Does summer (or winter if you live in the Southern Hemisphere) start when Nora’s standalone hits shelves? (I personally think so.)
Well, you can consider the season officially changed as Identity is on sale today.
I read it a long time ago, but can clearly remember all the twists, turns and fun of reading about Morgan Albright and the challenges she faced.
What’s Identity about?
Former Army brat Morgan Albright has finally planted roots in a friendly neighborhood near Baltimore. Her friend and roommate Nina helps her make the mortgage payments, as does Morgan’s job as a bartender. But after she and Nina host their first dinner party―attended by Luke, the flirtatious IT guy who’d been chatting her up at the bar―her carefully built world is shattered.
Soon, a horrific truth emerges: “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.
Morgan’s nightmare is just beginning. Soon she has no choice but to flee to her mother’s home in Vermont. While she struggles to build something new, she meets another man, Miles Jameson. He isn’t flashy or flirtatious, and his family business has deep roots in town. But Gavin is still out there hunting new victims, and he hasn’t forgotten the one who got away.
This is the spot to discuss all things Identity so spoilers will be in the comments.
Share away!
Laura
I was going to try and hold out on reading “Identity” until I’m in Cape Code next month, but I don’t know if I can wait that long!!
On the library list . I think I am number 10
Mine was delivered to my Kindle at midnight last night. I going to try and hold off until the weekend and then just snuggle down and read all weekend.
Yay! Mine should be there when I get home. I go in to work later on Wednesday so hoping I get some “me time” carved out.
Mine arrived today, will be starting it tonight 🙂 Can’t wait!
Mine should arrive Friday!!!
Just got mine. I’m still re-reading the Garden trilogy, so trying to hold off my new read until finished. Hahaha…pretty sure my will power won’t hold on that long.
I just received mine I can’t wait to start
I just got notice from the library that the hard copy and ebook are now available. Stopping what I have been reading to jump into “Identity”. So excited.
Finished re-reading The Choice. Really rushed through towards the end because Identity was heating up my Kindle! Will start tonight! ❤️
Once again, a brilliant book from Nora. Such a talent. I love it. ❤️. I’ve read it and listened to on Audible. I’m going to try and wait a week before I read again but I don’t think I’ll last. Starting on one of Laura’s recommendations. They’re always a good distraction from my little Nora Roberts books obsession. 📚
Just finished it. It’s absolutely brilliant kept me engaged from beginning to end. Am a huge fan of all the books but this i have to say is my favourite stand alone book thank you for your amazing story telling.
Absolutely agree
Yes. A++
I received in the mail and am finishing my book club read before I start. I enjoy savoring the anticipation.
Thanks for a good read, very enjoyable way to spend the day.
I got it from my library on Saturday. I started it yesterday and finished it today. Great read, I loved the family dynamics of both the Nash women and the Jameson families. Miles and Morgan are so right for each other! What I loved the most is that Morgan gained strength and courage from her family as she healed from the trauma of losing her best friend, her identity and all her money. Jen the Destroyer gave her the tools so she could stop Gavin on her own, which cemented the story for me. Nora does it again! ❤️
I have it!
I was struck by the way it looked at recovery from trauma, and resilience. All three of the Nash women had had to find that resilience within themselves, and Olivia and Audrey could pass it on. I also rather liked the complete irrelevance of the Colonel. I really enjoyed the way it looks at the process of rebuilding your life, and remaking your plans, and adapting, and how that can be hard, and not fair, even as you have to do it.
(I also, as a side note, really appreciated that Opal the waitress wasn’t demonised for being annoyed that Morgan got a nepotism in!)
Okay, so it’s not the book, it’s me. I’m only a third of the way through Identity, but since the first chapter my mind was telling me, “This just doesn’t read like a Nora Roberts book.” I couldn’t engage with the characters, which is unheard of with one of her books. I even fell asleep halfway through a chapter, also unheard of. However, after reading so many glowing reviews, I am ready to accept that my current health issue is responsible for my lack of enjoyment. So I’m going to put it aside until I feel better, start over from the beginning, and give it another shot next week.
