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Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy #2
De eerste & laatste
Owen is de georganiseerde broer, de man van de planning van het aannemersbedrijf. Hij is getrouwd met zijn mobiel, zijn checklist is altijd in de buurt, en hij laat absoluut níéts aan het toeval over. De onverwachte ontdekking dat zijn gevoelens voor Avery MacTavish - die hij al jaren kent - plotseling veel verder gaan dan vriendschap, brengt hem dan ook flink van zijn stuk. Ook al omdat het verleden Avery geleerd heeft alles te wantrouwen wat op liefde lijkt. Opeens ziet hij zich geconfronteerd met een probleem dat geen logica kent en dus ook niet zomaar op te lossen valt. Misschien met een beetje hulp van de Inn BoonsBoro?
350 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2012
4047 people are currently reading
13714 people want to read
About the author
Nora Roberts
1,209 books59.6k 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 2,744 reviews
June 26, 2023
Avery and Owen are the ideal couple. I really enjoyed how this book included all the characters I grew fond of in the first installment. It's the perfect comfort book, as the story unfolds smoothly and effortlessly with the narration being great.
July 10, 2017
Okay, I'll admit I'm turning into a Nora Roberts junkie. I like 99% of her books, and probably am a little biased. But there's still a part of me every time I pick up one of her books that questions whether she'll be able to make me happy again. I mean, no one is that good, right? Wrong. At least for me. This book I was anticipating the least in the series, and so far, it's my favorite! Beckett's book was good, but I love Owen more than I thought I would.
Owen was a little bland in the first book, always the taskmaster and the over organized, happy-go-lucky, nothing seemed to phase him type. Not that this is bad, just I didn't see how he would make a good lead character, and his attraction to Avery was never really mentioned, or vice versa. Of course, in his own book he's a much more interesting character and I'm so glad I just jumped in. Admittedly, it started off a little slow for me, but I found myself falling in love with Owen's steadiness and easy going nature. It takes a lot to rattle Owen, but when he's rattled it's kinda cute, and he does have a temper, which is equally cute and fun to watch this always-in-control man lose his cool. I like that Avery is the one who unbalances him, and he balances her out. They work well together this way, and it's nice to see.
Avery was cute in the first book but in this one we get to know her a lot better and she's easy to love. Determined, scatterbrained outside of business, a romantic heart with an unromantic upbringing, she hopes for the best but expects the worst. She's always had a small thing for Owen, he was her first boyfriend, a big deal for a 5 year old. Where Owen is calm, she's wild, he's a planner and she's fly by the seat of her pants, he's organized and she's got wrapping paper all over the place. They often tease each other about their respective traits, and it works because they accept the others flaws easily. They are a pretty cute pair!
The conflict comes from an external source, but one that very much plays on Avery's mind. Her mother just up and left when Avery was 13, no explanation and never a word on where she went. Until now. When Avery's mom shows up crying, broke and homeless, it was enough for me to feel gut-wrenched for Avery's behalf. How could a woman turn her back on her child and then come and ask for money? I could see why Avery didn't want to talk about it with anyone, she has a lot of pride and didn't want any pity while secretly wondering if she was anything like her mother when it came to her love life. It's a lot to take on and the fact that Avery internalizes it, really since she was 13, makes it something pretty big to overcome. Like most of NR's characters, she works it out in her way, for Avery this means cooking up a storm, and rationalizes it out in a few days. This might be my one complaint about NR books, all her characters seem to work things out rather quickly. For me, it'd probably be a slower process to work through my feelings of my mother showing back up, but romance books can't go on forever so I guess it has to be worked out faster than normal. Either way, it still feels like a genuine conflict that needs to be dealt with, so I don't mind how quickly it's resolved.
We also get to see a preview of how things might be between Ryder and Hope when they share a New Year's Midnight kiss, and all I can say is, Please don't make me wait until November to read more! I wish it was sooner, and since NR is so prolific, I often wonder how books ahead she is, and why can't we get the trilogies much quicker?
If you've read the first of the series, I think you might be pleasantly surprised at how nice this one is. It'll definitely make you anxious over the ending of the trilogy!
Owen was a little bland in the first book, always the taskmaster and the over organized, happy-go-lucky, nothing seemed to phase him type. Not that this is bad, just I didn't see how he would make a good lead character, and his attraction to Avery was never really mentioned, or vice versa. Of course, in his own book he's a much more interesting character and I'm so glad I just jumped in. Admittedly, it started off a little slow for me, but I found myself falling in love with Owen's steadiness and easy going nature. It takes a lot to rattle Owen, but when he's rattled it's kinda cute, and he does have a temper, which is equally cute and fun to watch this always-in-control man lose his cool. I like that Avery is the one who unbalances him, and he balances her out. They work well together this way, and it's nice to see.
Avery was cute in the first book but in this one we get to know her a lot better and she's easy to love. Determined, scatterbrained outside of business, a romantic heart with an unromantic upbringing, she hopes for the best but expects the worst. She's always had a small thing for Owen, he was her first boyfriend, a big deal for a 5 year old. Where Owen is calm, she's wild, he's a planner and she's fly by the seat of her pants, he's organized and she's got wrapping paper all over the place. They often tease each other about their respective traits, and it works because they accept the others flaws easily. They are a pretty cute pair!
The conflict comes from an external source, but one that very much plays on Avery's mind. Her mother just up and left when Avery was 13, no explanation and never a word on where she went. Until now. When Avery's mom shows up crying, broke and homeless, it was enough for me to feel gut-wrenched for Avery's behalf. How could a woman turn her back on her child and then come and ask for money? I could see why Avery didn't want to talk about it with anyone, she has a lot of pride and didn't want any pity while secretly wondering if she was anything like her mother when it came to her love life. It's a lot to take on and the fact that Avery internalizes it, really since she was 13, makes it something pretty big to overcome. Like most of NR's characters, she works it out in her way, for Avery this means cooking up a storm, and rationalizes it out in a few days. This might be my one complaint about NR books, all her characters seem to work things out rather quickly. For me, it'd probably be a slower process to work through my feelings of my mother showing back up, but romance books can't go on forever so I guess it has to be worked out faster than normal. Either way, it still feels like a genuine conflict that needs to be dealt with, so I don't mind how quickly it's resolved.
We also get to see a preview of how things might be between Ryder and Hope when they share a New Year's Midnight kiss, and all I can say is, Please don't make me wait until November to read more! I wish it was sooner, and since NR is so prolific, I often wonder how books ahead she is, and why can't we get the trilogies much quicker?
If you've read the first of the series, I think you might be pleasantly surprised at how nice this one is. It'll definitely make you anxious over the ending of the trilogy!
June 2, 2018
You always know what you're getting with Nora Roberts fun, harmless, fluff. She has once again cured my reading slump and she made me forget about my 2 day long migraine.
May 15, 2012
I'm feeling a little iffy about this book. It didn't pull me in quite the same way as the first book did and I think that's because I was sort of apathetic to the main characters of Avery and Owen. They were just kind of there and I didn't find myself caring that much what happened to them. I think what really drove this point home to me was that I was more interested in Hope and Ryder and their brief interactions and getting more info on how Clare and Beckett were going with their relationship then the main story. I mean, there was nothing terrible that I can particularly point out and say "This is what bothers me" but there also isn't a pivotal moment that I found myself smiling or sighing over. It was just all "meh" My new favorite word for a so/so book.
Brief story synopsis: Avery works in her own restaurant called Vesta which is directly across the street from the Inn that is being opened by the Montgomery brothers. Owen is the detail man of the brother triad and he is busily planning away for the opening of the inn. He also has one eye watching Avery run around her place. Owen likes using Avery's place for his business phone calls and makeshift office, but what he doesn't admit to himself is why he really likes being over there. When the ghost of Inn Boonsboro literally pushes the two together, they aren't very surprised by the sparks that fly between them and it doesn't take much of a leap to figure that they might be good for one another. Owen the planner and thinker decides he needs a little time to think about what to do with Avery, while Avery has her own plans whirring in her mind about opening up a second restaurant. The two deal with some ups and downs and try to see if they are ready to fight for one another.
