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Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy #1-3
The Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy
THE NEXT ALWAYS
The historic hotel in BoonsBoro, Maryland, has endured war and peace, changing hands, even rumored hauntings. Now it’s getting a major facelift from the Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother. As the architect of the family, Beckett’s social life consists mostly of talking shop over pizza and beer. But there’s another project he’s got his eye on: the girl he’s been waiting to kiss since he was fifteen...
THE LAST BOYFRIEND
Owen is the organizer of the Montgomery clan, running the family’s construction business with an iron fist—and an even less flexible spreadsheet. And though his brothers give him grief for his compulsive list making, the Inn BoonsBoro is about to open right on schedule. The only thing Owen didn’t plan for was Avery MacTavish... Avery’s popular pizza place is right across the street from the inn, giving her a firsthand look at its amazing renovation—and a newfound appreciation for Owen. Since he was her first boyfriend when they were kids, Owen has never been far from Avery’s thoughts. But the attraction she’s feeling for him now is far from innocent. As Avery and Owen cautiously take their relationship to another level, the opening of the inn gives the whole town of Boonsboro a reason to celebrate. But Owen’s hard work has only begun. Getting Avery to let down her guard is going to take longer than he expected—and so will getting her to realize that her first boyfriend is going to be her last...
THE PERFECT HOPE
Ryder is the hardest Montgomery brother to figure out—with a tough-as-nails outside and possibly nothing too soft underneath. He’s surly and unsociable, but when he straps on a tool belt, no woman can resist his sexy swagger. Except, apparently, Hope Beaumont, the innkeeper of his own Inn BoonsBoro. As the former manager of a D.C. hotel, Hope is used to excitement and glamour, but that doesn’t mean she can’t appreciate the joys of small-town living. She’s where she wants to be—except for in her love life. Her only interaction with the opposite sex has been sparring with the infuriating Ryder, who always seems to get under her skin. Still, no one can deny the electricity that crackles between them… a spark that ignited with a New Year’s Eve kiss. While the inn is running smoothly, thanks to Hope’s experience and unerring instincts, her big-city past is about to make an unwelcome—and embarrassing—appearance. Seeing Hope vulnerable stirs up Ryder’s emotions and makes him realize that while Hope may not be perfect, she just might be perfect for him...
The historic hotel in BoonsBoro, Maryland, has endured war and peace, changing hands, even rumored hauntings. Now it’s getting a major facelift from the Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother. As the architect of the family, Beckett’s social life consists mostly of talking shop over pizza and beer. But there’s another project he’s got his eye on: the girl he’s been waiting to kiss since he was fifteen...
THE LAST BOYFRIEND
Owen is the organizer of the Montgomery clan, running the family’s construction business with an iron fist—and an even less flexible spreadsheet. And though his brothers give him grief for his compulsive list making, the Inn BoonsBoro is about to open right on schedule. The only thing Owen didn’t plan for was Avery MacTavish... Avery’s popular pizza place is right across the street from the inn, giving her a firsthand look at its amazing renovation—and a newfound appreciation for Owen. Since he was her first boyfriend when they were kids, Owen has never been far from Avery’s thoughts. But the attraction she’s feeling for him now is far from innocent. As Avery and Owen cautiously take their relationship to another level, the opening of the inn gives the whole town of Boonsboro a reason to celebrate. But Owen’s hard work has only begun. Getting Avery to let down her guard is going to take longer than he expected—and so will getting her to realize that her first boyfriend is going to be her last...
THE PERFECT HOPE
Ryder is the hardest Montgomery brother to figure out—with a tough-as-nails outside and possibly nothing too soft underneath. He’s surly and unsociable, but when he straps on a tool belt, no woman can resist his sexy swagger. Except, apparently, Hope Beaumont, the innkeeper of his own Inn BoonsBoro. As the former manager of a D.C. hotel, Hope is used to excitement and glamour, but that doesn’t mean she can’t appreciate the joys of small-town living. She’s where she wants to be—except for in her love life. Her only interaction with the opposite sex has been sparring with the infuriating Ryder, who always seems to get under her skin. Still, no one can deny the electricity that crackles between them… a spark that ignited with a New Year’s Eve kiss. While the inn is running smoothly, thanks to Hope’s experience and unerring instincts, her big-city past is about to make an unwelcome—and embarrassing—appearance. Seeing Hope vulnerable stirs up Ryder’s emotions and makes him realize that while Hope may not be perfect, she just might be perfect for him...
1040 pages, ebook
First published December 4, 2012
1007 people are currently reading
2011 people want to read
About the author
Nora Roberts
1,209 books59.7k 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 216 reviews
August 25, 2018
I think this is maybe the seventh or eighth time I have read this trilogy? It’s not mindblowingly original or anything. I just find the story incredibly comforting for some reason. It’s the story of three brothers revitalizing a town through their construction skills and the sheer willpower of their mother. It’s the story of the Bed and Breakfast they bring back to life, and the ghost that resides there. It’s the story of three best friends, a bookseller, a restaurant owner, and an innkeeper, and how each of them fall for on of the brothers. Basically, it’s a romance with the addition of a ghost story. Simple. But I love it.
As always, what makes these books so addictive is the characters. Nora does such an amazing job crafting interesting characters, she is phenomenal at developing deep, lifelike relationships. The family unit in the Boonsboro books is incredibly strong and always open to new additions. The friendships are solid and important, and come across as a family that was built instead of coming readymade. I just love Nora’s take on the profound value of relationships and how they are what really make life worth living. She also does a great job with professions. In her novels, Nora showcases people who have made their passion into a paying profession. While I know that this isn’t exactly realistic for the world we live in, I love the passion each and every character in this trilogy feels for their job, and how hard they work to make their dreams a reality.
