Fans of Virgin River are split, with a significant number expressing preference for the TV series over the books.
Some fans even go as far as to say they can’t connect with the books at all, due to a recurring theme. The hit Netflix show continues to captivate large audiences, spinning the tumultuous love story of protagonist Mel Monroe and Martin Henderson’s Jack Sheridan.
The show is originally based on American author Robyn Carr’s book series. On Reddit, a popular discussion platform, one fan shared, “I love the show and recently started reading the books. After the 4th book I can’t take reading them anymore. How can every single person get widowed or divorced and find the love of their life without time to grieve in every book?”
They went on to say, “I know that there were a lot of liberties taken on the show but I much prefer to watch the show over reading these books. I don’t know if it is the ‘everyone needs to be with someone’ thing or the fact that the language from a female author is very sexist towards women.”
They concluded, “The way the men talk to the women in the books…I just can’t read any more. Phrases like ‘I put that baby in your belly’….eww. Maybe I’m just too much of a feminist to enjoy these books.”
Other fans quickly joined the conversation, sharing their thoughts, with many echoing the same sentiment. “I agree. The books are super sexist and it’s not just the men, it’s the narrator too,” someone wrote.
They further commented, “The way the author/narrator talked about Lizzie is downright creepy considering she’s a 14 year old child in the first book. They described her as dripping with sex and basically slut shamed her for being a teenager with hormones.
“They talked about her like she was a sex worker, but she was a literal child. It felt vaguely pedo to me. And it was wildly unnecessary to describe her and Ricky having sex. I had to skip those parts. Idk the whole storyline with Lizzie…just no.”
Continuing their critique, they expressed, “And the way every man talks about the women like possessions and sex objects to satisfy and impregnate them is…. off-putting. I guess I do understand there is a particular demographic of women (and maybe men) this appeals to but I’m not it.”
Another reader chimed in, “I’m only on the second book and listen to them 15 min at a time as an audiobook from the library to fall asleep because I’m not that invested in the story. It helps me drift off because it’s fluff with mildly offensive perspectives. Definitely would not be paying money for them.”
Yet another fan added, “Agree. I hated the books. Only read a few,” while someone else quipped, “Yeah I agree. also men being obsessed with getting women pregnant (and joking about it) even if the women don’t want to? disgusting.”
Another reader expressed disappointment, commenting, “The first 2 books were good but after they went downhill. I had to stop. Christmas one is the worst,” and added a critique on genre misalignment, “I didn’t realize the books were romance books since I consider the show a drama. I’m not a romance book person at all though and don’t understand how anyone likes that genre.”
A different reader shared their discomfort with the content, “I read the first book and couldn’t do anymore. The thing that bothered me the most was the sex between Lizzie and Ricky being described. They were teenagers and it just gave me the ick.”
Yet, there was an acknowledgment of differing tastes, “I’m glad people love the books, especially because they’re popular enough that we got the show! We all have different opinions though and are entitled to them. I’ll stick with the show and let those who love the books keep enjoying them.”
Defenders of the series also made their voices heard, with one fan stating succinctly, “I loved reading the books,” while another offered the perspective, “You have to consider that they are practically adult Disney romance smut.”
An individual weighed in with their personal view, “I’m a childfree single feminist and love the books for what they are – small-town romance stories where implausible things happen. I laugh at those things because I absolutely know no one ‘needs’ to be with someone. You can enjoy stories without them supporting your life choices too.”
