Amazing Suspense! keeps you intrigued , great cast of characters. Mind games explores the psychic ability between two people connected by tragedy over a span of 16 years , the games they each play until one day one will win once and for all.

4 stars. Mind Games is the newest release from Nora Roberts. I’m a HUGE fan of Roberts (writing as Nora Roberts or JD Robb). I get super excited for all of her new releases and read most of them. Mind Games felt similar in vibe to Identity, which was released last year (they even have similar covers), but also had a magical realism component. The main character in Mind Games is a psychic who can see into the minds of others (she's also a video game designer... hence, Mind Games). I loved loved loved the romance. And as with Identity, it took a hot minute for the romance to start (we don’t even meet the male love interest until ~40% in), but once the characters were introduced, I loved how they slowly got to know one another and how things developed. I also really loved the family dynamics (which in a way, also has similar vibes to Identity). I loved Thea, her brother, and her grammie. But I also loved that her love interest was a single father and the kid was super cute and had a really great relationship with Thea. Truly, the characters were what made this one a winner for me. That and the small town backdrop with wholesome family values. I’m not sure if I would consider this romantic suspense, but there was most definitely a bad guy. All in all, I enjoyed a lot of things about Mind Games and I can see others really enjoying this too. As always, thank you to St Martins Press, Netgalley, and of course Roberts, for hooking me up with an ARC and physical copy in exchange for an honest review.

Mind Games by Nora Roberts. 4 stars

This is the stand alone Nora Roberts suspense novel for 2024. We first meet Althea “Thea” Fox as a 12 year old going on vacation to see her grandmother in Kentucky. Her whole family is on the road and she can’t wait to spend the summer with her Grammie. However, her dream summer turns into a nightmare when she dreams that her parents are killed by a psychopath. She is clairvoyant like her Grammie and she manages to convince the police that she can help find the killer. She gets justice, but along the way she is tied to the killer because he also has a gift. Therefore you have the cat and mouse “Mind Games” that takes place over years.

While this is book is focused on Thea and her ongoing battles with her parents killer, it also put an emphasis on her ability to move on with her life. She finds fulfillment in her work and relationships with her family and friends. It is a Nora Roberts book and therefore it must have a romantic element in the form of Tyler Brennan, former front man for Code Red - musician and composer - Thea’s teenage crush. He is living next door with his adorable little boy and this relationship is on a slow burn. There are conflicts between the couple but also a HEA. I found this book a fun read, but not the best Nora Roberts I’ve read. I thought last year’s “Identity” was better.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC.

Nora Roberts has written another nail-biting, nerve-jangling suspense saga in her latest, Mind Games! A touching story of love and grief with an epic battle of good versus evil personified! After their parents' brutal murders, Thea and her brother, Rem go to live with their grandmother. The grandmother, mother, and Thea have the gift of sight and Thea in her mind's eye sees how the parents were murdered. She helps the police find and convict the murderer, Riggs, who also has this gift. He is sentenced to life in prison. This ability causes havoc in all their lives. What a well written story that kept me reading and enjoying every word. What an amazing ending!

Nora Roberts descriptions are always so great. I felt like I was right there in Kentucky with Thea! This was a lovely book. The characters were great. A good read overall.

I've read other books by Roberts, but I really struggled with this one. I didn't really care for it. The pace was too slow, and it took me way too long to connect with Thea and her brother. I kept expecting more to add interest to the storyline, but it didn't happen. The love interest shows up well into the book (~50%). Then ending was sloppy. This book just didn't work for me.

"He'd fight to kill while she fought to live. She firmly believed that gave her the advantage."

It's so difficult to put into words how this book made me feel. Especially because I don't think I actually know the full impact of it yet. It's hard, and it's special, and it took me on a journey like no other author can. Nora Roberts puts such heart into her stories and I love getting lost in them.

This one is particular hit me extremely hard. It took a long time to get through it simply because I kept crying. I couldn't stop. Whether it be the loss of her parents or the mind blowing love of her grammie, Thea's story was one hit after another. I can't even imagine going through what she did and still waking up the next day, and maybe that's why it felt so surreal to be a part of it.

But even outside of that, outside of who we watch her become, I loved the world building of video games and what goes into it. I love that Thea was a little weird learning how to wield a sword, a little quirky with her schedule and her seemingly packed away life, and a little lonely to never look passed her grandma, her brother, and her childhood best friend. As someone who feels a little lonely for all the same reasons, it was like an understanding and a reflection all in one. Maybe she opened me up to a new possibility, maybe she made a dream come true for me.

