Virgin River: A Novel – A Small Town Contemporary Romance and Major Netflix Series

a charming book with terrible characters.

it's very upsetting to see that this is what we early 2000s readers thought was romantic.

Jack, our main love interest, is literally the worst guy ever. I can't believe we were gaslit into believing he's THE guy for our main character. he's literally so horny the moment he meets Mel and he stays horny until he finally coerces her to be with him.

she was so drunk one night that he had to bring her home, here are some quotes from that scene: "what is she roused enough as he was taking her inside to invite him to stay? that would be okay, wouldn't it? even though she was just a tish disadvantaged?" ... "or maybe he could just wait on her couch, in case she needed anything... like sex."

he's really my main gripe with the book. it really is kinda charming, albeit very boring because it's just a series of events happening. we're never gearing up for any big climax or turn of events.

I think it was way too long because the more characters introduced to the story, you realize that everyone is actually a terrible person.

Alyson Hackett

So, I have to admit I read this after watching the show and I’m glad I did because I like the changes they made in the show. I also enjoy the actors they picked for the show and like that I’m able to imagine them as the characters. All of my favorite characters appeared in the book. Mel is still a favorite as is Jack. I’ll admit I struggled with liking Jack in the beginning of the book. I know it gives him more personality in the book, but the way he talks about women irritates the hell out of me. He talks about being a gentleman uhm ... maybe to an extent but I got questions. Charmaine isn’t a big part of book one and honestly, I’m okay with that because her character in the show…ugh just no. Ricky is another favorite in the show, but in the book his personality is a bit more forward which I can’t tell if I like. I know he’s a teenager in the book and really so is Lizzie, but Lizzie just seems more mature for her age and that isn’t a good thing. I don’t know many fourteen-year-olds that act the way Lizzie does in the book. Yes, she’s clearly rebellious, but the author writes her as careless. In fact, she writes both Lizzie and Ricky as careless and it doesn’t really fit from how it seems she wants Ricky portrayed. I like Ricky’s and Jack’s bond in the book, and I hope it continues throughout the series. I know this is only book one and so there was more world building and introducing characters instead of the story unfolding, but I feel like there should have been more to it. Another thing I enjoyed was reading more into Doc and Hope. I love how book Hope is a spit fire and takes no craziness from anyone unless she’s in on it! The actor who plays Doc is spot on from how the doctor is in the book. I’m usually not a fan of romance novels, but this one worked well because of the aspects mixed in such as the mystery of the people in the camp and the thrill of someone threatening Mel. I also liked how we truly got to see Mel work through her emotions about the events that led her to Virgin River and watched her grow into a new person while renewing her passion for her line of work in medicine. Speaking of her line of work, I look forward to reading the next book in the series to see if the author continues the storyline about Baby Chloe. Book 1 ended with so much happiness it made me excited for book two, but I have no illusions that the happily ever after is that easily won. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy getting to know characters and watching a story unfold at a leisurely pace. I’m usually a fan of fast paced books, but Virgin River has a flow that lets you relax your mind and enjoy your time in town.

Cute and easy read. Made me laugh and cry

Way better than the movie