Anyway, very much interested in reading about Hope and Ryder and I think that their book is going to be loads better than this one. Mostly because of Ryder and his alpha male attitude. Hope is also going to be feisty and that combination of feisty female and arrogant male can only lead to great things.
Brief story synopsis: Avery works in her own restaurant called Vesta which is directly across the street from the Inn that is being opened by the Montgomery brothers. Owen is the detail man of the brother triad and he is busily planning away for the opening of the inn. He also has one eye watching Avery run around her place. Owen likes using Avery's place for his business phone calls and makeshift office, but what he doesn't admit to himself is why he really likes being over there. When the ghost of Inn Boonsboro literally pushes the two together, they aren't very surprised by the sparks that fly between them and it doesn't take much of a leap to figure that they might be good for one another. Owen the planner and thinker decides he needs a little time to think about what to do with Avery, while Avery has her own plans whirring in her mind about opening up a second restaurant. The two deal with some ups and downs and try to see if they are ready to fight for one another.
Anyway, very much interested in reading about Hope and Ryder and I think that their book is going to be loads better than this one. Mostly because of Ryder and his alpha male attitude. Hope is also going to be feisty and that combination of feisty female and arrogant male can only lead to great things.
September 20, 2017
"-Sentimentul acesta e cel care o ține aici, căci iubirea aceasta este extrem de puternică. Este magică. Este ceea ce contează cel mai mult. Este... Ușa din spatele ei se deschise brusc, împingând-o în față, direct în Owen. Brațele lui se încolăciră strâns în jurul ei ca s-o ajute să-și recapete echilibrul în timp ce ea își lăsă capul pe spate, uitându-se în sus, direct în ochii lui. Totul, își termină ea propoziția."
"Lumina umplea acum spațiile prea multă vreme întunecate; vocile dădeau viață anilor de tăcere. Oaspeții pășeau peste plăci frumoase de gresie și lemn lustruit, se tolăneau pe o canapea crem ori sorbeau băuturi sub câte o arcadă. Cei suficient de curajoși să înfrunte frigul ieșiră să admire curtea sau să se bucure de priveliște de pe o terasă elegantă."
"Lumina umplea acum spațiile prea multă vreme întunecate; vocile dădeau viață anilor de tăcere. Oaspeții pășeau peste plăci frumoase de gresie și lemn lustruit, se tolăneau pe o canapea crem ori sorbeau băuturi sub câte o arcadă. Cei suficient de curajoși să înfrunte frigul ieșiră să admire curtea sau să se bucure de priveliște de pe o terasă elegantă."
February 13, 2018
Dude in this book is a planner. Like, schedules, lists, calling meetings to discuss schedules and lists, etc...
Which, I have a hard time seeing as a romantic lead because planners drive me crazy.
Which also means that I drive planners crazy.
My daughter is a planner.
"Mom, what are we doing for Christmas this year?"
"I don't know. Let's talk about it when it gets closer."
"It's tomorrow."
"Let's talk about it tomorrow then."
My husband is also a play-it-by-ear guy, so we drive her bonkers. Haha! (Sorry, just thinking about her teen years. Revenge IS best served cold!)
But, I digress...
So, we have Owen, our planner, and Avery - the owner of the pizza shop across the street from the Inn. They have known each other all of their lives and even were "engaged" when she was five and he was eight. Very cute. She was also the first girl he saw naked when their families vacationed together and she skinny-dipped at night - alone. He, luckily, happened to have brought a telescope on that trip.
“Telescope?”
“Yeah. I charged Ry and Beck (his brothers) a buck a minute to use it.” Now, that was a fond memory. “I seem to recall I made about twenty-eight dollars.”
“You charged them by the minute so you could all spy on me.”
“Spy’s a hard word. Let’s say observe.”
“Enterprising.”
“I’ve got a head for business."
........
“I really want to see you naked again.”
Her lips curved against his. “It’ll cost you twenty-eight dollars.”
Aww! So sweet my teeth hurt.
This was a very straightforward romance. Not much angst or drama. Just middle of the road. If you liked the first one, you'll like it.
Which, I have a hard time seeing as a romantic lead because planners drive me crazy.
Which also means that I drive planners crazy.
My daughter is a planner.
"Mom, what are we doing for Christmas this year?"
"I don't know. Let's talk about it when it gets closer."
"It's tomorrow."
"Let's talk about it tomorrow then."
My husband is also a play-it-by-ear guy, so we drive her bonkers. Haha! (Sorry, just thinking about her teen years. Revenge IS best served cold!)
But, I digress...
So, we have Owen, our planner, and Avery - the owner of the pizza shop across the street from the Inn. They have known each other all of their lives and even were "engaged" when she was five and he was eight. Very cute. She was also the first girl he saw naked when their families vacationed together and she skinny-dipped at night - alone. He, luckily, happened to have brought a telescope on that trip.
“Telescope?”
“Yeah. I charged Ry and Beck (his brothers) a buck a minute to use it.” Now, that was a fond memory. “I seem to recall I made about twenty-eight dollars.”
“You charged them by the minute so you could all spy on me.”
“Spy’s a hard word. Let’s say observe.”
“Enterprising.”
“I’ve got a head for business."
........
“I really want to see you naked again.”
Her lips curved against his. “It’ll cost you twenty-eight dollars.”
Aww! So sweet my teeth hurt.
This was a very straightforward romance. Not much angst or drama. Just middle of the road. If you liked the first one, you'll like it.
April 24, 2025
3.25
I don’t think friends to lovers is my favorite trope. They’re usually boring to me and that’s how I felt with Owen and Avery. It was cute, I guess, but I preferred the first book with Beckett and Claire.
I did enjoy:
Watching the Inn come to completion
All of the other renovation projects
The small town setting
Progress of Beckett and Claire to a wedding
The friendship between Claire, Avery, and Hope
The Lizzy storyline.
I didn’t love:
Friends to lovers plot line for Owen and Avery. I didn’t feel any real chemistry between them
The low angst. Every time a problem arose, it was solved quickly. (Ok in life this is great but in romance, I want to drag it out a bit!)
Ryder. I know the third book is him and Hope (?) and going to be enemies to lovers I guess but my god, he was a prick. To everyone. Damn, have a snickers, my guy.
Pacing. This book felt longer to me and maybe that’s just because the main romance didn’t interest me as much.
Still enjoyable but I will pause here and take a break before I come back to read the third one bc right now I don’t want to read about Ryder’s grumpy ass.
SPOILERS
SPOILERS
SPOILERS
what a terrible proposal, Owen. My god.
I don’t think friends to lovers is my favorite trope. They’re usually boring to me and that’s how I felt with Owen and Avery. It was cute, I guess, but I preferred the first book with Beckett and Claire.
I did enjoy:
Watching the Inn come to completion
All of the other renovation projects
The small town setting
Progress of Beckett and Claire to a wedding
The friendship between Claire, Avery, and Hope
The Lizzy storyline.
I didn’t love:
Friends to lovers plot line for Owen and Avery. I didn’t feel any real chemistry between them
The low angst. Every time a problem arose, it was solved quickly. (Ok in life this is great but in romance, I want to drag it out a bit!)
Ryder. I know the third book is him and Hope (?) and going to be enemies to lovers I guess but my god, he was a prick. To everyone. Damn, have a snickers, my guy.
Pacing. This book felt longer to me and maybe that’s just because the main romance didn’t interest me as much.
Still enjoyable but I will pause here and take a break before I come back to read the third one bc right now I don’t want to read about Ryder’s grumpy ass.
SPOILERS
SPOILERS
SPOILERS
what a terrible proposal, Owen. My god.
May 13, 2012
Oh how I love Nora Roberts' books.. Let me count the ways! This is another of Ms Roberts's triumphs... The second in the Inn at Boonsboro Trilogy in which three brothers who run their own construction company (we're talking gorgeous men in toolbelts ladies!!) find the loves of their lives in the scenic little Maryland town of Boonsboro while rehabbing an historic inn (with a resident ghost!). The first book had the thoughtful and dreamy Bennett falling in love with Clare, widowed mum of three boisterous young boys.
