What do you think?
Rate this book
The Reef
A marine archaeologist and a salvager join forces to search for a legendary treasure in this novel that takes readers to the depths of the Caribbean and the heights of passion and suspense—from #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts.
Tate Beaumont has a passion for treasure-hunting. Over the years, she and her father have uncovered many fabulous riches, but one treasure has always eluded them: Angelique’s Curse—a jeweled amulet heavy with history, dark with legend, and tainted with blood. In order to find this precious artifact, the Beaumonts reluctantly form a partnership with salvagers Buck and Matthew Lassiter.
As the Beaumonts and Lassiters pool their resources to locate Angelique’s Curse, the Caribbean waters darken with shadowy deceptions and hidden threats. Their partnership is placed in jeopardy when Matthew refuses to share information—including the truth behind his father’s mysterious death. For now, Tate and Matthew continue their uneasy alliance—until danger and desire begin to rise to the surface…
Tate Beaumont has a passion for treasure-hunting. Over the years, she and her father have uncovered many fabulous riches, but one treasure has always eluded them: Angelique’s Curse—a jeweled amulet heavy with history, dark with legend, and tainted with blood. In order to find this precious artifact, the Beaumonts reluctantly form a partnership with salvagers Buck and Matthew Lassiter.
As the Beaumonts and Lassiters pool their resources to locate Angelique’s Curse, the Caribbean waters darken with shadowy deceptions and hidden threats. Their partnership is placed in jeopardy when Matthew refuses to share information—including the truth behind his father’s mysterious death. For now, Tate and Matthew continue their uneasy alliance—until danger and desire begin to rise to the surface…
435 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 28, 1998
1154 people are currently reading
7357 people want to read
About the author
Nora Roberts
1,209 books59.6k followersNora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including Hideaway, Under Currents, Come Sundown, The Awakening, Legacy, and coming in November 2021 -- The Becoming -- the second book in The Dragon Heart Legacy. She is also the author of the futuristic suspense In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 821 reviews
April 1, 2020
An enjoyable novel, set in the high stakes world of underwater archaeology, we have Tate, a marine archaeologist reluctantly teaming up with treasure hunter Matthew. As the team search the waters off the Caribbean island of Nevis, searching for a famed, yet cursed, amulet that went down on a Spanish galleon centuries before, they find that sharks aren't the only danger they face, and things are certainly turning deadly. And Tate also has to worry about how to shield her heart from Matthew, the man who broke it many years before. Will they find the amulet? Will Matthew break down the wall she's formed around her heart? Or are things totally against them?
I really did like this book, though the plot was quite predictable. I found the insights into marine archaeology and treasure hunting intriguing. With some excellent characters and easy to read format, I have no hesitation in recommending this book to all lovers of adventure and romantic suspense.
I really did like this book, though the plot was quite predictable. I found the insights into marine archaeology and treasure hunting intriguing. With some excellent characters and easy to read format, I have no hesitation in recommending this book to all lovers of adventure and romantic suspense.
December 26, 2023
I was so excited to pick up a romance that was with two marine archeologists diving for lost treasure. In the beginning, it took me a bit to get into because I didn't super buy into the romance. The hero was a bit domineering and the heroine just went with what he said. But we have a few time jumps and I looooved all of the action and suspense at the end! I'm still not sold on the hero as a romantic lead because of how he treated the heroine, but the book ended up being a great romantic suspense with such a unique premise/setting!
January 11, 2025
4 Estrellas. Muy satisfecha, un libro muy Roberts, pero algo distinto a lo que nos suele dar. La ambientación muy peliculera, pero a la vez muy cuidada. No sabría decir si de los mejores que he leído. Nora Roberts toca todos los palos en sus novelas, no es solo que meta suspense y romance, si no que sus personajes tienen profesiones de lo más variopintas y para ello hay que informarse, y de verdad que ella lo hace como nadie.
En este caso estamos hablando de un libro que tiene más de 25 años. "El estigma del arrecife" es un libro independiente de Nora Roberts, que sitúa su acción en el Caribe.
Tate Beaumont es una joven arqueóloga marina que espera hacerse un nombre para la posteridad. Gracias a la pasión de sus padres por el mar y la historia, Tate tiene en sus manos un gran descubrimiento que podría significar abrir un museo a su nombre.
Matthew Lassiter es un joven marino que se gana la vida como cazatesoros, descubriendo pecios en el Caribe y vendiendo sus posesiones al mejor postor. Pero en realidad, lo que Matthew persigue es la Maldición de Angelique, un collar del siglo XVI que perteneció a una bruja, que está maldito, y le costó la vida a su padre.
Durante un verano en que Tate está excavando con sus familia los restos de un naúfragio, conocen a los Lassiter, tío y sobrino. En seguida el padre de Tate y el tío de Matthew se hacen amigos y después socios. Y así es como Tate y Matthew comienzan un romance, que parece abocado al fracaso, cuando la tragedia se cierne sobre ellos, ¿o será la Maldición de Angelique?
Años después, Tate y Matthew y sus familias vuelven a unirse con el mismo objetivo, conseguir de una vez ese collar y derrotar a su enemigo en común; además de continuar con su historia de amor donde la dejaron.
El libro está muy bien, es muy fiel a la obra de Nora Roberts y yo misma como historiadora que soy no he podido dejar de emocionarme con los descubrimientos que hacían los protagonistas. Sin duda, la ambientación es de lujo.
Lo más que puedo criticar es que su punto débil es el malo. Desde el principio de la novela sabes quien es y de esa manera se mata el misterio, porque llegas a conocerle y no puedes dejar de sentir ése odio y desprecio ante una persona tan malvada y corrompida.
