A review by catymart83
Paradise Valley by Robyn Carr

5.0

Paradise Valley is the seventh addition to the Virgin River series and I was really looking forward to it. It follows the story of Rick, after he is injured in Iraq and how he pushes those he loves the most away including his long-time girlfriend Liz who must decide if she'll follow her heart and pursue him or let him go as he asks of her. Paradise Valley also continues the story of Cameron and Abby from where it left off in Temptation Ridge as they try to get beyond their rough beginning and re-introduces us to two old characters as they try to get beyond their troubled pasts and begin to grow closer. We also catch up on the progress of Walt & Muriel's relationship and reunite with favorite Virgin River characters like Jack, Mel, Preacher, Paige, Brie, etc. While I still loved and enjoyed this new Virgin River installment, I have to admit it did seem to contain a lot of filler having to do with expounding on relationships and people I didn't really care about yet simultaneosly skimping on those I did (like Brie & Mike- that now makes three books that have barely talked about them in personal detail!). Another thing that bothered me was that only one small scene was told from the P.O.V of Liz, one of my favorite characters; I thought the book would have focused way more on Rick & Liz's relationship (since that was how it was described on the back cover) but the book dealt more with Cameron & Abby, Walt & Muriel, Dan & Cheryl, and Rick & Jack. Also, Paradise Valley didn't have that much romance at all; there were only two detailed romantic scenes-one was a fantasy and the other was very vague and fuzzy. Despite my gripes, however, overall, I did enjoy Paradise Valley but I do find I'm a little disappointed with the last three Virgin River installments (Second Chance Pass, Temptation Ridge , and Paradise Valley). But, overall, I'd still recommend them for fun, entertaining reads.