This second book follows Clare's best-mate Avery MacTavish, pizza restaurateur and serial hair-dyer, and her journey to Love (cap L) with the man she has loved (small l) since she was about 5, namely middle brother Owen Montgomery. Owen is thoughtful, hot (of course) and a planner (a serial-list maker). While Avery is all impulse and emotion (hence the hair situation!). Now some people have said this book was a little boring, because Owen and Avery's story is fairly comfortable, there's not a lot of conflict or 'big emotional moments' or 'wild tempestuous sex' or even 'incendiary sparring'. Because right from the start of the book, these two love each other. They respect each other. And while the cap L love still sort of sneaks up on them, it's never in doubt that they are gonna make this work - despite Avery's issues with her mother (who abandoned the family when she was 10) and Owen's issues with... Well, I'm not really sure he has a lot of issues, except the need to plan everything a bit too carefully. But really the lack of fireworks didn't bother me a bit. The book wasn't the least bit boring, because it's so rich in character detail and community. I loved the way Avery and Owen dealt with each other with such wit and intelligence throughout the book. And I also loved the way in which they interacted with the other characters - Roberts does Male Banter brilliantly but she pretty much turns it into an art form in this book when the three brothers get together and talk sex, and ghosts and women... There's also the beautiful lyricism of Roberts's writing and her scene-setting (I want to visit that darn inn so much now - which is a pretty nifty marketing trick on her part because it does actually exist!). Her books are always just so damn readable, I feel as if I'm slipping into the world these people inhabit as well as dipping into their lives and I love it.
And if you're dead set on fireworks, don't forget to read the little taster at the end for the third and final story. I think we've got a great firework finale in store when Hope (Clare and Avery's best mate and the Brothers' innkeeper) gets together with surly, moody and magnetic brother Ryder.
This second book follows Clare's best-mate Avery MacTavish, pizza restaurateur and serial hair-dyer, and her journey to Love (cap L) with the man she has loved (small l) since she was about 5, namely middle brother Owen Montgomery. Owen is thoughtful, hot (of course) and a planner (a serial-list maker). While Avery is all impulse and emotion (hence the hair situation!). Now some people have said this book was a little boring, because Owen and Avery's story is fairly comfortable, there's not a lot of conflict or 'big emotional moments' or 'wild tempestuous sex' or even 'incendiary sparring'. Because right from the start of the book, these two love each other. They respect each other. And while the cap L love still sort of sneaks up on them, it's never in doubt that they are gonna make this work - despite Avery's issues with her mother (who abandoned the family when she was 10) and Owen's issues with... Well, I'm not really sure he has a lot of issues, except the need to plan everything a bit too carefully. But really the lack of fireworks didn't bother me a bit. The book wasn't the least bit boring, because it's so rich in character detail and community. I loved the way Avery and Owen dealt with each other with such wit and intelligence throughout the book. And I also loved the way in which they interacted with the other characters - Roberts does Male Banter brilliantly but she pretty much turns it into an art form in this book when the three brothers get together and talk sex, and ghosts and women... There's also the beautiful lyricism of Roberts's writing and her scene-setting (I want to visit that darn inn so much now - which is a pretty nifty marketing trick on her part because it does actually exist!). Her books are always just so damn readable, I feel as if I'm slipping into the world these people inhabit as well as dipping into their lives and I love it.
And if you're dead set on fireworks, don't forget to read the little taster at the end for the third and final story. I think we've got a great firework finale in store when Hope (Clare and Avery's best mate and the Brothers' innkeeper) gets together with surly, moody and magnetic brother Ryder.
March 15, 2022
3 Estrellitas. Me ha gustado, pero no me ha encantado. Ha habido momentos que me ha parecido una historia forzada, y que los protagonistas tenían que estar juntos porque sí. Vamos, una historia del montón.
Empezamos "El primer y último amor" donde acabó el primer libro. En éste caso, tenemos las historias de Owen Montgomery, el mediano, el manitas planificador de los hermanos. Y Avery MacTavish, la dueña de la pizzería de Boonsboro y mejor amiga de Clare.
Owen y Avery se conocen de toda la vida. Tanto es así que siendo sólo unos niños, ya se enamoraron; pero crecieron y siguieron siendo amigos. Owen tuvo la suerte de crecer en la sólida y feliz familia Montgomery, mientras que a Avery y a su padre los abandonó sin explicaciones su madre cuando ella tenía doce años. Será ésa falta de amor y estabilidad que vivió Avery, lo que para mí, le ha fallado a la novela.
Cuando empieza la historia, el hotel de los hermanos Montgonery está dando sus frutos y a puntito de abrirse al público. Las navidades se acercan, y quizás será por el ambiente festivo o la felicidad que desprenden Clare y Beckett, pero Owen decide lanzarse y pedirle a Avery que tengan algo serio, con sexo incluido.
Así empezará el romance de los protagonistas, una maravillosa Nochevieja, donde se dejarán llevar, donde sus vidas personales y profesionales van camino de ser un éxito. Sí, pero a mí me ha faltado historia, o quizás unos giros más interesantes para que pudiera engancharme.
Con los hombres de la Roberts no tengo problemas, son maromos con los pies en la tierra, con personalidades sólidas, y que saben lo que quieren; además, aman profundamente a sus parejas. En ése caso con Avery no he podido empatizar como me habría gustado. Sí, Avery es muy buena amiga, la mejor, pero no la veía como protagonista.
Bajo ésa cabeza loca y desordenada, se esconde una mujer muy dolida, que siempre ha pensado que en el terreno afectivo merecía menos porque su madre la abandonó. Y ése será el escollo de la novela, cuando todo le hace encerrarse en sí misma y no confiar en su pareja o ése miedo a comprometerse por si ella es igual que su madre.
A lo mejor soy injusta, pero con éste plan que nos ha presentado Nora Roberts, no ha conseguido convencerme. Me esperaba algo más, algún tira y afloja, o giros, pero me ha resultado todo muy plano y correcto, mientras que todo pasa con tranquilidad en el apacible pueblo de Boonsboro.
Pero no todo ha sido malo. Lo que más me ha gustado de la novela es el tema paranormal con el fantasma de Lizzy. Es obvio que el fantasma quiere buscar a su Bobby, y los protagonistas comenzarán en éste libro una búsqueda por ayudar a Lizzy y lo que le ocurrió, y aunque la trama avanza, imagino que se han dejado lo mejor para el último libro.
Quienes sí me han dejado con ganas de su historia son Ryder Montgomery, el cínico hermano mayor, y la perfeccionista gerente del hotel, Esperanza. Una pareja que llevan chocando desde el primer libro y sin saber por qué. Espero no tardar mucho en leerlo y que descubran qué fue de Lizzy y su Bobby.
Empezamos "El primer y último amor" donde acabó el primer libro. En éste caso, tenemos las historias de Owen Montgomery, el mediano, el manitas planificador de los hermanos. Y Avery MacTavish, la dueña de la pizzería de Boonsboro y mejor amiga de Clare.
Owen y Avery se conocen de toda la vida. Tanto es así que siendo sólo unos niños, ya se enamoraron; pero crecieron y siguieron siendo amigos. Owen tuvo la suerte de crecer en la sólida y feliz familia Montgomery, mientras que a Avery y a su padre los abandonó sin explicaciones su madre cuando ella tenía doce años. Será ésa falta de amor y estabilidad que vivió Avery, lo que para mí, le ha fallado a la novela.
Cuando empieza la historia, el hotel de los hermanos Montgonery está dando sus frutos y a puntito de abrirse al público. Las navidades se acercan, y quizás será por el ambiente festivo o la felicidad que desprenden Clare y Beckett, pero Owen decide lanzarse y pedirle a Avery que tengan algo serio, con sexo incluido.
Así empezará el romance de los protagonistas, una maravillosa Nochevieja, donde se dejarán llevar, donde sus vidas personales y profesionales van camino de ser un éxito. Sí, pero a mí me ha faltado historia, o quizás unos giros más interesantes para que pudiera engancharme.
Con los hombres de la Roberts no tengo problemas, son maromos con los pies en la tierra, con personalidades sólidas, y que saben lo que quieren; además, aman profundamente a sus parejas. En ése caso con Avery no he podido empatizar como me habría gustado. Sí, Avery es muy buena amiga, la mejor, pero no la veía como protagonista.
