Romancing the Shelf

We cannot believe it, but we have reached Nora's most recent release: Final Target (2026)! We have been reading through the entire Nora cannon over the last 6+ years, and this moment is a bit surreal. If you are new, please be alert that this discussion will have spoilers. We talk about it all! So with that, thank you listening to Romancing the Shelf. (Can you tell we are a bit emotional in this moment?)

It is time to wrap up The Lost Brides trilogy! The Seven Rings (2025) was very different than we expected. Is Nora trying something new? Are we entering a new era of Nora? Listen to hear all of our thoughts!

We are continuing on with Nora's most recent trilogy and we have ...thoughts. The Mirror (2024) picks up right where The Inheritance left off, and we have SO MANY questions. But does this book have any answers? Come listen in, as we aren't holding back.

How can it be that we have caught up to Nora's most recent trilogy?? We were very excited to jump into this one. Old mansions, dead brides, and Maine views? We are there! Listen in as we discuss the first in The Lost Brides Trilogy: The Inheritance (2023).

Eve has got her work cut out for her on this one with an arrogant, copycat serial killer and the only clue is a piece of stationary?? You may want to get out a notepad as we try to keep these suspects straight during this discussion of Imitation In Death (2003).

Are you ready for some Roarke lore?? We are! We are coming back to In Death, and Eve has A LOT going on. Having to manage the home front on top of solving murders is tough! Join us as we discuss Portrait In Death (2003).

This book has one of our most...interesting Nora couples, and we aren't talking about our heroes! These villains are adding new levels to creepy, but our MC is on the case! We can't believe we've caught up to Nora's most recent standalone, Hidden Nature (2025). 

Over 200 books in, and Nora is still taking us by surprise! The tropes are new and the villain is unlike another, but it still has those Nora elements that we know and love. We can't believe it, but we are discussing Mind Games (2024)!

If you've been sleeping on our movie watch episodes, PLEASE don't skip this one. We are discussing Nora's first two movie adaptations, and it was such a fun, crazy ride. Listen in as we break down the movies Magic Moments (1989) and Sanctuary (2001).

We aren't going to bury the lead. Over four decades in, and Nora is BRINGING it with Identity (2024). We have a hardworking heroine, a grumpy leading man, and a truly scary serial killer. This is a new read for both of us, and we are ready to rave! 

Harry, Booth, Silas, oh my! Nora is bringing us a new epic with a charming thief and a touch of fate. Are we sensing some 90s Nora vibes?! We are discussing Nightwork (2022)!

Another trilogy coming to an end, and Nora went in a direction we weren't expecting! After all of these years, she can still surprise us. It is time to wrap things up with The Choice (2022)!

Continuing on with the Dragon Heart Trilogy! And...we have some big opinions on this one. Nora is expanding the world and upping the stakes. Listen in as we discuss The Becoming (2021)!

A new trilogy! This is a completely fresh read for Emily, and Heidi has only read the first one. Nora is bringing all the magic in this one: dragons, fairies, witches, and big bad grand-dad god. We are giving you all of our thoughts of The Awakening (2020). 

We have one more In Death for you before we head back to 2020s Nora, and this one even has Eve crying! Vigilantes are doling out "justice," and Eve is on the case (screw public opinion!). We are discussing Purity In Death (2002).

We are back with another In Death! And...we may not see eye to eye with our girl Eve on everything in this one. *gasp!* Eve is bouncing around the country facing trauma and chasing a manipulative murderess, and Peabody is given a chance to shine.  We are breaking it all down in this discussion of Reunion In Death (2002). 

Grab your popcorn! It's time for another Nora movie discussion. This time we have two southern thrillers: Carolina Moon and Midnight Bayou. How did Lifetime do adapting these great Nora books? We have thoughts!

A fitness empire heiress and a graphic novel author find love after loss in Legacy (2021)! And there's an obsessed stalker, an cute smalltown in Maryland, and adorable dogs. It's a new Nora with all the staples, and we have much to discuss.

It's a new decade, and a brand new read for Emily! That is going to be the case for many books from here on, so if you love completely fresh takes then you'll love this season! This thriller has kidnapping, murders, a villainous mother, and so much more! We are breaking down Hideaway (2020).

Another decade is complete! Wow. There were some big Nora shifts in this decade, and we can't leave it behind without some reflection. Which books and characters were our favorites? Who was the scariest villain? What happened to side romances?? All that in more in this episode!

The last book of the 2010s is a blend of small town feels and heart-pounding tension. Nora has us asking throughout...wait, who is our villain?! Listen in as we discuss Under Currents (2019).

I think we can all agree, Patricia is SCARY! Also, Shelter In Place (2018) is not a romance. However, this book is a tense and thrilling suspense, and we are here for it.

Nora has been taking us for an emotional ride, and now it's time for Fallon to save the ENTIRE world. No big. We are discussing the epic conclution of this trilogy: The Rise of Magicks (2019).

Nora left us an emotional wreck after book one of this trilogy and has placed the weight of the world on baby Fallon's shoulders. Of Blood and Bone (2018) raises the stakes as our girl grows up and starts assembling the Dream Team. This is Emily's first read-through, so don't miss it!

We had to leave you with a cliff hanger in our last episode, but we are here to finish up our discussion of Year One (2017)! Nora is throwing the playbook out the window with this trilogy, and we have big feelings! 

You think that after almost four decades you know Nora? Well our queen is embarking into new territory with this trilogy. First up is Year One (2017), and we have so much to say that it had to be a two-parter!

