My Expectations:
Inheritance is book one of the Lost Bride trilogy, a new trilogy by Nora Roberts. Before reading, I did not read the blurb. Due to advertising and title, I gathered that there would be a big house and a bride who tragically died on her wedding day haunting said house.

I go into every Nora Roberts expecting strong female characters with fulfilling friendships and careers. I expect a strong male character who is comfortable with himself to enter the picture and be drawn in by the strong female lead. I expect the romance to be sweet and fun and uncomplicated. Due to this book featuring a ghost bride, I also expected plenty of connections to the past as the ghost’s story unfolded.

What I Loved:
In the opening of the book, we meet bride-to-be Sonya who is about to experience betrayal, but it is clear from the get-go that, in many ways, the betrayal will be a blessing in disguise. She called on those she loved (she was blessed there) and took her life back quite quickly. Just as she is getting a handle on things and adjusting to the changes, a lawyer shows up and informs her that she has a decision to make. Sonya is strong, smart, funny, and driven and every single one of those facets of her personality comes into play as she takes on her inheritance, a haunted manor full of history and mystery.

The haunted manor was scary as heck! A part of me wanted to shout “run far and fast” to Sonya at the first signs of paranormal activity, but she had been through a lot and she deserved what her inheritance was bringing to her - a flourishing career, family and friends, and space (and, yeah, money) to do what she wanted, how she wanted to do it. It made sense that she was standing her ground and staking her claim. In doing so, she opens herself up to the lives of those in the manor who have stories to share with her.

One thing I did love about the manor was the paranormal DJ. As far as paranormal events go, this one may be one I could see getting used to… maybe!

Sonya’s inheritance brings her the addition of steady and sweet Trey to her circle of those she can rely on. Trey and her best friend Cleo have an amazing sense of calm and their presence in her life further helps Sonya stand her ground; they get rattled when it is called for but they often serve as the rock Sonya needs to continue to stick and fight for those who it seems need her help.

The mystery is developing into a quest of sorts I think, and I enjoyed the groundwork book one lays throughout its unfolding as we become acquainted with Lost Bride Manor and its many secrets. The ghosts provide a balance of intrigue and unease - there are certainly more than a few suspenseful moments. I did not see the ending coming and am beyond curious about where book 2 will take us!

What I Didn’t Love:
As usual, there was not a single thing I disliked about this Nora Roberts read. I am so excited for a new trilogy and am more than ok waiting a bit to see where this story takes Sonya and gang.

3 Words I Would Use To Describe This Book To A Friend:
Haunting
Empowering
Enchanting

Final Thoughts/Recommendations:
This book did not fall short of any of my expectations. The female friendships were strong and nearly as intense as the romance. The romance is the supportive and wonderful romance that happens between two people who have made their mistakes and more than recognize a good thing when it is in front of them. The ghosts are haunting and enchanting and I am fully invested in their story and how Sonya’s inheriting Lost Bride Manor could pan out for them.

The Lost Bride Trilogy promises to be another fabulous trilogy by Nora Roberts!


Reviewed by Crystal / blog post live on 11/16/23

I honestly don't know exactly how to review this book. Did I like it, yes, did I think it was a little long, also yes. The story was good and I really enjoyed the characters, however, it also felt like nothing happened and then the story just ended with bam a cliffhanger which made me incredibly mad. Why didn't that happen sooner and what is going to happen next? Yes, I know this is a trilogy and yes, now I will have to read the next book to find out what happened, but man do I wish there had been a little more meat in this book and it been a two-book series instead of a trilogy if necessary.
Overall, I am interested in knowing what happens next so I look forward to the next book.

Final Score - 5 OMG, What Did She Walk Into Stars!!!

Just finished reading this book and I need a minute to get my thoughts together - this was an epic story that drew me in and didn't let me go for the past two days!

Gothic mansion ✔️
Hauntings ✔️
Long lost family ✔️
Epic mystery ✔️

Honestly, I hated myself for reading this one so fast. This gothic story is great for anyone looking for an escape; Just pace yourself while reading, cause once you are in it, YOU ARE ALL IN.

