Member Reviews
It had been years since I had read a Robert’s title, and this was a real treat. The story was gripping, well plotted, and edgy enough that I would stay up reading a lot longer than I intended. I will promote this, as well as take a closer look at the books she has written that I passed on. Great escape fiction!
Nora Roberts does it again! After more than 200 books in publication she still manages to put out brilliant works that keep me hooked. They way she can hop from different genres is amazing to me and I will always be in awe of her.
Now, Identity was different than anything else I remember reading from her. It has the romance she's known for. It has the mystery and murder she uses with her pseudonym, J.D. Robb. But at the end of the day, it was a feel good, happy ever after story about a woman who goes through real life struggles when a man literally takes her identity and flips her life upside down.
Morgan is a beautifully created character who's independent, strong willed, and looking at life as glass half full despite the situations life has thrown her way.
Miles is broody and mysterious and also her boss. She shouldn't lean on him for comfort and support.
Luke is a pretty boy, charming man who has this air about him that makes Morgan want to chat him.
All of the characters, the family support and the small town vibes of this book were perfectly presented. I loved it and cannot wait for it to come out so I can display it on my shelves.
Thank you to Negalley and Macmillan press for the chance to read this ARC.
Wow! Quite the romantic suspense. Not usually a fan of serial killer mysteries, but this one was fantastic. Thoroughly enjoyed the romance and personal growth of the characters. Nice seeing all the generations of the families working together. Interesting variety of people. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.
Morgan has worked hard to put down roots and have a home of her own. She takes in a roommate to help with expenses and the two quickly become best friends. Morgan meets Luke and invites him to dinner. Soon after, Morgan's identity is stolen and she loses everything she has worked so hard for.
Morgan is forced to move back in with her mother and grandmother. She lands a job with a wonderful family owned business and begins to start her life over. But is the past really in the past? Maybe not.
I loved the characters points of view, even the perpetrator gets his say.
The characters are interesting and well represented. The relationships are the heart of the story.
Part scary story of having your identity stolen and murder, part family and friends and part romance.
I've read many books by Roberts int he past and will continue to read them.
Thanks to netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc.
Con artist with computer skills sets his eyes on a woman,. He has a specific type he goes after to steal identities, but her friends is in the wrong place at the wrong time and gets involved. Can she get away?
I'll start this review off by saying I'm a huge fan of Nora Roberts and have been for years. She's a one click author for me so getting an advance copy to read made me do a little happy dance. This book has a great combination of suspense and romance. I was pulled into the story from the first page and only put it down because I desperately needed sleep. It has everything I love about a Nora Roberts novel, love, family, friendship and a plot that pulls you in and makes you feel like part of the story. I love the way she describes things, making you feel like you're there. I could feel Morgan's pain and sadness over the loss of her friend, the happiness she felt as she started to rebuild her life, and the fear when she found out she was still being hunted by a killer. If you enjoy a good romantic suspense I recommend picking this book up. I loved it.
DNF at 56%. This is the last Nora Roberts book I will attempt to read. Something about the voice just makes me wish there were more/better editing. Phrases are repeated unnecessarily. “He enjoyed his Sunday solitude, he really enjoyed it.” “Relaxed, so relaxed she realized if she closed her eyes she’s drop straight into sleep…” “…or so she judged after she actually had the opportunity to really look at it. And really looking at it from the middle of the glorious four-poster only added to it.” All of those quotes were from within the first 5 or so pages of Chapter 18. The identity theft aspect of this book is interesting and novel and she always does a good job with family dynamics and beautiful settings, but the language is too tedious for me to continue.
Thank you to the publisher - I received a complimentary eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I can't remember when I started reading Nora Roberts, but I will say that, finally being the same age as most of her characters makes for an interesting read. I found myself relating to Morgan - Identity's protagonist - and her steadfast nature, her need (read: not choice) to start over, and, most importantly, all of her hopeful feelings that you have when you're in your late twenties and life is an open road ahead of you.
Nora Roberts never really disappoints, and this is no exception. The dialogue is seamless and, while the plot is initially slow, I appreciated how it stretched over a year and half. (As in, Morgan did not immediately and unrealistically get her life together in three months.) I additionally appreciated how, while Miles was an alpha, he stood up for and allowed Morgan to hold her own more than other Roberts' male protagonists have.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
What would you do if someone tried to take everything from you? If they stole your trust and your identity and left you with insurmountable debt that caused you to lose your car, your house, your courage, your sense of self, your family, and your friends. What if in the process they took your best friend from you, relishing in the thrill of taking her life while draining all the good from yours? And what if the best friend was a poor substitute for the serial killer whose perfect streak was marred only by you? What would you do?
