Audiobook Review: The Perfect Hope by Nora Roberts

The Perfect Hope
Author: Nora Roberts
Narrator: MacLeod Andrews
Published: November 6, 2012
Genre: chick lit
Audiobook: 9 discs (approx. 11 hours)
Source: borrowed from the library

My Rating: 3 stars

Synopsis (from GoodReads): Ryder is the hardest Montgomery brother to figure out—with a tough-as-nails outside and possibly nothing too soft underneath. He’s surly and unsociable, but when he straps on a tool belt, no woman can resist his sexy swagger. Except apparently Hope Beaumont, the innkeeper of his own Inn BoonsBoro…

As the former manager of a D.C. hotel, Hope is used to excitement and glamour, but that doesn’t mean she can’t appreciate the joys of small-town living. She’s where she wants to be—except for in her love life. Her only interaction with the opposite sex has been sparring with the infuriating Ryder, who always seems to get under her skin. Still, no one can deny the electricity that crackles between them…a spark that ignited with a New Year’s Eve kiss.

While the Inn is running smoothly, thanks to Hope’s experience and unerring instincts, her big-city past is about to make an unwelcome—and embarrassing—appearance. Seeing Hope vulnerable stirs up Ryder’s emotions and makes him realize that while Hope may not be perfect, she just might be perfect for him…

My Thoughts: This is the last book in the BoonsBoro trilogy and I was sad for it to have ended so quickly. I really enjoyed the small town setting for this book and some of the characters are enjoyable to read about, so having it come to an end after three books seems like a bit of a let down. Like the previous two books, this book focuses on one of the Montgomery brothers (this time it's Ryder), and a female that he obviously will fall in love with and want to marry (which is Hope). This is a Nora Roberts book, so it's pretty formulaic in what you are getting. That's why I don't think it's a spoiler to tell you that Ryder and Hope fall in love ... you know it will happen when you read the description, and if you've read the other two books in this series, then you know that it's definitely going to happen! That's one of the blessings and curses about a Roberts novel ... you know exactly what you are getting.

The characters in this novel are the same ones that we've seen throughout the series, so not much changes there. No one really changes or grows, they all just keep on living their small-town lives in bliss. For me, the thing that prevented me from really enjoying this book is the ghost factor. I like the fact that there is a ghost that inhabits the inn, but the fact that they can see her and they talk back and forth like she is an actual person at times ... it was just a little too weird. And the weirdest part of all? Not on character freaked out at the fact that they were seeing a ghost! Call me crazy, but I feel like in a room full of people, at least one person should have had a reaction to seeing a ghost.

Am I sad to have this familiar group of characters wrap up their stories and end the series? A bit ... but it just means that I'm off to explore some non-Roberts audiobooks in hte future. She is a go-to for me in audiobooks, but I feel like it's time that I listen to some other books, something that isn't as predictable and easy-going.

Audiobook Review: The Last Boyfriend by Nora Roberts

The Last Boyfriend (Inn BoonsBoro #2)
Author: Nora Roberts
Narrator: MacLeod Andrews
Published: January 1, 2012
Genre: chick lit
Audiobook: 9 discs (approx. 10.5 hours)
Source: borrowed from the library

My Rating: 3 stars

Synopsis (from GoodReads): Owen is the organizer of the Montgomery clan, running the family's construction business with an iron fist - and an even less flexible spreadsheet. And though his brothers bust on his compulsive list-making, the Inn BoonsBoro is about to open right on schedule. The only thing Owen didn't plan for was Avery McTavish

Avery's popular pizza place is right across the street from the inn, giving her a first-hand look at its amazing renovation - and a newfound appreciation for Owen. Since he was her first boyfriend when they were kids, Owen has never been far from Avery's thoughts. But the attraction she's feeling for him now is far from innocent.

As Avery and Owen cautiously take their relationship to another level, the opening of the inn gives the whole town of Boonsboro a reason to celebrate. But Owen's hard work has only begun. Getting Avery to let down her guard is going to take longer than he expected - and so will getting her to realize that her first boyfriend is going to be her last...

