A review by husnaibrahim_
Honest Illusions by Nora Roberts
4.25
The way this book is structured is so different and confusing but I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way.
I loved almost everything about this book. I mean I'm no stranger to Nora's writing style, having read numerous works under her real name and her pseudonym in the "In Death" series. I found that this book shares a similar structure with “The Witness” and “Shelter in Place,” two of my favorite books by her. So, I’m not surprised I was naturally hooked from the get-go.
First and foremost, I have to say I loved the Nouvelles. They aren’t your typically normal family, but their unique dynamics, from Max down to Mouse, are oddly perfect. Their lifestyle, as part magicians and part elite thieves, had me hooked honestly. I liked how their easily welcoming nature, especially to stray children, brought us Luke, and that was a significant part of what made them endearing.
Now, Luke and Roxanne might not be conventionally perfect characters, but that’s what makes them so compelling. I think they were both complicated characters that made tough decisions in difficult situations even though that might not have been what was best for either of them, but they had immense backbone. I think if this were any other book, I would have been weirded out with their family dynamic and relationship dynamic when it came to each other. But Nora makes it work here, and I guess that simmering sexual tension doesn't hurt also.
That’s probably why, despite everything that unfolded in the middle and latter parts of the book, I still found myself rooting for them. Okay so, perhaps Luke could've groveled a little bit more, or tried a different approach to make amends. Because I expected more from him especially with people like that Finestein guy and lily in his life.
Speaking of Lily, I adored her character and what she brought to the story. She's a master of using her womanly charms to her advantage, and I couldn't help but admire her for it. I'm also glad nothing romantic happened between her and the Finestein guy, as I was getting that vibe, and it would have pissed me off if it happened. Because Max, although no longer physically present, remains irreplaceable. He was an extraordinary man and father, which added to the depth and I just love everything about this book honestly.
Now, after indulging in the “In Death” series, I've grown used to revisiting characters in their later books. So Sometimes I forget, and it saddens me when I finish a stand-alone book by this author, realizing that’s the end of the story. But such is life.
I loved almost everything about this book. I mean I'm no stranger to Nora's writing style, having read numerous works under her real name and her pseudonym in the "In Death" series. I found that this book shares a similar structure with “The Witness” and “Shelter in Place,” two of my favorite books by her. So, I’m not surprised I was naturally hooked from the get-go.
First and foremost, I have to say I loved the Nouvelles. They aren’t your typically normal family, but their unique dynamics, from Max down to Mouse, are oddly perfect. Their lifestyle, as part magicians and part elite thieves, had me hooked honestly. I liked how their easily welcoming nature, especially to stray children, brought us Luke, and that was a significant part of what made them endearing.
Now, Luke and Roxanne might not be conventionally perfect characters, but that’s what makes them so compelling. I think they were both complicated characters that made tough decisions in difficult situations even though that might not have been what was best for either of them, but they had immense backbone. I think if this were any other book, I would have been weirded out with their family dynamic and relationship dynamic when it came to each other. But Nora makes it work here, and I guess that simmering sexual tension doesn't hurt also.
That’s probably why, despite everything that unfolded in the middle and latter parts of the book, I still found myself rooting for them. Okay so, perhaps Luke could've groveled a little bit more, or tried a different approach to make amends. Because I expected more from him especially with people like that Finestein guy and lily in his life.
Speaking of Lily, I adored her character and what she brought to the story. She's a master of using her womanly charms to her advantage, and I couldn't help but admire her for it. I'm also glad nothing romantic happened between her and the Finestein guy, as I was getting that vibe, and it would have pissed me off if it happened. Because Max, although no longer physically present, remains irreplaceable. He was an extraordinary man and father, which added to the depth and I just love everything about this book honestly.
Now, after indulging in the “In Death” series, I've grown used to revisiting characters in their later books. So Sometimes I forget, and it saddens me when I finish a stand-alone book by this author, realizing that’s the end of the story. But such is life.