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Bride Quartet #2
Armen vol rozen
Toen Mackensie, Emma, Laurel en Parker nog kleine meisjes waren (en de allerbeste vriendinnen van de hele wereld) deden ze niets liever dan bruiloftje spelen. Nu doen ze dat eigenlijk nog steeds, maar dan voor hun werk: samen runnen ze het exclusieve bruidshuis Vows, dat ernaar streeft om van elke trouwdag iets écht bijzonders te maken...
Op haar elfde droomde Emma Grant ervan om bij maanlicht te dansen in een tuin vol bloemen. In de armen van haar geliefde, uiteraard, en daarna zouden ze gaan trouwen en voor altijd gelukkig zijn. Dat de waarheid weerbarstiger is, weet ze inmiddels wel - dat heeft ze maar al te vaak gezien tijdens haar werk als bloemist bij Vows. Maar toch... Nu ze iets heeft met haar goede vriend Jack - die ook nog eens de lekkerste man op aarde is - komt haar oude droom weer opduiken. En daar zit ze niet op te wachten, want ze weet maar al te goed dat Jack niet het type is voor huisje-boompje-beestje...
Op haar elfde droomde Emma Grant ervan om bij maanlicht te dansen in een tuin vol bloemen. In de armen van haar geliefde, uiteraard, en daarna zouden ze gaan trouwen en voor altijd gelukkig zijn. Dat de waarheid weerbarstiger is, weet ze inmiddels wel - dat heeft ze maar al te vaak gezien tijdens haar werk als bloemist bij Vows. Maar toch... Nu ze iets heeft met haar goede vriend Jack - die ook nog eens de lekkerste man op aarde is - komt haar oude droom weer opduiken. En daar zit ze niet op te wachten, want ze weet maar al te goed dat Jack niet het type is voor huisje-boompje-beestje...
398 pages, Paperback
First published October 26, 2009
2213 people are currently reading
17649 people want to read
About the author
Nora Roberts
1,217 books60k followersNora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including Hideaway, Under Currents, Come Sundown, The Awakening, Legacy, and coming in November 2021 -- The Becoming -- the second book in The Dragon Heart Legacy. She is also the author of the futuristic suspense In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,700 reviews
November 12, 2020
ETA: Rating 2.5 stars
I would have given this a higher rating if it wasn't for the last 2 chapters of this book. But besides the crappy shit that happens near the end there were some other red flags that bugged me.
First I wasn't enthralled with this as I was with Mac's story. Everything about Mac and Carter came off natural and organic even with their ups and downs. Here everything seemed incredibly forced and overdone. It took me a good 100 pages to even get into the story. Jack and Emma share 2 sporadic kisses before jumping into bed. I just wasn't feeling it. The chemistry came off forced and rushed in first half of the book with ZERO build up. Before jumping into bed these two spend very little time together, in fact the only scenes they share are the 2 aforementioned kisses nothing else. And you seriously expect me to believe these two have sizzling explosive chemistry Roberts? Try again. Their moments are few and far in between with all the wedding business taking up a whole lot of real estate in the book. The amount of page time spent on Emma's flower preparations (flower names of which I was not familiar with and sounded like a foreign language to me so I struggled even picturing them) countless business meetings, wedding preparations and endless code names MOB, MOG, BMO, RB, etc., got really tedious to read through and annoying at some points. It just all became a big uninteresting blur and I was very tempted to skip those parts. Also same thing I noticed in some of Roberts other work managed to sneak it's way into here and became distracting because it was so overdone: overly perfect cliche characters. Emma is endlessly propped, cooed, fawned over for being a perfect, gorgeous, amazing woman with a perfect family, perfect job, perfect sex life which her friends are in awe of her ability to have men flocking to her in hoards. Seriously? RME *sigh* Is there anything Emma can't do or doesn't have? I found it annoying rather than charming because it was heaped on and emphasized way too much. We get it. She's perfect. But I will say I found Emma's parents' love story really sweet and romantic, it had me wishing Lucia and Phillip had their own book, I really loved their story.
I also found Parker-know-it-all Brown's super woman abilities to be too much.
She's the definition of a Mary Sue. This annoying micro-managing vapid character seems to always know how her best friends are feeling without any of them saying a word and can solve everyone's problems with the snap of her fingers. Honestly she belongs in a Hallmark movie with how cookie cutter she is and how she saves the day with unrealistic abilities. I mean let's not forget the fact that she happened to find Mac's wedding dress on sight without Mac being there and bought it for her knowing it would be perfect for Mac (of course it was).
Can I gag now? Seriously?? WHO THE HELL DOES THAT? I'm sorry but my ass would not be happy or thankful if my best friend went out and bought my wedding dress for me without my knowledge or consent. Get. fucking. real. lady.
And can I just say kissing guys on the lips who you either used to be involved with or happen to be your best friend's fiance is extremely inappropriate? Like...who the fuck are you? Emma kissing Carter on the lips while Mac watched I found really annoying and unrealistic. I had to re-read that scene a few times because it kept throwing me off and didn't make sense. I don't care how close you are to your friends, lips OFF the fiance. I don't care how close and lovey dovey you are with your BFFs and it's considered a "plutonic" friendly gesture. RESPECT BOUNDARIES dammit. She does the same thing again with a former boyfriend who is married with a baby and Jack sees it, yet she acts like it was no big deal. Um...yes it is, especially if you are dating someone. I mean who kisses their married ex on the lips in greeting? <_< Del, Parker's brother does the same thing, he greets her friends by giving them overly-affectionate smacking kisses on the lips. Just...no. Such silly nonsense. I found it kinda weird and distracting considering he sees them as his own sisters and plays the brotherly protective role. You kiss women who you are involved with like that, not friends, especially ones you think of as sisters. The whole dynamic between these characters I find bizarre and again unrealistic.
Anyways, back to Jack and Emma. Their romance picks up steam in the middle of the story and we do get sweet romantic sexy moments between them. But of course everything comes to a screeching halt when the couple have their one and only fight. Emma has her demonic WTH? moment when she flips out over Jack not giving her the keys to his place. She catches him on a bad day (which he warns her repeatedly but it seems to sail right over her head) she ambushes him by pouring her heart out telling him she loves him and wants everything in return, when she doesn't get the response or reaction she wants she shuts him out and runs off. Naturally Jack being a typical guy is too stunned and tries to process what she's telling him and instead of giving him the chance to actually TALK, she takes his stunned reaction and runs with it like a woman scorned. She draws the conclusion that he doesn't love her and never will. Oh Good lord. She gave Mac's psychotic narcissistic mother Linda a run for her money in the melodramatic drama queen department. She runs straight to the Quartet ladies for comfort with shaking hands and endless sobs included. How could he do this to meeee?! I was really hoping here was when her friends would step in and talk some sense into her, especially Parker, the most level headed out of all. But what do they do instead? They coddle her with 'there there, hush hush' and act horrified and crucify Jack for what he did and didn't say. "How daaaaare he! The jackass! How can he be so cruel?!"
Um....are you kidding me??!
Parker had me rolling my eyes the most with her overprotective smothering routine. Her exceedingly patronizing speech to Jack when he comes by to check up on Emma was ridiculous and unnecessary 'We all love you Jack. I'll give you this. I'll forgive you...in time' Oh please. Give it a damn rest. The man had a RIGHT to be stunned, these ladies acted like he left Emma at the altar or cheated on her. I seriously felt like I was missing something here with their soap opera reactions. Just because he pockets the keys in front of her and doesn't have words he's deemed the biggest asshole? I call bullshit. May I point out they were only DATING FOR 3 MONTHS. Not even. But no he broke poor sweet-hearted perfect Emma's heart so he deserves to be drawn and quartered and banished from the Brown mansion. He's not allowed to see or talk to or even explain to Emma until she's fully healed and once Parker thinks it's 'okay'. Seriously? What kind of elementary fuckery is this? RME.
Over dramatic much Roberts?
None of this is normal behavior and it's this kind of trash nonsense that gives women and CR & chic-lit a bad rep. #YesISaidIt
What was even more eye-roll inducing was Emma holing herself up in a dark room the very next day, drapes drawn, unable to move or get out of bed or eat (ala Carrie when Big leaves her at the altar in Sex and the City). She needs time to heal after her "emotional upheaval" (her words not mine). Mama bear Parker is there to fuss and coo over her like the heartbroken child she is. *cue the violins* Emma can't bring herself to face the world or even think of Jack! This was cringe-worthy and embarrassing to sit through. Overblown to the extreme. What was even more ridiculous was her contemplating moving to Jamaica and starting over because she can't bear to face Jack ever again, it hurts too much. Girl, stop it. This all could have been avoided if you gave him the opportunity to actually speak instead of running off because you didn't hear what you wanted. Jack of course has to beg and crawl to even be permitted to see Emma again and apologize profusely (more than necessary IMO) over what a jerk he was. He romances her and asks her to marry him all with Mama Bear Parker's stamp of approval. Yup. Tell me again how this is romantic?
As someone who wants love and the whole package too, I was with Emma, empathized with her until she took a veering turn into MoronVille. Her whole meltdown after the fight was just silly, unnecessary, extremely overblown and childish. Having the poor guy crawl and beg because he made a careless mistake is ridiculous and extreme in this case. While his words were sweet and sincere during his ILY declaration it lost all poignancy for me considering the lengths he had to go through and how he was skinned alive over something so small. It ruined the HEA moment completely and lost all flavor for me as the reader. It came off like a parent supplicating a 2 year old after throwing a tantrum and giving them what they want in the end. Not very flattering and just silly. Guys have their stupid moments, just like us ladies do too. No one was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and somewhere in all this juvenile overblown mess I was hoping one of the girls would point out to Emma 'don't you think you are overreacting? Cut the guy some slack' but no. Poor Jack:
Oh no, instead poor sainted perfect Emma had her heart ripped to shreds because she didn't hear what she wanted so Jack is the bad evil jackass. Shame on him!
