This was another heart-warming romance from a master of the genre. Owen Montgomery and Avery McTavish have been friends since they were children. In fact, he was her first boyfriend since she told him they were going to get married when they grew up when she was only six. But over the years, while they had a solid friendship, there were no romantic sparks. While Avery is a wonderful friend, she has some issues about her ability to sustain a lasting relationship. After all, her mother abandoned her and her father to run off with another man when Avery was only thirteen. Avery is afraid that she might be like her faithless and selfish mother. Owen is the product of a strong and loving marriage who has always had the security of knowing that he was loved by both of his parents. Their personalities are rather different too. Avery can be impulsive and is a bit of a free spirit as evidenced by her ever changing hair color. Owen is an organized and sometimes anal list maker. He is the one who keeps everyone on schedule and handles the details for the family business he runs with his mother and two brothers. When they suddenly start to see each other romantically both have to readjust their thinking. Neither one of them wants to mess up their friendship. It was great to see them fall in love and watch them work out their relationship.Relationships are why I read Nora Roberts. She is such a wonderful writer of strong, loving families and caring, supportive friends. I would love to be a part of the great family circles she creates where all of the people love each other. The brothers tease and pick at each other but there is no question that they will do anything for each other. Their strong relationship with their mother is also amazing. And the friendship between Avery, Hope and Clare is a model for a perfect friendship. I recommend this story for anyone who wants a feel-good romance. This is book two in a trilogy. You should look for THE NEXT ALWAYS to catch up and be watching for THE PERFECT HOPE to finish up the trilogy next November.
