1.5⭐️

Inheritance by Nora Roberts follows 28 year old Sonya MacTavish, who inherits a beautiful manor from her long lost uncle.

I’ve read a couple of Nora Roberts books and enjoyed them, but this one did not do it for me. The premise sounds so interesting and it starts off well, and I did enjoy reading about the manor and the scenery, but the story turns boring very quickly.

As a romance, this novel isn’t great. The chemistry between love interests is non-existent, and there was nothing that made me want them to be together.

If it were a better ghost story I would forgive the lack of romance, but that plot-line was lukewarm as well. So many repeated explanations and ghost “occurrences” that just annoyed or bored me rather than draw me in.

The pace of the story was super slow, and I think this could’ve been a lot better as a standalone rather than trying to drag it into a trilogy. The ending failed to hook me, but at least the action begins to take place. Hopefully the rest of the trilogy will be better, but unfortunately this book wasn’t for me and I would not continue on with it.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

A woman inherits a haunted mansion, mired by a generational curse she’s intent to break.

Sonya MacTavish cancels her wedding after finding her fiancé in bed with another woman. Reeling from the betrayal, a lawyer makes an unexpected offer at a new beginning in a small coastal town in Maine, where she’s inherited a mansion from family she didn’t know existed.

The mansion, however, is haunted by generations of women in her family. Deemed the lost brides, seven women since 1806 have been killed on their wedding day, succumbed to a powerful curse that claims a bride per generation. While the brides enliven the house for the better, the ghost of the angry witch lurks with vengeance, trying to scare Sonya away.

Memories of how each bride died haunt Sonya’s dreams, plaguing her with an urgency to break the decades-old curse without knowing how. Ferreting clues from her dreams, and with her group of friends, Sonya delves into a world of ghosts, intent to free them all.

INHERITANCE is quintessential Nora Roberts—a story shaped by a strong woman supported by an unflappable community of friends and family. Robert’s quick-paced dialogue pulls you in, as well-drawn characters take shape in an otherworldly narrative that’s engrossing from the start. Humor, friendship, and a budding romance bring levity to the sinister machinations at play in this exciting series starter. I’m already clamoring for the next book!

There a very few books by her that aren’t my favorite and I always love the series. This one did not disappoint and another 5 stars . This is book one in a trilogy of mystery and ghost/ spirits. I always love how she makes her female characters strong and the men in their lives support them without overtaking and are there when needed. There was one sex scene but I skipped over it and another that alluded to the interaction. Other just a few kisses but nothing until you are about 60-70% in the book.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this arc . I did end up listening to the audiobook which I enjoyed as the narrators brought the story alive . Nora narrated this herself along with another person.

Whew. Well this book is officially living rent free in my head. SO FREAKIN GOOD. Nora Roberts has outdone herself with this one. I thought about this book all throughout the day when I couldn't read it. Even after I finished, I had to remind myself it was over because I kept thinking "I can't wait to get back to my book!"
It has a little bit of everything. Some mystery, a little spooky (and sweet) ghost action, laughs, tears, and a touch of romance. She blends it all seamlessly.
This book is the first in a coming trilogy. I'm so upset that I have to wait an entire year for the next book..this one left off on a MAJOR cliffhanger.

This is my first Nora Roberts book in a really long time. I have forgotten how much I love her books and her storytelling. This book has intrigue, romance, and curse that spans centuries. The story takes you through the family of the Pooles and how a Sonya, inherits Lost Bride Manor and finds out about the curse that has haunted the Pooles for centuries. A bride has died on her wedding day. The cast of characters are fantastic. From Cleo the best friend, Trey the love interest and Owen a distance cousin. The only item that got me was it ended a a cliff hanger. What happens after her and Owen go through the mirror. Until the next book. Nora Roberts know how to keep you intrigued. Do yourself a favor and read this story you won’t regret it

Sonya has been living through a few upheavals in her life recently. To add to them is the revelation that she has family she never knew she had. She's shocked when a lawyer shows up at her door to tell her of the inheritance left to her by an uncle she's never met. But the timing is right,. So Sonya picks up and moves to England and the estate left to her. The house reflects everything she has always dreamed of. There's only one problem. The house is a little bit haunted. And not all the spirits are friendly.