Give me a fucking break.
I really hope Laurel's book isn't filled with silliness like this.
I would have given this a higher rating if it wasn't for the last 2 chapters of this book. But besides the crappy shit that happens near the end there were some other red flags that bugged me.
First I wasn't enthralled with this as I was with Mac's story. Everything about Mac and Carter came off natural and organic even with their ups and downs. Here everything seemed incredibly forced and overdone. It took me a good 100 pages to even get into the story. Jack and Emma share 2 sporadic kisses before jumping into bed. I just wasn't feeling it. The chemistry came off forced and rushed in first half of the book with ZERO build up. Before jumping into bed these two spend very little time together, in fact the only scenes they share are the 2 aforementioned kisses nothing else. And you seriously expect me to believe these two have sizzling explosive chemistry Roberts? Try again. Their moments are few and far in between with all the wedding business taking up a whole lot of real estate in the book. The amount of page time spent on Emma's flower preparations (flower names of which I was not familiar with and sounded like a foreign language to me so I struggled even picturing them) countless business meetings, wedding preparations and endless code names MOB, MOG, BMO, RB, etc., got really tedious to read through and annoying at some points. It just all became a big uninteresting blur and I was very tempted to skip those parts. Also same thing I noticed in some of Roberts other work managed to sneak it's way into here and became distracting because it was so overdone: overly perfect cliche characters. Emma is endlessly propped, cooed, fawned over for being a perfect, gorgeous, amazing woman with a perfect family, perfect job, perfect sex life which her friends are in awe of her ability to have men flocking to her in hoards. Seriously? RME *sigh* Is there anything Emma can't do or doesn't have? I found it annoying rather than charming because it was heaped on and emphasized way too much. We get it. She's perfect. But I will say I found Emma's parents' love story really sweet and romantic, it had me wishing Lucia and Phillip had their own book, I really loved their story.
I also found Parker-know-it-all Brown's super woman abilities to be too much.
She's the definition of a Mary Sue. This annoying micro-managing vapid character seems to always know how her best friends are feeling without any of them saying a word and can solve everyone's problems with the snap of her fingers. Honestly she belongs in a Hallmark movie with how cookie cutter she is and how she saves the day with unrealistic abilities. I mean let's not forget the fact that she happened to find Mac's wedding dress on sight without Mac being there and bought it for her knowing it would be perfect for Mac (of course it was).
Can I gag now? Seriously?? WHO THE HELL DOES THAT? I'm sorry but my ass would not be happy or thankful if my best friend went out and bought my wedding dress for me without my knowledge or consent. Get. fucking. real. lady.
And can I just say kissing guys on the lips who you either used to be involved with or happen to be your best friend's fiance is extremely inappropriate? Like...who the fuck are you? Emma kissing Carter on the lips while Mac watched I found really annoying and unrealistic. I had to re-read that scene a few times because it kept throwing me off and didn't make sense. I don't care how close you are to your friends, lips OFF the fiance. I don't care how close and lovey dovey you are with your BFFs and it's considered a "plutonic" friendly gesture. RESPECT BOUNDARIES dammit. She does the same thing again with a former boyfriend who is married with a baby and Jack sees it, yet she acts like it was no big deal. Um...yes it is, especially if you are dating someone. I mean who kisses their married ex on the lips in greeting? <_< Del, Parker's brother does the same thing, he greets her friends by giving them overly-affectionate smacking kisses on the lips. Just...no. Such silly nonsense. I found it kinda weird and distracting considering he sees them as his own sisters and plays the brotherly protective role. You kiss women who you are involved with like that, not friends, especially ones you think of as sisters. The whole dynamic between these characters I find bizarre and again unrealistic.
Anyways, back to Jack and Emma. Their romance picks up steam in the middle of the story and we do get sweet romantic sexy moments between them. But of course everything comes to a screeching halt when the couple have their one and only fight. Emma has her demonic WTH? moment when she flips out over Jack not giving her the keys to his place. She catches him on a bad day (which he warns her repeatedly but it seems to sail right over her head) she ambushes him by pouring her heart out telling him she loves him and wants everything in return, when she doesn't get the response or reaction she wants she shuts him out and runs off. Naturally Jack being a typical guy is too stunned and tries to process what she's telling him and instead of giving him the chance to actually TALK, she takes his stunned reaction and runs with it like a woman scorned. She draws the conclusion that he doesn't love her and never will. Oh Good lord. She gave Mac's psychotic narcissistic mother Linda a run for her money in the melodramatic drama queen department. She runs straight to the Quartet ladies for comfort with shaking hands and endless sobs included. How could he do this to meeee?! I was really hoping here was when her friends would step in and talk some sense into her, especially Parker, the most level headed out of all. But what do they do instead? They coddle her with 'there there, hush hush' and act horrified and crucify Jack for what he did and didn't say. "How daaaaare he! The jackass! How can he be so cruel?!"
Um....are you kidding me??!
Parker had me rolling my eyes the most with her overprotective smothering routine. Her exceedingly patronizing speech to Jack when he comes by to check up on Emma was ridiculous and unnecessary 'We all love you Jack. I'll give you this. I'll forgive you...in time' Oh please. Give it a damn rest. The man had a RIGHT to be stunned, these ladies acted like he left Emma at the altar or cheated on her. I seriously felt like I was missing something here with their soap opera reactions. Just because he pockets the keys in front of her and doesn't have words he's deemed the biggest asshole? I call bullshit. May I point out they were only DATING FOR 3 MONTHS. Not even. But no he broke poor sweet-hearted perfect Emma's heart so he deserves to be drawn and quartered and banished from the Brown mansion. He's not allowed to see or talk to or even explain to Emma until she's fully healed and once Parker thinks it's 'okay'. Seriously? What kind of elementary fuckery is this? RME.
Over dramatic much Roberts?
None of this is normal behavior and it's this kind of trash nonsense that gives women and CR & chic-lit a bad rep. #YesISaidIt
What was even more eye-roll inducing was Emma holing herself up in a dark room the very next day, drapes drawn, unable to move or get out of bed or eat (ala Carrie when Big leaves her at the altar in Sex and the City). She needs time to heal after her "emotional upheaval" (her words not mine). Mama bear Parker is there to fuss and coo over her like the heartbroken child she is. *cue the violins* Emma can't bring herself to face the world or even think of Jack! This was cringe-worthy and embarrassing to sit through. Overblown to the extreme. What was even more ridiculous was her contemplating moving to Jamaica and starting over because she can't bear to face Jack ever again, it hurts too much. Girl, stop it. This all could have been avoided if you gave him the opportunity to actually speak instead of running off because you didn't hear what you wanted. Jack of course has to beg and crawl to even be permitted to see Emma again and apologize profusely (more than necessary IMO) over what a jerk he was. He romances her and asks her to marry him all with Mama Bear Parker's stamp of approval. Yup. Tell me again how this is romantic?
As someone who wants love and the whole package too, I was with Emma, empathized with her until she took a veering turn into MoronVille. Her whole meltdown after the fight was just silly, unnecessary, extremely overblown and childish. Having the poor guy crawl and beg because he made a careless mistake is ridiculous and extreme in this case. While his words were sweet and sincere during his ILY declaration it lost all poignancy for me considering the lengths he had to go through and how he was skinned alive over something so small. It ruined the HEA moment completely and lost all flavor for me as the reader. It came off like a parent supplicating a 2 year old after throwing a tantrum and giving them what they want in the end. Not very flattering and just silly. Guys have their stupid moments, just like us ladies do too. No one was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and somewhere in all this juvenile overblown mess I was hoping one of the girls would point out to Emma 'don't you think you are overreacting? Cut the guy some slack' but no. Poor Jack:
Oh no, instead poor sainted perfect Emma had her heart ripped to shreds because she didn't hear what she wanted so Jack is the bad evil jackass. Shame on him!
Give me a fucking break.
I really hope Laurel's book isn't filled with silliness like this.
February 17, 2017
5 SOLID STARS!
My cheeks are still damp from my tears as I’m writing this review. Oh my heart, this was such a beautiful story!
It’s been a while since I read Nora Roberts’s contemporary romance novel, and Bed of Roses didn’t disappoint. I knew I would love this book, and I was right. Yes, I did love it! Everything about it. This was exactly what I want from my read!
I loved NR’s excellent writing.
I loved this very simple yet well-knit plot.
I loved both main and secondary characters.
I loved the romance between Jack and Emma.
I loved the true friendship between these four women.
I loved the drama and the groveling.
I loved the ending… very, very beautiful!
What surprised me the most about this book was how wonderful Emma is! As a character, she won me over completely. If I were a man, I would undoubtedly marry this woman. She’s beautiful inside and out, so loving, thoughtful, caring, kind, reasonable, open-hearted, hard-working, clever, and reliable. She comes from a warm and loving family. She used to be a co-captain of girls’ soccer team. She is also a good cook. What more can a man ask for?!
Bed of Roses is the second installment in Bride Quartet series. You can read it as a standalone, but it would be better to read the books in order they were written.
All in all, this was a very beautiful, heartwarming, and breathtakingly romantic story which you will definitely enjoy. A great read, indeed!
Loved it!
---------------------------------------
“The little things, Emma. The gestures, the moments. And the big. I let him see my heart. I gave it to him, even when I believed he couldn’t or wouldn’t take it. I gave it anyway—a gift. Even if he broke it. I was very brave. Love is very brave.”
“I’m dancing with you.” He brought the hand he held to his lips. “In the garden, in the moonlight.”
Her heart shuddered, swelled. And all the cracks filled.
