By: Nora Roberts
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of this book!
Debut author Arden Bowie has a book signing at her local bookstore, her very first. She signed her book for many people – some she knew, some she didn’t. One that she didn’t was Dustin. He also wants to be a writer. He showed up again at another signing, and then another. Then he showed up at her front door and assaulted her. He was arrested and put in a mental hospital. She moved out of state. 5 years later, he’s released and he’s coming for Arden. Arden has made a new life in Oregon, which includes a new man in her life. Dustin will stop at nothing to continue their delusional relationship.
I don’t know how but this was my first Nora Roberts book! How have I not read this author before! I thought this book was going to just be Dustin stalking her the whole entire book, but when he got caught and got put away, I was so happy to see that the author chose to go that way.
The book starts out very suspenseful and very thriller-like. Then it switches to a romantic suspense, but I love a good romantic suspense! Gideon was good for her. He wasn’t a cinnamon roll MMC, but he is a decent guy and balances Arden out nicely. All of the side characters were also fantastic from her cousins, to neighbors, and Joe! They were some of my favorite characters. Roberts did a great job of describing the house that Arden moved into. It sounded so beautiful!
I will say, I had to take off half a star because there was a lot of filler in the book. While it moved quickly and there was a lot of dialogue (which you know I love), it felt like a really long time between the “action.” I get that Roberts was trying to form the connections and bonds between Arden and Gideon, and Arden and her newfound friends. But after a while, I kept asking when is the action going to start again?
Otherwise, I really enjoyed this one. For those that like thrillers and/or romantic suspense, then this is the book for you!
Publish Date: May 26, 2026
Find the book here.
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