Review: The Last Boyfriend

The Last Boyfriend
Nora Roberts
Contemporary Romance
Inn BoonesBoro Trilogy/Book 2
Berkley/May 1, 2012

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...

When I opened my print copy of The Last Boyfriend, I couldn't help but look through the lists of published works by Ms. Roberts and her alter-ego J. D. Robb.  It's an impressive collection of single titles, trilogies, series and anthologies.  And while I haven't even come close to reading every book listed, I have enjoyed many and look forward to enjoying many more!

The friends-to-lovers trope is one of my favorites.  The appeal is the solid friendship at the core of the relationship and seeing how that evolves into the attraction and love of the couple.   Own and Avery grew up together, their fathers were best friends so you would think Owen might view Avery as more of a sister than a love interesting and you would be right.  But children grow up and their viewpoints change, sometimes with a little help.

Owen isn't an alpha hero at first glance.  He's anal to the nth degree with his lists, spreadsheets and compulsive neurotic planning.  He gave me the impression of cute, nerdy guy who's a sweetheart, always putting his family and friends first.  Then we get the scenes with Owen working with his tools and I realize that he may be a nerd but he's got muscles other than his brain and he knows how to use them.  Owen is the best of both worlds - sexy, hunky geek.   Own is easy to like and I enjoyed seeing him try to break away from his strict regiment to loosen up a bit, with Avery's help of course.

Avery McTavish is an independent woman who owns the local pizza parlor.  She's worked very hard at making Vesta Pizzaria a success and while her business is doing well, her love life has stalled out.  Could be because she's carrying a torch for her first boyfriend?  Avery is another character that is easy to like and I could see hanging out with if she were a real person.  She's funny, kind and loyal to her friends.  Blunt at times, but has a good heart.  Avery and Owen already have a good relationship but you can feel that there's something missing.  It's a solid relationship but an outsider, in this case the reader, can see that it has the potential for much more.

As Owen and Avery explore their romantic side, they come up against some problems of getting romantically involved with a friend.  Number one being, what happens to the friendship if the romance doesn't work out?  Neither wants to lose their friendship and this is something that they struggle with.  I did like how it was dealt with but had a hard time wondering why these two, who have such strong chemistry hadn't done something about it sooner.

The renovations continue at the Inn Boonsboro with all three Montgomery brothers, along with their mother, involved in the project and preparing for the big opening.  Innkeeper Hope Beaumont is also heavily involved in the details and is about as list crazy as Owen.  It's been pretty obvious from book one who Hope will be paired up with.  I'm actually looking forward to their story but more for the hero than for Hope.  Just haven't warmed up to her yet.

There is quiet a bit of time devoted to describing, in detail, the renovations being done to the Inn - the decorations, furnishing, paint color, menu etc.  And while I like the details, they became too much and made me feel as if I was in a HGTV show.  I wanted more of Owen and Avery and less paint colors and menu planning.  Avery is pretty standard fair when it comes to heroines but Owen is that elusive beta hero with a dash of alpha thrown in.  I would have liked more of them and their romance.

One ongoing story line is of the resident ghost of the Inn.  It's kinda cute, kinda sad and kinda silly but it does add a sprinkle of whimsy to the mix without being too annoying.  And progress is made as to who the ghost is and why they continue to haunted the Inn.  I don't usually care for ghosts but I think I have a bit more tolerance for this one since it reminds me of a show I watched as a kid, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir.  A classic!

The Last Boyfriend is a sweet, often very funny story with romance and family at it's center.  The family is well represented but the romance, even with some tender and humorous scenes felt like it was giving up the spotlight too often to the Inn. 

Rating: B 

Inn Boonsboro Trilogy ~

The Next Always
The Last Boyfriend
The Perfect Hope

Audio Review: The Next Always

The Next Always
Nora Roberts
Contemporary Romance
With Paranormal Elements
Inn Boonsboro Trilogy/Book 1
Brilliance Audio/November 1, 2011

SOME SPOILERS

From the Inside Cover ~

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. 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 sixteen.

After losing her husband and returning to her hometown, Clare Brewster soon settles into her life as the mother of three young sons while running the town's bookstore. Though busy and with little time for romance, Clare is drawn across the street by Beckett's transformation of the old inn, wanting to take a closer look...at both the building and the man behind it.

