My take: The Next Always is the first book in the Inn BoonsBoro trilogy. Nora Roberts’ descriptions of the inn left me wanting to make a reservation asap! The three Montgomery brothers are making their mother’s dream a reality – turning the vacant old hotel on the town square into a beautiful inn. Beckett is the architect, Owen is the accountant/expediter (I think), and Ryder is in charge of construction.
This is Beckett’s story. He’s a great character. Growing up he had a huge crush on Clare. She ended up marrying one of his good friends and they moved away because he was in the military. Years later, after her husband was killed in war, she moved back home with her young sons. A single mother, Clare has her hands full with parenting as well as running the bookstore. She barely has time to breathe much less date and Beckett has his hands full with overseeing the inn project. Timing and circumstances eventually present Clare and Beckett with a chance to get reacquainted and for Beckett to get to know her boys. That’s enough for one book but there’s some drama too (no spoilers here). Oh, the inn appears to be haunted!
I liked The Next Always. It’s a romance filled with good characters, humor, and I loved the setting of the small town inn. I’m sure I’ll read the second book at some point.
Narrator: MacLeod Andrews did a great job voicing the male characters. I thought he did ok with the female voices but I wasn’t a fan of the little boys’ voices. It must be hard for men to do children’s voices. I’ve listened to a couple of books with child characters but they were narrated by women – and I wasn’t bothered by those performances. But, since the main characters of the series are the Montgomery brothers, I can see why the Inn BoonsBoro books are narrated by a man.
- Title: The Next Always (Inn BoonsBoro trilogy, Book 1)
- Author: Nora Roberts
- Genre: Romance
- Narrator: MacLeod Andrews
- Published: 2011 – Brilliance Audio
Source: I bought it
I am gonna try a book by her..soon 😉
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You should! (This is only the third book I’ve read by NR)
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Sounds so good
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I love that this made you want to travel to the setting! Sounds like a winner!
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I have been looking at this series for a while and couldn’t decide if I should read it. It sounds like it might be good. Thanks for your thoughts.
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I hadn’t heard of this book before, but this one sounds like it would be a really nice and comforting read compared to some of the stuff I have been reading lately. I am going to hop on over to the library website and see if they have this one on audio for one of those moments when I want something a little more light. Excellent review today, Mary! I’d really like to read this one!!
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This one is new to me. I enjoyed your succinct review, Mary. 🙂
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I wonder why they just didn’t use a woman and a man for this one??? I really enjoyed this book and the next one…:D
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I havent listened to or read a book by Nora is a while. I think maybe I should 🙂
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I haven’t ever read a Nora Roberts book, but I know they are popular. The only audio I can think of with a male narrator doing kids’ voices is Jim Dale with the Harry Potter series, and his narration is excellent.
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The book’s cover looks so inviting. It’s been a long time since I read a Nora Roberts book. I guess it would be hard for a man to imitate a child’s voice…
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I have yet to read a Nora Roberts book. I could be wrong but I’m always afraid they will be a little too romance-y for me. I’m going to try one of the JD Robb books, they sound more my style and my library has them in audio.
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I am such a fan of the covers of books and this one is no exception.
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Sounds like a great book Mary! Thanks for your review!!
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[…] ← The Next Always (audio) by Nora Roberts […]
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