What a wonderful way to start a new series! There’s always more going on than what one sees or feels, as Breen finds out. When she unexpectedly finds that how she sees herself and how she’s been living so frugally isn’t real, she makes some major changes. She stops putting a brown rinse to dull her red hair, goes on her first overseas trip with her best friend, Marco to Ireland, the land of her father. Once there, she feels an immediate connection. After Marco returns home, she really finds her connections. The memories and her hidden skills are starting to appear which help her overcome her sense of just barely being adequate. When meeting Keegan, she feels his disdain with her. He knows that she is capable of so much and with the troubles to come, she really needs to find her confidence in her skills and love for her new found world.

Another winner from Nora Roberts, there aren't many of her books that aren't winners, but this one had me captivated and I couldn't do anything else until I finished. Now I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for the next book. It really can't come too soon.

A gripping story of life. Born to two worlds but denied one. When it's finally revealed changes happen, danger happens, love might happen...so much to learn and explore.

Since she was a child, Breen Kelly has been told she was less than average. As an adult she keeps herself closed off, reluctant to shine, and never expecting anything more out of life. Working a job she hates to pay of her sizeable student loans, she dreams of a different life. When Breen discovers her mother has been hiding an investment account worth $4 million dollars, left to her by her father, she vows to turn her life around starting with an impromptu trip to Ireland, her Father's homeland. Breen hopes this trip will help her discover who she is, learn more about her heritage, and discover why her father left and never returned. What she finds is a portal to another world filled with magic, dragons, and a power that will determine her destiny.

The Awakening is an exciting new fantasy trilogy by Nora Roberts. After reading the Chronicles of the One trilogy; I was very excited to jump into another one of her Ireland based magical fantasies. This one definitely has a slower start as we learn about Breen's upbringing with her controlling mother and then her attempt to embrace a new and more courageous version of herself in Ireland. Once she discovers the realm of Talamh the story really picks up. We get to meet the diverse community of Talamh including, Keegan, the sexy and brooding leader and protector of the Fey. I really enjoyed the characters and world building of Talamh and hope that we will see more of them in the next two novels. The book leaves off with a very pivotal ending promising an exciting start for book two.

I haven't read a Nora Roberts book in a long while - since her Bride Quartet series I believe so I was curious to see how this would read particularly as I was drawn to this cover.
As I read through this book I couldn't help but revisit my trip throughout Ireland as Breen and Marco drive through various parts I had visited. Ms. Roberts descriptive wording definitely makes you long for a return visit as soon as possible. This first book of the series is a great introduction into the characters and how things ended up to where it is today. I was totally unprepared for how the quickly the book ended and thought for a moment my eReader shut down! Thank you to St. Martin's Press/MacMillan and NetGalley for the opportunity to read revisit the lovely Ms. Roberts.

This is my first Nora Roberts book. I know. I couldn't believe I have never read anything else by her either. And I really enjoyed this first book of her new fantasy series.

Roberts is a very seasoned writer, and it totally showed in her way of storytelling. I love the pacing of "The Awakening." It was really consistent and nothing felt rushed or dragging. One minor issue I had was the paragraph breaking during conversations. On some occasions, I had trouble figuring out who was talking. But that did not interfere much with the wonderful story.

"The Awakening" is a low fantasy with the Chosen One trope. Breen was an extremely relatable American woman in Philadelphia. She struggled to pay off student loans, worked in a job she hated, and had never been anything but barely average. Or so her mother had said. Upon discovering her mother's attempt of hiding great things from her, she quit her job and spent a summer in Ireland, trying to locate her father who had disappeared from her life.

Though I love all the queer folks in Breen's life, I find them falling a little on the "stereotypical gay men" side of the spectrum. But Marco and Sally were the best people. I love how they were always there for Breen, even before she broke free of her mother and herself. On top of being rather stereotypical, most characters, queer or otherwise, were not distinctive enough to establish individuality in my mind. I hope the sequels would give them more personality.

For those wanting this book for the romance, it was not the main plot. And though it was clear whom Breen would be involved with, the actual relationship development was a bit of a surprise and did not work particularly well for me. I did not feel much attraction or emotional connection, but it was still very important to the series, and I hope to see it evolve.

What I love the most about "The Awakening" was the serenity of the narration, the calmness of the surroundings, and the peacefulness as Breen began to hone more confidence than she had ever had. I also love the message of not letting anyone reprimand you, and all the wonderful words dedicated to acceptance, belonging, and becoming one's true self.

"The Awakening" was an exciting read as we embarked on Breen's journey of finding herself. It ended on a cliffhanger, but not a note too nervous. I honestly laughed at the ending and cannot wait to read more about her adventure.