With the grand opening inching closer, Beckett is happy to give Clare a private tour - one room at a time, in between blueprint meetings and kindergarten pickups. It's no first date, bu these stolen moments are the beginning of something that could arouse the secret yearning that resides in Clare's independent heart - and open the door to the extraordinary adventure of what comes next...

After reading and loving Ms. Roberta' Bride Quartet, I was looking forward to her newest contemporary series. I'm not sure if it's because the Bride Quartet's main focus was on the four women or if the setting of the was more enjoyable, probably a combination of the two. Either way, I didn't enjoy the trip to Boonsboro nearly as much as I thought I would.

All the talk around town is about the Montgomery brothers and the restoration of the famous inn. It's the inn and it's restoration that is a major focus of of the story. There is a romance between Beckett and Clare but it didn't feel like the central focus of the story. It was more of the restoration, the town and it's characters revolved around the romance. It is understandable that Clare and Beckett don't have an abundance of alone time. Clare has three boys to raise on her own and Beckett is busy with the inn. I liked both characters as well as the secondary characters but felt the inn and the town took too much time away from the romance.

The are two sub-plots running through the story. The first, which didn't work for me, was that of a stalker. It felt very much out of place in this closeknit community. I could see if there was another man competing for Clare's attention but creepy stalker dude just didn't fit in with the idyllic portrait of Boonsboro. He felt like he was transplanted from another book, say a J.D. Robb novel.

The other out-of-place character was that of the resident ghost at Inn Boonsboro. Beckett developed a relationship with the ghost right along with his relationship with Clare. Had the ghost been corporeal, maybe Clare would have had some competition. LOL The ghost angle didn't bother me but the way Becket talked to her did feel odd. He just didn't come across as a guy who would carry on conversations with a ghost.

I did like the time that Beckett and Clare spent together. Clare's boys are her life and the way Beckett becomes a part of that life felt very real. It wasn't easy getting all three boys to accept him without questioning what his place was in their lives. Beckett had to work for it, as it should be. We also see the relationship Beckett has with his two brothers, Ryder and Owen. It's evident they are the other heroes in this trilogy and we also meet their heroines. I liked the three brothers with their joking, teasing and obvious love for each other. Not sure how I feel about the pairings but we'll have to see.

The Next Always was a pleasant listen. While I didn't end up crazy in love with it, I did enjoy parts of it and will return to Boonsboro for the next Montgomery brother's story.

Rating: B-

Inn Boonsboro Series

The Next Always
The Last Boyfriend (May 2012)
The Perfect Hope (November 2012)

New Nora Roberts Trilogy

Nora Roberts has a new trilogy coming out this fall. What I find really interesting it that it was inspired by her inn. The Next Always is the first book of the new Inn BoonsBoro trilogy. I already like the sound of it.

The historic hotel in BoonsBoro, Maryland, has endured war and peace, changing hands, even rumored hauntings. Now it's getting a major face lift 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 Next Always releases in trade paperback on November 1.

Upcoming Western Releases & A Freebie...

I love a good western, be it a book or a movie. Unfortunately, they are few and far between. So here are a variety of upcoming western romance releases and a reprint to add the the list.


Bloodlands is the first book in Post-apocalyptic western urban fantasy trilogy. Christine Cody is the author who also goes by the name of Chris Marie Green, author of the Vampire Babylon series. I like the sound of this new series and the look of the covers. No man titty in sight and yet, he's still sexy. Imagine that!

It was called the New Badlands, home to the survivors of a cataclysm that altered the entire nation. Then the vampires arrived, an admit was rechristened the Bloodlands. Not because of the vampire, but because of the gun-for-hire who'd decided to slay every monster in the country by any and every means necessary.

The cover reminds me of Russel Crowe in The Quick and the Dead. Loved that movie!

The second book in the series is Blood Rules.

In the Bloodlands, sometimes the monsters don't even know themselves...

After the man named Gabriel came to the Bloodlands, Mariah Lyander was forced to face her true nature, and the horrible things she had done. To redeem herself, she embarks on a quest to find a rumored cure for were-creatures hoping to recover her own humanity - and Gabriel's love.

Book 3 - In Blood We Trust is set for release on September 27, no cover or blurb yet.