Bajo ésa cabeza loca y desordenada, se esconde una mujer muy dolida, que siempre ha pensado que en el terreno afectivo merecía menos porque su madre la abandonó. Y ése será el escollo de la novela, cuando todo le hace encerrarse en sí misma y no confiar en su pareja o ése miedo a comprometerse por si ella es igual que su madre.
A lo mejor soy injusta, pero con éste plan que nos ha presentado Nora Roberts, no ha conseguido convencerme. Me esperaba algo más, algún tira y afloja, o giros, pero me ha resultado todo muy plano y correcto, mientras que todo pasa con tranquilidad en el apacible pueblo de Boonsboro.
Pero no todo ha sido malo. Lo que más me ha gustado de la novela es el tema paranormal con el fantasma de Lizzy. Es obvio que el fantasma quiere buscar a su Bobby, y los protagonistas comenzarán en éste libro una búsqueda por ayudar a Lizzy y lo que le ocurrió, y aunque la trama avanza, imagino que se han dejado lo mejor para el último libro.
Quienes sí me han dejado con ganas de su historia son Ryder Montgomery, el cínico hermano mayor, y la perfeccionista gerente del hotel, Esperanza. Una pareja que llevan chocando desde el primer libro y sin saber por qué. Espero no tardar mucho en leerlo y que descubran qué fue de Lizzy y su Bobby.
October 29, 2023
I was a bit nervous at the inclusion of a paranormal element, but it is mostly balanced out by the lovely friends to lovers plot and the ongoing story of the inn opening
April 30, 2012
Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Avery and Owen have known each other their whole lives and Owen was Avery’s first boyfriend at the age of five. Fast forward years later and Owen’s working with his brothers, buying, renovating and running multiple businesses and buildings. Their latest project, the Inn BoonsBoro, is close to opening and everyone’s pitching in to put the final touches on the Inn. Hope, the innkeeper has moved in, the ghost is still floating around and appearing to various people and Avery is keeping busy running Vesta across the street, her pizzeria that has her working a lot but she still has dreams of opening another restaurant and lounge and she hopes the Montgomery’s will get on board with her.
The angst level in this book is very low. There is no suspense plot, there’s a little bit of relationship angst between Owen and Avery, all due to zero communication that’s quickly worked out, which I liked. Avery also deals with some family drama that’s really just a bump in the road to her life moving forward with Owen. This story revolves around Owen and Avery’s relationship, the opening of the Inn and a storyline for the ghost that will move into book 3.
I thought the relationship between Owen and Avery was sweet, well-paced and it felt natural. These two people have loved each other for so long, been close friends and seeing them fall in love was a nice progression. Owen is such a great guy, he already had me in his corner with his organized, planning self. He likes order and he likes to be prepared and along comes Avery, tossing some spontaneity into his life. But she wasn’t so much of an opposite that it made no sense – she’s just as driven as Owen is, even if she doesn’t schedule her life down to the minute. They’re a great match, and I enjoyed seeing their story unfold.
Water sluiced over her, slicking her hair back. Her eyes, brilliantly blue now, stared into his, then went opaque as she shuddered.
“I don’t…We can’t.” She struggled to regain her balance, to find purchase. “You’re too tall.”
“You’re too short,” he corrected, then gripping her hips, lifted her off her feet. “So you’d better hang on.”
“Owen – ”
He braced her against the wet wall, and drove into her.
“Oh.” Her eyes flew open, intense now, focused on his. He plunged again, ripping a cry of pleasure from her, and still her eyes remained open and on his. “Don’t let go. Don’t let go.”
“You either,” he managed an instant before she pulled his mouth to her.
They both held on.
The family dynamic is front and center in not only this book, but the whole series. The Montgomery’s stay the centerpiece of the series, with the three brothers and their mom Justine playing large roles. Avery’s mom walked out on her and her dad when she was a young girl, so they were brought into the Montgomery family and made to feel a part. Avery and her dad have such a tight bond, it just added to Avery’s character seeing her with her dad and around Justine, who always thought of Avery as her own. Clare’s little boys run through the story here and there, they were a bright spot in book 1 and I still enjoy hearing their take on whatever it is that’s currently going on. The last Montgomery brother, Ryder, is up next and while he plays a supporting role in this book he seems like nice enough guy, but he has moments of being cranky, sometimes an ass, and is especially prickly towards Hope – and yes, I’m interested. I like a cranky hero that falls hard in love and Ryder’s getting set up to do just that.
A couple things that didn’t really work for me and the reason for my rating – there is a lot of page time devoted to the Inn. I understand what a central focus the Inn is to this series, and especially this book, but the amount of time given to describing each and every room, down to the type of mirrors being hung in the bathroom, it’s just overdone. I wanted more time on page between Avery and Owen and less on the Inn and decorating. And the ghost; I’m not a fan of the ghost, but I found it easy enough to, for lack of a better word, ignore in book 1 (The Next Always). But, one can’t really do that in this book as a lot of time and a specific storyline is devoted to the ghost and figuring out who she is and why she muttered the name “Billy.” The storyline didn’t wrap up and we find out that Hope has connections to the ghost so I expect there to be quite a bit of emphasis on that storyline as well in book 3 (The Perfect Hope, Nov 2012).
My overall rating is 3 stars. This was a nice read, but it didn’t blow me away. I liked the characters (minus the Inn and ghost) and I thought the romance between Owen and Avery was incredibly sweet – watching these two go from friends to lovers. Unfortunately, I keep comparing it to Nora Robert’s Bridal Quartet series, which I completely loved. This series has all the parts there, but it’s just not pulling me in all the way. That said, even though my interest in anything related to the Inn is wearing very thin, Ryder makes me want to at least give the last book a chance, to see what’s going to happen with him, and to find out why he’s so on edge all the time around Hope.
Avery and Owen have known each other their whole lives and Owen was Avery’s first boyfriend at the age of five. Fast forward years later and Owen’s working with his brothers, buying, renovating and running multiple businesses and buildings. Their latest project, the Inn BoonsBoro, is close to opening and everyone’s pitching in to put the final touches on the Inn. Hope, the innkeeper has moved in, the ghost is still floating around and appearing to various people and Avery is keeping busy running Vesta across the street, her pizzeria that has her working a lot but she still has dreams of opening another restaurant and lounge and she hopes the Montgomery’s will get on board with her.
The angst level in this book is very low. There is no suspense plot, there’s a little bit of relationship angst between Owen and Avery, all due to zero communication that’s quickly worked out, which I liked. Avery also deals with some family drama that’s really just a bump in the road to her life moving forward with Owen. This story revolves around Owen and Avery’s relationship, the opening of the Inn and a storyline for the ghost that will move into book 3.
I thought the relationship between Owen and Avery was sweet, well-paced and it felt natural. These two people have loved each other for so long, been close friends and seeing them fall in love was a nice progression. Owen is such a great guy, he already had me in his corner with his organized, planning self. He likes order and he likes to be prepared and along comes Avery, tossing some spontaneity into his life. But she wasn’t so much of an opposite that it made no sense – she’s just as driven as Owen is, even if she doesn’t schedule her life down to the minute. They’re a great match, and I enjoyed seeing their story unfold.
Water sluiced over her, slicking her hair back. Her eyes, brilliantly blue now, stared into his, then went opaque as she shuddered.
“I don’t…We can’t.” She struggled to regain her balance, to find purchase. “You’re too tall.”
“You’re too short,” he corrected, then gripping her hips, lifted her off her feet. “So you’d better hang on.”
“Owen – ”
He braced her against the wet wall, and drove into her.
“Oh.” Her eyes flew open, intense now, focused on his. He plunged again, ripping a cry of pleasure from her, and still her eyes remained open and on his. “Don’t let go. Don’t let go.”
“You either,” he managed an instant before she pulled his mouth to her.
They both held on.
