The Witness by Nora Roberts -> Restarting June 9th, 2023

[Alaina]

Daughter of a controlling mother, Elizabeth finally let loose one night, drinking at a nightclub and allowing a strange man's seductive Russian accent lure her to a house on Lake Shore Drive. The events that followed changed her life forever.

Twelve years later, the woman known as Abigail Lowery lives on the outskirts of a small town in the Ozarks. A freelance programmer, she designs sophisticated security systems -- and supplements her own security with a fierce dog and an assortment of firearms. She keeps to herself, saying little, revealing nothing. But Abigail's reserve only intrigues police chief Brooks Gleason. Her logical mind, her secretive nature, and her unromantic viewpoints leave him fascinated but frustrated. He suspects that Abigail needs protection from something -- and that her elaborate defenses hide a story that must be revealed.

With a quirky, unforgettable heroine and a pulse-pounding plotline, Nora Roberts presents a riveting new read that cements her place as today's most reliably entertaining thriller -- and will leave people hungering for more.

[Vicki]

Woo hoo! I love me a GOOD BR with some GREAT peeps! :)

[Vicki]

Jenny, YAY!!! The more, the merrier!

[Alaina]

definitely excited for this one

[Vicki]

My book hasn't arrived yet and on Overdrive/Libby it's about a 4 week wait. Hopefully it'll be in soon!

[Vicki]

Wow! This book is really good for me so far! I'm about halfway finished. In my book I'm on page 263, chapter 17.

Elizabeth and Julie (view spoiler)[This is so scary to me! I have 10 granddaughters and I know how easy it is for young people to do the type of thing these girls did...going home with a stranger. Poor Julie! And Elizabeth has been so sheltered. How's she going to handle this? (hide spoiler)]

Abigail (view spoiler)[ This is actually Elizabeth who has now taken on a new identity, right? (hide spoiler)]

Brooks (view spoiler)[and Abigail's relationship is funny. I love the sexual tension and Abigail's total innocence and yet forwardness! LOL She cracks me up. (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

Finished!

I really liked this one. I love a good mystery and this one was good with some (not tons) suspense, but it also wasn't dark, or detailed with disgusting gore.

Elizabeth (view spoiler)[ I was SO SAD at the end when I thought she'd actually died. I should've known. LOL (hide spoiler)]

Abigail (view spoiler)[I'm so glad she found security and true love in Brooks. (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[The romance was just right for me. Not too much but it was there and it was loving. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

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RESTARTING JUNE 9TH, 2023

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[Geri]

I’ll start this on the weekend Laura. Maybe Monday. I know you have other buddy reads going on. 🙂

[Laura]

I started this one. I'm using it for another challenge so will see how far I get.

[Laura]

Wow! First three chapters are intense.
edit--
Maybe intense isn't the right word.. but they are intriguing. I can't remember if I read this book ( it was published before I joined Goodreads) but I 'm definitely interested in continuing. I hope the rest of the book isn't a let down - sometimes that happens.

[Geri]

Okies. I’ll start tomorrow.

[Geri]

Buddy Read


Chapter 1-10
(view spoiler)[
Liz has definitely been controlled by her mother. She is going a little while now. But I know meeting the Russians at the club will lead to trouble!

Yep. I knew it. LOL Liz witnesses 2 murders. And with her memory, she makes a great witness.

It was great how John stood up to Liz’s mother. And how Liz defies her mother.

Oh, that was scary when the dirty cops attack! And the people protecting Liz dies. So sad! They were good to her.

I like the book even more when we are introduced to Brooks. He seems like a good guy and funny too.

Liz and Brooks are good together. Liz is very intellectual and blunt. Brooks is more of a charmer. But he won’t leave her alone. A fun dynamic! I enjoy the banter and heat.
(hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

I fell asleep in chapter 10. I 'll be back later with my comments

[Geri]

Chapter 11-20
(view spoiler)[
So sweet when Brooks got his mother a new pup. And funny too.

I did like how Brooks came up with a way to stop the domestic violence.

It’s nice to see Liz and Brooks relationship develop. That’s what I like in romance. The two of them are humorous together.

I know eventually there will be a showdown with the Russian mob. I think Liz will finally tell Brooks her story. I do wonder if the Blake’s will be the ones to lead the Russians there.
(hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Laura wrote: "I fell asleep in chapter 10. I 'll be back later with my comments"

No problem!

[Laura]

chapters 4-10
(view spoiler)[
Wow, I really liked the first of this book. Fast paced, suspenseful and a little action. Liz is a brave 16 year old girl. I doubt many would do what she did. I suspect it helps that she is super smart. I feel sad for her but at the same time, going into witness protection gets her away from her mother. Can you imagine not asking your child if they are okay or giving them a hug after witnessing a huge scary event.
I'm glad she got away, twice!

I'm looking forward to seeing the relationship between Liz and Brooks grow. Do you think she will tell him what happened? I suspect eventually they find her.
Brook's mom is quite the character!
(hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Chapter 21-end
(view spoiler)[
The book didn’t go the way I thought it would. Not a bad thing. LOL

Abigail told Brooke sooner than I thought she would. And Brooks being the solution man he is, figured a way to get Abigail out of her situation.

I kinda wish there had been a showdown with the Russians. That’s why I gave this 4 stars instead of 5. The ending was clever but just a little anti climactic for me.

But overall, I loved Abigail and Brooks together. The ending was satisfying!
(hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Laura wrote: "chapters 4-10

."

(view spoiler)[
Yes. I really liked Liz. I felt sorry for her. But also admired her smarts and bravery. I did liked Brooks mom. Both Brooks and his mom would not leave Liz alone. LOL

I know the answer to your question. But since I finished, I won’t say a word! LOL
(hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Hopefully I can catch up tonight

This one works for I as an alternate edition.

[Laura]

Up to chapter 23
(view spoiler)[
Sometimes I will start a book and think I've read this especially an older book but I know I didn't read this story before. Did you enjoy the book more the first time you read it or this time?

I'm really enjoying how Brooks and Abigail are falling for each other. Abigail is the typical heroine I love. Smart, kind, able to look after herself. Typical Roberts story building -she really is fantastic at creating a relationship.
I like a little suspense in my stories and there have been a few scenes that are providing it. I'm also enjoying the dashes of humor.
I agree there is going to be a show down with the Russian mob.
(hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ Great ending. Romantic with a warm fuzzy feeling. I love how everything was all wrapped up. Killing Liz - I didn't see that coming. I thought it was an entertaining read. I especially like how Roberts straddles the line of black and white. A little ironic with Brooks being chief and Abigail engaging in illegal activities. I think we are a society that no longer is strictly on the side of black or white. Maybe I should be saying right or wrong not black or white. (hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Laura - I don’t remember the book. It was too long ago. So this felt like the first time. Again. I’m glad I reread it! I really loved Abigail and Brooks together! 🙂