Sonya MacTavish is at a low point after finding her fiance cheating on her with her cousin and then having to quit a job she loves because of him when she gets a very shocking surprise. Her dad had a twin who owned a gorgeous mansion, and he left her it and everything inside it in his will. The kind lawyer who tells her this also tells her the only stipulation is that she has to live in it for three years. Seems easy, until the ghosts that make it their home and the evil spirit of a witch that's cursed the family start making appearances. At least there's the very cute and kindhearted son of the lawyer is there to offer support. There's also a sassy friend who won't let the ghosts phase her and some very good doggies all ready to offer Sonya some much-needed backup.
It's a city girl moves to a small town to heal and finds love story with some very Gothic elements that add an interesting twist to make it stand out. We get flashbacks to the Lost Brides on their wedding and/or death days, adding ever more heart to the plot and making Sonya's quest to not let the evil spirit take over the house even more empathetic.
Nora Roberts is an excellent writer who can make any story incredibly engaging. However, this one feels like it could have maybe been told in fewer pages. I couldn't tell you what I'd remove because it all flows beautifully, but it also feels like it's the book that never ends... which is fitting because it ends with quite a cliffhanger. Even with the issues I had with it, I'm hooked and plan to pick up the next book as soon as it comes out. I need to know what happens with the Poole brides.

Very happy thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the riveting read!

“You will never have him,” she says. “Die a bride, and know he’ll come to me. He will come to me, or by your blood on my tongue, bride after bride will join you in death.”

And the curse begins. It will be up to Sonya MacTavish, a graphic designer who inherited the manor from her unknown uncle, Collin Poole, to solve the mystery and lift the curse.

Sonya had a bad breakup with a huge douche bag, and I love what her best friend, Cleo had to say:

“What do you want me to do?…Tell me what you want, and it’s done. Murder? Decapitation? Castration?”

I think we could all use a best friend like that. LOL

Sonya had been thinking about branching out on her own and now was the time. Would the ghosts of the manor be a help or a hindrance. Most of them are on her side, but there is always one, isn’t there? I would love to have some help around the house, and Sonya has her very own ghostly maid. She leaves her bedroom and comes back, the bed is made. She leaves the kitchen a mess, comes back and it is cleaned up. Forget to charge your phone, they have you covered. Even ghosts want a purpose.

Those around Sonya accept the ghosts, but Sonya hesitates.

The point of view flashes past to present and back again. We get all of their histories, ghosts and humans, and Sonya will need all the help she can get to break the curse. We have a combination of modern and gothic.

This light and fun mystery is full of surprises and I loved each and every one. The characters quickly won me over, ghosts and human alike…even the dogs have a place of honor. Cold pizza, I love it too, even for breakfast. Little things that I can relate to on a personal level add that little bit extra that I love so much. I had plenty of smiles to go along with the creepy.

The mirror…made me think of Charmed and Grimm. TV shows make it easy for me to visualize the action as it is happening.

NO NO NO a cliffhanger. So wrong!!!!! But I couldn’t put it down and I HAVE TO HAVE the next one, and the next one. I knew it was a trilogy going in and the story would not be told in one book, but when I came to the end, I wasn’t expecting it. That is how involved I was in the story. I foresee good things for the next two books and I can hardly wait to visit the manor again.

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Nora Roberts weaves her magic in the first book of The Lost Bride Trilogy, "Inheritance." I found myself captivated by the blend of past and present within the enchanting and haunted estate that serves as the backdrop for this intriguing story.

As the protagonist, Sonya's, journey unfolded, I was drawn into her exploration of newfound family ties and the rich history that surrounds them, particularly the curse and legend of the lost brides. The narrative is complex with a multitude of characters, both living and spectral. The sheer number of characters sometimes prompted a desire for a family tree to aid in keeping track, especially as the intricate plot unfolded.

Within the mysteries, a blossoming romance between Sonya and Trey added a delightful layer to the overarching narrative. Yet, it was the ghostly inhabitants of the mansion, particularly the endearing Jack, Molly, and Clover, who stole the spotlight for me, providing moments of warmth and levity. This is needed to balance the presence of the malevolent ghost, Hester Dobbs. She is a bone-chilling presence who heightens the suspense.

