The Next Always

Nora Roberts is a very prolific writer and many of her stories follow a well-trod path. You know in your heart of hearts what's going to happen by the end of the story, it's the journey that really counts. It's learning about the characters and who they are, cheering on the good guys and booing the bad guys, and relaxing into the comfort of one of her books.

This one is based in her hotel in Boonsboro. Describing *most* of the suites as they go (it would have been a bit cheeky to describe the JD Robb (her alter ego) room) as they develop and come to life. And you can understand why this building would occupy her mind, after all it did burn down before it was really finished and, like the mother in the story, this was her idea, her show more concept come to mind.

You're introduced to the three Montgomery brothers at the start, they're working on the hotel as the three sons of a mother who has a vision for this place. Beckett is the architect but he can put his hand to work. He's always been attracted to Clare Brewster ever since they were young, but she fell in love and left the town, now her husband is dead, he was a soldier, and she's back to her home town with their three sons. Beckett isn't sure if she wants a relationship but he's finding hiself more and more attracted to her.

It's a fun read, the two characters are interesting and solid people and you can see where the other two brother's relationships are going to come from. I loved the geeky comments, particularly the exchange about the Han Solo costume! show less

It's really simple engaging storytelling. One of the best I've read so far as to hilarious quips. Would very much like to believe there is such a family as generous with their feelings toward each other as the Montgomerys. And that there are mothers so patient as Clare without having to call them SuperMom. Loved the ghost part. It's all very straightforward and we all know who gets who in the end. It's how they get there that's fun. Good summer reading.

Nora Roberts always excels in the details, even if the broad strokes of the plot are pretty predictable. This time, the three Montgomery brothers are restoring an old inn. Beckett, the youngest, is the architect. He's had a crush on Clare for years, but she was someone else's girl, then wife. But now they're both back in Boonsboro and both available. The details of the restoration are interesting and there's an intriguing ghost story, although the road to true love is really pretty smooth and the villain too cliched.

You can also read my review here: http://bookbybookreview.blogspot.com/2011/11/review-next-always.html

She had done it again... Nora Roberts has an amazing gift for drawing her readers in and leaving the desperate for the next book. I was in love (LOVE) with the wedding quartet series that she completed late last year (still sad it's over) and was wondering what I would sink my teeth into next... the Boonsboro Inn trilogy is perfect!

A dreamy setting, a quiet town with generations of people who have grown up together. An old Inn in the centre of town that has it's own secrets and stories waiting to be shared. The Montgomery brothers, Beckett, Owen and Ryder, are set to bring it back to life and open the town up for a bigger and brighter show more future.

One of my favourite things in this novel was the Inn. I loved the idea of an old building - with a part - being brought back to life. The descriptions of each room were so romantic and the image in my head has made me want an Inn of my own. As the renovations continued, I found myself repeatedly flipping to the books cover and getting lost in the story. It was/is beautiful.

The characters were so real. I enjoyed every single one of them and they each played off the others so well. The one that I could relate to the most was Clare - the bookstore owner (called Turn the Page... umm, hello?!?!). Just her story alone made me drool... maybe not her reasons for being back in Boonsboro, but the store. My dream being lived out on the pages was a real treat!

Overall, I simply cannot wait for book two in the series... and I can only imagine that I will be just as sad when this comes to an end. show less

I have to start out by saying that I buy Nora Roberts' books on her name alone. I have seldom been disappointed in any of her stories. This was another wonderful, feel-good romance with well-drawn characters and strong, loving families.

The Montgomery family is restoring an old inn in Boonsboro. The family consists of a widowed mother and three grown sons. You can easily see that they love and support each other even while the brothers pick at each other and tease. This romance stars Beckett who is the architect in the family but who also doesn't mind turning his hand to any carpentry tasks or other needed tasks in the inn restoration project.

The heroine of this story is Clare Brewster. She is back home in Boonsboro with her three young show more sons after the death of her husband in Iraq. They were childhood sweethearts and had a strong loving marriage. Now that she is home, she has started a bookstore and has made a new life for herself and her sons.

Beckett has loved her since she was sixteen but has settled for a friendship until now. This story explores their growing relationship as they learn to adjust and trust each other. It was fun to see Beckett interacting with Clare's three sons and see him fitting himself into their lives. Clare is the one who is most reluctant to be in the relationship at first. After all, she has already had a wonderful relationship and had her heart broken when she lost her husband.

I did like that Clare was not a passive heroine. When she decides to commit to the relationship with Beckett, she is the one who puts the moves on him. He wants to take it slow and ease her into the relationship but isn't at all reluctant when Clare wants to move faster.

