From #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts comes Under Currents, a novel about the power of family to harm–and to heal.Within the walls of a tasteful, perfectly kept house in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, young Zane Bigelow feels like a prisoner of war. Strangers–and even Zane’s own aunt across the lake–see his parents as a successful surgeon and his stylish wife, making … successful surgeon and his stylish wife, making appearances at their children’s ballet recitals and baseball games. Zane and his sister know the truth: There is something terribly wrong.
As his father’s violent, controlling rages–and his mother’s complicity–become more and more oppressive, Zane counts the years, months, days until he can escape. He looks out for little Britt, warning her Be smart. Be careful. In fear for his very life, he plays along with the insidious lie that everything is fine, while scribbling his real thoughts in a secret journal he must carefully hide away.
When one brutal, shattering night finally reveals cracks in the fa ade, Zane begins to understand that some people are willing to face the truth, even when it hurts. As he grows into manhood and builds a new kind of family, he will find that while the darkness of his past may always shadow him, it will also show him what is necessary for good to triumph–and give him strength to draw on when he once again must stand up and defend himself and the ones he loves…
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The first quarter of this book alone has your emotions running the gamete. I was all in until about 80% in. Zane and his family were so awesome and Darby was a force of nature. They had both overcome horribly abusive situations and thrived. I just felt like the ending was a bit too much. However, still a wonderfully written book.
Having a surgeon as a father, Zane and his sister, Britt, live a privileged life. Or so it seems from the outside. They both live in fear on a daily basis and look forward to the day they can leave for good. Freedom comes sooner than later in one terror filled night.
The first thing I want to say about this book is that it deals with domestic abuse and some of the scenes are quite disturbing. This is an excellent story of resilience, strength and family. I gave it a 5 star rating on the characters alone. Every character is well developed and likable (well, maybe the bad ones aren’t likable). The story moves at a very quick pace and it was refreshing to see Zane and Britt grow up to be responsible, well rounded adults working in professions that help others. The suspense is edge of your seat and although some of the events wrap up quicker than expected, the reader is always waiting for the next shoe to drop. And it does.
I LOVE Nora Roberts’ books, including her J.D. Robb futuristic police procedrals. Under Currents is one of her romantic suspense novels. Part 1 of the book concerns physical and emotional child abuse, and because Nora is the queen of creating great characters, you really suffer for these kids. I almost stopped reading the book because I can’t stand to read about kids getting hurt, but a friend who had already finished the book told me I would like Part 2 (which was both romantic and cathartic), so I hung in there. And I am glad I did. In Part 2 of the book, the kids have grown into admirable adults who are making a difference in the world, due to what they went through. There are still challenges and suspense in Part 2, but also a wonderful romance. If you can get past Part 1, you will love this book.
Nora Roberts is a master. She knows her audience, and she writes for it well. She is an addict, a word she used, herself when we first met in 1981 at the inaugural Romance Writers of America convention. And I believe it. She writes non-stop, multiple books a year, year after year after year. While I haven’t read her suspense or futuristic novels, I felt it was time to read her latest contemporary, UNDER CURRENTS.
It’s a wonderful read, really two-books in one. Nora doesn’t skimp when it comes to giving her reader what she wants. The first part of UNDER CURRENTS is a heartrending tale that gives the background on one of the major characters. The second part introduces another character whose life will intersect with the first.
UNDER CURRENTS is a love story – several, actually. But it’s also an exploration of domestic abuse, both perpetrators and victims. The theme isn’t new, but there is an emotional power here that some authors in other genres have missed.
The book is long, but it held my attention throughout, or almost. There were slow moments, moments that were too sweet for me. There were also moments of bad-guy introspection that felt stereotypical, which leads to the only real problem I had with this book.
There are many characters in this book, and they’re either very good or very bad. A little gray is more my cuppa. But then, Nora’s books sell way more copies than mine. So perhaps there’s a lesson here?
Whatever, I do recommend UNDER CURRENTS. Kudos, Nora!
Another fantastic psychological thriller from Nora Roberts. I think she just keeps getting better with each novel she pens. She is one of my favorites and reading this just proved again why she continues to be one. It’s the story of family(both good and evil), survival and real love conquering all. Nora Roberts did an exceptional job of weaving a story about both spousal and child abuse. The title, Under Currents, was perfect because what everyone sees is not always what is running just under the facade. Already looking forward to the next release.
Definition of undercurrent:
1: a current below the upper currents or surface
2: a hidden opinion, feeling, or tendency often contrary to the one publicly shown
AGAIN. Nora Roberts did it again. She got me.
While Under Currents may not have put me on the edge of my seat as often as some previous Nora Roberts titles (see: Shelter in Place, Come Sundown), it more than made up for that in sheer emotion.
The first part of this book is both brutal and beautiful. The descriptions of the horrific abuse Zane and his sister suffer at the hands of their father can be hard to get through; I found myself tearing up quite a few times, entwining the sorrow with anger that anyone should have to experience any of it, least of all a child. However, there is beauty in how they come out of it.
Thankfully, the horror does lift, and we’re treated to a wonderful story, at times simultaneously uplifting and heartbreaking. The character development here is terrific. Each character, down to the most random of townspeople, has a purpose and a backstory, and interacts perfectly with the other characters, building a supportive community with a definite small-town vibe.
The descriptions of landscaping and gardening are so well done I could picture the finished products quite clearly in my head – and man do I want a “water feature” now! (the fact that I do not have a yard in which to do this is completely irrelevant ).
