After loving Nora Roberts' gripping standalone novels Identity and Legacy, I had high hopes for Hidden Nature. Unfortunately, this book was a letdown. It starts as a promising crime thriller but quickly pivots into a Hallmark-movie-style romance. Even past the 40% mark, the story felt flat and failed to recapture the suspense I expected.

Compared to her other standalones, Hidden Nature was boring and not worth finishing. One star DNF.

I was invited to read a DRC from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. This review is my own and reflects my honest opinions.

Before starting this one, I hadn’t read a Nora Roberts book in years. A few pages in, I was wondering why that was. I enjoyed this story from start to finish. Sloan is easy to root for, as she works so hard to get her mind & body back on track. Perfect character development in the lead & side characters to make them interesting & believable. Honestly, even the creepiest characters are interesting.
The suspense builds fairly quickly, but the romance takes a bit more time. The romance seems a natural part of the story, & it doesn’t take away or overpower the suspense. I appreciated getting to know the characters, all while wondering how & when Sloan’s eventual clash w/the killers would play out.
Thanks to the author & publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy via NetGalley. Now I’m off to find the Nora Roberts titles I haven’t read yet.

A little bit of romance, a little bit thriller, and a bit of mulystery makes Nora Roberts new book worth reading. After being shot and brought back to life, Sloan moves back home and joins a new unit of the NRP. In her spare time, she discovers several missing person cases have a common thread and starts to dig deeper. the middle is a bit slow going but if you get bored just skip ahead to Last few chapters. Also not sure why the sister's story was a part of the book

Nora Robert’s does it yet again! Hidden Nature is yet another entertaining, well-written romantic suspense story with a strong female lead, that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.

January LaVoy did an excellent job narrating the audiobook.

Thank you Nora Robert’s, St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

Hidden Nature is an engaging read with well-developed characters and a suspenseful, emotionally impactful storyline. The small-town setting and the deep connections between its residents create an immersive atmosphere, making Sloane, Nash, Theo, and Drea a joy to follow. Watching their relationships evolve throughout the story was particularly rewarding.

The character development is beautifully executed, especially in how Sloane and Nash rebuild their lives while unexpectedly falling in love. Their romance feels authentic and well-crafted, seamlessly woven into the larger mystery. Speaking of which—the serial killer subplot adds layers of intrigue, keeping me invested in both the characters and the overarching suspense.

While the novel is compelling, there were moments when the pacing felt slow, and the detailed descriptions of home renovations could have been trimmed. However, the love story between Sloane and Nash shines, showcasing how well they complement each other.

All in all, Hidden Nature delivers a gripping blend of romance and suspense, making it a worthwhile read.

Classic Nora Roberts!

When Officer Sloan Cooper returns to her family home in Heron’s Rest to recover from a shooting, she is determined to heal and recreate a life for herself—and her new neighbor just might be part of that life. But after digging into a woman’s mysterious disappearance, Sloan discovers a string of similar disappearances and once again finds herself in danger's sights.

Classic Nora Roberts with fabulously realistic characters, warm-hearted romance, a chilling mystery, and a “can’t turn the pages fast enough” ending. Wonderful beginning to end!

*Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Natural Resources police officer, Sloan Cooper is shot at a routine stop for gas and food. Her partner was outside the store and rushed in to save her. The robber that shot her was caught, but due to her sever injuries she goes back home to her parents' home in Heron’s Rest. She died on the operating table but was shocked back to life.
Nash Littlefield rich guy has moved to Heron's Rest and his brother has joined him. They are opening a fix-it business. They have rich parents that are not happy with their life changes.
Nash has bought a older home is restoring it and it's next door to the Cooper home.
While recovering Sloan sees a story of a young woman that goes missing and no one's has a clue where she disappeared to. Sloan start researching the case for something about it bothers. her.
The story is about the couple that are abducting and killing people and Sloan research on the cases of missing people.
Nash's brother and Sloan's sister have started dating and Nash and Sloan are spending time together.
I really enjoyed the story; but this may not be a story for everyone.