Hope you feel better soon.
Feel Better ❤
While not every Nora books hits each of her fans every time, I enjoyed Identity very much (I have been reading Nora since her earliest Harlequin days). I think it’s an excellent stand alone book. So it may well be your health at this time might be interfering with your reading pleasure. I hope you get well soon and enjoy the book. Take care.
Received in my Kindle yesterday. In a doctor appointment and in first chapter.
I finished Identity today. This is probably one of the few books I won’t read again. The identity thief plot device just didn’t follow current practices. Like why didn’t Morgan put a security freeze on her credit bureaus so no new loans or cc could be issued? Why was Gavin able to continue to access her accounts? She should have changed passwords and gotten new accounts. Plus in most states you are only liable for the first $50 in fraudulent charges.
I did like the romance and the relationships between the characters.
Agree. And the whole “my ladies” repeated over and over and over again was annoying. Plus this was already used in Hideaway…..where it fit better coming from a man.
Not exactly true – If some one steals the money from your brokerage, checking and savings accounts it’s like your pocket being picked that money is gone, Even Identity Theft insurance will not reimburse it. Fraudulent credit card coverage beings the day you report the card stolen if you don’t find out until a month later that your card has been used they won’t cover it because you never reported it stolen. This happened to a family member and it took years and thousands in legal fees to straighten out. The guy even tried to sell their house without their knowledge.
I disagree. I’ve worked in banking my whole life. Banks will definitely make you whole if someone fraudulently empties your account. There are so many consumer protection laws out there – it’s the banks that bear the brunt of the losses. Now, if loans are taken from non- banking lenders – they don’t have the same regulatory environment and I could see needing a lawyer to deal with those.
But as soon as the FBI got involved and it was shown that this was fraud, the credit bureaus would put alerts on her name and social so that nothing new could be taken out.
It definitely through me out of the story for a few moments, but I decided that things just don’t work that way in Nora’s universe and moved on. 😂
That thought ran through my mind also.
I kept wondering why she didn’t hire some identity protection company and why her family didn’t shut down their social media accounts.
Like i tell my husband when he critiques tv or movies, it’s tv, it’s a movie, it’s fiction, not everything has to be up to date with current practices. Enjoy the writing and the character interaction, it’s what she does so well
It took some time for her to figure things out! She is young and not used to the ways of psychopaths! Plus, she is alive! I’ve read it twice and consider it another winner!
Oh Nora. Just finished identity and it was as wonderful as one of Morgan’s specialty cocktails. It was just what I needed this week. Thank you.
GREAT read! love the book, loved the dynamics and loved the beautifully crafted characters – love them all except the bad guy. And I must add another GREAT DOG with personality plus!!! “Howl” =D
I enjoyed Identity as it took place in my home state and the descriptions of our townships, outdoor activities and Vermonters was a great read!
Finished! Nora slams another one out of the park! Great characters! Fabulous families! Another good plot!
Another great Nora book!
No one can compare to character development better than Nora and this book continues on that road. You not only have the evil killer psychopath…but you have these amazing families and friends that are so endearing that they not only balance out the good but make it the hero. Her ability to create strong female characters never disappoints, and this story has more than one for sure. I read both the e-book along side of the audiobook…and they truly enhance each other in delivery.
OMG! I’m loving this book! Nora does it again! I’m reading in spurts over this Memorial Day weekend due to pre made plans with family and friends, would it be rude to cancel so I can finish this book?! 😆.
It would probably be rude, but I fully understand your motivation to just read.
Rude? Maybe? But this book might just be worth it ☺️
I loved this book. I really hope she will do books on Miles brother and sister
That’s not Nora’s process on stand alone books. Miles’ siblings are great secondary characters, but they will not have their own books.
