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Grace Valley Trilogy #1
Deep in the Valley
Welcome to Grace Valley, California---where blood runs thicker...ties bind stronger...and love is all the more sweet.
Visitors to the town often remark about the valley's peace and beauty---both of which are plentiful. Unlocked doors, front porches, pies cooling in the windows---this is country life at its finest. But visitors don't always see what lies at the heart of a community. Or just beyond...
June Hudson grew up in Grace Valley, the daughter of the town doctor. Leaving only to get her medical training, she returned home and followed in her father's footsteps. Some might say she chose the easy, comfortable route...but June knows better.
For June, her emergency room is wherever she's needed---or wherever a patient finds her. Always on call, her work is her life, these people her extended family. Which is a good thing, since this is a town where you should have picked your husband in the ninth grade. Grace Valley is not exactly the place to meet eligible men---until an undercover DEA agent suddenly starts appearing at all sorts of strange hours.
Everybody has secrets down in the valley. Now June has one of her own.
Visitors to the town often remark about the valley's peace and beauty---both of which are plentiful. Unlocked doors, front porches, pies cooling in the windows---this is country life at its finest. But visitors don't always see what lies at the heart of a community. Or just beyond...
June Hudson grew up in Grace Valley, the daughter of the town doctor. Leaving only to get her medical training, she returned home and followed in her father's footsteps. Some might say she chose the easy, comfortable route...but June knows better.
For June, her emergency room is wherever she's needed---or wherever a patient finds her. Always on call, her work is her life, these people her extended family. Which is a good thing, since this is a town where you should have picked your husband in the ninth grade. Grace Valley is not exactly the place to meet eligible men---until an undercover DEA agent suddenly starts appearing at all sorts of strange hours.
Everybody has secrets down in the valley. Now June has one of her own.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 25, 2000
1,515 people are currently reading
4,795 people want to read
About the author
Robyn Carr
184books12.2kfollowers Robyn Carr is a RITA® Award-winning, eleven-time #1 New York Times bestselling author of over sixty novels, including the critically acclaimed Virgin River series and Sullivan's Crossing series. Robyn's new women's fiction novel, THE FRIENDSHIP CLUB, will be released in January 2024. The new hit Sullivan's Crossing TV series (season 1) inspired by Robyn's book series was released in the USA in the fall of 2023! Plus, season 5 of the worldwide fan-favorite Virgin River TV Series is now streaming on Netflix (July 2023) with two holiday episodes coming November 30, 2023. Both TV series have been renewed for another season!
Robyn is a recipient of the Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award 2016, and in 2017, VIRGIN RIVER was named one of the HarperCollins 200 Iconic Books of the past 200 years. Robyn currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can visit Robyn Carr's website at .
Robyn is a recipient of the Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award 2016, and in 2017, VIRGIN RIVER was named one of the HarperCollins 200 Iconic Books of the past 200 years. Robyn currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can visit Robyn Carr's website at .
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 557 reviews
October 19, 2016
I've already "met" Drs. John Stone, June and Elmer Hudson in the Virgin River series, so it was nice to get their story. So much to practicing medicine in a small town. You're never quite off of work and you have a personal relationship with a lot of your patients.
So many stories here, and I was invested and captivated by every one of them!
Thirty-seven year old June Hudson is the center of the story. The town doctor without much time for a personal life hires a new doctor, John Stone, to help carry the load. Feeling lonely and worried she might miss her opportunity to be a mother. Just when she thinks her chances of meeting someone are slim-to-none, a mysterious man shows up with a friend in need of medical attention. His fake beard is in no way a distraction from his handsome face and beautiful blue eyes, and the attraction is mutual. This romance is not at the center, but that's okay because it's a story in progress.
The Mull family living out far away from everyone because the dad suffers from PTSD and paranoia after the Vietnam War and can't handle being around others. They come to June Hudson for help when their sixteen-year old son injures his foot which has now become very infected.
The Cravens: The father, Gus, is a mean bastard, beating his wife, Leah, and their sons for years. Finally he gets thrown in jail and the family thrives with the help of the town. The oldest son, sixteen-year old Frank, has anger issues and I'm curious how things will play out for him in the next installments.
The creepy, womanizing Pastor causes many troubles! Justine was ripe for his false flattery. Pastor's wife needed to lay blame where it should've gone: her dirtbag husband, a supposed man of god!
Crazy (but lovable) Aunt Myrna who may or may not have murdered her husband. He disappeared long ago...
There is a whole cast of quirky, interesting characters and I've only mentioned a few which may seem like a lot for one book, but for me it worked.
As usual Therese Plummer narration is perfection! Can't imagine imagine "reading" a Robyn Carr book without her voice!
So many stories here, and I was invested and captivated by every one of them!
Thirty-seven year old June Hudson is the center of the story. The town doctor without much time for a personal life hires a new doctor, John Stone, to help carry the load. Feeling lonely and worried she might miss her opportunity to be a mother. Just when she thinks her chances of meeting someone are slim-to-none, a mysterious man shows up with a friend in need of medical attention. His fake beard is in no way a distraction from his handsome face and beautiful blue eyes, and the attraction is mutual. This romance is not at the center, but that's okay because it's a story in progress.
The Mull family living out far away from everyone because the dad suffers from PTSD and paranoia after the Vietnam War and can't handle being around others. They come to June Hudson for help when their sixteen-year old son injures his foot which has now become very infected.
The Cravens: The father, Gus, is a mean bastard, beating his wife, Leah, and their sons for years. Finally he gets thrown in jail and the family thrives with the help of the town. The oldest son, sixteen-year old Frank, has anger issues and I'm curious how things will play out for him in the next installments.
The creepy, womanizing Pastor causes many troubles! Justine was ripe for his false flattery. Pastor's wife needed to lay blame where it should've gone: her dirtbag husband, a supposed man of god!
Crazy (but lovable) Aunt Myrna who may or may not have murdered her husband. He disappeared long ago...
There is a whole cast of quirky, interesting characters and I've only mentioned a few which may seem like a lot for one book, but for me it worked.
As usual Therese Plummer narration is perfection! Can't imagine imagine "reading" a Robyn Carr book without her voice!
August 22, 2018
¡3 ESTRELLAS!
Me ha sorprendido porque no es para nada lo que me esperaba. Después de leer los dos primeros libros de la serie Virgin River, creí que esta trilogía sería similar pero con los personajes de Grace Valley. Sin embargo, en lugar de una historia de amor nos encontramos con una historia de personajes y es que, precisamente, el romance es lo que menos vemos en este libro.