En cuanto a los protagonistas, han tenido su encanto. Tate es una mujer muy fuerte e inteligente y con las ideas muy claras, sabe valerse por sí misma y no necesita de un hombre para salir adelante. Matthew es el hombre menos Roberts que he encontrado, no es el típico hombre Roberts encantador que sabe hacer de todo. Matthew es un hombre que tuvo un pasado atroz, tiene una dudosa reputación y es más pobre que una rata, además, lleva toda la vida obsesionado con vengarse del asesino de su padre, y ni siquiera lo que siente por Tate puede calmar esa ambición.
Este es un libro en el que hay mucha pasión. Un libro distinto donde prácticamente el 100% del mismo ocurre sobre un barco, sobre el mar Caribe, donde los protagonistas se dedican a bucear a grandes profundidades para sacar los secretos de un pecio. Realmente lo he disfrutado, y los momentos de tensión y giros argumentales me han tenido enganchada. Lo he disfrutado mucho.
En este caso estamos hablando de un libro que tiene más de 25 años. "El estigma del arrecife" es un libro independiente de Nora Roberts, que sitúa su acción en el Caribe.
Tate Beaumont es una joven arqueóloga marina que espera hacerse un nombre para la posteridad. Gracias a la pasión de sus padres por el mar y la historia, Tate tiene en sus manos un gran descubrimiento que podría significar abrir un museo a su nombre.
Matthew Lassiter es un joven marino que se gana la vida como cazatesoros, descubriendo pecios en el Caribe y vendiendo sus posesiones al mejor postor. Pero en realidad, lo que Matthew persigue es la Maldición de Angelique, un collar del siglo XVI que perteneció a una bruja, que está maldito, y le costó la vida a su padre.
Durante un verano en que Tate está excavando con sus familia los restos de un naúfragio, conocen a los Lassiter, tío y sobrino. En seguida el padre de Tate y el tío de Matthew se hacen amigos y después socios. Y así es como Tate y Matthew comienzan un romance, que parece abocado al fracaso, cuando la tragedia se cierne sobre ellos, ¿o será la Maldición de Angelique?
Años después, Tate y Matthew y sus familias vuelven a unirse con el mismo objetivo, conseguir de una vez ese collar y derrotar a su enemigo en común; además de continuar con su historia de amor donde la dejaron.
El libro está muy bien, es muy fiel a la obra de Nora Roberts y yo misma como historiadora que soy no he podido dejar de emocionarme con los descubrimientos que hacían los protagonistas. Sin duda, la ambientación es de lujo.
Lo más que puedo criticar es que su punto débil es el malo. Desde el principio de la novela sabes quien es y de esa manera se mata el misterio, porque llegas a conocerle y no puedes dejar de sentir ése odio y desprecio ante una persona tan malvada y corrompida.
En cuanto a los protagonistas, han tenido su encanto. Tate es una mujer muy fuerte e inteligente y con las ideas muy claras, sabe valerse por sí misma y no necesita de un hombre para salir adelante. Matthew es el hombre menos Roberts que he encontrado, no es el típico hombre Roberts encantador que sabe hacer de todo. Matthew es un hombre que tuvo un pasado atroz, tiene una dudosa reputación y es más pobre que una rata, además, lleva toda la vida obsesionado con vengarse del asesino de su padre, y ni siquiera lo que siente por Tate puede calmar esa ambición.
Este es un libro en el que hay mucha pasión. Un libro distinto donde prácticamente el 100% del mismo ocurre sobre un barco, sobre el mar Caribe, donde los protagonistas se dedican a bucear a grandes profundidades para sacar los secretos de un pecio. Realmente lo he disfrutado, y los momentos de tensión y giros argumentales me han tenido enganchada. Lo he disfrutado mucho.
April 24, 2018
Maybe it is because I'm a diver, maybe it is because I love the sea, but I loved, loved, loved this story! :)
May 10, 2010
My second Nora Roberts book and I loved it just as much as the first.
The chemistry between Matthew and Tate was sweet (as young adults) and then evolved into something fiery and substantial after they re-united (not without drama along the way, of course).
I liked both Matthew and Tate individually, as well as a couple, and enjoyed reading about their lives during their time apart. I thought this gave a lot of depth to their characters.
I enjoyed the twist(s) in the story at the end (Go Teams Beaumont and Lassiter!).
My only issue is I felt there wasn't enough insight into Tate's "coming around" to forgiving Matthew - she just all of a sudden forgave him and realised she was completely in love with him. I realise a few events triggered this "revelation" of hers but still, it seemed a little unbelievable.
The Reef has similarites to Black Hills (first NR book I've read) but I won't hold it against Ms Roberts, seeing as the books were written 12 years apart. Luckily for me, it's a style that I love (meet early in life, separate over misunderstandings, etc, then reunite later when they've got their stuff together).
Although I've only read 3 of NR's books (Yet to write up a review for the 3rd), I have to say, I'm impressed with her diversity in terms of location, subjects and the depth she gives her characters. The detail she goes into with underwater salvage and so on in The Reef is so interesting, as were her details on wildlife rescue, etc in Black Hills.
Now, I know there are Marine Archaeologists out there and those who've worked with cougars for 25 years who would criticise some of what NR writes but I think it's very courageous to write about locations and professions that, if not for a lot of research, she would presumably be unfamiliar with, and for a layman such as myself, it makes for captivating reading.
The chemistry between Matthew and Tate was sweet (as young adults) and then evolved into something fiery and substantial after they re-united (not without drama along the way, of course).
I liked both Matthew and Tate individually, as well as a couple, and enjoyed reading about their lives during their time apart. I thought this gave a lot of depth to their characters.
I enjoyed the twist(s) in the story at the end (Go Teams Beaumont and Lassiter!).
