I kept asking my mom -a big Nora reader- if she’d read the first in this series and she kept reminding me that she didn’t want to start until all three are released, which is smart because this (book 2 of 3) didn’t really progress a ton with the curse. There’s character development. Romance. The introduction of new pets. Lots of work done on the house, which I enjoy picturing. But overall, it was kind of a repetitive bore with the background of all the bride deaths in the manor over the years, and they were honestly a little too graphic and grossed me out. I also find the relationships a bit too obvious and easy, which is saying a lot cause I’m a big cozy book girl.
Obviously I’ll still listen to the 3rd one, cause I have to know what happens and I don’t “dislike” the story, but it could have been one book - almost feels like a cash grab to drag the whole thing out in a trilogy.
I don’t always love the narrator, either. The accents seem over the top, but if I wasn’t listening,
I probably would have taken even longer to finish, knowing nothing would probably happen till book 3. Ha. 3.5 rounded down for boredom.

The Mirror is the 2nd book in a trilogy. This is a slow building book, but one I really enjoyed. Sonya and Cleo's friendship and family dynamics were explored in this book. We are introduced to the community, their families, and their love interest grew. As Sonya and Cleo learned more about the spirits drealing in the manor, you see how Sonya and Cleo lean and support each other and what their friendship truly means to each character. It is a great read about friendship and family.

This book is more about the daily life of those in the manor, projects, events, and of course, the curse of the manor. The story continues about the Lost Brides and the growing threat of the witch. It was a slower paced book, but one that I enjoyed and loved the connections between past and present. There were some very touching moments involving mothers and children.

If you are expecting fast pace romance, scary ghost scenes in every other scene, or nerve racking drama, this is not a read for you. Instead, this book delivers on how families are created by both blood and those you pick. It takes you on a journey involving a loving, supporting, and encouraging family. A family you wish you were part of. It resolves a few issues that The Inheritance touches on. Including the building of Sonua business, the feelings and issues regarding the death of Sonya's grandmother and Clover's twins. Last, the book touches on how the curse was formed, how and why the twins were separated, and ideas on how to break the curse.

Thanks to the publisher for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

So. Much. Drama. This is over the top with dramatic responses. Sad visions over and over, telling the other characters about it over and over. Tears, trembling, resolve to "fight" this Hester ghost. Over and over. After the first dozen visions you'd think these characters would be desensitized and cool it with the theatrics. Nope. Clover's musical contributions are overkill--everything feels like overkill. The narrator does a fine job but just too much vocal tremor in the delivery. I am, and remain, a devoted fan of Roberts but this is not her best work. Thank you to NetGalley for an audio ARC.

This book was amazing from start to finish. It blended nicely from the first book into the Mirror book just perfectly. I loved the various characters, the setting, the mysteries house, especially love the ghost interactions with the living. I truly can't wait to get my hands on the third book. This is a must read trilogy that I will suggest to all.

3.5 🌟

Thank you Net Galley for the audiobook arc! 3.5 stars, rounded up. After reading the first book I was so excited to read the second installment. The first book in the trilogy was set at a good pace and kept me interested throughout. The second book seemed much slower in pace, focusing on details I didn't feel were needed to progress the story. Since I was hooked on the characters already I found it easier to pick up than other books written at this pace. I wish some of the details were not included, or that more happened in book 2. Seemed mostly like a filler book before the final installment. I still enjoyed the characters, setting, and can't wait to finish the trilogy!

Rich narrative interwoven with a unique mystery, part scary tale, part historical retrospective; well developed characters including the ghosts, you want to hang out with. A masterpiece of a story that gives you chills while at the same time warming your heart as you are immersered in a beautiful friendship, budding romance complicated and magical. Step into the mirror for a truly satisfying story.

OH this book! I loved reading Inheritance and have been waiting for this one. The cliffhanger we were left in was crazy, but this one picked up right where book one left off. The ghosts are all out and about with Sonya, Cleo, Trey and Owen. They continue to live their lives while Dobbs runs wild and the three o'clock hour continues to be a pull and a reminder for Sonya. The relationships grow between Sonya and Trey while Cleo try and figure out what theirs will be. Sonya and Owen spending more cousin time together and see the house differently than Cleo and Trey because the are blood Poole's, the pull for them to see and understand the past is real. Dobbs, she continues to rant and show her anger in new ways. She hopes to scare them all into leaving the manor. All the while, Sonya keeps looking into the lost brides and how they died. Clover who is my all time favorite as her knows her tunes and uses music so very well, and she is opening up to Sonya more and more showing her more and more of her history. Sonya has met many of the brides, sees how they die and is on a mission to find all of their rings they lost on their wedding day to Dobbs. The real question is who is she, how did she become the black widow of the manor and why? Sonya has put together some more of the pieces, but this story is far from over.

Brilliantly written and I cannot wait until the next installment of this series!