My cheeks are still damp from my tears as I’m writing this review. Oh my heart, this was such a beautiful story!
It’s been a while since I read Nora Roberts’s contemporary romance novel, and Bed of Roses didn’t disappoint. I knew I would love this book, and I was right. Yes, I did love it! Everything about it. This was exactly what I want from my read!
I loved NR’s excellent writing.
I loved this very simple yet well-knit plot.
I loved both main and secondary characters.
I loved the romance between Jack and Emma.
I loved the true friendship between these four women.
I loved the drama and the groveling.
I loved the ending… very, very beautiful!
What surprised me the most about this book was how wonderful Emma is! As a character, she won me over completely. If I were a man, I would undoubtedly marry this woman. She’s beautiful inside and out, so loving, thoughtful, caring, kind, reasonable, open-hearted, hard-working, clever, and reliable. She comes from a warm and loving family. She used to be a co-captain of girls’ soccer team. She is also a good cook. What more can a man ask for?!
Bed of Roses is the second installment in Bride Quartet series. You can read it as a standalone, but it would be better to read the books in order they were written.
All in all, this was a very beautiful, heartwarming, and breathtakingly romantic story which you will definitely enjoy. A great read, indeed!
Loved it!
---------------------------------------
“The little things, Emma. The gestures, the moments. And the big. I let him see my heart. I gave it to him, even when I believed he couldn’t or wouldn’t take it. I gave it anyway—a gift. Even if he broke it. I was very brave. Love is very brave.”
“I’m dancing with you.” He brought the hand he held to his lips. “In the garden, in the moonlight.”
Her heart shuddered, swelled. And all the cracks filled.
April 25, 2018
Nora Roberts is definitely hitting the ball inside of the park in this series.
It's just so meh.
Maybe I just have to keep reading to find the hero and heroine that I like better. Yeah, that's what I'll do.
No. No. It's just a flesh wound. It will get better.
I have a good feeling about the next book. Really.
December 23, 2014
This book's rating went down to 2 stars in the last 50 pages because of the heroine’s childish behavior.
Here's a perfect example of what NOT to do if you want to have a lasting relationship with a man. No matter what Nora Roberts says, no man worth his salt would have a woman acting like this heroine and then believe it was his fault. He would instead thank his lucky stars he got rid of a maniac and move on.
The bigger issue with this book was that there was no conflict. For hundreds of pages everybody is cruising along: perfect weddings, perfect friends, perfect dates, perfect family, perfect looks, perfect everything, so to create a conflict in the last part of the book, the author just had the heroine acting like an immature baby. But this happened so close to the end that the most expedient way to solve the issue was for the hero to take the blame for the heroine’s crazy expectations and have everybody agree that he was a moron, which was not the case.
So what was this horrible thing the hero did that sent the heroine into paroxysms of despair? (Brace yourself because you won’t believe it). He didn’t give her a key to his apartment and wasn’t nice to her after he had a bad day. (No, I’m not making it up.) And it wasn’t as if she asked him for the key and he denied her. He just never thought of giving her one and to her that meant he would never love her and be the man she needed.
I only have two words to tell this heroine: GROW UP.
You cannot expect a man who has issues with commitment to declare himself after 3 months. You cannot expect a man to read your mind and know what you want or need. You cannot assume that he doesn’t care for you because he doesn’t see certain gestures in the same light as you. If you really loved him, you would tell him what you need and then give him the chance to prove himself and not go wail because he’s human and needs his space!
After all this stupidity happening at the last minute, the ending was very rushed. It felt as if the hero was backed in a corner and gave in because he didn’t want to lose everybody’s friendship. This, as you can imagine, was the antithesis of romantic.
Angela Dawe, the narrator, did a very good job. All voices of the ladies were distinct but still pleasant. The male voices weren’t great but at least they weren’t annoying. When I’m ready to continue the series, I’ll definitely listen to the audiobooks.
Overall, I don’t think this book added much to the series so if you are really are interested what happen to the rest of the gals, feel free to skip this one.
Here's a perfect example of what NOT to do if you want to have a lasting relationship with a man. No matter what Nora Roberts says, no man worth his salt would have a woman acting like this heroine and then believe it was his fault. He would instead thank his lucky stars he got rid of a maniac and move on.
The bigger issue with this book was that there was no conflict. For hundreds of pages everybody is cruising along: perfect weddings, perfect friends, perfect dates, perfect family, perfect looks, perfect everything, so to create a conflict in the last part of the book, the author just had the heroine acting like an immature baby. But this happened so close to the end that the most expedient way to solve the issue was for the hero to take the blame for the heroine’s crazy expectations and have everybody agree that he was a moron, which was not the case.
So what was this horrible thing the hero did that sent the heroine into paroxysms of despair? (Brace yourself because you won’t believe it). He didn’t give her a key to his apartment and wasn’t nice to her after he had a bad day. (No, I’m not making it up.) And it wasn’t as if she asked him for the key and he denied her. He just never thought of giving her one and to her that meant he would never love her and be the man she needed.
I only have two words to tell this heroine: GROW UP.
You cannot expect a man who has issues with commitment to declare himself after 3 months. You cannot expect a man to read your mind and know what you want or need. You cannot assume that he doesn’t care for you because he doesn’t see certain gestures in the same light as you. If you really loved him, you would tell him what you need and then give him the chance to prove himself and not go wail because he’s human and needs his space!
After all this stupidity happening at the last minute, the ending was very rushed. It felt as if the hero was backed in a corner and gave in because he didn’t want to lose everybody’s friendship. This, as you can imagine, was the antithesis of romantic.
Angela Dawe, the narrator, did a very good job. All voices of the ladies were distinct but still pleasant. The male voices weren’t great but at least they weren’t annoying. When I’m ready to continue the series, I’ll definitely listen to the audiobooks.
Overall, I don’t think this book added much to the series so if you are really are interested what happen to the rest of the gals, feel free to skip this one.
September 19, 2022
4 1/2 stars
After finding Vision in White a good but slightly disappointing read, I "knew" - as far as anyone can know such thing - that I'd enjoy Bed of Roses better. Something to do with this 2nd book being better received by most readers and my having lower expectations, I guess. No matter why, I did find Bed of Roses highly entertaining.
Emma was the main reason this book worked for me, with her utterly romantic nature. She was also the reason this book lost 1/2 star in the end, when she attacked Jack for no reason at all (IMHO). Worse, she refused to listen to him and just cut him loose. Argh!
Anyway, besides that small bump in the road, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Emma and Jack's friendship develop and grow into love. And dancing in the moonlight? Which woman could resist that? *sighs*
After finding Vision in White a good but slightly disappointing read, I "knew" - as far as anyone can know such thing - that I'd enjoy Bed of Roses better. Something to do with this 2nd book being better received by most readers and my having lower expectations, I guess. No matter why, I did find Bed of Roses highly entertaining.
Emma was the main reason this book worked for me, with her utterly romantic nature. She was also the reason this book lost 1/2 star in the end, when she attacked Jack for no reason at all (IMHO). Worse, she refused to listen to him and just cut him loose. Argh!
Anyway, besides that small bump in the road, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Emma and Jack's friendship develop and grow into love. And dancing in the moonlight? Which woman could resist that? *sighs*
January 1, 2023
4.5 stars - While this may not actually be the best friends to lovers romance I've read, it hit the spot for me & reminded me that I CAN love a full length contemporary
March 3, 2022
1.5 stars
Emmaline and her three friends own a wedding planning business and Emma is in charge of the flowers. Fun, cute idea and I did think this second in the series had less of the annoying acronyms (MOB – mother of the bride, etc.) that clogged up the first but don't worry, they still pop up. Jack came into their friend circle through one of the women's older brothers and ever since college has been one of the gang.
Emma and Jack have peripherally found each other sexy over the years but neither wanted to mess with the friend dynamics, until they decide to.
I don't really have much to say to about this one because it bored me for the vast majority, I couldn't feel Emma and Jack's chemistry at all. Emma is a “marrying” kind of gal and Jack is a “good time” boy. Emma thinks she can just sleep with Jack and not feel anything and Jack is trying to delude himself into thinking their relationship isn't getting more serious. Great trope-y plot but the feelings weren't there for me.
What I'm going to remember the most from this is towards the end, Emma has a total and complete blow-up that made her seem like a psycho. She learns Jack's had a hard day so she decides to cook him dinner at his house, has to get his keys from his assistant, and is on a mission to finally tell him she loves him. Jack shows up shocked/surprised to see her at his house, has a pounding headache, and wants a shower. Emma doesn't like how he's reacting, he's a little standoffish but remember headache and not expecting her, and when I say she loses her shit, you all can't even imagine the level of wtf she starts spouting at him. She ends up breaking up with him and storming out and Jack barely knows what happened. It was such an over-the-top third act break-up, I'm almost in awe.
Anyway, apologies are made and kisses. The real reason I decided to put any thoughts down on this was because I wanted to quote this scene, pretty much the only highlight for me in this boring, wtf Emma, story:
“I asked you once before, and you didn’t answer. I’ll ask you again. Yes or no this time. Are you in love with her?”
“Okay.” He took a long drink of beer. “Yes. I guess it took an ass-kicking to shake it out of me, but yes. I’m in love with her. But—”
“Do you want to fix it?”
“I just said I was in love with her. Why wouldn’t I want to fix it?”
“You want to know how?”
“Goddamn it, Del.” He drank again. “Yes, since you’re so fucking smart. How do I fix it?”
“Crawl.”
I'm not sure Jack is the one who needed to crawl, not alone anyway but I loved the hit of that last word, crawl.
