Originally published at Joely Sue Burkhart. You can comment here or there.
I stayed up until 2:00 a.m. last night to finish this book. I first heard of this series over at Dear Author and was highly intrigued. I’ve never read much contemporary romance. Name a famous contemporary “staple” and I’m about 85% sure I can say I haven’t read it.
I’m so glad I made the exception for this book.
I started it Friday night and read just the first chapter or so. I finished the rest yesterday. Around midnight I really thought I should go to bed, but I was so close to the big turning point… And if you’ve read this book, you know there’s a pretty significant development unfolding in the final quarter or so of the book. I bawled when Mel grieved for her husband, and although I expected the little twist I mentioned at the end, it was still well done.
Oh, there were a few things I wish had been done differently, but it was still a really good read. I wanted more of the killer instinct in Jack, not just the one glimpse of the Marine who had so many service records at the end. The characters are all solid, and the setting is wonderful. Sort of like a Jill Shalvis Sierra Nevada setting, only without her same brand of humor. I think what made this book so attractive is that setting. I could totally see Mel’s cute little cabin in the redwoods, the potted plants on the porch and the deer in her yard. Yet despite the beauty, Mel had very legitimate reasons for not wanting to stay.
I found I wanted to stay. I wanted to say I knew where Virgin River was so I could visit. And in the end, that is one of the greatest victories of all for an author, wouldn’t you say?