My Thoughts: After reading the first book in this trilogy last summer, I figure that it was time I come back around to it and finish it off. However, I decided to listen to it rather than read it, and I hoped that it would be as good in audiobook form as it is printed. This is narrated by a man, so it was a little weird having him narrate for some of the female voices (call me biased, but I don't think men can mimic women's voices as well as women do men's.) But since the majority of the story is told from Owen's point of view, it works well (for the most part ... some of the female voices were a bit too shrill). This is a typical Nora Roberts novel, with two people falling in love with one another in this romantic setting. I choose to listen to her books because I know what I am getting, so it can be easier to listen to them than to another book, where I really have to keep track of what is going on in the story.

Owen might be the most likeable brother of the Montgomery clan because he's the one who is most down to earth. Not to say that the other boys are way out there, but Ryder is a playboy (or I guess he is supposed to be, which must be difficult to do in a small town), and Beckett was lusting after the same girl for years, which leaves Owen, over there running the business and taking care of his family. He is methodical, which Roberts repeatedly drives home throughout the story. There is his love interest, Avery, who is a little zany and out there, so of course, she falls in love with the man who is super organized. For me, Roberts was pushing a little too hard when it came to creating Avery's personality. She really wanted you to get that she's out there, but she just tried to hard to make that come across. Also, I work in the restaurant industry as a manager, and I love reading books that are set in a restaurant because it's so unrealisitic! Sorry, but if this woman owns her own restaurant, she's not getting days off and the time to run around and help them set up in the inn. Also, something that really irks me is when authors comment on the cute shoes that people wear in a kitchen, which Roberts does by constantly mentioning the Converse that Avery wears to work. Once again, sorry! Those aren't slip proof and wouldn't hold up all day. Next time you are in a restaurant, look at the server/bartender/manager's shoes .... do they look cute? No, but they are highly functional and they never fall or slip once during their shift (there is water/oil/food everywhere in a restaurant ... believe, the chance to slipping everyday is really high!) Sorry, that was my random rant that I just had to take out on this poor book.

Overall, it was an easy, predictable read and something that I was able to enjoy on my commutes to and from work. If you are interested in starting to listen to audiobooks, I would recommend that you start with someone like Nora Roberts. They are easy to follow along and usually a good way to get lost for a little while.

Audiobook Review: The Villa by Nora Roberts

The Villa
Author: Nora Roberts
Narrator: Laural Merlington
Published: January 5, 2002
Genre: chick lit
Audiobook: 14 discs (approx. 15.5 hours)
Source: borrowed from the library

My Rating: 2.5 stars

Synopsis (from GoodReads): Sophia Giambelli has never worried about competition. For three generations, the Giambelli wines have been renowned for their quality-- from Napa Valley to Italy, and throughout the world. The pride of the Giambelli family and a top PR executive, Sophia loves her job-- and excels at it. But things are about to change at Villa Giambelli. Tereza, the matriarch, has announced a merger with the MacMillan family's winery-- and Sophia will be assuming a new role. As a savvy businesswoman, she knows she must be prepared for anything . . . but she isn't prepared for Tyler MacMillan. They've been ordered to work together very closely, to facilitate the merger. Sophia must teach Ty the finer points of marketing-- and Ty, in turn, shows her how to get down and dirty, to use the sun, rain, and earth to coax the sweetest grapes from the vineyard.

As they toil together, both in and out of the fields, Sophia is torn between a powerful attraction and a professional rivalry. At the end of the season, the course of the company's future-- and the legacy of the villa-- may take an entirely new direction. And when acts of sabotage threaten both the family business and the family itself, Sophia's quest will be not only for dominance, but also for survival.

My Thoughts: I tend to enjoy listening to Nora Roberts in audiobook form because they are something light and easy that I can have playing in the car while I drive around. So, I read the description for this one and thought, "That sounds intriguing, I'll give it a try." But this was not a typical Roberts for me. This novel just dragged on and on and felt like it might never end! Usually, the relationships between the characters is what pulls you in, and while there were some great relationships in the book, Roberts didn't focus enough on those. Instead of focusing on the relationship between the three Giambellli women, he focused on the relationship that (literally) came out of nowhere between Sophia and Tyler. It was a very confusing novel, one that had me mostly shaking my head because it was so tedious to get through.

