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#1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts delivers a thrilling story of family secrets and unexpected passions, set against the high-stakes world of championship thoroughbred racing…
Kelsey Byden always believed that her mother was dead. But now, after all this time, she has discovered the truth: Naomi Chadwick is still alive—after spending years in prison for the murder of her lover.
Now, at Naomi’s Virginia horse farm, Kelsey is trying to sort out a lifetime of deception—and her feelings about her mother. The bonds of love can be fragile...as Kelsey learned from her recently ended marriage. But as the two women rebuild their relationship—and Kelsey finds herself swept into an unsettling new romance—she must decide once and for all who she can trust, and who threatens to betray her…
Kelsey Byden always believed that her mother was dead. But now, after all this time, she has discovered the truth: Naomi Chadwick is still alive—after spending years in prison for the murder of her lover.
Now, at Naomi’s Virginia horse farm, Kelsey is trying to sort out a lifetime of deception—and her feelings about her mother. The bonds of love can be fragile...as Kelsey learned from her recently ended marriage. But as the two women rebuild their relationship—and Kelsey finds herself swept into an unsettling new romance—she must decide once and for all who she can trust, and who threatens to betray her…
560 pages, Paperback
First published June 13, 1995
1163 people are currently reading
6409 people want to read
About the author
Nora Roberts
1,217 books60k 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 509 reviews
August 31, 2019
3,5 No recordaba haberme leído el libro, pero ya lo había hecho. Muy del estilo de Norita. Mientras la ambientación sobre el mundo de los caballos es muy buena, a la historia de amor le ha faltado algo para acabar de convencerme.
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January 11, 2026Another solid romantic suspense that I really enjoyed!! I usually don't love farm settings, but the horse soryline of this one was so interesting to me, and I was hooked from the start. Kelsey has been told her mom has been dead since she was little, but she gets a letter from her mom that she's alive and would like to meet. She visits her mom's horse farm and gets to know her mom and falls in love with taking care of horses and racing. She also starts falling for the infuriating man who owns the horse farm next door who is always around. I actually really loved their romance and how they got together! Her mom really made a life for herself and I loved that she was getting a second chance with her daughter. Someone, though, is sabotaging horse races and they need to figure out who is harming the horses. And then there is a second mystery woven through the story about the past, and I was definitely kept on my toes and shocked by the suspense!
There is a lot of horse information in here, as we all know Nora loves her research and to deep dive into whatever profession our characters have, but I loved it! There are some horse deaths on page, so please be aware of that as well!
There is a lot of horse information in here, as we all know Nora loves her research and to deep dive into whatever profession our characters have, but I loved it! There are some horse deaths on page, so please be aware of that as well!
May 24, 2008
This is one of my favorite Nora Roberts books. Actually, the first time I read it, I thought it was good, but didn't love it. But for whatever reason, the story stuck in my head and I found myself wanting to read it again. So I did, about a year later, I guess. And it became one of my favorites.
The book has a little bit of everything, which is perhaps why I like it so much. Love and betrayal, family reunions, horses, mystery, self-discovery...and so much more. I enjoy the story alone because of the romance that develops between Kelsey and Gabe - they're a fantastic couple - but the plot is one of the best things about the book. It's well-thought-out and engaging, the characters are interesting...I'm just never bored while reading this book. I'm sure someone with a lot of knowledge of horses and the horse racing world could find things to pick at, but to the average reader, everything comes across as logical and reasonable. And as someone with little knowledge of the subject, I wasn't confused at all.
If I had one gripe with this book, it was that the behind-the-scenes antagonist never really had to face what they had done. That kind of annoyed me, but otherwise, I love everything about True Betrayals
The book has a little bit of everything, which is perhaps why I like it so much. Love and betrayal, family reunions, horses, mystery, self-discovery...and so much more. I enjoy the story alone because of the romance that develops between Kelsey and Gabe - they're a fantastic couple - but the plot is one of the best things about the book. It's well-thought-out and engaging, the characters are interesting...I'm just never bored while reading this book. I'm sure someone with a lot of knowledge of horses and the horse racing world could find things to pick at, but to the average reader, everything comes across as logical and reasonable. And as someone with little knowledge of the subject, I wasn't confused at all.
If I had one gripe with this book, it was that the behind-the-scenes antagonist never really had to face what they had done. That kind of annoyed me, but otherwise, I love everything about True Betrayals
June 9, 2016
TRUE BETRAYALS
Written by Nora Roberts
1995; 400 Pages
Genre: romance, contemporary, mystery
4 1/2
Now when I start a Nora Roberts (standalone) novel I go into the book with the mindset of this is a contemporary romance with a slight mystery in the background. With that in mind, I find that I am really enjoying the books. A new book friend told me this is her favourite NR novel and I am happy to say it's on the favourites list for me too.
Kelsey Byden went to pick up her mail and was expecting divorce papers but instead finds a letter from her mother...who she thought was dead. After confronting her beloved father, Philip, she finds out that not only is her mother alive, but she was once in prison for murder. Curiosity can't keep her away so she heads down to Naomi Chadwick's horse farm. At first there is
some tension but Kelsey thinks there is more to the murder and wants to give Naomi a chance. As she learns more about Naomi and the past she finds herself loving the mother that abandoned her. Also keeping her on the farm are the horses and neighbour, Gabe Slater. Gabe also has a troubled past so she finds in him understanding and love. Just when things could not get any better there is a murder, an angry grandmother, another murder and secrets.
Right from page one there is a great hook that keeps you until the last page. I love Kelsey's spunk and fiery passion. Her chemistry with Gabe is hot! Gabe on his own is very steamy indeed. I enjoyed how Naomi and Kelsey started to become mother and in daughter - and their shared passion of horses. I loved to hate Millicent...who makes my own paternal grandmother look like a saint. I recommend this novel to all contemporary romance lovers!
k (My Novelesque Life)
Written by Nora Roberts
1995; 400 Pages
Genre: romance, contemporary, mystery
4 1/2
Now when I start a Nora Roberts (standalone) novel I go into the book with the mindset of this is a contemporary romance with a slight mystery in the background. With that in mind, I find that I am really enjoying the books. A new book friend told me this is her favourite NR novel and I am happy to say it's on the favourites list for me too.
