Vision in White (The Bride Quartet, Book 1) by Nora Roberts
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Book Reviews of Vision in White (The Bride Quartet, Book 1)
Book Review: Fun, funny romance-centric story
Summary: 5 Stars
Finally got around to reading Vision in White and I really enjoyed it. I'd been rebelling against the cost of the trade-size book and had refused to buy a copy, despite the fact that Nora Roberts is one of my favorite, most consistent romance authors. A friend lent me HER copy and I scarfed the story down last night. Now I'm gonna have to cave and go buy my own copy for the re-readings I know are in my future.
I found the book to be delightful in so many ways: a fast, fun, good-feeling read. Carter was just adorable. "Adorkable" is a word I keep hearing applied to actor Michael Cera, and that's a word that applies here to Carter as well. He's just adorkable with his bookish awkwardness and his tendency to ramble and his good-guy, yummy beta ernestness. There were a lot of funny lines in this book that had me giggling and grinning. In one scene, Mac said to Carter after a witticism of his, "Don't you look cute in your smarty-pants." I'd say they both looked cute in their smarty-pants. And I thoroughly enjoyed how accepting Mac and Carter were of each other. He got her; she got him. Total acceptance on both sides. It was nice to see, especially since, on the surface at least, they were so disparate. I also enjoyed how this book was all about the relationship. Not a lot of external conflict, but that totally worked for me. I like a romance novel that focuses on, well, the romance.
Mac's mother Linda, now.... Grrrrr. She's ranking up there with Maeve Concannon (from the Born In trilogy) on my list of Most Reviled Nora Characters Ever. Hated her. She's not as bad as Maeve, who is just downright nasty and abusive, but she had me gritting my teeth. I enjoyed watching Mac grow a backbone where her mother was concerned and learn how to say no...and mean it!
There were times I thought I could have done with less of the wedding planning aspect, but overall I thought those parts moved quickly and didn't bog me down. (And I found myself appreciating that Nora made it clear these were definitely full-time jobs. Man, those women were busy!) Another minor -- very minor -- quibble for me is that I would have liked to have had more scenes with Jack and Delaney. But since I get the feeling Jack is to be paired with Emma in the next book, I'm sure the guys will have more stage time then.
This one was a solid 4.5 stars for me. Really looking forward to the others in the series!
Book Review: A beautiful book about weddings, friendship and love
Summary: 5 Stars
To make it short I love "Vision in White" by Nora Roberts. The book, the first one in the bride quartet, is full of love and friendship, makes me laugh and smile and is just beautiful to read.
"Vision in White" introduces Mackensie, Parker, Laurel and Emmaline. The four woman have been best friends since they were little girls and they spent many days in their childhood playing getting married. From just playing they went to planning weddings and now run a successful wedding planer business.
Mackensie, a photographer, loves her job and especially making someone else's wedding day and the pictures of it just perfect. But she doesn't believe in a happily ever after for herself because an absent father and an egoistic and unstable mother made her wary of marriage and longterm relationships.
When she meets nerdy, cute (with a capital C), intelligent and charming Carter Maguire she is shocked that she starts thinking of a future that includes him. Carter is a great hero, he is smart but also easily flustered and still sure of what he wants in life. Their meeting scene is just hilarious and even though Mackensie is afraid to enter a serious relationship she cannot stop getting more and more involved with Carter.
But Mac's doubts and her ongoing struggle to handle her selfish mother are making her afraid to trust in her love for Carter. But thank god Carter is also strong-willed and not ready to let go of the one woman that completes his life and for whom he had a teenage crush 13 years ago (so sweet when he tells her about it).
"Vision in White" is a beautiful book. I love the wedding theme, heroine and hero are adorable and their relationship is sweet and sexy at the same time. The friendship of the four woman just warms my heart and their scenes together are so touching. Parkers brother Del and his buddy Jack are also great guys and all in all this book wants me to believe that somewhere out there my own Carter is waiting for me (if he only came out of hiding!!!).
I can't wait to read book two in the series "A bed of roses" coming in December to see how Emma finds the one man she wants to share her life with (an excerpt is included in "Vision in White").
All friends of romances and strong characters will love this book and last but not least I want to thank Nora Roberts for "Vision in White" and that she still continues to amaze me with her beautiful books.