La novela se centra en las tramas y subtramas de los personajes, teniendo a June como referente y personaje principal. Aun así, algunos de los vecinos de Grace Valley también tienen su protagonismo y conoceremos sus historias personales. Al principio, la autora nos presenta a muchos personajes y me resultaba difícil seguir la historia, pero según avanzaban las páginas, les coges cariño a cada uno de ellos y te enganchan a sus tramas.
Cada historia trata temas muy variados, dando lugar a una historia muy completa. El punto fuerte es sin duda los personajes, tanto principales como secundarios. Al final te encariñas con todos y quieres que sean felices y que se haga justicia. La descripción del pueblo están llenos de ese encanto con el que Robyn Carr narra todas sus historias.
Lo que menos me ha gustado es el romance entre June y Jim. Es el punto más flojo de la novela. No tiene desarrollo ni evolución. Me ha parecido muy forzado y no vemos como se desarrollan los sentimientos entre ellos. Tras conocer estos personajes en Virgin River, me esperaba otro tipo de historia.
Aun así, he empatizado con la mayoría de personajes de Grace Valley y estoy deseando ponerme con el resto de la trilogía. Creo que la disfrutaré más si la leo del tirón porque con tantos personajes, si dejo que pase el tiempo, luego no sabré quién es quién y me perderé.
Me ha sorprendido porque no es para nada lo que me esperaba. Después de leer los dos primeros libros de la serie Virgin River, creí que esta trilogía sería similar pero con los personajes de Grace Valley. Sin embargo, en lugar de una historia de amor nos encontramos con una historia de personajes y es que, precisamente, el romance es lo que menos vemos en este libro.
La novela se centra en las tramas y subtramas de los personajes, teniendo a June como referente y personaje principal. Aun así, algunos de los vecinos de Grace Valley también tienen su protagonismo y conoceremos sus historias personales. Al principio, la autora nos presenta a muchos personajes y me resultaba difícil seguir la historia, pero según avanzaban las páginas, les coges cariño a cada uno de ellos y te enganchan a sus tramas.
Cada historia trata temas muy variados, dando lugar a una historia muy completa. El punto fuerte es sin duda los personajes, tanto principales como secundarios. Al final te encariñas con todos y quieres que sean felices y que se haga justicia. La descripción del pueblo están llenos de ese encanto con el que Robyn Carr narra todas sus historias.
Lo que menos me ha gustado es el romance entre June y Jim. Es el punto más flojo de la novela. No tiene desarrollo ni evolución. Me ha parecido muy forzado y no vemos como se desarrollan los sentimientos entre ellos. Tras conocer estos personajes en Virgin River, me esperaba otro tipo de historia.
Aun así, he empatizado con la mayoría de personajes de Grace Valley y estoy deseando ponerme con el resto de la trilogía. Creo que la disfrutaré más si la leo del tirón porque con tantos personajes, si dejo que pase el tiempo, luego no sabré quién es quién y me perderé.
July 29, 2013
"California Poppy Field," by Granville Redmond circa 1926.
(This is a review of the audiobook.)
Story = ★★★☆�
Narrator’s Performance = ★★★★�
Overall = ★★★½☆
I enjoyed ’s narration of the first in ’s Grace Valley Trilogy. She differentiates the characters nicely, her pacing is good, and you can tell she has some fun in spots with her tone and inflection.
Nevertheless, this book is billed as a “romance� and it doesn’t quite live up to that claim. I’m not talking about the “one foot on the floor� love scenes. (That didn’t disappoint me at all.) I mean the amount of time devoted to the romance between the heroine and hero. This is June Hudson’s story; her daily life and dedication to Grace Valley and its inhabitants; the sound of her “ticking biological clock� in the background. The hero seemed to be almost a footnote. While I liked their “meet cute� and the idea of how to handle their budding romance, I was less than impressed with the amount of time they spent together.
Miss Carr is great at sucking me into her story-lines with her variety of believable characters - both good and bad - and sub-plots within a small community. However, these didn’t pull me in like the Virgin River books have done. While Miss Carr seems to focus on one main issue in her books, here there was a little too much domestic violence and poverty for me. Though I don’t expect my protagonist to be perfect, I didn’t feel like the good doctor, nor the sheriff, showed the kind of judgement I expected of them.
One thing that would bring me back for more would be the Angel Pass story-line.
(This is a review of the audiobook.)
Story = ★★★☆�
Narrator’s Performance = ★★★★�
Overall = ★★★½☆
I enjoyed ’s narration of the first in ’s Grace Valley Trilogy. She differentiates the characters nicely, her pacing is good, and you can tell she has some fun in spots with her tone and inflection.
Nevertheless, this book is billed as a “romance� and it doesn’t quite live up to that claim. I’m not talking about the “one foot on the floor� love scenes. (That didn’t disappoint me at all.) I mean the amount of time devoted to the romance between the heroine and hero. This is June Hudson’s story; her daily life and dedication to Grace Valley and its inhabitants; the sound of her “ticking biological clock� in the background. The hero seemed to be almost a footnote. While I liked their “meet cute� and the idea of how to handle their budding romance, I was less than impressed with the amount of time they spent together.
Miss Carr is great at sucking me into her story-lines with her variety of believable characters - both good and bad - and sub-plots within a small community. However, these didn’t pull me in like the Virgin River books have done. While Miss Carr seems to focus on one main issue in her books, here there was a little too much domestic violence and poverty for me. Though I don’t expect my protagonist to be perfect, I didn’t feel like the good doctor, nor the sheriff, showed the kind of judgement I expected of them.
One thing that would bring me back for more would be the Angel Pass story-line.
October 10, 2020
Audiobook: Narrator - Therese Plummer
I’ll listen to ANYTHING this narrator wants to read! I’m totally addicted and it’s all I can do not to hunt her down and totally stalk her! I know my limits so I’m fighting the drive to do that exact thing. Lol! I listened to the Virgin River series she performed and I’m trying to get as much of her as I can until Audible does away with their Escape program and I have to move over to a different audiobook company.
I didn’t really enjoy this book. I’m all about the romance and while I understand this author can certainly do amazing character development and small town drama, I still need romance. This did have a little of it, but this book is not about the romance. I understand the next book picks up with the same “couple� somewhat and while I’ll be listening to it, because of the narrator, I may stop if it’s not ringing my bell.