Kelsey Byden went to pick up her mail and was expecting divorce papers but instead finds a letter from her mother...who she thought was dead. After confronting her beloved father, Philip, she finds out that not only is her mother alive, but she was once in prison for murder. Curiosity can't keep her away so she heads down to Naomi Chadwick's horse farm. At first there is
some tension but Kelsey thinks there is more to the murder and wants to give Naomi a chance. As she learns more about Naomi and the past she finds herself loving the mother that abandoned her. Also keeping her on the farm are the horses and neighbour, Gabe Slater. Gabe also has a troubled past so she finds in him understanding and love. Just when things could not get any better there is a murder, an angry grandmother, another murder and secrets.
Right from page one there is a great hook that keeps you until the last page. I love Kelsey's spunk and fiery passion. Her chemistry with Gabe is hot! Gabe on his own is very steamy indeed. I enjoyed how Naomi and Kelsey started to become mother and in daughter - and their shared passion of horses. I loved to hate Millicent...who makes my own paternal grandmother look like a saint. I recommend this novel to all contemporary romance lovers!
k (My Novelesque Life)
April 8, 2023
I usually love Nora's small-town novels with family ties and a touch of wilderness and there are also animals in the story.
I enjoyed it just fine but I didn't love it as much as I thought I would.
While I like some of the side characters the main female protagonist was annoying me a bit.
I enjoyed it just fine but I didn't love it as much as I thought I would.
While I like some of the side characters the main female protagonist was annoying me a bit.
July 11, 2022
July 2022: Bumping this to four stars because it really stands up to rereading. The plot is still convoluted - but the characters are so great. And this is the most quietly romantic thing:
Yeahhhhh. There’s some clunky writing here, and some of that overly pat Nora Roberts description, but the dialogue shines. I like this so much.
February 2021: I decided I should read a few more of the Nora Roberts oxymoron titles, since I found Genuine Lies and Public Secrets so compelling. This is another compelling world. But Roberts ain’t Walter Farley when it comes to describing races, and the plot is a little too convoluted. It’s those central characters, and their little family moments, which make the book work.
“Did it ever occur to you that your family isn’t looking for a compromise either?”
Yeahhhhh. There’s some clunky writing here, and some of that overly pat Nora Roberts description, but the dialogue shines. I like this so much.
February 2021: I decided I should read a few more of the Nora Roberts oxymoron titles, since I found Genuine Lies and Public Secrets so compelling. This is another compelling world. But Roberts ain’t Walter Farley when it comes to describing races, and the plot is a little too convoluted. It’s those central characters, and their little family moments, which make the book work.
June 11, 2022
True Betrayals is another easy, thrilling and enjoyable read by Nora Roberts it's also one of her real early books.
It has all the right ingredients for a great romantic suspense thriller.
Old lie's, new lie's, old love, new love and good old revenge.
Definitely worth reading for and nice easy weekend read 📚
It has all the right ingredients for a great romantic suspense thriller.
Old lie's, new lie's, old love, new love and good old revenge.
Definitely worth reading for and nice easy weekend read 📚
May 7, 2016
This is exactly why I love Nora Roberts books!! Awesome read!!
March 18, 2015
La verdad que el nombre "Traiciones" es muy adecuado para esta historia.
Kelsey y Gabe son el último eslabón de una cadena que comenzó años atrás con un asesinato, un caballo aspirante a ganar el derby, muerto y una mujer culpada y sentenciada por asesinato. Los personajes del pasado y presente giran en una rueda de venganza, codicia, envidia, lujuria, traición, celos...etc. El concepto de los círculos y como las cosas que uno hace vuelven y te golpean en la espalda es un tema frecuente en los libros de Nora Roberts, es parte de la historia ver como las últimas personas sobre las que recae el pasado luchan por no hundirse en él mientras descubren sus sentimientos el uno hacia el otro.
Muy buenos personajes: Kelsey es una mujer fuerte y testaruda, pero en el buen sentido, es lo que la motiva a tomar decisiones por si misma y no ceder a los deseos de su familia. Gabe es un amor! Es un salvaje encantador, si bien tiene un pasado truculento y tendencia a las apuestas, es trabajador y defiende lo que tiene.
Me encantó los mensajes de la historia, todos los paralelismos entre las familias de Kelsey y Gabe y obviamente como se cierran los círculos para dar paso a nuevos círculos. Mi única crítica es que el personaje que inicia todo esta ola de venganza y traición en el pasado, y aviva las llamas en el presente, no recibe el castigo que se merece.... me hubiera gustado que pagara y las personas intermedias también. Como bonus, aprender sobre las carreras de caballos y su cría fue muy interesante.
October 18, 2014
3.5
Terminado. Reconozco que esta mujer sabe como escribir una novela. La ambientación del mundo de las carreras de caballos está muy lograda y, a pesar, que que el malo malisimo de la historia ha estado muy claro desde el principio me ha sabido mantener atrapada en la historia.
Estamos ante una autora de las más consagradas, de la que tan solo he leído dos libros, y los dos me han gustado. Pero no sé, no sé si es porque la temática contemporánea no consigue realmente emocionarme, pero sus libros no consiguen "encantarme". Son buenos, pero no logra emocionarme con sus historias de amor. Y lo que busco es algo tan terriblemente difícil como que provoquen sentimientos.
Terminado. Reconozco que esta mujer sabe como escribir una novela. La ambientación del mundo de las carreras de caballos está muy lograda y, a pesar, que que el malo malisimo de la historia ha estado muy claro desde el principio me ha sabido mantener atrapada en la historia.
Estamos ante una autora de las más consagradas, de la que tan solo he leído dos libros, y los dos me han gustado. Pero no sé, no sé si es porque la temática contemporánea no consigue realmente emocionarme, pero sus libros no consiguen "encantarme". Son buenos, pero no logra emocionarme con sus historias de amor. Y lo que busco es algo tan terriblemente difícil como que provoquen sentimientos.
