Virgin River on Netflix

If you are a Robyn Carr fan, hold on to your hats because her beloved VIRGIN RIVER series has arrived on Netflix. I was not familiar with the books, but I received a copy of VIRGIN RIVER by Robyn Carr from the publisher and decided to jump right in and see what all the fuss is about. Since I am a reader at heart, let’s talk about the book first…although I have plenty to say about the show as well…so stay tuned.

VIRGIN RIVER begins as Mel Monroe arrives in the remote and rugged forest town of Virgin River (population 600) to start her new life. She leaves her old life in LA behind, responds to an ad searching for a nurse/midwife, and comes to Virgin River sight unseen…let’s just say it was NOT what she had envisioned. The cabin she was planning to live in was a shambles, the town is WAYYY more off the grid than she expected, and the elderly town doctor had NO idea she was coming and NO intention of allowing her to help him in his practice. She is a pretty miserable fish out of water.

BUTTTT, of course, there is a knight in shining armor…as all good romance novels should have. Except in Mel’s case, her knight is an ex-marine bar owner and an overall nice guy named Jack who is determined to help her find her place in Virgin River. Of course with the help of Jack, the town starts to grow on Mel…and Mel starts to grow on the town…and Mel’s life as a small-town nurse and midwife begins with an abandoned baby, another baby born in an illegal marijuana growing camp, and an emergency room run in the back of a pick-up truck. As the old doctor realizes her nursing skills are real and her big-city emergency room experience has made her a master under pressure, she begins to build friendships and find a place for herself in Virgin River. But of course, it can NEVER be that simple. Mel has ghosts from her past that she cannot shake and is in a constant struggle to leave her old life behind and build a new one…one that includes the hot helpful bartender of course because what kind of romance novel life can she have without a gorgeous leading man?!?!

All joking aside though, this IS a ROMANCE novel…not a “romantic” novel. So if you (like me) could do without all of the VERY SPECIFIC anatomical adjectives, lengthy steamy shower scenes, and “what not”, then maybe skip to the TV series which so far is very PG compared to the book. Just thought I would throw that out there for those looking for less bow chica wow wow and more plot development and character growth. Ok, enough about the book, let’s talk about the new Netflix series…

It is so fun when a book that SOOOO many people have loved goes all Hollywood. Even though I am a book lover at heart, it is also exciting to see the whole thing come to life…especially with characters that feel like friends and a setting as ideal as Virgin River. Virgin River on Netflix is like a little bit of Hart of Dixie, except with a little more heart and without the Dixie. AND speaking of Hart of Dixie, my favorite crotchety doctor (Dr. Breeland) is now my favorite crotchety doctor again (Doc Mullins). Tim Matheson fits the part so well that I had NO problem ignoring that he is basically the same character in two different small-town doctor shows…I love him in both. I actually thought the casting was SPOT ON all around and could not have PICKED a better actor to play Jack. Martin Henderson is perfectly rugged, totally easy on the eyes, and JUST enough soap opera hero to make it all work. PLUS I miss him on GREY’s and figure if he cannot have a happily ever after with Meredith (spoiler alert), then maybe he can find it in Virgin River with Mel. I am ALLLLL about the Happy ending after all…

Ok, great actors, good storyline, lots of drama…those are all GREAT, but my FAVORITE part about Virgin River coming to the screen is the SCENERY!!! Vancouver British Columbia is the perfect FAUX Virgin River. The Virgin River I had created in my head was EXACTLY the Virgin River that they brought to life…it is absolutely stunning. British Columbia is my neighbor to the North (Washingtonian for life…whoop whoop) and some of the prettiest territory on Earth in my opinion. I can honestly see the people of Coal Valley and the people of Virgin River working together to solve some huge small-town problem…100 years apart…now THAT is a show I would watch.

If you are ALREADY a Virgin River (the book series) fan, be warned…the storyline is NOT exactly the same. Just know that going in. There are elements and characters from the books that cross over and SOME of the storylines are the same, but there are some MAJOR differences. I loved the changes…until the final episode (you will see what I mean in the season finale…oh boy).

All in all, I am a Virgin River fan. Robyn Carr has created a wonderful group of characters and a GORGEOUS setting and I am THRILLED to see her books come to life on Netflix. I LOVE the less “romance novel” and more HALLMARK feel of the shows and CANNOT wait for season two to drop…I see an all-day Season 2 binge-watch session in my future FOR SURE. Happy Neflixing. Jess

*****You can find a few more of my favorite binge-worthy t.v. shows HERE and HERE.

PIN FOR LATER!!!