I read everything that Nora Roberts writes. Because of that I do notice that some ideas are repeated in her books. That being said I really enjoyed this book. The character of Marco in particular really touched me.
The only thing I wish for is a pronunciation guide for the Irish since the written word and the spoke word are nothing alike.

The Awakening by Nora Roberts. Solid start to a new otherworldly series. The descriptive landscapes in Ireland are series unto themselves. And no one can describe the Irish brogue like Ms. Roberts. A capable and likely heroine, Breen, and the promise of more magic to come not to mention dragons, elves and werewolves. Another winning series for Ms. Roberts.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

What a wonderful romantic fantasy book. I loved all of the characters, not the mother though, and the descriptions of Ireland makes you want to pack up and go there right now. Two completely different worlds. The building of the fantasy world with all the magic just grabbed me from page one. I will warn. It is a cliffhanger ending. I can not wait for the next book

As a Nora Roberts fan, this book does not disappoint. I enjoyed the depth of the characters. The story pulls you in and does not let you go. I can't wait for the sequel to this book.

Full review to be published online in late November.

THE AWAKENING is the beginning of the new ‘Dragon Heart Legacy’ series by prolific author Nora Roberts. While it’s good to see the author stretching her limits as an author, I can only hope this trilogy works out better for her than the last one did. The story is great introduction to give enough about the characters and their pasts, motives; and we witnessed the beginning of Keegan and Breen’s love story. The reader also meets with the villainess who may create conflict with their love interest in the upcoming installments, and we learned more about pending war between good and evil.

The book unfortunately ends with a cliffhanger, which was not totally unexpected, but nobody likes a cliffhanger. Roberts could have ended the book better.

OM freaking fascinating creative Gs! This is marvelous long epilogue to a new series. The entire book impeccably introduces us the likable, falling in lovable characters and their past and present stories and preparing us like a calmness before the storm for the next exciting adventures of the characters!

I have to admit after reading this book I prayed the borders will open soon because this book gives you addictive craving to schedule an urgent trip to Ireland and get lost in its folkloric, ancient historical , magical places. Those tempting forests, the supernatural creatures and mystical elements perfectly summon your soul and you just die to be part of those incredibly breathtaking and life changing adventures. ( oh I forget to tell you how tempting to hear those sexy, ear tickling Irish accents!)

The book starts with a quick introduction of Breen Kelly, 26 years old, insecure, introverted , reluctant teacher who hates the guts of her job, barely making her ends meet, drowning into her debts, hard worker, shopping from thrift shops, wearing grey colors, laying low to be invisible because her own mother made her believe she was not capable to achieve something extraordinary: she is under average. But when she goes to her mother’s place as she’s directed to finish her chores: including watering her plants and organizing her correspondences when she was in spa treatment-having fun (bitchy monstrous, intimidating mother model) she coincidentally finds out( thanks to the cat’s sudden move) the financial statements about her own account she never knows its existence .

After her father and mother has been separated when she was a little girl, her father has left them and never contacted with her but now she sees each year he has sent her money and now it’s a huge amount may cover her all expenses and give her better life choices to chase her dreams.

So Breen tells her sweet pie, supportive, BFF Marco what she discovered and offers him to go to a journey with her to find her father and learn about her ancestors in Ireland. Marco the bestie, so much likable friend accepts her offer.

From her bus trip to her mother’s house throughout her airplane trip, Breen realizes a bearded man is following him but as soon as she realizes his existence, he disappears into thin air. She asks herself as if she’s been hallucinating. But she forgets that mysterious guy as soon as her plane land into the magical Leprechaun

And of course the magical atmosphere of Ireland awakens true potential of Breen, after Marco’s going back to the US, she starts work on her blog and two different novel concepts but when the storm blasts out and as she hears the voice summoning her, she discovers an opening portal to another world which her father has been born and raised and her grandmother has been waiting for her with open hands. A magical universe with werewolves, elves, Magicks, powerful talismans, dragons and the one of the most charismatic leader, warrior Keegan!

Breen discovers her abilities, supernatural powers and her extraordinary skills which frightened her own mother and she realizes that’s why she has lived in over protective cocoon her mother built for her during her old life in Philadelphia and as soon as she discovers her potential and her important role to protect both of the worlds from the danger of her own blood thirsty grandfather she realizes she has to make a decision.
Will she fight or will she escape to the world where she came from?

The story is great introduction to give enough about the characters and their pasts, motives. And we witnessed the beginning of Keegan and Breen’s love story ( we also met with the bad woman who may create conflict about their love interest at the upcoming installments) and we learned more about upcoming war between evil and good! The story finishes with a cliffhanger as we expected! So am I in to read what’s gonna happen next! Abso-freaking-lutely! I’m hooked, I’m chanted, I’m all in!

Cannot wait to read more Breen, Keegan’s journeys!

So much special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this incredible Arc with me in exchange my honest review.