What sets this trilogy apart from Nora’s other trilogies is Inn Boonsboro. The concept of naming each suite after a romantic couple from literature who had a happy ending is one of my favorite things ever. Her descriptions are so vivid that I could picture every single room, and they were all lovely. I also have a soft spot for stories involving construction, as my dad has worked in that field since before I was born. There is something so satisfying about watching something that was on its last leg being brought back to life through sweat and ingenuity.
All in all, I just love Nora. Her books are my favorite escape when life gets hard. Whether I’m reading one of her stories for the first time or the twenty-first time, I know I can trust her to relax and sooth my mind.
As always, what makes these books so addictive is the characters. Nora does such an amazing job crafting interesting characters, she is phenomenal at developing deep, lifelike relationships. The family unit in the Boonsboro books is incredibly strong and always open to new additions. The friendships are solid and important, and come across as a family that was built instead of coming readymade. I just love Nora’s take on the profound value of relationships and how they are what really make life worth living. She also does a great job with professions. In her novels, Nora showcases people who have made their passion into a paying profession. While I know that this isn’t exactly realistic for the world we live in, I love the passion each and every character in this trilogy feels for their job, and how hard they work to make their dreams a reality.
What sets this trilogy apart from Nora’s other trilogies is Inn Boonsboro. The concept of naming each suite after a romantic couple from literature who had a happy ending is one of my favorite things ever. Her descriptions are so vivid that I could picture every single room, and they were all lovely. I also have a soft spot for stories involving construction, as my dad has worked in that field since before I was born. There is something so satisfying about watching something that was on its last leg being brought back to life through sweat and ingenuity.
All in all, I just love Nora. Her books are my favorite escape when life gets hard. Whether I’m reading one of her stories for the first time or the twenty-first time, I know I can trust her to relax and sooth my mind.
February 20, 2013
Another hit for Nora Roberts. I love reading her books. As always, I have a hard time waiting for the next book in her series to come out. This trilogy was no different.
I loved reading about the Montgomery boys and wanted to belong to their family. They work hard and play hard. The twists and turns that make up this family is riviting.
I loved reading about the Montgomery boys and wanted to belong to their family. They work hard and play hard. The twists and turns that make up this family is riviting.
November 7, 2014
I absolutely loved this series. It was a nice change to have men being the main characters. They were all great in their own way. Once I found that the Inn really exists in Maryland and Nora Roberts owns it with her husband, I was even more intrigued. Another good recommendation for series readers and/or fans of Nora Roberts.
April 20, 2013
Nora Roberts books are the old friends I go back and reread when the spirit moves me - I enjoyed this series when I read it as published - just returned to read the books back to back - still enjoyed it - I love the concept of the Inn and, as an avid HGTV enthusiast, loved the descriptive detail of the renovations - only problem was I want to go stay there.....
July 23, 2025
This is a re read after a few years. I love Nora Roberts and her trilogy series are always amazing. I speed read a lot so I am savoring this re read of this trio.
I cannot recommend these books enough. Romance. Some angst. Some scary. Some smexy. Just the right amount.
It’s not smut. It’s not your goody two shoes either. Just a solid romance. Perfect beach read too.
I cannot recommend these books enough. Romance. Some angst. Some scary. Some smexy. Just the right amount.
It’s not smut. It’s not your goody two shoes either. Just a solid romance. Perfect beach read too.
April 16, 2013
I loved this group from Nora Roberts. It was the first book of this author that I read and I couldn't but the books down and ended up reading all three in about two weeks. Definitely a nice easy read where you truly care about the characters and the family.
April 7, 2016
OMG, this is one of THE BEST series of books that I think I have ever read! FANTASTIC!!! READ THESE BOOKS! you won't be sorry!!!
March 14, 2019
I enjoyed the 3 books, they were hard to put down, you really feel like you get to know the characters and their lives. I'm actually going to go and stay at the Inn this August, 2019. Cant wait to explore the town and get some Warrier pizza at Vesta, and visit turn the page bookstore.
September 23, 2025
Third time reading this series. Nora Roberts is one of my favorite authors, whenever I’m in a reading slump I go back to the comfort of her books and writing.
July 4, 2013
Very typical Nora Roberts style, but I really enjoy reading her books. I will definitely read the next two in the trilogy. I found this one extremely interesting in that I have seen the Inn Boonesboro, but alas only from the outside. One thing that she did not mention in the book, and really didn't need to be mentioned, is that just shortly before the Inn opened, there was a fire that all but destroyed it. But Nora Roberts rebuilt the Inn, and I was there just prior to the official opening while touring the area.
December 3, 2020
J'aime Nora Roberts, c'est comme ça!
Comme une romance de Noël, facile à lire, sans prise de tête, les pages filent vite.
J'ai beaucoup aimé suivre Beckett, Owen Ryder, surtout Ryder, j'ai eu un faible pour cet homme un peu bourru.
Et cet hôtel semblait charmant comme tout, j'y aurais bien séjourné.
Je retrouverai Nora Roberts bientôt encore.
Comme une romance de Noël, facile à lire, sans prise de tête, les pages filent vite.
J'ai beaucoup aimé suivre Beckett, Owen Ryder, surtout Ryder, j'ai eu un faible pour cet homme un peu bourru.
Et cet hôtel semblait charmant comme tout, j'y aurais bien séjourné.
Je retrouverai Nora Roberts bientôt encore.
February 11, 2017
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Book Review: The Inn Boonsboro Trilogy by Nora Roberts
Posted on July 15, 2013 by ammybelle
Men are boys in bigger packages.