A delightful sequel full of Robert's charm, sense of friendship, and heart pumping plot. Just the coziest vibe

Dang I was so excited to read this one, but this book falls into the second book syndrome category! I really enjoyed the first book and the premise of the series is right up my alley, but I really struggled with the pace and redundant information throughout this book. It felt like she really wanted to write a trilogy, but didn’t really have enough plot line to have three books. I feel really bad saying that, but this book really shouldn’t have been almost 450 pages.

I missed the creepy vibes and the intensity of the first book. I did love getting more backstory on the ghosts, but I started to struggle with all the characters.

Thanks NetGalley and publisher for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

I have been anxiously waiting to read book two in The Lost Bride Trilogy by Nora Roberts and when I had the opportunity to read and listen to it, I jumped at the chance. Narrated by Brittany Pressley, I was quickly captivated by the characters, story and journey right from the start. We pick up where we left off in Inheritance. Sonya, Trey, Cleo and Owen are investigating the past and current residents of the Victorian mansion she inherited. We learn more history of the house, the family, other residents and Hester Dobbs and her curse.

Sonya and Cleo are settling into the house as they befriend the, let’s say friendly presences in the house, while Hester Dobbs continues to terrorize them. I loved watching Trey and Sonya’s relationship continue to develop and see them grow as a couple. Additionally, the chemistry between Cloe and Owen has been brewing stronger every day. I love how strong and determined Sonya is. She wants to stop Hester and bring peace to her past family. Cleo is the best friend of friends and is Sonya’s ride or die and I love that about them. And Trey is so supportive, understanding and protective. And now we also have Owen who is protective and kind. This foursome are amazing characters and I just loved them and their journey in this story.

We learn so much about the friends, the couples and the other residents of the house. I do not want to spoiler the story, but some of the residents are just the best and comforting to the foursome. I am loving this trilogy so much and am so excited for the final book. This is a must-read and/or listen and I highly recommend it!

Happy listening!

I received an advanced audiobook copy from the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review.

Oh. My. Goodness. I had never read Nora Roberts until this past spring when my besties recommended book one in this series, The Inheritance. I devoured it and absolutely LOVED it....except for the cliff hanger ending! When I saw that I had the opportunity to get this novel now and not have to wait another month, I was beyond ecstatic.

This novel picks up right where our awful cliff hanger left awful in the first novel and just took off from there. I don't want to give too much away, but I appreciate this novel as more of the background and history of the brides and and witch's curse come to light. I know that their are a lot of complaints about this novel because I guess people just wanted the ghost story? I am not sure, but I do disagree with their complaints! After reading The Inheritance, I began reading so many Nora Roberts novels! She is very talented in flushing out the characters and giving the reader an understanding of them as a whole, not just for the romance side or, in the case of this novel, the spooky side. And that's what she did in this novel. I did not expect to have answers and so forth with this novel because I KNOW it is a trilogy! I think that may be where the unnecessary complaints are coming from...

Regardless, I thought this was a spectacular follow up to the first novel and I enjoyed this so much! I cannot wait for the third novel and to find out how this wonderful series comes to an end.

The Mirror continues the eerie journey that started in Inheritance, and if you love haunted houses with quirky, magical twists, you’ll enjoy this one!

Sonya’s STAYING in that creepy old Victorian mansion on the coast of Maine, but now the stakes are higher—she has to recover the rings of seven brides, all of whom died on their wedding day in the manor. No pressure, right? With the help of her best friend, who moves in to lighten the mood, they decide to shake things up with a big party to reclaim the mansion’s tainted past. Of course, Dobbs, the grumpy ghost who never got the guy, is absolutely fuming, which leads to some great tension.

The romance is there, but what really hooks you is the narration & Sonya’s time-travel-like trips through the mirror, where she helplessly watches as each bride meets a tragic end at Dobbs’ hand. Those moments are haunting, giving a much deeper look into the curse and the dark history of the manor.

What I loved most were the random, magical things happening around the house. From a bouncing ball that keeps the dogs entertained, to objects showing up just when they’re needed, music setting the perfect mood, and even the house picking out the right outfit for Sonya—it all adds a fun, whimsical element that balances out the darker themes.

While it’s a great sequel( & 2nd book of a trilogy), it does rely heavily on the events of the first book, so jumping in without reading Inheritance first might leave you a bit lost. But once you’re caught up, it’s a fun, twisty ride that’s perfect for fans of haunted house stories with a touch of romance and suspense.

The mix of mystery, quirky magic, and romance makes this a solid sequel that’s worth the listen if you’re into supernatural stories with a touch of family warmth. Just be ready for some familiar vibes & sticking around for the 3rd installment of this Triology!


Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for this ALC!

