Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Identity for Nora Roberts that I read and reviewed.
I can honestly say I did not feel this book all that much. For me it moved very slow and I just could not get into it. You knew who the killer is from the start and for me that is extremely boring and it is just a long time of finding a crazy guy that is smarter then the police and waiting for him to make a mistake. And the sad part is the police know who this guy is. I just did not like this storyline at all.
Unfortunately, I am only able to give Identity thee out of five stars.

Identity
Nora Roberts
May 23, 2023

After living the Army life with her parents, Morgan Albright grew tired of traveling from place to place. Her dad told what to be, how to be. Her mother was an underwhelming woman who didn’t choose to leave her husband until Morgan was out of school. Soon after she left. She left with expectations of finding a small town with a house she could afford to buy and modernize to her expectations. She would need to find a job she enjoyed, one she could be a sound worker. Finding just that, Morgan took in a roommate to help pay the rent and enjoy friendship. Life was working out well or so she thought. As we all know people can be someone different than they seem. When a customer in the bar appeared one night, they had pleasant conversations. Luke continued to return and after a few weeks he invited her to go out to dinner. He was kind, polite, working in town for a 2 month stint. It would be nice to go out once in a while despite the hours she spent working. As I remind you, people can be entirely disimilar than they originally appear.
Identity will be published by St. Martin’s Press on May 23, 2023. I very much appreciate their allowing me to read Nora Roberts latest gem via NetGalley. It is truly an exceptional work of suspense. I expect Robert’s fans to pick up this novel but mystery lover’s need to find a copy and enjoy this masterpiece. From start to finish I was driven to discover where this plot would go next. True, a page turner but take your time and appreciate this latest bubbling plot. Nora Robert has once again taken the reader under her control. Do enjoy this one!

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Publication date: May 23, 2023

Identity is a thriller/romance combo from Nora Roberts. I have read many of Nora’s books and enjoy her writing. They are usually quick and easy reads with easy to follow storylines. This one is no exception.

Morgan Allbright spent her childhood moving around as her father was stationed all over the country. Never staying long enough in one place to grows roots, Morgan vowed to do just that when she was able to.

Settling just outside of Maryland, Morgan and her friend Nina were housemates and best friends. Morgan starts to casually date someone she met while working as a bartender. Grant seemed like such a nice guy until he murders Nina and steals her identity to wipe her clean of her savings and credit.

Devastated, Morgan heads to her grandmother’s home in Vermont. At 30, Morgan never expected to be living with her mother and grandmother but is grateful for a place to heal and start over. Morgan nets a job as the bar manager at the large resort that makes this small town thrive with locals and visitors.

Eventually Morgan settles into her new life, starts dating one of the resort owners and really makes a home with the ladies in her life. But, Morgan is the one that got away. The murderer has made a career out of duping young ladies and Morgan is the first to walk away. Morgan starts to receive subtle messages and knows he hasn’t forgotten about her, he’s just waiting for the right moment to strike.

This was a good mix of thriller and romance. I loved Morgan’s growth as she settled into her new life and enjoyed her chemistry with Miles. This is a 4 star read for me!!

#NetGalley #identity #noraroberts

The main character Morgan is a strong, driven woman in her 20s – and then a terrible incident happens, bringing with it a deep pit of grief that rocks her to the core. We get to go on a journey of recovery and rebuilding with Morgan and her incredible network of loved ones. The writing and development here is so strong, and the book keeps you hooked the entire time, which is typical of the great Nora Roberts.

I received this from NetGalley for an honest review.

Nora Roberts' latest thriller, Identity, is a heart-pumping ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. The story centers around Morgan Albright, a woman who has finally found a sense of belonging in her Baltimore neighborhood, only to have her world come crashing down after a dinner party with her friend and roommate, Nina.

As the truth of the break-in and Nina's murder emerges, Morgan learns that the man she thought was interested in her, Luke, is actually a con artist named Gavin who preys on women like her, stealing their assets and identities before ultimately killing them. The FBI's warning that Gavin is still on the hunt for Morgan sends her running to her mother's home in Vermont, where she meets Miles Jameson, a man who is everything Gavin is not.

Roberts weaves a masterful tale of suspense and terror, taking readers on a journey through Morgan's fight to reclaim her life and stay one step ahead of Gavin's deadly pursuit. The characters are well-developed, and the pacing of the story is spot-on, keeping the tension high throughout. Identity is a thrilling read that will leave you breathless and satisfied. Nora Roberts has once again proven that she is a master of the suspense genre. Highly recommended for fans of thrillers and suspense novels.