December 9, 2023
I need to clarify that this book is definitely not what I would usually (or ever) pick up. I read it because it was a part of a reading challenge. So, if you like this sort of books, you will probably rate it higher.
We have a pretty wild family story and a beautiful setting.
I liked the writing style and I genuinely think the plot was good. The characters were quite endearing. There was nuance and high stakes. The romance was on point and both the main character and love interest were easy to like.
I liked the mother-daughter relationship exploration, it was very well done.
I am glad I read it and would recommend to people who are looking for a good contemporary romance with a generous dose of family drama.
We have a pretty wild family story and a beautiful setting.
I liked the writing style and I genuinely think the plot was good. The characters were quite endearing. There was nuance and high stakes. The romance was on point and both the main character and love interest were easy to like.
I liked the mother-daughter relationship exploration, it was very well done.
I am glad I read it and would recommend to people who are looking for a good contemporary romance with a generous dose of family drama.
November 25, 2009
Same old lust-at-first-sight and sex scenes that are just moved from book to book automatically. Nora Roberts is a better writer than she thinks she is. Though the surface plot is obvious, the issues and subplots are really good, sometimes thought-provoking. The use of horseracing as a background made for interesting settings and descriptions. I wish she would ditch the hash and write a novel worthy of herself.
November 14, 2019
When Nora books are fun, they are FUN. While the ship was only okay (as in no complaints but I didn't CARE), I was super invested in this murder mystery centered on the high stakes world of competitive horse racing from the very start, and my interest never waned. The strongest aspect emotionally was Naomi's slowly strengthening relationship with her mother.
June 11, 2020
I love, love audio books and the opportunity to go back and "re-read" old favorites. And Nora Roberts never disappoints!
July 19, 2022
I love it when I find a Nora Roberts book I haven't read before.
December 1, 2023
#RetoPlaneta del mes de noviembre.
El libro me gustó mucho la primera vez que lo leí. Entonces decidí releerlo.
Pero no conté con que me iba acordar de quien era el "villano". Eso le saco cierta chispa a el libro.
El libro me gustó mucho la primera vez que lo leí. Entonces decidí releerlo.
Pero no conté con que me iba acordar de quien era el "villano". Eso le saco cierta chispa a el libro.
September 6, 2020
Kaikkea sitä tuleekin luettua.
November 30, 2014
Wist je dit?
Onder het pseudoniem J.D. Robb schreef ze ook 38 misdaadromans, de 'in Death' serie.
Het zal je maar overkomen dat je een brief krijgt van je doodgewaande moeder. Dan blijkt ook nog dat je vader en je grootmoeder je al jaren voorgelogen hebben over dit feit.
Dit is de dag waarop ze haar man verloor en een moeder had gewonnen, zo gaat het door Kelsey's hoofd.
Overstuur rijdt ze meteen naar Three Willows waar haar moeder op een stoeterij woont waarvan ze eigenaresse is.
Een prachtige cover die aan de achterkant doorloopt laat een smeedijzeren poort met hoefijzers op witte stenen toegangspalen zien in een bloemrijke omgeving. Dat geeft de sfeer goed weer van de vruchtbare omgeving waar dit verhaal zich afspeelt.
Kelsey besluit een tijdje bij haar moeder te gaan wonen om haar te leren kennen. Ondanks het verkeerde begin klikt het goed tussen moeder en dochter. Ze leert ook Gabe, een buurman van haar moeder kennen, met wie ze eveneens bijzonder goed op kan schieten.
Er gebeuren dingen die haar verblijf minder leuk maken. Een lastige ex-echtgenoot blijft haar telefonisch lastigvallen. Ze heeft een duidelijke streep door hun relatie gezet, maar wil iedereen dat wel?
Ze gaat samen met Gabe aan de slag om de onderste steen boven te krijgen. Over het hoe en waarom in verband met haar moeders' gevangenisstraf. Maar men zit nooit echt te wachten op wat er te voorschijn komt blijkt al snel. Niet alleen bij haar is dat het geval, maar ook bij een aantal andere personages in dit verhaal.
Het is duidelijk dat Nora Roberts de omgeving waarin dit verhaal zich afspeelt, als haar broekzak kent. Ze heeft een heerlijke schrijfstijl waardoor je als lezer geboeid blijft lezen. Ze schrijft net zo vlot uit het oogpunt van een man als dat van een vrouw. Dat ze altijd tussen mannen heeft geleefd is een plus gebleken. Ze kent de psyche van de man, dat is duidelijk.
Kelsey komt heel dicht bij de waarheid, dat gaat niet zonder gevaar voor haar en haar omgeving.
Ze wil beschermen en verdedigen.
Maar dan komt iets boven water waar iemand niet mee kan leven. Letterlijk. Iets over de man wiens bloed door zijn aderen stroomt en bovendien iets over zichzelf.
Maar er zijn geen pasklare antwoorden, zo blijkt.
Het plot wordt knap opgebouwd. Er komt meer bij kijken dan ik verwacht had toen ik in dit boek begon te lezen. Het is inmiddels uitgegroeid naar een bijzonder spannende roman. Alle dingen kloppen uiteindelijk, het past als een handschoen.
Dit boek heeft alles in zich waarover een lezer wil lezen: hebzucht, liefde, haat, familie, jaloezie en onbegrip. Maar ook moord en doodslag zijn aanwezig. Niet zomaar een roman.
Pas op de laatste bladzijde is duidelijk hoe tot de keuze van de titel Dageraad op Three Willows gekomen is.
Deze auteur heeft met haar boeiende schrijfstijl gezorgd voor urenlang leesplezier.
Onder het pseudoniem J.D. Robb schreef ze ook 38 misdaadromans, de 'in Death' serie.
Het zal je maar overkomen dat je een brief krijgt van je doodgewaande moeder. Dan blijkt ook nog dat je vader en je grootmoeder je al jaren voorgelogen hebben over dit feit.
Dit is de dag waarop ze haar man verloor en een moeder had gewonnen, zo gaat het door Kelsey's hoofd.