It all starts with a wedding day filled with joy, but ends with heartache when the bride is murdered, her wedding ring stolen, and curse is laid. But it does end there. Once a generation, this fate meets a bride in the Poole family, in a gothic mansion, which our heroine Sonya has just inherited. Factor in she's just found out she is long lost member of this family (as it seems somehow her father was separated from his twin shortly after their tragic birth).

There are mysteries to be solved here! Why were the twins separated? Why does this mansion house some many spirits? Why haven't they moved on? Why was the curse enacted?

I adored Sonya and her BFF Cleo. Trey (Oliver the 3rd), oh how I swooned the first time he was introduced. His BFF Owen is another swoon worthy character. This quartet together makes this book intriguing, addictive and lures us into the nearly two century mystery surrounding Owen and Sonya's family (did I forget to mention that these two have just discovered they're lost distance cousins?) and how to break a curse that has reeked havoc for this family.

Together this quartet sets about to break the curse and free Sonya (along with the rest of the Poole family) from the hauntings of the mansion, as well as set the spirits that roam within free. Should be no problem, but first she needs to find each of the seven rings stolen from each bride that was lost.

The story is left in a cliffhanger (which I did see coming). I would have liked to see an preview of what happened/what's to come. I think that would have made me feel a little more satisfied as to how it was left. I also would have loved more of build up to the Sonya/Try romance. I understand it was a slow burn, but wick was nearly out by the time they got there and once they did, it was all about the mystery of the house, the spirits and the lost brides. No real romance for me, so I expect in the other books they'll expand some on this (hopefully).

Overall, Nora Roberts has done it. She's sucked me back into her story telling and I don't want to ever surface. Ms. Roberts, it's been a while since I've read your books (trust me, I have a bunch on my selves & on my kindle) and it looks like I need to do some re-reads. STAT!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I can't wait for the next book in the series!

It took me a little bit of time to get into the book, but it's well worth reading. Through her slower pace, you really get to know the characters and the manor very well. Graphic designer Sonya MacTavish has recently dumped her cheating spouse, left her job and started a graphic arts business. She inherits a haunted mansion in Maine three hours away from her Boston home. The only catch is that she has to live there for the next three years. Sonya slowly learns that the home has had seven brides die in the home and over time learns their history. The house is haunted by a malevolent spirit as well as people who have died there. I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. The mansion definitely is spooky with unwound clocks booming at 3 a.m., items moved, etc. I love how there are benevolent ghosts that play theme music at times, make beds and make the home spotless and welcome. There is also the evil spirit that would have me fleeing the home in no time with the things that she can do. I enjoy seeing the relationship develop between Sony and Trey. What I don't like is the story leaving me waiting for the next one with its cliffhanger ending.

After her engagement ends and her career takes an unexpected turn, Sonya MacTavish is ready for a fresh start. What she doesn’t expect that to entail is an inheritance from an uncle she never knew existed. Said inheritance includes a stunning Victorian manor on the Maine coast that comes with, shall we say, unearthly residents. Seven brides were lost, one per generation. Their spirits and others are anchored to the house… Along with an evil that lurks, displeased with Sonya’s arrival. With her best friend, Cleo, beside her, and handsome lawyer Trey for support, Sonya starts to unravel the mystery of Lost Bride Manor.

Inheritance is engaging, interesting, and at times richly atmospheric. Nora Roberts has opened up her Lost Bride trilogy with an utterly addictive beginning.

Sonya was easy for me to like from the start. She takes a few hits, but she’s strong, smart, and determined. With the support of her loved ones, she gets a fresh new start when she moves to Maine. She didn’t expect to fall in love at first sight with the manor she inherited, nor the charming town nearby. She also didn’t count on her new ghostly roommates. It takes a while for Sonya to believe, but I loved learning about the ghosts and their different personalities alongside her. The son of her late uncle’s best friend, Trey Doyle has had a lifetime to become accustomed to the hauntings of the manor. Trey is sexy, kind, and supportive – how could Sonya or I resist him? He and Sonya just click from the start and though Inheritance is only the beginning of their story, I definitely can’t wait to see where Roberts takes them.

