I enjoyed Hidden Nature by Nora Roberts. As always, Nora Roberts created relatable, likable characters that I miss when I finish reading (or listening). The main character’s recovery from a major injury is especially relevant to me because I also had to recover from a life-threatening situation. The fight to earn her way back to some kind of normalcy is realistic and probably familiar to a lot of people.
The plot was engaging and provided an appropriate level of tension without becoming stressful. The narrator was also excellent; the characters had distinct voices that didn’t get confused with each other.
Thank you, Macmillan Audio, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I received a complimentary copy of this book "Hidden Nature" and all opinions expressed are my own. I listened to the audiobook. A slow burn but I found the story interesting.

This romantic thriller is just what you expect from Nora Roberts. She’s an amazing storyteller that brings together the tragic and the magical. I loved the storyline with the FMC getting shot and how that melded so well with the serial killers. The characters were well defined (though the killers’ convos were super annoying) and I liked the two families and how their stories intertwined. Overall, an exceptional novel.

Thanks NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

First of all, I adore January Lavoy as a narrator. She captures Nora Roberts story with her voice sooo well! Love it!

In this book we follow the story of Sloan Cooper, a natural resources officer who got shot while off duty! What bad luck! She is shocked back by doctors and goes to stay with her parents in Heron's Rest, where she, well, rests and heals. To keep her mind busy and fresh and also because it's just what she does, she begins looking into the case of a missing woman in the area, and she finds more missing. There's a mystery to solve now, and Sloan has no idea how closely she's tied to the case!

I loved this book. The characters, the setting, the romance, all of it was on point. I feel as though if you love Nora Roberts writing, like I do, you will love this book like I do. If you have never read Nora Roberts, this is the perfect place to start! I recommend this book to nearly everyone.

I listened to the audiobook of Hidden Nature by Nora Roberts. The narrator, January LaVoy did an excellent job of bringing the book to life. I was able to feel the different characters as she read the story.
Nora Roberts has written another great book and giving readers a combination of suspense- romance and family bonding made this a perfect book to enjoy as an audiobook.

Thank you NetGalley, Nora Roberts, and Macmillan Audio for the copy of Hidden Nature.
This is my personal review.

A great suspense novel by Nora Roberts. The characters seemingly come to life, and you find yourself caring for them. The action and suspense are non-stop, and you do not want to stop. I listened to this book as an audiobook and was not disappointed. The narrator does an excellent job pf telling the story and drawing you into the story. One warning - do not start this story if you do not have the time to listen to it all. You will not want to put it down or stop listening to it until you reach the conclusion. Great Job and a big well-done to Nora Roberts.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I listened to the audio version of this book narrated by January LaVoy. The narration was great and added to the creepiness of the book with the overly cheerful voice for Clara.

I have always loved Nora Roberts writing. That said, I could have happily skipped this book. Not because it was a bad book, it's just that I have a really hard time with people hunting people. I hate that and that's what this book centered around. The characters were very well developed and likable (excluding Clara and her guy).

I'm so glad I'm finished with this one, because the plot was horrendously frightful. I really wish I could wipe away the pictures this book brought to my imagination. It really made my skin crawl. If that's what you like, this book may be just what you're looking for. Enjoy!

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the copy of this audiobook. All thoughts are my own.

I love a book that features a strong, independent woman. Hidden Nature is just that. Sloan Cooper was in the wrong place at the wrong time. After she is shot during a robbery in progress, she nearly loses her life and has to be brought back multiple times. She does survive and heads home to recouperate. While staying with her parents, she gets to know Nash Littlefield, the new neighbor. She also learns what it truly means to be down and out. I loved watching Sloan fight back to her full capabilities. Her recovery process was inspiring and felt so real. Her family is wonderfully supportive, and the setting in Heron's Rest was rejuvenating.

