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Read The Virgin River Books Before Season 5 Arrives!

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Read The Virgin River Books Before Season 5 Arrives!

Finally Season 5 is coming — thank you Netflix for making my 2023 that much better. And as we look forward to the premiere in September, you can still catch all the feels by seeing your much-loved characters in the world from which they originated. Yes, we’re talking about the books of Virgin River!

Now, I don’t want you to faint but there are twenty-one novels in the Virgin River series. Of these, nineteen are full length novels, and two others are novellas. So if you stop to think about it, there is so much Virgin River out there you could gorge yourself for days!

If you’ve already read them once, you’ve probably revisited them many times because who can resist the landscape of the majestic Redwood forests. Or the honourable men and fabulous women who discover love might just be waiting round the bend. For those who aren’t familiar with Virgin River world then let us take you to Jack’s bar, buy you a drink, and let this small-town with a huge heart show you how to relax.

Virgin River

Book 1: Virgin River starts like the show, with Mel coming to the picturesque town to start afresh after a recent tragedy. The drama ensues and she thinks she’s made a mistake until she meets a former marine. But Jack is dealing with his own inner demons and a pregnant ex! Meeting Mel there’s an instant spark, and well, of course we know the rest!

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Shelter Mountain

Book 2: Shelter Mountain  introduces us to Paige and her son and the whole lot of trouble she finds herself in. Enter Preacher. Ex-marine and a chef, this guy will protect you at all costs and cook you up a delicious meal. Win, win! So when trouble threatens Paige, Preach is on hand to help out because he knows that some things are very much worth fighting for.

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Whispering Rock

Book 3: Whispering Rock is Brie’s story, but unlike the show where she’s with bad boy Brady, on the printed page it’s Mike all the way. Yes, the lawman that arrested Brady and gave him hell and had me yelling at my TV. But Mike is, of course, a good guy and in the book he secretly longs for the commitment he’s seen Jack and Preacher find. And he’ll do anything to help Brie, so you can’t help but cheer him home.

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A Virgin River Christmas

Book 4: A Virgin River Christmas sounds as magical as I imagine spending the holidays there would be. Plus, it would be cold, so you must snuggle up with someone, right? So who will Marcie find when she lands in Virgin River. That’s Ian, the man who saved her husband’s life and gave her extra years with him. Sadly, Bobby is gone now, and she wants to thank Ian for all that he did. And in doing so, maybe just maybe, they’ll find their happily-ever-after…with each other.

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Second Chance Pass

Book 5: Second Chance Pass brings us Vanessa who has overcome some dark days thanks to the good folks of Virgin River, and now she’s looking for a second chance at love. Paul, her late husband’s best friend has always done the right thing, even though he’s secretly loved Vanessa for years. When another woman enters the fray, their troubles escalate, and that second chance may just have passed.

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Temptation Ridge

Book 6: Temptation Ridge  features Shelby and Luke, who technically are all wrong for each other, but we know they are so right! I’m always up for a good opposites attract story and were cheering these two on from the get-go. Sure, Luke is a commitment-phobe and not the Mr Right Shelby has in mind, but love has a way of making us see things differently.

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Paradise Valley

Book 7 Paradise Valley was the book I was waiting for as it stars two of my favourite characters from the show. Ricky and Brady. Be still my heart! Ricky — now all grown up and going by Rick — is wounded in Iraq and when he eventually returns home, the scars run deep. Thankfully, Liz, who has been waiting for him, is ready to mend not just his broken body, but also his heart. Meanwhile Brady, going by his first name of Dan, blows into town looking to start over. This former bad boy is looking for redemption, but can he find it with a woman who is just as troubled as he is?

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Under The Christmas Tree

Book 8: Under The Christmas Tree is our second festive Virgin River story, so get ready to spend the holidays again with our favourite townsfolk. This is one of the novellas, so while it’s short, it’s still very much sweet, especially with a box full of adorable puppies on scene! Local Vet Nathaniel and Annie come to their rescue and their holiday romance has tongues — and tails — wagging!

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Forbidden Falls

Book 9: Forbidden Falls lives up to its name when Reverend Noah meets the lovely and sassy Alicia, a former exotic dancer. This is the mother of all opposites attract stories, but we’re invested, of course, and you can’t deny them the chance of building a future together. It’s Virgin River, after all…the place where possibilities — and happiness — is endless.