The family dynamic is front and center in not only this book, but the whole series. The Montgomery’s stay the centerpiece of the series, with the three brothers and their mom Justine playing large roles. Avery’s mom walked out on her and her dad when she was a young girl, so they were brought into the Montgomery family and made to feel a part. Avery and her dad have such a tight bond, it just added to Avery’s character seeing her with her dad and around Justine, who always thought of Avery as her own. Clare’s little boys run through the story here and there, they were a bright spot in book 1 and I still enjoy hearing their take on whatever it is that’s currently going on. The last Montgomery brother, Ryder, is up next and while he plays a supporting role in this book he seems like nice enough guy, but he has moments of being cranky, sometimes an ass, and is especially prickly towards Hope – and yes, I’m interested. I like a cranky hero that falls hard in love and Ryder’s getting set up to do just that.
A couple things that didn’t really work for me and the reason for my rating – there is a lot of page time devoted to the Inn. I understand what a central focus the Inn is to this series, and especially this book, but the amount of time given to describing each and every room, down to the type of mirrors being hung in the bathroom, it’s just overdone. I wanted more time on page between Avery and Owen and less on the Inn and decorating. And the ghost; I’m not a fan of the ghost, but I found it easy enough to, for lack of a better word, ignore in book 1 (The Next Always). But, one can’t really do that in this book as a lot of time and a specific storyline is devoted to the ghost and figuring out who she is and why she muttered the name “Billy.” The storyline didn’t wrap up and we find out that Hope has connections to the ghost so I expect there to be quite a bit of emphasis on that storyline as well in book 3 (The Perfect Hope, Nov 2012).
My overall rating is 3 stars. This was a nice read, but it didn’t blow me away. I liked the characters (minus the Inn and ghost) and I thought the romance between Owen and Avery was incredibly sweet – watching these two go from friends to lovers. Unfortunately, I keep comparing it to Nora Robert’s Bridal Quartet series, which I completely loved. This series has all the parts there, but it’s just not pulling me in all the way. That said, even though my interest in anything related to the Inn is wearing very thin, Ryder makes me want to at least give the last book a chance, to see what’s going to happen with him, and to find out why he’s so on edge all the time around Hope.
June 15, 2020
Well not too much to say except this was kind of boring. Roberts seems mostly fixated on the decorations in this one and not actually developing the characters. We have one moment of tension/plot that is quickly dealt with which didn't feel realistic to me. I liked Avery and Owen separately, but didn't really find their love story engaging at all. Also I just realized the whole ghost thing is reminding me way too much of "In the Garden" and it just started to bug me after a while.
"The Last Boyfriend" follows the events of the last book several months later. We now have Clare and Beckett planning for their wedding and that of course has Avery thinking about romance. Avery starts to wonder about Owen after the two of them have a moment together. Owen likes his life and business perfectly ordered. When he decides to get involved with Avery, he realizes that he's going to have to let some things go if they are going to be able to have a future together.
I don't know. This book felt off to me somewhat. Too many things were happening. Owen and Avery are thinking about and then do start dating. We had Owen and Hope still trying to figure out "Lizzy's" identity. The Montgomery boys mother has more and more plans and Avery has a secret dream that may involve all of them. Clare is trying to get her wedding plans together. Someone from Avery's past returns and then we have a misunderstanding that left me wanting to smack Owen. Everything was just thrown at you in this book with people still screeching about the picture perfect inn.
I do agree with some reviewers that Avery really was a great heroine and I have to say she was. I liked her spontaneity and why she got into cooking and I loved her dream and how that all came about. I do think that Roberts rushed through one of her sub-plots though. It could have given the book some needed tension.
Owen was just boring and reminded me of a dozen of Roberts male character tropes in her trilogies.
The writing was fine, the flow was eh and I was ultimately bored when we got to the ending. I am going to say that I am glad that we get to see seasons/months change in this series. Often Roberts trilogies take place over a couple of weeks/months and it doesn't feel realistic to have people just falling in love back to back.
"The Last Boyfriend" follows the events of the last book several months later. We now have Clare and Beckett planning for their wedding and that of course has Avery thinking about romance. Avery starts to wonder about Owen after the two of them have a moment together. Owen likes his life and business perfectly ordered. When he decides to get involved with Avery, he realizes that he's going to have to let some things go if they are going to be able to have a future together.
I don't know. This book felt off to me somewhat. Too many things were happening. Owen and Avery are thinking about and then do start dating. We had Owen and Hope still trying to figure out "Lizzy's" identity. The Montgomery boys mother has more and more plans and Avery has a secret dream that may involve all of them. Clare is trying to get her wedding plans together. Someone from Avery's past returns and then we have a misunderstanding that left me wanting to smack Owen. Everything was just thrown at you in this book with people still screeching about the picture perfect inn.
I do agree with some reviewers that Avery really was a great heroine and I have to say she was. I liked her spontaneity and why she got into cooking and I loved her dream and how that all came about. I do think that Roberts rushed through one of her sub-plots though. It could have given the book some needed tension.
Owen was just boring and reminded me of a dozen of Roberts male character tropes in her trilogies.
The writing was fine, the flow was eh and I was ultimately bored when we got to the ending. I am going to say that I am glad that we get to see seasons/months change in this series. Often Roberts trilogies take place over a couple of weeks/months and it doesn't feel realistic to have people just falling in love back to back.
September 24, 2015
It took Avery and Owen quite a lot time to be together and finally express the feelings they have for each other…
A nice story, as sweet as the first one..
A nice story, as sweet as the first one..
July 7, 2012
Is La Nora losing her touch? Or is she just so in love with the idea of sharing her real-life inn with her readers that her story is suffering by comparison? Not only was the Inn the star of this book, but the main couple, Avery and Owen, were barely in focus. I felt like it was an ensemble story -- the next step for Beck & Claire (whose romance in the first book WAS satisfying alongside the DIY porn* of the inn remodel, so it CAN be done), hints at Ryder & Hope, developing the ghost's backstory, giving Justine and Willy B a romance (though the boys' reaction to that was Funny As Hell), and Avery deciding to open a second restaurant. Somewhere in there, she and Owen moved from friends to lovers, but if you blink, you miss it.
More detailed review here.
*DIY porn=credit to GR user Bungluna. Yes, girlfriend, we are making this a thing! ;-)
More detailed review here.
*DIY porn=credit to GR user Bungluna. Yes, girlfriend, we are making this a thing! ;-)
March 19, 2020
After two long years of planning, rehabbing, and rebuilding, the Inn at Boonsboro is getting close to being completed. Owen Montgomery takes care of the money and the details for the project. He has been visiting Avery MacTavish at her pizza shop across the street, sometimes just to get a quiet place to make phone calls. Avery doesn't mind. She's been friends with Owen since they were kids. As a matter of fact, Owen was her first boyfriend. Now an impulsive kiss may have changed their relationship forever.
The second book in Nora Roberts Inn at Boonsboro trilogy starts while they are still completing the finishing touches to the Inn. I wish the book was illustrated. I'd love to see the finished product. Some of the rooms sound fabulous. This book is about longtime friends Owen and Avery whose relationship has changed. They were nervous about what this would do to their friendship in the long run. There were no real problems in their relationship, so I found their romance to be kind of boring.
My favorite part of this story was the ghost subplot. I'm looking forward to seeing what information the characters dig up about the ghost. I also enjoyed the tidbits of Ryder and Hope and their New Years Eve kiss. I'm looking forward to their book since they have a turbulent association. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
The second book in Nora Roberts Inn at Boonsboro trilogy starts while they are still completing the finishing touches to the Inn. I wish the book was illustrated. I'd love to see the finished product. Some of the rooms sound fabulous. This book is about longtime friends Owen and Avery whose relationship has changed. They were nervous about what this would do to their friendship in the long run. There were no real problems in their relationship, so I found their romance to be kind of boring.
My favorite part of this story was the ghost subplot. I'm looking forward to seeing what information the characters dig up about the ghost. I also enjoyed the tidbits of Ryder and Hope and their New Years Eve kiss. I'm looking forward to their book since they have a turbulent association. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
February 13, 2013
Quick review:
Cover: Pretty
Rating: NC-17
Steaminess: Steamy
Thumbs Up: 4
Overall: Terribly sweet
Characters: Well written
Plot: When the one you were meant to love was always right there
Page Turner: Yes
Series Cont.? Yes
Recommend: Yes
Book Boyfriend: Owen
SUMMARY (50 words or less)
What I liked most about this story that although it centered around Owen, the rest of the cast was still in the story and not as back drop. They are there like you would imagine life happens. The other characters aren’t pulled out like they didn’t exist.
