Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “Tribute” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

Tribute

Nora Roberts (Goodreads Author)

3.99 · Rating details · 27,502 ratings · 1,297 reviews

A young woman gets caught up in the secrets and shadows of a big-screen legend and a small-town scandal in this #1 New York Times bestseller from Nora Roberts.

Cilla McGowan, a former child star, has found a more satisfying life restoring homes. So she comes to Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley to save the dilapidated farmhouse of her grandmother—a legendary actress who died of ...more

Get A Copy

Hardcover, 451 pages

Published July 8th 2008 by Putnam

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Tribute, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Best Nora Roberts Novels

271 books — 1,337 voters

All Time Favorite Romance Novels

5,083 books — 12,213 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 3.99 ·

Rating details

· 27,502 ratings · 1,297 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of Tribute

Oct 02, 2017 Jilly rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: girls-i-want-to-hang-out-with, cool-dog-bro, romance, mystery

“I find myself fascinated by a man who admits to enjoying fairy tales and uses the word "impinge"- barely misses a beat while indulging in a brief girl-on-girl fantasy. "

You and me both, sister!
If you are shopping for a new book boyfriend to add in to your giant book boyfriend harem, have I got the man for you!

His name is Ford, but I'll allow it, and he writes and draws graphic novels and has a cool dog that kind of gives me this idea:

Ford lives across the road from Cilla, our heroine, who h ...more

flag 60 likes · Like · see review

Aug 24, 2017 Cyndi rated it it was amazing

In the world of romance novels there are a vast number of hot men. It's their personalities that differ. Some are overbearing, some are rich, some are sophisticated and a few are the geeky guy next door.
That's where Ford Sawyer hits, and that's the kind that melts my heart. I'm actually fairly easy to please, I just want the guy to not be sexist. Ford isn't.
He's not just the 'book boyfriend' type he's the 'drag this boy down the aisle' type.
Let me explain my newest love; he writes and illus ...more

flag 43 likes · Like · see review

Apr 04, 2008 jenjn79 rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: Nora Roberts fans

Recommended to jenjn79 by: favorite author

Shelves: author-nora-roberts, z2008-july-dec, info-full, genre-romance-suspense, 2008, reviewed, format-hardcover, stars-4

If there'd been an epilogue at the end of the book, I would have given Tribute 4.5 stars probably. Otherwise it was a solid 4-stars. I didn't absolutely and utterly LOVE the book, but I enjoyed it quite a bit (and was rather annoyed that everything seemed to be going wrong this week, keeping me from finishing the book).

Though the book is a romantic suspense, it doesn't have a high-intensity, frenetic feel that you get in other romantic suspense books (such as those by Karen Rose, Beverly Barton, If there'd been an epilogue at the end of the book, I would have given Tribute 4.5 stars probably. Otherwise it was a solid 4-stars. I didn't absolutely and utterly LOVE the book, but I enjoyed it quite a bit (and was rather annoyed that everything seemed to be going wrong this week, keeping me from finishing the book).

Though the book is a romantic suspense, it doesn't have a high-intensity, frenetic feel that you get in other romantic suspense books (such as those by Karen Rose, Beverly Barton, etc). The suspense is more subtle, less intense because the story is character and romance driven. It's about the people, the past, the relationships. About Cilla trying to make peace with who she is, and who she isn't, and about her trying to find her place in the world after life as a child-star. And it's about the sweet and tender romance that gradually grows between her and Ford. The suspense angle is still there and prominent, but its not exactly the driving force behind the story.

Having said that, one of my favorite parts of this book was the fact that Roberts kept me guessing throughout nearly the entire story as to who the antagonist was. The book was 451 pages and it wasn't until about page 434 that I narrowed it down to 2 people, who shared the same reason for hating Cilla. And it wasn't until page 438 that it became obvious. There were so many possibilities as to who wanted to harm Cilla and Roberts did an excellent job throwing suspicion around. I would lean toward one character then a few pages later change my mind and think it was someone else. Even the reason for why someone was attacking Cilla was left for supposition. If it was that character trying to harm her, then it was for that reason, but if it was the other character, it was for another reason. I really enjoyed that aspect of the book. It kept me on my toes and reading carefully to pick up on nuances that might clue me in sooner. And it wasn't until nearly the end that I could finally say "Aha!" It did end up being my number 1 suspect, but until a certain event, I could never say for sure. I love it when books have a well-crafted hidden antagonist. It makes the mind work.

My second favorite part of the book was the character of Ford. He would probably be considered the quintessential Beta Male. Don't get me wrong, I love a good Alpha, but I do love the "good guy" heroes as well. Especially ones with a side of Geek thrown in. And that's what Ford was. A down-to-earth, kind-hearted, geek-ish nice guy. I think Cilla said it best when she called him stable. It's the perfect description for him. That didn't make him a push-over, though. He still had his Alpha Male moments. I just really enjoyed reading about him.

