relationship work for the long haul, but when Kaylee’s heart begins to open up to the joy and magic of the holiday season, she just might find all the answers she needs.
Kaylee’s mom and dad divorced when she was little, and her dad was never much a part of her life growing up. Her mom was her best friend, though, so ever since the other woman passed away the previous Christmas, Kaylee has felt adrift. She’s a modestly successful author who has a deadline for her next book, but she can’t seem to concentrate to write. Then some friends offer her their cabin for a writing retreat. Kaylee had spend a little time there when she was younger and remembers loving it, so she jumps at the chance. But she arrives to fire crews putting out a blaze that destroyed a large part of the house, leaving her with nowhere to go, since she’s rented out her own home in Southern California for the next several months. Jack and Mel offer her temporary accommodations in their tiny guest house, while Kaylee searches for something more comfortable and long-term. Then she meets Landry who has just the right place for her. The only possible downside is that Landry both owns and trains dogs and ever since being bitten as a child, Kaylee has had an irrational fear of the animals. She finds a tiny stray kitten she decides to keep and figures she can just avoid the dogs, but Landry is determined to help her overcome her fear. The two start spending a lot of time together, first as friends, but their relationship slowly grows into something more. As the holidays approach, Kaylee doesn’t really want to celebrate, but all of her friends, both old and new, won’t allow her to simply grieve alone. The magic of Virgin River at the holidays works on Kaylee until she finally finds all that she needs to move on, while giving back to the community and beyond. Kaylee is a nice young woman who’s weathering through a difficult time in her life. As an author, I could relate to her writing woes, and I like how she got the creative juices flowing again by writing something a little different than what she normally does. I also like how she opens her heart to stray animals and how she fits right in with the rest of the residents of Virgin River.
Landry has lived in Virgin River most of his life. He grew up there in the house that he now lives in. His life was somewhat the reverse of Kaylee’s in that his mom was never around, so he was raised by his dad who somewhat recently passed away. In fact, one of the ways in which he and Kaylee initially connect is in their shared grief over the loss of a beloved parent. Landry is an artist who works with mostly clay and glass, but he uses his love of animals to supplement his income by also being a part-time dog trainer. When Kaylee first comes to live in his guest house, she’s afraid of both his dog, Otis, and the other dogs who are temporarily residing in his kennel. He sets about helping her overcome her fear, so that when she finds an abandoned mama dog and her puppies on one of her daily walks, she doesn’t hesitate to jump into action to rescue them. As Landry and Kaylee draw closer, the one wrinkle in his life that could derail a romantic relationship is that he’s still technically married to a woman he’s only rarely seen in the past ten years. In his mind, she’s basically his ex-wife, but he never bothered to legally dissolve their union because he had no other woman in his life to give him a compelling reason to. Now with things getting more serious with Kaylee, he knows he wants to finally get a divorce, but just as he’s ready to put an end to the marriage, his wife shows up again, begging for a second chance and won’t let him go so easily. Landry is a really nice, stand-up guy who has remained friends with his ex and always treated her kindly even though she essentially abandoned him and their marriage to pursue her acting career. He’s even nicer to Kaylee, being a great friend and always lending a shoulder to cry on. He’s great with animals and a valuable member of the community, just the kind of guy you’d expect to find in Virgin River.
Overall, Return to Virgin River was another respectable entry into the Virgin River series that fit the mold well. It maybe wasn’t quite as good as some of the earlier books in the series, but it was a nice, heartwarming, and generally feel-good story that I enjoyed. It had parts that were perhaps a little more morose than we usually find in the series, because of how Kaylee is pretty caught up in her grief and slowly working through it. I couldn’t help wondering if Robyn Carr was going through something similar in her own life and writing this book was a form of therapy. I have no idea if that was the case, but it certainly seems plausible. I liked both Kaylee and Landry as characters and although I thought that their relationship went from friends to something more without enough transition in between, I also liked them as a couple and thought they fit together well. Of course, I loved getting reacquainted with the residents of Virgin River again, and Ms. Carr even managed to pull in a few characters like Colin and Jillian who hadn’t been seen in a while. I thought the cover blurb was maybe just a tad misleading, though, as it made me think this was yet another Christmas story. However, it is and it isn’t. Kaylee actually arrives in Virgin River in August and stays through the holidays, so we actually get to see the town through the rapidly changing seasons from late summer, into autumn, and on to early winter as they celebrate Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. I liked how the magic of Christmas played a role, but that part of the story only encompasses approximately the final fifty pages or so of the book. I did, once again, take issue with some of Ms. Carr’s writing quirks such as her lack of blocking and her penchant for having her characters converse in block paragraphs. Because a lot of the backstory is told in dialogue, there isn’t much in the way of the deep introspection that I prefer either. I also picked up on quite a bit of repetition and a few inconsistencies that the editor should have caught. All in all, however, Return to Virgin River was pretty much what I expect from this series. I don’t know if Ms. Carr will ever revisit Virgin River again, but as this book proves, you can never say never.
