Second Chance Pass (Virgin River, #5)

Jan 20, 2009 Auntee rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Fans of the series; fans of Contemporary romance

Shelves: contemporary-romance, 2009_reads, made_me_cry

Whew! I loved it, just as I knew I would. This latest in the 'Virgin River' series had a lot going on. There were at least three new romances, as well as updates on some longer standing ones, a couple of very touching births, a couple of near tragic deaths of some major characters, a funeral, lots of heartbreak, lots of happiness, a joyous wedding, and even a forrest fire that came close to destroying the town and taking the life of one of it's leading citizens. Something was always happening in...more Whew! I loved it, just as I knew I would. This latest in the 'Virgin River' series had a lot going on. There were at least three new romances, as well as updates on some longer standing ones, a couple of very touching births, a couple of near tragic deaths of some major characters, a funeral, lots of heartbreak, lots of happiness, a joyous wedding, and even a forrest fire that came close to destroying the town and taking the life of one of it's leading citizens. Something was always happening in tiny Virgin River.

Although this book was mainly about the love between newly widowed Vanessa Rutledge and best friend of her late husband, Paul Haggerty, I think almost equal time was given to well-known characters from the previous books in the series, especially Mel and Jack Sheridan (who was like a superhero in this book). Which was fine with me. I love revisiting the lives of Mel and Jack. I love reading about their inspiring love story, their commitment to one another and their family, and their commitment to the town of Virgin River. I also found Jack's relationship with young Rick, a boy he's mentored for a few years, very touching. We also get a glimpse again into the lives of Preacher and Paige, Mike and Brie, and young Marine Rick and Liz, as well as watch new relationships develop for fellow Marine Joe, Vanessa's father Walt, and her teenage brother Tom. Lots of lovin' goin' on in tiny Virgin River.

I loved the story of newly widowed Vanni, whose husband Matt died tragically in Iraq, and how she was able to stay strong even though she was left with a newborn to raise. Loved the friendship she had with Matt's best friend and former Marine buddy Paul, who had loved her from the minute he first set eyes on her years ago, but was reluctant to fight for her. I did not like how Paul almost blew a chance for happiness with Vanni, and let her almost get stolen away from him by a handsome pediatrician. I was very relieved when he finally got up the gumption (helped along by some advice from his friends) to reveal his long standing feelings for Vanni, and even liked how he went all dominant on her--it was just what the hot-tempered and stubborn Vanni needed. While their love affair was not without a few bumps along the way (including the possibility that he may have fathered a child by another woman) you could feel the love and obvious connection that these two characters had. I especially loved Paul--he was just such an honorable, all-around good guy, and I really wanted him to have a HEA.

As far as the subplots, there was some hot moments for teenage Tom Rutledge and girlfriend Brenda, and I'm sure we'll be reading more about them once Tom graduates from West Point, and moves on to a career in the military. Will these young lovers be able to stay together, even though Tom's military path is sure to keep them apart?

I also loved the plot about Paul's achitect friend Joe. Joe's the last of the Marine buddies who's still single, and he finds his possible soulmate in Virgin River. But after a wildly passionate night together, she disappears, breaking his heart. I was just heartbroken for this guy--he didn't deserve that kind of treatment. But by the end of the book, things look like they finally may be turning around for him, which made me very happy. Hopefully there will be more for him in a future book.

Even Vanessa's father, widowed Army General Walt, finds a surprising new love interest. Although his story is left open-ended, I'm sure his budding romance will appear in a future book.

What more can I say without giving away some spoilers? If you love the Virgin River series you'll adore this book. The characters are beautifully written, you feel like you've known them all your life. The writing is so descriptive, you feel like you can see Jack's Bar right in front of your eyes, down to the mounted trophies on the wall. You know the characters so well, their hurts become your hurts, and bring tears to your eyes. And their joys become your joys, and you'll cry for them as well. There were many times while reading this book that I just had to put it down for a while, because I was tearing up so much. If you haven't read any books in the series, I suppose this book could be read as a stand alone, but please, don't do that to yourself. Start with the first book in the series, Virgin River, you'll want to inhale every factoid about this tiny California town and the awesome men who treat their women like queens, and the brave, spunky women who adore them. Although the heat factor in this book isn't real high in quantity compared to some other books, the few love scenes are hot, and the romance makes up for the rest. I think this is one of the best contemporary romance series out there, and I hope Robyn Carr never stops writing about the men and women of Virgin River. I highly recommend this book and the entire series, and give it a big 5 stars!(less)

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Jan 25, 2009 Isis FG rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Isis FG by: continuation of a series

Shelves: author-robyn-carr, 2009, info-full, genre-romance-drama, reviewed, series-virgin-river, published-2009, stars-5

I think I said it after reading A Virgin River Christmas, but it still stands true - reading a new Virgin River novel is like coming home to old friends. You get to catch up with all the previous characters, see how they are all doing and what's new in Virgin River. Plus meet new characters. It's just nice to read and Robyn Carr does a great job with the continuity of this series.

In Second Chance Pass readers finally get the resolution to Vanessa and Paul's relationship. Years ago, Paul and his...more I think I said it after reading A Virgin River Christmas, but it still stands true - reading a new Virgin River novel is like coming home to old friends. You get to catch up with all the previous characters, see how they are all doing and what's new in Virgin River. Plus meet new characters. It's just nice to read and Robyn Carr does a great job with the continuity of this series.

