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paulabrandon's review against another edition
1.0
Zane and his sister Britt survive a grim childhood of abuse until their father and mother are sent to prison. The two grow up. Zane, now a lawyer, returns to his hometown. He meets Darby McCray, a landscaping artist who is doing up the bungalows on the property owned by his aunt, Emily, who always believed in him as a boy. Lots of landscaping banality ensues as various antagonists pop up to threaten Zane and Darby's happiness.
I picked up this Nora Roberts book because I needed a break from unreliable female narrators, and I thought this might offer some decent romantic suspense. Not on your nelly! After a decent first part - quite harrowing, at times, as it details Zane and Britt's abuse at the hands of their father - the plot and pacing completely dies in the ass as we get endless details about Darby's landscaping endeavours. Seriously, it's all anybody can fucking talk about!
This book was so boring. Nothing happens. If it's not the constant chit-chat about what a good job Darby has done on someone's property, it's a blow-by-blow account of a softball game or the preparation for a big family party. There's absolutely zero spark to the proceedings. The book relies on not one, but three, antagonists to try to jar this out of its monotony.
As a romantic suspense book, I was expecting a focus on the romance over the more sinister aspects of the story, but this can't even get the romance right. This makes the same mistake as a lot of the category romance that I read, in which there's no stakes to the h and H's relationship, and zero indication of what it is that attracts them to one another. Aside from sharing their abusive histories (Darcy is a domestic violence survivor), they don't talk about anything substantial whatsoever. They just talk about landscaping or other banal activities that Zane's extended family is up to. Zane and Darby start a relationship and fall in love. There's zero conflicts for them to overcome emotionally, just a parade of villains who want to kill them. Everything here was just flat, flat, flat. This was uninspired, uninteresting and undercooked.
I picked up this Nora Roberts book because I needed a break from unreliable female narrators, and I thought this might offer some decent romantic suspense. Not on your nelly! After a decent first part - quite harrowing, at times, as it details Zane and Britt's abuse at the hands of their father - the plot and pacing completely dies in the ass as we get endless details about Darby's landscaping endeavours. Seriously, it's all anybody can fucking talk about!
This book was so boring. Nothing happens. If it's not the constant chit-chat about what a good job Darby has done on someone's property, it's a blow-by-blow account of a softball game or the preparation for a big family party. There's absolutely zero spark to the proceedings. The book relies on not one, but three, antagonists to try to jar this out of its monotony.
As a romantic suspense book, I was expecting a focus on the romance over the more sinister aspects of the story, but this can't even get the romance right. This makes the same mistake as a lot of the category romance that I read, in which there's no stakes to the h and H's relationship, and zero indication of what it is that attracts them to one another. Aside from sharing their abusive histories (Darcy is a domestic violence survivor), they don't talk about anything substantial whatsoever. They just talk about landscaping or other banal activities that Zane's extended family is up to. Zane and Darby start a relationship and fall in love. There's zero conflicts for them to overcome emotionally, just a parade of villains who want to kill them. Everything here was just flat, flat, flat. This was uninspired, uninteresting and undercooked.
orangesyellows's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Child abuse
Moderate: Violence, Sexual violence, Murder, and Death
Minor: Sexual content
tarareads517's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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
3.5
I do love a good Nora Roberts book.
sslovesbooks_1's review against another edition
5.0
This book was by an author I have read before but this time the suspense and the challenging theme throughout the storyline made for quite difficult reading at times. At the heart of this tale is resilience, family and ultimately love. Robert’s usual romance-led prose I felt took a back seat for this more challenging read but I was still unable to put it down, reading it in 2 days.
The story follows the main character Zane from his teenage years to adulthood and his determination to not let past experiences hold him back. The first part of the book about his childhood makes for strong emotions of anger and sadness and but as he evolves into a moral and determined man his move home means he is surrounded by close family and friends. Darcy a new inhabitant of his hometown is there to nurture a new business for herself and their paths cross. Will they be able to face the challenges ahead from the undercurrents that threaten them both?
A really enjoyable story and one which made me go through a range of emotions – anger, sadness, fear, worry and joy. I would recommend you add to your reading list - for me 5 stars
The story follows the main character Zane from his teenage years to adulthood and his determination to not let past experiences hold him back. The first part of the book about his childhood makes for strong emotions of anger and sadness and but as he evolves into a moral and determined man his move home means he is surrounded by close family and friends. Darcy a new inhabitant of his hometown is there to nurture a new business for herself and their paths cross. Will they be able to face the challenges ahead from the undercurrents that threaten them both?
A really enjoyable story and one which made me go through a range of emotions – anger, sadness, fear, worry and joy. I would recommend you add to your reading list - for me 5 stars
lajoiearchives's review against another edition
5.0
Incredible novel by Nora Roberts. I felt such intense emotions while reading the story of the people in North Carolina. It’s starts off with Eliza Bigelow painting the scene of an idealistic life. Perfect doctor husband, living in a rich community, with two children. From the outside, the Bigelow’s are a well respected and loved family within the community. As the story continues you quickly realize the picturesque life of the this elite North Carolina family is actually full with terrible secrets. The story is full of heartbreak, the ugly, redemptions, love and so much suspense. Every page drew me in, every page had me on the edge of my seat. This novel will have a permanent spot on my bookshelf.
Book TW: Domestic and child abuse/ Sexual Assaut/ Rape
morellomel's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I really enjoyed part 1, could not put it down. After that though the story kind of died off for me and became predictable. I liked the characters but couldn’t actually see them together as a couple. And I guessed the ending from early on. Thought there could have been more plot development with darbys story and thought Zane’s ended way too early in the book.
rsantan25's review against another edition
5.0
Such an emotional read about the long lasting effects of childhood and marital abuse. My heart shattered numerous times reading about Zane and Britts loveless, physical and emotional abuse at the hands of the people meant to protect them, their parents. And all the while also felt my heart grow like the Grinch at how much love and care their aunt and grandparents offered them when finally escaping the prison that was their home. Darbys story was also incredibly heartbreaking and inspiring when learning about the abuse inflicted upon her by her ex husband and how she knew she deserved better. All of the side characters were amazing and so supportive in every way, I loved them all. Zane’s and Darbys relationship felt so natural and beautiful. Just two people with heartbreaking backgrounds that crossed paths like fate to find love and peace in each other’s arms. Truly loved them. And final shoutout to my man detective Lee, the most perfect man, te amo
abcdefinely123maybe's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
jazzijessi's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
LCD. Good book with a lot of tropes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Grief, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Murder, Physical abuse, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Car accident