The beginning of the book was hard to get into and I thought about turning it off and returning it for another book, but I wanted to stick it out. It did get better by the end, but it wasn't enough to make up for the lackluster beginning. There were so many characters introduced all at once, which can be hard to keep track of when you are listening to a book. And there wasn't a since of family immediately, and since this is a book about family, you expect to have a sense of it from the characters. But they all seemed to be living seperate lives from one another and they didn't mesh entirely. Overall, this was a lousy audiobook listen, but it maybe one of those things that better in the printed form than CD form. While it wasn't my favorite Roberts novel, I will still be listening to her books in the future.

Audiobook Review: Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts

Happy Ever After (Bride Quartet #4)
Author: Nora Roberts
Narrator: Angela Dawe
Published: January 1, 2010
Genre: chick lit
Audiobook: 8 discs (approx. 9 hours)
Source: borrowed from the library

My Rating: 3 stars

Synopsis (from GoodReads): Parker Brown turned the quartet's childhood game of Wedding Day into their dream jobs. And now she's the face of Vows—the one who meets every bride's demands; keeps every event on schedule; and brings Emma's romantic flowers, Laurel's delicious treats, and Mac's stunning photgraphy together in one glorious package. She knows how to make dreams come true...

Mechanic Malcom Kavanaugh loves figuring out how things work, and Parker Brown—with her mile-long legs—is no exception. But as a good friend to Parker's brother, Mal knows that moving from minor flirtation to major hookup is a serious step. No man has rattled Parker in a long time, but the motorcycle-riding, raven-haired Mal seems to have a knack for it. His passionate kisses always catch her of guard, much like her growing feelings for him. Parker's business risks have always paid off, but now she'll have to take the chance of a lifetime with her heart.

My Thoughts: I've enjoyed listening to this series and was sad to see it end after listening to it for the entire month of February (and the first few days of March). I was looking forward to this book, though, because Parker is the leader of the group and the business, but you learned so little about her from the first three books that she didn't seem to have miuch of a personality (besides that of someone who is super organized and probably has OCD). I jumped right into the one, anxious to learn about Parker and what makes her tick. The story follows the rest of the series in plot, except that the man that Parker falls for is not someone from their social circle, someone who didn't grow up with them and understands her background and what it means to come from a prominent family. Obviously, love blossoms and they end up ... happy ever after (I know, it's cheesy).

I felt like there was so much potential with this book in terms of Parker and Malcolm's relationship but Roberts just didn't let it go there. They both come from such distinct backgrounds and different worlds that it would be have been refreshing to see their relationship progress into what it ended up being. It felt like we were starting to get there when they had their fight, but it was short-lived. Roberts just followed her formula of jumping into love and marriage, both within a few minutes of one another in this series. It's typical yet the stories are still enjoyable and easy to listen to.

I did enjoy listening to this series and am sad to see it end, because I did enjoy the friendship between the four women and the amazing business that they set up together. While not literature and something that will last over the years, it is something easy to listen to and get lost in during my commute.

Audiobook Review: Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts

Savor the Moment (Bride Quartet #3)
Author: Nora Roberts
Narrator: Angela Dawe
Published: April 27, 2010
Genre: chick lit
Audiobook: 8 discs (approx. 9 hours)
Source: borrowed from the library

