Virgin River Collection Volume 1: An Anthology – The Netflix Original Small Town Contemporary Romance Series (A Virgin River Novel Collection)

I love the Virgin River books. And I specifically love the first 4 in this anthology the most. But, be warned - if you are coming here after watching the Netflix series, the books are very different. You have the same characters, and some of the same stories, but a lot is different - better in my opinion. The characters and the town are much more likable and believable in the books. While there is drama, it isn't some crazy new thing every day. You really understand why Jack and Mel fall in love with each other, the town, and everyone in it.

Did not like this one. Story would have been ok, but she had to put blow by blow sex scenes over and over again. I always think this is a way for an author to fill up the pages. Sorry, I just didn't buy the story line.

There was good and bad in this. I read all 4 to the end but I am just going to do a general overview...I was interested enough in the first one that I was hoping to follow up on Jack and Mel. While I find most of the characters interesting, I found a lot of glaring mistakes in legal procedure, medical procedure and so on. As far as the whole getting pregnant while nursing thing that was debunked so long ago as to be completely unbelievable that a mid wife would trust that. The 17 and 14 yr old was completely sad and I guess the point was this, is what could happen. Just surprised the author didn't bring downs syndrome into it. As to the previous reviewer calling it sex among children (or whatever she said) it was well established this girl was portraying herself far beyond her age...sad but it happens. Most people would be surprised at how early teenagers start having sex. That being said a lot of the dialogue was good some of it was pretty stale. The characters all interact with each other well, all help each other and so on. The problem with these books is the more they go on, the more complacent everything becomes until it devolves into a bunch of gruff marines who have left the service for one reason or another finding their HEA. Add in getting knocked up with said HEA person and you have a bunch of women focused on their children and breastfeeding. As a matter of fact it strikes me that this is an anthology to having condoms handy, breast feeding and home births. We find out in the subsequent book why home births are not always a good idea. I went ahead and downloaded the next bc it is going to be a netflix series.

I’m hooked on the Netflix series, Virgin River. After I binge-watched season 2, I didn’t want to wait until 2022 to find out what happens to Mel, Jack and the gang, so I bought volume one of the books by Robyn Carr. Big mistake.First, other than using the same names and locations, the book bears no resemblance at tall to the very well-done, fast paced, and compelling series. In the books, Doc barely exists, there is no Charmaine pregnancy, and Hope appears in the first few chapters, then disappears entirely. And everybody in the book is beautiful, scarred, and miraculously healed simply by visiting Virgin River. Oh yeah- and they all have model physiques and absolutely no resemblance to real people. Can you say dull and boring and trite and repetitive and pure fantasy?Like a fool, I bought the second volume before I realized what a waste of time the first one was. I hope I can save others a few dollars before being suckered into a silly, vapid buy that I would hesitate to call a novel.

