This was a solid read from Nora Roberts. I believe I have read 90% of her entire backlist so there is not much to shock me about her writing anymore. But I do love the comfort of knowing what to expect with it!

As a huge Nora Roberts fan, I was definitely looking forward to this book, as I do all of hers. I have to admit, I struggled some with it. Usually, her books draw me in and don’t let go until I’m finished. This one took a while. The characters were likable but didn’t seem quite as real as hers usually are. I liked the pairing of siblings together with siblings but I never really felt like I got inside the characters and learned what made them tick. Consequently, I’d set the book aside for days at a time and get back to it when it was convenient, rather than devouring it in a sitting or two, which is what I usually do with her books. It felt like a lot of the motivation for behaviors was missing. We never really learn how Clara and Sam came together or how they started on their mission. It’s like putting together a puzzle only to discover that some of the key pieces are missing when you’ve finished. The ending, especially, felt like it was rushed. All in all, I’m disappointed in this one. It’s not that it was a bad or poorly written story; it just wasn’t up to the usual Nora Roberts quality that I’ve come to expect from her over the years.

I’m a big fan of series, but if this author writes a book, even a standalone, I’ll read it. This has a national resources police officer (DNR; thanks to the author for introducing me to something new!) convalescing from a gunshot wound, and while doing so, getting caught up in a missing-persons case. I loved how Sloan’s slow recovery, our introduction to her life, meeting Nash and Theo, and just about everything else was interspersed with the lives of the killers and how they find their next victim and why. We see how all their lives slowly come together in an inevitable conclusion to everything. This reminds me of an Eve Dallas book, but it’s just a little lighter than those. It’s a standard well-written, suspense-filled, and entertaining book from this author, and I enjoyed every minute of this. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.n

Sloan Cooper is a corporal with the Natural Resources Division in Maryland. She has just wrapped up a case when her and her partner stop by a mini-mart. As Sloan walks into the store, she unknowingly walks into a robbery and is shot. She dies on the operating table, only to be brought back to life. As Sloan recovers, she hears about an abducted woman, Janet, and as she learns more, realizes this is not the only abduction. Sloan begins to rebuild her life, her strength, but also begins to start working on solving these abductions. Who is behind them? What do the abductions have in common? Will Sloan realize she may be in danger before its too late?

What I like about Nora Roberts, her consistency. She has a way of telling a story that engages you, no matter the subject, whether it’s murder mystery, a kidnapping, a stalking case, Nora writes in a way that makes a reader want to get to the next chapter, find out what is happening, add in a little romance and viola another good read. I admire the characters created, they are people I want to know, towns I’d like to visit, even the bad guys have a complexity to them I enjoy. Another enjoyable read!

This story will keep you tuned in! A pair of sadistic, twisted serial killers.

Natural Resources police officer Sloan Cooper is recovering from a near death experience when she decides to move back to her parents' peaceful home to recover.

While recovering she starts looking into mysterious disappearances that show a pattern.

First of all I am one of the biggest Nora Roberts fans and being able to read an Advanced copy of this book has been a privilege that I do not take lightly. Having said that I absolutely LOVED this book. I was also very much not expecting the story to turn into what it did.

In this book we meet Sloan Cooper, a National Resources Police Officer for Maryland. When making a quick stop on duty she is shot as she walks into a robbery. After being shocked back to life she must return to her hometown to recover.

During her recovery she begins to look at her life and future with renewed purpose. Her goals and dreams change which leads her to finding love in an unexpected way. But as things start developing for the better in her personal life, work also pulls her back in. People are disappearing and she's the only one who can find out why.

I enjoyed reading about Sloan and learning about the Natural Police Department. I didn't realize that there were Police departments within each state that work within our state parks and other nature areas. I also loved reading about home renovations since I am also currently renovating my kitchen.

Reading a Nora Roberts book is like stepping into a world that is familiar but through a widened lens. The way she writes is wondrous while still being very succinct. Her characters know their own minds but are always adaptable to change. It's an experience every reader should have. This book allows us another peek into the mind of a strong woman and her journey of purpose.

Sloan has her dream job as a Corporal with the Department of Natural Resources. After she and partner capture three of Washington State’s most wanted, she’s on the cusp of being promoted to Sergeant. Then, all of that changes when she walks into a gas station and, unintentionally, interrupts a robbery. After getting shot and giving death the middle finger, Sloan is on the road to a long recovery. So, that means moving back to Heron’s Rest and back in with her parents.

