Identity
By Nora Roberts
Pub Date May 23
St. Martins Press
Romantic Suspense
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley
For the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Another great book by a great author,
4 stars

I didn’t love this book. It wasn’t a bad book, it just wasn’t for me. It has a really interesting premise, and I imagine if you have enjoyed previous books by Nora Roberts, you’ll probably enjoy this one. For me, the writing style was too formal compared to what I’m used to, and I was never able to fully immerse myself in the story. It started out really promising in the beginning, and then it just dragged on. I liked the setting Morgan landed in when she had to find her fresh start, landing with family in a small town and working in a resort lodge owned by another solid family. It had promise and there were good things, but the book was entirely too long. Admittedly, I ended up skimming from about 75% to 95% up to the final conclusion. I enjoyed some of the characters, but definitely could’ve done with less time in the mind of the villain.

I wish this book had delivered more for me on what felt like a lot of promising, exciting potential. It didn’t work for me, but it probably will for Nora Roberts fans.

Nora Roberts has blended romance and suspense with sprinkles of humor in a perfect blend throughout this book.
Morgan finds her best friend after she was murder and as if that is not enough she then has her identity stolen. How will Morgan rebuild her life after all that has happened to her and knowing that she is the target for a murderer? Things get intense in this book, so buckle up and enjoy the ride!

Thank you NetGalley for the copy of this book!

I'm a big fan of Nora Roberts and enjoy reading her standalones, trilogies, and the In Death series she writes as JD. Robb. However, I was disappointed by this forthcoming novel. The main reason is that I dislike mysteries that reveal the killer at the beginning of the book. I also found this too slow paced.

At the start, Morgan Albright, a young woman who moved around a lot during her childhood because her father was in the military, purchases a home with a friend and starts to set down roots for herself. She works at a construction company and also bartends at night to help save money to fix up and maintain the house. Just as things are going well, Morgan meets a man at the bar who she begins to date and invites him over for dinner with her roommate, Nina, and Nina's boyfriend. During dinner, her date excuses himself to use her bathroom. A few days later, Nina comes down with a cold and stays home from her job. Morgan arrives home after bartending to find Nina dead. That's just the beginning of the horror, as she also discovers her bank accounts have been compromised, her identity stolen, and the man she was attracted to is a serial killer.

As the book progresses, Morgan is forced to give up the house and her jobs in Maryland and move to Vermont with her mother and grandmother. She fears that Nina's killer, who was after her and stole her identity, will find her and murder her, too.

There's a long build up before Morgan's fears are realized. Along the way, she learns important things about her mother and grandmother, gets a job at a family-owned bar, falls in love with a member of the family, and learns to protect herself by taking self-defense lessons.

I felt this book was more a romance than a mystery. It was well written, and I found the last few chapters exciting. Overall, I would recommend this to other readers of Roberts who don't mind knowing the killer beforehand or a story that takes long to unwind.

I had not read many novels by Nora Roberts before I read Nightwork and I enjoyed it so much I decided to read Identity. I really enjoy the mystery mixed with romance. I love how the wonderful characters especially the strong women were developed..

When Morgan's identity is stolen she loses everything and we see how she rebuilds her life and becomes stronger.

The dynamic between Morgan and Miles was so entertaining.

I look forward to reading other Nora Roberts books in the future. I have become a fan.

Thank you Net Galley for letting me read it before publication

What an absolutely captivating and at times bone chilling psychological thriller by the bestselling Nora Roberts.
A story about a person’s identity and what can happen when that is stolen away. The characters in this book are unforgettable and the relationships between them are both complicated and at the same time simple. I could not stop reading this book once I started. The roller coaster of emotions and this could happen to anyone realization was all brought together in a great book. A story of trust, betrayal and learning to love and trust again. Thank you to the publisher for my requested copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Nora Roberts stand alone novels are always the highlight of my spring & this book doesn’t disappoint.

I really enjoyed how we were reading from both the protagonist & antagonist view points, within their thoughts as one grows emotionally & the other crumbles.

Although you know who the love interest will be from the moment he is introduced, I enjoyed the development of their relationship.

This is one I will be re-reading.

