Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
OK, my latest trip to Virgin River has kind of given me the icks. The hero is Navajo and the heroine is Hopi. I did some research on the internet and I haven’t been able to find anything that confirms that Robyn Carr is of either Navajo or Hopi heritage or has a connection to either community that could give her some authority to accurately portray Hopi or Navajo people. Maybe she is or does, but I would have loved to have been told that in a foreword or afterword. I had a problem with how “Native men” were physically objectified by other characters and described collectively as a group as “exotic,” “full of hormones” and “too-hot-to-handle.” The “reservation” is mentioned as this sort of idyllic place that they both come from that is steeped in tradition and is some sort of pastoral paradise, with nary a mention of some of the socioeconomic issues that many people on reservation face. The hero of course has “magical” powers to speak to animals and is lauded as a horse whisperer. I could go on. Is it great that a book features indigenous characters and attempts to portray them in a positive light? Absolutely! Loved that the Grace Valley police chief is indigenous, for example. But this book feels like a very superficial and, well, whitewashed, view of what life for Hopi and Navajo people are like.
Based on Amazon.com reviews, I didn't think I would like this one. Why do I listen to other people? Some of the complaints about the book were that there was too much of the other characaters lives in the story of Clay and Lilly. But that is what the whole Virgin River series is about. I loved it. Both Clay and Lilly are modern people living with tradional cultural values. Carr does not make a mockery of their heritage and not a lot of time is spent on Native American history, just some attention paid to the individual history of the two characters.
Clay is described as a man beautiful in body and in spirit and when Lilly's friend Dane swoons at the sight of him, is just priceless. Makes me wonder who her model for Clay was? Great book which keeps you updated on the lives of the citizens of Virgin River.
Clay is described as a man beautiful in body and in spirit and when Lilly's friend Dane swoons at the sight of him, is just priceless. Makes me wonder who her model for Clay was? Great book which keeps you updated on the lives of the citizens of Virgin River.
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
This one was a bit different and I enjoyed that. I think I may have enjoyed the side stories in this more than the primary couple story...but I did enjoy all of it. I dont think I've mentioned it in any of my reviews so far...but the audio narrator for this series is AMAZING.
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was actually surprised by how much I liked this. Not really a 4-star read but definitely one of the better books in the series to me.
Unlike some of the other reviewers here I really liked that this book focused on Clay and Lilly rather than jumping all about. The pacing felt just right and I felt like I could connect with them a lot more this way. Unlike in previous installments, the characters actually developed a relationship instead of just being in one right away.
I liked Lilly as a lead - unlike some of the other characters, she is relatable and flawed without being either annoying or unrealistic.Also, for once, her story doesn’t end with her being pregnant
I liked the slightly more diverse representation, both in the romantic Leads being Native American as well as in their stories with Clay being a teen parent and Lilly’s backstory.
Being European, I can’t really judge the Native representation, but the book did not strike me as uneducated or outright racist. It has its faults and stereotypes(the talking to the horses and being in their dreams was a bit much, ngl) as it has on any issue that’s slightly more progressive than the 1980s, but I think it’s fair to say that this far into the series, you know what you’re getting into. According to Carr‘s acknowledgments she consulted with an Native person on this Book, which is good.
I’ll definitely be moving on to Virgin River #12and hope we‘ll see more of Clay and Lilly in the books to come.
Unlike some of the other reviewers here I really liked that this book focused on Clay and Lilly rather than jumping all about. The pacing felt just right and I felt like I could connect with them a lot more this way. Unlike in previous installments, the characters actually developed a relationship instead of just being in one right away.
I liked Lilly as a lead - unlike some of the other characters, she is relatable and flawed without being either annoying or unrealistic.
I liked the slightly more diverse representation, both in the romantic Leads being Native American as well as in their stories with Clay being a teen parent and Lilly’s backstory.
Being European, I can’t really judge the Native representation, but the book did not strike me as uneducated or outright racist. It has its faults and stereotypes
I’ll definitely be moving on to Virgin River #12and hope we‘ll see more of Clay and Lilly in the books to come.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Sexual content
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Miscarriage, Racism, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation
Minor: Animal death, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, War
How can a book trying so hard not to be racist be so racist?!?!
So many stereotypes! I tried to give it an open mind but I really couldn't.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Clay Tahoma decides to join Nate Kincaid as his new veterinary assistant, moving from Texas to be nearer to his teenaged son, Gabe, and his sister. He's a member of the Navajo Nation and very proud of his heritage. He became a father at 17 and takes his responsibilities seriously and is looking forward to having Gabe live with him after having had his parents take care of him for the past couple of years. Clay is a natural with horses leading some to call him a horse whisperer.
Lily Yahzi is a blue-eyed Hopi Indian who was raised by her grandfather. She's never known her father and her mother left her when she was a baby. Unlike Clay, she hasn't embraced her family heritage, especially given the absence of her parents in her life. Lily had her heart broken at a young age and is wary and distrustful of Native men. She has a special talent with horses as well.
Clay is enamored of Lily at first sight and uses his authenticity to break down her barriers. Tension arises when his ex-wife comes to visit and their budding relationship is put to the test.
Meanwhile, Jack Sheridan is facing his own set of trials when the death of one of the residents puts him in an awkward position when he's named the executor of the town trust. Typical Jack doesn't listen to advice and goes his own way and steps into a load of trouble and controversy, which is something we don't normally see in this community.
A young man, Denny Cutler, comes to town in search for a biological father he's never met and who doesn't know he has a son. Well, now.....
While many of our favorite residents of Virgin River make appearances, the stories are not substantive as we've come to expect. Clay and Lily's story is romantic and at the forefront but I missed having all the subplots normally present in this series. It's a good story but not as great as others to date. I am rating this 3.5 stars with the rounding to 4 because it is better than a 3-star entry.
Lily Yahzi is a blue-eyed Hopi Indian who was raised by her grandfather. She's never known her father and her mother left her when she was a baby. Unlike Clay, she hasn't embraced her family heritage, especially given the absence of her parents in her life. Lily had her heart broken at a young age and is wary and distrustful of Native men. She has a special talent with horses as well.
Clay is enamored of Lily at first sight and uses his authenticity to break down her barriers. Tension arises when his ex-wife comes to visit and their budding relationship is put to the test.
Meanwhile, Jack Sheridan is facing his own set of trials when the death of one of the residents puts him in an awkward position when he's named the executor of the town trust. Typical Jack doesn't listen to advice and goes his own way and steps into a load of trouble and controversy, which is something we don't normally see in this community.
A young man, Denny Cutler, comes to town in search for a biological father he's never met and who doesn't know he has a son. Well, now.....
While many of our favorite residents of Virgin River make appearances, the stories are not substantive as we've come to expect. Clay and Lily's story is romantic and at the forefront but I missed having all the subplots normally present in this series. It's a good story but not as great as others to date. I am rating this 3.5 stars with the rounding to 4 because it is better than a 3-star entry.