Overstuur rijdt ze meteen naar Three Willows waar haar moeder op een stoeterij woont waarvan ze eigenaresse is.
Een prachtige cover die aan de achterkant doorloopt laat een smeedijzeren poort met hoefijzers op witte stenen toegangspalen zien in een bloemrijke omgeving. Dat geeft de sfeer goed weer van de vruchtbare omgeving waar dit verhaal zich afspeelt.
Kelsey besluit een tijdje bij haar moeder te gaan wonen om haar te leren kennen. Ondanks het verkeerde begin klikt het goed tussen moeder en dochter. Ze leert ook Gabe, een buurman van haar moeder kennen, met wie ze eveneens bijzonder goed op kan schieten.
Er gebeuren dingen die haar verblijf minder leuk maken. Een lastige ex-echtgenoot blijft haar telefonisch lastigvallen. Ze heeft een duidelijke streep door hun relatie gezet, maar wil iedereen dat wel?
Ze gaat samen met Gabe aan de slag om de onderste steen boven te krijgen. Over het hoe en waarom in verband met haar moeders' gevangenisstraf. Maar men zit nooit echt te wachten op wat er te voorschijn komt blijkt al snel. Niet alleen bij haar is dat het geval, maar ook bij een aantal andere personages in dit verhaal.
Het is duidelijk dat Nora Roberts de omgeving waarin dit verhaal zich afspeelt, als haar broekzak kent. Ze heeft een heerlijke schrijfstijl waardoor je als lezer geboeid blijft lezen. Ze schrijft net zo vlot uit het oogpunt van een man als dat van een vrouw. Dat ze altijd tussen mannen heeft geleefd is een plus gebleken. Ze kent de psyche van de man, dat is duidelijk.
Kelsey komt heel dicht bij de waarheid, dat gaat niet zonder gevaar voor haar en haar omgeving.
Ze wil beschermen en verdedigen.
Maar dan komt iets boven water waar iemand niet mee kan leven. Letterlijk. Iets over de man wiens bloed door zijn aderen stroomt en bovendien iets over zichzelf.
Maar er zijn geen pasklare antwoorden, zo blijkt.
Het plot wordt knap opgebouwd. Er komt meer bij kijken dan ik verwacht had toen ik in dit boek begon te lezen. Het is inmiddels uitgegroeid naar een bijzonder spannende roman. Alle dingen kloppen uiteindelijk, het past als een handschoen.
Dit boek heeft alles in zich waarover een lezer wil lezen: hebzucht, liefde, haat, familie, jaloezie en onbegrip. Maar ook moord en doodslag zijn aanwezig. Niet zomaar een roman.
Pas op de laatste bladzijde is duidelijk hoe tot de keuze van de titel Dageraad op Three Willows gekomen is.
Deze auteur heeft met haar boeiende schrijfstijl gezorgd voor urenlang leesplezier.
February 20, 2022
True Betrayals centers around a woman finally coming to terms with who she is and the fantastic romance she finds along the way.
Kelsey Byden thought her mother, Naomi Chadwick, died when she was three years old, but after receiving a letter in the mail she learns the truth. Naomi isn’t dead, she was in prison for murder and she would now like the chance to get to know Kelsey. After traveling to Naomi’s horse farm, Kelsey begins to slowly get to know Naomi while also dealing with a new and unexpected romance.
Kelsey has spent her life flitting from one interest to the next, never sticking with one thing for long. Her issue is that she’s interested in so many different things but it’s not until she tries something that she realizes it’s not something she’s passionate about. Through getting to know Naomi and spending time on Naomi’s farm, Kelsey discovers one thing she is passionate about is horses. I loved watching Kelsey come alive while working with the horses and how much she came to love them.
Kelsey’s love interest in the book is Gabe, the owner of the horse farm next to Naomi’s. Gabe is a gambler through and through. He even acquired his farm in a poker game after the previous owner didn’t have enough money to cover their losses. I enjoyed the push-pull of Kelsey and Gabe’s relationship. They’re both immediately attracted to one another, but it takes time for them to work through their reservations before their relationship progresses. One thing I really liked about their relationship is that once the pair realize they’ve fallen for one another, they’re all in and hold nothing back.
Beyond Kelsey’s romance and getting to know her mother, there’s a plot line dealing with individuals trying to sabotage Naomi’s horses/farm. You learn fairly quickly who is behind everything but the reasoning behind the sabotage isn’t revealed until a decent way through the book. I found the sabotage plot to be quite interesting and I liked that the characters didn’t realize at first that everything going on was deliberately being caused by someone. I thought the ending to the storyline was fantastic and I enjoyed how the characters handled everything.
Overall True Betrayals is one of my favorite Nora Roberts books and it’s one I reread every few years. If you’re in the mood for a great contemporary romance, I definitely recommend this one.
Kelsey Byden thought her mother, Naomi Chadwick, died when she was three years old, but after receiving a letter in the mail she learns the truth. Naomi isn’t dead, she was in prison for murder and she would now like the chance to get to know Kelsey. After traveling to Naomi’s horse farm, Kelsey begins to slowly get to know Naomi while also dealing with a new and unexpected romance.
Kelsey has spent her life flitting from one interest to the next, never sticking with one thing for long. Her issue is that she’s interested in so many different things but it’s not until she tries something that she realizes it’s not something she’s passionate about. Through getting to know Naomi and spending time on Naomi’s farm, Kelsey discovers one thing she is passionate about is horses. I loved watching Kelsey come alive while working with the horses and how much she came to love them.
Kelsey’s love interest in the book is Gabe, the owner of the horse farm next to Naomi’s. Gabe is a gambler through and through. He even acquired his farm in a poker game after the previous owner didn’t have enough money to cover their losses. I enjoyed the push-pull of Kelsey and Gabe’s relationship. They’re both immediately attracted to one another, but it takes time for them to work through their reservations before their relationship progresses. One thing I really liked about their relationship is that once the pair realize they’ve fallen for one another, they’re all in and hold nothing back.
