From my blog: Always With a Book:

I have long been a fan of Robyn Carr's book, especially her Virgin River series, having devoured the book years ago. I was devastated when I got to the last book and found out that was it...or was it? Luckily at the time, she had gone on to write another series and I was taken with that one, but I always wanted more of my beloved Virgin River. And I finally got my wish!

What I love about this series is that it doesn't seem to matter how long it's been since the last book, and for me that has been eight years, picking this one up was like reuniting with old friends. And even with the addition of new characters, it still felt like coming home. And maybe that's because of the fact that this has now been made into a Netflix original series and I totally binge-watched it, but I loved seeing all the old familiar friends and meeting new ones, too.

Robyn Carr is so gifted at giving us such multidimensional characters with real, relatable issues. I immediately fell in love with both Kaylee and Landry and loved their story. I felt their journey was so authentic and heartfelt - the obstacles felt real and lifelike and not contrived in any way. And with each book that Robyn Carr has written, she continues to give us new and unique situations to put her characters in. Nothing is ever repeated and situations are always fresh and individual the new couple.

I laughed and teared up so many times throughout this book because that's how much I felt during it. It's a true testament to how this author handles the relationships she gives us - with just the right amount of humor and reality that you can't help but be pulled all the way in. It's such a feel-good story and I love that about this series.

I am so glad Robyn Carr gave us another book in this series. I don't know if that's an indication there will be more or if this is the final one, but all I know is if she writes it, I will read it. And now I'll be counting the days until the second season of Virgin River is released on Netflix!

Robyn Carr wrote her first Virgin River novel back in 2007. Many books followed before Ms. Carr moved to other series including Thunder Point and Sullivan’s Crossings. Perhaps the author was inspired to return to Virgin Riven because of the TV series that is now on Netflix. Whatever the motivation, long term readers of the Virgin River novels will undoubtedly be happy to return. They know that they can count on good people, a nice community and a love story.

This novel is about Kaylee and Landry. Kaylee is an author of suspense novels who is experiencing writer’s block following the death of her mother. Through family friends, she chooses to travel to Virgin River in the hope that she will finish her novel. No spoiler to say that she does and even that she moves into a new genre, that she falls in love and that some unexpected things happen to her. That is the Virgin River formula.

Kaylee’s romantic foil is Landry, an artist and dog trainer. He helps Kaylee to overcome her fear of dogs and to move forward even as she recognizes that she will always miss her mom.

The relationship that Kaylee had with her mom is lovingly described and maybe even idealized a bit. I suspect that many readers will wish for the same closeness, acceptance and encouragement that Kaylee’s mom gave her.

There are other characters in Kaylee’s orbit but readers will perhaps most enjoy that the names of all the characters from the earlier novels are called out here. While many make an appearance, it is Jack and Mel who are most featured.

As an extra treat, the story is seasonal. Readers will enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas in this most perfect of towns. I especially enjoyed the description of the tree lighting.

This is a sweet novel. I don’t know if Robyn Carr will write about Virgin River again. Regardless, this novel is a gift to her fans.

An additional bonus in the novel is a section describing the making of the TV series and Ms. Carr’s visit to the set. There is also a long excerpt from one of her other novels.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

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Many thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this fabulous title!

What could be sweeter than returning to one of my absolute favorite fictional towns? Well I’ll tell you- adding a gaggle of animals to the mix, that’s what! My heart belongs to the animals of the world, so this book was perfect for me. Not to mention Christmas time in VR... what a gift!

I loved Kaylee + Landry, Mallory, and the way animals would their way into Kaylee’s healing. The ending was abrupt and the epilogue was a little lacking, but still a great story.

Sidenote: Having lost my own dear mom to cancer, I found parts of this book difficult to read. Possible trigger for anyone dealing with loss + grief.

Return to Virgin River will keep you reading as a writer struggles to get back to her book writing after the death of her mother. The characters are supportive of everyone in this small community. She soon finds herself enjoying life again. Very enjoyable read

RETURN TO VIRGIN RIVER is a fantastic continuation of the Virgin River series that so many fans have fallen in love with - with so many great parallels to the first in the series. The book follows Kaylee who is grieving her mother's death but needs to deliver a manuscript to her publisher. She has decided to rent a family friend's vacation house for 6 months. It is the right amount of remote for her to write her suspense novel.

When she arrives, she finds the house she planned to stay in is on fire, and her carefully laid plans go up in smoke. Luckily, she is directed to Jack's, where she is given a temporary place to stay and help in finding a new one. She also makes some true friends of Jack and Mel, our favorite couple from the first book.

