Member Reviews
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. In her dreams she sees glimpses of the past. In the present she finds portraits of brides. And when she has visions of an antique mirror, she is drawn to it, sensing it holds dark family secrets.
Then one night the mirror appears and Sonya glides through this looking glass, 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.
Another brilliant piece of the trilogy, and again (like the first), I regret reading this before the whole series is out! (I'm half joking!) We learn more about the seven brides, have more fun with Sonja and Cleo, get a little more of Trey. Wonderful characters, amazing emotional moments throughout the whole book, and all that while leaving the resolution for the final book. I can't wait!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!
Absolutely loved it. I typically adore Nora's books, but the last one I read (Nightwork) was disappointing for me. I was a little hesitant going into this one, but I thought it was great.
This series is so cliff-hanger-y! ACK! In all seriousness, I've really enjoyed both books in this series so far, and I am really excited to see what happens next. The concept is so unique, and so very Nora Roberts, that it all just fits. It's great!
I read the first book and was so happy to get this one to have the big cliffhanger resolved which it did immediately. I love Nora Roberts series and this one is at the top of my list so far. I absolutely cannot wait for the book 3 to come out. I will be buying this book on publishing day and rereading, as it was that good. Thanks Netgalley.
This is book 2 of The Lost Bride Trilogy and picks up right where book one (The Inheritance) left off. Sonya and Cloe have moved into the manor and are beginning to make it a home. As the friendly spirits welcome and help them the dark one, Hester continues to torment them with her frightening antics.
When the mirror to the past appears, the pull for Sonya is so strong that she cannot avoid going through. Each trip through takes her to the past and allows her to see the tragic events of another bride. Sonya is heartbroken after every trip through the mirror. She knows that Hester Dobbs must be stopped the curse must be broken and she is the one who needs to do it.
Although I completely enjoyed this book it dragged and was a little slow for me. I felt that some things were overstated and repeated. However, I love the story and am looking forward to the next book.
Thank you Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read and advance copy of this book.
Oh, wow! This second installment of the Lost Bride trilogy was just as spellbinding as the first one! We pick up immediately where the first book left off, and dive right back into the mystery of the manor. Sonya learns more about the brides, and the others sharing her new home, even as she's taking leaps in her professional life. The supporting characters are fleshed out, and we learn more of the secrets hidden in Lost Bride Manor. All in all, a worthy second installment, and I'll be waiting with baited breath for book three!
Nothing I love more than a Nora Roberts trilogy, but...while I did really enjoy this one, stayed fully vested, and cant wait for the last in the series, I did have a few little problems that didnt diminish my overall enjoyment. First, if I had a drink of wine for every time they either have wine or mention wine in this book, I would be too drunk to finish the book. These people have wine, think about wine, offer wine to other people, give wine away constantly. Towards the end I couldnt help but chuckle.
There was also some repetition that started to get on my nerves. Every time there was a scary ghost showing out, the same things happened. First the main character would tell her friend about the event, and friend would be upset she didnt call her when it was happening. Then she would call her boyfriend and tell him she had something to say but would wait until later when they were together, to which he would be upset she didnt call him when event happened. Then once they were together you got the whole story again. So, you kept getting the same story over and over again.
Would recommend but hope they get sick of wine before book 3.
Watching in slow motion, presuming this illustrative book, the second in the series, will lead into an explosive final book, made me want to slow down and linger over all the juicy details. As a fan of Nora Roberts and this series, I cannot wait to see how it unfolds.
Easy romance is in the air, and party planning is well underway. The ghostly antics have picked up a notch, and our protagonists are preparing for a showdown. Curses be damned, my money is on Sonya. I can't wait to see how it all plays out, and I am so excited for the next book.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Nora Roberts, and the publisher, St. Martin's Press.
This author has a tried and true book format. Its a comforting feeling to pick up her books and know how the story and romances will play out and how the story will end. I read the first book of this series and it stayed true to the pattern but the book had a cliff hanger ending. I am not a fan of that. I picked up the second book and honestly it was a lot of nothing. Nothing really happened and the ending was another cliff hanger. There were lots of "events" that the characters then had to talk about ad nauseum. There is nothing new here. Just lots of the same old thing.
If you like this author you will probably enjoy this book but with so many options out there you might want to try something new.
The Mirror is the second book in Roberts’ Lost Bride Trilogy, and it was as exciting as the first book, Inheritance. Sonya and Cleo continue to thrive in their respective creative fields, Sonya as a graphic designer and Cleo as an illustrator. The people of Poole’s Bay, where the haunted mansion Sonya has inherited, begin to embrace them both, included the families of Trey and Owen, the love interests.
The most fun and fascinating parts come from the ghosts though. It seems there are swarms of them “living” in the mansion, but only one evil one. To be convinced when the living characters develop fond relationships with spirits who’ve passed centuries before takes true talent, which Nora Roberts has in spades. I’m eager to read the third book and sad that I have to wait so long.
The Mirror is published by St. Martin’s Press and will be released November 19, 2024. Thanks to NetGalley and the pub
A great sequel to Inheritance, it's still scary with all those great ghosts, but now the story tells us about all the Poole's that are part of the house and the bad witch that haunts them all, and the mirror has a lot to do with how Sonya finds out about them,
I also like that Sonya and Trey and Cleo and Owen are together and are supporting each other with all the weird happenings in the house. I loved that they had a summer party where we get to know everyone's family and towns people and that they are bringing love back to the house and hopefully will get rid of the pest, but I think Sonya is going to need more help than love to get rid of her.
I love Clover and all the songs that she plays and they are perfect for each moment. I love Mookie, Pye, Jones and Yoda they are the fighters Sonya and Cleo need and they are so cute and I love that Jack helps take care of them.
