The Ideal Order for Reading the Virgin River Books

Discover the proper Virgin River book series order in preparation for the arrival of Virgin River Season 5 Part 2 on Netflix, packed with holiday cheer and captivating drama. Created by Robyn Carr, the Virgin River series, first published in 2007, has endured for more than a decade, with the latest installment released in 2022.

Both the Virgin River books and the series chronicle the journey of Melinda “Mel” Monroe, who responds to an ad for a midwife and nurse practitioner position in a secluded Northern California town. Seeking a new beginning, she quickly discovers that drama is always close at hand.

If you're ready to dive into the Virgin River series, here's the recommended reading order.

How many Virgin River books are there?

There are currently 21 books in the Virgin River series, along with 5 extra book series anthologies.

Carr also published a recipe book in 2022 featuring meals from the original book series for fans to recreate. The series comprises contemporary romance stories that stand alone, with familiar faces from the TV series and some new characters to discover.

In fact, the book series is so popular that it has appeared on Harper Collins’ 200 Iconic Books Over 200 Years list.

Virgin River books in release order

The release order and chronological order for the Virgin River books are one and the same, meaning the timeline is incredibly easy for fans to follow.

That order looks something like this:

Virgin River

Shelter Mountain

Whispering Rock

A Virgin River Christmas

Second Chance Pass

Temptation Ridge

Paradise Valley

Under the Christmas Tree

Forbidden Falls

Angel’s Peak

Moonlight Road

Midnight Confessions

Promise Canyon

Wild Man Creek

Harvest Moon

Bring Me Home for Christmas

Hidden Summit

Redwood Bend

Sunrise Point

My Kind of Christmas

Return to Virgin River

Virgin River

The Virgin River story officially begins here with Mel spotting the midwife ad for the town of Virgin River. It prompts her to leave everything behind and start afresh. Her escape from her former life leads her to rediscover herself in a new, rustic setting that challenges her expectations.

Shelter Mountain

Amazon/HarperCollins

Whispering Rock

Shelter Mountain not only intertwines Mel and Jack, but also focuses on John “Preacher” Middleton. When he encounters Paige and her young son, who are fleeing from Paige’s abusive ex-husband, Preacher is compelled to protect them, stirring deep emotions within himself.

Amazon/HarperCollins

The focus shifts to the latest district attorney, Brie Sheridan, who is also eager to start fresh following a dangerous encounter with a criminal. Along her journey, she crosses paths with Mike, a compassionate police officer determined to assist Brie in her quest for a new beginning.

A Virgin River Christmas

Amazon/HarperCollins

Second Chance Pass

The connection between Christmas and Virgin River is undeniable. Marcie pays a visit to the town in search of a man who once played a pivotal role in her marriage. Upon locating him, she discovers that his life has taken a dark turn and endeavors to lend him a helping hand.

Vanessa returns to town, but this time, she carries a broken heart. Determined to carve out her place in the close-knit community, she sets out to re-establish old connections while navigating her own personal journey.

Temptation Ridge

Amazon/HarperCollins

Paradise Valley

Shelby is in search of her ideal partner, armed with a meticulous list of requirements. Despite meeting Luke, who is the antithesis of her dream man, they both discover that fate has unexpected plans for them.

Returning from a tour with the Marines in Iraq, Rick is a changed man from his time in Virgin River. As he navigates his new reality, he crosses paths with Dan Brady, who is also on a journey to find inner peace.

Under The Christmas Tree

Amazon/HarperCollins

The town has a present left under its tree in the form of a box of puppies. The local vet is called to help, which soon shows off his budding romantic relationship.

Forbidden Falls

Amazon/HarperCollins

Revered Noah is the latest arrival in town, seeking to restore an old church that has been left empty. As he helps a former exotic dancer, their bond grows stronger with each passing day.

Angel’s Peak

Amazon/HarperCollins

Moonlight Road

Three years after their tumultuous split, Franci and Sean cross paths once again. The undeniable spark between them reignites instantly, but Sean is taken aback when he learns the real reason Franci walked away – she was carrying his child.

Erin finds herself retreating to a nearby cabin, seeking solace and time for herself after ensuring her younger siblings are well-settled. In classic Virgin River fashion, she encounters a charming doctor during a stroll in the local woods.

Midnight Confessions

Amazon/HarperCollins

Promise Canyon

Sunny and Drew unexpectedly find comfort in each other's company as they navigate through their heartbreaks at Jack’s Bar on New Year’s Eve.

Amazon/HarperCollins

Clay, the town’s new vet assistant, is reconnecting with his Navajo heritage. Despite Lily's initial skepticism about his genuineness, she ultimately finds his cultural connection very appealing.

Wild Man Creek

Amazon/HarperCollins

Harvest Moon

Colin seeks healing in Virgin River following a harrowing helicopter crash. There, he crosses paths with Jillian, who is renovating a Victorian house nearby. It's no surprise that sparks ignite between them.

Kelly, Jillian’s sister, arrives not long after Jillian, struggling with severe burnout that has caused her to collapse at work. She attracts the attention of Lief, who has recently relocated to Virgin River with his fiercely independent stepdaughter.

Bring Me Home For Christmas

Amazon/HarperCollins

Hidden Summit

Becca is determined to move on from her ex-boyfriend Denny during the holiday break, but Denny has different plans. When they find themselves in an accident, they are forced to confront their feelings and navigate their complicated relationship.

New to Virgin River, Leslie is seeking refuge from her ex-husband and his new spouse. Along the journey, she crosses paths with Conner, who is facing even more challenges than Leslie.

Redwood Bend

Amazon/HarperCollins

Katie finds herself stranded on the side of the road with a flat tire while taking care of her two sons. But things take a turn for the better when she encounters a pair of charming motorcyclists.

Sunrise Point

Nora finds herself in a challenging position as she strives to support her two daughters by taking a job at the nearby harvest orchard. Meanwhile, her boss Tom, a Marine veteran, returns and is immediately drawn to Nora, despite their conflicting desires.

My Kind Of Christmas

Amazon/HarperCollins

Return to Virgin River

Patrick stands out from his tough brothers with his sweet and easy-going nature. During Angie's holiday visit to Virgin River with Jack, Patrick forms a special connection with her.

Amazon/HarperCollins

Retreating to a secluded cabin in Virgin River in search of solitude, author Kaylee encounters the ultimate source of inspiration in the warm and embracing community. Their immediate acceptance and support revitalizes Kaylee's creative spirit, breathing new life into her writing.

Virgin River book series anthologies

In addition to the main series, Virgin River also includes 5 separate anthologies. While these contribute to the worldbuilding, they are not necessary reading and can be enjoyed at any point.

That Holiday Feeling (with Debbie Macomber and Sherryl Woods)

‘Tis the Season

Home for You (with Brenda Novak)

All I Want for Christmas

Holidays in Virgin River

Virgin River Seasons 1-5 are available to stream on Netflix now. You can check out more of our Virgin River coverage in the links below: 

Editor's P/S

As a hard fan of the Virgin River series, I am thrilled to see the release of the latest book, Return to Virgin River. This book is a continuation of the heartwarming and captivating story of Melinda "Mel" Monroe, a midwife and nurse practitioner who moves to the secluded town of Virgin River in Northern California.

The series chronicles Mel's journey as she discovers that drama is always close at hand. The books are full of romance, friendship, and small-town charm, and I have been captivated by the characters and their stories.

I appreciate the author's ability to create such a strong sense of place, and I feel like I am right there in Virgin River with the characters. I am excited to see what happens next in the series, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good romance novel.