- truth from The Next Always
I love Nora Roberts. I have been in love with her writing since I was seventeen. My Mom, just before I got on a plane with my grandparents to Portugal for a month, handed my Three Fates – my first Nora Roberts book. I must have read it four times that summer – in fact, the pages are worn, a little yellowish and smell like sunscreen and sand. A few grains of sand fall out from time to time, but that’s just a testament to how much I loved that book. Who wouldn’t? A trio of siblings with a family history of looking for an ancient trio of statues that run into ruthless criminals and the loves of their lives? Swoon, so my type of book. Did I mention the menfolk were also Irish? Right? Swoon.
With that said, I don’t always pick up the latest Nora Roberts. I have read many of her books – Northern Lights, Carolina Moon, The Dance of the Gods Trilogy among my favourites – but the woman has at this point written over 200 books – probably all quality novels. There is always another Nora Roberts novel to read.
But while I was down renewing my library card for the first time since I left Toronto for law school back in 2008, I happened upon three Nora Roberts titles I hadn’t heard of: The Next Always, The Last Boyfriend and The Perfect Hope. Perfectly romantic titles for a good beach read – and as it happened, I was going to a beachy wedding in a week, so why not take these along?
Dear readers, I am so glad I did.
The trilogy is set in the small town of Boonsboro, and concerns the love lives of three of its most prominent bachelors: the Montgomery brothers – Ryder, the tough as nails oldest child; Owen, the highly organized and slightly anal retentive middle child; and, Beckett, the sappy youngest one who’s had a crush on the same girl since high school. They, and their highly enthused mother, are revamping the old dilapidated hotel in the town’s center – a hotel, as it happens, that is haunted by a well-meaning, lonely ghost of a Civil War widow, who immediately attaches herself to this hodge podge of a family and makes her presence known by pulling pranks and making everything smell of honeysuckle.
Then enter the love interests – Claire, Avery and Hope. All friends, very tight, and encouraging of one another. They’re the perfect fit to fill out this family. The one thing I have always loved about Nora Roberts`books is the presence of strong female leads who like each other. As counter intuitive as it may seem … that is not always the case.
But before I get too ahead of myself, here are my mini reviews for each novel that makes up the Inn Boonsboro trilogy.
“You’re seriously talking about a ghost. This building – or parts of it – has been here for two and a half centuries. It would strike me odder if there wasn’t a ghost. Not everything, everyone, leaves.”
The Next Always, Inn Boonsboro #1
Synopsis:
The historic hotel in Boonsboro has endured war and peace, changing hands, even rumored hauntings. Now it’s getting a major facelift from the Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother. Beckett is the architect of the family, and his social life consists mostly of talking shop over pizza and beer. But there’s another project he’s got his eye on: the girl he’s been waiting to kiss since he was fifteen.
After losing her husband and returning to her hometown, Clare Brewster soon settles into her life as the mother of three young sons while running the town’s bookstore. Busy, with little time for romance, Clare is drawn across the street by Beckett’s transformation of the old inn, wanting to take a closer look . . . at the building and the man behind it.
With the grand opening inching closer, Beckett’s happy to give Clare a private tour – one room at a time. It’s no first date, but these stolen moments are the beginning of something new – and open the door to the extraordinary adventure of what comes next . . .
Clare and Beckett’s love story was a slow moving one. It starts in spurts and false starts – children can do that to a new relationship. There is throwing up on shoes and staying up past bedtime, and even something called “Man Night” which serves only to make “Girl’s Night” that much more fun. However, the feeling of this book is very sensual – it is the start of a very family-oriented tale that ends with The Perfect Hope.
Clare is that little voice that tells us not to dive in, the one that claims responsibilities to others always outweigh the responsibility to self. She is self-reliant, she is in charge, she is completely and utterly amazing. And yet, when love comes knocking, she shies away from it, telling herself she is unworthy – it struck me that Clare is the exact character that many women embody – the one that takes on all the pains of motherhood, of girlhood and womanhood, but then demures from the pleasures of life, because hardship has become customary. To watch her transform, to allow the light of her life to begin truly shining, was brilliant.
The story is also about finding love again. Forgiving yourself for finding that love after a tragedy and learning to love with that new love, when the old one was just as important to you. Clare lost her husband to a war, and gained a new husband through luck, and both mean the world to her, but to have the latter, she had to let go of the guilt, and the intricacy of that, the heaviness of it, swells you up with emotions that clog your throat from the moment she realizes she’s in love again. The Next Always was beautifully written with family and redemption in mind, and the character of Clare is one you’ll root for, because she is steadfast, she is strong and she is definitely not one dimensional …
And contrasting her with Avery, well … let me explain:
“I’m okay. It’s exciting, and a little unnerving – but in a really cool way. Why are you so calm?”
“You sucked in all the excitement.”
The Last Boyfriend, Inn Boonsboro #2
Synopsis:
Owen is the organizer of the Montgomery clan, running the family’s construction business with an iron fist—and an even less flexible spreadsheet. And though his brothers bust on his compulsive list-making, the Inn BoonsBoro is about to open right on schedule. The only thing Owen didn’t plan for was Avery McTavish…
Avery’s popular pizza place is right across the street from the inn, giving her a first-hand look at its amazing renovation—and a newfound appreciation for Owen. Since he was her first boyfriend when they were kids, Owen has never been far from Avery’s thoughts. But the attraction she’s feeling for him now is far from innocent. As Avery and Owen cautiously take their relationship to another level, the opening of the inn gives the whole town of Boonsboro a reason to celebrate. But Owen’s hard work has only begun. Getting Avery to let down her guard is going to take longer than he expected—and so will getting her to realize that her first boyfriend is going to be her last…
Avery is all fire – she may run from love, but she does it in such high fashion and energy that it’s almost commendable. She’s a tad broken from the abandonment of her mother, but again, family plays a huge part in this story – not only her own, which is made up of her father and her, but also of the Montgomery’s, who have helped raise her since her mother left her.