This was actually a 4.5. A pretty perfect Nora Roberts “escape from reality for a bit” novel. Enjoyed the settings and characters and the plot.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61885098

Identity by Nora Roberts is an absolutely phenomenal book, with multiple layers to it that take you from chilling to heartwarming and everything in between.
On the surface, Identity is the story of an identity thief who turns out to be far more evil than a normal person can imagine, and of his victim who has lost everything at his hands, and has to start over. The grief, anger, and fear that Morgan experiences is raw and emotional, and so aptly portrayed by Roberts that you cannot help but feel everything with her. The ego, hatred, and narcissism of the villain is visceral and uncomfortable, portrayed with a skill that makes you squirm.
It isn't just the identity of the victims and the villain that are on display here, however. Throughout her healing process, Morgan confronts her identity as she sees herself, as her family sees her, and as her friends and coworkers see her. And identity isn't just an issue for her - we see other characters pondering their own identities within their own relationships, as they grow throughout the novel.
As a person who has watched a loved one endure the theft of their identity, and rise to the challenge of dealing with the violation and its effects, this book hit home. And that was before it became clear just how evil the identity thief in this book truly was.
This book is not just a non-stop thrill ride. It is a portrait of strength, of the importance of family and friends, and even a romance.
I highly recommend it, and am grateful to have received an ARC of #Identity from #NetGalley.

Morgan is ready to take on the world. She is set on a path to a new business and a home of her own with a great friend /roommate. While working 2 jobs to make her dreams a reality, along comes a transient fellow who checks all the boxes for nice guy. Until one day he doesn't. He takes her friend, her home, her dreams and her money and disappears. The debts he runs up in her name send her packing back home to mom and grandma and that is where she learns just how strong she can be.

Your heart breaks for Morgan and you cheer for her wins as she grows stronger thanks to family and to her new relationship with the Jameson family. I loved the character of her grandma. She is all spirit and spunk and stole the show for me in this one.

This novel has plenty of suspense. It is chilling that what happened to Morgan could happen to any woman out there. I liked the characters of Morgan and Miles and their developing relationship. They helped each other and were a great balance to each other's personalities.

I am a big fan of Nora's romances. Reading this thriller was a nice change and kept my interest throughout. One thing is for sure. Regardless of whether Nora is writing a romance, a fantasy or a thriller, she delivers an amazing and engrossing story. She is one of my all time favorite authors for this very reason.

I read my first Nora Roberts novel when I was 13 or 14 and haven't stopped since.

I read Identity over the course of a weekend and enjoyed it while still yawning over the heavy repetition and fawning dialogue. I kept turning the pages and did like it but I also kept feeling like it was missing something. The romance between Morgan and Miles wasn't one I was able to realistically see (acquaintances with benefits to near synchronized falling in love?), and I found the ending too precisely tied up. Do none of Ms. Roberts's characters require therapy after the serious trauma(s) they go through?

Identity is prime Roberts - romantic suspense with keep-reading-me pacing. Fans should delight in this one.



Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the DRC.

I started reading Nora Robert's when I was 16 in the 80s. She is who got me started with the Suspense and Psychological Thriller genre.
This is the first one of her that I've read in years and I was not disappointed!
This gem has romance, suspense and an engaging story line of a woman who has her identity stolen.
Her roommate is murdered and the story continues with her moving, starting over and the whirlwind romance that comes her way.
I could not put it down and had to give it five stars for the unique character development and gripping story line.

Morgan was an Army brat and thankful now to have her own house, two jobs, and a garden she loves with flowers. Nina, her roommate, was her best friend and they enjoyed their time together. Luke started coming into the bar where Morgan worked nights and before long, she invited him to dinner at her house along with Nina and Nina’s boyfriend Sam. Shortly after, Luke broke into her house, killed Nina, and eventually stole her identity along with all her money. After selling her house for a loss, she moved to be with her grandmother and mother in Vermont. I loved this book. Three generations of Jamison’s owned the resort, and Morgan got the job as manager of the bar. I loved her ability to know the customers and could picture the dance like way she moved as she mixed drinks. I really liked the times Morgan and Miles, one of the sons, spent together and how their love bloomed. Living with Morgan’s grandmother and mother, Morgan learned a lot about her mom and their early life together. The setting added so much to the story; the flowers, water falls, beautiful houses, and luxurious resort. Lots of action as the killer plotted his way back to Morgan to kill her, lots of love between families and great romance between Miles and Morgan.

