Member Reviews
This reviewer has read dozens of books by the prolific and talented writer Nora Roberts, including her titles as JD Robb. It's been several years since I read one of her releases, and was happy to return with The Mirror. This fantasy novel is jam-packed with characters and chatty dialogue and paced at breakneck speed.
Many thanks to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of the book to read and review. *NetGalley Top Reviewer*
The Mirror by Nora Roberts is book 2 of The Lost Bride Trilogy. This tale picks up right where book 1 ended. Sonya and Cleo have made The Lost Bride Manor their home on the beautiful seaside in Maine. The manor house comes complete with ghosts of past inhabitants and serving staff. It’s an ideal place to live and work, save for the squatter on the 3rd floor. Her phantom presence is evil and threatens to destroy any happiness. But Sonya and Cleo refuse to back down. They are determined to find a way to break the curse and rid the manor of her evil presence. Nora Roberts is a masterful story teller who weaves together a fascinating tale of family secrets, friendship, mystery and love. It is an exceptionally well written, deliciously creepy tale!
Thank you Net Galley for an advanced copy. Since this is the second in a trilogy I went back and read Inheritance first. Although I really enjoyed the first book, this one was slightly long winded. I get it - there are ghosts. Some are good, some are bad. Just got very repetitive. I am the first to admit that this is not my usual genre so maybe it is just me? Also, please - Cutie is the pet name? No strong woman striking out make a name for herself wants to be called Cutie!!
Thank you St Martin’s Press and Netgalley for an ARC of The Mirror in exchange for my honest opinion.
Nora Roberts is an amazing author. This second book in the trilogy was as good, if not better, than the first. When Sonya inherits a house from an uncle that she didn’t know existed, she is introduced to the many spirits lurking in the house. All good, except for a witch. The witch responsible for all of the brides who had been murdered. She must, with the help of her friends, end the curse and destroy the witch. A mirror, which only appears at night, is a window to the deaths of all of the brides. She stands by, helplessly, watching them all die. Her and her friends refuse to give in to fear.
I will be waiting on pins and needles for the final book to be available to find out how this story ends.
Sonya MacTavish unexpectedly inherits a large Victorian mansion in Maine, only to discover it is haunted. Through dreams and visions, Sonya uncovers glimpses of the mansion's dark past, including portraits of brides and an antique mirror with sinister family secrets. This is the second book in the series, following the events of “”The Inheritance”. The book follows the same characters and continues right after the prior book.
I am a huge fan of Nora Roberts, but this trilogy may be one of my favorites. The characters are so human and likeable, the pets are adorable and the ghosts have very distinct personalities. Add a spooky mansion and I’m in heaven. Can’t wait to read the next one!!
In "The Mirror" by Nora Roberts, I was captivated by the intricate blend of mystery, romance, and the supernatural. As Sonya MacTavish embarks on a journey to uncover her family's secrets, I found myself drawn into the suspenseful and eerie atmosphere of the Victorian house in Maine. The way Roberts intricately weaves together the past and present, linking Sonya's story to the tragic fate of Astrid Poole, was both haunting and compelling.
The character development throughout the book was rich and engaging, particularly Sonya's growth as she confronts the challenges presented by her newfound inheritance. The hint of romance between Sonya and Trey added an extra layer of depth to the story without overpowering the main plotline.
Overall, "The Mirror" is a captivating page-turner that kept me hooked from beginning to end. Nora Roberts' storytelling prowess shines through in this novel, making it a must-read for fans of mystery and supernatural fiction. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a blend of suspense, romance, and a touch of the paranormal.
A ghostly groundhogs day, this takes our main character into the past to witness a wicked curse. A bride murdered on her wedding day, to be relived forever, unless she can break it.
The second part of The Lost Bride Trilogy is here! The Mirror is every bit as exciting as The Inheritance. Nora Roberts always delivers suspense, romance and mystery in layers that allow the reader to absorb the nuances of each relationship. I love that so much! The glimpse of Sonya's work life, friendships, dinners and pets was especially meaningful to me.
The Mirror opens where The Inheritance ended, Sonya, Cleo, Trey and Owen are expanding their friendships and assimilating into the community. The ghosts and the evil presence that called down the curse are making their presence know---the ghosts are helpful but the witch is out for trouble.
I could not wait for Sonya to go through the Mirror--it was suspenseful and exciting in equal measure. When the book debuts, I will get an audiobook copy, as it will be a wait for the third and final conclusion to the trilogy.
Thank you to #Net Galley and #St. Martin's Press #Nora Roberts Team for giving me an opportunity to read this eARC in consideration of a review.
#TheMirror #NetGalley #TheLostBridesTrilogy #Haunted #Ghosts
The Mirror is a perfect blend of suspense, mystery, friendship, romance, and personal reflection, growth, and power.
