Who Would Like This Book:
If you love gripping, emotional thrillers with a strong focus on how people rebuild their lives after tragedy, this is right up your alley. Nora Roberts tackles the long shadow of a mass shooting, following survivors as they grapple with trauma, family dynamics, and a cunning villain who threatens their hard-won peace. The Maine coast setting is atmospheric, and the supporting cast - especially the quirky CiCi - are standouts. Fans of character-driven suspense with a touch of romance and real-world grit will be utterly drawn in.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers expecting classic Nora Roberts romance may find the love story here takes a backseat to suspense. The opening chapters are intense and graphically depict a mass shooting, which may be triggering or overwhelming. Others found elements of the main character Simone less engaging, or felt the villain’s storyline stretched believability. If you prefer lighter reads or want pure romance, this one might not hit the mark.
About:
"Shelter in Place" by Nora Roberts opens with a mass shooting at a mall, which has long-lasting repercussions on the survivors' lives. The story follows the intertwining lives of characters like Simone, Reed, and CiCi, who navigate the aftermath of the tragedy while facing a new threat from a vengeful individual seeking retribution. With a mix of romance, suspense, and thriller elements, the book delves into the immediate and long-term effects of a mass shooting incident, portraying the resilience and struggles of the survivors as they rebuild their lives amidst looming danger.
The narrative of "Shelter in Place" by Nora Roberts is characterized by gripping storytelling that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. Through intricate character development and a well-crafted plot, the book explores themes of courage, love, trauma, and resilience, offering a thought-provoking reflection on the impact of tragedy and the strength found in human connections. Roberts skillfully weaves together multiple storylines, creating a compelling blend of mystery, romance, and suspense that culminates in a climactic and satisfying conclusion.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
There are content warnings for mass shootings, murder, psychological trauma, and references to violence and sexual situations.
Has Romance?
The romance element is present but not dominant, focusing more on the suspense and character development.
From The Publisher:
From Nora Roberts comes the #1 New York Times bestseller Shelter in Place (June 2018)-a powerful tale of heart, heroism...and propulsive suspense.
It was a typical evening at a mall outside Portland, Maine. Three teenage friends waited for the movie to start. A boy flirted with the girl selling sunglasses. Mothers and children shopped together, and the manager at the video-game store tended to customers. Then the shooters arrived.
The chaos and carnage lasted only eight minutes before the killers were taken down. But for those who lived through it, the effects would last forever. In the years that followed, one would dedicate himself to a law enforcement career. Another would close herself off, trying to bury the memory of huddling in a ladies' room, hopelessly clutching her cell phone-until she finally found a way to pour her emotions into her art.
But one person wasn't satisfied with the shockingly high death toll at the DownEast Mall. And as the survivors slowly heal, find shelter, and rebuild, they will discover that another conspirator is lying in wait-and this time, there might be nowhere safe to hide.
Ratings (20)
Incredible (4) | |
Loved It (7) | |
Liked It (5) | |
It Was OK (2) | |
Did Not Like (2) |
Reader Stats (36):
Read It (21) | |
Want To Read (9) | |
Did Not Finish (1) | |
Not Interested (5) |
4 comment(s)
Well holy shit, Nora Roberts. You managed to write a romance novel that surrounds a mass shooting, and somehow made it all OK. And compelling.
I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about reading a romance novel, especially at the beginning, where she details the actual mass shooting. Roberts writes it well - not grotesquely, but sympathetically (in terms of the victims). It’s less of a romance and more of a journey - a journey of survival, acceptance. It’s so compelling. I got sucked into the characters, and there are many. It’s about how a tragedy impacts familial relationships, friendships, romantic relationships. The coincidences are more than that - it’s fate. And somehow, I can accept that in this novel, where in others, it’s just a literary device.
It’s one of the best novels I’ve ever read, and I don’t mean that in the romance context. Well done.
This is a wonderfully heartbreaking and uplifting story. While the topic is sadly all too topical and depressing, this story delves into the stories of survivors and how not all scars are carried on the outside. It follows the people affected by the shooting and eventually focuses on two as they move on with their lives. While the whodunit is never in question, Ms Roberts still builds the suspense masterfully. I had to force myself to turn off the book so I could sleep and make it to work. Not wanting to put it down is one of my favorite feelings when reading.
Im still very new to Nora Roberts books, while I've read a few now there is still a huge back catalog to go through and it's been a bit daunting. However this book was such an suspenseful and intriguing read that I could easily have gulped up much sooner if I've giving me the time. I'm now super excited to read more by her and I've got another suspenseful novel from the library laying waiting for me.
This book is a little much... corny and the characters where able to guess correctly a little too easily
What can you read after
Shelter in Place?
About the Author:
NORA ROBERTS is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including Under Currents, Shelter in Place, Year One, Of Blood and Bone, Come Sundown and many more. She is also the author of the bestselling In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.
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