Each plot line, whether primary, secondary or tertiary, was well developed and led toward a satisfying resolution – and each contained under currents of its own.
A couple of final thoughts:
*Zane & Darby are #couplegoals.
*I feel like there’s always a dog, and I always love the dog. Although, hey, Nora: cats are pretty awesome too.
*Nora Roberts is a master of attention to detail.
*Sad tears? Happy tears? This book will bring them all.
*Can we take a minute to appreciate this gorgeous cover??
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the ARE!
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Review It’s hard to beat a Nora Roberts romantic suspense. I was already reeling from the emotion in The Great Alone, then I picked up this one. Child Abuse. Is there anything worse? Maybe. Nora explores this and spousal abuse as well in this well-crafted story that has plenty of romance once we get past the violent beginning. I know it was necessary backstory, but it was hard to take. It certainly made me appreciate my relatively sane upbringing. Anyway, there are plenty of twists and turns and a great setting in tranquil Lakeview. Which again proves that you never know what goes on behind closed doors. Great book that I highly recommend. No wonder Nora has millions of books in print.
Summer is officially here because we have a new stand alone by Nora Roberts. As with many of her past books this one is about family and love and forgiveness. Parts of this book were painful to read but the overall feeling of the book was love.
The novel is divided into three sections.
Section 1 is The Cruelty of Lies and is about Zane and his sister Britt and their parents. From the outside, they had a fantastic life – Graham, the dad, was the head of surgery at a local hospital and mom spent her time on committees. Both kids were fantastic students – Zane played baseball and Britt was talented on the piano. The only problem is that this was the view from the outside. Inside the home, Graham was a controlling and abusive person. He regularly beat his wife and on this day, he beat his son for coming to his mom’s defense. It’s difficult to read parts of this section and to see such cruelty.
The next two sections are about Zane returning to town to open up a law practice. He wants to re-connect with his friends and his hometown despite his bad memories. When he returns, he meets Darby, a talented landscaper who has just moved into town and has secrets of her own. Will Zane and Darby be able to forget their difficult memories and move ahead with love or will their pasts continue to haunt them?
This is a character driven book about Zane and Darby. They are both very well written and it was easy to be worried for them and hope for the best outcome for their lives. As normal with Nora Roberts, this was a real page turner of a book and kept me enthralled until the end. It’s an enduring story of love and family and the ability to get beyond bad things in the past and look toward a brighter future.
I love how Nora writes characters that have gone through real tragedy but over come it and become better then what they have gone through! I love her chemistry between the characters and her heroines are so amazingly awesome!
There is no need for me to go into a huge review on this one. If you enjoy Nora Roberts, then you will love this story. I have read more of her books than I have any other author except maybe Cassandra Clare. They are the type of books I always get pretty much when they come out and I know I am going to enjoy.
You can’t get a bad tale from Roberts. Just the right amount of suspense and romance with a bit of thriller thrown in. Loved these characters and the plot. Made me grieve, laugh and sigh. Can’t wait to read more from Roberts.
Nora Roberts wrote another winner. She pulled no punches in describing domestic violence in the first pages of this story. Right from the beginning I cheered on the two teenagers terrified by abuse, with edge-of-seat reading as they began to escape the clutches of their evil father and almost as evil mother, amidst the unthinking complicity of the local cops.
The story slows down to reveal who these kids became as adults, how their lives unfolded, how they built new lives. Yet, always the background fear of abuse set amongst idyllic small country town living. The art of a good storyteller is to make the reader feel the gamut of emotions – and Ms Roberts succeeds in spades. I loathed the abusers, loved Zane, Darby, Britt and all the loving family. I laughed and cried as I read. If a writer can make you feel like that, then she’s hit that sweet spot.
A good story that I read very quickly and enjoyed.
WOW! Just WOW. Heart wrenching, painful subject. Hope and what life can become. Family as it shouldn’t be. Family as it should be. Romance, anger, love, abuse, courage it has it all and more. I loved the narrator.
A story of abuse and love intermingled. Despite a childhood filled with abuse Zane overcomes and conquers the past. He and his sister Britt are well-adjusted siblings. Zane is about to be tested as he settles into life as a lawyer in his old home town.
Indeed, the under currents will keep your attention – keep you turning pages until you discover Everything!
This was an interesting story that moved along at a good pace. As with all of Nora Roberts books, the characters were very likeable, except for the villains of course. And speaking of villains, this book had More than enough to spare. In spite of that, that was a satisfying happy ending.
This book is one of Nora Roberts best. Under Currents is a story about abuse and the different forms it comes in. It is also about how some people survive and thrive after abuse. You will laugh and you will cry.
She always has a great storyline
A bit contrite having so many in one story but the story is good in terms of the subject matter and healing. Zane’s childhood was a nightmare until he stood up for himself. Darby made a poor decision in the first marriage. Starting over and finding the strength to heal and deal with the past. the strength of spirit.
I was introduced to romance novels with the first novel I read written by Nora Roberts. I love her books and this one didn’t disappoint. It has all the feels, especially the first parts where we learned of the struggles of Zane and his sister in the hands of their hypocrite parents. I applauded when their parents were finally exposed and I felt so relieved that whatever happened to Zane didn’t deter him from living a successful life. The romance between him and Darby, who also is saddled with a ghost from her past, is heartening.