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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Anyone who has experienced abuse or been close to the abused will be especially moved by Nora Roberts’ new standalone “Under Currents”. This is a powerful story of child and spousal abuse, how it insidiously creeps into the lives of the abused, and its long-term and oftentimes generational effects that are not always evident to a casual observer but can be “sensed” if one is paying attention. Thus the title reference to “under currents” as opposed to “undercurrents”.
Yes, the story has a dark underbelly but it is offset by the hope and caring of family and community and of course by love; familial, platonic and romantic. After all, Roberts is the undisputed Queen of Romance. However “Under Currents” is more a family saga than a mere love story, set in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Our protagonists, Zane Bigelow Walker and Darby McCray, both lived through abusive relationships; Zane at the hands of his physician father and equally abusive socialite mother and Darby by her ex-husband.
The story is divided into three parts: the past relating the nightmare of Zane and his younger sister Britt’s early years in what appeared to the “perfect family” but was in reality filled with physical, psychological and emotional abuse at the hands of their parents. This is emotionally charged and Roberts brings all the ugliness and horror to life in these pages. Then in one explosive night it all comes to a head when the unthinkable occurs.
In part two Zane is an attorney and Britt is a psychologist, both still living in their hometown and we’re introduced to Darby McCray who’s just moved to town and is starting up her business as a landscape designer. She’s feisty, fiercely independent and well endowed with entrepreneurial spirit. When Darby and Zane meet, he’s captivated by the energy and vitality she exudes and she thinks he’s hot and seems like a nice guy. But her guard is up because her ex seemed nice too, until he decided to ditch the Mr. Nice Guy act almost before the ink dried on their marriage certificate. Still, the chemistry between Zane and Darby is undeniable and all is going swimmingly until nightmares from the past emerge and vandalism morphs into violence in the third part of the book. It’s difficult to determine the source of the threat when you’re not sure who the target is. The malevolent force seems almost tangible but who or what is behind that force has yet to be determined.
As one who loves all things to do with a garden, I recognize a kindred spirit in Roberts’ more recent works. She’s either a true gardener or she’s done tons of research on shrubs, trees, ornamentals, annuals and perennials. My money is on gardening in her blood.
As always, Roberts delivers with characters that are more than merely believable, they seem like old friends you’ve known forever. This is a masterfully woven tale in Roberts’ inimitable style and voice her readers have come to love. The plot is multilayered, with some twists and turns that will surprise you. It kept me reading well into the wee hours. Five stars.
I’ve always been a fan of Nora Roberts not matter which persona she writes under but lately her books have felt a bit samey to me – same underlying plot just change the names and place settings, enjoyable reads but instantly forgettable but this book felt like a return to some of her older works and therefore has gone straight into my top three NR books. I know it is one I’ll definitely be re-reading in future.
Zane Walker and his younger sister Britt have a supposedly idyllic childhood. A father who’s a top surgeon and highly respected in the community and a mother who takes the time to attend their after schools activities but unknown to everyone, beneath the veneer of respectability lurked a vicious monster who believes his family is his to abuse as he sees fit. Eventually though he goes too far and finally their nightmare is over. After years away working as a prosecutor Zane returns to Lakeview to set up his own legal practice. There he meets Darby McCray, a landscape gardener herself a victim of abuse albeit marital in her case. Can these two damaged people trust enough to build a life together?
This book, in my opinion, was one of Nora Robert’s best to date. I loved that it was split into parts. The first part dealing with Zane’s back story a story I admit nearly had me tearing up when reading. The remaining parts dealt with the burgeoning relationship between Zane and Darby allowing their story to develop gradually so it didn’t feel rushed. Zane was more open to pursuing a relationship than Darby who due to her past, had trouble trusting her instincts when it came to men. It wasn’t until she saw that he could look after himself that she began to believe he could protect her as well. Not that she needed protecting as in the end they avenged each other broken noses and all.
When most of us think of undercurrents we mostly think of below the surface of water. Nora Roberts takes undercurrents in another direction…what is under the surface…of a personality…of a person…of the face we put forward. This story takes us on a journey about such undercurrents. A popular well respected surgeon, his beautiful put together wife, their perfect children. What most in this small haven don’t see is the undercurrent, what is hiding beneath the surface, of the facade these parents put forth. Fast forward to many years later, a new person in town has the ability to bring those undercurrents to light. Darby is truly full of life. Strange? Sure. Beautiful? Not in the classic sense? Hardworking? Most Definitely. She is someone I’d want to know but also someone who makes me tired (lol you kind of have to read this to understand). Zane isn’t looking…and Darby is definitely not his type…but there IS something lurking beneath the surface that intrigues him. Just when you think the story SHOULD be done, the author takes us on another ride. Definitely an enjoyable, albeit painful (child abuse, domestic abuse, just plain crazy people) read.
This book is more about Zane than Darby but Darby’s character ended up being a powerhouse.
If you are sensitive to any type of abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, etc.) then read with caution. There are sexual situations and coarse language but nothing irrelevant to the story.
Book a vacation day ASAP and dive into this book. I promise you will not be able to put down.
Nora Roberts is amazing! If you loved SHELTER IN PLACE (and I did) you will love UNDER CURRENTS. Like SHELTER IN PLACE this one opens with a shockingly violent event. Then the bad guys are dead or go to prison. The survivors move on with their lives, seemingly happily ever after, but bad guys are back. This book touched upon so many emotions I felt a bit wrung out when I finished it.