Emmaline and her three friends own a wedding planning business and Emma is in charge of the flowers. Fun, cute idea and I did think this second in the series had less of the annoying acronyms (MOB – mother of the bride, etc.) that clogged up the first but don't worry, they still pop up. Jack came into their friend circle through one of the women's older brothers and ever since college has been one of the gang.
Emma and Jack have peripherally found each other sexy over the years but neither wanted to mess with the friend dynamics, until they decide to.
I don't really have much to say to about this one because it bored me for the vast majority, I couldn't feel Emma and Jack's chemistry at all. Emma is a “marrying” kind of gal and Jack is a “good time” boy. Emma thinks she can just sleep with Jack and not feel anything and Jack is trying to delude himself into thinking their relationship isn't getting more serious. Great trope-y plot but the feelings weren't there for me.
What I'm going to remember the most from this is towards the end, Emma has a total and complete blow-up that made her seem like a psycho. She learns Jack's had a hard day so she decides to cook him dinner at his house, has to get his keys from his assistant, and is on a mission to finally tell him she loves him. Jack shows up shocked/surprised to see her at his house, has a pounding headache, and wants a shower. Emma doesn't like how he's reacting, he's a little standoffish but remember headache and not expecting her, and when I say she loses her shit, you all can't even imagine the level of wtf she starts spouting at him. She ends up breaking up with him and storming out and Jack barely knows what happened. It was such an over-the-top third act break-up, I'm almost in awe.
Anyway, apologies are made and kisses. The real reason I decided to put any thoughts down on this was because I wanted to quote this scene, pretty much the only highlight for me in this boring, wtf Emma, story:
“I asked you once before, and you didn’t answer. I’ll ask you again. Yes or no this time. Are you in love with her?”
“Okay.” He took a long drink of beer. “Yes. I guess it took an ass-kicking to shake it out of me, but yes. I’m in love with her. But—”
“Do you want to fix it?”
“I just said I was in love with her. Why wouldn’t I want to fix it?”
“You want to know how?”
“Goddamn it, Del.” He drank again. “Yes, since you’re so fucking smart. How do I fix it?”
“Crawl.”
I'm not sure Jack is the one who needed to crawl, not alone anyway but I loved the hit of that last word, crawl.
July 26, 2022
I can never resist a Nora Roberts trilogy or in this case... a quartet. The back story of this series is that four childhood friends have created a wedding event business- VOWS. You have Parker, the brains behind the business, Mackensie, the photographer, Emma, the florist, and Laurel, the pastry and cake creator. Each novel in the series features the "love story" of each of the four women.
Bed of Roses is the second book in the Bride Quartet series and features Emma and Jack's story. Emma is a busy florist in Vows wedding business but she has long pictured the day that she finally has her Prince Charming and her own romantic wedding. That's why as much as she dates and attracts the attention of many a guy while on the town with her BFFs, she just cannot commit. She wants the marriage that her mother and father have. Until Jack, a long time friend ignites a spark that Emma cannot resist. The hiccup- Jack doesn't see himself as the settling down type of guy.
I have to say that I loved the male protagonist of this novel much more than I did the female character. Until a pivotal chapter (the one that doesn't sit well with a lot of my fellow reviewers). I, on the other hand, thought " oh , Emma does have a back bone after all." I loved it and that it is what kept this book in the 3 star category rather than the 2 that I was tempted to give it.
Another aspect of the novel that I quite enjoyed was that Nora Roberts helped her readers get to know more about the friendship between the four women. I loved every scene they were in.
Goodreads review published 25/07/22
Bed of Roses is the second book in the Bride Quartet series and features Emma and Jack's story. Emma is a busy florist in Vows wedding business but she has long pictured the day that she finally has her Prince Charming and her own romantic wedding. That's why as much as she dates and attracts the attention of many a guy while on the town with her BFFs, she just cannot commit. She wants the marriage that her mother and father have. Until Jack, a long time friend ignites a spark that Emma cannot resist. The hiccup- Jack doesn't see himself as the settling down type of guy.
I have to say that I loved the male protagonist of this novel much more than I did the female character. Until a pivotal chapter (the one that doesn't sit well with a lot of my fellow reviewers). I, on the other hand, thought " oh , Emma does have a back bone after all." I loved it and that it is what kept this book in the 3 star category rather than the 2 that I was tempted to give it.
Another aspect of the novel that I quite enjoyed was that Nora Roberts helped her readers get to know more about the friendship between the four women. I loved every scene they were in.
Goodreads review published 25/07/22
November 14, 2009
This is a WONDERFUL NR romance! I'm not even a fan of her's, yet this is straight-forward, simple, romantic and LOL ensemble writing at it's best! I don't know about that first book that received such crappy reviews . . . but this one is DEFINITELY worth reading! I fell in love with Emma and Jack and CERTAINLY all the "Vows" wedding planner group of friends (all of which will have a book of course). I did this one on audiobook, and after 100+ audio listens . . . this particular reader was just AWESOME! With a multitude of characters to have to portray and distinguish, she pulled it off without a hitch! I loved how all the four girlfriends interacted with each other, and the guys . . . all importantly . . . sounded like GUYS!
Great book. Do not miss this romantic tale, even if you're not normally attracted to the ever prolific (and sometime skeptical thinking in how does she "write all those so quickly") thinkiing of Nora Roberts books. Just go for this one!
K.
Great book. Do not miss this romantic tale, even if you're not normally attracted to the ever prolific (and sometime skeptical thinking in how does she "write all those so quickly") thinkiing of Nora Roberts books. Just go for this one!
K.
April 7, 2019
Wow, I totally forgot how much I disliked the heroine in book #2 until my re-read. Oh Emma, so perfect but a total jerk (I thought) Emma. Who even though she keeps telling her love interest (Jack) things are fine, throws a fit when he doesn't treat her like his girlfriend. And I ended up loathing the other characters in this book who decided that well they couldn't be friends with Jack anymore since Emma was so hurt. What are you? Teenagers? Who does mess like this? I actually booed when the HEA comes our way since I didn't think it was deserved at all.
Emma is the wedding florist for her and her friend's wedding business. Emma is looking for Mr. Right. She wants to be in a relationship, get married, and have kids. Of course she has a crush on Jack who wants none of those things.
Jack has a thing for Emma, but also has a thing for not committing to anyone. So of course this will totally be okay with Emma even though she knows before she gets involved with Jack, he is not looking for anyone to settle down with.
Honestly the chemistry between these two was meh. I actually think that Mac and Carter had better chemistry. And the whole book just felt off to me. I just hated that I was reading about a woman who was doing everything she could to make a guy catch feelings for her. And I hated how everyone was encouraging Emma in her nonsense.
The four friends were all kind of annoying in this one. I was just done with the whole group and their chosen freaking dudes in this one.
The wedding details (still boring). The endless discussion about the flower arranging that Emma was doing (good Lord make it stop). I just found myself bored for most of the book and did end up skimming a fair bit. I honestly thought that Roberts "In the Garden" series did a better job of discussing flowers/plants/etc. and making it organic to the overall story. This book just made everything about wedding planning sound tedious as hell.
But I really did get ticked towards the end when all of the so-called friends freeze Jack out after Emma seriously acted like a freaking child. Team Jack all the way and I wish he had thought more about being friends with people who would dispose of him so easily.
Emma is the wedding florist for her and her friend's wedding business. Emma is looking for Mr. Right. She wants to be in a relationship, get married, and have kids. Of course she has a crush on Jack who wants none of those things.
Jack has a thing for Emma, but also has a thing for not committing to anyone. So of course this will totally be okay with Emma even though she knows before she gets involved with Jack, he is not looking for anyone to settle down with.
Honestly the chemistry between these two was meh. I actually think that Mac and Carter had better chemistry. And the whole book just felt off to me. I just hated that I was reading about a woman who was doing everything she could to make a guy catch feelings for her. And I hated how everyone was encouraging Emma in her nonsense.
The four friends were all kind of annoying in this one. I was just done with the whole group and their chosen freaking dudes in this one.
The wedding details (still boring). The endless discussion about the flower arranging that Emma was doing (good Lord make it stop). I just found myself bored for most of the book and did end up skimming a fair bit. I honestly thought that Roberts "In the Garden" series did a better job of discussing flowers/plants/etc. and making it organic to the overall story. This book just made everything about wedding planning sound tedious as hell.
But I really did get ticked towards the end when all of the so-called friends freeze Jack out after Emma seriously acted like a freaking child. Team Jack all the way and I wish he had thought more about being friends with people who would dispose of him so easily.
December 1, 2009
Gosh did I ever enjoy this story! If you're a fan of the friends-turned-lovers theme, then this is the book for you. :)
It's a real shame the author didn't write Bed of Roses as the first book in her Bride Quartet series. There is more insight into the characters. The emotions are stronger. The dialogue is so much better. This story is straight romance with sprinkles of light humor and funny banter. No suspense or mystery involved.
The relationship between the four friends is the cornerstone of the series and Bed of Roses is Emmaline Grant's story. Emma is the florist at Vows, the wedding planning business that she co-owns with her three best friends, Parker, Mac and Laurel. Emma is a true romantic to the core who adores candlelight dinners, flowers and foreplay music. She is a serial dater. A social butterfly. She dreams of being swept off her feet and dancing in the moonlight with her one true love. How could you possibly hate a girl like this?! She often ends up pairing up her dates with unsuspecting friends. Because she is such a cheerful optimist, you can't help but think that Emma is the type of girl that you would want to be your best friend. I liked the fact that she had no emotional baggage and came from a loving family with parents who were happily married to each other.
Jack Cooke is a long-time friend of the quartet as well as best friend to Parker's brother, Del. He is best described as a beta male, an architect, very manly, commitment phobic and *gasp* a little bit of a Player. (There's no disputing that this man works as hard as he plays!) I got a kick out of the testosterone-centric moments in this book - poker, beer, and male bonding at its' best!
