REVIEW: ‘Vision in White’ (2009) by Nora Roberts

Genre: Contemporary Romance

POV: 3rd Person (heroine and hero’s perspectives)

Sensuality: Warm

Violence: N/A

My Grade: B-

Vision in White is the first title in Nora Roberts’ Bride Quartet and marks her move from mass market paperback to trade paperback for her contemporary romance releases. Although I’m not usually a fan of trade paperbacks, I have to admit that Nora and her publisher went all out for this series. The covers are a joy to behold. They have French flaps and deckle edges. They resemble wedding invitations and fit the tone and premise of the series perfectly. This was one of the rare occasions on which I didn’t resent paying more for trade as the gorgeous packaging enhanced my reading experience.

The Bride Quartet focuses on four lifelong friends who run a wedding business, appropriately named Vows. Mac is the photographer; Emma is the florist and decorator; Laurel is in charge of the cakes and food; and Parker is the wedding planner extraordinaire. Vision in White is Mac’s book.

For Mackensie Eliot, her friends are her true family. Mac’s parents divorced when she was young and have both remarried and divorced several times in the intervening years. Her father is affectionate but absent, while her mother is a user who frequently hits Mac up for money to fund her extravagant lifestyle. As a result of her childhood, Mac finds it difficult to trust men and form a commitment, even though she would love to settle down and have a family.

Unbeknownst to her, Carter Maguire has had a crush on Mac since high school. Back then, he was the quintessential nerd and painfully shy. He’s now a Yale graduate with a PhD in English Literature. He recently moved back to Greenwich to teach at their old high school. He reconnects with Mac when he accompanies his little sister, Sherry, to her bridal consultation at Vows.

Mac is charmed by Carter’s obvious interest and gentlemanly demeanour. He’s not her usual type, but there is something undeniably appealing about his clumsiness and old-fashioned manners. He’s already achieved something which still eludes Mac: self-confidence and a good-natured acceptance of who he is. Before love can blossom, Mac needs to learn to stand up to her mother and come to terms with her past.

Vision in White is as frothy and sweet as its lavish cover suggests. The story is formulaic and there are no big surprises here. I felt the chemistry between Mac and Carter was somewhat lacking. However, I found the story to be the perfect comfort read and just what I was in the mood for at the time. I particularly enjoyed the dynamics between the four friends – far more than the romance story – and I was simultaneously fascinated and repelled by the descriptions of American weddings. Vows – the friends’ wedding business – is practically a character in its own right.

With the exception of a few of her romantic suspense novels, I’m not really a fan of Nora Roberts’ books. However, contemporary romance without paranormal elements and/or suspense subplots are hard to come by these days, and I was intrigued by Magdalen’s description of the series. Despite its predictability, I enjoyed Vision in White, and I’m looking forward to reading the other books in The Bride Quartet.

Other Reviews of Vision in White:

Errant Dreams Reviews – 5 out of 5

Rowena at The Book Binge – 4 out of 5

All About Romance – Grade B+

St. Krishna’s Books – 3.5 out of 5

Uncommon Jen at Babbling About Books – Grade D

Lawson at The Good, The Bad, The Unread – Grade B

The Books in The Bride Quartet:

Vision in White (2009) - Mac’s Story

Bed of Roses (2009) - Emma’s Story

Savor the Moment (27 April 2010) - Laurel’s Story

Happy Ever After (02 November 2010) - Parker’s Story