Customer Reviews

Vision in White (Bride (Nora Roberts) Series)

5 star:		(115)
4 star:		(61)
3 star:		(41)
2 star:		(45)
1 star:		(41)

 

 

Childhood friends, Emma, Laurel, Parker, and Mackensie operate a wedding planner company named Vows. Each has their own specialty: one creates beautiful wedding cakes, one arranges floral arrangements, one handles the books, and one is a photographer. Together they are able to unite people on their most joyous occasions. The first character we learn about is Mackensie. Mackensie is a renowned photographer and her works have been featured in some of the top magazines. Despite being an integral part of the wedding business, Mackensie, doesn't pursue a husband and doesn't see herself ever getting married. This lack of interest might be due, in part, to her mother, Linda. Linda has had numerous marriages and uses her daughter as a shoulder when things go wrong. All that changes with a chance meeting with Carter. Carter is the brother of a soon to be bride. Nora Roberts is a master at developing characters and it should be no surprise that Vision in White, follows the same formula. Her ability to blend emotions with the background settings is another of her amazing talents. The wedding business, Vows, almost feels like an additional character and the struggles each of the friends endure make this a novel not to be missed. It is fun, engaging, and flows like a gentle river.....I would also highly recommend JoAnna Wylde's novel: Price of Freedom --Price of Freedom my fav so far.

Fans of Nora Roberts over time discovery certain formulas to the writing. This is not necessarily a bad thing. I mean we are all after a HEA or we would pick up another type of book. What I absolutely loved about this book is what one reviewer disliked. It takes us back to her earlier romance trilogies formula like the Dream Trilogy. Empowered, tight knit friends who support each other like family and who have drive and ambition in their careers and an immense sense of loyalty to one another. So what if there is the lawyer older brother that is most likely going to end up with one of his sisters friends in the end. And again so what if said sister pops Tums like another character out of the Dream Trilogy; that foreshadows she may not be as smooth and together as she appears. I was not sure if I could just enjoy a romantic novel anymore (without all of the complex eccentricities of the paranormal genre or the suspense and intrigue that so many romance novels have now--where the heroine is always in danger or a mystery to be solved). I literally found myself welling up with tears at some of the more poignant moments in this book. It touched me. It also left me very happy and dare I say hopeful. I am glad that Nora is revisiting this particular formula. I am surprised that the ratings are so all over the place. I am looking forward to books# 2, 3 and 4. This is a quartet after all not a trilogy. If you liked some of her earlier work, I think you will enjoy this as well.

Like many long time Nora Roberts fans I really really wanted to love this book. Didn't happen.

The premise is an interesting one. Four friends live together in a large mansion that houses their business Vows which is a wedding planning company. Each friend serves a vital function in the company. In the first book Mackensie (Mac)the photographer is introduced. She falls for a nerdy professor who is the brother of one of the brides.
The book falls way short in almost all areas--romance, originality, plot and characters.

The characters were not that interesting nor was the plot. No tension, no reason to want to keep reading to see what was going to happen to Mac and Parker.

Lately it seems as though Ms. Roberts recycles her trilogy characters. There seems to be a strong one, artistic one, organized one, nerdy one etc. If you compare Vision in White to The Calhouns: Lilah and Professor Quartermain or the Three Sisters--Ripley and Mac or Black Rose--Rosalind and Mitch; these were books with a nerdy type male paired with a strong female (or a floaty one in Lilah's case). You cared about what happened to the couples because the plot was interesting, the characters were well fleshed out and there was a chemistry between them which satisfied the romantic component. In Vision in White, Mac and Parker never seem to gel so you don't really care if they fall in love.

I think Vision in White had great potential; unfortunately it fell short of the expectation of a good romantic read. I was also bothered by Ms. Roberts using some of her favorite phrases over and over. Love is like "A punch to the belly" (paraphrased) is one of her favorite ones. It might be time for her to reread her last 15 books or so and freshen up some of the language or phrases she uses over and over since many of her readers revisit her books over and over!

Inspite of this lukewarm review, I'm still looking forward to the other three books in the quartet. Basically I'm hoping Nora starts weaving some of her old magic with romance and character depth in the next three.

Gorgeous bridal gown, great photography, luxurious paper pages with exquisite edging, scalloped edges on the inside front cover -- one of the most beautiful books I've seen in recent memory.

Unfortunately, the cover perfection certainly did not translate to a story. This was a very disappointing and, to be honest, boring novel that was most surprising in the fact that it came from Nora Roberts. I had taken a break from her darker books and was looking forward to a lovely story about brides.

Mac and Carter had absolutely no chemistry. I've already forgotten what the story was, it was that dull. I asked my friend if she was sure that Nora Roberts wrote this because it didn't seem like her at all!

Too bad they didn't take the care with the actual story that they did with the cover.

Contemporary romance fans, rejoice! Nora Roberts latest release "Vision in White" is a light and fun read that leaves you with a big grin on your face. It's the first in a four-book series about a group of women who've been friends since childhood and grow up to run a bridal business together. The manager, the baker, the flower lady, and the photographer--each with different backgrounds and different outlooks on life and love. This first story is about the photographer, Mackensie.

Mac's home life taught her a lot about love and weddings--mainly that neither were permanent or could be counted on. With the exception of her childhood girlfriends, Mac's never really known much stability in her life. So when she meets the 'Mary Poppins' (i.e., perfect) man, one who makes her feel special and cared for and important--she freaks out...majorly.

Carter had a crush on Mackensie back in school. And now that he's a man...well, he still has a crush on her! But it seems that every time he makes headway in their relationship, Mac gets scared and backs off. Good thing Carter is a patient man.

