This book shows the scary possibility when dating. Though the chances are small, it could happen. Morgan starts dating a guy. She thought he was a nice guy, but it was all an act. Before he was done, he stole her identity, her money and her best friend was dead. Morgan was the one that got away. As she tries to rebuild her life, she slowly begins to trust again. But just when she thinks the worst is behind her, the killer wants to finish the job he started.

Nora Roberts knows how to tell a story. She grips you from the beginning and you can't rest until you finish the book. This is a great thing when you want to avoid reality for a little while. It's a bad thing, when your pesky job and real life gets in the way. I, personally, prefer the former. Who needs to work or sleep, right? Trust me this book is a must read. You won't be sorry, tired maybe, but not sorry.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Nora Roberts for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Identity is best-selling author Nora Roberts’ newest stand-alone romantic suspense novel. It is a grumpy-sunshine romance combined with a thriller involving identity theft and a serial killer.

20-something Morgan Nash Albright has settled in a suburb of Baltimore, working as an office manager for a construction company during the day and a bartender at night. She owns a small house and has a roommate, Nina Ramos, to help with the bills. But after she and Nina host their first dinner party—attended by Luke Hudson, the flirtatious IT guy who'd been chatting her up at the bar—her carefully built world is shattered. An intruder has broken in, valuables are missing, her beloved Prius is gone, and Nina lies dead on the floor.

Within a few days the FBI shows up to inform Morgan that "Luke" is actually a cold-hearted con artist named Gavin Rozwell who targets slender blondes with gender-neutral names, steals her assets and identity, and then murders her. Nina, a short brunette, came home from work sick and surprised Gavin while he was hacking into their laptops. She wasn’t the target, Morgan was.

Morgan quickly realizes that she is buried in debt from Gavin’s crimes and returns to her grandmother's home in Vermont. She gets a job as the Bar Manager at a fancy ski resort owned by the Jameson family. Pretty soon she begins a romantic relationship with Miles Jameson, the grumpy introverted COO of the resort. She befriends Miles’ sister, Nell, who is her boss and reconnects with her mom and grandma.

Meanwhile Gavin continues to change his name and appearance as he travels around the country, searching for new victims, with FBI agents Beck and Morrison on his trail. His life has gone downhill since he murdered Nina and he blames it on Morgan.

Identity is an enthralling romantic thriller that I had difficulty putting down. The story is engrossing and is written in Nora Roberts’ typical style, full of descriptive language and banter between the characters. Morgan is loyal to her friend Nina’s memory and does things to honor her. Identity features strong female characters, especially those of older generations. The FBI agents, Tee Beck and Quentin Morrison, are presented in a positive light, although we learn little about them personally.

Towards the end of the book, there is mention of a budding romance between Nell Jameson and Police Chief Jake Dooley, which could lead to a sequel. There are other developed secondary characters who could have their own stories also. I look forward to reading more stories taking place at the ski lodge.

I received an Advance Review Copy (ARC) from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Identity is a bit terrifying. Morgan does everything right after meeting a seemingly terrific guy. But he's actually a psychopathic serial killer conman who destroys her life and kills her friend. What I liked most about Morgan is that she didn't give up. She was down for a while, but she put her life back together and moved on.

She moves in with her mom and grandmother who are absolute delights. She is a bartender in Vermont. This is so well written that I want to move to Vermont (I detest the cold) and tend bar (I can't stand the smell of alcohol).

The villain is a bit over-the-top, but the rest of the cast was excellent. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to adult readers. Not family friendly due to sex and violence.

