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Impulse

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Rebecca Malone makes two impulsive decisions: to go to Greece for fun and adventure and to fall in love with a handsome stranger, Stephen Nickodemus.

144 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1989

415 people are currently reading
934 people want to read

About the author

Nora Roberts

1,209 books59.7k followers
Nora 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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5 stars
900 (36%)
4 stars
551 (22%)
3 stars
634 (25%)
2 stars
271 (11%)
1 star
88 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
Profile Image for Mara.
1,949 reviews4,321 followers
October 16, 2021
Rebecca was #relatable for me in quitting her boring 9 to 5 to go abroad - I did something similar at her age. I really liked her journey, but Stephen was meh to me. All around, some highs, some lows, and I got the hit of Nora vibes that I needed
Profile Image for Lyndi W..
2,042 reviews210 followers
January 7, 2015
Okay, let me spoil this shit for you.

Meet Rebecca. Totally dependable, boring, 9-to-5 number cruncher Rebecca. She's never done anything impulsive, she's never even gotten a parking ticket. Rebecca's aunt, who was also totally dependable and boring, passes away just after retirement, when she was making plans to travel and do all the things she had been putting off her whole life. Which is when Rebecca realizes that she's on the same path as dear auntie. So she quits her job, sells every single thing she owns, buys a new wardrobe, and flies to London. Then Paris. Then Greece. She's determined to grab life and ride it bareback.

At this point, I'm like "Hell yeah. This chick is great!"

Then she meets some dude and falls in love. She tells him that she kinda woke up one day and realized she wasn't really living and decided to go on an adventure. She'd figure out what she was going to do when it was over later. Live in the moment and all that shit. She told him this. But she did not give the minute details about her being an accountant, being Miss Dependable, selling all her stuff to buy travelers checks, etc.

So while she's falling in love, she is absolutely freaking out that she's deceiving this guy because she hasn't told him she was an accountant and has no belongings. She hasn't lied to him. She hasn't even hinting at an untruth. But for some reason, she is completely racked with guilt over her dishonesty. It's nonstop "Oh god, what am I going to do when he finds out the horrible truth about me?!"

It was so annoying that I wanted to DNF the whole thing. But I knew that her Big Secret was going to be a total non-issue with this guy, I had to read on to find out how he responded when she finally revealed the Awful Truth. I wanted to know if he was going to laugh in her face or shake her. Or if the obscene happened and Nora Roberts had the guy totally flip out as if Rebecca really did lie to him about something important.