My Rating: 3.5 stars

Synopsis (from GoodReads): #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts cordially invites you to meet childhood friends Parker, Emma, Laurel, and Mac — the founders of Vows, one of Connecticut’s premier wedding planning companies. Laurel McBane has always relied on her friends for support, especially when her dream of attending culinary school was almost ruined by her parents’ financial problems. Now Laurel is repaying the kindness of her friends by creating extravagantly luscious tiers of cakes and other confectionary delights that add the perfect touch to their clients’ weddings. As for romance, Laurel believes in it — in theory. But she’s too low-key to appreciate all the luxuries that other women seem to long for. What she does appreciate is a strong, intelligent man, a man just like Parker’s older brother, Delaney Brown, on whom Laurel has had a mega crush since childhood. But some infatuations last longer than others, and Laurel is convinced that the Ivy League lawyer is still out of her reach. Plus, Del is too protective of Laurel to ever cross the line with her, or so she thinks. When Laurel’s quick- silver moods get the better of her — leading to an angry, hot, altogether mind-blowing kiss with Del — she’ll have to quiet the doubts in her mind to turn a moment of passion into forever…

My Thoughts: I'm really into this series now, which is a good sign since there's only one more book left after this one! In this book, we are back at Vows, a premiere wedding and event venue in Connecticut, run by four best friends. This book focuses on Laurel, the pastry chef at this venue. She has had a rough childhood with parents divorcing and leaving her to choose sides. As an adult, Laurel has always had feelings for Del, Parker's older brother and one of their business partners, but she refused to act on those feelings because of how her parent's divorce affected her. She also realizes that starting something with Del could affect their business and her friendship with Parker, so she leaves him alone, content to see him as an older brother. But one day, she decides to act on her feelings, and the two become an item and grow closer together.

I really loved Laurel and wish that her book had been longer than the others. Mac and Emma (who were featured in the first two books) were nice, but you had no real connection to them. Laurel is a real person, someone who you could imagine knowing in your own life. You understand why she is the way that she is, and you don't fault her for it. Instead, you accept her as she is and hope that she is able to find happiness, whether it be with or without Del. The relationship that they have together is real, too, and didn't feel as forced as it did in the first two books.

My only complaint with this novel (besides wishing it was a little bit longer) was how quickly everything progressed. Sure, the beginning of their relationship dragged out for a bit, but all of a sudden, they are saying "I love you" and Del proposes. Excuse me, but isn't that a bit quick? Call me old fashioned, but I would like a guy to say "I love you" awhile before he pops the question. The ending was just too rushed and left me shaking my head. I knew it was going to happen, because that's how it played out in the first two books, but changing it up a little might have been nice.

There's only one more book left in this series, and although I'm pretty certain I know how it's going to end, I still have to listen to it! This is a good series to pop in the CD player and get lost in for awhile, so I would recommend it if you just want to something to zone out to.

Audiobook Review: Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts

Bed of Roses (Bride Quartet #2)
Author: Nora Roberts
Narrator: Angela Dawe
Published: October 27, 2010
Genre: chick lit
Audiobook: 8 discs (approx. 9 hours)
Source: borrowed from the library

My Rating: 3 stars

Synopsis (from GoodReads): As little girls MacKensie, Emma, Laurel, and Parker spent hours acting out their perfect make believe “I do” moments. Years later their fantasies become reality when they start their own wedding planning company to make every woman’s dream day come true. With perfect flowers, delicious desserts, and joyful moments captured on film, Nora Roberts’s Bride Quartet shares each woman’s emotionally magical journey to romance.

In Bed of Roses, florist Emma Grant is finding career success with her friends at Vows wedding planning company, and her love life appears to be thriving. Though men swarm around her, she still hasn’t found Mr. Right. And the last place she’s looking is right under her nose. But that’s just where Jack Cooke is. He’s so close to the women of Vows that he’s practically family, but the architect has begun to admit to himself that his feelings for Emma have developed into much more than friendship. When Emma returns his passion—kiss for blistering kiss—they must trust in their history…and in their hearts.

My Thoughts: The second in the series, Bed of Roses picks up where Vision in White left off, with four friends running this successful event planning business and Mac, one of the girls, recently engaged. It's an easy assumption that in each book, each of the four will find love for themselves. So, in this book, it's Emma the florist's turn. She falls for a friends that she's known for years, and he falls for her. But while she wants all the romance, he's more practical and yearns for space. They are electric together but that also leads to some problems, with everything working out for the best by the end of the novel.