For a full review and yummy pic, see my blog post at:
http://mybookboyfriend.blogspot.com/2...
Audio Review
MacLeod Andrews did a wonderful job with the narration. He used very different voices for each character which he carried through the series.
Cover: Pretty
Rating: NC-17
Steaminess: Steamy
Thumbs Up: 4
Overall: Terribly sweet
Characters: Well written
Plot: When the one you were meant to love was always right there
Page Turner: Yes
Series Cont.? Yes
Recommend: Yes
Book Boyfriend: Owen
SUMMARY (50 words or less)
What I liked most about this story that although it centered around Owen, the rest of the cast was still in the story and not as back drop. They are there like you would imagine life happens. The other characters aren’t pulled out like they didn’t exist.
For a full review and yummy pic, see my blog post at:
http://mybookboyfriend.blogspot.com/2...
Audio Review
MacLeod Andrews did a wonderful job with the narration. He used very different voices for each character which he carried through the series.
February 28, 2017
Gostei mais deste do que do 1º!
Gostei mais do casal deste livro e do desenvolvimento da estória da Elizabeth foi a minha parte preferida do livro. O que achei secante foi ler mais uma vez as partes sobre o hotel embora as descrições sejam boas.
Agora é esperar pelo livro do Ryder e da Hope, confesso que estou curiosa!
---
(...)
Gostei imenso da Avery que passa uma grande energia. Está sempre atarefada de um lado para o outro mas sempre com um sorriso na cara e disposta a ajudar. Gostei também do Owen, que é sempre muito organizado mas ao lado dela, perde todo o sentido de organização. O mais giro do livro é que as personagens já se conheciam desde crianças e ate já tinham sido namorado e daí o titulo do livro - O Último Amor - eles foram o primeiro e o último amor um do outro.
http://algodaodoceparaocerebro.blogsp...
Gostei mais do casal deste livro e do desenvolvimento da estória da Elizabeth foi a minha parte preferida do livro. O que achei secante foi ler mais uma vez as partes sobre o hotel embora as descrições sejam boas.
Agora é esperar pelo livro do Ryder e da Hope, confesso que estou curiosa!
---
(...)
Gostei imenso da Avery que passa uma grande energia. Está sempre atarefada de um lado para o outro mas sempre com um sorriso na cara e disposta a ajudar. Gostei também do Owen, que é sempre muito organizado mas ao lado dela, perde todo o sentido de organização. O mais giro do livro é que as personagens já se conheciam desde crianças e ate já tinham sido namorado e daí o titulo do livro - O Último Amor - eles foram o primeiro e o último amor um do outro.
http://algodaodoceparaocerebro.blogsp...
April 5, 2012
My review in thirty words or less:
Nothing blew me away about this romance, although it had its charms. Readers who enjoy friends to lovers stories and romances focused on family and friends will probably enjoy it.
Overall rating: 3.5/5.0 stars
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur magazine in the May Issue. http://affairedecoeur.com
Nothing blew me away about this romance, although it had its charms. Readers who enjoy friends to lovers stories and romances focused on family and friends will probably enjoy it.
Overall rating: 3.5/5.0 stars
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur magazine in the May Issue. http://affairedecoeur.com
March 13, 2017
Less slow than book 1, but still, it's Nora Roberts for goodness sakes, so it's not exactly galloping along like a Michael Bay movie. It's more like if Bob Ross directed commercials for small-town inns. That's a compliment.
October 21, 2022
2.5 estrellas
ha sido una gran desilusión de libro. Los tres primeros capítulos se los han pasado amueblando el hotel, luego parecía que la cosa se animaba sobre todo con el regreso de uno de los habitantes del pueblo, pero luego la cosa ha decaído y me he aburrido mucho. La verdad es que este libro simplemente aporta la pareja de Owen y Avery, que tampoco es una relación que me haya conquistado.
ha sido una gran desilusión de libro. Los tres primeros capítulos se los han pasado amueblando el hotel, luego parecía que la cosa se animaba sobre todo con el regreso de uno de los habitantes del pueblo, pero luego la cosa ha decaído y me he aburrido mucho. La verdad es que este libro simplemente aporta la pareja de Owen y Avery, que tampoco es una relación que me haya conquistado.
March 9, 2020
(insert whimsical sigh here)
Sometimes my enjoyment of a contemporary romance novel is directly related to how much I can relate to the two main characters. In the first installment of the Inn Boonsboro Trilogy, I couldn't really relate to war-widow Clare and her three young boys. But, book two better introduces us to Avery - perhaps my literary alter-ego. She is a chronically disorganized work-aholic who is full of energy and good will, but also relishes in local gossip and occasionally petty comments. Underneath all of that she is equally scared to fall in love to quickly and to never fall in love at all. Jeez, make her a staffer in a Congressional office and not the owner of an Italian restaurant and she could almost be me! Throw in that the super-organized, painstakingly thorough Owen reminds me of someone in my life and this book was borderline creepy....in a good way.
I am a fan of the second books in Nora trilogies. You get to watch a couple dating and working up to love, a couple seal their previously established commitment with a vow, and a third couple usually has a handful of confusing interactions that builds anticipation for the third book. It's like being in three relationships at three different stages all at once! I also adore the secondary characters in Boonsboro! While I can't relate to having three young boys, they are stinking adorable, the Montgomery mom is absolutely fabulous, and I want a hug from Willy B. Throw in a small subplot mystery revolving around a ghost associated with the Inn and I am ready to make my move to Boonsboro.
The first book in this trilogy was overly criticized for being too much about the details of rehabbing the Inn (including by me) and for being more of a tourist brochure for Nora Robert's real life B&B than a solid addition to her body of work. At first, I thought those things as well. However, I went to Boonsboro shortly after the release of her first book and I have to say the town is SO adorable! I think Nora owns about everything in it but seeing the layout in my head, having stood in the Elizabeth and Darcy room, eating pizza at Vesta's, drinking coffee at the bakery, and purchasing a book at Turn The Page Bookstore actually enriched the second book for me. If you have the chance to go visit, do it. Added bonus: Nora does many book signings there.
Did you love the first Inn Boonsboro book? Were you lukewarm about it? Did you actually not like it any where near as much as you like Nora's other works? If they answer to any of these is "yes" then give The Last Boyfriend a chance.
*******
Second reading review:
Awww, I love Avery and Owen! Just finished this one and immediately want to dive into The Perfect Hope, but I am going to be patient and wait for next month.
One thing I noticed a lot more reading this time than last time is that there was a lot of slut-shaming. Avery is so mad which I totally get, but she goes on long rants about how her was such a slut, the town slut, etc. Perhaps she slept around and that was certainly not right, but I am not a fan of throwing around the word "slut." We have so much slut-shaming this day and age that it feels unnecessary and ugly.
Just something I didn't notice when I first read it 8 years ago and I think it reflects not just a change in me since I have gotten older, but also a change in society and the women's movement.
And it is certainly not something I have noticed in Nora's more recent books either!
Despite that one annoyance, I still love Avery and Owen. And, I absolutely 100% adore Willy B. I love that we finally see the inn open, we continue to see Beckett and Clare's growing relationship, we get a sneak peek at Ryder and Hope, and we learn more about the resident ghost.
This really is one of my favorite trilogies.
Sometimes my enjoyment of a contemporary romance novel is directly related to how much I can relate to the two main characters. In the first installment of the Inn Boonsboro Trilogy, I couldn't really relate to war-widow Clare and her three young boys. But, book two better introduces us to Avery - perhaps my literary alter-ego. She is a chronically disorganized work-aholic who is full of energy and good will, but also relishes in local gossip and occasionally petty comments. Underneath all of that she is equally scared to fall in love to quickly and to never fall in love at all. Jeez, make her a staffer in a Congressional office and not the owner of an Italian restaurant and she could almost be me! Throw in that the super-organized, painstakingly thorough Owen reminds me of someone in my life and this book was borderline creepy....in a good way.
