This was the first Nora Roberts book that I've read. Honestly, maybe it's just not my style of writing, but this wasn't my favorite book. It was almost syrupy sweet - from the characters to the setting. And again, maybe that's how it's supposed to be - but I felt that the characters were either too nice or too mean - very exaggerated on both ends. I did however, like the colorful descriptions of where they lived and all of the small-town activities like candle-making and farming. Also, I'm not sure I liked the supernatural aspect either. Felt a little odd to me and out of place.

Despite being an avid reader for many years, I’ve only just recently discovered Nora Roberts’ books. “Mind Games” makes the third book of hers that I have now read, and like the previous two, it definitely did not disappoint! The storyline itself is a bit outside the box—which, frankly, was a huge draw for me—and it elicits a myriad of emotions from start to finish. I found the characters to be well developed and endearing, and the premise to be unique, compelling, and unpredictable. Running the gamut from thriller to suspense to supernatural to romance, it’s a story that pulled me in right from the very first page, and it continued to hold me captive right up until the very last.

Mind Games by Nora Roberts
Release date May 21, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

* single dad
* small town
* romance
* close family
* cute dog

Wow what a great book!

This story has a little bit of everything I love in a book. Mystery, thriller, paranormal, romance and even some magic.

The characters draw you into the story. You cannot help becoming invested in their lives. I loved the way they grew throughout the story. I absolutely adore Grammie! Everyone needs a grandmother like her in their life.

Thank you Netgalley and St Martin's Press for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of the.

I volunteered to read and review an advanced readers copy of Mind Games . Wow , what an amazing suspense romance/thriller . It's tragic and twisted but it is definitely delightful and heartwarming also . Such unique characters . I found myself pulled into the story enjoying every minute of it . This story is intense and and very interesting .
Thea and her brother Rem spent two weeks with their Grammie in Redbud Hollow , Kentucky . Thea and the women of the family all had the gift of visions . Unfortunately Thea has a vision of her parents murder . Thea has the sight stronger than most of the women in her family . When she helps catch the killer and puts him in prison a connection is made between them which lasts way too long . As Thea's life goes on she helps who she can with her vision . Unfortunately the connection to the killer continues and Thea is left to cut the connection so she can fully live her life . This story is one of the best stories I've read . I highly recommend taking the time to read .

Mind Games by Nora Roberts starts with the traditional ingredients: strong heroine, tragic event, loving friends and family, love interest, relationship conflict. Thea has wonderful parents, a close connection with her brother, and a grandmother who loves her. Her paternal grandparents suck, but with the rest of her support system, who needs them? When a tragedy happens, Thea helps to put a killer in prison but continues to be connected with him.

Mind Games takes the usual recipe and creates an interesting dish. It then adds some spice with the connection with the criminal, the idea of how what you believe affects your reality, and how Thea's career of creating games combine the two. As Nora Roberts does, the relationships between characters are strong and the storyline ties together well. The story sometimes has too much detail in the cooking and family bonding of Thea, her brother, and her grandmother. They're all very nice, loving, accepting people and there are enough examples to make sure that we all know it. There's a sweet romance that doesn't overwhelm the suspense, and as with most Nora Roberts' heroes, I'd like to know where to meet someone like this. I found the conflicts between characters to be very realistic in terms of how people deal with things they don't understand, like Thea knowing things she shouldn't know. I enjoyed the interactions that Thea had with law enforcement and how she aligned the challenges caused by her visions with her morality.

The romance at the end was a little schmaltzy, but overall sweet, and I found the vitriol of the killers thoughts to be repetitive of other killers/villains with the language used. It felt a little formulaic. Overall, however, Mind Games was intelligent in how the story built and the the ending was creative. It was an innovative response and surprised me, making this a book that I recommend to friends. This is a story that is better than 4 stars but didn't quite hit my 5 star standard. Definitely enjoyable and worth the time spent.

