The Next Always

Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy, Book 1

By: Nora Roberts

Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews

The historic hotel in Boonsboro has endured war and peace, the changing of hands, and even rumored hauntings. Now it’s getting a major face-lift from the Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother. As the architect in the family, Beckett’s social life consists mostly of talking shop over pizza and beer. But there’s another project he’s got his eye on: the girl he’s been waiting to kiss since he was sixteen.

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

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

©2011 Nora Roberts (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Poor narration

Perfect example of how poor narrator came spoil a story. I love Nora Roberts, but the narrator spoils this book.

Good Book, horrible narration

This was awful, who picks the narrators for books? I purchased this for my nook and I love the book, but not the recording. I will not be purchasing the rest of the series if the narrator is the same.

Nice story, average narration

I really liked the new story. The brothers are real and down to earth. I love that small town setting. I liked the narrator for the brother's voices, they were right on. And his timing was great...not so fast...some real feeling. The kids voices on the other hand were pretty bad. Female voices weren't that great either.

Overall strong story

If you could sum up The Next Always in three words, what would they be?

Romance, Mystery, Thriller

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

The most memorable moment for me (without spoiling anything) was the point in the book that gave me goosebumps! Close to the end, the guest that was "staying at the end" warns of some impending danger. The sequence of events was perfect. Sorry I don't want to include a spoiler!

What about MacLeod Andrews’s performance did you like?

I'm not sure why so many people disliked his narration. I enjoyed it, his character change was very smooth. Overall, I thought it was a good performance.

Any additional comments?

Overall, I really enjoyed the book. It was sweet, a little steamy, a bit of a tear jerk-er but with just enough mystery tied in to break you away from the traditional romance novel. I'm very excited to finish the trilogy and I would absolutely suggest this to friends. I live fairly close to Boonsboro so it was nice to place a connection with places and towns she brings up throughout the story.

A Great Feel-Good Book!!!

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

Next Always ranks among the top of my list.

What other book might you compare The Next Always to and why?

The remainder of the trilogy creates the same feel-good mood.

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

I listened to the entire trilogy and since they are in succession, I see it as a continuum. Therefore, it's hard to compare, it was just one big book.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

When the plot thickened, I did just listen to chunks at once.

Any additional comments?

I think Andrews, the narrator, did a wonderful job differentiating among the characters. After listening to the first of the series, I purchased the remainder of the trilogy.