Review: The Perfect Hope by Nora Roberts

The Perfect Hope
by Nora Roberts
Series: Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy #3
Publisher: Penguin/Berkley trade
Publication date: November 6, 2012
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Purchase*: Barnes and Nobles/Amazon/Book Depository

The Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother are breathing new life into the town of Boonsboro, Maryland, by restoring its historic hotel. And they’re finding their own lives revamped by love. This is Ryder’s story... Ryder is the hardest Montgomery brother to figure out — with a tough-as-nails outside and possibly nothing too soft underneath. He’s surly and unsociable, but when he straps on a tool belt, no woman can resist his sexy swagger. Except apparently Hope Beaumont, the innkeeper of his own Inn BoonsBoro. And though the Inn is running smoothly, thanks to Hope’s experience and unerring instincts, her big-city past is about to make an unwelcome — and embarrassing — appearance. Seeing Hope vulnerable stirs up Ryder’s emotions and makes him realize that while Hope may not be perfect, she just might be perfect for him...

Nora Roberts has been one of my favorite contemporary authors for romance and the occasional paranormal woo-woo for almost twenty years.  Her plots are always engaging and her characters melt my heart.  I pre-ordered The Perfect Hope and despite my eagerness had to wait for the weekend to start it, and start it I did. I opened the book around eleven pm on Friday evening and finished it at 4 am. Thank goodness it was the weekend. My hubby wondered why I slept in till almost 10 am. *IDK*

This is the third and final book of the Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy. While all of the books can be read as a standalone, there is a plot thread about a ghost haunting the inn that is delightful and best if read from the beginning. In this tale we get the last Montgomery brother's romance, and boy howdy they saved the best for last. Ryder is handsome, rugged and a little anti-social. Since day one he hasn’t really liked the innkeeper, Hope Beaumont. She smells like city and wears those pencil thin heels. Or maybe he protests a little too much ….

It was so good to come back to BoonsBoro and I was excited to finally get Ryder and Hope’s story. Ryder just oozes smexy. He swaggers in his tool belt *swoons* He is talented with his hands, a real looker but not good with socializing or tears. Hope is finally realizing she is happy, but she is also lonely. She thinks of the kiss she shared with Ryder at New Years and despite how good it was insists it was just a fluke. Lizzy the inn ghost has other ideas and the romance that unfolds was warm, intense, and funny. I enjoyed every minute of it. We see all of the key characters from the previous two novels. I loved all the updates and their interaction with this couple add to the humor and enjoyment of the tale.

I loved the small town setting and especially the Inn. The Montgomery family is wonderful and I adored all of the brothers and their antics. While each is stubborn in their own right, together they are a force to be reckoned with. The banter between Hope and Ryder was priceless and this book made me laugh, giggle out loud and even cry. I really enjoyed the paranormal thread in all the books about Lizzy the ghost. Her history and the role she played in the three Montgomery brother’s romances was so much fun. Who doesn't love a mischievous ghost with good intentions playing cupid? The inn’s history and Lizzy’s tale captivated me almost as much as the romance. I loved how Hope peeled back the layers of Ryder’s tough exterior. The romance felt genuine and developed slowly, making each advance that much sweeter.  In the end I was happy but sad to see this trilogy come to an end.

I recommend The Perfect Hope and the entire Inn Boonsboro trilogy to fans of small town romance. Nora Roberts is one of my favorite authors and delivers books from mystery to paranormal with a healthy dose of romance. I do not think I've ever read a book of hers I did not enjoy.

I gave this novel 4 cups of coffee out of 5