Review: Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts

Title: Happy Ever After
Author: Nora Roberts
Publisher: Berkley Books (Penguin)
Publish Date: November 2, 2010
Genre: Romance, Chick-lit
Pages: 333 (paperback)
Series: Bride Quartet
1. Vision in White
2. Bed of Roses
3. Savor the Moment
4. Happy Ever After

Synopsis:
#1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts cordially invites you to meet childhood friends Parker, Emma, Laurel, and Mac—the founders of Vows, one of Connecticut's premier wedding planning companies.

Parker Brown turned the quartet's childhood game of Wedding Day into their dream jobs. And now she's the face of Vows—the one who meets every bride's demands; keeps every event on schedule; and brings Emma's romantic flowers, Laurel's delicious treats, and Mac's stunning photgraphy together in one glorious package. She knows how to make dreams come true...

Mechanic Malcom Kavanaugh loves figuring out how things work, and Parker Brown—with her mile-long legs—is no exception. But as a good friend to Parker's brother, Mal knows that moving from minor flirtation to major hookup is a serious step.

Now man has rattled Parker in a long time, but the motorcycle-riding, raven-haired Mal seems to have a knack for it. His passionate kissess always catch her off guard, much like her growing feelings for him. Parker's business risks have always paid off, but now she'll have to take the chance of a lifetime with her heart.

From Goodreads

(Warning: SPOILERS if you haven’t read any of the previous novels in the series)

I loved this whole series. I’m one of those girls who imagines what they’re wedding day will be like: the dress, the colours, the wedding party, the groom ;). Of course, many of these aspects are to-be-determined, but I’ve always been a dreamer when it comes to weddings. I just love them. I’m a true romantic at heart. Because of this, I think it was fitting for this series to be the first books from Nora Roberts that I read. I wasn’t disappointed. I think the romance in them flows so magically. She definitely has a way with words.

In the final instalment of the Bride Quartet, Parker is the last one left without someone special. Her three best friends and partners at Vows have found love and are getting married within the year. Then Parker meets Malcolm Kavanaugh, the tough, sexy mechanic with a knack for calling her “Legs” and making her heart flutter. Parker thinks she doesn’t need anyone - she’s got her work. So why does Malcolm keep bumping into her life?

I thought this was such a great way to end the series: with Parker’s love life. She’s the small details and overall PR lady at Vows and I can’t even imagine how she would find time for a relationship with the amount of work she does. She's superwoman. Malcolm is that dark and troubled man with a mysterious background. When Parker and Malcolm come together, not only does romance bud and do sparks fly, but they both try to do what they do best: figure the other out. This turns out to be difficult for Parker, since Malcolm isn't one to open up and talk about his feelings or his past. They clash in more ways than one and it makes for an exciting and romantic story.

I really loved Malcolm as a leading man. I could totally picture him riding his motorcycle up to the Brown Estate or working on a car in his garage. He's sexy and smart and he revs Parker up, which is not an easy task. We were introduced to Malcolm in Savor the Moment and I liked him from the beginning (he stood up to Linda!). When Mal finally open up to Parker and we learn about his childhood, I loved him even more. His story is one that you never want to hear about a child. Especially as a future teacher, thinking about what Mal had to go through as a child breaks my heart.

Nora Roberts has such beautiful writing. You can tell she does her research before writing her stories because she knows so much that she could be a florist, a baker, a photographer, a mechanic, a lawyer, and more, with the detail she provides in this series alone. I know that this won't be the last book from Nora Roberts that I read. Next time I need a great romantic chick-lit, I know what to reach for.