This is a DNF for me. No matter what I tried, I couldn't get into it at all. Maybe I'll try it again sometime, but after the stellar books I've read this week, this one was a real letdown.

Nora Roberts delivers a great thriller with Identity. This book was full of action from the start and continued throughout the book with a chilling scenario and a woman on the run.

The Description:
Former Army brat Morgan Albright has finally planted roots in a friendly neighborhood near Baltimore. Her friend and roommate Nina helps her make the mortgage payments, as does Morgan's job as a bartender. But after she and Nina host their first dinner party—attended by Luke, the flirtatious IT guy who'd been chatting her up at the bar—her carefully built world is shattered. The back door glass is broken, cash and jewelry are missing, her car is gone, and Nina lies dead on the floor.

Soon, a horrific truth emerges: It was Morgan who let the monster in. "Luke” is actually a cold-hearted con artist named Gavin who targets a particular type of woman, steals her assets and identity, and then commits his ultimate goal: murder.

What the FBI tells Morgan is beyond chilling. Nina wasn't his type. Morgan is. Nina was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. And Morgan's nightmare is just beginning. Soon she has no choice but to flee to her mother's home in Vermont. While she struggles to build something new, she meets another man, Miles Jameson. He isn't flashy or flirtatious, and his family business has deep roots in town. But Gavin is still out there hunting new victims, and he hasn't forgotten the one who got away.

My thoughts:
I couldn't put this book down. The scenario was a scary one and the way the killer operated seemed realistic and could have been cut from the headlines. Women are deceived all the time. I liked Morgan - she was a hard worker, seemed to be a good friend, and she definitely had courage. The plot was racy and well thought out. The tension built as the novel progressed. Nora Roberts is very talented and I would like to read more of her many books.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on May 23, 2023.

Nora Roberts has a new thriller coming out just in time for summer that you don't want to miss! "Identity," centers around the very likeable character of Morgan. Morgan is an army brat, who has built a nice, realistic, life for herself. She has her own home, a job she is using a stepping stone to achieve her true dream of owning a bar, and a roommate she loves. Sadly, when Morgan decides to give romance a chance, she encounters a serial killer! While Morgan evades the killer at first, her roommate is not so lucky.

This story really picks up when Morgan starts to rebuild her life. It is hard with a killer on the loose, who clearly won't rest until Morgan is dead. The back and forth of Morgan's life, and the killer hunting her is such a fun ride. I really enjoyed this book. As always, Norah's writing is superb, and she creates wonderful characters.

This is a 4.5 star read for me! Thank you to NetGalley, and the publisher for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! Nora Roberts hit it out of the park. I was vested in the main character right from the start. She came across genuine and with a lot of strength. The “bad guy “ was a layered character. He had me guessing to the end. This will be a perfect book to read on the beach or poolside. Definitely recommend making one of the cocktails 🍹😅

I am always a fan of Nora Roberts, but this one is FANTASTIC. This storyline could easily happen! Identity theft is so prevalent today. I cannot imagine how you would ever truly recover from that financially. Then you add all the danger on top of it. This was a definite page turner!

Nora Roberts is one of those authors that I read just because she is Nora Roberts. Identity is another winner for her.
We meet Morgan Albright in Baltimore where she has finally been able to put down roots. Her life is looking up: she has an awesome job as bartender, a roommate named Nina that helps her with the mortgage and someone that she is definitely interested in learning more about. Then tragedy strikes: There is break-in. Valuables are stolen and Nina lays dead on the floor. Morgan’s identity is stolen. Then comes the nightmare. She loses everything. As Morgan tries to rebuild her life after this, she learns that she is the one that introduced the monster into her life. “Luke”, who she was interested in and met at the bar where she works, is not who he said he was. He is actually a con artist. Moreover, he is not through with Morgan yet. After everything that happens, Morgan decides she needs a new start and moves back to her mom’s in Vermont. However, her nightmare is not over. “Luke”, whose actual name is Gavin, can’t take it that one of his victims got away. Of course, there has to be a love interest. That is Miles. How does he help? To find out read this excellent book to learn how it all turns out.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book for an honest review.