Jack and Emma have been friends for several years, but are in denial about their mutual attraction to each other. After a really hawt back rub and amazing first kiss, Jack and Emma are able to admit that there is more to their friendship. These two definitely have chemistry. Probably more so than Mac and Carter did in the first book.
The only minor gripe I had about this book is about the conflict. Emma over-steps a boundary only two months into her relationship with Jack. You can see a mile away that Jack will get cold feet because of it. He unintentionally breaks her heart. Emma runs to her friends as expected. However, these friends have also been friends with Jack for decades and they shut him out cold. In essence, they all gang up on him to protect Emma after vowing NOT to get involved and ruin friendships. It all seemed so bitchy and contrived. Emma's actions seemed almost immature. But it all led to an apology and a happily ever after ending like it should have.
SPOILER: I have to say that I wasn't looking forward to Parker's story until I met Mal. Parker seems so uptight and off-key that I can barely tolerate her, but Mal ... the man is bad-boy to the core. Very yummy! I'm looking forward to Parker's fall. :)
It's a real shame the author didn't write Bed of Roses as the first book in her Bride Quartet series. There is more insight into the characters. The emotions are stronger. The dialogue is so much better. This story is straight romance with sprinkles of light humor and funny banter. No suspense or mystery involved.
The relationship between the four friends is the cornerstone of the series and Bed of Roses is Emmaline Grant's story. Emma is the florist at Vows, the wedding planning business that she co-owns with her three best friends, Parker, Mac and Laurel. Emma is a true romantic to the core who adores candlelight dinners, flowers and foreplay music. She is a serial dater. A social butterfly. She dreams of being swept off her feet and dancing in the moonlight with her one true love. How could you possibly hate a girl like this?! She often ends up pairing up her dates with unsuspecting friends. Because she is such a cheerful optimist, you can't help but think that Emma is the type of girl that you would want to be your best friend. I liked the fact that she had no emotional baggage and came from a loving family with parents who were happily married to each other.
Jack Cooke is a long-time friend of the quartet as well as best friend to Parker's brother, Del. He is best described as a beta male, an architect, very manly, commitment phobic and *gasp* a little bit of a Player. (There's no disputing that this man works as hard as he plays!) I got a kick out of the testosterone-centric moments in this book - poker, beer, and male bonding at its' best!
Jack and Emma have been friends for several years, but are in denial about their mutual attraction to each other. After a really hawt back rub and amazing first kiss, Jack and Emma are able to admit that there is more to their friendship. These two definitely have chemistry. Probably more so than Mac and Carter did in the first book.
The only minor gripe I had about this book is about the conflict. Emma over-steps a boundary only two months into her relationship with Jack. You can see a mile away that Jack will get cold feet because of it. He unintentionally breaks her heart. Emma runs to her friends as expected. However, these friends have also been friends with Jack for decades and they shut him out cold. In essence, they all gang up on him to protect Emma after vowing NOT to get involved and ruin friendships. It all seemed so bitchy and contrived. Emma's actions seemed almost immature. But it all led to an apology and a happily ever after ending like it should have.
SPOILER: I have to say that I wasn't looking forward to Parker's story until I met Mal. Parker seems so uptight and off-key that I can barely tolerate her, but Mal ... the man is bad-boy to the core. Very yummy! I'm looking forward to Parker's fall. :)
March 16, 2022
Leí tan rápido el primer libro de esta serie que me supo a poco, así que comencé de inmediato con el segundo. Quizá por eso y porque es imposible no hacer comparaciones, es que esta entrega me decepcionó bastante. La pareja que protagoniza la historia carece del encanto y frescura de los personajes del primer libro, y su historia es un tanto aburrida, al igual que el entorno que la rodea. Una novela apenas pasable.
October 30, 2017
While the first installment of this series will always be my favorite, the second book is just as sweet. Emmaline is a crazy-talented florist, crafting bouquets and centerpieces that are works of art for Vows, the wedding business she runs with her three best friends. She’s had the hots for Jack, her best friend’s brother’s best friend, for 10 years now, but has never made a move because she didn’t want to make their friendship awkward. Turns out, the feeling and the fear that accompanies it are mutual.
Watching Emma and Jack navigate the slippery slope between romance and long-term friendship was sweet and fun and made me teary in a few places, if I’m being honest. Emma is a bombshell, graced with phenomenal genes from her Latin goddess of a mother. But what makes her so special is her sweetness. Here is a woman who will always stop to not only smell the roses, but to pick one and bring it to a friend in need of cheering. She is good to her core, and can always find a silver lining to every cloud. Jack is an architect, funny and bold and movie-star gorgeous. They make a killer couple.
And, like all Nora novels, they get their happy ending. There might be bumps along the road, but there are always great friends to pick you up and dust you off and help you find your rainbow’s end.
Watching Emma and Jack navigate the slippery slope between romance and long-term friendship was sweet and fun and made me teary in a few places, if I’m being honest. Emma is a bombshell, graced with phenomenal genes from her Latin goddess of a mother. But what makes her so special is her sweetness. Here is a woman who will always stop to not only smell the roses, but to pick one and bring it to a friend in need of cheering. She is good to her core, and can always find a silver lining to every cloud. Jack is an architect, funny and bold and movie-star gorgeous. They make a killer couple.
And, like all Nora novels, they get their happy ending. There might be bumps along the road, but there are always great friends to pick you up and dust you off and help you find your rainbow’s end.
October 5, 2021
Lo he disfrutado mucho. Con Nora Roberts tengo un tema: aunque me encanta cómo escribe, no siempre consigo conectar con sus historias, así que cuando tocó elegir novela para el #RetoRita5 no dudé en ir a seguro. Leí la primera entrega de esta serie hace años y me gustó mucho; con esta ha ocurrido lo mismo. La historia de amor en sí es muy tierna, de esas de amigos a amantes que están tan bien retratadas y son tan reales que las terminas sintiendo muy cercanas; pero si tuviera que resaltar algo de la historia en su conjunto, sin duda sería la preciosa relación de las cuatro protagonistas de la serie. La amistad de estas chicas es encantadora, conmueve, y te engancha totalmente, solo quieres que sean felices. Ahora me falta conocer las historias de Parker y Laurel y seguro que iré por ellas pronto ♥
February 28, 2010
Short Review: Bed of Roses, is the second book in Nora Roberts Bride Quartet series. However, those of you who have not read the first book, Vision in White, can read the second book with out missing a step. It’s a solid book with well developed characters and if you always buy every book that Nora Roberts writes I’m not writing this review for you. If however, you’re a romance reader, or just a reader looking for a book to read, perhaps this review is for you. I liked this book. Am I glad I read it? Yes. Would I re-read it? I don’t think so. And just so you know, re-reading a book is the ‘gold standard’ for every book I read. That’s just me – I’m passing the information on to you.
Long Review: Nora Roberts can write. That is so not in dispute. She has legions of fans for a good reason. Am I a fan? You betcha! Do I buy all of her books? Pretty much. Am I biased? Not so much. Unlike her alter ego, J.D. Robb who writes the In Death series, (this series is like crack cocaine, I can’t get enough and rush to buy every new book and have re-read every single one) the books she writes under Nora Roberts I always read on a case by case, or book by book basis. I know, strange huh? But let’s just say I’m more of a coca cola gal then a diet coke gal and leave it at that. So now you now where I’m coming from and you can read my review a bit more enlightened.
For me Nora Roberts’ books always, and I do mean always (no equivocation), have fully developed characters that you want to sit down and have dinner with. Even her paranormal trilogies have characters you want as your best friends. She is in a class many aspire to and few attain when it comes to fleshing out and developing characters and writing dialogue. Bed of Roses is no exception. This quartet of books features four different women, best friends, Parker, Laurel, Emma and Mac, who own and run a ‘premier wedding planning company’ called Vows. Each woman is responsible for a different aspect of the business. All four women are people you want to get to know. Ms. Roberts is at her best here in regards to the tenor, tone and timbre of these four women. You either want to be them, see a bit of yourself in them, or want to befriend them.
The same holds true for the men in this series. Not that you want to be them (unless of course you do, because I’m thinking most of my readers are women – but I could be wrong), but you certainly want to get to know them. As per usual, Ms. Roberts is amazing at writing her male characters. She gets it right every time. She’s one of the best and I love her books for that alone; her ability to write the ‘male voice’.
Bed of Roses focuses on Emma Grant, a talented florist who is responsible for that particular aspect of Vows. She loves her work and making some one’s dreams come true when it comes to their wedding and all the hoopla that surrounds it gives her joy. Emma is beautiful, smart, funny, and dates — a lot. Jack Cooke, an architect, has been friends with Emma and the woman of Vows for many years. So yes, this is a “friends to lovers” romance, certainly one of my favorite scenarios. Basically the book is about Emma and Jack and how they begin to see each other in a different light, act upon their feelings, and then deal with the consequences. Becoming lovers after being friends for a long time is not an easy feat; particularly when there are other friends involved. The particular dynamic that lovers have invariably changes the dynamic for the whole group, and of course if the couple breaks up there is the question of who gets custody of the friends.
In both Vision in White and Bed of Roses, Roberts takes great care to give us a glimpse into the wedding planning business as seen through the eyes of these four friends. The anecdotes and peripheral characters she introduces are fun. The way each woman deals with her aspect of the business is drawn in loving detail. The relationships between the women are crafted with exceptionally well written dialogue. And… however, the tension that I so long for is a bit lacking here. Bed of Roses is a sweet romance with strong characters and a simple plot. After all my whining about how much angst I’ve been reading in my books lately you think I’d be happy with a plot that runs true to course. A plot where there isn’t much angst but rather some normal and relatable internal struggles. Truth be told, I should be happy. I enjoyed reading this one and I’m going to read the next book in the series (I must find out what happens to Laurel). Perhaps that is the understated beauty of this series. It doesn’t hit you right between the eyes like a sledgehammer, but rather gently warms your heart.