On the upside, if you enjoy small town stories with some great characters that will make you laugh, tear up, and cheer them on, this is one you’ll probably love. I found the names at times to confuse me as I listened instead of read and struggled keeping the characters straight.
I’ll listen to ANYTHING this narrator wants to read! I’m totally addicted and it’s all I can do not to hunt her down and totally stalk her! I know my limits so I’m fighting the drive to do that exact thing. Lol! I listened to the Virgin River series she performed and I’m trying to get as much of her as I can until Audible does away with their Escape program and I have to move over to a different audiobook company.
I didn’t really enjoy this book. I’m all about the romance and while I understand this author can certainly do amazing character development and small town drama, I still need romance. This did have a little of it, but this book is not about the romance. I understand the next book picks up with the same “couple� somewhat and while I’ll be listening to it, because of the narrator, I may stop if it’s not ringing my bell.
On the upside, if you enjoy small town stories with some great characters that will make you laugh, tear up, and cheer them on, this is one you’ll probably love. I found the names at times to confuse me as I listened instead of read and struggled keeping the characters straight.
May 4, 2020
I just love this author's books. This series appears to be a "pre-Virgin River" series, as several of the characters appear in the Virgin River series. Now, I am getting their backstory. :)
December 7, 2018
Entre 2 y 2'5 🌟 está la cosa. Tiene buenas intenciones pero no logra desarrollarlas del todo bien. En las reseñas del #RitaCarr os contaré más
May 10, 2010
Rating: 4.5 / 5
Sometimes I'm a little surprised at home much I enjoy Robyn Carr's books - from a romance reader standpoint. But this book just sucked me in and I couldn't put it down. Carr really knows how to tell a story.
Series Note:
First book in the Grace Valley trilogy, which is a precursor to the Virgin River series (the two are loosely connected).
Summary:
June Hudson is the town doctor for the small town of Grace Valley California. It's the place where she grew up, and where she returned to after medical school, when she took over for her dad. It's a place where everyone knows everyone, and where everyone knows everyone else's business. Such is the life of a small town.
Currently, June is in the process of hiring another doctor to help her out with her work load. John Stone is a big city doctor looking for a small town life. But June has her doubts about him and his ethics. Then there's the Mull family with a mentally ill father, a scarred mother, and a son with a dangerous injury. And one can't forget June's wacky Aunt Myrna.
There's also mysterious Jim Post, an undercover DEA agent who sets June's hormones in motion. There's something about him she can't resist.
All of which makes for a busy life for June. And she wouldn't change a thing about it.
Review:
My thoughts on this book kinda go in two directions - that of a romance reader, and that of a reader in general.
From a romance reader standpoint, the romance in this book is rather anemic, at best. June and Jim have only a handful of scenes together, and they're short scenes. There's hardly any build-up...the connection is kinda instantaneous and unexplored. The intimate scenes are only alluded to. It leaves the romance aspect of the book pretty flat and the reader wanting more.
Thankfully, the other aspects of the book almost entirely make up for the lack in romance. I'd say the book falls into that sort of chicklit/drama realm of a story about people and small town life. It reminds me a lot of the Virgin River series in tone and type. Or rather, since Grace Valley came first, I should say that I can see how the Virgin River series evolved from this one.
Anyway, I enjoyed reading about June and all the various aspects of her life. Wacky Aunt Myrna with her misplaced husband, her dad Elmer, the old timers of the town. And the Mull family...I thought they were one of the best parts of the book. There's also the doctor June's looking to hire. I suspect there was supposed to be a tension element over whether John Stone was a good guy or bad guy...but having read Virgin River, I already knew the answer to that, so the guess work there wasn't as strong. Oh, let's not forget the womanizing preacher. Creep!
Such a great people story, though. I loved meeting all the people, learning about the town and all that. For those of you who loved the Virgin River series and are looking at Carr's backlist and don't mind the low romance element, then I think you'll enjoy this one.
Sometimes I'm a little surprised at home much I enjoy Robyn Carr's books - from a romance reader standpoint. But this book just sucked me in and I couldn't put it down. Carr really knows how to tell a story.
Series Note:
First book in the Grace Valley trilogy, which is a precursor to the Virgin River series (the two are loosely connected).
Summary:
June Hudson is the town doctor for the small town of Grace Valley California. It's the place where she grew up, and where she returned to after medical school, when she took over for her dad. It's a place where everyone knows everyone, and where everyone knows everyone else's business. Such is the life of a small town.
Currently, June is in the process of hiring another doctor to help her out with her work load. John Stone is a big city doctor looking for a small town life. But June has her doubts about him and his ethics. Then there's the Mull family with a mentally ill father, a scarred mother, and a son with a dangerous injury. And one can't forget June's wacky Aunt Myrna.
There's also mysterious Jim Post, an undercover DEA agent who sets June's hormones in motion. There's something about him she can't resist.
All of which makes for a busy life for June. And she wouldn't change a thing about it.
Review:
My thoughts on this book kinda go in two directions - that of a romance reader, and that of a reader in general.
From a romance reader standpoint, the romance in this book is rather anemic, at best. June and Jim have only a handful of scenes together, and they're short scenes. There's hardly any build-up...the connection is kinda instantaneous and unexplored. The intimate scenes are only alluded to. It leaves the romance aspect of the book pretty flat and the reader wanting more.
Thankfully, the other aspects of the book almost entirely make up for the lack in romance. I'd say the book falls into that sort of chicklit/drama realm of a story about people and small town life. It reminds me a lot of the Virgin River series in tone and type. Or rather, since Grace Valley came first, I should say that I can see how the Virgin River series evolved from this one.
Anyway, I enjoyed reading about June and all the various aspects of her life. Wacky Aunt Myrna with her misplaced husband, her dad Elmer, the old timers of the town. And the Mull family...I thought they were one of the best parts of the book. There's also the doctor June's looking to hire. I suspect there was supposed to be a tension element over whether John Stone was a good guy or bad guy...but having read Virgin River, I already knew the answer to that, so the guess work there wasn't as strong. Oh, let's not forget the womanizing preacher. Creep!
Such a great people story, though. I loved meeting all the people, learning about the town and all that. For those of you who loved the Virgin River series and are looking at Carr's backlist and don't mind the low romance element, then I think you'll enjoy this one.
July 14, 2018
After medical school, June Hudson returned to her hometown to follow in her father's footsteps as the town doctor. But years of doctoring in a small town is hard work and June is looking for another doctor to help carry the load. She hires Dr. John Stone who, along with his family, is looking to get out of the city and live in a small town. John seems to fit right into their community, until June receives information that John may be hiding a terrible secret.
