This book is why this is one of my all-time favorite authors. The amount of heart is astounding. I lose time reading because I am completely swept away in her stories. This is a standalone. Thea is such a strong character. And I adore Ty. Their romance is sweet, sexy, and so emotional. The big complication of Thea's life is engrossing. I was riveted to the plot involving Ray. Loved this book!

From the beginning, the sweeping beauty of Appalachia, the farm in Kentucky, to a brutal family murder. Psychic abilities, or “the gift” connect the main character, Thea, a child who has to grow up too fast - her grandmother and the beast who murdered her parents throughout the novel. I had read the recap so I had an idea of what would happen, but, the suspense leading up to the tragic event and beyond was palpable.

As Thea and her brother grow up on the farm with their grandmother, Thea grows into a young woman. There’s romance mixed with intense suspense and the supernatural, which combine it all into an amazing story. There are so many genres! What a great read.

I could not put this down - Nora Roberts is one of the most versatile authors I have ever read, and “Mind Games” is a great addition to her repertoire. What’s next Nora?

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

A story and characters that will stay with you long after you have finished the last page! Thea Fox and her younger brother Remington are spending several weeks with their Grammie in Redbud Hollow, Kentucky. Their parents head back to the city, but are caught in the web of an evil young man who takes what he feels he is owed and leaves tragedy behind. Thea and her Grammie share the “sight” and know immediately that her parents are in trouble. When Thea uses her sight to “see” what happened to them, she uses this information to bring the killer to justice. The killer also has the “sight” and continues to harass her, but as she grows older, she is able to keep him at bay. She is stunned when her former crush, Tyler Brennan and his young son Brayden, move in next door. Tyler is raising his son and is careful with who he allows in their circle. He is slowly trusting and falling for Thea, but when he believes that she abused his trust, what will he do? Will she ever be able to block the killer from her mind, permanently? A must read! I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

This well-written novel was compelling as well as thought provoking. A family drama with a touch of thriller. There was so much to this story, it’s full of tragedy, love, friendship, loss and grief. I was completely engaged throughout and really enjoyed the supernatural element. The ending was beautiful and hopefully there will be a sequel in the future.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

When Thea was twelve years old she witnessed her parents murdered in their beds in a senseless crime of hate and jealousy. Because of what Thea saw, however, her parents' murderer was caught and sentenced to life in prison.

The only thing: Thea was staying with her grandmother hours and states away from her family home. You see, the women in Thea's family have a gift. They know things, they can "see" things. Her grandmother has the gift, her mother had the gift - although was more uneasy with it and chose to lock it away - and now, Thea has the gift.

Over the years, Thea will learn that there are those who don't or won't understand so she learns to be careful. But one person she can't seem to escape is her parents' killer. That terrible night bonded them in more than just blood, but in mind. Thea will have to figure out the game if she wants a chance at living her own life.

Mind Games is another Nora Roberts book. I feel like I can say that with both a reverence and a plainness. Her contributions to romance and the romantic suspense genres - including dipping into elements of the supernatural - are undeniable. But that also makes it difficult to tread into anything new or unexpected.

Mind Games follows suit with her other recent releases in that a heroine has something bad happen to her and spends the rest of the book reconciling with that. Typically this also involves not being fully free and clear from the "bad guy". In this case, it is a bit of a twist because the continuing conflict between Thea and her parent's killer - Ray - remains in the shared space of their minds or dreams, however you may choose to interpret the gift. I honestly, never felt like there was a real threat. I guess a more apt thing to say was that there was very little external conflict it was all very internal - literally and figuratively. And despite this looming threat it never felt high stakes.

There's a lot of expository build up with a lot of time spent in Thea's childhood - almost to the point where her adult life - including the romantic interest - feels rushed toward the end.

Regardless of all of this, I still was invested in the story. I was still pulled in and found myself immersed. It was definitely and escapist read for me and there is nothing wrong with that.

One thing I have noticed in the more recent Nora Roberts releases is the very chopped / clipped dialogue. Almost, at times, like characters are reading from a list of bullet points. It's a rather strange affectation.

I've learned, however, that it leans better into audiobook format than standard reading. I don't know if this is what Nora Roberts is going for or not, but the whole performance aspect lends itself well to the paired down dialogue and descriptors.

