Book(s) of the Week: Nora Roberts' The Bride Quartet

I guess I've been kind of slacking as this is the first Book of the Week of 2011, but I'm making up for it because this is a 4 in 1. I don't know about you, but sometimes I just want to read a book that is a little light and that comes with a guaranteed happy ending. In that department Nora Roberts is one of my faves, consistently delivering the goods. I think my first Nora Roberts novel was Public Secrets, which I read when I was about 12. Needless to say I was hooked. The Bride Quartet is four books with a decidedly lighter feel, all about four lifelong friends--Mac, Emma, Laurel and Parker--who own a wedding business and are looking for love. The books definitely contain romance, but also some snappy dialogue, a dash of drama and great moments between the ladies.

Side Note: I think the covers could have been better. I liked No. 1 okay, but No. 2 reminds me of Martha Stewart Weddings circa 1995. And No. 4 actually features one of those lingerie-ish type gowns I haaate (and that Parker would never wear).

The first book, Vision in White, follows photographer Mackensie Elliott, a realist through and through. Although Mac played "Wedding Day" right along with her friends when they were kids, for her it was more about capturing the perfect image than being the bride. Getting that unforgettable photo is still was Mac does, just now for clients at their company, Vows. An absentee father and emotionally abusive mother mean that Mac is wary about commitment and love in general--until she meets sweet and awkward Carter Maguire. The teacher steals Mac's heart, but the question remains can he get past her walls while she battles her own insecurities?

Book two, Bed of Roses, is all about gorgeous and romantic Emma. Vows' florist has men falling at her feet but has yet to meet the one she wants to pledge forever to. Until she takes a second look at architect Jack Cooke that is. Jack's college roomate, Delaney Brown, happens to be the brother of Emma's BFF, Parker, and Del is quite like a brother to Emma herself. Which just complicates matters when Emma and Jack begin to realize there might be more to their friendship. This book was sweet, just like Emma, and without many twists or turns. It's basically just about Emma and Jack trying to figure out how to morph from friends to something more, and dealing with fears that arise when you realize that something that was supposed to be casual actually means quite a bit more.

The heroine of the appropriately titled Savor the Moment is Laurel, pastry chef--and smart ass--extraordinaire. Growing up, Laurel kept a secret from her BFFs, she's always had feelings for Parker's brother, Del. When a kiss changes thing between them Laurel finds herself wondering if she can manage to be in a relationship with someone she loves more than they love her, and if not whether she'll be able to walk away from the one man she's always wanted. Lawyer Del, for his part, finds himself struggling with feelings he never expected, and for a woman he's always protected like his own family.

I think my favourite book of the series was Parker's story, Happy Ever After. Parker is the wedding coordinator at Vows--uber organized, always on call and scheduled to within an inch of her life. Spreadsheets and shoes are two things that always make her smile. The heiress to a large fortune and formidable family name Parker, finds herself still mourning the death of her parents while attempting to make her own mark in the world. When Del's pal, mechanic Malcolm Cavanaugh, comes into Parker's life he is the last thing she had ever planned for, yet she can't seem to stay away As housekeeper and the quartet's de facto mom Mrs. Grady puts it, "It's hard to resist a bad boy who's a good man." (Isn't that the truth!)

I like Nora Roberts' books because they have a real sense of family, friendship and togetherness in addition to the romance. I appreciated The Bride Quartet because, overall, it stayed away from cliches and contrived problems. Instead the books are pretty straightforward and realistic looks are four friends navigating life--and love. Together. If you like Say Yes to the Dress and all those kind of wedding-related, addictive-as-crack shows then you'll probably like these books too.