Another great read by a talented author I really enjoyed reading it and will definitely read more and recommend reading it

Another great book from Nora Roberts. I’ve read other books by this author this one was just as good as those. I really enjoyed the story and the characters were well thought out.

This was yet another absolutely BRILLIANT book from this author, so much so that I couldn’t resist a PB as well because it was just SO GOOD! I loved every page, the tension builds and suspicion mounts perfectly.

I would say that some may find certain aspects and elements uncomfortable, child loss, pregnancy loss, long term abuse are all factors within the story, and I have to say the suspense element is probably the darkest from the author that I have yet read, however it is perfectly offset by the romantic element.

Seeing the two storylines gradually come together was a new approach and worked brilliantly for the story!! As ever, a truly brilliant story that has everything you could need! Easily up there with my favourites from nora!

If you enjoyed Blue Smoke, Chasing Fire, The Witness, The Search and so on, you’ll love this!

I have been reading books by Nora Roberts for many years now, from her historical books, to her series’s and she never fails to engage you as a reader. I honestly don’t Know how she manages to write so many fantastic stories. I can honestly say I have never yet read one that I didn’t like and this one was no exception.

There has been a shift in some of the later books which I feel is good earlier ones were more of a romance, always a happy ending, quite macho male characters. I loved that if I was sitting and not wanting to have to concentrate too hard on something really gritty and lots of characters coming and going.

Now the topics have changed slightly they still have the happy ending but the story lines have got more dramatic, and tougher topics are covered. But I think i as a reader have also changed and am looking for slightly more involved stories so maybe Ms Roberts is keeping up with her readers.

In this book subjects include domestic violence and domestic abuse, but not just with people who are at the lower economy but showing it goes on no matter what your financial status is. Some people overcome abuse, some become abusers. Some escape the cycle of poverty some don’t. Mixed in with these subjects we still get the characters who you love and root for, there’s humour, and romance.

The setting of this book sounds charming, and welcoming and you can picture from the writing how this place looks and feels. The main characters I loved but then I always do.

Some of the fans may not enjoy this as much as others but I still loved it as much as the earlier books and look forward to the next book.

Nora Roberts is one of my all-time favourite authors. So as soon as I seen this available, I had to request it. I ended up buying a copy of the book anyway; support the author, yeah?

Anyway, Nora did not disappoint with this novel. Despite the hard hitting theme, I devoured this story. I love how Nora brings her characters to life and makes you are for them, rather quickly in most cases. It has mystery, romance, tear jerking moments and everything else you can ask for in a novel.

I received a copy of this ebook from the publisher via NetGalley, however, this has in no way influenced my review or opinion.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC, which I have enjoyed reading.
When you pick up a Nora Roberts book you know you will be transported inti another world and you just need to sink down into the chair or bed and enjoy the storytelling.
Under Currents was a fascinating story about physical and emotional abuse in a marital/ family relationship and also how you can then find yourself in a new relationship where only love and tenderness can create a new and solid relationship for both people. It is a story of love and laughter, friendship and hard work, in comparison to control, fear and bruises and hard knocks.
It is a really good read and sometimes that is all you need.
Highly recommended.

I love that when you read a Nora Roberts book there is going to be at least one strong woman who can invariably “kick ass” but circumstance means she is in a situation that she has to confront head on. Living in England I don’t really know anything about American plants but the descriptions about the landscaping round the cabins and gardens were so good I could almost feel I was sat in one reading this book. Always a special treat when I get to read and recommend a Nora aRoberts book.

This book ticked all the boxes.
This book was an emotional powerhouse, well written and well plotted
There was a backstory which went through the whole book.
This book was a winner and one of the authors best books

I've become completely addicted to Nora Roberts' In Death series this year (written under the pen name J.D. Robb) but I've actually read hardly any of her romantic suspense books written as Nora so I jumped at the chance to read Under Currents and I'm so glad I did. This is the kind of book you want to start on a lazy Sunday morning when you know you have the entire day to read because once I started it I could not put it down again. It's been ages since I devoured a book quite so quickly!