I would not recommend this unless you really want to be annoyed with somebody.
Profile Image for *CJ*.
5,097 reviews623 followers
August 12, 2017
"Impulse" is the short story of Rebecca and Stephan.
When Rebecca's only living relative dies without ever having "lived" her life, she decides to take an impromptu trip to Greece, liquifying all her assets.
It is there she meets the hotel owner Stephan, and the attraction is instantaneous.
Both cannot resist spending time together..but soon, their natures and truth intervenes.
I really loved the concept, but Stephan was too controlling and made me a little angry. Even though I love an angry possessive hero, I hate someone who just is jealous of anything moving and makes accusations.
Overall, an average read. Would have liked an epilogue.
Safe
2.75/5
Profile Image for Amanda Siegrist.
Author 64 books746 followers
December 18, 2020
This was a fun, quick read! I enjoyed it from start to finish, and read it one night!
Profile Image for Zaskya Benítez.
968 reviews25 followers
August 30, 2018
1,5
Al ser un relato no me esperaba gran cosa pero vamos, esto ha sido insoportable.
En primer lugar; puedo entender que no estés cómoda con la manera en la que estas llevado tu vida y decidas darle un giro, pero de ahí a pasar de ser una persona que asegura su futuro a tirarlo todo por la borda, hay un largo trecho.
Luego, te compro que él se sienta atraído por ella ya que le parece misteriosa, guapa y tal... pero que se vuelva loco en 2 días y la ame? Are you fucking kidding me, right? Además todo eso de "te conozco, sé que lo hago" me pareció innecesario.
Para completar ella intenta ser rebelde y actuar impulsivamente y termina siendo sumisa y pidiendo perdón hasta por tener una conversación, porque es que el tipo es un imbécil, ¿como rayos lo soporta?
En fin, un relato que va de mal a peor y que me cuesta creer que lo haya escrito Nora.
Profile Image for Heidi.
196 reviews
February 25, 2021
Rebecca Malone has just sold all of her possessions and left her job as a CPA to travel the world and truly live her life for the first time. She arrives in Greece where she meets Stephen Nickodemus, a wealthy land and hotel mogul who is instantly drawn to Rebecca. As the two spend time together, their attraction is palpable but Rebecca begins to worry that Stephen won’t care for her once he learns about her bland and sheltered past. This book is only 100 pages and is good for a quick, steamy read. To hear a full discussion of Impulse listen to Season 2, Ep. #13 "Nora Roberts: 1989 Romances" of Romancing the Shelf, a Nora Roberts podcast: https://romancingtheshelf.libsyn.com/
Profile Image for Bettinabooklover.
200 reviews3 followers
March 21, 2021
Ich weiß immer noch nicht so genau, was ich von dieser Kurzgeschichte gelten soll...
Der Schreibstil hat mir leider nicht wirklich gefallen, was auch meinen Lesefluss beeinträchtigt hat.
Beide Protagonisten hat man nur sehr oberflächlich kennengelernt, was bei einer sehr kurzen Geschichte zwar logisch ist, aber trotzdem sehr schade. Auch die Gefühle der beiden und die Entwicklung kam gar nicht bei mir an.
Leider kann ich diese Geschichte nicht weiterempfehlen.

(Unbezahlte Werbung/Rezensionsexemplar)
Profile Image for Ann Keller.
Author 31 books112 followers
July 5, 2012
Rebecca Malone led a dull, ordinary existence as a diligent accountant. She was always available to baby sit children when needed, to help a good cause or stay late to finish an important project. Still, where was all of this leading her? Nowhere!

On a whim, Rebecca quits her job, sells everything she has and flies to romantic Greece. There, she becomes a woman of mystery, impulsive adventures and exciting contradictions, the perfect magnet for any bored, well to do gentleman.

Stephen Nickodemus is enchanted by the young American woman. Although to some, Rebecca might seem just a woman searching for a little excitement, Stephen sees much more in her future. He wants Rebecca for himself. What will Stephen do when he learns the truth, that she is really a dull, boring accountant with no home and no future?
41 reviews4 followers
July 6, 2008
Very cute and quick read. She went straight to the story line and ran with it. I would have to say it was more of a short story then a novel.
Profile Image for Kristen Dalrymple.
655 reviews5 followers
January 25, 2021
This book was hilarious. It was such a fun romance to read. I was laughing. Definitely recommend this book.
6 reviews
October 12, 2021
Excellent read

Nora Roberts never disappoints. Wonderfully told and yet let's you imagine all sorts if endings or beginnings to continue the story.
87 reviews
November 26, 2022
Sex, travel, wealth but love at first site

