Virgin River: A Novel (A Virgin River Novel, 1)

Virgin River by Robyn Carr captured my attention from the very beginning. It shows what life is like up the small mountain town of Virgin River which has about six hundred residents. Melinda Monroe is feeling burnout from her position at a 3,000 bed hospital and is looking for a change. The position in Virgin River seems to be what she needs, and it is confirmed after seeing the pictures sent to her by Hope McCrea. The icing on the cake is the charming cabin that comes with position. Mel packs expensive jeans ($100 plus per pair) along with her beautiful leather boots into her BMW and heads into the mountains. Mel soon discovers that Hope's pictures were not current and her clothing choices not to mention her car are not appropriate for the environment. Mel decides that Virgin River is not for her. Then a newborn is found on the local doctor's front porch. This has Mel changing her plans which she claims is just temporary. Mel fails to tell the people in her new town that she is a widow and another reason she needed a fresh start. I liked the variety of quirky characters in Virgin River that include Preacher (the cook at Jack's), Hope McCrea, and Doc Mullins (crotchety local doctor with a heart of gold). Jack Sheridan is an ex-marine who owns Jack's the local bar and restaurant. He is taken with Mel right away and comes up with a plan to keep her in their little town. I thought the characters as well as the situations were realistic and developed. I enjoyed the rustic setting. While Virgin River is a charming romance novel, there are other storylines going on in the book. There are numerous places to hide in the wood surrounding the town which leads to criminal activity as well as people looking to hide out or escape from the world. I like that the author shows the good and the bad (everything is not puppy dogs and rainbows). I could have done without the foul language and intimate situations (but that is my personal preference). Virgin River is a well-written novel that moved along steadily. Virgin River is the first in A Virgin River Novel and there are currently twenty in total. I am curious to see what happens to the other characters. Virgin River is a pleasing story with a loveable newborn, a handsome ex-marine, a peevish physician, an optimistic Hope, and a woman looking for a new beginning.