This is the first book in Robyn Carr's Grace Valley trilogy, which is more or less a prequel to her Virgin River series. Carr introduces us to June, John, and many other characters in the town where everyone knows everyone's business, but some still have secrets. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and definitely will be reading the rest of the series. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
This is the first book in Robyn Carr's Grace Valley trilogy, which is more or less a prequel to her Virgin River series. Carr introduces us to June, John, and many other characters in the town where everyone knows everyone's business, but some still have secrets. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and definitely will be reading the rest of the series. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
January 4, 2025
2.5 ⭐️ This was the most wholesome, G rated book I’ve ever read. Maybe I’m toxic but I definitely need more drama and suspense. Overall, it was a quick easy read but it just didn’t feel like enough for me.
Also, I was shocked to find out this was the same author as Virgin River. The storyline and characters were so similar!!!
Also, I was shocked to find out this was the same author as Virgin River. The storyline and characters were so similar!!!
May 31, 2011
This is ultimate fluff. It's perfect for a grandmother who wants to pass the time between crocheting afghans and petting her cat. It's safe and so sweet your teeth will hurt. I'm sure in some part I was supposed to cheer, but I'm too "POLICE BRUTALITY" to do so, even if the guy DID deserve an asp in the kneecaps.
I guess that's fiction.
This saccharine-sweet story was given its chance because Robyn Carr wrote the Virgin River series, which only the first 3 books of those are worth reading...so this one had okay reviews. Robyn Carr has this knack of tying in all her little characters and stories together, and I remember Dr. June Hudson (Post? Stone?) mentioned in the Virgin River books, but can't remember her last name.
Ending this book, I'm confused as to why I even read it. Or what it was about. Or what the point was. The book is loaded with two-dimensional, secondary characters trying to pose as three-dimensional humanistic ones.
Dr. June Hudson is thirty-seven, as we are oft reminded, and her biological clock is bonging in her ear, but she isn't so sure she wants to be married because there are no eligible men in town. She doesn't necessarily want to do anything to get a baby, she just wants a baby. Aaaaand, she's a doctor. But she seems confused over basic biology.
So she treats pregnant teenagers, young mothers with five children who live on farms, and abused wives. This town has a lot of domestic abuse. She needs help running her clinic so she hires Dr. Stone, a handsome "dorky" married doctor who helps her out and all the women in town swoon over. I kind of thought June and Dr. Stone would hook up, even though that seemed a bit scandalous for such a fluffy story..but I'm not exactly sure why he was written into the story.
June's office gets broken into by two men with fake beards, and she's not afraid, so she treats the one who has a gunshot wound. The other one has beautiful blue eyes behind his fake beard and he winks at her, so she decides she's obsessed with him. He shows up exactly twice more, and talks to her like an old friend, and she figures out he's a DEA agent scoping out local marijuana growers in the mountains. He doesn't tell her this because he's supersecretive, but she guesses it. And we are reminded of this, if we are still reading.
So since no one locks their doors in this town, we are okay with Jim (the DEA agent) showing up in June's house unexpected. And we're okay with her going to seek birth control all of a sudden, even though she wants a baby, and that's the most risque decision June makes in the entire story. Shock me!
We are also supposed to be okay and not confused with the author's Duggar-heavy use of J names: June, John, Jurea, Jessica, Jim, Julianne, and I'm sure I'm missing some more. And once again, the author tries to fool us that a thirty=seven year old woman is best friends with a married male cop, and they hang out and have coffee and discuss oh, medical and police things, and everyone is okay with this.
The entire male/female relationships in this book are unbelievable. Dr. Stone (the handsome married doctor, remember, who has more page-time than any other male in this story) helps deliver this baby at a farmhouse and he's all goo-goo eyed over the baby, then June says something like she can't hold the baby either or she'll want one badly (weirdooo!) and they both reluctantly (WHAT, REALLY?) hand the baby over to its mother. This is a book full of awkwaaaaaaard moments, with all the characters.
Ugh. I've wasted too much time on this review. Don't waste your time, unless you want something safe and sweet and confusing. Read the first "Virgin River" book instead. MUCH better written, and about the same storyline.
I guess that's fiction.
This saccharine-sweet story was given its chance because Robyn Carr wrote the Virgin River series, which only the first 3 books of those are worth reading...so this one had okay reviews. Robyn Carr has this knack of tying in all her little characters and stories together, and I remember Dr. June Hudson (Post? Stone?) mentioned in the Virgin River books, but can't remember her last name.
Ending this book, I'm confused as to why I even read it. Or what it was about. Or what the point was. The book is loaded with two-dimensional, secondary characters trying to pose as three-dimensional humanistic ones.
Dr. June Hudson is thirty-seven, as we are oft reminded, and her biological clock is bonging in her ear, but she isn't so sure she wants to be married because there are no eligible men in town. She doesn't necessarily want to do anything to get a baby, she just wants a baby. Aaaaand, she's a doctor. But she seems confused over basic biology.
So she treats pregnant teenagers, young mothers with five children who live on farms, and abused wives. This town has a lot of domestic abuse. She needs help running her clinic so she hires Dr. Stone, a handsome "dorky" married doctor who helps her out and all the women in town swoon over. I kind of thought June and Dr. Stone would hook up, even though that seemed a bit scandalous for such a fluffy story..but I'm not exactly sure why he was written into the story.
June's office gets broken into by two men with fake beards, and she's not afraid, so she treats the one who has a gunshot wound. The other one has beautiful blue eyes behind his fake beard and he winks at her, so she decides she's obsessed with him. He shows up exactly twice more, and talks to her like an old friend, and she figures out he's a DEA agent scoping out local marijuana growers in the mountains. He doesn't tell her this because he's supersecretive, but she guesses it. And we are reminded of this, if we are still reading.
So since no one locks their doors in this town, we are okay with Jim (the DEA agent) showing up in June's house unexpected. And we're okay with her going to seek birth control all of a sudden, even though she wants a baby, and that's the most risque decision June makes in the entire story. Shock me!
We are also supposed to be okay and not confused with the author's Duggar-heavy use of J names: June, John, Jurea, Jessica, Jim, Julianne, and I'm sure I'm missing some more. And once again, the author tries to fool us that a thirty=seven year old woman is best friends with a married male cop, and they hang out and have coffee and discuss oh, medical and police things, and everyone is okay with this.
