I absolutely love Nora Roberts. But as her trilogies have become repetitive, it's been awhile since I've read one of her standalone novels. And this one great. She is such a great storyteller. Pulling you into the story with great characters and keeping you engaged so it's impossible to put the book down.

Thea is a wonderful character that you can empathize with right from the beginning. The story follows her growth through tragedies and difficulties to become such a strong woman. And the last chapter where she confronts her parents' killer was so enthralling. Another great book.

Thea and her brother always spend summers with their grandmother. She and her grandmother have a gift of reading other’s thoughts. When their parents are murdered, Thea can read the killer’s thoughts and he can read hers. She helps put him in prison for dozens of horrible deaths. As the years pass, he gets into her mind and she decides he needs to be neutralized in order for her to live. A great Nora Robert’s novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an e-arc of this book.

This is my first Nora Roberts book and I know she is beloved author. I enjoyed a lot of things in this book but I also felt it was a bit long and drawn out and could have been shorter.

We follow Thea who lost her parents at 12 years old. She and her brother were spending the start of summer with their Grammie in Kentucky, as they do every year. While her parents are back home in Virginia they are murdered in their bed. This part of the story instantly grabbed my attention and my heart. For the first 30 % of the book we learn about this tragedy and we learn some interesting facts about Thea and the women in her family. This was very interesting and a great way to get me excited. However, the middle of the book turn a slow turn. We see Thea go to college and become a skilled video game artist. She designed and crafted her first game and makes a successful career for herself. Finally at about 50% we see her fall in love. This part of the book is also interesting. I love the characters and the animals and the family relationships we see. But again, there is a lot of repeat that becomes boring and the "thriller" part is few and far between. The gaming aspect of this was pretty interesting and fun to read.

I would rate this a 3.5. I did not like the language that was used, although, it makes sense. I also did not like the casual way the Lord's name was used. It also makes sense as this is how people talk but it was bothersome to me. For the most part the romance was clean, there were a few scenes but they were not bad. I liked so much about it but it just could have been a bit shorter and still made the same impact.

Mind Games is a dip into the paranormal waters weaved with themes of love, loss and family. And what a beautiful family they are.

Thea and her brother Rem travel every summer to visit her grandmother, Lucy or Grammie, in Kentucky. Thea and her grandmother share a special psychic connection as do all the females in the Fox family. That summer, Thea and her grandmother psychically witness the brutal murder of Thea’s parents. The murderer also shares the same ability as Thea and as the years go by he taunts Thea, poking at her. Thea’s grandmother has to teach her how to control her abilities and strengthen them so he can’t hurt her.

As time has passed Thea has become as game programmer and built her own house near her grandmother. Thea is strong and patient and is such a great female character. She meets Ty and his son when they move in next door. Ty is a former member of her favorite childhood band, Code Red. Ty is at a crossroads with the direction of his life and where he wants to settle with his son. He is protective and kind and immediately captivated by Thea. It was beautiful to watch their romance unfold and see Thea fall equally in love with Ty’s son.

My one criticism is the fact that this is classified as a romance and yet we don’t meet Ty until halfway through the book. The first half is dedicated to Thea’s childhood. And at times it felt as if it dragged on. It could have benefitted from some summarization to keep the reading flow. The second half felt like it flew by quickly.

The beauty of this book is in the story telling. The way Nora uses words to paint a picture so real you feel you’re there. And dialogue so authentic and interesting. This story of a beautiful family and community who love and support each other and become Ty’s found family. It’s all weaved together into this beautiful tapestry of words. It’s Nora Robert’s superpower.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this review copy.

Mind Games is an electric thriller underpinned by the power of family and an exquisitely sweet romance.

I’ve probably said this before, but Nora Roberts has this uncanny ability to weave a clever and very detailed story so that you feel completely immersed in it, with a pace that is never too slow or tedious. Every word and event have a place and a meaning.

Just like Thea, I squealed quietly inside when she met Ty and they got to know each other. Their relationship developed gradually, but they had a palpable and real connection right from the start. Every character had so much dimension and heart. I loved all of them.