In Second Chance Pass readers finally get the resolution to Vanessa and Paul's relationship. Years ago, Paul and his best friend Matt saw the same woman at the same time. Both wanted her, but it was Matt who took the initiative and eventually married Vanessa. Paul never stopped loving Vanessa, but he would never come between the two. Then Matt was killed while fighting for his country and Paul stayed with Vanessa through it, and the birth of her and Matt's child. Now, Vanessa has realized her feelings for Paul have grown, but she thinks he sees her like a sister. And Paul believes she's not ready for him to reveal his feelings. Things get more complicated when an occasional lover of Paul's tells him she is going to have his baby. So it seems like everything is against them working it out.

And elsewhere in Virgin River, babies are being born, lovers must say goodbye, forest fires threaten. Some people are moving on, others are standing still and others are stuck in the past. There's never a dull moment in Virgin River!

This was such an enjoyable book to read. I loved the characters, the setting, the different storylines. With the exception of one or two small things, I loved every part of this book.

It was great to read Vanessa and Paul getting their happy ending. After everything Vanessa had been through, and Paul's unrequited love, they both deserved a happy future together. I liked the way things developed with them, all the complications. It made the resolution that much sweeter. The outcome of Terrie's pregnancy (the woman Paul slept with) was on the predictable side, but their are only so many ways that can play out. Though it would have added an interesting element to their relationship if it had gone differently.

One of the things I love most about this series, though, is that the prior couples' stories don't end after their book. Some authors who write series seem to forget about the previous H/H once their story is done (like in Brenda Novak's Last Stand trilogy) but Carr keeps them alive and active in every book. They're not just bystanders, but main stage players. In this book, big things happen to Mel and Jack, and you get stuff with Paige and Preacher, and Brie and Mike. It's just really nice to have that continuity, that connection to what's gone on before. It's what makes this series like coming home to old friends.

I also enjoyed the secondary romances in this book, even if none of them were settled when the story ended. There was Tom and Brenda...who I'm guessing will get their story in the third VC trilogy set for next year, and Walt and Muriel, Joe and Nikki, plus a little bit of Ricky and Liz, who will get their story (I assume) in Paradise Valley. Lots of interesting stuff to read in this book! And that's without mentioning the medical emergencies and forest fires that nearly kill main characters!

On the what didn't I like side...well, almost nothing! The one thing thing that I really would have preferred was if the last scene in the book had been with Vanessa and Paul. They were the main H/H of the story, yet for the last chunk of the book, they fell a bit by the wayside. Which, okay, fine. That's Carr's style, but I just think the ending would have been better suited using them instead of Walt and Muriel. Those two ending the book didn't feel right to me. But that's just my opinion.

Other than that, no major complaints for this book. It was a great read. When I first started this series, Carr's style of telling a story annoyed me a little, but it's grown on me and I know what to expect now. So I thoroughly enjoyed this book. If you've been reading the VC series, then you MUST read this one! And if you haven't read any of the books, then you should definitely give them a try (especially if you like classic contemporary romance).

NOTE: It's probably important to note that this book isn't exactly a stand-alone. Maybe it could be read alone, but not in my opinion. You really need to read the rest of the series in the correct order to get all the various nuances and relationships. You'd just miss a lot if you jumped in right now.(less)

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May 09, 2012 Beanbag Love rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is more like a 3.60. I just really didn't love this one as much as the others. It was engrossing, but most of the time I was frustrated.

It's the women. For some reason, in Second Chance Pass, they're all crazy, or bitchy or stupid or a combination of all three. It's very annoying. I've liked the female leads in all the books up until this one. Most of the women, not just Vanni, were practically howl-at-the-moon nuts. And the men came off as more whipped than usual, which is far from my pref...more This is more like a 3.60. I just really didn't love this one as much as the others. It was engrossing, but most of the time I was frustrated.

It's the women. For some reason, in Second Chance Pass, they're all crazy, or bitchy or stupid or a combination of all three. It's very annoying. I've liked the female leads in all the books up until this one. Most of the women, not just Vanni, were practically howl-at-the-moon nuts. And the men came off as more whipped than usual, which is far from my preference.

There were a lot of stories woven in this time. It felt more like a skim over the populace rather than a fully realized arc, but then Carr's Virgin River series isn't organized in strict arcs anyway. Second Chance Pass just seemed to have more focal points, though. Three romances total that all related back to the title, two births, several goodbyes and a Big Event that wraps it all up. That's a lot for one book.

I love the new building going on in Virgin River. I love that more people are coming to the town and falling in love with it. I don't know what new characters that popped up in this one will pop up in further books, but there are a lot of new possibilities now.

I didn't out and out sob reading this one, although the conversation between Rick and Jack almost did the trick. Keep the tissues handy, though. Just because I didn't weep uncontrollably doesn't mean my throat didn't tighten up at several moments. Your mileage may vary.

The best thing about this series is that you come to know the characters so well that, even if they just show up in the background you feel like you've really checked in with them. And you feel like the town's a part of your own experience, which is a very impressive accomplishment for Carr.

No, I didn't love this installment. I do love the series, though, and I'm anxious to move on to the next one. I'll get there, but after a few other books in the TBR. And I will definitely have the tissues in easy reach.

ETA: There are some mild spoilers in the comments.(less)

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Jan 26, 2009 Kathrynn rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Fans of the Virgin River series

Shelves: series-virgin_river_carr, own, 2009, favorites, romance-contemporary, theme-former_military, reviewed, theme-pregnancy

Loved it! As I read in another review, reading a Virgin River book is like visiting old friends. It was so neat to catch up with characters from previous books. This is NOT a stand alone and not to be read by someone without having read the earlier books, IMHO. There should be a big #5 written along the cover!

