She knows what she wants, and is working hard to get it….and he takes it all in an instant.

Morgan Albright spent her childhood forever moving from place to place; her father’s Army career had her family continually relocating, then after her parents’ divorce her mother drifted from place to place, trying to forge a new life. As an adult she has chosen to set down roots in a neighborhood near Baltimore. She has bought a small house, taken in a roommate named Nina to help meet expenses, and works two jobs to set aside enough money to fix her house up the way she wants it. Her daytime job is with a family run construction firm, where she has learned skills to do some of the needed work in her house herself. Her nighttime job as a bartender brings in good money, and she enjoys being in an environment full of fun and social interactions. Her life plan hasn’t allowed much time for a social life, but she’s happy….she has a home she loves, money in the bank, and a wonderful group of friends who are like family, especially in NIna. So, when a good looking guy named Luke comes into the bar where she works one night and is a little flirty, she flirts right back. He comes back a few more times, fits into the crowd of the regulars, so when he finally asks Morgan out on a date, she accepts. Another date follows, and Nina suggests that Morgan invite Luke to join them and Nina’s boyfriend Sam at their house for dinner one night. Another good night, with everyone getting along well…but a few days later, tragedy strikes. Morgan returns home from work one day, and finds that her home has been broken into…and Nina, sent home from work sick, has been killed by the intruder. Broken glass, missing money and jewelry, even Nina’s car is missing, and the worst is yet to come. Someone has used Morgan’s identity to take out massive loans, open and run up charges on new credit cards, and empty Morgan’s own accounts. It doesn’t take long to discover that the person who has destroyed Morgan’s life is none other thank “Luke”, and she is far from his first victim. Devastated by Nina’s death at the hands of someone Morgan invited into their home, and struggling to hang on to the home she has worked so hard to own, Morgan finally has to admit defeat. She sells the house, pays off the mounting bills, and reluctantly heads to her grandmother’s house in Vermont. Living with her mother and grandmother, in need of a job, Morgan is at rock bottom. But the work ethic and determination that had brought her so close to her dream have not been fully extinguished. Soon she is running the bar at a high-end resort in town, making friends, and reestablishing bonds with her family.
When Morgan was interviewed by the FBI, she learns that not only has Luke bilked other successful young women of their assets, he has always left them dead. She is the only one of his targets who lived. And that has not set well with Luke. He isn’t quite ready to finish the job with Morgan, but he knows that he will. That he must. And he makes sure that Morgan knows that he isn’t done with her yet….new credit cards are opened in her name, jewelry taken from her turns up on the bodies of his latest victims. The FBI is on his tail, but he is able to stay one step ahead of them. Morgan is working hard to rebuild her life; she again has a job she loves, is making new friends, is even taking defense classes to be ready to defend herself if and when Luke returns. And then there’s Miles Jameson….grandson of the owners of the resort where she works, owner of a goofy but lovable dog, and a house with actual turrets. Oh, and he’s hot (it is a Nora Roberts book, after all!). Neither was looking to fall in love, but it seems to be happening anyway. Can Morgan trust enough to love? Can she keep herself, as well as her mother and grandmother, safe from a violent predator who has a score to settle?
Nora Roberts’ heroines have, to quote Lou Grant, “spunk”, and Morgan has it in spades. She isn’t looking for a man to save her, or to give her the life she wants…she will do whatever needs doing to get her life back under her own control, including getting fit and strong under the tutelage of fitness coach Jen, aka “the Terminator”. She works on her issues with her own family, and enjoys getting to know the large and close-knit Jameson clan. In the end, she will need to draw upon people skills learned as a bartender as well as the defense techniques she has developed, as well as the precautions put in place by the FBI, the town sheriff, and her family and friends, to face a showdown with the psychopath who wants to finish the job he started back in Baltimore. Fans of Nora Roberts will definitely appreciate Identity, and if for some reason you have never read one of her books (is that possible?), then think of Debbie Macomber, Julie Garwood, or Sandra Brown. I thoroughly enjoyed this read, and recommend it to lovers of romantic suspense. Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for the advanced reader’s copy.

I think everyone would agree that Nora Roberts can do no wrong with her books!!! She always executes beautifully the plot and characters development and it's what always brings me back to her books. Plenty of suspense and a little romance making it a perfect combination of a book you just can't put down!! I read it in a few hours because I just needed to keep going & going!!! Highly recommend this book :D

Firs, thank you NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this book. It has been a long time since I started a book that I could not put down. This was such a good book.

I received an advance copy of Identity by Nora Roberts via NetGalley for review. Identity follows Morgan Albright while she reclaims her life back after falling prey to identity theft and her best friend being murdered for it. Morgan returns to her roots in Vermont and moves in with her mom and grandmother to begin again. As she begins to feel good about herself, her family, and her directions, the person who stole her identity begins to target her again. With the help of her mom and grandmother as well as her boss and lover, Miles, she fights to protect what is hers.
Ms. Roberts follows her signature 3 act strategy when writing her summer release. Everything falls in line predictably. While with other writers, this becomes boring, Ms. Roberts throws out unique, strong, capable characters to entertain us. It isn't the primary couple that keeps the book moving but it's the spry grandmother who wears a "I DISSENT" shirt or the guilt POWER (not trip) that Miles' mother uses on him and he in turn uses on Morgan.
I did have 2 issues with the book however
1. I work for a credit union and have help many out of fraud issues and kept shaking my head that certain items were not covered. I am fully aware that these items would never have moved the story and therefore not useful but I kept looking for them and that is on me not the writer.
2. The 3rd act felt too rushed. I was expecting it to happen sooner and with more action but it didn't come till very late.
All an all, I greatly enjoyed reading this book and will keep available for a reread. I would actually rate 4.5 stars.

