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Available
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Publication
Brilliance Audio (2010), Edition: Unabridged Audiobook, Downloadable WMA/MP3 Audiofile, 8 hrs 57 mins
Description
As the public face of Vows wedding planning company, Parker Brown has an uncanny knack for fulfilling every bride's vision. She just can't see where her own life is headed. Mechanic Malcomb Kavanaugh loves figuring out how things work, and Parker is no exception. Both know that moving from minor flirtation to major hook-up is a serious step. Parker's business risks have always paid off, but now she'll have to take the chance of a lifetime with her heart...
User reviews
LibraryThing member dhaupt
Parker Brown experienced what no child ever wants to go through in the tragic death of her parents, in the after math of that tragedy however Parker was able to turn her childhood dream into a reality, the reality of Vows. Vows runs like a well oiled machine and with the expertise of her three
It’s mind boggling how Ms. Roberts keeps her novels fresh especially when you realize just how many a year she turns out, but fresh is one thing that stood out with this entire mini-series and in my humble opinion this novel Happy Ever After is the best of the four. The storyline is amusing, thoughtful and sometimes heart wrenching but it’s everything you’d expect in the planning of the most important day of your life especially when some of the brides to be might just have been hatched by the devil. If you’re a Nora Roberts fan you will recognize the dialogue as she loves certain phrases and lines of speech, but that’s not a bad thing at all. The one thing that she has down to a science in this series is the interactions of the friends. There have been times during this novel when the 4 women alone or with their significant others were together that the conversation was so articulate and real that I could actually visualize the gathering and the exchanges in my head. Her characters are all over the spectrum from over the top wealthy to ordinary John and Jane Does, the main protagonists in this installment of the Bride Quartet were the most unlikely to pair up together, the most likely to not make it to the Happy Ever After and probably the most deserving of it, and we her audience will be following the progress and laughing one minute and wiping tears the next as well follow the couple through their romance which is funny and sad at the same time, to the love scenes that would scorch the staunchest readers and leave them smoking in their seats.
My suggestion would be to all those bride to bees out there, to all the MOH’s, the MOG’s, the MOB’s to the GMOB to the SOB’s and if you’re having trouble deciphering these terms well my suggestion would be to get Happy Ever After and find out what it’s all about. I think of all of the novels in the series this one stands best alone but why risk missing some minute detail that you can only find in Vision in White which is the first novel or maybe you’ll miss some important biographical fact from Bed of Roses, the second in the series or maybe just maybe you’ll miss some important detrimental element from one of the groups relatives we meet in Savor The Moment the third in the series. The solution, get all four in the bride quartet series, you will not be sorry you did,
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closest friends has become the premier event planning company in Connecticut. Now that those three friends are all well and truly in love with their other halves and engaged, Parker is up to her eyebrows in weddings to plan, the thing she does not need is a certain motorcycle riding, leather wearing, irreverent bad boy mechanic to stir her blood, but none-the less her blood stirs whenever he’s around. Malcolm Kavanaugh is a true go to fix it guy, if it’s got parts he can take it apart and put it back together purring, the other thing he’s a great admirer of a great set of legs and that’s the first thing he’s noted about Parker, but knowing how things work doesn’t necessary mean he knows what’s in his heart or even how to express himself and when these two unlikely pair up not only are there fireworks but it might just be love.It’s mind boggling how Ms. Roberts keeps her novels fresh especially when you realize just how many a year she turns out, but fresh is one thing that stood out with this entire mini-series and in my humble opinion this novel Happy Ever After is the best of the four. The storyline is amusing, thoughtful and sometimes heart wrenching but it’s everything you’d expect in the planning of the most important day of your life especially when some of the brides to be might just have been hatched by the devil. If you’re a Nora Roberts fan you will recognize the dialogue as she loves certain phrases and lines of speech, but that’s not a bad thing at all. The one thing that she has down to a science in this series is the interactions of the friends. There have been times during this novel when the 4 women alone or with their significant others were together that the conversation was so articulate and real that I could actually visualize the gathering and the exchanges in my head. Her characters are all over the spectrum from over the top wealthy to ordinary John and Jane Does, the main protagonists in this installment of the Bride Quartet were the most unlikely to pair up together, the most likely to not make it to the Happy Ever After and probably the most deserving of it, and we her audience will be following the progress and laughing one minute and wiping tears the next as well follow the couple through their romance which is funny and sad at the same time, to the love scenes that would scorch the staunchest readers and leave them smoking in their seats.
