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Somehow, Nora Roberts always grabs my attention from the first page of her books. Mind Games is very suspenseful and also has a paranormal twist to it. It has heartbreaking moments but is also full of love, family, strength, and perseverance.

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I adore Nora Roberts. I consume every book she puts out and this one did not disappoint. This was not a breakneck speed thriller, nor was it a love story. This one would be hard to categorize but it was amazing all the same. Roberts ability to weave characters that make you feel like you know them is awe inspiring. I became attached to these characters. Their life was so richly told. The spiritual gifts were brought to life in a very realistic way. The lives of this family gripped my from the first page and drew me in. I wish I could meet this family in real life. They left me with a warm feeling. A family to strive for. There was not a dull moment as we are taken through the lives of this family. This is one you buy for your bookshelf and cherish it. An absolute must read!

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Nora Roberts has written over 200 novels and it would be understandable if she was running out of fresh ideas or writing formulaic stories. MIND GAMES proves that isn’t the case.

MIND GAMES is anything but ordinary. Readers will be gripped from the very first chapter and wholly invested in the heroine, Thea’s, life and story. And what a story it is.

Thea is an amazing character who readers will watch go from a scared child who “saw” her parents murdered to a grown woman who is strong but caring and passionate.

Nora Roberts really knocked it out of the park with this one! Absolutely brilliant.

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Mind Games is a classic Nora story with a twisty cat and mouse game of a killer and a victim.

Nora has slowly been transitioning her books from a straight romance to more of a women’s fiction with a romantic subplot, and I think Mind Games is an excellent example of this. This is an engaging story with classic Nora elements: A strong female character, a fabulous setting, and an interesting suspenseful murder. The actual romantic relationship for our main character Thea, doesn’t really pick up steam until half way through the book, and you’ll note, he isn’t even discussed in the synopsis.

This is a fairly intense story - it starts off in vivid detail about the murder of Thea’s parents and the unique gift Thea has that causes her to witness the incident thousands of miles away. From there, we watch her grow up, and figure out how to deal with her gift. She builds a life for herself, helps solve some tragic cases with the police, and deals with a vicious killer who’s head she can get into, and who can get into hers. Nora is an incredible storyteller and I loved the world she has built here. Thea is a fascinating and whip smart character. While she’s almost fiercely independent (which is partially from eldest daughter syndrome and the tragedy in her life and her gift) she is also deeply caring and has an incredible family. Grammie and her brother are two delightful characters that light up the page.

In classic Nora style, the twisted mystery held my attention. It’s interesting because as a reader, we know who the villain is from the get go. The story is less about solving the mystery and more about solving how Thea will live a fulfilling life free from him. Mind Games has one of the most unique show downs between a hero and a villain that I've read in a while. I’m interested in learning what other readers thought of it.

Mind Games is a twisty paranormal-lite women’s fiction read that will be best enjoyed with a glass of iced tea and a hammock this summer!

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LOVED. THIS. BOOK. Nora Roberts has done it again. This is a masterfully told story with well developed characters and an amazing plot. Thea Fox and her younger brother are in Kentucky visiting their grandmother when something happens that will impact the rest of their lives. Do yourself a big favor and read this book.

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Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC!

I'm a sucker for a story about family and this one delivers pretty poignantly.

Thea and her family have so much love and joy until someone doesn't approve and ends it.

I really appreciate the small bits Roberts give us of Riggs. He and The as enemies is extra fascinating when you consider their ages, which I didn't until halfway through!

There was one part that kinda stuck out to me, it seemed like conflict for the sake of conflict but on the whole this book is excellent and I would highly recommend it!

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Whoa…..where do I begin! This newest book by Nora Roberts checked so many genre boxes, from romance to mystery to paranormal thriller.