The romance was enjoyable to read. It wasn't a flaming hot romance, though there were moments of heat, it was more sweet and tender than anything. I always like reading romances that have a more natural progression versus the angsty "I don't want to love you" types that are so prevalent in romance novels. When Ford told Cilla he loved her for the first time, I actually sighed. I was really rooting for them to get their happy ending.

Other parts of the book that I liked: some of the witty one-liners, the realistic dialogue, the dream sequences with Cilla and Janet, all the details Roberts put into the restoration of the house...and probably lots of other things. Oh! And the dog, Spock! He absolutely rocked!

What didn't I like? Honestly, nothing comes to mind. There weren't any parts of the book that bugged me. I do wish there had been an epilogue but at least there was a final scene separated from the big finale. It just would have been nice to have an epilogue to show how things settled. But so many romance writers are skipping epilogues these days, so I wasn't surprised that there wasn't one.

I've read some comments that this book is too similar to River's End but I didn't particularly see it. Sure, there is a similarity in the fact that they both deal with a Hollywood icon who died under tragic circumstances, and why it happened. But aside from that, they are very different stories. At least to me. I wouldn't have even thought of the comparison if someone else hadn't mentioned it.

Final thoughts...yet another good book from Roberts. I liked it almost as much as Blue Smoke and more than Angels Fist and High Noon. It's a story I'll want to reread again some day. ...more

flag 29 likes · Like · see review

Oct 17, 2012 Jacob Proffitt rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, steamy, romance

This was a typical Roberts romance… until we meet Ford Sawyer. Now, I admit that this is a personal reaction, but I simply fell in love with him at first appearance and that never abated. I mean how can you resist the combination of a really cool job (graphic novel author and artist), southern equanimity and persistence, and basic, masculine competence?

Cilla was interesting enough on her own, too—a former child actor with enough residual resources to build a new career in a new place and have th ...more

flag 20 likes · Like · see review

Jun 13, 2008 Julie (jjmachshev) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: queuemyreview, 2008-reads

Reviewed for queuemyreview.com; book release: July 2008

WOW…just WOW! I just finished Nora Robert's new book "Tribute" and my heart is still racing. I don't know how La Nora does it, but she has written yet another sure-to-be-bestseller that is truly a romantic suspense. The story softly, quietly pulls you in as the hero and heroine become real to you and you begin to feel their excitement, uncertainty, happiness, anxiety, joy, fear, and finally their triumph. It's a stunning emotional rollercoas Reviewed for queuemyreview.com; book release: July 2008

WOW…just WOW! I just finished Nora Robert's new book "Tribute" and my heart is still racing. I don't know how La Nora does it, but she has written yet another sure-to-be-bestseller that is truly a romantic suspense. The story softly, quietly pulls you in as the hero and heroine become real to you and you begin to feel their excitement, uncertainty, happiness, anxiety, joy, fear, and finally their triumph. It's a stunning emotional rollercoaster of a ride that you won't want to miss.

Cilla is a former child star, the granddaughter of a Hollywood icon who died tragically at age 49 and the daughter of an actress. She rejected the life of glitz and glamour and now, in her late 20s, after a myriad of false starts, she’s finally found what she needs…renovating her dead grandmother’s farm into a home for herself and a career as a contractor. She doesn’t have time in her schedule for a man or romance even if that handsome guy across the road with the funny dog seems to be growing on her. But it doesn’t take long for her to figure out that at least one person, if not more, have decided she needs to leave, one way or another.

Ford writes and draws very successful graphic novels. He tried the big city lights, but figured out he did his best work back home in rural Virginia. Now he’s got the perfect house, a job he loves, and Spock, an ugly but vastly entertaining and intelligent dog. Then he spots his new neighbor across the way and she inspires a new character for him, interest in her renovation work, and soon she just inspires him period. As the threats against Cilla turn physical, he discovers a possessiveness and protectiveness he’s never known, and a love he didn’t plan on.

You’ll fall a little in love with Ford, and you’ll root for him to ‘get his girl’. The slower pace and small town flavor give a strong sense of change to what Cilla is accustomed to and her gradual acceptance by the community accompanies her growing feelings for Ford. The contrast between the warmth of the secondary characters and the threat of the unknown menace will send tingles down your spine. And the mystery is well done with plenty of available suspects.

As Cilla and Ford explore their relationship, the mystery deepens and the renovation progresses. It’s a very clever and subtle use of symbolism. Both the story and the characters are strong and exquisitely detailed. The dog Spock sometimes steals the show, and becomes just one of the personalities you’ll remember long after this story is done. “Tribute” is another winner by Nora Roberts that has earned a definite spot on my keeper shelf.
...more

flag 12 likes · Like · see review

Jan 11, 2021 Celeste rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: girl-power, rereads, comfort-reads

Have I mentioned how much I love Nora? She’s the ultimate source of mental comfort for me, and my mom, and my Memaw, and countless others across the globe. I maintain that her novels are the equivalent of a bubble bath for the brain, and that’s just what I needed this past week. I was terribly sick and the most effective medicines I found for my state of mind were reading this book and catching up on Doctor Who.