Morgan has everything: a house she loves, a roommate who compliments her in every wat, a job tending bar at a local place, a good car. Then POOF!!! It all disappears when she gets tangled up with the identity theft guy who comes into the bar and chats with her. After the fiasco, Morgan retreats to her mother and grandmother’s house in Vermont, where she hoes to start over. She has a nice place to stay with her mother and grandmother, lands a great job tending bar at a local family-owned resort, and, best of all, finds a support group in her mother and grandmother and the family who own the resort. However, the identity theft guy is still around somewhere, tracking her while he uses other unsuspecting woman victims, hoping to one day get the “one who got away”. This is a fascinating story of one woman’s survival, against some great odds, and of one rotten-to-the core con man who enjoys prying on young woman, taking all they have and then leaving them dead. Though Morgan has started life anew after what he did, she is always wary, on the lookout for this monster to come and take what she has now as well as kill her. Everyone around her knows how badly she was treated and pitches in to help, but Morgan is worried nothing will stop this identity thief guy. Can she manage to survive him a second time? Hopefully, her support and friends will help, and she will be strong enough.

I enjoyed this book. It moved quickly. I loved reading Morgan’s story. It was wonderful how she picked herself up and went right to work on getting the things she wanted and needed. The chemistry between her and Miles was definitely ther. I also liked the way his family stuck together through everything. I have always enjoyed reading Nora Roberts novels and this one was no different. The plot was a bit different, but still quite good. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good read I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

This is the most I’ve enjoyed a Nora Roberts novel since probably The Witness, even if it’s not unlike her most recent stuff: a very predictable suspense subplot, and many pages of competence porn devoted to detailing the heroine being very good at her job. But I think because in this one the heroine is a bartender and the story happens in a high end resort and all the characters are basically involved in the running of it that this book felt like it would fit well in Bridal quartet series or the Dream trilogy. And it has my favorite type of Nora hero: the cranky, no nonsense dude who’s annoyed that he’s falling in love, and will rudely tell the heroine to cut it out when she’s upset, which is exactly what she needed to hear in that moment.

And then this happened:

Morgan clasped hands, groaned her way to her feet. “This body by Jen feels like it’s been pounded with a thousand tiny hammers.”
“Hydrate and stretch,” Jen repeated, “and it won’t. You’ve come a long way, chile. Keep it up.”



Which is how I figured the character was Black. She has a brother earlier described as wearing his hair in “in short, neat twists”, but that’s basically the only context clues we have, because Nora won’t clearly describe them otherwise. And listen, I’m white, so it’s not my place to say, but I found that piece of dialogue to be very awkward and I wonder if the only reason these two very minor characters aren’t white is because the only other BIPOC character in the book, a Latinx woman, gets murdered at the beginning which acts as the catalyst for the heroine's journey.

So, that’s where I’m at. Kind of miss the days where Nora’s idea of diversity was writing about redheaded AND brunette Irish people.

Review copy provided by the publisher.

Nora Roberts does not disappoint! Identity is another fabulous book. It is a psychological thriller and a romance novel combined into one novel. Morgan, the protagonist, learns the importance of family and friends as she deals with the smooth talking Luke, the antagonist, whose real name is Gavin. Gavin is a serial killer. The book is a fast and enjoyable read.

Thank you #NetGalley, #StMartin'sPress, #NorRoberts and #Identity for the advance readers copy for my honest review.

I mean, its Nora Roberts. Nora is my, and so many of my customers/patrons go to for a sure fire, solid read, never to disappoint. Nora does it again, and does it SOOOOOOO well!

Morgan Albright- Nash was raised in a military family always moving from place to place. She wanted to plant roots in a community after moving around so often when she was younger, and eventually open up her own neighbourhood bar. she works two jobs to make her dream a reality. she has a roommate Nina to help with the expenses. They became close like sisters, but then everything palls apart, after finding her roommate dead, her identity stolen. She can't stay in Maryland going backwards moving into a apartment, knowing everything she had is gone. After inviting Luke a con artist into Morgan's and Nina's life's. Morgan heads to Vermont to live with her Gram and Mother.

For Gavin Rozwell , Morgan is the one who got away, and lived. his luck has changed since meeting her, Rozwell blames her, he wanted to kill her not Nina. He'll bide his time, whilst keeping tabs on the one that got away, and he will not be satisfied, until she gets whats coming to her.

