Member Reviews
Suspenseful and mysterious characters draw the reader into the world of telepathy and mind reading. When a grisly murderer is glimpsed in a dream or is it a vision, two young kids become orphans in a second of horrifying violent crime. Thea decides to tell the police and the murderer is captured and put in jail. However, he has seen her in his mind too and he wants revenge. This haunting mystery was definitely creepy and scary for NR. I love her romances and the way she makes the characters seem like family or friends. I found myself wanting to visit Gram and learn her mountain cooking. There is a lot of dialogue and I think it will be a great tv movie someday.
Thanks to the publisher for an eARC of the book; all opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed Nora Roberts' newest book! I feel like there has been a shift in her writing and storytelling over her last few books, which I have really enjoyed. I can't really put my finger on what that shift is, but I feel like La Nora is taking more chances in her storytelling, trying new things, and changing things up from an approach that was getting a bit formulaic.
The premise of this book was fascinating to me - a young woman, Thea, with the ability to 'see' things as they happen, as if she is in the room at that time, and then the connection that is established with the man who murdered her parents as a result, and how she navigates that, uses it, is affected by it.
I love Lucy, the grandmother of Thea and her brother Rem, who becomes the kids' guardian after their parents pass away. She is kind, and supportive, and holds the kids accountable, and extends her compassion to the entire community.
Nora Roberts really does a great job with the psychological thriller crossed with romance and really has a great balance in this book with the two.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and I'm already eagerly anticipating La Nora's next book!
3.5 ⭐️
Thank you so so much to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for my ARC of Mind Games.
Nora Roberts has been one of my favorite authors for years, and I’m so glad I was able to read her newest book early.
Mind Games had a beautiful setting, a thrilling plot and steamy romance. Throw in lovable characters and strong family bonds? I would usually be HOOKED.
A few things deterred me, though. I felt like the pacing was fairly slow, and some of the dialect was just off for Nora’s standard. I know it takes place in Kentucky, but I just felt like the characters spoke in a way that could have been done with half the words. Very repetitive.
I enjoyed watching Thea and Bram grow up, and I loved the relationship they had with Grammie. I loved the budding romance, the single dad trope, and the whole small town setting.
This one is definitely worth giving a shot to, even if it isn’t my favorite by her.
Another knocked it out of the park Nora Roberts book!
I loved the story line and the buildup.
Roberts just keeps getting bette and better with her books!
Nora Roberts is one of my favorite authors and this book reminded me of just why that is. She writes so fluidly and with intelligence and incredible wit. Despite this novel having a thriller vibe she still manages to include grief, family, tradition, children, and romance into the story leaving you feeling like you experienced and were part of the plotline. January LaVoy narrates this spectacular book and I love the way she creates a unique sound for each character so there isn't any doubt about who is speaking. She's one of the best as is Nora.
This was a highly enjoyable novel full of well thought out characters and storylines. The story unwinds in an easy and timely manner. Thea and Rem's parents are murdered and it is seen in Theas minds eye. The women in the family have the gift of seeing things that have and are happening. After the murder, the children live with their maternal grandmother in the Kentucky countryside where life if simpler and slower. Just the place to find your place in life and heal wounds. Relationships grow, teenage hopes and dreams come to life and happiness is found in the end. A wonderful novel that's not to be missed.
I love a book with a supernatural or magical element thrown in and this was it! I admit this was my first book I have read by Nora Roberts, but I loved her writing style and will definitely be back for more! Although this book is a slow burn it does suck you in and you get completely invested in this family's stories. I would highly recommend!
Loved, loved, loved this book. I was a little nervous to begin with when there was all of this talk about seeing things/premontions as that is not usually my jam. But this book turned out wonderful and I truly enjoyed it and I could not put it down!