Hidden Nature by Nora Roberts is classified as a romantic thriller, following the main character of Sloan Cooper. Sloan is a Natural Resources officer, or a DNR officer. I was very excited to read this book as it is set in Western Maryland and having spent time in the Deep Creek area, it was easy to picture the setting.

Sloan is injured on the job and almost loses her life. This book started off strong in that way but I can't say I was a huge fan of Sloan's character. The romance takes a little while to materialize and in my opinion, it doesn't play a huge part in the plot. After the initial action in the beginning, this book seemed to crawl until the end. I had trouble continuing this story. The serial killer aspect just didn't get there and the events seemed to be very repetitive. I did really love the side characters and the small town feel Roberts has managed to create in this story.

This book is fine, the setting was good but I am biased, and the story arc fell mostly flat for me.

Her partner would want to stop for snacks at a gas station where a robbery is in progress. Sloan is shot in her chest but manages to pull through.  Put on a mandatory leave of absence she goes back home to her parents and begins to work on her rehabilitation both physically and mentally. In order to keep her up her mental health and keep her investigative skills sharp she begins to look into unsolved mysteries near her home. What she finds is chilling.
Her investigation leads to a job offer which will keep her near her parents, a new romance given that her ex-boyfriend took one look at her in the hospital and baled by text no less.  Nash Littlefield is a poor little rich boy, wall street genius who has moved to Sloane's neck of the woods starting the Fix It Brothers a new business that deals with restoring and repairing homes.
As Nash and his brother are restoring his house, they also engage with Sloane to help her restore her newly purchased home even as the romance develops not just between Nash and Sloane but also between Nash's brother and Sloane's sister.  Sloane's family is absolutely super; anyone would wish for our loving close-knit family like that but especially Nash and his brother who come from a completely dysfunctional it's like catnip.
In the meantime, Sloane's investigation leads her to put together random disappearances under different jurisdictions to support a serial killer theory.  The killers who are known to the readers are so very chilling and bizarre in their goals and strategy. It's going to get much closer to home before it can be put to bed.
I absolutely love these standalone romantic suspense stories that the author writes once a year.

Nora Roberts once again delivers a compelling blend of suspense, heart, and romance in Hidden Nature. From the very first chapter, there’s a tension simmering just beneath the surface—an undercurrent of danger that steadily builds without ever overpowering the story’s emotional depth. I loved how the suspense was so seamlessly woven into the narrative—it kept me turning pages late into the night.

At the center of it all is Sloan, a main character who completely won me over. Her journey through trauma, recovery, and self-discovery felt raw and real, and I appreciated the way her growth was portrayed with patience and depth. She doesn't bounce back overnight; she rebuilds, and watching her find strength in herself and in her new community was genuinely moving.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Nora Roberts novel without a little romance—and the love story here strikes the perfect balance between authenticity and heat. The chemistry is palpable, but it never overshadows Sloan’s personal evolution or the overarching mystery. It adds warmth and connection exactly where it’s needed.

The family themes were also a highlight for me—there’s a strong sense of found family and support that adds richness to the story. It’s not just about overcoming the past, but about building something meaningful in its place.

While a few plot points wrapped up a bit tidier than expected, Hidden Nature still offered a satisfying and emotionally resonant reading experience. It’s one of those stories that lingers just a little longer after the final page.

Perfect for fans of romantic suspense with heart, healing, and a heroine you can root for.

I’ve found Nora books to be so hit and miss for me, which fair, she has published hundreds of books at this point so they’re not all going to hit and be amazing. But I had just finished Come Sundown by her (a backlist title) and I absolutely loved it, so then jumping into this new upcoming release was a massive disappointment.

I honestly was so uninterested in the characters in this one and the slice of life moments we get in the beginning of this story. I had to check the blurb multiple times cause I was wondering if I was reading the right book or when the plot would kick in. It was such a bore and so slow. I don’t think the plot kicks in until like 60% in at least. I’ve seen other reviewers say this reads more like books pub’d in her penname JD Robb, which I haven’t read but maybe I don’t want to now either. 😅 Oh well, it won’t deter me from picking up other Nora titles cause like I mentioned she’s such a hit and miss author for me in general, so this was one that just didn’t work for me.