I've been anticipating reading the story for Vanessa and Paul since they were first introduced earlier in the series. Vanessa's husband was killed in Iraq while she was on the last trimeste...more

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Nov 18, 2009 KarenH rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks-that-rock, keepers, keep-the-kleenex-close-by, audiobook, audiobook-5-stars-plus

Second Chance Pass is the 5th and IMO the most touching story in the Virgin River series to date. It also reaffirmed my belief that Jack Sheridan is the best hero to have ever graced the pages of a romance novel. Not one to slink away quietly after his story was showcased in Virgin River (book 1 of the series), Jack and his wife Mel have continued to figure prominently in each book since...particularly in this one. Jack's love and appreciation for his close friends and family, his over-the-top i...more Second Chance Pass is the 5th and IMO the most touching story in the Virgin River series to date. It also reaffirmed my belief that Jack Sheridan is the best hero to have ever graced the pages of a romance novel. Not one to slink away quietly after his story was showcased in Virgin River (book 1 of the series), Jack and his wife Mel have continued to figure prominently in each book since...particularly in this one. Jack's love and appreciation for his close friends and family, his over-the-top insane love for Mel and his babies, his zest for life...has me with my fingers crossed that he continues starring (or at least co-starring) in the remaining installments of the VR series. He can evoke so much emotion from me it's pathetic. Then again, how can anyone stay dry-eyed when Jack is praying to God - begging, actually - for Him not to take Mel when she is hemorrhaging after childbirth (although he didn't live up to his side of the bargain by donating a million dollars to the church lol).

SCP is supposed to "star" Paul & Vanessa, yet they are easily upstaged by the other couples. Vanni was a bit of an ill-tempered shrew and Paul was Mr. Everydayguy so they didn't spark a lot of excitement. And, no matter how much they tried to justify it, their relationship had a bit of an "ick" factor attached. I was much more interested in the Joe/Nikki hookup, the Rick/Liz buildup, the Tom/Brenda separation and the Walt/Muriel possibility. Add to that the continuing, never-a-dull-moment stories of Jack/Melinda, John/Paige, Mike/Bree, then wondering about a Cam/Teri possibility or perhaps a Cam/Shelby match because Cameron is just too damn good-looking to go without his own story, plus visits from the Doc, Hope and the stranger in the black SUV (out of breath) well...I was completely able to stick Paul & Vanessa into the nether parts of my mind and not drop the book to 4 stars.

Normally, I am distracted by a "clutter" of characters in a romance novel...too many introductions, too many sideshows...never as interesting as the hero and heroine. Even Susan Elizabeth Phillips, whom I love but who always weaves a terribly long side story, has me skimming pages to get back to the leading H/h story. Robyn Carr, however, can introduce 10 new characters with 5 separate stories, add the 5 or so relationships she has already established, put them all under one cover and actually make it work. No clutter at all!

Have I scared you off because it sounds so bloody overwhelming? It really isn't. Carr gives you small doses at a time...introduces new characters by easing them in instead of focusing on them. And, before you know what's hit you, you've become a part of the Virgin River community as well. You can see the beautiful, untouched land that surrounds the town, the brilliant sky jamb-packed with stars. You want to know what Preacher is making for dinner...if anyone is up for a little fly-fishing...if Joe really slept with Vanessa's maid of honor. LOL If you've ever followed a soap opera on TV, this series gives you that same feeling of eagerness/anxiety/anticipation of what lies ahead. However, unlike Pine Valley, where everyone is sleeping with everyone else's wife, brother, best friend or Erica Kane, Virgin River residents are loyal to love & practice fidelity (so far). They also have no problem keeping the bedroom door open for the readers. (This ain't no Christian Romance!)

Overall, this series is primarily based on one ex-Marine sargeant's fabulous story and the sub-stories of the men who served in his regiment. Big, handsome, strong, honest men who are tighter than brothers, a little wild and a lot single...until they make their way to Virgin River where destiny awaits each of them in the form of a woman who will become the mother of his children and the greatest love of his life.

LOL, I guess you can tell I'm psyched about this series and urge those of you that haven't read it to give it a go someday. You'll be lining up to thank me for the rec! :D(less)

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Feb 09, 2009 Christa rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: i-own

Second Chance Pass was another wonderful addition to the Virgin River series. It is so good to read about all of these great characters again. This book had some new characters, and there were so many relationships going that at times it was almost overwhelming. I loved it anyway! I enjoyed reading about Paul and Vanni, and was delighted to see what a large role Jack and Mel played in this book. I am anxiously waiting to see these beloved characters again in the novels that will be released in t...more

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Dec 30, 2012 Shabby Girl rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: three-star-books

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I didn't quite like this one as much as the others (I'm reading them all in order). For a couple of main reasons.

Firstly, I'm not a big fan of Paul, the main H, in this book. He seemed too much like a wuss. Geez, you'd think if you'd been in love with the h for years and you finally got your chance, you'd bust your butt to make her yours, but no, he dicks around and nearly loses her. Even when he manned up, he comes up short in the H department for me. He nearly caused me to put this book aside...more I didn't quite like this one as much as the others (I'm reading them all in order). For a couple of main reasons.

Firstly, I'm not a big fan of Paul, the main H, in this book. He seemed too much like a wuss. Geez, you'd think if you'd been in love with the h for years and you finally got your chance, you'd bust your butt to make her yours, but no, he dicks around and nearly loses her. Even when he manned up, he comes up short in the H department for me. He nearly caused me to put this book aside and move on, except that I couldn't really do that without big holes in the rest of everyone else's stories in the next book, so I plodded on. I think Vanessa's going to be wearing the pants in that family.

Related to the Paul/Vanessa romance I also had problems with the way he still offered to help Terri financially and otherwise with her baby after she knowingly tried to trick him into being the father of her baby and nearly contributing to him losing Vanessa. Come on, that's just too much. Geez, no bloke is going to do that and no woman with the bloke would accept that. Robyn Carr just tried to make him soooooo good, it actually became ridiculously over the top.

