The Next Always by Nora Roberts

Title: The Next Always

Series: The Inn BoonsBoro bk 1

Author: Nora Roberts

Genre: Contemporary Romance

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…

I have been in love with Nora’s heroes for almost twenty years. There is just something about them that makes you fall in love with them. Then there are the families she creates for her heroes. My sister likes to say that I love Nora’s families because she writes the kind of families I wish I had. I would have to agree with her. I will also admit that when it comes to Nora I have to read her books the day that they come out. Or as soon as I can get my hands on it.

I knew nothing about this book other than the fact it was coming out. When it showed up on my door I dropped everything and read it.

There was so much I loved about this book. Claire is a war widow. She married her high school sweetheart who was killed in Iraq. She has three little boys whose antics had me laughing out loud because only a mom of boys would be able to write little boys so perfectly. The antics they go up to, the way they acted had me remembering my boys pulling some of those same antics. When Beckett and his brother’s do something for the boys and their action figures I have to say it was one of my favorite scenes.

Beckett and Claire’s romance was simple and easy, and I have to say I really liked that. There are times when I want a simple love story with no major conflicts and that is exactly what we get in this book.

Beckett has been in like with Claire ever since they were teenagers. However Claire was in love with her late husband, and had no eyes for anyone other than him. When he finally makes his move it is done so well and he is very understanding of the fact that her boys come first. As their relationship changes from friends to lovers it is so seemless, not only does he fall for Claire but her boys as well.

Claire has had the love of her life. She never expected to find love again. Finding it with Beckett is something that she never expected but it feels very right. He doesn’t pressure her, and he likes her boys which is a huge plus in his favor.

One of the best scenes of this book is when Beckett is talking to Claire’s boys about their dad and he shares a story about him and their dad and the fun they’d had. Letting them know that he was friends with their dad.

There is a great secondary cast in Beckett’s brothers Ryder and Owen and Avery and Hope. Not to mention Beckett’s mom who is seriously a riot. I have my suspicions about who is going to hook up with who in the next two books, but I will let you figure out that yourself.

I do have to say that after reading this book I want to book a trip to Boonsboro to stay at the Inn with Mike. With rooms named after some of the greatest love stories in literature, Westley and Buttercup, Titiana and Oberon, Elizabeth and Darcy and of course Eve and Roarke. Here is the link to the actual inn.

In case you haven’t guessed it I absolutely loved every page in this book. I loved the characters, the story line, everything. It’s a simple love story with two people falling in love and having to make changes in their lives to include the person they love.

Grade A

The other books in this series haven’t been released yet.