Thank you to NetGalley, Nora Roberts, and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of "Mind Games".

Thank you to NetGalley, Nora Roberts, and St. Martin's Press for an ARC copy of "Mind Games".

"Mind Games" is a masterfully crafted thriller that explores the complexities of love, family, and the enduring battle between good and evil.

Set amidst the winding roads of Appalachia, the Fox family's idyllic summer ritual takes a dark turn when a heinous crime shatters their lives. Twelve-year-old Thea and her grandmother Lucy, bonded by an unspoken connection, awaken to a shared nightmare, signaling the beginning of a chilling battle against evil.

As Thea grapples with her psychic abilities, she becomes a beacon of hope in the pursuit of justice, using her visions to ensure the perpetrator faces the consequences of their actions. However, her gift becomes a double-edged sword as she finds herself entangled in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with the very individual who tore her family apart.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and it had me captivated until the final page. However, I would have liked to see more focus on Thea's psychic talents and her collaboration with law enforcement.

If you are a fan of romantic thrillers, I recommend adding it to your list of must-reads.

Nora has done it again! I was hesitant to start this one because of how creepy it sounded, but as usually Nora has crafted an intriguing and exciting story around well rounded characters and a spark of supernatural that makes the story that much better. Can't wait to buy it in hardcover!

I will start with I loved reading Nora Roberts books years ago. I haven’t read one in over 7 years. Life got busy. Anyways as I was reading this it didn’t feel like the typical book she normally wrote! Maybe it’s me I dunno.
But I really enjoyed the story. It grips you right off the bat. You feel so sorry for Thea who witnessed her parents murder without even being there. It just rips at your heartstrings! But Lucy kept the kids together and gave them the best life to grow into.
If you like mind games you will enjoy this book. It’s got a bit of romance thrown in. But I didn’t take that as the main premise of the story.
A definite good beach read for the summer.
Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy

A tragic and heart warming story. Thank you Net Galley and St.Martin’s Press for this advance copy of Mind Games by Nora Roberts.

I’m not, generally, a Nora Roberts reader, having read just a few of her books, some of those under J. D. Robb. However, I was glad to read this story with its tough start, a double murder. Featuring prominently is a heroine, Thea, who comes from a line of women with second sight. Thea uses her ability to solve her parents’s murder and start a new life for herself.

Filled with beautiful, caring portrayals of family and friends this seems to be a hallmark Roberts book. A very enjoyable day’s read.

I've enjoyed reading Nora Roberts for years and my ratings waiver as she's a favorite author but sometimes a book doesn't hit the mark like others have of hers for me. As a comparison, her last book The Inheritance was a 5* in my opinion and kept me turning the pages until I finished it. The premises for Mind Games was promising with Thea being able to read minds and bringing her parents killer to justice. I think my expectations though were different which is a personal issue and doesn't reflect on the path the storyline actually took.

There was alot of detail in the particular book, which one of the things I like about Ms. Roberts writing is her detail but in my opinion it tended to drag on here. We're constantly reading about the interactions with Thea, her brother Rem then Grammie(her grandma) along with a few other characters. Yes they make alot of food at home and yes they're all really nice people. Later in the book there's a romantic subplot that brings Ty and his son Brae into Thea's world. This part was sweet for the most part and I won't spoil Ty's background but this romance seemed

While I liked reading the banter with everyone and interactions as well as how Thea progresses in life, I felt there was too much of it in this story. There's also alternating POV's that weren't clearly defined sometimes so took a minute to realize who was speaking but this did help with connecting more to the characters. We spend about 30% of the book in Thea's childhood which in my opinion was a little long. Then there's the interactions with the killer that Thea connects mentally with and I didn't enjoy this part at all. Not sure why but the video game part of it(Thea designs these as a career) and their conflicts weren't what I was expecting(again this is just me) but it didn't grab me on the suspense side as much as I was hoping it would(compared to other books of hers).