Secondly, I didn't like Nikki in one of the secondary romances. I got that she ran out on Joe because she was scared, confused, not expecting much except the lies she got from her ex, but I hated the way she ran out on him AND made everyone think he did bad to her. I hated the way everyone seemed to come down on him and treated him badly. Why would she do that to him? I thought what she did was quite nasty and I didn't like the way everyone assumed he did something wrong.

Going on from that, I think it made me realise that there isn't an ugly woman in Virgin River. All the women are beautiful, even the ones who don't start out that way (Shelby has zits, is overweight, has lank, stringy hair, but has a miraculous makeover and is now beautiful!) which I think has started to get on my nerves a bit. It sort of presented itself to me in the Nikki/Joe romance. He didn't know her at all when he fell in love with her on looks alone, and she treated him badly by running out on him, making everyone think he was not a nice man the way he treated her and then wouldn't returns calls or letters, and yet, he still loved her, pined after her, couldn't let it go. Why? I don't normally need explanations for romances to begin, after all there is no rhyme nor reason to love, however, he didn't know her to get to love her and after she treated him so bad apart from being pretty (yes, she is too!) there's nothing to recommend her. I found this a bit shallow. I know looks are important, and God knows a marine wouldn't want an ugly or even plain woman, but she came across ugly inside and yet he still pined for her. I found that a bit too much and took me out of the story. I just didn't buy it. Couldn't accept it.

I did, as usual love the big picture continuing stories around all my favourite characters. I really enjoy the feel that you're living everyones' lives as you go along reading each book.

There were just those things mentioned above which I didn't quite like. I still gave it three stars for all the other stories in the book, otherwise I would have kicked this book to the curb a third of the way through and definitely after the Joe/Nikki thing, but luckily the Paul/Vanessa/Joe/Nikki romances didn't take up the whole book - lots of other interesting stuff happening.(less)

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Jan 26, 2009 Holly rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: robyn-carr

How to describe Robyn Carr's Second Chance Pass? I would have to say it's like a hokey, slice of life wholesome soap opera based in a little mountain town in Northern California. It's a place where no one uses birth control. LOL. Also, almost every storyline in this book has it's roots in previous books so I don't recommend starting with this book if you are new to the Virgin River series.

Second Chance Pass has a lot of different storylines going on and this time around it didn't work for me as...more How to describe Robyn Carr's Second Chance Pass? I would have to say it's like a hokey, slice of life wholesome soap opera based in a little mountain town in Northern California. It's a place where no one uses birth control. LOL. Also, almost every storyline in this book has it's roots in previous books so I don't recommend starting with this book if you are new to the Virgin River series.

Second Chance Pass has a lot of different storylines going on and this time around it didn't work for me as well as it did in the first three books. I think I enjoyed the one storyline from A Virgin River Christmas too much. I felt like I was just getting comfortable with a couple and then it would fade to black and then I would be starting anew with a different couple. Our spotlight couple, Paul and Vanessa definitely start off with some problems and that's not even including the little bundle of joy Paul has got going on. I was really looking forward to seeing how their story would unfold but then after I got to know Vanessa, I lost interest. She's kind of a......bitch. I'm blaming most of my disinterest on her shoulders. I just didn't care for Vanessa and Paul seemed too blah. I also didn't like what happened with Paul and his baby's mama. I kind of wondered what was the whole point.

The best part of this book was definitely Preacher and Paige and Tom and Brenda. Tom and Brenda's first time will have you rolling with laughter. If only all seventeen year olds guys could have older sisters who could teach them the Joys of Sex. Preacher and Paige are as lovable and wonderful as always and I loved it whenever they were front and center.

Bottom line, I liked this book and I'm already looking forward to reading the next book. The excerpt I read of Shelby and Luke Riordan looks good and I can't wait. Just for some reason this book didn't resonate with me as much as I hoped it would. Not even Mel or Jack could liven this book up. I'm giving it 4 stars because of Tom and Brenda and Preacher and Paige. IMHO They were the best things about this book and I wish they had more screen time.

(less)

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Mar 12, 2009 Sherri Needs A Maid rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary-romance

Book 4 in the Virgin River series and book 1 in the "2nd trilogy", this story, as usual revolves around one main couple and several background couples including our regulars Jack/Melinda, Preacher/Paige and Mike/Brie. I was very much looking forward to this book coming out, as I loved the Virgin River series so much its on my keeper shelf. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed.

3 Stars/B- review.

First of all, I was disappointed in the main couple choice. Paul is a wimp/beta male and Vanni alter...more Book 4 in the Virgin River series and book 1 in the "2nd trilogy", this story, as usual revolves around one main couple and several background couples including our regulars Jack/Melinda, Preacher/Paige and Mike/Brie. I was very much looking forward to this book coming out, as I loved the Virgin River series so much its on my keeper shelf. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed.

3 Stars/B- review.

First of all, I was disappointed in the main couple choice. Paul is a wimp/beta male and Vanni alternates from likeable to bitch in about 2 seconds. After reading this book, I really had no vested interest in them whatsoever. And when I say Paul is a wimp - I'm serious. He has only one scene where to me he takes charge of their relationship. I wanted to scream "Man up!" at him so many times. Vanni is a strong woman and there's nothing wrong with that but she's the type of "strong woman" who always has to be right and her opinion is the only opinion that counts. I could easily see her leading Paul around by a leash and him letting her do it. Classic case of PW.

A secondary romance is between Vanni's friend Nikki and Paul's friend Joe. Joe is a man's man and very attractive. They make a nice couple but have some issues to work out with trust before I'd really consider them a true couple. There's also a teenage romance with Vanni's brother Tom and his girlfriend Brenda, and the return of Rick, the teenager-now-Marine from previous books. Some very touching, tear shedding moments between Rick and Jack make that all worthwhile to read.

