Author: Nora Roberts

Genres: Fiction/Mystery/Suspense

Rating: ⭐️

Summary: When Sonya MacTavish inherits a large old mansion on the coast of Maine, she doesn’t know it’s haunted until she begins to hear strange noises-slamming doors, music being played at night and the dreams of the past haunt her at night. However, the visions continue to return, and a mysterious mirror is connected to a dark family secret. One night, she steps through the mirror and see a bride murdered on her wedding day. This event is generational pattern, but can Sonya solve the mystery and break the curse.

Tropes and Themes: uncovering the past, dark family secrets, murder, generational curses, time travel, haunted house, family curses.

Character: N/A

Thoughts: I initially requested this because I absolutely love Nora Roberts as J.D. Robb. I realize now that I should have suspended by expectation upon attempting to engage in immersive reading. The story was very slow paced, and I really didn't hear a lot of character development. The book continued to introduce new characters in which I was not able to make a connection with anyone. It appeared that so many conversations amongst each other was very random, which moved further away from the plot than I was trying to understand. I listened and read 16% of the novel and was not intrigued at all. I was in fact, shocked because my expectations of this book was not the reality that I made for myself from reading her "In Death Series."

However, I really enjoyed the narrator, Brittany Presley. She was great and I love the tone and sarcasm in her voice to demonstrate the different characters in the novel. If I could give her five stars alone for narration, I would.

I went into this universe blind, not having read the first book. But the way this story recaptures the first book is amazing. I knew what was happening without having to go back. (It was so good, I will be going back though..)

When Sonya MacTavish inherits a Victorian mansion in Maine, she discovers the house is haunted by supernatural occurrences and begins experiencing visions of the past through her dreams. Drawn to an antique mirror that holds dark family secrets, Sonya is transported through it to witness a bride's murder on her wedding day—a tragic scene that has repeated for centuries due to an ancient curse. Now Sonya (and her friends) must solve this deadly puzzle and uncover the truth behind the curse if she hopes to break the cycle of violence that has plagued her family's history. This haunting tale is the second book in Nora Roberts' Lost Bride Trilogy, blending gothic mystery with supernatural romance.

My thoughts: This was a cozy, easy listen that made for comfortable reading, though I found myself wishing a bit more action had taken place throughout the story. While the atmospheric setting and supernatural elements were well-crafted, the pacing felt somewhat slow for my taste. Despite this, the intriguing curse and family mystery have left me eager to see how Roberts will conclude the trilogy. I'm definitely looking forward to the third and final book when it releases on November 18th, 2025.

In this second book of the seven rings trilogy we follow Sonia living in the manor and discovering more about the lost brides of the manor stories and trying to feel more at peace with living with her ghosts of the manor. We see a bond and connection forming with her and the house with everyone who has passed away in the manor. We also see her discovering more and more information about the witch who posses the 3rd floor. I also appreciate they kept the same narrator with the first book and I hope to hear her in the last book of the trilogy.

After reading Inheritance, which I rated 5 stars and absolutely adored, I was excited to begin reading The Mirror. Unlike Inheritance, though, I felt that not much happened in this book. Nevertheless, I plan to finish reading the series.

I’ve always been a fan of Nora’s. And I am absolutely loving this trilogy. I cannot wait to get the third book.
I love the ghost parts the friendships, the family dynamics !
I can’t say enough good things.
Definitely a five star read for me and I highly recommend it

I loved The Mirror! The story pulled me in right away, and the addition of new characters brought fresh energy to the series. It’s eerie, emotional, and just a great read overall. Nora Roberts continues to weave suspense and romance perfectly. I cannot wait for book three!