Because she also gets to fall in love with her childhood crush, who.... let's just say that you should imagine Harry Styles falling in love with you one summer. In this universe Harry Styles has an adorable kid who lights up his life, and Thea could use a little light in all her dark.

Because the darkness is always looming when you watch your parents get murdered. And wow did this one hit home because of it. I'm always so thankful to read a Nora Roberts book, but I'm especially thankful to net galley for letting me do it early.

Twelve year old Thea loves summer, no school, just long days of fun ahead. Her favourite part of every summer is when her parents drive her and her little brother Rem from their home in Virginia to their grandmothers in Kentucky to spend two weeks with her. Both Rem and Thea love their parents, but time with their Grammie is something special. Thea and her Granmie share the same gift, passed down through generations, of being able to feel and see people’s thoughts. One terrible night Thea spends her sleeping hours sharing thoughts with a terrible man back in Virginia while he walks through her house and murders her parents. He has the same gift and now Thea will be linked to him fast she grows up, and he wants revenge on the girl who got him locked up for life.
A bit of a thriller with a strong and loving family at the centre. I don’t love being terrified when I am reading (or watching movies or shows) and this struck a great balance for me between suspense and story. I love the deep connection and love between Rem, Thea, and their Grammie and the rest of their family and community. This book also takes place from the time Thea is 12 until she is in her late 20’s and I love getting to watch everyone’s lives play out over time. This was a one sitting read, I was both intrigued and enchanted by the story.
Thank you so much to @norarobertsauthor @stmartinspress and @netgalley for letting me review #mindgames Look for it May 21 2024
#bookstagrammer #bookstagram #readforjoy #reading #read #readersofinstagram #readersofig #readmorebooks #readmorebooks #booklover #bookworm #bookish #booknerd #readmore

Huge thank you to @stmartinspress @macmillan.audio and @netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Nora Roberts is forever my comfort read and this didn’t disappoint! Bonus points for the family last name being Lannigan. While it’s spelled different it’s pronounced the same. It was fun hearing it in the audiobook!
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Every June Thea and her brother travel to Kentucky to stay with their grandmother. When one night Thea and her grandma Lucy woke up with the same nightmare and they soon realize their “gift” showed them the murders of Thea’s parents and Lucy’s daughter and son in law. Thanks to Thea’s “gift” she was able to see the killer and he is behind bars but he also has a “gift” and the two are in a mental fight.
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I really loved the characters of Lucy and Thea. Roberts books always fleshes out an entire world and characters to root for!

This book starts off very sad, grab the tissues because you will need them. The visions were a nice element to the story. The story takes you from childhood through adulthood. I loved how the story progressed and to see where everyone ends up. This book did not disappoint.

I could not get into this one and about 30% in, I gave up. Just too slow and not enough interest for me.

Mind Games by Nora Roberts has everything I want in a good book. A young girl faces terror that helps make her a strong woman who frees herself by winning the ultimate mind game.

Nora Roberts has always been one of my favorite authors. I’ve read almost all of her books. This was another really good book! It moves slow, building to a big finish. I liked Thea and her family and how they all grew as the story unfolded. I really liked the paranormal part of the story. Definitely recommend

Mind Games by Nora Roberts is not just another thriller. It's a unique blend of paranormal, serial-killer thriller, romance, and coming-of-age plot threads. The coming-of-age element is particularly significant as it follows the protagonist's journey of self-discovery and empowerment, adding depth to the overall narrative. All these threads are woven into a complex and mysterious story that kept me on the edge of my seat.

I loved the paranormal aspects. They reminded me of a paranormal ability that Terry Goodkind wrote about in his thriller duology, starting with The Girl in the Moon. It's chilling and creepy, and it held my attention thoroughly. It also provided all of the tension in the story, which kept the pace up.

The romance in 'Mind Games' blooms in the middle section, radiating a lovely and heartwarming aura. The tension, though slightly contrived, is balanced by the endearing chemistry between Thea and Ty. The family story and the emphasis on roots, particularly in the spiritual context of Appalachia, foster a sense of connection and love that resonated deeply with me.

Overall, this is a creepy and entertaining read.

Been years since I have picked up a non Eve Dallas Nora Robert’s book. I don’t know why I have been away for so long.

Mind Games reminded me of how much I enjoy her storytelling and writing.

Felt immediately connected to the characters and drawn into this story.

If it’s been awhile since you have picked up Nora Robert’s this is a great place to make a comeback.

