I will say I'd put this on a hold list months ago and didn't check the summary when I finally picked it up, so the first MURDER knocked me out. And I found that side of it disturbing and upsetting in a good-book way! Not to sound like a hack reviewer, but I did find this unputdownable, and only put it down when the creeping/chasing-behind backstory got me stressed. And that's why I do wish she'd eased up on the killer POV bits. I skimmed those bits heavily.

On the other hand – this was just a great book. Nora Roberts for sure has a bag of settings, character archetypes, and romances, and I could recognise them all here – especially her women. But she's Nora Roberts because she takes those bones and builds compelling stories, somehow forty fucking years into her career. I loved Morgan and every one of her setbacks and victories felt personal to me. The romance was lovely, if slight, and I really appreciate that her men have settled into the 21st century even while maintaining their gruffness. Roberts rocks.