Interspersing moments of calm and joy with intense, nail-biting moments, Nora Roberts never disappoints. Roberts takes us along for the ride as Morgan Albright rebuilds her life, and herself, in Vermont, all the while knowing that the killer is out there still stalking and taunting her. As the novel progresses we see the inner workings of a serial killer’s mind and watch as it devolves knowing this means he’s that much closer to coming back for Morgan, the one that ultimately got away. We are also privy to the FBI’s perspective as they close in on the serial killer who has hundreds of identities and looks.
With a strong female protagonist and the strong women she surrounds herself with, this is a novel about reclaiming yourself and being willing to take second chances while accepting help from those around you. You’ll love the Nash women, the Jamesons, Miles, Nina, Sam, and definitely Morgan.
Nora Roberts excels in her writing and “Identity” is no exception. If you haven’t ordered your copy yet, you should run over to the bookstore on May 23 to pick up your copy as soon as the store opens. Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the advance e-book of this novel. I was thrilled to read and review this fantastic novel.
I read "Identity" by Nora Roberts on NetGalley and would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes crime fiction and romance. The main character, Morgan, is trying to make it on her own. She is working 2 jobs and saving to start her own business. She has her own home and a roommate to help with the mortgage. Her & Nina have become close friends & are working on fixing up the home. Then Morgan catches the eye of a con man and her life is abruptly changed after he takes everything, including Nina's life.
Morgan goes to live with her mother and grandmother and starts to rebuild her life, but the man who killed Nina is still after her. I had a hard time putting this book down!
This is my first Nora Roberts book (I know, I know...), so I wasn't sure what to expect. It was SO GOOD! Just wow. It's a chilling psychological thriller starring a crafty serial killer, all wrapped up in the story of a young woman creating a new life after severe trauma. There is so much character development, which is usually lacking in thrillers, and I fell in love with the people and setting. I can't wait to read more of her 200+ books! Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance digital copy.
Roberts does it again.
This book is a beautiful balance of romance and suspense, pushing the reader to loath having to put it down. That slow burn pulls you in! Through the dialog, various POVs and strong characters Roberts has built (beautiful created female characters as always), this story is winner.
"Identity" by Nora Roberts is a thrilling standalone romantic suspense novel that expertly blends danger and personal growth. The story centers around Morgan Albright, a bartender who finds stability in a small town near Baltimore. When her best friend Nina is brutally murdered, Morgan's life takes a dark turn, and she becomes a victim of identity theft. The novel sheds light on the devastating consequences of identity theft and showcases the emotional and financial toll it can take.
Roberts masterfully weaves together themes of suspense, personal growth, and familial bonds to create an unputdownable tale. The slow-burn romance between Morgan and Miles is a standout feature of the book. The author takes her time to build up the characters, allowing readers to connect with them fully. The setting of Vermont adds a fresh perspective, and the small-town vibe feels authentic and vibrant.
The meticulous attention to detail in character development is another standout feature of "Identity." Morgan is a relatable and strong-willed protagonist, and the supporting characters add depth and complexity to the story. While the book's length may be daunting, the well-crafted plot, compelling characters, and satisfying ending make it a must-read for fans of the genre. "Identity" is a page-turner that keeps readers on edge, and Nora Roberts once again demonstrates her storytelling prowess.
Identity was a wonderful read. Nora Roberts has a way with writing that I really enjoy. I loved the characters so rich and charismatic. The story was suspenseful and entertaining.
I’ve been a huge Nora Roberts fan since I first read one of her books in a Reader’s Digest condensed book back in 1994 (it’s still my all-time favorite of hers). I love that book so much that I bought the full-length version and quickly scoured shelves for as many of her books as I could find. I’d love to say I own every book she’s ever written, but before the advent of ebooks, I didn’t have the money to buy them all (1994 was smack-dab in the middle of my college years). I’m slowly building my ebook collection as more of her older books are published in that format. With all of that said, I was beyond giddy when I was FINALLY provided a chance to read an ARC of Identity. I’ve been an avid fan for far too long ever to give any of her books lower than three stars, but while I was hoping for another 5-star read in this one, it didn’t quite hit the mark.
The most notable thing I didn’t care for was how much of the book was spent on Morgan’s previous life versus her new one. There seemed to be much more emotion in that part than those following. I would have liked to have read more emotional scenes surrounding Morgan’s developing relationship with her mother and grandmother, as it seemed less fleshed out than her relationship with her roommate. I expected more emotional scenes because of how important these two grew to be to her. I can say the same for her budding relationship with Miles. As much as I hate to say it (and trust me, it really pains me to type this next line), I feel like she’s done a better job in previous books fleshing out the next half of a main character’s life and love interest. Despite this, what I loved about this story is the amount of personal and professional growth we saw in Morgan. And, of course, all the female empowerment, as well as how Morgan dug in when the going got tough and didn’t let her circumstances define or break her. Over the years, I feel as if Ms. Roberts has become excellent at providing example after example in her work of how it’s always possible to come back from unimaginable losses, no matter the scenario.
