minnfinnfiction's review against another edition
4.0
I saw the Netflix series first (really good) and learned it was a book. The book differs from the show in a few areas (I'm guessing so they could keep it running and add the other books characters in earlier) - easy and quick read.
readwithpitties's review against another edition
5.0
I give this 5/5, i loved it! i watched the series first on netflix and fell in love and decided to read the books, i had read somewhere that the series had quite a bit of changes from the book so i was very interested to see how the books went and i wasn't disappointed. I ended up enjoying the book story line just as much and i liked the series, the plot line being a bit different made me feel like i was reading something i hadn't already seen. a new story line but a with the characters faces from the series. lol
Mel was just as awesome in the book, as she was in the show i liked her character and her story line. I loved the small town aspect, and how she needed a break from the city and her past life. I liked how she involved as a person and as a NP. I liked that was finally able to build a life she really loved in the most unexpected place.
I liked Jack too, the things i loved him about him on the show where the things i loved about him the book. He was such a softie but hard when needed and a protector to not just Mel, but the whole town. I loved how he was a father figure to ricky. I wasnt really a fan of the Ricky/Liz story in the book though and glad they kept that out of the series.
The climax parts of the story where good and kept me on toes, i like a little bit of drama mixed in with my romances and this gave me what i liked! i liked the midwife part of the story too, i thought it brought a sweet touch to Mel.
I cant wait read more and get lost in the town of Virgin river again with the second book!
Mel was just as awesome in the book, as she was in the show i liked her character and her story line. I loved the small town aspect, and how she needed a break from the city and her past life. I liked how she involved as a person and as a NP. I liked that was finally able to build a life she really loved in the most unexpected place.
I liked Jack too, the things i loved him about him on the show where the things i loved about him the book. He was such a softie but hard when needed and a protector to not just Mel, but the whole town. I loved how he was a father figure to ricky. I wasnt really a fan of the Ricky/Liz story in the book though and glad they kept that out of the series.
The climax parts of the story where good and kept me on toes, i like a little bit of drama mixed in with my romances and this gave me what i liked! i liked the midwife part of the story too, i thought it brought a sweet touch to Mel.
I cant wait read more and get lost in the town of Virgin river again with the second book!
mizele20's review against another edition
3.0
I was familiar with the story because of the tv series. It's kind of a typical romance. I don't mind some intimate details, but I probably didn't need so many. Enjoyed the characters
octobertune's review against another edition
2.0
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, this has not changed my opinion in any way.
I am a member of the Not Just Any Book book club, and I got an email about this book. It was being translated into Dutch (or it had already been translated but was republished). I was curious, so I send an email back that I was interested in reading it. I got chosen and received the book not long after that. As I am not a fan of romance, I was reluctant to read it, but I was hoping this book would surprise me. Unfortunately, it didn't really.
First of all, I noticed that the book was written in multiple POV's, which is something I despise, especially if the POV change happens in the middle of a chapter. Sometimes, it felt like it changed in the middle of paragraph; like one part would be from Mel's point of view, and then suddenly, it would be from Jack's. The fact that the story was written in third person narrative made it even harder to understand whose POV I was reading from.
I couldn't really identify with any of the characters either; at first I found Mel very annoying - you decided to leave LA and live in a tiny town called Virgin River, OF COURSE you won't be staying at super amazing house. She also felt very childish at some points, I didn't have the feeling I was reading about a twenty-something (or thirty-something? I don't know) year old woman. As for Jack, yeah well - I don't really have much to say about him. Doc was very annoying, but I think I liked him best in this book. Honestly, it felt a bit like I was reading the American version of the Casual Vacancy (ok, I know this book was released in 2007 and TCV in 2012 so technically it would be the other way around). There was also the lack of action in this book, which of course is kind of obvious in a book that mainly revolves around romance. The 'action'-filled parts (including a drug-addict holding a knife to Mel's throat) were very quick and not that exciting at all.
The reason I hardly ever read Dutch translations, is because I find them all so childish. I had thought it was only the Young Adult books, but unfortunately adult books have fallen prey to this too. It just felt way too childish for a grown-up story in which people have sex (which was very detailed, by the way, and it made me feel a bit uncomfortable (yes reading about sex makes me uncomfortable)). I probably would have given it three stars if I had read it in English, but alas, I didn't. I do think that the fact that the book was Dutch made it easier for me to read. If it had been in English, I probably would have stopped reading at some point, and not have picked up the book again (okay no, I would have continued reading it because I got it to write a review about). But still, the whole story didn't really make it better.
