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The Last Boyfriend (Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy #2)

3.98 of 5 stars 3.98 · rating details · 13,612 ratings · 1,313 reviews

A new novel of a shared past, a fresh start, and a lifetime of love. #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts introduces you to the Montgomery brothers—Beckett, Ryder, and Owen—as they bring an intimate bed-and-breakfast to life in their hometown.

Owen is the organizer of the Montgomery clan, running the family’s construction business with an iron fist—and an even...more

Audio CD, 9 pages

Published May 1st 2012 by Brilliance Corporation (first published January 1st 2012)

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Jul 12, 2012 Shelly rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance-contemporary, favorites, set-in-usa-maryland, romance-paranormal

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...more 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!(less)

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Apr 30, 2012 Jess rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, for_review, family_sibling_series

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...more 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.(less)

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May 13, 2012 Heidi Rice rated it 5 of 5 stars

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 bo...more 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.(less)

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Apr 29, 2012 Annie (Under the Covers Book Blog) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, genre-contemporary-romance, ebooks, read-in-2012, review-requests

Posted on Under the Covers

Owen Montgomery likes to keep things in order. He has his plans laid out months in advance and he never, ever deters from them. However, Owen has never paid much attention to the pizza place owner, Avery McTavish until now.

The fun-loving and spirited Avery runs the vastly popular pizza place right across the inn. Though they don’t work far from each other and see one another often, their relationship starts off slow.

Whenever Owen needs a quiet place to make some impor...more
Posted on Under the Covers

Owen Montgomery likes to keep things in order. He has his plans laid out months in advance and he never, ever deters from them. However, Owen has never paid much attention to the pizza place owner, Avery McTavish until now.

The fun-loving and spirited Avery runs the vastly popular pizza place right across the inn. Though they don’t work far from each other and see one another often, their relationship starts off slow.

Whenever Owen needs a quiet place to make some important calls, he walks over to Avery’s and uses her space for awhile. Soon, Owen finds himself there more often and he can only guess why.The fiery woman with the red hot hair has finally caught his attention and now, he has no intentions of letting go.

Like I said earlier, Roberts develops Avery and Owen’s relationship slowly. Owen is a thorough guy and doesn’t jump into things impulsively. It’s why he is so successful at what he does. And the inn his brothers, Ry and Beckett and his mother have been working on is now showing signs of finishing. By the New Year, the inn with be taking in people and showing them just how great the small town of Boonsboro can really be.

We see some updates from Clare and Beckett, the couple from the first book and learn about develops in their relationship, while Roberts builds up some interesting moments between Hope and Ry, the grumpy brother who likes to snarl and snap at everyone who isn’t his mother. I’m really looking forward to reading his book next. It’s going to be great!

Hope, the new innkeeper has moved into the inn and is now settling herself into her new environment. Unfortunately, the ghost, Lizzy as Beckett likes to call her is still waiting for someone called Billy. Lizzy the ghost has been doing some matchmaking throughout this book and while I didn’t really care for this supernatural element in the first book, I found that I really enjoyed it in this book.

There were so many fun moments in this book that had me smiling as I read. Roberts has always possessed the ability to warm readers hearts with her words and characters and THE LAST BOYFRIEND delivers just as much as her other books. I’m looking forward to see what he has planned for Ry.

*ARC provided by publisher(less)

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May 15, 2012 Jess rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, nora-roberts

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...more 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.(less)

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Jul 07, 2012 JPerceval rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: la-nora, contemporary-romance

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 b...more

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Feb 07, 2013 Al rated it 3 of 5 stars

A new novel of a shared past, a fresh start, and a lifetime of love.#1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts introduces you to the Montgomery brothers—Beckett, Ryder, and Owen—as they bring an intimate bed-and-breakfast to life in their hometown.

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 ri

...more

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May 04, 2013 Rebecca rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: family-story, romance

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The Mongtomery family--mother and three grown sons--run a construction company in Boonsboro, MD. Avery McTavish, who runs the pizza place across the street from the inn the Montgomerys are building, has known the Montgomerys all her life. She's rather envied their close and loving family, as her mother walked out when she was twelve and she's never really recovered. Then she and Owen, the oldest Montgomery, start a relationship as they finish the inn and prepare for the middle Montgomery brother...more The Mongtomery family--mother and three grown sons--run a construction company in Boonsboro, MD. Avery McTavish, who runs the pizza place across the street from the inn the Montgomerys are building, has known the Montgomerys all her life. She's rather envied their close and loving family, as her mother walked out when she was twelve and she's never really recovered. Then she and Owen, the oldest Montgomery, start a relationship as they finish the inn and prepare for the middle Montgomery brother's wedding. Will the relationship work? And what's up with that ghost in the inn?