Overall I am glad I read this latest novel by Nora Roberts and looking forward to reading more by her.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Nora does a masterful job of storytelling! My favorite part of her writing was how descriptive she was with the setting. Kentucky sounded so lovely, and I could see it in my mind as she described the Fall scenery, which grabbed this Fall and Winter lover's attention! I loved the premise that the main character has this psychic ability and can engage with others with the same ability through the mind. I thought it was a unique storyline, and I felt complete empathy for her and her brother, who had such a monumental loss in childhood. Nora turned their pain into passion as the characters kept living their lives and forming new relationships and memories. It was a cohesive story with a cast of unique and charismatic characters.

Combine: Small town, Close family ties, Tragedy, Romance, Contemporary careers with a bit of paranormal to mix it all up and you have Mind Games!

Nora Roberts has a gift for developing interesting and unique storylines that enthrall you from the very beginning and this is definitely no exception! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and definitely recommend it for jumpstarting your summer reading!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the complimentary eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I received an ARC of this book but this is an independent opinion.

First of all, this was a bit of a weird book to read on vacation because it made me cry a couple of times. I don't know how Nora Roberts does it, but the first few chapters of her book reach into my heart and squeeze it like nothing else in a book. But it's still an incredibly fast and engrossing read. I couldn't put it down. In retrospect, not the best book to bring to paradise for a very short vacation packed with activity, but an incredible book overall. Next time I'll remember to save her book for the inevitable post-vacation blues.

This isn't the usual Nora Roberts suspense, and I'm glad that she's still being innovative. With very prolific authors there's a formula- there's one with most authors regardless of how often they write but it's especially evident when they put out as much as she does- and this isn't an exception. But the journey, the characters, the way that Nora Roberts writes life and love and a place so poetically, that is what makes me pick up all of her books and read and reread them.

Sensitive readers beware- there is graphic violence in one chapter and an off page description of domestic violence. This also has that paranormal aspect Ms Roberts does so well.

Wow! I cried, I laughed, I ran the whole gamut of feelings. The story drew me in curious where it was going to go. It kept me engaged because I wanted to know what happened between the protagonist and antagonist. I started to not be able to put it down because I knew something was going to happen. Then the unexpected happen and I had to keep going because that couldn't be how it ended. Definitely a book didn't want to put down but not necessarily a light read because there are definitely some deep emotions there.

Twelve year old Thea and her younger brother Remy are loving their time with their Grammy, just as they do every year during their summer break. Just like her Grammy, Thea has psychic powers that she has yet to explore. When Thea’s powers allow her to witness the murder of both of her parents and help the detectives catch the man responsible her Grammy vows to help her control her gift and to take them in. Thea grows up trying to only use her gift in emergency situations and, at times to “check in” on the man responsible for killing her parents, who also happens to have psychic abilities. As Thea grows she knows the only way to be completely free of the monster is to slay him herself.

This was probably one of my favorite books by Nora Roberts. I loved the characters all equally and the story completely sucked me in from page one. I thought the ending was very clever and tied up the story in a great way.
5/5 ⭐️’s
Thank you to Netgalley and to the publishers for allowing me to read this advanced copy.

The latest from powerhouse author Nora Roberts has left me with some mixed feelings. Nora Roberts's books always provide imaginative and immersive reading experiences. She builds worlds that feel alive and thriving and where readers can escape. In this case, however, the world of Mind Games felt a little sharper, with a few jagged edges.

Following the vicious murders of their parents, young Thea and Remington Fox are raised by their grandmother in Kentucky. As do all the women in her family, Thea has the gift of sight, and she witnessed the murders of not only her parents but also tapped into the mind of the killer to give testimony about other murders and his whereabouts. Thanks to her, the police can quickly catch up to the killer and lock him away for life. The gift weighs heavy on Thea, and she leans on her brother and grandmother to cope as time goes on.