I am a fan of the second books in Nora trilogies. You get to watch a couple dating and working up to love, a couple seal their previously established commitment with a vow, and a third couple usually has a handful of confusing interactions that builds anticipation for the third book. It's like being in three relationships at three different stages all at once! I also adore the secondary characters in Boonsboro! While I can't relate to having three young boys, they are stinking adorable, the Montgomery mom is absolutely fabulous, and I want a hug from Willy B. Throw in a small subplot mystery revolving around a ghost associated with the Inn and I am ready to make my move to Boonsboro.
The first book in this trilogy was overly criticized for being too much about the details of rehabbing the Inn (including by me) and for being more of a tourist brochure for Nora Robert's real life B&B than a solid addition to her body of work. At first, I thought those things as well. However, I went to Boonsboro shortly after the release of her first book and I have to say the town is SO adorable! I think Nora owns about everything in it but seeing the layout in my head, having stood in the Elizabeth and Darcy room, eating pizza at Vesta's, drinking coffee at the bakery, and purchasing a book at Turn The Page Bookstore actually enriched the second book for me. If you have the chance to go visit, do it. Added bonus: Nora does many book signings there.
Did you love the first Inn Boonsboro book? Were you lukewarm about it? Did you actually not like it any where near as much as you like Nora's other works? If they answer to any of these is "yes" then give The Last Boyfriend a chance.
*******
Second reading review:
Awww, I love Avery and Owen! Just finished this one and immediately want to dive into The Perfect Hope, but I am going to be patient and wait for next month.
One thing I noticed a lot more reading this time than last time is that there was a lot of slut-shaming. Avery is so mad which I totally get, but she goes on long rants about how her was such a slut, the town slut, etc. Perhaps she slept around and that was certainly not right, but I am not a fan of throwing around the word "slut." We have so much slut-shaming this day and age that it feels unnecessary and ugly.
Just something I didn't notice when I first read it 8 years ago and I think it reflects not just a change in me since I have gotten older, but also a change in society and the women's movement.
And it is certainly not something I have noticed in Nora's more recent books either!
Despite that one annoyance, I still love Avery and Owen. And, I absolutely 100% adore Willy B. I love that we finally see the inn open, we continue to see Beckett and Clare's growing relationship, we get a sneak peek at Ryder and Hope, and we learn more about the resident ghost.
This really is one of my favorite trilogies.
February 18, 2016
Another great book from a great author! She has such a gift for these trilogies. Each book is complete within itself, but there is, as usual, a great side story flowing throughout. She always manages to accent the main hero and heroine in each book without dumping the other heroes and heroines from the other books. Their stories continue on nicely, but are not the star of the book.
October 29, 2020
Again a lovely story. Can't wait to read the last book in the serie.
The ghost was again a great secundary character in the story.
The ghost was again a great secundary character in the story.
August 1, 2022
I cannot seem to help myself today, here I am once again getting into plot details today! Proceed with caution
So I spent the weekend in Maryland with the Montgomery family. They're fixing up a historical home to make it a bed and breakfast. The family has recently celebrated the engagement of son Beckett with local bookstore owner, Claire. Not to mention this Christmas promises to be even more exciting with Claire's three young sons as part of the festivities. If only Owen Montgomery would realize that the smart red-headed businesswoman who owns the pizzeria across the street is very open to getting to know him better. But Avery McTavish has always been to the Montgomery boys " the little sister." It just might take the inn's resident ghost, Lizzie to bring these two together!
So I am not going to mince words, longtime friends to lovers is a great romance trope but in this series, book 2 is the filler. We had the sweet sugary romance of Beckett and Claire( book 1) and Nora is dangling the carrot of enemies to lovers between Ryder and the new "innkeeper" Hope. So even though I read this book immediately after book 1, I was lukewarm. Also, the whole bringing Avery's mother in late in the story was just.... misplaced. I think I would have cared if she had shown up earlier on. Plus, Owen pulls some macho shit in this novel that made me like his brother, Ryder just a little bit more. On another note, I loved the reveal that there are actually two other characters experiencing some romance. Also, we learn more of Lizzie's back story and I found that very interesting!
Sadly, my donation bag revealed that there was no book 3 so I guess I will just have to wait in suspense for the conclusion 🤣
Goodreads review published 01/08/22
So I spent the weekend in Maryland with the Montgomery family. They're fixing up a historical home to make it a bed and breakfast. The family has recently celebrated the engagement of son Beckett with local bookstore owner, Claire. Not to mention this Christmas promises to be even more exciting with Claire's three young sons as part of the festivities. If only Owen Montgomery would realize that the smart red-headed businesswoman who owns the pizzeria across the street is very open to getting to know him better. But Avery McTavish has always been to the Montgomery boys " the little sister." It just might take the inn's resident ghost, Lizzie to bring these two together!
So I am not going to mince words, longtime friends to lovers is a great romance trope but in this series, book 2 is the filler. We had the sweet sugary romance of Beckett and Claire( book 1) and Nora is dangling the carrot of enemies to lovers between Ryder and the new "innkeeper" Hope. So even though I read this book immediately after book 1, I was lukewarm. Also, the whole bringing Avery's mother in late in the story was just.... misplaced. I think I would have cared if she had shown up earlier on. Plus, Owen pulls some macho shit in this novel that made me like his brother, Ryder just a little bit more. On another note, I loved the reveal that there are actually two other characters experiencing some romance. Also, we learn more of Lizzie's back story and I found that very interesting!
Sadly, my donation bag revealed that there was no book 3 so I guess I will just have to wait in suspense for the conclusion 🤣
Goodreads review published 01/08/22
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2025
The heroine was the commitment-phobe in the Last Boyfriend because of her mother abandoning her. I liked the hero, but I loved getting to know the Inn’s ghost! Ultimately, it was a solid romance!
February 28, 2020
Avery MacTavish and Owen Montgomery have known each other almost all of their lives and are great friends. They find themselves suddenly with a deeper attraction for each other and are trying to figure out what to make of it. Is this something comfortable that might mess with the friendship they treasure or is it really something more for both of them?
The renovation of the Inn BoonsBoro is almost complete and they ready for the opening. While I enjoyed learning of the details of the project in the first book, I found myself wearying of it in this one, especially since the first couple of chapters seemed to focus on it entirely. However, the story seemed to regain its rhythm and the relationship between Avery and Owen took center stage. I liked that they didn't spend a lot of time debating whether they should or shouldn't give in to their attraction but actually thought about its repercussions and prepared for it. This was truly an adult level relationship and both handled later conflicts like you would hope two mature people who care about each other would. This was the most outstanding aspects of the story, in my opinion as both stayed true to character.
Another high point of the book was the continuation of the characters from the first story as all prepared for Clare and Beckett's wedding. Those adorable boys have their moments and keep it fun. The Montgomery boys also have to contend with a new to them relationship involving their mother, Justine, that is belly laugh funny. The character continuation was integrated with Owen and Avery's and didn't overpower their story. There is also more to learn about the Inn's resident ghost, Lizzy.
This may not be the greatest story but it is one I enjoyed and am looking forward to the next in the series. There were some complex relationship issues tackled here and give Avery and Owen's relationship serious credibility.
The renovation of the Inn BoonsBoro is almost complete and they ready for the opening. While I enjoyed learning of the details of the project in the first book, I found myself wearying of it in this one, especially since the first couple of chapters seemed to focus on it entirely. However, the story seemed to regain its rhythm and the relationship between Avery and Owen took center stage. I liked that they didn't spend a lot of time debating whether they should or shouldn't give in to their attraction but actually thought about its repercussions and prepared for it. This was truly an adult level relationship and both handled later conflicts like you would hope two mature people who care about each other would. This was the most outstanding aspects of the story, in my opinion as both stayed true to character.
Another high point of the book was the continuation of the characters from the first story as all prepared for Clare and Beckett's wedding. Those adorable boys have their moments and keep it fun. The Montgomery boys also have to contend with a new to them relationship involving their mother, Justine, that is belly laugh funny. The character continuation was integrated with Owen and Avery's and didn't overpower their story. There is also more to learn about the Inn's resident ghost, Lizzy.
This may not be the greatest story but it is one I enjoyed and am looking forward to the next in the series. There were some complex relationship issues tackled here and give Avery and Owen's relationship serious credibility.
