The Next Always

Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy, Book 1

By: Nora Roberts

Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews

Length: 11 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

The historic hotel in Boonsboro has endured war and peace, the changing of hands, and even rumored hauntings. Now it’s getting a major face-lift from the Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother. As the architect in 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 sixteen.

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. Though busy and 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 both the building and the man behind it.

With the grand opening inching closer, Beckett is happy to give Clare a private tour - one room at a time, in between blueprint meetings and kindergarten pickups. It’s no first date, but these stolen moments are the beginning of something that could arouse the secret yearning that resides in Clare’s independent heart - and open the door to the extraordinary adventure of what comes next....

©2011 Nora Roberts (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Loved the Male point of view and unique storyline.

Loved the whole thing, especially from Male point of view. "Lizzy" was a perfect character.

can't wait to listen to part 2.

loved the story. Nice, easy listening book that I thoroughly enjoyed. Already have books 2 $
& 3 in my library

Book was Amazing

I love Nora Roberts and I now want to go visit this town. I found the narrator a little off putting but not too bad.

Fun read!

What did you like best about this story?

Interesting twist having the guy side of the story along with the ladies. Usually, just from the female character's perspective. Fun. Good humor.

What about MacLeod Andrews’s performance did you like?

voice is easy to listen to. Maybe not all of his "whiney kid" voices but most of the rest.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Outright chuckle at some of the true to life comments of a couple of characters.

Light and Easy - A "Chick Flick" in a Book

While this book wasn't exactly what I would call a "page turner", it was a very enjoyable story. It had plenty of romance mixed with a little suspense, and, oh yeah, a ghost. The only disappointment was the narrator's attempt at varying the voices of characters. I found his interpretation of the children's voices especially annoying. But, all in all, it still qualifies as a good book. I'm currently downloading the next book in the series. We'll see how that one goes.

Great Story Irritating Performer

If you could sum up The Next Always in three words, what would they be?

Good solid entertainment.

What other book might you compare The Next Always to and why?

Any Nora Roberts story-you can count on her to hold your attention and make you laugh

How did the narrator detract from the book?

His female voices were very irritating-weirdly softened and they all sounded the same. His childrens voices make you cringe because they are so whiney. The read itself is too slow. Thank goodness I leaned that I could speed the narration up! Was very disappointed that he was selected for the whole series. Wanted to hear the next story but not read by him.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I enjoy how she interjects the supernatural into the story.

Fun and fanciful romance, okay narration.

Spitfire girls, Studly guys, and a protective Spirit - classic Nora! Only downside was the narrator's inability to do justice to more than one girl voice.

It was ok

Maybe I’m just not a Nora Roberts fan but I got bored with the lengthy mundane conversations that filled half this book. Maybe it’s because I’m not a mom but the too detailed day to day dialogue between her and her boys was boring. The narrator was definitely too slow and I took other reviewers advice and increased the speed to the next increment.
I would’ve found the story more interesting if the time wasted on the boring dialogue would’ve instead been spent more on the ghost aspect, especially since she plays a key role. Her story wasn’t explored at all. As I understand this is a trilogy so maybe she is elaborated on later. Overall, I liked the characters and I liked the ghost twist, but I just found the buildup to be a little slow and I had a hard time getting into it. Not great but not awful.

Can't wait for the next one

I was sad this morning when the first book ended. I had become so invested with the characters and didn't want it to end. Didn't realize it was a trilogy until I started looking for my next book, lol!

great story.

Nora Roberts did an excellent job on this book. things were predictable but not so predictable that I was bored. I enjoyed the element of the ghosts in this story and the uncertainty about whether or not she was good. can't wait to read the next one.