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/.
I love this series, I had read it years ago, and sometimes tend to reread the first book mainly. The books name Virgin River the story of Mel and Jack, love that couple..I was a little sad that in the book Whispering Rock= Bre and Mike they portrayed Jack as a manho and I didn't get that in the first book, I felt like it was totally unnecessary and took away from the story of Jack and Mel, because made me rethink the relationship which made me sad.
I bought this bundle because I had bought Temptation Ridge not knowing it was part of a series. It is not necessary to read them in order, but I'm obsessive like that! I am glad I did. The town of Virgin River and its people feel like a real family. Like I was watching a series on TV with better plots, characters and much more of real life struggles. I truly enjoyed each book and plan in continuing with the series.
I have read the whole series years ago. I saw the series and wanted to see what I remembered, what I misremembered and what changed for the series. The books are still great!
Disclaimer: I watched the Netflix series and I am a bigger fan of the series than the books. It made me want to read the books, so I did and here is my review. You can find a synopsis of each novel elsewhere - I'm not going to rehash it.
I think the original Virgin River book is the best book in the never-ending Virgin River Collection. It is the best book because this is where the most character development occurs, and we get a sense of backstories. I love the detail that goes into describing the cabins, the bar and Virgin River. For me this is essential to setting the story because the places have as much to do with the story as the characters.
Mel is a terrific heroine and in the aftermath of a tragedy wants to start over - I mean who among us hasn't? And Jack is well fleshed out (pun intended). The rest of the characters, even though only supporting in this novel, have texture, and you wouldn't skip over snippets about them if there was more. Carr's writing flows nicely and the story line is predictable - after all, it is a romance.
From here, the other three books in the collection use the same recipe. They never quite stack up to the first; the recipe gets watered down and substitutions are made. The love of a good man/woman will make it all right and HEA and babies are the end game.
It seems that as the anthology moves along, we get dropped into the story, no build up or exploration of the characters. The premises of the stories are formulas. I wish the novels had taken the time to develop the characters the stories they inhabit, rather than give us the same rote storyline.
If you need a simple read that is not going to tax your brain, and you can live without depth of character and a compelling story, this may be a good read. You'll want to read Virgin River for sure, but beware, it doesn't get any better than that.
It was an interesting story and romance that kept me engaged. I was disappointed with the language and sexuality so explicitly discussed. Otherwise it would’ve had four stars.
Robyn Carr not only created an entire town with this series she has created an entire way of life that many want to emulate. Many ex-military people have a hard time coming home after they get out of the service and Virgin River has become a safe place to land with people who understand and support each other with a brotherhood and a sisterhood of community and respect. It’s a intertwined read that can get complicated with names until you get the town down. Everyone plays a role and everyone maters. I own this series on ebook and in paperback does that tell you anything. I have read it multiple times and it it one of the first books that I recommend for serious readers.
I originally watched the series Virgin River on Netflix and never read the book series. I have now read the first four books in the series and I love this series!!! Definitely have to recommend this series to anyone
I originally read the first three books when they originally were published. About two years ago a watched a Netflix series that seemed vaguely familiar.
I found my original books and read them again. I also discovered that the series had been continued.
The Netflix series is fun but they changed so much from the original book version that I must say I prefer the book which is typical.
I liked them. There are some love scenes in each book. They had me feeling emotional especially 3&4 I needed kleenex a lot. Could also be because I am a widow at 27. I think these make it 7 books of the series that I have read so far. Love to see all the characters involved in the books. the community of Virgin River. Lots of Marines pulling together.
12/20/2010: I have already read Book 1, but bought this bundle for the next 3 books. I really enjoyed all of the characters in the little town of Virgin River that I think I will continue the series.
Virgin River, Book 1 in this series. Introduces us to the major players. Jack Sheridan and Preacher run Jack’s Bar and Restaurant. Both served in the Marines together. Melinda Monroe leaves a busy LA hospital in the ER after losing her husband to a robbery. She has been promised a job from Hope the mayor and a home for a year. The home hasn’t been cleaned in ten years and the job with Doc hasn’t been approved by Doc. If it weren’t for the newborn baby left on the porch Mel would have left yesterday. Meet Ricky and Lizzy and Mike Valenzuela
Shelter Mountain, book two in this series has Paige and her son Christopher finding refuge in Jack’s place after fleeing from an abusive marriage. Preacher is totally taken by Paige. Fellow Marine Mike Valenzuela an LA cop has been shot and in critical condition. Paige’s husband comes to Virgin River after Paige has filed for divorce a restraining order against him. What a great guy he beats Paige right on Main Street.
Whispering Rock, book three, Mike Valenzuela is out of the hospital but has three bullet wounds that will take months to heal. Moving north to Virgin River, Mel is acting as his physical therapist. While recuperating Jack’s sister Bree has something bad happen to her and Mike, while married twice and considered a player is now all about being Bree’s friend. Much to Jack’s disbelief. Another Marine is also in town as Paul comes to work on Jack and Mel’s new house and his best friend Matt’s pregnant wife Vanni, her dad the general and younger brother Tom move to Virginia River. Sadness for a local woman and Ricky and Lizzy.
