April Book Club - The Next Always

It's book club time! I love that people are reading and talking about the same book as me.  :-)  This month we read:

Meet the Montgomery brothers – Beckett, Ryder, and Owen – as they bring an intimate bed-and-breakfast to life in their hometown.

The historic hotel in Boonsboro, Maryland, 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 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…

I have to say that I love Nora Roberts.  She is such a great writer, and continues to come up with stories that are engaging and believable (well, mostly!).

1. Did you like the book? Why/why not?
I really enjoyed the book.  In classic Nora Roberts style, she set up characters for the whole trilogy in the beginning of this book.  It took a few minutes to get everyone straight - there are just so many people in this book! The only thing I didn't REALLY like about the book was that I couldn't tell who's point of view the story was coming from at times.  Most books have a few narrators but this one had many.

2. Do the characters seem real and believable? Can you relate to them/ do they remind you of people you know?
I can certainly relate to the loving, teasing relationship that you see with the two sets of brothers - Beckett, Owen & Ryder and Liam, Harry & Murphy, as well as the concept of going home to recoup/start over after losing your husband to the war.  The only character that I struggled to find believable was Sam.  His infatuation with Clare went from a little uncomfortable to scary VERY quickly. I will say that while others might not appreciate the small part the ghost played in the story - I did!

3. Is the ending satisfying? If so, why? If not, why not...and how would you change it?
I enjoyed the story from start to finish.  You have to know that with Nora Roberts that you're going to get a happy ending.  I do wish that the book had set up the next one in the series a little - well, maybe just to indicate which woman (Avery or Hope) Owen and Ryder are going to be matched with. 

4. If you could ask the author a question, what would you ask?
I would ask her where she finds the inspiration for her books!

5. How do characters change or evolve throughout the course of the story? If so, how/why?
I do like that you see the evolution of Beckett's love for Clare.  From the beginning, you know that he's been in love with her since she was 15.  The book really showed the change from loving who she used to be to who she is now. 

Link up and tell me what you thought!