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.

An enjoyable romance

The three Montgomery brothers, Beckett, Owen, and Ryder, and their mother Justine, have bought an old inn and are rehabbing it to reopen as a high-end bed & breakfast.

Widowed Claire Brewster is raising her three boys, and running a bookstore called Turn the Page across from the old inn. Her best friend Avery runs a restaurant, Vesta, nearby.

Their other best friend from college, Hope, is a hotel manager who wants to relocate away from DC.

Since this is a Nora Roberts romance novel, it hardly seems like a spoiler to say that this book is Claire and Beckett's story.

The setting is small town Virginia near a variety of tourist attractions. Roberts as always makes the character's likable and interesting, and adds a bit of the fantastic with ghost haunting the old inn. There's also an all too realistic, believable villain. It's a satisfying, enjoyable romance, with just enough excitement to keep it interesting.

Recommended.

I bought this audiobook.

Not Nora's best. Narration very ordinary.

I have to agree with the other reviewers, the narration is very ordinary. I am a Nora Roberts fan, but this one was not her best. I hope that the following books are narrated by someone else and have a little more substance to the story.

Narrator Killed It

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I really enjoyed the plot, but I would not recommend this as an audiobook. The narrator killed the book.

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed this book very much. Every time I turned the page, or pressed play, I felt that I was walking through Nora Roberts inn. I really enjoyed reading about the reconstruction of her very own property, and often found myself wondering if the reconstruction actually happened in this way.

Almost didn't buy...So happy I did!!!!!

Where does The Next Always rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

#1, thought it wasn't posssible...I listened to the trilogy during 2013 holidays...it put me into such a great and pleasant mood. Made me want to finish tasks I didn't want to do so I could listen to the books. So Wonderful!

What did you like best about this story?

Claire, Burkett and Lizzy

Which scene was your favorite?

Hard to remember....I just finished the whole trilogy...probably the "Message in the Mirror"....don't want to give anything away. :D

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

Yes...see above. It made me laugh...I want more!

Really enjoyed this

Enjoyed this very much and will buy the rest of the series as they are released. Typical Nora Roberts, A little drama, a little romance, a little fantasy. Thats what I love about her writing.

Great book

Great story, the narrator was excellent. I can listen to this book over and over. I love how it includes all the other character for the second book.

good book

I loved the story. had no trouble finishing it. the narrator was very good great voice.

Testosterone in the Inn.

Where does The Next Always rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's definitely a 4-5 ranking of keeping my attention to the story and the variety of characters.

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

Definitely the steamy love-making and the ghost on the third floor of the Inn.

Have you listened to any of MacLeod Andrews’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

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

Restoring an antique inn isn't the only thing needed restoring. A certain spirit helps bring old friends together in a steamy romance.

I loved Book1 of the series

Excellently written & a wonderful performance of the reader. Great combination!
Great story and outstanding characters.
On to Book 2 Thank you for not wasting my time as this was my time very well spent!!

Great fun

Where does The Next Always rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

one of the best

What did you like best about this story?

lots of twists and turns, great character development, paranormal twist is great

What does MacLeod Andrews bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

he does a great job with different voices for each character, including Claire's three young sons

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

It made me laugh out loud, while I was driving

Any additional comments?

Fantastic book, lots of fun