I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Legacy by Nora Roberts
Published by St. Martin's Publishing Group on May 25, 2021
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Suspense, Fiction / Women
Pages: 400
Format: ARC, eBook
Source: Netgalley
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#1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts presents Legacy, a new novel of a mother and a daughter, of ambition and romance, and of a traumatic past reawakened by a terrifying threat...

Adrian Rizzo was seven when she met her father for the first time. That was the day he nearly killed her—before her mother, Lina, stepped in.

Soon after, Adrian was dropped off at her grandparents’ house in Maryland, where she spent a long summer drinking lemonade, playing with dogs, making a new best friend—and developing the stirrings of a crush on her friend’s ten-year-old brother. Lina, meanwhile, traveled the country promoting her fitness brand and turning it into a billion-dollar business. There was no point in dwelling on the past.

A decade later, Adrian has created her own line of yoga and workout videos, following in Lina’s footsteps but intent on maintaining creative control. And she’s just as cool-headed and ambitious as her mother. They aren’t close, but they’re cordial—as long as neither crosses the other.

But while Lina dismisses the death threats that Adrian starts getting as a routine part of her daughter’s growing celebrity, Adrian can’t help but find the vicious rhymes unsettling. Year after year, they keep arriving—the postmarks changing, but the menacing tone the same. They continue after she returns to Maryland and becomes reacquainted with Raylan, her childhood crush, all grown up and as gorgeously green-eyed as ever. Sometimes it even seems like the terrifying messages are indeed routine, like nothing will come of them. Until the murders start, and the escalation begins...

Legacy by Nora Roberts

Romantic Suspense | Family Secrets | Standalone Novel

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ABOUT THE BOOK

When Adrian Rizzo was just a child, a violent act changed the course of her life. Now a successful fitness entrepreneur and public figure, Adrian must reckon with the shadows of her past as threatening messages escalate into something far more sinister.

Buy Legacy on Amazon ➝ (Affiliate link – thank you for supporting Tracy’s Nook!)

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THE STORY

Adrian Rizzo has built a life of strength, fame, and independence. From her yoga empire to a picture-perfect public image, everything seems flawless—until the anonymous threats start again. As the daughter of a manipulative mother and the survivor of a deeply traumatic childhood incident, Adrian knows better than most that the past doesn’t always stay buried.

As the danger escalates, Adrian returns to the town where she spent one peaceful summer with her grandparents—and reconnects with Raylan, a single dad and journalist whose quiet charm and steady presence may be exactly what she needs. But even as love starts to bloom, a deadly predator inches closer.

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THE CHARACTERS

Adrian Rizzo is a standout protagonist—smart, polished, and fiercely determined. Her resilience and strength anchor the entire novel.

Raylan Boone, a down-to-earth single dad, brings balance and warmth to the story. His relationship with Adrian feels mature and refreshing, rooted in shared values and protective instincts.

Side characters, especially Adrian’s grandparents and Raylan’s daughter, add layers of emotional depth and lightheartedness to the suspense-filled narrative.

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THE SUSPENSE + ROMANCE TWIST

Nora Roberts blends a chilling mystery with a slow-burning, emotionally rich romance. The pacing is tight, with a gripping buildup and multiple twists that kept me flipping pages late into the night. It’s not your typical whodunit—it’s an exploration of legacy, trauma, and the healing power of love and community.

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🔥 STEAMOMETER: 2.5/5

This one’s a slow simmer. The romance is tender and grown-up with emotional intimacy, not explicit heat. Perfect for readers who love romantic tension without the spice overload.

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OVERALL THOUGHTS

Legacy is a compelling romantic suspense that plays with themes of inherited trauma, personal empowerment, and second chances. It’s a thoughtful page-turner that doesn’t rely on cheap thrills—just masterful pacing, well-developed characters, and satisfying emotional payoffs. If you’re a fan of Nora Roberts’ more thriller-leaning titles like The Obsession or The Liar, you’ll be hooked.

Highly recommended for fans of romantic suspense, thrillers with heart, and strong female leads.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nora Roberts is a bestselling author with over 230 novels to her name, spanning genres from romance to paranormal suspense. Learn more at noraroberts.com.