Nora Roberts does it again with “Mind Games,” hitting all the right notes for lovers of romantic suspense. Added, is Roberts’ special touch of supernatural, which longtime fans will sip like fresh Kentucky lemonade. Splashes of seasons and summer romance, modern storyline and snappy dialogue make this an instant favorite. Best to read while you await the release of book 2 in the Inheritance series, “The Mirror,” coming soon.
This stand alone Roberts novel has everything readers have come to expect from the New York Times Bestseller. Readers may find it unusual in that the main character and villain are connected via a psychic link. However, the novel maintains it's depth of characters, beautiful settings, and strong willed female characters.
Wow!! It's been a long time since I've read any recent Nora Roberts titles. This one did not disappoint!!
This was such a emotional rollercoaster and pins-and needles suspense with a hint of the paranormal. The chemistry between Thea and Ty was electric!! And Ty's son Bray was so adorable!!
This book is a perfect fit for those looking for a suspenseful and emotional story with a strong focus of family, love and the power of resilience.
The suspense made me devour this book!!
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I really loved this one. Bittersweet threaded with love both familial and romantic. The light and dark side of their gift made for a fun unveiling.
Nora Roberts’ books are wonderfully crafted stories. In this novel, we are in the hills of Kentucky enjoying the small town and love of a close family. Thea and Rem spend time with their Grandmother every year in June. It is a wonderful time of year, when they help with the animals and chores. This year is different though, a tragedy, their parents are murdered.
The truly tragic part is that Thea saw it all in her mind’s eye. Her Grammie (Lucy) also has the eye as well, but not as clear. Thea was able to help the detectives. Rem and Thea stayed with Grammie up until college and even then returned to the mountains and began their lives nearby.
The murderer continues to play a role in Thea’s life. He shows up in her head randomly and is cruel.
Nora Roberts’ books almost always make me realize how wonderful life is when you follow your heart. I loved the characters in this novel and really want them to have the best life. I love how the author portrayed the community as caring, positive, thoughtful people as opposed to illiterate Appalachian people.
Mind Games by Nora Roberts tugged on my heart strings and I loved each and every chapter.
This book required a little suspension of disbelief as it dipped into the paranormal realm. That being said, it was an amazing story. Thea was such a dynamic character, and her grandmother, Lucy, had my heart. This is a signature Nora Roberts romantic suspense, and I was here for every minute. The ending was a bit far-fetched, but I appreciated how it resolved. Add this one to your list!
3.5 stars - I appreciate the experimentation with a non-traditional type of suspense. Not sure I totally bought it, but it was an interesting experiment! Classic Nora found family vibes, and just all around comfy which was what I wanted
Nora Roberts! What a story you have shared with us!
Mind blowing!
Dark!
Twisted!
Along with the above you will get:
Family
Loss
Psychic/Supernatural
Romance
Mystery
Suspense
But, most of all you will get:
MIND GAMES!
I couldn’t stop reading Mind Games once I started it.
Nora Robert’s writing is always solid and somewhat magical.
Definitely add this to your tbr list! You will not regret it!
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
While Thea Fox and her brother Rem were spending a week in small town Kentucky with their grandmother, they could never have guessed that back home in Virginia, a depraved murderer would take their parents’ lives. Amazingly, Thea witnessed the crime in a vision and described the killer to the police. Even more amazingly, she and the murderer each share this strange ability. They see each other telepathically and taunt each other, even years after the murders. As Thea’s life unfolds, the constant threat is there, that somehow, the killer will escape and make good on his plans for revenge. The tale combines the peaceful setting of homespun family life in a small town, and the stark, gritty intrusion of a mass murderer reaching out from prison. Mind games indeed.
Nora Roberts is a favorite author, so it was a no-brainer to pick this one up. I always enjoy her books, whether writing as Nora Roberts or J.D. Robb.
Description:
As they do each June, the Foxes have driven the winding roads of Appalachia to drop off their children for a two-week stay at their grandmother’s. Here, twelve-year-old Thea can run free and breathe in the smells of pine and fresh bread and Grammie’s handmade candles. But as her parents head back to suburban Virginia, they have no idea they’re about to cross paths with a ticking time bomb.
