Temptation Ridge: A Virgin River Novel – A Small Town Romance from the Hit Netflix Series

I just finished this book today and ready to begin book 7 and looking forward to if that one is a great as this one. Robyn outdid herself with an emotional, funny, gripping and romantic book. Almost predictable is a lost marriage of Abby's, one-night-stand with Cam and a broken condom, antibiotics lessening the effects of the pill and well....read and you'll follow along.

Temptation Ridge is Book 6 in Robyn Carr's Virgin River series. If one goes online to check out any of Ms. Carr's books, they will find themselves awash in comments from devoted followers. Why the adulation? Because Ms. Carr delivers on a theme readers the world over, love. Brave military men and the women who love them who live to a code of honor, seemingly missing in today's gimme, gimme, entitlement era.I love that this series provides new characters with their struggles while keeping us informed on the previous characters who inhabit tiny Virgin River, her fictional town in the Humboldt County redwoods. That said, I have a few issues with this particular book. While the characters, old and new, are interesting and developed so that I want to see what's happening next, this is the book where I got a little jaded at the pages and pages of hot, mind-blowing sex. I'm no prude, but there comes a point when a good thing can be overdone, and I found myself skipping pages to get to the plot. Also, and I understand that it is one person creating the scenes, but each character in the boinking episodes seems to do and say the same things as other characters in previous books. I would have preferred some variation on the theme (one of the reasons I really liked the story of Preacher and Paige-he wasn't a jaded Lothario, used to sex anywhere and everywhere. That made him rather endearing.)Okay, this is the story of (mainly) Luke Riordan, eldest brother of five Irish American boys. Luke is thirty-eight, recently retired from an Army career flying Black hawks, a veteran of five conflicts and having been shot down three times. He's also the veteran of a very brief, painful marriage that has left him scarred on the inside, unable to commit to any woman. He meets General Walt Booth's niece Shelby McIntyre as she arrives in Virgin River to spend time at her uncle's. It's instant attraction for both Shelby and Luke, but Luke figures she's a teenager and off-limits. Shelby is young, just twenty-five, but after years of caring for her ill mother, she's ready to see life and the things she's missed. She's never had a boyfriend, never had sex, and she wants Luke to be the first. Luke attempts to discourage her, but not very hard-after all, this is Virgin River and the author is Robyn Carr.As Shelby and Luke get better acquainted, friendship turns to something much more satisfying. I found Shelby quite refreshing as an inexperienced girl who knew what she wanted. Luke was harder to warm up to until his gentle side emerged. I liked the way he took Art Cleary, a young man with Down's syndrome under his wing.Meanwhile, Walt is falling for retired actress Muriel St. Claire, and the feeling is mutual, even though the five-times-married Muriel wants only an affair.Early in the story, we're treated to Joe Benson's marriage to flight attendant Nikki. Nikki's and Vanni's flight attendant friend Abby is a member of the wedding party and she hides the fact that her own marriage is over-has been over for quite some time. She seeks solace in the hotel bar and runs into Dr. Cameron Michaels. They talk, have drinks, and end up in his room for a night of sex. Michaels awakens in the morning and Abby has gone. But Cameron cannot forget Abby and he goes to great lengths to track her down.Ms. Carr does a fantastic job of tying each of the threads into a finely woven ending, but you'll have to get your own copy to see how she does it.As I said earlier, I found the almost nonstop sex a bit tedious, but Mr. Carr redeemed herself with some good conflict, danger, great insight into the human psyche and enough sweeteners to make me anticipate the next story.

