When Sonya MacTavish inherits the huge Victorian mansion on the coast of Maine, she has no idea that the house is haunted. The footsteps she hears at night, the doors slamming, the music playing, are not figments of her imagination. Then one night a mirror appears and Sonya glides through it into the past—and sees a bride murdered on her wedding day, the circle of gold torn from her finger. It is a scene that will play out again and again—a centuries-old curse that must be broken—and a puzzle she must solve if there is any hope of breaking the curse.

I didn’t realize that this was book 2 in a trilogy, but Roberts does a good job of recapping the first book so that reading this as a stand-alone was totally fine. I had a hard time keeping all of the characters straight, though, because there are a lot of them, and a few have the same name for some reason.

Sonya is very earnest, in an annoying way. Like, real people don’t talk that way. I think it’s supposed to make her endearing but she just rings false to me. Actually, all of the characters are like that. They have no faults, they’re all super supportive, self-deprecating, and empathetic to a very irritating degree.

But I did enjoy reading about the curse. A witch, Hester Dobbs, who was scorned by one of Sonya’s ancestors, has vowed to take her revenge on all the brides in the family. Every time Sonya has a dream/vision in the mirror, she learns a little bit more about Hester and her motivations and that was the most interesting part of the book for me. The romance portion of this book wasn’t very romance-y. Sonya is already with her boyfriend in this book and he’s kind of an afterthought throughout. I assume book 1 is more about their relationship and how they fell in love.

Overall, I was very bored, and I was more interested in the villain than the main characters. The book ends on a cliffhanger for book 3, but I have no interest in reading it.

Much thanks for Saint Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the eARC of The Mirror in exchange for an honest view. I was very excited to continue The Lost Bride Trilogy by Nora Roberts because I loved Inheritance (book 1) so much.

Rounded up from 3.5 stars. I enjoyed The Mirror, the addition of new animals and ghosts, and I loved seeing Sonya, Trey, Cleo, and Owen make the house theirs. Also, the dream/Mirror sequences were very strong and added a lot for me. Those scenes were among my favorites. I think, though, that the book’s pacing lagged when it focused on many mundane tasks the characters faced related to their jobs without focusing on the central storyline of them/the brides versus Hester Dobbs. I also struggle with dialogue where it’s not clear who’s speaking until a couple of sentences or paragraphs later and found that slowed down my pace quite a bit.

I’m curious to see what a potentially new side plot may be in book three (spiteful ex? Roberts is known for those books too), and I absolutely plan to finish the trilogy. I just would have liked more answers to who is Dobbs and why does she want the manor so badly.

Overall, I would recommend The Mirror. It’s intriguing, carries along some great characters from Book 1, and I really want to read Book 3 now 😊.

Can Nora Roberts write a bad book? It’s just not possible. Book #2 in the “Lost Bride” Trilogy continues the tradition of incredible books by this author. This trilogy is shaping up to be my new favorite by this author.

Book #2 begins precisely where the first book ended. Sonya is settled into her new home with her best friend Cleo and working on her new business. But the house still has more stories to tell.

This is the perfect middle book. We get to know more about the family and friends that are important to our main characters. We also learn more about the house. The house is really my favorite character in this one. There is so much history in this one, and more importantly, more about the lost brides.

I wasn’t sure what I was expecting from the ending of this one, but it was perfect. The stage is now set for the final book, and I cannot wait to read the ending!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to both read and listen to this amazing story! Brittany Pressley does a phenomenal job - as always - narrating this audiobook. The wait is now on for the finale. This one is out now - I highly recommend this one!

The Mirror is a delightful second installment in The Lost Bride trilogy that picks up right where Th Inheritance left off. Filled with romance, adventure, mystery, and magic both light and dark, it’s classic Nora Roberts - incredibly entertaining and well-written.

Thank you Nora Roberts, St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

I'm in love with this series. I get so upset with having to wait for the next title to come out, especially since each book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. I love how Roberts has shifted her writing style over the years. I used to read her for the romance, but with this series, I'm reading it for the haunted storyline.