I read this in one afternoon. I could not put it down.
This is what all women want to do in their lives and should just go for it.
Profile Image for Sandra.
287 reviews25 followers
March 26, 2018
Quería una novela corta y fácil de leer para el fin de semana y las románticas siempre cumplen el cometido.
Elegí esta novela por su extensión. Es un relato que forma parte del libro "Tiempo de estrellas" publicado junto a Isabel Keats, Ana Casanovas y Erika Fiorucci, pero solo leí este porque es de Nora Roberts
Es una historia sin un gran plot (o casi ninguno) la trama es más bien sencillísima, un par de guapetones se encuentran y se atraen al minuto de conocerse, ella es contable que ha renunciado a su trabajo y viaja a Grecia a vivir (algo que no hay hecho nunca porque siempre se ha ceñido a lo que su tía esperaba de ella), pero no quiere ser como esa tía que la crío y a la que amo, en fin diríamos que Rebeca se suelta el cabello y trata de vivir la vida loca (trata pero no hay demasiadas locuras aquí). Stephen es el típico macho guapo, rico, muy rico, sexy y adorable. Él me gustó mucho. Es el prototipo de protagonista que me gusta, seguro de sí mismo, elegante, alto, guapo, algo posesivo pero tierno y comprensivo. Nora Roberts nos describe a dos personajes encantadores que son capaces de llenar las historias solos o juntos. No necesitan más personajes a su alrededor. De hecho no hay personajes secundarios (solo son referenciales). Por lo que casi toda la novela gira en torno a los protagonistas Rebecca y Stephens, en cómo evitan admitir que se están enamorando y limitando todo a que es solo atracción física. Está el típico y tonto malentendido de las novelas del género que hace acelerar el desenlace para terminar con un happy end., eso también aliviana la trama porque no la hace tan larga y no es posible darse vuelta en lo mismo durante mucho rato. Por eso también es una historia corta, porque no hay personajes secundarios ni mucha intriga o desencuentros entre esta pareja.

No es para nada la mejor novela de NR, tampoco es una gran historia de amor, no tiene elementos novedosos para el género, pero siendo una historia muy, muy simple tiene su encanto, el suficiente para un fin de semana. La leí en menos de dos horas.
Reseña en el blog: http://perezosa69.blogspot.cl/2018/03...
Profile Image for Kira.
96 reviews
March 24, 2020
Rebecca was a reliable, responsible, sensible accountant. Then, she sold everything she owned and flew to Europe. Stephen was an accomplished businessman. Then one night he sent a bottle of champagne to a mysterious stranger.

I was very surprised to see that this story was originally published in 2003. Compared to the other Roberts book I've read (can't remember the title, but I read it in 2005 so at most it was published two years later than this one) it features a lot more toxic behavior from the male lead. It also featured a couple instances of the racial slur for Romani people, in its romanticized usage. I found Rebecca to be a compelling lead, but didn't particularly care for Stephen even as I was rooting for her to get what she wanted.

I would recommend it to: somebody quarantined who already has it on hand, die hard Nora Roberts fans.

If half stars were an option, I would have gone 2.5. I came close to rounding up, but the deciding factor for me was just how much toxic masculinity Stephen displays throughout.
501 reviews
September 5, 2019
Rebecca Malone led a dull, ordinary existence as a diligent accountant. She was always available to baby sit children when needed, to help a good cause or stay late to finish an important project. Still, where was all of this leading her? Nowhere!

On a whim, Rebecca quits her job, sells everything she has and flies to romantic Greece. There, she becomes a woman of mystery, impulsive adventures and exciting contradictions, the perfect magnet for any bored, well to do gentleman.

Stephen Nickodemus is enchanted by the young American woman. Although to some, Rebecca might seem just a woman searching for a little excitement, Stephen sees much more in her future. He wants Rebecca for himself. What will Stephen do when he learns the truth, that she is really a dull, boring accountant with no home and no future?
Profile Image for The Book Worm.
749 reviews14 followers
November 20, 2018
This is one of Nora Roberts' oldest and while I sometimes cringe at some of my favorite writers' early books, Impulse is not overall bad. And it's a novella, not a full sized book, so you can read it pretty quickly.
It's a bit outdated, but not in a way that stands out, and I like the way it alternates between Stephen and Rebecca's points of view. It is very much predictable, though, so if you go into it with high expectations you'll be disappointed.
Impulse can be a good distraction when you need a quick read that entertains you but doesn't require you to think too much. I read it while waiting for a couple of doctor's appointments and for that, it was just perfect.
Profile Image for Sam.
517 reviews31 followers
February 10, 2024
✨𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰✨

"𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙖 𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙪𝙡𝙨𝙚. 𝘿𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙢𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙬, 𝙍𝙚𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙘𝙖. 𝙄 𝙨𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙩 𝙞𝙩."