But everything can't go smoothly. Clare has also drawn the attention of a former schoolmate who has developed an unhealthy obsession with her and has begun stalking her. Clare just thinks that he is an annoying person who is really hard to discourage but the stalking episodes quickly escalate.

The story also features Beckett's two brothers - Owen and Ryder and Clare's best friends Avery and Hope leading the way for the romances in the next books in this trilogy. What I really like about Roberts' books is that her heroines are real adult women. Clare owns a bookstore; Avery owns and operates a restaurant; and Hope is experienced in running hotels. None of them are looking for a man to make their lives better. They have perfectly good lives already. Nor are her heroes rich men of leisure. They may be comfortably well-off but they are all hard-working.

I really enjoyed this story and will certainly be following along with the rest of the Inn Boonsboro Trilogy. show less

"I swear I trip up more with you than anybody. I love you, Clare. I always did, but it’s different loving who you are now. It’s so damn solid. You’re so solid, so steady, strong, smart. I love who you are, how you are. I love those boys, you have to know." - Beckett Montgomery

Too long... It's been too long since I've had a good dose of NR - honestly, I really needed this little break from ARCs! Can't believe I actually lasted this long away from this woman's books!

Meet the Montgomery boys! Ryder, Owen, and Beckett! In this amazing trilogy, they're trying to rebuild their town's inn, with the intention of bringing it to its previous glory. But the building hides more than just its golden history. A ghost - named Elizabeth by show more Beckett - haunts its rooms and hallways. Still, the ghost doesn't seem to be harmful to visitors. A certain man who stalks Clare Brewster, young widowed mother of three boys, though, is certainly much more dangerous. With his high school crush on her becoming something more stable, something stronger, Beckett will have to use any trick he has - and a little bit of help from Elizabeth - to make sure he can finally have his happy ending. But is Clare up for the ride? Or is she still in love with her dead husband?

Like I said, it's completely unbelievable - and I should feel ashamed for it! - that I stayed away from any NR stories. Reading this book proved it, I'm nuts for doing so, and cannot possibly live withour reading words written by her. A trilogy focusing on three brothers (btw, dibs on Ryder, if no one has staked a claim on this fictional guy yet!), a small friendly town, an awesome, badass mother (I'm talking about both Clare AND Justine), steamy romance that is never too vanilla or too vulgar, old ladies that are full of life and so damn creative... Any wonder why I love this author to death?!

Beckett and Clare were just what I needed after straying from the right path of fictional romance. So sweet and hot together, yet strong and hilarious when they were hanging around other people. I loved how Beckett seemed to have always been in love with her. Still, I loved the fact Clare was getting ready to fall even more. It showed that not all widows in romance were unsatisfied with their spouses, and that even them deserve a second chance. Her three sons came as a bonus, and at the end of the story, it was impossible to imagine her without those three running around her feet. I also adored the fact Beckett was all for being a real couple, sharing their troubles and plans - even if it was irritating at some point to witness the stress Clare put him through because she was used to being alone in her duties....

Nora Roberts, however, is not just a romance writer. The woman knows her craft well, so she gave us not only some suspense with Clare's stalker (I'm not talking about his identity, I'm talking at the way things went downhill) but also some paranormal scenes with a ghost! She even made me cry! *sighs* It's been so long since I've cried because of her words, I'm telling you this is true magic!

The only problem with all this was the fact everyone kept talking about the inn. Wait, not just talking - it's like they had nothing better to do! Then again, I guess that's true - as they all said it was like some big awesome news or whatever several times in the book - so it can be ignored...

Now I'm off to read Owen's story - damn, Ryder is the last one to go, why is my favorite lead almost always in the end of a trilogy?!

"You brought them dogs I didn’t think I wanted, and you were so busy talking me into it you didn’t see me fall at your feet. I love you, Beckett, without any doubt, without any worry." - Clare Brewster show less

I loved this book. It was a fun romance that is classic Nora Roberts. I think my favorite character is the Inn. I love watching the brothers remodel the inn and bring it to fruition. I love the naming of the rooms after famous literary couples that found their happily ever afters. I love that in this book in particular the heroine owns a bookstore. While listening to this book, I found myself looking into the practicalities of making a trip to Inn Boonsboro for myself (and it looks quite doable). At first, I was thrown off a little bit the sound of MacLeod Andrews voice as the narrator of the series. Mostly, I think, because I was expecting a female narrator but once the book got to going, he was perfect.