Mind Games

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.

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).

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.