The Next Always (Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy #1) by Nora Roberts

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

The Next Always by bestselling author Nora Roberts is the first novel in a brand new trilogy.  I have been reading Roberts’s books since I was a teen and have come to love her characters, romances and writing style.  This enchanting tale has romance, suspense and a ghost.

Roberts, takes us to the small town of BoonsBoro, Maryland.  Beckett Montgomery and his two brothers, along with their mother are restoring the BoonsBoro Inn to its former glory.   Beckett is the architect in this handsome group of single brothers.  I like Beckett; he is strong, confident, determined, sexy and a little unsure of himself when it comes to Clare Brewster.  He has had a crush on her since he was fifteen, but she married her high school boyfriend.  She returns years later, widowed with three young sons and opens a bookstore across from the inn.  Beckett, finds every excuse to drop in at her book store, but always feels awkward and nervous when he talks to Clare.

Clare Brewster is a military widow, whose husband died while deployed in Iraq. She works long hours and is a great mother to her three young boys.  She is independent, lonely and has always had to take care of her own.  She daydreams about Beckett. Being a single working mom, she has practically eliminated dating from her vocabulary. 

The old Boonsboro Inn is supposedly haunted and Beckett has heard a woman’s laughter and sometimes smells honeysuckles. When he offers to give Clare a tour something strange happens and the two of them almost kiss..What follows next is a delightfully romantic tale that will leave you wanting more.

Roberts has a way of making you fall in love with all of her characters and the towns they reside in. Her characters have depth, integrity, overcome obstacles and have a strong sense of family. These are all things I cherish about her novels.  Foreshadowing in the novel gives clues as to which Montgomery boy may lose his heart next. I highly recommend The Next Always to anyone who loves romance, small towns and trilogies. The second book in the trilogy entitled The Last Boyfriend will be available in May of 2012.

I gave this book 4 coffee cups out of 5. 

Buy here: B&N or here: Amazon

Author's website: Nora Roberts