This story took us on a wild ride of harrowing experiences and a wide range of emotions. I felt wrung out by the end, but with a goofy smile on my face. The “Mind Games” element to it was truly well done, providing most of the nail-biting suspense.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

When I finished this book, my reaction was "Wow, that was a good one!" Just in the first two chapters you fall in love with the Fox family and Grammie Lucy, who are all so unaware of the tragedy that awaits them all. The Virginia family looks forward to the summer visit that Thea and Rem have each year in Kentucky with Grammie, and this is where the full power of Thea's "gift" brings her innocent childhood to a stop. As Thea and Rem settle into their new Kentucky lives, we watch the development of their characters through a timeline that touches on the important things in their lives but does not linger until present day. Thea's "gift" allows her to keep track of her parents' murderer, Riggs, to be sure he remains in prison.....but her psychic-visits don't go unnoticed as Riggs has a "gift" of his own and soon begins to harass Thea through the vicious mind games he plays. Learning to lock out Riggs, Thea settles into her own life story with her gaming business, Rem's helping her along with creating his own future, assisting Grammie with her business of homemade products, and the busy-ness of having her own home and animals to care for. The peripheral characters Roberts brings into the story, friends and neighbors, show up at "just the right times" and round out the characters' stories. But when the new neighbor and his son move in, she finds herself becoming romantically involved, and her guard against Riggs drops, endangering her relationship. With the support of her Grammie Lucy and Rem, Thea fights against the evilness of Riggs in a very unique way, involving her skills as a gaming-developer. This was one part of the story that I found very enjoyable as it adds a unique dimension to the storyline and how she confronts Riggs in her own world. Worth the read and another hit for sure!! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #MindGames

This copy was given to me by the publisher and Netgalley for review. All opinions are my own.

I love Nora Roberts and this book was no different. So much about the main character resonated- her chickens, big happy dog, love and closeness of her family. I even loved that she made a character that was comfortable with cooking and growing her own food. I really enjoyed these aspects of the story. Grandma's Appalachia background and herbal remedies were so cool to read- now I wanna learn more myself. The magic that isn't normally in her thriller romances was a fun twist. I wish that the danger aspect was a little more high stakes versus it being a "mind game"

Nora Roberts is really good at giving us characters to love. I enjoyed the characters in this book and their stories. I wish I got more from the storyline with Ray. It seemed like it should've been given more attention throughout the book, instead of some of the stuff I saw as filler. I also was underwhelmed by the ending. It was still a great story and I loved Ty and Thea. I gave it 3.5 stars rounded down to 3.

Mind Games written by Nora Roberts was absolutely MIND BLOWING!!!!!!! I get so excited and filled with so much joy when a book by Nora Roberts lands in my hands, but the anticipation for Mind Games was literally unreal. Nora never fails to amaze with her beautifully and ground breaking storytelling. Mind Games was no exception, I felt so many emotions while reading this book, I was happy, I was sad, I was scared, I was shocked, I was angry, I was heart broken, but by the end of the book I was filled with so much joy. I loved this book way more than I could ever explain, no amount of words I share will bring this book the justice it truly deserves. Mind Games is more than just a book written by one of my many favorite authors, there's romance, sadness, family, love, loss, finding happiness during hard times, there's a mystery, but most importantly there's MIND GAMES. Have I captured your attention yet? If not, let me just say the thrills were thrilling. I can't recommend Mind Games enough, please do yourself a favor and add this book to your never ending tbr shelf immediately. Have you ever read a book that it felt like the author sucker punched your heart with their words? Well, it felt like Nora Roberts left a hole in my heart.

THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND ST. MARTIN'S PRESS FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!!

Every single June right after school gets out for summer break, the Foxes have driven the winding and adrenaline pumping roads of Appalachia to drop off their children, Thea and Rem for a two week stay at their grandmother Lucy's house. In the Kentucky mountains, Thea can run free, breathe in the fresh smells of pine, her grandmother's homemade fresh baked bread, and Lucy's handmade candles. Rem can run around wild and play in the mud and just be a little boy whose enjoying his summer vacation with his sister and grandma. After dropping off their children, the Foxes head back to suburban Virginia to enjoy their peace and quiet, but while they are heading back to Virginia the Foxes have no idea they are about to cross paths with a ticking time bomb. One night back in Kentucky, Thea and Lucy both awaken to the exact same nightmare, though Thea and Lucy have never discussed the special kind of gift they both share, they know as soon as their tearful gazes meet one another in the dark night that something terrible has just happened to Rem and Thea's parents. Thea and Rem will no be spending the rest of their childhood growing up in Kentucky with their grandma, but thanks to Thea's special vision, their parents killer will spend the rest of his life in a super max prison.