I think I may have outgrown Nora Roberts books, (sad face), This just wasn't for me, It was kind of a damsel in distress story but with a modern twist. I really liked the main character Morgan, though. The story just didn't add up to me. I thought at first it was taking place in the 90's because of this bad guy who no one in the world knew about. But, with today's technology, there is no way this man would have been able to get away with what he was doing this many times. And doesn't the FBI do forensic accounting? They could have figured this man out in a second.

A couple things that drove me crazy in this book. One, a lavender margarita? GROSS! A lilac margarita? GROSS! Two, calling her mom and grandma "my ladies". that became kind of triggering for me.

Thanks for the advanced copy! I wish i had loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love Nora Roberts. I really do! Or at least I used to. I've really enjoyed her trilogy series and standalone stories in the past, but I have not really enjoyed the books of hers I've tried to read in the last few years. I don't know if it's that I'm too used to the formula now or if they just all feel too rushed in all the wrong ways, but they don't do it for me.

Unfortunately "Identity" didn't do it for me either. All I can say is that the entirety of the plot is covered in the synopsis from the publisher and you really don't need to take the time to read the book to look for anything of substance to add to that. That's the story and that's it.

I'll never write Nora Roberts off as an author but may have to be more choosy and pick books with more vague descriptions so there's something to look forward too. What a bummer!

Nora Roberts is one of those authors that continues to amaze me. This stand alone mix of women’s fiction, mystery-thriller and romance ticks so many of my boxes. The blurb itself gives more away than I’d share. Morgan Nash’s identity is stolen bringing her world crashing down. The FBI shows up explaining they know who did this to her. And so far she is the only one he didn’t kill. This makes her a target. She moves to be with her ladies, her mother and grandmother, in Vermont and starts to rebuild her life.

There are so many wonderfully rich characters in this story. Morgan’s mom and Grandmother have their own back stories and the three together have a joyful relationship. Work brings Morgan to Miles. Their banter is so smooth and entertaining. You feel their love before they know what hits them. And my heart melted to a puddle at every interaction with Howl, the rescue dog and best boy ever. Side characters all get moments to shine.

It takes a little bit to get to know Morgan and for her personality to show because at first she is a victim. But watching her go from tragedy to confident strength is empowering. Roberts keeps the tension up and tightens it to a more than satisfactory conclusion. Some mature writers have characters that don’t feel modern or current. That is never a problem for Nora Roberts. The storyline is crisp, characters fit their ages and she brings passion to a love scene. This is such an easy book to read and recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.

As always, Thank you to Netgalley, the Author,THE NORA ROBERTS!!! and the publishers ST. Martins press.
I am beside myself as I write this, first I consider myself incredibly lucky to have received a E-galley of this book!
I started this book immediately, and I gotta say it is one of her best for me. I think what made it perfectly perfect was Nora's ability to create characters that are relatable. Her main character is un-moored and in search of a place to call her own. In many ways all humans have felt that and can relate. Pick this book up you won't be sorry.
Identity is available May 23rd!! 4 stars!

I haven't read a Nora Roberts book in a few years, and I really enjoyed this one. She writes incredible thrillers with great characters! The descriptions of places had you feel like you were right there with the characters. I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.

It’s been an age since I’ve read a Nora Roberts book. I mean, I read all of the In Death releases but it’s been many years since I’ve read anything else but her. I must say, I’ve missed her. I’ve missed the familiar way she pulls you into a book and allows you to experience every moment and every emotion along with the characters.

Now… Identity…. It’s terrifying. Of all the things that we read, books about identity theft are some of the most realistic and consequently frightening. In Identity, I really liked a Morgan and empathized with her. To finally set your life to rights and only have it upended by a sociopath serial killer would be devastating. But to have him personally specifically research you and seek you out? 😱

One of the most heartwarming parts of the book is that, after living through the experience she gets to go home. I know for many, even for me at that age, it would be ‘has to’ but I, now, can see that it’s a ‘gets to’. Morgan getting to know her mother and grandmother as people is a very special thing. Having lost both, I appreciate the value of those relationships.

I’m so thrilled to have been able to dive into Identity. It’s a FABULOUS book that’s just the right amount of scary and heartwarming. Plus, it’s about growing as a person and overcoming adversity.

As a side note, I truly think Ms Roberts needs to fix my closet. Between Morgan’s and Eve’s I’m pretty sure she needs to fix mine next 😜🙄 and… I need some recipes both the potatoes and the sangria 🤷

my review is scheduled for 5/18 at https://www.hottbooks.com/review-identity/

This is a heart-stopping novel! One that will keep you up at night reading for sure!

