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O lado oculto
O novo romance de Nora Roberts vai além de um história de amor.
Zane Bigelow cresceu em um mundo de mentiras e fingimentos, mas conseguiu escapar de sua vida atormentada por um violento trauma, para recomeçar em um lugar distante. Anos mais tarde, porém, um novo incidente o leva de volta a sua cidade natal e às pessoas que tanto ama, apesar das dolorosas lembranças.
É durante seu período de readaptação que ele conhece Darby, uma talentosa paisagista que luta contra seus próprios demônios. Juntos, terão de enfrentar uma perigosa ameaça que espreita suas vidas e ensinarão um ao outro como superar o passado. Mas conseguirão deixar as dolorosas memórias para trás ou se deixarão dominar por seu lado mais obscuro?577 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 9, 2019
About the author
Nora Roberts
1,293 books61.9k 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 4,182 reviews
February 15, 2023
June 2020: I was in the mood for a re-read - SO GOOD!!!!
___________________________________
4.5 stars
YES YES YES!!!
This book checked all of my boxes.
I read it over three days, and I WISHED I could have curled up on a Saturday and read it all in one piece. This book deserves your uninterrupted attention - that's how good it was.
First of all, at 17% I already teared up.
The book was an emotional powerhouse, well written, and as always very well plotted, Under Currents was one of my favorite Nora Roberts books to date.
Different than other books, the deeply developed characters carried the entire story. They were through the roof and awesome in every sense. The author took the time, and built a backstory that wove throughout the entire book. It wove in and out, until it all came full circle and was much more than expected.
Under currents - literally all the small things that bubble under the surface, hard to see until they explode and bring the ugliness to the foreground and for everyone to see.
What I loved about this book was numerous.
I loved how much time Zane and Darby had as a couple. It's not often that a relationship is getting enough time to really establish itself. Half of the book was all about Zane and Darby, their relationship, and their connections with his family and the Lakeview community - I loved it all.
Some of the side plots really surprised me by the way they were resolved. I was Half of the book was all about Zane and Darby, their relationship, and their connections with his family and the Lakeview community - I loved it all. I was always wondering what was to come next - this is not all, more is coming. It really kept me on the edge of my seat.
Zane and Darby were fantastic together. Their trust in each other, to accept the other's independence, to support and build each other up - it truly was the heart and soul of the entire novel. They were a couple that worked for me from beginning to end. I'm a big lover of banter, well written dialogues, sarcasm and quick retorts - and this book had it all.
Also the community, and especially Zane's family, their friends and the supporting cast was exceptional. I loved them ALL!!! If these kind of small towns really existed in real life I would be moving STAT!
The underlying message was powerful, important, and never gets old.
Abuse in any way, verbally, emotionally or physically is just not ok, and this book covers it all. It's heartbreaking at times, but there is always a hopeful and uplifting message right along. The entire plot was beautifully crafted. From the suspenseful to the emotional - Under Currents had it all.
A true winner if you ask me, and one of her best one yet.
___________________________________
4.5 stars
YES YES YES!!!
This book checked all of my boxes.
I read it over three days, and I WISHED I could have curled up on a Saturday and read it all in one piece. This book deserves your uninterrupted attention - that's how good it was.
First of all, at 17% I already teared up.
The book was an emotional powerhouse, well written, and as always very well plotted, Under Currents was one of my favorite Nora Roberts books to date.
Different than other books, the deeply developed characters carried the entire story. They were through the roof and awesome in every sense. The author took the time, and built a backstory that wove throughout the entire book. It wove in and out, until it all came full circle and was much more than expected.
Under currents - literally all the small things that bubble under the surface, hard to see until they explode and bring the ugliness to the foreground and for everyone to see.
What I loved about this book was numerous.
I loved how much time Zane and Darby had as a couple. It's not often that a relationship is getting enough time to really establish itself. Half of the book was all about Zane and Darby, their relationship, and their connections with his family and the Lakeview community - I loved it all.
Some of the side plots really surprised me by the way they were resolved. I was Half of the book was all about Zane and Darby, their relationship, and their connections with his family and the Lakeview community - I loved it all. I was always wondering what was to come next - this is not all, more is coming. It really kept me on the edge of my seat.
Zane and Darby were fantastic together. Their trust in each other, to accept the other's independence, to support and build each other up - it truly was the heart and soul of the entire novel. They were a couple that worked for me from beginning to end. I'm a big lover of banter, well written dialogues, sarcasm and quick retorts - and this book had it all.
Also the community, and especially Zane's family, their friends and the supporting cast was exceptional. I loved them ALL!!! If these kind of small towns really existed in real life I would be moving STAT!
The underlying message was powerful, important, and never gets old.
Abuse in any way, verbally, emotionally or physically is just not ok, and this book covers it all. It's heartbreaking at times, but there is always a hopeful and uplifting message right along. The entire plot was beautifully crafted. From the suspenseful to the emotional - Under Currents had it all.
A true winner if you ask me, and one of her best one yet.
January 18, 2020
Under Currents by Nora Roberts is a 2019 St. Martin’s Press publication.
Tense and Edgy- Nora Roberts style!
This is an intense novel of suspense from start to finish. However, it is also a novel about resilience, and the power of family and love.
Zane escapes from his abusive parents with the help of his aunt, who then gives Zane and his sister a loving home life. Blossoming into a well- adjusted and successful adult, Zane builds a wonderful life for himself. But, then the shadows of the past rise from the ashes and Zane realizes his battle with pure evil is not yet over…
Nora Roberts is so prolific and versatile. I read my fair share of her books, mainly her romantic suspense novels, before Goodreads, but with so many authors and genres to sample, I rarely reach for a Nora Roberts book anymore. Yet, I know, that when the mood strikes, any book of hers will be a dependable, solid story.
Under Currents is exactly that- solid and dependable. The good versus evil theme is hard to beat. The bad guys are truly horrifying, and some passages are hard to read. I loved Zane and his family, and their values and ethics. The first few chapters are difficult and riveting, but from there the suspense comes from the knowledge that evil lurks in the corners and shadows our heroes can’t see. However, an ultimate showdown is coming...
While much of what transpires here has been done before, at least to some extent, in other novels of suspense, Roberts manages to keep the predictability at bay, hitting the reader with a surprise or two they probably won’t see coming. The subject matter is one that is more than relevant and breaking the cycle is an important message.
This was a pretty quick read for me, because I had a hard time putting the book down! I am also reminded of how much I enjoy reading Nora Roberts’ books and will try not to wait so long to add another one to my list.
4 stars
*Possible triggers- domestic and child abuse as well as a little out of context language.
Tense and Edgy- Nora Roberts style!
This is an intense novel of suspense from start to finish. However, it is also a novel about resilience, and the power of family and love.
Zane escapes from his abusive parents with the help of his aunt, who then gives Zane and his sister a loving home life. Blossoming into a well- adjusted and successful adult, Zane builds a wonderful life for himself. But, then the shadows of the past rise from the ashes and Zane realizes his battle with pure evil is not yet over…
Nora Roberts is so prolific and versatile. I read my fair share of her books, mainly her romantic suspense novels, before Goodreads, but with so many authors and genres to sample, I rarely reach for a Nora Roberts book anymore. Yet, I know, that when the mood strikes, any book of hers will be a dependable, solid story.