Mind Games was dark and twisted, but I loved every single minute of it, I adored watching Thea and Rem grow up. Grammie Lucy is the grandma that everyone wants in their lives, she's loving, extremely supportive, and always there for her grandchildren through this difficult time, but she also has time for being a mother to her own children. Thea and Rem are the perfect type of siblings, they have a strong relationship and bond with one another after what they went through when they were children. Thea and Rem bicker like all siblings do, but they will always have each others backs no matter what. I absolutely loved and adored Grandma Lucy, she was such a sweet soul, but she definitely had a sassy side of her which was so cute and funny. It was so heart warming to see Rem and Thea lifting each other up after witnessing a grief that no child should ever have to experience. Let me be honest with y'all, I don't think I've ever cried reading a mystery/thriller before, but Mind Games destroyed me, the funeral for Rem and Thea's parents gutted me, it was utterly heart breaking. Grammie Lucy, Thea, and Rem will always have a special place in my heart, I don't think I could ever forget these sweet souls for a long time to come. Also, I can't forget about all the animals Lucy had at her house/farm, ugh, they were all so adorable and had the absolute cutest names ever.

Title: Mind Games
Author: Nora Roberts
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"Mind Games" by Nora Roberts

My Perception:
'Mind Games' is a thrilling story that will keep readers turning the pages in this Appalachian Kentucky setting. Some very thought-provoking characters will have you shaking your head at times with the drama and suspenseful thriller. What will happen as Thea and Lucy [grandmother], both having that special gift[the sight], awaken from a nightmare, knowing what happened to their parents? Will the authorities believe Thea? Yes, be ready for mystery, suspense, thriller, romance, paranormal, and a coming-of-age story.

The story was slow-moving, but then the action came. Get ready for plenty of it, especially with that terrifying villain. You must pick up this good read to see how this author tells this story and gives the reader quite a captivating ending.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for providing me with a digital copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.

As usual, Nora Roberts knocks it out of the park for me. We start off meeting our main character as a young girl before tragedy strikes. I feel like this really helped not only connect with our main character Thea, but to the other members of her family as well. Reading this book felt like watching a movie, everything builds on itself creating this entire world and these amazing characters that I don't want to leave once the story is over. I loved the small Appalachian town, and how all of the residents take care and watch out for each other.
While this isn't a story full of action it was thrilling and suspenseful when the moment called for it. I loved Thea's psychic nature and how she uses it throughout the story, even when it gets her in a tight spot with her love interest. Speaking of love interests I loved the MMC and his totally adorable son! He absolutely stole all the scenes he was in. I thought the romance while not a huge part of the story was so well done I couldn't help but root for them from the moment they met.

Nora Roberts is one of my favorite authors and I can't wait to read her next release!

I loved this story. I thought it was well written and Nora Robert’s is a wonderful storyteller. The main character having psychic ability and coming from a line of women with the same gift was very intriguing. I look forward to rereading this over the summer.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the advanced reader copy. I have ben reading Nora Roberts for years and am always entertained by her books. However, I have to say Mind Games is my absolute favorite of hers!
I thought the concept was so interesting, but it was Thea's world and family that just drew me. I was just entranced reading about her life in Appalachia. This is definitely one to read!

The voice and characters, the storytelling, the settings, the plot twists and turns that I never saw coming and that also felt inevitable and perfectly wrought....what more can I say about MIND GAMES by Nora Roberts other than sum it all up: a perfect read with suspense, mystery, family, love and romance, fascinating people caught in the past and in playing mind games with one another and themselves. I totally enjoyed the mind reading capabilities of Thea as she unravels long-twisted strands buried deep and faces the forces that want to keep it that way. Roberts' writing is exquisite, somehow immediate and clear, propelling me through the pages, but also so beautiful and heartfelt I never wanted to leave the world she created so well. I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

Mind Games is a wonderful read. It's well-written, well-paced, the characters are interesting and three-dimensional and people I'd want to hang out with, the storyline is intriguing and emotional (yep, I cried buckets!), and the secondary characters are as amazing as the main characters. I enjoyed the cat and mouse mind games, but shivered a little thinking about connecting to the mind of a killer. I really enjoyed the show burn flirtation between Thea and Ty. And Braydon was yum!