I don't know how Nora Roberts does it, but her stories are always fresh with as much fun and humor as emotion and suspense. As Sonya gets comfortable with the spirits that inhabit the house, their presence becomes a normal part of her life. But the curse that hangs over the estate is dark and dangerous. The encounters with the not so nice spirit are so hauntingly brought to life that i could feel the cold, the spirit's anger and Sonya's fear. The friendly spirits become the breath of fresh air that allows the reader to recover after those encounters. And the musical ghost...I was impressed at Ms Roberts musical knowledge that had her coming up with just the song the ghost needed at the time.

This is the first book in the Lost Brides trilogy. It's an enthralling story, carefully structured to include flashes of history that introduce the reader to each of the lost brides It's full of interesting, well crafted characters (especially the ghosts). The only problem with this book is that it ends on a breath taking cliffhanger, the outcome of which we'll have to wait a year to discover.

This was my first Nora Roberts book, but it definitely won’t be my last! It was such an atmospheric and intriguing book. It had gothic and paranormal elements which I love. I thought the characters were very well written and likable. I believe this is the start of a new series and I can’t wait to read the rest!

Despite my initial enthusiasm in having NetGalley give me the opportunity to read Nora Roberts, I only finished this because I needed to know how it ended. What a letdown! This had to be the worst ending I've ever found! So much of the story was unfinished. Other than that, my main complaints were the very offensive language and the graphic sex. Oh, and the story moved way too slowly for my enjoyment. I did love the ghost who played the music, though. Great premise for a haunted house story.

Potatoes and Paperbacks 3.5 ⭐️
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Thank you for the arc @stmartinspress!
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When Sonya catches her fiancée in bed with her cousin, her life reached a new low. But, shortly thereafter she finds out about an inheritance from an uncle she didn’t know existed.. her deceased fathers twin who was separated from him at birth. She goes ti Maine to claim the family’s Victorian manor, and finds a lot more than she bargained for. A curse, ghosts, witches, and more haunt the manor. With the help of friends new and old, Sonya works to understand her family history and fight for the house she’s grown to love.
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💭 Thoughts 💭
This was my first book by Nora Roberts and I wasn’t super impressed with the writing. It felt a little bit like a Hallmark movie meets Ghost Whisperer. I did enjoy the curse and Sonya’s interactions at the manor, the house definitely was a character all itself. However, the book felt too long and some parts, especially dialogue rehashing things that already happened, were repetitive.
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⌛️ Favorite Moment ⌛️
When Sonya drives up to the manor for the first time! The description was so vivid I could really picture the house, and I loved seeing her fall in love with it.

I love Nora Robert's trilogy books. The only problem, waiting for the next books! I read this book quickly and now I really need book 2! I loved the characters and the scenery is gorgeous! Ghosts and a curse made this book a great read! I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.

This is a new author for me, and darn if I didn't get sucked into this creepy (in a good way) book. For those people who believe in the afterlife, this is one goosebumps book, and other than it being long in parts, it's one heck of a mystery. A bit difficult trying to keep the extended family tree straight, but overall pretty good. Definitely ends on a cliffhanger, so be prepared for OMG you can't leave me hanging here. Definitely looking forward to the next installment!

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.

Nora Roberts does no wrong in My book. Her books are pure comfort food for me and this did not disappoint. I devoured this start of a new trilogy.
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Robert’s always writes a rich cast of characters who I immediately bond with. I fell in love with Sonya from her introduction. She is a soon to be bride until she finds her fiancé cheating. She needs a new plan for her life and when an old mansion falls into her lap she is ready to make a big change.
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When the uncle she never knew existed left her his house she heads there to start a new life. This house is simply stunning and I wish I could live there.
Sure there are ghosts but most are friendly and keep her house clean! However, she didn’t just inherit a house. She inherited the house, the ghosts and the curse of the lost brides who have all died in the house. I cannot wait to continue on with this series!
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Huge thank you #StMartinsPress and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