While I often, reread earlier books before starting the next in a series, I decided to start Nora Roberts' "The Mirror" without doing so. The Mirror jumps quite literally right into the story with very little preamble or scene setting to the first book, so you are immersed immediately.
Book 2 of the Lost Bride Trilogy continues the story of Sonya MacTavish, the woman who inherited Lost Bride Manor, a beautiful mansion with a tragic past. Sonya has adapted to the footsteps at night, the doors slamming, and the music playing. (I love Sonya's ghostly grandmother who communicates through the music she plays.) The titular mirror pulls Sonya into the past where she gets glimpses of the tragic players and the curse that needs to be broken.
As always, Nora Roberts has devised a wonderful plot with rich characters. Sonya, her best friend Cleo, her newfound cousin Owen, and where-can-i-find-one-just-like-him love interest Trey are a great combination, if not just a little too perfect. The portrayal of history is done so well, bringing the past to life and pulling the story together.
My only criticism is that there are phrases that are repeated from other Roberts/Robb books that somehow made them seem trite. There's alot of "standing", like "she was there, in the manor, to live, to work, and to stand up for seven women who’d come before her", "standing on their own," "changed my stand on that", standing in, standing up, standing for.
I enjoyed this book very much and am looking forward to the 3rd. There was so much history and story progression in The Mirror that was so well done including the filling in of the stories of the brides and tying together family history, Nora Roberts may have ruined any realistic relationship goals for me, but I enjoy the dynamic between each of the friends and romances. I also loved the scene with Sonya's ex and the professional power play.
Overall, a fantastic middle book of a trilogy that continues a strong setup from book 1 and prepares for a thrilling finish.
Thank you to Nora Roberts' team, St Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!
The Mirror grabs you and doesn't let go. The characters are intriguing and likeable, alive and in the past. Friendship, Family, it's all there without being sappy. I did laugh at a couple things and cried in another. I am ready for the final book, I can not wait!
I received a free copy of, The Mirror, by Nora Roberts, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book two in the, Lost Bride Trilogy. Sonya MacTavish inherited a haunted house, that pulls her right in. This book is pretty deep, more then your typical haunted house stories. I enjoyed this book.
In the second book The Mirror, in the Lost Bride Trilogy by Nora Roberts, you are instantaneously drawn back into the fight between good and evil that resides within The Manor, a two-hundred-plus-year-old familial home of the cursed Poole family in Poole’s Bay, Maine. Sonya (Poole), Cleo, Trey, and Owen (Poole) continue to peel back the generational layers of family history in the hopes of breaking the curse placed by a delusional and evil witch.
With the perfect amount of backstory from the first book of the trilogy to keep the reader engaged and the pages rapidly turning, you're immediately drawn back into the fight to bring peace to the tortured souls inhabiting The Manor. With Ms Roberts’ trademark rapid-fire dialog and banter, characters who are easy to relate to, and a fast-paced story the reader’s mind’s eye quickly captures the evil that has brought so much sorrow to generations of brides and their grooms. The story’s ending has left me anxiously awaiting the concluding story of the trilogy and the breaking of the curse that has besieged The Manor and the Poole family brides.
This ARC book was complimentary…provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.
Nora Roberts writes an excellent romance novel. As far as her trilogies go, this was a strange middle section, without much development. I am excited to read the final installment but I wish these trilogies were released together, especially when they are such a strong continuation.
Be sure to read the first one first, and I would recommend ensuring they are read close to one another.
Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC!
The novel follows a pattern familiar with Nora Roberts and does not disappoint. This is part two in a series, it kind of took me a few chapters to get back in the groove of the story. Roberts does a great job blending in important details so you can refresh as you go. Literally taking off where Inheritance left off this provides more details on the seven brides and a bit of romance with the main characters. Sonya and her best friend Cleo are living in the Poole Manor and trying to make it their own. Ghosts that play with the animals. One that cleans up after them. And one that plays music for them. The wicked one is trying her best to run them off. Sonya is finding more portraits of the brides and gets pulled into the mirror. Trey and Owen spend more time with the girls and help out. The Big Event is getting close and the women are excited about opening the house to the community. It’s a relatively fast and easy read, and truly, I can’t wait for the final installment to find out how it all ends.My only complaint was that the ending felt abrupt.
Thank you, St. Martin's Press, Netgalley and the author for the opportunity.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I reread The Inheritance before starting this so the thread through the first two books of this trilogy would be fresh and as always, Roberts delivers. A haunted manor, a nasty ghost who kills brides through the generations, and the current generation who we know will be able to finally break the curse. As I read a new “Nora” book, I always wait for that hook with the characters and story-building when I’ve fallen into their world and lives. With Sonya, Cleo, Trey, and Owen - it doesn’t take long to see them come together and as each new attempt of Hester’s to push them out, the suspense builds — but why I always keep reading is knowing that the world and balance in life will come back to a happy ending. So I look forward to #3 and how they are finally able to have Hester conquered. The extra bonus in this trilogy are the pets — they play a starring role in each and I love when the characters’ love for their pets is part of the story development. That and the heart-warming house ghosts and it’s a must read for all Nora fans!