As this is part of a series, I came in feeling as if I'd missed a whole bunch--it seemed to start in the middle, and I was supposed to know who all these characters were, and it took a long time to get them sorted out. I should have liked this book, because it meandered and not a lot happened; they were finishing the inn, having happy family times together, Owen and Avery got together and stayed together with a minimum of effort, and they were vaguely trying to figure out what the inn's ghost wanted (seriously? a ghost?). But it just felt as if the book had no center--I had no idea what the plot really was or where it was going. It felt as if the real story had already happened in another book, and now it was just everyday life that wasn't all that exciting. And then the audiobook narrator gave Avery a voice like a tough-talking Little Rascal, which made it feel rather odd when she talked about the joys of a push-up bra.

I also didn't appreciate the fact that Owen is yet another 'hero' who feels entitled to use his brawn to force a woman into revealing her secrets, rather than just talking to her and waiting for her to be ready to tell him. What is up with that? Do women really like being dragged bodily out of their place of work, hauled up the stairs over a man's shoulder, then pinned to a bed until they cough up their personal secrets? Is that sexy? Am I missing something? Argh. I wish our library had a better selection of audiobooks...(less)

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Mar 28, 2013 Nancy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Good book. Guess I must need a break, her series are getting predictable, although it is a nice read. Love the setting; love what the characters do as an occupation, but plot is kind of predicyable.

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 Av...more

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Jan 11, 2013 Jill rated it 2 of 5 stars

I didn't like this book, perhaps its because I didn't enjoy Avery, the main character. I liked her in the first book, but this time I found her pretty shallow and elementary. Who plans out the exact date they are going to sleep with someone for the first time? I think most people wait until they are comfortable, ready and secure and not based on a number on a calendar. Also, I felt like she was so gossipy with her girlfriends. I get it, close girls share, but the way she shared it didn't seem li...more

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Jan 12, 2013 Hope rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013, nora-roberts

It is always wonderful when the 2nd book in a series is just as good as the first! The continuation of goodness just makes me sigh a happy sigh! :-) I loved the first book in this Inn Boonsboro trilogy and the 2nd was just as good! I can't wait to read the 3rd! :-)

The first was the story of sweet Claire, the wonderful girl from next door. This one is about the fiery Avery! I admire her so much! Her high energy makes me tired but also make me smile! ;-)

I'm so excited to find out more about Lizzy...more It is always wonderful when the 2nd book in a series is just as good as the first! The continuation of goodness just makes me sigh a happy sigh! :-) I loved the first book in this Inn Boonsboro trilogy and the 2nd was just as good! I can't wait to read the 3rd! :-)

The first was the story of sweet Claire, the wonderful girl from next door. This one is about the fiery Avery! I admire her so much! Her high energy makes me tired but also make me smile! ;-)

I'm so excited to find out more about Lizzy and her life! I really need to go and request the next book from the library! LOL! Right NOW! ;-)

This is a series I'll be buying to keep in my library and revisit ever year or two. Happy times between these pages! :-)

XXOO
~Hope

From Goodreads.com:
A new novel of a shared past, a fresh start, and a lifetime of love. #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts introduces you to the Montgomery brothers—Beckett, Ryder, and Owen—as they bring an intimate bed-and-breakfast to life in their hometown.

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…(less)

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Dec 29, 2012 Marjorie rated it 2 of 5 stars

I don't know. I felt the fluff, just not so much the tension. Granted, there's Avery's mom issues getting into their relationship, but there's something missing in her romance with Owen. Owen's my least favorite Montgomery brother because aside from being a god in organization, there little that's interesting about him. Beckett is funny, Ryder is grumpy, and Owen's sorta flat for me. As for Avery, I'm cop to her being a complex character with her issues and all, but I didn't feel like I was fall...more

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Dec 18, 2012 Mukadis rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: pretty-book-cover

The Last Boyfriend is the second book in the BoonsBoro trilogy. I finished the book in less then 2 days and it wasn't because I couldn't put it down, No, it was because I really wanted to get finished with the one so I could read the The perfect Hope. Don't get me wrong it is a very cute love story, and I love Owen and Avery, but I didn't feel the pull towards them that I did for Clare and Beckett. They were just sort of there for me, I still wanted things to work out between them cuz they balan...more

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Dec 16, 2012 Susana Guerra rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the second part of the story. Now Roberts concentrates on Avery and Owen. They have known each other all their lives . They were each others first boyfriend and girlfriend. Owen even gave her an engagement ring when they were 6.