Nora Roberts, Identity is a well rounded read. It hits on romance, suspense and thrill. I closely connected with the main character Morgan. She’s a strong female lead, which I will always give praise to. Morgan experiences a traumatic event, she divides and conquers. This story provided me with a fictional example of two types of healing paths. One, heal and become stronger or, let the past damage the future. Morgan’s choice to battle her inner trauma by connecting with family, friends and a romantic partner, was inspiring.
I enjoyed Miles’ character and romantic connection with Morgan. Miles’ family dynamic is warm and inviting. Although, the likelihood of the average reader being able to relate to Morgan and Miles’ relationship, is an unlikely occurrence. It was still heartfelt and fun to read.
Nora did well with this story. It kept me interested and engaged!

3.5 stars rounded up.

I've been a Nora Roberts fan for years and years and years. I've read everything she's written (as Roberts) and I can honestly say that her Romantic Thrillers are my LEAST favorites. But, even as least favorites, they are fantastic. Roberts has a wonderful way of writing. She builds her characters and settings so well, that you feel like you just slip seamlessly into the story.

I'm not sure if my issue is with her romantic thrillers or with the genre as a whole, but I struggled with the pacing, the discord and the ending. In order to build a good romance (in my opinion), you need time and all those little details that not only make people feel more real, but make up relationships in general. For instance, in Identity, Miles talks about loving watching Morgan's hands when she works. Things and moments like that are what make romances feel personal to me. However, they also slow the pace down, as they should. No one wants a rushed romance.

Thrillers, on the other hand, should be surprising and fast paced. I want enough insight to keep me engaged and guessing, but part of the fun is knowing I don't have the whole picture yet. I almost feel like Roberts over explains her antagonist. Yes, I want to dig into their brain and understand what makes them tick, but if I know everything about them, their actions become predictable. Also, one of the best parts of a thriller is not knowing how it will end. Sure most end in favor of the MC, but there's always a chance it won't, and even if it does, you never know what it will cost them. With Roberts, you always know you'll get a HEA, and that the MC will suffer in the beginning but be stronger and smarter and overcome in the end.

So if I don't usually enjoy romantic thrillers, why did I read Identity? Partly because I hoped that it would be different, but mostly because no matter what my issues are with the pace or the lackluster climax, I know that Roberts is going to tell an amazing story. A story I will come back to and read again and again. She always does.

I received an ARC from NetGalley. My opinions are given freely.

I have appreciated the ability to read an arc of Nora Roberts’ book, Identity, in exchange for an honest review. That was actually very easy to do, as I was captivated by the story from start to finish. I had a hunch that something was up with Luke as soon as Morgan noticed him at the bar. I was right about the hunch, and spent the rest of the book hoping that he would get what he deserved in the end. I enjoyed watching Morgan grow and turn a horrible situation around while becoming a much stronger and wiser woman in the process. Well done, Nora.

I have received a free copy of this book and my opinion is strictly mine.
This has got to be the best Nora Robert's book I've read. She had a great amount of thrill and smarts balanced through the story.
Morgan Albright is living her best life, she works 2 jobs that she loves, owns her own home that she's fixing g up and has a dependable car. Along comes Mr. Charming and all is lost. He steals her identity and everything she has and leaves her roommate and nest friend murdered in her home.
Morgan goes home to.her Mom and grandmother where she stats to heal and rebuild her life. Not so for the hacker, he has lost his MOJO because Morgan is the only woman that he didn't get to kill after taking all they had.
I couldn't put this book down, it was so captivating

Thank you for the opportunity to read 'Identity'!

I will preface this by saying that I am a massive Nora Roberts fan. While 'Identity' has flashes of some of the hallmarks (beautiful scenery, humor, budding friendships, and obviously, the romance) of my favorite Nora Roberts novels, I found that this book is a little choppy and unsustained. I also recognize that this is an ARC, but the characterizations of both Luke/Gavin and Morgan both feel unfinished and caricature-like.