This book, where to even start. To preface, I’m not a long time follower of Nora’s writing but this was amazing. This book played like a movie. Morgan our lead is written is such a way that should be relatable for every woman. She truly is her own hero and that resonates in our world today.

The romance is honest and real. Miles is everything you want in a male protagonist. He is strong but he still lets Morgan be Morgan. This mystery will chill you to the bone not because it’s the scariest but that it could be real. Like in the book, the helplessness that I felt for Morgan made me feel so vulnerable.

Honestly this book is probably a 4.5. I haven’t read a five star read but this comes as close as I’ve read in a long time.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgally for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Nora Roberts is at the top of her game with her latest book, Identity. I have been reading her books for many years, more than I want to admit to, and she always keeps up with current happenings and this book is no different. Identity is an intense story about identity theft and murder, and how deeply it affects the victim who is left to pick up the pieces of her life. I was so engrossed in this story that I read it until 2 am until I realized I had to work the next day but picked it back up the next evening and read it until I finished. Nora Roberts is the queen of suspense and with a great romance thrown in!

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. I loved this story and give my thanks to the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, as well as NetGalley for the opportunity to read it in exchange for my honest opinion. I gave it five fabulous stars!

OH! MY! GOSH! This was so fantastic! Plenty of suspense and a little romance. I could not put it down but also was afraid of what would happen next. I haven't read a Nora Roberts book in a long time but this one has me jumping at sounds. Have tissues near for the crying.

Morgan moved around a lot when she was young because her dad was in the military. After the divorce, her and her mother still moved a lot. Morgan always wanted roots so she finds it in Baltimore. She works two jobs and bought her own little house. She gets a roommate, Nina. When she meets a guy, Luke, at her bar, they go on a date and she fixes dinner for him. When Nina comes home early because she's sick, and Luke is there. He kills Nina and takes Morgan's car. Luke is a serial killer and is killing women who look like Morgan and taking their identity and all their money. She loses everything and moves back to Vermont with her mother and grandmother. She gets a bar managers job at a resort and starts to rebuild her life. She meets one of the owners, Miles, and they start a relationship. Luke is crisscrossing the country and is making his way to Morgan, whom he blames for his bad luck. But it will not be as easy as he thinks to kill Morgan.

* Voluntarily read and reviewed for Netgalley *

4.25 STARS

Despite being an avid reader, “Identity” is actually the first Nora Roberts book I have read to date. While the intriguing premise is what initially drew me in, it was the unfolding of the storyline that kept me engaged from start to finish.

Romantic suspense if one of my favorite genres, so I welcomed this author’s unique spin within a category of books that I am deeply familiar with. Her writing is clear and concise, and her characters are well-developed and aptly flawed in every way that counts.

That said, however, the pacing felt a bit slow at times, while the ending felt rushed and anti-climactic. The author played it “safe,” in my opinion, most likely writing to her specific audience, while my personal tastes veer a little darker. Hence, the 4.25 star rating instead of 5.

Still, this specific assessment didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment of my first Nora Roberts book or deter me from devouring it in just one sitting. “Identity” is definitely a book I’d highly recommend.

Nora Roberts has the ability to draw you in, making you feel like you’re sitting with a good friend who is telling you the story. This story is no exception. Before I finished the first half of the book, I took turns feeling happy, then wanting to crawl under my covers and cry for the rest of the night. The problems the main character faces could happen to anyone, which helps the reader develop a connection. The ups and downs, the challenges she faces, will have you on the edge of seat, while still letting you see. Her growth and strength. Suspenseful and poignant, I found myself unable to put it down. I highly recommend.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Identity
By Nora Roberts
Pub: 5/23/2023

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!
I loved this book. Hated to see the story end. Sad fact this type of crime is more common than not and Nora Robert's did a great job telling Morgan's story after her identity was stolen and lost everything along with her best friend. Loved all the character's and loved seeing Morgan make a very strong and accomplished comeback. Loved the romance between Morgan and Miles and of course Howl.
Enjoyed reading about the family and how they all came together to be there for Morgan.
Highly disliked Luke but he was that necessary evil to make this work. When a writer can make the reader feel so much emotion about the characters you know it's good, okay not good, it's great! Just disappointed about the goat. I will say no more on that.
Highly recommend!

I love everything that Nora writes because she’s one of the very few authors that can keep me engaged throughout the stories no matter what topic is talked about or what genre she writes in.