This is going to be an amazing series! I could not read this book fast enough. The premise of this series is sooooo good. I don't want to give anything away, but how the curse plays out is so good. Let's talk about Sonya & Trey, wow, just wow. They are adorable together. Trey is very swoon worthy and so down to earth. I cannot wait for the next story in this series.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

This is the start of a gothic murder mystery crossed with modern day ghost story. The series starts with the murder of a bride in the 1800s on her wedding day by a jealous (evil!) woman. From there on, tragedy follows in this house and with this family line. The history with the flashes of the past showing the previous tragedies was an interesting approach as they play out in the current timeline.

Our female lead, Sonya, inherits the house and is part of the original family tree. I think if I were her and the other characters, I would be a little more freaked out about all the ghostly happenings...

I am all for romance, but I wish there was a more established relationship between Trey and Sonya. Overall, a good start to the series, but what the heck on that ending?! Be warned, it leaves you on a cliffhanger...stay tuned for book 2!

3 stars

I absolutely loved The Dragon Heart Legacy series by Nora Roberts, so I was thrilled to discover she had a new series coming out. Inheritance is the first book in the Lost Bride Trilogy. Though quite entertaining, I really was expecting more, having so loved the last series. However, it's book one, and it nicely set the tone for the upcoming volumes.

Graphic designer Sonya MacTavish suddenly broke off her engagement with her slimy boyfriend - and co-worker - after discovering him in a rather compromising position. Working at the same place was quite difficult now. But Sonya soon hears some news that has her utterly gobsmacked: her late father had a twin of whom he had no knowledge. Not only that, but her newly discovered uncle, Collin Poole, left her almost everything he owned, including a gorgeous Victorian house on the Maine coast! According to his will, Sonya has to agree to live there 3 years, after which she can sell it if she wants to. Sonya heads there, eager to learn of her family's history, and to set up her own business in the sprawling manor. Trey Doyle, the handsome young attorney who meets her there, does admit that the house is, well, a bit haunted. Sonya soon discovers that Trey is correct, except it's more than a "bit" haunted; she hears a woman weeping, a piano plays, items are moved, dishes are washed...and there's also something malevolent in the house. She's shocked to see a painting by her father in Uncle Collin's office, and there's a portrait of Astrid, who Trey refers to as "the first lost bride". Apparently Sonya inherited more than house - apparently there's a centuries-old curse, as well! Can Sonya solve the mystery and break it?

The story got off to a rousing start when Sonya broke up with the slug to whom she was engaged, and it was very exciting when she discovered she was an heiress. I loved the avid detailing of the beautiful home. The descriptions of the early hauntings were quite intriguing, though the first ones - wherein the deceased staff took care of the home - got to be a bit much as those instances were described over and over again. The story picked up again when Sonya began to discover the histories of the brides who died in the home, though I had trouble keeping up with the 7 different ones. And when the bad hauntings began to occur, I was in heaven. The pace didn't stay fast; it ebbed and flowed, which sometimes caused me to put the book down for long bits of time. Also, the main characters were perfect...just too perfect. Sonya was beautiful, a talented graphic artist, and took most of the haunting in stride. Her best friend Cleo Fabares (who eventually moved into the house with her) was beautiful, a talented illustrator and painter, and basically easygoing. Trey was handsome, a great lawyer, and understanding. Cousin Owen Poole was handsome, a great shipbuilder and maker of designer doghouses, and calm. Most of the time all were brave. There was one time that Sonya was mad at Trey, but that seemed to be it. There needed to be a little more conflict, in my humble opinion. Even the dogs - Trey's Mookie and Sonya's Yoda - were perfect. (Oh, who am I kidding, cute dogs in any book are perfect!) As the evil haunting ramped up, I was totally engaged. And when Sonya was about to learn the secret of the mirror...cliffhanger! Of course there was; this was the beginning of the series and the story had to set everything up. So though I was a tiny bit disappointed in this one, I know the next book will be a killer and I can't wait to see what the Scooby gang finds out!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Excellent start to a new trilogy by Nora Roberts. A spectacular inherited manor house on the coast in Maine along with some newfound family and friends is enough of a wonderful surprise for Sonja Poole but when the manor house has its own share of "guests" that come along with the inheritance, Sonja has chilling experiences almost daily.