My only issue is I felt there wasn't enough insight into Tate's "coming around" to forgiving Matthew - she just all of a sudden forgave him and realised she was completely in love with him. I realise a few events triggered this "revelation" of hers but still, it seemed a little unbelievable.
The Reef has similarites to Black Hills (first NR book I've read) but I won't hold it against Ms Roberts, seeing as the books were written 12 years apart. Luckily for me, it's a style that I love (meet early in life, separate over misunderstandings, etc, then reunite later when they've got their stuff together).
Although I've only read 3 of NR's books (Yet to write up a review for the 3rd), I have to say, I'm impressed with her diversity in terms of location, subjects and the depth she gives her characters. The detail she goes into with underwater salvage and so on in The Reef is so interesting, as were her details on wildlife rescue, etc in Black Hills.
Now, I know there are Marine Archaeologists out there and those who've worked with cougars for 25 years who would criticise some of what NR writes but I think it's very courageous to write about locations and professions that, if not for a lot of research, she would presumably be unfamiliar with, and for a layman such as myself, it makes for captivating reading.
May 29, 2025
3.5/5⭐️
3/5🌶
Historia sobre cazadores de tesoros sumergidos. Tanto Matthew y su tío, así como Tate junto a sus padres se dedican a buscar naufragios y rescatar piezas arqueológicas. Ella lo hace por la ciencia, él por dinero.
Al coincidir en un barco hundido, ambas familias se hacen socias y amigas, hasta que todo se tuerce tras un accidente. Años después vuelven a juntarse.
Amé las descripciones, tanto de paisajes submarinos, como de los tesoros qué encuentran. como siempre el libro brinda detalles parecidos, tanto sobre buceo como de arqueología marina.
pese a no haber misterio sobre el villano, el suspense se mantiene a lo largo de la novela.
El romance está bien. ellos tienen química y hay muy lindos momentos juntos. a mi me faltó un poco de profundidad y reflexión. la excusa del "sacrificio", (que Nora usa repetidas veces), nunca me cierra.
El inicio es un poco lento. pero no por eso deja de ser un buen libro.
lo recomiendo.
3/5🌶
Historia sobre cazadores de tesoros sumergidos. Tanto Matthew y su tío, así como Tate junto a sus padres se dedican a buscar naufragios y rescatar piezas arqueológicas. Ella lo hace por la ciencia, él por dinero.
Al coincidir en un barco hundido, ambas familias se hacen socias y amigas, hasta que todo se tuerce tras un accidente. Años después vuelven a juntarse.
Amé las descripciones, tanto de paisajes submarinos, como de los tesoros qué encuentran. como siempre el libro brinda detalles parecidos, tanto sobre buceo como de arqueología marina.
pese a no haber misterio sobre el villano, el suspense se mantiene a lo largo de la novela.
El romance está bien. ellos tienen química y hay muy lindos momentos juntos. a mi me faltó un poco de profundidad y reflexión. la excusa del "sacrificio", (que Nora usa repetidas veces), nunca me cierra.
El inicio es un poco lento. pero no por eso deja de ser un buen libro.
lo recomiendo.
August 12, 2021
3.5 stars
As you can see, my adventure with Nora Roberts is still ongoing.
This time, we're going to St. Kitts and Nevis, exploring the Caribbean sea for the sunken ships of Santa Marguerite and Isabella for an elusive cursed amulet. Like always, Nora created an atmospheric and vibrant setting. The underwater descriptions were amazing and it almost felt like you were there with them, diving and scavenging for the treasures on these historic ships.
Needless to say, this is an amazing addition to my NR catalogue and I can't wait to explore more of her books.
As you can see, my adventure with Nora Roberts is still ongoing.
This time, we're going to St. Kitts and Nevis, exploring the Caribbean sea for the sunken ships of Santa Marguerite and Isabella for an elusive cursed amulet. Like always, Nora created an atmospheric and vibrant setting. The underwater descriptions were amazing and it almost felt like you were there with them, diving and scavenging for the treasures on these historic ships.
Needless to say, this is an amazing addition to my NR catalogue and I can't wait to explore more of her books.
February 6, 2017
Esto sí. ESTO SÍ. Después del bajón al leer Bruja oscura, volver a leer a Nora Roberts en todo su esplendor ha sido maravilloso. Una historia llena de aventuras, misterios y amor. He aprendido tantísimo sobre submarinismo, arqueología marina y barcos que solo con eso ya me doy por satisfecha. Pero Nora Roberts (en las novelas en las que se lo curra, que no son todas, aunque me duela decirlo) nos regala también unos personajes trabajadísimos y unas relaciones que avanzan a lo largo de la novela dando pie a conflictos personales y profesionales que me han tenido enganchada hasta el mismísimo final. Ay, jopé, estoy muy contenta.
May 29, 2021
2 stars. This isn’t a book that has aged all that well. You can definitely tell it was written in the 90s. The writing was great, it’s an interesting plot outside of the romance, and the setting was fun. I just didn’t like any of the characters and the romance left me cold. Matthew is a coward and such an annoying self sabotaging dick. Tate is an airhead and too stupid to live. Them together made me roll my eyes more times than I can count. I didn’t care about anything they had going on.
Also, this book feels every bit of 400+ pages. I think the beginning half was paced really well but the middle there really dragged and I found that I lost interest a lot until the end. I love Nora Roberts but this one really missed the mark for me unfortunately.
Also, this book feels every bit of 400+ pages. I think the beginning half was paced really well but the middle there really dragged and I found that I lost interest a lot until the end. I love Nora Roberts but this one really missed the mark for me unfortunately.
