When I tell you I have never been as excited to receive an ARC as I was when I found out I had been approved for Identity - literally, I squealed! I have been a Nora Roberts fan for years, and had pre-ordered this book in case I didn’t get approved. Thankfully, I did - and I loved every minute of this book!

One of the reasons I love Nora Roberts is that her books are always pure - the main characters have are not perfect, to be sure, but they are pure of heart. Another common theme of her books is that family means everything - and I love that.

Morgan, as the female main character, was amazing, resilient, strong, witty, sassy and more. She had been through a lot in her life, and yet was able to come out of the storm on the other side better than ever. The bond she redeveloped with her Mom and Grandmother absolutely warmed my heart.

Miles, as the male main character, was self-confident, had a strong sense of self and family, and was willing to let Morgan be independent while also being there to take care of her. I also thought his dog, Howl, was a very important addition to the story and I am in love with him.

All in all - the mystery was great; the romance was outstanding; the characters and character development could not have been better. I cannot recommend this book enough - 100/10.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for giving the me the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review. It made my whole year!

I was excited to receive this ARC as I love Nora Roberts (thank you Netgalley and the publisher!)

Morgan Albrigh (who grew up as an "army brat" now living near Baltimore) comes home to discover her home robbed, her car gone and her roommate Nina is dead on the floor. Morgan moves home to Vermont to live with her grandmother and mother as she begins to rebuild her life. Will the past stay in the past as Morgan works on building her new career that has lead her to a new relationship or will it keep reappearing?

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is a really good read – a chilling subject, and yet thanks to the nature of the lead character, Morgan, a really heartwarming and lovely story emerges from disaster.

We hear all the time about identity theft, but the extremes that the evil perpetrator goes to in this novel have a very sadistic side. The impact on Morgan's finances and life is extraordinarily awful. But her resilience and unwavering hope make her a survivor and though she has to change direction, she makes the most of what she has left. I highly enjoyed reading about her working ways and plans. She deserves all the good things that could be in her future.

Her mum and gran are a pair of fabulous side characters who most definitely give her the reassurance to believe that the women in her family thrive even in adversity. Lots of lovely scenes between the ladies!

A fascinating, disturbing, and yet warm and romantic story from the very talented Nora Roberts, thank you!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Identity
By:Nora Roberts
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Pub Date: May 23,2023
Morgan grew up an army brat so as an adult all she craved was a home base. After saving and working 2 jobs she buys a house. Welcomes a roommate, Nina, who quickly becomes her best friend.
While working her bartending job she meets Luke an IT guy who does home security. The girls host their first dinner party and that’s where things start to go horribly wrong.
Luke is a con man and he worms his way in to Morgan’s life by installing a capture program on her computer while attending their dinner party. A week later while Morgan is at work, he comes back to retrieve the program finds Nina home and kills her.
From there, Morgan loses everything. Loans are taken out in her name, credit cards too. He even steels her car. Her savings is depleted. She ends up having to sell her house, but Luke isn’t done with her yet. She ends up moving back home to her mom and grandma. gets a job and meets Miles, but Luke isn’t done yet. Just has Morgan finds her happy again and Miles proposes things go down hill fast.

Nora releases a stand alone thriller every spring and they are always one I look forward to. My favorite quote comes from Miles,
“It’s not a force field against psychos, it’s a ring!”-Miles
If you like a little romance mixed in with your thriller this is the book for you.

Identity by NYT Bestselling author Nora Roberts is contemporary romantic suspense with a frightening premise that feels all too plausible.

Hardworking Morgan's identity and all she owns are stolen by Gavin, a psychopathic conman who also planned to kill her but killed her roommate instead. Morgan moves in with her family to start over and even meets a good man in Miles, but Gavin is fixated on the one who got away.

It had been a while since I'd read a Nora Roberts book, and I'd forgotten how tense and fun to read her romantic suspense books can be! This is a multiple-POV slow-burn with a chilling plot, vivid descriptions, interesting characters, high stakes, and ongoing tension between Morgan's new life and the final showdown with Gavin that you know is coming. That contrast between Morgan's healing and finding unexpected love with Miles while Gavin completely unravels is compelling. I rooted for Morgan and her wonderful family and enjoyed the generational interaction. A page-turner and one that I enjoyed!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to review this gifted ARC.

