I really enjoyed Thea and her family’s story. But fair warning, the OG Nora Roberts fans may not enjoy it as much. This is not heavy on the romance and really isn’t a love story (in my opinion). It is good vs evil, great power and great responsibility.

Though this is a long book, I did get sucked in and finished in two days. I enjoyed the family dynamics, small town warmth and magic. I also appreciated Thea’s job in a male dominated field and the fact that she excelled in it. Also, her love interest may have also made my teenage heart squeal.

I did however, find the constant reminder of “he’s been put away, he has no life, you do” a little bit unnecessary and forced. It was just said way too often. I realize this book takes place over a 15ish year span, but for the reader, it doesn’t feel that way. I also had a tough time getting through the “animal” part toward the end, but for different reasons.

Long story short, I enjoyed this book and think these new “light” romance novels will gain the author new readers.

January Lavoy narration of Nora Robert's 'Mind Games' is the perfect fit. Whether she is voicing four/five year old Bray, Grammie Lucy, Thea, or Ty, each character's voice fit their character.

Each summer, I look forward to Nora Roberts' newest "stand alone" as much as I do her latest in whatever series she is writing in the fall. Like many earlier books, the life Robert's creates in Redbud Hollow, Kentucky in the Appalachians is idyllic. A successful female video game designer is not the norm so it was easy to appreciate that it was Thea's occupation. Readers rarely see the side of rock stars in the way that Robert's depicts Ty. Baggage from early parts of life is the norm and well used in this narrative. The ending fit perfectly with the narrative that was set throughout the book.

There was one small item that kept bothering me and it may be because I listened to the audiobook. The characters Ray and Bray's names are too close and each time Lavoy was reading about one, although her voice clearly delineated who was speaking, the other character would pop in my head.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen and review this audiobook ARC.

Before I review the actual plot points of the book, Nora Roberts has been my favorite author since I was around fifteen years old. Receiving an ALC from her is mind-blowing for me! I loved the premise of this book. Roberts books always flow so beautifully, but I'm not quite used to the main character starting as a child. Even so, this made me love Thea even more. Watching her be so vulnerable as a child and turning into such a badass was so satisfying.I come from Appalachian roots so this touched home even more for me. I adore Grammy. She reminds me of my own grandmother. I really liked the mind idea here. It's not a normal thing to be explored in the more realistic fiction area so the way it was made so real and not fantastical was a plus. Ty was so sweet and beautiful as a dad. I got so angry at his initial reaction to Thea's "snooping" that I yelled at my phone. It felt so unlike him, but the conversation they had after brought it full circle for me. The ending with Riggs was great! I don't generally LOVE a female narrator on an audiobook by themselves. I prefer dual and duet narration, but the narrator did a wonderful job! I especially loved her voice for Bray. Overall, a beautiful love story with a wonderful setting and great characters. 5 STARS!

I went into this audiobook completely blind and I am SO glad I did. I didn't expect this storyline and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was pulled in so quickly, I just needed to know where it was going and I was a little sad it ended. I really do like romantic suspense and this book is a perfect mix of both. The author really did a great j0b with this story line and made it very believable which I think was probably not easy. The romance was perfect without being over the top. I really loved the family dynamic, the friendships and the romantic relationships. This did feel a little like the last few books by Nora Roberts but with a great twist. I think I would have been able to guess the author just from the writing style and set up alone. I will be recommending this one for sure.

The narration was perfect, I love January Lavoy so this was no surprise!

Well I freaking LOVED this! I think this is my new favorite of Nora Roberts! She did a fantastic job on this one. I found it very unique and so engrossing. I mean this premise could’ve went silly and cheesy very easily but it wasn’t at all. It’s not my usual trope. But I LOVED it. I can’t remember exactly what was in the blurb so don’t wanna give anything away but I found it believable for this story. I loved the family the grandma, brother, love interest and especially the little boy. He’s so cute and funny. The dog!
So much to love. The suspense was outstanding as well.
Nora didn’t tip toe around the uncomfortable parts either.
It made it more realistic.

January Lavoy did a wonderful job bringing this to life. She was awesome at conveying the different voices and personalities. Her little boy voice is ❤️! I just loved everything single thing about this audiobook.
I listened non stop.

Thank You to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc. This is 100% my own honest opinion.

Another entertaining read about family, the strength of a woman with special psychic gifts and the man she finds herself connected to after he brutally murders her parents. Filled with suspense, romance, the bonds of a close-knit family and the grief and healing that comes after tragedy. This was great on audio narrated by January LaVoy and is sure to delight fellow longtime Nora Roberts fans. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!!

Nora, you threw me for a loop here. One of your best, but boy did I have to really pay attention! I'm not used to your heroine communicating with the villain through their minds. I loved the Kentucky setting and the different characters. January LaVoy is one of my favorite narrators and did a fantastic job.

