Sunday, August 17, 2014

Virgin River (Virgin River #1) by Robyn Carr


Wanted: Midwife/nurse practitioner in Virgin River, population six hundred. Make a difference against the backdrop of towering California redwoods and crystal-clear rivers. Rent-free cabin included.

When the recently widowed Melinda Monroe sees this ad she quickly decides that the remote mountain town of Virgin River might be the perfect place to escape her heartache, and to re-energize the nursing career she loves. But her high hopes are dashed within an hour of arriving: the cabin is a dump, the roads are treacherous and the local doctor wants nothing to do with her. Realizing she's made a huge mistake, Mel decides to leave town the following morning. But a tiny baby, abandoned on a front porch, changes her plans...and a former marine cements them into place. Melinda Monroe may have come to Virgin River looking for escape, but instead she finds her home.

Type: Contemporary Romance
Heat: 3 out of 5
Rating: 5 out of 5 *Pick of the Litter*

Amazon | All Romance | Book Depository | BAM | Goodreads

So, I read Virgin River...ages ago and the review kinda got lost in my drafts folder but I wanted to post it now because this was just an amazing read. Carr blew me away with her writing and the story of Mel and Jack as she comes to the small town of Virgin River for a fresh start and finds so much more than she expected from both the town and a hunky former Marine that catches her eye.

I really enjoyed Jack and Mel as individuals and a couple. Jack's an easy going guy that's understanding, likes a simple life and is just straight forward. He's also scary as fuck when the moment calls for it but can be incredibly sweet too. Like make you go all girly and swoon sweet. And Mel is one of those women who is just a survivor. She's had a horrible loss and really is still grieving for her husband but she's making a go at a new life. She's got some back bone, really cares about people and is passionate about what she does. They're just great people and so easy to like.

And the romance between them was wonderful even if very slow going. They didn't just jump into a physical relationship--even though there was an attraction there-- but really got to know each other and became best friends as she dealt with her loss and Jack gave her time heal and waited for her to be ready. It was just sweet and touching and felt genuine. There are a couple funny moments and steamy ones and lordy some that ...just about did me in.
“I crashed," she said.

"It was a helluva crash. If you're going to go down, go down big. You should be proud." And then he smiled.

He held her hand as it lay on her lap while she lifted her brandy to her lips with the other hand, trembling a bit. When it was gone, he said, "Come on. I'm putting you to bed."

"What if I cry all night?"

"I'll be right here," he said.” 
I'm telling you. Jack was all kinds of dreamy perfect alpha male goodness and one of the best heroes I've ever read. He was definitely a highlight of this one.

All in all, Virgin River was just a lovely read. Between the building friendship and romance, the two really being there equally for one another as they each dealt with wounds from their pasts and just the town itself and all of the interesting people that made up the community it's a read that had me totally falling in love. And what made this a 5 star read for me was that while life for Mel and Jack was changing I felt like I was right there getting to know them and the town. How it felt to be a part of the community and all they went through. It was just a read that while it wasn't flashy or filled with dangers or non stop action completely and utterly captivated me.

*One little warning. If you don't like dealing with pregnancy run from this one. Lord. I've never seen so many pregnant women in one spot (granted I know it was her job as midwife but still!) and gack there's a lot of...details. And I'll so admit it really grossed me out. Well researched but ::shudder:: So. You've been warned. lol

More Carr on herding cats!

Review--A Virgin River Christmas (Virgin River #4) ***Pick of the Litter***



Have you read Carr?
Do you have a favorite small town romance?
A favorite friends to lovers couple?

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