I’ve never read a bad Nora novel. But there are definitely some I love more than oth ...more

flag 12 likes · Like · see review

Nov 06, 2017 Ann Lou rated it it was amazing

Cilla McGowan, a has-been actress decided to fix and make some changes with her grandmother's Little Farm in Virginia as a tribute but she found home, instead. She's smart, beautiful and good with power tools.

Ford Sawyer lives across the road from her. So many things to love about him. He is adorable, sweet, a very good man. He writes and draws graphic novels. (super cool!) He creates heroes and super villains. He created a super hero using Cilla as the model. A charming nerd. And he t ...more

flag 12 likes · Like · see review

Jul 02, 2020 Mei rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary

Oh, Ford!!!! Too perfect to be true! LOL

Lovely story about a woman who wants to bring her never-met grandmother's house to it's former glory and finds the love of her life during the renovation! ;-)

But the true star was Ford! ...more

flag 12 likes · Like · see review

Jul 09, 2008 Christa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: library

I am so glad that I read this book! I love so many books, but I honestly can't remember when I have read one that I enjoyed more than Tribute. I found it to be exceptional. It has great writing, wonderful characters, and a good storyline. I found the heroine, Cilla McGowan, to be very likeable, as were several other characters, particularly her father and her ex-husband, but the hero made the book. I have seldom read about a hero that I enjoyed more, and Ford Sawyer has to be the best beta hero I am so glad that I read this book! I love so many books, but I honestly can't remember when I have read one that I enjoyed more than Tribute. I found it to be exceptional. It has great writing, wonderful characters, and a good storyline. I found the heroine, Cilla McGowan, to be very likeable, as were several other characters, particularly her father and her ex-husband, but the hero made the book. I have seldom read about a hero that I enjoyed more, and Ford Sawyer has to be the best beta hero I have ever encountered in a book. Although the novel is romantic suspense, the suspense doesn't come strongly into evidence until about a third of the way through the book. The first part of the book is spent developing the characters and building their relationships. The book grabbed me and pulled me in from the beginning and was just so enjoyable that I read most of it with a smile.

Janet Hardy was a sensational Hollywood star who had been on the stage since she began with Vaudeville at the age of four. She became addicted to alcohol and drugs at an early age when her mother and agents gave them to her to help her sleep, keep her awake, etc. Janet spends her life yearning for love, and looking for it constantly. She buys a Virginia farm, feeling that it is a place of peace and warmth. She loves to spend time at her farm and holds fabulous parties there. Her life is one that veers between brilliant light and dark shadow. Tragedy strikes her life when her eighteen year old son, Johnnie, drives while intoxicated and perishes in a car crash along with one of his passengers. The other young passenger is paralyzed for life. Janet seems unable to recover from this blow to her life, and she spends quite a bit of time alone on her farm. In 1973, about a year and a half after Johnnie's death, Janet is found dead at the farm at age 39. Her death is ruled as an accidental overdose of pills and alcohol, but many believe it was a suicide. There are also rumors of murders and conspiracy theories.

Thirty-five years later, Cilla McGowan has just purchased her grandmother's beloved farm from her difficult mother, Janet Hardy's daughter. Twenty-eight year old Cilla saw the farm once, several years ago, and she feels drawn to the place. She is determined to take the terribly neglected farm and make it once more into a home of beauty. Cilla has spent the last few years flipping houses on the West Coast, and she has a dream of living in her grandmother's house and running her own business as a contractor. Cilla jumps in and begins to work on the house, doing much of the labor herself. In the attic, Cilla comes across a number of old love letters written to her grandmother, but unsigned. The last letter, written ten days before her grandmother's death, is very bitter, and indicates that this affair with a married man ended badly after resulting in pregnancy. The letter has a threatening tone, and Cilla begins to wonder what this may have had to do with her grandmother's death.

In the meantime, Cilla meets her handsome neighbor, graphic novelist, Ford Sawyer, and his ugly but loveable dog, Spock. Both Ford and Spock are too adorable for Cilla to resist, and even though she doesn't believe she has room in her life for a man, she is soon spending time with them both. Ford is kind, patient, and willing to just spend time with Cilla until she is ready for a more intimate relationship.

Soon Cilla's ex-husband pays a visit and stays to help out with the house. Cilla's father lives nearby, and although she has never really known him, he starts to spend time with her. Cilla is happy with the progress on the house and with the people who are now part of her life, until events indicate that she has an enemy who wishes malice to her and her new home. As Cilla tries to forge a new life for herself, she is suddenly beseiged by threats, vandalism, and acts of violence. Cilla and Ford believe that the current threat to Cilla has a possible connection to the death of her grandmother. While Ford tries to keep Cilla safe from harm and figure out who is behind the sinister acts, she must decide if there is a permanent place for him in her new life.