October 14, 2020
Return to Virgin River - I thought we were finished with books in this series and it was with a little bit of trepidation that I picked up this one to read. Of course I always will want to return to Virgin River. I've loved the previous 18 in the series - but could #19 do justice to the series? Well it's a big YES from this reader.
I loved how Robyn Carr brings Kaylee, newly grieving the loss of her mother to spend some time in Virgin River, and to add to that Kaylee is a writer, struggling to finish a book that is really due in very soon. Very soon she is wrapped up by the arms of this small community, and especially welcomed by an artist/dog trainer when she finds herself without a place to stay.
It's set in the three months leading up to Christmas, and Virgin River does those months really well. If there is going to be only one Christmas book that you read this year, make it this one. It made me sad as some of the characters struggled with loss, but it warmed my heart with the kindness and outreach of so many.
Many of the Virgin River characters make little cameo entrances, especially of course Jack and Mel. It was great to see them all and still all looking out for each other and those who are new as well.
There are animals involved. Be warned - your heart will be captured by them.
A very satisfying, heart warming and wise read. I know it's part of a series, but it would read fine as a standalone.
I loved how Robyn Carr brings Kaylee, newly grieving the loss of her mother to spend some time in Virgin River, and to add to that Kaylee is a writer, struggling to finish a book that is really due in very soon. Very soon she is wrapped up by the arms of this small community, and especially welcomed by an artist/dog trainer when she finds herself without a place to stay.
It's set in the three months leading up to Christmas, and Virgin River does those months really well. If there is going to be only one Christmas book that you read this year, make it this one. It made me sad as some of the characters struggled with loss, but it warmed my heart with the kindness and outreach of so many.
Many of the Virgin River characters make little cameo entrances, especially of course Jack and Mel. It was great to see them all and still all looking out for each other and those who are new as well.
There are animals involved. Be warned - your heart will be captured by them.
A very satisfying, heart warming and wise read. I know it's part of a series, but it would read fine as a standalone.
October 24, 2020
4.5 Stars
It was such a pleasure to visit Virgin River again...especially after watching the series unfold again on Netflix! Visiting Jack and Mel and the rest of the community warmed my heart along with meeting Landry and Kaylee and reading their story unfold.
It was such a pleasure to visit Virgin River again...especially after watching the series unfold again on Netflix! Visiting Jack and Mel and the rest of the community warmed my heart along with meeting Landry and Kaylee and reading their story unfold.
October 28, 2020
I'm not sure if I've outgrown this series itself or the writing style maybe? I don't know it was just ok for me. Not an awful read by any means but maybe just no longer my thing.
March 13, 2022
4 stelle e mezza
Dopo anni l'autrice ha deciso di riportarci a Virgin River ed è stato come ritornare fra vecchi amici. Vari personaggi dei libri precedenti fanno una comparsata in questa storia, anche se quelli che hanno un ruolo maggiore sono Jack e Mel, come mi sembra giusto visto che sono stata la prima coppia della serie. Comunque sia, pur avendo ancora da leggere alcuni dei libri precedenti, non ho avuto problemi a godermi questo. Oltretutto ho trovato la storia bella e in alcuni punti quasi "dolce".
Dopo anni l'autrice ha deciso di riportarci a Virgin River ed è stato come ritornare fra vecchi amici. Vari personaggi dei libri precedenti fanno una comparsata in questa storia, anche se quelli che hanno un ruolo maggiore sono Jack e Mel, come mi sembra giusto visto che sono stata la prima coppia della serie. Comunque sia, pur avendo ancora da leggere alcuni dei libri precedenti, non ho avuto problemi a godermi questo. Oltretutto ho trovato la storia bella e in alcuni punti quasi "dolce".
November 23, 2022
The 19th book in the Virgin River series gave me a chance to catch up with Jack, Mel, and all our beloved book characters. I must admit that after one season of the show, I stopped watching BUT Robyn Carr's books are very entertaining. I liked protagonist, Kaylee and her love interest, Landry. I look forward to reading other titles in the series. I felt the hurdles they faced in their relationship were realistic and that the author took her time unfolding the romance so as a reader I got hooked into wanting them to be together. Loved that Jack and Mel were such an integral part to getting this romance off the ground.
Goodreads review published 23/11/22
Goodreads review published 23/11/22
Goodreads review published 23/11/22
Goodreads review published 23/11/22
October 14, 2020
It felt so good to be back in Virgin River! Robyn Carr never disappoints!!!
November 17, 2020
Great to be back in Virgin River again, the town that's like a big warm hug.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
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