Roberts is equally masterful with narrative and dialogue. The entire story flowed so well considering the different directions it sometimes went. It is definitely a page-turner. She had complete control at all times of this complex storyline. And the characters! I loved these awesome characters and found myself holding my breath and thinking “please don’t kill this character off”. Zane and Darby were just absolutely perfect for each other – sexy, sassy, and spontaneous. But there were dark undercurrents trying to destroy that relationship. Roberts developed her characters so well I felt like part of the Lakeview community.
Be forewarned – domestic abuse is a central topic in this book. Often absolutely heart breaking, it is still inspirational.
I hope Ms. Roberts continues to write books like UNDER CURRENTS and SHELTER IN PLACE. I have read several of her more romantic books, her dystopian YEAR ONE, and her JD Robb series, but these two books are my favorites.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. Opinions are my own.
One of Nora Roberts’ best. Very entertaining. Could not put the book down till finished. Terrific characterization.
This novel is more about relationships than Nora Robert’s usual suspense. It is about child abuse and spousal abuse and how people overcome it. In this story Zane and his sister Brit are abused by their parents who the whole community believe are a perfect family until one night everything falls apart for the parents. Zane and his sister Brit move in with their aunt and move forward with resilience and leave behind the abuse. When he moves home after years of prosecuting in Raleigh to open his own legal practice in his hometown, he meets Darby, a landscaper new to the area. She is rebuilding her life after escaping an abusive marriage and the death of her mother. Zane and Darby are strong characters who have more tragedy to overcome before their happily ever after.
Under Currents, in my opinion, is probably Nora Roberts most powerful book to date. 15% into the story tears were rolling down my face. I don’t remember that ever happening to me before when reading a book. I might get a little teary eyed over something here and there but never before have tears just rolled down my face. I took a breather and after getting myself under control went back to reading. Within another 2 percent I was again crying. There was so much passion in the telling of this story, the tears came again and again through out the book. Now they did not always roll down my face and sometimes they were from happiness instead of sadness but in one way or another this book called forth my emotions.
My heart broke for Zane and Brit. They were growing up in a picture perfect family with everything it seemed a child could want or so it appeared. Their life behind locked doors was not so picture perfect. The deception came to an end one nightmarish night when Zane happily came home from a school dance 4 minutes late.
The early chapters are the background to help form the rest of the story. The majority of the story takes place when they are adults. I will let the publisher synopsis suffice for giving an idea of the contents of the story.
It is a very good book, I found it very hard to put down. It contained all the elements that I find make a good book. There were wonderful characters, beautiful descriptions, heartwarming moments, nail biting moments, humorous moments. It was exciting, enthralling, emotional. I believe this is now my favorite Nora Roberts book.
Classic Nora Roberts, and I enjoyed reading.
If Nora Roberts writes it you should read it It is obvious she does her research
I love the characters Nora Roberts creates. Loveable, believable people you could invite into your life to stay as friends. Zane and Darby are no different. Zane is such a well-drawn person, you cry for him and cheer for him. He’s a keeper in the romance literary world. Darby was sweet, sassy and smart, as well as strong. While I loved her personality, I found Ms. Roberts’ made her a bit too…tough. She came off harsh, instead of independent, which I think the author was really going for. This reader thought she came off mannish, which doesn’t necessarily make her strong, but that is my humble opinion.
The plot, as always, was twisty and intriguing, always making me want to read more. The author’s descriptions were beautiful, poetic, and sometimes downright laugh-out-loud funny, Ms. Roberts at her best.
While I found the book a page-turner, I also found it a bit over-the-top. After all, to have one looney-tune running around a small town is believable; to have three? That stretches credibility. Add to that a double-ending and the reader might walk away scratching her head. And, of course, the continued head-hopping in pov that Ms. Roberts is known for. Masterfully done, but still a strain on even an alert reader.
I enjoyed this book better than the last two of hers, so thank you, Ms. Roberts, for getting back on course. It’s not her best book (her Irish trilogy and Whiskey Beach remain my favs), but it’s certainly not her worst. I recommend it as a great summer read!
It is one of Nora Roberts’ best books. I have read them all.
Love Nora Roberts books
I really enjoyed this latest book by Nora Roberts. She is a masterful writer.
What goes on behind closed doors of the home stays hidden not to be seen until one day all can see the ugly truth. Parents love you protect you keep you safe. Not always. This is a heartbreaking emotional story about when life throws everything at you but you get up try to get past it and hope to move on. You go through all the rollercoaster of emotions with this story. It shows the skill of the author in bringing out these emotions and you really connecting with the characters.
Another excellent read by Nora. Her characters always stay with me long after I put her books down.
What I think is BookBub offers books for free through Amazon and 99% of them cost money. That is misrepresentation.
Audio Book Review, narrated by January LaVoy. Wow, this book starts with a bang in a very dark place. Abuse is a horrific thing and this story abounds with it. There is romance, drama, mystery, along with a good dose of crazy, and a light at the end of the tunnel, a cheer went up (at least in my head). Excellent listen and story.
The story is told in four parts, beginning with the years Zane and his sister Britt are growing up in a big, beautiful house with their doctor dad and stay-at-home mom. The family is one of the most respected in town and everybody looks up to them. Nobody knows what’s really going on behind doors.
I didn’t even made it through the first part before I started crying. It isn’t fathomable to me how a family can live through so much cruelty without anybody noticing. I was so happy when Zane and Britt found their way in life. I was annoyed with their mom and hated their dad and I had a big laugh when Darby showed him what a strong woman is capable of.
Highly recommended!
Loved the characters in this story. I want to live in this town and have friends like them. Nora really brought them alive.