Book Review: Born in Ice by Nora Roberts

The second novel in the Irish Born Trilogy from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Born In Fire. 

Brianna Concannon is the kind of innkeeper who doesn’t mind the harsh winters of Ireland—and the empty bed-and-breakfast that comes with them. But this year, a famous American author needs a quiet place to stay while writing his next book.

A charmer whose easy smiles mask a guarded past, Grayson Thane plans to spend the cold winter alone. But his lovely landlady adds a complication he never expected. She’s exactly what he’s looking for in his heroine. And soon Grayson and Brianna will learn that sometimes fate has a plan of its own. Sometimes, fire can be born in ice…

My Thoughts

Brianna Concannon has lived in the same home all her life and now she’s turned it into an inn. Blackthorne Cottage, she called it after her dad died. With an estranged relationship with her mother, she finally makes it the inn she always dreamed of. Maggie, of course, is there with her new bundle of joy to be a support.

Mystery writer Grayson Thane books a room in the dead of winter to escape the city and isolate in solitude. Setting his new murder mystery in the hills of Ireland, he uses his environment to bring his story to life. While in the inn, he’s taking a liking to Brianna.

While their affections grow, there is more that we discover in letters in the attic. Brianna seeks support from Rogan and Maggie to find something they both feel duty-bound to connect. I for one am looking forward to hearing more about the mystery of the letters. I won’t give it away, but I find the last book in this trilogy will answer all the questions that I have. At least, I know they will.

In this story, I found myself relating to Brianna. She’s level-headed and practical and yet yearns for a family of her own. So, when Gray comes along, her heart is guarded. I can relate to being wary after being hurt. Roberts brings this story to life with her emotional journey. We see her struggle, cold as ice at times, yet the fire inside of her comes out slowly. To see her story transform her into the woman she was meant to be is nothing short of wonderful.

I feel I often get lost in the characters of Robert’s stories because she does such an amazing job with a human connection. You can’t help but get attached to them. To want the best for them and to be happy when you see them succeed. I’m onto the next and I’m looking forward to seeing the end of this family’s struggle.

Beautifully written and had me in tears at points.