The Perfect Hope by Nora Roberts

CharlotteJ · Joined: 30 Jul 2010 Posts: 75

I was looking forward to this last book of the Boonsboro Trilogy and while I wasn't totally disappointed, it didn't really live up to what I was expecting.

Ryder was my favorite character probably because he had a nice bit of snark to him so I thought his romance with Hope would have much more 'snap, crackle, pop' than it did. As it was, Ryder and Hope seemed to slide into their relationship with far less snap and crackle than you'd expect from these two characters.

I felt there was still a bit too much inn-reno details and I could have done without the ghost element.

It could be that I recently reread Rafe McKade's story [from the McKade brothers trilogy] and I found Rafe's story to be almost a clone of Ryder's [gruff-jeans-and-tool-belt guy with classy girl plus B&B reno haunted by a ghost] but Rafe's romance with Regan had the kind of sizzle and burn that I was expecting from Ryder and Hope.

Still, overall, I found it more enjoyable than The Next Always or The Last Boyfriend.

goldberry · Joined: 26 Dec 2011 Posts: 30

The first book didn't inspire me enough to read book #2, so I'll wait until my TBR list clears out a bit (hah!) and then read book #2.

CharlotteJ · Joined: 30 Jul 2010 Posts: 75

Lillian Sulivan · Joined: 05 Feb 2010 Posts: 233

Leigh · Joined: 29 May 2007 Posts: 2685

I am getting it from the library and I really not that anxious for it.
_________________
Gone to Rainbow Bridge - Lily 2000-2011

Islandgirl2 · Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 270

That's so sad to hear. I was a huge Nora Roberts fan back in the day. Couldn't get enough of her. But after so many reads I finally couldn't get through a book as it became formulaic for me. Then the trilogies and magic stuff just lost it's thrill. Never got into the JD Robb stuff. Loved her earlier works like Honest Illusions - Sweet Revenge - Montana Sky.

But I'm always waiting for some great feedback on a book to force me to get it again. I will always appreciate the many times I delved and couldn't put down her books. But it's just something I can't seem to do now.
_________________
Romance my favorite reading pastime.

CharlotteJ · Joined: 30 Jul 2010 Posts: 75

Leigh · Joined: 29 May 2007 Posts: 2685

I am reading it right now. Something that seems to have gotten worst over the years is the dialog between the friends - sometimes it is great but other times it the same old thing - like shopping or a spa. But with this book I am amazed how young the woman sound. Hope and what ever his name kiss and one of the friends is like oooh, were tongues involved. They sound 14 years old. With my friends I always discussed what the boyfriend of the moment said or did. I might say we were laying in bed, when he put his arm around me and said I love having you here - or he was cool in the morning like he couldn't wait for me to leave - - etc and then everyone would analyze his actions - it means this or no it means this.
_________________
Gone to Rainbow Bridge - Lily 2000-2011

HEAreader · Joined: 20 Feb 2011 Posts: 151

Is is just me or does anyone else find this funny? For someone who writes futuristic books (In Death), she is way behind the times with present-day technology: Hope is fanatically organized, like Owen - as NR tells us a hundred times - so she emails herself reminders so she can make a list on her desktop computer. Nora, have you heard of an iPhone? And the hundreds of organization apps? People makes lists on phones now using apps like my favorites, Evernote and Grocery Gadget, which sync between the phone and computer. Seriously, Hope would not have to run up the stairs all day long if she'd just get an iPhone. And, Owen, you can do online Post-Its. I am at least a generation older than the characters here, and I use these apps.

I know this seems nitpicky, but it's one of those things that takes me out of the story b/c it's mentioned repeatedly and it's so out-of-date, especially for twenty-somethings.