First line: Grief came in waves, hard and choppy, buffeting and breaking the heart.
From the inside cover: #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts cordially invites you to meet childhood friends, Parker, Emma, Laurel, and Mac – the founders of Vows, one of Connecticut’s premier wedding planning companies.
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 in one 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…
My thoughts: I was so excited to read this book and yest, at the same time a bit sad because it is the final book in Nora Robert’s Bride Quartet series. This time the story focuses on Parker and Mal’s story. Efficient, multi-tasker extraordinaire, level-headed, and organized beyond belief, Parker never saw herself falling for her mechanic, Mal Kavanaugh. But, as Mal proves to be much more than he appears on the surface, Parker finds that he may just be everything she has ever wanted but never planned for. Watching as Parker and Mal figure out how to be together was at times comical and at others heartbreaking. One of my favorite aspects of this series has been that Nora Roberts gives us glimpses into each aspect of Vows, the wedding planning business the girls run – the photographer, the florist, the baker and the planner/organizer. It was interesting seeing just what goes on behind the scenes at weddings. I truly loved this series and feel as if these women have become friends – I felt like I was experiencing right along with them the sadness, tears, laughter, heart ached and confusion that life has brought them, along with the romance that comes their way.
If you are like me and need to read a series in order, here it is: Vision in White, Bed of Roses, Savor the Moment and then Happy Ever After. I have a feeling The Bride Quartet is going to be a set of books I return to every once in a while for that ‘happy ever after.’ If you are a hopeless romantic, love weddings or just want to be reassured that love does exist, then this series is for you.
(I purchased this book.)
Great Review! Many of her series are keepers!
NIce review, Kristin. I've read the first two in the series and look forward to the last two. I haven't read many books by NR but I really enjoy this series.
@Hott Books – GinaThanks Gina…luckily I bought all the books in this series, so they will be on my shelf for a long time!
@MaryThanks Mary. I've read a ton by Nora Roberts – she has a lot of great series and then some good stand-alones. I hope you enjoy the rest of the series.
Last week I bought the 2, 3 and 4 books in this series, and plan on reading them this winter when the snow is blowing, and I'm curled up in a nice warm and cozy afghan in my Reading Corner. I will wait to read the review until after I read the books.
@Gigi Ann I hope you enjoy them Gigi Ann – they will be perfect to read on a cold day!
I am so glad you like it. I wrote a review a few weeks ago on this, and although I liked it, I just felt Nora Roberts fell a bit short. Maybe because I think that Parker and Mel's characters could have been developed more. I dont know, the series ending was anti climactic. I hate that feeling because I was so looking forward to its release.
@lemonverveinebookclubMy only complaint was that we didn't get to see the weddings of the other couples. Other than that, I loved it! Thanks for stopping by!
The stories are sweet, there is no doubt about that, but I guess personally I like a story/romance where I feel as though I get a more in depth view of the main characters' inner workings. Why are they the way they are? What motivates them? And then, how does that motivation change them, propel them, and mature them? I also like a little more conflict in my romances. I'm not talking about alpha male who takes charge, but little things like Malcom and Parker having a bit more angst about being right for one another. Parker Brown is from "the" Browns of Connecticut and Malcolm Kavanaugh is from a blue collar background. While Parker and Malcolm may feel right for one another, you know that their respective social groups probably are gossiping big time. Very little of that type of potential conflict was brought into play.