It's a typical formula for Nora Roberts, which is why I enjoy her audiobooks so much. I know what I'm getting and it doesn't require too much attention, but it's still easy to get lost in. What really shines in this novel is the friendship among the four women. They are all so different but it's easy to see why they are all friends. Also, being able to see inside their business is so interesting. I don't even really need the romance because I love the idea of this successful business keeps me on my toes! All of the girls have a great rapport with one another and the dialogue between them is effortless and a joy to listen to.

The downside of this whole book for me was the end. You know that it's all going to work out perfectly for Jack and Emma, but they have this huge argument, which leads to them not talking for a few days. When they do talk, she says she doesn't want to see him in a romantic capacity anymore, which leads to him proposing, and her saying yes. I mean, could we please craft a weaker female character? This man treated her like crap, but he says "I love you", and she's back in his arms. It was so frustrating because there was no real resolution between the two, it just wrapped up very quickly.

I will finish this series, but this was a letdown after the first book in the series. I hope that the third book in this quartet is nothing like this one! 

Audiobook Review: Vision in White by Nora Roberts

Vision in White (Bride Quartet #1)
Author: Nora Roberts
Narrator: Emily Durante
Published: April 28, 2009
Genre: chick lit
Audiobook: 8 discs (approx. 8.75 hours)
Source: borrowed from the library

My Rating: 3 stars

Synopsis (from GoodReads): Wedding photographer Mackensie "Mac" Elliot is most at home behind the camera, but her focus is shattered moments before an important wedding rehearsal when she bumps into the bride-to-be's brother...an encounter that has them both seeing stars.

A stable, safe English teacher, Carter Maguire is definitely not Mac's type. But a casual fling might be just what she needs to take her mind off bridezillas. Of course, casual flings can turn into something more when you least expect it. And Mac will have to turn to her three best friends-and business partners-to see her way to her own happy ending.

My Thoughts: Nora Roberts is pretty much my go to for audiobooks now. They are easy to listen to, nice for my commute to and from work. It's not too heavy on plot, so if I happen to forget something while I'm at work during a stressful day, when I get back inmy car to start listening again, it isn't too hard to pick up where I left on. And this book is just another perfect example of how easy her books are to listen to. Focusing on four friends who run their own wedding/events business, Roberts tells a story of four young women who are surrounded by love everyday, but haven't found it in their own lives.

This is a quartet of books, so each one focuses on one of the girls. This one was all about Mac, the photographer who has never been in love before. She meets Carter, a boy she went to school with, and sparks fly. It's a pretty basic chick lit plot, nothing that's really surprising. The characters are real (Mac swears quite a bit, so she's not all perfect). I love the setting that Roberts has placed them in, a gorgeous old estate that they have transformed into an event site for hundreds of events throughout the year. Roberts is great with female friendships, which you can see in this novel. I do wish we had a little more interaction with the other girls, but there are four books in this series, so I guess there's enough time to squeeze all those interactions in.

This book might have been better for me if a different narrator was chosen. Emily Durante has a speech impediment, which is quite apparent at times. I would become so distracted by her talking that I wasn't listening to the words that she was saying. I do wish that they had chosen someone else to narrate this book, because it was distracting at times for me to have to listen to. Other than that, it was a nice book to listen to and I'm already onto the next one in this series!

Audiobook Review: The Witness by Nora Roberts

The Witness
Author: Nora Roberts
Narrator:
Published: April 17, 2012
Genre: chick lit, thriller
Audiobook: 13 discs (approx. 15 hours)
Source: borrowed from the library

My Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis (from GoodReads): Daughter of a controlling mother, Elizabeth finally let loose one night, drinking at a nightclub and allowing a strange man's seductive Russian accent lure her to a house on Lake Shore Drive. The events that followed changed her life forever. 

Twelve years later, the woman known as Abigail Lowery lives on the outskirts of a small town in the Ozarks. A freelance programmer, she designs sophisticated security systems--and supplements her own security with a fierce dog and an assortment of firearms. She keeps to herself, saying little, revealing nothing. But Abigail's reserve only intrigues police chief Brooks Gleason. Her logical mind, her secretive nature, and her unromantic viewpoints leave him fascinated but frustrated. He suspects that Abigail needs protection from something--and that her elaborate defenses hide a story that must be revealed.

