Mind Games

Really want to like this, but found the first third of the book painful to push through. Will try again when I have more endurance.

3.5 stars. Standard Nora Roberts romantic suspense summer book release, although this one adds a paranormal element. Nora seems to be grooving on the “traumatic event happens to MC in her youth; 20 years later, a love interest enters the picture and the Bad Guy resurfaces” narrative structure. I'm okay with that, it reminds me of the old [a:Judith Kranz 26240132 Judith Kranz https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] novels (albeit with less champagne and diamonds). But I know some readers miss Nora's single title 100% romances, so caveat emptor.Mind Games has: less house/garden porn than usual; MC's annoyingly perfect grandma, BFF and brother; 3rd Act Breakup that feels artificially contrived; a good dog; a preschool-aged boy who makes the LI seem even more wonderful; and several unanswered questions (namely the origin of the killer's own paranormal talent, which refutes the "only women have The Sight" rule in the MC's family).

I wasn't expecting to cry so much in the beginning of this! I love the stories Roberts builds, especially the settings. I always want to visit/live where her books take place.