This book is everything I've come to expect from the very prolific Nora Roberts. I highly recommend it.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

MIND GAMES - NORA ROBERTS

4.5⭐

PLOT -
12 yr Thea and her brother stay for summer at her grandmothers and while their parents return home and are murdered. Both Thea and her grandma Lucy get real time vision of this horrific scene. Due to this esp Thea's vision their parents killer is arrested and will spend the rest of his life in super max prison. But this gift of vision at times feel skike a curse as she tries to build a career, find love but the person whom she sent away also has the same gift as her and this ensues a long silent battle waged between the tow as the MIND GAMES begin.

MY THOUGHTS -
I grew up reading and loving Noras books they bring such comfort and she writes such strong female characters and Thea is one of them...the way she handles her gift and at times overcomes it is deftly written plus her bond with her closed ones was beautifully done.
The plot was unique and very interesting to read.
Its a slow burn mystery thriller with romance in the end ( wish we had more of it though) and thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

Nora Roberts is a an incredible author. She paints pictures with her words as if on a canvas. Talented doesn't even begin to describe her work. This book Mind Game is no exception.

Thea is a twelve year old girl who has a great life and family. She has a ten year old brother named Rem a dog named Cocoa and then her loving mom and dad, Cora and John. They are going to be going on a road trip to visit their grammie in Kentucky for two weeks for part of their summer vacation just like they do every year.

Unfortunately this summer vaca is not like the rest of them have ever been. Thea is Physic and so is her grammie. One night they both have a the same dream ...Cora and John have been brutally murdered. Thea doesn't stop there she actually y on to see the face of the murderer.

Mind Games truly gets interesting when Thea figures out that the killer also has physic powers! Who will win in this battle of the minds? Only you will find out when you read this riveting, sit on the edge of your seat holy crap book!

I highly recommend this book! Fantastic read
Happy reading

Thea Fox is twelve years old when her parents are killed. She and her brother are staying in Appalachia with her Grammie at the time, but Thea still witnesses the whole thing. She has the gift of sight and it’s just like she’s there in the house with her parents and the killer. Thea’s ability allows her to help the police put her parent’s murderer behind bars, but even from jail he can mess with Thea’s mind. Over the years, he comes and goes in her life until Thea has had enough and puts her foot down, trapping him and forcing him hand.

When I saw this book I was definitely intrigued by the description and knew it was going to be good because it was by Nora Roberts. I was hooked on this book from the very beginning and couldn’t put it down as I got pulled farther and farther into the story. This book takes place over many years and I loved the way it was broken down and we got to see Thea grow and find herself outside of the murder. The characters in this book were strong and easy to like, this story itself pulled me in and wouldn’t let me out until the very end and the moments of sweetness between Thea and the support her family and neighbors had for each other was the perfect balance to the tragedy this book revolves around. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone looking for a good thriller with a little bit of mystery, some strong characters and a story that will hook you from the very beginning!

Thank you to NetGalley and Nora Roberts for allowing me a preview of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Imagine waking from a horrible dream and then realizing it really happened. Your parents have been murdered. Thea Fox, and her brother Remmy have a wonderful family. At the start of every summer, their parents take them to their maternal grandmother‘s farm in Kentucky to spend two glorious weeks, just being kids with no worries of school and getting to bask in the love of their “Grammie”
Thea and her Grammy share a special psychic gift allowing them to see what is happening in real time, as well as from the perpetrators view. With her help the police are able to capture Ray Riggs and put him away for life. BUT! Ray has the same ability as Thea has and so starts the lifetime dance of their Mind Games between the two.
As Thea gets older, the police continue to come to her from time to time to use her special gift to help solve murders. But using her gift opens a little crack and that is just enough for Riggs to let her know he is still lurking..
This Book has a slow burn romance, the love of one’s family, intrigue, suspense and a crazy plot twist at the end. As an avid Nora Roberts fan this book does not disappoint.
I rate it 4 stars.

I just really enjoy almost anything from Nora Roberts. This was the story of Thea and her family, who suffered a tragedy in her young life involving the loss of her parents. Thea also inherited a gift from her family that allows her some psychic abilities that can both help and hurt. These characters were extremely well-written and lovable. I was sad to leave them after finishing the story. I love that we got to see so much of Thea’s life in one book and how much she evolved and accomplished. Definitely pick this one up if you’re a fan of the author or if you just want a really good book to read!