Thea and Rem Fox enjoy spending two weeks every summer with their Grammie in the beautiful and idyllic countryside of Kentucky. But the summer they are twelve and ten, tragedy strikes the family and Kentucky becomes their permanent home. Like all the females in her family, Thea possesses a “gift”, the psychic ability to see into other peoples minds. This family saga, with a great cast of characters, takes the reader through the emotional journey of loss, grief, love and self discovery.

I absolutely enjoyed the first third and final chapters of the story and was immersed in all the emotions of the plot and characters. However, I felt the mid section was long and somewhat repetitive and the inconsistencies of dialogue in the way one of the child characters spoke was troublesome for me.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a digital copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Publication date: May 21

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I have been reading Nora Roberts for as long as I can remember. There is a comfort in the familiarity of her formula and reading one of her books is like a warm hug.

Thea is the main character of Mind Games and she witnesses something horrible as a child. The first half of the book focuses on this plot point and how she and her family deal with the aftermath of the tragedy. The women in the Lannigan family all have what they call the "sight" and Thea's is particularly strong. It adds a unique element to this story and ties her to the killer in an unexpected way.

Thea does have a love interest in the second half and I enjoyed how he was linked to her childhood. I don't want to spoil it, but I will say the man/boy/dog connection warmed my heart. There is some romance, but I would classify this as more of a contemporary suspense novel with family and romantic elements.

The way the title plays out through various aspects in the story is very well done. The characters are all loveable and the setting of Redbud Hollow is perfect. The conflict wrapped up a little quickly, but overall it was gripping and had me engaged the whole time.

Nora Roberts is a Queen and I will always read her books.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

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Mind Games is another winner by Nora Roberts! The unique connection Thea and Lucy share is very interesting to explore as the author shares the womens' experiences with their gift. A gift some would call a curse...It was fascinating getting into the mind of a killer and Thea's mind.

I did greatly enjoy the life the kids built with their grandmother after their parents were gone. That part of the book ws wonderful and uplifting and definitely reminded me of simpler times.

Nora Roberts is the queen for a reason and Mind Games is yet one more example of the author at her best. You'll definitely not want to miss this one.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and publisher for an ARC at my request. All thoughts, as always, are my own.

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I read a digital copy of this new novel thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press. I requested the book because I am a big Nora Roberts fan; I have read and enjoyed dozens of her books.

Nora Roberts is a skilled storyteller; her writing style is easy to read; She builds fleshed-out characters and introduces them so that her readers care about their lives and their problems. She outdid herself in the opening scenes of this book. It was emotional, suspenseful, and fully hooked me from the first words. Writing suspenseful and emotional scenes is definitely a strength of this writer.

However, the genre and subject matter of this book is almost completely out of my wheelhouse. I have learned in recent years not to expect the pure romance or simple mystery of Ms Roberts's early writing; but this novel left me puzzled. I know (and care) little about gaming or rock music, and fantasy/supernatural is one of my least-favorite genres of novel. I likely wouldn't have requested the book if I'd read a thorough blurb first even though I greatly admire Nora Roberts's writing in general.

Another thing that kept this book from being a 5-star read for me was the language of the characters. The author seems to think that all characters speak in the coarse and crass way that these (and most of her recent) characters do. I found the vulgar, common, low-brow dialog distracting and puzzling in these characters. I wonder if Nora Roberts is still actually writing the books that come out in her name.

Overall, in spite of these distractions and defects (IMHO) the book was interesting and entertaining.

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Thea Fox comes from a long line of women gifted with the sight. 12-year-old Thea mostly keeps her visions to herself until the night she awakens having seen her parents' murders and knows that she has to tell the police what she's seen in order to help find their killer. The first half of this book is so emotional and such a powerful depiction of grief and a compelling family portrait that I forgot it was also a romance. This is just as well since the love interest doesn't show up until nearly halfway through the book. The story is genuinely creepy at times, but also so warm and beautiful when painting a picture of the rural Kentucky setting and the strong bond Thea and her brother have with the grandmother that raises them after their shared tragedy. I don't know when Nora Roberts sleeps, but I'm never going to complain that she keeps churning out these hits.