Back in Kentucky, Thea and her grandmother Lucy both awaken from the same nightmare. And though the two have never discussed the special kind of sight they share, they know as soon as their tearful eyes meet that something terrible has happened.
The kids will be staying with Grammie now in Redbud Hollow, and thanks to Thea’s vision, their parents’ killer will spend his life in supermax. Over time, Thea will make friends, build a career, find love. But that ability to see into minds and souls still lurks within her, and though Grammie calls it a gift, it feels more like a curse―because the inmate who shattered her childhood has the same ability. Thea can hear his twisted thoughts and witness his evil acts from miles away. He knows it, and hungers for vengeance. A long, silent battle will be waged between them―and eventually bring them face to face, and head to head…
My Thoughts:
The "gift" that both Thea and the killer have gets scarier and escalates tension through the book. The family life with Grammie is sweet and I loved the way Thea and her brother got along. I certainly would like to live in a community like Redbud Hollow. The romance was epic - I really like the teenage crush angle. These are great characters and I liked them all - except for the killer and that is intentional, we have to hate him. I even ended up liking the skeptical detective in the end. I would recommend this to anyone who likes a good story with a paranormal aspect.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Wow, Nora Roberts is a fantastic author! The more books I read of hers, the more she is inching her way up to be on my favorite authors list. And her new book, Mind Games, has everything going for it. Its location in Eastern Kentucky with the scenic descriptions of the gardens and landscapes sounded so beautiful, and all the characters which are mainly family and if they aren’t, they are treated like they are, are people that you would love to know and be a part of. I loved all of these characters, with the exception of one Ray Riggs. This story centers around a family and how they come together and do what has to be done after a horrible tragedy strikes. What I loved about this book and felt made it even more interesting was that all the females in this family have psychic abilities. Thea was able to see the tragedy as it took place even though she was nowhere near the scene and that’s what helped the police put the killer away. Amongst the story, the author has included a love story and depicted what a couple goes through when secrets are kept and how trust is very important. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to everyone who loves to read. I’d like to thank Macmillan Publishers and NetGalley for the arc. This was a great read, I’m giving it a 5 star rating and am anxiously waiting to read more books by Nora Roberts in the near future.
A powerful and moving story of love and vengeance, I loved this newest story from Ms. Roberts. When it comes to character development and weaving a tale of tragic loss balanced by intense love, Ms. Roberts is a go to author for me. This newest story captured my attention and I devoured the book in one sitting. The plot is compelling. The characters come to life and leap off the pages. This is a great standalone must read book.
This story does have a romance between the main character, Thea and Ty. For me the story is more about the fierce love of parent for a child. And the loss of innocence when malicious envy destroys a family's idyllic life. I thoroughly enjoyed the compare and contrasts in this story. Comparing Thea's material to her paternal grandmother emphasizes how the opposite of love is apathy. This is heartbreaking to see Thea experience.
I loved the different plot devices including Thea and her maternal line of a psychic gift. I love that Thea is also a game designer. There are so many things about the characters I love. Thea's brother's defense of her as well as his occupation to protect her livelihood is incredible. The conflicts between Ty and Thea during their romance worked so well. Why? Because it shows a more realistic back and forth in a relationship. It takes time and a lot of work to keep a relationship going. Throw in a kid and an overly protective father, it is a recipe for drama.
DRAMA, so much drama in this story and I loved it. I liked it because it wasn't emotional hormonal drama. It's drama that is caused from unresolved trauma. Working through both Thea's and Ty's past hurts and burdens is cathartic. At the end, this love triumphs all through great adversity creates a more satisfying conclusion. The build up to the end is fantastic. I experience horror, sorrow, joy, fury, and unadulterated pleasure from vengeance. This book has it all for me. Highly recommend Mind Games to contemporary romance readers who want a well written plot driven story with complex characters.