For fans of Jo Goodman's Reidsville series that started with Never Love a Lawman, followed by Marry Me, now have something to look forward to. Kissing Comfort is another historical western romance due for release on September 6. You can go here to read an excerpt. The excerpt takes place in the Sierra Nevada's so I'm not sure if it's part of the Reidsville series. My guess would be no, but I've been wrong a time or two. :) Does anyone remember Bode or Bram from the other two books?


Bode DeLong knows that his playboy brother Bram isn't really in love with Miss Comfort Kennedy, even though it's clear that she's enamored with him. With Bram's motives for the engagement suspect, Bode figures the safest place for Comfort to be is in his arms. Now, Bode just needs to convince Comfort that the childhood fancy she has for his brother is no match for the incredible desire that sparks between them every time they touch.






I've loved Jodi Thomas' historicals for years and The Tender Texan is one of my favorites! Originally released in 1991, it will be reprinted with a new cover and due for release on November 1.

Anna Meyer offers one hundred dollars to the Texas cattleman who can help her forge a frontier homestead. Chance Wyatt agrees to settle down and build a home with a lovely stranger. The boy in him never considered the possibility of love. But the man in him can't deny the passion that Anna brings out in him. they vowed to live together for only a year, but as the challenges of the savage land bring them closer together, neither can resist the aching desire that inflames their hearts - and touches their souls.




I haven't started this series yet but I will get to it! I love Lorelei James' Rough Riders series so it's a given that I'll read this one too. Wrangled and Tangled is the third book in her Blacktop Cowboys series. I swear she gets the best covers! Release date, November 1.

Janie Fitzhugh and Abe Lawson have long been divorced and living apart. Now she's back in town, a changed woman - making cattleman Abe want to wrangle an invitation to her bed...

To get his dream ranch, Renner Jackson has partnered with spoiled daddy's girl Tierney Pratt. She thinks she can handle this cowboy, but Renner won't make it easy. Little do they know they will be entangled in ways neither dreamed possible.



Another Lorelei James upcoming release is Chasing Eight, due for e-book release on June 28. The hero is Chase McKay, no word on who the heroine is yet. This is book 11 in James' wildly addictive Rough Riders series. And in case you haven't tried this series yet, you're in luck. Long Hard Ride, the first book in the series is free in e-book format for the entire month of May. You can get it here for the Kindle™ or here for the nook™. This is a great way to try this thoroughly enjoyable series. Who can resist sexy cowboys?


What books are on your upcoming must-be-read list? Any westerns you want to recommend?

Review: Happy Ever After

Happy Ever After
Nora Roberts
Contemporary Romance
Bride Quartet/Book 4
Berkley/November 2010

From the inside cover ~

Parker Brown turned the quartet's childhood game of Wedding Day into their dream jobs. And now she's the face of Vows - the one who meets every bride's demands; keeps every event on schedule; and brings Emma's romantic flowers, Laurel's delicious treats, and Mac's stunning photography together intone glorious package. She knows how to make dreams come true. . .

Mechanic Malcolm Kavanaugh loves figuring out how things work, and Parker Brown - with her mile-long legs - is no exception. But as a good friend of Parker's brother, Mal knows that moving from minor flirtation to major hookup is a serious step.

No man has rattled Parker in a long time, but the motorcycle-riding, raven-haired Mal seems to have a knack for it. His passionate kisses always catch her off guard, much like her growing feelings for him. Parker's business risks have always paid off, but now she'll have to take the chance of a lifetime with her heart.

Sigh. The last book. I was thrilled to finally read Parker and Mal's story but at the same time was sad to see this series end. I loved spending time with the women of Vows. Along with their heroes, they are such a diverse and fascinating group of characters. The four women are really the core of the series. It's their hopes and ambitions that drive not only their business but each other. They cheer each other on, provide encouragement and that shoulder to cry on when needed. We should all be so lucky to have friends like these.

Parker Brown is an intensely, organized woman. She has to be to deal with brides-to-be 24/7. Not to mention their sometimes equally crazy and annoying family members. But she does it with class and style. She's a brilliant diplomat and her organizational skills are unmatched. It sounds like she would be hard to get to know and possibly hard to like but she's not. Parker is a character that we could all use in our lives. She's that friend that you know will be there for you. When she says she'll get something done, you know she means it.

