Robyn Carr is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. I absolutely love the world that she has created!

I actually read this (book 4 in the series) before reading book 1. I was looking for a Christmas read and this fit the bill. I was half way through watching the tv series on netflix and I’ve previously read Carr’s Thunder Bay series so I had a good idea of what to expect and I wasn’t disappointed.

I don’t know much about Carr but I’m guessing she must have military links in her background somewhere as this seems to be a consistent theme within her books, and something that she writes about really well. The tough guy who’s seen too much and needs to take a break from the real world for awhile. I love how Virgin River is filled with these men, it’s like having their own support system around.

Having only watched the tv series, I still gave a little squee of delight when Carr described the people in the town that Marcie had just arrived at. Although other towns had been described when she arrived here and met the residents I knew she’d arrived in Virgin River, and I couldn’t have been happier.

This book was everything I wanted in a Christmas read, small town romance, will they/wont they (knowing full well that they will because otherwise it would be a really shit romance), there was snow, near death experiences, and plenty of Christmas cheer.

Marcie is determined to find Ian, the marine who saved her husband's life in Iraq 4 years ago. Marcie's husband has since died and Ian has gone off grid. She tracks him down to a small town, Virgin River and not only finds him but also a host of new friends.

I hadn't read any other books in this series but it didn't feel like I had missed any major plot points. I really loved the characters of Ian and Marcie, as well as the supporting characters. I would definitely read more books in this series.

Overall, this was a light, festive romance which made me laugh and cry, and I would recommend it to other fans of the genre.

Oh how I want to visit Virgin River and order a drink in Jacks Bar! I adore this series, and the towns inhabitants. Every time I read another book in the series I feel like I am even more of a part of the community.

The books are full of brave military alpha male types who have all served in the forces and strong minded women who make them fall to their knees. This book was no exception, after loosing her Husband when he is injured in Afghanistan, Marcie Sullivan sets out to find one of the guys he served with so she can let him know Bobby has died. Ian Buchanan has PTSD and has fallen off the radar, blaming himself for Bobby's injuries the last person he wants to see is his widow.

Some of the subjects covered by the author are so complex, yes she tackles them in such a way that you feel there is hope for them all and us mere mortals. One of the other main draws for me with this series is that, characters from the previous books also feature we get to check in with Mel, Jack and Preacher just to name a few and see how their lives are progressing.

Thank you to Robyn Carr, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is part of the Virgin River series, but all these books can be read as standalone or out of order as I am doing.
A Virgin River Christmas tells the story of Marcie and Ian. Marcie's husband Bobby was best friends with Ian and they fought alongside each other as Marines, When Bobby was wounded in action it was Ian who saved his life, however now he feels guilty as to whether he should have rescued Bobby as Bobby never really recovered and his young wife Marcie had to take over his care. When Bobby died Marcie set out to try and find Ian to see whether she can find out what happened and why he had to go away from everyone. Whilst most of this book is set away from Virgin River I liked the occasional visit to the town and it was a great chance to see what all your favourite characters were now up to!

A Virgin River Christmas by Robyn Carr is a delightful contemporary festive offering. It is the fourth book in the Virgin River series but can be read as a stand-alone. I enjoyed my return visit to Virgin River and greeting old and new faces.
Virgin River is a town with a huge heart. It is a place where the hurting can seek refuge from the world. The community care helps to heal souls. It is no surprise that this is a place that attracts war veterans who want to escape the world.
War damages people, physically and mentally. Guilt looms large when you survive what kills your comrades. The scars run deep. A veteran torments himself with what he believes loved ones are thinking but nothing could be further from the truth. Damaged souls need to heal.
The characters are delightfully drawn and realistic. I loved the verbal volleys between the leading characters. There were some highly amusing exchanges too.
The town of Virgin River pulls together as needs are identified. Strangers are welcomed as Christmas is celebrated. Such is the power of Robyn Carr’s words that as she described the scene where O Holy Night is sung, I got goose bumps.
Within the book there is a physical rescue. The reader is reminded that sometimes in life we need mentally rescuing from our situations.
I am loving my time spent in Virgin River. The community is warm and open. I look forward to reading more books in this nineteen (so far) book series.
A word of caution: there are some ‘bedroom’ scenes with too much detail for me to be comfortable so I just skipped over these pages. It did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the book.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

A simply magically moving story. A Christmas, second chance romance and so much more.
It was great to visit Virgin River again, but unlike the previous books this book focused mainly on Marcie and Ian and Jack and the gang only have very minor supporting roles, so reading it as a complete stand alone spoils nothing.

The storyline was beautifully written and so very moving. Getting the glimpses into Bobby and Ian’s friendship and their time in service was so moving. Seeing Marcie spend the last years with her husband, showering him in love until it was his time to go was beautiful. Her mission to find Ian to check he was ok to try and help him and give him closure, was also just the medicine she needed. Together they healed each other, Bobby brought them both together, and I’d like to think he knew that too by leaving his baseball cards to Ian he knew Marcie would have to connect with him.

The whole story was moving and I really hope that Ian and Marcie make an appearance in more Virgin River books.

Another great read from the author of Virgin River. This book is the 4th in the series but events fall at Christmas, maybe 2/3 of the way through Book 3 Whispering Rock. I read it out of order but there are references to new characters introduced in Book 3, alongside the favourites from the beginning of Mel, Jack, Preacher and Paige.
This book focussed on two characters who have been impacted by the serious injury and death of a comrade/ husband In Iraq war. ( Many of Carr’s books feature ex military male leads.) Finding each other and the support of the Virgin River community allows both to heal and find unexpected love. I loved the descriptions of the Virgin River country wildness.
A lovely Christmassy read that brought a lump to my throat. Very enjoyable as always in this series.

This is book four in The Virgin River Series and it is Marcie and Ian's story. Marcie is on her way to Virgin River to say thank you to the marine that saved her husband's life and gave her extra years with him but now her husband has died, but what will she find when she eventually gets there. Ian is an Ex marine and lives a quiet and solitary life and has a lot of baggage but he doesn't understand why Marcie has tracked him down after all he didn't answer her letters for a reason. There are twists and turns along with loss, hope, pain, suffering and many emotional situations and I couldn't put this book down as I had to see what would happen between them. Another brilliant book by Robyn Carr who is a great author and writer and I definitely recommend you read this book and others by her and you will definitely not be disappointed.
I voluntarily reviewed an Arc copy of this book.

I am a big fan of this series and I absolutely love them all. This is set around Christmas but it's not just a book to read at Christmas. It just adds some extra magic. They just get better and better because characters from the previous books are still around. It's like one big family. Even though it's a cozy, hug in a book, it still tackles serious issues. Uplifting and moving this is pure escapism and perfect for a cozy night in.

Having read several books in the series I knew what to expect but it was still great to see all the twists and turns in Marcie and Ian's relationship. I enjoyed seeing them each face their issues together, and it was also nice to hear more from characters in previous books and see them fitting it. I only wish there was an epilogue to this book as it seemed to end rather abruptly to me at least, but I've still already recommended this book to others as it's a good read for a cosy day inside when outside is cold and miserable