I enjoyed reading about Morgan. She was a very likeable character. Liked howbshe was able to overcome her fears. Felt like this bookhad some spots that dragged a little, but not so much that I wouldn't recommend

It's no surprise that I love Nora Roberts! Her writing is such a great escape and her storylines keep me interested. This book though!!! 😍 This feels like a whole new level for Nora's writing and I am so here for it!! 👍

Morgan is a strong independent woman with her own life baggage like the rest of us but through a very scary life changing event she becomes even more badass! She is forced to start her life over with nothing and she does it with such grit, determination,and grace! I love this fierce female character and the story had just the right amount of intrigue, romance, and bad-assery! I can't sing enough praises for this book, go read it now!!

You think you have your whole life planned, you work hard on your goals, doing the best you can, projecting when you’ll have “made it”. Then life hits you with a horrible blow and all those careful plans, that well-aligned path you set for yourself—all gone and you’re left with nothing.

Morgan learns this terrible lesson when her identity is stolen by the man she’d just started seeing and he steals everything she has, including the life of her closest friend. Grieving, broken, it takes all her strength and courage to remake herself.

I loved the main and side characters a lot—Morgan’s mom and grandmother, the Jameson clan. I enjoyed all the interactions and the romance had a sweetness that was endearing. The story was well-paced and the plot was a good one too. The values and women’s power in this story were my favorite part, and I’m looking forward to re-reading it again in the future.

This is my second book by Nora Roberts and has fueled my current thriller/mystery kick. Each book I read makes it clear why Roberts has been a staple in the genre for so many years. There’s a little something for everyone and while there are critiques, I enjoyed the story overall and look forward to my next NR mystery.

Voluntarily reviewed after receiving a free copy courtesy of NetGalley, the Publisher, and the author, Nora Roberts.

It has been a long time since I read a Nora Roberts book. She's still got "it". This book was amazing!! Nora is one of the best of all time. The plot was dynamite. I was on the edge of my seat the entire book. The writing was wonderful. The character growth was top notch. Nora's character's jump off the page and Identity was no exception. This is a fantastic summer read! Huge thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

I'm so glad I had an entire weekend to devour Identity. Nora Roberts writes romantic suspense so well that I get sucked into the book and I stay there. The main character, Morgan, grew up as a military brat and now just wants to have her dream. Working two jobs and having a roommate allow her to go for the goal of owning a house and her own neighborhood bar. That dream is torn apart one night when she returns home to find the house broken into and her roommate, Nina, murdered.
Morgan flees from her dreams in Maryland and seeks shelter with her mother in Vermont. That won't be enough as the killer was out to get Morgan and not Nina. He's still killing and he isn't finished with Morgan. The perfect setup for a very enjoyable reading escape.
The characters are well developed and inhabit a suspense filled journey with twists and turns that kept me saying just one more chapter. Just what I want in books penned by Nora Roberts. My thanks to the publisher St. Martin's Press and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Oh My Goodness!! What a great story! Morgan has planted roots after a childhood of military house shuffling. Gavin is a con artist who had intended on taking advantage of Morgan, stealing her assets and identity, but killed her roommate Nina instead. FBI is tracking him and coming close but not close enough to catching him. Morgan heads home to her mother and grandmother and meets Miles Jameson at her new job. He has deep roots and is part of the family business where Morgan works. Great drama, character building, and the resolution was awesome! I almost wish this was a series, I'd love to go back and see how they are faring after everything was resolved. I couldn't put the book down and only stopped reading when I absolutely had to! Love reading anything by Nora Roberts!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