Laura
I was thinking the same thing
I was thinking that she could write one about the youngest brother. I can’t remember his name. There seemed to be some attraction with the new young waitress/bartender.
Started reading it last night and stayed up to 7:00 am. I could not put it down! Great book.
Excellent as always. For some reason the bad guy really revolts me in this one. I’m nearly finished.
For the upcoming paperback editions: In Chapter 24 as Miles and Morgan reach the rope course there’s an error. They meet Liam and he holds out a harness.
[quote]
“What?” Nell clasped her hands behind her back. “No.”
[/quote]
Nell isn’t on the hike. That should be Morgan.
Unfortunately, errors do slip by in the editing process. Equally unfortunate, it’s too expensive to change copy once a book is published.
Laura
I understand that. That’s why I mentioned the as-yet-unreleased paperback editions. I assume there are galleys for those which could include the correction.
I really didn’t think correcting a few million hardcovers now out in the wild was feasible.
This is only my second audio book I have purchased so it could be me but the narration is killing the book. The narrator has a lovely speaking voice but her characters, especially the male characters, are painful.
The story feels a bit cannibalized from some of her J.D. Robb books. It’s ok.
I’m surprised because I love January LaVoy and thought she did another excellent job on one of Nora’s books. Of course, audio books are subjective but I love her!
I had the privilege of reading this as an ARC through NetGalley in March. What a wonderful book! I read it in two days and have been recommending it to everyone. I loved the plot, the characters, and the suspense. This one is a hit!
Hi
I’m holding out for September vacation. Long trip, so the perfect read. Wish meuck on that!
Thanks Nora
I read it twice! Another winner! I made coffee ice cubes🥰🥰
I just finished it last night. Powerful story line with excellent character development – which is why Nora is my favorite author. Nora tackles some uncomfortable topics (examples: Shelter in Place, Under Currents, and Identity). However, she does it with such grace and skill, that while being uncomfortable, we learn how people can survive and overcome. It’s uplifting. I cannot end this message without saying how amazed I am at Nora’s ability to draw me into the book, as her words paint such fantastic pictures that I can see the people, the places, etc.
I’m enjoying the family parts of the story in Identity, but definitely having some issues with a few things. The one that made me stop reading and come comment is most probably unnoticed by most. The spotting of a brown bear in Vermont. I live in NH, no brown bears on the east coast unless it escaped from a zoo. Took me completely out of everything I was enjoying. The fact the FBI hasn’t plastered this guy’s picture from one end of the US to another is only a minor annoyance. Love the characters, the slow building relationships, the rest of the setting. Going back to finish now.
Since I looked up wildlife–flora, fauna, etc–in Vermont, I have to think I had a mind blip on the bear. It happens!
Hi! Curious… and only noticed this because I reread The Liar immediately after finishing Identity. In Identity – Miles wants their first wedding dance to be “Stand by me.” In The Liar — Emma Kate and Matt want Shelby to sing “Stand by me” at their engagement party. Does that song have special meaning to Nora?
Miscolored the bear, maybe?https://vtfishandwildlife.com/learn-more/vermont-critters/mammals/black-bear
“The black bear (Ursus americanus) is the smallest of the three bear species found in North America. It is the only bear found in Vermont.”
It was the two yards distance that scared me.
Yes – as a camper, I kept thinking 6 feet was a little too close to be casual about a bear crossing your path!
I really, really wish the synopsis did not mention Nina’s death. For me it was horrible to get to know and love her, all the time knowing she was dying very soon. I would have rather been caught completely off guard.
Other than that, the book was terrific. I love the atmosphere at her family house, love all the people she grows to love. It is really a terrific read. I have passed it to my mom and sister for their enjoyment (they must return it to me!)
Same for me Angel. I kept wanting to stop reading the first part (as if I could slow down Nina’s death). LOL, I loved her, she’s so funny and Sam OMG! I feel so bad for him. But the book was another winner for me. Nora never misses.
