I was only going to listen to a chapter or two and ended up listening to the whole book. This is the perfect example of just one more chapter. The Narrator was perfect. She uses different voice inflections and tones for the different characters.

Nora Roberts is an epic wordsmith. The story she weaves, the tragedy, the loss, and even how she incorporates “the sight” is genius. I do have to say that I wasn’t expecting the main Female character to be young for so long, but I can also say it was necessary. For me this book leans a little more towards a JD Robb novel.

I absolutely enjoyed this, but it IS Nora Roberts so of course I did.

A Suspenseful and Imaginative Story

SUMMARY
The Fox, 12, and her younger brother Rem,10, are visiting their grandmother Lucy in the Appalachian mountains of Kentucky. Each year, the kids spend the first two weeks of summer vacation in Redbud Hollow, helping their grandmother take care of the farm and make candles.

One night, Thea and Lucy wake up from a terrible nightmare They both instantly realize that something horrific has happened to the kid’s parents. Thea and Lucy, who had previously never discussed their gift, share the ability to see into the minds of people around them.

In her nightmare, Thea saw the murder of her parents as it was happening hundreds of miles away in Virginia, but she was helpless to stop it. She saw the murderer as he broke into the back door and climbed the stairs to the master bedroom. She saw his face and will never be able to forget that awful night. Even though the murderer now wastes away in a supermax prison, Thea can still hear his hateful thoughts and his desire to escape prison and find her. The deranged murderer has the same gift of vision as Thea. They both have the ability to get into each other's heads through their thoughts and dreams and mental battles ensue.

REVIEW
MIND GAMES is a poignant, thoughtful, and moving story by the renowned author Nora Roberts, who is known for her clever storytelling. The ending will leave you cheering for more.

Roberts's writing is full of suspense, imagination, and hopefulness. The narrative follows Thea, an ordinary girl, on her journey to adulthood and the extraordinary things she does along the along the way. Thea is a strong and brave character, with remarkable resilience and determination. Her battles of wits with her nemesis are captivating.

The setting of Rosebud Hollow and Grammie's farm is delightfully atmospheric. What a perfect place to grow up. Finally, we have a book that portrays Appalachia and Kentucky in a positive light.

What I love most about MIND GAMES is that I haven't read a Nora Roberts book in many years, but I decided to give this one a try since it was available as an audiobook. I was pleasantly surprised by the breadth and quality of the story. It's a fascinating blend of family drama, murder, suspense, grief, paranormal elements, and romance.

The fantastic January Lavoy does an impeccable job narrating MIND GAMES. Her performance is outstanding, with flawless pacing, emotion, and tone.

I would like to express my gratitude to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me an advance copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Publisher Macmillan Audio
Published May 21, 2024
Narrated January LaVoy
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

January LaVoy is one of my favorite narrators. She does an excellent job bringing the story and characters to life.

I loved this story enough to give up a good night's sleep. I am a fan of small-town romantic suspense because the characters are so connected. Thea, the heroine, and her grandmother Lucy have the gift of sight. The paranormal is a fascinating component of the story. The atmospheric elements of the story add insight and make the town and its inhabitants endearing and sometimes spooky.

At the story's beginning, Thea Fox and her brother Rem are off to visit their maternal grandmother for a fun summer vacation, which turns into a nightmare for these twelve and ten-year-old children. Over the years, Thea's unique gift of sight has often been a hindrance rather than a help, and she works hard to deal with it and the fear it sometimes causes. As the story moves forward, the characters develop beautifully. We feel all their emotions, fears, love, and successes. By the end of the story, we know the characters as friends.

The family dynamics enhance the suspense, and when the love interest comes on the scene, the level of joy and trepidation increases. It wouldn't be a respectable romantic suspense if the lovers didn't have a flair-up, which is very tense in this case. Their disagreement is my only negative, as I thought the issues were resolved a little too quickly to be realistic, but then it is fiction.

I originally thought this would be more like a thriller or mystery (which is my favorite type of book right now.) I was pleasantly surprised to find out it is not a mystery or thriller. It is outside if the typical book I would read, but I loved this book anyhow! The storyline was very well written. The characters are all amazing and I really loved them all! I absolutely loved the family dynamic and the rural Appalachian setting. And it even had some romance in it! All around a feel good book (other than the tragedy at the beginning of the book.) I listened to the Macmillan audiobook and truly loved the narrator too! (The narrator can really make or break a book for me.)

If you read the synopsis you may think this is dark mystery but we all know Nora Roberts better than that🙂. Mind Games is such a rich and multi-genre story with a mix of mystery, family drama, and romance that I could not get enough of.

I was immediately invested in the beautiful writing and rolling hills of the Appalachian mountains where we follow Thea from that fateful summer when she lost her patents into adulthood. This book was subtle in the way that it starts off with a horrible crime yet morphs into this beautiful story of family, love and resilience while still keeping an eerie since of foreboding as the story progresses. I loved how Thea learned to embrace her ‘gift’ and used it to help others. Her family support was so endearing and Grammie Lucy was by far my favorite🙂. The ending was unexpected and maybe I was looking for a little more after all of the build-up but it didn’t take away from another great story by Roberts.

