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.

Can't wait for the next two!

I was in the mood for an easy listen with a nice love story and good characters. This was more than that - it brought up some real issues, some thorny problems and real people having to deal with those problems in a responsible way. The voices for the boys weren't perfect but overall I thought MacLeod Andrews did a pretty good job. I found his voice easy to listen to, lulling in a soothing way, and I found that he did a good job putting the emotions of the moment into the story and I hope he narrates the next two. As for the story - this is a good one. And if you listen to the details of the Inn they are building, you will find that Nora's characters often sneak in her other characters and I found that delightful. If you are looking for a fast paced, action filled novel, then you will want to look elsewhere. This one flows well and keeps you interested, and it soothes the soul, but it's not my usual thriller read.

Narration was awful.

Any additional comments?

I was unable to listen to this book because of the narration - unless I wanted something to put me to sleep. It was so slow and had LONG pauses. I finally sped the playback up by 1/2 speed.. to 1.5 speed playback. It was much more tolerable. But, that is all I'll say... tolerable.

If I were Nora Roberts or Brilliance Audio, I'd have these books re-read. This is awful and a real disservice to the books.

Another great siries by Nora

Would you listen to The Next Always again? Why?

Yes. It was a good book. As always, Nora did not let me down.

What about MacLeod Andrews’s performance did you like?

The narrator was good. Love the way each person had their own personality.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It took me a couple of days to get through becuase of the time I had available to me to read but I could've read it all at once if I had the time. I moved right into the second one and now the third one in the trilogy.

I love the Montgomery brothers.

I love the entire book. I love the sense of family and friendship throughout. can't wait to read the 2nd & 3rd books.

Nice love story.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Next Always to be better than the print version?

I have never read the print version.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Next Always?

The ghostly writing....

What about MacLeod Andrews’s performance did you like?

I have not listened to a narrator that I did not like or grow to like as the story progressed.

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

I am anxious to listen to the 2nd and 3rd books of the trilogy.

Okay

The story was sweet but the narrator spoiled it for me a bit. He did an amazing job of having a different, distinctive voice for each character but his female and kid voices can be a bit like nails on a chalkboard. Male voices were better but they didn't sound at all like sexy hunks! I think this narrator would be great in a different genre.

Not Great

This book seemed to be a long advertisement for Inn BoonsBoro (owned by Nora Roberts), the book store owned by her husband, and Vesta Pizza, owned by her son. All the adults seemed to have the maturity level of junior high students, and the supernatural element went over the top in the end. The narrator was great with men's voices, not great with women's, and a disaster with the children's. It might have been better as a book rather than an audiobook, but I am not at all tempted to continue with this series or read anything else by Nora Roberts.

👍🏻

Loved it 💜. Enjoyed the banter between all the characters. Becket's easy going personality and acceptance of Clair's boys was a pleasure to witness.

The narrator is a problem

Loved the story but the narrator is a soft talker and a slow talker. I listened to the whole book on 1.25 speed with my IPod held close to my face with the volume on high. Some serious review is needed. Surely a Nora Roberts book deserves better quality control or whatever it's called in the audible world. The

Loved the Trilogy !!!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Next Always to be better than the print version?

I didn't read the printed version, I only listened to the audio. So... no opinion to this question.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite female character is Avery from book 2 and Ryder from book 3. Avery because she is always so positive. Ryder because he doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is.

Which character – as performed by MacLeod Andrews – was your favorite?

See the previous question. In regards to MacLeod's performance. I really liked how he portrayed both female and male characters.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Boonsboro Inn where anything can happen.

Any additional comments?

I was skeptical about listening to this trilogy. I haven't cared much for Nora Roberts more recent books. But these are worth listening to. For me it had it all, drama, romance, real life family issues. You can't help but fall in love with the family and the town.