While Virgin River and Sullivan’s Crossing are already huge hits, superstar author Robyn Carr’s next adaptation could be her biggest success yet thanks to their shared success. Robyn Carr is nothing if not prolific. Since the author began publishing romance novels in 1980, Carr has written over 28 standalone romance novels, a trilogy of Grace Valley books, and a non-fiction guide to writing. This is without even mentioning arguably her two most famous series, the 22-book Virgin River series and the five-book Sullivan’s Crossing series.
While the wait for Sullivan’s Crossing season 4 will soon begin, Carr’s books have gone from strength to strength on the small screen. Two of her separate book series, Virgin River and Sullivan’s Crossing, have already been adapted to big hit TV shows, and Netflix recently renewed Virgin River for a seventh season. This is particularly impressive considering how often even undeniably popular shows are axed by the streaming service, while the ongoing Sullivan’s Crossing season 3 further highlights just how much Carr’s work has resonated with viewers.
Sullivan’s Crossing & Virgin River Have Both Been Hits Based On Robyn Carr’s Books
Carr’s Successful Novels Have Spawned Two Major TV Hits
Virgin River began back in 2019, following Alexandra Breckenridge’s Mel Monroe as she moved to and started working in the titular small town as a midwife and nurse. The show’s sprawling focus took in all manner of Virgin River locals, with each new season broadening the show’s scope. Virgin River won acclaim from viewers thanks to its cozy romance and the show’s gentle tone, which balances moments of high drama with more subdued, character-driven stories.
Sullivan’s Crossing sees Morgan Kohan’s Maggie Sullivan return to her eponymous Nova Scotia home, whereas Mel finds a new home in Virgin River.
From Muriel and Cameron’s age-gap romance in Virgin River to Denny’s struggles with his Huntington’s disease diagnosis, the show’s many characters allow the series to address all manner of issues within the small-town setting. Similarly, Sullivan’s Crossing is set in another picturesque small town where another young heroine arrives to straighten out her life. Sullivan’s Crossing sees Morgan Kohan’s Maggie Sullivan return to her eponymous Nova Scotia hometown, where Mel finds a new home in Virgin River.
The Thunder Point TV Adaptation Of Robyn Carr Is Bound To Be Successful
Thunder Point’s Premise Is Vintage Robyn Carr
As such, there is enough contrast between the two shows to keep viewers invested in both. Fortunately for fans of Virgin River and Sullivan’s Crossing, a third Robyn Carr’s book, Thunder Point, is currently being developed as a TV show according to Deadline, and it is almost certain to become another hit. Unlike Sullivan’s Crossing, the Thunder Point series is directly linked to the universe of Virgin River.
The series follows an Army veteran, Hank Cooper, who is first mentioned in Sunrise Point, a.k.a Virgin River book 17. While Virgin River’s Denny storyline proves Carr has plenty of memorable male characters, Thunder Point is already notable for being the first of the author’s adaptations to have a male protagonist.
The Success Of Romance Novel Adaptations Shows There’s An Appetite For The Genre
Romance Shows Have Emerged As Unexpected Streaming Successes In Recent Years
Carr’s book adaptations have been tremendously successful with audiences, but they are far from the only proof that the romance genre is having a major moment on television and streaming services. The Outlander series, alongside Netflix’s historical hit Bridgerton and Sweet Magnolias, proves that mainstream audiences are embracing romance novel adaptations in a huge way. This should arguably be unsurprising, since romance novels have consistently been among the bestselling books every year for decades.
As evidenced by the sheer number of bestselling books that Robyn Carr has to her name, romance readers are a loyal audience who value adaptations of their favorite books as much as the novels themselves.
The fact that every one of Emily Henry’s books is currently being adapted proves, alongside Virgin River season 7’s renewal, that the TV industry is gradually catching up on something readers have known for a long time. As evidenced by the sheer number of bestselling books that Robyn Carr has to her name, romance readers are a loyal audience who value adaptations of their favorite books as much as the novels themselves. Now, Thunder Point can prove that Carr’s Sullivan’s Crossing and Virgin River aren’t the only book series of hers that can spawn shows of their own.