The FBI are keeping Morgan regularly updated with any new updates on Rozwell. While Morgan is slowly rebuilding her life, she lands herself a job, as a manager at apres, that she absolutely loves. At the Jameson family owned world class resort. Morgan finds herself falling in love with Miles and his dog howl, who I absolutely fell for he, reminded me so much of my dog Mr. Beasley. The characters leap from the pages, I felt like I was right there alongside Morgan on her journey throughout the story, I was spellbound with how I could see in my mind so clearly the three generations of Nash women and, the Jameson family., I feel in love with Morgan’s strength, determination, loyalty and the way she can relate to her customers with such ease. The way Roberts intertwines family throughout the story kept me engaged, and never bored, with a psychopath toying with Morgan emotionally trying to unnerve her.

Gavin Rozwell will be surprised to see, just how strong she has become with the help of her family and work family.


I highly recommend this book who are fans of women's fiction, crime fiction and family generation stories. Who enjoys descriptive writing that you can see, smell and taste the atmosphere. I really enjoyed reading this book it made me want to be a part of the Nash family, have their close relationship, strength and courage I fell in love with both families and I will be remember them as they have a special place in my heart.

Favourite Quote “Karma’s not just a bitch, she’s a righteous bitch”


A special thanks to the publishers St. Martin’s Press for the ARC via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review

Oh how I enjoyed the resilience of the heroine, Morgan, in this uplifting tale! There are all the elements you want, sorrow, joy, grief, romance, hope, suspense, new beginnings. I savored it and felt she was one of the most authentic characters I’ve read.
Her story begins in Baltimore as a young adult establishing her place in the world, à house, roommate, career, responsibilities, learning to navigate all of it. All her dreams are shattered by a robbery, murder and nothing is ever the same for Morgan again. She has crossed paths with a psychopath, a con artist, a serial killer. Her credit is ruined, identity stolen, she’s lost everything. My heart and soul ached with sympathy and horror at what Morgan experienced. This happens far to often in our world everyday and it frightens me immensely. The FBI are on his trail, always too late, more women die.
Morgan has no choice left but to move home with her Grams and Mother in Vermont. He took everything from her. The roots she tried to plant have been destroyed and she has to rebuild everything. Her story follows that journey with a new job, new relationships, friends and family. Always looking over her shoulder for the man who meant to kill her.
I enjoyed this story immensely, the characters are easy to relate to and like, the settings were lovely. I’ve read this author for too many years to confess to, this will positively be added to my list as one of her best yet.
A digital advance reader copy of “Identity” by Nora Roberts, St. Martin’s Press, was provided to me by NetGalley. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.

This story was awesome. One of the best of Nora Roberts' yet!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Nora Roberts is so good at thriller romance books and this is another hit. Morgan has her identity stolen by a con artist who also killed her best friend. Morgan is the only woman the thief hasn't killed so she becomes his focus, As Morgan rebuilds her life with the help of her mom and grandmother, she finds a job, new friends and a love interest. However Gavin, the con artist is still out there and still hacking into her accounts but is now being tracked by the FBI. The ending felt a little rushed but overall Identity is a great, fast paced book.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's press for my ARC.

Thriller

Another winner from a go-to novelist!

Morgan Albright's identity gets stolen, and all her worldly possessions get compromised, her roommate gets killed and her life takes a complete 180. Needing someplace to recoup all her losses she moves to Vermont to live with her mother and grandmother.

As Morgan starts to rebuild her life, the thief and killer makes it known that he hasn't forgotten about her and considers her the one that got away. He threatens to come for her and the FBI agents assigned to the case agree.

Morgan worries that this trauma from her past will affect her employment with the Jameson family and their resort. She took a job as the bar manager when she moved to Vermont. They consider her family and won't let this lunatic affect her job with them. This is good news because her feelings for the COO - Miles Jameson, are growing.