Tribute kept me thoroughly hooked and entertained. I loved the sweet, touching romance that developed between the hero and heroine. I admired Cilla, but I thought that Ford was incredible. The author portrays him as a handsome, virile, sexy man, but more than a bit of a geek. He has some sweetly endearing traits such as being terrible with tools - he says he saves lives by staying away from them, and he is happy to let Cilla deal with emergencies that require their use. He has always been so adorably dorky that he actually finds it cool to be a police suspect when things first start to go amiss at Cilla's. At the same time, Ford is very protective towards Cilla, and will go to whatever lengths it takes to keep her safe. He is not afraid to let her know how much he loves her, and he makes certain that she knows he will be there for her no matter what. Ford's dog, Spock, was also loveable, with his "happy dances" for food and his imaginary cat chasing. This was just a great, enjoyable read, and I didn't find anything about it that I did not like.

...more

flag 9 likes · Like · see review

Sep 15, 2011 Jonetta rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romantic-suspense

Cilla McGowan is a former child star from a family of performers and she's now working on becoming a building contractor. Her grandmother was a famous actress and singer and her mother is also in the business. Cilla has returned to the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia to restore her grandmother's farmhouse, which has been neglected for more than thirty years since her death. Ford Sawyer is a graphic book writer and artist who lives across the street and becomes interested in what she is undertaking ...more

flag 9 likes · Like · see review

Aug 18, 2008 Bonnie rated it liked it

Recommends it for: nora roberts fans; those looking for a beach read

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. As a HUGE fan of Nora Roberts and J.D. Robb I found this book not great and not horrible--a solid 3 star performance. Which with a different author might be okay, but I expect more from Nora. I don't think it deserved its hardback release as it is definitely paperback material. I enjoyed the book, but the 'suspense' plot line was not up to par with her other novels that inlude a suspense component and the romance was just okay. She spent an inordinate amount of time detailing the rehab on the ho As a HUGE fan of Nora Roberts and J.D. Robb I found this book not great and not horrible--a solid 3 star performance. Which with a different author might be okay, but I expect more from Nora. I don't think it deserved its hardback release as it is definitely paperback material. I enjoyed the book, but the 'suspense' plot line was not up to par with her other novels that inlude a suspense component and the romance was just okay. She spent an inordinate amount of time detailing the rehab on the house.

I also think she included far too many peripheral characters. I got confused on who was Patty/Penny/Cathy/Tom/Steve/Shanna/Brian/Matt/Jxxx(whatever Matt's wife's name was)/Buddy/Dobby, etc etc...there were just way too many characters that we were supposed to care about. She usually only does this if it's been a family series and you already know all the characters. The book was entirely too long with a lot of very fleshed out sub-plots that didn't need to be there. I mean, at the end of it all, why did we really need to meet Steve? Couldn't someone else have gotten their head bashed in? He just seemed to be a plot device- he ran in, got his head bashed in, provided us with some 'coma' drama, and ran back out. However, I liked him and wished he would have stuck around.

I totally agree with the reviewer that said had there been an epilogue the rating would be better. Me, too. I'm left with all these questions- What happens when the comic books are released? Does it get optioned for a movie? Will Cilla play the character? What happens when she finishes the house? It's like, as long as the book was, it still needed a little more. Nora Roberts is infamous for extremely short denouements, often ending the story right after the action is over. Sometimes it works, especially in a series when you know you'll get more in a later book, but it didn't work here.

Bottom line, it's a good beach read with a nice plot and some really cool (if somewhat recycled) main characters, but not stellar. I would definitely wait for the paperback or until it goes on the bargain book table at Barnes & Noble. My favorite character is Spock the odd, but extremely communicative dog. Favorite line, when Ford says, in response to what kind of dog is Spock, "The four-legged kind." ...more

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

Dec 10, 2018 CD {Boulder Blvd} rated it it was ok

Shelves: play-it-again-sam, nora-2017

Surprised myself by giving this only 2 stars, but I was bored through almost the entire book. There was too much home improvement chit chat. I didn't appreciate the dreams with Grandma. And the numerous secondary characters felt undeveloped to the point, I kept trying to remember who was whom.

And then I really surprised myself for guessing who the real "bad guy" was when I could barely remember the character. ...more

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

Jul 31, 2021 ☘ Lily ☘ rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: adult-romance, pages-400-500, 0-3rd-person-pov, 2021, actor-actress, bored-to-death-kill-me-noww, death-and-tragedy, my-sweet-beta-hero, reclusive-loner-protag, redemption

Well... I was bored.

Then again, I know I wouldn't like the Hollywood/child actor/actress side of the story.

