5 Major Ways the Virgin River Show Deviates from the Books
Here's what to expect if you've never read Robyn Carr's novels but want to give them a try.
Season 5 of Netflix's romantic drama Virgin River is just around the corner, and its many fans can't wait to see how Mel Monroe and Jack Sheridan's love story continues. Those whose patience is wearing thin are turning to Robyn Carr's book series on which the Netflix show is based, and some fans may be surprised to learn that the original novels are quite different from the screen adaptation.
Let's dive into the key differences between the book series and the Netflix show.
The Lead Couple
The focus of the series is the romantic storyline between Mel and Jack, and some fans may be disappointed to learn that not all of Carr's novels revolve around this pairing. In fact, each novel in the 21-book series is dedicated to a different couple living in the town of Virgin River.
Mel and Jack are the focus of the first book, but they later become secondary characters as other pairings take the spotlight.
Mel's Backstory
The show's creators changed the protagonist's backstory. While in the show Mel's husband dies in a car accident shortly after Mel gives birth to a stillborn baby, her backstory is not as tragic in the book. Mark dies in a robbery at a local store, but Mel never loses a baby.
Love Triangle
Having the Mel/Jack romance at the center of the Netflix story has led to a number of changes, one of which is a stronger focus on Charmaine. In the book, the woman is nothing more than a casual fling for Jack, and when Mel comes along, he quickly ends things with her. In the show, however, it is the whole love triangle situation that complicates things for Mel and gives the writers more fodder for storylines.
Narrative Pacing
Virgin River is a unique show when it comes to pacing. Only one year has passed in the fictional universe during the first four seasons. Many fans note that Charmaine has been pregnant for what seems like forever. In contrast, Carr's novels cover a much larger time frame. This is also explained by the initial creative decision to focus on one main couple per book, rather than multiple pairings.
Adult Content
Not surprisingly, the books have much more explicit scenes than the show. The romance genre of the novels implies that they will be read by adult audiences who expect some erotic content. The show aims to keep things PG and focuses more on an emotional and dramatic side of the story.
The new season of Virgin River is expected to arrive on Netflix this summer.