When I found out that Nora Roberts was writing a trilogy based on the inn that she owns in Boonsboro I was both excited and a bit skeptical. Would she be able to take a real place and fictionalize it so that I would be excited about turning page after page after page? Since I'm a long time fan, and love her straight romances more than any other that she writes I felt secure in knowing she wouldn't disappoint, but still I had a little nagging doubt.

The Next Always is the story of Beckett and Clare. Beckett has always been in love with Clare, but she had her heart set on another. Clare married, moved away, and was widowed. She and her young family move back to Boonsboro, set up a bookstore, and gets reacquainted with Beckett. Beckett is however not the only man in the area who wishes to establish a relationship with Clare. Sam Freemont, a man who believes that his wealth entitles him to more than his fair share is obsessed with Clare, and believes that Clare is just playing hard to get.

As Clare and Beckett slowly but steadily fall in love, Sam's jealousy and feelings of entitlement heat to dangerous levels. Will he be able to contain himself, or will his obsession drive him to do things that are unfathomable by most people's standards?

THE NEXT ALWAYS is the first book in a trilogy, and when I closed the last page I was truly satisfied with the ending. If truth be told I was smiling and saying WOW! When can I get my hands on The Last Boyfriend?