Member Reviews
I did not realize this was a series when I requested it. I do think that the series needs to build to fully enjoy the book so my review may be skewed because of that.
Sonya and Cleo are really settling into life at the manor. They are used to the 3 a.m. awakening when pianos play, ghosts are crying and sometimes Hester Dobbs tries to scare them away. The book starts off where book #1 left off. I did go back and read the last two chapters to get myself back in the mood. I love the friendship of Cleo and Sonya and the routines that they have established and the budding romance Sonya has with Trey and his friendship with Owen. Heck, even the animals are adorable and some of the manor ghosts. Molly always cleans up and picks out outfits for the girls to wear and Jack plays ball with the animals. The best is Clover. She would be Sonya's grandmother and she communicates by sending music to their devices.
While the book held my interest all the way to the end, which wasn't as cliff hangerish as book 1, it was long at 448 pages. I think a lot of the day to day could have been left out. I didn't need to know what they were eating or what Cleo was cooking. It didn't take away from the story I felt because it was just an extra page here and there but I got to the point at the end where I didn't care about the gardening. I wanted to know what Hester Dobbs was up to. I also could have done without any interaction with her ex-fiancé.
I am interested in the third book. I just wish I didn't have to wait another year!
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a digital copy.
OMG I need the next book in this series now!!!!!!!!!!! I need to read Sonya banish Hester Dobbs once and for all. To say I love this series so far is an understatement. I am obsessed with it and I need more!!!!
I always love Nora Roberts and her books. Her trilogies are some of my favorites. Usually I wait until all the books have published and read them all at once. Since I received an ARC of this book I decided to give it a listen and now I’ll be sitting here waiting until next year for the finale. As in most of her trilogies this is the mid part of the story so there isn’t a lot of action but quite a bit of relationship building between the characters and backstory about the brides.
I can’t wait to see how this trilogy ends.
This is book two in the Lost Bride Trilogy, and I think this would work better if you read the first book, especially as it picks up right where book one left off. This paranormal fantasy/mystery also has some romance, ghosts, and a strange mirror with magical powers. I enjoy the gothic vibes of this one and the haunted house setting. The MC, Sonya, and her best friend, Cleo, are strong female characters with a close bond. Both have swoony romances. Most of the ghosts are friendly, even helpful, except for Hester, the malevolent entity. I enjoyed getting to know some of the ghost's backstories better and learning about what happened to the brides.
It pains me to say this as a long-time Nora Roberts fan, but I didn't love this as much as her other books. I felt like this should have moved the storyline forward more. I found the pacing slower and, at times, events repetitive, from daily things like every daily event and evening meal to Hester's actions to some of the dialogue. The repetition in dialogue was enough to take me out of the story when it occurred. I am still glad I read it, and I think many will find this enjoyable. I am still intrigued by the premise and have high hopes for book three.
Brittany Pressley narrates the audiobook, and as usual, she is incredible! She breathes life into every character and brings the story to life.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for the gifted ARC and audiobook.
I generally love Nora Roberts fiction, but this series is not turning out to be a favorite. Not a fan of "haunted" etc. I do appreciate the strong main women characters in this 2nd book of the series.
I am loving “The lost brides’ series! The books have been excellent so far. The second installment was on par with the first, with its gothic spookiness and mystery.
I loved to read more about Sonya, Cleo, Trey and Owen. I can’t wait to find out what will happen in the final book!
Several of my library ladies are patiently (well some not so patiently) waiting for this instalment. Then we will sadly have to wait another year for the next one.
The story line is so good I recommend starting from book one.
When Sonya MacTavish inherits a haunted Victorian mansion in Maine, she uncovers dark family secrets tied to an antique mirror. Transported to the past, she witnesses a bride's murder, and the murderer collects wedding rings—this is a family curse that Sonya must break before it claims her too.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced digital read in exchange for my honest review.
This book is not one that you want to rush through. Nora Roberts has done a lot of world building and character building in this trilogy. Sonya MacTavish is slowly taking the manor back from the deceased evil witch Hester Dobbs. Sonya is bringing life and joy back into the home she inherited. She is helped by her best friend Cleo, the seven murdered brides, deceased servants, and her cousin Owen and lover Trey. Sonya is compelled to travel through the Mirror to learn about the seven murdered brides. She needs to figure out how to get back from Dobbs the wedding rings of the seven brides so she can get rid of Dobbs. There are some suspenseful moments as Dobbs tries to thwart her. There is so much more to the story. I recommend that you read these books in order. I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
1 like
The second installment of the Lost Bride Trilogy is just as exciting and suspenseful as the first. Sonja and Cleo are working hard to make the inherited mansion a home and to solve the mystery within. The Mirror ends with another cliffhanger and I can't wait for the third book and answers to all of the lingering questions.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the advance reader copy. These opinions are my own.
I have been so eager for this second book in the Lost Bride trilogy. And it's perfect that it's releasing in fall with all of the haunting vibes. This is a series that must be read in order. The set-up for why the house is haunted and what the origins of the curse Sonya needs to break are all in Inheritance. Indeed, the break between books doesn't necessarily come at a point that feels like a wrap up.
This is a paranormal mystery with a side of romance. Sonya works with her friends and love interest to try to break the curse on the Lost Bride Manor she inherited. It features great characters in a group, working together and pairing off. And I also love the ever expanding group of cats and dogs.
I did not find it quite as creepy as I did the first book, mostly because I already knew what to expect in terms of the malevolent ghost. It felt a bit like the quiet time preparing us for the finale of the trilogy.
4.5 stars rounded up
This was definitely a slow burn for me. Not at all what I was expecting but still enjoyable. I was expecting much more in the romance department from THE Nora Roberts. I can see why she has a cult following. Crazy great characters.