So, if you like a ‘friends to lovers’ romance, with strong dialogue, fully developed and relatable characters and you like it simple and sweet, might I suggest Bed of Roses.
Long Review: Nora Roberts can write. That is so not in dispute. She has legions of fans for a good reason. Am I a fan? You betcha! Do I buy all of her books? Pretty much. Am I biased? Not so much. Unlike her alter ego, J.D. Robb who writes the In Death series, (this series is like crack cocaine, I can’t get enough and rush to buy every new book and have re-read every single one) the books she writes under Nora Roberts I always read on a case by case, or book by book basis. I know, strange huh? But let’s just say I’m more of a coca cola gal then a diet coke gal and leave it at that. So now you now where I’m coming from and you can read my review a bit more enlightened.
For me Nora Roberts’ books always, and I do mean always (no equivocation), have fully developed characters that you want to sit down and have dinner with. Even her paranormal trilogies have characters you want as your best friends. She is in a class many aspire to and few attain when it comes to fleshing out and developing characters and writing dialogue. Bed of Roses is no exception. This quartet of books features four different women, best friends, Parker, Laurel, Emma and Mac, who own and run a ‘premier wedding planning company’ called Vows. Each woman is responsible for a different aspect of the business. All four women are people you want to get to know. Ms. Roberts is at her best here in regards to the tenor, tone and timbre of these four women. You either want to be them, see a bit of yourself in them, or want to befriend them.
The same holds true for the men in this series. Not that you want to be them (unless of course you do, because I’m thinking most of my readers are women – but I could be wrong), but you certainly want to get to know them. As per usual, Ms. Roberts is amazing at writing her male characters. She gets it right every time. She’s one of the best and I love her books for that alone; her ability to write the ‘male voice’.
Bed of Roses focuses on Emma Grant, a talented florist who is responsible for that particular aspect of Vows. She loves her work and making some one’s dreams come true when it comes to their wedding and all the hoopla that surrounds it gives her joy. Emma is beautiful, smart, funny, and dates — a lot. Jack Cooke, an architect, has been friends with Emma and the woman of Vows for many years. So yes, this is a “friends to lovers” romance, certainly one of my favorite scenarios. Basically the book is about Emma and Jack and how they begin to see each other in a different light, act upon their feelings, and then deal with the consequences. Becoming lovers after being friends for a long time is not an easy feat; particularly when there are other friends involved. The particular dynamic that lovers have invariably changes the dynamic for the whole group, and of course if the couple breaks up there is the question of who gets custody of the friends.
In both Vision in White and Bed of Roses, Roberts takes great care to give us a glimpse into the wedding planning business as seen through the eyes of these four friends. The anecdotes and peripheral characters she introduces are fun. The way each woman deals with her aspect of the business is drawn in loving detail. The relationships between the women are crafted with exceptionally well written dialogue. And… however, the tension that I so long for is a bit lacking here. Bed of Roses is a sweet romance with strong characters and a simple plot. After all my whining about how much angst I’ve been reading in my books lately you think I’d be happy with a plot that runs true to course. A plot where there isn’t much angst but rather some normal and relatable internal struggles. Truth be told, I should be happy. I enjoyed reading this one and I’m going to read the next book in the series (I must find out what happens to Laurel). Perhaps that is the understated beauty of this series. It doesn’t hit you right between the eyes like a sledgehammer, but rather gently warms your heart.
So, if you like a ‘friends to lovers’ romance, with strong dialogue, fully developed and relatable characters and you like it simple and sweet, might I suggest Bed of Roses.
October 15, 2016
it was amazing it made me cry
December 14, 2019
La historia de una amistad transformada en amor...
La ambientación nos traslada de nuevo al centro neurálgico de Votos, donde las cuatro amigas trabajan organizando bodas. En esta ocasión visitamos la casita de Emma, la protagonista, que es quien se encarga de preparar las flores para las diversas ocasiones. Debo decir que, en esta historia, me ha sobrado información, ya que he quedado un pelín empachada de nombres de flores y arreglos florales. Da la sensación de que la autora quiere enseñarnos a preparar esos preciosos ramos. También me ha parecido que había muchas escenas de bodas como relleno, ya que no influían para nada en la historia, aunque dan sostén a la labor que las chicas realizan.
La trama está basada en el típico cliché de chico-chica que se conocen de casi toda la vida, son amigos y, de repente, surge el amor. De todas formas, está narrada de una forma muy dulce.
Emma me parece un personaje romántico. Tiene una familia de ensueño, es una chica guapa, alegre, llena de vida, carismática y soñadora... Siempre ha deseado bailar un vals en la terraza, a la luz de la luna, con su gran amor. Me ha llamado la atención esa disposición generosa a entregarse a Jack a cambio de nada, solo por el placer de amarlo, conformándose con lo que él le da... y sin embargo, es una realidad que siempre esperamos algo a cambio, que la entrega total no correspondida, termina agotando a la persona. Y eso es lo que al final descubre Emma, que el amor es cosa de dos, y que implica una confianza recíproca y una entrega mutua.
Jack es el típico personaje de novela romántica, guapo a rabiar, exitoso con las mujeres, simpático y encantador, con un punto picarón. Su amistad con el Cuarteto -como las llama Del, el hermano de Parker- tiene unos diez o doce años y, sin embargo, un día se descubre no mirando, sino admirando a Emma. Luego surge la chispa del deseo, y se lanza. Todo parece ir bien, y él está contento. Pero vemos que, mientras que Emma va avanzando en sus sentimientos, Jack no, o al menos no de forma consciente, porque el miedo se lo impide. ¿Acaso no es cierto que el amor no dura para siempre? Esa es la experiencia de sus padres, y aunque tiene muchos ejemplos, como los mismos padres de Emma, o los hermanos de esta, que llevan juntos felizmente casados bastante tiempo, no logra asimilar que el amor, como las flores, hay que cuidarlo.
Quizás lo que más me ha gustado de la historia es la lealtad de Parker, Mac, Laurel y Emma; esa amistad que parece indestructible y que desafía todo. Su unión, su ocuparse y preocuparse por la otra, su solidaridad, son envidiables. También me ha gustado saber cómo va evolucionando la relación entre Mac y Carter, y ver cómo se perfilan las siguientes historias. Me gustan los personajes que dibuja esta autora, porque son muy variados de carácter y de personalidad, y eso enriquece las historias y da juego a la trama.
La ambientación nos traslada de nuevo al centro neurálgico de Votos, donde las cuatro amigas trabajan organizando bodas. En esta ocasión visitamos la casita de Emma, la protagonista, que es quien se encarga de preparar las flores para las diversas ocasiones. Debo decir que, en esta historia, me ha sobrado información, ya que he quedado un pelín empachada de nombres de flores y arreglos florales. Da la sensación de que la autora quiere enseñarnos a preparar esos preciosos ramos. También me ha parecido que había muchas escenas de bodas como relleno, ya que no influían para nada en la historia, aunque dan sostén a la labor que las chicas realizan.
La trama está basada en el típico cliché de chico-chica que se conocen de casi toda la vida, son amigos y, de repente, surge el amor. De todas formas, está narrada de una forma muy dulce.
Emma me parece un personaje romántico. Tiene una familia de ensueño, es una chica guapa, alegre, llena de vida, carismática y soñadora... Siempre ha deseado bailar un vals en la terraza, a la luz de la luna, con su gran amor. Me ha llamado la atención esa disposición generosa a entregarse a Jack a cambio de nada, solo por el placer de amarlo, conformándose con lo que él le da... y sin embargo, es una realidad que siempre esperamos algo a cambio, que la entrega total no correspondida, termina agotando a la persona. Y eso es lo que al final descubre Emma, que el amor es cosa de dos, y que implica una confianza recíproca y una entrega mutua.
Jack es el típico personaje de novela romántica, guapo a rabiar, exitoso con las mujeres, simpático y encantador, con un punto picarón. Su amistad con el Cuarteto -como las llama Del, el hermano de Parker- tiene unos diez o doce años y, sin embargo, un día se descubre no mirando, sino admirando a Emma. Luego surge la chispa del deseo, y se lanza. Todo parece ir bien, y él está contento. Pero vemos que, mientras que Emma va avanzando en sus sentimientos, Jack no, o al menos no de forma consciente, porque el miedo se lo impide. ¿Acaso no es cierto que el amor no dura para siempre? Esa es la experiencia de sus padres, y aunque tiene muchos ejemplos, como los mismos padres de Emma, o los hermanos de esta, que llevan juntos felizmente casados bastante tiempo, no logra asimilar que el amor, como las flores, hay que cuidarlo.
Quizás lo que más me ha gustado de la historia es la lealtad de Parker, Mac, Laurel y Emma; esa amistad que parece indestructible y que desafía todo. Su unión, su ocuparse y preocuparse por la otra, su solidaridad, son envidiables. También me ha gustado saber cómo va evolucionando la relación entre Mac y Carter, y ver cómo se perfilan las siguientes historias. Me gustan los personajes que dibuja esta autora, porque son muy variados de carácter y de personalidad, y eso enriquece las historias y da juego a la trama.
July 22, 2016
Mais um romance fofo da Nora..não gostei tanto deste casal como estava à espera mas por outro lado viu-se mais a amizade e companheirismo entre as quatro amigas.
Vou já saltar para o 3º da série!