Poole Manor is the fantabulous home to Sonya and Cleo and their two pets Yoda and Pye. It’s all good except for the unwelcome occupant of the Gold room. If they could just figure out how to get rid of her, life would be perfect.
In the second installment of Roberts’ Lost Bride Trilogy we find Sonya and Cleo settling in nicely and establishing themselves in their careers. Roberts does an excellent job of setting the scene and the pacing is spot on. I like the way the stories of the previous occupants is done, their marriages and what happened to them. I like that the two main characters are strong, talented women and their two men are so supportive and are there for them when needed. I like most of the other occupants of the Manor especially Molly and Clover. Clover plays the best music! I don’t much care for the villainess, but have to admit she’s a scary one and look forward to reading how she’s dealt with in the final book. 4.5 stars

The Mirror by Nora Roberts

The Mirror is the second installment of The Lost Bride trilogy. The story continued right where book one left off. We learn more about the history of the manor and the backstories of the seven lost brides in order get a better/thorough understanding of the story/plot. I did enjoy book one more which helped build the mystery and pull the reader in. I appreciated the humorous scenes sprinkled throughout the story that involved the ghosts of the manor.

It was longer than it should have been though (over 400 pages). The author focused a lot of attention on Sonya’s and Cleo’s daily schedule and activities (working out, cooking, work schedule/breaks, figuring out what’s for dinner, taking the dogs out) which slowed the pace of the book. There was also a lot of unnecessary dialogue (fillers) which did not add to the story.

The cliffhanger is nothing like book one which left the reader hanging. It just ended. I will continue onto the third and final book as I am eager to see how everything wraps up. All in all it was a solid read.

3 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

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

The Mirror, the second book in Nora Roberts' Lost Bride Trilogy, seamlessly continues the story begun in The Inheritance. Sonya, having inherited a mysterious manor from the family she never knew, delves deeper into a world of newfound family, friendships, community, intrigue, and danger.

Nora Roberts masterfully blends fantasy with an undercurrent of mystery, crafting a rich and immersive world. The story’s themes of connection and self-discovery are complemented by vivid world-building and a sense of darkness that keeps the reader engaged. While the pacing is occasionally slow and some elements feel repetitive, the overall narrative is compelling and satisfying.

I read this book alongside the first in the series, which enhanced my experience and helped me fully appreciate the continuity of the plot. With its intriguing twists and a cliffhanger ending, The Mirror ensures I’ll be eagerly awaiting the final installment.

Thank you, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley, for providing me with this book!

My goodness, this woman knows how to write a story. When I finished The Inheritance, the first in this series, I literally gasped. The ending instantly made me want this book. I was thrilled to receive a copy and it definitely delivered. We pick right up where the first book left off in a grand, old house on the coast of Maine. I don't want to give too much away but I can say that this book absolutely levels up the vibes in the first book. There is magical realism, found family, adorable pets, strong women, dishy men who support them, and a mystery behind it all. I loved getting lost in its pages and can't wait to see how it all comes together in the next book. There are scenes that made me laugh and ones that broke my heart. I really enjoyed the whole atmosphere of the story and cannot wait to return. This book could probably stand on its own, but it would be much improved if you read the first book to see how everyone came together. I highly recommend you try it out!