The quartet dynamic formed by Sonya, her best friend Chloe, her love interest Trey, and cousin Owen created a supportive network united in unraveling the secrets of the past. I appreciated the inclusion of Sonya and Chloe's daily routines and creative work lives, a welcome layer of normalcy amidst the supernatural challenges posed by Hester's curse on the Poole family. These details added depth to the characters, making them feel more relatable and interesting.

The book ended with a dramatic cliffhanger, making me eager for the next part of the story. I wish I didn't have to wait an entire year for the next installment. I'll definitely be picking up the next book as soon as it comes out.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book.

This book is a great start to a new series. It was a wonderful read that holds your attention from the first page until the last. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
I received a complimentary copy from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I have been reading Nora Roberts for many, many years and I have had my favorite series. This just may be another favorite of hers. The first book in the Lost Bride series has many interesting tropes. A haunted manor that Sonya inherits from an uncle she never knew, finds while living in the house that there is a story about the Lost Brides. She meets the family lawyer’s son and starts a friendship/relationship with him, and she convinces her best friend to move in with her. I thought this was such an intriguing storyline and I really can’t wait for the next book. As much as I hate cliffhangers and rarely read them, Nora Roberts is such a gifted writer that I look forward to her stories. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is only my second Nora Roberts book, but it encompasses everything that I've come to love about them: a novel that manages to be both character- and plot-driven, with exceptional story development and a warm and cozy feeling, along with a page-turning storyline that kept me wanting more. And that ending.... ! I need to know what happens next and can't wait for the next book in the trilogy! Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance digital copy.

This story will captivate readers with a spellbinding blend of historical fiction, romance, and the supernatural. The story begins in 1806, with Astrid Poole's tragic wedding day, setting the stage for a family haunted by curses and lost love. Sonya MacTavish inherits a Victorian mansion, becoming central in unraveling family secrets and a centuries-old curse. The characters, especially Sonya and her friends Cleo, Trey, and Owen, add depth to the plot. Although the romance unfolds abruptly, and some plot developments seem too convenient, the overall experience is addictive. The cliffhanger ending left me eagerly anticipating the next installment. Overall, this is a captivating and atmospheric journey into a world of mystery and romance that I couldn't put down.

Sonya has just caught her fiancé cheating on her with her cousin. Needless to say, this did not go over well. But, because her fiancé is not a very nice man, Sonya has quit her job as a graphic designer. She has decided to do freelance work. So, when a strange man comes to her door and informs her that her uncle, which she has no idea existed, has died and left her an old manor on the coast of Maine, Sonya decides fate has stepped in to give her a change of scenery. Little does Sonya know, this house has a few residents already living there.

Y’all know I love Nora Roberts! I have been so excited to read this book. Even if it wasn’t a 5 star read…I thoroughly enjoyed it! The only reason for the 4 star review is that the story is a bit long and could have been shortened by quite a few pages. Just my opinion. But, as usual, Roberts has an amazing array of characters! And y’all! I want to live in this house, even with all the ghosts. (Y’all know I love ghosts stories!)

The narrator, Brittany Pressley, is a true joy to listen to! I have listened to quite a few books that she has narrated and I have enjoyed almost every one!

Need a good ghost story with great characters and an amazing setting…. THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

This book reminds me why I fell in love with Nora Roberts books so many years ago. She is a master at crafting a tale with characters you become invested in. This first in a brand new trilogy took me on a journey. Sonya is the type of female main character with strength and depth that readers root for. And the entire cast of characters draws you in. I loved Trey. Cleo and Owen were just as intriguing. There's humor, mystery, sweet romance, so many emotions, and a supernatural element that keeps your pulse racing. I couldn't put this one down. The next book can't come soon enough. I'm completely sucked in!

What do you do when you inherit a Gothic manor from a relative you never knew existed? An inheritance (pun intended) which comes wrapped up in your own version of The Conjuring and bow-tied with an age-old curse. Why, of course you have to go live there!