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars

Book two in The Lost Bride Trilogy. Sonya is living in her inherited haunted mansion with her bestie, Cleo. Along with her boyfriend and cousin, the four of them are trying to break the curse on the mansion. Looking forward for the conclusion of the story.

Excellent narration by Brittany Pressley.

The Mirror is Book 2 of The Lost Bride Trilogy by Nora Roberts narrated by Brittany Pressley
Publish date 11/19/2024

A Romance wrapped into a decades long curse on the Poole family caused by a witch from 1806 who felt scorned when snubbed by the son of a wealthy man who was destined to inherit the grand manor house. Set in a beautiful small town nestled on the coast of Maine, the Poole family has suffered great loss for centuries.

Sonya is the long-lost heir who inherited the grand manor with everything she could ever wish for and more. It also has several ghost family members who help her as needed. To break the curse, Sonya must find the 7 rings the witch ghost Hester stole after murdering the Poole wives on their wedding day. She is powerful and dangerous so Sonya, her boyfriend Trey, her best friend Cleo, and her cousin Owen are working together to try and end this evil entity's wrath so they and their resident ghosts can be at peace. Hester will not make it easy for them and she thinks Sonya will be next.

You will find so many things in this series.

Love, Loss, ghosts, murder, cursed family line, portal mirror, Groundhog Day grandfather clock, mystery, family secrets, found family, fateful courageous fur babies, strong characters, and a sprinkle of spice

I absolutely love this series and can’t wait to read the last book in this trilogy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I always love how Robert’s writing just sucks me in. From the very beginning I was swept up in this moving and at times heartbreaking and suspenseful story.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆?

Roberts also takes her time to develop complex and multi-layered characters and watching them evolve throughout the story is always my favorite part.

Plus, any book set in a haunted house with good and evil ghosts is going to have me grabbing it as fast as I can!

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?

I mainly listen to all of Roberts’s books on audio during my commutes and daily walks, because I know I will find myself swept up even more into the story itself. Brittany Pressley's a fantastic narrator and I love how she brought the story and characters to life.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁:

Strong Friendships
Found Family
Romance
Ghosts
Mysteries

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲?

Slow burn

𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?

If you are looking for a dynamic and emotional story with tons of atmosphere, ghosts and complex characters then check out a copy!

Thank you, St. Martin’s Press, for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.

I did not read the first book of this series but because the story fills in the blanks over the telling I feel it was not really necessary, it was able to stand alone. Sonya inherits a beautiful mansion in Maine as a descendant to the locally famous Poole family, Unfortunately it is haunted by ghosts, some good and helpful but one in particular malevolent. Sonya and her friends try to treat this evil ghost with indifference as they believe it feeds off their fear and uncertainty. The evil entity wants to be the mistress of the manor for eternity and has killed in the past to secure what she feels is her right. The story ends on tenterhooks where hopefully the evil spirit will meet her downfall in the next installment. I enjoyed this book but I did not like the repetitiveness of 1. 'Let's have a glass of wine', 2. 'Do you want a Coke?', 3. 'Let's cook a meal together', and 4. 'Movie night'. Too much of the same, over and over. I listened to the audio version and I liked all the narrators voices for the characters except for Cleo, bad southern charm. I might read the final book in the series if it packs a punch at the end. 3 stars.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for a chance to listen to the ARC audio version of this book. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this audiobook, thank you for the opportunity to listen to the ARC! It was beautifully written and narrated. I have ordered the book and the audiobook for my library.

The second book in The Lost Bride Trilogy picks up right after the Inheritance cliff hanger left us. Sonya MacTavish inherited and old mansion in Maine, along with her past relatives as ghosts. She discovers that the dreams from the past, are actually experienced when she steps through an antique mirror witnessing the murders. Now she needs to discover how to break the curse and recover the rings from the evil entity that is living in the mansion with the help of close friends. The good: enjoy Sonya's relationships with Trey, her BFF Cleo, cousin Collin Poole, and getting acquainted with her Poole family she never knew she had. Love the art and creative side of so many of the characters. The not so good: Patiently waiting to see how it all ends with the "to be released" final book in the series. Highly recommend this trilogy to anyone that enjoys a spooky ghost story with their romance. Definitely recommend that you read these in order, not really a stand alone book.

Thank you to #netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this #TheMirror ARC. Publication date November 19th 2024. I also purchased #Riftinthesoul in audiobook format and it was excellent. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

We needed this book and the deeper dive into the main characters relationships and connections. As a middle book it moved slower and was definitely the bridge between the start and the finish. I loved the background and history and all of the family in this story. I am so excited for the villain to get what's coming to her and to read what's next.

I am so thankful to have the audio. I enjoyed the narrator. I think that the story was easier to get into with my ears and I highly recommend.

Love love love Nora Robert’s. This is book 2 of this trilogy and it is so fun. Love the characters and all the ghosts are great and would love for this house to be a real place. Cant wait for the last book.