As she finds a place on the property of a man who trains dogs, Landry, she can't help but notice his handsome charm. Though her fear of dogs is post-traumatic level from when she was bitten as a young child. As she settles in, she begins to come to terms with her past, particularly her mother's death and father's abandonment, as well as forge a future with family she chooses.

Fans of Virgin River will be delighted by the inclusion of Jack/Mel and so many other familiar characters. I loved the lead-up and inclusion of all the holiday feels and magic as well. This is truly a heartwarming read that touches the soul. Kaylee and Landry are such fantastic characters, and I loved to watch them grow and find the family they need in the sweet small-town setting of Virgin River.

The writing absolutely pulls the reader into the story and into the lives of these characters. Carr has created a really feel-good story that is perfect for a cozy winter afternoon. Highly recommend for fans of women's fiction. RETURN TO VIRGIN RIVER is an engrossing read about love, family, and healing with some holiday magic feels.

Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.

As a huge fan of Robyn Carr and the Virgin River series, I had high hopes for this book. It did touch on all the characters from the past and give a good story of the newest couple. However, it felt disjointed to me. I felt like the same things were being retold instead of focusing on the the new story.

For some reason I couldn’t get into this one. The characters nor situations were that interesting to me
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc

Kaylee Sloan came to Virgin River to deal with the death of her mother. She had fond memories of it from when she and her Mom spent time there years ago. Kaylee finds everything she needs to mend thanks to the help of Jack, Mel, and all the Virgin River residents who welcome everyone with open arms.
Robyn Carr did not disappoint me with a book that made me feel good. Sometimes that is just what you need.

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

I will say that I have not read all of the books in this series… yet! I read some here or there but now that I have seen the NetFlix series I have really enjoyed this series and want to catch up on all of them.

In this one we meet Kaylee and Landry when she needs a place to rent. She comes to Virgin River to get away after her mom’s death and figures it’s a good place to finish her novel. Landry becomes the friend and love interest that she didn’t know she needed or wanted.

I love the way that Carr writes. The pain Kaylee felt for the loss of her mother was palpable and I felt horrible for her. But I loved how Landry was with her.

Another great story by Carr in the wonderful town of Virgin River!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Kaylee Sloan has escaped her home for the holiday season in order to concentrate on the book she needs to finish writing as she has been distracted since the death of her mother. She believes if she changes her scenery hopefully she can finish her book and deal with her grief. She will get that and more in the small town of Virgin River.

I have been a fan of Virgin River, so to hear of a new book coming out in this small town, I was excited to "return." I didn't read the synopsis at all before reading this book, so I was so excited to read a book from an author's perspective and see a behind the scenes of an author writing a book at a moment in their life that is emotionally charged. With her intended rental house going up in flames, Kaylee ends up renting from a conveniently single Landry and their love story was so sweet.

With only one really sexy scene, this book stayed PG most of the way and I liked that the plot didn't revolve around the physicality of their relationship. There was such good plot in this book. I was thankful that there wasn't instalove or even instalust in this book and instead there was a great build up to their connection and even with the limited pages it didn't feel rushed.

I sure hope there are more to come in this small town. I could read more and more books in this joyful little town.

Kaylee experiences a devastating loss and, in an attempt to escape the pain, she flees the crushing loss by traveling to a friend’s place near the comforting town of Virgin River. She is met immediately with another tragedy there and wonders what to do. She travels to Jack’s Bar where the townspeople embrace her and try to help her along on her journey. The reader is brought along on this journey, first empathizing with her sadness and then wanting good things for her. A chance meeting starts her on a new path, with challenges of its own, but allows her to turn the page and start a new chapter of her life.

Kaylee, an author, is facing a deadline on her book. She spent the last months with her mother who died and decides to take a house in Virgin River hoping to finish her novel. She rents a cabin from Landry who lives next door and is quite the neighbor; sharing dinners, cups of coffee or wine on the front porch, and long talks about the loss of his father and her mother. Christmas is a difficult time since that is when her mother died. Kaylee finds the power of love and friendship as she faces her first Christmas alone. Great book, wonderful characters, and a great example of the Christmas spirit.