Spoiler alert: read no farther if you don't care to know spoilers.
Mel almost dies from childbirth complications. Paige gives birth to a girl. Brie gets pregnant. Lots of housebuilding and a major forest fire all round out the rest of the book.

While I'm looking forward to the rest of this series to come out, I almost wish I didn't have to have read this one in order to keep up with the townspeople. Paul and Vanni were a waste of pages to me. Their romance, or lack thereof, took me 3 days to read what usually could have been read in a day easily.(less)

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Mar 10, 2011 Quinn rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary-romance, library-book

2.5 stars

Having read many reviews of Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series up to this book, I am aware that many readers have had problems with the prevalence of women’s health and pregnancy content throughout these books. Up until Second Change Pass, I did not count myself among their number.

With the central character of Mel being a nurse practitioner and midwife, I found it for the most part to be in keeping with her profession and if at times it could come across a little preachy, it never dimmed...more

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Jul 04, 2010 Michelle rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance-contemporary, read-in-2010, read-own, ebooks, favorites

I loved this story so much! Vanni lost her husband while he was at war and found comfort in his best friend. Though Paul has loved Vanni for years, and was the first person to lay eyes on her, he would give anything to have is best friend back! Instead he gets a shot a love with Vanni and raise their newborn son as his own.

There are so many other relationships in this book and I loved all of them. You see Vanni's best friend, Nikki, and Joe another Ex-Marine. There is Walt, Vanni's father, and h...more

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Apr 07, 2013 Booklover, Indianapolis rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary-romance, read-in-2013

(Apr) 3.5* I agree with what many of you have said - reading VR books is like coming home to visit w/hokey, but well meaning, friends and relatives. And I find that with these books, I like them in spite of their faults. Vanessa was about one of the most annoying, bitchy heroines I've come across in a long while - why she felt she had the right to make demands on Paul, and felt he owed her - I don't get that at all. Luckily, in this 400 page book, their story took up less than half. Glad Paul's...more

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Jan 01, 2013 Jami rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: dont-bother, read-with-caution

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. So far I've read the first 5 Virgin River novels in less than a week and what started out as an awesome series has taken a sharp turn on this one. Each book is about one couple from Virgin River, peppered with sub-plots and revisits of other couples. It may help to know the revisits of other couples are SOLELY so you can hear about how their babymaking goes. That's it. Once people get together in Virgin River the ONLY thing important about them is how many babies they can make.

Normally people in...more

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Nov 07, 2012 Kris rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-romance-series

4 STARS

Paul Haggerty has been in love with Vanni before his best friend, Matt fell in love with her. He has stayed in the background being loyal to Matt and would do anything for either of them...like be there for Vanni when she goes into labour and wants him to be his birth buddy. All the emotion made Paul run home to Grant's Pass where he sleeps with a woman he doesn't love. Vanni's mother-in-law takes it as her duty to set Vanni up with a cute single doctor, Cameron. Cameron could be the one...more

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Oct 10, 2012 Marran rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adult-content, romance

oh wow this was such a huge disappointment...first of all the baby is 6 weeks old and her husband has been dead for what 4 months and she's like I'm ready to move on....eh...OK? I thought that it at least has gone a couple of months...why does everything has to happen so fast in these books? And the mother in-law trying to set her up this soon..not likely to ever happen..

And the deal with the other woman if she's on the pill, you use a condom she "gets" pregnant wants to get married and then go...more

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Jan 16, 2012 Heather Tisdale rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Ok, I spoke too soon on my review of book 3. I really do enjoy when there are multiple plot lines running through a story. Especially when it's a series. I like to get all the other characters involved in more than just a passing glance. I stop enjoying it as much when the last 100 pages aren't focused on the primary characters of the book. Don't get me wrong... this book had me laughing and crying and I enjoyed it. My problem is that the Paul and Vanessa story line wrapped up rather quickly. Th...more Ok, I spoke too soon on my review of book 3. I really do enjoy when there are multiple plot lines running through a story. Especially when it's a series. I like to get all the other characters involved in more than just a passing glance. I stop enjoying it as much when the last 100 pages aren't focused on the primary characters of the book. Don't get me wrong... this book had me laughing and crying and I enjoyed it. My problem is that the Paul and Vanessa story line wrapped up rather quickly. The drama with those two happens more in the beginning and middle of the book and the climax of the story is around previous characters. I just wish Carr had book-ended the story a bit better. I liked all the pieces, but not the order they were put in. Some authors choose to do this as their series get further along, but I'm just not partial to it. I like the nice balance of a clear cut primary story with a good solid supporting cast, but I felt like I was reading what could have been 2 different books, plus 2 novellas. This isn't going to keep me from reading the series, but I'd like one clear book, with a little novella thrown in to keep all the characters I've fallen in love with involved.

I really wanted to give this book 4 stars. The Paul/Vanessa plot doesn't deserve it, but Mel and Jack's part of this book was a solid 5. I wish P/V had a stronger plot line, and that their friend's story had been saved for their own book. P/V and the General's side story could have held it's own for something mediocre, but throwing Mel and Jack's drama in the mix salvaged the entire book. Although, they could have had another book of their own from all the chaos surrounding them. I honestly wouldn't have minded that. I understand why the author did it though. We got so much of the P/V story in the third book that it's difficult to push that into 300+ more pages without it getting boring, but neither of them were ever in enough danger for me to panic about them. What happened between Paige and her husband, reading about Brie in the beginning of her story...that stuff was heart breaking. Reading about what Vanessa goes through is heartbreaking as well, but that wasn't in this book. I don't think poor Vanessa could handle much more and I like P and V, but neither of them managed to touch my heart this time around and they should have. Mel and Jack had my heart twisted in knots. That needs to be balanced a bit more.