Book Review: No ghosts, ghouls or mayhem...just a sweet, funny romance
Summary: 5 Stars
I truly enjoyed reading this book. In fact, I liked it so much that I went out and bought the book after reading the copy I'd checked out from the library. This novel is a sweet and funny romance between a workaholic wedding photographer and the bookish (yet sexy) English teacher who has had a crush on her since high school. (Please read other reviews if you need a more detailed plot description.)
The story is classic Nora Roberts in that it is not just about the hero and heroine but also about the rich cast of friends and family that surround them.
But be warned, if you love Nora Roberts for her gritty and on-the-edge-of-your-seat mystery thrillers or her paranormal romances, this may not be the book for you.
There's not a single ghost, ghoul, or vampire in the entire novel. No one gets murdered and no conspiracies are uncovered. This is a straight-up contemporary romance.
One of the reasons I love this book is the hero, Carter. Carter is both strong and confident in his field of expertise yet socially shy -- especially when around Mackensie, whom he's had a secret crush on since high school. From the nervous, rambling conversations/pep-talks he has with himself to the questionable advice given to him by his friends... Nora Roberts has nailed the portrayal of a nerd in love.
And this book is funny! It made me laugh out loud. Better yet, it made me laugh without the use of outlandish situations or over-the-top side-characters you find so often in "chick-lit" type novels these days. Just great dialog and humorous situations you might find in real life.
I know that this book has received a bunch of negative reviews but I think, for many, those reviews were from readers expecting suspense and/or intrigue in the plot. Give this book a chance. You may be pleasantly surprised.
Book Review: deep relationship drama
Summary: 5 Stars
Mac, Parker, Emma and Laurel have been friends forever so it is not a shocker that these buddies formed a business together; nor that their company Vows provides wedding and event planning, as they used to play at bride and groom as kids. When Parker's parents died, she renovated the house so her friends could comfortably move in with her as well as be on site at all times for the business.
During the planning of a wedding, Mac (short for Mackenzie) runs into classmate Carter Maguire; he had a crush on her back in their school days. Mac fears relationships ever since her father abandoned his family to marry someone else and her mother's marriages turned her trepidation into a phobia. While Carter courts her thinking long term, she prefers a short fling. Meanwhile Mac's mother Linda makes a zillion selfish demands on her, but that does not disturb Mac as much as her feelings for Carter do.
The first book in the Bride Quartet is a deep contemporary tale that contains the profundity expected of a Nora Roberts story. Mac is still hurt by her mother, but hides from understanding what is happening because she is expected to love her mom right or wrong. Carter has the patience of a saint as he tries to be there for his Mac and demonstrate love does not mean abuse. Ms. Roberts provides a deep relationship drama starring a wedding photographer caught on the one hand in a dysfunctional relationship with her mom and if she reaches out with the other hand a warm caring sharing with her beloved.
Harriet Klausner
Book Review: Vision in White has a reminiscient feel in a good way.
Summary: 5 Stars
Fans of Nora Roberts over time discovery certain formulas to the writing. This is not necessarily a bad thing. I mean we are all after a HEA or we would pick up another type of book. What I absolutely loved about this book is what one reviewer disliked. It takes us back to her earlier romance trilogies formula like the Dream Trilogy. Empowered, tight knit friends who support each other like family and who have drive and ambition in their careers and an immense sense of loyalty to one another. So what if there is the lawyer older brother that is most likely going to end up with one of his sisters friends in the end. And again so what if said sister pops Tums like another character out of the Dream Trilogy; that foreshadows she may not be as smooth and together as she appears. I was not sure if I could just enjoy a romantic novel anymore (without all of the complex eccentricities of the paranormal genre or the suspense and intrigue that so many romance novels have now--where the heroine is always in danger or a mystery to be solved). I literally found myself welling up with tears at some of the more poignant moments in this book. It touched me. It also left me very happy and dare I say hopeful. I am glad that Nora is revisiting this particular formula. I am surprised that the ratings are so all over the place. I am looking forward to books# 2, 3 and 4. This is a quartet after all not a trilogy. If you liked some of her earlier work, I think you will enjoy this as well.