Though we mostly see the strength of her character at first – in running her own business, in taking on adversary and bringing people together – there is a completely different side to Avery that only comes out with the return of her mother, the love Owen seems determined to lay on her, and her realization that she is enough of herself that she deserves happiness. Because Avery will fight for those she loves, but, as with many of us, it takes her a while to realize that those she loves also want to fight for her.
Avery is also the glue of the most satisfying relationship of the books: the friendship between the three heroines. Avery knew Clare in high school and then befriended Hope in college, bringing all three of them together in Boonsboro to create a trifecta of awesome female friendship.
I mentioned above that this is not always the case in books (or movies for that matter). Women are generally not seen to interact very much in real terms – shows like Sex and the City being an exception. To see Clare, Avery and Hope together in this trio of novels in such a normal way – to help support one another, to stand up for one another, to comfort each other – was thrilling. I ended up hoping for more scenes of just the girls than anything else since it was done so well that it seemed the most natural thing … which it is, we just have seemed to have forgotten that …
“It’s never simple.” Avery slid an arm around Hope’s waist. “It shouldn’t be. Because being with someone should matter enough to be at least a little bit complicated.”
The Perfect Hope, Inn Boonsboro #3
Synopsis:
The Montgomery brothers have been the talk of Boonsboro ever since they decided to renovate the old Inn into an intimate and handsome new Bed and Breakfast. Beckett and Owen have both found love in the process, but what of Ryder, the third Montgomery brother? Can the Inn Boonsboro weave its magic one more time…?
Nora Roberts’ enthralling series comes to a triumphant and richly satisfying close in this warm, witty and captivating novel.
Hope and Ryder were always the weird one. There is always that one strange couple when you link up stories like this. And these two were it. They were also the most fun. They disliked each other, would play off one another and glare across the room at each other, but somehow, that made it all the more sweeter when they began falling in love with one another.
But it’s Hope that intrigues me the most – Ryder is a very Alpha male character who undergoes a transformation from punch first, ask later to a more sensible person throughout the novel, but it’s Hope that’s intriguing. And it’s her interaction with her long-dead ancestor that seals it.
She’s never afraid of the ghost, she never runs from her – she talks to her, reasons with her and ultimately helps her to find resolution. There is a familial simplicity in that – a relative helping another relative out, across the generations, sifting through records and photos and stories until happening upon the one thing that can put all the pieces of the puzzle together into one cohesive unit. And Hope, meticulously organized and practical Hope, does it without blinking, without realizing how far from her comfort zone she’d managed to get to. It’s a wonderful transformation – an almost painful one, as she begins to understand how to trust and how to let go.
All in all, the Inn Boonsboro trilogy reminds me a lot of some of Roberts’ other works: strong familial ties, usually in threes, with a tough minded matriarch at its helm, and a healthy dose of the supernatural or fate to intervene and assure a victory to all the couples. They are stories of love conquering the obstacles we put in front of ourselves, and of familial bonds being so much more than the coding in our blood. They are about celebrating the good times in preparation for the bad times and in general, are just emotional and ultimately satisfying reads.
I highly recommend the trilogy – though I warn you, get them all at once! You’ll want to finish this all at once!
Book Review: The Inn Boonsboro Trilogy by Nora Roberts
Posted on July 15, 2013 by ammybelle
Men are boys in bigger packages.
- truth from The Next Always
I love Nora Roberts. I have been in love with her writing since I was seventeen. My Mom, just before I got on a plane with my grandparents to Portugal for a month, handed my Three Fates – my first Nora Roberts book. I must have read it four times that summer – in fact, the pages are worn, a little yellowish and smell like sunscreen and sand. A few grains of sand fall out from time to time, but that’s just a testament to how much I loved that book. Who wouldn’t? A trio of siblings with a family history of looking for an ancient trio of statues that run into ruthless criminals and the loves of their lives? Swoon, so my type of book. Did I mention the menfolk were also Irish? Right? Swoon.
With that said, I don’t always pick up the latest Nora Roberts. I have read many of her books – Northern Lights, Carolina Moon, The Dance of the Gods Trilogy among my favourites – but the woman has at this point written over 200 books – probably all quality novels. There is always another Nora Roberts novel to read.
But while I was down renewing my library card for the first time since I left Toronto for law school back in 2008, I happened upon three Nora Roberts titles I hadn’t heard of: The Next Always, The Last Boyfriend and The Perfect Hope. Perfectly romantic titles for a good beach read – and as it happened, I was going to a beachy wedding in a week, so why not take these along?
Dear readers, I am so glad I did.
The trilogy is set in the small town of Boonsboro, and concerns the love lives of three of its most prominent bachelors: the Montgomery brothers – Ryder, the tough as nails oldest child; Owen, the highly organized and slightly anal retentive middle child; and, Beckett, the sappy youngest one who’s had a crush on the same girl since high school. They, and their highly enthused mother, are revamping the old dilapidated hotel in the town’s center – a hotel, as it happens, that is haunted by a well-meaning, lonely ghost of a Civil War widow, who immediately attaches herself to this hodge podge of a family and makes her presence known by pulling pranks and making everything smell of honeysuckle.
Then enter the love interests – Claire, Avery and Hope. All friends, very tight, and encouraging of one another. They’re the perfect fit to fill out this family. The one thing I have always loved about Nora Roberts`books is the presence of strong female leads who like each other. As counter intuitive as it may seem … that is not always the case.