No one is better to bring this story to life than January LaVoy. If you are an audiobook fan, I'd say her name should have popped up somewhere along your listening journey. She has such a great range and in this case in particular I was super impressed with her ability to go from character to character, young to older, myriad of genders so easily. There were so many times that I forgot it was one person narrating the entire book. At times I had to remind myself that's how she easily she pulls you into the story and these characters. Each has their own voice in the sense that I never questioned who was speaking. The emotion comes through so well encapsulating a twelve year old girl's trauma of not only losing her parents, but witnessing it happening. Overall a great performance.

Mind Games is an emotional book from the beginning, happy, sad, scared, shocked, angry and heart broken, by then end of the book though filled with joy. It's a book filled with family, mystery, growth, drama and romance.

Thea and her brother Rem spend two weeks in the summer with their grammie Lucy in Kentucky while their parents enjoy the peace and quiet at their home not knowing what is to come. One night back in Kentucky, Thea and Lucy both awaken to the exact same nightmare, 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 now 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, it doesn't stop their though the killer as well has special vision and him and Thea can contact each other and play Mind Games with each other.

Adored watching Thea and Rem grow up though out the book and grammie Lucy is the grandma that everyone wants. And who doesn't want to end up having their teenage celebrity crush living right next door?!?

Nora Roberts is a wonderful writer and did a job with these characters.

Thank you to NetGalley, Nora Roberts, St Martin's Press for this ARC

As a long time Nora Roberts reader I can say with impunity that this is one of her most interesting. Her mind is so creative to come up with these plots and each year when a new book comes out I wonder how she does it. This time we have a heroine, Thea, with “the sight” which runs in her family. There is a beautiful love story with Ty and his young son, and a family consisting of her grandmother, who also has the gift and her younger brother. As usual there is also suspense and a creepy killer. I loved reading this book and frankly did not want it to end. If you have ever read a Nora Robert’s book,you will love this one,and if you’ve never read her, please take a chance and read this one. You won’t regret it!

Mind Games by Nora Roberts delivered a standalone novel of loss, suspense, magical realism, and romance that held me captive from beginning to end. The audiobook narrated by January LaVoy was brilliant and one I highly recommend.

I started off reading Mind Games and then devoured the audiobook when it became available. I am a huge Roberts fan and generally prefer her trilogies, but Mind Games was a fantastic five star listen that held me captive, made me cry and left me yearning to raise chickens.

We are introduced to the Foxes as they travel to the Appalachians to drop their children off for a two-week summer vacation at their grandmother’s farm. Twelve-year-old Thea and her ten-year-old brother are excited to spend time with their maternal grandmother as their parents return to Virginia, unaware that trouble is coming.

Roberts is a masterful storyteller as she takes us through the tragedy of the parent’s murder, introduces us to Thea’s gift, and dives into the mind of the killer. She weaved magical realism and the police investigation into the story, then giving us a glimpse of the children’s lives on the farm before moving the story to their adulthood where Thea will find acceptance, love and face the evil that stole her parents.

The story was wonderfully paced, with touching moments, family, heartbreak, misunderstandings and humorous moments that made me laugh and cry. The suspense angle built slowly as we became connected to the Foxes, their maternal grandmother and uncles. Then she wove in, a sexy neighbor, a loveable dog, a cute little boy and more to make the story complete.

I love when I become completely immersed in the characters and story. Roberts did just that. As I stated, I began reading, but switched over to audio. January LaVoy beautifully captured the characters, the emotions and helped heighten the suspenseful moments of the story. I highly recommend grabbing your earbuds for this one!

This review was originally posted on <a href="http://booksofmyheart.net/2024/05/21/%f0%9f%8e%a7-mind-games-by-nora-roberts/" target="_blank"> Books of My Heart</a>
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<i>Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.</i>

I am a fan of this author, who is prolific. I haven’t read as many of her books as I would like, but have read all the JD Robb In Death books. I loved this from the start.

The world building is breath taking with the gorgeous countryside in Appalachia. There’s also the gift which runs in the women of the family. My favorite thing in paranormal type stories is mind skills. That’s what we get here.

Thea has the skills, even more than her grandmother. She learns to use them and work with them. She did not become a police consultant or go into law enforcement. She has a different, exciting and imaginative career. I love the way she built her life around her family. In the tradition of her Grammie, who has cows, goats, chickens and makes soaps and candles. The food with all the fresh produce from the garden, and fresh eggs, is tantalizing. All these aspects of the worldbuilding elicit more emotions.