3.5⭐️Mind Games is a captivating novel about a woman who has the gift of sight. Thea witnesses something awful happen and then spends the entirety of the novel dealing with the aftermath.

This was my eight Nora Roberts novel. I have generally enjoyed them as she does a great job of immersing the reader in the narrative. I listened to the audiobook version and the narrator, January LaVoy, made the book 100% better. Her narration, including range of voices, intonation, and cadence, along with the style of the novel made me feel like I was part of the book. It was great.

~~What I liked~~
-The book was easy to listen too. The writing was straightforward and lent itself to audiobook format.
-In general, I was entertained with the book. I enjoyed the plot and the characters. The story's focus was primarily on Thea, but the first 45% also had quite a bit of narrative from Lucy/Grammie's POV. Most of the other characters added to the overall story and there weren't too many that I got lost with who was who.
-While I expected romance, as it is a Nora Robert's novel, I was pleasantly surprised by where the romance developed. I liked the love interest, he was a neat character.
-The love and support shown by Thea's family. As a small-town story, this was heartwarming.

~~What I didn't like~~
-I thought there were a few inconsistencies with timing at the start of the novel. Nothing huge, but it was enough that I questioned the legitimacy of it.
-The pacing tended to drag some. Over 50% of the book was focused on Thea as a young girl and I don't feel like it added to the overall plot to have so much time spent focusing on her as a young girl, to then skip over her college life and go straight into her in her late 20s. That means it also took over half the book before we are finally introduced to her love interest.

Overall, this was a good read, I might recommend to friends who are familiar with Robert's style, but this wasn't my favorite book by her.

Another great book by Nora Roberts that leaves you on your seat waiting for the next twist. Great story line that actually made me tear up with the audio book. The reader did an excellent job! Would recommend to everyone!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audio ARC.

I adore January LaVoy’s narration. She is a master of telling the story and making it real. Her voice always makes me think I am listening to a friend.

How does Nora Roberts do it? She weaves such masterpieces together and so many! I enjoyed myself with this one. I kind of want a dog named Bunk now.

This is another book that I could do vividly imagine as a movie. Tragic but ultimately so many twists and turns that I was so into it. I couldn’t stop! I love how they preyed on each other back and forth, each learning their strengths and weaknesses. The old love and an adorable single dad romance just felt like icing on the cake, honestly.

I haven’t read a Nora Roberts book in years so I was happy to read this one.
I enjoyed the story very much. I was hooked.

The narrator did a good job.

This book did not download and I couldnt read it to review it. :( I put 5 stars because the alternative is low rating and I know Ms. Roberts always writes some awesome books!

This book works well in the audiobook version. It's interesting enough that it held my attention, but light enough not to hold it too much to listen while driving!
I found this story to be a little superficial. It was enjoyable, but it just felt like there was so much more that could be discovered.
Maybe it's not as detailed in world-building, or character-building as I would prefer.

I have always loved a good Nora Roberts novel and the more I read the more I appreciate her skill in bringing a story to life. A Nora Roberts book is truly a master class of the subtleties of writing bringing nuance and depth to characters while breathing life into the setting until you feel that you are a part of the lives of the main characters. With nail biting suspense and moments so richly beautiful they’ll bring you to your knees, “Mind Games” will have you longing to be a part of Thea’s world.

The story begins as twelve year old Thea and ten year old Rem are dropped off at Grammie’s place to spend two glorious weeks of the summer where they celebrate in the joys of being together again. The idyllic annual holiday is shattered when Thea has nightmarish visions while sleeping of a vicious, cold, and calculating crime hundreds of miles away. The result is life changing. Despite everything, Thea, Rem, and Lucy persevere, carving out a life of joy and satisfaction over the years even as she battles to close the door on her gift before it’s too late. “Mind Games” is a heart aching, gut wrenching psychological thriller with a side of romance that weaves a spell around you as you fall in love with the Kentucky Appalachians, Thea, Rem, Lucy, Ty, and Braydon. Audio narrator January LaVoy was absolutely brilliant in her abilities to differentiate each of the characters and her narrative style. I alternated between the ebook and audio book, absolutely loving both.

Thank you @netgalley @stmartinspress @macmillan.audio and @norarobertsauthor for the advance digital review copy and audio review copy. Available on shelves May 21, 2024, preorder today so you don’t miss out on this fantastic book!

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This is truly the most unique book I’ve ever read by Nora Roberts. I don’t know how she continues to do it, but I’m grateful for every new story. It should come as no surprise to anyone that this is a 5 star read for me - Nora Roberts is the Queen of romantic suspense!

For Thea and her brother Rem, the two weeks they spend every summer with Grammie is their favorite time. They love being with her and the many things they get to do. This year however, tragedy strikes that will change their lives forever.