The best thing about this story, in my opinion, were the strong female characters. I liked Sonya a lot, her mom was amazing and I just plain loved Cleo. I enjoyed the main love interest a lot and I couldn’t resist the gruffy cousin. I loved the dogs. I liked the plot-line but I didn’t much care for the slow pacing with the mundane, which made the writing less impactful at times, dragging the story and making it unnecessarily long. But I was glad to see that the author’s writing style lined up to its deepness in some scenes, especially the friendship & family connections.

The supernatural element was done well, keeping me interested in unearthing the mystery behind it all. The romance felt a bit understated — I wanted more sparks, more intense moments. The events leading up to the ending lacked that tension necessary for climactic scenes but the ending itself was intriguing. Overall, as a longstanding fan of Nora Roberts, I expected more intensity but I did like this story and I would definitely like to know the conclusion of this trilogy.

In this first book of The Lost Bride Trilogy, graphic designer Sonya MacTavish gets the shock of her life when a man turns up on her doorstep claiming to be the attorney for her late uncle. Not only did she not know her father even had a brother, but also, that they were twins, separated at birth. According to the will, her uncle left her his majestic Victorian house on the Maine coast, which the will stipulated she must live in it for at least three years.. Because Sonya had just broken off her engagement with her fiancé, she was ready for a fresh start. Upon arrival, Trey, the young lawyer who greets her at the manor admits that the place is haunted. Sonya doesn't believe in ghosts, but almost immediately begins to find objects moved and music playing out of nowhere. She sees a painting by her father inexplicably hanging in her deceased uncle’s office, and a portrait of a woman named Astrid, whom the lawyer refers to as “the first lost bride.” It’s becoming clear that Sonya has inherited far more than a house. She has inherited a centuries-old curse, and a puzzle to be solved if there is any hope of breaking it…

This is more romance and fantasy than it is spooky. at least so far. For the most part, the ghosts are either playful or helpful, although there is one malevolent spirit that is haunting the clifftop manor. I loved the two rescue dogs who have become "besties",, as well as Sonya's own human bestie, Cleo. Everyone needs a Cleo in their corner! I am hoping that this book was more of the world-building portion of the trilogy, and then since it ended on a cliffhanger, the next book will be where it really starts getting either scarier and/or more exciting. Overall, it was a good start to the trilogy and I am looking forward to seeing where we go from here.

I was given the opportunity to read this book as an advanced reader copy by Netgalley and the author. This is outside my normal genre, but the ability to read a book by THE Nora Roberts before it comes out? I HAD to!

Unfortunately life got ahead of me and I am a day late in finishing this, but I was so hooked… it didn’t matter! This book truly has a little bit of everything and is completely original. I love the wit of the main character, Sonya, and her best friend, Cleo!

I’m really excited this is a trilogy and I look forward to the next two in this trio!

Wow! This book was very unique and quite captivating! I enjoy a good ghost story and this book had quite the cast of characters! Sonya has had her life completely change when she learns of her inheritance. So her world changes again but this time for the good. The manor holds secrets and I really enjoyed the way the story unfolded. Sonya had grit and determination in spades. I enjoyed her budding friendship/relationship with Trey. I couldn’t read this book fast enough and looking forward to the next book in the series!

Nora Roberts never disappoints! I love how she combines an old ghost story with a contemporary romance! She’s just the master! This book was mysterious and kept me reading from start to finish. It was well written and kept me turning those pages. Huge thanks to St Martin’s and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this story!

3.5 stars

First I’ll go to the last. That ending! I was on the edge of my seat and I’m not sure which way I wanted it to go. But also, that ending is a HUGE cliffhanger. So be warned. I thought this would be a trilogy in the sense that the stories would be related but still have a full arc for each book. It’s actually a trilogy in the sense that the three books will be one long story playing out. I kind of wish I had known that going in, to be honest. (FYI for my Romance peeps, there is an HFN with any romantic elements so no worries there.)

Because I was looking at this book as a complete story when I started it, I felt the pacing was slow. I didn’t realize, until far into the book when it was obvious there would be no wrap-up, that this book functioned as more of a setup of the overall story. It was interesting and I love all of the characters so I stuck with it regardless of the pacing. Yet I don’t think I would have felt the pacing was slow if I had known how the trilogy was set up from the very beginning.