But before I get too ahead of myself, here are my mini reviews for each novel that makes up the Inn Boonsboro trilogy.
“You’re seriously talking about a ghost. This building – or parts of it – has been here for two and a half centuries. It would strike me odder if there wasn’t a ghost. Not everything, everyone, leaves.”
The Next Always, Inn Boonsboro #1
Synopsis:
The historic hotel in Boonsboro has endured war and peace, changing hands, even rumored hauntings. Now it’s getting a major facelift from the Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother. Beckett is the architect of the family, and his social life consists mostly of talking shop over pizza and beer. But there’s another project he’s got his eye on: the girl he’s been waiting to kiss since he was fifteen.
After losing her husband and returning to her hometown, Clare Brewster soon settles into her life as the mother of three young sons while running the town’s bookstore. Busy, with little time for romance, Clare is drawn across the street by Beckett’s transformation of the old inn, wanting to take a closer look . . . at the building and the man behind it.
With the grand opening inching closer, Beckett’s happy to give Clare a private tour – one room at a time. It’s no first date, but these stolen moments are the beginning of something new – and open the door to the extraordinary adventure of what comes next . . .
Clare and Beckett’s love story was a slow moving one. It starts in spurts and false starts – children can do that to a new relationship. There is throwing up on shoes and staying up past bedtime, and even something called “Man Night” which serves only to make “Girl’s Night” that much more fun. However, the feeling of this book is very sensual – it is the start of a very family-oriented tale that ends with The Perfect Hope.
Clare is that little voice that tells us not to dive in, the one that claims responsibilities to others always outweigh the responsibility to self. She is self-reliant, she is in charge, she is completely and utterly amazing. And yet, when love comes knocking, she shies away from it, telling herself she is unworthy – it struck me that Clare is the exact character that many women embody – the one that takes on all the pains of motherhood, of girlhood and womanhood, but then demures from the pleasures of life, because hardship has become customary. To watch her transform, to allow the light of her life to begin truly shining, was brilliant.
The story is also about finding love again. Forgiving yourself for finding that love after a tragedy and learning to love with that new love, when the old one was just as important to you. Clare lost her husband to a war, and gained a new husband through luck, and both mean the world to her, but to have the latter, she had to let go of the guilt, and the intricacy of that, the heaviness of it, swells you up with emotions that clog your throat from the moment she realizes she’s in love again. The Next Always was beautifully written with family and redemption in mind, and the character of Clare is one you’ll root for, because she is steadfast, she is strong and she is definitely not one dimensional …
And contrasting her with Avery, well … let me explain:
“I’m okay. It’s exciting, and a little unnerving – but in a really cool way. Why are you so calm?”
“You sucked in all the excitement.”
The Last Boyfriend, Inn Boonsboro #2
Synopsis:
Owen is the organizer of the Montgomery clan, running the family’s construction business with an iron fist—and an even less flexible spreadsheet. And though his brothers bust on his compulsive list-making, the Inn BoonsBoro is about to open right on schedule. The only thing Owen didn’t plan for was Avery McTavish…
Avery’s popular pizza place is right across the street from the inn, giving her a first-hand look at its amazing renovation—and a newfound appreciation for Owen. Since he was her first boyfriend when they were kids, Owen has never been far from Avery’s thoughts. But the attraction she’s feeling for him now is far from innocent. As Avery and Owen cautiously take their relationship to another level, the opening of the inn gives the whole town of Boonsboro a reason to celebrate. But Owen’s hard work has only begun. Getting Avery to let down her guard is going to take longer than he expected—and so will getting her to realize that her first boyfriend is going to be her last…
Avery is all fire – she may run from love, but she does it in such high fashion and energy that it’s almost commendable. She’s a tad broken from the abandonment of her mother, but again, family plays a huge part in this story – not only her own, which is made up of her father and her, but also of the Montgomery’s, who have helped raise her since her mother left her.
Though we mostly see the strength of her character at first – in running her own business, in taking on adversary and bringing people together – there is a completely different side to Avery that only comes out with the return of her mother, the love Owen seems determined to lay on her, and her realization that she is enough of herself that she deserves happiness. Because Avery will fight for those she loves, but, as with many of us, it takes her a while to realize that those she loves also want to fight for her.
Avery is also the glue of the most satisfying relationship of the books: the friendship between the three heroines. Avery knew Clare in high school and then befriended Hope in college, bringing all three of them together in Boonsboro to create a trifecta of awesome female friendship.
I mentioned above that this is not always the case in books (or movies for that matter). Women are generally not seen to interact very much in real terms – shows like Sex and the City being an exception. To see Clare, Avery and Hope together in this trio of novels in such a normal way – to help support one another, to stand up for one another, to comfort each other – was thrilling. I ended up hoping for more scenes of just the girls than anything else since it was done so well that it seemed the most natural thing … which it is, we just have seemed to have forgotten that …
“It’s never simple.” Avery slid an arm around Hope’s waist. “It shouldn’t be. Because being with someone should matter enough to be at least a little bit complicated.”
The Perfect Hope, Inn Boonsboro #3
Synopsis:
The Montgomery brothers have been the talk of Boonsboro ever since they decided to renovate the old Inn into an intimate and handsome new Bed and Breakfast. Beckett and Owen have both found love in the process, but what of Ryder, the third Montgomery brother? Can the Inn Boonsboro weave its magic one more time…?
Nora Roberts’ enthralling series comes to a triumphant and richly satisfying close in this warm, witty and captivating novel.