While at home, Sloan notices a pattern of missing people and cannot help but investigate. Nash also joins in with the intrigue and theories. The juxtaposition of the quiet life Sloan was working towards and the suspense interwoven was great. The villains in this story are super creepy and will have you looking forward to their eventual demise. While Sloan is the definite focus of the story, I really enjoyed all the other characters. They really added to the vibes for this book. January Lavoy is one of my favorite narrators and handles this one flawlessly. Her performance enhances the experience. Since finishing the book, I keep finding myself thinking I wish there was more to read. I really enjoyed it.

This was a slow book for me. I wish it had moved it a little faster. I enjoyed the creepy factor and the romance. The narrator also did a great job.

Nora Roberts was my gateway author to the romance genre - I read her almost exclusively when I first discovered romance novels some 3 decades ago. I understand she has largely moved away from romance novels and now her books can be best categorized as romantic suspense, heavy on the suspense. Even in that, there are some classic La Nora trademarks: home renovation, a strong sense of family/community, a main character that is struggling from a recent trauma, a really cute dog (in this one, there are 2!), and a low-key romance plot line (here again, there is one for the MC and one for her sister - they handily match up with a pair of brothers transplanted to their cozy picturesque town from NYC).

Sloan is a cop which isn't my favorite brand of MCs and the book opens with her getting shot twice and almost dying. The first third of the book is her living back in her childhood home with her parents, slowly recuperating from her injuries. She doesn't even meet the love interest until close to the 40% mark, when, after she gets a new job closer to home and decides to buy a fixer upper, hires the hero and his brother to help renovate her house. (She already knows the brother bc her sister is already dating him).

There's a murder plot that the reader knows who the villains are but Sloan spends the book figuring out who the culprit is. I've read this kind of book from Nora before and usually, she makes the crimes more personal to the main character and here, the character happens upon the case while recuperating and bored. Her involvement in the cases feels almost incidental. Eventually it does get personal but even then, the finale seems anticlimactic.

It's not her best work but feels faintly reminiscent of all the things I do love about her best works, the strong family foundation, a heroine struggling to rebuild her life, a romance with a MMC who is also trying to rebuild his own life, and a competent heroine who knows how to do the job and do it well. While this one felt repetitive, it's still Nora and I was hooked but maybe not quite as engrossed as I've been in other books of hers. It was fine which is to say, it's still better than a lot of books but not the best that Nora has ever done.

✨B O O K R E V I E W ✨
WRONG PLACE. WRONG TIME.

💥 Sloan Cooper, police officer, is with her partner when they decide to stop off at a rest area after a job when things go wrong, horribly wrong. How does one bounce back from a life changing experience? The power and love of family, that’s how. ❤️

RIGHT PLACE. RIGHT TIME.

🔨 Nash and Theo Littlefield need a break from the pressure of life in the big city. Wealthy brothers, both with prestigious careers, decide to take a breath, move to the country, and pursue a new career, doing what they both love. This new place, new career, sets up their future in more ways than they can even imagine.

💉 Clara and Sam, so deeply in love, were put on this earth for a specific reason. They are committed to fulfilling their lifes’ mission. 🫣

🎙️ Any book narrated by January Lavoy is a guaranteed success in my opinion. The way that Nora Roberts expertly spins this web of occurrences, told by the talented narrator January Lavoy, just exudes instant success. I loved everything about this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced audiobook. All opinions are my own. THIS IS OUT NOW! READ IT!
#netgalley #macmillanaudio #januarylavoy #noraroberts #summerreading #lakelife

Hidden Nature follows Natural Resources police officer Sloan Copper as she returns to her hometown to recover after surviving a gunshot wound. While healing, she becomes intrigued with the case of a missing woman. What begins as a single abduction soon unravels into a deeper, more chilling pattern of serial disappearances. But this novel is about more than just solving a mystery—it's also a story of personal healing, family bonds, and unexpected love.

This was my first time reading a Nora Roberts novel, and I am truly in awe of her storytelling. She has a gift for immersing readers into the book, making you feel the atmosphere and genuinely connect with the characters. I appreciated the slower pace of the plot, which allowed time to get to know everyone and see how their relationships naturally evolved. The romance was woven seamlessly into the story, unfolding in a way that felt authentic and earned, rather than rushed.