Thea has the “sight” - she has always been able to see and feel things that can’t be explained. She is very private and protective of her gift. After the family tragedy, Thea saw and felt things that she will never forget. She also has a connection to the person responsible for the family tragedy that she didn’t ask for or didn’t want.

The story plays out as Thea and her family build lives that they love and are proud of. Their community is supportive of Thea’s gift as it runs in the women of her family. Enter her neighbor Ty and his son Bray, and Thea’s life continues to flourish.

But she still has the terrible connection to the man who changed her life, and we get to see how she takes back her power. The amazing cast of supporting characters play key roles in helping Thea build the future that she so wants for herself. I loved every one of them. Family is so important in this story, and I loved it.

There may be some trigger warnings for some readers. Check those out before you start.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Macmillan Audio for the wonderful opportunity to read and listen to this incredible book! Queen Nora Roberts is at the top of her game once again. Also, January LaVoy is a phenomenal narrator, and she is absolutely perfect for this book! This terrific read/listen releases on May 21st - pick it up for the perfect start to your summer reading!

5⭐ (audio) I listen to tons of audiobooks, and as long as the narrator doesn't pull me out of the story, I'm generally not picky. LaVoy, however, does an amazing job with this story, pulling you in with all the character voices, making you feel like you are experiencing the story rather than listening to someone tell it. Excellent!

5⭐ (story) As they do each June, the Foxes have driven the winding roads of Appalachia to drop off their children for a two-week stay at their grandmother’s. Here, twelve-year-old Thea can run free and breathe in the smells of pine and fresh bread and Grammie’s handmade candles. But as her parents head back to suburban Virginia, they have no idea they’re about to cross paths with a ticking time bomb. Back in Kentucky, Thea and her grandmother Lucy both awaken from the same nightmare. And though the two have never discussed the special kind of sight they share, they know as soon as their tearful eyes meet that something terrible has happened.

Nora Roberts is one of my new favorite authors. I love how deep her characters are, how well-done the themes and the writing are. Her plot is always complicated and fascinating, drawing you in and pulling you along. This was a beautiful and heart wrenching tale of life and death. Not only that, but of living. Beautiful!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced audio copy in exchange for an honest review!

As a devoted fan of Nora Roberts, I eagerly delved into her latest novel, Mind Games. While I did enjoy the book, I must admit that it didn't captivate me as much as some of her previous works. Roberts' talent for crafting well-developed characters shines through once again, but there were a few aspects of the story that left me wanting more.

One of the areas where I felt the book fell short was the excessive focus on Thea's childhood and her "gift." While it is important to establish a character's background, I found myself growing a bit bored with the prolonged exploration of Thea's past. It felt like the pacing suffered as a result, and I longed for the story to move forward. Additionally, the "mind games" between Thea and her parents' killer failed to fully engage me. I think that part just kind of missed the mark for me.

On a positive note, I had the opportunity to listen to an advanced audiobook version of Mind Games, courtesy of Macmillan audio and Netgalley. The narration by January Lavoy was, as always, exceptional. Lavoy's talent for bringing characters to life is undeniable, and she did a fantastic job overall. However, I must admit that the narration for Braden became a bit grating. While it was fitting for his character, the whiny and demanding tone started to wear on me after a while.

Vivid and emotional storytelling. Mind Games by Nora Roberts tells the raw and riveting story of Thea as she navigates a supernatural gift that runs through the females in her family. Unfortunately this gift becomes a curse when Thea witnesses the murder of her parents through the eyes of the killer. After the horrific murder, Thea and the killer are inextricably linked and Thea must learn how to block out the man who she put behind bars. Nora Roberts’s writing on how Thea experienced the death of her parents was written with care, genuine emotion and true pain. While often emotionally raw, Roberts weaves hope and enduring love throughout the story. I found myself not wanting it to end.

I received an arc of this audiobook through NetGalley, the publisher and author.

I gave this book 4 stars.

This was the first book I’ve read by Nora Roberts and I was not sure what to expect. I really enjoyed this book and thought it was different from any book I’ve ever read. It has it all, from thriller/murder, romance, family, and a paranormalish aspect. I like that it was very original and something I had never even heard about before, let alone read.

Lucy starts out as a child, and has a vision and sees her parents being murdered. She doesn’t realize she has the ability until her Grammie tells her it is something passed down in their family.

As Lucy grows up I love her tenacious, tough attitude but also kind and human. While she helped the killer get locked up when she was 12, he also has the same sight ability and they see eachother and communicate through that. Lucy had to come up with a mind game to help keep him out of her head. Things start to get scary and physical and she doesn’t quite understand all that is happening.

She also meets a single dad with a son who give her a chance at a normal life. I loved the book but this part was my favorite.

I definitely recommend this to anyone who likes thrillers, contemporary, or even romance. The whole book is just really good!