Thank you NetGalley, Nora Roberts and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.
The Mirror is book #2 of Nora Robert’s’ Lost Bride Trilogy. This is a true trilogy that plays out across all three books so we will need to wait for another year to see how this story is all resolved.
The Mirror picks up exactly where The Inheritance leaves off and this book builds on the story of Sonya and Cleo settling into the mansion and claiming it as their home. They learn to love and appreciate the ghosts that also occupy the mansion, as they work to better understand and try to destroy the curse and destruction posed by the one evil ghost- that of a mad witch named Hester Dobbs.
I LOVE Nora Roberts books- she consistently creates the best, most likeable characters and I enjoyed every minute of reading this book. It was delightful to see Sonya and Trey’s romance continue to deepen and the one between Cleo and Owen start developing. The cast of supporting characters- friends and family- add more to plot as well. The house and its setting on the coast of Maine round this off to be a delightful read. Highly recommend!!!!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy. I will be purchasing it for my forever library and recommend you all do the same!
The Mirror, book 2 in the Lost Bride Trilogy, continues the story of the curse of the Poole mansion. It didn't grab me quite like the first book in the trilogy did and while I believe it helped fill in a few gaps, seemed to be just a little repetitive in my opinion. I have quite a few notes stating, "How many times do we need to hear the story about what just happened?" It became less repetitive as the story went on, but the story dragged just a little for me. Again, I believe (and hope) that this particular story sets the stage for an explosive ending in the final book of the trilogy. 3.5 stars rounded up because I have serious hope.
This book starts at where the first one ends. Let me tell you I did not think it could be any better than the first and I was wrong. You have to read the first book to truly understand what is going on in the second so please read that one first. I laughed and cried with this book. I love all the bonding going on between both the ghosts and the real people. A little bit of romance. It is just a great book!! I could not put it down!! That ending oh my gosh!!! I can’t wait for the next one to come out!! You need to read this book!! You will not be disappointed!!
And the story continues with good ghosts and the evil Dobb’s. Who has murdered seven brides, to be the ruling mistress of the manor. She is not happy as the new heir is taking residence in the manor, bringing in more people and pets. Slowly Sonya who inherited the manor, adjusts to the ghosts and via walking through the mirror finds out the true fates of the brides.
I listened to the audio, but also reread parts of the story so not to miss any tidbits. The narrator was fantastic! As this is book 2, it tends to give one lots of details which did drag a little, but it’s also more than just the brides. Not giving any more info …… as with all Nora Roberts books you must read the previous book. Once again ends with a cliffhanger, can’t wait for the release. Thank you for this ARC, all opinions expressed are my own. #TheMirror
The Mirror is a suspenseful continuation of The Lost Bride Trilogy. It's set in a manor on the coast of Maine that's haunted by the rage of a jealous witch and her curse that targets a bride in each generation.
In the first book of the trilogy, Inheritance, Sonya inherits the manor from an unknown uncle and begins to learn about its history and ghostly inhabitants. In The Mirror, Sonya - as the next generation of the Poole family - finds a portal to the past that allows her to bear witness to the deaths of the brides on what should have been the happiest days of their lives. She begins to realize that the manor has been waiting for her as the next generation to break the curse and to expel the evil from the manor. Not alone in her quest, she has the help of her very appealing boyfriend Trey, bestie Cleo, and her newly found cousin, Owen.
Roberts does a masterful job of balancing the scary with slices of everyday life, small town experiences, career challenges, and the give and take of this crew's friendship. It's rewarding to see Cleo learning how to cook, Sonya focusing on her business as a freelance artist, and the romance building between Sonya and Trey, as well as between Cleo and Owen. It's also fun to meet the benevolent ghostly residents of the manor.
This is not a standalone.
The Mirror by Nora Roberts is the second book in the Lost Bride Trilogy. The book takes place in Maine briefly after the end of the last book. The characters are the same as the prior book with Sonya MacTavish and her bestie Cleo. They are also joined by Trey and Owen, (their love interests) and we have added a couple of rescue animals to the mix.
Basically Sonya has inherited the house. The house is haunted by Hester Dobbs. She wanted to be a bride to the Pooles. Hester did not get her wish, so she has killed and haunted EVERY bride brought into the home. Hester is a piece of work with some nasty things she does. This novel really introduces us to all the brides and how they died. The book also delves into Chloe and Sonya’s daily life.
Meanwhile, the story takes on some interesting turns and twists and then just leaves us on a cliff. We know that Hester is growing stronger. We know that Sonya and Cleo have learned to deal with her to some extent but not enough to send her away. The story was a great read with all the drama, intensity and storytelling of Nora Roberts. The Mirror, book 2 was a great read and I cannot wait for the third book!
This is book two in Nora Roberts' *Lost Bride Trilogy*. Sonya MacTavish and her best friend, Clea, live in a manor on the Maine coast that Sonya inherited from her uncle. The manor, however, is haunted by friendly, helpful ghosts—and a particularly nasty one that wants Sonya and Clea gone.
Classic, spooky, romantic Nora Roberts—this book absorbed me from page one. I’m eagerly awaiting the third and final book in the trilogy, set to release in the fall of 2025.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an early read in exchange for a fair review. I loved it and highly recommend this book!
Nora Roberts is the Queen in deftly combining romance, fantasy and mystery!
The Mirror is book two of The Lost Bride Trilogy, following Inheritance, and picks up where that left off. I recommend reading this series in order.
The story is a bit unnerving and eerie with interesting and quirky characters. An inherited manor house overrun with ghosts is the foundation and from there the mystery builds and unfolds. You will be left waiting for the final installment of the trilogy.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the complimentary eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.