February 8, 2020
Good old Nora. This would be from the golden age of Nora Roberts. In my opinion the books she has written in the period from 1995 - 2005 were the ones that established her as on of the best romance authors. Remember reading her books in high school - I had obsession with her books back then. Probably would have put easily 5 stars back then, without thinking. But my taste quite changed from my high school years. This would be more 3.5 stars but because Goodreads doesn't have that option, and I liked this book more then the previous I read by Nora, I decided to be 4 stars.
The book gives some insight into diving for treasure. I felt like I was in the sea, diving, feeling the water, the sun. The descriptions were realistic. During the reading I couldn't help but wonder how Silas VanDyke would get his reward/punishment. Good thing is that Nora Roberts uses all her consummate skill as a storyteller to make you root and care deeply for this small band of adventurers. Very light reading but quite enjoyable.
The book gives some insight into diving for treasure. I felt like I was in the sea, diving, feeling the water, the sun. The descriptions were realistic. During the reading I couldn't help but wonder how Silas VanDyke would get his reward/punishment. Good thing is that Nora Roberts uses all her consummate skill as a storyteller to make you root and care deeply for this small band of adventurers. Very light reading but quite enjoyable.
April 5, 2011
I bought this book at the airport because I had finished my other book and had forgotten my second book at home. I knew it wasn't going to be the great American novel, but Nora Roberts, for what she does, usually delivers with a good beach read/plane read.
I have read some Nora Roberts in my day and this was definitely one of my least favorite. Well, of course I had to finish it. I mean, it's so easy to read and I bought the freaking book. But most Nora Roberts books, I want to go back and re-read. This one I just wanted it over with the first time. I couldn't even get myself to finish it when I was home sick.
The characters, particularly the evil villian, Silius was just entirely too much of a stock character--even for evil villian Nora Roberts style. I mean.... really. Give me a break.
While I get that the story was broken into three sections: past, present, and future, and knowing the first portion was "past" I got the point that the entire story wasn't going to take place in that time frame, and the relationship of the main characters was going to grow into something more adult. Reading of a 19 year old's crush on the 25 year old family friend was just awkward to read. And unrealistic, if I am allowed to object to that in a Nora Roberts book.
If you are looking for a beach read or airport read, move along and pick up a better Nora Roberts book like say.... any other one that must be out there.
I have read some Nora Roberts in my day and this was definitely one of my least favorite. Well, of course I had to finish it. I mean, it's so easy to read and I bought the freaking book. But most Nora Roberts books, I want to go back and re-read. This one I just wanted it over with the first time. I couldn't even get myself to finish it when I was home sick.
The characters, particularly the evil villian, Silius was just entirely too much of a stock character--even for evil villian Nora Roberts style. I mean.... really. Give me a break.
While I get that the story was broken into three sections: past, present, and future, and knowing the first portion was "past" I got the point that the entire story wasn't going to take place in that time frame, and the relationship of the main characters was going to grow into something more adult. Reading of a 19 year old's crush on the 25 year old family friend was just awkward to read. And unrealistic, if I am allowed to object to that in a Nora Roberts book.
If you are looking for a beach read or airport read, move along and pick up a better Nora Roberts book like say.... any other one that must be out there.
May 27, 2018
It was an interesting story, decently written. Also, it didn't really remind me of her other books which is a huge plus.
August 20, 2019
8/10
Ha sido una lectura entretenida, quizas se me ha hecho un poco larga, pero me ha tenido enganchada desde el principio hasta el final. Me encanta esta autora
Ha sido una lectura entretenida, quizas se me ha hecho un poco larga, pero me ha tenido enganchada desde el principio hasta el final. Me encanta esta autora
August 28, 2020
*2'5*
Tenía muy buen recuerdo de este libro pero en esta relectura se ha hundido como los barcos que aparecen en la historia.
Tenía muy buen recuerdo de este libro pero en esta relectura se ha hundido como los barcos que aparecen en la historia.
March 8, 2012
This is probably one of my favorite Nora Roberts books. The villian was certainly a man to fear. I had no idea that this book had 2 different time frames and thought it a bit strange that the story started out with a 19 year old and a 25 year old. For Nora Roberts readers you know that her main characters are generally in their late 20's early 30's. It made sense when the story shifted 8 years later. I really enjoyed this book. The other Nora Roberts books I have been reading lately, although enjoyable have been falling a bit flat. It is probably due to the fact that they were books written in the 80's and early 90's. You can definitely tell how much she has grown in her writing by reading her books written then and books written closer to today.
This is a story of treasure hunters, Matthew and Tate. They are searching for Angelic's Curse, a necklace owned by a "witch". Claiming all those who seek it for wealth will be cursed. Matthew's family, the Lasseters believe in this curse and fear the necklace. When Matthew's father was murdered when he was 16 because of this necklace he planned to dedicate his life to find it and pay back the man he murdered his father.
I think what I enjoyed most about this book is I was on the edge of my seat for most of the book. There is a love story, which goes without saying for a Nora Roberts book, action, adventure, anger, danger, and a little bit of magic. Books like this one is why I love to read!
This is a story of treasure hunters, Matthew and Tate. They are searching for Angelic's Curse, a necklace owned by a "witch". Claiming all those who seek it for wealth will be cursed. Matthew's family, the Lasseters believe in this curse and fear the necklace. When Matthew's father was murdered when he was 16 because of this necklace he planned to dedicate his life to find it and pay back the man he murdered his father.
I think what I enjoyed most about this book is I was on the edge of my seat for most of the book. There is a love story, which goes without saying for a Nora Roberts book, action, adventure, anger, danger, and a little bit of magic. Books like this one is why I love to read!
November 27, 2022
Maybe I need to read Norah Roberts' recent work to understand why she's probably the most popular romance writer today. What I got from the reef was a lot of cringe-worthy scenes, characters behaving like they're in a fanfiction, not a novel (seriously, no one kisses other people's mom on the mouth platonically and spontaneously just because they're basically nice and good cooks) and sexist remark after sexist remark. Not for me.
