The Last Boyfriend by Nora Roberts – a Review

The Last Boyfriend by Nora Roberts picks up where The Next Always left off, is the second book in the Inn Boonsboro trilogy.  In the first book, Clare and Beckett were the first of the couples, and this story belongs to Owen and Avery.

This is a very good book, and an enjoyable read.  It is strictly romance, and different then the first book, as to no suspense at all. But I loved Owen and Avery together. What makes this book good, is the family dynamics.  Since the new Inn is still in progress throughout most of the book, we get to spend a lot of time with all the Montgomerys, as well as Clare and Hope.

Owen is the organizer of the three brothers; he is one who always has a plan, and ensures that everything is kept on schedule.  He has always loved Avery from afar, but more like a member of the family.  

Avery is independent, knowing what she wants, and runs Vesta Pizzeria successfully. She is a hardworker, like Owen, but she is also a whirlwind, as trying to keep up with her is hard.  Avery has also loved Owen way back when she was 5 years old, and he was her first boyfriend. But now they both find themselves surprisingly attracted to one another, and decide to move their friendship to another level, since they are both single adults, and why not enjoy the benefits.

It was such a sweet romance between the two of them.  Right from the start you wanted them together, as did the Ghost of the Inn Boonsboro, and if you know Nora’s romances, you know that will eventually happen. Happy endings are the norm in Nora’s trilogies, but its fun to watch them discover their growing feelings, enjoy their relationship as the story unfolds. 

Even though there is no real suspense in this story, as was in the first book, there was a sideline story.  Avery’s mom, who walked out on her and her father, when she was very young, shows up one night.  When Avery comes face to face with the mother she hardly knew, she is bitter and cold, but inwardly she freaks out.  It takes Owen to make Avery know she is nothing like her mother, and that brings them closer to realizing they love each other.  I thought one of the best moments, was when Justine (mother of the Mongomery brothers) tells Avery, that she has always loved as her as her own daughter.  Nice moment, which totally heals Avery.

I enjoyed seeing them all together;  put the finishing touches to the Inn, the grand opening; the wedding of Beckett & Clare; the new restaurant for Avery as part of the Inn;  loved the friendship of Clare, Avery and Hope. I thought the scene with Owen seeing Avery at the drugstore, and the ensuing conversation was funny.  There was a lot to enjoy, but I also thought there was a bit too much detail on the renovation and rooms in  the Inn, which can get a bit boring at times.  I did love the book, because it continues the story of the Montgomerys and the girls they marry.  A similar concept was used for the Bride Quartet, but that series was better, even if the Inn Boonsboro is still a  good book.

The last book of the series is “The Perfect Hope.  I really like Hope, but as of now, I am not a big fan of the surly Ryder, whom we know is destined for Hope.  The Ghost story will also play out in the last book, as we know Hope has a big part in it.

Reviewed by Barb