My suggestion would be to all those bride to bees out there, to all the MOH’s, the MOG’s, the MOB’s to the GMOB to the SOB’s and if you’re having trouble deciphering these terms well my suggestion would be to get Happy Ever After and find out what it’s all about. I think of all of the novels in the series this one stands best alone but why risk missing some minute detail that you can only find in Vision in White which is the first novel or maybe you’ll miss some important biographical fact from Bed of Roses, the second in the series or maybe just maybe you’ll miss some important detrimental element from one of the groups relatives we meet in Savor The Moment the third in the series. The solution, get all four in the bride quartet series, you will not be sorry you did,
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LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
If you've read the rest of the series you would know that Mal was the guy for Parker, but would he stick with her, would she stick with him? Could they both break through some of the careful barriers they had both created to keep themselves sane to get through to a lasting relationship?
The details
The details
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are wonderful, Parker is a consumate workaholic, they're both fun to read about and I enjoyed the ride. It's pretty typical fare and I almost wish there was another book in the series to see what the three remaining weddings would be like. Show Less
LibraryThing member thewalkinggirl
It was fine. A light, sweet, not particularly deep romance; the ending seemed a bit abrupt, though. I did take a full point off for the rampant and distracting typographical errors. Either NR or Berkley is getting sloppy with editing her books and it shows.
LibraryThing member mschweer432
In this book, Parker, the super organized wedding planner, connects with Malcolm, the town's mechanic. It was a good book. I like Nora Roberts and this was pretty standard for her. This was the final book of the Bride Quartet and I have to say I'm glad. I enjoyed the series, but I'm ready to move
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on. I can only read about weddings so much before I'm sick of them!! It was nice to get to read about Mac's wedding (who we met in book one) but I was starting to get tired of all the complaining brides who called Parker at all hours of the day and night complaining to her like she was their best friend or sister. It was slightly unbelievable to me. However, I really enjoyed the story line between Parker and Malcolm. I think they are great characters who fit well together. Malcolm's mom, Kay, was also great. Although I found her "worship" of the Brown family offputting. I wished there could have been a little bit more regarding the previous book's couples in this, the final book. I don't think poor Jack had more than a single line in the whole book! Overall, it was a really good book that I enjoyed reading and will read again in the future! Show Less
LibraryThing member phyllis2779
A very nice ending to the Bride Quartet. I liked the contrast between the Kavanagh and Brown characters. Also, the behind the scenes look at the wedding industry was very interesting. I wonder how accurate it was.
LibraryThing member lmm831
was hoping that I would enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed the first 3 in this series. I am happy to say that I think that I enjoyed this book even more than the first three. I love the charter development that continues through each of these books. Parker was calm and collected through the first
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three books while we got to know her and how dedicated she is to her friends, who she considers her family, we never really saw the soft side of her. I was pleased to find that she was not as collected as we all thought. Mal has been the same bold character thought since we were introduced to him. I love that we get to know Mal's mother and the history between her and Mrs. G. I love that we get to continue to explore the other three brides to be while getting the real focus on how Mal and Parker move into their relationship. I think my favorite part of this story is how Mrs, G finds Parker's mother's wedding dress out for her at the end of this book. All in all, I wish there was a follow up series about these weddings and how they go off. I love reading Nora Roberts she just has a way of telling a story. Show Less
LibraryThing member cenneidigh
A wedding of one of their own was a great way to end the four books. Loved them, not much happens but romance. They are quick and fun to read. I enjoyed them all.