I don’t know about you but I would never pass up the chance to read and review anything by Robyn Carr. My relationship with this very prolific, creative and talented writer began years ago and is still going strong. In RETURN TO VIRGIN RIVER we get reacquainted with many characters from past books of this series. It always brings a smile of recognition when someone you almost think of as a friend appears. RETURN TO VIRGIN RIVER is chock full of smiles.
Kaylee is in Virgin River to recover from a year of sadness and loss. Her grief still very raw after losing her mother in a short battle with lung cancer. These kind of deaths take your breath away and Kaylee is hoping to catch hers with a six month stay at an old family friend’s mountain home. Unfortunately that home is made uninhabitable from a fire just as Kaylee arrives. Now her plans are compromised with a lack of housing. But Kaylee couldn’t be in a better place. Virgin River is small in size but large in compassionate people as Kaylee is going to learn.
Did I mention Kaylee is an author of scary books? Well now in Virgin River Kaylee is trying to revitalize her writing skills, seems she hit a dead end – no pun intended - dealing with her grief. Kaylee seems to be at a roadblock with her newest story. Kaylee decides to write a journal type of story about a woman’s fresh start in a small town. Art imitating life kind of story except Kaylee has no intention of actually publishing this. It is cathartic. Kaylee sites the fact that an author friend kills off her ex-husband in each of her books. Robyn Carr humor at its best.
The burning question in RETURN TO VIRGIN RIVER is just what is Kaylee looking for. Certainly Virgin River will turn out to be more than Kaylee ever expected. Fans of Robyn Carr know that very well. But this is a kind of journey for Kaylee. The first of her life without her mother. Virgin River is full of good hearted folk that are honest, kind and giving. And Kaylee just may find a new best friend in the bunch.
Next door neighbor and landlord Landry has a strange mix of jobs. Part time Landry trains dogs to make them better pets and helpers. Kaylee is petrified of dogs. Landry seems intent on getting her to relax around them. When introducing Kaylee to his dog he tells her to try telling him to s-i-t. Of course Otis does just that. Made me totally laugh out loud. Anyone with dogs will absolutely find the humor. After all we all know that our dogs are smarter than we are – they just let us think we are the master.
Well that’s all I’m going to divulge about RETURN TO VIRGIN RIVER. A taste of the humor and warmth that is the basis of Robyn Carr’s newest Virgin River book. Sure to win over all Robin Carr fans and win many more RETURN TO VIRGIN RIVER is as fresh a story as the very first installment in the Virgin River was so many years and books ago.

It has been a long time since I was in Virgin River and I wondered if I would recognize it. It has not changed that much. Two new characters appear and most of the ones from the series. Jack's is still the center of the town and Mel is right there with him. Like many who come to Virgin River Kaylee Sloan is a little lost and is looking to pull out of her grief after her Mother died on Christmas Day. She find more than she expected. There is a lot of visiting and a slow romance. A cute kitten, puppies and two great dogs to add to the mix. A nice story about overcoming grief and finding some unexpected surprises.

I love Robyn Carr and it was so nice to return to Virgin River and be amongst some of my favorite characters. Kaylee Sloan is a little lost when she makes her way to Virgin River to spend time in a friend's cabin. Her mother has passed away and she's struggling to finish her book she is contracted to write. Once there, however, she finds the cabin burned down and with no other options, makes her way to Jack's bar and a short term solution of staying in his extra space. Drawn to the town, she finds another rental from handsome artist, Landry. What starts off as friendship blossoms in to something more but will it last? With a lot of heart and good people, Robyn Carr reminds us why we love Virgin River so much!

There is an old saying that states that you can’t go home again. However, the feeling of coming home again is exactly what I felt while I was reading Robyn Carr’s Return to Virgin River.

Kaylee Sloan’s home in Southern California is full of wonderful memories, but the memories are prolonging her grief over her mother’s recent death. Determined to escape distractions and avoid the holiday season, Kaylee borrows a cabin in Virgin River. There she meets Jack, Mel and the rest of the town, who begin to help her heal along with help from a couple of furry friends.

In Return to Virgin River, readers are introduced to Kaylee. I enjoyed her story and thought the romance well done. I enjoy the leisurely getting to know you romances much more than the quickies. Kaylee’s story felt real and genuine and I especially enjoyed the furry friends who have a hand in it. But I wanted more from the ending. It didn’t feel quite closed to me, but hopefully there will more Virgin River books and I’ll eventually get the things I thought were missing here.

It has been a while since I read the previous books in the series, so I have forgotten some of the details. But that did not hinder my joy or my experience reading this book. You do not have to read the entire series to enjoy this latest installment. As members of the town were mentioned, I might not have remembered all the details of their story, but I enjoyed seeing them again and catching up a bit on their lives. The little glimpses at other town members do not take over the new story, so new readers, don’t feel you’ll be lost because you won’t. Carr does a nice job of giving just a bit of the back story without letting the old details take over.

I love this series and the fictional small town. I would move there tomorrow if I could. Are you up for a road trip? If so, travel to Virgin River, it will be worth the trip!