In my earlier years, we considered poor language a vice. I wish I and my teenager friends had the below quote available to defend our language:It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues - Abraham LincolnDemakis, Joseph. The Ultimate Book of Quotations (p. 137). Unknown. Kindle Edition.The Virgin River Collection consists of the first four books in a bestselling series by Robin Carr. I’ve only read the first volume, but will continue reading the other three. I also am likely to buy the remaining books in this series.Although there is a little dependence on stereotyping in this fish-out-of-water series based on a female widowed-doctor from the big city moving into a small rural California town in fictitious Virgin River, the writer does work to produce a series of novels that epitomize the drawbacks/and blessings one might experience when moving from Los Angeles to Northern California.As I began reading Vol. 1, I recollected my own move from Southeast LA County to rural Oregon. The characters Carr draws feel and sound authentic and are drawn with a friendly paint brush.BLUSH FACTOR – BEWARE THE ROAD AHEADMy most recent book review was the terrific book, “The Perfect Couple,” by Elin Hilderbrand. There were no serious profanities in that mystery, and I was anticipating something quite similar with the “Virgin River Collection.” Boy, was I wrong. You’re not likely to share this with young girls or your church prayer group. Having stated that warning, as a resident in rural Midwestern county, it is not that rare these days to hear even an elderly woman use the f-word. In other words, despite the language, many people will, have, enjoyed this series. Take out the profanities and it’ll be a hit on Hallmark Channel.Thus, with no further rambling I will present a short excerpt from about 12 percent into the first volume.EXCERPT‘…Connie, she realized without much surprise, was more than a patient to her—she was a friend. And when you do this kind of work in this kind of place, your patients are almost always your friends. Must be hard to maintain objectivity. On the other hand, success was that much more gratifying. Fulfilling.It wasn’t like this in L.A.Doc finished his whiskey and got up. “Nicely done, Melinda. We’ll try to have a dull day tomorrow.”“Thank you, Doc.”After the doctor left, Jack said, “Sounds like maybe the two of you have started to bond or something.”“Or something,” she said, sipping.“How was that trip to Valley Hospital?”“Like Mr. Toad’s wild ride,” she said, making him laugh a little. She pushed her glass toward him and he gave her another splash of Crown.“You want ice or water with that?” he asked her.“No, this is good. Very good, in fact.”She sipped her drink rather too quickly. She looked up at him, tilted her head to one side, then inclined it toward the glass.“You sure? Because I think maybe that’s enough. Your cheeks are flushed and I can tell, you’re not cold anymore.”“Just a tish.”A tish was what she got—a couple of swallows.“Thanks for taking me fishing,” she said. “Sorry you didn’t get in my pants again.”A large surprised laugh escaped him. She was getting a little tiddly. “That’s okay, Melinda. Whenever you’re ready.”“Aha! I knew it!”“Like it’s been hard to tell.”“You’re so transparent.”She downed the rest of her drink. “I’d better get going. I’m completely shot.” She stood up and nearly fell down. She grabbed at the bar to right herself and Jack came around to her side. He put an arm around her waist. She looked up at him with watery eyes and said…’Carr, Robyn. Virgin River Collection Volume 1: Virgin River\Shelter Mountain\Whispering Rock\A Virgin River Christmas (A Virgin River Novel) (Kindle Locations 2418-2435). MIRA Books. Kindle Edition.BOTTOM LINEFour stars out of five. I didn’t take any stars away for the stereotyping, because that could be said about most fiction.Did this review answer most of your questions and concerns? I encourage you to leave a comment below to help me provide reviews that work for you. Further, I am writing a book for aspiring reviewers and for product suppliers seeking reviews in an effort to help improve the process and to understand the value of Amazon’s Customer Review process.Together, you and I can build something great. Will you join me?One request: Be respectful and courteous in your comments and emails to me. I will do likewise with you.Thank you.

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.

After watching Netflix series 1, I was anxious to get the books. Although there were changes from books to movie series, I enjoyed them both. Now I am 1/2 way through the second volume and think will call it quits after this; there is just way too much repetition, sex scenes, and really no suspense at all. I have enjoyed the easy reading and tell people it is..."Like an adult Disney movie where everyone lives happily ever after!"

After I watched Virgin River Season 1 on Netflix, I was so curious about what's next, so I bought the books. I love all the stories and the fact that Mel and Jack are in all of them. I love how every character is introduced and you can keep finding details about them in every book.

Poorly written in my opinion however, good for her for scoring a Netflix deal out of it. I read the first one but I really couldn’t get through the rest of it because the writing style is just not for me. It does have the same characters but not exactly the same storyline as Netflix. In some ways it differs quite a bit.

I absolutely love this series! The reason I love it so much is the author doesn’t forget about the characters from previous books when she writes the next books in the series. I have always wished for this in other book series but other than a little mention of characters from previous books, the characters from previous books are gone. That is what makes this series so special. I just started reading this series a few months ago and I am already on book 2 of volume 2. Thank you so much for writing the,perfect series!

Having seen the Netflix series recently, it was great to know the characters quickly and good story line but, I found it lengthy because of seeing the series and I only read the first two books of this set. May pick up later and try to continue as it is well written and I enjoy this author and her writings.