Warning: Contains SPOILERS for the Virgin River book and television series.
Netflix’s incredibly popular Virgin River is based on Robyn Carr’s 22-book romance series by the same name, meaning there's plenty for fans to read before season 5 releases. Filmed in British Columbia, Canada, the romantic drama premiered in 2019 and now has four seasons, with a fifth already in production and on the way. The important question now is how to read the Virgin River books in the right order.
Like the books, the series begins by following Melinda “Mel” (Alexandra Breckenridge) and Jack (Martin Henderson)’s on-and-off romance set in the fictitional Northern Californian town of Virgin River, where secrets never last long. Show-runner Sue Tenney adapted the novels for television, hand-picking storylines and characters to include in the Netflix series. It’s worth noting, however, that many of Virgin River’s critical moments are written specifically for the show. While creative liberties are taken, the series still captures the drama and feel-good essence of the books it's loosely based on.
Netflix’s successful Virgin River adaptation helped grow readership of the book series, which established itself worldwide after its first release, Virgin River, was published in 2007. The 22 books take the story far beyond what’s seen in the show. So, for those who want to enrich the stories depicted in Virgin River, or for those who can’t wait to find out what happens next, here’s how to read the Virgin River books in order.
1. Virgin River (2007)
Like in the show, the first book begins with recently-widowed Mel escaping to Virgin River for a nursing job that she saw on a flyer. Just about everything goes wrong, and thinking she’s made a mistake, Mel decides to leave town. Everything changes when she meets local barman and former marine, Jack.
2. Shelter Mountain (2007)
The second book in the series introduces Paige Lassiter, a mother fleeing with her child from an abusive ex-husband. In Jack’s bar, she meets one of his fellow marines, Preacher, who makes it his mission to protect them. The situation becomes dire when Paige’s ex-husband eventually finds her.
3. Whispering Rock (2007)
A near-death experience brings Sacramento prosecutor Brie Sheridan to Virgin River, where she seeks refuge. Twice-divorced LAPD officer Mike Valenzuela agrees to become Virgin River’s first cop after being badly wounded on duty. Together, the two find a new beginning.
4. A Virgin River Christmas (2008)
A year after her husband’s death, Marcie Sullivan returns to Virgin River to find Ian Buchanan, who saved his life in the war years prior. Still emotionally damaged from serving, he’s more broken than Marcie expected. Miraculously, the two help mend each other’s broken hearts over the holiday season.
5. Second Chance Pass (2009)
After losing her husband and giving birth to his son, Vanessa Rutledge begins to fall for Paul Haggerty, her late-husband’s best friend, who has secretly loved her for years. A Virgin River villain arises when a woman stakes her claim on Paul, leaving Vanessa to decide if he’s worth the trouble.
6. Temptation Ridge (2009)
After five years of caring for her sick mother, 25-year-old Shelby McIntyre is on the hunt for her gentlemanly dream man. While visiting Virgin River, she encounters Black Hawk pilot Luke Riordan, who is nothing like what she pictured her Mr. Right to be. Thirteen years her senior and a jaded womanizer, Luke seems entirely wrong for her, but sometimes opposites attract.
7. Paradise Valley (2009)
After a tour in Iraq, the once-carefree Marine corporal Rick Sudder returns home an empty version of himself. While a young woman attempts to heal him, the town is focused on Dan Brady, a new resident looking to start over. The two eventually meet, discovering they’re both trying to move forward from tortured pasts.
8. Under the Christmas Tree (in the anthology That Holiday Feeling) (2009)
Every year, the townspeople – many of whom are not yet part of the Netflix Virgin River series cast – gather in town square to celebrate the holidays. After finding a box of puppies under the town tree, the residents of Virgin River recruit veterinarian Nathaniel Jensen to help. In actuality, they are only interested in his burgeoning romance with Annie McCarty.
9. Forbidden Falls (2010)
Hoping to re-open an abandoned church, widower Reverend Noah Kincaid moves to Virgin River. Alicia Baldwin, a former exotic dancer, works as his assistant to improve her image and regain custody of her children. Though seemingly opposite, the two quickly find common ground.
