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95 of 97 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Does it get any more romantic?, October 27, 2009
This review is from: Bed of Roses (The Bride Quartet, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)
This is Nora Roberts second book in the Bride Quartet. Roberts sets this series on an inherited estate which is now the home of Vows and the four women who run the full-service wedding business.
In the first book, Vision in White, we meet the pragmatic photographer, Mac, who must overcome her own practicalities to allow herself to fall in love. Now we meet Emma, the florist, who is a romantic to the core. She wants the whole nine yards- and indeed, she'd be the one to have a train just that long. She longs to be swept off her feet by true love.
The relationship between the four friends is the cornerstone of the book and the wedding business really comes alive with anecdotes of the matrimonial couples seeking the services of Vows.
I felt the romance in this book was much sweeter and maybe more 'romantic'- in part because Mac, from the first book, was the more practical sort and had to overcome herself to fall in love. In this book, Emma is a bit of a social butterfly, dating around. In the meantime, an old friend works his way into her affections.
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.
These 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.
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24 of 24 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, October 29, 2009
This review is from: Bed of Roses (The Bride Quartet, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)
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).
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35 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not up to Nora's usual standards, November 4, 2009
This review is from: Bed of Roses (The Bride Quartet, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)
After finding Vision in White (The Wedding Quartet, Book 1) a disappointment, I was hoping Bed of Roses would be much better--it was better, but not by much.
One element that makes a romance book interesting is the introduction of conflict. Emma and Jack had chemistry in this book unlike Mac and Carter in Visions. But, the conflict seemed contrived. Emma and Jack realize after a lifetime of friendship that there is something more there. Emma comes from a happy family and Jack comes from a divorced set of parents. Jack is afraid of commitment and Emma wants it all. The reader can tell right from the beginning that Jack is going to get cold feet, break Emma's heart for a few weeks and then we have the happy ever after resolution.
(Possible spoiler) I felt the last scenes in the book were very contrived as every one decided to shut out Jack. Here is a group of people--men and women who have been friends for decades and they rally around Emma and shut Jack out in the cold? Give me a break. Yes Emma deserved some sympathy, but everyone knew Jack and knew his issues and no one stood for him? Although this isn't a very romantic statement, I think if I were Jack, I might want to find a more loyal group of friends instead of this crew who spurn him and figure he is wrong without even giving him a hearing!
This is an easy read, but lacks the power of some of Robert's other straight romances. Personally, I find the Donovans, the Calhouns, the Chesapeake series, the Key trilogy, and Garden triology books to be much better overall in presenting the romantic element. All of them are sweet romances with nice character development like Bed of Roses (Bride Quartet), but in my opinion the romances are better developed and there is a hint of conflict and when it does occur it plays out much better (for instance Morgana Donovan and Nash or the O'Hurley triplets).
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