I received an ARC from the publisher, all thoughts in this review are my own.

Nora Roberts is a master storyteller! Reading her book is treat you can't wait for! I was hooked from the first page and did not want to put it down!!! I couldn't wait for the ending but didn't want it to end at the same time. The characters in this one are so amazing and well developed! This book is amazing and I highly recommend it.

This one is 4 stars for the writing. It would probably be 3.5 stars for how I liked it. This one verges on horror for me due to the descriptive narrative on the villains.
The reader knows the villains are Clara and Sam long before the confrontation with the heroine of the story, Sloane.
Sloane Cooper is a natural resource police officer. She is highly observant and analytical. She almost dies in a convenience store robbery, but is saved. During her recovery, she goes home to Herron's Rest Maryland to stay with her parents.
Nash Littlefield had a tough time growing up and chooses to move to Herron's Rest to start a handyman/construction business.
Sloane and Nash find each other over the course of the book. This is one of the love stories in the book.
I do really like the chapters that follow Sloane, Nash and her family. It is a very heartwarming story.
It's the chapters that follow the villains that gave me a dread through the whole book. It caused me to stop listening from time to time because of what was happening in my imagination. Yes, I know this is what makes Nora Roberts such an amazing author. It's just that for me some of the details were a bit much for my sensibilities.
Things work out well in the end, because it also wouldn't be Nora Roberts if the heroine was not able to overcome the evil facing her.
I like so much about the book. Just be careful if you have a sensitive nature.
Thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Macmillan audio for the opportunity to read this book.

Nora Roberts is one of my favorite authors….
With that said…..
I have to say this was not a favorite read for me. The writing seemed off… not a normal Nora Roberts writing. It’s hard to explain🤷🏼‍♀️
The pacing was soooo slow :(
The romance aspect was meh :(
The general story was just not doing anything for me…I struggled to finish the book.
Maybe it’s just me🤷🏼‍♀️?
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book has it all with mystery/suspense, a little bit of thriller and a dose of romance. I really liked the main female character, Sloan. She has had a life altering, scary situation, but she is still focused on finding out what happened. It starts out as a missing person case, but soon blows up into something much more sinister and chillingly horrifying.

Details are important when reading a book. Actually feeling the characters' feelings, enjoying vivid descriptions of the scenery makes the reader feel as if you are living in the story with them. This author has a special touch with details, which makes this book even more enjoyable to read. The home renovations were an interesting plus to the story as well.

The story starts out a little slow, but I think it was intentional to build up the excitement for where the story was headed. This is a long one, but it is well worth the time spent reading it.

Thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A Highly Enjoyable Read With A Strong Woman Filled With Courage and Determination

Sloan Cooper, an intense and driven Maine NPR officer, walks in on a convenience store robbery in progress and is shot point-blank in the chest. Twice, she had to be revived on the operating table. She is fortunate. She survives the difficult surgery but still faces months of recovery ahead. She is compelled to move back in with her parents in a small Maine town in the western Allegheny Mountains.

Sloan Sloan has always been very close to her parents, Elsie and Dean, as well as her younger sister, Drea. The three of them operate an expanding tourist destination called “All the Rest” at Mirror Lake. They would love for Sloan to move home permanently.

As Sloan recuperates, she reads about a woman in a nearby town who vanished from a supermarket parking lot the day before Thanksgiving, leaving her car behind. Missing her job, Sloan can’t help but search the internet for similar cases of missing people in the area and finds several. However, it makes no sense- men and women, young and old, with nothing in common. But Sloan has a funny feeling, and can’t let it go.

Hidden Nature is a highly enjoyable read about a strong woman filled with courage and determination. She is determined to make a complete recovery from the point-blank gunshot and return to her job in eastern Maine, and you can feel her pain in every step she takes. She is also determined to help find the commonality between the missing people and she gets permission from the local police to proceed with her research.

