The ghost story that we have all been dreaming of! Mystery, murder, love, a curse and lost family have all come together to create a beautiful story. Did I mention the haunted house and all the ghosts, both friendly and not?

The cast of characters in this story was amazing. It is a ghost story, but also so much more. I have never seen a story where the creepy is offset by such wholesome characters. I finished this and just wanted to jump into the next one and not just because of that ending!

If you like your ghost stories to be straight creepy then this may not be the story for you. Same goes for your romances. As always, ensure that you read about any triggers.

I love Nora Roberts and read everything she writes, but I really love how she combined several genres here and created something so original. I can not wait to start the next book and see what happens. Definitely a book that has something for everyone in my opinion.

# Review: Inheritance by Nora Roberts ★★★★☆ (4/5 stars)

*I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

As someone who has followed Nora Roberts' work for years, "Inheritance" represents another compelling addition to her extensive catalog, the novel delivers exactly what Roberts fans expect while offering enough fresh elements to keep the reading experience engaging.

## Brief Summary
When Olivia McBride returns to her childhood home in Virginia following her mother's sudden death, she discovers family secrets that reshape her understanding of her past. While managing her newly inherited estate, she finds herself drawn to local vineyard owner Rafe, whose own complicated history intersects with hers in unexpected ways.

## What Works
Roberts excels at creating a vivid sense of place. The Virginia wine country setting feels authentic and immersive, with descriptive details that transport readers without overwhelming the narrative. The historic family estate serves as both a physical location and a metaphor for the layered secrets Olivia uncovers.

The chemistry between Olivia and Rafe develops naturally, avoiding the rushed timelines that sometimes plague romance novels. Their dialogue crackles with tension and humor that makes their connection believable.

Secondary characters aren't merely plot devices but fully realized individuals who contribute meaningfully to the story. I particularly appreciated the nuanced portrayal of family relationships across generations.

## Personal Thoughts
As someone who appreciates both romance and mystery elements, I found the balance here particularly satisfying. The pacing keeps pages turning, and Roberts' talent for revealing information gradually maintains suspense throughout.

While the novel follows specific predictable patterns, Roberts' skilled characterization and emotional authenticity elevate it above formulaic genre fiction. The exploration of family legacy and identity adds depth that resonates beyond the romance storyline.

## Recommendation
"Inheritance" will appeal to Roberts' longtime readers but also serves as an accessible entry point for newcomers to her work. Fans of women's fiction with elements of mystery and family drama will find much to enjoy here, particularly those who appreciate relationships that develop against backdrops rich with history and secrets.

This engaging blend of romance, mystery, and family drama reminded me why Roberts remains one of the most enduring voices in contemporary fiction.

*Product details: Hardcover, 336 pages. Published by St. Martin's Press.*

I am so excited about this trilogy! I was hooked from the start and love the main characters. This is a well executed ghost story that is full of mystery and a dash of romance. I loved the banter between the characters and that last chapter cliffhanger!!

Very good read! So excited about NR's new trilogy and her continuing to change the dynamic of what makes up a trilogy. The setting of an ancient manor haunted by friendly ghosts makes me have home envy. I can't wait to see Sonya make her way through the brides.

I received an e-galley from the publisher through NetGalley,

Clover, Jack, and Molly are my favorite ghosts. I liked Cleo Fabares, Winter, and the dogs, Mookie and Yoda.

I received an arc from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.

What I loved:

The Setting and Ambiance. Give me cliffs and dramatic mansions, whipping woods and angry seas. Nora Roberts is the queen of the New England description, which is wild given her firmly inland Maryland roots. Our main character Sonya has moved into this beautifully upkept Victorian on the cliffs of Maine, and you can visualize every room. And of course – it is haunted. Perfection. The brides that haunt the house give a playfully eerie feel, while the evil witch that placed the curse brings the spooky factor. I love dueling ghost vibes. Between the New England setting and the perfectly described ghostly encounters, Inheritance delivers on all fronts as a modern gothic.