Hope and Ryder were always the weird one. There is always that one strange couple when you link up stories like this. And these two were it. They were also the most fun. They disliked each other, would play off one another and glare across the room at each other, but somehow, that made it all the more sweeter when they began falling in love with one another.
But it’s Hope that intrigues me the most – Ryder is a very Alpha male character who undergoes a transformation from punch first, ask later to a more sensible person throughout the novel, but it’s Hope that’s intriguing. And it’s her interaction with her long-dead ancestor that seals it.
She’s never afraid of the ghost, she never runs from her – she talks to her, reasons with her and ultimately helps her to find resolution. There is a familial simplicity in that – a relative helping another relative out, across the generations, sifting through records and photos and stories until happening upon the one thing that can put all the pieces of the puzzle together into one cohesive unit. And Hope, meticulously organized and practical Hope, does it without blinking, without realizing how far from her comfort zone she’d managed to get to. It’s a wonderful transformation – an almost painful one, as she begins to understand how to trust and how to let go.
All in all, the Inn Boonsboro trilogy reminds me a lot of some of Roberts’ other works: strong familial ties, usually in threes, with a tough minded matriarch at its helm, and a healthy dose of the supernatural or fate to intervene and assure a victory to all the couples. They are stories of love conquering the obstacles we put in front of ourselves, and of familial bonds being so much more than the coding in our blood. They are about celebrating the good times in preparation for the bad times and in general, are just emotional and ultimately satisfying reads.
I highly recommend the trilogy – though I warn you, get them all at once! You’ll want to finish this all at once!
June 30, 2023
The Inn BoonsBoro trilogy is a story of rebuilding. Rebuilding an old Inn and rebuilding lives. I love this trilogy as it's how life is. You have your old loves, your baggage and your distrust, and you knock down the walls, take out the trash, and put in walkways.
The Inn is haunted by a female ghost that died during the Civil War Era at the Inn. The story of how she came to be there is wrapped up in the lives of those that are affected by her most.
The Next Always
When Clare lost her husband to the war, she decided it was best to move back home to start her life over again with her three sons. She doesn't know what to do when an old friend shows interest in her, especially when it seems a ghost, one she does not believe in, gives them a little push in each others direction.
Beckett has loved Clare since they've been in school. Though she was with someone, he kept his feelings to himself. When an opportunity arises, he lets her know he wants more.
While the Inn's resident ghost pushes Clare and Beckett together, someone else wants to tear them apart.
The Last Boyfriend
Avery has her life together. It might be messy at times, but she knows what she wants. When the Inn's ghost pushes her into Owen's arms, she's looking at the man who was her first boyfriend in a different light. That is until old insecurities pop up in the form of her mother who abandoned her when she was 12.
Owen is a list maker. He lives and breathes by his lists. A wrench is thrown into his life when he kisses Avery. She has always meant something more to him. Can it be enough for the both of them?
Combining living life by lists and by the seat of your pants, makes this for a great read. I could really feel Avery's pain when her mom showed up. All the reasons why Avery lived alone were forefront in her mind and she pushes Owen away.
I loved how these two were combative about bringing out the old baggage and learning to toss it away. And I loved how they worked together to get it done.
The Perfect Hope
Hope is at a crossroads of her life. The man she thought she was going to marry has married someone else. Taking her bruised ego and packing up her belongings, she heads toward Boonsboro and her best friends: Avery and Clare. When an job that's seems tailored to you, you snatch it up without a thought, surprising yourself and your friends. The only catch is the grumpy son of the owner. Too bad his rugged personality doesn't match rugged good looks.
Ryder doesn't trust someone that seems too "perfect". Perfect is boring, after all. Yet the more he gets to know Hope, the more he realizes that sometimes perfect is overrated.
The story of the Inn's ghost comes to a conclusion in this story. We learn of her love, how she is tied into those at the Inn and why she's held on for so long.
Ryder's "must fix it" attitude clashes many times with Hope's "I can do this" attitude. It was great to see them mesh knowing that opposites do attract.
I love this Trilogy. I would recommend this to anyone that is looking for an "at home feel" type of story. It's one you can sink into time and again.
The Inn is haunted by a female ghost that died during the Civil War Era at the Inn. The story of how she came to be there is wrapped up in the lives of those that are affected by her most.
The Next Always
When Clare lost her husband to the war, she decided it was best to move back home to start her life over again with her three sons. She doesn't know what to do when an old friend shows interest in her, especially when it seems a ghost, one she does not believe in, gives them a little push in each others direction.
Beckett has loved Clare since they've been in school. Though she was with someone, he kept his feelings to himself. When an opportunity arises, he lets her know he wants more.
While the Inn's resident ghost pushes Clare and Beckett together, someone else wants to tear them apart.
The Last Boyfriend
Avery has her life together. It might be messy at times, but she knows what she wants. When the Inn's ghost pushes her into Owen's arms, she's looking at the man who was her first boyfriend in a different light. That is until old insecurities pop up in the form of her mother who abandoned her when she was 12.
Owen is a list maker. He lives and breathes by his lists. A wrench is thrown into his life when he kisses Avery. She has always meant something more to him. Can it be enough for the both of them?
Combining living life by lists and by the seat of your pants, makes this for a great read. I could really feel Avery's pain when her mom showed up. All the reasons why Avery lived alone were forefront in her mind and she pushes Owen away.
I loved how these two were combative about bringing out the old baggage and learning to toss it away. And I loved how they worked together to get it done.
The Perfect Hope
Hope is at a crossroads of her life. The man she thought she was going to marry has married someone else. Taking her bruised ego and packing up her belongings, she heads toward Boonsboro and her best friends: Avery and Clare. When an job that's seems tailored to you, you snatch it up without a thought, surprising yourself and your friends. The only catch is the grumpy son of the owner. Too bad his rugged personality doesn't match rugged good looks.