Then there’s her ongoing battle of will with the man who killed her parents. Thea tries various things to shut him out. He’s in the supermax for the rest of his life, but that’s not enough.

Thea’s romance is beautifully grown, with a childhood crush and a 5 year old boy, who is the best! I was so happy for their joy and sad for their hurts. It’s a happily ever after, where they can live their best lives.

Whether she writes under this name or as J. D. Robb, I am a huge Nora Roberts fan. I always look forward to her romantic suspense books. Some of this book is emotional, and some is heart-pounding, all wrapped up in an atmospheric setting. 

The relationships in this book are solid and heartwarming, from Thea's family to her romance with Ty. The first half of the book is more character-driven, and Roberts develops her characters well. Love them or loathe them, they are vividly depicted. Thea, the FMC, in particular, is well done. It is a strong FMC that is easy to root for.

We meet Thea at age 12. She has a psychic gift, and her visions show her something horrific and terrifying, as she can see into the mind of the man, Ray, who killed her parents as he is doing it. Law enforcement takes her description of him seriously, and he is captured. However, Ray also has psychic powers but uses them for evil and attempts to terrorize Thea—the two battle it out psychically as he's in jail. Despite the tragedy, and with the love of her devoted grandmother and brother, Thea builds a life for herself and falls in love. But the danger is just around the bend.

I love magical realism, and this storyline is unique. Literal mind games are going on as Ray comes after Thea using mental telepathy, and she learns to fight back. Psychic abilities run through Thea's family and are passed down through the women. Lucy, Thea's grandmother, also saw the horrific visions the night Lucy lost her parents. I would have loved more details about this magic system because it really intrigued me. This wasn't my favorite Roberts book, and the pacing seemed slower than some of her other romantic suspense stories, and some dialogue was repetitive. But overall, it was enjoyable, and I can't wait for whatever Roberts writes next!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the free book!

*3.75 rounded up

Nightmare or reality? One night during the summer when Thea is 12 years old, she has a nightmare that her parents were murdered. She soon learns that her Grammie has the same dream and unfortunately it turns out to be true. As time passes, she has to decide whether to shut out her ability or to use it to save others. In addition, her parents' killer has the same ability and she has to learn how to cope with that. Overall I enjoyed the story but felt that the first part of the story could have been a little shorter.

Holy Nora Roberts! This book blew me away. I could not put it down and did not want to finish it. I did not want to finish it because I did not want to say goodbye to characters that I cared about.

Mind games has everything I look for in a Nora Roberts book. There was a twist of the paranormal, wonderful and relatable characters, a storyline that I became invested in, and a romance that is sweet and sexy. This book is must-read fiction.

I adore Nora Roberts and this book doesn't disappoint. I don't want to give too much detail and spoil the book, so I will just say that the twists and turns of this one are fantastic. I enjoyed all of the characters and the world that is created. Highly recommend reading this one!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for advanced copy, and I give my review freely

🤍Book Review: Mind Games by Nora Roberts🤍

"Mind Games" by Nora Roberts is a captivating blend of suspense, tragedy, and romance.
I was instantly drawn into the story of twelve-year-old Thea, who spends her summers in Kentucky with her grandmother.
The peaceful setting quickly turns tragic when Thea's parents are murdered, a crime she 'sees' through her inherited psychic ability. This chilling gift leads to the capture of the murderer, Riggs, but also binds Thea to him in a lifelong mental battle.
I love how Roberts builds the small-town atmosphere and strong family bonds. The secondary characters, especially Thea’s grandmother Lucy and her dog, add warmth to the story. The plot twists kept me on edge, and the romance is beautifully woven into the narrative without overshadowing the main storyline.

This engrossing tale of love, grief, and resilience is hard to put down.

“Mind games” was a classic example of Nora Roberts prolific writing that I’ve come to love so much over the last couple of decades.

Very grateful to the publisher for my copy, opinions are my own.

Through its action, romance, and heavy suspense, Mind Games takes readers on a long and winding journey of magic and tension with Thea and her family. The pacing may feel a little uneven at times, but all of the ups and downs come together to tell a compelling story.

Full review published on NightsAndWeekends.com and aired on Shelf Discovery

Nora Roberts is the queen of many romantic subgenres and romantic suspense is one of my favorites. She writes great characters and her settings span the entire country. Mind Games takes place in the Appalachian mountains, which are pretty close to where I live and have driven through many times. I loved the vibe of that setting and how the evil that haunted Thea jarred with that easy country living and created this jarring note every time he entered the scene. Ms. Roberts always sets the tone so well.