The Premise. Roberts frequently writes about multi-generation curses, and this was no exception. The witch that cursed the Poole family has vowed to take seven rings from seven brides (very Ariana Grande) through their deaths. The witch that cursed the brides is also trapped in the house until her curse is fulfilled. Sonya MacTavish, as one of the last living heirs to the Poole family, has been tasked by the ghost brides to break the curse and release their souls, defeating the witch. Sonya is just an ordinary person with some really great friends, and it almost feels refreshing to have a normal person and not a “chosen one” be the savior.

What Didn’t Work As Well:

The (Lack of) Smut. While Nora Roberts is not peak smut, her prior books all had a certain level of carnality to them, even if the scenes were frequently closed door. Inheritance switches gears a bit and focuses more on Sonya’s personal growth, her and her bestie’s friendship, and only hints at the relationship she builds with the hot lawyer next door. Don’t get me wrong, I love a strong character arc for our heroine. However, a little of Nora’s typical heat and romance would have been great.

Other than the above and some stilted dialogue, I absolutely loved Inheritance and can’t think of much bad to comment on. Another wonderful Nora!

I picked up this book because first it intrigued me. And second my mother used to have a closet full of Nora’s works growing up and I always wanted to read her books. For the most part I enjoyed this book. Gothic mansions, haunting, fantasy romance, etc. is my bread and butter. However, I wasn’t a fan of the author’s writing. It was just ok to me and didn’t hold my attention that well. It didn’t have the suspense of a mystery that I so enjoy. It read more cozy to me than anything. Like I said overall it was an ok book and leaves us on a cliffhanger that almost has me wanting to pick up the second book. Almost.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Sonya MacTavish is overwhelmed with wedding planning. Well, not exactly overwhelmed, just fed up with giving up all her preferences for a simple wedding for her fiancé's desire for an extravaganza. At least that was how she was feeling until she canceled an appointment and arrived home in time to catch her fiance having sex with her cousin. In a righteous rage, she threw them both out of the house and later learned this wasn't the first time from a neighbor who noted the two expelled from Sonya's house. The subsequent slander and destruction campaign waged by her ex compelled her to resign from her job and begin to freelance from her home.

This set her up to realize when an inheritance dropped in her lap it was an opportunity for an adventure. An uncle she didn't know she had left her his Victorian mansion located in Poole's Bay, Maine, along with a few surprises. The lawyer handling the will did mention the house had a long complex history and was thought to be haunted. Sonya, not tending to flights of fancy, thought that just added to the house's mystique.

Since the author is Nora Roberts, readers know there are several givens to expect from Inheritance. It will be well written and tightly plotted, with characters that seem real enough to walk off the page, a mystery to solve, possibly a romance or two, and in many cases a bit of otherworldliness. Inheritance has all of this and more--witty dialogue, laugh-out-loud scenes and references, pathos, love, and a great community of friends and acquaintances to name a few.

I loved the story from the beginning and those first several chapters of upheaval in Sonya's life. The story pulled me in and didn't let go up to the final page when I realized that the subtitle, Lost Bride Trilogy, meant this particular book would not be the end of the story. Even worse, it ends with one of the biggest cliffhangers in the history of cliffhangers--at least, it seemed that way to me. So, the next installment, The Mirror is scheduled to be released in November of 2024. It also is listed as a Trilogy of two books so it may end the story in November '24 or not.

No matter. Believe me, it will be worth the wait. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters. The story is a bit different and the backstory as we know by the end of this book has set up a puzzle to be solved to save characters we've come to care about. Give it a try.

This captivating novel blends mystery, family secrets, and a touch of romance in a way that only this author can deliver. The characters are richly developed, and the story unfolds with plenty of twists and emotional depth. While some plot elements may feel familiar to long-time fans, the engaging writing and suspenseful atmosphere make it a satisfying read.

This book was a fun mix of current day and revisiting the past. Sonya inherits a spooky old house from an uncle she didn't know existed. There is a wide cast of characters both human and otherwise and we get to watch as she unravels a piece of the mystery. The end left me ready for the next part - quite the cliffhanger!

4 out of 5 stars.

Why do I feel that I’ve read this book before? Simple. Same plot, same padded middle, same rushed ending. And don’t get me started on how Roberts uses the occupation of each character to fill pages with boring, repetitive details. How many times can you tell me about touching your toes, or give a detailed description of workout clothes. Too many.

