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…
Title: Legacy
Series: -Stand Alone Title-
Author: Nora Roberts
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Published: May 25, 2021
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Legacy drew me in from the beginning and kept my attention focused throughout until the ending. Part of the years and years of reading Nora Roberts’ work (and J.D. Robb) is the knowledge that I will always find a story that strikes a chord with me, something within my own life that I can relate to on some level no matter how big or small. Adrian and Raylan’s story was no different, although I have to admit that I didn’t always love Adrian’s attitude toward others or her friends, there were times when she seemed to push her fitness agenda on others whether they were interested or not so that took my view of her down just a bit. Raylan is a sweetheart who, even though his plate is quite full, doesn’t hesitate too much in rekindling a childhood friendship that will grow into so much more.
I enjoyed the various POVs within Legacy as we watch Adrian and Raylan grow from childhood into adulthood. I definitely felt I knew these two by the time their second chance at romance came along for them. The suspense part of this one was lighter (in my mind), but that didn’t really take away from Adrian’s danger. The secondary characters help bring this story to life and don’t forget the four-legged ones. There is always a place in my reading heart for dogs, big, small, and in between. Although the villain wasn’t a total surprise for me that didn’t change the enjoyment of seeing them be taken down for their actions and crimes.
In all, I had a very good time with Legacy, it ticked off all the boxes for me, and it will definitely go on the reread list.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.* *I have also purchased my own copy for my Nora Roberts collection*
Available in a variety of formats, including your favorite e-reader. Mine is the Kindle.