The entire male/female relationships in this book are unbelievable. Dr. Stone (the handsome married doctor, remember, who has more page-time than any other male in this story) helps deliver this baby at a farmhouse and he's all goo-goo eyed over the baby, then June says something like she can't hold the baby either or she'll want one badly (weirdooo!) and they both reluctantly (WHAT, REALLY?) hand the baby over to its mother. This is a book full of awkwaaaaaaard moments, with all the characters.
Ugh. I've wasted too much time on this review. Don't waste your time, unless you want something safe and sweet and confusing. Read the first "Virgin River" book instead. MUCH better written, and about the same storyline.
October 8, 2009
Deep in the Valley is the first book in Robyn Carr's Grace Valley Trilogy. This book is billed as a romance, but there's very little romance to be found here. I chose to read this book because I love Robyn Carr's Virgin River series and we meet many of the characters from Grace Valley in that series.
Deep in the Valley centers around Dr. June Hudson and the daily lives of the citizens in Grace Valley, CA. This is a small town of approximately 1500 people, and I think Robyn Carr introduces us to every single one of them over the course of this book. There are so many characters that's it's difficult to keep them straight.
June Hudson does meet and fall in love with Jim Post during this book, but they spend very little time together. In fact, if you add it up, they probably spend less than 20 pages in the same room. What little romance to be had is definitely PG rated.
Robyn Carr is the queen of making mundane details about nothing interesting. I do like the book for that reason, but the total lack of romance and character development on the part of Jim Post was a real bummer for me. I know that the romance continues between the two in the other books in the series, and I will read them for that reason, however, I am disappointed in this trilogy so far.
Deep in the Valley centers around Dr. June Hudson and the daily lives of the citizens in Grace Valley, CA. This is a small town of approximately 1500 people, and I think Robyn Carr introduces us to every single one of them over the course of this book. There are so many characters that's it's difficult to keep them straight.
June Hudson does meet and fall in love with Jim Post during this book, but they spend very little time together. In fact, if you add it up, they probably spend less than 20 pages in the same room. What little romance to be had is definitely PG rated.
Robyn Carr is the queen of making mundane details about nothing interesting. I do like the book for that reason, but the total lack of romance and character development on the part of Jim Post was a real bummer for me. I know that the romance continues between the two in the other books in the series, and I will read them for that reason, however, I am disappointed in this trilogy so far.
November 5, 2022
Start of a new series.... light and lovely romance.... New town, new characters, new drama.
May 26, 2020
Before Robyn Carr started writing the alternatively successful Virgin River series, (which I personally have found very mediocre at times), she wrote her best series: The Grace Valley books. There’s only 3 books and I’m currently re-reading them and it’s such a pleasure.
The characters are colorful, quirky and totally engaging. The main character is 37-year Dr. June Hudson, local family physician. June loves practicing medicine in her small mountain town and she takes care of her people. The backdrop of northern California is totally compelling. The scenery is beautiful and sometimes rough. June always dresses in jeans and boots because she never knows if a call will take her out in rough terrain. Grace Valley has only a few stores (gas station, bakery, and local cafe). They do their grocery shopping in Rockport. They their local police station manned by Chief Tom Topeek, a Native American, family man and best friend to June. The police 3-man squad help June and her colleague, Dr. John Stone, whenever they need assistance.
In the first book, we get to know all the main characters, and they are all hugely captivating. Take Aunt Myrna, June’s 84 year old aunt, sister to her father, retired, Dr. Elmer Hudson. She’s a bit eccentric, lives in a big mansion and writes suspense novels. There’s a story going around that she might have killed and buried her one-time husband, a travelling salesman. A rumor which is actually not true, but Aunt Myrna likes to keep that gossip going.
Best of all � in this first book � is when two men come in at gun point in June’s clinic to have a gunshot wound treated. At first glance they seem like pot growers. It turns out that one of them is an undercover DEA agent, Jim Post. June sees right through his disguise and they secretly become friends, then lovers.
When you read these books, you can actually read right through to book 2 & 3 as they read as one book (with the necessary repetition of facts being a bit redundant).
The characters are colorful, quirky and totally engaging. The main character is 37-year Dr. June Hudson, local family physician. June loves practicing medicine in her small mountain town and she takes care of her people. The backdrop of northern California is totally compelling. The scenery is beautiful and sometimes rough. June always dresses in jeans and boots because she never knows if a call will take her out in rough terrain. Grace Valley has only a few stores (gas station, bakery, and local cafe). They do their grocery shopping in Rockport. They their local police station manned by Chief Tom Topeek, a Native American, family man and best friend to June. The police 3-man squad help June and her colleague, Dr. John Stone, whenever they need assistance.
In the first book, we get to know all the main characters, and they are all hugely captivating. Take Aunt Myrna, June’s 84 year old aunt, sister to her father, retired, Dr. Elmer Hudson. She’s a bit eccentric, lives in a big mansion and writes suspense novels. There’s a story going around that she might have killed and buried her one-time husband, a travelling salesman. A rumor which is actually not true, but Aunt Myrna likes to keep that gossip going.
Best of all � in this first book � is when two men come in at gun point in June’s clinic to have a gunshot wound treated. At first glance they seem like pot growers. It turns out that one of them is an undercover DEA agent, Jim Post. June sees right through his disguise and they secretly become friends, then lovers.
When you read these books, you can actually read right through to book 2 & 3 as they read as one book (with the necessary repetition of facts being a bit redundant).
August 23, 2017
The first book in the Grace Valley Trilogy by Robyn Carr. The focus on the story is June Hudson, a doctor in the small community of Grace Valley, California. It is not a romance but more like chicklit or women's fiction, though there is a small romantic element introduced well into the story. It's sort of a small town soap opera. But it was good. The story moved nicely along without lagging or getting bogged down in too many details or explanations. I would have loved to have gotten more of a romance but that element seems almost like an afterthought. There is a great cast of characters and have a few heart-wrenching, tear-jerking moments. I think I will more than likely continue the series.
September 13, 2017
5 Deep in the Valley Stars
Wow, I have read all of the Virgin River series and I was kind of expecting a little of that, but this was a lot like it in the way of the town but not in the way of a romance.
It was on the lighter side of a romance and that’s cool. We really got to know the town and its one of the things I love best about these kinds of books. The interaction between all of the characters and how they relate to one another.
June is totally witty and cute and I love that she is dating on the side. And only a handful of people know. I can’t wait to see what is to come with her and the DEA agent.