...more

flag 11 likes · Like · see review

Aug 11, 2020 Mrs. Kristin rated it it was ok

Shelves: romance, pop-sugar-2020-challenge

Zoinks! That was a weak Nora Roberts read for me. I will always pick up a NR until I read them all. I even sometimes re-read ones that are super strong. I’ve been known to consume an entire trilogy in one night and I’ll always love NR until the end of time.

But this one was total weak sauce. Ford was a lousy main love interest. Boring expositions of house building and renovations that didn’t add to the novel. The secondary cast of characters were not fully developed so I wasn’t really sure who w ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

May 14, 2009 Angela rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance

Every time I go into a Nora Roberts book, I expect to not be very surprised. And this isn't exactly fair of me, because while yes, we're talking romance novels here and the romance genre certainly has a huge list of common tropes, this does not mean Ms. Roberts is necessarily going to use them.

Let me give you an example with Tribute. The instant the heroine's ex-husband showed up, I expected him to be a bastard and/or to get a rivalry going for her affections with the guy she was obviously inter Every time I go into a Nora Roberts book, I expect to not be very surprised. And this isn't exactly fair of me, because while yes, we're talking romance novels here and the romance genre certainly has a huge list of common tropes, this does not mean Ms. Roberts is necessarily going to use them.

Let me give you an example with Tribute. The instant the heroine's ex-husband showed up, I expected him to be a bastard and/or to get a rivalry going for her affections with the guy she was obviously interested in. I also expected there to be Angst and Grief Oh Noez(TM) involved in why she was no longer married to said ex-husband. None of these things were the case, and this was delightfully refreshing. The ex-husband is in fact a fairly admirable guy and it's a bit of a shame that he's on camera for the comparatively small amount of time he is.

And that's just one thing I liked about this book overall. Okay, yeah, fine, we're also dealing with the common trope here of Heroine Moves into Small Town and Takes Over Abandoned Family Home, and Then Falls In Love With Next-Door Neighbor. We've all been there done that. But this time around, I gotta say, the next door neighbor was so very much right up my alley that I adored practically every sentence that came out of his mouth. The man is a graphic novelist, and very, very clearly a geek. I don't know if Ms. Roberts is herself geekily inclined, but if she isn't, she's got access to people who are, because she did a fabulous job portraying her geek hero. I actually squeed when the heroine tried to throw him a line about love being like kryptonite to Superman, and he started trying to debate what kind of kryptonite. AND! He owned both classic and new Battlestar Galactica on DVD.

I liked as well that our heroine Cilla, a former child star, is taking on the new career of redesigning houses--and that she does a lot of the physical labor herself. This makes her a very cool contrast to Ford, who, while not scrawny, does not have any particular skill at construction. It's very cool to see her be the dominant one in a skill one would consider traditionally "masculine", and to see him not be threatened by that in the slightest.

Someone is, of course, out to get Cilla--someone who apparently takes very unkindly to her efforts to restore her grandmother's house and to dig up old family history. So there's some good suspense here too, playing off against the developing love story between Cilla and Ford. It's a lesser degree of suspenseful tension than you typically get in a JD Robb novel, but that's okay; this is a less violent scenario, at least up until the very end.

All in all a fun read. Four stars. ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

May 08, 2019 Paul O’Neill rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Excellent book, writen with such character. This won't be the last story I read from Nora Roberts. Good case for reaching outside of your usual 'reading comfort zone', this was definitely worth it. ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Sep 07, 2015 Christine Kirchoff rated it really liked it

It kept me up into the early hours of the morning.Piece by piece I'm pulled into the story and held hostage by her words. Full Review: http://thetbrpile.weebly.com/reviews/... ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Oct 14, 2018 Mojca rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary-romance, suspense-mystery-adventure-thriller, nora-roberts-jd-robb

Cilla McGowan, washed-up star, comes to Virginia to restore her famous grandmother's house. But someone doesn't want Cilla around, determined to do anything to drive her out of town. But she's not alone; her hot and quirky neighbor, Ford Sawyer, a comic book author, is close at hand to help...And to keep her in Virginia.

What makes this book (if you saw the TV movie, the book is way better, even though you know who did it) memorable is Ford Sawyer. He deserves five stars all on his own. I love th ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Jan 02, 2015 Melanie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, signed, own-print

Tribute is a fantastic read with a wonderful romance featuring one of Nora Roberts’ best love interests and an excellent main character.

Cilla McGowan is only too happy to leave her life as a former child star behind to move to her grandmother’s farm to restore it to its former glory. As Cilla begins her work on the Little Farm, she uncovers secrets from her famous grandmother’s past leading Cilla to question everything she knows about the woman. With the help of her charming and handsome neighbo Tribute is a fantastic read with a wonderful romance featuring one of Nora Roberts’ best love interests and an excellent main character.