Mal - oh boy, did I like Mal. He's smart and sexy on his big, bad motorcycle. But he also loves his mom and has a great relationship with her. That, I think, is sexy too! So often we see very little of the hero's family. Maybe a sibling but rarely much of the parents. Mal's mom, Kay Kavanaugh, was right there and it was clear she was a big part of his life. They not only worked together but they also lived next to each other. That's not to say she was interfering. Just a little and only when her son needed that kick-in-the-pants that only a mother can give. :)

Mal was a hero that also knew how to push and when to pull back. He definitely pushed Parker when she needed it. He was also understanding about her work ethic and didn't give her a hard time about taking business calls during their dates. It was important that Parker be with someone who understood that Vows was a huge part of her life. If Mal had come off with an attitude of resentment towards Parker's work, it would have made them unbelievable as a couple. Instead, they worked as a couple because they had respect for each other.

On the surface, Parker and Mal are an odd couple. Parker is this polished, sophisticated, high society woman. Mal is a man who enjoys getting dirty and working with his hands. His idea of dressing up is changing from his work clothes into clean clothes. Mal didn't try to make excuses for his blue collar life. I liked that about him. Parker does like the finer things in life, in a big way. From her love of shoes to her ridiculously fabulous closet, complete with mini fridge, Parker is wealthy and doesn't hide or nor apologize for it. But she doesn't come off as a snob, she has money but she also works very hard, no lazying about for her. Did she seem too perfect at times? Yeah. Every crisis - Parker dealt with. She manages to manage the unmanageable. (say that 3xs fast!)

For all their perfection, Mal and Parker did have some issues and yes, they worked them out and maybe those bumps in the road were small but they were there. The romance was sweet, funny and had all the hallmarks of a classic fairy tale.

And while I like the romances in each of the books it's the women of Vows that I enjoy the most. I loved when they were on the page. Parker and Laurel working out in the home gym in the morning, with Mac and Emma dragging themselves in. The three engaged friends harass Parker endlessly about her blossoming romance with Mal. Those women gave no quarter when it came to getting the deets on Parker's love life! I found myself envious of these women, having their best friends right there with them everyday. Was the whole set up a little too perfect? Yes, but. . . the title is Happy Ever After so of course it's going to be full of rainbows and sunshine. It was an enjoyable was to spend a few hours, catching up with friends and reading about the latest going ons at the Brown Estate.

Rating: A-

Let Them Eat Cake...

As you can see on the sidebar, one of the books I'm reading is Happy Ever After, the final installment of the Bride Quartet by Nora Roberts. As with the previous three books, many of the scenes take place at the Brown estate, home of Vows, the wedding business the four heroines own.

I was reading along as the flowers, the decor and the cakes, those wonderful, deliciously scrumptious cakes, were being described and I found myself wishing the book came with pictures. Seriously, wouldn't that be the ultimate? Pictures of Emma's gorgeous flower arrangements throughout the magnificent Brown estate. And Laurel's delectable creations. . . Pardon me while I wipe the drool from my chin. :)

But sadly, none of the books come with pictures. So off to Google I went and found an abundance of wedding cakes. I decided to concentrate on the cakes, probably because I was hungry at the time. :)

My goodness, they have certainly come a long way from the traditional white, three tiered cakes of old. There are still the beautiful traditional white wedding cakes with some special added touches. But there are also some amazingly creative cakes that took my breath away. With so many bakeries to choose from I decided to go with a hometown bakery. All of the pictures below are from Piece of Cake Desserts. My niece is getting married next November & I really hope she gets her cake here!

I'm posting just a few 12 of my favorites, believe me it was hard to choose! You can see a whole bunch more at Piece of Cake Desserts website.

Simply Elegant



Love the color and the details on this one.



Love the black & white with the punch of color on top.



Flowers ~


More flowers ~



Another one with beautiful flowers. The initial(s) on top seems to be popular.



The next three blew me away. Are these common at weddings? I would be tempted to pick one of these. So unique.






And for the whimsical couple ~







If you were a client of Vows, which would you pick? One of these or maybe another one from the site? Or maybe you've got your very own creation in your head just waiting to be baked!

Treachery In Death Blurb...

