cj_mo_2222 's review for:

Hidden Nature by Nora Roberts

4.0

challenging emotional informative mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

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Hidden Nature was an entertaining read. I enjoyed getting to know the main character, Sloan Cooper. as she recuperates from a near-death injury. Her parents and her sister, Drea, help her in her recovery. (This part of the book could actually stand alone as a women's fiction book of someone overcoming adversity while reconnecting with her roots with the help of family) At the same time, there is a parallel story about two brothers who are tired of the rat race of stressful jobs. They work together to fix up an old house and start a handyman business together. Sloan and Nash inevitably meet and eventually sparks fly.  

The pace of this book is better suited for a romance novel, but moves a little slowly for a romantic suspense novel. I enjoyed the procedural aspects when we see Sloan on the job, but I didn't like the serial killer storyline at all. It felt realistic that Sloan would begin looking into this case of missing people while restless on her medical leave, but the whole premise was creepy. The villains of the story were weird and over-the-top and I didn't care for the chapters told from their points-of-view. 

Some of the ending was predictable but the showdown with the killer had some surprises. Although this wasn't my favorite by Nora Roberts, there were parts of the book I really liked, so I'm glad I read it. 

I received an advance review copy of this ebook from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.