There is a section towards the start of the book (when 'Luke' breaks into the house and Nina confronts him) that doesn't track logically. Luke notices that Nina is sick and says that Morgan told him Nina was sick which surprises Nina since she claims Morgan didn't know. However, there was a sequence like 10 pages earlier where Morgan fully recognized Nina is sick and talks about making her soup.

There also was an unnecessary plot with a Mr. Castle and some like mafia style goons that resolved way too quickly and way too friendly. It didn't add anything to the story and Morgan didn't even seen perturbed or even like she was dwelling on that new development. I also found the sub-plot with Morgan's mom to be unfinished. There was a lot of small references to a damaged relationship in need of repair, but there really wasn't a broader explanation of why or how it actually impacted each of them until like 60% of the way through the book. It seemed unnecessary and didn't add to the story or track with either of the characters.

Frankly, someone who survived being targeted, having their home broken into, best friend murdered and been a victim of identify theft would have a degree of terror and distrust and PTSD, but Morgan didn't really seem to be emotionally scarred. She did have a panic attack, but it happened pretty far into the story and up until that point she had been incredibly calm and sensible.

All that being said, there were still plenty of moments that made me smile or laugh or react to the story appropriately. The love story and the hotel work was far more compelling to me than the psychopathic, misogynistic murderous identity thief, The 'that face' love scene was fantastic. I also really loved the proposal - 'The Raven' reference made me cackle. I also really appreciated that there wasn't a third act break-up, it was a welcome change from so many romance-based novels.

Nora Robert's latest thriller Identity is a typical story for the author. A sweet romance threatened by an evil force that looms in the background, ready to steal the once-in-a-lifetime happiness that readers, of a romantic nature, dream of and wish for loved ones.

Morgan Nash Albright is a hard-worker, building a life for herself as an inventive and creative bartender, quick to concoct a mouth-watering, pleasing cocktail that satisfies its recipient. Each drink is a distinct bouquet, specialized for its customer's mood. So how does an intelligent, perceptive, and independent woman fall prey to a vicious serial killer like Gavin Rozwell, calling himself Luke Hudson when he introduces himself to Morgan?

Roberts shows that anyone can be a target, even one who is intelligent and perceptive. Roberts also shows that the victim should not take the blame for being taken advantage by a chameleon, who can flip one's personality and have the skillset to empty bank accounts, open charge cards in someone else's name, take out loans using someone else's identity. Roberts never reveals how Gavin Rozwell is able to steal the identity of his victims, but the author articulates detailed and graphic images of his travels, plotting, and killings.

Morgan unknowingly escapes Rozwell, becoming the victim who got away. A significant portion of the book is spent on Rozwell plotting to make his move to kill her. To the reader's satisfaction, he does not succeed on his mission.

Miles Jameson, the hero in the novel, is a quiet type, concealing a generous and mindful character. Roberts develops the love match between Miles and Morgan slowly and steadily. His support for Morgan is unwavering, and the support of his family and hers is storybook ideal. Roberts brings the FBI into the story as the good guys, coming to help Morgan, which contradicts the role of the present-day FBI with the public. This might actually be the hardest part of the story to go along with and accept.

Roberts keeps the story moving as she builds the love match while also keeping readers aware of the evil force brewing outside of the lovers reach. There is a superficiality about the characters, allowing readers to take liberties in filling in what Roberts does not tell them. It's a long read but the story will keep the reader engaged.

This is my first Nora Roberts novel but of course I’ve had some preconceived expectations just based on how long she has been writing and the popularity of her books.

Morgan is settling in life, she is renovating her house one step at a time, has a steady bartending job and a group of friends she adores. She meets Luke Hudson at the bar one night and they go on a couple dates. All of her security is stripped away when her best friend Nina is killed in their home in what looks like a break in. When the FBI shows up at her doorstep claiming ‘Luke’ is a conman, killing women and stealing their identities, she is shocked to learn most of her savings have been depleted. The only difference in this crime is that he left Morgan alive.

It was a slow start and overall dragged for me, the writing was choppy and lazy. Most of the time you weren’t sure who’s talking, confusing and switching between different POVs. It read like an HGTV decorating show for the first half, the second half was so much dialogue. I also thought the stolen identity plot was not very realistic and it bothered me.

2.5 rounding to 3 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an early copy of the ebook for review.