Maybe I've been under a rock but didn't know this blurb was even out there yet. The next In Death release, Indulgence In Death, comes out November 2. Then there's the novella, Possession in Death, in the anthology The Other Side, release November 30. Then we only have to wait until February for the next In Death release! We are going to be rolling in Eve and Roarke goodness! Treachery In Death is set for release, per Amazon, February 22, 2011.

*Possible Spoilers for previous books*


In the latest from the #1 New York Times bestselling phenomenon, Eve Dallas tracks down those who break the law-including the ones sworn to uphold it.

Detective Eve Dallas and her partner, Peabody, are following up on a senseless crime-an elderly grocery owner killed by three stoned punks for nothing more than kicks and snacks. This is Peabody's first case as primary detective-good thing she learned from the master.

But Peabody soon stumbles upon a trickier situation. After a hard workout, she's all alone in the locker room when the gym door clatters open; and-while hiding inside a shower stall trying not to make a sound-she overhears two fellow officers, Garnet and Oberman, arguing. It doesn't take long to realize they're both crooked-guilty not just of corruption but of murder. Now Peabody, Eve, and Eve's husband, Roarke, are trying to get the hard evidence they need to bring the dirty cops down-knowing all the while that the two are willing to kill to keep their secret.

Oh, and I should mention we'll also be getting the last book in Nora Roberts Bride Quartet - Happy Ever After, (November 2). It's Parker and Mal's story and I can't wait to read it. I'll be sad to see the series end.

J. D Robb website
Nora Roberts website

Review: Savor the Moment

Savor the Moment
Nora Roberts
Contemporary Romance
Bride Quartet/Book 3
Berkley Publishing/May 2010

From the inside cover ~

Laurel McBane has always relied on her friends for support, especially when her dream of attending culinary school was almost ruined by her parents' financial problems. Now Laurel is repaying the kindness of her friends by creating extravagantly luscious tiers of cakes and other confectionery delights that add the perfect touch to their clients' weddings.

As for romance, Laurel believes in it - in theory. But she's too low-key to appreciate all the luxuries that other women seem to long for. What she does appreciate is a strong, intelligent man, a man just like Parker's older brother, Delaney Brown, on whom Laurel has had a mega crush since childhood.

But some infatuations last longer than others, and Laurel is convinced that the Ivy League lawyer is still out of her reach. Plus, Del is too protective of Laurel to ever cross the line with her-or so she thinks. When Laurel's quicksilver moods get the better of her-leading to an angry, hot, all-together mind-blowing kiss with Del-she'll have to quiet the doubts in her mind to turn a moment of passion into forever...

I'm not a huge Nora Roberts fan. What I mean by that is that I haven't read a lot of her romances. I've read all of the J. D. Robb books (Love them!) but the Roberts back list for me remains mostly untouched. The Bride Quartet I started reading after hearing good reviews and I liked the idea of four girls growing up together, not only staying friends but becoming business partners. And you can't get more romantic than a full service wedding business.

I feel like I've been waiting forever for Laurel and Del's story. Okay, not that long but it seemed like it. I really liked Laurel, I think it's because she wasn't as approachable as the other three women of Vows. She's a bit prickly and quick to say what's on her mind, even when it's not the most tactful thing to say. But I liked her! I could totally see being friends with someone like her in RL. She, in fact, reminds me of a friend of mine. So there was definitely a connection before reading Savor the Moment.

Hmmm... Delaney Brown is an alpha male for sure but he's a 21st century alpha. He uses his intellect and business sense to help and protect those he loves. Delaney had a lot of responsibility laid on him early on when his parents died. He took charge of the family fortune and household. He also helped his sister Parker and her three best friends when they decided to open their wedding business. Yep, that's Delaney - responsible, respectable, and an all around nice guy. His problem is that he doesn't see what's been right in front of him. I did like Delaney but boy could he be dense sometimes.

Laurel and Del made for a sweet couple. They had already been friends forever and now they were venturing into new territory. They decide to take it slow with going out on dates. I liked seeing this side of them as a couple. How they interact with each other took on a different feel. They still had that friendship at the core but now they allowed and acknowledge the attraction they felt. And they not only acknowledge it, they acted on it.

