Kathrynn's Reviews > A Virgin River Christmas

There wasn't a whole lot to this short book (285 pages) and there was some filler left in the story (explaining something, then explaining it again) or possibly the book needed a good edit.

The main characters were all right. Ian turned himself into a recluse and chose to live--alone--on the mountain in a cabin without any amenities. He was almost barbaric with the roaring... Marcie's character was very likable and I admired her fortitude in sticking with her goal of finding Ian--despite the lack of sibling support. (Erin needed to get a life).

The author says in the beginning that this would be a great story to pick up and begin the series...I disagree. If I had not read (and loved) the Virgin River series I would have hated this book. As it was, what I enjoyed most was reading about the previous series characters.

Mel and Jack (my favorites), Mike and Brie, Paige and John (Preacher), Doc, etc., were all in this one. The main plot to this story just did not hold my interest: tortured past from the hero; invalid war hero and subsequent death; war and all its horrors; reclusive mountain people, grouchy old men.

And it could have used another chapter or two to finish the blasted story!

The story had me boo-hooing through some very sad parts near the ending, so it touched me emotionally; that's the justification for 4 stars from This Reader.