Loved it!
I admit I had mixed feelings about reading this as I’d watched the Netflix tv show based on the series and I loved it, but I’d heard that people either loved the tv or the book. But I couldn’t keep away I needed to know. I’m so pleased I did, I loved every minute of it. Having character point of reference from the tv show helped me enjoy it as the characters were already developed in my mind. There were some very large differences in this book to the tv show, the whole Mel and Jack story line is wrapped up in the book and I have to say, I grinned from ear to ear. I can certainly see why it’s been such a sensational hit and I just wish I’d gotten to it years ago. I loved the detail in the descriptions of the area, the details of procedures and the wonderful friendships. I can’t wait to visit them all again in the next book.

Virgin River by Robyn Carr is a contemporary novel about community, grief and new beginnings. It is the first book in the Virgin River series which promises to be heart-warming.
The area of Virgin River represents a complete change of life as a character tries to overcome a devastating loss. From big city and a busy ER to a sleepy mountain town with just one doctor, the contrast could not be greater. However there are still similar problems with unsavoury situations and not always as safe as it may at first seem. There are still challenges to face and situations to overcome.
There are some huge hearts within the novel – hearts that look for the best in others as they try to improve and save lives.
The sense of community runs through out. Most people offer a warm welcome to strangers. Needs are met as a town pulls together.
The heroine is a plucky young woman with an air of vulnerability. You cannot help but love her as she looks for the best in everyone she meets.
It is never too late to have a new beginning. We may fear leaving the old behind but we will never move forward if we keep one foot in the past.
Virgin River was a charming novel with heart-warming characters. It will leave you smiling.
A word of caution: there were ‘bedroom’ scenes with far too much detail for me, so I just skipped over these pages. It did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the novel which was positively charming.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

When I binge watched Virgin River on Netflix during Lockdown I had no idea it was based on a book! It’s a great series about second chances and learning to trust again....and of course the book is even better! 
There are some minor changes to plots and characters. There is one major event which doesn’t take place in the Netflix series (probably too controversial for a mainstream TV show) but certainly makes for dramatic reading. The book describes Mel’s gradual settling into her new role as a nurse practitioner/midwife in the small, friendly, town of Virgin River and deals well with describing the sometimes eventful nature of the job. It’s an easy, enjoyable read- just as easy to binge read as the show to binge watch! 
I’m delighted to find out there is a whole series of Virgin River books as well as a second series on Netflix. Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for helping me realise this!

A Netflix Original Series
Read the book that started it all!

Virgin River is the perfect getaway place. It's beautiful views, it's wonderful townsfolk and it's just so friendly. Mel, recently divorced, wants that fresh start. She decides to move from her busy city life to Virgin River but things go wrong pretty much as soon as she arrives. With no home and no friends she accepts help from the local lad Jack.

This story is a real 'hug in a book'. Uplifting, romantic, family bonds and friends for life. This book is pure escapism. I love the characters, I love the setting. I love the book.

Didnt take me tong to get through this book. I loved the tv show but this book was great. It didnt take me long to read it but i loved it. The story was fabulous such a light hearted book to dive into

I loved the book and rated it 4 stars. It was a lovely, emotional story and I fell in love with the characters and the community spirit. A great romance for anyone that wants an easy book to read.

Virgin River begins with a familiar and popular trope in the romance genre, of grieving widow, starting over in a small town, away from everything she knew before. Bereaved Melinda, takes up a midwife and nurse practitioner post in a remote rural small town Virgin River. She is promised cosy accommodation, a thriving medical practice in need of her skills and a lovely town to live in.

What she finds is less than ideal. Layered on top of her perilous emotional state, she feels like getting back in her car and heading back to the city, even if the memories there are too painful to live with.

An emotional event makes her stay in the short term because she's not a quitter, but a consummate professional and big-hearted woman. Little by little the town and its inhabitants draw her in and she begins to enjoy the generosity, caring spirit of a small town, even if is accompanied by gossip and well-meant interference.

This idyllic story, which captures the small town ethos, has authentic, relatable characters, who you long to know more about. They are why it is an engaging read. There are many other books in this series, so it is likely your favourite will get their own story told, in a later book.

The romance is gentle and sensitive taking account of Melinda's loss. Although it reflects conservative values to women, this is in keeping with the culture and setting. Contemporary issues are explored too, again viewed from a small town point of view, which is interesting and realistic.

There is a successful TV series based on the Virgin River books, and the quality of the characters and charm of the contemporary story shows why this is the case.

I received a copy of this book from Mills and Boon in return for an honest review.

I liked this book and thought it a interesting storyline, although a woman moving to a small town after heartbreak is a common theme amongst romance novels. 
Especially if the town is very isolated as this gives more opportunity for excitement and crises.  Amd here we are in the wilds of California with drug growing and lots of woods, wild animals, hunting, shooting and fishing and all the opportunities for stories they bring.
The one thing I would mention is that this series - of which this is the first book in a series of 18(!!) is now also on TV and the TV version is nothing like the book - after episode one.  You can see the novel’s events in the TV version, but tey are much magnified or changed, and no doubt some are in follow on books. So don’t watch TV first!
I thought that the story had some interesting sub-plots and was well written within its genre.
As an English person I would like to point out that some Americans have no idea of the concept of a normal sized house when they think that 1200 square foot is cosy and  cocoon like. This is the size of an average UK 3 bedroomed house...