At times, it felt like I was watching a compelling TV series unfold—especially with the layered character development and suspenseful pacing. Even though the plot centers around a criminal investigation, I was particularly drawn in by the dramatic irony. Knowing more than the protagonist added a thrilling edge, and I found myself eagerly waiting for Sloan to piece things together.

While I truly enjoyed the story and Roberts’ writing style, there were a few scenes that felt a bit unsettling, which kept me from giving it a full 5-star rating. Still, I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys small-town mysteries with a touch of romance. And if you’re an audiobook fan, I highly recommend the audio version—January LaVoy does a phenomenal job bringing each character to life.

—————————————————-

A huge thank you to the author, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the ALC. All opinions are my own!

This was my first Nora Roberts novel—and it won’t be my last. Hidden Nature offers a compelling mix of suspense, character-driven storytelling, and just enough romance to keep things emotionally grounded amid the tension.

The protagonist, Sloan, is a standout. As a Natural Resources Officer, she’s skilled, knowledgeable, and deeply committed to her work and community. Roberts does a wonderful job showing Sloan in all her dimensions: she’s not just a heroine, but also a sister, daughter, mentor, and partner. Her recovery journey from a gunshot wound early in the novel is portrayed with admirable realism—she’s resilient, but her pain and vulnerability are never minimized.

The dual love stories between Sloan and Nash, and Sloan’s sister Drea and Nash’s brother Theo, were engaging and believable. I especially appreciated the dynamic between Sloan and Nash—it was mature, textured, and felt refreshingly real. The subplot involving home renovations added a fun, light contrast to the darker thriller arc, and gave the story an appealing layer of domestic detail.

That said, the main plot is chilling: two serial killers, Clara and Sam, who hunt down people like Sloan who’ve been brought back from near death. Their storyline was unsettling and at times made me squeamish—but I expect that’s the point in a book like this. The suspense is well paced and the resolution, while abrupt in the NetGalley audiobook version I received, was ultimately satisfying. (I later discovered there’s an epilogue that may not have been included in my copy—I'll be heading to a bookstore to find it!)

A special shoutout goes to narrator January LaVoy, whose performance was nothing short of stellar. Her ability to capture distinct voices and emotional nuances elevated the entire listening experience. I’ll definitely be seeking out more audiobooks she narrates.

Overall, Hidden Nature was a gripping, character-rich read that blends genre elements with warmth, grit, and emotional insight. Highly recommended for fans of romantic suspense, strong female leads, and tightly woven storytelling.

The story kicks off with Sloan getting shot—talk about starting with a bang! Her long road to recovery was written with care, and I loved watching her slowly rebuild her life. The scenes of her fixing up her house and finding her rhythm again were some of my favorites. There was something deeply satisfying about seeing her take control and reclaim her space, piece by piece.

Then came the twist I didn’t expect: the mysterious killer couple. I was hooked. The theory that they were killing people who had previously "died" briefly and were brought back by resuscitation? Wild—and weirdly believable in the world Nora created. Added a thrilling layer to the book, and I was constantly on edge, waiting for the moment they’d come after Sloan. You just knew it was coming.
The “loonies,” as I like to call them, added a layer of chaos and suspense. I really enjoyed that group dynamic—it was creepy and captivating. But I do wish the ending had been more drawn out. The tension built steadily for so long, then suddenly... wham, bam, and it was over. After such a slow-burn buildup, I wanted more of a climax.

That said, the happy ending left me with a smile. Nora’s writing flows effortlessly. Her stories always pull me in with just the right blend of suspense, emotional depth, and a touch of romance—not too much, just enough to add heart without overpowering the story.

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review this ARC!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for the book #HiddenNature by #NoraRoberts. I enjoyed this book packed with suspense, murder and some romance. Sloan is recovering after being shot at a convenience store in her hometown with her parents. While being off duty, she is drawn in to a missing persons case. After making life changes, and finding a new love interest, she is now on the missing persons cases and they keep adding up. Can she help catch the killer and not end up the next victim?