Will the killer get his comeuppance? Will he allow Morgan to life her life unscathed? Even though, as a reader, you know how the story will turn out, it's a very compelling story. One I thoroughly enjoyed.

I have been reading Nora Roberts ever since she wrote contemporary romances for Harlequin. So, about 40+ years. What's great about her novels is the development of the characters' relationships. They move through a realistic arc, and you cannot help but root for them. Her plots are usually thoughtful, well researched and mostly possible - except for her magical realism novels. If I have a complaint, it's that her main characters are amazing humans, and they meet other amazing humans, and everything is awesome. It works because you want to be a part of those characters' lives, part of their family. After this many novels, however, it does feel a bit formulaic. The bad guy in this case starts out very interesting but devolves quickly. It took away from the story, in this case, for me. All in all, this was another fantastic thriller from the queen.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC of this novel.

Another thrilling suspenseful mystery by the masterful Nora Roberts. This is an unpredictable plot. Morgan, a former military kid, used to constantly moving, has learned to live by her wits and trust her instincts. Reading people serves her well as a bartender. Her dream has always been to own her own bar and settle down in a cute little bungalow she can remodel. The only person she is close to is her roommate Nina who helps with expenses. Morgan doesn't date - no time working two jobs - but a charming IT guy that frequents the bar seems harmless enough. She agrees to meet him for pizza on her day off. and a few weeks later she invites him over for dinner. Gavin is a serial killer. He steals the bank accounts of his victims, takes out loans in their names, kills them and disappears. He is a master of disguise. But he messed up with Morgan. It was Nina that was home alone, not Morgan. Morgan was the one who got away. His obsession with her is relentless. The FBI is doing their best to track him across the country and keep Morgan aware of any updates. He is coming for her - the question is When!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this advanced review copy. In return, I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

4.5 ⭐️s rounded up to 5

A very big thank you to the publisher @stmartinspress and @netgalley for providing me with this ARC for my honest review. I was beyond ecstatic about this one.

I love Nora Roberts!  I've been a fan of hers for the past 20+ years and am always excited to read her newest book. Honestly, I don't think she can write a bad book.  She combines my 2 favorite genres, thriller and romance, and does it so well.

Morgan Albright has settled in a suburb of Baltimore to make a life for herself.  She's bought a house and works two jobs.  Her roommate/best friend Nina lives with her to help pay the mortgage.  She meets a man, Luke, whom she thinks may have some potential.  Unfortunately, she's very wrong, and her life is turned upside down, and she loses everything, including her best friend Nina.  It turns out that Luke is the ultimate con-artist and a serial killer.  Nina was collateral damage, and Morgan was the one who got away.  She really has no other choice but to go back to her Mom's in Vermont to try to start over.  But Luke, whose real name is Gavin, is not giving up.  Will she ever be safe? 

I really enjoyed reading this book.  The suspense of Gavin's escapades and whether the FBI would catch him really drew me in.  I loved the romance between Morgan and Miles Jameson, whom she meets in VT.  I highly recommend this book!  It comes out May 23rd, so make sure you pick up a copy😊

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Because it lasted over many months/years, it made Morgan’s progress in overcoming a tragedy feel believable. I especially loved Morgan’s relationship with her “ladies”, and seeing them grow closer and learn to depend on each other.

Is it really impossible to lock down your credit and prevent a hacker from doing additional damage? That is the part that scared me the most!

The only part that seemed a little off to me were some of the police procedures. It just seemed odd that they would be chasing him for a decade and had so many near misses. Also, it was a little too convenient that Morgan and Miles discussed a safe word on the very day it was needed.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for the opportunity to read and review this book ahead of its publication date.

I enjoyed this thriller and the fast pace of the story. Morgan is a young woman who is building her career with both an office job and a bartender. She lives with her friend Nina and they threw their first dinner part for Nina's boyfriend and Luke, a handsome man that Morgan met through her bartending job.