LibraryThing member pither
A good conclusion to the series! I found the third a bit boring, a bit of a place filler and not living up to expectations. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Parker and Mal get together! I loved seeing Mac and Carter's wedding; I only wish it wasn't a Quartet so we could see the other three have their
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big days! Show Less
LibraryThing member tipsister
I'm just so sad that this series is over. Maybe Ms. Roberts can write a book about Mrs. G! She's due a wedding of her own. Anyway. . . Happy Ever After is the fourth book in the Bride Quartet. It isn't my favorite of the series but I still enjoyed it very much. It was nice to read just a good
I've grown to care for the gals at Vows and it was nice to at least get one wedding (Mac and Carter's) in this book. I want one more book so that I can read about the other weddings! In Happy Ever After, Parker continues to be grumpy at Mal and Mal continues to pursue Parker. It's a match made in heaven. If you've read the other books in the series, you've already met Mal and probably already figured out that he's perfect for the extremely organized Parker. He messes with her life just enough to make it interesting.
The whole series is just romantic and fluffy. If you like Nora Roberts, you've probably already picked up this series, but if not, I do recommend it. They make you want a happy ever after of your own.
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romance with very little conflict, just love. I've grown to care for the gals at Vows and it was nice to at least get one wedding (Mac and Carter's) in this book. I want one more book so that I can read about the other weddings! In Happy Ever After, Parker continues to be grumpy at Mal and Mal continues to pursue Parker. It's a match made in heaven. If you've read the other books in the series, you've already met Mal and probably already figured out that he's perfect for the extremely organized Parker. He messes with her life just enough to make it interesting.
The whole series is just romantic and fluffy. If you like Nora Roberts, you've probably already picked up this series, but if not, I do recommend it. They make you want a happy ever after of your own.
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LibraryThing member bookappeal
Sure, it's the kind of perfect fictional romance and wedding story that leads too many young girls down the aisle with unrealistic expectations of marriage but why not start the new year with a fairy tale? The exquisite details of wedding planning by the women of Vows are stunning - you'll wish you
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could see it in real life. This final entry in the quartet is not the strongest story - Parker and Mal's relationship comes across as somewhat forced and the dialogue leans toward too clever - but Roberts wraps up the final bride-to-be with a romantic and sexy tale and the happy ending couldn't be more certain. Show Less
LibraryThing member JenneB
SHE is an uptight yet trimly sexy wedding planner!
HE is an intelligent yet pleasingly rough-edged car mechanic!
She doesn't want to lose control! He won't talk about his feelings!
OMG WILL THEY LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER OR WHAT???
This was fun, but seriously I can't believe we didn't get to see all 4
HE is an intelligent yet pleasingly rough-edged car mechanic!
She doesn't want to lose control! He won't talk about his feelings!
OMG WILL THEY LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER OR WHAT???
This was fun, but seriously I can't believe we didn't get to see all 4
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weddings. For fuck's sake, why the hell else are we reading this series? Show Less
LibraryThing member SunnySD
Parker Brown is the epitome of organized and in control And if you've read this far in the Brides quartet, you already know that mechanic Malcolm Kavanugh shakes her calm cool composure. Of course the end is a foregone conclusion, but with Roberts it's the getting there that's half the treat. Yes,
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it's fluffy, and yes, it's predictable, but it's like seconds on ice cream - a bit overly sweet, but still yummy. Show Less
LibraryThing member 1983mk
LOVE IT!!!!!!!! This book kept me up all night reading and brought tears to my eyes. Nobody does happily ever after like Nora Roberts! This book reminds us "grown up" women that every woman deserves that special day with the perfect guy.
"Happy Ever After" is the fourth and final book in the "Bride
"Happy Ever After" is the fourth and final book in the "Bride
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Quartet", Nora Roberts self-proclaimed return to traditional romance. This book follows the brain of Vows, Parker, as she gets shaken, confused, and swept away in a romance with rough and ready mechanic, Mac Kavenaugh. I do not want to ruin the book for those who have not read it so I will simply say this, if you loved Cinderella, Pretty Woman, or Dirty Dancing you will love this book. Nora Roberts does it again!!!!! Show Less
LibraryThing member onyx95
The wedding industry was something Parker Brown and her three best friends knew a lot about. Running Vows, a business all about weddings, she had gotten use to seeing the happiest days of peoples lives and now all three of her friends as well as her brother had found that one special someone.