Morgan Albright seemingly has her life together - she’s independent, living in Baltimore, working 2 jobs (office manager by day and bartender by night) and is saving to renovate the house she shares with her friend, Nina. That is, until Luke Hudson comes into her bar one night and turns her whole life upside down. After hosting a dinner party, Morgan finds her house broken into, her car stolen and Nina dead. And Luke Hudson is responsible. Not only that, he’s stolen her money and her identity.
Morgan has no choice but to come home to her grandmother and mother in Vermont. She works to rebuild her life, taking up a job as a bar manager at a family-owned resort. She meets Miles, a charming and handsome (but difficult to read) man, who is also the grandson of the Jamesons, who own and operate the resort. But Morgan knows that “Luke” (real name Gavin) is still hiding in the shadows and is coming for her- the question is when.
I love this novel and everything about it. I love Morgan and her need to find her roots and I really like that Miles is a little guarded but at the same time really protective of his family and of Morgan. I was kept on the edge of my seat waiting to see what Gavin did next and wondering when he was going to strike. The overarching theme of family gives a warmth to the writing. Very highly recommended!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this novel to read and review. All opinions are my own.

I have been a huge fan of Nora Roberts for many years so jumped at the opportunity to read her latest novel Identity. Identity follows Morgan, a young woman working two jobs to try and save money to buy a small bar of her own someday. She owns a modest house and her roommate Nina is one of her best friends.

During one of her bar shifts Luke comes in. An IT 'geek', he is not only good looking but charming as well. After a few nightly visits to the bar he invites her out for pizza. She doesn't normally do things like that but takes him up on his offer and both seem to have a great time. So great she ends up inviting him over for dinner (with her roommate and her boyfriend in attendance as well). Little does she know her whole world is going to be turned upside down. Luke is not who she thinks she is, and when tragedy strikes and Morgan's life is shattered she has no choice but to move in with her Grandmother and Mother.

They live in a quaint town, own a shop called Crafty Arts, are thrilled she is there, and have a lot of connections. They are able to get her a job interview at the local resort run by the Jameson family. And that is where she meets Miles. He's tough and hard to get to know but she really wants to get to know him. And when he hears of the tragedy she has been through and continues to live with he will stop at nothing to help protect her. After all, the Jameson's treat all of their staff like family.

Without giving too much of this story away I absolutely loved it. I work in the IT field and found the brief parts that were attributed to Luke/Gavin to be accurate. The devastation that he spreads is terrifying and kept me turning the pages to find out the ending.

Nora Roberts really knows how to write characters and weave an intricate plot. She is one of my favorites. Heads up, this is NOT a romance novel, although there is romance sprinkled throughout. 4 1/2 stars.

This is a thriller that had me on the edge of my seat, crying and laughing…all the good feels of a great book! Morgan is an independent and secure young woman living outside of Baltimore with her best friend Nina. Working multiple jobs to make her life’s dream come true, Morgan’s life is upended when she is targeted by a master con artist. Gavin Rozewell kills Nina and escapes, destroying Morgan’s happiness and her future hopes of owning her own business. Defeated and discouraged, Morgan goes to live with her maternal grandmother Olivia and her mom Audrey in a picturesque town in Vermont. Morgan works on rebuilding her life, but Gavin is still there on the fringes of her life, plotting to at last get to kill the one who escaped him. This book defines action from page one, with a serial killer stalking, a handsome millionaire courting and a feisty Morgan learning self-defense moves so she can take on the challenge of facing Gavin when he shows up in her life again. There is romance, a humorous dog named Howl and a family with a prosperous business and a lot of love and acceptance to give. I loved how the story of Morgan’s “rebirth” was told so thoroughly and so well and how the parallel story of Gavin’s unraveling and sinking into the depths of depravity is compared to Morgan’s success and happiness. Gavin made me angry each time he appeared and Morgan had me cheering for her to succeed and find that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The characters were believable, relatable and original. The plot was a cleverly paced page-turner, with head-spinning twists and captivating intrigue. I cannot say enough about how much this book moved me to keep reading long into the night and then early the next morning until I finished it with a long sigh of satisfaction. The tension crackled throughout the novel, building momentum until the final compelling encounter of good versus evil. This is what a well-crafted and terrifyingly brilliant book looks like! I would give this book ten stars, an extra five for the edgy intensity and the rich character study.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”