July 10, 2023
Empezé este libro el sábado y por la noche ya me habia leído más de la mitad y el domingo lo acabe, este libro me engancho casi desde el principio y no pude parar me parece el libro más romántico de Roberts por el momento, un amor que sobrevive a lo largo del tiempo, aunque hay un detalle del libro que hubiera cambiado que son cosas mías lo reconozco como que la protagonista no perdiera la virginidad con el prota aunque es una cosa que apenas se menciona y Nora Roberts no le suela dar importancia a esos temas, pero me hubiera gustado que al menos cuando eran más jóvenes se hubieran despedido habiendo consumado su amor ya que me parece menos romántico ya que ella entonces era virgen y también me parece menos creíble que ambos dos siguieran enamorados después de 8 años sin haber tenido sexo, que me parece precioso que nunca dejarán de amarse pero ese detalle que la protagonista hubiera estado con él antes de estar con otros reconozco que ese detalle le hizo perder puntos a mis ojos, pero ese es el único pero que le pongo porque es una historia atrapante y no solo por la historia de amor, la narración de los arrecifes casi puedes sentir cuando están debajo del mar buceando y te dan ganas de estar allí, en ese aspecto Nora Roberts nunca decepciona con sus descripciones en este caso de los arrecifes y de los buscadores de tesoros, también el libro tiene un gran villano al que odias con toda tu alma y estás deseando que reciba su merecido y bueno como es normal en Nora Roberts también tiene algo de paranormal con el misterio del collar de Angelique que es mágico personalmente yo pienso que los protagonistas son las reencarnaciones de Angelique y Etienne y VanDyke del conde. En fin me ha encantado este libro y me lo he leído en un día un libro de casi 500 páginas todo un récord para mi.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2022
Terminei este mês de Agosto com a leitura de um livro de uma das minhas autoras favoritas.
Já tinha este livro à algum tempo parado na minha estante, mas só agora me deu vontade de o ler e que boa decisão que foi.
Adorei esta narrativa que nos traz uma Maldição, um pouco de arqueologia, uma vingança e tudo isto enredado na enorme atração que é vivida entre a Tate e o Matthew, as duas personagens principais.
Com descrições incríveis, a Nora Roberts apresenta um cenário perfeito, onde o leitor parece que está mesmo a visualizar o fundo do mar e a viver todas as emoções que nos são transmitidas.
Mais um livro que adorei ler desta que para mim é uma autora de conforto.
Já tinha este livro à algum tempo parado na minha estante, mas só agora me deu vontade de o ler e que boa decisão que foi.
Adorei esta narrativa que nos traz uma Maldição, um pouco de arqueologia, uma vingança e tudo isto enredado na enorme atração que é vivida entre a Tate e o Matthew, as duas personagens principais.
Com descrições incríveis, a Nora Roberts apresenta um cenário perfeito, onde o leitor parece que está mesmo a visualizar o fundo do mar e a viver todas as emoções que nos são transmitidas.
Mais um livro que adorei ler desta que para mim é uma autora de conforto.
August 6, 2019
Ambientación 👍
Personajes 😰 (No he conectado en ningún momento)
No lo recomiendo para comenzar con Nora Roberts, creo que tiene libros muchísimo mejores.
Personajes 😰 (No he conectado en ningún momento)
No lo recomiendo para comenzar con Nora Roberts, creo que tiene libros muchísimo mejores.
July 9, 2017
3,5. Porque el romance al principio no me ha convencido, demasiado forzado. Luego mejora muchísimo e incluso ha habido 2 sorpresas que me han dejado con la boca abierta.
August 12, 2023
I thought this might be a fun summer read, but for some reason I could not connect with the writing style.
Wish it was different though because I love summer books set by the water and bonus points if they are thrillers, but it is what it is.
Wish it was different though because I love summer books set by the water and bonus points if they are thrillers, but it is what it is.
December 23, 2025
DNF at 41%
🪸Should I read this? 🪸Probably not. It was boring and hard to get through in my opinon. 🥱
I usually don’t review books that I DNF but I made an exception for this one. Meet my first two star book of the year- The Reef.
I picked this book up from the thrift store thinking it would be a cute summer romance to read at the pool. And it was, at first. I loved the descriptions of the underwater world and the treasure hunt was interesting at first.
🪸🐠
However, the romance between Matthew and Tate felt kind of rushed to me. The first kiss was so random and out of the blue. No tension whatsoever (in my opinion). And I wasn’t even invested in their romance because it lasted like 2 weeks max 😭 and even then Matthew didn’t accept it and kept being like “oh i cant do this 🥺” then changing his mind every 2 seconds.
Also, I hated the part when Buck was like “many females can’t handle diving 🤓” And then Tate took it as a compliment of course 🙄
*SPOILERS*
The shark attack- hello? 🦈 That caught me so off guard. Anyway, then Buck ended up losing his leg and they lost the treasure bc Van Dyke swooped in like a treasure hungry vulture and grabbed it. 🦅 Then there’s a few pages of Van Dyke and his villian arc 😈 while everyone has to hold Matthew back from attacking him 🤬.
Also the stuff Matthew said to Tate? I can’t- he’s such a red flag, 🚩
And then there’s a time skip to like 8 years later… Eight years?? 😀 Anyway by then Matthew is working a job he hates, Tate is on some sort of research ship, her parents are constantly on vacation, and Buck is whiny and grumpy all the time.