Ryder doesn't trust someone that seems too "perfect". Perfect is boring, after all. Yet the more he gets to know Hope, the more he realizes that sometimes perfect is overrated.
The story of the Inn's ghost comes to a conclusion in this story. We learn of her love, how she is tied into those at the Inn and why she's held on for so long.
Ryder's "must fix it" attitude clashes many times with Hope's "I can do this" attitude. It was great to see them mesh knowing that opposites do attract.
I love this Trilogy. I would recommend this to anyone that is looking for an "at home feel" type of story. It's one you can sink into time and again.
July 5, 2017
Master Storyteller does it again!
Nora Roberts skill at weaving several characters storylines together makes a beautiful tapestry of family, friends, and the things that bind them together.
The story centers around a talented family, their vision, imagination, and hard work.
The main character is an historic building on the square of their town; Boonsborro.
Allowed to fall into decay after its last occupancy, the building is crying out for someone to rescue it, and give it a new life.
One family takes the challenge.
This is a wonderful story of that family, their friends, and the love and courage it takes to build; relationships, community, business, and, a bright future.
Some reviewers have complained about the detail about what goes into, (literally), putting a bed and breakfast together, room by room.
Personally, I was fascinated, and I learned a lot! I felt the author handled the necessary details of "what goes where, and why), perfectly. It is, after all, a story about bringing an Inn back to life.
To say that is a huge undertaking would be a real understatement!
There is one resident already inhabiting the Inn who is glad to see it being transformed from an ugly duckling to a beautiful swan.
She is a mysterious presence throughout the tale, that adds a poignant reminder of the history of that place.
I was rooting for her happy ever after too.
If you know Nora Roberts; you know there will be one, and that's the way it should be!
Nora Roberts skill at weaving several characters storylines together makes a beautiful tapestry of family, friends, and the things that bind them together.
The story centers around a talented family, their vision, imagination, and hard work.
The main character is an historic building on the square of their town; Boonsborro.
Allowed to fall into decay after its last occupancy, the building is crying out for someone to rescue it, and give it a new life.
One family takes the challenge.
This is a wonderful story of that family, their friends, and the love and courage it takes to build; relationships, community, business, and, a bright future.
Some reviewers have complained about the detail about what goes into, (literally), putting a bed and breakfast together, room by room.
Personally, I was fascinated, and I learned a lot! I felt the author handled the necessary details of "what goes where, and why), perfectly. It is, after all, a story about bringing an Inn back to life.
To say that is a huge undertaking would be a real understatement!
There is one resident already inhabiting the Inn who is glad to see it being transformed from an ugly duckling to a beautiful swan.
She is a mysterious presence throughout the tale, that adds a poignant reminder of the history of that place.
I was rooting for her happy ever after too.
If you know Nora Roberts; you know there will be one, and that's the way it should be!
July 6, 2017
What a great series!
I absolutely loved this series. It will make you laugh and cry! All three books!
I have to say I think my favorite character is Lizzy. I loved how the first book introduces her to the reader and then her character evolves throughout each book.
The series follows the Montgomery family. Each book features a different Montgomery son.
I also loved that although each book features one of the Montgomery sons, the story evolves and continues on in each book.
I would definitely recommend this series! I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did. I don't have much experience with Nora Roberts but I really did enjoy this series.
I absolutely loved this series. It will make you laugh and cry! All three books!
I have to say I think my favorite character is Lizzy. I loved how the first book introduces her to the reader and then her character evolves throughout each book.
The series follows the Montgomery family. Each book features a different Montgomery son.
I also loved that although each book features one of the Montgomery sons, the story evolves and continues on in each book.
I would definitely recommend this series! I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did. I don't have much experience with Nora Roberts but I really did enjoy this series.
March 21, 2018
Please see individual stories for review.
The historical backdrop and paranormal elements all added to the story.
This trilogy goes well with another favorite, The MacKades. I wistfully wish the had been at least a little tie-in between the two.
I haven't read much of Nora Roberts new stories over the past several years. I can see some of her style, at least for this genre, has changed somewhat. The story progression, choice of word and structure. Here, at least it seemed more formal and studied.
The historical backdrop and paranormal elements all added to the story.
This trilogy goes well with another favorite, The MacKades. I wistfully wish the had been at least a little tie-in between the two.
I haven't read much of Nora Roberts new stories over the past several years. I can see some of her style, at least for this genre, has changed somewhat. The story progression, choice of word and structure. Here, at least it seemed more formal and studied.
October 6, 2019
Beautiful three part story of friends and family working together to remodel their small town Main Street, with the old, dilapidated Inn of Boonsboro at the heart of it all. The three Montgomery brothers work hard and love harder, as Clare, Avery, and Hope pave the way for each story of romance and passion, none of them were expecting but desperately needed. Enjoy as everyone is brought together by the Inn that holds the secrets of the past and held together by love that lasts longer than a lifetime!
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July 15, 2023I did not want this trilogy to end
This is such a great series! The characters are really well developed, interesting and likable. There are surprises and twists and beautiful backgrounds to explore. I love the way she describes things. Instead of jumping ahead or skimming over the descriptions she takes you by the hand and gives you a beautiful tour so you can feel, touch, taste and smell the muffins, wood, dogs and texture of things. I hope she gets as much joy out of writing as we get out of reading her stories.