Ugh, what's worse than an entitled, bored, narcissistic rich boy? TWO entitled, rich, narcissistic boys. Eve has her hands full in this one with two killers, but thankfully she has the team (including Roarke behind her)! Listen as we try to contain our feminine rage as we discuss Seduction in Death (2001).

We are excited to be back with Eve and Roarke! We are loving seeing their relationship (both personal and professional) grow. But, uh oh, Peabody and McNab are NOT okay. And have we mentioned the gruesome murders that need to be solved? Listen in as we discuss Betrayal In Death (2001).

Grab your popcorn, it's time for a movie watch! Can Hollywood ever do a Nora book justice? Well we have some thoughts! Listen as we discuss the movie adaptations of Angel's Fall and Blue Smoke.

Well here we go.... For better or for worse, it is time for (in our opinion) Nora's darkest book. Definitely don't miss this discussion of Come Sundown (2017).

After so many Nora thrillers, we have asked ourselves...what happens to the family after this?? In The Obsession (2016) Nora is giving us an answer. The trauma is real here, but so is the healing!

This book has a lot of the hallmarks of a classic Nora fantasy series: magic, curses, and the age-old battle of good vs. evil all wrapped up in a beautiful Irish setting. Listen in as we discuss the epic conclusion to this series with Island of Glass (2016).

She's sexy, she's kind, and she has a tail...sometimes. It's our first (and only) Nora mermaid love story! Bay of Sighs (2016) takes us to an even darker place, and we are here for it.

Get excited, because we are starting a new trilogy that one of us has NEVER read. First up is Stars of Fortune (2015) with our reluctant seer Sasha and her street magic boyfriend. This trilogy has a lot of firsts, so listen in as we discuss!

We are back with In Death, and there is trouble in paradise! Eve has a mess on all sides in Judgment in Death (2000). Cops are dying, cops are dirty, cops (*cough* Webster *cough*) are hiding in her bushes, and Roarke isn't speaking to her! You don't want to miss this one!

Is this an In Death or Agatha Christie?? Witness In Death (2000) is scaling down the In Death universe to a more intimate mystery. It's a real whodunit and we loved it! Also, Eve and Roarke are super cute in this one. (Swoon.)

Can we really ever go home again? What about after our emotionally abusive husband is lost at sea and leaves us with a three year old and a mountain of debt? Welcome to The Liar (2015)! Shelby is trying to move on by moving back to her hometown, but her husband's drama just keeps following her... Listen in as we enjoy the small town feels!

Time and maturity is giving us a newfound perspective on these 2010 Nora's! This is the last episode of Season 7, and we are ending it with murder, mystery, a moody artist, and a peeping Tom heroine. Listen as we talk The Collector (2014)!

Oh my, did we have opinions on this one! And we desparately want to know your thoughts too! It's the final book in this trilogy, so of course, it is time to take down the big bad Cabhan and resolve the second chance romance between Fin and Branna. How does Nora do it all? Listen in as we discuss Blood Magick (2014).

Who doesn't love a friends-to-lovers story?! But while reading this story, we started to have some déjà vu.... We are breaking it all down in this episode as we discuss Connor and Meara in Shadow Spell (2014).

Another witchy Nora trilogy! Our heroine Iona goes to Ireland ready to find where she belongs. This one has charming Irish cousins, grumpy/sunshine meets boss/employee, and a big bad evil! Come listen to us discuss The Dark Witch (2013)!

In part 2 of "Nora Roberts is our secret best friend," we are headed to Boston! Our hero is suspected of murder and needs a safe haven, but someone is breaking into the family mansion looking for treasure and the cleaning lady keeps forcing him to drink water. Listen in on our discussion of Whiskey Beach (2013)!

Our heroine is a woman of many names - Elizabeth, Liz, Abigail - but who is she really? Well, our hero Brooks really wants to find out! Is he pushy or just dedicated to his job and community? Is Liz/Abby frustrating or endearing? Also, where did the Russian mafia go?? We have some mixed feelings on The Witness (2012). Listen in and let us know if you agree!

Another In Death! And the stakes are HIGH in this one. Eve is taking on Cassandra - a greedy terrorist group with a delusional self-image as selfless vigilantes. Even with all that going on, what's really on our mind is...what's happening with Peabody and McNab?? Listen in as we discuss Loyalty In Death (1999)!

We are back in the In Death universe! For one of us Conspiracy In Death (1999) is our favorite In Death so far, and for the other, it has our biggest heart flutter in the series! Don't miss this one!

Another classic opposites attract story! Or is it?? We are wrapping up the Inn Boonsboro Trilogy with big brother Ryder and our girl Hope (aka, The Perfect Hope). And we also have a ghost mystery to solve. Don't miss it!

Ah, the friends to lovers trope. Is there any more adorably sweet? Owen was Avery's first boyfriend and now one of her best friends. Can they be something more? Listen in as discuss The Last Boyfriend (2012)!

We are so excited to be in THE trilogy - the guidebook for Nora-land - the Inn Boonsboro trilogy! We will be starting with Claire and Beckett in The Next Always (2011), where the line between a sweet unrequited crush and an obsessive stalker is clearly drawn!

Fire jumping, equipment tampering, murder, and co-worker romance - it's Chasing Fire (2011)! We had so much fun with this one! Plus, the heroine is a real baddie - in the best way.

Can a girl just get some peace?? Poor Fiona needs to face, not just one, but two serial killers! Thankfully she finds a grumpy, carpenter boyfriend to help. We are loving the dogs and woodsy vibes in The Search (2010).