I loved all the characters of the story and am already looking forward to book two of the trilogy. I hope I don't have to wait too long.

I received this advanced reading copy though Net Galley and St. Martin's Press. My opinion of its content is my own.

Inheritance is the first book in The Lost Bride Trilogy.

Sonya MacTavish is feeling overwhelmed with all the pre-wedding decisions and appointments that are taking over her life. She decides to cancel meeting with the florist and returns home to find her fiancé and her cousin having sex in her bed. After throwing them both out barely dressed, she calls her best friend Cleo, for support. When Cleo arrives Sonya explains what she found after coming home. Sonya is very clear headed and begins the process of eliminating all traces of her former fiancé from her life. That isn't going to be easy since they work at the same company. After several things that occur while she is at work, which she suspects her former fiancé is responsible for, she decides that she is going to leave her job. She gives her notice to her boss and explains why she is making the change. Now she is able to start her own company and work for herself from home. Things are starting to look up.

One night there is a knock on the door. An attorney from Maine lets her know that she has inherited from an uncle she never knew she had. Collin Poole is the twin brother of her father which were separated at birth with her father being adopted by another family. This revelation will lead Sonya on an adventure and discovery of a family curse.

I saw that this was a trilogy, but I did not realize that this book would have a cliffhanger. I have read other books by the author, but all were stand-alone reads. I have to say my initial response was not a good one. I dislike cliff-hangers.

On the other hand, I don't see how this story could be told in just one book. I was very interested in the book right from the beginning. The story is woven from the history beginning with the first bride, Astrid Poole in 1806 on her wedding day.

The book is listed as being 448 pages. I don't mind books that are long, I actually prefer them. Sometimes I feel as if some books are too short and rushed to finished. Not this one, not at all. I looked at the bottom of the page when I was at 96%, and I thought there was too much story left to wrap it up in just a few more pages.

This was a fascinating and riveting story. It was a fabulous reading journey and am thrilled that it is not over, just, to be continued. Nora Roberts is a master storyteller. Her characters are well developed, and the story grabs you right from the start. This one is no different. I am totally invested in reading the whole trilogy. I loved this story as it mixes the past with the present in telling the story of a curse that was placed centuries ago. I look forward to finding out where the story will take us next.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the first book in a trilogy, and it definitely leaves you wanting more – and quickly! So cliffhanger haters, be warned!

I love the layering of this story, and the time travel dreams which soon cause the heroine, Sonya, to wonder just what she has stepped into!

We meet her dissolving her relationship and leaving her job due to an unfaithful and vindictive fiancé. She is then catapulted into a new life, as an heiress of a haunted mansion in Maine, with a decision to stay man free seriously challenged by the arrival of the rather wonderful Trey.

As she tries to rebuild her career, and understand the somewhat cryptic messages and frightening dreams of her inheritance, we travel with her in this unexpected change of direction of her life – finding out more about her father's family is intriguing for sure. I loved that once her best friend Cleo came to visit, she decided to also move and support her in this adventure – always good to have a friend by one's side when things go really weird!

Expect lots of gothic drama and modern-day romance in this very engaging and page turning story... I just need book two and soon!

I love how easily Nora Roberts takes me into the lives of her characters. I admired the strong women throughout the novel and seeing how they deal with life and death. The Lost Brides broke my heart and gave me goosebumps all at the same time. I am looking forward to the rest of the books in the series.

I love everything Nora so I knew I wanted to read this one. This is more of a spooky gothic romance with some mystery and murder thrown in. In typical Nora fashion, this book leaves you on a cliffhanger dying to read the next book. I absolutely loved the characters and the storyline, and it kept me wanting to keep reading to see what happens.