While being able to see such horrific actions is a curse, Thea's gift also allows her to create a richly vivid world of dreams. It becomes the passion behind her school studies and career as a video game designer, a choice that allows her to work remotely in the comfort of her Kentucky home. Thea keeps quiet about her gift outside of those who know her well; she has been bruised in the past by friends and lovers and is adamant that she won't make the same mistakes again.

Tucked safely and happily away, Thea doesn't expect to meet her childhood rock star crush, who, as it turns out, is the great-grandson of her neighbor. Tyler and his young son move in, and their lives become enmeshed and enriched.

I loved the setting of the Kentucky hills and mountains, and I can very easily see how the characters fit there so fully and completely. However, I have some issues with the pacing, which at times felt slow and dragged out and, at other times, sped ahead by months or years at a time. About 70% of the way through the book, everything felt rushed and pushed ahead. On the one hand, that makes sense; Tyler and Thea are falling in love, and the killer, though physically locked up, continues to bedevil Thea through mind games, and all of the narrative threads need to be resolved. It isn't that I didn't like this pacing so much as it felt like such a departure from the first chunk of the book, which detailed the pastoral settings of childhood, life in Kentucky, etc.

The emotion Nora Robert delivers is once again present in this book. She has a strong gift for character development and dialogue; scenes play out in my mind's eye as if I'm standing on the sidelines watching and listening. I grinned at Thea's dog, Bunk's, adventures, laughed at the verbal interplay between Ty, Thea, and Rem, winced at Ty's betrayal, and cringed at the descriptions of killer Ray Riggs' brutality. All in all, this is another great story from a well-loved author.

I'd like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader's copy I received in exchange for my honest opinions.

This book is aptly named as the final showdown between Thea and the villain was some crazy “mind games!” It was quite an exhilarating finale! The story started off with a sad beginning for Thea and her brother but with a wonderful family and tight knit community in her grandmother’s small town, they were able to move forward and forged a new future. Thea like her grandmother has some very awesome psychic abilities that at times I find cool but also cruel. Cruel in that she see things so vividly but is powerless to stop or intervene in what she sees and can only stand as a witness. However, Thea is such a strong protagonist, as young as she was when the story started, she always has a backbone and did not shy away from confronting the man that took her parents’ life.
All the supporting characters were wonderful and I wouldn’t mind having them as friends. Then there’s Tyler, the retired rockstar, with his super adorable kid. A hero and made family for Thea who deserves all the best. Again, Nora Roberts never disappoints!

This book releases May 21st, 2024.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley for this ARC.

"Mind Games" by Nora Roberts". A gripping novel that skillfully intertwines elements of tragedy, trauma, love, family dynamics, and the ominous forces lurking in the shadows. The story unfolds against the picturesque backdrop of the winding Appalachian roads, inviting readers on a captivating journey where psychic abilities intersect with a thirst for revenge.

For those who relish suspenseful thrillers infused with a touch of the paranormal, I wholeheartedly recommend "Mind Games." The book not only delivers an engaging plot but also offers well-developed characters, evocative settings, and a hint of romance. Dive into this intriguing tale and prepare to be enthralled!

Wow!!! Nora Roberts never disappoints. This one was full of suspense along with paranormal. I loved it! The characters Lucy, Thea, Rem, Ty and Bray just steal your heart strings! The way Lucy and Thea use their gift to help people is so fun to read. The story is set in a beautiful mountain backdrop rich with the area and the characters. I loved being able to read about Thea's whole life from child hood to adult. The story was just so rich and full that I just can't say enough good and 5 stars is not enough! Nora is such a gifted storyteller I feel like a kid at Christmas when I open one of her books!!! Thanks to #NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC!

I absolutely loved the premise of this story. Good and evil connected with the minds of two very different people. A murderer and an innocent child. He spends the next 15 years mentally stalking her while he’s stuck in prison for killing her parents. She finds a way to keep him out and hopefully best him.