Avery is the daughter of Billy who's wife left when Avery was only 12 years old and ran off with some other guy. Avery has always felt that gap because of her mother. She grows up not ever really having a serious relationship. She owns a pizza place where she spe...more

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Nov 28, 2012 Kelly Moran rated it 4 of 5 stars

*This review is for the 3 books in the Inn Boonsboro Trilogy.*

THE NEXT ALWAYS
After losing her husband, Claire Brewster returned to her hometown with her three young boys in tow. Five years later, she owns the bookstore she loves and is finally feeling settled. Until Beckett Montgomery starts to make her rethink love and forever beginnings.
This trilogy involves the three Montgomery brothers, their road to true love, and the restoration of a historic hotel in small town Boonsboro--which has a ghos...more *This review is for the 3 books in the Inn Boonsboro Trilogy.*

THE NEXT ALWAYS
After losing her husband, Claire Brewster returned to her hometown with her three young boys in tow. Five years later, she owns the bookstore she loves and is finally feeling settled. Until Beckett Montgomery starts to make her rethink love and forever beginnings.
This trilogy involves the three Montgomery brothers, their road to true love, and the restoration of a historic hotel in small town Boonsboro--which has a ghost on a mission. I always felt Roberts was best when writing her trilogies, and this was no exception. The secondary characters shine, and set up the other books well. This book had a lot of heart and a low heat level. Between Beckett's workload, Claire's business, and her three sons, these two had to fight for time together. I felt this story was as realistic as it was engaging. Another great read from Roberts.

THE LAST BOYFRIEND
Owen Montgomery is the organized member of his family. He likes things in perfect order. But when heat arises between him and pizzeria owner Avery MacTavish, he finds his world completely upended. And loving it.
I loved watching the Inn come together slowly and the restoration of the historic building start to shine again. I also loved the development of the ghost angle and watching Owen lose his cool. Avery especially was a great mix of eccentric and earthbound, making her an interesting heroine. Her backstory was a great find. Low heat level, but a great love story. Not to be missed.

THE PERFECT HOPE
Ryder Montgomery has always been the hardest of the three brothers to figure out. His broodish nature keeps most at a distance, but Hope Beaumont is learning he's all soft under the hard shell. And she's also figuring out the move to Boonsboro has finally landed her right where she's supposed to be.
I couldn't wait for these two to hook up. The constant bickering made for great chemistry. I also loved seeing the Inn finished, and having conclusion for their ghostly friend. Most enjoyable was this didn't go over the top with sap. I can easily picture the three brothers and their women now, even after the story is done, still carrying on in the town, one project for their mother after another. Roberts created a world where the Inn was a secondary character, you wanted to join this crazy family, and wishing Boonsboro was real. Highly recommended.
(less)

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Nov 10, 2012 Megan Schiffour rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have never met a book by Nora Roberts [or J.D. Robb] that I have not liked and this is absolutely no exception.

I laughed out loud, I cried, I begged the clock for just one more minute and I raced my way to the end. I fell in love with the Inn when I saw it in real life and this series has just expanded that! The whole story worked for me, Owen and Avery, Clare and Beckett, Lizzy and her mysterious beau, and I was thoroughly surprised with the way some of the relationships developed.

Book Two i...more

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Oct 23, 2012 Jess rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: rrrc-challenge

Typical Nora Roberts trilogy. The first book always begins with a couple easily falling in love, the second has the couple that enjoys an easy friendship that turns into more, and the third is always the most interesting with a couple that hates each other but has wicked chemistry. Inn Boonsboro is no different and The Last Boyfriend is a very boring 2nd in a trilogy. Although the books always follow the same pattern, Nora Roberts is a phenomenal writer and her characters are usually interesting...more

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Aug 05, 2012 pylades rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, ebook

It was with some reluctance that I purchased 'The Last Boyfriend'. After all, $9.99 isn't inexpensive for an eBook release (why are they so expensive??) and I didn't enjoy the first book in the Inn BoonsBoro series.