10. Angel’s Peak (2010)
After going their separate ways four years prior, Franci Duncan and Sean Riordan reunite in Virgin River. Sean wants to give their relationship another chance, but is stunned to learn Franci now has a child. In a typical Virgin River twist, the child is his; Franci became pregnant with when they were still together.
11. Moonlight Road (2010)
At 35, Erin Foley faces a mid-life crisis, experiencing empty nest syndrome after her siblings all leave home. She’s isolating herself, but comes across ex-Navy medic Aiden Riordan. A crazy ex-wife aside, he breaks through the wall Erin has up, sparking an unlikely summer romance.
12. Midnight Confessions (in the anthology Midnight Kiss) (2010)
After being dumped at the altar on New Year’s Even one year prior, Sunny Archer is anything but cheery. With some convincing by her uncle, she ends up at Jack’s Bar for New Year’s Eve, where the heartbroken Drew Foley instantly falls for her. The two can help each other overcome heartbreak, and maybe even be each other’s midnight kiss.
13. Promise Canyon (2011)
Clay Tahoma leaves Los Angeles behind to become a vet assistant in Virgin River. He’s welcomed with open arms by everyone except Lily Yahzi, who is turned off by the earthy sex appeal he uses to get his way. However, as much as she tries to deny it, she can’t get past her attraction to him.
14. Wild Man Creek (2011)
After a terrible helicopter crash, Colin Riordan moves to Virgin River to recover. He meets Jillian, whose life has been turned upside down by an ill-advised affair. The two instantly connect, but are afraid of complicating their already-troubled lives.
15. Harvest Moon (2011)
A collapse at work prompts chef Kelly Matlock to re-evaluate what she really wants in life. She ventures to her sister’s house in Virgin River, but quickly begins to feel unmotivated, that is, until she meets Lief Holbrook, a handsome widower. The only hitch is he comes with a rebellious stepdaughter.
16. Bring Me Home For Christmas (2016)
Ready to get over her college boyfriend from three years ago, Becca Timm visits his hometown Virgin River over the holidays. When a hunting trip accident extends her stay, she’s stranded and forced to confront Denny Cutler, the man who broke her heart. It’s possible that since they last saw each other, he’s become someone she could fall for again.
17. Hidden Summit (2012)
Leslie Petruso accepts a job with Paul Haggerty in Virgin River in an attempt to avoid her ex-husband and his new wife. Paul brings on Connor Danson, who is even more over love than Leslie. The two deny their chemistry, but the people of Virgin River can tell they’re perfect for each other – Leslie and Connor just have to realize it themselves.
18. Redwood Bend (2012)
Katie Malone is stranded in Virgin River with her twin boys – the original twins in Virgin River – after a flat tire interrupts their road trip. Dylan Childress and his crew of biker friends stop to help. What started as an inconvenience quickly becomes an opportunity for love when the two are clearly interested in one another.
19. Sunrise Point (2012)
Tom Cavanaugh thinks his employee Nora Crane has too much baggage between her two daughters, failed marriage and financial difficulties. The two even have very different of views marriage and family. Still, they are drawn to each other and may be able to put their differences aside for love.
20. My Kind of Christmas (2012)
Annie LeCroix and Patrick Riordan each want to spend Christmas alone, away from their families, jobs and frustrating love-lives. A chance encounter in Virgin River turns things around and the two decide to spend Christmas together. Their families disapprove of their plans, but Annie and Patrick are determined to make it work.
21. Return to Virgin River (2020)
Ending the released Virgin River stories, Return to Virgin River features Kaylee Sloan, who is experiencing writer’s block at work after the sudden passing of her mother. To escape, she isolates herself in a cabin in Virgin River. During a visit to Jack’s Bar, she learns she can lean on the townspeople for support and discovers the joy of helping others.
22. Holidays in Virgin River (2022)
The latest installment of Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series of novels is set to release on October 4, 2022. While not much is known about the 22nd Virgin River book, the series’ themes about refuge, love and community will likely continue. Hopefully storylines from the later novels in the series are integrated into the Netflix adaptation series Virgin River.
Virgin River seasons 1-4 are available on Netflix.