I love the narration because hello Therese Plummer is the shit. Literally she can read me the phonebook and I would be enthralled.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
Wow, I have read all of the Virgin River series and I was kind of expecting a little of that, but this was a lot like it in the way of the town but not in the way of a romance.
It was on the lighter side of a romance and that’s cool. We really got to know the town and its one of the things I love best about these kinds of books. The interaction between all of the characters and how they relate to one another.
June is totally witty and cute and I love that she is dating on the side. And only a handful of people know. I can’t wait to see what is to come with her and the DEA agent.
I love the narration because hello Therese Plummer is the shit. Literally she can read me the phonebook and I would be enthralled.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
August 25, 2021
2015 Review
I was disappointed with the lack of romance and if I I was rated it as such then it would scrape 2-3 stars, but I have to rate this higher as it a good solid enjoyable story and deserves more.
I hope we get to see a bit more of Jim in the next book and the romance between him and June really gets going!
I was disappointed with the lack of romance and if I I was rated it as such then it would scrape 2-3 stars, but I have to rate this higher as it a good solid enjoyable story and deserves more.
I hope we get to see a bit more of Jim in the next book and the romance between him and June really gets going!
February 13, 2016
Deep in the Valley is really light on romance. In fact, shelving it as romance is probably a mistake. It's more like a mashup of small town and medical novels, if those were genres at all. The undercover DEA agent who is going to be the hero? Doesn't appear until midway through the novel. And he interacts with the heroine a grand total of three times. He has no more than ten sentences on the whole book! It's not a relationship in which one can become invested, definitely. If I hadn't read first, I couldn't care less about the budding romance between June Hudson and Jim Post.
The rest of the novel is all over the place and unfocused. The first half drags and it's a bit boring. There are too many characters with similar names and similar voices, and it's difficult to keep track of everyone. Then things finally start happening: an adulterous pastor, a secret pregnancy, two cases of abuse, a DEA raid, a rough birth, the heroine possibly saved by an angel... It was enough to keep me entertained, but it's ultimately a forgettable novel.
Where Carr really shines is in the short romance scenes. She's really good at conveying true emotion - it's easy to believe the characters are really falling for each other. However, as she gives the hero no room for characterization, he comes across as quite stalkerish. I mean, if someone I've just met twice before entered in my house while I'm gone and left flowers on my pillow, I would lock myself inside the house and install alarms asap. And he is 'an impatient lover', which is something June finds very attractive, but that together with his stalkerish stroke and his lack of sentences, makes him look a bit like a psycho.
That sentence has the honor of being the first in my newly created collection of awkward romance quotes.
The rest of the novel is all over the place and unfocused. The first half drags and it's a bit boring. There are too many characters with similar names and similar voices, and it's difficult to keep track of everyone. Then things finally start happening: an adulterous pastor, a secret pregnancy, two cases of abuse, a DEA raid, a rough birth, the heroine possibly saved by an angel... It was enough to keep me entertained, but it's ultimately a forgettable novel.
Where Carr really shines is in the short romance scenes. She's really good at conveying true emotion - it's easy to believe the characters are really falling for each other. However, as she gives the hero no room for characterization, he comes across as quite stalkerish. I mean, if someone I've just met twice before entered in my house while I'm gone and left flowers on my pillow, I would lock myself inside the house and install alarms asap. And he is 'an impatient lover', which is something June finds very attractive, but that together with his stalkerish stroke and his lack of sentences, makes him look a bit like a psycho.
There was nothing quite so sensual as impatience, nothing so titillating as a man with a weak grasp on self-control, as a lover just dying to posses.
That sentence has the honor of being the first in my newly created collection of awkward romance quotes.
July 16, 2024
This three books series predates Carr's series set in Virgin River, now well known because of the TV series,and it's a heck of a lot better. I feel as if Carr was really working on her craft here, but by the second or third Virgin River book she came up with a formula and has coasted on it ever since.
In these books there is more character development, and a greater variety of characters. The only veteran seen here is a recluse with PTSD, we don't have to keep hearing about the lead couple having the Best Sex Ever-- in fact if you don't like explicit sex scenes you will be happy to know that there are none here!
I do have a problem with something that also runs through her later books as well, that her heroines are frequently either convinced that they are infertile and/or careless about contraception, and when a pregnancy inevitably occurs no one admits that abortion is a possible choice. That bothers me. In fact, it bothers me a lot, but it doesn't keep me from reading and enjoying these books.
In these books there is more character development, and a greater variety of characters. The only veteran seen here is a recluse with PTSD, we don't have to keep hearing about the lead couple having the Best Sex Ever-- in fact if you don't like explicit sex scenes you will be happy to know that there are none here!
I do have a problem with something that also runs through her later books as well, that her heroines are frequently either convinced that they are infertile and/or careless about contraception, and when a pregnancy inevitably occurs no one admits that abortion is a possible choice. That bothers me. In fact, it bothers me a lot, but it doesn't keep me from reading and enjoying these books.
November 21, 2015
I want the hours of my life back that I spent with this pointless, meandering, preachy, obnoxious drivel.
January 21, 2018
3.5 stars
June 11, 2020
I was sorting through boxes of books during the pandemic isolation and I found a ton of Robyn Carr books and my Mom and I decided to re-read some of her earlier books because we remembered enjoying them immensely and have not liked Carr's attempts at Women's Fiction.
Deep in the Valley is the first book in a trilogy that is the precursor to her Virgin River series that is located in Northern California between the Pacific Coast Range and the Pacific Ocean. Grace Valley is a fictional small town full of quirky townsfolk where Dr. June Hudson is our main protagonist. She is the aging beloved daughter of the town who took over when her father Elmer retired after practicing for thirty five years. The story meanders around June's daily doctoring, the Valley residents' amusements and judgments with their neighbor's activities and the newly hired doctor, John Stone who was a big city OB/GYN that wanted a quieter life. He has a younger wife and there is a little drama surrounding his past, but he ends up being a godsend to the Valley and is a very good man. June is lonely and lamenting her childless state when she meets the enigmatic Jim Post .................................SPOILER who is DEA working undercover in the Trinity Alps where there is a large marijuana farm and outpost.
There is a lot to like about this story, Carr I believe set the precedent for the kind of small town romance series that many authors in the genre have benefited from, I mentioned this because after twenty years, this sort of "town of folksy quirk" trope has lost it's freshness. Then I was reminded of Carr's politics that promote (rightly) military veterans and (disappointingly) the NRA rhetoric and then there is her absolute hatred of everything "marijuana". She has a point about the militant aspect of the pot growing criminals who littered Northern California in the eighties and the nighties, but there were also a lot of Vietnam Vets and peaceful homesteaders who were growers that enhanced the economic growth of the area and lived openly in their communities, but she lumps them altogether as diabolical criminals. Carr really hates marijuana.