Huge thank you to #macmillanauduo #MacAudio2024 #StMartinsPress and @netgalley for an advanced audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.
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Nora Roberts is just ultimate comfort food for me. Book two in The Lost Bride Trilogy didn’t disappoint. The audio was great and I easily lost myself in the story! I can’t wait for book 3!
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Terrific characters but it is important to read The Inheritance first. I think the first book really set the scene for the series and this second book really begins the story. I love the strong bond between Sonya and her best friend Cleo. It also seems that the two guys in their lives have the same strong bond. The resident ghost, Dobbs, is really kicking up a racket but Sonya and Cleo are no longer frightened by her, just determined to get her out of the manor. They have been filling the manor with love, light and music and Dobbs really hates that. The romance between Sonya and Trey and Cleo and Owen is heating up and I am very anxious to read the fina l book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Mirror by Nora Roberts is the second book in The Lost Bride Trilogy. You do need to read The Inheritance before beginning The Mirror. The Mirror picks up where The Inheritance left off. I have been reading Nora Roberts’ book since I was a teenager (I read her first book when I was twelve), and The Mirror felt like it was written by a different individual. The story focuses more on food than it does on the curse and evil entity in the house. I know how to cook a pot roast. I do not need the process described step by step (this is not a cookbook). Sonia and Cleo plan meals, shop for the ingredients, cook meals and desserts, create a garden, work, paint, and plan a party. Of course, they spend time with the gentlemen in their lives, Trey and Owen. Let us not forget the pets. The pets need to be fed, let in and out, and bathed (I find it amusing that the cat is named Pyewacket). The story moves at a snail’s pace plus there are repetitive details. If something happens to Sonia, she needs to tell Cleo, and then Owen, and so forth. There is no action (the dogs did more than the people). The plot does not move forward (not a bit in the four hundred and fifty some pages). I know that if I lived in a haunted manor with an evil squatter on the third floor, I would be searching for answers (not planning a party). The story lacked suspense, chemistry, and eeriness (I was never freaked out by the banging doors and such). The Mirror seemed an unnecessary addition to the trilogy (I bet the story could have been told in one book). The writing is out of character for Nora Roberts. It is a shame that the book does not live up to its intriguing premise. I am hoping the action and suspense will appear in the final book of the trilogy (fingers crossed) as well as the long-awaited answers.

I am loving this new series. All of the characters are likable and I am enjoying the building relationship between each couple. It has been interesting to learn about each bride as they search for the rings to break the curse. Looking forward to the final book!

The Mirror:⁣
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Thank you @macmillan.audio #MacAudio2024 and @stmartinspress for my gifted copies!⁣
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“Here’s to the staff of Lost Bride Manor. They take loyalty to a whole new level.”⁣
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There are books that you just fall into the story and can truly help you forget where you are. The Lost Bride trilogy by Nora Roberts does that. I’ve fallen in love with this manor and all its occupants. I forget I’m not in Maine, but in hot as hell Georgia. I get so wrapped in Sonya and Cleo, I forget they aren’t real people.⁣
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The audio is once again phenomenal. I will never have a bad thing to say about Brittany Pressley and she knocked this one out of the part just like she did with Inheritance. Absolutely stunning audio. ⁣
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The love I have for all the brides in this story is unreal. I want justice for all of them, but I also want to know their full stories. I loved getting to know them a bit more in this book. The envelope was definitely pushed, and I’m so excited to see what happens in the final installment.⁣
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Out tomorrow, 11/19.⁣
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QOTD: Besides a book (loooool), what are you hoping you’ll find under the tree this Christmas?

Truth be told, I'm not a huge fan of reading full series, especially those that aren't complete yet, and I will admit that the wait for this second installment about killed me. However, in a plot twist of my own, I have fallen in love with this particular series, which is very unusual in more ways than one. First off, I REALLY don't do scary, but what I love about these books is that they're more spooky than scary. And yet, because there are ghosts involved, now I feel like I can brag that I, too, can read horror😂! Secondly, I'm not a big romance fan, and yet, the characters are so darn endearing that it just works for me (I especially love the non-human figures (dogs, not ghosts). Finally, I have a hard time suspending disbelief, and yet, the story truly kept me engaged from beginning to end.

I have only one gripe, which is that the storyline wasn't propelled forward as much as I'd have liked in this sequel. I was looking forward to getting a bit closer to the resolution and honestly didn't need as much superfluous detail as was provided. So I'll really be interested to see how Ms. Roberts will wrap it up in the final book.

Never having read Nora Roberts' books prior to this series, I must admit, I'm definitely a fan. Her stories are whimsical, and her characters are loveable!

I'm so grateful to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this gifted review e-copy. It was quite an adventure.

I love this trilogy and can't wait for the next! It's hard to give more information beyond the description without spoilers, so let's just say that it's made of many of the things I love best! A cozy big, haunted, house on the Maine coast - likeable characters making their way through hauntings, romance, and life - spooky, supernatural happenings.... This is a slow, detailed character driven mystery/love story/gothic tale, but that makes me love it even more. I love getting to know these characters and seeing how they experience and deal with everything that's going on. Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance digital copy!

I was excited to read about these characters again so soon (I just read the first one a week ago in preparation for this one), but now I have to wait impatiently for more! Though this one was not quite as fast-paced for me, I still really enjoyed it. The characters and storyline continue to grow and stay interesting. I look forward to the next one and what will become of Sonya and her ghosts.