For the sake of your devoted readers, find a fresh plot, Ms. Roberts. I beg you

I loved the mystery, the characters, the the haunting aspect and pretty much everything about this book. It would have been 5 stars except there were a lot of times I felt that descriptions and details rambled on and I wanted more of the action. I’m excited to start book 2!

This book wasn’t what I was looking for. I absolutely love Nora Roberts supernatural trilogies and I was expecting more along those lines. I don’t think I’ll continue with this series.

When Sonya inherits a Victorian mansion with a haunting history, she decides to move in and make it her own. She immediately starts meeting all the spirits residing in the house with her and Trey, the young lawyer who is familiar with the house and its history. That history involves a curse on all new brides who marry in the house. They have all died on their wedding day and their rings have been removed. Sonya soon realizes that in order to break the curse, she needs to recover the missing rings.

I love Nora Roberts’ trilogies, and the paranormal aspects. This one takes a little longer to set-up and is slower paced than most. I realized part way through that it was moving too slow for there to be any resolution in this book, and I was right. It ends on a major cliffhanger. I already have the next book, but I’m leary to read it until the third is released. I’m not sure I’m going to be able to wait to see what happens! If you are a fan of the trilogies, this is another good one.

Sometimes I forget how good of an author Nora is, and then I read a book like this. Her series have always been my favorites, and this series fits the bill. I don’t usually read books with magical realism, but I wasn’t passing this one up, even though I wasn’t sure how I would feel about it.

The Lost Bride series brings us to a mansion in Maine. Sonya finds out she has an uncle she didn’t know about and he leaves her a house that she has to live in for three years based on his will. The lawyer in charge of his will becomes an important person in Sonya’s experience at the house.

Weird things happen while she’s there. The house is definitely haunted. I loved seeing Sonya figure out where the random music is coming from, and why her clothes get picked out for her or things get moved.

Nora writes such great relationships, both friendships and romantic ones. Her characters are always so well developed it feels like they’re instantly my friends.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for my ARC of this book.

Inheritance by Nora Roberts is an interesting read. I felt pulled into it quickly and it felt faster paced than most books I’ve read by Nora Roberts. It gives September House vibes with the quirky (& creepy) house ghosts. The characters are all likeable and/or intriguing and their interactions are entertaining. The descriptions of the home and town had me captivated. I love a good cliffhanger and this book didn’t disappoint.

I have posted this review on Amazon, Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5986252299

And Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/share/_fSv69M0g

Haunted mansion! Centuries of brides! Curses! This is classic Roberts that I just love! I was sucked in quickly and was swept back to my college days of reading Roberts and swapping paperbacks with my roommate.

Sonya is the modern day family member who is haunted by the previous brides in her lineage that have been murdered on their wedding nights. The ghosts of her family members are benevolent, but there is also an angry witch who wants Sonya to move out. This is a family story with a paranormal twist that was endearing. We don't get a lot into the romance yet. Note this is a trilogy and that means the ending is...open.
I'm really liking where the book is going, but I didn't want to give it 5 stars yet...I've been burned before.

Loved the descriptions of the house and enjoyed the descriptions of Sonya’s work. Good story, but didn’t realize it ended on a major cliffhanger.

This was an interesting story. Even better than the second book. Glad I got to read it. ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

Thanks, St. Martin’s Press, for the arc!

I have one question—why did I not read this book sooner? Honestly, this is one of those moments when I’m so mad I sat on a book! I knew of Nora Roberts because my mom read her when I was younger, but I have yet to read her. Then I read INHERITANCE, and I’m a fan!! It’s the first book in a trilogy, filled with ghosts, love stories, a haunted house, and fantastic characters I want to know more about!

I dually read and listened to the book, which was the best decision because Brittany Presley narrates the audiobook, and we all know she’s one of my favorite narrators! She brought this book to life! Reading and listening was a wise decision because it made me love it even more.

Nora Roberts has been writing for a long time because my mom read her when she was younger than me. But this book shows what an incredible author she is because she spans generations—both in real life (my mom and me) and in the actual plot of the book!

I highly recommend starting this trilogy; you will be entertained!