Twenty years later the issue seems dated, but reading this reminded me of Carr's willingness to lay her ideology bare in her books. I like and admire how she celebrates American Vets and puts their struggles forefront in the VR series, but for me there is a bit of right wing nastiness that sometimes dinges her stories.
One of the very redeeming qualities of this book is how the town changes it's values over what is right and what is complacent when getting involved with it's more vulnerable residents. June herself is very complacent and her lack of timely assertiveness causes a ton of problems and headaches, but her flaws are what ultimately make her such a relatable if a just little bit of an unlikable character. I still want to root for her HEA which didn't quite happen in this lively first book of the trilogy.
Deep in the Valley is the first book in a trilogy that is the precursor to her Virgin River series that is located in Northern California between the Pacific Coast Range and the Pacific Ocean. Grace Valley is a fictional small town full of quirky townsfolk where Dr. June Hudson is our main protagonist. She is the aging beloved daughter of the town who took over when her father Elmer retired after practicing for thirty five years. The story meanders around June's daily doctoring, the Valley residents' amusements and judgments with their neighbor's activities and the newly hired doctor, John Stone who was a big city OB/GYN that wanted a quieter life. He has a younger wife and there is a little drama surrounding his past, but he ends up being a godsend to the Valley and is a very good man. June is lonely and lamenting her childless state when she meets the enigmatic Jim Post .................................SPOILER who is DEA working undercover in the Trinity Alps where there is a large marijuana farm and outpost.
There is a lot to like about this story, Carr I believe set the precedent for the kind of small town romance series that many authors in the genre have benefited from, I mentioned this because after twenty years, this sort of "town of folksy quirk" trope has lost it's freshness. Then I was reminded of Carr's politics that promote (rightly) military veterans and (disappointingly) the NRA rhetoric and then there is her absolute hatred of everything "marijuana". She has a point about the militant aspect of the pot growing criminals who littered Northern California in the eighties and the nighties, but there were also a lot of Vietnam Vets and peaceful homesteaders who were growers that enhanced the economic growth of the area and lived openly in their communities, but she lumps them altogether as diabolical criminals. Carr really hates marijuana.
Twenty years later the issue seems dated, but reading this reminded me of Carr's willingness to lay her ideology bare in her books. I like and admire how she celebrates American Vets and puts their struggles forefront in the VR series, but for me there is a bit of right wing nastiness that sometimes dinges her stories.
One of the very redeeming qualities of this book is how the town changes it's values over what is right and what is complacent when getting involved with it's more vulnerable residents. June herself is very complacent and her lack of timely assertiveness causes a ton of problems and headaches, but her flaws are what ultimately make her such a relatable if a just little bit of an unlikable character. I still want to root for her HEA which didn't quite happen in this lively first book of the trilogy.
March 29, 2017
Generally, I am not a fan of romances. Like many young females, I went through a Harlequin phase in my early teens. This was when Harlequins were heavy on dominant males and light on sexual activity. I soon graduated to Sidney Sheldon, Judith Krantz and Harold Robbins....and in a whirlwind left the tame romance world behind. Flash forward forty years and I find myself inexplicably bound by Robyn Carr. I absolutely adore The Virgin River series which led me to the Grace Valley "prequels".
I adore these characters. The feel of community, imperfections, and yes, grace, will lead me through this trilogy.
I adore these characters. The feel of community, imperfections, and yes, grace, will lead me through this trilogy.
January 9, 2025
This was a cute little book and a pretty easy read. I enjoyed it as one that didn't make me think too hard. June was a good main character and was easy to like. Her issues and eventual resolution with John over the possible sexual assault allegations added a bit of mystery to the story. The character development was done well with each person but I did find myself forgetting who was who throughout. My biggest dislike was how the story ended between her and Jim. There is a second book in this series so I'm sure it's addressed there. I'm just not sure I liked it enough or care enough to read a sequel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2020
After contentedly finishing all bazillion of Robyn Carr’s Virgin River books, I was looking for another comforting option. This may be it, but it’s just not quite as glorious. Although, kudos to the narrator. She’s excellent.
July 9, 2020
As a huge fan of VR, it was fun to see so many familiar faces and ties to a beloved series. I spent the entire time saying, "Now, I understand!" I usually dislike reading out of order, but in this circumstance, I actually appreciated it more. Having known most the characters and setting, it felt like visiting old friends. On to the next installment.
April 15, 2020
Der Klappentext:
Grace Valley - Ein Ort zum Träumen!
Tagsüber schließt niemand die Türen ab, auf den Fensterbänken stehen köstlich duftende Kuchen zum Auskühlen und die Bewohner sind wie eine Familie. Das ist es, was June Hudson so an ihrem Heimatstädtchen Grace Valley mag. Und weshalb sie nach ihrem Studium in der Großstadt zurückgekehrt ist, um die Arztpraxis ihres Vaters zu übernehmen. Sie geht mit Herz und Seele in ihrer Arbeit auf und kümmert sich zu jeder Tages- und Nachtzeit um die Menschen im Ort. Platz für Romantik bleibt da nicht. Bis ein gut aussehender Unbekannter ihren Weg kreuzt und sie sich Hals über Kopf in ihn verliebt. Doch diese Liebe muss ein Geheimnis bleiben, denn Jim Post muss seine Identität verbergen.
Meine Meinung:
Zurück in Virgin River - oder nein, doch nicht. In der Trilogie im Grace Valley trifft man trotzdem auf einen alten Bekannten Dr. John Stone. Der June zukünftig und der Praxis unterstützen wird.
Auf ihm und seiner Vorgeschichte liegt auch ein hoher Augenmerk in diesem Buch, trotzdem ist June natürlich die weibliche Hauptprotagonistin. Sie ist ein sehr interessanter Charakter - mutig, wahnsinnig hilfsbereit, selbstbewusst und doch schüchtern. Zudem sitzt sie beruflich fest im Sattel, allerdings ist in ihrem Privatleben noch viel Luft nach oben, da sie andere Menschen immer über ihr eigenes Wohl stellt. Eine Mischung die mir sehr gut gefällt.