In the end, I liked Virgin River, but I can't really say I enjoyed it a lot. I won't be reading the rest of the series (which has about twenty books or so, wow). If you like an adult romance story set in a small village somewhere in the mountains in America, I definitely recommend Virgin River to you!
I am a member of the Not Just Any Book book club, and I got an email about this book. It was being translated into Dutch (or it had already been translated but was republished). I was curious, so I send an email back that I was interested in reading it. I got chosen and received the book not long after that. As I am not a fan of romance, I was reluctant to read it, but I was hoping this book would surprise me. Unfortunately, it didn't really.
First of all, I noticed that the book was written in multiple POV's, which is something I despise, especially if the POV change happens in the middle of a chapter. Sometimes, it felt like it changed in the middle of paragraph; like one part would be from Mel's point of view, and then suddenly, it would be from Jack's. The fact that the story was written in third person narrative made it even harder to understand whose POV I was reading from.
I couldn't really identify with any of the characters either; at first I found Mel very annoying - you decided to leave LA and live in a tiny town called Virgin River, OF COURSE you won't be staying at super amazing house. She also felt very childish at some points, I didn't have the feeling I was reading about a twenty-something (or thirty-something? I don't know) year old woman. As for Jack, yeah well - I don't really have much to say about him. Doc was very annoying, but I think I liked him best in this book. Honestly, it felt a bit like I was reading the American version of the Casual Vacancy (ok, I know this book was released in 2007 and TCV in 2012 so technically it would be the other way around). There was also the lack of action in this book, which of course is kind of obvious in a book that mainly revolves around romance. The 'action'-filled parts (including a drug-addict holding a knife to Mel's throat) were very quick and not that exciting at all.
The reason I hardly ever read Dutch translations, is because I find them all so childish. I had thought it was only the Young Adult books, but unfortunately adult books have fallen prey to this too. It just felt way too childish for a grown-up story in which people have sex (which was very detailed, by the way, and it made me feel a bit uncomfortable (
In the end, I liked Virgin River, but I can't really say I enjoyed it a lot. I won't be reading the rest of the series (which has about twenty books or so, wow). If you like an adult romance story set in a small village somewhere in the mountains in America, I definitely recommend Virgin River to you!
nesskraem's review against another edition
3.0
Carr’s website references an academic article titled “Envisioning Utopian Possibilities” that points out the fantastical communal collective she creates in Virgin River. Makes sense and reminds me of a recent Pop Culture Happy Hour episode on the series Yellowstone with Tressie McMillan Cottom, where she argued that it promotes a brand of apolitical conservatism that’s appealing to a wide spectrum of viewers. Virgin River seems to tap that same vein, and like the CJ Box books, I like it,up until I don’t. But I’m probably overthinking what’s really mainly an idealized rugged man/petite blonde romance.
hhfreckles's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
sophilozophy's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoy going to Virgin River and meeting the locals. A slow build to the romance, but those are one of the best type because they come across more genuinely.
kristensreadingnook's review against another edition
3.0
I LOVED the Netflix series so I was hoping to love the book just as much. For the most part I really enjoyed picturing the scenes I watched on TV play out in my mind as the story progresses. However, there were some scenes between a 14 and 16yo that I could not approve of. In the show the characters are both 16/17ish. I was not ok with the age gap in early teens.
Overall I enjoyed the story but I won’t continue on in the series because I like the TV show better.
Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read if you like:
The Netflix series
Small town romances
Open door romances
Overall I enjoyed the story but I won’t continue on in the series because I like the TV show better.
Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read if you like:
The Netflix series
Small town romances
Open door romances
rondie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
igs_bookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
I was initially going to watch the Netflix show, but once I saw there was a book series, I stopped to read the book first. I love a good small town romance. It’s one of my favorite tropes. I enjoyed Mel’s storyline and character arch as well as Jack’s persistence to be with her. He never interrupted her grieving process, just supported her. I enjoyed the slow burn between the characters as well.
I thought finding the baby at the beginning of the book would be a bigger part of the storyline and was a little disappointed when Mel didn’t fight for the baby, but as the story unfolded, I like how it ended. I also wished the book went more in depth about Rick and Lizzie’s storyline, it’s sort of like they just went away after a while. (I figured out that they have their own book later in the series).
I thought finding the baby at the beginning of the book would be a bigger part of the storyline and was a little disappointed when Mel didn’t fight for the baby, but as the story unfolded, I like how it ended. I also wished the book went more in depth about Rick and Lizzie’s storyline, it’s sort of like they just went away after a while. (I figured out that they have their own book later in the series).