Cilla McGowan is only too happy to leave her life as a former child star behind to move to her grandmother’s farm to restore it to its former glory. As Cilla begins her work on the Little Farm, she uncovers secrets from her famous grandmother’s past leading Cilla to question everything she knows about the woman. With the help of her charming and handsome neighbor Ford Sawyer, Cilla begins looking into her grandmother’s past while juggling the renovations at the farm. But the more Cilla looks, the clearer it becomes someone is determined to stop her from finding the truth.

Cilla never wanted to work in the entertainment industry, but when you come from a family who does, you’re left with little choice. After leaving the industry, Cilla discovered her love of flipping houses. Some of my favorite parts of this book are where Cilla is renovating the farm. I loved watching her come up with new ideas for the house while trying to stay true to its history and it was clear how much she loved what she was doing.

Ford is quite possibly my favorite of Nora Roberts’ heroes which is saying something considering how many books she has and my having read most of them. He’s incredibly sweet, kind, and an all around good guy. Ford is the creator of a popular graphic novel series and when we first meet him, he’s trying to figure out his next idea. I loved how he found inspiration through Cilla and I enjoyed their banter over the subject when Cilla learns about the new character.

Cilla and Ford have a great relationship from the start, it’s full of fun banter and flirting with obvious mutual respect between the pair. Their chemistry is amazing and I loved all of their scenes together. Their relationship does take a while to get going as Cilla doesn’t believe she’s capable of having a good relationship due to her history plus she believes she doesn’t have the time due to the renovations. I loved that Ford never pushed Cilla for more than she was ready for and ultimately she’s the one who takes the big steps in their relationship.

Cilla begins looking into her grandmother’s past after she finds hidden letters that make it clear her grandmother was in a secret relationship before she died. Upon finding out about the romance, Cilla wonders if it somehow contributed to her grandmother’s suicide or if she even killed herself at all. I really enjoyed how Cilla processed the information she finds out about her grandmother through dreams where she talks to her grandmother. It was an interesting choice and one I’d not seen used before. In addition to the plot centered around Cilla’s grandmother, Cilla is dealing with someone anonymously harassing her and damaging the work she’s doing to the farm. I liked how both of these storylines were wrapped up and the ending of the book was well done.

Tribute is one of my favorite Nora Roberts’ books and I would highly recommend it if you’re looking for a contemporary romance with a hint of a mystery. ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Jan 10, 2015 Maria rated it liked it · review of another edition

This was my first Nora Roberts novel and although I came in with no expectations whatsoever, I have to say- I was a bit disappointed. I thought that the smut aspect of it would exceed most other books but I was wrong.

To begin with, the story itself wasn’t bad but it wasn’t great either. Maybe it’s because I don’t care much for fixing houses but I found myself feeling distant and withdrawn from the main story line. For this reason it didn’t maintain my attention whatsoever and I found myself put This was my first Nora Roberts novel and although I came in with no expectations whatsoever, I have to say- I was a bit disappointed. I thought that the smut aspect of it would exceed most other books but I was wrong.

To begin with, the story itself wasn’t bad but it wasn’t great either. Maybe it’s because I don’t care much for fixing houses but I found myself feeling distant and withdrawn from the main story line. For this reason it didn’t maintain my attention whatsoever and I found myself putting this book down many, many times. I even waited months to finish the last chapter, just because I didn’t care that much what happened to the main characters or how the story ended for that matter.

Further on, the pace of the story was a bit too drawn out for my liking. I wanted more action but instead things happened way too slowly and we only got further into solving the mystery towards the end of the book. That’s not to say that I don’t like romance, I love romance, I would have just liked to see a more equal amount of romance to mystery. Instead, the real action began way too far into the book and before that all we got was romance between the main two characters.

Also, the smut was adequate, that is all. It didn’t blow me away or make me want to keep reading, it was just….eh. The reason for this was because it seemed a little too vague, even to the point where I had to reread certain parts because I had a hard time understanding what exactly was going on at some points. I like when smut is not too vulgar and not too vague either and this book just didn’t do it for me in that aspect. I don’t know whether or not I will try another Nora Roberts novel in the future, we will have to see.

The only redeeming quality I found in this book was the character development and how real the characters themselves seemed. I especially liked that the two main characters had little quirks and hobbies and everything else that actual people have. Cilla was the handyman, the one who’s passion was to remake houses, while Ford’s was to create comics. It was also unique because the stereotypical traits of a woman and a man were reversed in this case. This made for an interesting dynamic between them and it made the book more enjoyable.

All in all, this novel was okay. However, I would not recommend it to anyone because I think there are many other books out there that are much more worth your time. ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Jul 19, 2008 Jennifer Wardrip rated it it was amazing

Shelves: jens-personal-read

I loved TRIBUTE so much that I stayed up late two nights in a row to finish it. Then I was depressed that I had finished it so quickly!