This is such a great series! The characters are really well developed, interesting and likable. There are surprises and twists and beautiful backgrounds to explore. I love the way she describes things. Instead of jumping ahead or skimming over the descriptions she takes you by the hand and gives you a beautiful tour so you can feel, touch, taste and smell the muffins, wood, dogs and texture of things. I hope she gets as much joy out of writing as we get out of reading her stories.
June 28, 2017
I've read a lot of Nora Roberts... (and all of her JD Robb series as well). Her books are typically enjoyable, light, and let's say - reliable. Three sisters? Guess what! There will be three single dudes. Girl arrives from out of town? What do you know, she has a connection with the town and the brooding, hot guy. They are romance novels. This trilogy? I LOVED!!! Seriously, moved right to the top of my Nora list. Thoroughly and completely awesome.
April 19, 2020
Inn Boonsboro Trilogy
Three amazing stories of love and and a ghost who plays matchmaker. Beckett, Owen and Ryder are three brothers who Lizzy the ghost decides needs to play matchmaker for as the brothers remodel and bring back to life the Civil War era Inn Boonsboro. Lizzy plays pranks on the brothers and the girls but she shows them the path to true love and their happily ever after.
Three amazing stories of love and and a ghost who plays matchmaker. Beckett, Owen and Ryder are three brothers who Lizzy the ghost decides needs to play matchmaker for as the brothers remodel and bring back to life the Civil War era Inn Boonsboro. Lizzy plays pranks on the brothers and the girls but she shows them the path to true love and their happily ever after.
July 28, 2020
It pulled me right in. I love the way Nora Roberts writes. I could fell myself there and see the town, the inn in all of its incarnations. The stories are lovely. There are laughter and tears, as well as frustration when I character doesn't do what you just know they should. I also totally enjoyed the mother. Mom goals right there, as I have a son.
I highly recommend this trilogy if you love romance and a bit of ghostly happenings.
I highly recommend this trilogy if you love romance and a bit of ghostly happenings.
February 1, 2021
I wanted to read a Nora Roberts book because I know so many people that have read so many of her books. I just wanted to see what they were like. I blindly selected the first book in this series and did not realize until I was finished with it that it was the first of a three book series so I was enticed to read the other two. I did enjoy reading these three books. Nora Roberts books are an easy light read. The Hallmark Channel in book form.
November 28, 2022
🏠 The Next Always (Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy #1) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
👉🏻 Beckett Montgomery & Clare Brewster
🏠 The Last Boyfriend (Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy #2) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
👉🏻 Owen Montgomery & Avery McTavish
🏠 The Perfect Hope (Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy #3) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
👉🏻 Ryder Montgomery & Hope Beaumont
👉🏻 Beckett Montgomery & Clare Brewster
🏠 The Last Boyfriend (Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy #2) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
👉🏻 Owen Montgomery & Avery McTavish
🏠 The Perfect Hope (Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy #3) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
👉🏻 Ryder Montgomery & Hope Beaumont
February 2, 2024
This books makes you feel good. The banter among the three brothers seems authentic to me since I grew up with four brothers. The backdrop of an inn restoration pulls everything together. Each book builds on the past as personalities are revealed. Even the ghost, Lizzy, evolves as the building is restored. She nudges the characters into situations that help them evolve and spurs them on to solve Lizzy's own mystery.
December 1, 2018
Amazing plot about family and friends. Love story that makes you remember how it was like to have butterflies in your tummy. The romantic plot is not at all squeamish. Our personal favourite is “The Last Boyfriend”. But for Nora Roberts series, it will feel different to read the 2nd without the 1st, or the 1st without getting the sequel
January 12, 2020
It was a little difficult to hold Manny attention at the beginning, but after a few chapters I was pulled in. The following books in the series were even better. Over all, the series was a very nice read, no real heavy drama or suspense, just a pleasant escape into the lives of a few people in a small southern town.
February 15, 2022
Ce n'est pas un coup de coeur mais un excellent moment passé au coeur de Boonsboro !
J'ai adoré ce livre, ce fût un moment de bonheur, un bonbon qui m'a donné envie d'avoir la vie des protagonistes !
Seul petit bémol, les scènes de sexe quoi que subtilement décrites sans jamais aller dans le cru, n'étaient pas forcément utile et nécessaire à l'intrigue !
J'ai adoré ce livre, ce fût un moment de bonheur, un bonbon qui m'a donné envie d'avoir la vie des protagonistes !
Seul petit bémol, les scènes de sexe quoi que subtilement décrites sans jamais aller dans le cru, n'étaient pas forcément utile et nécessaire à l'intrigue !
April 16, 2022
Nora Gets It Right, Again!
Nora Roberts, by merely writing a book or three, promises to deliver a tug on the heartstrings and a happy tear in the eye, each time she picks up her pen (or turns on her computer) to start another love story for us to devour and assimilate into our own lives.
Nora Roberts, by merely writing a book or three, promises to deliver a tug on the heartstrings and a happy tear in the eye, each time she picks up her pen (or turns on her computer) to start another love story for us to devour and assimilate into our own lives.
July 11, 2022
This was a reread for me, this time on Kindle. I think this is one of my favorites of the author’s series. Love the setting and also the whole thing of bringing back to life a decayed historical property instead of razing it and replacing it with another sterile “modern” ie cookie cutter building.
May 4, 2023
Classic Nora
Classic Nora Roberts. These stories and the common thread throughout it are intriguing, loveable and keep you reading page after page.
I took a trip just to see TPP, bought a signed copy of Blue Smoke and stood in front of The Inn at Boonsboro because of these stories.
Classic Nora Roberts. These stories and the common thread throughout it are intriguing, loveable and keep you reading page after page.
I took a trip just to see TPP, bought a signed copy of Blue Smoke and stood in front of The Inn at Boonsboro because of these stories.
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