Finally, I'm looking forward to the final story in this trilogy and can't wait to find out how Sonya is going to get rid of the bad witch. And I still read this story before it got dark.
I want to thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book that is spooky and hopeful tale.
4 stars – The Mirror by Nora Roberts is book 2 in the Bride Trilogy and follows The Inheritance. Since I read book 1 a little while ago, it took me a chapter to get back into the storyline. We read more about Sonya and Cleo living in the manor with Trey over most nights. The relationship between Cleo and Owen progresses but keep in mind the story is not a romance. Sonya goes into The Mirror several times throughout the book as we learn more about the seven brides (and their rings) and their interactions with the witch Dobbs. This book does end on a cliffhanger, and I am anxiously looking forward to the conclusion with Book 3. I really enjoyed reading more about the great friendship between Sonya and Cleo, meeting their families, and the creepy witchy character of Dobbs.
A big Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review an ARC. I am looking forward to reading the story’s conclusion in Book 3.
I was not prepared for the last paragraph of the book. I screamed and threw my ereader across the couch. And I can NOT wait for book three.
The Mirror picks up exactly where Inheritance ends. I feel like this trilogy will read like one massive book when it's complete. I think this series is one readers will either love or hate. It’s slow moving, filled with details and it can feel like nothing is really happening. I feel like this is much more a character-focused story. You spend hours reading and just hanging out with Sonya and Cleo, their hunky men Trey and Owen and the delightful cast of characters throughout history that you meet. Sonya’s had a rough year, as we learn in book one, and in The Mirror, you get to see her start to regain her mojo after some major life experiences.
The Mirror is truly classic Nora: it’s field with a fabulous cast of strong women, hunky and caring men and really cool locations. There’s quirky animals, a dynamic group of ghosts whom I care way too much about, and a generational curse that needs to be broken. The ghosts are truly full fledged characters in this trilogy even though we never really get a chance to directly talk to them. I devoured this book, but already can’t wait to read it again, stretched out on my couch with a cozy blanket and a steaming cup of tea.
While the plot may feel plodding, the storyline of The Mirror shines in its character development.
I expected a lot more with how much I loved The Inheritance - I kept waiting for something to happen and to get closer to solving everything but nope. The ending just left me staring at the wall and not in a good way, overall it wasn't bad just had higher expectations.
My Thoughts
Following up from first book I am now comfortable with all characters, living or dead, that are the focus for these stories.
For my reading pleasure it was a joy to once again have each chapter build on what was happening in the now as well as what had happened in the past.
Pooles Manor is a beautiful house that is slowly being restored once more into a home as housemates Sonya and Cleo redo room by room with their own personal tastes turning them into useful spaces again.
Death and despair go hand in hand with joy and laughter as this second story plays out and Sonya embraces her heritage as it embraces her right back.
Not only that but by books end with the help of many their first foray into a party to solidify relationships with the people they are now living amongst was a beautifully conceived then executed event I would have loved to attend.
A smooth follow up to first book and I anticipate an even more exciting one when book three picks up where this one left off.
The final battle between darkness and the light is one fans of this trilogy are willing to wait for, I know I am!
[EArc from Netgalley]
On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.
The Mirror by Nora Roberts continues the Lost Bride Trilogy right where the first book, the Inheritance, leaves off. Even though Roberts does a good job of reminding the reader what happened in the previous novel I do think it would be best to read the Inheritance first.
The Mirror continues the story of Sonja and best friend Cleo, as well as the men in their lives as they try to break the curse of the lost bride. I enjoyed the growing romance between Sonja and Trey, as well as the budding relationship between Cleo and Owen, but the focus of the story is the mystery and the friendship between the two women, the two men, and each other, as well as an old fashioned ghost story. Many of the ghosts are lovable, and I find myself wishing I had a ghost like Molly who cleans the house when they are not home and young Jack who plays with the dogs and even lets them out. My favorite ghost is Clover however, and I love how her songs fit what's happening in the story.
I think Roberts always does a great job of writing friendships but this one did feel a bit repetitive at times, like perhaps a it could be a little tighter and lose a few pages? Never the less I have never read a bad Roberts books and I have read EVERY single one over the past many many years, and am looking forward to the conclusion of this trilogy. Thank you to net galley for the e galley in return for an honest review.
The Mirror is a great continuation of the Lost Bride Series. As Sonya and Cleo settle into life in Poole's Bay and at Lost Bride Manor, the hauntings continue. Sonya, Cleo, Trey and Owen all have their turn at discovering more about the history of the Poole family and the Manor as they learn about Hester Dobbs' victims. Will Sonya be able to break the curse and once again bring happiness to Lost Bride Manor.
The characters are quirky, smart and fun to get to know, both those still living and the spirits that live on in the manor. Clover is a particular favorite.The relationships in the book and the story continue to evolve and leave the reader wondering what is next. I do not usually read books with a supernatural element but have thoroughly enjoyed both books and would highly recommend it to all.
I absolutely loved this series. This is the 2nd in the list bride trilogy and it was just as good as the first! All the characters are so lovable and I love the setting as well. The plot continues in The Mirror but it doesn’t end here. Can’t wait for the last one!
The Mirror by Nora Roberrs is the second book in The Lost Bride Trilogy & such a good follow up to the inheritance. I haven’t read many Nora Roberts books since I began reading again & The Mirror reminded me why I love her writing style. Definitely recommend this series & this book!
Thank you NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I just finished reading book two of a trilogy, and I was hoping for more from this book. The characters already knew what to expect from the house and its inhabitants. Although the book is good and I want to know what happens next, I felt that the story should have moved along more. The idea of a house with its own ghost DJ is novel, and the characters are cute and fun, but I need more from the story. I'm hoping that book three will bring a dynamic conclusion to this series. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-arc in exchange for an unbiased review.