Virgin River fans who’ve read the books have spoken out to say they believe Netflix ‘butchered’ a major storyline in the show, as well as saying the main characters lack chemistry.

Alexandra Breckenridge as Mel Monroe and Martin Henderson as Jack Sheridan in Virgin River

Netflix’s latest hit show, Virgin River, has left fans feeling let down as they accuse the producers of “butchering” a key storyline in the romantic drama.

The series, based on Robyn Carr’s Virgin River books, stars Martin Henderson and Alexandra Breckenridge as Mel and Jack. It follows the journey of a nurse practitioner from Los Angeles who relocates to a remote Northern California town, only to be surprised by what she finds there.

On Reddit, viewers expressed their disappointment with Netflix for creating a “stupid” storyline. One user wrote: “I read the Virgin River books years ago, before the show came out and I just started re-reading them. I forgot how good Shelter Mountain is. It makes the Paige/Preacher TV show storyline so stupid. I feel like they could’ve done it so much better.”

Mel and Jack got married in Virgin River season 6
Alexandra Breckenridge as Mel Monroe and Martin Henderson as Jack Sheridan in the final episode of season 6 ( 
Image:
NETFLIX)

Others agreed, with one saying: “You’re so right. The show butchers the books, and I don’t think it had to be that way.”

Another added: “It is especially true for Preacher and Paige. So much more depth in the book that I had forgotten about. I read the books over 10 years ago.”, reports the Daily Record.

Echoing the sentiments of many book enthusiasts, one fan expressed disappointment with the adaptation, saying: “I’m about halfway through the book now and honestly after just reading the first one and this one, the show IS so dumbbb…..the books are definitely better! ” Meanwhile, as season seven’s filming is set to begin in early spring, some viewers have raised concerns over the lack of on-screen spark between the leads. One viewer criticized, “I agree so much. It was REALLY bad styling. Also Mel’s little white fuzzy half coat thingy was so distracting. Idk. Does anyone else feel like they have absolutely zero romantic chemistry? ” Another chimed in, questioning the series’ romantic core: “I don’t understand how a show with a strong romantic focus can be running 7 and potentially 8 seasons with their lead couple having no romantic chemistry.”

Yet, there are those who stand by the show’s choices, with one fan countering the critiques: “He only decided at literally the last second to wear his uniform. He didn’t have time to go to the barber. I was expecting him to be way more unkempt based on everyone’s comments here. He looked perfectly fine to me.”