Also the random two pages of romance with the professor or whatever- why was that necessary? A. 13. Year. Age. Gap. 💀 💀 💀 Also shocker- Tate impulsively kisses him! What is with this book and “impulsive kisses” 😘 😭 Like Matthew literally kissed Tate’s mom on the lips “impulsively” in the first part 😀💀
Anyway this is where I started to lose it. I had already wanted to DNF this book like 100 pages ago but I have a reading goal so I was like “come on girl, push through.” 😤 So I read like 70 pages more until I finally snapped and was like “im so done with this book”
I shut the cover and flipped to the end, which ends with (spoiler‼️) Van Dyke being in jail and, of course, Matthew and Tate living happily ever after.
⛴️🐠🪸
🪸Should I read this? 🪸Probably not. It was boring and hard to get through in my opinon. 🥱
I usually don’t review books that I DNF but I made an exception for this one. Meet my first two star book of the year- The Reef.
I picked this book up from the thrift store thinking it would be a cute summer romance to read at the pool. And it was, at first. I loved the descriptions of the underwater world and the treasure hunt was interesting at first.
🪸🐠
However, the romance between Matthew and Tate felt kind of rushed to me. The first kiss was so random and out of the blue. No tension whatsoever (in my opinion). And I wasn’t even invested in their romance because it lasted like 2 weeks max 😭 and even then Matthew didn’t accept it and kept being like “oh i cant do this 🥺” then changing his mind every 2 seconds.
Also, I hated the part when Buck was like “many females can’t handle diving 🤓” And then Tate took it as a compliment of course 🙄
*SPOILERS*
The shark attack- hello? 🦈 That caught me so off guard. Anyway, then Buck ended up losing his leg and they lost the treasure bc Van Dyke swooped in like a treasure hungry vulture and grabbed it. 🦅 Then there’s a few pages of Van Dyke and his villian arc 😈 while everyone has to hold Matthew back from attacking him 🤬.
Also the stuff Matthew said to Tate? I can’t- he’s such a red flag, 🚩
And then there’s a time skip to like 8 years later… Eight years?? 😀 Anyway by then Matthew is working a job he hates, Tate is on some sort of research ship, her parents are constantly on vacation, and Buck is whiny and grumpy all the time.
Also the random two pages of romance with the professor or whatever- why was that necessary? A. 13. Year. Age. Gap. 💀 💀 💀 Also shocker- Tate impulsively kisses him! What is with this book and “impulsive kisses” 😘 😭 Like Matthew literally kissed Tate’s mom on the lips “impulsively” in the first part 😀💀
Anyway this is where I started to lose it. I had already wanted to DNF this book like 100 pages ago but I have a reading goal so I was like “come on girl, push through.” 😤 So I read like 70 pages more until I finally snapped and was like “im so done with this book”
I shut the cover and flipped to the end, which ends with (spoiler‼️) Van Dyke being in jail and, of course, Matthew and Tate living happily ever after.
⛴️🐠🪸
August 16, 2013
I really needed a mindless break from work and literary reading I have been doing lately and nothing soothes me quite like a Nora Roberts book. The problem? I have read all of her books and don't normally reread....I made an exception and revisited the first ever NR book that I read (stolen off my mom's shelf in 1998 at the young age of 15). The white sand beach and palm tree on the front cover enticed me to enter the world of Tate, a 20 year old woman who is in college to become a marine archaelogist, and Matthew, a 24 year old wreck diver who is in search of a lost treasure in the Caribbean. Their paths cross (along with Tate's parents and Matthew's uncle) as they spend a magical summer searching for gold and the elusive necklace known as Angelina's Curse. The summer ends in tragedy and heartache but, when the treasure-hunting team gets together eight years later, will the magic - and the romance - be rekindled?
I love this book because of it's marine theme with an added bonus of the vivid imagery that makes me think of my days living and diving in the Caribbean. Soothingly predictable, good-guys win, love conquers all, with a happy-ever-after ending - I remember why this book set me on the path of a 10+ year love affair with NR's books. An added bonus is that I just started her newest novel and it's nice to compare how her writing has grown as her career progressed without losing the magic that I find in her stories.
This isn't my favorite NR book by a long shot (if you're new to her work I would suggest starting elsewhere) but it is a solid romantic suspense read that entertains from cover to cover.
I love this book because of it's marine theme with an added bonus of the vivid imagery that makes me think of my days living and diving in the Caribbean. Soothingly predictable, good-guys win, love conquers all, with a happy-ever-after ending - I remember why this book set me on the path of a 10+ year love affair with NR's books. An added bonus is that I just started her newest novel and it's nice to compare how her writing has grown as her career progressed without losing the magic that I find in her stories.
This isn't my favorite NR book by a long shot (if you're new to her work I would suggest starting elsewhere) but it is a solid romantic suspense read that entertains from cover to cover.
July 26, 2012
I loved all the information about diving/wreck hunting/ and scavenging. The ocean and adventures were beautifully described and it made me want to buy a boat and take some scuba diving lessons. Marla and Ray were a great couple and wonderful parents. Buck was a great crotchety old man and Uncle and I was glad that his character came around after the shark incident. Angeligues curse and the fabled necklace gave the book the right amount of magic and wonder.
Really, the only thing that kept this book from being five stars was the two main characters. They had the exact same problem that I had with the main characters on Black HIlls and their stories were way too similar. Young girl falls in love with boy. Boy dosen't feel he is good enough and decided that the best thing for her is if he breaks off the romance so that she will go to college and do what she loves, which she does. Then they meet later in life and he decided that he must have her and begins to court her even though she is still upset with him. Neither of these guys feels any remorse for breaking the girls heart and they are pushy and demanding.
Really, the only thing that kept this book from being five stars was the two main characters. They had the exact same problem that I had with the main characters on Black HIlls and their stories were way too similar. Young girl falls in love with boy. Boy dosen't feel he is good enough and decided that the best thing for her is if he breaks off the romance so that she will go to college and do what she loves, which she does. Then they meet later in life and he decided that he must have her and begins to court her even though she is still upset with him. Neither of these guys feels any remorse for breaking the girls heart and they are pushy and demanding.
