5 stars – Contemporary Romance/Romantic Suspense

It’s hard to deny the talent and mass appeal of Nora Roberts considering The Witness is her 200th book. I mean...wow! That is quite an impressive achievement and a boon for romance readers. I consider myself a fan of hers, and I especially loved her Bride Quartet series and the few J.D. Robb In Death books that I’ve read. Some of her books tend to be a little bit too generic and plain vanilla for my taste, but I occasionally enjoy their comfort like good old vanilla ice cream, even if it doesn’t make them all that memorable.

The Witness is one of the better NR books that I’ve read. It’s a great contemporary suspense with satisfying romance between an extraordinary heroine and a protective cop hero. Often I find that my reading enjoyment tends to hinge on my feelings about the hero, but this time it was primarily the unique, unforgettable heroine who made me like the book so much.

I loved the heroine, Elizabeth/Liz, right from the start and my heart ached for her. It’s told in four parts/acts with the first involving her as a sixteen-year-old girl, and the ending of the first act (page 100 in the Hardcover edition) was intense, pulse-pounding, and emotionally distressing. I admired the strong, formidable, self-reliant woman she became. Abigail is a kick-ass survivor in hiding with so many interesting, veiled layers, and it’s impossible not to like her, especially when her social awkwardness and gruff loner persona make her unintentionally funny and glimpses of that vulnerable girl yearning for affection and normalcy are revealed. (view spoiler)[The part where she methodically researched proper etiquette and social customs of a barbecue on the Internet just to prepare for a casual gathering with Brooks’s family cracked me up. Yet it was also a bit heartbreaking when she became so easily discomfited by routine social graces and niceties. (hide spoiler)]

Police Chief Brooks Gleason is a great hero, and he’s pushy and unyielding in his pursuit of Abigail yet remarkably patient and understanding of her as well. And I couldn’t possibly forget to mention Abigail’s loyal friend and guard dog, Bert, since their relationship adds so much to the story. Bert definitely deserves top dog honors for favorite animal companion.

My one complaint is that I wanted more from the epilogue, but otherwise I really enjoyed this. So kudos to Ms. Roberts for her notable 200th release! 5 stars!