Along for the ride are Sonya’s best friend, Cleo, and Sonya’s newfound cousin, Owen. Sparks fly between the two and – as with our main couple – I’m very much looking forward to seeing where Cleo and Owen go. I enjoyed the various love stories in this book, from the love of family to that of friends to the possibilities of what’s to come and to love lost but lingering. I don’t want to say too much about the ghostly residents or the Big Bad as much of the fun of the story is learning things alongside Sonya.

Inheritance is beautiful, sad, and hopeful all at once. It’s got some creepy vibes (if you’re easily spooked like me) and a touch of gothic atmosphere. This is not a self-contained book, however; it’s the first part of a much larger story and ends with a bit of a cliffhanger. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Inheritance. It was easy for me to get caught up in the story; I loved the world and the journey Sonya and company are on so far. I cannot wait to see what happens next!

Spirits and family history set up the newest Nora Roberts trilogy! Sonya inherits a unknown to her family mansion. Along with the mansion comes lots of family tragedies from the past. Sonya moves into the mansion and to the small town in Maine. She is starting a new job and a new way of life. Besides the new changes in her life she must deal with strange noises and happenings within the house.

Slowly she begins to uncover some of the family history and the tragedies that happened within the house. This creates a fast paced and compelling read. Roberts gives us relateable and likeable characters who we would like to meet. Of course we are given some wonderful Nora Roberts romance to add to the story.

I look forward to the next book in the series as this one had quite the cliff hanger! Thank you Netgalley for the chance to review this novel.

I’m annoyed. First be warned this book is not a self-contained story. Instead it ends with a sudden jarring cliffhanger. I was concerned it was almost over with so much left unresolved and apparently the plan was to leave it that way. I don’t usually complain about cliffhangers but this one is very unsatisfying since it’s literally in the middle of something so there is no resolution.

I don’t think I’ve ever read anything by this prolific author but I’m surprised that a writer who has been around for so long would outright hate on groups of people. Obviously it’s considered ok if not down right acceptable to hate on Christians but I’m appalled by it. You should know what this author apparently stands for before starting this book. I actually enjoyed the meandering pace of this story and probably would have been curious to see what happened in the next book if not for that. The character who is setup as so great and laudable bashes Christians explicitly. I’m offended. Obviously I will never read anything else by this author. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A brand new trilogy with slight paranormal leanings catches my eye immediately. Of course, with a Nora Roberts book, I will hands down pick up the book without reading the blurb. To see a gorgeous cover too, what could possible go wrong? Nothing. This book was so good for me. I read it from front to back in one sitting and it will be in my re-read shelf. This story starts off in a tragedy and ends in a bittersweet happy for now.

This is the first part and there was so much going on in it. We learn about Astrid Poole and how she has been robbed of her wedding. This is tied to current day with Sonya learning that her beloved and deceased father was so much more. Using twins in this book to show how separated twins feel a sense of loss greater than regular siblings worked for me. I loved the ties and uncovering of the past.

What I really enjoyed and loved is the character building. Ms. Robert's character creation is always an allure for me. Her main characters are usually admirable yet slightly flawed to give them a relatable personality. I liked Sonya. She seems to have a decent life and then she learns about her father's real history. Everything she knows is now in question. Added to this, there is now an inheritance involved which always makes for interesting times. Luckily for Sonya, she has Trey to help her navigate the waters.

This slow romance between Sonya and Trey is fun to watch. I enjoyed the pace as well as mild/face to black sex scenes. Because really, I want to follow the plot and solve the mystery to the curse. I am not really looking for sexy times. Ms. Roberts delivers on a complex plot that transverses across time. Just when I think the book will wrap up completely, we are left wondering what will happen next. The ending definitely hooked me in for the next book in the series. I cannot wait to see what happens next. This contemporary romance is recommended to all romance readers.