This latest offering from Nora Roberts really does have everything I've come to love in her writing: mystery, romance, great character development, and a truly interesting storyline.

With the added fun additions of flipping houses, hosts of HGTV shows, graphic novelists, actresses and screen legends, and high school English teachers, all branches of career and l ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Jan 23, 2016 Beth rated it really liked it

Shelves: reviewed

Alright, y'all need to give me your favorite Nora Roberts titles. (Well, I have Jess's. And I really, really liked Public Secrets, too.)

Turns out that I really like how Nora Roberts does plot. I like how she does ordinary days - and ordinary people, including the formerly-famous - and then adds a dash of sensational. There's an intensity that is balanced by the warmth of the mundane, and the ugliness is tempered by family and future and hope.

The character stuff is pretty impressive. Here are p ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Feb 18, 2017 Tiffany PSquared rated it liked it

Shelves: nora-roberts, 2017-book-reading-challenge, my-library, romance

I enjoyed this book. My only gripe would be - like many of NR's novels - the ending comes fast and furious and then you're left with nearly nothing afterward. Super-fast resolution and then bam! Last page. I think there needs to be an epilogue for each of her stories so that readers don't feel suddenly abandoned by her characters. ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Oct 15, 2017 De'Siree Fairley rated it it was amazing

Recommended to De'Siree by: Cyndi

I stopped writing reviews on here, but I read this book because of Cyndi's lovely review of it and I absolutely loved it! It was a slow burn, but so enticing and I hope her other books are like this as well!! Thanks Cyndi!! ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Feb 06, 2021 Leah Brielle Hamm rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: 2021-reads, 2021-books-read

Not Nora Roberts´s Best Book
Still Enjoyed It But Not As Much As Her Others

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Mar 21, 2019 Christina (A Reader of Fictions) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: i-will-go-down-with-this-ship, on-my-shelves, owned-print-copy, the-adorbs, nerd-bait, favorites-romance

Though I’m late to the Nora Roberts fan club, having read my first one in late 2017, I’ll be here to stay. My feelings have been mixed across my first nine books, but that doesn’t bother me so much. Romance is a tricky genre because so much is dependent on the reader’s emotional connection to a particular couple and their personal opinions of the romance tropes used in each book. Over her massive backlist (which I wanted to read in its entirety but omg there’s too much), she’s obviously tried ju Though I’m late to the Nora Roberts fan club, having read my first one in late 2017, I’ll be here to stay. My feelings have been mixed across my first nine books, but that doesn’t bother me so much. Romance is a tricky genre because so much is dependent on the reader’s emotional connection to a particular couple and their personal opinions of the romance tropes used in each book. Over her massive backlist (which I wanted to read in its entirety but omg there’s too much), she’s obviously tried just about everything. Tribute is the second Nora novel I’ve read and absolutely adored. (For reference, I liked most of them and they’re fun reads.)

After I expressed interest in trying Nora Roberts books, quite a while ago, Meg sent me a present with a bunch of Nora books, including Tribute. I’m pretty sure she especially said I’d love this one because nerdy LI, and omg was she right about that. Anyway, bless friends who know you well enough to send you books that will give you the shippies.

What amazes me most about Tribute is that, when I look at from a craft perspective I really feel like it should not work. It’s REALLY long and, though it’s ostensibly a mystery, there’s really not that much mystery in it? The romance is incredibly low tension at basically all points. Trying to sustain interest without a plot throwing excitement and tension constantly is really difficult, but I was never bored by this book. The only reason I was mad at the length was because I didn’t have enough time at home to read it as quickly as I wanted to, but it could have been longer and I’d have been fine with it.

The LI doesn’t even have an emotional arc of his own, aside from a brief horror at realizing that he’s nine years from turning 40 (DUDE I FEEL YOU); he’s comfortably employed, loved by friends, family and goofy dog, and emotionally open and stable. Usually both characters have flaws they’re working through, because it makes them feel more real and adds a bit of drama. When the love interest is perfect, it generally makes them feel like a manic pixie, but somehow Ford feels like a real person to me. He’s just one who has been lucky enough to find his place and confidence with who he is; there are references to pretty intense bullying all through his childhood, so it’s not like he’s had a difficulty-free life.

Ford’s really this wonderful cinnamon roll. He’s a graphic novel author and illustrator, and I’ll even forgive him for fridging the hero’s wife in his first series, because I bet he wouldn’t do it again once he learned about that harmful, sexist trope. There are great nerdy references throughout, and he’s always ready with a quip or emotional support, depending on what’s needed. He’s even-tempered as a rule, and I smiled so hard every time he was reasonable where a typical romance hero would have been shouting at Cilla. This is how healthy relationships work: open communication and not going straight to the anger place. Also, I love how Cilla would be trying to start a fight and he’d be chill/funny, and she’d be like “damn it, I can’t even be mad” so they’d talk it out.