July 21, 2015
One of my favorite Nora Roberts books of all time. It has all the elements that make a great romantic-suspense for me. 1) a treasure hunt 2) real nasty villain and 3) H/h who are reunited after being torn apart.
The young adult love of Tate and Matthew tears your heart out, especially after all that Matthew has had to live through. To have their dream of the Marguerites' treasure and happily ever after torn apart by one of NR's nastiest villains, Silas Vandyke, really made the first part of the book a real tear jerker. But fate, and Nora Roberts, had another destiny in mind for our young lovers.
When Tate and Matthew are brought back together after eight years, Tate is a much more controlled, analytical, cynical person. Having obtained her degrees and with a top reputation, she is not longer starry eyed and sees Matthew through the prism of the pain he caused her. She is so wrong, yet refuses to see that. Finally, Matthew tells her the way things really were and they work together to bring and end to Vandyke and save the Isabella and its treasures.
The young adult love of Tate and Matthew tears your heart out, especially after all that Matthew has had to live through. To have their dream of the Marguerites' treasure and happily ever after torn apart by one of NR's nastiest villains, Silas Vandyke, really made the first part of the book a real tear jerker. But fate, and Nora Roberts, had another destiny in mind for our young lovers.
When Tate and Matthew are brought back together after eight years, Tate is a much more controlled, analytical, cynical person. Having obtained her degrees and with a top reputation, she is not longer starry eyed and sees Matthew through the prism of the pain he caused her. She is so wrong, yet refuses to see that. Finally, Matthew tells her the way things really were and they work together to bring and end to Vandyke and save the Isabella and its treasures.
August 11, 2019
I feel like you can track societal norms of what's acceptable in portrayed romances by what year the novel is written. Compared to a 2011 novel by the same author I just read, this one from 1998 is a whiplash of "why is this girl in love with this guy who did, in fact, assault her and broke her heart but now he feels sorry about it but they're still arguing and not trusting each other with all the facts but just decide to jump into marriage at the end anyway." It reads like a bad writer's room TV romance--too much will-they-won't-they, drawn out arguments and fighting but pushing the main characters together anyway because there's no other options...
Maybe this was swoon-worthy and okay in 1998. 21 years later it's trite and both Tate and Matthew deserve better.
Maybe this was swoon-worthy and okay in 1998. 21 years later it's trite and both Tate and Matthew deserve better.
August 10, 2020
Two-haiku review:
Seek sunken treasure
And she falls madly in love
Can it really last?
Well done characters
Crazy and scary villain
Three-and-a-half stars
A lot of similarities to Nora's early "Treasures Lost, Treasures Found," but much more depth and detail.
Seek sunken treasure
And she falls madly in love
Can it really last?
Well done characters
Crazy and scary villain
Three-and-a-half stars
A lot of similarities to Nora's early "Treasures Lost, Treasures Found," but much more depth and detail.
June 12, 2019
Not the best, but not the worst either. It's rare that I dislike both leading characters in a NR book, but it happens. I enjoyed every word that wasn't about Tate and Matthew's wack relationship.
March 28, 2019
Full of adventure, love, emotions, suspense, action, and experiences for me to live through. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It's gonna be shelf-worthy and something I wouldn't mind reading again. I loved the characters and how well this was written. I could see it so clearly in my mind. Passions and science, give and take, and a perfect ending that I can live with. Great for reading any time. Great for the snuggle-in, lazy-day, escape book. It pulls you in without you realizing it and has you feeling everything. Enjoy!
May 10, 2025
This book was difficult for me to get through. By 50%, I decided to give up and skim read.
I feel like a person who enjoys cliche, old style romances would like this. However, I felt let down with the romance and the story dragged on and on and on in an eye-roll worthy way (much like this review lol).
The characters break up and get together multiple times, every problem they have is due to miscommunication, and the MMC is honestly a red flag for me.
The book is divided into three parts (past, present, future) and takes place on the sea and its depths. Tate (FMC), Matthew (MMC), and others, are scavenging for lost treasures in shipwrecks. The author does a great job describing and immersing the reader into this underwater world. Tate’s passion and imagination as an archeologist brings to life the treasures they find. As a once aspiring archeologist myself, I connected with her. But that was kind of it for me.
Romance
The romance was basically non-existent. Yes, romance is the main focus in the entire book. But I had several annoyances.
◾Tate falls insta-love with Matthew. I hate insta-love b/c there is absolutely no build up, no yearning, no actual romance. One minute she hates having to work with Matthew and the next she is professing her undying love to him
◾This couple breaks up multiple times due to miscommunication and plain stubbornness.
The first time, Matthew decides he can’t drag Tate into his lifestyle. So he says some vile words, becomes a little nasty and forceful with her, and she leaves with her heart broken. They reunite many years later, banter, and quickly become lovers. No resolution of prior miscommunications, so their relationship is rocky b/c they are denying their feelings. They fight and determine, yet again, that they should not be together.
The whole relationship feels back and forth and becomes a massive pain.
Weird Bits…
◾I feel like this author really wanted an age gap or maybe it was just the time this was written. At the start, Tate is a 19 y.o college student and Matthew is 25. Yet he kept acting as if she was incredibly younger.
C’mon. Yes, there is a gap and 19 is very different from 25. But the way it’s written makes it sound like Matthew is pushing 30, has a mortgage, and 3 kids.
After the time skip, Tate is ~28, working as a marine archeologist on a ship. Her coworker is her 41 year old professor (Hayden) who is infatuated with her. More on that later...
◾Everyone kisses everyone on the mouth
Mind you…Marla is Tate’s MOTHER.