Inheritance by Nora Roberts is a great mystery. The characters are real and the situation is believable. Can't wait for book 2!

While I love all the different types of stories that Nora Robert writes, stories like Inheritance just hit me a different way. There are friends that come together forming a family, magic, curses, and a spooky mystery to solve.
Nora Roberts has an amazing way of telling a story that sucks me in immediately. I feel myself falling into the story and not willing or able to put it down until it's over.
I loved the characters, and I loved the plot, the doggy sidekicks were so adorable! It had everything I could have asked for and gave some great scary/creepy moments when the evil ghost made herself known, along with some really sweet moments with some of the other resident ghosts. And man that ending!
I absolutely cannot wait to see where the story is going to go from here!!

📖 ARC REVIEW 📖

Thank you @stmartinspress for an early copy of Inheritance by @norarobertsauthor. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 🤍

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Release date: November 21st, 2023

Blurb: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

🛑Read on with caution; review may contain spoilers🛑

It’s been a while since I picked up a Nora Roberts novel and damn, she always has captivated me with her writing and how she just so intricately puts together all pieces of a story together so well. I usually veer away from everything involving the paranormal, ghosts, and all that, but Nora Roberts just took all the spooky and sprinkled it with a lot of intrigue and history into this novel. Imagine inheriting a 200-year-old mansion with so much beauty, mystery, and history, and also death. Along with inheriting the mansion, the main character Sonya also learns about a curse that was cast upon the family in the 1800’s, taking a bride’s life residing in the manor per generation. The ghosts of these brides reside in the manor, and while Sonya’s initial encounters with them were quite spooky with an automatic DJ, plates that clean themselves in the kitchen, beds already made before she even thought of making them, toiletries and wardrobes well-organized, Sonya realized that they mean no harm and are very friendly, despite the fate they have encountered at the time of their death. But, with friendly ghosts comes the evil witch who placed the curse upon the family, trying to veer Sonya away from the mansion and break the curse. Sonya is determined though to keep living in the mansion and the hell with the witch.

I loved, loved, loved how this story was woven so flawlessly! Told in the perspectives of most characters, the main POV being Sonya, plus the POVs of some of the brides at the time of their death, I quite forgot that this novel has some paranormal themes. And that’s saying something since I easily get spooked, thus I avoid all things ghosts at all costs.

The mystery surrounding the Poole family and the manor was very intriguing and it really got me so invested in the story that I couldn’t put this one down. It was paced okay but somehow started slower than I would have liked, but nonetheless, it kept my attention until the end. I loved the strength and determination shown by Sonya, her friendship with her best friend Cleo, and her romance with Trey. I also enjoyed her interactions with the ghosts in the manor, once she has accepted their existence, and I am especially fond of Clover the DJ and always find the way she communicates through the music she plays hilarious.

I’m interested in diving deeper into the mystery of the Lost Brides and how Sonya will find their rings in order to lift the curse cast upon her family. Since this is the first book in the series, it ended with a cliffhanger, and though I was too excited to read the next book and exclaimed “Please give me the next book so I can read it huhuhu” when I reached the end, I’d wait for no matter how long it takes for the author to make the sequel perfect, and no doubt she won’t fail her readers.

You’ll surely enjoy the mystery and suspense with Nora Roberts’ newest novel, Inheritance! She has created a masterpiece yet again and this one will surely keep you reading, and really, you wouldn’t want to drop this until you reach the end because it’s that good!

This fantastic fantasy is classic Nora Roberts, and the first of a trilogy. Let me tell you, it will get your heart racing and keep you up all night so be prepared. Bostonian graphic designer Sonya MacTavish who recently caught her fellow employee-fiance in her bed with her favorite cousin finds herself manless and unemployed and the heir of a manor house in coastal Maine, left to her by her Uncle Collin. Turns out Uncle Collin Poole was her deceased father's twin - a family her family never knew as both boys were adopted out by different folks after the death of their mother at their birth, and the suicide of their father short hours thereafter. I know. Almost too much. But it just sets the pace for the rest of this tale, which I admit pushes the envelope but who cares? I hope Nora is working feverishly on number two in this series, as waiting is going to be really hard.