Under Currents wasn't always an easy read, it covers very difficult topics of abuse in all it's varied forms, both physical and emotional, from parents to their children as well as from husband to wife. Its also touches on how dangerous abusers can be to the partners or children who manage to escape from their clutches, something that most women are well aware of already. Nora Roberts doesn't shy away from the nasty details so although the level of violence isn't gratuitous it could definitely be triggering for anyone with abuse in their history. I certainly found parts of the book absolutely heart wrenching to read and I spent a good quarter of the book feeling physically sick about what I was reading.

Don't let that put you off picking it up though because ultimately this is a story about survival, a story about finding love and acceptance when you least expect it. About people who are willing to risk their own safety to protect others. It's about accepting that the family you are born to may not be the family you deserve and it's about finding your own place in life and choosing the people you let in. It's also a romance between two wounded people, ones who by rights could be scared to let anyone close but who are brave enough to take a chance.

I absolutely loved both Zane and Darby, they have both come through so much as individuals but they've found a way to put the past behind them and find happiness. I really enjoyed the slow build of their relationship and watching them fall in love and I particularly enjoyed spending time with Zane's chosen family. The story surprised me multiple times with the direction things took so it definitely kept me on my toes while I was reading and I found it impossible to put down. I definitely need to pick up more of Nora's contemporary stories because this one was absolutely fanatic and I haven't been able to stop thinking about the characters.

This book started off really strong, but then lost its way and dragged on in a few places. With the subject of domestic violence being so emotive. When Zane and Britt were children they lived through hell. Some people really shouldn't have been parents. Dr Graham Bigelow and his wife Eliza are two such people. Graham rules his house through fear. He has an intense hatred of his son especially. One night things come to a head. I found myself cheering when Graham and Eliza are finally found out.
Luckily the kids have a cop and their aunt as well as others on their side. When the story fast forwards to Zane and Darby as adults. Zane is now a lawyer and Britt is married with a baby girl. Working as a therapist. Life has worked out good for them. Darby is new to town she is drawn to Zane. Both are victims of domestic violence. It is a good read, not as good as some of the authors other works. It did drag on in several places. On of the under currents i saw coming from a mile away. I was surprised the characters didn't. ARC requested from Net Galley this is my voluntary review.

In Under Currents Nora Roberts once again demonstrates why she is such an amazing author by tackling a very difficult and highly emotional subject with great sensitivity. Last year she took on the subject of mass shootings and their aftermath in Shelter In Place, Under Currents examines domestic violence.

Each of the main characters has been (and continues to be) affected by domestic violence whether as a child, a spouse, a family member, a friend or an investigator and this story illustrates that even when the perpetrator is caught the community remains scarred.

As always with Roberts the central couple are the powerhouse whose relationship drives the story, and in Zane and Darby she has created characters who are warm, funny and resilient. The relationship that develops is beautiful and honest with each accepting the others flaws and vulnerabilities. The mystery and suspense was beautiful written and had me on the edge of my seat (although I had guessed who the villain was quite early on).

Highly recommend!

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher*

I’ve always been a fan of Nora Roberts not matter which persona she writes under but lately her books have felt a bit samey to me – same underlying plot just change the names and place settings, enjoyable reads but instantly forgettable but this book felt like a return to some of her older works and therefore has gone straight into my top three NR books. I know it is one I’ll definitely be re-reading in future.

Zane Walker and his younger sister Britt have a supposedly idyllic childhood. A father who’s a top surgeon and highly respected in the community and a mother who takes the time to attend their after schools activities but unknown to everyone, beneath the veneer of respectability lurked a vicious monster who believes his family is his to abuse as he sees fit. Eventually though he goes too far and finally their nightmare is over. After years away working as a prosecutor Zane returns to Lakeview to set up his own legal practice. There he meets Darby McCray, a landscape gardener herself a victim of abuse albeit marital in her case. Can these two damaged people trust enough to build a life together?

This book, in my opinion, was one of Nora Robert’s best to date. I loved that it was split into parts. The first part dealing with Zane’s back story a story I admit nearly had me tearing up when reading. The remaining parts dealt with the burgeoning relationship between Zane and Darby allowing their story to develop gradually so it didn’t feel rushed. Zane was more open to pursuing a relationship than Darby who due to her past, had trouble trusting her instincts when it came to men. It wasn’t until she saw that he could look after himself that she began to believe he could protect her as well. Not that she needed protecting as in the end they avenged each other broken noses and all.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for a copy of this book.

