Virgin Riverhas become one of Robyn Carr’s most popular book series, especially with the rise of its accompanying Netflix series, andmany are curious about what they should read nextonce devouring the books. As theVirgin Riverseries itself has over 20 booksin total, the stories can pull readers in for quite some time as they work their way through.
Carr’s books, especially theVirgin Riverseries,have become a major source of comfort for some readerswho turn to the books in tough moments, or find solace in reading the small-town stories. While some look toVirgin Riverbooks for their romantic touch, others enjoy the dramatic plots that ultimately resolve themselves in an intriguing, interesting way each time.
Once readers have finished workingtheir way through theVirgin Riverseries, however,it can be tough to land on where to go next. After spending so much time with a series, it can be difficult to decide what to invest your time in. Here are a few suggestions on what to look for once you’ve finished reading through Carr’sVirgin Riverseries.
10Thunder Point (Series)
Robyn Carr
Like theVirgin Riverseries, Carr’sThunder Pointseries follows the interconnected lives of residents in a small coastal Oregon town. Across several books, readers meet newcomers searching for fresh starts, locals navigating change, and romances blossoming all in one community.Carr’s blend of heartfelt relationships, personal healing, and scenic charm makesThunder Pointa natural complementto her Virgin River series.
Both worlds offer an ensemble cast where each book focuses on a new romance while revisiting familiar characters in the process. With themes of resilience, friendship, and found family central in both series,Thunder Pointis similar toVirgin River. Bringing the same sort of emotional warmth to the page,readers of theVirgin Riverseries will be able to invest inThunder Point, too.
9Evvie Drake Starts Over
Linda Holmes
In NPR host Linda Holmes' debut novel, Evvie Drake takes on a breadth of emotion.Evvie Drake Starts Oversees Evvie, a recently widowed woman in small-town Maine, grappling with grief in her own specific way. WhileEvvie is trying to handle the loss of her difficult relationship, a former major league baseball player rents an apartment in her home, and the pair connect.
Not necessarily a traditional romance,Evvie Drake Starts Overwill resonate with fans of theVirgin Riverseries for a few reasons. Bringing the heavy topics of grief, mourning, and emotional intimacy to light,Evvie Drake Starts Overhas a similar small-town feel toVirgin Riverand focuses on ensuring the protagonists reflect different sides of the community.
Standing alone as a piece of its own,Evvie Drakemay not be part of a series, but the story is infectious, heartwarming, and enduring in its own way.
8Remarkably Bright Creatures
Shelby Van Pelt
More of a drama than theVirgin Riverseries, Shelby Van Pelt’sRemarkably Bright Creaturescaptures the familial essence of the series in a gripping story. A blend of literary fiction and magical realism, the story follows widow Tova Sullivan as she works overnight at a small-town aquarium. Befriending Marcellus, a giant octopus with a mind of his own, Tova’s inner life is rich.
Using alternating perspectives, Tova interchanges with other characters, including Marcellus, throughout the book. Like theVirgin Riverseries,Remarkably Bright Creaturesallows for a range of emotions to hit the reader throughout the novel. Despite not featuring much or a romance in the book, the love felt between the characters is palpable throughout the story.
Remarkably Bright Creaturesweaves together multiple characters’ arcs, focusing on how compassion and kindness ripple through a close-knit community.
7Whiskey Beach
Nora Roberts
Nora Roberts may be one of the best to ever write in the romance and mystery genres, andWhiskey Beachis one of the books in her canon most like theVirgin Riverseries. A story of romantic suspense, Whiskey Beach follows a lawyer falsely accused of murder who tries to rebuild his life in a small coastal northeast town.
WhileWhiskey Beachhas a bit more mystery to it than theVirgin Riverseries, it blends together the romantic, mysterious, and small-town elements of Carr’s series in a different way. With a similar small-town setting,Whiskey Beachfocuses on someone rebuilding their life after tragic circumstances, hitting the same emotional beats as some of theVirgin Riverstories have.
BothWhiskey BeachandVirgin Riveroffer remarkable character workand share similar themes that readers can connect with.