Wie man es von Robyn Carr gewohnt ist, ist der Schreibstil locker, bildlich und gefühlvoll. Auch eine Prise Romantik und Crime ist wieder dabei, die dem ganzen die Spannung bringt und mich gut unterhalten hat. Trotzdem gefällt mir persönlich die Virgin River Reihe besser, da die Stadt und die Bewohner einfach eingängiger sind und mehr Charme ausstrahlen - daher gibt es nur 4 Sterne.
Grace Valley - Ein Ort zum Träumen!
Tagsüber schließt niemand die Türen ab, auf den Fensterbänken stehen köstlich duftende Kuchen zum Auskühlen und die Bewohner sind wie eine Familie. Das ist es, was June Hudson so an ihrem Heimatstädtchen Grace Valley mag. Und weshalb sie nach ihrem Studium in der Großstadt zurückgekehrt ist, um die Arztpraxis ihres Vaters zu übernehmen. Sie geht mit Herz und Seele in ihrer Arbeit auf und kümmert sich zu jeder Tages- und Nachtzeit um die Menschen im Ort. Platz für Romantik bleibt da nicht. Bis ein gut aussehender Unbekannter ihren Weg kreuzt und sie sich Hals über Kopf in ihn verliebt. Doch diese Liebe muss ein Geheimnis bleiben, denn Jim Post muss seine Identität verbergen.
Meine Meinung:
Zurück in Virgin River - oder nein, doch nicht. In der Trilogie im Grace Valley trifft man trotzdem auf einen alten Bekannten Dr. John Stone. Der June zukünftig und der Praxis unterstützen wird.
Auf ihm und seiner Vorgeschichte liegt auch ein hoher Augenmerk in diesem Buch, trotzdem ist June natürlich die weibliche Hauptprotagonistin. Sie ist ein sehr interessanter Charakter - mutig, wahnsinnig hilfsbereit, selbstbewusst und doch schüchtern. Zudem sitzt sie beruflich fest im Sattel, allerdings ist in ihrem Privatleben noch viel Luft nach oben, da sie andere Menschen immer über ihr eigenes Wohl stellt. Eine Mischung die mir sehr gut gefällt.
Wie man es von Robyn Carr gewohnt ist, ist der Schreibstil locker, bildlich und gefühlvoll. Auch eine Prise Romantik und Crime ist wieder dabei, die dem ganzen die Spannung bringt und mich gut unterhalten hat. Trotzdem gefällt mir persönlich die Virgin River Reihe besser, da die Stadt und die Bewohner einfach eingängiger sind und mehr Charme ausstrahlen - daher gibt es nur 4 Sterne.
August 20, 2015
I am glad that I read some GR reviews that led me to read this Grace Valley series before I began the Virgin River series. For a review of the storyline, click on .
This is my first book by Robyn Carr and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the audiobook. Therese Plummer did an excellent job with the pacing of the story as well as differentiating among the various characters. It was easy to keep ALL of them straight.
June Hudson, the town doctor, knows exactly what she has given up in order to be a small town doctor. That doesn't mean, thanks to a good writer, that June is missing out on anything. I kept flip flopping with my reaction to John Stone, the doctor June hired. Did he or didn't he????
All in all, it was an enjoyable listen. Some of the characters and situations reminded me of when I taught in the little burg of Danby, VT. Poverty, dreaming, ignorance, innocence...they were all present. I look forward to listening to the rest of the Grace Valley trilogy.
Go CARDS! L1C4!!
This is my first book by Robyn Carr and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the audiobook. Therese Plummer did an excellent job with the pacing of the story as well as differentiating among the various characters. It was easy to keep ALL of them straight.
June Hudson, the town doctor, knows exactly what she has given up in order to be a small town doctor. That doesn't mean, thanks to a good writer, that June is missing out on anything. I kept flip flopping with my reaction to John Stone, the doctor June hired. Did he or didn't he????
All in all, it was an enjoyable listen. Some of the characters and situations reminded me of when I taught in the little burg of Danby, VT. Poverty, dreaming, ignorance, innocence...they were all present. I look forward to listening to the rest of the Grace Valley trilogy.
Go CARDS! L1C4!!
November 27, 2015
I really love the Virgin River series, so I have been wanting to try this one as I have seen some of these characters in those books. I wonder though if I went into these books with too high expectations. While overall I did like this book it just didn't have the greatness of VR.
One of my big issues with this book was that so much happened in this book. Granted the book did take place over a few months, but in such a little town I have to really wonder how so many different events happened. I also think that the town was so hypocritical. The town was going on and on about how they were there for each other, but in ways that mattered they weren't. I was glad that the town called themselves on it, but for me it was a case of too little too late.
Also I don't even want to start on the male/female relationships. There was beaten spouses, of all ages, May/December relationships, and drug runners all around.
I will read the rest of the series, but will go in with much lower expectations.
One of my big issues with this book was that so much happened in this book. Granted the book did take place over a few months, but in such a little town I have to really wonder how so many different events happened. I also think that the town was so hypocritical. The town was going on and on about how they were there for each other, but in ways that mattered they weren't. I was glad that the town called themselves on it, but for me it was a case of too little too late.
Also I don't even want to start on the male/female relationships. There was beaten spouses, of all ages, May/December relationships, and drug runners all around.
I will read the rest of the series, but will go in with much lower expectations.
May 16, 2011
I fell asleep reading this book, which should tell you how uninteresting it is.
Robyn Carr specialises in writing about everyday events, but she generally has a plot to go with them. This book had nothing happening. We met just about every resident of the region and followed them around doing everyday things, but I couldn't figure out what the actual story was.
The Virgin River series is not without its faults, but at least there is usually a story! You do not need to read the Grace Valley trilogy to appreciate Virgin River. Skip this trilogy and save your money.
Robyn Carr specialises in writing about everyday events, but she generally has a plot to go with them. This book had nothing happening. We met just about every resident of the region and followed them around doing everyday things, but I couldn't figure out what the actual story was.
The Virgin River series is not without its faults, but at least there is usually a story! You do not need to read the Grace Valley trilogy to appreciate Virgin River. Skip this trilogy and save your money.
February 21, 2021
I really should have read all these series in order! I started with Thunder Point, then Virgin River.....this book has characters that show up in VR. It was interesting seeing John Stone getting his start in the area. June Hudson is a doctor in a small rural town in northern CA. She hires a new doctor to help out in the practice, but starts to find things that make her think he's not what he says he is. She also meets a DEA agent who is undercover. Lots of interesting characters and it will be interesting to see where this trilogy goes. Thankfully, it's not a cliff hanger!
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