Nora Roberts delivers her signature blend of mystery, romance, and supernatural intrigue in The Mirror. Sonya MacTavish’s inheritance of a haunted Victorian mansion on Maine’s coast sets the stage for a captivating story filled with ghostly footsteps, haunting visions, and dark family secrets. The imagery of the old house and the mysterious mirror is vivid and atmospheric, drawing readers into a world where the past and present collide. While the premise is intriguing and Roberts’s storytelling skills shine through, the plot unfolds at a steady pace that might feel a bit slow for those expecting more adrenaline or surprises. The characters are engaging, but some of the supernatural elements felt predictable, and the resolution was somewhat conventional. Still, fans of Roberts’s romantic suspense and ghostly tales will find plenty to enjoy here. A solid read that offers chills and romance in equal measure — three stars.

I hate to say this, but it just didn’t have that same magic I usually feel reading Nora’s books :\. I love her trilogies, but this one had a definite filler feel. I get that she has started to deviate away from her trilogy formula of three couples with one couple per book, but unlike in Chronicles of the One, I felt like this needed it. Owen and Cleo do get together, but it’s completely off page and I didn’t even register it was happening until another character commented on it. I want to know them better!! And while we got more flashback stories of the lost brides, the plot of taking out Hester Dobbs didn’t seem to move forward at all, and then it just ended. I’ll get the third because I want to know how it ends, hoping it picks up!

The audio was very well done, I like the extra drama that it adds and the book was very easy to follow along with.

Umm...if you liked the first one this will work for you, but, be warned, there really isn't material development. Everyone still wildly privileged and fine with this haunting situation? Yes? Okay, great. Moving on.

Thank you for the advanced reader copy from Netgalley!
This was my first Nora Roberts book and I really am liking this series. I received the first two books as I've answered your copies and I'm liking the romance ghost story. I'm looking forward to the third book and to check out more by her.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the audiobook copy of The Mirror in exchange for an honest review ahead of the release of the third book in The Lost Bride Trilogy.

I’ve finished the second audiobook immediately on the tails of the first book, Inheritance. While the storyline for this series has so much potential, I can’t help but be frustrated because I feel like this series is moving so incredibly slow, never really progressing anywhere. These books are long, just shy of 500 pages in most cases, and yet I feel like so much of the storyline is filler and fluff. I really want to dive into the story of the witch and the fallen brides. Our main character has made zero process on how to break the curse and we are at the last book. Call me impatient, but I just want to get down to the heart of the issue already! Enough side stepping the issue and I’m over all the excessive filler. As I stated above, this book has all the makings of a great story: paranormal activity, friendly ghosts, haunted mansion, wicked witch, new found romance, coastal scenery, where could you go wrong here?

I’m really hoping the third book packs a punch because there’s so much left to unravel here from the main story and I’m rather tired of all the filler material. The third and final book in the series is releasing in November so I pray we finally get the closer we’ve all been waiting for and some serious answers come to light.

I am in love with this series. I am not normally into paranormal elements, but this story drew me in and kept me riveted. The characters were awesome, and the suspenseful story was captivating. I can’t wait to see how this trilogy ends. The narrator did a great job too.

As more of the house's history comes to light, Sonya is more determined than ever to break the curse, and get rid of the horrid figure that resides on the third floor. With the help of Trey, Cleo, and her cousin, they are slowly starting to understand what is making the house come to life.

I am seriously not sure that I can wait until November to find out what happens next. I am pretty invested in this series.

Nora Roberts continues to weave her spell in "The Mirror," the highly anticipated second installment of her "Lost Bride Trilogy." If you, like me, were captivated by the chilling setup in "Inheritance," prepare to be drawn even further into the spectral world of Sonya MacTavish and her inherited, very-much-haunted Victorian mansion on the Maine coast.

"The Mirror" picks up with Sonya firmly ensconced in her new (and not-so-quiet) home. The fleeting moments of spectral activity from the first book intensify, making it clear that the footsteps, slamming doors, and unexplained music are anything but imagined. Roberts masterfully enhances the eerie atmosphere, truly immersing you in Sonya's increasingly unsettling reality.