I had only read one other book by this author and it was really good so I was super excited when asked if I wanted to read and review this one. I will say this there is murder in the book and the author details everyone to the T so it is graphic and may be disturbing for some readers. The book is broken into three sections and the first two sections were really good it has you on the edge of you seat waiting to see what happens next and where the author is taking you. I really liked Nina, Sam and Morgan they were like the three amigos and created there only little family. I loved the Jamesons and Morgans mom and Grandma they all had hearts of gold and did so much for each other and their community. Nell was so fun to read about as well she was a no nonsense women and nothing or no one was going to get one over on her. Miles was very reserved and I thought for sure there was more to the story with him but I just never came out.With the last part of the book which was my least favorite. I felt like the author chose in this portion to show her disgust for religion and for a certain political party, I felt both of these could have been left out of the book and really had no grounds for the story and the story would have been just fine without it. I like to read to get way from Politics so its frustrating to find it in a story that it just doesn't need to be whether your on the right or left it gets old and I would just not rather read about it. Overall the story was good, just proceed with caution if murder and sex bother you, this may not be the book for you.

Thank you St Martin’s Press and Netgalley for an ARC of Identity in exchange for my honest opinion.

I love Nora Roberts. I love her writing as Nora Roberts and JD Robb and know that I will immediately get sucked into her books. Unfortunately, I did not feel that with Identity. I felt that it was drawn out and a little too unbelievable. The FBI knows that there is a serial Killer, but doesn’t let the public know? They only release his picture and identity to certain police forces? I did love the idea of it, but it was just a little too out there for my taste. I also felt like they were giving Morgan way too much credit for getting away, when she didn’t do anything at all. A situation arose that changed his plans.

I am glad to say that this is the first Nora Roberts book that just didn’t wow me. And I will continue to look forward to her further books.

I love the way Nora Roberts writes, her stories are always full of mystery, they are thrilling and emotional in all the right places, and even if they aren't always super action-packed they suck me in and keep me on the edge of my seat through the entire book. The characters have these wonderful relationships between family and friends and the couples always make me so want to swoon with how perfect they are for each other.

Morgan has been dealt a devastating blow, a sick man has targeted her and not only taken everything of value she has but also killed her best friend. The man is still after her and is determined to ruin her life in every way possible before he kills her. Morgan decides to go to Vermont where her mother and grandmother live and figure out a way to start over and survive if the killer comes for her.

I loved Morgan's relationship with her family, and how she went about reclaiming her life, I also loved how her relationship with Mick played out they are kind of sort of friends who are interested in each other, but when she first sees his house and becomes immediately obsessed with his turrets and his adorable dog Howl, their relationship really takes off. The thriller part is spot on, we get some chapters from the killer's pov, which really highlights his psychology and how determined he is to go after Morgan. But Morgan is as prepared as she can be and she isn't willing to let this guy take everything from her again.

Morgan Albright is living her best life. She works a lot at her two jobs, but she loves them both. Her roommate and best friend brings joy and flowers into her life. She's finally settled and put down the roots she's always wanted. Until everything comes crashing down around her. Trusting the wrong person left her carefully planned life in ruins, and her best friend murdered.
She thought it was a simple break-in until the FBI tells her everything is so much more complicated. Nina wasn't the target. She was. A random guy she met at work is actually a con artist and psychotic killer. He's got a type, and Morgan fits it to the tee. Gavin won't stop until his loose end is tied up.
Trying to put her life back together after losing everything and returning home feels like a failure. Yet everyday Morgan takes the next step towards rebuilding and living her new life in Vermont. She's blessed with a wonderful grandmother and mother who only want her to be safe and happy. And Miles Jameson, the eldest son in the family that owns the resort she works at. The attraction is undeniable, and finding happiness in each other is the best way to move on. Despite the happiness, the lurking knowledge that a killer still has Morgan in his sights, but forwarned is a tool none of the others had.

What's it about (in a nutshell):
Identity by Nora Roberts is a fast-paced thriller and a heartwarming romance all in one excellent package. When a sociopathic psychopath sets his sights on Morgan, a local bartender and office manager for a construction company, neither of them could have foreseen how this routine con and kill would turn out, and it was incredibly compelling to read.

Bullet Point Review:

Nora Roberts' books have been in my life for a long time, and out of all of them (excluding the fantasy novels), this is the best romantic thriller I have read from her. I was invested. I didn't want to put it down. And I was more than satisfied with the ending.

I loved how authentic this story felt despite the serial killer angle. I don't think there was a moment when I said "don't" to any of the characters because they were doing something foolish. It played out slowly and methodically, as you would imagine it would happen.