I loved seeing the rest of the gang who now include; Carter, hero of 1st book, fiance' of Mac and Jack, hero of 2nd book, fiance' of Emma. They are now part of the clan. I loved the morning interactions of this lively and sometimes not so lively group. Mac is not a morning person, just saying. :) They would all meet at he main kitchen of the Brown mansion, getting ready to start their day with Mrs. G's delicious cooking. Mrs. G has been with the Brown's for years and has known all of the women since they were little. She is wonderful, imparting her wisdom along with her comfort foods.

The main problem I had with Savor the Moment is that I would have liked more Laurel and Del and less of the almost step-by-step instructions of cake decorating. I get that it was Laurel's passion but honestly, it just didn't interest me that much. More Laurel and Del time and more romance. The ending also felt, rushed maybe? It just wrapped up too quickly. Laurel and Del fight, then make up with little inbetween. I almost found myself wishing I had waited and read Savor the Moment right before Happy Ever After (book 4) comes out in November.

Even with those problems I still enjoyed the story and practically devored it. It was hard to put down but part of that was that I kept hoping for a little more Laurel and Del. But I do love the friendships of the four women. That remains my favorite part of the quartet. :)

Rating: B+

Review: Vision in White

Vision in White
Nora Roberts
Contemporary Romance
Berkley/May 2009
Bride Quartet/Book 1
Purchased

From the author's website ~

The first book in the Bride Quartet—following the lives and loves of four friends who run Vows, a wedding-planning company. Wedding photographer Mackensie “Mac” Elliot is most at home behind the camera, but her focus is shattered moments before an important wedding rehearsal when she bumps into the bride-to-be’s brother…an encounter that has them both seeing stars.

A stable, safe English teacher, Carter Maguire is definitely not Mac’s type. But a casual fling might be just what she needs to take her mind off bridezillas. Of course, casual flings can turn into something more when you least expect it. And Mac will have to turn to her three best friends—and business partners—to see her way to her own happy ending.

I'm late to the phenomena that is Nora Roberts. I always wondered how someone could write so much and still produce quality work. It seems the more I read of her the less I have to wonder. :)

Vision in White is certainly about the romance of Mac and Carter but there is also a very important relationship that, for me, was just as important. The relationship of the four women who make up Vows is critical to the story. I absolutely loved the interactions of Mac, Emma, Laurel and Parker. They're like sisters and best friends all rolled into one, or four. :) You would think after all the years they've known each other they wouldn't have any secrets but there are still a few that they keep.

Mac is the photographer at Vows and has this incredible ability to get the perfect shot. She works well with her clients, even the difficult ones, but her love life is what's lacking perfection. Mac was a heroine that I liked from the start. She's very good at the business side of taking the pictures for the Vows clients but is still able to maintain her creativity when it comes to taking photos. There is a scene where Mac is taking pictures of Rosa, who is pregnant and is not feeling comfortable in her pregnancy. Mac is able to not only get Rosa to feel good about being pregnant, she gets Rosa to feel beautiful and powerful and that beauty and power come through in the photos. That is Mac's gift - capturing the beauty of the moment.

One of Mac's major weaknesses is her mom Linda, who is a real piece of work. She jumps from man to man which means Mac had no stability growing up. The stability she got growing up came from Parker, Laurel and Emma and their families. Linda also plays the guilt card to get money out of Mac. A real bitch of a mom. I loved it when Mac finally broke free from Linda.

Carter Maguire is a teacher at Winterfield Academy, the local high school. He's also a beta hero. I rarely read betas and when I do they're usually a secondary character, like a sidekick of the hero. This time around Roberts has made the hero a beta. Unfortunately, I think that's what took me so very long to warm up to Carter and take him seriously. Sure he was cute and smart and kind of goofy at times but his uncertainty and nervousness got on my nerves. He does have a good sense of humor and is aware that he has habit of over thinking things. I think the fact that he was aware of this and that he had had a crush on Mac when they were in high school, made it easier for me to like him.

Mac and Carter together were a sweet couple. They had fun together and played well off each other. Carter was the more serious of the two and Mac the more carefree one. This gave the couple a good balance. Mac was gun shy, given her experiences with her mother and her string of boyfriends, Mac isn't too quick to want to get serious. As she gets to know Carter, Mac is able to deal with her trust issues and trust not only Carter but herself.

Overall, a good, solid start to a new series. I was able to get the audio download for Bed of Roses, book 2. It's Emma's story. So far so good and it's making me want to read Laurel and Parker's stories too.

Rating: B+