'The Last Boyfriend' was better than 'The Next Always', which had the heavy-handed visitor's center advertisement feel to it.

One complaint that I have always had with some of NR's writing is that she really tries to force cursing/crassness into dialogue and it just sounds awkward/not...more

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Jul 28, 2012 Nicole rated it 4 of 5 stars

(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 co...more (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.(less)

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Jul 22, 2012 Natasza Waters rated it 3 of 5 stars

I seem to have no resistance to a book series, especially if the supporting characters are interesting. The close connection of the families in this story continue to fan the sparks of interest. Set in a small town in the blue ridge mountains, the story follows the life of a few families as they plod through their everyday lives, setting their goal of restoring an old Inn to its former beauty.

Now that I've read two of Nora's books, I'd call them gentle, slow love stories. There is no real pinna...more

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Jul 17, 2012 Kennedy rated it 3 of 5 stars

To the Point: Nice, easy, pleasurable read.

In More Detail: (spoilers) Because there will be three books in the Inn Boonsboro series it will be no surprise when Hope and Ryder are the next couple paired off, right? And even as I type that I will be very disappointed if it isn’t what happens. I think Ryder is the character I am most interested in learning more about. I also predict that Clare will have a girl. The book was predictable but I still enjoyed reading it. I pretty much ignored the ghos...more

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Jul 03, 2012 Mina rated it 2 of 5 stars

Oh heavens. I really was so underwhelmed by the first book in this series that I'm embarrassed to have read the second. But it was one of those days, trying to pick up ANYthing that looked interesting ... at Walmart (their selection is severely limited, and generally anything good they have I've read) ... and this was the best I could come up with.

Well, it wasn't as bad as the first. But it wasn't fabulous. Or even just really good. It was Okay. The couple featured in this one is much more inter...more

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Jun 22, 2012 Julie Barrett rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Last Boyfriend by Nora Roberts
Owen Montgomery owned the inn along with his brothers and their spouses, among other buildings in town. The brothers know carpentry and architecture. They had plans to open by Jan 15th and it was closing in on Dec.
Avery MacTavish owned and ran the pizza place across the street from the Inn. She often would let Owen sit and do his calculations and other quiet business things before he had to head back to physically work at the Inn.
They meet to help others fix up...more

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Jun 14, 2012 Regina Spiker rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, inn-boonsboro, inns, ghosts

Book 2 in the Inn Boonsboro series picks up on the friendly relationship between detail-oriented, list making Owen, one of the three Montgomery brothers and impulsive, pizza shop owner Avery - who loves to dye her hair a different color every several weeks. Although it seems like the two are opposites, both are quite driven, full of energy, and they even share a past - their dads were best friends and Owen was Avery's first boyfriend - at age five. Now grown up and with a little help from the in...more

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Jun 07, 2012 Donna rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance

This book was one great lovefest, which brings to mind a little song I know:

"I love you, you love me
we're a happy family
with a great big hug and a kiss from me to you
won't you say you love me too

I love you, you love me
we're best friends like friends should be
with a great big hug and a kiss from me to you
won't you say you love me too."

Sorry, I just had to defer to Barney, the Purple Dinosaur on that one.

Okay, so I liked all the characters, just like I did in the first book in the trilogy becau...more

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Jun 05, 2012 Evelyn Bryant rated it 3 of 5 stars

I was disappointed in this 2nd of yet another trilogy from Nora Roberts since there were no car,or airplane chases and explosions, no Seals, no mercs, no hot electric sex to stand your hair on end, no tension between the mains and only a dribble of it among the secondaries. I expected all this since from my view point this series is just the flip side of the bride quartet written by Nora Roberts previously. I was disappointed since I like romantic/mystery/suspense and this definitely was not tha...more

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Jun 01, 2012 Tam B. rated it 3 of 5 stars

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...more

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May 30, 2012 Sandy M rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, paranormal

I’ve anxiously waited for this second book in Nora Roberts’ latest trilogy. I fell in love with the Montgomery brothers in The Next Always, and I now wish there’s more than just three of them to read about. As the finishing details are quickly put on Inn Boonsboro, Owen finds himself falling for a friend he’s known forever.