As expected, author Nora Roberts’s writing, pacing, and tone are expertly delivered. Hidden Nature has a well-developed and intriguing cast of characters. The first sentence will lure you in and never let you go.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book. All opinions expressed here are my own.


Publisher St. Martin’s Press
Published May 27, 2025
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

Hidden Nature by Nora Roberts starts off strong . I immediately loved the main characters. Sloan and her family, her best friend/partner, and Nash and his brother. I also really liked the overall plot of the killer's motive. However around the 40% mark all the home renovation dialogue became tedious, the book could have been over 100 pages less if they edited some of it out. I get both MCs are doing major home renovation but it completely takes you out of the story both the suspense of it and away from the romance plot line. Overall, Hidden Nature had a lot of positive aspects, the characters themselves being the stars, but the book was way to long and often times boring taking away from the over all plot.

Sloan Cooper is a Natural Resources Police officer. She loves her job and her partner, but when she’s seriously wounded, she moves back to her family home in Heron’s Rest to recuperate. There she becomes aware of a missing person case involving the disappearance of a woman right before Thanksgiving.
From beginning to end this is one irresistible romantic thriller. I loved the great characters and the heartwarming relationships between the Cooper family and the Littlefield brothers. There are a lot of descriptions of the Heron’s Rest views, flora and fauna, as well as the remodeling work taking place at Nash’s and Sloan’s homes. This is to be expected due to the nature of Sloan’s and Nash’s work. Heron’s Rest sounds absolutely idyllic, a place any outdoors person would love. Perfect pacing and a dramatic conclusion make for one terrific read! 4.5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Macmillan Audio for a copy provided for an honest review.

This story follows Natural Resources police officer Sloan as she is recuperating from an injury staying with her family, making decisions about the future of her career and her return to work. The rest of her family is involved in a local business in a small community in Maryland. A pair of brothers have recently moved to the community preparing to start a new business away from the over-the-top expectations of their ambitious family in New York. The story also follows a couple that are obsessed over people who have been resuscitated after brief encounters with death.

While I enjoyed the supporting characters and families of the small community in Heron’s Rest, I was less enamored with the main character of Sloan. I absolutely loathed the sections of the story that followed the unhinged couple and their strange rapport and antics. I also found a lot of it to be repetitive. Perhaps a case of just not for me despite the fact that I generally love a book about a nature officer. I did enjoy the parts of the story that were about renovation and nature conservation.

I started off listening to the audiobook then switched to the ebook to finish. The audiobook was expertly narrated by January LaVoy, a favorite of mine. She did a fine job depicting the various characters and narratives. I just didn’t care for some of them. Unless you’re a die hard fan of this author, I’d give this one a skip and tell you to read last year’s Mind Games instead.

HIdden Nature by Nora Roberts is a romantic thriller. The novel satisfies the romantic genre with two brothers falling in love with two sisters. One of the romances was a slow burn and the other a flash in the pan. The plotline includes a family resort on a lake with lots of moving parts, a new business and a playful puppy. It is the killers that make this novel suspenseful.

Sloan Cooper is a Natural Resources police officer. She carries a gun and works in the woods, lakes and anywhere her boss sends her. After being shot on the job and taking time to heal, she is ready to work for a new, closer division.

Nash Littlefield and his brother Theo have moved to Heron’s Rest. They started their own business of fixing things. The Fix-it brothers connected with the Cooper Family (the whole family and Drea in particular). They were hired to work on Sloan’s new home.

While Sloan was healing she became fascinated with a case of a missing person. She spent time researching the case and stumbled across other cases. Searching for a link between the missing people leads her to realize what might be happening and it is creepy.

Hidden Nature by Nora Roberts is an interesting read. The novel catches your attention quickly by one of the first scenes and then keeps your attention as Sloan continues to search for answers. The romances are really nice too! Hidden Nature by Nora Roberts is a good read.

PS - this book is coming out May 27th.