The Search

The Search is still my all-time favorite novel by this author. I read it at least once a year. And if you are a dog lover this is a BOOK I would recommend you to read!!

I should start by mentioning that I always wanted a dog, but unfortunately it hasnt happened yet. But every time I read this book, my desire of wanting a dog goes through the roof. Just be warned lol!

Fiona Bristow, dog trainer extraordinaire, who survived a kidnapping years ago, finally lives a peaceful and content life on Orca island north of Seattle. She is a kick ass heroine, busy training dogs and with this I-can-do-it-myself attitude but also has a good head on her shoulders.

Simon, a grumpy, taciturn, and blunt hunk of a wood artist, and new owner of an energetic puppy, is in dire need of help which Fiona can provide. They meet under not the best circumstances. Simons puppy just ate the head rest in his new truck and all he wants is HELP or one of her dogs in exchange for his misbehaving puppy!!!

When Fiona, an independent and strong female collides with Simon, socially stunted and cynical it gets quickly interesting. Even so they are different in disposition its surprising how well they compliment each other. And thats mostly because both respect boundaries, and each others way of living. Although neither expected this kind of change in status quo, Fiona is game, whereas Simon is the one that takes a little longer to accept whats happening.

The relationship between them starts slowly, Jaw the puppy is the glue that brings them together, but their individual personalities is what draws them closer. I love the slow burn, and love how their relationship grows with mutual interest, attraction but also moves along naturally.

The book had a whole cast of interesting secondary characters, human and canine. The search and rescue portion of the book was incredibly detailed and full of fascinating information. Its one aspect that always stands out in a NR novel the details and deeply researched topics.

I believe this book would be a perfect and enjoyable read for any dog-lover and owner.

And a lot of what makes a Nora Roberts book great is present here: Great & believable dialogue, amazing world building, incredible research (this time it’s dog training and search and rescue), an intriguing mystery, and of course romance. What is hugely lacking: LIKABLE CHARACTERS! I could not stand Fiona and Simon, our apparently lovers. they are SO rude and mean to each other, and it completely not in their nature (as written) to fall for each other. they keep saying their not each other’s type, but that doesn’t make the fact they disregard abhorrent behaviors and all of a sudden find things they dislike to be attractive. There is no reasoning for the change in their likes to such an extreme degree. I honestly found Simon to be such a jerk and disliked Fiona more and more with how she let him talk to her and get away with. I actually checked the publish date, thinking I had somehow stumbled across a older book republished, when this kind of machismo was standard. Even after establishing this wasn’t a relic from the 80’s entries of NR’s books, I couldn’t get over the lingering feeling of outdated romance.

I’ve read this several times. It’s one of the best of the author’s books in recent years, and it’s like romantic suspense comfort food. You know in advance that all obstacles will be overcome, the heroine will be strong, the hero likewise, and there will be a happy-ever-after, complete with some witty dialogue and sizzling sex along the way. In some ways, the author is a careless writer. She telegraphs a lot of the plot, and an intelligent reader can tell what’s going to happen and when. But it’s a fun read – well, if you don’t mind a couple of serial killers with their warped agendas.

Fiona Bristow trains dogs, including Search and Rescue, and she’s part of an S&R team. She lives on a remote island off the coast of Washington, and has loyal and devoted friends and family (I’m including her three dogs as part of that family). Simon Doyle has recently moved to the island and his mother has foisted an untrained puppy upon him. Naturally, he brings Jaws, as the voracious pup is named, to Fiona for training. Simon is one of those rough heroes. No tender words, a surly expression, a cranky attitude, and an unwillingness to fall for Fiona, even as he falls hard and fast.

Along comes a serial killer, and the rest is the usual storyline. Since I’ve read this several times, I’ve long lost interest in that part of the book and skim it to get back to the banter and developing relationship between Fiona and Simon. This is a very enjoyable book, and if you haven’t encountered the author before, I do recommend it.

I have started to reread all of Nora Robert’s books from the beginning of her career til now and I must say no wonder I have followed her all these years! I recently rescued a puppy anf everything that happened to Simon with his new best friend has happened to me and more. I actually tried some of the teachings Fee instructed her students and guess what? working!!! Niw to thestory. Fee was the lone survivor of a serial killer many years ago. Not a day goes by that she isn’t reminded of that. Leading a new life as a dog trainer and search and rescue participant , her life is full. Or she thought. Meet Simon, her next door neighbor who comes to her for help with his new puppy. Opposites do attract and before long they are more than teacher/student.Unfortunately, a copycat serial killer is making his mark and Fee is hisultimate goal.Can the FBI catch him before it’s too late? Read and find out….,

This was a strange read, I was almost a third of the way through when I realised that I was fairly ambivalent towards the main characters. Normally, I find that Nora Roberts creates interesting, engaging personalities who draw me into their story, but this was a struggle, I didn’t dislike them but I didn’t feel anything for them either.
Fiona is a dog trainer, who also runs a canine search and rescue team on Orcas Island. Simon, is a carpenter newly arrived on the island who wants to avoid interacting with people. However, the unexpected gift of an unruly new puppy puts him into Fiona’s orbit and so begins their relationship.
As a student Fiona survived an abduction by a serial killer and her evidence helped to convict him. Now, a new serial killer is active with a possible connection to Fiona’s abductor, a persistent reporter is trying to get a story at all costs and the FBI are back in Fiona’s life again. All the elements of a good story were there, but it did not materialise for me.
Over the past few weeks I have read Obsession and reread The Witness, both on similar themes and I found they were an absorbing and well paced read. By comparison, this was dull and plodding, even Fiona and Simon’s developing relationship lacked a spark. I did persevere to the end but can’t say that I enjoyed it.

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