Beyond Kelsey’s romance and getting to know her mother, there’s a plot line dealing with individuals trying to sabotage Naomi’s horses/farm. You learn fairly quickly who is behind everything but the reasoning behind the sabotage isn’t revealed until a decent way through the book. I found the sabotage plot to be quite interesting and I liked that the characters didn’t realize at first that everything going on was deliberately being caused by someone. I thought the ending to the storyline was fantastic and I enjoyed how the characters handled everything.
Overall True Betrayals is one of my favorite Nora Roberts books and it’s one I reread every few years. If you’re in the mood for a great contemporary romance, I definitely recommend this one.
July 31, 2023
I feel like I’ve seen books by this author everywhere I go. I even remember seeing them sitting on tables in my grandmas house when I was little. So…I thought I’d give one of her novels a go for the first time.
Maybe this particular one was not a great choice to start with. 🤷🏼♀️ As I began reading… I immediately had to look up the date in which it was written, because the tone seemed very dated….yup, written in ‘95. Which really doesn’t seem that long ago considering I was in high school…and dang it, I am not old!! But it felt very dated!
The storyline itself was very intriguing. I had no idea it was a murder mystery… and that is what kept me up late some nights reading away when I should have been sleeping. Quietly trying to turn pages so not to wake up the husband.
Regretting my life choices the next day as I tiredly slump through my day.
The romance scenes, however, were a bit gag inducing and eye rolling. Again, I’m not sure it’s because of the dating of the book, or if that’s just her style? I would never consider myself a “feministic” type of woman, but I certainly don’t want a man talking to me the way Gabe talked to Kelsey. Yeah…not my jam!
Overall, I feel like for how popular of an author she is, maybe I need to give her a second go. Do some research, find another one of her books to read, give her a little better of a chance before I write her off.
Maybe this particular book just wasn’t for me. Again, I was quite sucked in with the murder mystery portion…and I adore horses…but the rest of it was just Meh.
What are your favorite Nora Roberts books? I’m totally taking recommendations.
Maybe this particular one was not a great choice to start with. 🤷🏼♀️ As I began reading… I immediately had to look up the date in which it was written, because the tone seemed very dated….yup, written in ‘95. Which really doesn’t seem that long ago considering I was in high school…and dang it, I am not old!! But it felt very dated!
The storyline itself was very intriguing. I had no idea it was a murder mystery… and that is what kept me up late some nights reading away when I should have been sleeping. Quietly trying to turn pages so not to wake up the husband.
Regretting my life choices the next day as I tiredly slump through my day.
The romance scenes, however, were a bit gag inducing and eye rolling. Again, I’m not sure it’s because of the dating of the book, or if that’s just her style? I would never consider myself a “feministic” type of woman, but I certainly don’t want a man talking to me the way Gabe talked to Kelsey. Yeah…not my jam!
Overall, I feel like for how popular of an author she is, maybe I need to give her a second go. Do some research, find another one of her books to read, give her a little better of a chance before I write her off.
Maybe this particular book just wasn’t for me. Again, I was quite sucked in with the murder mystery portion…and I adore horses…but the rest of it was just Meh.
What are your favorite Nora Roberts books? I’m totally taking recommendations.
July 12, 2023
4.5. I haven't loved a Nora this much in awhile. This was such a full-package of a romance with a sexy, but mature couple who had their own demons but worked through them together. The setting of 2 horse ranches and horse racing/the Derby was really interesting! Plenty of mystery/thriller elements in here as well and honestly I think it would be a good introduction to Nora Roberts or an introduction to romance. I also loved how this was old-school (and yes, I know it was written in the 90's so it actually IS old-school) and gave us more of a slow burn with the couple not having sex until past 50%! I've been feeling that in the newer contemporary romances, the couple gets together so quick and also there's no progression like there used to be - it's always one kiss leads to sex and boom. Whereas I enjoy the more general:
1. First kiss that knocks their socks off
2. Heavy makeout session with petting gets out of hand
3. Then maybe sex or even let's prolong it and they are able to just pleasure each other (typically man pleasures the woman because hello - this is a genre with the primary audience of women)
4. THEN mind-blowing sex.
Lol this was more detailed than necessary, but it's one of those things that's been mucking around in my brain lately and I needed to get it out.
1. First kiss that knocks their socks off
2. Heavy makeout session with petting gets out of hand
3. Then maybe sex or even let's prolong it and they are able to just pleasure each other (typically man pleasures the woman because hello - this is a genre with the primary audience of women)
4. THEN mind-blowing sex.
Lol this was more detailed than necessary, but it's one of those things that's been mucking around in my brain lately and I needed to get it out.
September 2, 2015
this story had horses. And romance. And redemption. Enjoyed it.
June 19, 2017
Kelsey Byden has spent 23 years of her 26-year-long life thinking her mother was dead. Imagine her surprise when she receives a letter from one Naomi Chadwick, her mother, back from the dead.
Despite the objections of her grandmother and stepmother, Kelsey decides to contact the woman who gave birth to her, and soon moves to the woman’s horse ranch.
As she slowly gets to know her mother, Kelsey finally realizes the life before moving to the Virginia countryside was no life at all, and her moving from hobby to hobby, and job to job, was merely searching for her true goal in life. A goal she’s finally found.
But as Kelsey gets accustomed to her new life, her true purpose, and the possibility of a long-term relationship with her mother’s charming neighbor, Gabriel Slater, a ghost from the past is slowly rising, determined to ruin all Naomi, Kelsey, and Gabe have accomplished.
My “experience” with Nora Roberts’s early books is hit-and-miss, unfortunately. And as I started this one, I honestly feared this would fall under the “miss” category, mostly because I didn’t particularly like the heroine or her actions and behavior. She sounded selfish, shallow, and, yes, spoiled.
I could not have been more wrong, though, and after a few chapters, and once Kelsey was out of the grasp of her blue-blooded family for whom appearances were everything, no matter who suffered for them, and moved to the country, I realized the spoiled brat was just the veneer, a mask she used to keep up those appearances, and to keep doubts about what her true place in life was, at bay.