Where we got the construction phase of the inn in the first book, this time we’re invited inside to watch all the detail work done for the grand opening. The brothers’ mother...more I’ve anxiously waited for this second book in Nora Roberts’ latest trilogy. I fell in love with the Montgomery brothers in The Next Always, and I now wish there’s more than just three of them to read about. As the finishing details are quickly put on Inn Boonsboro, Owen finds himself falling for a friend he’s known forever.

Where we got the construction phase of the inn in the first book, this time we’re invited inside to watch all the detail work done for the grand opening. The brothers’ mother and aunt, along with Hope, the new manager, decorate with elegance and verve. As in TNA, I enjoyed the step-by-step descriptions of these final touches. It’s fun to go along with the women as they choose lamps and bedding and linens and bookshelves and then tease with the boys on where to hammer in nails and brackets. The fun continues as Avery and then other friends spend the night in each of the historic-named suites to make sure all is well before reservation guests arrive. These scenes never get tedious with Ms. Roberts’ wonderful way of pulling you into the enthusiasm and chaos with the characters.

Owen is the organized one, a place for everything and everything in its place, lists for any and all projects and budgets – you name it and Owen is on top of it. Avery is the spontaneous one but also a hard worker. She owns Vesta Pizza, just across the way from the inn, where everyone hangs out, Owen taking a little more time there in quiet times to get extra work done. They’ve known each other since childhood. Owen was Avery’s first boyfriend. Though their earlier feelings never totally vanished through the years, suddenly they’re looking at each other in that light again, only from a more mature viewpoint.

Avery wants to take it slow, work their way into a relationship again. Owen is all for diving right in, facing it head on and see what happens. Whatever they do, however they do it, it’s wonderful to watch them from the inside track come together. The one thing on their minds is what if getting together now ruins the friendship they cherish? But each time they’re together, those scenes are fun, teasing, serious, loving, just everything you’d want in a relationship. Even doubt and shutting down when life seems to throw more at you than you can handle. That happens to Avery late in the story.

The resident ghost is still a big part of the book. We learn more about her and why she’s still at the inn. She has a sense of humor amid all that heartbreak, and it’s nice to see that as we get to know her. We also get to catch up with characters from the previous book. Beckett and Clare’s wedding is in the works, so more frenetic energy on top of the inn happenings. Turn the Page bookstore is still going strong. I had a great time when Owen discovers his mother and Avery’s father are having a “thing.” That scene in her kitchen when Owen stops by for breakfast is hilarious. And the scenes with Hope and Ryder still give us the antagonism that started early on between them. It’s going to be interesting to see how Ms. Roberts brings romance into their lives.

But in between all of this the romance with Owen and Avery is front and center. Nora Roberts is the best at that. They’re upfront and open with one another once they decide to pursue the relationship. They have fun, having the inn opening in common. It’s a big thing in town and Avery wants to be part of it. Owen is there for her when her life takes an unexpected turn and she realizes she needs to include him if they’re to have a future together. Their loving is sweet and intense. And family is most important for both of them. I love Avery’s relationship with her father.

And I love everything about these books. From the storylines to the covers, even the pages of the books are slightly frayed and uneven, giving it an old-fashioned look and fit this series perfectly. Of course, I’m one of those readers who thinks Nora really can’t really do any wrong. So all of these extras just makes her stories that much more wonderful.

See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com (less)

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May 29, 2012 Susan rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-books-read, romance

Excellent book. I loved seeing Owen and Avery get together. They've known each other all their lives as friends, but suddenly they are seeing each other in a whole new way. Owen is a planner, always has his eye on the goal and the steps needed to get there. This thing with Avery is way out of his comfort zone, but it feels right. Avery has always had a thing for Owen, but never expected to feel this way. Avery has spent a lot of time with Owen and the others getting the Inn ready to open. I love...more

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May 26, 2012 Stacey rated it 4 of 5 stars

I don't know how Nora does it, but she has the uncanny ability to create the most delicious sounding men! Seriously! It's rediclous. I think I've fallen in love with all the Montgomery boys, ok, let's just say their entire family!(I'm still holding out hope that Ryder will magically pick me instead of the predictable lead in the following book).
'The Last Boyfriend', although somewhat predictable, it was pleasantly so and had a few surprises in there too. I would go as far as to say it's a 'feel...more