As for the genre, I don’t know how to categorize this book. Sonya and her BFF Cleo mention how gothic the house and grounds of Sonya’s new house seem, and this story definitely reminds me of a classic gothic novel in many ways. There are a ton of paranormal things happening. I’m thinking paranormal mystery since Sonya and Cleo, along with their new friends Trey and Owen, are trying to figure out the why of the amped-up haunting of her house. It’s always had a reputation, but since Sonya moved in the odd happenings have been dialed up to eleven.

The way we get to know some of the spirits as well as we know the living and breathing characters is amazing. I adore Sonya’s relationship with her mom and Cleo. Trey and his whole family are such lovely people. The instant connection Sonya and Trey have is great, but she also has a wonderful sort of familial chemistry with the rest of the family.

This story was somehow warm and inviting while being spooky and ominous. Don’t ask me to explain that because I can’t. Now the wait is on for the next part of this trilogy…

A gothic romance with a bit of fantasy in the first in the The Lost Bride Trilogy. Roberts has once again drawn the reader into a new mysterious series centuries in the making. This is a respectable beginning to a new trilogy, but we careful after reading book #1 as you'll be jumping at the bit for book #2.

Rating 3.5

Thank you St. Martins Press for the complimentary copy.

I have always been a huge Nora Roberts fan, but she kind of lost me years ago with some of her paranormal books. I was sucked in by this sweet, benign looking cover, but it is another paranormal (ghosts) fiction. But since Ms. Roberts writes anything and everything well, it worked for me.

I love that most of the ghosts are friendly, helpful, and even have a sense of humor. I would love a ghostly maid or a playful ghost to keep my dog entertained. Come on down!!! There is, of course, the dark, terrifying witch also

What I wasn't expecting was the big, BIG cliffhanger at the end. Personally, I will probably not remember the characters by the time the next one comes out. That won't keep me from reading it, though!

I went back and forth between the audiobook and the ebook. The narration by Brittany Pressley was fantastic. She did a great job with the different voices, and the narration was a pleasure to listen to.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.

This is the first in a brand new trilogy by the incomparable Nora Roberts. Sonia finds herself with an unexpected inheritance and meets lawyer Trey. There are curses and mysteries that are in the story from start to finish. I found it to be very engaging, and I was interested in how the past and the present were mixed together. I’d like the relationship between Sonia and Trey, and all in all the whole story intrigue me from start to finish. There is a cliffhanger, and I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this trilogy.

Inheritance is the first book of The Lost Bride Trilogy. Holy moly what a book! It has been a while since I’ve read a Nora Roberts book but I’m so glad I was chosen to receive this one! I went into this one blind and I was not disappointed in the least!

What would you do if you found out your fiancé was cheating on you and inherited a mansion from an ouncle you never knew existed? Well, Sonya decides to move into that mansion and made some unique friends. There is some mystery, suspense, a little bit of romance and friendship in this amazing novel. It does end on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait for the next book!

Thank you to the author Nora Roberts, publishers St. Martin's Press and SMPInfluencers, and also to NetGalley, for an advance digital copy of INHERITANCE. All views are mine.

DNF @ 57%

I love the opening scene of this book! It was so sexy and horrible, i knew i was in for a good story. Unfortunately, I'm a stickler for form, and the form here got in the way for me. I struggled with this one to keep up with all the regular changes that took place in the book-- in setting, in perspective, even in genre, to be frank. With sections in a fantasy world past and sections in a more realistic contemporary-style present, INHERITANCE always left me feeling a bit of whiplash when switching between eras or perspectives. I suspect this is a bit of "a me thing" and some readers will find this story exciting!

Rating: 💋💋💋 cheating fiancés
Recommend? Yes, for romantasy fans
Finished: Nov 21 23
Format: Digital arc, Kindle, NetGalley
Read this book if you like:
👸 romantasy
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 family stories, family drama
😈 cheating scoundrels
💄 women's coming of age
❤️‍🩹 second chance trope
📉 multiple timelines
👥️ multiple perspectives