On a different note, this is why I moved away from California. Being surrounded on all sides by fires is not fun. Other natural disasters suck, but at least you don't have to spend days/weeks watching and waiting. They come, destroy, you try and pick up the pieces. It's the waiting...having your stomach in knots, not knowing if the fire is going to get your house, if you'll be able to get out, or if the winds will shift and you'll be trapped. I hate for anyone to have to go through that. This is why I refused to let my husband move me to Florida. I'd evacuate every time there was a tropical storm even remotely nearby. Although, at least there's frequently more warning with a hurricane. (less)

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Feb 17, 2011 Suzanne Barrett rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Second Chance Pass is Book 5 in the amazing Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series. If one goes online to check out any of Ms. Carr’s books, they will find themselves awash in comments from devoted followers. Why the adulation? Because Ms. Carr delivers on a theme readers the world over, love. Brave military men and the women who love them who live to a code of honor, seemingly missing in today’s gimme, gimme, entitlement era.

I love that this series provides new characters with their struggles while k...more

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Dec 22, 2009 Kath rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Liked this story, but did not like one of the main characters in this book. Vanessa is the widow that lost her husband Matt in book 4. Paul is Matt's best friend and has been in love with Vanessa from the start. Paul is a great guy who finds himself in sticky situation with a woman that he spent time with shortly after Matt's death. This interferes with what his intentions are toward Vanessa.

Vanessa is moody, whiney and demanding. She also uses a nice guy that her mother in law fixes her up with...more

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Jan 26, 2012 Nina rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, heartbreaker, love-triangle, romantic-drama, series, small-town, summer, swoon

So, this book is about Paul Haggerty, upstanding hottie whose actually kind of shy and awkward around the ladies, and Vanessa Rutledge, his best friend's widow. Said best friend just died in Iraq while she was in Virgin River 8 months pregnant. This Virgin River stuff can get super depressing, and I was hesitant to pick up this book because I knew going in that it was finally time to deal with the Paul and Vanni situation.

Lo and behold, this book isn't even about them.

Okay, that's a tad bit dr...more So, this book is about Paul Haggerty, upstanding hottie whose actually kind of shy and awkward around the ladies, and Vanessa Rutledge, his best friend's widow. Said best friend just died in Iraq while she was in Virgin River 8 months pregnant. This Virgin River stuff can get super depressing, and I was hesitant to pick up this book because I knew going in that it was finally time to deal with the Paul and Vanni situation.

Lo and behold, this book isn't even about them.

Okay, that's a tad bit dramatic. But seriously, in a 400 page book, Paul and Vanessa are all wrapped up and solved with a big red bow by like...page 50. Maybe it was a little later then that, but not really. Halfway through this book it becomes about Virgin River, and thank goodness, because let me tell you, I got tired of Paul and Vanni real quick. Well, Vanni really. We're told over and over how she's such a spitfire, but she comes off as bossy and kind of snotty. She grated on me. Some people don't like Mel. I love Mel. She's tough, but there's something very warm and fiery about her. So to each their own. I didn't get much warmth from Vanni. She kept complaining about Carol (dead husband's mother) being so meddling and kind of hoity toity about stuff, but...come on, Vanni. You're a little like that. Go on and admit it.

She and Paul were sort of like Preacher and Paige for me, not as soft but almost as awkward. I wanted Paul to be happy, so I was rooting for them. But then Paul got her and it was just so mushy and "You know I love you? We can talk about your dead husband whenever you'd like. He was my best friend. You know I love you, right?" Yes, Paul. We got it.

So I was glad that once that was done we got back to everyone else. That's why I read this series. It's why I can't read them back to back, because there's just so many people and I feel spread thin by the end of it. It's hard to keep up with whose having a baby this chapter and everyone is hunting or breastfeeding and it's all very earthy, and if it wasn't for the marines using some salty language every once in a while I'd be worried. I love that these stories can be all about home and hearth, but aren't cookie cutter in their telling of it. Yes, teenage boys are ready to get married even as they ship off to war and they're all so good, almost unbelievably good, but yet, I believe it. Virgin River almost seems mythical in that way. That stuff can happen here. At one point, Joe even goes on about how this place can turn committed bachelors into men so tied up and desperate for a woman they're ready to throw down some roots for her on the first date. Hell, first sighting. I love these men and how over the moon they are for the women they fall in love with. I love that they're stories continue to be told. I can't not know what's going on with Mike and Brie (even though you barely see them) and Rick is coming home on leave? Is he still with Lizzie? And how is Doc doing? But most of all, can I please go have a drink with Jack?

Oh, Jack. It's like Robyn Carr wrote the best of the best in Jack and didn't have enough left over for everyone else. Don't get me wrong. I love his friends, and these lusty marines who go nuts over pregnant women like it's up to them to repopulate the world, and maybe that far into the woods they are led to believe that. But Jack? He's Coach Taylor from Friday Night Lights. He's a man's man that's good to his women and can lead a troop of crazy wolves. He'll build his family a house with his own two hands, he'll show up for his friends, and he'll chop up some wood before the day is out, and I'll keep picking up books as long as he's in them. (less)

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Jun 15, 2013 Tiffani Long rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013

I really do NOT for the life of me understand Robyn Carr's affinity for underage, young teens having serious, sexual relationships in every.single.book. Her novels would be perfectly wonderful without these over-sexed teens. I LOVE Mel and Jack, Preacher and Paige, Brie and Mike...their lives on the pages standalone without any need for these subplots. And I especially do not want to read almost an entire chapter devoted to lengthy, descriptive first-time sexual encounter between two teenagers a...more

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Jun 08, 2013 Phyllis rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I loved this 5th book in the Virgin River Series just like the first 4 books in the series. Even though it has been months since I read book 4, Robyn Carr has a subtle way of incorporating the previous characters and events so that each book in the series brings the reader back to the preceding books.