April 4, 2017
I loved this one even more than the first. The secondary characters and the setting make this such an appealing trilogy, and I'm really looking forward to Ryder and Hope!
April 15, 2017
A reconstrução do hotel das recordações fica concluído, mas o mistério da Lizz continua, quem será a simpática fantasma que ocupa aquele local e por quem espera?
Mais um livro da NR de leitura fácil e um bom companheiro para dias soalheiros.
Mais um livro da NR de leitura fácil e um bom companheiro para dias soalheiros.
May 21, 2012
To my mind, there's not TOO much of a point in reviewing a Nora Roberts book. She is consistently great, in every way. I can't recall offhand ever disliking one of her books. "The Last Boyfriend" is the second book in the Inn BoonsBoro trilogy and is another good book from Nora Roberts.
I only gave it three stars though because I felt this book was lacking something. I can't quite put my finger on it though. I guess, in a lot of good romances... well, actually I should say in a lot of the romances that I really like, the formula sort of goes like this: boy meets girl, boy and girl become friends, boy and girl become more than friends, boy and girl fall in love, something scary/awful/tragic happens, boy/girl saves girl/boy, boy and girl reaffirm life through reaffirming their love, the end - happily ever after. In lots of Nora Roberts books, this formula exists and works really well. In THIS Nora Roberts book, the missing element was the conflict, the tragedy, the kidnapping, the psycho ex returning, etc. There was no danger. Nothing to be brought back from the brink from. Do you know what I mean?
In this book, Owen Montgomery is one of three brothers that runs/works/owns a construction company in small town Boonsboro. They are remodeling a 100+ year old building and turning it into a Bed and Breakfast. We met Beckett in Book 1. **SPOILER SENTENCE HERE ---> Beckett and Clare end up together in the first book, but not before danger threatens one or both of them. <----- END SPOILER ALERT** Here, in book 2, they have finished the remodel and are about to open up for business. Owen is the list maker, note taker, keep everything organized organizer. Oh, he's also built, hot and great with a hammer... (wink, wink). Across the street from the building is Vesta Pizzeria, owned and operated by Avery MacTavish. Avery has been close with the Montgomery's ever since she was a kid and has had a crush on Owen almost as long!
**MORE POSSIBLE SPOILERS FROM HERE ON OUT ---> Avery and Owen decide to take things a little further than friendship. It works out for them. ...Aaaaaand that's it. That's the story. Oh her long lost mom makes an appearance and Avery's all bent out of shape about it (with good reason though: her mom abandoned her when she was a kid). But Owen forces her to talk about it and that's that. There was no danger anywhere for these two. Only the dangers of following your own heart. And isn't that not so much of a danger as it is an adventure?
Like I said, it was a good book. I caught myself laughing out loud at several parts. I know it sort of sounds like I didn't enjoy the book, but I did! I just don't think it was quite up to Nora Roberts' standards, that's all. I like the trilogy so far and I'll definitely be reading the 3rd installment when it comes out in November! :)
I only gave it three stars though because I felt this book was lacking something. I can't quite put my finger on it though. I guess, in a lot of good romances... well, actually I should say in a lot of the romances that I really like, the formula sort of goes like this: boy meets girl, boy and girl become friends, boy and girl become more than friends, boy and girl fall in love, something scary/awful/tragic happens, boy/girl saves girl/boy, boy and girl reaffirm life through reaffirming their love, the end - happily ever after. In lots of Nora Roberts books, this formula exists and works really well. In THIS Nora Roberts book, the missing element was the conflict, the tragedy, the kidnapping, the psycho ex returning, etc. There was no danger. Nothing to be brought back from the brink from. Do you know what I mean?
In this book, Owen Montgomery is one of three brothers that runs/works/owns a construction company in small town Boonsboro. They are remodeling a 100+ year old building and turning it into a Bed and Breakfast. We met Beckett in Book 1. **SPOILER SENTENCE HERE ---> Beckett and Clare end up together in the first book, but not before danger threatens one or both of them. <----- END SPOILER ALERT** Here, in book 2, they have finished the remodel and are about to open up for business. Owen is the list maker, note taker, keep everything organized organizer. Oh, he's also built, hot and great with a hammer... (wink, wink). Across the street from the building is Vesta Pizzeria, owned and operated by Avery MacTavish. Avery has been close with the Montgomery's ever since she was a kid and has had a crush on Owen almost as long!
**MORE POSSIBLE SPOILERS FROM HERE ON OUT ---> Avery and Owen decide to take things a little further than friendship. It works out for them. ...Aaaaaand that's it. That's the story. Oh her long lost mom makes an appearance and Avery's all bent out of shape about it (with good reason though: her mom abandoned her when she was a kid). But Owen forces her to talk about it and that's that. There was no danger anywhere for these two. Only the dangers of following your own heart. And isn't that not so much of a danger as it is an adventure?
Like I said, it was a good book. I caught myself laughing out loud at several parts. I know it sort of sounds like I didn't enjoy the book, but I did! I just don't think it was quite up to Nora Roberts' standards, that's all. I like the trilogy so far and I'll definitely be reading the 3rd installment when it comes out in November! :)
June 1, 2012
This book was a nice continuation in the story of Boonsboro but I think some of the criticism that I've read is justified.
There was a lot of furniture / finishings talk. It didn't bother me all that much. The scene that did was the one with the warped table. It just seemed so unnecessary and felt really long even though it wasn't. Or maybe I'd just reached my limit at that point.
I think the problem for me with this book wasn't the couple or their relationship but the fact that it didn't seem to get the focus that the couples usually do in the other trilogies that Roberts has written. In this case Avery and Owen really took a backseat to the inn, Beckett's house, the bakery, MacT's. Everything else had a priority. It's not that I don't understand that they were busy but the focus of the book was on everything else and not them. That is what was lacking. This felt like you were revisiting Boonsboro in general and catching up with everyone and not spending anymore time with Owen and Avery than you did anyone else.
Whilst I'm not against the ghost, I do think that Roberts has done this before and she didn't really need to do it again. Or not to this level. The In The Garden books had us discovering a ghost's identity, dating her by dress, and being left clues by the ghost. Will possession be next for Hope as it was for Hayley??? Why couldn't we have had a benevolent ghost who just left the smell of honeysuckle and opened the odd door as an in built attraction and nothing more.
I also think Roberts stepped away from formula with Avery and that's why the story was lacking. Typically the three woman are girl next door, girl with attitude and girl with sex appeal (think Three Sisters or Dreams trilogy). Avery should have been our girl with attitude and she didn't or there was no engaging of what attitude she does have in banter with anyone.
So whilst this was a nice visit to Boonsboro I'm glad I got it at the library.
There was a lot of furniture / finishings talk. It didn't bother me all that much. The scene that did was the one with the warped table. It just seemed so unnecessary and felt really long even though it wasn't. Or maybe I'd just reached my limit at that point.
I think the problem for me with this book wasn't the couple or their relationship but the fact that it didn't seem to get the focus that the couples usually do in the other trilogies that Roberts has written. In this case Avery and Owen really took a backseat to the inn, Beckett's house, the bakery, MacT's. Everything else had a priority. It's not that I don't understand that they were busy but the focus of the book was on everything else and not them. That is what was lacking. This felt like you were revisiting Boonsboro in general and catching up with everyone and not spending anymore time with Owen and Avery than you did anyone else.
Whilst I'm not against the ghost, I do think that Roberts has done this before and she didn't really need to do it again. Or not to this level. The In The Garden books had us discovering a ghost's identity, dating her by dress, and being left clues by the ghost. Will possession be next for Hope as it was for Hayley??? Why couldn't we have had a benevolent ghost who just left the smell of honeysuckle and opened the odd door as an in built attraction and nothing more.
I also think Roberts stepped away from formula with Avery and that's why the story was lacking. Typically the three woman are girl next door, girl with attitude and girl with sex appeal (think Three Sisters or Dreams trilogy). Avery should have been our girl with attitude and she didn't or there was no engaging of what attitude she does have in banter with anyone.
So whilst this was a nice visit to Boonsboro I'm glad I got it at the library.
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