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ⭐️⭐️
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 🌶️🌶️
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: 8 & 10
𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧: 29%
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬: Strangers-to-lovers, insta-love
𝐏𝐎𝐕: 3rd person
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Single
𝐊𝐔: No

I love Nora Roberts and it pains me to say this, but I just didn’t like anthing about this book. Insta-love is one of my least favorite tropes and this book is why. I think the couple said “I love you” after knowing each other for just a few days. Also, the MMC was kind of aggressive which rubbed me thr wrong way. But if those things don’t bother you, you may enjoy this one.


⚠️𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬:⚠️
2 cracked door scenes with vague descriptions
Strong language

𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬:
Profile Image for  Mary.
804 reviews11 followers
August 16, 2021

"You once dived into the sea on impulse. Dive with me now, Rebecca. I swear you won’t regret it."

Completamente insta-love y un protagonista machista fiel a la época de los inicios de los 90.
Nora ha evolucionado muchísimo desde ésta época. Lo más interesante de todo fue viajar mentalmente a Grecia; pero ninguno de los personajes es realmente memorable.
Profile Image for Maria.
313 reviews
February 17, 2023
This was one of shorter stories I have read of Ms. Roberts stand alone books.
It actually irked me, well, at first not, how the man in this love story was so damned obnoxious in his determination and stupid hang up about her innocence. I got peeved at the female in this book going from little miss dowdy to super fun loving woman to a ning nong 'falling in lerv' immediately with the Greek tycoon.

Oh well, I guess some people would love the Roman Holiday kind of aspect of this book, but not for me.
Profile Image for Monika.
1,428 reviews48 followers
November 5, 2025
3.5 Stars ⭐️ Rebecca decided to sell all of her stuff, quit her 9 to 5 job, and go adventure after her dependable aunt died and was afraid that would be her fate. She starts off in London, but it’s in Greece she fell in love with Stephen, a Greek restaurant owner. I was on board with this, but the third act conflict was a non-issue, which made it annoying. Still, most of the novella was a lot of fun!
Profile Image for Adric Rangel.
844 reviews29 followers
December 25, 2018
***Valoración 1.5 a 2/5 estrellas***

Siendo honesta, lo leí porque me encanta el estilo y la narrativa de Nora Roberts, sin embargo, con este libro me paso todo lo contrario. Empezó interesante pero fue menguando mi interés. En parte amé su lectura y en otra la odié. No sentí que leía un libro de Nora Roberts.
Profile Image for Fredell.
316 reviews1 follower
August 16, 2019
A very good story of a naive, novice world traveler who travels to Europe after the death of her beloved Aunt. She sells all her possessions and sets out on her adventure. Only to land on the Greek island of Corfu where she meets and falls in love with charming man--who just happens to be a billionaire--much to her surprise and his indecision.
Profile Image for Terri Skiff.
24 reviews1 follower
August 23, 2021
Who hasn't dreamed of letting go of everything! Going to another land! Rebuilding yourself!

A dream on impulse. Just let go and change everything! Life is short Rebecca left to another land all by herself! The courage that took! I'd recommend this book to everyone scared to take chances and make changes. To live and enjoy life the way you want!
Profile Image for Bonny.
141 reviews1 follower
January 21, 2024
I didn't like this book at all. It just didn't read like a Nora Roberts book to me. The preview was good but right after that it got weird for me. I've never given one of Nora's books one star but this one gave me a eekk feeling. I even wanted it all the way to the end and it never got better. I'm sorry for this review but all her other books I've read have been great.
Profile Image for Mrs W Woodruff.
286 reviews5 followers
October 20, 2024
This was a quick read about 144 pages. Not one of my favorite Nora Roberts novels. Lots of passion in the book.

Rebecca was a CPA who never did anything exciting. After the passing of her aunt she decided to start a new life so very different from how she had been living. Set off to Greece where she met Stephen and this changed everything for her and was no longer the boring CPA from Philly.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews

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