I received an advanced reader's copy of this novel from Netgalley, author Nora Roberts, and publisher St. Martin's Press. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read Inheritance of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I am always pleased to recommend Nora Roberts to friends and family. She has a wonderfully vivid imagination and shares it most willingly.

Nora Roberts has a knack for mixing friendship, family, and romance in such readable ways, occasionally with a bit of the occult thrown in. We start off with a bang, so to speak, with Sonya finding her fiancé in bed with her cousin, and dealing with the outcome of that unfortunate encounter. Fast-forward to inheriting a gothic house from a never-before-known uncle, in a small town filled with friendly (and sexy) strangers, and Sonya's well on her way to a new adventure. Trent is a good man (natch!) with a great family and group of friends, so a perfect match for her in the romance portion of the book. Having her college friend, Cleo, staying in the big-ol' house to experience the hauntings (both friend and foul), is comforting through the supernatural portions of the book. Inheritance is a fun start to a ghost tale, and while I wish it hadn't ended on such a cliffhanger, I'm definitely in for this three-part ride. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me the opportunity to read this book pre-publication.

Captivating Book! Mystery, things that go bump in the night and sometimes broad daylight. A haunted estate inherited from an uncle she never met - her father's twin brother he was separated from at birth. Most people would say No Thank You, but the estate feels like home to Sonia. Can she ignore the strange happenings? There's a ghost that communicates to her via music, a boy that plays ball with her dog, one that cleans and does dishes, and something sinister. Sonia is determined that no dark spirit will run her from her house. With her best friend and the love of a good man, Sonia is not going anywhere. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this advanced review copy. In return, I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Sonja catches her boyfriend with her cousin months before their marriage. Breaking off their engagement and then leaving her dream job has her starting her own business. After receiving a surprise inheritance with a manor house she moves to Maine.
The house and town sounds gorgeous. Add in some ghosts who ramble through the house and keep her company. Except for the one who doesn’t want her there.
I throughly enjoyed the story, the characters and the mystery to solve. The only issue I have is that it ends with a cliffhanger and now I have to wait for the next one.

In true Nora Robert’s fashion, we got a winner! I love this author and call me bias, everything she writes is perfection. We open up with a story of a woman named Astrid who gets killed on her wedding day, a woman comes and takes her ring after, creepy!!! Then it continues to the more present time with Sonya, who is dealing with her own heartache after catching her ex who cheated on her.

This woman needed a change and I love her mom and her best friend Cleo. A lawyer comes to see her and tell her that she has inherited a Manor in Maine by an uncle she never met, and her father who was adopted had family. So now there is a ton of mysteries to solve here, not only does she inherit a haunted house, she is also pulled into this mystery of why her dad was sent off, what happened to these brides who have died in the Manor, and so much more things that I can’t give away because it’s worth reading!!!!

We get the supernatural, romance, a mystery all in one, Nora needs to come out with book 2 TODAY! Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Nora Roberts kicks off the Lost Brides trilogy with Inheritance. Sonya MacTavish is shocked to learn that a late uncle whom she never met or knew existed has left her a huge Victorian manor on the coast of Maine. The terms of the will state that Sonya must live in the house for 3 months, so she packs up her life and moves in. Soon, Sonya is figuring out that the house is more than just a little haunted, and a mystery unfolds as she tries to figure out how to break the curse of the Lost Brides.

I found the premise of this story very promising and I loved Sonya and all her friends and family. Their characters were fun and likeable. I found the characters’ reactions to the events taking place to be a little detached, which was odd. When scary things are happening in a haunted house, you expect more of a reaction. Instead, Sonya is planning dinner parties. The relationship that develops between her and her love interest is no surprise, but felt a little rushed with their limited interactions. I enjoyed the looks into the past, but felt like parts of Sonya’s storyline dragged a little and lacked action.