This is classic Nora Roberts - her writing formula stays pretty much the same. That said, I loved the characters, although I would have liked Britt to have more of role in the story.

As ever 5 stars from me!

I thought that this was an excellent book and it was a great story that had everything!!

I love this author's books and I was really keen to get my hands on this book, her latest release! Well I thought it was fantastic, it had excitement, mystery, romance - what more could you ask for in a book!?

I thought that this story was excellent, very well written with some fantastic characters - 5 stars from me - very highly recommended!!

To outside eyes, the Bigelow family of Lakeview Terrace seem to be the perfect family. Graham Bigelow is a handsome, esteemed surgeon and his wife Eliza is a well-groomed, upstanding member of committees and the PTA. They even have two lovely children - a son called Zane, and his younger sister Britt. They are pillars of the community. The perfect family, in the perfect home...

But appearances can be deceptive. Graham rules his family with a rod of iron...and his fists. His cold, dysfunctional wife is his usual target, but perversely she enjoys the abuse and is even excited by it. Graham and Eliza are bound together in some twisted facsimile of a marriage and their children are simply accessories.

The children have learned to try not to antagonise Graham, but his temper will not be contained, and as the years go by Zane becomes more of a target of his father's abuse - so far Britt has mostly escaped his attention, but how long with this last? It is clear that Graham and Eliza have no love for their children.

No one must know what really happens behind the doors of the beautiful house in Lakeview Terrace - but who would believe it anyway? Even their own grandparents and aunt do not know what goes on in this house.

Zane vows that he and Britt will escape this nightmare one day. For now, he must bide his time, get stronger, protect his sister and make a record of the truth in his diaries.

One fateful day, Zane can take no more when Graham's temper is again beyond control - this time he must take on his father to protect Britt from more than the usual slaps that head in her direction. The violence spirals out of control and Zane and Britt are forced to escape - with the help of their aunt Emily, who saves them, takes them in as her own and helps them to heal.

Years later, Zane is now a lawyer and has returned home to Lakeview to settle down. Britt has remained in their home town and works as a counsellor helping abused women and children. Their beloved aunt is the mainstay of the loving family which surrounds them. But can they ever truly escape the under currents of the past?

Zane is looking forward to a quiet time now he has returned to Lakeview. However, his peace is disturbed by the new landscape gardener in town - one Darby McCray. Darby has under currents in her own past, that she is trying to escape. She hopes that setting up her new business in Lakeview will help her recover from her own experiences. She certainly didn't reckon on meeting Zane, but meeting each other is just what they need.

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You can't go wrong with a Nora Roberts. She generally writes romances, but I prefer her romance/thriller books, as they offer the perfect mix of an exciting story, with some lovey-dovey thrown in - easy reads with great characters, a story you can get your teeth into and a happy ending. They always offer a selection of good upstanding people who are happy to fight for what's right against the total scoundrels trying to have their way! I love them!

This latest offering, actually is pretty complex for a Nora Roberts thriller/romance, as there is more than one thread associated with domestic violence in this book. I originally though that Zane and Britt's childhood would be the main story-line here, but there are two other threads that contribute nicely to the overall story - the one associated with Darby's past, and one connected to another couple in Lakeview - these all rounded out the book nicely.

I have read a few Nora Roberts' books over the years, and thoroughly enjoyed them all and Under Currents is another winner. I polished it off in two days and then immediately bought a few more to store on my Kindle, so I always have one waiting!

If you are looking to give Nora Roberts a go, then Under Currents is a great place to start, and it will give you a good taste of what to expect from her writing. Some of my other favourites by Nora Roberts are Come Sundown, The Obsession, Black Hills and Chasing Fire, so I recommend that you check these out too.

I think I should also mention that Nora Roberts has recently had a foray into the apocalypse genre too, with her Chronicles of the One series. I have read books one and two of these - Year One and Of Blood And Bone - and they are pretty good (especially book one). Book three - The Rise Of Magicks is out in November and I am looking forward to seeing how the series ends.