Under Currents is exactly that- solid and dependable. The good versus evil theme is hard to beat. The bad guys are truly horrifying, and some passages are hard to read. I loved Zane and his family, and their values and ethics. The first few chapters are difficult and riveting, but from there the suspense comes from the knowledge that evil lurks in the corners and shadows our heroes can’t see. However, an ultimate showdown is coming...
While much of what transpires here has been done before, at least to some extent, in other novels of suspense, Roberts manages to keep the predictability at bay, hitting the reader with a surprise or two they probably won’t see coming. The subject matter is one that is more than relevant and breaking the cycle is an important message.
This was a pretty quick read for me, because I had a hard time putting the book down! I am also reminded of how much I enjoy reading Nora Roberts’ books and will try not to wait so long to add another one to my list.
4 stars
*Possible triggers- domestic and child abuse as well as a little out of context language.
September 29, 2019
My reviews can also be seen at: https://deesradreadsandreviews.wordpr...
4.5 Stars!!!
The past never forgets!
I thought this was another great read from Nora Roberts.
From the outside, everything looked perfect, but sometimes there are monsters where you’d least expect.
1998 -It's two days before Christmas and Eliza Bigelow has just had a lovely lunch with friends. Eliza is happily married to Graham, the chief surgical resident of Mercy Hospital. Eliza drives home thinking about her family's upcoming annual ski trip. She has everything she could ever want. Her job is to look beautiful, take care of her husband, and raise her two children well.
It’s a perfect life.
Eliza pulls into the garage and notices that her husband, Graham’s car is already there. He’s in the kitchen and she greets him with a kiss. Eliza chatters on about her lunch, shopping, and her friend Jody. “Do you think I give a damn about Jody?” His voice is calm, but Eliza knows that he’s anything but…
Fourteen-year-old, Zane and his younger sister, Britt are dropped off after school. They are excited about Christmas vacation. Zane and Britt tease each other good-naturedly as they make their way towards the house. But the second they open the door….they know. Zane tells Britt to go upstairs but she runs towards the noise instead. Zane sees his father heading towards Britt and does something he’s never done before.
And what comes next is horrifying.
“You’re nothing until I say you are. Everything you have, including the breath in your body, is because of me.“
After that horrible night, Zane starts keeping a journal. Every night he writes, detailing everything that happens in his life and in that house. He tells himself that one day he'd be strong enough and brave enough to stop pretending. He tries to hold on to his dreams.
But then comes another terrible night where things go from bad to worse quicker than anyone could’ve imagined.
That night EVERYTHING changes.
“Under Currents” is an interesting story told from many different perspectives. With a gripping plot and well-developed characters (including an awesome dog), I had a hard time putting this book down.
I wouldn't classify this as a thriller though there were some suspenseful moments. I did guess a few things ahead of time but was still very interested in seeing how it all worked out.
The book is divided into four parts and takes place over two decades. I enjoy novels where I get to watch the characters grow. Nora Roberts has a knack for writing these kinds of stories.
At times this was an emotional and gut-wrenching read, but also heart-warming and uplifting.
An excellent domestic suspense novel about family, strength, cruelty, resilience and the power of love.
I'd like to thank St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an advanced copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.
4.5 Stars!!!
The past never forgets!
I thought this was another great read from Nora Roberts.
From the outside, everything looked perfect, but sometimes there are monsters where you’d least expect.
1998 -It's two days before Christmas and Eliza Bigelow has just had a lovely lunch with friends. Eliza is happily married to Graham, the chief surgical resident of Mercy Hospital. Eliza drives home thinking about her family's upcoming annual ski trip. She has everything she could ever want. Her job is to look beautiful, take care of her husband, and raise her two children well.
It’s a perfect life.
Eliza pulls into the garage and notices that her husband, Graham’s car is already there. He’s in the kitchen and she greets him with a kiss. Eliza chatters on about her lunch, shopping, and her friend Jody. “Do you think I give a damn about Jody?” His voice is calm, but Eliza knows that he’s anything but…
Fourteen-year-old, Zane and his younger sister, Britt are dropped off after school. They are excited about Christmas vacation. Zane and Britt tease each other good-naturedly as they make their way towards the house. But the second they open the door….they know. Zane tells Britt to go upstairs but she runs towards the noise instead. Zane sees his father heading towards Britt and does something he’s never done before.
And what comes next is horrifying.
“You’re nothing until I say you are. Everything you have, including the breath in your body, is because of me.“
After that horrible night, Zane starts keeping a journal. Every night he writes, detailing everything that happens in his life and in that house. He tells himself that one day he'd be strong enough and brave enough to stop pretending. He tries to hold on to his dreams.
But then comes another terrible night where things go from bad to worse quicker than anyone could’ve imagined.
That night EVERYTHING changes.
“Under Currents” is an interesting story told from many different perspectives. With a gripping plot and well-developed characters (including an awesome dog), I had a hard time putting this book down.
I wouldn't classify this as a thriller though there were some suspenseful moments. I did guess a few things ahead of time but was still very interested in seeing how it all worked out.
The book is divided into four parts and takes place over two decades. I enjoy novels where I get to watch the characters grow. Nora Roberts has a knack for writing these kinds of stories.
At times this was an emotional and gut-wrenching read, but also heart-warming and uplifting.
An excellent domestic suspense novel about family, strength, cruelty, resilience and the power of love.
I'd like to thank St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an advanced copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.
August 4, 2019
Oh man! Don't read this if you are sensitive to abuse. All abuse. This book has more triggers than a gun show.
Not that kind of gun show! Although that does trigger me. Read a book, dude! Stop being a douche!
That metaphor worked so well that I will also tell you that this book has more drama than a llama.
Okay, that was more pun than metaphor.
I'll try another one.
This couple has been kicked around so much they are like a hacky sack at a Phish concert.
Gah! There is so much wrong with this picture that the hacky sack is the least offensive thing here. That's an accomplishment.
So, now that the terrible metaphor/analogy/pun portion of the review is over, maybe I'll just tell you about the book.
Okay, so the first part of the book is rough. A kid is growing up with an abusive father and gets the shit beat out of him on a regular basis. It is really horrible.
Then we fast-forward to years later and we meet a lady who was abused by her husband and is trying to start a new life in a new place. She ends up meeting our now-grown guy. They start a friendship which turns to a romance, and that should be about it.
But no. There are too many people who want to hurt them and have all of these revengy plans. So, they get the shit kicked out of them some more. Over and over again.
And, that's the book. It is slow-placed in general with occasional bursts of shit-kicking. It is NOT in any way believable. And, there is too much on gardening if you hate gardening - which I do. I pay a dude to mow my lawn to keep my homeowners association happy. That's my extent of gardening. Oh, and I recently bought a plaster gnome and painted it in blues and reds to put in my yard. But, that's only because it freaks my family out. Plus, I want it to get kidnapped and have someone send me photos of my gnome in cool places. That way I can feel special. That's my real extent of gardening.
Overall, if you are a huge Nora Roberts fan and don't mind the continual abuse and gardening, you will like this. Otherwise, skip it.
unlike leg day. Never skip that.
Not that kind of gun show! Although that does trigger me. Read a book, dude! Stop being a douche!
That metaphor worked so well that I will also tell you that this book has more drama than a llama.
Okay, that was more pun than metaphor.
I'll try another one.
This couple has been kicked around so much they are like a hacky sack at a Phish concert.
Gah! There is so much wrong with this picture that the hacky sack is the least offensive thing here. That's an accomplishment.
So, now that the terrible metaphor/analogy/pun portion of the review is over, maybe I'll just tell you about the book.