Regardless, I enjoyed reading this and look forward to seeing what happens. Which brings me to the conclusion of this story…a MAJOR cliffhanger. Like, if I were you, I’d just wait until the entire trilogy is complete before I read because waiting until the next book comes out is going to be a bummer. I definitely plan to finish this one, and I expect they will only get better from here.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for allowing me to read and review this ARC!

It's been several years since I have read a Nora Roberts novel. Oh, I have missed this a lot. Her writing pulls you in from the very beginning and the pacing is simply magnificent. She is able to mix paranormal, romance, and mystery with such a deft hand you find her world totally believable. Sonya, our heroine is a gifted artist (like a lot of Roberts' heroines--I am good with this) who has narrowly escaped a huge life mistake and inherits a manor in Maine from an unknown uncle. Of course, she decides to go. The story from there kept me enchanted and entranced as I spent the day reveling in the goodness of a Nora Roberts novel. I read this in one sitting. I regret nothing other than the fact that it ended on quite the cliffhanger, and now I have to wait and keep an eagle eye out for the next book in the series.

This reminds me of several of her other series in that our heroine is one of several found-family friends who meet up with the hero and his friends as they battle an old evil and break an old curse or evil that has haunted a place for many years. Trust me this is not a criticism, I love this about her books and I devour these stories. I swear this is my catnip. The romance is perfect, the banter is so good, and the song references are spot on. **Note** That moment when you realize you have become the age of the parents or grandparents in the book and the song references are from your teenage years 🫨🫣🥺. ** Side characters are charming and the animals are cute and add much to the book's overall feel and warmth. The mystery of the curse on the family is heartwrenchingly sad. We understand why they have to break the curse but the how is the mystery that will be answered in the next two books in the series. I cannot wait for the next one, until then I guess I am going to have to go back and read any of Nora's books I might have missed in the last couple of years and maybe re-read some others. It is worth it.

Wonderful start to a new trilogy. Sonya MacTavish has just inherited from an unknown uncle a mansion, but that is only the start of the mystery. Her father was a twin and separated at birth from his brother, but why she wonders. Her uncle will left her not only with the mansion but funds for the upkeep, mysteries and a few ghosts, with the stipulation that she needs to live there 3 years.
Trey who was a friend and lawyer of the deceased Collin Poole shows Sonya around the place and admits that it is haunted and the mansion nickname is the Lost Brides. The name was given due to all the brides that died on their wedding day, including her uncle’s bride. As Sonya settles in little unexplained things happen, some good, a few annoying and some scary but she isn’t going to let the ghosts drive her out of her home.
The story has the typical magic that draws in throughout the book. Parts reminded me of the show Ghosts, which I love. And as with the majority of Nora’s trilogy, the story continues with a cliffhanger. I just hope book 2 will release soon. I switched back and forth between book and audiobook and reread or relistened to parts in the audiobook. The narrator was fantastic, but with the book was easier to backtrack when needed. Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #Inheritance #StMartinPress #MacmillanAudio #TheLostBrideTrilogy #NoraRoberts

All I can say is WOW! I really loved this book. It will definitely hold your attention.
Sonya MacTavish lives in Boston is engaged to be married soon. She comes home to her fiancé in bed with someone else. Since they work for the same agency, he makes it impossible to work there any longer.

Sonya is contacted months later by a lawyer stating she has inherited her uncle's home. She didn't know she had an uncle. She has to live there for 3 months to inherit. When she arrives she finds a really large manor house. Just the type of house she has always dreamed of having. The house is called Lost Bride Manor for a reason. It seems the placed is inhabited by ghost.
There is a curse on brides dating back from 1806 and it seems there are a lot of ghosts in the house some friendly and some not so friendly.
Trey is a lawyer with the firm her uncle used and was friends with Deuce another of the lawyers. They know all about the manor and it's history. Trey and Sonya start spending time with each other. Cleo is Sonya's BFF and she comes to live at the manor house.
This is one really great story, and I can't wait for the next book!