My Thoughts: I often find good audiobooks hard to find. Either the narration doesn't fit with the story, the plot is too confusing to be read aloud, or the book just isn't something that I would enjoy, even in print form. I often turn to the authors whose work I really enjoy in the form of audiobooks, because I know that it's difficult to let me down when I typically enjoy their writing. This is the case with Nora Roberts. Her books are engaging and quick reads, and her latest book is no different. In fact, this is the best Nora Roberts book that I've read/listened to. Combining the thrill of the Russian mafia with a woman determined to outrun her past, Roberts weaves an amazing story of bravery, heroic acts, and a little humor, along with some romance, to really make you love this story.

It's a great plot and one that kept me wondering if Elizabeth/Abigail would be able to live with the Russian mafia looking for her. I didn't know if she would be able to last living the way that she does. She meets a wonderful man, someone who changes her view on the world and the people in it. It takes time for the story to develop and progress, but Roberts uses that time to show you Abigail's life and her struggles with people. She shows you how Abigail is able to open up, slowly, and let others in. It's moving to see how Brooks changes her view on the world and how one person can really change your life.

If there was one thing that took away from the experience of listening to this book, it was the narration. At times, it became so stilted, especially with Abigail's dialogue, that I almost tuned out. I understand that Abigail is all logic and comes across as very cool, but that doesn't mean that she's a robot. Overall though, it was a great listening experience and it has me looking forward to my next Nora Roberts audiobook.

Waiting on Wednesday (2-6-13)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. Each week, you highlight an upcoming release that you are eagerly anticipating. This week, I'm looking forward to Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts (release date: April 16, 2013).

Synopsis (from Amazon): For more than three hundred years, Bluff House has sat above Whiskey Beach, guarding its shore—and its secrets. But to Eli Landon, it’s home… 

A Boston lawyer, Eli has weathered an intense year of public scrutiny and police investigations after being accused of—but never arrested for—the murder of his soon-to-be-ex wife.

He finds sanctuary at Bluff House, even though his beloved grandmother is in Boston recuperating from a nasty fall. Abra Walsh is always there, though. Whiskey Beach’s resident housekeeper, yoga instructor, jewelry maker, and massage therapist, Abra is a woman of many talents—including helping Eli take control of his life and clear his name. But as they become entangled in each other, they find themselves caught in a net that stretches back for centuries—one that has ensnared a man intent on reaping the rewards of destroying Eli Landon once and for all…

I've really started to enjoy Nora Roberts' stand alone novels, and this one sounds pretty intriguing. So, what are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Audiobook Review: The Search by Nora Roberts

The Search
Author: Nora Roberts
Narrator: Tanya Eby
Published: January 1, 2010
Genre: chick lit, thriller
Audiobook: 13 discs (approx. 15 hours)
Source: borrowed from the library

My Rating: 3.5 stars

Synopsis (from GoodReads): To most people, Fiona Bristow seems to have an idyllic life-a quaint house on an island off Seattle's coast, a thriving dog-training school, and a challenging volunteer job performing canine search and rescues. Not to mention her three intensely loyal Labs. But Fiona got to this point by surviving a nightmare...

Several years ago, Fiona was the only survivor of the Red Scarf serial killer, who shot and killed Fiona's cop fiancé and his K-9 partner. On Orcas Island, Fiona found the peace and solitude she needed to rebuild her life. But all that changes on the day Simon Doyle barrels up her drive, desperate for her help. He's the reluctant owner of an out-of-control puppy, foisted upon him by his mother. Jaws has eaten through Simon's house, and he's at his wit's end.