Okay, so the first part of the book is rough. A kid is growing up with an abusive father and gets the shit beat out of him on a regular basis. It is really horrible.
Then we fast-forward to years later and we meet a lady who was abused by her husband and is trying to start a new life in a new place. She ends up meeting our now-grown guy. They start a friendship which turns to a romance, and that should be about it.
But no. There are too many people who want to hurt them and have all of these revengy plans. So, they get the shit kicked out of them some more. Over and over again.
And, that's the book. It is slow-placed in general with occasional bursts of shit-kicking. It is NOT in any way believable. And, there is too much on gardening if you hate gardening - which I do. I pay a dude to mow my lawn to keep my homeowners association happy. That's my extent of gardening. Oh, and I recently bought a plaster gnome and painted it in blues and reds to put in my yard. But, that's only because it freaks my family out. Plus, I want it to get kidnapped and have someone send me photos of my gnome in cool places. That way I can feel special. That's my real extent of gardening.
Overall, if you are a huge Nora Roberts fan and don't mind the continual abuse and gardening, you will like this. Otherwise, skip it.
unlike leg day. Never skip that.
July 30, 2019
1.5 stars.
I don’t really have much positive to say about this. It started strong but as we left part one it soon became a snoozefest and to be blunt, if I wanted to read a book on landscape design and gardening, I’d go help myself to my Dad’s copies of Grow Your Own.
Predictable and with dialogue which was at times clunky, the characters were actually likeable enough and clearly something kept me reading although I think it was more wishful thinking and stubbornness, plus it does have a tight-knit small-town feel but it could have been half the length to little detriment. If I were to recommend a Nora Roberts book though, it would unlikely be this one.
(CW: physical and mental abuse of minors and adults including marital rape. I don’t usually make a point of mentioning and although the blurb does very loosely suggest some violence, the opening part in particular was seriously hard reading—I’m made of fairly sturdy stuff but it was graphic, quite brutal and won’t be for everyone.)
I don’t really have much positive to say about this. It started strong but as we left part one it soon became a snoozefest and to be blunt, if I wanted to read a book on landscape design and gardening, I’d go help myself to my Dad’s copies of Grow Your Own.
Predictable and with dialogue which was at times clunky, the characters were actually likeable enough and clearly something kept me reading although I think it was more wishful thinking and stubbornness, plus it does have a tight-knit small-town feel but it could have been half the length to little detriment. If I were to recommend a Nora Roberts book though, it would unlikely be this one.
(CW: physical and mental abuse of minors and adults including marital rape. I don’t usually make a point of mentioning and although the blurb does very loosely suggest some violence, the opening part in particular was seriously hard reading—I’m made of fairly sturdy stuff but it was graphic, quite brutal and won’t be for everyone.)
July 18, 2019
Wherein Ms. Roberts delves a bit deeper into mystery/suspense and casts diabolical characters with few redeeming qualities. Balanced by the easy-to-see, beautifully landscaped backdrop and admirable characters that the reader wants to be friends with, Under Currents is the quintessential drop-everything-and-bury-your-head-in-a-book read.
September 10, 2019
This author really knows how to tell a story and never fails to grab at the readers emotions. Keep a box of tissues handy if you read this.
Reading about domestic abuse is always uncomfortable but Nora Roberts tells the tales of three abusive marriages really effectively. One of them involves children too so be warned if this is a trigger for you. The pain of these issues is counteracted though by including other successful and happy marriages and by showing clearly that it is possible to escape the situations and lead a happy and successful life. The author does not gloss over hardships but she does offer hope.
I found Under Currents to be a very well written and totally absorbing book.
Reading about domestic abuse is always uncomfortable but Nora Roberts tells the tales of three abusive marriages really effectively. One of them involves children too so be warned if this is a trigger for you. The pain of these issues is counteracted though by including other successful and happy marriages and by showing clearly that it is possible to escape the situations and lead a happy and successful life. The author does not gloss over hardships but she does offer hope.
I found Under Currents to be a very well written and totally absorbing book.
July 24, 2019
From the outside view, the Bigelows of Lakeview, North Carolina look like the ideal family. Graham Bigelow is the chief of surgery at the local hospital; wife Eliza is the perfect stay at home, affluent mother involved in many charities; son Zane is a baseball phenom, destined for a sports scholarship and possibly the big leagues; and young Britt couldn’t be a more obedient daughter. But, behind the proverbial closed doors is a somewhat different and troubling view because Graham is mean, abusive and incredibly sly about it. The story begins here, in Zane’s voice, and continues for almost two decades. Then enter newcomer Darby McCray, a talented landscape designer who takes the town, and Zane, by storm with her incredible vision and infectious personality, though she’s got her own sad history.
It’s a three-part story with the first devoted to Zane’s harrowing childhood. The subject of abuse is addressed from all angles and perspectives, horrifying and educating me in ways I hadn’t anticipated. It was riveting stuff that was hard to listen to and imagine but I couldn’t put the story down because the outcome was too important. This part of the story needed a hero and I had to wait it out. The transition to Zane’s adulthood and Darby’s later introduction was the balm I needed for the next phase with its strong family and community themes. I could have stayed there much longer but the sense of foreboding for the last part of the story loomed. It was dangerous and the threat was always there, even though it lacked the suspense surrounding the sources of it all.
I loved this story, in large part because of Roberts’ skill in tackling a tough subject with honesty and forthright. She didn’t pull any punches even when I begged for it. Also, January LaVoy is one of my favorite narrators who delivered her expected outstanding performance. She put me into every scene. Lastly, I really liked Darby and Zane, individually and as a couple, their romance a slow but lovely burn. Even though the suspense was lacking, the quality of the story more than compensated for me. It is quintessential Nora Roberts storytelling. 4.5 stars
It’s a three-part story with the first devoted to Zane’s harrowing childhood. The subject of abuse is addressed from all angles and perspectives, horrifying and educating me in ways I hadn’t anticipated. It was riveting stuff that was hard to listen to and imagine but I couldn’t put the story down because the outcome was too important. This part of the story needed a hero and I had to wait it out. The transition to Zane’s adulthood and Darby’s later introduction was the balm I needed for the next phase with its strong family and community themes. I could have stayed there much longer but the sense of foreboding for the last part of the story loomed. It was dangerous and the threat was always there, even though it lacked the suspense surrounding the sources of it all.
I loved this story, in large part because of Roberts’ skill in tackling a tough subject with honesty and forthright. She didn’t pull any punches even when I begged for it. Also, January LaVoy is one of my favorite narrators who delivered her expected outstanding performance. She put me into every scene. Lastly, I really liked Darby and Zane, individually and as a couple, their romance a slow but lovely burn. Even though the suspense was lacking, the quality of the story more than compensated for me. It is quintessential Nora Roberts storytelling. 4.5 stars
January 13, 2024
UNDER CURRENTS is another great romantic suspense by Nora Roberts. This one examined heavily the themes of child abuse and domestic abuse. Zane and Britt are growing up in a house that looks perfect on the outside but harbors terrible secrets. No one will believe Zane if he tells the truth. His parents are respected members of the community with connections. As usual, the characters shine in this long saga that takes us across decades and the lives and romances of multiple generations. Beautiful descriptions of North Carolina and gorgeous gardens!
Trigger Warnings:
Trigger Warnings:
July 11, 2019
Spoilers!
Let me preface this review by saying Nora Roberts was my favorite author for the past 20 years. I can't begin to tell you how many times I've read The Villa, Montana sky, Sanctuary.. etc.
