FROM GOODREADS: Marine corporal Rick Sudder is home early from Iraq—his tour ended abruptly on the battlefield. The carefree boy is gone, replaced by a man who believes his future is as bleak as his mirror image. But can the passion and commitment of a young woman who has never given up on him mend his broken body and shattered heart?
As the people of Virgin River rally around Rick, another recent arrival tests the tightly knit mountain town's famous welcoming spirit. Dan Brady has a questionable past, and he's looking for a place to start over. He'd like it to be Virgin River…if he can find a way in. But he never expects to find it in the arms of a woman who was as much an outcast as himself.
For a favorite son returned from war and an outsider looking for a home, Virgin River offers them a chance to make peace with the men they once were…and to find the dreams they thought they'd lost.
MY THOUGHTS: There is a lot going on in this installment and let's be honest, I loved every minute of it. In this book Ricky has returned back from services with a lot of baggage (trying to avoid some spoilers but it might be hard). His only goal is to push away everyone who means something to him. We also follow two fairly new couples - the new doctor in town and the pregnant woman he wants to be more than a one night stand and a little bit of Brady, a guy with a shady past trying to reform himself.
This book once again contained so many of my old favorite characters although you know it's coming - there's not enough Preacher. It's always nice to see what some of our old favorites are doing while making some new ones. I will admit there were times I wanted to smack Ricky though. I used to find Lizzie so annoying (and I blame the Netflix show for that) but this time around, I started to think the girl is a Saint. The new Doctor is quickly growing on me as well. It's funny how the author can introduce a new character in another setting who might initially be someone I don't like very much, move them to Virgin River, and then make me love them.
I'm so glad I started this series this year and I hope I can convince Stormi we need to make finishing it a 2022 goal. I have yet to grow tried of this small mountain town and its zany characters and I hope I never do!
RATING: 5 PAWS
