Caffeinated Reviewer

Nora Roberts’ latest romantic suspense, The Final Target, delivered a suspenseful tale set against new beginnings, small towns, and wonderful characters. An addictive standalone perfect for your beach tote this summer.

A young author becomes the object of a fan’s desire―and rage―in the gripping new thriller by the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Hidden Nature.

He showed up at Arden Bowie’s debut author appearance with a copy of her novel and an eager smile. He showered her with compliments and got her autograph. Then he came to her next event. And the one after that.

Dustin was just an aspiring writer who wanted advice, Arden reassured herself. But after giving in to one of his incessant invitations and chatting with him over coffee, she discovered that ignoring her inner alarm bell had been a terrible mistake…

An introvert at heart, Arden had long craved solitude―but now, after a harrowing assault, she finds herself hiding behind locked doors and startling at every sound. And her relief at his imprisonment is tempered by anxiety when Dustin’s wealthy mother helps to get him a paltry five-year sentence at a psychiatric facility.

Arden decides to write a new story for herself, moving to a tiny Oregon town and befriending Gideon, an ex-LAPD detective. But while she learns to thrive, Dustin remains his delusional, twisted self, as fixated as ever and now seething with anger. He still believes Arden's purpose on earth is to serve and please him. And his job is to protect her. But who will protect her from him?

The Final Target is a standalone novel and tells the story of obsession, overcoming, and new beginnings. Arden Bowie is a debut author when Dustin showed up. He seemed harmless at first, but then he came to all her events until he showed up at her door. The tale that unfolded held me captive as we witnessed Arden begin anew.

The event in her apartment damaged Arden, yet she is a fighter. She continues to write, even if she has to wedge a chair under the front door to do it. Roberts did a stellar job of showing what Arden was going through and the fierce determination she had to reclaim her life, even as the fear of his release followed her.

Arden takes control of her life and moves cross-country to Oregon to be closer to her family. She buys a lovely mountain home and makes it her own. Here she meets the local hardware owner, who introduces her to his son, Gideon Riley, an ex-LAPD detective who does beautiful woodwork. I loved getting to know all the secondary characters, including Arden’s closet neighbors. We witness the close-knit community Arden has been accepted into, see her home transform, get plenty of foodie talk to have me craving a sandwich, and lots of laughter, tender moments, and the building of something special.

Roberts doesn’t forget Dustin, though. We are treated to his perceptive and obsession as he works the system and gets closer to his release. What happened after kept me reading into the wee hours. The suspense grew as Dustin drew closer to Oregon. I will leave you to discover what happens.

A perfect blend of women’s fiction, thriller, and romantic suspense, The Final Target is the perfect beach read.

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About Nora Roberts

Nora Roberts is the number-one New York Times–bestselling author of Whiskey Beach, The Witness, Chasing Fire, and The Search, among other titles. She is also the author of the bestselling In Death series, written under the pen name J. D. Robb. There are more than 400 million copies of her novels in print.

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About Kimberly

Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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