Everything, not just the heroine, was different in the country, actually. The narration was different, the descriptions more vivid, the pacing steadier, the characters well-developed and realistic, the emotions stronger, the intensity higher.
I loved the relationship between long-lost mother and daughter. It built up slowly, steadily, its progress organic. The romance between Kelsey and Gabe, on the other hand, was much quicker to develop and progress, yet didn’t feel rushed, but just perfect, the tempo of it very much suited for both their characters. Despite their different upbringing these two were quite similar in lots of ways, leaning new things and how to adapt in the way they were complete opposites.
If Kelsey were truly that woman we got to know at the beginning, the polished, flighty socialite, their romance would not have worked, but since deep down she was just as passionate, just as emotion-driven, and just as stubborn as Gabe, they worked together more than nicely.
But what drew the story forward, what fueled the intensity, what kept me turning the pages, was the suspense. The twists and turns of it all, the danger both to humans and animals, the horrible ends people were willing to go to accomplish a goal, be it keep someone in line, punish someone, get rich, or simply to get rid of an unwelcome individual, were chilling, and strangely fascinating.
Some of those got their comeuppance, but I was sorry the biggest sociopath (the behavior and utterly remorseless responses made me think of that word) came through it without a scratch. This main villain, the one who put things in motion all those years ago only to repeat the process twenty-three years later, was rather predictable, but I didn’t mind, I was looking forward to the discovery and the punishment, only to be disappointed the punishment was lacking.
Oh well, the other baddie got what was coming, so I’m happy.
This book had it all; great characters, explosive chemistry, wonderfully sexy romance, mystery and secrets, suspense, danger and drama. Loved it.
Despite the objections of her grandmother and stepmother, Kelsey decides to contact the woman who gave birth to her, and soon moves to the woman’s horse ranch.
As she slowly gets to know her mother, Kelsey finally realizes the life before moving to the Virginia countryside was no life at all, and her moving from hobby to hobby, and job to job, was merely searching for her true goal in life. A goal she’s finally found.
But as Kelsey gets accustomed to her new life, her true purpose, and the possibility of a long-term relationship with her mother’s charming neighbor, Gabriel Slater, a ghost from the past is slowly rising, determined to ruin all Naomi, Kelsey, and Gabe have accomplished.
My “experience” with Nora Roberts’s early books is hit-and-miss, unfortunately. And as I started this one, I honestly feared this would fall under the “miss” category, mostly because I didn’t particularly like the heroine or her actions and behavior. She sounded selfish, shallow, and, yes, spoiled.
I could not have been more wrong, though, and after a few chapters, and once Kelsey was out of the grasp of her blue-blooded family for whom appearances were everything, no matter who suffered for them, and moved to the country, I realized the spoiled brat was just the veneer, a mask she used to keep up those appearances, and to keep doubts about what her true place in life was, at bay.
Everything, not just the heroine, was different in the country, actually. The narration was different, the descriptions more vivid, the pacing steadier, the characters well-developed and realistic, the emotions stronger, the intensity higher.
I loved the relationship between long-lost mother and daughter. It built up slowly, steadily, its progress organic. The romance between Kelsey and Gabe, on the other hand, was much quicker to develop and progress, yet didn’t feel rushed, but just perfect, the tempo of it very much suited for both their characters. Despite their different upbringing these two were quite similar in lots of ways, leaning new things and how to adapt in the way they were complete opposites.
If Kelsey were truly that woman we got to know at the beginning, the polished, flighty socialite, their romance would not have worked, but since deep down she was just as passionate, just as emotion-driven, and just as stubborn as Gabe, they worked together more than nicely.
But what drew the story forward, what fueled the intensity, what kept me turning the pages, was the suspense. The twists and turns of it all, the danger both to humans and animals, the horrible ends people were willing to go to accomplish a goal, be it keep someone in line, punish someone, get rich, or simply to get rid of an unwelcome individual, were chilling, and strangely fascinating.
Some of those got their comeuppance, but I was sorry the biggest sociopath (the behavior and utterly remorseless responses made me think of that word) came through it without a scratch. This main villain, the one who put things in motion all those years ago only to repeat the process twenty-three years later, was rather predictable, but I didn’t mind, I was looking forward to the discovery and the punishment, only to be disappointed the punishment was lacking.
Oh well, the other baddie got what was coming, so I’m happy.
This book had it all; great characters, explosive chemistry, wonderfully sexy romance, mystery and secrets, suspense, danger and drama. Loved it.
October 10, 2012
Setting:
family well to do home; Three Willows, Virginia; Cunningham Farm, Virginia; various race tracks – as going for the triple crown.
Theme:
Lies; love – family, parental/child, man/woman; protection; pride; manipulation and control of others; self-discovery.
Characters:
Kelsey Byden – approaching 30; loved and pampered, especially by father; raised by father then with stepmother that she got along with reasonably well; influenced by a grandmother who enforced proper behavior for one of her station; a perpetual student, currently working in an art gallery; trust fund from grandfather; had tried out different careers and areas of interest; married a man acceptable to her grandmother, but left him 2 years earlier when she found him in bed with someone else. On the day the divorce was finaled, she received a letter from the mother she thought was dead.
Naomi Chadwick – owner of Three Willows; Kelsey’s mother; as university student fell in love with her English professor and married and had a baby – but she was a bit too wild/social and her heart belonged in the country with her work horses so when child 4, they separated and a custody battle ensued. She went out and partied and flirted, but did not take any lovers – a bit to get back at her ex-husband. When one of her beaus pushed too hard, she told him to leave her alone; he showed up at her house, and threatened to rape her – she pulled out a gun and shot him; she was convicted of manslaughter and served 10 years in prison; she asked her ex-husband to tell their daughter that she was dead – she did not want her to grow up with the stigmatism. She’s been back at Three Willows, is raising horse racers, and she invites her daughter to get to know her.
Gabe Slater – owner of Cunningham Farm; Naomi’s neighbor and good friend (younger than him); raised by a con artist father with whom he broke with many years earlier; served a short term for cheating at gambling; won Cunningham Farms (where he had legitimately worked at when a teen) in a poker game, and has thrown himself into it all – keeping most of the staff on – and has a hopeful for the triple crown.
