REVIEW: Return to Virgin River by Robyn Carr

In Return to Virgin River (Virgin River #19) by Robyn Carr, Author Kaylee Sloan is stuck. She’s stuck in her grief after losing her precious mother to cancer at Christmas almost a year ago. She’s stuck in the middle of writing a book that might never get finished. And she’s currently stuck staying in her mother’s beautiful home, with memories of better days surrounding her. But Kaylee comes up with a plan to become unstuck. She’s going to retreat to the mountains in Virgin River and stay at a family friend’s cabin while she writes, grieves, and forges a new future.

“It might be time to give yourself a pause. A break. You can’t rush healing. And healing is more important than anything else, including finishing a book.”

Kaylee’s plans are dashed when the gorgeous home she was to stay in suffers serious damage in a fire just as she’s arriving. Hoping that’s not a sign of things to come, she makes her way into town to figure out where to stay for the night. Before she knows it, Jack–the owner of Jack’s Bar–and his wife Mel help Kaylee sort things out. And it seems everyone in town is willing to lend a hand or an ear as she comes to terms with her new life. It’s when Landry Moore, an artist and dog obedience trainer enters her life that Kaylee knows things will never be the same again. Especially as the magic of Christmas in Virgin River draws them closer together.

Mel patted her hand. “I’m never sure of the right thing to say. But knowing you a little bit now, I believe you’ll get through this difficult year and find joy again.”
“That might take a miracle,” Kaylee said.
“Miracles happen around here all the time. It will come. I’m sure of it. As your world gets bigger than your grief.”

Fans of Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series will be delighted with her new installment, Return to Virgin River, a holiday book filled with the familiar faces we love and the town that always finds a way to help those who need it most.

“Remember that the spirit of Christmas is about giving. Turn your heart to the needs of others–it will help you get through the days that seem too long and the nights that feel too lonely.”

Return to Virgin River took us back to the wonderful mountain town and lovable group of people Robyn Carr created over a decade ago. It can definitely be read as a standalone. But if you’re a fan of the series, like me, you’ll be in your happy place once again to catch up with Jack, Mel, Preacher, and the rest of the townspeople. As is typically the case with Carr’s stories, there were some serious subjects to deal with before getting to the HEA, which might be bittersweet for some readers who have lost parents or loved ones near the holidays. But also in true fashion for Carr, the way everyone in Virgin River rallied around Kaylee–and one special ten-year-old girl–will warm your heart and make you wish you could visit Virgin River yourself.

As I mentioned, Kaylee’s part of the storyline was quite sad as she had lost her mom about a year before she traveled to Virgin River to hide away and finish writing her novel. She had such a close bond with her mother that it ripped Kaylee’s world apart. I appreciated that even though she was still grieving heavily, she was a compassionate person who tried to help others any way she could. From discarded animals to a young orphaned girl to pitching in delivering meals to struggling locals, Kaylee was a kind soul.

Landry, Kaylee’s love interest, was equally as nice. Virgin River was his hometown and where he’d spent most of his life so he had that can-do attitude you’d expect–in addition to being a creative artist. Plus he trained dogs, so he had to be a good guy, right? (lol) I loved him and Kaylee together. It was complicated for reasons I won’t spoil for you. But Landry had a lovely way of supporting her that will make you sigh with how genuinely right they seemed together.

Romance, a sense of community, and local holiday traditions that will inspire, these are just a few of the things that made Return to Virgin River a heartwarming story you won’t soon forget. Robyn Carr’s attention to detail and depth of emotion added the perfect touch to this holiday tale.

Book Info:

Publication: Published October 13th 2020 |  | MIRA | Virgin River #19

Robyn Carr returns to the beloved town of Virgin River with a brand new story about fresh starts, new friends and the magic of Christmas.

Now a Netflix orginal series

Struggling with grief after the death of her mother, successful author Kaylee Sloan needs a distraction, to come to terms with life and meet her looming deadline.

With Christmas approaching, Kaylee rents a cabin in Virgin River. She knows the isolation will help her writing and as she drives north through the mountains she immediately feels inspired. Until she arrives at a building that has just gone up in flames. Devastated, she heads to Jack’s Bar to plan her next steps. The local bar is the heart of the town and once she crosses the threshold, she’s surprised to be embraced by people who are more than willing to help a stranger in need.

Welcomed by those in Virgin River, Kaylee starts to see her life in a new light. And as she becomes more involved in the town and the people in it, especially local artist and dog trainer Landry Moore, Kaylee realizes she may have found her peace. As Christmas approaches, Kaylee’s dread turns to wonder. Because there’s no better place to mend a broken heart than Virgin River.