Ok so right after I stayed up all night to read Vision in White, I was obsessed with the idea of reading another great romance, and DUH, it HAD to be Bed of Roses 
. The library did not yet have a copy in, so the next time the Pirate and I hit a store that discounts new releases, I picked up a copy. (As I've mentioned, this is only the second book I've paid money for all year!) I pretty much flew through this one as well, so I consider it worth the money spent. Plus, look at that cover, how pretty is that?
. The library did not yet have a copy in, so the next time the Pirate and I hit a store that discounts new releases, I picked up a copy. (As I've mentioned, this is only the second book I've paid money for all year!) I pretty much flew through this one as well, so I consider it worth the money spent. Plus, look at that cover, how pretty is that?
So what is it about? Bed of Roses is the second in the Wedding Quartet. This one focuses on Emma Grant, the florist of the partnership. (Get it? Roses? Vision in White was the photographer?) Emma is from a close family and is the romantic in the bunch. She's never had a problem getting a date but she fully believes in the happily ever after. So who will she fall for? The man who is afraid of commitment, of course. (Ok, the books are a little formulaic.) Jack is best friends with Parker's (the leader of the quartet) brother Delaney. He's been close with the girls for years and treats them all as family. On the way home from a party one evening Emma's car dies and Jack comes to the rescue. After a near kiss under the hood, Jack and Emma are unable to stay away from each other. They are both worried about how a relationship between them will affect the close knit group, but can't stop themselves from finding out.
And how did I feel about it? I didn't love it like I loved Vision in White. I was sucked right into it and had no problems falling for the relationship right up until the very end. Emma has a great family story and was appealing and honest. The friendship with the four girls was terrific and consistent with the previous book. Jack was ok. I didn't get the same sense of person from him that I did from Carter and aside from his sexiness I don't remember much. (Granted, I read it a couple of weeks ago.) The relationship between them was great, even with the navigating the waters of their very long friendship. I loved seeing Del find out about it and his protectiveness towards Emma, who he considered a sister. I flew to the end and then...it was over. There is a big blow up, of course, but it's completely out of the blue (I didn't see what happened in Emma's character at all!) and then resolved in a matter of pages. While I enjoyed it, and I really am looking forward to the remaining books, I was a bit disappointed in how it all ended.
For this series, I'd rank them in the following order:
Vision in White (The Bride Quartet, Book 1) (my review)
Happy Ever After (Bride Quartet)
(Book 4) (my review)
Bed of Roses (The Bride Quartet, Book 2)
(my review)
Savor the Moment (The Bride Quartet, Book 3)
(my review)
For this series, I'd rank them in the following order:
Vision in White (The Bride Quartet, Book 1) (my review)
Happy Ever After (Bride Quartet)
(Book 4) (my review)Bed of Roses (The Bride Quartet, Book 2)
(my review)Savor the Moment (The Bride Quartet, Book 3)
(my review)
I seem to be in the minority here, so go check these other reviews:
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Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts
Berkeley Trade
2009
368 pages
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I haven't read a Nora Roberts novel in ages! I used to love the Macgregor series, and this one sounds like a lot of fun, too. And congrats on only buying two books this year. That's impressive!
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting series - you've got me wondering what the other books focus on.
ReplyDeleteI seem to skip over the Nora Roberts books at our library. Every once in a while I will pick one up, but it's been a while. I may have to try this series.
ReplyDeleteI have been dying to read this series... I think I love Nora Robert's books so much because they are centered around story plots that could pertain to anyone. I am reading one now titled, "Love Tag"
ReplyDeleteby Peter Shianna. The unique thing about this book is that it can relate to both men and women. Love books that I can imagine myself in.
http://www.petershianna.com/books.html
These books are simple and rely on the strong characters and their emotions. This book lacked a bit of the tension that was there in the first as there were no giant hurdles in Emma's romance developing. In a way, that's what is refreshing about these books- the plot is not contrived, just straightforward, simple and romantic. I like that the writing is good, solid, without getting in the way of the story- the voice is fluid which makes for an easy and enjoyable read.
ReplyDeleteThese books are great if you want to unwind after a busy day or de-stress in your bubble bath. I downloaded to my Kindle before I went to bed last night, read a few chapters and then finished the book while my kids were at school today. If you enjoyed the first book, you will really enjoy this book- and if you haven't had a chance to read the first, this one will stand just fine on its own.