A fantastic addition to the series. I would say this one is easily as good as (if not better than) book 1 Virgin River. I was up all night reading it, couldn't put it down! The main romance of this book is Luke and Shelby, and I just loved them from beginning to end. Unlike some of the other books in this series we see a lot of the main romance couple. And they are amazing together. Shelby is my favorite kind of heroine: smart, funny, level-headed but not over-done. She was so real. And Luke was so perfect for her. It was a wonderful (and at times very steamy!) romance to watch. Made me laugh, swoon, and sigh. They meet and are instantly attracted, but both know that neither are what they want in a relationship. He is 38 with a world of experience, she 25 without much behind her. He is the love'em and leave'em kind of guy, while she needs the romance with love and marriage...etc. However, the way their story unfolded was far from predictable, and very touching.We get to see more of past characters too as well as updates on new budding romances. Some of the secondary stories include Walt and Muriel's story, which continues in such a sweet way. Another story includes Luke and a mentally challenged homeless person who he helps out, someone I am sure we will see more of in future books. I enjoyed that storyline a lot. We also meet several of Luke's brothers, and they have 'future hero' written all over them! I will not be surprised if one or two of them find their own romances in upcoming books. (I hope so!) And do you remember the town drunk from book 1? Yeah, she's back and connects with Mel in a big way. We also see a bit more of Cam, the Doc from Grants Pass, OR who we met in Second Chance Pass. He has his eye on one of Vanni's friends. It may sound like a lot of characters, but when they come together the story just flowed.There are a lot of emotions in this book from happy, funny, tearful, steamy, suspensful and more. I can't wait for the next book that comes out next month. I also hope we get a Christmas book again to hold us over until the next series comes out in 2010. I am hooked on this series and will need the fix.Lastly, I will say that these books are best read in order, but I think a person could read this one as a stand-alone. (Although I wouldn't really recommend it.) Enjoy!

Several love stories go on in Robyn's books. It's like layers! Such a brilliant writer with a sense of humor. Appreciate the great editing, too. I've put down books that had run on sentences and mistakes. Her books are very well written on every level.I lived in Humboldt County for 10 years and my son was born at home with a midwife in Bridgeville on HWY 36 in 1979. The Van Duzen river next to my house was at flood stage the night/morning my son was born. So I appreciate the character Mel who is a midwife, and the setting of the story.It was a happy ending!

I read all of the Virgin River series and absolutely loved it. There is just enough steamy mixed with adventure, mystery, sometimes crime, and lots of drama! I couldn't put them down. It only took me about 4 months to read all of this series (many many books to enjoy!) and I wish there were more! 10/10 highly recommend this series! It is way better than the TV rendition.

I love this book very much I would recommend this book to all my friends it made me feel a lot of things about myself it made me laugh it made me cry definitely recommend this book

I am from a small town myself. I no doubt would never be happy if I were to move to a big city. This book just makes living in rural area , more intriguing.Each book I read, in this series, connects me to more folks in the story. Three are several great characters in each book whom still have untold endings. I will now read book #7.

Great book

Temptation Ridge features Luke and Shelby along with the growing list of characters as we catch up with the lives in Virgin River. The community spirit makes this endearing series one where the drama and romance are in equal measure. Mel helps the town alcoholic, something she had wanted to do for a time getting the chance she forges ahead hoping for the best outcome. Romances never run smooth this one has it's ups and downs and needs help, it comes from Luke's brother who steps in when needed as the kind hearted Luke nearly losing all.Have the tissues ready and enjoy this amazing addition to the series.

I started to read these books after watching the Netflix series and i love them. This is the first one that has made me cry. I love Shelby and Luke. I even contemplated reading ahead but resisted. I can't wait to read more. These are so much better than the series. It won't stop me watching on Netflix as soon different. Best of both worlds.

I am enjoying reading this series of books. I like the way the characters progress within each book. So after you have finished reading about them in their individual book and you move onto the next one in the series. So do they and then you have a growing community of characters. I didn't enjoy this as much as the previous five as I found it rather bitty with different romances going on but am hoping this is just a blip as I can see the potential as more storylines unfold.

Lovable characters, can't stop reading storyline. Beautiful scenery. felt all the emotions with the characters. I look forward to reading the next

Just as riveting as the previous in the series, introducing new characters to support the original. Couldnt put it down, Great 8th chapter of the series.