Although many fans of Virgin River enjoy Sullivan’s Crossing, this doesn’t mean that the two shows are equal in the eyes of critics. Like Virgin River, Sullivan’s Crossing is based on a series of romance novels by legendary author Robyn Carr. Since she began publishing romance novels in 1980, Carr has written over 28 standalone books.
Carr is perhaps best known for the 22-book Virgin River series and the five-book Sullivan’s Crossing series, both of which have received TV adaptations. Sullivan’s Crossing season 4 will arrive on the CW later in 2025, while Virgin River season 7 is set to hit Netflix soon.
Sullivan’s Crossing Hasn’t Won Over Critics (Unlike Virgin River)
Virgin River Boasts A Rotten Tomatoes Rating of 81%
The prolific writer’s next show, Thunder Point, will be based on a Virgin River spinoff novel series. Readers might be surprised to learn that it is Virgin River that will receive a spinoff before Sullivan’s Crossing, especially when Sullivan’s Crossing producer Rena Roth is the show runner on this upcoming series. However, it isn’t hard to guess why.
Virgin River’s critical reception has been markedly better than the reviews received by Sullivan’s Crossing so far, and it doesn’t seem like this trend will end anytime soon. Virgin River received an 81% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes while, in contrast, Sullivan’s Crossing earned only 60%.
Many commenters complain that the show’s central Maggie/Cal romance can’t hold a candle to Jack and Mel’s story from the earlier series.
This disparity may not seem all that bad, but it aligns with sentiments expressed online by fans of both shows on Reddit and social media sites. While Sullivan’s Crossing is Virgin River’s perfect replacement for some Netflix users, many commenters complain that the show’s central Maggie/Cal romance can’t hold a candle to Jack and Mel’s story from the earlier series.
Season 3 Proved Sullivan’s Crossing Struggles To Match Virgin River
Robyn Carr’s Second Adaptation Earned Mixed Feedback From Fans
Sullivan’s Crossing didn’t make things easier for itself in season 3, with viewers complaining that the villains weren’t compelling, and the tone felt off. This is something Virgin River hasn’t struggled with, as the show’s small-town atmosphere has remained consistent since season 1.