Book 4 ….. As a conclusion to the Bride Quartet series, it was very predictable. We first met Mal in a previous book and saw the interest between the two get started. Unfortunately Mal changed (or maybe he just didn’t live up to my expectations of him). I liked the inclusion of the other ladies (and their men) and it did all wrap up nice and neat, but this one was not as good as it could have been or as good as the rest of the series was. The Straight laced image of Parker and the Regular Joe image of Mal left a lot of untouched ground that could have made for a better romance. The friendships were well played.
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Planning their wedding would be fabulous for her as well as them, finding the loneliness as a side effect of it all was very unexpected. Having known the Brown family for so long, Malcolm Kavenaugh was amazed at how quickly and easily she became so important in his life. No matter that they seemingly came from different worlds, the just couldn’t and wouldn’t stop what was happening. Book 4 ….. As a conclusion to the Bride Quartet series, it was very predictable. We first met Mal in a previous book and saw the interest between the two get started. Unfortunately Mal changed (or maybe he just didn’t live up to my expectations of him). I liked the inclusion of the other ladies (and their men) and it did all wrap up nice and neat, but this one was not as good as it could have been or as good as the rest of the series was. The Straight laced image of Parker and the Regular Joe image of Mal left a lot of untouched ground that could have made for a better romance. The friendships were well played.
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LibraryThing member ImBookingIt
A very nice, comfortable read, and a pleasant end to the Bride Quartet.
LibraryThing member EmScape
I was really looking forward to reading Parker and Malcolm's story and I was not let down. Malcolm has had some difficult things to deal with in life, and is not really into talking about it. Parker had an undeniably charmed existence until her parents died, but still has a pretty sweet time of it.
Also, this book references Buffy the Vampire Slayer at least twice, possibly three times, a long with that sparkling dialogue that is a hallmark of both Roberts and Whedon. So, kudos.
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Parker is just the person to break down Mal's barriers. (I did have a little problem with tow characters called Mal and Mac, but that's more just me reading really fast...) Also, this book references Buffy the Vampire Slayer at least twice, possibly three times, a long with that sparkling dialogue that is a hallmark of both Roberts and Whedon. So, kudos.
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LibraryThing member Glenajo
In Happily Ever After Nora Roberts wraps up her Bride Quartet series the remaining member of Vows, a wedding planning company finally deals with her attraction to Malcolm Kavanaugh. Malcolm appears to be the polar opposite of Parker since they come from opposite ends of the social ladder and now
Nora Roberts is definitely one of the best writers on the market…..sometimes. This series of books is based on a wedding planning business adding an interesting look into a high-end business. Read these books in order for the utmost enjoyment of the story line. For a romance, this is an excellent choice.
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Malcolm repairs cars while Parker commands a high-end wedding, but the attraction cannot be denied. Parker has her life planned out with her future husband to ride in on the train of all that is class and decorum. Malcolm does not fit her plans, but he manages to move into her life anyway, eventually reaching the critical point where they both must come to terms with the future.Nora Roberts is definitely one of the best writers on the market…..sometimes. This series of books is based on a wedding planning business adding an interesting look into a high-end business. Read these books in order for the utmost enjoyment of the story line. For a romance, this is an excellent choice.
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LibraryThing member cookiemo
I read this book while travelling. It was perfectly suited for this purpose as I could p[ick it up and immediately continue reading without having to go back and check any facts.
It is the final book in the bride quartet. I haven't read the others as yet.
It's a light read and like Nora Roberts other
It is the final book in the bride quartet. I haven't read the others as yet.