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Angel’s Peak

Book 10: Angel’s Peak is the story of Franci and Sean, ex-sweethearts, former pilots, and though their relationship fizzled, a second chance is awaiting them. But Franci has been keeping a big secret from Sean — one that is three and a half years old with eyes that look like her daddy’s! Trusting each other again is going to be hard, that’s for sure!

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Moonlight Road

Book 11: Moonlight Road finds Erin indulging in some long overdue me-time now that her younger siblings are finally living their own lives. A break is what she wants and gets when she takes refuge in a cabin. Aiden is also looking to recharge and is extremely interested in the beautiful yet somewhat snobbish Erin. We know unlikely romances are the bread and butter of Virgin River and these two are going to collide in more ways than one!

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Midnight Confessions

Book 12: Midnight Confessions is our second novella, which invites us all to a New Year romance. Drew and Sunny are in town for the holidays. They’re both nursing broken hearts and not looking for another relationship, until they lock eyes and its kismet, of course!

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Promise Canyon

Book 13: Promise Canyon shows us that a TV show is quite different to the books. Because this is Lilly’s story and in print she’s very much alive! I’m happy about that and so is Clay! While he’s settling down to a new life, their attraction is unsettling for Lilly. He’s confident and sexy and she’s not about to relinquish control. Until she does…

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Wild Man’s Creek

Book 14: Wild Man Creek features Colin and Jillian and an instant connection that surprises them both! Colin’s in town, recovering from an accident. Jillian’s had enough of the rat race and is looking for tranquillity. With hearts on the line, they’re not just healing their lives but themselves too.

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Harvest Moon

Book 15: Harvest Moon brings Kelly and Lief together as they both seek shelter and a new path in Virgin River. Burned-out from her job, Kelly takes refuge in her sister’s house and begins to feel a touch lackadaisical. Enter Lief, rugged and handsome, impossible to ignore. He comes with personal baggage, but somethings are worth the cost.

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Bring Me Home For Christmas

Book 16: Bring Me Home For Christmas is another festive offering and we have a character from the show we know very well. It’s Denny, but in the book he’s not Doc’s grandson. Nor is he sick and possibly dying! When his ex-girlfriend turns up in town, he’s shocked to say the least. And when Becca has an accident that keeps her in Virgin River, that shock gives way to a very tempting Christmas…together.

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Hidden Summit

Book 17: Hidden Summit shows us that finding a new home is just the salve for a broken heart. Leslie and Connor are two peas in the same pod, trying to stay hidden away, and definitely not looking for romance. Their connection is obvious to everyone, but will they see it before it’s too late?

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Redwood Bend

Book 18: Redwood Bend is all about Dylan and Katie and teaches us that one moment can change your life forever. When he stops to help Katie on the side of the road, both their worlds are upended. She’s a single mum devoted to her twin boys. He’s not looking to start a relationship. But sometimes we get more than we asked for, right?

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Sunrise Point

Book 19: Sunrise Point carries an emotional punch and two people who, despite the odds, are attracted to one another. Tom returns home to take control of the family business and knows what he wants in life. Single mum, Nora is not ‘the one’ but he finds her irresistible. Which is a good thing because she can’t stop thinking about him either!

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My Kind Of Christmas

Book 20: My Kind Of Christmas conveys all the festivity and magic of the Virgin River we’ve come to love. Angie is Jack’s niece and her overly protective uncle is making life hard. Patrick and his brothers have a rowdy reputation that speaks volumes but he’s actually the quite one! These two just wanted to be alone for Christmas but their families may just have the last word about that!

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Return To Virgin River

Book 21: Return To Virgin River is the most recent instalment in the continuing Virgin River saga. Looking for escape after her mother dies, Kaylee seeks solitude in a remote cabin until she discovers the cabin was destroyed by fire! So she goes to Jack’s bar and is immediately welcomed by the friendly townsfolk. That includes Landry. They strike up a friendship and as their romance slowly blossoms, we know they’re perfect for one another. Add in a pack of dogs and you have winning combination, of course!

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Happy reading!

Written by Jo-Ann Milne
Featured image credit: Netflix

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