O. M. G. Talk about a captivating read. I started this book one evening and I wanted to call out from work the next day just to read! I felt EVERYTHING! I felt the loss, the horror and I felt the love this family gave one another. I was on the edge of my seat, waiting … Thea has a tie to her parents killer and she feels him trying to get to her at times. Grammie has helped her learn how to keep him out. I was really intrigued by their abilities.
Thea is smart and kind and hasn’t stopped living life because of what happened. She and her brother, Rem, have a close relationship and they look out for one another. I liked the fact that this family stayed close despite the tragedy in their lives. I enjoyed the friends Thea made in life and the support she had. I don’t want to spoil this read so I’ll end this by saying GRAB THIS BOOK!!

I enjoyed reading Mind Games by Nora Roberts. . You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

Nora Roberts unquestionably possesses an exceptional talent for storytelling, and she once again demonstrates her prowess in this captivating book. With a perfect blend of murder, suspense, romance, and a touch of the paranormal, it offers a truly immersive reading experience. The characters are masterfully crafted, and Thea's journey, marked by a heart-wrenching tragedy in her youth, showcases her resilience and the unique abilities she possesses. Make certain to add this remarkable novel to your "To Be Read" list without hesitation!

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC to read and review.

BOOK REVIEW: Mind Games by Nora Roberts
2024 Publication Date: May 21

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐

Best Domestic Thriller Books
T.I.M.E. Best Books By Genre | Best Thriller Books
T.I.M.E. Most Anticipated Books Of 2024

Pages: 432
Genre: Thriller
Sub-Genre: Domestic Thriller | Steamy Thriller
T.I.M.E. Jalapeno Rating:️ 🌶 (Mild Spicy)
Time Period: Contemporary
Location: Kentucky | Appalachia (US)
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

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All my book reviews can be seen at This Is My Everybody | Simple Living | Denise Wilbanks at thisismyeverybody.com/blog/what-book-should-i-read

♡ Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

Mind Games is a fantastic edge of your seat thriller, a family drama, and a romance book all mixed together. The book had me from the very beginning and it's my favorite read of 2024 so far! Mind Games starts out with the Fox family getting ready to visit Grammie in Kentucky. The parents are going to stay one night and then leave the kids with Grammie Lucy for 2 weeks. The kids absolutely love their vacation on Grammy's farm in Kentucky. Rem is 10 years old and Thea is 12 years old. They love milking the cows, feeding the chickens, hiking in the woods, baking, helping Grammie make candles and soaps, and hanging out with all of the dogs. It's their favorite time of year.

While the Foxes are back home they are having their own kind of fun. Little did they know that a madman was watching and would make his move very soon. Thea and Grammie Lucy awaken at the same time one night. Thea has had a very detailed dream and she knows it was more than a dream immediately. She wakes up terrified that her parents have been murdered. She saw the killer enter their house, she saw everything he did, and watched him kill both her parents. As she ran to Grammie Lucy's room, she was already sitting up and looked a fright. She had a similar vision/dream but not as specific as Thea's. The women in the family have a gift of sight. Thea asks Grammie to call the police to have them check on her parents. Grammie knows it's too late, but she hopes she's wrong.

The people in Redbud Hollow, Kentucky know of Grammie and her gift of sight. The police don't question her and they make the call to the Virginia police where the Foxes live. Later there's a knock at the door and it's the worst possible news. The Foxes were murdered in their bed with a gunshot to the face. Thea is able to give a detailed account of everything the killer did and where he is currently. The killer also has the gift and he was able to tell that Thea was watching. Once he's arrested he's placed in a supermax prison and given 2 life sentences. He had killed another couple the same way as well as a young woman.

The kids are devastated by the loss of their parents, but happy to have Grammie take them in. Their parents had planned it out that way if something ever happened to them. Years pass and the kids go off to college, Grammie's soap and candle business grows, and the madman is rotting away in prison. Thea still has visions and can see into the killer's mind when she wants to. She knows how he feels, but she hates that he can get into her mind as well. Will she ever be rid of him? Will his threat that he's going to kill her come true? Is it possible he could escape?
Thea comes back to Redbud after graduating college and Grammie has a surprise for her and Rem. She's bought some land nearby that they can build homes on when they're ready.

Mind Games is a book that you don't want to end. I wanted to stay in Redbud as long as possible and enjoy the animals on the farm, the chores, the cooking, and the characters. You will never forget Thea, Rem, Grammie Lucy, Bunk the dog, and more. Don't hesitate to get this book! I rate Mind Games 5 stars and if there was a higher rating this book would get it. Nora Roberts has created one of the best books I've read in a long time. The book is now available and should go to the top of your TBR pile! I'd like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy of Mind Games in exchange for a fair review. #MindGames #NoraRoberts