He makes such a wonderful contrast to Cilla, whose emotional arc is the true focal point of the series. Granddaughter of a famous Hollywood actress who killed herself at 39 and a mother on marriage five, who is determined to eke as much celebrity out of her mother’s existence as possible. Cilla grew up a child actress, but she’s finally given up on Hollywood for good and wants to settle down in the family farm, her grandmother’s old retreat. There she discovers that her grandmother’s death may not have been as simple as she thought, aka the mystery plot.

Cilla has gotten into house-flipping, and she’s really awesome at both the design aspect and the construction. Girl gets tools and is stubborn enough to argue with and prove herself to men who want to underestimate the pretty former starlet. The house-flipping aspect was awesome, and, if you’re into HGTV, this will so be your thing. I love that Cilla’s into tools and construction, while Ford cannot pick up a tool without damaging something, and that they’re both totally okay with that. Yay for overturning gender roles!

The mystery largely consists of the question of who Janet was writing love letters to in town and of who is attacking Cilla/the house. I wasn’t massively invested in the mysteries, but I WAS massively invested in Cilla’s happiness, so I wanted to know who did it so I could put an end to it. *menacingly cracks knuckles*

Tribute is so, so good. I’ll be rereading this one throughout the years without a doubt. Nora’s the queen for a reason. ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Jul 24, 2008 Deborah rated it really liked it

Shelves: nora-roberts

Wow. Nora has done it again. I loved the characters and the story line was well put together. She even gave the dog an awesome personality. I want a Spock. I was really shocked at the end to find out who was behind it and I did not have an inkling. I loved the rehab aspect since I like watching home decorating shows and I could picture the renovations and the feeling of "home" for Cilla. Ford is the perfect guy and the others characters were exactly what Cilla needed to "find" herself. ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

May 02, 2019 Taryn rated it liked it

Shelves: audio, fiction, romance, mystery-thriller-crime

This was fine. I know what I'm signing up for when I read Nora Roberts. But it drove me a wee bit batty that the entire mystery could have been solved lickety split if Cilla had just put up a damn security camera. ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Jun 29, 2020 Robin Tobin (On the back porch reading) rated it really liked it

Shelves: chick-lit, fiction

Every once and a while you need a good Nora Roberts book to land in your summer reading pile.

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 23, 2020 Renata rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: book-club, grownup, fiction, romance

A perfectly cromulent book from Our Lady Nora; not my fav of her books but reliably entertaining. Showing its 2008 pub date slightly, and I wish it had more stuff about the Judy Garland-knockoff grandma, but as ever solidly likeable characters and a world with relatively low levels of conflict (aside from like, the mystery assailant, but whatever).

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
Linda Howard Book...: * December '18 Non-LH but Similar BOTM - Tribute	3	10	03. Dezember 2018, 13:39 Uhr
Why does Nora Roberts allow her books to be turned into movies?	4	28	05. Dezember 2016, 16:16 Uhr
Nora Roberts Grou...: Tribute - December 2015 Book of the Month (Spoiler Zone)	19	61	27. Februar 2016, 12:32 Uhr
Tribute	13	86	10. Januar 2015, 05:31 Uhr

Readers also enjoyed

See similar books…

Genres

Romance

757 users

Romance > Romantic Suspense

206 users

Mystery

165 users

Fiction

153 users

Romance > Contemporary Romance

141 users

Contemporary

109 users

Suspense

88 users

Womens Fiction > Chick Lit

56 users

Audiobook

34 users

Adult

32 users

See top shelves…

About Nora Roberts

Nora Roberts

46,516 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 book ...more

Books by Nora Roberts

The Next Always (Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy, #1)

Dance Upon the Air (Three Sisters Island, #1)

More…

6 Great Books Hitting Shelves This Week

Need another excuse to treat yourself to a new book this week? We've got you covered with the buzziest new releases of the day. To create our...

Trivia About Tribute

4 trivia questions

More quizzes & trivia...

Quotes from Tribute

“I guess money can't buy happiness if you shop in the wrong places.” — 100 likes

“I find myself fascinated by a man who admits to enjoying fairy tales and uses the word "impinge"- barely misses a beat while indulging in a brief girl-on-girl fantasy. You're a man of layers, Ford."
Me and Shrek, we're onions.” — 65 likes

More quotes…

See a Problem?

Preview — Tribute by Nora Roberts

Tribute

Get A Copy

Friend Reviews

Reader Q&A

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

Readers also enjoyed

Genres

About Nora Roberts

Books by Nora Roberts

Related Articles

Trivia About Tribute

Quotes from Tribute

See a Problem?

Preview — Tribute by Nora Roberts

Tribute

Get A Copy

Friend Reviews

Reader Q&A

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topicDiscuss This Book

Readers also enjoyed

Genres

About Nora Roberts

Books by Nora Roberts

Related Articles

Trivia About Tribute

Quotes from Tribute

new topic
Discuss This Book