Days later, Nina is dead. The man that Morgan had fallen for is actually a murderer who lures in women of a specific type, steals their money, and leaves them dead. But Nina wasn't the one who was supposed to die. Morgan flees for safety and to start anew. But, "Luke" is still out there and still keeping tabs on her. A new job, new friends, new network, and new fears keep this book exciting and moving quickly.

Need a good thriller in your life? I have the perfect book for you! “Identity”, by Nora Roberts.

It’s the whole, “the one that got away” story but in this case, not in the romantic way. 😆 When Morgan Albright narrowly escapes being killed by a cute IT guy named Luke (who is actually a serial killer/con man named Gavin) she flees home to her mother where she attempts to pick up the pieces and start anew. But cold blooded Gavin, won’t stop until he gets what he wants. And that’s Morgan.

Serial Killer, romance, suspense. What more could you ask for in a thriller? I was instantly hooked while reading and could not stop until I found out what happened! If you’re a fan of Nora Roberts and/or love this genre, check out this book when it’s out next month! Thank you St Martins Press for the advanced copy on NetGalley!

Nora Roberts rarely misses when it comes to an engaging story and “Identity” is no exception. Readers are in for a thrilling ride from the very beginning. Full of mystery, intrigue, engaging characters, romance, and drama. The characters are so well done that readers will be left wanting more.

Its been so long since I've read a good romantic suspense and Identity was just the right book to get me hooked (again) to Nora's writing! Huge huge thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an early copy to sink my teeth into. Just the right amount of mystery, romance and secondary character involvement without it being just too much like some authors do (character dump). I loved the family connections and closeness, while still secondary to the storyline, still felt the importance of their connection. Just a great book to get lost into!

Morgan Albright has a plan. After spending her childhood moving from military post to military post, she is committed to putting down roots, buying a home, and working two jobs to make her dream of someday owning her own bar a reality. Morgan’s plans are right on track when she meets Luke, a seemingly nice guy who wanders into the bar she works at - except Luke is not as he seems. Luke is really Gavin, a con artist (and heartless murderer) who breaks into Morgan’s home, stealing her identity and killing her roommate. As Gavin racks up incredible amounts of debt and destroys Morgan’s credit, she is forced to abandon her dream, sell her home, and move into her mother and grandmother’s home in Vermont. But as Morgan starts rebuilding the shambles of her life, Gavin knows he isn’t done with her.

Heading into this book, I thought of “romance” when thinking of Nora Roberts. However, this book blew that image out of the water. This story is tense, suspenseful, and terrifying in just the subject matter alone. Anyone can relate to the risk of identity theft, and many become victims every day. Roberts connects this genuine risk to a strong female protagonist who is instantly likable. The story moves quickly at first and Morgan quickly understands the self-discovery necessary to move on. However, despite the relatable subject matter and intensity of the story in the beginning, the storyline starts to drag at certain points in the second half. The Kindle edition of this book is roughly 450 pages which felt overwhelming, and I found many of the descriptions/details of gardens, inventions, architecture, etc. onerous. Fans of Stephen King’s descriptive writing might enjoy these bits, but I struggled not to skip over them completely. Additionally, there are many characters in Morgan’s new life, and keeping them straight along with the relationships they share with each other, etc. was very difficult. I could have used a family tree/flow chart to keep them all straight. Likewise, the small bits of romance included in the story felt almost forced, the characters seeming to go from “I don’t know you” to “I can’t live without you” overnight. I found myself wishing these ancillary characters/side plots didn’t exist because they took away from the main storyline without adding any strong benefit.

Overall, this book was an enjoyable read and a thought-provoking concept. I found myself wondering what I would do in the scenario of identity theft and doing so helped me connect with Morgan. The suspense/murder aspect kept me interested as I wanted to see what would happen between Gavin and Morgan. After finishing the book, I would feel confident recommending it to readers looking for a book with a little bit of everything: suspense and thriller aspects, light romance, humor, and heartwarming moments.