That being said, I feel like ever since High Noon, she has lost the heart of her earlier books. The characters are all the same, the dialogue is similar, even the situations are similar.
I was pretty hopeful with Under Currents, because the preview was fantastic. And yes, the first half of the book was stellar- I was totally invested with the story, the characters felt genuine, I stayed up late to read.
However, when Under Currents transitioned into the second half, it's like a totally different book took shape.
Too many characters that had really no depth- Roberts spent more time describing an old lady who changed her will numerous time than the grandparents in the story- who seriously should have had a spot in the story.
As for Darby- seriously, how many times does Roberts have to write about her hair color? And everyone in the book says REPEATEDLY how smart and in-tune Darby is- but she doesn't wonder if her twice- imprisoned ex has something to do with her mother's mysterious death?? Or the break-ins to her house? Hmmmmmm.
As for Zane- which okay I'm being picky, but his parents do NOT seem like the type to name their child that name- he certainly didn't seem that deep either. Very little about his regret for losing out on baseball, and there certainly wasn't any writing about his deepening feelings for Darby.
My last complaint about the book was that there was SO MUCH info about landscaping. Yes, I like gardening but there were certain passages that I felt like it read kind of like a manual.
Let me preface this review by saying Nora Roberts was my favorite author for the past 20 years. I can't begin to tell you how many times I've read The Villa, Montana sky, Sanctuary.. etc.
That being said, I feel like ever since High Noon, she has lost the heart of her earlier books. The characters are all the same, the dialogue is similar, even the situations are similar.
I was pretty hopeful with Under Currents, because the preview was fantastic. And yes, the first half of the book was stellar- I was totally invested with the story, the characters felt genuine, I stayed up late to read.
However, when Under Currents transitioned into the second half, it's like a totally different book took shape.
Too many characters that had really no depth- Roberts spent more time describing an old lady who changed her will numerous time than the grandparents in the story- who seriously should have had a spot in the story.
As for Darby- seriously, how many times does Roberts have to write about her hair color? And everyone in the book says REPEATEDLY how smart and in-tune Darby is- but she doesn't wonder if her twice- imprisoned ex has something to do with her mother's mysterious death?? Or the break-ins to her house? Hmmmmmm.
As for Zane- which okay I'm being picky, but his parents do NOT seem like the type to name their child that name- he certainly didn't seem that deep either. Very little about his regret for losing out on baseball, and there certainly wasn't any writing about his deepening feelings for Darby.
My last complaint about the book was that there was SO MUCH info about landscaping. Yes, I like gardening but there were certain passages that I felt like it read kind of like a manual.
July 12, 2019
Nora Roberts has a gift for writing stories that portray all the intricate dynamics of family - the good, the bad, and the ugly. Her stories often demonstrate the power of family to either destroy or save lives and frequently deliver a theme of nature vs. nurture that I find fascinating. I love knowing when I open one of Roberts books that the human spirit of a character may be sorely tested, but the will to survive and persevere over evil will triumph in the end. And I appreciate that she often tackles sensitive subjects such as child and spousal abuse with grace, respect, and empathy as she does in Under Currents.
I'll briefly touch on the storyline, leaving readers an opportunity to experience this book firsthand as it should be. Under Currents is divided into three parts with the first part taking place in the past and the second and third parts picking up the storyline in present time. In part one, readers meet Zane & Britt Bigelow - a brother and younger sister who appear to have it all - a picture-perfect family living in a picture-perfect mansion in a picture-perfect part of town. But looks are deceiving, and readers quickly learn all is not as it appears as these two children are silently suffering the ultimate betrayal at the hands of those charged with loving and protecting them . . . their parents. Until one explosive night when everything changes.
Fast forward about twenty years and readers are introduced to Darby McCray - a feisty, spirited newcomer who's opening a landscaping business in a small town in the Blue Ridge Mtns. of North Carolina. After the recent tragic hit & run death of her mother, she's looking for a new start far away from an abusive ex-husband. (This is the first time one of Roberts' romance/suspense heroines has reminded me (in mannerisms & actions) of Eve Dallas, the heroine of her In Death series written as J.D. Robb.) When Zane returns to his hometown to open a law office, the two meet and a slow-burn romance begins to flourish. And now everything is picture-perfect in their lives until ghosts from the past rise to stalk and threaten them. Someone is on a mission of revenge, but who's the target?
As always, Roberts flawlessly weaves family and community and the routine of daily life into a story with emotion, laughter, tears, love, and a strong sense of belonging. The characters are relatable and well-developed, each playing their role extremely well. I will say I would have liked a little more reader insight into the inner thoughts of the villain, but I guess the vagueness of him/her adds to the suspense for some. The setting is authentic (I live in N.C. and know the area well) and rich in details that tease the senses. I like the way the title is reiterated in the story as under currents are always present in one form or another, running beneath the surface as evident in this story. There are several twists and turns to keep readers on their toes and guessing until the very end. While you may or may not be shocked by the final reveal, I think you'll enjoy the journey as this book is an addictive Must Read!
*A special thank you to St. Martin's Press for a paperback copy of this arc.
**Reviewed at: Cross My Heart Reviews
I'll briefly touch on the storyline, leaving readers an opportunity to experience this book firsthand as it should be. Under Currents is divided into three parts with the first part taking place in the past and the second and third parts picking up the storyline in present time. In part one, readers meet Zane & Britt Bigelow - a brother and younger sister who appear to have it all - a picture-perfect family living in a picture-perfect mansion in a picture-perfect part of town. But looks are deceiving, and readers quickly learn all is not as it appears as these two children are silently suffering the ultimate betrayal at the hands of those charged with loving and protecting them . . . their parents. Until one explosive night when everything changes.
Fast forward about twenty years and readers are introduced to Darby McCray - a feisty, spirited newcomer who's opening a landscaping business in a small town in the Blue Ridge Mtns. of North Carolina. After the recent tragic hit & run death of her mother, she's looking for a new start far away from an abusive ex-husband. (This is the first time one of Roberts' romance/suspense heroines has reminded me (in mannerisms & actions) of Eve Dallas, the heroine of her In Death series written as J.D. Robb.) When Zane returns to his hometown to open a law office, the two meet and a slow-burn romance begins to flourish. And now everything is picture-perfect in their lives until ghosts from the past rise to stalk and threaten them. Someone is on a mission of revenge, but who's the target?
As always, Roberts flawlessly weaves family and community and the routine of daily life into a story with emotion, laughter, tears, love, and a strong sense of belonging. The characters are relatable and well-developed, each playing their role extremely well. I will say I would have liked a little more reader insight into the inner thoughts of the villain, but I guess the vagueness of him/her adds to the suspense for some. The setting is authentic (I live in N.C. and know the area well) and rich in details that tease the senses. I like the way the title is reiterated in the story as under currents are always present in one form or another, running beneath the surface as evident in this story. There are several twists and turns to keep readers on their toes and guessing until the very end. While you may or may not be shocked by the final reveal, I think you'll enjoy the journey as this book is an addictive Must Read!
*A special thank you to St. Martin's Press for a paperback copy of this arc.
**Reviewed at: Cross My Heart Reviews
October 26, 2019
This was my first book from Nora Roberts and unfortunately it just wasn’t for me. This isn’t a bad book by any means, I just really lost interest in this story and these characters. Part 1 of this book was super engaging, it was incredibly hard to read and there are some real trigger warnings for abuse, some of the worst abuse I have ever read, but the story was captivating. Part 2 was good but forgettable and I started to lose interest, and by Part 3 I could no longer pay attention to the story while listening to the audiobook because I just didn’t care anymore. It became such a snooze fest listening to these characters go on and on and on about their jobs and all these boring things that I didn’t care about.