Incidentally, she has also written books under a couple of other names (in fact her real name is Eleanor Marie Robertson), but her most famous other series is the In Death books, which she writes as J.D. Robb. These are dystopian style crime thrillers and I keep meaning to read them, as they sound just my thing, but alas, I have not got around to them...yet.

I loved this book and can assure you that you definitely need a bit of Nora Roberts in your reading life. Go on....give it a try!

This latest romantic/suspense book by this prolific Author is GREAT - how she maintains such a high standard is beyond belief .

This book is written in three parts - the first is the terror of two young siblings , caused by their violent , controlling father and dysfunctional mother , in what is seen by outsiders as the " perfect " family .
The second is the growing romance between Darby and Zane
The third is the re-emergence of an unexpected threat to Darby .
Part one -
Zane and Britt Bigalow live in terror of their father until that fateful day ……… Zane is so badly beaten that Britt manages to dial 911 . But what follows is not as expected - Zane's father , Chief Surgical Resident at the local Hospital , manages to convince the police that Zane was the attacker of both his mother and sedated sister and has him sent to jail without proper treatment .
Luckily Britt manages to contact her Aunt Emily who charges to the rescue along with family friend Dave Carter .
Taking flight to a nearby town they convince Detective Lee Keller of Zane's innocence …………… . resulting in both their mother and father receiving jail sentences .

Part two -
After many years in Raleigh Zane has decided to set up a law practice in his home town - uncaring that gossip will resurface again . He will be able to see both his sister , now a Therapist , and his Aunt Emily more frequently ………… he has missed them both .
Darby McCray has had a bad couple of years and now after hers mother's death has decided on a new life in a new place - just stick a pin in the map - Lakeview is chosen , she can always move on if it does not suit .
Her initial foray into setting up her Landscaping/gardening business with her first project at Emily Walker Kellen's bungalow rentals turns out well …………… she meets Emily's nephew Zane ………. the attraction is immediate on both sides . But all is not quite as peaceful as it seems in Lakeview ………. their are undercurrents that threaten those around them .

Part three -
Darby and Zane are finally coming to terms with their feelings and a new friend comes into their lives - Zod.
And what a character - he might just be all that will save Darby because her past has come back to haunt her and all those she cares for are in danger . Zane and Darby's very lives are in the balance unless they find who is out to kill them .

This is a fast paced , enthralling romantic , suspense filled book with a very disturbing beginning … the Author uses all her skill to bring to life what might just be lying behind closed doors .!

I was given an ARC of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The story is told in four parts, beginning with the years Zane and his sister Britt are growing up in a big, beautiful house with their doctor dad and stay-at-home mom. The family is one of the most respected in town and everybody looks up to them. Nobody knows what's really going on behind doors.
I didn't even made it through the first part before I started crying. It isn't fathomable to me how a family can live through so much cruelty without anybody noticing. I was so happy when Zane and Britt found their way in life. I was annoyed with their mom and hated their dad and I had a big laugh when Darby showed him what a strong woman is capable of.
Highly recommended!

What goes on behind closed doors of the home stays hidden not to be seen until one day all can see the ugly truth. Parents love you protect you keep you safe. Not always. This is a heartbreaking emotional story about when life throws everything at you but you get up try to get past it and hope to move on. You go through all the rollercoaster of emotions with this story. It shows the skill of the author in bringing out these emotions and you really connecting with the characters.
I was given an ARC of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This ARC was courtesy of netgalley - all thoughts and opinions are mine and unbiased

Oh Nora Roberts - I LOVE Nora Roberts !!! I was SO thrilled to be able to read this advanced copy

This is classic Nora Roberts - I absolutely loved this - she has become a must-read author of mine. I am NEVER disappointed by anything she writes

This twisty turny book is unputdownable. I read this is in 1 sitting.

Well written as usual, Nora draws the reader in skillfully - don't want to give spoilers - read it for yourself !!

A great summer and beach read

This is the perfect easy read there are no unexpected twists but it’s really enjoyable with great characters. Zane and his sister Britt had a violent childhood but with support have become happy adults. Zane then meets landscaper Darby and a romance begins. They need to work through issues of the past to make a success of their future.
Thanks to NetGalley and Piatkus for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley #UnderCurrents