In this book new characters and relationships are introduced. As always, I enjoyed learning about the new ones and how they interacted with the other Virgin River characters. As like her other book...more

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Nov 01, 2009 Edna Lyn rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2009, contemporary-romance

The fifth book of the Virgin River series was definitely my least favorite in terms of the main couple. Paul, while he seems like a good enough guy, didn't appeal to me as the other heroes in the previous books. Vanni was somewhat likeable but I didn't like the attitude from her later in the story. I also didn't care for the Terri storyline...that seemed like a big waste to me. I thought Cameron was a good guy and wished he had some happy ending with someone. Oh and I can't forget how annoying C...more The fifth book of the Virgin River series was definitely my least favorite in terms of the main couple. Paul, while he seems like a good enough guy, didn't appeal to me as the other heroes in the previous books. Vanni was somewhat likeable but I didn't like the attitude from her later in the story. I also didn't care for the Terri storyline...that seemed like a big waste to me. I thought Cameron was a good guy and wished he had some happy ending with someone. Oh and I can't forget how annoying Carol was. Luckily all this was resolved one third into it. I dont think I could have taken it if they struggled with the romance throughout the entire book.

During the middle and towards the end, Joe, another one of the Marines, had his own little story with Vanni's best friend, Nikki. They had potential but I think I need to see more of them for it to be done deal for me.

Tom, oh how I love this kid. He's so endearing and adorable with Brenda. I hope these two make it in the future. Another young guy I was glad to see was Ricky. The boys got together to see him off; it was so damn cute. He and Liz seem to be going good and I hope they make it as well. And on the other end of the spectrum, Walt has his own lady friend which I'm very happy about. He also has a new family member brought into the picture, Shelby, his niece.

It was a lot of fun since Paige and Preacher were expecting. Preach was predictable at the birth, I was grinning like a fool when he was nearly fainting. Then his reaction to his little baby girl...it was so touching. He may look intimidating but he's such a softy.

And I saved the best couple for last. Mel and Jack welcomed a new addition to their family, little Emma. There was touch and go with these two twice. But both times just proved time and time again why they're such an amazing couple. I especially loved the last part with little throwbacks to book 1. It makes me want to go back and read it again.

Finally, Shady Brady! He came into the picture once again and saved the day. I actually really like this guy. I can't wait to learn more about him.

These books are so damn good even if I don't enjoy the main couple, there's always so much going on that it keeps everything entertaining. Overall, a 3.5 star rating...had to take it down a notch because Paul/Vanni and Joe/Nikki didn't impress me enough. (less)

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Sep 19, 2012 Cindy Walker rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is the best book I've read so far .. about Paul and Vanni after Vanni's husband/Pauls best friend died. and the heart breaking story of each one loving the other but couldnt admit or talk about it for fear it was too soon.but all their friends and family knew already they loved each other. I got about half way through and couldnt put it down. However I read a few out of sequence and have to keep the characters straight.. now I can hardly wait to get the next in the series. They dont really...more

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Jul 02, 2011 Bree T rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: library-reads, chick-lit, contemporary, romance, series, women-s-fiction

Second Chance Pass is the fourth novel in the Virgin River series and not one I was particularly looking forward to starting because I’d been introduced to the two main characters, Vanessa and Paul, in book 3 and I knew the coupling was going to squick me out.

Vanessa is the daughter of the 3 star General Booth who moved to Virgin River upon retiring. Vanessa is married to Matt in book 3, who is deployed to Iraq and he’s killed in that book, offscreen. Vanessa was also pregnant (about 6 months I...more Second Chance Pass is the fourth novel in the Virgin River series and not one I was particularly looking forward to starting because I’d been introduced to the two main characters, Vanessa and Paul, in book 3 and I knew the coupling was going to squick me out.

Vanessa is the daughter of the 3 star General Booth who moved to Virgin River upon retiring. Vanessa is married to Matt in book 3, who is deployed to Iraq and he’s killed in that book, offscreen. Vanessa was also pregnant (about 6 months I think) when he died and for support she turned to Paul, Matt’s best friend, former marine, now working in construction in nearby town Grants Pass, with his family. Paul actually spotted Vanessa first all those years ago but didn’t have the courage to approach her and Matt swept in and picked her up himself, and the two fell in love and got married.

But now Matt is gone and Vanessa (who goes by the really unattractive shortening “Vanni” here) thinks that she might be ready to move on…. to her late-husband’s best friend. She knows he has been there for her throughout all the bad times but she’s young and ready to leave them all behind. Paul was there at the birth of her and Matt’s son and supported her afterwards but has left Virgin River and returned to Grants Pass, becoming distant from her. She’s not sure why and her attempts to get him to talk aren’t really working. She’s also dealing with her in-laws, a refined and wealthy couple who are trying to set her up with someone they deem “appropriate” – a pediatrician named Cameron. Vanessa likes him and the two get on quite well but she’s realised that she’s really in love with Paul and can’t pursue anything with Cameron.

Paul, meanwhile, has been trying to distance himself from Vanessa because of his guilt of wanting his dead best friend’s wife. A chance encounter with a previous casual acquaintance comes back to haunt him however and he gets caught up in his own drama back in his town that threatens any possible chance of anything happening with Vanessa. Paul knows he needs to come clean to Vanessa about what is happening in his life if the two of them are to have any chance of making it as a couple but being naturally shy and quiet, he just doesn’t know how to go about it. It doesn’t help that Vanessa is particularly outspoken and forthright, cutting him off and spinning arguments out of nothing, ruining more than once chance he has of confessing.