What truly shines in this volume is the introduction of a central, mystical artifact: an antique mirror. Sonya's growing connection to this mirror, fueled by visions and an undeniable pull, hints that it holds more than just a reflection. It becomes the looking glass through which she quite literally glides into the past, witnessing firsthand the horrific, recurring scene of a bride murdered on her wedding day, the circle of gold ripped from her finger.

This direct connection to the centuries-old curse brings a new urgency and depth to the unfolding mystery. The puzzle Sonya must solve is no longer just historical conjecture; it's a living, breathing nightmare she experiences. Fans of Roberts will appreciate her knack for blending tangible contemporary life with powerful supernatural elements, all while maintaining that compelling narrative drive.

"The Mirror" promises to escalate the stakes, deepen the lore, and push Sonya closer to understanding the true nature of the curse and finding a way to break it. If you loved the intriguing start of this series, you won't want to miss a single page of "The Mirror" as the hauntingly spectacular Lost Bride Trilogy continues its captivating journey!

You know that feeling when the past won’t stay buried? When you’re just trying to move forward, live your life, maybe unpack a few literal or emotional boxes… and BAM—something (or someone) from another century is like, “Hey, I’m not done with you yet”? Yeah. That’s The Mirror.

Sonya’s back, and let me just say—I love a woman who doesn’t crumble under pressure, even when the pressure includes haunted hallways, tangled family legacies, and a relationship that’s both comforting and complicated. She’s facing more than ghosts here. She’s facing herself. And honestly? Haven’t we all had a moment where the scariest thing wasn’t the bump in the night, but the truth in the mirror?

Nora Roberts does what she does best in this one: wraps us in the warmth of found family, tosses in a slow-burning romance that feels like a hug in book form, and still manages to keep us on edge with gothic mystery and eerie moments. It’s like curling up with a warm blanket—except the blanket occasionally whispers your name.

The Mirror isn’t just about spirits that won’t move on—it’s about women who do. Who grow. Who learn. Who fight for peace, for love, and for themselves.

If you like your stories with emotional depth, ghostly drama, witty banter, and a dash of old-house-trying-to-kill-you, this book is your next must-read.

The Mirror is the second book in Nora Roberts' Lost Bride Trilogy. The idea of these books is good - woman inherits a haunted mansion in Maine from an uncle she did not know existed until after he died - but truthfully, book two is more like a continuation of book 1 in that nothing really happens in this book that I can see is bringing Sonya closer to finding the stolen rings from the 7 brides who died because of Hester Dobbs, whose evil presence inhabits the Gold Room on the 3rd floor of the manor. Sure, I still want to read book 3 to find out what is going to happen. but sofar, it looks to me like these two books could easily have been edited into one novel. For the audiobook, the narrator is perfect in that her voices seem to perfectly fit each character.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Mirror is the second book in The Lost Bride trilogy. This has some of the same pitfalls of a middle book in a trilogy, where it’s more of a setup for the final book and it’s left off feeling unfinished. It didn’t move the story much further, but it was still a fun time. I still enjoyed the story overall. The characters had a good amount of depth, and the dialogue was realistic. I was lucky enough to be able to listen and read this at the same time, which is my favorite way to consume a book. The audiobook is very well done, and the narrator fits the part perfectly. The story overall was great and I’m looking forward to completing the trilogy. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to read/listen to this book. I am writing this review based on my own opinion.

After the cliffhanger ending of Inheritance, diving into The Mirror felt like coming back to a haunted home I couldn’t stay away from. Though the pace of the second book is a lot slower, it still swept me away.

Thank you again to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this listening copy! Once again, the narration was stellar and really enhanced the eerie, emotional tone of the story.

Now I’m just bracing for the final book—because if The Mirror is any indication, this trilogy will go out with a bang.

What an awesome book. Well written, great character development and of course, narration was on point! Nora Roberts is always amazing and this book is no different. This continued the story in book 1 and it transitioned seamlessly. Now I just need book 3 so I can find out how it ends!!!!

Thanks NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio book in exchange for my honest review.