My thanks to HARLEQUIN and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of this book.

Return To Virgin River
Robyn Carr
October 13, 2020

Robyn Carr’s 21st Virgin River novel brings us another character to arrive in the small, northern California town. It is host to many who came hoping to bring changes to their lives. In this episode Kaylee Sloan is hitting the road from Newport, California as she tries to adjust her way of grieving her mother’s loss. After she moved into her mother’s house to finish writing her book and find peace with her situation, Kaylee discovers that she needs to get away from Newport and seclude herself in order to make the publishing deadline set up after her mother’s death. At the time it was months away and she had a great start. She felt she could do this, but now she is headed to a rental cabin near Virgin River.
As Kaylee takes the last turnoff to the cabin she smells smoke and in the distance sees what looks like flames against the sky. When she coasts down the lane, she sees the fire department putting out the last of the fire. The cabin’s roof is falling down, and much of the outside is singed. Smoke is in the air. As she opens the car door, the nearest firefighter questions her arrival, perhaps she is the owner. Kaylee calls the owner. They suggest she drive into Virgin River to check in at Jack’s Bar and Grill. She can catch her breath, get refreshments, and perhaps he can help finding a place for her to stay.
When she arrives she finds people going in and out of the tavern. Many were aware of the fire and asked if she needed help. Virgin River comes into play again. The folks are friendly, helpful and comforting. Each new book in Carr’s series reminds me that in most cases of problems or trouble people will hold out their hand to help or volunteer. As Kaylee settles into a cabin on the outskirts of Virgin River, she is overwhelmed with support from townsfolk. Gifts of food and clothing are given or left on the porch.
This is truly not one to miss! Return To Virgin River by Robyn Carr will be published on October 13, 2020 by Harlequin Books. Their generosity in allowing me to read and review Return To Virgin River is so appreciated. Readers of all of Carr’s series and stand alone novels have been patiently waiting for #21 to be published. It is another journey that brought me home to a heartwarming story and a magical little town.

This was just perfect! I so enjoyed returning and seeing my favorite characters from the series. The new one’s Kaylee and Landry were pretty terrific too. Through a terrible grief and a need to get a way Kaylee found changes she never expected and changed Landry’s life too. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. It was like visiting old friends and I enjoyed myself immensely. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

I love Robyn Carr’s books!
As a continuation of The Virgin River series, it was fabulous!
Loved visiting with the Mel, Jack and other characters from the series.
Kaylee and Landry are wonderful together. The ending is a bit contrived but I was wrapped up in the Christmas spirit and just went with it. LOL
If you’ll excuse me. I have to go re-read the complete series again!

Thank you NetGalley and Mira/Harlequin Books for a copy of "Return to Virgin River" in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a heartwarming return visit with the characters that we were already familiar with in the Virgin River series. Kaylee Sloan has decided to rent a house for 6 months in Humboldt County near the berg of Virgin River to concentrate on writing. She's a fiction and suspense author but has been having difficulty writing since the death of her mother Meredith on Christmas morning from lung cancer. Her mother a life-long non-smoker passed away 6 months after her diagnosis at 11:04 on Christmas morning. With the first anniversary of her death coming up, Kaylee has decided to avoid the holiday.

When she arrives in Virgin River she gets there just in time to see the firefighters cleaning up after the house she rented from Gerald and Bonnie Templeton has gone up in flames. But this being Virgin River, she was not homeless for long. In Jack's Bar & Grill she started talking to Jack Sheridan and his wife Mel - who is the local midwife. They found her a cabin to stay in on the property of Landry Moore. Landry's wife Laura is an actress but they have been separated for 10 of their 11 years of marriage.

Kaylee is petrified of dogs since being bitten as a child. However Landry's dog Otis has other ideas. Soon Kaylee is adopted by a cat whom she names Tux. While out walking with Otis, they happen upon a mama dog with 4 puppies. As they have also adopted Kaylee, she names the mama Lady and hopes that they will find good families for the puppies in the new year.

Kaylee has not had a relationship with her father Howard since he walked out on her and her mother and had several ill-fated marriages. The magic of Virgin River soon brings father and daughter closer than they have ever been. For Thanksgiving he arranges for Meredith and Kaylee's blended friends - Janette, Kory, Michelle, Terri and Maggie (ranging in age from 35 to 65) to arrive in Virgin River as a surprise.

Kaylee learns from Mel that a 10 year old girl named Mallory has just lost her mother and she opens her heart and home to become her foster parent. Having gone to Virgin River to hide, Kaylee is enveloped with the love and magic that is Virgin River!