463 reviews for:

Hidden Nature

Nora Roberts

3.88 AVERAGE

adventurous emotional hopeful tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix

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emotional funny hopeful relaxing tense

There is just something about most of Nora Roberts books I have read where the characters and setting hook me immediately with their always cool sounding jobs (in this one Sloan is a Natural Resources officer which I did not know was a thing but is so much fun!) and undefeatable spirit. They may get knocked down (or shot) but they pick themselves back up, and find their true love along the way. There is always just the right amount of thrilling, scary villain/not good people wreaking havoc and get the main character in their sights but love and strength and quick thinking and action save the day and everyone else (not the bad guys of course) has a happily ever after. And that is the case in this book. I loved it and didn't even realize how much time passed whenever I picked it up to read a chapter or two. Sloan and Nash are perfect for each other, there is other love happening, close family (at least with Sloan and Drea), finding new family (in the case of Nash and Theo), very interesting but also scary fanatic serial killers (disturbing but sadly also very plausible to happen in real life), some house renovations, an adorable dog or two and lots of time outside in the great wilderness advising and sometimes taking down a crazy ax wielder (along with Sloan at her job).

I will always happily look forward to any new book that Nora Roberts writes and add it to my shelves to read again and again. They are my comfort reads and I love getting lost in them! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read another winner of a book that has just the right amount of thrills, true love, and happy sweet endings that leave me with a warm feeling every time!
emotional funny mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Right from the first page, I was drawn into this book by characters that immediately captured my interest. The author masterfully combines a captivating romance with intrigue and suspense. The main characters, Sloan and Nash, are both at a crossroad in their lives and intent on making a new start for very different reasons. Sloan is a dedicated officer of the law, nearly dies when she walks into a convenience store during a robbery in progress and is shot. This incident is the catalyst to some major changes in her life. She returns to her home town of Heron’s Rest to recover in her childhood home with her parents making sure she heeds doctor’s orders. For the very independent Sloan who is used to being the protector and caretaker for others, accepting help is difficult.  

As she starts her journey of recovery, Sloan becomes aware of an intriguing missing persons case. She asks the local Police Chief, a family friend, about it and decides to do some investigating of own. Physically she might need time to recover and gain strength, but mentally she is running on all cylinders and using all of her intuition and investigative skills to help solve the case. Her skills do not go unnoticed by other law enforcement professionals and she gets an intriguing job offer that will mean staying  in her home town close to her family. Accepting the job leads her to buy her own home, a bungalow that needs some renovation. She never expects to fall for the new guy in town who will be doing the renovations with his brother. 

Used to a privileged life as part of a wealthy family, Nash and his brother are leaving  careers they never wanted for themselves and have stopped conforming to the demands of their ultra critical and demanding parents. They are making a new start and establishing their own home and business in Heron’s Rest. They will taking on handy man jobs, small and large renovations and partnering with a local business that rents and maintains multiple rental properties, a business owned by Sloan’s family. Neither brother was actively looking for romance, but Sloan and her sister soon capture their attention. Nash’s brother is smitten with Sloan’s sister, while Nash becomes friends with Sloan while he helps renovate the bungalow she bought next to his own property. 

Sloan and Nash have an immediate connection, but both try to deny their attraction and growing feelings for each other. Nash’s business connection with her father and the already very serious relationship between their siblings could be affected if things between him and Sloan get messy. That caution soon goes by the wayside as both find they can’t ignore the intense pull between them. As the heat rises between them so does the danger to Sloan as the becomes a target of the deranged couple who are behind the rash of missing persons cases. Soon, Sloan will need all her skills and the help of those close to her to elude and capture the couple set on completing their righteous mission. 

This riveting book has my full, wholehearted recommendation.

Hidden Nature is yet another knockout from Nora Roberts—a perfect blend of romance, suspense, and just the right touch of small-town mystery. I couldn’t put it down! The story draws you in from the very start, mixing the tension of a police procedural with a slow-burning romance and a twisty thriller that keeps you guessing. The stakes are high, and the danger feels personal from the get-go, especially as the killers are targeting people who match a specific, chilling profile. What makes it even more gripping is that the main character fits that profile too—though neither she nor anyone else realizes it right away.

As the story unfolds, she's driven to uncover the truth, even though she doesn’t fully understand her connection to it—only that it feels deeply personal and dangerously close to home. The fall and winter mountain setting adds such a cozy yet eerie backdrop to the action, making the whole thing feel cinematic. I loved the atmospheric details, the emotional stakes, and of course, the chemistry between the leads. If you love your thrillers with heart, a touch of romance, and a hint of danger creeping in with the cold, Hidden Nature absolutely delivers.
adventurous tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

The beginning was rough, but the whole thing was amazing

A new Nora Roberts is always a treat, and as usual I flew through this one. Ever dependable, Hidden Nature's blend of romance, crime, twists and atmospheric locale was just right. 

I really enjoyed seeing the world through Sloane's eyes, the ins and outs of her day to day, her chemistry with Nash, her investigative process as she unravels the case if a serial kills who hits close to home. In typical style, Roberts glides easily between the twisted and macabre antagonists, and the warm and comforting vibes of Sloane's relationships with her friends and family. The occasional jumps into other characters POVs felt surprising and unpredictable, but also pleasantly organic, and offered intriguing perspectives throughout. 

I'd highly recommend Hidden Nature for fans of Robert's previous work as well as anyone looking for a layered, engaging and truly satisfying read.

Thank you Little, Brown Book Group UK for an advance copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own. 
dark hopeful informative tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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 family, support, and even found family that adds richness to the story. It’s not just about overcoming the past, but about building something meaningful in its place. 

While a it's a bit longer 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 mean ..  Nora went and did her thing !! 

There is nothing better than getting lost in a Nora Roberts book, genuinely. I got lost in this one, in Sloan’s healing, in Sloan’s occupation, in the remodel of her house, in her family & in these villains?! Such unhinged antagonists, wow. 

I’ve found that since my very first Nora, she’s written pieces of myself into her books and into her fmcs - she doesn’t even know me but somehow she knows me?? This book was no exception, all the way down to Sloan’s blue house and her serial killer basement. 

I absolutely loved the Cooper family, Dean’s relationship with his daughters and the way they folded Theo and Nash into their tree like they’ve always had a branch. Theo and Nash 🥹 - what precious men. Theo is JJ Maybank in a different font and you can’t convince me otherwise. The Fix-It bros have such a sad story they overcame but they did it together. 

THE DOGS. Omg the dogs, there is nothing I love more than a  Nora Roberts fictional dog and this book has TWO precious boys. 

There are so many pieces of this book I loved and could go on and on about but above all I’ll never get over the fact that I’m allowed to read Nora’s early 🩷🩷
hopeful mysterious relaxing slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No