This book isn’t bad but it just didn’t so it for me.
This book isn’t bad but it just didn’t so it for me.
July 12, 2019
It's official, Nora is stuck with one formula, much like Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Maybe the only somewhat "fresh" character in that story was Eliza, who showed us a less commonly seen type of abuse victim/abuser... maybe.
This book was very similar to The Witness, The Search, The Obsession and Shelter in Place. I am just surprised this wasn't a 600-page read, given how a quarter of the book was just setting one of the character's background. To be fair, that was the best part of it all, and it could have been its own book.
No NR book could ever be without her two ever-present obsessions : Gardening and Ireland. You will never escape these two in a NR book. NEVER. There will always be an Irish character somewhere in there, it's like finding Waldo by now because it won't alway be a prominent character, but he/she will be there... lurking, waiting. Or fuck it, it will just be one of the main characters because she likes what she likes. There will also be pleeeenty of talk about plants and landscaping. Who cares if you are writing about the cycle of abuse, murder or kidnapping? Plants are so important in a NR book that she will literally neglect the conflict to talk about them.
God, Nora knows how to go on and on and on about flowers, and I know she loves gardening but her editor needs to tell her to keep her plant talk at home because for 65% of the novel I kept wondering what the freaking plot was. Was this book just meant to teach me about landscaping? There was no conflict, nothing major even going on in the background, just pages and pages about retaining walls, stone paths, Irish moss, and how brilliant Darby was at manipulating people into getting stuff for their places that they thought they didn't want or need, but Darby always knew best, and what the hell? What's a few thousand dollars more when all you wanted initally was a fence and a cute garden?
What I just don't understand is how everyone in that town had all that money for landscaping when nobody ever wanted to charge anything for their work and kept exchanging favors or plants.
I am finding it hard to remember one business transaction where the words "family/friend discount, pro-bono, just give me one of those plants, or "don't worry about it, just pass the word around" didn't come up. Do these people make money solely on tourism? Because nobody who lives in that town has to ever pay full price for anything. In fact, they (mostly Darby, but still) have to insist on paying.
Anyway, by the end of the book you could tell Nora had JUST realized that, "Hey, I have been describing houses and backyards for the past 200 pages, I completely forgot about the conflict that is supposed to be moving this thing along!
Somebody tell Nora that she doesn't have to publish 3-4 books a year and that she can take her time coming up with the next one. Also, she should publish her own book about gardening and just get it out of her system already, because it was quite clear in this one that all she wanted to do was talk about plants.
February 23, 2023
Eliza Bigelow is happily married to Graham, the chief surgical resident of Mercy Hospital in nearby Asheville. They have a magnificent home in Lakeview Terrace with lush green manicured lawns and gardens that looked and smelled gorgeous during springtime.
They also employed a housekeeper/cook three times a week, a weekly groundskeeper and a sister who was more than happy to take care of the children if Eliza and Graham needed an evening out or a little getaway. They had the perfect life a life some people only dreamed of. But not all is as it seemed and what went on behind closed doors was shocking and their friends and family had no idea what was happening.
Nora Roberts is a talented author and once you’ve read her books it’s easy to see why so many loved her books. This book not only touches on some important issues, but it draws the reader in and you find you don’t want to put it down until you reach the end. Intense, gripping and a fantastic page-turner. Highly recommended.
They also employed a housekeeper/cook three times a week, a weekly groundskeeper and a sister who was more than happy to take care of the children if Eliza and Graham needed an evening out or a little getaway. They had the perfect life a life some people only dreamed of. But not all is as it seemed and what went on behind closed doors was shocking and their friends and family had no idea what was happening.
Nora Roberts is a talented author and once you’ve read her books it’s easy to see why so many loved her books. This book not only touches on some important issues, but it draws the reader in and you find you don’t want to put it down until you reach the end. Intense, gripping and a fantastic page-turner. Highly recommended.
June 25, 2020
Nora Roberts is a word magician. I love the way she can make the reader step out of reality and into her stories, embark in the suspense and tension and love of her imagined characters.
That said, I enjoyed this story very much, but I can't say it was amazing – save for part 1, that one was a real jaw-dropper. I could have read that part as a stand alone and I'd have rated it a five star.
But the rest, I don't know, it felt somewhat excessive, too detailed, or, to be more precise: info-dumpy. There were many parts that could have been deleted without changing the story, that didn't affect the plot in any way, save for the overall appeal. The suspense in part 3 and part 4, along with the tension and action could have been made into one part, trimmed down so that the plot would've been... what's the word? A page-turner? That's not the word I'm looking for, but let's keep it, as the reader wouldn't have been able to put the book down.
Well, that aside, and we have here a book, an incredible read that could have been a real life story – simple, adorable, witty, filled with love and pain and the darker realities of life. This author holds back no punches!
That said, I enjoyed this story very much, but I can't say it was amazing – save for part 1, that one was a real jaw-dropper. I could have read that part as a stand alone and I'd have rated it a five star.
But the rest, I don't know, it felt somewhat excessive, too detailed, or, to be more precise: info-dumpy. There were many parts that could have been deleted without changing the story, that didn't affect the plot in any way, save for the overall appeal. The suspense in part 3 and part 4, along with the tension and action could have been made into one part, trimmed down so that the plot would've been... what's the word? A page-turner? That's not the word I'm looking for, but let's keep it, as the reader wouldn't have been able to put the book down.
Well, that aside, and we have here a book, an incredible read that could have been a real life story – simple, adorable, witty, filled with love and pain and the darker realities of life. This author holds back no punches!
November 20, 2024
The night that everything finally came to a head was the day teenagers Zane and Britt found their lives changed forever. Having been brutally beaten and terrorised by their father, a highly esteemed doctor and surgeon, and to a lesser extent, their mother, for as long as they could remember, the siblings were finally able to escape the only lives they'd known, going into the care of their aunt Emily, and their grandparents. The improvement of their lives, the happiness they now knew, meant a lot, and although they both didn't forget their pasts, they could bury it. Twenty years had passed and Zane was a top lawyer, finally returning to his home town of Lakeview, where his sister and her family, plus aunt Emily and hers, all lived. He would open an office and serve the locals, and meeting landscape designer Darby added more, much more, to his life. Would they all be happy - or would that past return to Lakeview to hurt them all over again?
Under Currents by Nora Roberts is a book I've wanted to read for awhile, and I'm so glad to have now done so. The first part was really hard to read at times, but with true Nora Roberts style, she powered on, delivering an outstanding mystery, with murder, grief, anger, revenge along with a lovely romance - true romantic suspense in every word. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters - Darby was a tough, determined, hard working young woman, while Zane was proud of who he'd become, absolutely nothing like his father. Britt was the same, revelling in being like her aunt Emily instead of her mother. Highly recommended.
Under Currents by Nora Roberts is a book I've wanted to read for awhile, and I'm so glad to have now done so. The first part was really hard to read at times, but with true Nora Roberts style, she powered on, delivering an outstanding mystery, with murder, grief, anger, revenge along with a lovely romance - true romantic suspense in every word. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters - Darby was a tough, determined, hard working young woman, while Zane was proud of who he'd become, absolutely nothing like his father. Britt was the same, revelling in being like her aunt Emily instead of her mother. Highly recommended.