Hester Dobbs is determined to keep her place in the Manor she sees as her own (and she doesn’t want to share), but Sonya MacTavish inherited the estate and she isn’t planning on going anywhere.
Sonya, her friends, and her family are using everything and everyone at their disposal to evict the wicked witch. It isn’t going to be easy. Dobbs cursed Sonya’s family generations ago and so far has killed seven of its brides.
New York Times Bestselling author Nora Roberts’s The Mirror continues The Lost Bride Trilogy and picks up the story from the end of book one, Inheritance.
The warm, well established main characters are a pleasure to read about, and the rich descriptive details of their lives, the lives of those who surround them, and the haunted mansion continue to fascinate me. There is humor, romance, growth—and the Mirror, which provides a unique access to the stories of the past.
Book Three is bound to be exciting!
To be published November 19th, 2024 by St. Martin’s Press
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Storytelling that will rivet you from first word to last, this trilogy will hold your interest and your imagination in thrall!
Truthfully it is better to read the first book, The Inheritance to get the full details and backstory. I didn’t do that until after I had read The Mirror, which I enjoyed so much that I had to go back, read The Inheritance and then re-read The Mirror for pure enjoyment!
Sonya MacTavish, graphic designer, has broken off her engagement, been harassed to the extreme and left her job as a last-ditch effort to start over. She never expected to inherit a huge Victorian Manor from an uncle she didn’t know existed, a twin to her father, separated at birth, and unknown to her family.
In a small down off the coast of Maine, Poole Manor has seen multiple generations under its roof. The good as well as the bad, and they all didn’t leave the manor! Haunted doesn’t even begin to describe the goings on! A mirror that pops up in the strangest places, with the ability to let Sonya go through it to see the past happenings at the manor, helping her learn about the lost brides curse. Even with all the scary happenings, Sonya isn’t about to be driven out of her new home and her new life. She is determined to discover a way to break the curse of the lost brides and find out why the family split the two brothers apart! Sonya joins with her best friend Cleo, attorney/boyfriend Trey, and cousin Owen to try and solve the mystery and break the curse of Poole Manor! The friendship and romance of the two couples is a delight to read and loved the addition of the pets in the story. You just need to grab a copy and immerse yourself in this amazing series!
Nora Roberts never fails to draw me in with her exceptional characters and plot lines and to say she always leaves me wanting more is an understatement!
I was fortunate to receive an ARC of The Mirror and couldn’t wait to read it. It certainly lived up to my expectations and then some! My only issue is having to wait for book three in the series to solve the cliff hangers left by book one and two. I eagerly await the third book!
This second release in the Lost Bride series expands the story and the mysteries Sonya has found in the house old Victorian house in Maine she inherited from her formerly unknown uncle, her father's twin.
The Poole family home is haunted and Sonya, and her cousin, Owen, find they possess the mysterious ability to pass through an antique mirror that shows up on occasion. The mirror transports the two through time to witness the beginning of the curse that plagues the Poole family brides over and over--their deaths, on their wedding day. In order to keep the house, Sonya has to live there for three years and Hester Dobbs, the ghost who cursed the house, tries harder and harder to get Sonya to leave. Hester believes she should be the lady of the manor and is determined to drive Sonya out.
Sonya is just as determined to stay. There are friendly ghosts too, who help with the maintenance of the home. But Hester Dobbs seems to be the strongest and Sonya, her friend Cleo, cousin Owen, and friend Trey are as determined that Sonya stays even when Hester releases the power she's been saving to get them out. This was a fun read, though it ends on a cliffhanger even more dramatic than the event that ended the first book in the series, Inheritance. I am looking forward to the conclusion of this romance with so many Gothic, magical elements.
Note: I read an advance copy, provided by NetGalley and the publisher.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publish for an ARC.
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For me this was average. Like with many of Robert's trilogies, I felt like this book is just a set up for book 3. The characters are still haunted by Dodds and learn a little more useful information but a steady conclusion is still far in the distance. They are no closer to answers on how to defeat the Big Bad or finding the 7 rings. There are some subtle hints but overall I felt this was a lot of filler. Any my main question from Book 1 remains - if you were staying in a supremely haunted manor, would you really spend so much time planning what's for dinner?
I'm a big fan of this author and love the stories she weaves. This is the second installment in this series and is just a wonderful as the first. The author demonstrates the spookiness with fear inducing descriptions that make the reader anxious but too intrigued to turn away. She has always created a sense of community, family and friendship in her books and this one definitely makes you want to be a part of the group. I greatly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next! I read this book on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.