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About Nora Roberts

aka
J.D. Robb
Sarah Hardesty

Eleanor Marie Robertson was born on October 10, 1950 in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. She was the youngest of the five children, also the only girl, of a marriage with Irish ancestors. Her family were avid readers, so books were always important in her life. She attended a Catholic school and credits the nuns with instilling in her a sense of discipline. During her sopho...more aka
J.D. Robb
Sarah Hardesty

Eleanor Marie Robertson was born on October 10, 1950 in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. She was the youngest of the five children, also the only girl, of a marriage with Irish ancestors. Her family were avid readers, so books were always important in her life. She attended a Catholic school and credits the nuns with instilling in her a sense of discipline. During her sophomore year in high school, she transferred to a local public school, where she met Ronald Aufdem-Brinke, her future first husband.

In Augusy 17, 1968, as soon as she had graduated from High School, Eleanor married, against her parents' wishes. The marriage settled in Keedysville, Maryland. Her husband worked at his father's sheet-metal business before joining her parents in their lighting company. While, she worked briefly as a legal secretary. "I could type fast but couldn't spell, I was the worst legal secretary ever," she says now. After their sons, Dan and Jason, were born she stayed home. Calling this her "Earth Mother" years, she spent much of her time doing crafts, including ceramics and sewing her children's clothes. The marriage ended separating, and they obtained the divorce in January 1985.

In February 1979, a blizzard in forced her hand to try another creative outlet. She was snowed in with a three and six year old with no kindergarten respite in sight and a dwindling supply of chocolate. During the now famous blizzard, she pulled out a pencil and notebook and began to write down one of those stories. It was there that a career was born. Several manuscripts and rejections later, her first book, Irish Thoroughbred, was published by Silhouette in 1981 as Nora Roberts, a shortened form of her birth name Eleanor Marie Robertson, because she assumed that all authors had pen names.

Eleanor wrote under the pseudonym Jill March a story for a magazine titled "Melodies of Love".

Eleanor met her second husband, Bruce Wilder, when she hired him to build bookshelves. They were married in July 1985. Her husband owns and operates a bookstore in Boonsboro, Maryland called "Turn the Page Books". Since that time, they've expanded their home, traveled the world.

In 1992, she decided adopted other pseudonym so to publish a futuristic-suspense novels, she first decided to use the pseudonym D.J. MacGregor, but she discovered that this pseudonym was used by another author. In 1995, her first "In Death" serial novel was published under the pseudonym J.D. Robb, the initials "J.D." were taken from her sons, Jason and Dan, while "Robb" is a shortened form of Roberts.

Eleanor has also been known as Sara Hardesty, because when the "Born In" series was released in U.K. it carried that name instead of Nora Roberts. She has since changed publishers.

Eleanor has been plagiarized by another best-selling romance writer, Janet Dailey. The practice came to light after a reader read Nora Roberts' "Sweet Revenge" and Janet Dailey's "Notorious" back-to-back; she noticed several similarities and posted the comparable passages on the Internet. Calling the plagiarism "mind rape," Eleanor sued Janet Daily. In 1997, Janet, admitted to repeatedly plagiarizing from Nora Roberts' work, and that both "Aspen Gold" and "Notorious" lifted heavily from Nora Roberts's work. Both of those novels were pulled from print after Janet's admission. She acknowledged the plagiarism and blamed it on a psychological disorder. In a settlement, Janet paid Eleanor an undisclosed sum, which Eleanor donated to the Literacy Volunteers of America.

A founding member of the Romance Writers of America (R.W.A.), she was the first inductee in the organization's Hall of Fame. She also is a member of several writers groups and has won countless awards from her colleagues and the (less)

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Quotes from The Last Boyfriend

“Okay, you're right about that. But this whole ghost thing's irritating."

"Park benches are irritating to you in some moods."

"Depends on whether or not I want to sit down.” — 6 people liked it

“Hold on.” Beckett shot out a hand, shoved Ryder back. “Are you saying Mom and Willy B are . . .”
“That’s what I’m saying. And they have been for a couple years now.”
“Fuck,” Ryder muttered.
“Don’t say fuck when he’s telling us about Mom and Willy B. I don’t want that verb and those names together in my head.” — 6 people liked it

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The Last Boyfriend (Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy #2)

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