Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the most beautiful books I've read in a long time, 29 Oct 2009
If you are looking for a classic romance with only a little bit of drama and lots of love, friendship and fun, then "Bed of Roses" will be a perfect choice.
Emmaline Grant's job is all about creating the perfect wedding day. As a florist and partner of "Vows" she is living her dream. She believes in love and hopes to someday have the kind of relationship her parents share. But she still hasn't found the one man with whom she wants to dance in the moonlight.
When suddenly the relationship to commitment shy architect Jack Cooke changes and they realize that there is more between them then just being good friends, Emma is excited but also a little bit afraid. She doesn't want to loose Jack as a friend but can't say no to the new path their relationship is going. Because she soon realizes that Jack has some flaws (he's a man so that's to be excepted) but that he also might be just perfect for her.
Wonderful characters, a beautiful story that concentrates on love and friendship and Nora Robert's love for details makes this the perfect book to forget everyday life.
Emma is a great heroine even though in real life it's hard not to hate a woman like her. She's beautiful, outgoing, intelligent, loves her life and job, has the best friends you can imagine and her parents are the perfect couple. But because she is also very kind and funny you just have to love her (I guess some envy is ok). Through the detailed description of her work (it's like the bouquets and arrangements are right in front of you) the reader can share the enthusiasm and love for her work and get's a close connection to Emma.
Jack is a man of action who's sexy and very manly. He enjoys his life as much as possible and works as hard as he plays. Commitment is not something he likes to think about because of the doubts his parents divorce left him with. So it's clear that in a relationship with Emma, who believes in love and marriage, there has to be some trouble (but thank god not too much).
His relationship with Emma is kind of sweet because even though they have been friends for years, as lovers there's a lot to learn and discover.
What I also enjoyed is how Jack and Del have to work through some issues because of Emma. Del is very protective of his girls and extremely sceptical about their guys and Jack is no exception. The scenes between Del and Jack add a lot to the book and make me also very excited to read more of Del.
The drama and confusion at the turning point of Emma's and Jack's relationship is just right and I love how the four friends (plus Carter) stick together to support Emma.
Carter has some awesome scenes (all I can say is playing poker with the guys) and the relationship between Mac and him is another highlight of the book.
So all in all I absolutly love "Bed of Roses" and can't wait for the next two books in the series.
Spoiler!!!
Especially because now it's clear that Laurel and Del and Parker and Mal will be starring in the next two books. Laurel has been my favourite so far and after reading the excerpt for "Savour the Moment" (coming April 2010) I can't wait to learn more about her and Del. Parker's and Mal's first meeting is so hilarious and makes me excited for book four "Happy ever after" (coming December 2010).
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
 
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Romance at its modern day best., 24 Nov 2009
Four childhood friends grew up together and spent almost all their spare time together, sharing their hopes and dreams. Once grown, these four women combined their individual talents to create a wedding planning company, Vows. Mackensie "Mac" Elliot works magic with her photography. Laurel McBane creates the cakes, pastries, and all things so deliciously sweet that little cherubs probably weep from bliss. Emmaline "Emma" Grant handles all greenery and flowers with such aplomb that clients often wonder if she is related to Mother Nature herself. And Parker Brown handles all the other details, being pleasant and/or sympathetic when needs be or dealing with problems like a general during wartime.
On their side, pitching in as needed, the four ladies have Parker's housekeeper, Mrs. G, who has been like a mother to the female quartet. Delaney "Del" Brown, Parker's brother, is a high priced attorney and handles the legal side of Vows with a golden touch. And Jack Cooke is the architect who has been Del's best friend forever and is ALMOST as much an honorary Brown family member as Parker's girlfriends.
According to everyone else, Emma's beauty outshines all others. Yet Emma has never considered herself to be any more special than the next woman. Emma's talent with flora is unmatched. She has the ability to accurately envision exactly what the bride wants and then adds her own personal touch to ensure that all who attend the wedding would later swear the ceremony had been held in Eden.
Though men swarm around her, Emma has never found the man that could sweep her off her feet. However, Jack has had his eyes on Emma for quite a while. He has only kept his distance because Del considers Emma to be his honorary sister. Then comes the moment when Jack acts on instinct and gives in to his urge to kiss Emma. And thus Emma's world tilts and her story begins...
**** FOUR STARS! Nora Roberts writes stories with such seemingly ease that many envy her. It is no wonder readers flock to the book stores for her titles. This story is a good example as to why. Each character is well developed and have their own little personality quirks, making them unique and endearing. As I watched the ladies interact with each other, I saw parallels to many past times I have been with my own close girlfriends. This is Romance at its modern day best. ****
Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing and repetitious, 4 Jan 2010
I used to love Nora Roberts, I've read and reread all of her back catalogue so many times, and some of her books are very dear to me. However, Nora Roberts' latest novels have all been the same, I was greatly disappointed with her Pagan Stone trilogy which was near identical to other of her similar genre trilogies. Therefore, when I sat down to read this I kept thinking that I had read this story before and only the characters' names had been changed. Not only that, I found that the romance between the two characters flat and at some points obnoxious in their own sexual confidence and their self confidence. Confidence in itself isn't bad, but does it need to be stated by the characters how good they are in and out of bed, time and time again? Surely there is more power in what isn't said?
Also, the ending was so rushed, so neat and so abrupt reading it felt like running into a brick wall. Anyway, I don't write reviews but I felt compelled to write this as I was so disappointed in not only this book, but the book before in this quartet. I am sure if you are new to Nora Roberts you will love this book as it is an introduction to an author with great talent. But there other books by Nora Roberts that are so much better that after reading Bed of Roses the reader feels disappointed along with a bizarre sense of deja vu.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
