Reviews

The Next Always by Nora Roberts

tiredcat's review against another edition

4.0

Loved it. Nora Roberts at her best. I just hate that I have to wait until May to read the next book in this trilogy.

silenciadelumbrae's review against another edition

4.0

Sometimes you just need something soft and easy with good friendships, good relationships, and an unrealistically easy Big Job To Do. And also ghosts.

That's this book. Anyone who's ever done construction is probably laughing about the timeline for this project, but I never have so I can suspend my disbelief.

It's a light, fast, sweet read and I had fun with it.

beccawasha's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

tessiekat's review against another edition

5.0

After visiting BoonsBoro, MD, it was really neat to read a story about them and be able to see in my head what was going on. Especially, since almost all the businesses, including the inn, bookstore, pizzeria and such are actual businesses. And the rooms in the Inn are exactly as described in the book. Making it really special. Making it one of my favorite books are the characters. I totally fell in love with them. They are so well written, rounded, and formed. Clare is wonderful, and felt like a sister. Beckett is so dreamy. Could he be any more perfect?? I REALLY want to meet Ryder though. He sounds so sexy!
I listened to the Audible audiobook read by MacLeod Andrews, who did a wonderful job and made the 11 hours fly by. I can't wait to read the next one!

litwithkaylee's review against another edition

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

tsukikomew's review against another edition

4.0

I am a huge fan of Nora Roberts but I've found I like her J.D. Robb series a bit more. I think it has to do with the level of action and raw sexiness of Eve and Roarke. I'm sorry but isn't Roarke one of the sexiest Roberts heroes? Seriously he's Irish (come on!) and he's mysterious (2 points!) plus he's super-devoted to Eve, even when she doesn't want him to be (Score!).

Out of three heroes in the Inns BoonsBoro series Beckett is by far, my favorite. Usually Roberts' heroes are not the asshole alpha of other stories but rather the decent guy who has never found "the one". Beckett is the perfect example of this. He's established in his family's business and has dated over the years but hasn't found any woman to make him linger for long. Of course he's always had a thing for his high school crush Claire Brewster.

Claire, now widowed with three kids, runs the local bookstore which is completely awesome. She has three little boys who are completely adorable. I missed the other two heroines in subsequent books not having kids. I'm not always a fan of kids in books but these three just worked for me. Claire and Beckett dance around each other for awhile, attracted yet not willing to change their relationship.

Of course, they come together with the help of the Inn's resident ghost, Lizzy. Beckett and Claire date and he begins integrating himself into her and her childrens' lives. The friendships with his brothers and her friends are amazing and give really good positive spins on female and male relationships. Everyone is looking out for each other and supporting each other. The friends convince the couple to work out their issues and try to see eye to eye while trying to protect Claire from a stalker.

Yes, there is a stalker. I do not normally care for stalker stories since it usually seems forced. Some stalker stories are so creepy you want to immediately shut the book but others lack the dangerous quality. Sam Freemont is a stalker but he's not super-creepy. I understand most stalkers do not come off as super creepy but their actions do. Sam lurks. That's the term I would use. He doesn't do much until the end other than watch. Yes that's creepy but it doesn't inspire the level of danger you would find in say in finding packages inside the house. It is only at the end when he breaks into her house and tries to kidnap her, does he become creepy and unstable.

Maybe it's just me but I didn't care for the conflict. It seemed a bit forced to me but then I've found that in other Nora Roberts books. Sometimes the whole mystery angle is a bit unnecessary (see "Carnal Innocence"). Usually I find her romances stand on their own without the suspense angle. It is only in the J.D. Robb series where the mysteries can take center-stage.

4 Stars
Published by Berkley
November 1, 2011
Provided by: Myself--Purchased

zari504's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

jlhiggins5's review against another edition

5.0

Loved this story but would have liked to see more of the ghost!

gasoline_allie's review against another edition

3.0

I’m a sucker for a B&B setting, pizza, and men in tool belts, so I should have loved this. I think it was the “bad guy” who tanked it for me—he just wasn’t interesting, and his obsession felt tacked on.

orinoco450's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25