ARC e-book via NetGalley
Provided by St. Martin's Press
Publication: 21 May 2024

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Mind Games is a fantastic new book from the prolific Nora Roberts. It has a lot of the same elements that other books of hers has, but this is an interesting new spin on the serial killer/stalker genre. Mind Games has wonderful characters - almost too good to be true - and a smart psychological aspect that keeps you interested throughout the entire story.

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Nora Roberts' "Mind Games" is a captivating journey into the realms of tragedy, trauma, love, and family, woven intricately with the suspense of a chilling mind game. From the very outset, the narrative grips you tightly and refuses to let go.

Set against the picturesque backdrop of Appalachia, the Fox family's annual pilgrimage to their grandmother's home sets the stage for a series of events that will change their lives forever. Thea, our protagonist, emerges as a multifaceted character whose growth we witness from her childhood to adulthood. Roberts' skillful storytelling ensures that every character, every setting, becomes a living, breathing entity within the narrative.

The interplay of psychic abilities adds a layer of intrigue and suspense that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. The special bond shared by Thea and her grandmother Lucy, their unspoken connection through visions and nightmares, adds depth to their characters and serves as a catalyst for the unfolding events.

Roberts masterfully builds tension throughout the novel, skillfully balancing moments of quiet introspection with heart-pounding action sequences. The ongoing mind game between Thea and her parents' killer is crafted with such finesse that it becomes impossible to put the book down, each twist and turn leaving the reader craving for more.

Nora Roberts' "Mind Games" is a must-read for fans of suspenseful fiction. With its richly drawn characters, atmospheric setting, and spine-tingling plot, it is a testament to Roberts' storytelling prowess and a testament to the enduring allure of the human psyche. Brace yourself for a rollercoaster ride of emotions, because once you enter the world of "Mind Games," you won't want to leave.

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This was a fantastic read! The story was very interesting and the characters were engaging. I would highly recommend this author and book!

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LOVE everything Nora Roberts writes!! This book pulls you in and keeps you hooked. Just like every June, the Foxes take their two children to spend a couple weeks with their grandma, Lucy. Thea and Lucy both wake in the middle of the night knowing what happened to Thea's parents even though they are hundreds of miles away. Will the authorities believe a young girl. It's a thriller!!

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Nora Roberts always delivers an excellent romantic suspense. This book had me at the edge of my seat. Nora Roberts is always an auto-buy for me.

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Mind Games has a little bit of everything: mystery, thrill, romance, and a beautiful coming of age story. I do think the book is longer than it needed to be, but Nora Roberts has a way with writing words so beautifully. The beginning definitely delivers a gut punch and emotions are palpable off the page throughout the story. I would have liked to see more from the romance side of the story, it doesn't get introduced until about the halfway point, and the ending seemed a bit rushed. Overall this book was an entertaining and enjoyable read.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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This was an interesting thriller. It bounces between two timelines and has a supernatural element. Nora Robert's story telling is classical and so it's all fade to black but rich in character development. I loved growing up with the Foxes in the little Appalachian town and experiencing everything the small town had to offer. It was a slow moving story that had plenty of action. Thea spends her life mind battling her parents killer and as she grows up she realizes they both can't exist. It's the unraveling of the thread that was so interesting and made it an action packed read.

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I will read any book by Nora Roberts, and this book was no exception. It has the paranormal, appealing characters, and a dream setting that makes you want to move there. The villain is absolutely terrifying. That said, this novel seemed to me to be “Nora Roberts lite” with too good to be true elements. I also thought the book needs to be shorter and have better editing.

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By now Nora Roberts has some standard plots, and this is one of them. The story competently hits all the expected marks, the setting is gorgeously described, the good guys are lovable, the villain is horrible, and we know how it is going to go. But sometimes that is exactly what we want in a book, and Roberts delivers.

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