3.5 starsThere was a lot going on with this book. Whew...let's see a baby was born, there was a forest fire and yes, lots of people starting their lives together. Paul has loved Vanessa since the day he first saw her, but kept his feelings hidden as his best friend was in love with her. Paul helped Vanessa cope with Matt's death and was there for the birth of her child, still hiding his feelings for his dead friend's widow. Vanessa begins to have feelings for Paul...This is just the beginning of the pairings in this book, many people find love and begin lives together. It did feel a little long at times perhaps due to all the people falling in love in this book but it was still a fast enjoyable read. This is the fifth book in Ms. Carr’s Virgin River series and while she touches on themes that readers love (brave military men and the women who love them, people who live by a code of honor), I didn’t warm to this one as much as I have the others.Her series introduces new characters while keeping up with characters from previous books who inhabit Virgin River, a fictional town in the Humboldt County (California) redwoods. We are re-introduced to Jack Sheridan and his wife, Mel, the town’s nurse-practitioner and their growing family; John and Paige Middletown; Preacher, the cook; General Walt Booth and his daughter, Vanni, the female lead of this book, and her childhood friend Paul Haggerty. There’s also Joe Benson, an architectural designer, and his budding romance with Vanni’s girlfriend Nikki Jorgensen.Paul and Vanni start their relationship rather uniquely. Vanni’s beloved husband Matt has died in the line of duty after she gives birth to their child. Paul has loved her from afar for years but doesn’t approach her. Vanni’s meddling mother in law tries to match her up with handsome, eligible pediatrician Cameron, but she rejects him. This is what annoyed me: the mother in law is a shrill harpy, but Cameron is a genuinely nice character who deserves better treatment (and probably will get it in future books in the series). I hate seeing nice guys finish last.In this entry, the reader goes through the births of two babies (Mel’s and Paige’s), the romance between childhood friends Paul and Vanni, which is sweet without being saccharine; and the romance between Joe and Nikki, which gets very steamy. Her characters are the reason to read the series, as they’re all relatable and real. The reader wishes Virgin River were a real place to visit.
Do You like book Second Chance Pass (2009)?
As I've mentioned in many other reviews, I love when the author acknowledges the unrealistic aspects of their books by having one or more of the characters talk or think about the elephant in the room. Although this is book #5 in the Virgin River series, more than 5 couples have met in fallen in love so far. I loved this thought that Joe has about 3/4 of the way through the book:"There was some terrible curse on this place that turned fine, upstanding, confirmed bachelors into ridiculous, desperate men who tripped over a pretty girl and began to instantly think life would not go on if they didn't have her forever."I love it!This book is marketed as the story of Paul and Vanni, but it's really the story of them plus so many more couples. As all of the books are, but this one more so than the others I think. In fact, P&V were pretty wrapped up by the time the above quote was thought by Joe. Which makes me wonder why Ms. Carr didn't give Joe his own story as the rest of the guys have gotten. There was definitely enough there that she could have expanded and given more detail so that story could have been its own book. Oh well, enjoyable either way.It did take me longer to read this one than the others. I'm not sure if that was because A) I have more taking up my time now that the weather is nice, B) I was trying to draw it out knowing that there are still 3 people ahead of me on the waiting list for the next book, or C) the story wasn't as riveting. It may be a combination of them all. Not that I didn't enjoy the book, I think it's obvious by my rating that I did. But since the main story was wrapped up with so much more left of the book there wasn't that strong pull the last 1/4 of the book.
—djwrigh6
Architect Paul Haggerty had secretly loved his best friend's wife for years, but would never do anything to interfere in their marriage. Suddenly Matt was dead, and Vanessa was a single mom and available. Now Paul is ready to make his move, but a woman from his past claims to be having his baby.Another interesting addition to the Virgin River series. I really liked Paul and felt bad for his situation. Vanni took a while to grow on me. Their story takes up the first half of the book. The second half is the birth of two babies, a romance between newcomers Joe & Nikki, and a deadly forest fire. Lots of things going on in Virgin River. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
—lillian
Always love her stories and the description of the location setting.
—fathead