I listened to parts of this and would highly recommend the audiobook narrated by the talented January LaVoy.

This book was amazing! The story begins when Thea, a 12 year old girl with a gift that helps her see into the minds of others, is spending the summer with her brother, Rem, and her Grammie, Lucy (who also has the gift). Thea sees something terrible happen to her parents and she wants to do everything she can to catch the man that is responsible.
The whole story is a work of art. There's a little mystery, a little thriller, some romance, and even some magic that will keep you hooked from the first chapter. I loved seeing the characters grow throughout the story and I loved seeing Thea do so much with her gift.

Mind Games was a fantastic read. It's a scary world we live in. Narration was beautiful! I was totally engrossed with the plot and the characters were all well developed. It was quite long, but it kept me engaged and wanting to finish. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Another hit from Nora! I liked the paranormal aspect to this one- it flowed well and felt believable in the story. I liked the small town and found family and even all the video game stuff. I don’t usually love kids as main characters, but this books little guy was too stinkin’ cute and the audio narrator did an excellent job. Oh, and all the cooking made me hungry while I listened on a 6 mile run. An excellent standalone.

While I wasn't looking forward to this one via the description, it's one of my favorite books this year. Compelling, twisty, sweet and more this one hits all the feels and keeps you captivated. The narrator is fantastic to listen to1!

I really love how Nora always mixes the impossible/ supernatural elements to her suspenses!
I went in blind, and it wasn't what I expected. The plot was fun, I enjoyed the overall storyline. I was a little bummed that the romantic interest didn't show up (minus a blimp at the beginning) until over halfway through. It made their relationship feel a little rushed.
I did like both the FMC and the MMC, the Bad Guy was truly disturbing. I think she wrote him really well.
Overall, not my favorite of hers, BUT still enjoyable.
Thank you@netgalley for this eARC and ALC. the narrator did an amazing job!

I love Nora Roberts books! She has a way of just sucking you in and you're hooked. She has the ability to make the characters so easy to love and her plots are just amazing. This one, however, lost my interest about halfway although I was really enjoying it. I immediately took to the plot, and I loved it. I adored Lucy and her mama bear mentality. But then it started to become SO long and I lost interest since the peak of the plot happened early on. I thought it was a cool idea that Thea and her parents killer were able to communicate telepathically. But I didn't like how the hype of the beginning didn't get carried through the rest of the book, and we really didn't hear from the killer until he would come into Thea's dreams and obviously towards the end. The book delivered on the suspense part, but with the killer being unhinged and nuts, I wish it continued throughout the book. The ending of the book felt a bit rushed. I wish it remained more of the suspense and didn't focus on the love part of it - I think I would have enjoyed it more since that's how the beginning started.

Ok. So let me start by saying that I’ve LOVED all of Nora Roberts books. Can’t say I’ve ever read one that was bad.
Next, let me say that in my 20’s, as an ICU RN, I’d work overnights and my friends would make appts for us to go to psychics...as a group. They were never good…

Years later my friend made appts for all of us to go to a medium.
I replied…as opposed to what, a large?? Having NO IDEA what that was.
I certainly learned quick.
If any of you have ever experienced ‘Camille’ in SI, NY, you’ll know what I mean. As opposed to all the ‘psychics’…she ACTUALLY SPOKE to my parents. No kidding…and, no doubt in my mind.
Fast forward to years later when I find out that one of my friends is a medium (when my son was in pre-k, and the moms had a get-together, and my good friend’s mother came thru to her! She had only died DAYS before…which I’d heard was impossible…and yet, it happened to me!) So, I have plenty of experience with this kind of stuff and ABSOLUTELY believe it!

So now I have the opportunity to read MIND GAMES which is based on visions seen by a young woman, and her grandmother, and all the women in her family…so, I’m hooked before ever picking up the book.

Now add in that the book is PHENOMENAL, and had me gasping, choking, having a hard time breathing, and just WAITING for the other shoe to drop…
And, this is right from the VERY BEGINNING! Meaning she opens this one up with a huge bang!

We go through the life and times of one Thea Fox and her little brother Rem Fox from the time they were just 12 and 10. And their caring, loving Grammie who I want to adopt…for real!

We also travel from Virginia to the farmlands of Kentucky…and wow, does this space seem special!!

We see as Thea comes to be the strong, self-assured women she is, and how her little family unit sticks so close together…thru everything!

This one gets ALL THE STARS for me! Wonderful. Wonderful. Wonderful!!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
This book is due to release IN A WEEK on 5/21/24.

#MindGames by #NoraRoberts and read beautifully by one of my all time favorite narrators #JanuaryLaVoy!

5+++ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 for me!

