3.75 stars

There’s a reason why Nora Roberts is Nora Roberts, and this book is definitely proof of that. Having never read Roberts before, I jumped at the opportunity to read Identity ahead of publication date. And it did not disappoint.

Identity is a great mix of romance and suspense, which is a delicate balance to achieve. And Roberts knows the job. Her characters are written in a way that doesn’t necessarily put them in a specific time… which is a different feel than a lot of contemporary romance writers today. (For instance, Miles as a character feels kind of old-school, but thankfully not in a toxically masculine way.) I think the ways in which Roberts utilizes third person POV in this book also lends to that feeling. I can tell there’s been a consistency of writing style throughout the years, which is as satisfying as it is comforting.

I, for one, am glad I read a book by one of the greats.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I am a one-click reader for Nora Roberts, especially her romantic suspense novels. This one was like coming home. What other people might view as formulaic, I see as her signature style. It’s all Nora: fragmented to the point dialogue, strong family/community ties, strong resilient capable and independent woman, silent broody but caring man, a dog, LOTS of floral and home decor description, multiple POVs, and a satisfying ending.

I will say, the middle got a bit slow for me (as many of her recent books have) in that I didn’t need or really care about the day to day functions of the killer or the bar or how many flowers she planted, etc. The book could have been 100 pages less and still been suspenseful and good. I would’ve love to see a bit more tension in the romance build up. There was more talk about flowers and cocktails than the actual romance.

But it didn’t disappoint. I will continue to read whatever she puts out. Fans of Roberts’ distinct voice will recognize and appreciate it here.

I would like to thank NetGalley, the author, and the publishers for providing this ARC copy to read and review. All the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading the book.

I liked the storyline. Morgan was very likable and eccentric. I did not like the language throughout the book. I don't know if it was intentional but alot of words were repeated and it aggravated me having the characters repeat the same words, same words.

I was able to visualize alot as I read and I love that the book was visual beyond the words. I love that it was a thriller mixed with romance! Gave me the best of both worlds. Definitely recommend.

The latest by Nora Roberts provides the reader on quite the journey. This includes so many facets and underlying messages and well written novel that the reader will stay up late to finish. Office manager by day and bartender by night, Morgan Albright is a busy woman. She owns a small house in Maryland and has big plans to renovate her home as well as other ambitions. When she meets and befriends a handsome and likable man, Gavin, at the bar suddenly all her plans are flushed away. One night upon her return from work, she finds her roommate and dear friend, Nina, dead and strangled in their home. What happens next makes the nightmare even more unimaginable when she realizes that she is responsible for letting the monster in and that he also emptied all her accounts as well as taking loans out on her home. Devastated, she returns to her grandmother’s home in Vermont to lick her wounds and try to rebuild her life, but it seems Gavin isn’t done with her yet, but yet Morgan's life is altered permanently. I love the three generations of women as well as the legacy family that is included in this story, nice to see the roots as well as the love of how lives and relationships can change. This is a really great book that the reader will remember as well as learn many things. Definitely recommend this one.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity.

Morgan Albright has worked hard in order to be able to follow her dreams. She knows where she wants to live, what she wants to do. She juggles two jobs to help make it happen.

She thinks she is just sharing regular Bartender’s talk with a smooth stranger named Luke, but the man is taking note of everything she says.

Forced to start over after the murder of her housemate and best friend Nina along with all-encompassing identity fraud,she moves back home to live with her family.

She starts to rebuild her life there. But will she be able to keep it?

For me, the title—Identity—spoiled some of the plot initially, but the story grows richer, more interesting. The story held my interest. I enjoyed this book.

**I was excited to receive a complimentary copy of Identity by Nora Roberts from NetGalley. Opinions in this review are completely my own.**

Nora Roberts has been my go to author for YEARS! I think I own every book she's ever written, so I was super excited to read this one before it was even out. I got approved for this book Friday and then read it all Saturday! I love all of her books and they usually rate 3-5 stars for me. The romantic suspense type is one of my favourite as it kind of ties what she does with the In Death series by JD Robb, with the romance she does in her usual novels. First of all, I love the resilience that Morgan has. If someone had done what Luke did, to me, I would have likely just given up and been done. I loved the theme that things may not go in the way you expect, but it may turn out better than you expect. The relationship that she build with her mom and grandma was amazing. I loved that she called them "my ladies"; I thought that was cute. I loved all of the characters-- the Jamesons and the Nashes. They were just so cool. I wanted to be friends with them.

There were a couple of parts where I felt I had read it before, like a deja vu moment (the part where Liam wanted the ropes course) but not sure why. I had not read this book before. As well, there were a couple of times where I wanted to know more.. like what happened to her credit (how was he still able to keep opening accounts and getting money after she had reported it.

Spoiler ahead:
I thought it was interesting how we could see Gavin as he started to unravel and I just loved how Morgan took him on at the end. I love that she didn't have to rely on "being saved".

Overall, I loved everything about this book. I've already recommended it to multiple friends (and my mom).

I am a big Nora Roberts fan. I love her more recent books better than when she first started out. She has developed a gift of realism. In other words her books are almost like reading a biography. Everything is very real and possible, especially in today's world. Identity is almost too real. I know a lot of people who have been the victims of identity theft and it is a train wreck to recover from if you ever do. Include identity theft as one of the traits of a serial killer and you have a Nora Roberts book that is hard to put down. I will say there were some parts that were a little too slow for me. A lot of feelings and thankfulness and emotional conversations. The ending was also rather abrupt. Of course I knew how it would end but I thought it would be a little bit more detailed. But this doesn't stop me from giving it a five-star review. The book did keep me turning the pages! I voluntarily received a copy of this book from Netgalley.