There was nothing amazing about this audiobook. It was interesting and I finished it, but I couldnt, a week later, tell you much about it. It's not one of those that stands out to me.

Thank you netgalley for the prerelease audiobook.

HIDDEN NATURE - NORA ROBERTS

3.5⭐

Sloan Cooper after being shot comes home to her family at Herons Rest to recover. She comes across a string of local disappearances in her spare time which catches her attention and she now needs to solve the cases before it's too late with her own life is in danger.
.
.
Nora Roberts is an auto buy author, comfort read author for me having read almost all her books. Hidden Nature however fell short for me in a couple of areas.
Firstly the "bad guys" motive felt too far fetched esp considering their profession it was difficult to digest and secondly the book was LONG!! a lot of places I felt bored and wanted action!
That being said her character development of Sloan and Noah was fantastic..how she builds kickass female protagonist..noone does it better than her , this along with inter relationships with all characters was just amazing.

The narrator did a fantastic job in recreating the scenes with perfect voice modulation for all the characters differentiating them quite well. I actually prefered the audiobook over the ebook for this one.

Inspite of this being an okayish read I will still forever read her books!

I really enjoyed Sloan and Nash’s story.

I like the relationship between Sloan and her partner. They are like family.

This has the perfect amount of suspense. I was waiting to see who the next victim would be and who the villain truly were.

I really felt terrible for what was done to the people. I really thought one of two people who had gone through the same experience would be the next one.

I like the connection between Nash and Sloan and how far back it goes. I like that there’s another romance is happening also.

I liked how Sloan taught Nash how to get his dog to respond to his commands.

I highly recommend this book.
Thank you for your review.

Hidden Nature:⁣
⁣
Thank you @stmartinspress and @macmillan.audio #MacAudio2025 for my gifted copies! ⁣
⁣
“You’re only weak physically for now. Your will isn’t weak, and trust me because I’ve run up against it since you were born, it’s not easily broken.”⁣
⁣
Nora Roberts, the queen she is. Does she really need my review? No, but I’ll give it to you anyways! 😂 Not my favorite, but still enjoyable read from her.⁣
⁣
I loved the religious aspect of the book of the bad guys. Always an interesting take on playing God to meet God, and I really liked their story. I did feel like the mystery part overtook any of the romance and I liked that for this book. I was expecting more romance but I’ll take all the thrills, ya know? ⁣
⁣
The middle dragged with the mundane for a bit that I just couldn’t get with. Usually I can be patient and wait for the development but I felt like it was just too long in the middle. ⁣
⁣
January LaVoy is always amazing and definitely got me through the audio. One of my favorite readers, I’ll never skip a January audio.⁣
⁣
Overall, solid audio, fun thriller, romance was rushed, bot my favorite, but middle of the road. Out today!⁣
⁣
QOTD: What’s the one misconception you think people have of you?

I was provided both an ALC and ARC via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this romantic suspense. This follows Sloan, a Natural Resource Police Officer, who was injured in the line of duty. She moves back home for her slow and steady recovery with family surrounding her. She also takes a new job in her hometown, but when a string of missing people pops up she can't help herself from investigating on her own terms. Something just doesn't feel right about the cases and she is determined to figure out what is going on. In the mean time, a new neighbor comes to town to flip a old house and start a handyman business with his brother. Nash turns out to be great at building and fixing things, he is also a good listener when Sloan needs someone to bounce ideas off of.

I really enjoyed the alternating chapters between Sloan and the villains. We really got to get into the heads of the bad guys and understand their motivations, as out there as they were. While you don't have to agree with their mission, you can certainly see that they believed wholeheartedly in what they were doing misguided as it was. This was almost like reading an episode of Criminal Minds, but you really got know Sloan and her family and you got to see the relationship with Nash really develop. I also really enjoyed the setting, I've been to some of the places this is set in and I've driven past others in my travels. Nora Roberts always does a great job describing the outdoor settings and building the character dynamics.

The audiobook is narrated by January LaVoy, who is always a pleasure to listen to. She always does a fantastic job with every audiobook she narrates.