I enjoyed all of the characters that made up Thea’s family and friends. The love story aspect of the book happened a little too late, to my taste, and the childhood trauma a little too long. I had wished that a little more time was spent in the current time but understand why the author chose to build upon Thea’s early childhood and build the suspense that would carry through to adulthood. I still wish we had gotten a little more romance and a little less evil prisoner.

I have read so many Nora Roberts novels and I have strong opinions about what makes a good NR story and when they are just average. I think this one falls kind of in between. Mind Games reminds me of some of her earlier novels where they feel a little less fleshed out. I still enjoyed it but it’s not one of my favorites.

Thea and her brother are visiting their grandmother in Kentucky. One evening, Thea and her grandmother both wake from a terrible nightmare. Thea actually saw her parents get murdered in her dream. Her grandmother just felt it. Because of Thea, the cops were able to arrest the guy who murdered her parents. But Thea is never free of the horrible man! He haunts her dreams!

Thea is a character which I connected with right away. She is young and traumatized but it does not stop her from achieving her goals. I also enjoy how she uses her gift for the good!

But the way these two characters connect in their dreams is creepy! Thea is definitely the stronger one and she comes up with a unique plan to stop this from ever happening again!

Psychic books always fascinate me. Nora Roberts does and excellent job with this trope. I know she has expanded her genre a bit but I have never read one quite like this. I really enjoyed it!

The narrator, January LaVoy, did a great job! I enjoyed how calm she was during some stressful situations for Thea!

Need a different thriller….THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Although this wasn't my favorite Nora Roberts novel, it was still an engrossing and unique story as Thea Fox learns and uses her paranormal visions into her parent's killer's mind. The story started with the chilling vision that at first you think is a nightmare, but soon turns more creepy and sinister. The pacing of the story after started pretty slow with a lot of background, but soon drew me in to find out what happens next. And by the end of the story she's proven yet again that she's a master storyteller and I'll always be a fan of her writing.
Thanks to St Martin's Press through Netgalley for the advance copy of this book. The opinions in this review are my own and given voluntarily.

Thea Fox has an idyllic life. Loving parents, a pesky younger brother, wonderful home, and magical summers spent with her grandmother Lucy up in the hills of Kentucky. In the midst of one of those perfect summers, twelve year old Thea’s world is shattered. She and Lucy awaken in the dead of night after witnessing the brutal murder of Thea’s parents from hundreds of miles away. Both Thea and Lucy are gifted with seeing things others can not, but Thea has an exceptionally strong talent, a talent that connects her to the murderer. Using her unusual skills, Thea helps find and identify her parent’s killer, which leads to him spending the rest of his life in prison. Thea and her brother move into their grandmother’s home and start to build new, full lives that honor their parent’s memories. As Thea grows older, she’s always aware of the mental connection between her and the man who stole her parents lives and tries to mitigate the toll his looming presence takes on her. Then Thea meets a special man and his young son. In order to make a life with them, she’ll need to sever her twisted bond with the murderer once and for all. But he has spent years alone honing his talents and he’s not willing to let Thea go without a fight.

The Queen of Romance does it again! Mind Games is an exceptional entry in Nora Roberts’ vast oeuvre. Roberts is consistently amazing and could make the phone book into a riveting work of literature. She takes the mundane and makes it magical. Mind Games is beautifully written, like a lyrical piece of poetry. But the lyricism doesn’t lead to looseness. The story is on point and sharp. It’s focused and framed out. Every word serves a purpose. Roberts is always bringing new plots and fresh takes to the table, the unexpected and twisty. Romantic suspense with a bit of psychological thriller wrapped in a magician’s grimoire. I loved the mix of ordinary and supernatural elements. It becomes a layered tapestry of words. Roberts’ characters are so distinctive and easily identified as hers. They are fully fleshed out with motivations, thoughts, feelings, hopes, and dreams. They are emotionally smart and mentally tough. Another gem to add to the Queen’s crown.

This book was not quite what I expected it to be. I was a little leery of some of the parts of the book, but overall it was a good book. It was a traumatic experience for all involved. To have such tragedy occur to children is gut-wrenching to even read about. My emotions were all over the place as I read this book, but it keep me glued to the pages.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.