I loved the family theme. Morgan's family consisting of her mom and grandmother, is so great and empowering. I couldn't understand why Morgan initially moved so far away from them. And I loved her romantic interest, Miles' family, and the interconnection with Morgan's family. The family bonds are so strong and so heartwarming; I just knew they could defeat any evil that comes their way.

And, of course, I loved all the fast-paced thrills, chills, and spills as the bad guy thwarted the FBI at every turn, changed his identity, and struck again and again. He seemed unstoppable, and nothing makes the pages turn faster than an unbeatable foe.

Morgan is the main character and typically the focus of the story. She is independent, determined, frugal, and yet admirable and relatable.

The narration is in the third person but primarily focuses on Morgan. It does switch away for some chapters so the reader can glimpse the bad guy and the FBI agents chasing him, adding to the thrills.

The thriller scenes are fast-paced, though the romance and character development scenes are slower. I grew frustrated with how many slower-paced scenes there were. They could have been cut back without losing all the crucial aspects.

The story starts outside Baltimore, MD, and then moves to the mountain resort town of Westridge, Vermont. The settings were well utilized, and the resort was absolutely breathtaking.

Read, if you like
Romantic thrillers with equal bits of both
Strong family themes
A place that changes depending on what's going on in the story

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

After Morgan's identity is stolen and her world irrevocably altered, she returns to Vermont and moves in with her mother and grandmother. There, she begins rebuilding her life and meets Miles, grandson of the owners of the resort where she works. Even though she's happy and finding family and love, the threat of her past is never far behind.

I enjoyed this story - full of suspense and love. I rolled my eyes at some of the dialogue and grew impatient with overly-detailed chapters about Morgan's interests (houses and creating decorations and unique home accents), but it was worth the read.

Identity by Nora Roberts is another great read and one you can't put down. From the very first page this book had you sitting on the edge of your seat. Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an early copy of this book in return for an honest review. Morgan Albright settled in Baltimore after moving with her parents, as her father was in the Army. Morgan worked 2 jobs and was driven. During the day she worked as a Manager for a family owned construction company and at night she was a bartender and has a dream of opening her own bar. Morgan finds a roommate and now friend, Nina, to help with the mortgage. Nina helps Morgan have a dinner party and what could go wrong. Morgan's life is now shattered and is turned upside down. Morgan returns home to live with her mother and grandmother. So many people, too many lately, can relate to have your identity stolen. Thankfully most people don't go thru what Morgan has gone through. This is such a wonderful suspenseful thriller and love story. Very Enjoyable and a Must Read.

Ok, i literally screamed when I found I got this copy through NetGalley. I am a huge fan of Mrs. Nora Roberts. I’ve been reading her books since 2004 and I’ve never stopped. I’ll stop whenever I’m reading to pick up any she puts out.

This was such a crazy and eye opening reading experience. Our heroine was a hard worker who was taken advantage of and she lost so much because of one decision. I felt for her so much going through the process that ended up having her move and start all over again. It didn’t keep her down though and I loved her mom and grandma being her rock and showing her life will go on and to keep fighting! She had such a wonderful cheer squad backing her up.
Now our hero. I wasn’t sold on him at first but who doesn’t love a broody businessman that doesn’t gossip and is so tight lipped at first I thought a crow bar wouldn’t have gotten him to talk, but he has layers and he showed himself opening up in small ways that I thought and felt spoke volumes to our heroine. ( telling her she wasn’t slow when a customer complained) or that she had a good attitude when a customer gave a fuss about food. It’s those little things that I think show the most value. The progress of their relationship was the best! Plus add his family and their personalities it was great! I loved they had weekly meetings that entailed food and business plus fun. Nobody was judging anyone and they would listen. The hero’s grandmother was my favorite as she was no nonsense but fun and loved taking chances.
When everything started piecing together about our bad guy no one held back protecting our heroine and just wanted to be there for her. You know how it goes it was a epic ending and a lot of growth and relating to each character’s. It’s one of My favorite things about her books. Nora has a way to get you to jump in her books and feel like you know the characters. I’m so thrilled I got to read this and I thank you again for the opportunity!