It's a light read and like Nora Roberts other
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books. Entertaining and easy to read. Show Less
LibraryThing member Booklovingmommy
This series was good but wasn't one of my favorites of Nora Robert's. It was strictly romance with no suspense or supernatural elements. The fourth and last book in the series, Happy Ever After, was sweet and entertaining if not a bit predictable. I think from the second book, we knew that Parker
Some of the events were a little unbelievable. These four women run a wedding business and each, with the exception of Parker, are getting married. However, they all let Parker pick out the wedding dress. There is no playing dress up with beautiful princess dresses in front of friends and family. Parker just found the "perfect" dress and it magically was the one each girl wanted with no questions or doubts. Really...what girl doesn't want to go and try on a million dresses just for the fun of it? That's the best part of the wedding planning!
Also, some of the dialogue was a little out there. Who says things like "I want you in my bed but this isn't the time" or "I'm sleeping with your sister so get over it"? I thought some of the characters were a little too forward and blunt.
All in all, it was a nice little romance novel that reads quickly and easily. I didn't get bored during it at all. I just personally prefer her series like the Circle Trilogy or the Key Trilogy.
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would be paired up with Malcolm so no surprise there. No major conflicts or turmoil to add a little spice to it but just sweet romance. I really enjoyed Malcolm's character and loved his mom! Some of the events were a little unbelievable. These four women run a wedding business and each, with the exception of Parker, are getting married. However, they all let Parker pick out the wedding dress. There is no playing dress up with beautiful princess dresses in front of friends and family. Parker just found the "perfect" dress and it magically was the one each girl wanted with no questions or doubts. Really...what girl doesn't want to go and try on a million dresses just for the fun of it? That's the best part of the wedding planning!
Also, some of the dialogue was a little out there. Who says things like "I want you in my bed but this isn't the time" or "I'm sleeping with your sister so get over it"? I thought some of the characters were a little too forward and blunt.
All in all, it was a nice little romance novel that reads quickly and easily. I didn't get bored during it at all. I just personally prefer her series like the Circle Trilogy or the Key Trilogy.
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LibraryThing member Kaetrin
3.5 stars.I liked this one much better than book 3 in the series but would still have liked more of Mal in the book. Plus, it seemed to finish a little abruptly. On the plus plus side however, Mal was one sexy beast!!
LibraryThing member blondestranger
This book reminded me most of my relationship. Was a good read and a fun way to end the series.
LibraryThing member kmartin802
The finale to the Brides Quartet gives us the romance between Parker and Malcomb. Parker is super-organized and busy. She doesn't have time for romance other than those she organizes at her wedding planning business. Mal is a mechanic who owns his own garage, restores old cars, and who was a former
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movie stunt man. He is also a friend of Parker's brother Del. He's middle class and she's old money. Both have similarities too. Both are fixers and honest, generous and loyal. Also they understand each other. No romance can run smoothly though. He has a tendency to retreat inside himself in times of trouble and doesn't want to think about or share his past. She feels that he isn't committing to her unless he is open to her about how he became who he was. This was a great romance and typical of Roberts. Show Less
LibraryThing member readinggeek451
A nice finish to the Bride Quartet. Parker is organized and driven. A motorcycle-riding mechanic is not who she expected to fall in love with. But Mal isn't taking No for an answer.
Not as much of a tearjerker as many of Roberts's romances.
Not as much of a tearjerker as many of Roberts's romances.
LibraryThing member NHNick
OK, it's a Nora Roberts series but what can I say. She's my "go to" read when I'm stressed and need an escape from reality.
LibraryThing member JenJ.
I meant to spend my afternoon much more productively today, but this sucked me in. While I always enjoy a good romance, what I loved most about this book (and the series as a whole) was the sense of camaraderie and closeness among all the main characters. The Brown Estate is basically a commune,
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but fancier and all about weddings - who wouldn't want to share a vast estate and run a fulfilling, successful business with their closest friends? It's just a shame we won't get to see the other three weddings! Show Less
Awards
CBC Bookie Awards (Nominee — Romance — 2011)
RITA Award (Finalist — 2011)
Language
Original publication date
2010-11-02
Physical description
8 x 5 cm
ISBN
1423369017 / 9781423369011