I finished it last night. Had to force myself to stop reading to go to sleep or work. Perfect pace and draws you in from the first page. Nora never disappoints!
I just finished this one, and since I was born, raised and live in Vermont it struck a cord. Loved it, the characters, the plot and the entire rhythm if it. I’m sad to have finished it. Nicely done once again Nora Roberts!
Such a good read
I finally got it from the library.
This comment from one of your Australian readers. Bought the book when it arrived in the store, sat on it for two weeks, started it and could not put it down. It’s up there with some of my favourites, ‘Shelter in Place, Obsession, Witness, Legacy, The Search and The Collector’. Great read.
Finally bought it last week. Started it yesterday & finished it today. HRd to out it down! I do not know how Nora does it but another hit!!
Almost to the end of Identity. Really loving the strong 3 generation relationships and the depth of the characters! Also wondering if there are sources for Morgan’s cocktail recipes which could be shared;-)
I’m more interested in those spicy potatoes. LOL! When it comes to coffee, I stand with Miles in his comment about the pear coffee.
Another great story and another wonderful Nora Roberts grandmother! I think my all-time favorite is CiCi from Shelter in Place but I have others: Miss Vi from The Liar, Fancy from Come Sundown, Hester from Whiskey Beach, Gram from Hideaway and Tereza from The Villa! I really don’t understand the critiques that people write here. The story is finished. We read them for our own enjoyment and with a NR book that enjoyment is total! I appreciate your prolific talents Miss Nora! Thank you!
I am a die hard Nora fan but this book fell flat for me. What happened to the passion usually found in her books. I’m glad that Morgan and Miles found each other but where is the steamy passion that is normally in books like Whiskey Beach, The Search, The Obsession, The Liar.
I didn’t mind the story line but the identity theft part is definitely not 2023.
I’m not going to say “don’t read”, but you may need to lower your expectations.
I loved the book, even though the identity theft part strained credulity, said by one who spent two decades in the financial services industry.
Aside of that, Morgan was another of Nora’s great female protagonists and her “ladies” made me envious. In Miles, I was drawn to his Darcyesque brooding and sullenness and later the way he “rolled over her” when he decided what had to be done. For a little while, I thought he was was going to deliver Darcy’s first proposal. Unlike Mr D, Miles could see from the very beginning that she was a strong and special person.
Has Nora ever provided recipes to any of the dishes described in her books? Years ago, a blue cheese-tomato soup caught my eye in one of the Irish based trilogies, so I started researching and found a great recipe which I make every winter. In this one, the smoked tomato soup and the spicy, Mexican potatoes caught my eye. Could you share Nora’s recipes?
Many years ago in one of her Silhouette books she published some Christmas cookie recipes.
I’d be up for the Mexican potatoes too.
Interesting, I don’t recall and I’ve read everything she’s written. However, Christmas cookies aren’t anything I would make so it’s not surprising I wouldn’t recall. Ha!
I absolutely loved this book and all the characters!! Nora never fails to draw you into each and every story she writes. I hope she can continue to do so for many more years.
I read this story in three days on a tour bus waiting to get to our destination. What a pleasure it was.
Can’t wait for the next one. Thanks so much Nora.
I have been a fan of Nora since she wrote Hot Ice. Loved it.
One thing I always enjoyed about her stories was that the story ‘started’ quickly. It seems like in the last several years her stand alone stories seem to take a long time to set up. To be perfectly honest this is the first story I have liked in years.
That being said. This one did not take all that long to get started. I liked that way Morgan gained strength from her work family as well as her mother and grandmother. I thoroughly enjoyed how supportive the Jamison family was.
It was also interesting to watch the killer deteriorate the longer he went without killing Morgan.
I really enjoyed this one. Thanks Nora
I’m almost done and am loving it! Just noticed a teeny typo on p. 333. It says “Nell” when it should say “Morgan”. I wouldn’t have noticed except that I’m so deep into this story and the characters!!