August 6, 2019
I’m sure most everyone who follows my reviews has noticed this by now, but I really love Nora Roberts. I don’t tend to read all that much in the contemporary or romance genres, but she’s my exception. I’ve been reading my way through her back catalogue since I was fifteen or so, and for the past ten years have been reading her new releases as soon as I can get my hands on them. Now, she’s one of the few authors who is an insta-buy for me. While Under Currents didn’t blow me away, it was another strong offering that demonstrated to me once again that Nora seems incapable of producing a dud. She’s just awesome.
Over the past few years, Nora’s writing has undergone a shift that I both respect and regret. She’s always been the source of my ultimate comfort reads, but that light easiness has fallen by the wayside. And I respect her so much for it. Nora’s stories have shifted from fairly straightforward romances to books that, while still romantic with an almost guaranteed happy ending, deal with some pretty hard topics. Recently, these topics have included mass shootings and how survivors wrestle with the aftermath decades later, kidnapping and sex-slavery and how families adjust to having a broken family member returned, and how the children of serial killers have to deal with the horrors wrought by said parents and the fear they feel that their blood might be tainted with violence. And that’s just to name a few. In Under Currents, Nora addresses domestic violence and abuse in various settings, from suburbia to squalor to affluence. We see how abuse impacts children from their first contact with it and through their adulthood. We see how easily hidden the worst abuse can be, and how it can pervade even the seemingly nicest and safest neighborhoods. We also see how abuse can become a cycle for some, but that others break free of it and often spend their lives helping pull others from the wreckage.
Mixed into and rising above this trauma were characters who were Nora’s patented blend of funny, engaging, hardworking, and empathetic. These were people who would come together to help each other or outsiders at a moment’s notice. They are incredibly self motivated, and most of them are self-employed entrepreneurs on a small scale. The setting is lovely, the community charming, and the writing is beautifully descriptive and easy to envision. As always, romance and family are the key binding agents of the story Nora weaves. The only thing that didn’t ring true for me was the mystery element. It was glaringly obvious who the secondary and tertiary villains would be, so much so that the main characters should have guessed it immediately. Their ignorance was almost jarringly unbelievable.
I love that Nora took a chance and started incorporating issues close to her heart into her fiction. It was a huge risk to take, especially with such a large fanbase. Thankfully it’s a very loyal fanbase, and they/we seem happy to follow her anywhere. I applaud her for stepping outside the box and producing meatier works like Under Currents. I can’t wait to read whatever she writes next.
You can find this review and more at Novel Notions.
“The couldn’t take who we are away from us. We’re who we are despite them.”
Over the past few years, Nora’s writing has undergone a shift that I both respect and regret. She’s always been the source of my ultimate comfort reads, but that light easiness has fallen by the wayside. And I respect her so much for it. Nora’s stories have shifted from fairly straightforward romances to books that, while still romantic with an almost guaranteed happy ending, deal with some pretty hard topics. Recently, these topics have included mass shootings and how survivors wrestle with the aftermath decades later, kidnapping and sex-slavery and how families adjust to having a broken family member returned, and how the children of serial killers have to deal with the horrors wrought by said parents and the fear they feel that their blood might be tainted with violence. And that’s just to name a few. In Under Currents, Nora addresses domestic violence and abuse in various settings, from suburbia to squalor to affluence. We see how abuse impacts children from their first contact with it and through their adulthood. We see how easily hidden the worst abuse can be, and how it can pervade even the seemingly nicest and safest neighborhoods. We also see how abuse can become a cycle for some, but that others break free of it and often spend their lives helping pull others from the wreckage.
“You showed me what was real. Real family, real parents, even real husband and wife. Without that, without you… Abuse is a cycle. Without you, I might have become like him.”
Mixed into and rising above this trauma were characters who were Nora’s patented blend of funny, engaging, hardworking, and empathetic. These were people who would come together to help each other or outsiders at a moment’s notice. They are incredibly self motivated, and most of them are self-employed entrepreneurs on a small scale. The setting is lovely, the community charming, and the writing is beautifully descriptive and easy to envision. As always, romance and family are the key binding agents of the story Nora weaves. The only thing that didn’t ring true for me was the mystery element. It was glaringly obvious who the secondary and tertiary villains would be, so much so that the main characters should have guessed it immediately. Their ignorance was almost jarringly unbelievable.
“Maybe there were undercurrents and always would be, but they’d never drag him down again.”
I love that Nora took a chance and started incorporating issues close to her heart into her fiction. It was a huge risk to take, especially with such a large fanbase. Thankfully it’s a very loyal fanbase, and they/we seem happy to follow her anywhere. I applaud her for stepping outside the box and producing meatier works like Under Currents. I can’t wait to read whatever she writes next.
You can find this review and more at Novel Notions.
September 22, 2022
This is the first book I've read of Mrs Roberts. Of course I've read over 20 of the "In Death" books which she writes under the pen name J.D. Robb and I'm perplexed by it because this book doesn't remind me at all of the style, or pace, or plot complexity of her "In Death" books. I know that they are in totally different genders but still this book felt less. Let me elaborate...
"Under Currents" is divided in four parts. The first part “The Cruelty of Lies” is autonomous and tells the story of Zane (the Hero) and how he and his sister were abused by their parents. It’s very powerful and heart wrenching and IMHO is the best part of the book. I would give this book 5 stars only for that part alone.
The second part “Homecomings” is taking place 18 years after the end of part one and introduces Darby (the heroine) as she comes to settle in Lakeview (Zane’s home town). This part is really slow, it contains TMI about landscaping and ends with Zane and Darby being in a relationship.
The last two parts “From Roots to Blooming” and “Healing Truths” is what I like to call *A blast from the past*. And I leave it at that because I don’t like to spoil the story.
In overall, the story unfolds in average pace which (apart from the landscaping info overload) was enjoyable. But the plot was totally predictable and I missed the complexity of J.D. Robb’s villains.
The abuse theme was over exploited throughout the story. It’s unrealistic so many bad things always happening to the same person. But the story also focuses on the importance of family and how difference can be made if you have solid people in your life to lean on when the need arises. And how you can get stronger by surviving bad situations and you have the choice of being a better person than the one you were raised to be.
What bothered me most though in this story, and I blame totally myself for it, is the recklessness and spontaneity in which both heroes seemed to spend their money. Is this the way things are in America our days? I mean, I know that it can’t be like living in bankrupted Greece where you have to think twice about buying your kid a second pair of shoes, but it can’t really be that prosperous, can it? The characters seemed to be middle class and still had not a second thought about buying houses, cars, new yards, new furniture…. I get that they have degrees and they are hard working people, but so am I, and if this place really exists where do I apply to move there tomorrow?
"Under Currents" is divided in four parts. The first part “The Cruelty of Lies” is autonomous and tells the story of Zane (the Hero) and how he and his sister were abused by their parents. It’s very powerful and heart wrenching and IMHO is the best part of the book. I would give this book 5 stars only for that part alone.
The second part “Homecomings” is taking place 18 years after the end of part one and introduces Darby (the heroine) as she comes to settle in Lakeview (Zane’s home town). This part is really slow, it contains TMI about landscaping and ends with Zane and Darby being in a relationship.
The last two parts “From Roots to Blooming” and “Healing Truths” is what I like to call *A blast from the past*. And I leave it at that because I don’t like to spoil the story.