Moses Whitetree – head manager on Three Willows – fell in love with young Naomi, and when she got out of jail, became her lover, her support.
Philip Byden – Kelsey’s father; against mother’s wishes, married Naomi but got in over his head; allowed his mother too much say in his marriage, divorce, and custody of daughter; loves his daughter, sees his exwife in his daughter – both looks and temperament; has regrets for how handled the past.
Candace and Channing Byden – Philips 2nd wife and step son… they are acceptable to Milicent, and she is good for Philip. Channing is in college, pushed into following in family footsteps to be a doctor, but he wants to be a veterinarian – and finds the courage to follow his own dream once on the horse farm with Kelsey, Naomi, and Moses.
Alec Bradley – well to do family with little money; drugs and drink; known to take money from rich woman as escort and/or lover; hired by Milicent to woo Naomi and put her in compromising positions; when she sends him away on the night he’s supposed to set her up for the final PI pictures, he goes to her house, they fight again, he follows her to her room and will rape her to get the pictures he’s been paid for, but she pulls out a gun and shoots him dead.
Rick Slater – Gabe’s father; got involved with the grooms at Cunningham farms where his son worked, and drugged a horse, guaranteeing the horse he bet on would win (laying the groundwork for who to deal with and how to get around security when in present day he’s out to get his son); made a few passes at the divorcee Naomi, and still remembers how she cut him down; he’s in trouble because of getting caught cheating, goes to Gabe intending to live off him on the ‘farm’, but Gabe sends him away with $5,000… so he’s out to hurt his son, and then Naomi/Kelsey when they come back under his radar, and to get money from his son’s misfortune.
Milicent Byden – Her disapproving attitude toward Naomi threw up road blocks between Naomi and her husband; when it appeared that Naomi would win the custody battle, and she so fervently believed that would damage Kelsey, she hired a young PI to get compromising pictures of Naomi and Rick (whom she hired to compromise her). When the PI came to her with the pictures of the night of Alec’s death (most which were taken to show her in a bad light), she told him to go to the police with a skewed story of what he saw – making it look as if Naomi cold-bloodedly killed Alec, and that though they argued, Alec was not a threat.
PI – young when approached by Milicent, and felt guilty for years for the role he played in putting an innocent woman in jail. 20 years later when Kelsey approaches him for the truth, then Milicent and Rich want more lies from him, he decides to got to Kelsey and Gabe and tell them the truth of what happened – to do right this time.
Summary:
When Kelsey gets the letter, and after confronting her father and grandmother, she goes to meet Naomi… Naomi only expects to build some sort of adult relationship with her daughter, especially now that she is at loose ends, but secretly hopes for more. Naomi invites her to the farm for a month, to give them time, and Kelsey accepts (though only after her grandmother pushes the wrong buttons).
And Kelsey comes to know and lover her mother, and the horses, and horse racing. Gabe is overwhelming in his pursuit of her – a woman who touches him on a level no one ever has before. They become lovers, friends, than married.
Both farms have a horse running in the Kentucky Derby – one groom is killed on Gabe’s farm, in the horse’ stall – and then Naomi’s horse runs the race of his life, about to win, but drops dead – from an overdose of an amphetamine made to look like Gabe was trying to win illegally (quickly defused). Gabe’s father is the one to orchestrate the overdose, trying to get his son blamed, and winning a lot of money. Gabe’s horse ultimately wins the triple crown, with Kelsey at his side. For the final race of the crown, Rich is again trying to damage the horse (bet against it & win lots), but the two who did it before feel too remorseful, and cannot do it again (one killing himself rather than face the music)… he ends up losing a lot of money, and panics, and blames Gabe and decides to go after who Gabe loves.
Kelsey, hearing as much as Naomi can confide about a difficult time, is convinced that her mother was innocent, and pursues leads to prove it – talking with the PI, the police detective, with grooms – and ultimately she learns the truth of what her grandmother did. Gabe leaves her at home, Naomi has taken a sleeping pill so she can’t tell her of the horrors of her grandmother, and Rich goes after what Gabe loves… he knocks Kelsey around, who finally gets away to her mother’s room (her mother is groggy from the sleeping pill), but when he breaks in, she has her mother’s gun and shoots him … and Gabe shows up, police are called, and while Gabe nursing and talking with Kelsey, Naomi is taking the blame, confessing to shooting Rich, trying to protect her daughter… but Kelsey comes down, and sets the record straight, and the evidence supports her… ahhhh
And Philip comes to Naomi to express his sorrow over what his mother did, to make peace with a woman he loved yet did not believe in. and Kelsey and Gabe live happily ever after.
Memorable scenes:
Touching scene with Naomi and Moses, grieving a bit for what never was (family, children, marriage).
family well to do home; Three Willows, Virginia; Cunningham Farm, Virginia; various race tracks – as going for the triple crown.
Theme:
Lies; love – family, parental/child, man/woman; protection; pride; manipulation and control of others; self-discovery.
Characters:
Kelsey Byden – approaching 30; loved and pampered, especially by father; raised by father then with stepmother that she got along with reasonably well; influenced by a grandmother who enforced proper behavior for one of her station; a perpetual student, currently working in an art gallery; trust fund from grandfather; had tried out different careers and areas of interest; married a man acceptable to her grandmother, but left him 2 years earlier when she found him in bed with someone else. On the day the divorce was finaled, she received a letter from the mother she thought was dead.
Naomi Chadwick – owner of Three Willows; Kelsey’s mother; as university student fell in love with her English professor and married and had a baby – but she was a bit too wild/social and her heart belonged in the country with her work horses so when child 4, they separated and a custody battle ensued. She went out and partied and flirted, but did not take any lovers – a bit to get back at her ex-husband. When one of her beaus pushed too hard, she told him to leave her alone; he showed up at her house, and threatened to rape her – she pulled out a gun and shot him; she was convicted of manslaughter and served 10 years in prison; she asked her ex-husband to tell their daughter that she was dead – she did not want her to grow up with the stigmatism. She’s been back at Three Willows, is raising horse racers, and she invites her daughter to get to know her.