Carter is my new best ever Gamma hero. He's a professor and quite the nerd, but he's also sweet, protective, and even a bit clumsy. The more you read about him, the more you just want to take him home with you...and then do unspeakably fun things with him (with or without the glasses)! And Mac? Well, she has some pretty serious issues to deal with and her self-worth is right there at the top of the list. She's stubborn, but she does grow on you and pretty soon I was cheering every forward step she made.

Nora Roberts is a genius writer. She somehow taps into the subconscious of women (and men) everywhere. Her books have a happy ending yes, but her characters also have to work for that happy ending. She does her trademark work and brings her cast of characters to life with such vividness that I felt if I just went to their city, I would recognize these people, want to spend time with them, commiserate with them, and celebrate with them. For me, that's the brilliance of La Roberts' stories.

"Vision in White" isn't a melodramatic, emotion-wrenching read. Instead, it reminds me very much of some of her earlier works, the ones that are just darn good romances. No special gimmicks, no mysteries, no death or destruction--just two people living their lives and then discovering that love does exist and it's worth the work to cherish it. Pure romance.

First off, I thought Carter was the cutest thing. He was so sweet and funny and adorable. A really kind hero.

The problem was, Mac was just...so irrational. Her reasons for doing things made absolutely no sense. When she said, "I have feelings for you, Carter... And that's why I'm telling you we need to step back," I wanted to shake her. Hello?!!! He just told you he feels more than attraction to you and he really cares for you, and you tell him, "I feel the same, so let's break up"?! There was something seriously messed up about her thinking.

And you think it gets resolved with the whole emotionally abusive mother thing, right? Wrong.

Second problem, the mother: she absolutely was a selfish, self-absorbed bitch. But the way that Mac reacted to her was so.....defeated. I understand the direction Nora was trying to go in: the tough girl outside, with a sad inner confidence problem because of a family issue. But she failed at it.

Third, and most commonly, the things she writes, the dialogue, those repetitive clique things she writes over and over and over, are seriously the most annoying thing in the whole book. Who says those things anyway? Where did she grow up?

And, to add something that another reviewer mentioned, high school crushes are the stupidest things to write a romance novel about. They're adults now, no one cares.

I'm pretty sure I've read about these characters before. The hero in this book resembles Max from the Calhoun series. Parker resembles Amanda from the Calhoun series. There's even a hot architect like the Calhoun series. I think there might be a couple of characters from other books that Nora Roberts has written: Midnight Bayou, the Dream series, In the Garden series...a lot of these characters have been seen before. The problem is, it seemed like same old same old.

I didn't like the heroine, she needed some serious therapy and had to stop looking for crutches when dealing with her mother. The hero needed, well, he needed someone other than the needy wimp he got saddled with. The only thing that is keeping this from a one star review was that it's not a three couple, supernatural forces destroying the world but love comes out on top trilogy.

I've been reading Nora Roberts' books since the late 80's and lately it's seemed as though she was phoning it in. The trilogies were starting to blur together. The stand alones....well I got tired of reading about gardening and remodeling and how "fun" a new look was. Personally, I think Nora Roberts has some great ideas but is forcing them out too fast. She needs to take some time away from the computer and the book tours, I'd say a year, and not think about writing. One whole year would be best, then maybe her books won't read like recycled material.

To be fair, you don't expect a whole lot of newness with a romance, but I would appreciate a character I hadn't read back in 1992.

I am really surprised at the number of negative reviews for this book. I have been quite disappointed by Robert's last two series - I felt they were way too melodramatic and over the top ("We have to save the world from evil!!!!!"). I bought this on impulse because it was a Saturday and I was bored and I am really glad I spent the money.

The characters in this book are likeable and funny. Yes, I know Nora Roberts writes with a formula and it can get tedious at times, but the formula worked here. The relationships and situations were realistic and convincing. No, there was not a lot of "drama" or some major crisis that created conflict - but the low key approach worked here. This is a book I will pass on.

Publishers Weekly begins by describing Ms. Roberts as "The frighteningly prolific Roberts". In the case of this book, the emphasis should be on the word "frighteningly". The pivotal characters--Mac, Carter, and the needy mother--are basically the same characters that were featured in Tribute. Whereas Tribute has fully realized characters, an interesting mystery story, and plenty of suspenseful action; Vision in White has one dimensional, poorly drawn characters and no story beyond Carter hanging in there while Mac continually rejects him. Mac is self-absorbed and self-indulgent and Carter is nothing more than a charming but spineless man who has never moved beyond a childhood crush. Maybe Ms. Roberts should slow down and do a better job. This book was frighteningly poor.

In my opinion, this book is not the same caliber work Ms. Roberts usually delivers. It was good, but not spectacular. It wounds me to say that because I'm an avid fan.

I bought VISIONS from Kindle. One of my Mother's Day gifts was the third book in this quartet. I wanted to read them in order, right away, so I ordered VISIONS. It was upsetting to have to spend nearly $10.00 to get it. More so because I'd downloaded a sample of it months ago and decided not to order it, to wait until I could get it at a used bookstore or a garage sale because it didn't reach out and grab me right away.

For me, the best character in VISION is the hero, Carter. He's definitely adorable, and admirable.

The life-long friendships are a nice touch but I'm hoping they'll be expanded on in the rest of the books. It was kind of hard to feel their connection in this tale.

The weddings that go on are touching, but I learned way more than I wanted to know about wedding planners.

I haven't written a review on any of Ms. Roberts' work before because I figured everyone who read her would be a huge fan and my reviews would be lost in the multitude of other glowing reviews. It feels quite odd to write something less than a stellar review for an author I admire so very much. Still, I did enjoy this tale. If you enjoy romances, chances are you'll enjoy this tale, too. Be prepared though, there isn't a bad guy in this book.

Shelley Dawn, author of Sweet, Sweet Jessie and Dark Nights