This one will be another hit of hers and I’m hoping to see it on the big screen as well. It’s a suspenseful story with a compelling character and I loved the side characters as well.
I was on the edge because I wanted to know what happened next since the first half of the book created the perfect atmosphere and there was something hanging over their head at all times.

Suspenseful, thrilling and a must read story


I’ll be posting my full review closer to the publication date .

Nora Roberts is one of my favorite authors, I dont even need to know what her books are about I just always read them. This one grabbed me from the first page, so easy to get lost in her stories and so very hard to put down. Nothing better than a book about friendships and trying to find your own way only to have it all ripped apart.

Then you realize maybe you just have to go home for a fresh start, so many different relationship aspects especially between the three generations of Nash women, for me that was the best part of the entire story-how they talked things out, told stories from their earlier years and totally supported each other with everything they did.

New friendships were made, slow blooming love came in with a bang when it was least expected and more relationships came from that, and Morgan became even stronger and smarter. Everything came together nicely and it was wonderful to have such a strong female character getting it done!

Nora Roberts knocked it out of the park with this one! Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC for my honest review.

A romantic thriller is what awaits you in Nora Roberts’ Identity. Morgan Albright is working hard at building the life she envisioned for herself. She is happy at her bartending job, loves the new home she purchased and has a roommate she adores. She’s even found a handsome and interesting man who she’s excited to spend time with. But he is not who he appears to be and she quickly discovers his real motivation….. a murderer and identity thief. This discovery sets the story in motion as Morgan tries to rebuild her life by moving home to Vermont to live with her mother and grandmother, always knowing HE is still out there looking for her.

The storyline grabbed me from the first pages and I was hooked. I loved Morgan right from the start and thought the character development for each of the essential characters was done with precision and depth, making them seem real. I found the book to be a little too lengthy with extraneous information, sometimes taking me away from the story that I was eager to stay engaged with.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Publication date: May 23, 2023

You can never go wrong with Nora Roberts at the helm even when the ARC is a 'Read Now' piece via Netgalley.
I jumped on board this ship and I'm so glad I did because Nora has always been a fan favorite of mine over the years.
Identity was unique in that there's a murderer on the loose who continues to kill while leaving evidence of a gal he's really interested in which turns out to be our very own -Morgan.
Morgan's friend Nina has already been killed and the clues turn to Morgan being next!
Unless someone can stop Gavin Rozwell in time and there's no time to waste as things are escalating with more bodies being identified.
This was a longer than expected but it was a constant state of entertainment that held its ground and kept my attention longer than even I expected possible.
I enjoyed the fact that somehow after arrest and conquer we have the ultimate award with happiness and tranquility. Peace is on the horizon.
Love it all.
Thank you Nora Roberts, St. Martin's Press, Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

I have yet to ever be disappointed by anything Nora Roberts writes. I loved this book! A little romance, suspense, mystery, and family bonding what more can you ask? There was never a dull moment, it pulled you in from the beginning and never let go.

I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Nora Roberts has written another suspenseful novel with engaging characters and fast-paced action. Morgan Albright is a woman with ambition and drive. She works two jobs and doesn't have time to focus on romantic relationships. Luke Hudson comes into the bar where she works one evening, and her life erupts into chaos. Her identity is stolen, and she loses everything she worked so hard to achieve. Her housemate, and best friend, is murdered in their shared home, and she struggles to cope with her grief.

Eventually, she returns to Vermont to live with her mother and grandmother. She finds a new job that she loves and begins to rebuild her life. But, the thief is also a serial killer who is not through with Morgan. She is the only victim that he didn't kill, and he is obsessed with his need to make her pay for living.

Strong female characters, as well as deep family ties, are depicted throughout the story. This serves as a contrast to the sociopath hunting Morgan, who sees women as targets and lacks connections with anyone.

The author is skilled and draws the reader into the action. Fans of Nora Roberts expect her books to keep them on the edge of their seats. Identity doesn't disappoint.

Thank you NetGalley for Arc of Nora Robert’s latest book. I have to admit that I muddled through this one. Very predictable. Morgan’s growth was expected, but her constant reference to “her ladies” was annoying.
A lot of dialogue.

I have been reading Nora Roberts’ books for a very long time, and I have never read a bad one. And then she wrote Identity. I was really having a hard time breathing at the end. But then there was the epilogue, and it was perfect. If Identity was a drink, it would have a splash of thriller, a jigger of strong women and a twist of romance, served with a side of family. It was impossible to put down. I loved the good characters and the setting, and honestly, the evil thriller kept making my Apple Watch go off. You know, the red screen that says “high heart rate”! I read until my eyes went dry, and after some eye drops, I read again. Bravo Nora Roberts! You have a winner! Thank you to NetGalley for an early copy, all opinions are my own.

Fantastic book by Nora Roberts! I LOVED the three generations of Nash women and seeing all that they could accomplish and do. It was a romance crossed with suspense and kept me reading late at night!

I really liked this book so much so that I stayed up late two nights in a row to finish it. This book had enough twist and turns to keep it moving and to make you want to loose sleep over to just read a little more and a little more. I may have taken a long lunch break one day to just see if I could finish... I hope she has a second and third book to delve deeper into the rest of the family. There are a few siblings I would love to hear more about.