REVIEW: Virgin River by Robyn Carr

Virgin River

(Virgin River #1)

by Robyn Carr

4 HEARTS

From Goodreads

"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 reenergize 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.

Virgin River is the 1st book in the Virgin River series and the first book I’ve read by Robyn Carr. It won’t be the last. It was a bit slower paced than I’m used to in the books I read, but so well written and enjoyable.

Melinda Monroe is sitting in a ditch in the middle of nowhere wondering what the heck she was thinking when she answered the ad for a midwife/nurse practitioner in this god forsaken mountain town. She needed to get away from her life in LA and it seemed like such a good idea at the time. The pictures of the town and the rent free cabin, included in the deal, were captivating. The reality of the situation however is not what the pictures showed. The beautiful little cabin is falling apart and completely inhabitable. The town’s doctor is surly and not at all happy to have help and nothing is what she thought it would be. She can’t get out of this town fast enough. But, first she finds an abandoned baby and decides to stay a few days to help care for the baby. It seems every day she finds another reason to stay a bit longer. Jack Sheridan is one of those reasons, although she has to admit that to herself.

Jack Sheridan is an ex-marine who has done several tours of duty and is now living the calm, peaceful life of a small, mountain town pub owner. He is the town’s protector, always stepping up to offer a helping hand, or leaving the bar open a little later when needed, offering free meals to the doctor and police. At almost 40 he’s content visiting a neighbor town for female companionship and not mixing his sex life with his “real” life. Now, Mel Monroe is in his town and he will do everything in his power to keep her there. He can see there is more to her reasons for coming to his town and he wants to help, but she isn't sharing. He wants nothing more than to convince her that he will be there for her no matter what, content to take whatever it is she is willing to give.

“I came here because I believed I’d lost everything that mattered, and ended up finding everything I've ever wanted in the world.”

Jack was everything you would ever want in a man. It absolutely broke my heart that he was willing to take whatever scraps he thought that Mel had to give. Mel was a good person that truly loved what she did in her life and deserved good things right back. Her journey was a hard one to read and her confusion and guilt understandable.

I really, really enjoyed this book and can not wait to read more about this wonderful town of Virgin River and its quirky townspeople.

Hotness Rating 
3 out of 5