Nash has spent most of his life living by his parent’s rules. Working in a field he hated and dating a woman he tolerated because, it was expected of him. My guy finally had a come to Jesus moment and said enough is enough. Nash channeled his inner Cookie Lyon and told his parents, “I gotta put me first Luscious.” He quit his job, broke up with his girlfriend, moved to Heron’s Rest, bought a fixer upper, and proceeded to start do what he actually loves. Contracting.

Heron’s Rest is a picturesque small tourist town that everyone flocks to for summers and holidays. Not much crime happens there but, something is amiss in the normally quiet town. Something sinister is brewing and it’s up to the Corporal and the contractor to figure it out before anymore townsfolk go missing. I liked Hidden Nature but, I didn’t like it if that makes sense. I loved the family dynamics between Sloan and her family, I loved the bond between Nash and Theo, I loved the idea of two sisters and brothers dating each other, and I loved the small town feels of Heron’s Rest. I love how Nora Roberts can create complex protagonists, families, and friends and still make you fall in love with them. What I didn’t like was that it was a slow burn. It took entirely too long for Sloan and Nash to come together as a couple. By the time romance entered the chat, Drea and Theo were already in a full blown relationship. The secondary coupled should not be boo’d up longer than the main characters. I also was not a fan of the plot. This storyline was giving something straight out of the In Death series. This was some ish Eve Dallas would’ve investigated. And, the villains of the story were just odd. An older white woman with a younger black man that was really white. Cause, other than his skin color, wasn’t a thing black about Sam. There was just nothing scary about these “serial killers.” Hidden Nature wasn’t a bad book but, I’ve definitely read better from Nora Roberts. As a romantic suspense, it kind of fell flat for me. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Nora Roberts is the master of romantic suspense for me. I never miss a novel and I’m never disappointed. Hidden Nature has a wonderfully twisted plot that I never could have imagined. Grab a copy, you won’t regret it.

Nora Roberts keeps the thrills coming in this book. When Sloan returns home to Heron's Rest after being seriously injured, she becomes interested in a missing person case. Nash, has given up his high powered job in New York and moved to Heron's Rest where he's purchased a house he plans to renovate and start a renovation company with his brother. As Sloan and Nash become more involved, so does the missing person cases leading to the explosive ending. A definite must read for Nora Roberts fans.

Such a fun book, and a great story. It kept my on the edge of my seat until the very end. I really enjoyed how it all played out.

Whenever I'm about to read a new to me book by Nora Roberts, I can't help but to have the highest of expectations as I have never read a book by her that I did not like. Hidden Nature is no exception. It starts off with a bang and doesn't lose steam until the very last page. It is suspenseful, a bit more dark than her usual books, and quite surprising/shocking in parts. The actions of the bad guys and the motives behind their crimes really came out of nowhere to me, which added a lot of the uniqueness of the book's plot. As usual for her books, the characters are all amazing. Her books are always a joy to read, and I can't wait to read the next one.

Sloan Cooper works as a Natural Resource officer in the North East, but her life changes when she is shot during an in progress robbery. She returns to stay with her parents in Heron’s Rest, during her recovery period. As she’s recovering, Sloan learns that a woman near the area has disappeared and eventually discovers more abductions, and works to find a pattern connecting those that have been abducted. Sloan eventually meets Heron’s Rest newest residents, and develops an attraction to the older of the two Littlefield brothers, Nash. Now she’s navigating a different life, the possibility of love, and an ongoing investigation into strange disappearances that she could be connected to, more than she knows.

Hidden Nature is a great stand alone book from Roberts! I was definitely intrigued by the idea of an officer recovering from an on the job injury and having to return to her family home. The setting was a big draw for me, because I loved hearing the descriptions of the area surrounding Sloan’s family’s resort. And I really liked the fact that Roberts allowed Sloan’s character to recover and deal with some of the changes taking place in her life, before immediately throwing a love interest in her path.

I usually find that Roberts’ books follow a pattern…family (found or biological), romance, and conflict. Hidden Nature follows that pattern also, and I enjoyed the two different types of families that Roberts brings to the story, with Sloan and Nash’s backgrounds. I also liked the different romantic relationships in the story and the personalities of Sloan, her sister Drea and Nash, and his brother Theo. The case that Sloan becomes involved in, is definitely bizarre and it gave me vibes from another book from a well known author, but I won’t mention it because I don’t want to give away any spoilers.

There were a couple of things that bothered me, with the book. A lot of the story revolves around home improvement, and while I LOVE HGTV, I just found that it ended up being too much and took away from the story. I felt like it slowed down the pacing of the story and took the important focus away from Sloan working on the case. And continuing with the pacing, the conflict of the story is wrapped in the last few pages of the final chapter, followed by a short epilogue.