To Fiona, Jaws is nothing she can't handle. Simon, however, is another matter. A newcomer to Orcas, he's a rugged and in-tensely private artist, known for the exquisite furniture he creates from wood. Simon never wanted a puppy-and he most definitely doesn't want a woman. Besides, the lanky redhead is not his type. But tell that to his hormones. As Fiona embarks on training Jaws, and Simon begins to appreciate both dog and trainer, the past tears back into Fiona's life. A copycat killer has emerged out of the shadows, a man whose bloodlust has been channeled by a master with one motive: to reclaim the woman who slipped out of his hands...

My Thoughts: This is my second Nora Roberts book that I've read and it was probably better than the first. Following a woman who was nearly murdered years ago, Roberts tells a tale of how to live with your past, building a new life, and finding love unexpectedly. Using the Pacific Northwest as her backdrop, Roberts tells a story that reels you in and doesn't let go until the end. The characters in this book are diverse, from the leading lady Fiona, who is plucky and well-grounded, to the stubborn Simon Doyle, who is sure that he does not need a woman or puppy in his life. Then of course, there are the killers. There is Perry, the man who tried to kill Fiona all those years ago but failed, making her the one that got away and put him behind bars. Unable to go out and exact his revenge on her, he convinces an instructor at the prison, Francis Eckle, to carry out the rest of his plan. The two killers are frightening to listen to and it definitely puts a chill down your spine.

This was a great story and one that I felt difficult to walk away from, but there were a few things that just sit right with me. For one, the interaction that SImon has with Fiona at the beginning is awful. He outright tells her, "I don't find you attractive." And yet they fall in love ... go figure. I also felt like they went from sleeping together to loving one another in about three days. Call me crazy, but that's just unrealistic. I realize this is part romance novel, but they didn't need to fall head-over-heels in love with each other so fast. Also, the ending was just too out there for me. Fiona is going to go out on the search for the killer because she feels that she needs to, and the FBI just lets her. Yeah, right! You know that this wouldn't happen in real life! It was just a bit too much for me. 

I felt like the narration was well paced but rushed at times. Whenever Fiona spoke, the words were spoken so quickly that it was hard to catch them sometimes. But the tone of the narrator was always spot on, darkening whenever the murderers were talking, lighter and happier whenever Fiona was with her dogs. I really enjoyed listening to this book and will be looking for more of Roberts' stand alone novels to listen to in the future.

Review: The Next Always by Nora Roberts

The Next Always
Author: Nora Roberts
Published: November 1, 2011
Genre: chick lit
Paperback: 324 pages
Source: borrowed from the library

My Rating: 3.5 stars

Synopsis (from GoodReads): The historic hotel in Boonsboro has endured war and peace, changing hands, even rumored hauntings. Now it’s getting a major facelift from the Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother. Beckett is the architect of the family, and his social life consists mostly of talking shop over pizza and beer. But there’s another project he’s got his eye on: the girl he’s been waiting to kiss since he was fifteen.

After losing her husband and returning to her hometown, Clare Brewster soon settles into her life as the mother of three young sons while running the town’s bookstore. Busy, with little time for romance, Clare is drawn across the street by Beckett’s transformation of the old inn, wanting to take a closer look . . . at the building and the man behind it.

With the grand opening inching closer, Beckett’s happy to give Clare a private tour - one room at a time. It’s no first date, but these stolen moments are the beginning of something new - and open the door to the extraordinary adventure of what comes next . . .

My Thoughts: This is the first Nora Roberts novel that I have ever read. I have seen quite a few bloggers reading her books and they always give them positive reviews, so I figured I should try one. And this was nothing groundbreaking, nothing that made me think or expanded my mind in anyway. It was pure fluff and I ate it right up. This story takes place in a small town and has romance, a bit of danger, and some laughs. It wasn't like a romance novel where it's focused on two people falling for one another and passionate love scenes. There is a whole cast of characters who add to the story, and each is an individual, bringing something to the story without cluttering it. In addition to Clare and her three boys, there are the Montgomery boys, grown men working on the run-down inn located in the town square. They are all clearly different and it's obvious to figure out early on that the subsequent novels in this series will focus on one of the brothers. Which I'm fine with! This was a great book to read and get lost in, which I needed after reading so many heavier books lately. It was light and fluffy and I cannot wait to finish the rest of this trilogy.