Gabe Slater – owner of Cunningham Farm; Naomi’s neighbor and good friend (younger than him); raised by a con artist father with whom he broke with many years earlier; served a short term for cheating at gambling; won Cunningham Farms (where he had legitimately worked at when a teen) in a poker game, and has thrown himself into it all – keeping most of the staff on – and has a hopeful for the triple crown.
Moses Whitetree – head manager on Three Willows – fell in love with young Naomi, and when she got out of jail, became her lover, her support.
Philip Byden – Kelsey’s father; against mother’s wishes, married Naomi but got in over his head; allowed his mother too much say in his marriage, divorce, and custody of daughter; loves his daughter, sees his exwife in his daughter – both looks and temperament; has regrets for how handled the past.
Candace and Channing Byden – Philips 2nd wife and step son… they are acceptable to Milicent, and she is good for Philip. Channing is in college, pushed into following in family footsteps to be a doctor, but he wants to be a veterinarian – and finds the courage to follow his own dream once on the horse farm with Kelsey, Naomi, and Moses.
Alec Bradley – well to do family with little money; drugs and drink; known to take money from rich woman as escort and/or lover; hired by Milicent to woo Naomi and put her in compromising positions; when she sends him away on the night he’s supposed to set her up for the final PI pictures, he goes to her house, they fight again, he follows her to her room and will rape her to get the pictures he’s been paid for, but she pulls out a gun and shoots him dead.
Rick Slater – Gabe’s father; got involved with the grooms at Cunningham farms where his son worked, and drugged a horse, guaranteeing the horse he bet on would win (laying the groundwork for who to deal with and how to get around security when in present day he’s out to get his son); made a few passes at the divorcee Naomi, and still remembers how she cut him down; he’s in trouble because of getting caught cheating, goes to Gabe intending to live off him on the ‘farm’, but Gabe sends him away with $5,000… so he’s out to hurt his son, and then Naomi/Kelsey when they come back under his radar, and to get money from his son’s misfortune.
Milicent Byden – Her disapproving attitude toward Naomi threw up road blocks between Naomi and her husband; when it appeared that Naomi would win the custody battle, and she so fervently believed that would damage Kelsey, she hired a young PI to get compromising pictures of Naomi and Rick (whom she hired to compromise her). When the PI came to her with the pictures of the night of Alec’s death (most which were taken to show her in a bad light), she told him to go to the police with a skewed story of what he saw – making it look as if Naomi cold-bloodedly killed Alec, and that though they argued, Alec was not a threat.
PI – young when approached by Milicent, and felt guilty for years for the role he played in putting an innocent woman in jail. 20 years later when Kelsey approaches him for the truth, then Milicent and Rich want more lies from him, he decides to got to Kelsey and Gabe and tell them the truth of what happened – to do right this time.
Summary:
When Kelsey gets the letter, and after confronting her father and grandmother, she goes to meet Naomi… Naomi only expects to build some sort of adult relationship with her daughter, especially now that she is at loose ends, but secretly hopes for more. Naomi invites her to the farm for a month, to give them time, and Kelsey accepts (though only after her grandmother pushes the wrong buttons).
And Kelsey comes to know and lover her mother, and the horses, and horse racing. Gabe is overwhelming in his pursuit of her – a woman who touches him on a level no one ever has before. They become lovers, friends, than married.
Both farms have a horse running in the Kentucky Derby – one groom is killed on Gabe’s farm, in the horse’ stall – and then Naomi’s horse runs the race of his life, about to win, but drops dead – from an overdose of an amphetamine made to look like Gabe was trying to win illegally (quickly defused). Gabe’s father is the one to orchestrate the overdose, trying to get his son blamed, and winning a lot of money. Gabe’s horse ultimately wins the triple crown, with Kelsey at his side. For the final race of the crown, Rich is again trying to damage the horse (bet against it & win lots), but the two who did it before feel too remorseful, and cannot do it again (one killing himself rather than face the music)… he ends up losing a lot of money, and panics, and blames Gabe and decides to go after who Gabe loves.
Kelsey, hearing as much as Naomi can confide about a difficult time, is convinced that her mother was innocent, and pursues leads to prove it – talking with the PI, the police detective, with grooms – and ultimately she learns the truth of what her grandmother did. Gabe leaves her at home, Naomi has taken a sleeping pill so she can’t tell her of the horrors of her grandmother, and Rich goes after what Gabe loves… he knocks Kelsey around, who finally gets away to her mother’s room (her mother is groggy from the sleeping pill), but when he breaks in, she has her mother’s gun and shoots him … and Gabe shows up, police are called, and while Gabe nursing and talking with Kelsey, Naomi is taking the blame, confessing to shooting Rich, trying to protect her daughter… but Kelsey comes down, and sets the record straight, and the evidence supports her… ahhhh
And Philip comes to Naomi to express his sorrow over what his mother did, to make peace with a woman he loved yet did not believe in. and Kelsey and Gabe live happily ever after.
Memorable scenes:
Touching scene with Naomi and Moses, grieving a bit for what never was (family, children, marriage).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2024
I really wanted to try out a Nora Roberts book and this was only $2.50 at half price books, so worth a shot.
This book is a slowwww burn. I didn’t start really getting into it until a little past half way.
There are I think 2 sex scenes, all one paragraph long and not detailed at all (lame!)
I think I will read another book by her, but I’d say this book was worth the $2.50
This book is a slowwww burn. I didn’t start really getting into it until a little past half way.
There are I think 2 sex scenes, all one paragraph long and not detailed at all (lame!)
I think I will read another book by her, but I’d say this book was worth the $2.50
August 10, 2017
I enjoy all Nora Roberts books. They are easy to read.
March 7, 2020
Outstanding read
September 8, 2020
5/5⭐ no hay mucho que decir más que me encantó!!
August 20, 2022
You know sometimes I find myself thinking about a book I read years ago. I remembered the seatbelt comment, but the rest...it felt like reading a new book.
November 15, 2022
Round up to 4.5 stars.
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