---
O segundo livro - Um Mar de Rosas - tem uma aura totalmente diferente do primeiro livro, principalmente porque a Emma é uma romântica inveterada em que o seu maior sonho é dançar à luz da lua com o amor da sua vida. Foi um livro um pouco mais romântico e do qual não gostei tanto devido ao facto de a profissão da Emma também não ser das mais interessantes.Não tenho grande gosto por flores ou plantas, sinceramente não ligo mesmo nada a isso e portanto as descrições dos arranjos dos buquês da decoração dos casamentos passou-me um pouco ao lado. Também a nível pessoal a Emma não foi muito bem explorada, tinha uma família unida e com posses e pronto. Gostei da parte do romance e do facto de mais uma vez o seu interesse amoroso ser alguém do círculo de amigos e foi engraçado ela e o Jack serem amigos há tanto tempo e só agora admitirem à atração que sentiam um pelo o outro. O Jack acabou por ser um pouco mais desenvolvido com toda ã situação de não querer comprometer-se a sério com a Emma mas claro que no fim acaba tudo bem e ã Emma vê o seu sonho realizado.
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Vou já saltar para o 3º da série!
---
O segundo livro - Um Mar de Rosas - tem uma aura totalmente diferente do primeiro livro, principalmente porque a Emma é uma romântica inveterada em que o seu maior sonho é dançar à luz da lua com o amor da sua vida. Foi um livro um pouco mais romântico e do qual não gostei tanto devido ao facto de a profissão da Emma também não ser das mais interessantes.Não tenho grande gosto por flores ou plantas, sinceramente não ligo mesmo nada a isso e portanto as descrições dos arranjos dos buquês da decoração dos casamentos passou-me um pouco ao lado. Também a nível pessoal a Emma não foi muito bem explorada, tinha uma família unida e com posses e pronto. Gostei da parte do romance e do facto de mais uma vez o seu interesse amoroso ser alguém do círculo de amigos e foi engraçado ela e o Jack serem amigos há tanto tempo e só agora admitirem à atração que sentiam um pelo o outro. O Jack acabou por ser um pouco mais desenvolvido com toda ã situação de não querer comprometer-se a sério com a Emma mas claro que no fim acaba tudo bem e ã Emma vê o seu sonho realizado.
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May 13, 2021
Como segundo libro me parece que ha estado muy bien. Aun siendo que les falta algo y en algunas partes me aburro, pero la trama romántica es E.S.T.U.P.E.N.D.A.
Jack y Emma como pareja han sido perfectos. Ella con su manera tan dulce y tierna de ser y Jack por ser tan guapo y atento, a pesar de su fobia al matrimonio.
Hay partes que me han encantado, otras me han hecho llorar y otras han sido divertidisimas, sobretodo cuando aparecen los personajes secundarios. Me hacen reír muchísimo y estoy esperando la historia de Laurel y Del, espero que sean geniales.
Jack y Emma como pareja han sido perfectos. Ella con su manera tan dulce y tierna de ser y Jack por ser tan guapo y atento, a pesar de su fobia al matrimonio.
Hay partes que me han encantado, otras me han hecho llorar y otras han sido divertidisimas, sobretodo cuando aparecen los personajes secundarios. Me hacen reír muchísimo y estoy esperando la historia de Laurel y Del, espero que sean geniales.
January 7, 2018
This was so dumb and cheesy. The only saving grace were the snippets we'd get from the perspective of other characters.
August 26, 2011
Ever felt left out? I felt that way when I tried reading Vision in White back in May of this year, and I felt that way again trying to read its successor, Bed of Roses. I attempted to read this about two months ago after having finished and disliked the first book in this series. Normally I would drop a series after disliking the first installment to the degree that I did with Vision in White, but since I own the first, second, and fourth installments in this series I thought I'd give it another go. Plus I felt left out. Many women love Nora Roberts, and after having fallen for her In Death series that she writes under the pseudonym J.D. Robb at the end of last year, I figured, why not try her other works? How different could they be? At the very least, shouldn't the characterization be as good? That was my reasoning . . . but that just isn't the case IMO.
For me, this series is very flat and fluffy; the characters are cookie-cutter, the plots seem to be slight variations of one another, and because of the uninteresting characters there's not much to say about the sexy factor. I think what makes a series and/or its characters sexy is having good character development and good chemistry between the MCs - but I'm just not seeing that with this series.
And I'm sorry to all NR fans out there, but I honestly can't imagine her other works being any more suitable to my reading tastes, either. I shall stick with her alter ego, J.D. Robb, where I know I'm in for a treat.
December 9, 2020
After Mac’s book, I think Emma was the person I was most excited for.
I really liked Emma. She’s kind and loving and has such a big heart. Jack is a little set in his ways, stand-off ish, and really a giant marshmallow (even if he doesn’t know it.) I loved reading their relationship blossom.
Plot wise, it was nearly all fluff and I was living for it. I will say that the reason this is a 4 instead of a 5 star review is that I was slightly irritated at how the conflict played out and was resolved in about a chapter. Emma’s reaction to Jack’s reaction felt weird after she spent the entire book acknowledging his skittishness.
Of course it was lovely to see the other women and how they supported each other. And with the set ups for Laurel and Parker, I can’t wait to get started.
I really liked Emma. She’s kind and loving and has such a big heart. Jack is a little set in his ways, stand-off ish, and really a giant marshmallow (even if he doesn’t know it.) I loved reading their relationship blossom.
Plot wise, it was nearly all fluff and I was living for it. I will say that the reason this is a 4 instead of a 5 star review is that I was slightly irritated at how the conflict played out and was resolved in about a chapter. Emma’s reaction to Jack’s reaction felt weird after she spent the entire book acknowledging his skittishness.
Of course it was lovely to see the other women and how they supported each other. And with the set ups for Laurel and Parker, I can’t wait to get started.
January 12, 2015
If Emma was in the room with me I'd throw her out the window. "The big fight" was so, so, so, so stupid, stupid, stupid. I can't believe Nora Roberts wrote such twaddle. And it wasn't even just Emma. Her friends were just as bad.
So a man has a horrible, stressful day. Comes home to his own house, with a splitting headache, with his own expectations and runs smack into her--in his house, uninvited, with HER EXPECTATIONS.......and of course, it's all his fault. And her friends, who are supposedly his friends as well, wrap the blubbering idiot in the bosom of their affections, and leave Jack out in the cold without even being able to get a word said. He was willing to admit that he had blown it (even though I think that she should be the one saying those words) and they won't even listen to ONE WORD. Friends like that.....who needs them.
I've been listening to this on a digital download---mindless stuff to listen to while working in the kitchen. And I want to throw my computer out the window. And I'm down to the last 10 minutes. And I don't even know if I can listen to them.
She's finally deigned to forgive him for all his sins against her, and he's going to do the big grovel. And I'm going to puke. I wish someone could tell me if somewhere in the last ten minutes she actually has a brain transplant or learns how to allow for him what she expects for herself. I just don't want to listen to this last ten minutes if somehow she isn't going to redeem herself.
If it was a book, I'd have skipped to the very last page a long time ago, just to read the "happily ever after".
So a man has a horrible, stressful day. Comes home to his own house, with a splitting headache, with his own expectations and runs smack into her--in his house, uninvited, with HER EXPECTATIONS.......and of course, it's all his fault. And her friends, who are supposedly his friends as well, wrap the blubbering idiot in the bosom of their affections, and leave Jack out in the cold without even being able to get a word said. He was willing to admit that he had blown it (even though I think that she should be the one saying those words) and they won't even listen to ONE WORD. Friends like that.....who needs them.
I've been listening to this on a digital download---mindless stuff to listen to while working in the kitchen. And I want to throw my computer out the window. And I'm down to the last 10 minutes. And I don't even know if I can listen to them.
She's finally deigned to forgive him for all his sins against her, and he's going to do the big grovel. And I'm going to puke. I wish someone could tell me if somewhere in the last ten minutes she actually has a brain transplant or learns how to allow for him what she expects for herself. I just don't want to listen to this last ten minutes if somehow she isn't going to redeem herself.
If it was a book, I'd have skipped to the very last page a long time ago, just to read the "happily ever after".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2017
I liked this so, so much but then the last couple of chapters sort of melted into a big puddle of drama, and I couldn't really stomach half of that. Because while I of course didn't agree with Jack, I also thought Emma and the entire gang overreacted. Jack was right in saying that he didn't cheat on her or slap her around or God knows what, but they were all acting like he'd literally stabbed her or something. Parker telling Jack "She's ready to talk to you, so I'm ready to let you talk to her." was the most obnoxious thing ever. And I love Parker, but I think I like her a little bit less after that whole scenario, so my enjoyment of the book took a hit there.
To be honest, I feel as if Emma basically showed Jack that it was either a marriage or a break-up in their future and wow, way to push a guy to ask you to marry him. True love, ladies and gentlemen. After a full three months (if that) of dating. *sarcastic applause*
I'm sad that it all went to hell right before the end. Even though I'm used to Nora Roberts' characters being very stereotypical (Carter is the quiet, nerdy type; Jack and Del are the 'scared-of-serious-commitment-like-to-taste-as-many-fish-in-the-sea' type and I'm pretty sure Malcolm will be the former bad boy turned good. It doesn't bother me much, but I hate that I keep noticing it while reading.
The constant abbreviations for various wedding guests were also a little bit much here, and I don't think Roberts truly understands the game of soccer, because the way she wrote that brief scene with Parker and Emma just made me roll my eyes because of its inaccuracy.
However, I'm still very much looking forward to the next two books. One can only hope things will be handled a little more to my liking there.
To be honest, I feel as if Emma basically showed Jack that it was either a marriage or a break-up in their future and wow, way to push a guy to ask you to marry him. True love, ladies and gentlemen. After a full three months (if that) of dating. *sarcastic applause*
I'm sad that it all went to hell right before the end. Even though I'm used to Nora Roberts' characters being very stereotypical (Carter is the quiet, nerdy type; Jack and Del are the 'scared-of-serious-commitment-like-to-taste-as-many-fish-in-the-sea' type and I'm pretty sure Malcolm will be the former bad boy turned good. It doesn't bother me much, but I hate that I keep noticing it while reading.
