Nora Roberts is usually an easy read for me. I love thrillers that have a bit of romance to them. But this one just didn't quite do it for me. The beginning had me hooked and I was all about this mysterious man who then went nuts and took everything from her. I actually really liked that Roberts got a little dark and gory with this one. What got me the most about this read in particular was Miles. He's quiet, and poised, and carries his power with an invisible suite (as Morgan says). He treats her with so much respect that it's hard to imagine I ever believed Luke to be her match. He stands up for her, he lets her hold her own more than any other male I've ever read by Nora. I liked Morgan as a main character but every time she referred to her mom and gran as “her ladies,” I cringed. It was annoying and weird. Another big issue I had was in the dialogue. There was soooo much of it. And everyone talks like they’ve had years of therapy and watch nothing but after school specials about how to express their feelings. Talking like that is the exception, not the norm. It was hard to take any of the characters too seriously. No one got angry! It was all sunshine and rainbows… all of the time. Wait… no… one character did. But a few chapters later she told Morgan she was wrong about her, and then that was that. As well-written and consuming as any Nora Roberts story I’ve ever read—and there have been many— Identity is romantic suspense at its slightly disturbing and engrossing best. Readers will learn very early on in the story who the con artist/murderer is, but it in no way diminishes the suspense in Identity. The story centers around Morgan rebuilding her life in her old home with her mother and grandmother as she settles into a new romantic relationship with Miles Jameson. Tension builds steadily, driven by the repeated threats from the murderer toward Morgan. She, as well as readers, knows he'll come for her. The anticipation of when, not if, he'll strike sets a dire tone of impending doom and an increasing pace as he draws closer. Characters are brilliantly developed, believable with great debt and complexity.

But then fast forward to the middle and it was just the same thing over and over again. Then the romance element came way too fast and what seemed like out of nowhere. One second she's thinking he's cute, next second she's jumping his bones. Also, why is everyone talking to their family about their sex lives??? WEIRD! Like girl, don't be tellin your grandma and mom about doing the dirty with your new boyfriend. THEN HE DOES THE SAME THING. I was over it.Anytime I see January LaVoy listed as the narrator, I’m more than interested. She always makes it seem like there are multiple narrators, skillfully handling a host of characters, delivering an outstanding performance on every level including great storytelling. FYI, she’s tied for the #1 spot on my list of favorite narrators. Things move forward nicely in the last hour or from chapter 30 onward. It's a little comical that the bad guy has drastically changed from who they were in the beginning. Wish as a whole it was mostly exciting as the last part. Hopefully, I'll enjoy her next novel more. 2.5⭐ Morgan is capable, resilient, a person who makes plans and works towards them, responsible, organized, a fast learner, and creative. Several characters have an impact on Morgan. Luke Hudson is friendly, interesting, a good listener, and confident. Miles Jameson is attractive, blunt, kind, considerate, and respects and values others. These characters, as well as several others in the novel, are well defined with depth and complex traits. They were portrayed in a way that brought them to life. Below are my play by play thoughts while reading the book — though I don’t think I’m spoiling anything they could be interpreted I suppose as spoilers.

The story unfolds from a third person’s point of view. And this method of storytelling works very well in this particular novel. Especially since there were different dynamics at play — family, romance, and murder. All of the elements were deftly combined into a surprising and thrilling suspense novel worthy of five stars. Morgan comes home from work to discover her home robbed, her car gone and her roommate dead on the floor of her office. One night she meets “Luke” when working at the bar. He is charming and flirty. They go out for a couple of dates before she invites him into her home for a double date with Nina and Sam. Things go sideways early on when a cold-blooded man crosses her path and creates chaos. Serial killer on the loose!! This made the book a perfect blend of fluff and suspense.I just love this book! It is subtle and at times intense. Roberts builds tough resilient characters along with some wonderful family connections. I think this is a winner all around with the multiple aspects of romance, family, suspense, and crime tension. I could go on and on, but definitely put this one on your list! It would be a nightmare to have your identity stolen and all the complications that follow are just awful as well. I liked the grumpy sunshine aspect of her new relationship with Miles. And the dog, Howl is amusing. He won’t play fetch with Miles but he will with Morgan. Too cute. Wiped out emotionally and financially Morgan goes to Vermont and her mother and grandmother. There she finds the solace she so desperately needs and a new purpose. As the Bar Manager for the upscale bar, Après, in the exclusive Resort at Westridge. Not only a new purpose but a man too. Miles Jameson, scion of the family that owns the resort and COO of it. His family has deep roots in the community, and he takes his position there seriously. Gavin Rozwell will be surprised to see, just how strong she has become with the help of her family and work family.

She was where I am in my life right now, always ready for the next thing. Excited for the adventure waking up brings. And then something terrible happens. She loses so much in a moment, falls into that endless grief, only to realize it is so much worse than she could have imagined. I liked the characters a lot, rooting for and relating to heroine Morgan a great deal, despite the fact I’ve never been hunted by a serial killer. She was a strong female lead and I respected the hell out of her for it. Thank you Netgalley, Nora Roberts and St. Martins Press for letting me read “Identity” in exchange for an honest review.While "Luke", whose real name is Gavin Roswell, spirals after his failure to kill Morgan, she is getting on with her life, something Gavin just can't abide or let stand. He is making threats and the FBI and Morgan are taking them seriously. Morgan begins a self-defense regime and becomes stronger for it. She is determined not to become this man's victim again.

Nora Roberts never fails to deliver romance suspense novels that are highly engaging with just the right blend of romance and suspense. Identity is another fantastic example of this author's highly entertaining story telling ability as she pens a standalone story incorporating the high tech crime of identity theft into an intriguing plot line that includes murder. The plot was really great and I think the flow worked great. The book takes place over a year plus which I applaud. It always used to drive me crazy when romance books had the hero and heroine fall for each other in like a week and then pivot to an epilogue like 3 months later and the heroine is pregnant. It makes sense in terms of what Morgan goes through why this had to be a slower burn romance. Soon, a horrific truth emerges: It was Morgan who let the monster in. "Luke” is actually a cold-hearted con artist named Gavin who targets a particular type of woman, steals her assets and identity, and then commits his ultimate goal: murder. I’m also weirdly glad that we got chapters, scattered throughout the story, from the killers POV. He was one disturbed unit but I kinda enjoyed being in his head, as strange as that may sound. Giving him a voice and a story made the horror of what he was doing more real, which only added to the success of this working as a great suspense plot. Morgan Albright was driven. She worked two jobs not because she was struggling to make ends meet. Morgan worked two jobs to build a nest egg for future renovations in her dream home. Morgan loved her work as both an office manager at a construction firm and bartender at the local watering hole. Those two jobs left little time for social life, but Morgan didn’t mind.Morgan, the intriguing and complex male lead, adds an element of intrigue and chemistry to the story. His enigmatic nature and undeniable charisma make him a captivating presence. The dynamic between Nina and Morgan sizzles with tension and sparks, drawing me further into their evolving relationship. Their interactions are filled with depth and emotional intensity, making their connection feel genuine and compelling.