Regardless of my issue with how the story was fleshed out or lack thereof, where I’d have liked to see more, I can never say any time spent between the pages of a Nora Roberts book is time (or money) wasted. I was still entertained, intrigued, and swept into someone else’s world, and that, my friends, is what a good book should do for us. I will, of course, add the ebook to my growing collection once it’s published, and, as always, I look forward to what’s next from a long-time beloved author.
Wow. What a fantastic romantic suspense novel by Roberts. It was such a nice slow burn and it had everything. I really loved the characters of Morgan and Miles and both of their respective families. The suspense part was well done with the book following a serial killer hell-bent on murdering women after stealing from them and taking their identities. There’s a lot happening but it works. A wonderful book to read on summer nights.
Full Review:
"Identity" follows bartender Morgan Albright. A former Army brat, she finally feels settled in a suburb near Baltimore. She bought a small house and has a best friend named Nina who moves in with her that helps her house feel complete. When Morgan meets a new man named Luke, she feels intrigued by him, but is not ready to move things much faster than a few dates/hang outs. But things change when Morgan comes home to find Nina murdered, and finds out the man named Luke is not who she thought he was. Left reeling after finding all of her money gone and tons of things taken out in her name, Morgan goes back to her grandmother and mother in Vermont. There she starts to heal and fall for one of her bosses, Miles.
As I said, this was a lovely slow burn. Roberts takes a long time building up everyone from Morgan, Miles, to Luke. Even Nina shines in this.
The plot was really great and I think the flow worked great. The book takes place over a year plus which I applaud. It always used to drive me crazy when romance books had the hero and heroine fall for each other in like a week and then pivot to an epilogue like 3 months later and the heroine is pregnant. It makes sense in terms of what Morgan goes through why this had to be a slower burn romance.
The setting of Vermont feels new to me. I can't recall Roberts setting a romance in the state before, but perhaps she has. The town and the businesses felt very real to me. Would love another book following Miles younger brother a few years down the line. And it was also nice to see Roberts set a book near Baltimore again (though briefly).
Identity by Nora Roberts is a standalone romantic suspense that pulled me in from the thriller aspect to the small town in Vermont where our protagonist’s family live. Romance, danger, and delightful characters await you in this unputdownable tale.
I stumbled on Identity when an offer to review it appeared in my inbox. The synopsis made me curious. I am glad that I downloaded the book. I loved the suspenseful story but the small town, secondary character and resort hooked me. I want to spend a long week there and would love to spend more time with these characters.
Identity is a standalone romantic thriller with plenty of sizzle, making it the perfect beach read. We meet Morgan, a young woman with a plan. She owns her own home that she shares with her best friend. She works a full-time job at a construction company and works part-time as a bartender. Besides renovating her home, she dreams of opening her own bar. When an out of towner steps up to the bar, Morgan doesn’t know it, but he is going to change her world forever.
Suspense and a realistic storyline involving identity theft and murder hooked me. Roberts even provided chapters from the perpetrator’s point of view. She then balanced out the tale with small-town life, the resort and a slow-burning romance that felt genuine. Cocktail talk will have you making requests the next time you go out, or perhaps trying some recipes at home.
Identity is perfect for fans of crime thrillers who enjoy a side of romance and small-town vibe.
Nora Roberts never, ever disappoints and I have read her books for years. I find them intriguing and interesting and all very different. This one kept me on the edge of my seat with the plot, yes, but also with the tremendous attention to detail in which she crafted this story. Issues presented throughout this book, trust of others, for example, is infused in every level of our lives. What she so masterfully does, however, is bring these issues to light in a new and detailed sense of understanding. I was blown away. This story is not to be missed because it will delight you and entertain your every sense!
DNF'd at 21%
Maybe I've just read/watched too many crime related shows but the FBI being involved so quickly in the beginning didn't seem realistic nor did the fast scam by the con artist. 😬
My Thoughts
I want to start by saying that as far back as I remember reading certain authors that Nora Roberts has been one that remains a true favorite to me.
From her stories set as contemporaries to her series to her trilogies have never been disappointed.
Identity is no exception and for me with all the stories centered in our news this particular subject matter has actually not been touched on enough.
Madison Albrights fictional character however has not only been targeted by a skilled hacker but a man who has committed multiple murders of his chosen identity theft victims.
Torn from everyones worst nightmare Identity brings to life more than a fictional characters ordeals.
Not only that but she also did such a wonderful job of creating this same characters rise from the ashes of her former life and going on to make one that is even better than she had imagined it could be.
An almost unputdownable read for me that is closer to earlier works, but is definitely a current topic, and one I will not forget the message of anytime soon.
As a longtime fan of this author I had to ask Netgalley to allow me the opportunity for reading her newest contemporary thriller.
I am so very happy that request was approved and in no way impacted my appreciation for the setup and execution of this book or the skillful research it took to make everything come together realistically.
[EArc from Netgalley]
On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.