Will be posted to Goodreads, Instagram and Facebook as publisher recommended for timeline!

Nora Robert’s will always have a soft spot in everyone’s hearts, deservedly. She writes about relatable, lovable characters that the reader can root for. This story is no exception. Morgan grew up an army brat and wants to make her identity in a place where she can finally put down roots. But when she meets a dangerous new person, her goals are shattered and she must fight for her life. Through her family and new friends’ support, she must take back her identity goals, freedoms, and hopefully save her life and future in the process. A roller coaster ride, my heart leaped and swelled as it does with all of Nora Robert’s books. The ending was super satisfying and made me melt. Thank you Nora Roberts for another journey of love. Thank you St. Martin’s Press for this opportunity with a pre-publication copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review. #noraroberts #NetGalley

********** COMING MAY 23, 2023 ***********
I was so excited to read Nora Roberts newest thriller, Identity. The subject matter is torn from today's headlines; using the web requires us to protect ourselves from identity theft. Yet scammers find ways to get in, which is the basis of this story. Romantic suspense, thrills, family bonds, and starting over are all themes woven into the fabric of "Identity". The characters are , villain aside, people you would like to be friends with in real life. The slow build romance also works the same with the mystery- suspense, ratcheting up the tension until you cannot take anymore---then the pace flies! Nora Roberts always delivers a heart felt romance alongside the thrills. Don't miss this!
Thank you #NetGalley , #St,Martin's Press, and Nora Roberts for sending me the digital book to read and voluntarily review. I was so excited to get it!
#Identity #NetGalley

Wow! I loved this book! It’s a mix of suspense, romance, and intrigue. I loved all the characters and they play their parts so well. Morgan, the main character, was very lovable and you couldn’t help wanting the best for her. Ms Roberts ratchets up the suspense by providing updates about the “bad guy” and the FBI barely missing him and then closing in on him. I was so pleased to read this book as I’ve taken a break for a couple years from this author. I wasn’t too keen on the direction of her romances. I recommend this book to anyone who likes suspense with a little romance thrown in. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

Long time Nora Roberts fans will love this book. Great story. Those new to reading her may have mixed feelings. It starts well and draws the reader in, however it may lag a bit in the middle for some. I say to those, keep reading the final chapters are fabulous.

If you love Nora Roberts you will love this book. Although there is romance in the story,it is also a thriller with lots of suspense. Morgan Albright is a strong female main character who I found myself cheering for. After a tragedy in her life that is very current with todays society, she finds herself broke, homeless, and back home living with her mom and grand mother starting over. Luckily she finds a great job and a new love but unfortunately, the past catches up to her. If you love Nora Roberts, you will want to add this to your reading list.

Identity was a decent romance/suspense book. It dragged and was bogged down with details that didn't matter to the overall story. I found myself wondering why so many people rave over Nora Roberts as I read this. For the most part it kept my attention. In part three the plot finally started moving with only a few slow points. The premise was good, the evil antagonist was a great bad guy, very devious. Morgan, the main character, was okay but the romance seemed forced into the narrative. Thank you to Net Galley, Nora Roberts, and St. Martin's press for the ARC.

Thank you St. Martens press for this ARC.

I have read many of NRs books. And this one did not disappoint.

Independent strong main character, check. Strong female support system, check. Bonus for a tenacious grandmother figure. Morgan is a likeable and compelling main character. Very charismatic, and no nonsense. The love interest is slow burn. I tried to call the love interest early on and NR surprised me.

This book manages to be heartbreaking, and heartwarming at the same time. Great big romance and thriller. The villains arc works great to keep up the tension, but also as a foil for Morgan.

As spicy as most NR, so a mild spice level. But romance is believable and strong. Would recommend.

Staying up into the wee hours of the morning to read “just one more chapter” is always, to me, the sign of a good book. I not only needed one more chapter of IDENTITY, I needed to finish the story.

Readers will find all the great elements we have come to expect from Nora Roberts from solid character development and plot surprises to and sweeping storytelling and swoony romance. I found some parts to be overly drawn out and a couple characters felt more like caricatures. But, overall, IDENTITY is another hit from a favorite author. It was a pleasure to receive a copy for review via NetGalley.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ebook for my honest review.
As always, Nora Roberts writes an incredible story. Her thrillers are amazing and this one is my favorite of hers so far. Absolutely excellent with so many twists and keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time! Highly recommend to all thriller lovers.

Nora Roberts has done it again! She draws me in right away, it basically follows her usual formula, but this was a new, interesting premise. Morgan is a great heroine, loved to see her finding/growing roots. I love how the characters develop, frowns, family & the dog! Perfect way to spend a weekend reading. Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I enjoy most of Nora’s books. Full disclosure this one was a little slow going in the beginning for me and I had trouble getting into the choppy sentences structure so I put it away for a few days but glad I picked it back up. The characters just work. The story was engaging and had all the feels - everything you love in a Nora Roberts book.

I was so excited to read this one. Nora Roberts writes romantic suspense like no other. As Roberts’s fans would expect-the characters are what make this story so compelling. Morgan is a tough, intelligent and hardworking heroine and Miles is a stoic workaholic. The spark between them slowly builds into a full blown romance. I love the side characters from the Nash ladies to the Jameson family. And the dialogue propels the reader through the pages, making it impossible to put the book down. The theme of this tale is in its name, Identity. Robert’s examines individuals defining oneself and how family, loss and love are all a part of that identity. Such a satisfying read!
Thank you to St.Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read an advanced e-galley, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Oh my goodness, this book was one I could not put down! It has the perfect combination of suspense, romance and thrilling elements that will keep the reader hooked and on the edge of their seat from the first page until the last. Nora Roberts never disappoints!

Thank you to net galley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!