Overall, I did enjoy the storyline of Hidden Nature and the mix of characters. If you already love Nora Roberts books, I think this would be a great one to add to your TBR, and if you haven’t read anything by her yet, this would be a good place to start, since it’s one of her stand alone books.

Sloan's story from before and after her encounter is engaging- and the lesson for how tragedy can make you reevaluate what's important and where home truly is hits close to home.

I received an e-galley from the publisher through NetGalley,

Sloan Cooper was shot. Stopping at a gas station for a soda after a takedown, she faces the intimate surprise, a shot to the chest. After dying, and coming back to life, she faces a long recovery. Luckily, she has the perfect family for the task.

As Sloan recovers, she begins to hear about the disappearances of those around her community. With seemingly nothing in common, she's determined to find the link and stop the disappearances.

With a little family drama and a lot of love mixed into the plot, Roberts delivers what she's best know for: a love story with a spine-tingling mystery locked into the midst.

I really enjoyed this book!

This is a novel that will put you on the edge of your seat and keep you there. The horror of an unbelievably horrifying murder intent on carrying out a sacred mission is blood curdling. The story of the crimes will make you have trouble sleeping if not for the love story that arises for Sargent Sloan Cooper and her neighbor Nash Littlefield. It provides a break from the crime story.
Super story from all angles.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Nora Roberts writes so many different types of books but no matter what genre she chooses, she never disappoints. Sloan Cooper is a natural resource police officer, (and yeah, had to look that up having had no knowledge), evidently also known as conservation officers and they're a real thing. And although she carries a gun, when she gets shot, she's just in the wrong place at the wrong time. A convenience store robbery. The road to recovery takes her home to her family and here, depending on your own life experiences with loved ones, I confess to experiencing a roller coaster of emotions. There is such a strong family dynamic and Ms. Roberts knows how to write each emotion so the reader connects both with joy and pain. While Sloan is recovering she begins to follow a series of disappearances , not realizing the abductors are targeting those who have experienced seconds of death before being revived, and she herself is on their list. Thus the mystery. Now the romance. As strong as Sloan's family is, the Fix-It brothers, new from big old New York City, have risen from the ashes of a broken loveless family. Together they fix houses, rebuilding from "good bones" and their lives (Did I forget to mention that Sloan's family, and the townspeople, all have talents for building, creating, healing.....?) Regardless of the plethora of talented strong people, this is a lovely mystery with a perfect romance and yet again we say, thank you Nora Roberts, we all look forward to the next one!

I can't think of a Nora Roberts book I haven't liked. This one wasn't one of my favorites but it was still entertaining and I liked the main characters.

It's always exciting to start reading a new Nora Roberts book.
Reading Hidden Nature was like wrapping up in a cozy blanket...until it wasn't. Until the characters and murders scared the snot out of me, creeping me out! I find nothing more frightening than everyday people who look, act, and talk like nice, caring humans while they hide their internal monsters.
Honestly, this book has it all: great characters, love, gorgeous scenery, men with tool belts, and monstrous people.
It was a very enjoyable read that kept me guessing, and I kept thinking about it long after I read the last page. I can't wait to recommend it to my fellow readers.
Thanks to Net Galley for allowing me to read this book for an honest review.

In Nora Roberts’ newest novel, Hidden Nature, Sloan Cooper is a Corporal with Maryland’s Natural Resources Police who is shot during a gas station robbery. During surgery, she flatlines and is brought back. Needing help during her recuperation, Sloan moves home to her parent’s house in the small town of Heron’s Rest. Nash Littlefield is a former Wall Street bigwig turned contractor. He and his little brother, Theo, have just moved to Heron’s Rest to start a business. Sloan and Nash meet and slowly begin to fall in love. While everything appears idyllic, at the same time, there is a team of killers murdering people who were resuscitated after dying, and Sloan has just become their next target.

I’ve read everything Nora Roberts has written (including her novels under her pseudonym J.D. Robb), and I have to say that Hidden Nature is not her best effort. Sloan and Nash don’t even meet until the second art, and their romance is given little time to mature. The romance between Sloan’s sister, Drea, and Nash’s brother, Theo, felt more fleshed out and interesting. The killers weren’t memorable, and the idea of “freeing” those who should never have been brought back was a weak excuse for murder. Overall, I would get this book from the library, but I wouldn’t spend money adding it to my collection of NR novels.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Publishing Group for sharing this advanced review copy with me in exchange for my honest feedback!

Hidden Nature by Nora Roberts is one of the creepiest, most bizarre murder mysteries I've ever read. I couldn't put it down. She added the right amount of romance and relatable characters to make it feel personal. When it was done, I had a book hangover. I loved it!