The Mirror by Nora Roberts is the second novel in the Lost Brides trilogy about a curse and a majestic (haunted) Victorian house on the Maine coast. Sonya MacTavish must live there for three years to gain her inheritance. She has no intentions of leaving. Sonya, along with her best friend, cousin and new boyfriend, are working to undo the curse. Another addictive installment filled with danger, swoons and friendship.
For this trilogy it is necessary to read The Inheritance, book one of the Lost Brides trilogy first. Nora Roberts builds on the story arc of the curse, characters and house in each book. The book blends mystery, paranormal elements and slow-burn romances throughout the trilogy.

In the first book we met Sonya MacTavish, who recently ended her engagement and discovers she has an unknown uncle who has bequeathed her an inheritance. Collin Poole has left her almost everything he owned, including a majestic Victorian house on the Maine coast. The will stipulates she must live in it for at least three years. Having nothing to lose, she moves into the house and the tale that unfolds hooked me from the strange happens in the home to the views. The house is cursed and every bride who has lived there has died on their wedding day with the ring on their finger ripped away.

The Mirror picks up right where The Inheritance ended. Sonya is settling into the home and ready to make it her own, along with Cleo, her best friend and pup. She has made friends, discovered a family she didn’t know she had and time walked. There are two slow-burning romances, one with Sonya and Oliver and another between Cleo and Sonya’s cousin Owen.

While the books have a strong romantic thread, the house and story of Hester Dobbs’ a malevolent spirit that haunts the home, along with ghosts like Clover & Jack held me captive. Servants, family and the brides all walk the halls and Hester rings bells, slams doors and wreaks havoc. With this second book, we learn more about how the curse was spun and what happened to each bride. Sonya claims the home with dinner parties and gardening as they work to undo what Hester has done.

I absolutely love some ghosts like Jack, the young boy who plays with pups and Clover, who sends music messages to everyone’s phone. Angry spirit or not, I would love to live in this haunted old Victorian by the sea. It was delightful seeing both Cleo and Sonya flourish in their businesses as Sonya’s relationship with Oliver grew stronger and Cleo and Owen’s romance heated.

We are left with a cliffhanger as expected, since this is the middle book. I cannot wait to read the conclusion. Fans of paranormal romances, small-town romances with hauntings and mystery will want to begin this trilogy.

Starting right where the last book left off (definitely read BK 1 first) Sonya and Owen have just walked through the mirror and into the past.

From beginning to end this book was full of love and magic. Nora Roberts has an amazing ability to suck you into whatever world she is writing and make you fall for every character, except of course the bad guy or in this case evil witch who cursed an entire family line. The setting is beautiful, I love the romance between Sonya and Trey, and the banter between all the characters is so good!

I can't wait to see how this trilogy is going to end!!

“A murdered bride, the first of seven doomed, would—in all innocence—carry the curse that haunted the manor. Generation by generation, it passed its shadow to the next, and the next, through the rage of a jealous witch.“

I always love Nora Roberts’ books. But, I especially enjoy her romances that have paranormal elements the most. A few of her trilogies will forever touch my heart and The Lost Bride Trilogy is definitely one of them! I love the descriptions of the manor and the land surrounding it. I like to tell myself that I would love to live in a house with ghosts that play music to keep me company and choose my clothes and clean the house. But I seriously doubt I could handle everything that Hester Dobbs has been throwing at Sonya, Cleo, Trey, and Owen. The friendship between Cleo and Sonya is just amazing and I love that Cleo didn’t have to think twice when Sonya needed her. I love how the family on Sonya’s dad’s side just accepted her, no jealousy, no fighting over the manor. They just accepted that this cousin they didn’t know existed now owns the home. Granted, it could partially be that they’re afraid to live in the manor as they’ve heard the stories their whole lives. The Mirror picks up immediately after Owen and Sonya’s adventure into the mirror and I love the “through the looking glass” vibes it gives. Owen’s willingness to go with her says a lot about who he is and I am loving how protective he is of his new found cousin and her best friend. I love all of the ghosts that have made an appearance, except of course, Hester. And she is just despicable. I can’t wait to see her taken down in book 3.