I wrote a handful of notes after I finished this one, because I also had a couple more to read and I had to return them all to the library and I didn’t want to forget anything. I actually liked this book more than I thought I would, but that was mostly because the Paul and Vanessa story line was wrapped up about two thirds into it. This one introduced quite a few new characters and we spent some time with some previous characters, so I didn’t have to deal with Vanessa too much. She was one of the most unlikable women to be featured in this series so far – she’s an utter shrew! Obnoxious, shrill, jumping to conclusions, hypocritical, she really was very difficult to like. I know there’s no “designated mourning time” but I did feel that it was a bit weird that she herself was ready to move on about five months after her husband was killed in combat and everyone in her life was also actively encouraging it. Her father, while not pushing her to date other men, was worried every time she went and talked to her husband where he was buried on the General’s property, her parents-in-law were trying to set her up with eligible men and everyone from Virgin River was sticking their bib in trying to get her and Paul together. This was vaguely explained by Vanessa saying that she hadn’t seen her husband in close to a year so it felt like he’d been gone a long time. That might be true, but he wasn’t actually dead for a majority of that time. He was serving his country in combat, one that ultimately took his life. It just felt very disrespectful. And creepy.

Other things I didn’t like about this book: Paul, who was boring and the return of Mel, the stupidest midwife ever qualified! She gives birth at home again in this one and I don’t know if Robyn Carr is trying to promote home-birth or actively scare people off them because so much seems to go wrong every time one occurs! You’d think a midwife would know that her postpartum haemorrhaging wasn’t normal before she nearly died from it. I hope I never ever get a midwife like Mel delivering any of my children. Thankfully the experiences I’ve had here in Australia are completely different to Mel’s practices in Virgin River!

Things I did like about this book: Vanessa’s younger brother Tom and his girlfriend Brenda. Their sex scenes are pretty unbelievable but the two of them are very cute together and I like them both and have ever since they were introduced. Really liked the introduction of Cameron, the peds guy that Vanessa’s in-laws attempted to set her up with and I hope we definitely see more of him in the future, maybe getting his own HEA in Virgin River. I also love the mysterious illegal grower/non-grower that wears the Shady Brady hat who has popped up in and out since the beginning in various different scenes – I hope he returns too, hopefully to get his own book or at least be a part of another one in a proper way.

This book wasn’t for me in the terms of its main characters but it’s definitely a necessary read in terms of the overall story – there are plenty of new characters introduced in this one and I’m sure most of them are going to be back, if not all of them so to get the backgrounds on them, I’m glad I read this one! And because the Paul/Vanessa story line didn’t drag out for the whole book, it was a lot more enjoyable than I really expected.(less)

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Apr 07, 2011 Jonetta rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Paul Haggerty has been in love with Vanessa Booth since the day he met her but allowed his best friend, Matt Rutledge, make the first move and that was the end. Matt married Vanessa and went off to war and was killed, with Vanessa due to give birth shortly. Paul provided his shoulders and support to her in both of their grief but he doesn't want to move too quickly and take advantage of Vanessa. His slowness on the uptake threatens to have him again standing in someone else's wake.

While this is...more

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Oct 04, 2010 Samantha rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: robyn-carr

Second Chance Pass was my favorite book from the Virgin River series, aside from the first book, Jack and Mel's story. I was very anxious for Paul and Vannie's story since we first met them! I really enjoyed their love story and how they overcame their complications. The second half of the book was pretty much consumed by new romances and checking in with old characters of Virgin River. I usually can't stand this when it takes up so much of the book on hearing about everyone else, but I actually...more

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Jul 23, 2010 FlibBityFLooB rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, read-in-2010, made-me-cry, loved-the-audiobook-narration, zzauthor-carr-robyn

Loved parts of the book, even made me tear up at one point. Still, there were so many different things going on at once... At one point, I thought everything was winding up, but I looked at my audiobook and realized I still had three cds left of story. EEk! :0

I refuse to spoil the book in this review, but I actually did the Scooby-Doo 'Huh' noise listening to the audiobook when I heard the scene with Jack taking care of business for Mel when the clock was ticking. I can't say more. But, it was...more

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Jan 14, 2010 Velma rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: romance junkies

Recommended to Velma by: Mia V

Shelves: 2010-reads, fiction, bookcrossinged

Not really my cup of tea, romance novels, so I can't really speak to the quality of this one. Can say it is a quick read with no need to look up any words in the dictionary. ;)

This book was a gift from an internet friend, and I didn't realize it is a romance novel 'til I was into it. Not finishing a book once begun just isn't in me, so I stuck it out.

Released into the wild via Bookcrossing January, 2010. BCID=716-7762458

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Mar 11, 2009 Romance Novel TV rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Reviewed by PJ for Romance Novel TV

Carr fans will be thrilled with this emotional return visit to the fictional town of Virgin River, California where life challenges and love triumphs. Second Chance Pass, the fifth book in the Virgin River series, tells the story of Vanni, a young war widow and new mother, and Paul, the best friend of her late husband and the man who has secretly loved her for years. Paul and Vanni are the primary focus of the story but, as with the other books in this series,...more

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Oct 21, 2012 Lisa - (Aussie Girl) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: halloween-challenge-rrr, romance-contemporary

Another visit to the town of Virgin River in the country of Romancelandia where the men are hot and devoted to the fiesty women who love them. This instalment has several romances on the hop,three of them with the theme of second chance love - Paul who has been secretly in love with his best friend's wife, Vanessa now a widow, for years might lose his chance for happiness if he can't resolve past issues, young Tom in the throes of first love and lust, Joe Benson who finds love after a one night...more

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Second Chance Pass (Virgin River #5)

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