A Virgin River Christmas book 3.2 as it isn’t a perfect fit as book 4. Hiding in the mountains above Virgin River Ian Buchanan is out of the service and mad at the world. His best friend died and all he could do was get shot while he carried him to safety. Meanwhile his wife Marcie has been writing him letters. Bobby has died and now Marcie wants to find Ian to see how he is and thank him for the whole family having had three years to care for Bobby. Not an easy life as Bobby is paralyzed from the neck down and a brain injury. These two are feisty but their love for Bobby will heal them both. We get to see the first military tree in Virgin River.
If you have watched this series on Netflix I will tell you I read these books when they first came out and have been disappointed that the story line was so greatly changed. While I like now putting a face to the characters and like one or two things they have done on Netflix, this series stands on its own with mostly all 5 stars.
The book starts out with Melinda, an emergency nurse and midwife practioner, moving from Los Angeles, having accepted a one year position in Virgin River. She is desperately trying to find her way after losing her husband in a violent robbery. Jack is a 20 year marine veteran, who moved to Virgin River a while back, trying to find some peace. The series continues with other characters, Preacher & Paige, Brie and Mike and ends with Marcie and Ian. We see all the characters from earlier stories as if they are real and in front of us even as time goes on and new things happen
I started this series while I was home with an illness and found myself drawn into life and times of the people of Virgin River. I went from one book to the next, finding that each new novel not only brought about the combining of new loves but also built on the previous relationships. As with any series, some books are better then others and some characters are more enticing to know but I really enjoyed the whole series and would recommend it.
So good I should kick myself for waiting to read this collection
I've been aware of the Virgin River series for several years, and bought some VR novels for my TBR pile. The first three novels are amazing. I love how each novel builds on previous novels, and begins building the focus of the next and future books, so that the next novel is seamless with the previous novel.
Each book is an emotional journey. Bravo Robyn Carr!
Loved all 4 of these stories! I love how Robyn includes all the characters in each of her books. Feels like you really are part of Virgin River. Plus, you can continue to get to know all the folks and be a part of their lives. I have started to watch the Netflix series, and they definitely changed some things up. Not sure how I feel about that, but it's still close to the book in a lot of ways.
I had read some books in the overall Virgin River storyline but not the beginning books. I think I started with probably the very next book in the series or the next after that. I loved watching it on Netflix. While of course there’s a couple of differences between the book and the series I now can place Mel and Jack even preacher and Paige. Each book is great loved it so much! Now on to season 2.
From Virgin River to Christmas in Virgin River is a collection of stories that sort of flow together to create a seamless storyline. 4 Marines find women who love them unconditionally, even though they suffer from service in the middle east. The women are facing trauma of their own but the couples find healing in each others love. Strong men and women are the characters who populate Virgin River a small town in Northern California. A great reaf!
Four novels starting the Virgin River series. With a deft touch she depicts strong women facing difficulties finding their strength and overcoming catastrophic events. The men with whom they fall in love are faced with self reliant women and learn to live with the consequences. Well written and compassionate which made me cry and laugh at victories met by each couple. This series makes me want to move to Virgin River.
Sometimes it seemed like getting the story going was a bit ongoing. I know how important the details are but it seems kind of forced from time to time. I still give it 4 stars because the story linenitself was amazing. Once it hooked you that was all you HaAD to finish. The story flowed well even from one book to the next.
Robyn Carr's books are an easy read, but are engaging. This one was number 4 in the Virgin River series. I've read them all before, but am re-reading the series. After that there are two more series that involve a lot of the same characters. I guess I really !like the continuity of many of the same people in the three series.
I picked up this series after watching the Netflix show based on the books. I thought I really liked the show, but as usual, the books are much better. The stories are easy to read with just enough drama. The characters are authentic and draw you in, making you wish you could join their circle of friends and call Virgin River home.
I got this series because I watched the TV series based on the book. I liked the books better than the series as the author takes you further into the actual thinking of the characters. Very good series. I will watch for further shows based on this author's writings and follow her as one of my new favorite authors
I love the people of Virgin River, especially Jack, Mel and Preacher. I wish it was a real place and the people in these books were real and I could go there. Robyn Carr knows both men and women and how they think and act. There’s humor and drama - that’s what makes the best stories.
Robyn Carr knocks it out of the park with her Virgin River series! Characters that are larger than life, heart wrenching drama and the residents plenty of Virgin River will stay with you long after you finish this phenomenal series!
A nice light holiday read. Perfect for a feel-good beach or holiday break escape. Somewhat formulaic (as expected for the genre) but the author, thankfully, skips over the usual in depth backstory and retelling of the story that tends to happen in a series.
Four novels of "boy meets girl and they live happily ever after" is a lot. But they were enjoyable stories. Some of the writing seemed very old fashioned (fanny?) but still a decent romance collection.