Remember Hayden, the 41 year old professor? Well, after the crew makes a massive discovery, Tate goes to wake him up and in her excitement kisses him and he reciprocates. Which is followed by a ‘hehe it’s okay it was just a kiss, I know you wanted to kiss me back, teehee’. Girl what?
This was also Tate and Matt's first kiss -- her being super excited and kissing him spontaneously even though at that point they still ‘disliked’ each other.
◾Tate is quirky, not-like-other-girls. Yes, she has a bright burning passion for the things she loves --like Matt and her job. But we also get lines where she comments how she’s not attractive and doesn’t use makeup and care about her appearance, but then every man that is in her presence is obsessed or attracted to her. She’s the bombshell that winks and flirts but has no idea she’s winking and flirting.
Matthew is not a good man
Throughout the book he struggles with guilt and self-loathing for some unfortunate events that happened in his life. This is the basis of him not feeling good enough for Tate and is supposed to be a source of angst. This could have definitely worked, except I found Matt to feel a bit more unpleasant than I would have liked. He is very quick to anger, which burns violently and red.
One time he holds her by the throat and pushes her against the wall when she is trying to comfort him after a bad situation. Another time he suspects Tate has betrayed him and:
I’m sorry, but in a romance, who wants to read that the FMC is genuinely scared the MMC is going to hurt her? All because, you guessed it, a MISUNDERSTANDING!!
Overall
I think maybe this was a good romance at the time it was written or for the little old ladies that like to read wild romances. But for me, it just did not cut it in so many ways.
I feel like a person who enjoys cliche, old style romances would like this. However, I felt let down with the romance and the story dragged on and on and on in an eye-roll worthy way (much like this review lol).
The characters break up and get together multiple times, every problem they have is due to miscommunication, and the MMC is honestly a red flag for me.
The book is divided into three parts (past, present, future) and takes place on the sea and its depths. Tate (FMC), Matthew (MMC), and others, are scavenging for lost treasures in shipwrecks. The author does a great job describing and immersing the reader into this underwater world. Tate’s passion and imagination as an archeologist brings to life the treasures they find. As a once aspiring archeologist myself, I connected with her. But that was kind of it for me.
Romance
The romance was basically non-existent. Yes, romance is the main focus in the entire book. But I had several annoyances.
◾Tate falls insta-love with Matthew. I hate insta-love b/c there is absolutely no build up, no yearning, no actual romance. One minute she hates having to work with Matthew and the next she is professing her undying love to him
◾This couple breaks up multiple times due to miscommunication and plain stubbornness.
The first time, Matthew decides he can’t drag Tate into his lifestyle. So he says some vile words, becomes a little nasty and forceful with her, and she leaves with her heart broken. They reunite many years later, banter, and quickly become lovers. No resolution of prior miscommunications, so their relationship is rocky b/c they are denying their feelings. They fight and determine, yet again, that they should not be together.
The whole relationship feels back and forth and becomes a massive pain.
Weird Bits…
◾I feel like this author really wanted an age gap or maybe it was just the time this was written. At the start, Tate is a 19 y.o college student and Matthew is 25. Yet he kept acting as if she was incredibly younger.
College girl…He deliberately turned his gaze away from her legs and concentrated on his lunch. All bets were definitely off, he decided. He was nearly twenty-five and didn’t mess with snotty college kids.
It didn’t do much good for him to keep repeating to himself that she was too young…And that voice --half whiskey, half prim lemonade--didn’t belong to a child, but to a woman. Or it should have.
“Careful, little girl,” he murmured.
C’mon. Yes, there is a gap and 19 is very different from 25. But the way it’s written makes it sound like Matthew is pushing 30, has a mortgage, and 3 kids.
After the time skip, Tate is ~28, working as a marine archeologist on a ship. Her coworker is her 41 year old professor (Hayden) who is infatuated with her. More on that later...
◾Everyone kisses everyone on the mouth
“Marla, I’m going to buy you a trawler of shrimp, another of beer.” On impulse, Matthew caught her face in his hands and kissed her full on the mouth. “I love you.”
“Might try telling me that,” Tate mumbled under her breath.
Mind you…Marla is Tate’s MOTHER.
Remember Hayden, the 41 year old professor? Well, after the crew makes a massive discovery, Tate goes to wake him up and in her excitement kisses him and he reciprocates. Which is followed by a ‘hehe it’s okay it was just a kiss, I know you wanted to kiss me back, teehee’. Girl what?
This was also Tate and Matt's first kiss -- her being super excited and kissing him spontaneously even though at that point they still ‘disliked’ each other.
◾Tate is quirky, not-like-other-girls. Yes, she has a bright burning passion for the things she loves --like Matt and her job. But we also get lines where she comments how she’s not attractive and doesn’t use makeup and care about her appearance, but then every man that is in her presence is obsessed or attracted to her. She’s the bombshell that winks and flirts but has no idea she’s winking and flirting.
Matthew is not a good man
Throughout the book he struggles with guilt and self-loathing for some unfortunate events that happened in his life. This is the basis of him not feeling good enough for Tate and is supposed to be a source of angst. This could have definitely worked, except I found Matt to feel a bit more unpleasant than I would have liked. He is very quick to anger, which burns violently and red.
One time he holds her by the throat and pushes her against the wall when she is trying to comfort him after a bad situation. Another time he suspects Tate has betrayed him and:
Staggered, she cringed back from the ripe violence in his face. “Please don’t hurt me.”
I’m sorry, but in a romance, who wants to read that the FMC is genuinely scared the MMC is going to hurt her? All because, you guessed it, a MISUNDERSTANDING!!
Overall
I think maybe this was a good romance at the time it was written or for the little old ladies that like to read wild romances. But for me, it just did not cut it in so many ways.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 821 reviews