In overall, the story unfolds in average pace which (apart from the landscaping info overload) was enjoyable. But the plot was totally predictable and I missed the complexity of J.D. Robb’s villains.
The abuse theme was over exploited throughout the story. It’s unrealistic so many bad things always happening to the same person. But the story also focuses on the importance of family and how difference can be made if you have solid people in your life to lean on when the need arises. And how you can get stronger by surviving bad situations and you have the choice of being a better person than the one you were raised to be.
What bothered me most though in this story, and I blame totally myself for it, is the recklessness and spontaneity in which both heroes seemed to spend their money. Is this the way things are in America our days? I mean, I know that it can’t be like living in bankrupted Greece where you have to think twice about buying your kid a second pair of shoes, but it can’t really be that prosperous, can it? The characters seemed to be middle class and still had not a second thought about buying houses, cars, new yards, new furniture…. I get that they have degrees and they are hard working people, but so am I, and if this place really exists where do I apply to move there tomorrow?
May 21, 2020
Another solid read from Ms Roberts. I think I have mentioned that I read her very first book and I swore I would never read anything by her again. But I gave in and, apart from reading most of the IN DEATH books (J.D. Robb), I have read quite a number of her Romantic Suspense books. I think her first book was not geared for an Irish audience. Hence, my hatred of it!!
Many might say that there is an over-description in this book (and a lot of her books) of "details" i.e. house furnishings, paint colours and in this book, gardens, plants and landscapes. Yes, it was a lot but I loved it... I loved imagining all the plants and the beautiful grounds ... And Zane's house - give it to me, NOW!!!
Child abuse, spousal abuse ... not a nice subject matter to read about but it is at the basis of this tale. It is dealt with in parts of the book but it does not overshadow the rest of the book ...
I really liked Zane and Darby. Strong characters who had gone through some tough times in their lives. The secondary cast was great too. Had sort of figured out the twist or "bad guy" but still enjoyed the story, every root, leaf, mulch, shrub and flower!
I still don't know how Nora/JD manages to churn out all the books she does ...
Some of her other Romantic Suspense books are definitely better than this one, with more of "edge of your seat" twists and turns but this one kept me interested ... and makes me want to landscape my own garden ...
Many might say that there is an over-description in this book (and a lot of her books) of "details" i.e. house furnishings, paint colours and in this book, gardens, plants and landscapes. Yes, it was a lot but I loved it... I loved imagining all the plants and the beautiful grounds ... And Zane's house - give it to me, NOW!!!
Child abuse, spousal abuse ... not a nice subject matter to read about but it is at the basis of this tale. It is dealt with in parts of the book but it does not overshadow the rest of the book ...
I really liked Zane and Darby. Strong characters who had gone through some tough times in their lives. The secondary cast was great too. Had sort of figured out the twist or "bad guy" but still enjoyed the story, every root, leaf, mulch, shrub and flower!
He found her a fascinating series of contrasts ...
"Aren't those weeds?"
"Wildflowers." she corrected. "Native wildflowers."
"We'll take care of each other."
"Though she be but little, she is fierce."
I still don't know how Nora/JD manages to churn out all the books she does ...
Some of her other Romantic Suspense books are definitely better than this one, with more of "edge of your seat" twists and turns but this one kept me interested ... and makes me want to landscape my own garden ...
May 13, 2020
You can't go wrong with Ms. Roberts's books!
And if you love gardening and landscaping, you will totally love this one 😘.
Note: plenty abused situation in this book, including child abused.
if that'll made you feel uneasy, you probably shouldn't read this one.
Otherwise, this is a fabulous read!
❤️
And if you love gardening and landscaping, you will totally love this one 😘.
Note: plenty abused situation in this book, including child abused.
if that'll made you feel uneasy, you probably shouldn't read this one.
Otherwise, this is a fabulous read!
❤️
July 13, 2019
4.5 stars.
September 6, 2020
“Under Currents” was my first Nora Roberts novel, so I went into this with no preconceptions other then I knew she was the number one New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels. It was obvious from the first few pages alone that this was a seasoned author who knows exactly how to draw the reader in early on. I was utterly engrossed in this brutal and hard hitting romantic suspense story, so much so that there were times I could barely blink as the tension ratcheted up.
Focusing on spousal and child domestic abuse, it was exceedingly hard to read at times and a definite trigger for anyone who may be affected by this subject but it was a truly well written and brilliantly researched book into the emotions that goes into the victims of abuse and their fears of retribution if they speak out.
There were three parts to the story. The first was a gut-wrenching and very emotional account of brother and sister Zane and Britt and their lives with their abusive father and powerless mother. The second part, many years later featured the introduction of Darby McCray, a landscape gardener looking to set up her business in Lakeview at the same time Zane decides to return home there. This is where you feel a false sense of security as you just know that when the third part arrives it’s all going to kick off again. Brilliantly written however, the denouement was rather expected but I enjoyed the build up to it regardless and the romantic element although slightly cheesy in a realistic world was tastefully written and suited the ambience of the characters, location and plot.
I loved Zane, a character to truly endear to and fall a little in love with and even though Darby was a talented landscape gardener who could more than take care of herself, I couldn’t help but feel a little jealousy as she started to befriend Zane!
All in all a fabulous family saga with a romantic suspense element that had me hooked from the very first page and with the attention to detail in the different plants and growing techniques, I now feel energised for a spot of gardening myself!
4 stars and I will definitely be reading more by Nora Roberts again.
Many thanks to Lovereading for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Focusing on spousal and child domestic abuse, it was exceedingly hard to read at times and a definite trigger for anyone who may be affected by this subject but it was a truly well written and brilliantly researched book into the emotions that goes into the victims of abuse and their fears of retribution if they speak out.
There were three parts to the story. The first was a gut-wrenching and very emotional account of brother and sister Zane and Britt and their lives with their abusive father and powerless mother. The second part, many years later featured the introduction of Darby McCray, a landscape gardener looking to set up her business in Lakeview at the same time Zane decides to return home there. This is where you feel a false sense of security as you just know that when the third part arrives it’s all going to kick off again. Brilliantly written however, the denouement was rather expected but I enjoyed the build up to it regardless and the romantic element although slightly cheesy in a realistic world was tastefully written and suited the ambience of the characters, location and plot.
I loved Zane, a character to truly endear to and fall a little in love with and even though Darby was a talented landscape gardener who could more than take care of herself, I couldn’t help but feel a little jealousy as she started to befriend Zane!
All in all a fabulous family saga with a romantic suspense element that had me hooked from the very first page and with the attention to detail in the different plants and growing techniques, I now feel energised for a spot of gardening myself!
4 stars and I will definitely be reading more by Nora Roberts again.
Many thanks to Lovereading for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
May 11, 2022
4.5 stars
June 2, 2020
What an interesting version of a La Nora standalone... it did pretty much become a romantic suspense in the last 100 pages, but beyond that, it was more of a small town contemporary with a heavy dose of romance and a light suspense plot engine. But it still totally worked for me & I found myself swept away as usual by the characters and the setting. Be warned: the first 100 pages or so are hard to read as they are filled with frank descriptions of domestic violence, particularly aimed at children.
August 21, 2019
4 Stars!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
For both Zane and Darby, their small town roots hold a terrible secret. Now, decades later, they've come together to build a new life. But will the past set them free or pull them under?
Zane Bigelow grew up in a beautiful, perfectly kept house in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains. Everyone thinks his family is perfect. Only Zane and his sister know the truth, until one brutal night finally reveals cracks in the facade, and Zane escapes for college without a thought of looking back...
