Review: The Next Always by Nora Roberts

The Next Always
Author: Nora Roberts
Publication: Berkley Trade; Original edition (November 1, 2011)
Description: "America's favorite writer" (The New Yorker) begins an all-new trilogy-inspired by the inn she owns and the town she loves.

The historic hotel in BoonsBoro, Maryland, 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. As the architect of the family, Beckett's 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...

My Thoughts: 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 teases. 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 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.
Favorite Quote:

Movements practiced and quick, Avery began placing the rolled dough in rising pans. "Now, about that sex. You had sex Friday night and--"

"And into Saturday morning."

"Bragging is the tool of the small and the petty. Am I or am I not your best friend?"

"BFF." Clare tapped a finger on her heart.


"And, what do I get, a measly text message. Spent night with B. Fabulous."

"Didn't I leave that bit of Shania Twain on your answering machine, the 'I Feel Like a Woman' cut?"

I bought this one because I am a huge fan of Nora Roberts for entertaining contemporary romances. You can buy your copy here.