The constant abbreviations for various wedding guests were also a little bit much here, and I don't think Roberts truly understands the game of soccer, because the way she wrote that brief scene with Parker and Emma just made me roll my eyes because of its inaccuracy.
However, I'm still very much looking forward to the next two books. One can only hope things will be handled a little more to my liking there.
November 14, 2015
This was also OK but I did like it a bit better than the first of the series. You see more personalities and different characters and you kind of figuring out who Will end up together in the later series. It has a little bit more humor too.
March 22, 2011
As I said in my review for Vision in White, Nora Roberts never fails to entertain me. What, does she have a special gene or something? Is she a writing mutant? What’s with her novels that always deliver where I’m concerned?
Because with Bed of Roses she once again succeeded. This series is more than a contemporary romance, there’s a little of chick-lit in it as well, but especially it’s an ode to female friendship. One of those strong, resilient friendships that last a lifetime. Mac, Emma, Laurel and Parker are such friends and it’s always a pleasure and a hoot to read about them and their bond.
An added plus, we didn’t get to read only about female friendship, but male friendship as well, and discovered how different they are. As NR mentioned in one conversation between Jack and Emma, girls like to eat chocolate when upset, while men punch each other in the face. “It’s the nature of the beasts.” I loved the interaction between Del and Jack, and now that Carter’s firmly in the picture, I was glad to see him come out of his shell and open up a little more around these two (and the girls).
That said, this was also a romance. And what a romance. It’s always difficult to start considering one of your friends for a potential lover, and we all know the whys of that. Would you be able to get back to where you were if (when) the relationship implodes? How will others around you react, especially if you both come from a tight circle of close friends? Could it even work? Should you give it a try? Are you brave enough to give it a try and fight for what you want?
These are all questions rolling around Emma and Jack’s minds at the beginning of this book. Sure, once the passion is upon you, you throw caution to the wind, and hope you get lucky. And that’s what these two did. And it worked. Sort of. Despite Emma’s über-romantic nature (which started to grate after a while, I’ll admit) and Jack’s reservations (which were rather plausible and believable, making me root for him throughout the story).
Sexy, sweet, romantic, with a few LOL moments, a lot of female bonding, and some more insight into the wedding-planning business, this was yet another keeper in this four-book series.
I loved the few sneak peeks into the relationships of the next two books, but while I’m really looking forward to Laurel and Del’s story, it’s Mal and Parker’s book that’s keeping me on the edge of my seat. Really apropos to make it the last one.
Because with Bed of Roses she once again succeeded. This series is more than a contemporary romance, there’s a little of chick-lit in it as well, but especially it’s an ode to female friendship. One of those strong, resilient friendships that last a lifetime. Mac, Emma, Laurel and Parker are such friends and it’s always a pleasure and a hoot to read about them and their bond.
An added plus, we didn’t get to read only about female friendship, but male friendship as well, and discovered how different they are. As NR mentioned in one conversation between Jack and Emma, girls like to eat chocolate when upset, while men punch each other in the face. “It’s the nature of the beasts.” I loved the interaction between Del and Jack, and now that Carter’s firmly in the picture, I was glad to see him come out of his shell and open up a little more around these two (and the girls).
That said, this was also a romance. And what a romance. It’s always difficult to start considering one of your friends for a potential lover, and we all know the whys of that. Would you be able to get back to where you were if (when) the relationship implodes? How will others around you react, especially if you both come from a tight circle of close friends? Could it even work? Should you give it a try? Are you brave enough to give it a try and fight for what you want?
These are all questions rolling around Emma and Jack’s minds at the beginning of this book. Sure, once the passion is upon you, you throw caution to the wind, and hope you get lucky. And that’s what these two did. And it worked. Sort of. Despite Emma’s über-romantic nature (which started to grate after a while, I’ll admit) and Jack’s reservations (which were rather plausible and believable, making me root for him throughout the story).
Sexy, sweet, romantic, with a few LOL moments, a lot of female bonding, and some more insight into the wedding-planning business, this was yet another keeper in this four-book series.
I loved the few sneak peeks into the relationships of the next two books, but while I’m really looking forward to Laurel and Del’s story, it’s Mal and Parker’s book that’s keeping me on the edge of my seat. Really apropos to make it the last one.
November 8, 2009
4 stars; from just sheer enjoyment, I would have given this 4 1/2, but I deducted half a star for two reasons: (a) the heroine is the personality twin of the heroine in Convincing Alex of the Stanislaskis series; and (b) TOO MUCH WEDDING DETAIL!!!! I know it's a book about wedding planners, but come on! there was more wedding information than scenes written from the hero's POV.
I'm not going to do a full synopsis, but I have to say this one was definitely better than Vision in White, and while there was shameless sequel-bait, I'm really ooking forward to Laurel's & Parker's books. Jack was the typical commitment-phobe modern guy, and Emma was a sweet and almost-naive, but not in an annoying way, foil to him. And it was fun watching them turn from friends to lovers, and trying to deal with all of the changes it causes, not just between them, but among their whole group. I have to say that I am sort of concerned by the level of codependency among the four women: they practically live together, work together, spend almost every waking moment together. When the plot hits the conflict and all of the women group together to protect Emma, all I could think was that was really insulting to Emma, and really immature of her to hide behind them. I can't compute that at all - that is so completely the opposite of how I expect grown women to act. But other than that, an enjoyable read. B
I'm not going to do a full synopsis, but I have to say this one was definitely better than Vision in White, and while there was shameless sequel-bait, I'm really ooking forward to Laurel's & Parker's books. Jack was the typical commitment-phobe modern guy, and Emma was a sweet and almost-naive, but not in an annoying way, foil to him. And it was fun watching them turn from friends to lovers, and trying to deal with all of the changes it causes, not just between them, but among their whole group. I have to say that I am sort of concerned by the level of codependency among the four women: they practically live together, work together, spend almost every waking moment together. When the plot hits the conflict and all of the women group together to protect Emma, all I could think was that was really insulting to Emma, and really immature of her to hide behind them. I can't compute that at all - that is so completely the opposite of how I expect grown women to act. But other than that, an enjoyable read. B
January 4, 2010
Nora Roberts has a formula in her romance series that really works for me. Woman meets man, woman falls for man, man and woman are happy together, something happens to mess that up, but man and woman become happy again by the end of the book. It's a winning theme that carries across many of her books, and it is one of which I will NEVER tire.
This series doesn't have quite as much strife in it as some, as the something happening to mess it up is more like an argument and a misunderstanding than something like a not-so-friendly ghost coming back from the grave to drive the lovers apart, causing them to be in mortal danger. However, the first two books have still been wonderful stories about likable characters that you can't help but root for. The wedding business that the four main characters share serves as an enjoyable backdrop for all the drama. As someone who LOVED her own wedding (and especially the details like the flowers, the cake, and the photos), it's so fun to read about the wedding planning business and experience the over-the-top affairs these women plan.
My only criticism is that we will have to wait so long for the next book! As with any of the Nora Roberts series I have read, I want to continue with the story now! However, I know it will be worth the wait...it always is.
This series doesn't have quite as much strife in it as some, as the something happening to mess it up is more like an argument and a misunderstanding than something like a not-so-friendly ghost coming back from the grave to drive the lovers apart, causing them to be in mortal danger. However, the first two books have still been wonderful stories about likable characters that you can't help but root for. The wedding business that the four main characters share serves as an enjoyable backdrop for all the drama. As someone who LOVED her own wedding (and especially the details like the flowers, the cake, and the photos), it's so fun to read about the wedding planning business and experience the over-the-top affairs these women plan.
My only criticism is that we will have to wait so long for the next book! As with any of the Nora Roberts series I have read, I want to continue with the story now! However, I know it will be worth the wait...it always is.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2009
I think Bed of Roses should have been the first book in the Bride Quartet series. I felt like the players were much fleshed out then in the first, Vision in White. I got to know them and what their feelings and wants are. I felt that lacked in VIW. In BOR, we get Emma and Jack’s story. I loved every minute of it! They’ve been like siblings since they were twelve, and in the past few years and have started noticing each other in a different way.
Emma is the florist in her quarter of Vows, the wedding planning business she owns with her 3 best friends. I really enjoyed all the flower work and descriptions in this one. As any Nora fan will tell you, once she decides on a theme for her book she goes at it ‘full research ahead’.
Jack is a mostly beta architect that steals Emma’s heart--and mine too, I might add. He’s always been a commitment-phoebe, until he meets her. The story line is defiantly not a new one, but it works for me.
There is a lot of banter between everyone. It seems like all of the women have a snappy come back for whatever any one says. Sometimes that bothers me. However I am so glad I liked this one. I was contemplating jumping off Nora’s wagon after the last few books.
Emma is the florist in her quarter of Vows, the wedding planning business she owns with her 3 best friends. I really enjoyed all the flower work and descriptions in this one. As any Nora fan will tell you, once she decides on a theme for her book she goes at it ‘full research ahead’.
Jack is a mostly beta architect that steals Emma’s heart--and mine too, I might add. He’s always been a commitment-phoebe, until he meets her. The story line is defiantly not a new one, but it works for me.
There is a lot of banter between everyone. It seems like all of the women have a snappy come back for whatever any one says. Sometimes that bothers me. However I am so glad I liked this one. I was contemplating jumping off Nora’s wagon after the last few books.
April 11, 2019
This book is not as good as the first one of the series. But, I have enjoyed the love story of Emma and Jack.
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