The character development is spot on and I absolutely fell for Miles. I think his gruff exterior and deep feeling, mushy interior is why I couldn’t put this book down. Morgan comes home from work to discover her home robbed, her car gone and her roommate dead on the floor of her office.

Identity" is a masterfully crafted mystery thriller, expertly executed by Nora Roberts. The intricate web of secrets and suspense kept me guessing until the final moments, and the satisfying resolution tied everything together seamlessly. Roberts' prose is engaging and evocative, painting vivid pictures in the listener's mind and immersing them in the world she has created. The book could have been shorter. My main problem was that I got no connection between the main characters. I understood it was supposed to be there based on what was said, but I could not feel it. 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.The great characterization and flow of the story held my attention throughout. I can see why she is such a popular author. The last chapters were unputdownable with intense action and a satisfying ending. Morgan Albright has been uprooted her entire life as an Army brat, but now outside of Baltimore, she works two jobs and has a roommate to own her own home. Morgan and Nina have become very close and are more than just roommates, they feel like sisters. When they decide to have a dinner party at their home, Morgan does not realize the charming man she has met at the bar she works at is not an IT executive but a conman and killer, who targets a particular type of woman.

I really struggles with this one at first. The writing is not my favourite, at all. It was kind of repetitive. The pacing was also off. It took a long time for things to get interesting. The relationship with Miles felt like it appeared out of thin air. I didn’t get a spark or a connection. It didn’t work. 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. So the heroine Morgan was about as annoying as any I’ve read. If I have to hear about sangria (cringe!!!) or frog fountains again in my entire lifetime I will barf. Seriously that was not necessary. Also, this is a thriller? No it’s not. Nothing thrilling here especially when it comes to her “ladies”. Vomit. 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. 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.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! 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. 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. 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. Big thanks to Nora Roberts, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.