⭐️ Starts off with a blowup of mega proportions!
⭐️ Brother, sister and grandmother who are just incredible together!
⭐️ Dogs too! 🐶 🐕 🐩
⭐️ Small town with deep roots and lots of compassion, caring and love!
⭐️ A bit of romance that is, to say the least, turbulent…
💫 Psychic visions with devastating effects!

Feel free to like, follow and friend me on: Goodreads,
IG @ #BookReviews_with_emsr or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine.

Thanks so much for reading! And if you 'liked' my review, please share with your friends!! 📚⭐️

Oh what can I say!? Nora has knocked another one out of the park. Another different story that felt like I was IN the book. Beautifully written with amazing characters. Ironic though, main character had another black bestie.

Honestly, I did not finish this book. I didn't like it...not the characters, not the story. It did a really poor job of reeling me in.

Wow just wow! What a departure from what I have come to expect from Nora Roberts. I had the opportunity to listen to Mind Games and it was a long audio book but I did not want it to end. The characters were developed in such a way that you wanted to meet them and watch their story unfold. I would recommend this novel to Nora Roberts fans and those that like some murder, suspense and telepathy. I enjoyed the narrator. January LaVoy and will seek out other books that she is narrating. Her pacing and the way she is able to change her voice added depth to the experience.

This audio book is expected to be release May 21, 2024 by Macmiilian Audio.

Thank you to Net Galley, Nora Roberts, January LaVoy and Macmillian Audio for the opportunity to preview this title and the opinions expressed are my own.

Nora Roberts definitely knows how to tell a story, and this one is no exception. Thea and her brother are taken by their parents to visit their grandmother Lucy for two weeks. The children love being there in Kentucky at the farm. Their parents are looking forward to the time alone in Virginia, but violence is on the horizon. Both Thea and her grammie Lucy have the “second sight” and they are awakened from horrible dreams where they saw the couple murdered in their beds. Thanks to Lucy’s help, the police are able catch the murderer and he’s ultimately sentenced to life in prison. However, he also has the “sight” and he’s determined to get revenge on Thea.

The rest of the book has their cat and mouse game which is tension-driven and at times terrifying, even though it’s inside their heads. It’s a riveting tale!

My thanks to NetGalley, the author, and MacMillan Audio for the digital recording of the book. My review is voluntary.

As one of my all time fav authors I was so dang excited….but this was such a weird book for me. Maybe my expectations were too high ? :/ but I felt like it was a thriller, then a mystery with some magic. Then it was a romance ? It was just too much, didn’t flow great and I’m so so sad I didn’t love it!

** I feel it’s important to say the narrator(s) were/was fantastic.

Thank you so much to one of my favorite OG authors Nora Roberts for another amazing book! & thank you @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for the ARC to enjoy and binge before releasing!

#macmillanaudio #macmillanpublishers #audiobooks

In "Mind Games," Nora Roberts presents a gripping narrative that takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster. The protagonist, Thea, possesses a unique ability to peer into people's minds and empathize with their feelings. This extraordinary gift becomes crucial when she witnesses her parents' murder, not through her own eyes, but from the killer's perspective.
Thea's ability doesn't just draw her into the darkest corners of the human psyche; it also aids her in her professional life. She utilizes her talent to develop video games for a gaming company, creating experiences that resonate deeply with the players.
However, her gift is a double-edged sword. The man who killed her parents shares her unusual capability. He presents a constant threat, with the power to drag Thea back into the traumatic experience.
As a reader, "Mind Games" left a significant impact on me. Roberts's storytelling prowess kept me hooked from start to finish. The suspenseful plot and the vivid character portrayals made putting the book down an impossible task.
Moreover, the audio version of the book, narrated by January LaVoy, added another layer to the experience. LaVoy's voice was perfectly suited to the characters, and her narration enhanced the flow of the story.
In conclusion, "Mind Games" is a captivating romantic thriller that delves deep into the intricacies of the human mind. Its combination of suspense, emotion, and engaging characters makes it a highly recommended read.
I want to Thank Nora Roberts, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for giving me this wonderfully amazing opportunity to listen to this audiobook ARC.

❤️ Happy Reading!!! ❤️

What if you could go deep into the mind of a killer? Feel what he feels, see his memories.
A young girl becomes entwined with the mind of a killer. It becomes a lifelong game of torture.
The story is unlike anything I’ve read before. I couldn’t get enough! Both heartbreaking and tragic Thea and her Grandmother have the “gift” and witness a horrific crime.
You follow Thea through most of her life and how being connected affects her life. Ultimately this is a love story and the paranormal is delicately entwined into Thea’s story.
The world and characters that Nora Roberts developed within this story shows how truly talented she is. Nothing out of place, highly descriptive and believable!
I listened to the audiobook version and it was remarkable!

Nora Roberts never disappoints. Although maybe a little slower than some of her other books, like many of her books, I was invested in the characters and needed to see them through the story. Also, you can almost never go wrong with a book read to you by January LaVoy. This was just overall a fantastic book!

*4.25 stars