6The Sleepwalker’s Guide To Dancing
Mira Jacob
The Sleepwalkers Guide To Dancingby Mira Jacob is an expansive novel that follows photographer Amina Eapen as she tries to unravel her family’s complicated history. While the story is at times darker than theVirgin Riverseries,it offers some similar themes that readers would enjoy after reading Carr’s novels. Rooted in familial drama, the story moves through intense emotional beats.
While Mira Jacob is able to recapture some formative memories and current moments throughout the novel, the heart of the story is between Amina and her father, who suddenly seems to be talking to his deceased relatives.Jacob is able to capture the interpersonal bonds between parents and their adult children with ease. Hitting similar emotional elements, the novel is reminiscent ofVirgin Riverin theme.
5Lucky Harbor (Series)
Jill Shalvis
Another series thatVirgin Riverreaders may enjoy,Jill Shalvis’Lucky Harborseries is a beloved small-town romance collection. Set in Washington, this coastal series has several different books that focus on couples in the area, but sees recurring characters throughout each novel. While the series has more romance thanVirgin River,it packs a similar punch to Carr’s series.
TheLucky Harborbooks share a lot in common with theVirgin Riverseries, even though there are many places where they diverge. Throughout theVirgin Riverbooks, there’s a fair bit more interpersonal and plot-driven drama, while theLucky Harborbooks are more focused on romantic tension. Regardless,they both share a romantic energy and a small-town feel throughout the series.
TheLucky Harborseries may be something lighter for those who just finished reading throughVirgin River.
4Tom Lake
Ann Patchett
Ann Patchett’sTom Lakeis a more literary style than theVirgin Riverseries, following a stream-of-consciousness flow from the main character, Lara. Throughout the novel,Patchett is able to weave together a tale that unravels Lara’s life as a young actress, leading to the present. With the narrator telling the story of her life aloud to her children and internally, the story is complicated.
WhileTom Lakeis often a very different story than somethingVirgin Riverreaders would anticipate, the pacing and the small-town feeling that the novel brings forth should feel familiar to readers. Tugging the heartstrings in a familial sense and a romantic one,Tom Lakemay be a great read for those who have finishedVirgin Riverand are looking for something structurally different.
3The Pumpkin Spice Café
Laurie Gilmore
As the first in a cozy romantic series,The Pumpkin Spice Cafébrings small-town vibes to a whole new level. Laurie Gilmore’s romance sees Jeanie moving to a small town after inheriting a café and figuring out how to work at a whole new pace. While Gilmore’s story is the first in a series of cozy romances,its likeness toVirgin Rivercan’t be mistaken.
WhileThe Pumpkin Spice Cafédoes feel gentler in terms of drama than theVirgin Riverseries, it’s a small-town romance that allows readers to settle in and get comfortable, much like Carr’s books. Both focus on the interpersonal lives of characters in a small-town, and while theVirgin Riverseries has a touch more drama,The Pumpkin Spice Cafécould give readers a break.
2Thank You For Listening
Julia Whelan
Julia Whelan’sThank You For Listeningfollows Sewanee Chester, an audiobook narrator who has buried her past without preparing for it to come back to haunt her. Throughout the novel,Seawanee has to grapple with a lot of personal change, reminiscent of characters throughout theVirgin Riverseries. While there is romance, the book tackles much more than romantic relationships.
Sewanee has to deal with changes to her friendships, ownership of the person she’s become, professional changes, and familial issues as she moves through one of the most difficult times of her life. ThroughoutThank You For Listening, things change and Sewanee has to understand how to change with them. Fans of theVirgin Riverserieswill enjoy the emotional honesty of the novel.
1Blue Heron (Series)
Kristan Higgins
Kristan Higgins’Blue Heronseries offers another series of novels for Virgin River fans, this time following the owners a family-owned winery. While theBlue Heronseries doesn’t always stick with the family, it revolves around the same cast of characters throughout the series, with drama rippling throughout each book. Sometimes harsher thanVirgin Rivernovels,Higgins' series is full of page-turners.
LikeVirgin Riverbooks,theBlue Heronseries makes quick work of interconnecting the stories throughout each book. With returning characters, familiar faces, and a deep understanding of the setting, Higgins makes it clear that the books have a point of view. TheBlue Heronseries can lean more towards humor thanVirgin River, but offers the same level of emotion and intrigue.