Years later, Zane returns to his hometown determined to reconnect with the place and people that mean so much to him, despite the painful memories. As he resumes life in the colorful town, he meets a gifted landscape artist named Darby, who is on the run from ghosts of her own.
Together they will have to teach each other what it means to face the past, and stand up for the ones they love.
What an emotional roller-coaster !! I will start off by saying I usually do not include trigger warnings in my reviews- but this one definitely calls for one . There is a lot of abuse in this book- it was hard to read but worth every minute of it.
The author takes her time building the story. She allows you to gain a connection to the characters and as they grow, you are right there along for the ride. I can not say enough good things about this book. It hits a place inside your soul and makes you appreciate things you may never have before.
For both Zane and Darby, their small town roots hold a terrible secret. Now, decades later, they've come together to build a new life. But will the past set them free or pull them under?
Zane Bigelow grew up in a beautiful, perfectly kept house in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains. Everyone thinks his family is perfect. Only Zane and his sister know the truth, until one brutal night finally reveals cracks in the facade, and Zane escapes for college without a thought of looking back...
Years later, Zane returns to his hometown determined to reconnect with the place and people that mean so much to him, despite the painful memories. As he resumes life in the colorful town, he meets a gifted landscape artist named Darby, who is on the run from ghosts of her own.
Together they will have to teach each other what it means to face the past, and stand up for the ones they love.
What an emotional roller-coaster !! I will start off by saying I usually do not include trigger warnings in my reviews- but this one definitely calls for one . There is a lot of abuse in this book- it was hard to read but worth every minute of it.
The author takes her time building the story. She allows you to gain a connection to the characters and as they grow, you are right there along for the ride. I can not say enough good things about this book. It hits a place inside your soul and makes you appreciate things you may never have before.
January 13, 2020
This was a difficult story to read... Non because it was badly written or uninteresting, but because it's about abuse - children and women abuse!
If it was my place I'd burn the abusers on a stake!
About child abuse
About the women abuse, both the heroine and another woman were abused by their husbands.
Those men are rabid BEASTS who need to be erased from Earth in the worst possible way!
The story is told with a chearful tone of voice (except were the abuse is described - then it was chilling to the bone!) and I loved both the MCs and the secondary characters even if they were too perfect, but because of then they in a way balanced the bad parts.
As I said I loved the parts about the landscaping and the descriptions!
All in all a perfect NR's story! :)
If it was my place I'd burn the abusers on a stake!
About child abuse
About the women abuse, both the heroine and another woman were abused by their husbands.
Those men are rabid BEASTS who need to be erased from Earth in the worst possible way!
The story is told with a chearful tone of voice (except were the abuse is described - then it was chilling to the bone!) and I loved both the MCs and the secondary characters even if they were too perfect, but because of then they in a way balanced the bad parts.
As I said I loved the parts about the landscaping and the descriptions!
All in all a perfect NR's story! :)
August 15, 2019
Even though this was a hard read with a lot of really tough situations and for some even, triggers, I really liked it. The family bonds, friendships, all the things I love about Nora's books wrapped up in something that was far more emotional than I had planned but in a very good way.
January 1, 2025
Another favorite from Nora.
This heavily deals with abusive relationships in many forms, so definitely know that before you pick this up. I listened to the audio for this and was hooked from the start. We see the hero in high school living with an abusive father and then flash forward to when he's an adult and a lawyer. Someone is terrorizing town and they have to figure out who it is. He falls for the heroine, who is a local landscaper. Nora always has such unique characters and I loved them! And the suspense!? So good!! I didn't see the twist coming!
This heavily deals with abusive relationships in many forms, so definitely know that before you pick this up. I listened to the audio for this and was hooked from the start. We see the hero in high school living with an abusive father and then flash forward to when he's an adult and a lawyer. Someone is terrorizing town and they have to figure out who it is. He falls for the heroine, who is a local landscaper. Nora always has such unique characters and I loved them! And the suspense!? So good!! I didn't see the twist coming!
May 21, 2020
I have always enjoyed Nora Roberts writing. She has written some of my favorite Romantic Suspense stories. Her books are normally riveting and always seem to keep me on the edge of my seat. For me Under Currents didn’t give me either of these things.
BUT I did enjoy it. I found it exciting at times and one of the things I loved was the banter between the two main characters and all the supporting characters. It was quite the cast characters and I thought they were all great! Such a strong sense of family.
The two main characters Darby and Zane truly were meant for each other. Kindred hearts I guess you could say. Since the book was made up of four parts Nora gave the reader ample time to get to know these two separately. No one should experience what they did. My heart broke for Zane and his sister Britt. It broke for Darby. What unfolded between them wasn’t insta love. And I appreciated that. It was sweet to see them naturally fall in place together.
Part one and part four is what had me enjoying this book. The middle parts were good but for me it wasn’t the strong suspenseful writing NR usually gives us. There was quite a bit of landscaping going on! LOL Zane and Darby were surrounded by a wonderful family and community. There were fun moments, sad moments and a few oh goodness moments but none that kicked things up a notch for me. And that is what I was missing.
While this wasn’t my favorite Nora Roberts book I did enjoy it. The storyline kept a difficult topic in the forefront. She handled that carefully. It was early on that I figured out where Nora was going to take things. It didn’t ruin to book for me because the suspense came in the how and when!
Definitely give this one a go if you are a NR fan!
October 1, 2019
Nora Roberts is a master. She knows her audience, and she writes for it well. She is an addict, a word she used, herself when we first met in 1981 at the inaugural Romance Writers of America convention. And I believe it. She writes non-stop, multiple books a year, year after year after year. While I haven’t read her suspense or futuristic novels, I felt it was time to read her latest contemporary, UNDER CURRENTS.
It’s a wonderful read, really two-books in one. Nora doesn’t skimp when it comes to giving her reader what she wants. The first part of UNDER CURRENTS is a heartrending tale that gives the background on one of the major characters. The second part introduces another character whose life will intersect with the first.
UNDER CURRENTS is a love story – several, actually. But it’s also an exploration of domestic abuse, both perpetrators and victims. The theme isn’t new, but there is an emotional power here that some authors in other genres have missed.
The book is long, but it held my attention throughout, or almost. There were slow moments, moments that were too sweet for me. There were also moments of bad-guy introspection that felt stereotypical, which leads to the only real problem I had with this book.
There are many characters in this book, and they’re either very good or very bad. A little gray is more my cuppa. But then, Nora’s books sell way more copies than mine. So perhaps there’s a lesson here?
Whatever, I do recommend UNDER CURRENTS. Kudos, Nora!
It’s a wonderful read, really two-books in one. Nora doesn’t skimp when it comes to giving her reader what she wants. The first part of UNDER CURRENTS is a heartrending tale that gives the background on one of the major characters. The second part introduces another character whose life will intersect with the first.
UNDER CURRENTS is a love story – several, actually. But it’s also an exploration of domestic abuse, both perpetrators and victims. The theme isn’t new, but there is an emotional power here that some authors in other genres have missed.
The book is long, but it held my attention throughout, or almost. There were slow moments, moments that were too sweet for me. There were also moments of bad-guy introspection that felt stereotypical, which leads to the only real problem I had with this book.
There are many characters in this book, and they’re either very good or very bad. A little gray is more my cuppa. But then, Nora’s books sell way more copies than mine. So perhaps there’s a lesson here?
Whatever, I do recommend UNDER CURRENTS. Kudos, Nora!
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