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The Lost Bride Trilogy #2
The Mirror
14 hours, 24 minutes
#1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts continues the hauntingly spectacular Lost Bride Trilogy with book two, The Mirror.
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.
#1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts continues the hauntingly spectacular Lost Bride Trilogy with book two, The Mirror.
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.
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First published November 19, 2024
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About the author
Nora Roberts
1,217 books60k followersNora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including Hideaway, Under Currents, Come Sundown, The Awakening, Legacy, and coming in November 2021 -- The Becoming -- the second book in The Dragon Heart Legacy. She is also the author of the futuristic suspense In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,877 reviews
December 28, 2024
Prefacing this with: my apologies in advance for being a giant Debby Downer, but I am beyond frustrated with this trilogy so it's rant o'clock.
I do not understand how I am now 2 books into this trilogy and still nothing of note has happened. The first book thoroughly bored me the entire way through. I mean, it SHOULD be something I love. Romantasy, with an animal companion, and not-horror ghosts. That is most everything I love in one book. But I was LITERALLY falling asleep all the way through book 1 (and I mean genuinely. I am not the sort of person that can fall asleep on a whim--that book may as well have been a sleeping pill though). That said, at the end of book 1, something finally happened and it ended on a huge cliffhanger and I was like alright, maybe books 2 and 3 will be where all the action are.
Unfortunately, I was incredibly incorrect. I feel like this book served no purpose. Nothing of note happened. Nothing was resolved. It was just more of the same bland storyline from book 1, and then left you waiting for book 3. It was almost 500 pages. How are there no answers or any new interesting plotpoints for 450+ pages??? At this point, I have lost whatever care I had left, so I guess whatever the conclusion is in book 3, I'll never know. 🤦🏼♀️
Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I do not understand how I am now 2 books into this trilogy and still nothing of note has happened. The first book thoroughly bored me the entire way through. I mean, it SHOULD be something I love. Romantasy, with an animal companion, and not-horror ghosts. That is most everything I love in one book. But I was LITERALLY falling asleep all the way through book 1 (and I mean genuinely. I am not the sort of person that can fall asleep on a whim--that book may as well have been a sleeping pill though). That said, at the end of book 1, something finally happened and it ended on a huge cliffhanger and I was like alright, maybe books 2 and 3 will be where all the action are.
Unfortunately, I was incredibly incorrect. I feel like this book served no purpose. Nothing of note happened. Nothing was resolved. It was just more of the same bland storyline from book 1, and then left you waiting for book 3. It was almost 500 pages. How are there no answers or any new interesting plotpoints for 450+ pages??? At this point, I have lost whatever care I had left, so I guess whatever the conclusion is in book 3, I'll never know. 🤦🏼♀️
Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 6, 2024
˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ 3.75 Stars ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗
Sonya has inherited a mansion in Maine that is haunted with the ghosts of brides who have died in the house on their wedding day. Sonya is trying to break the curse set upon the house in order to free the spirits.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ First, I want to say that Brittany Pressley - what. Omg she did such an amazing job narrating -she carried much of this book for me!
The story picks up right where the first book left off and I was effortlessly pulled right back into this world. Nora Roberts does an exceptional job at world building and creating such realistic and well-rounded characters!
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ I did feel like this one moved a little slower in terms of pacing. I was also hoping to get more information regarding the plot, but this installment didn't move along much in terms of the main storyline, so I was a little disappointed with that.
This is a great series to pick up during the autumn months, if you're looking for something spooky but not actually scary with a haunted mansion and ghosts - spirits and magic.
This is a very vague review - Apologies... avoiding spoilers for an ongoing series can be a challenge. 🤗
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Book 1 review ˚ ༘✶ ⋆｡˚ ⁀➷ Inheritance Review
Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillian audio for the advanced audio copy - all thoughts are my own. ✨🔮
⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
Sonya has inherited a mansion in Maine that is haunted with the ghosts of brides who have died in the house on their wedding day. Sonya is trying to break the curse set upon the house in order to free the spirits.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ First, I want to say that Brittany Pressley - what. Omg she did such an amazing job narrating -she carried much of this book for me!
The story picks up right where the first book left off and I was effortlessly pulled right back into this world. Nora Roberts does an exceptional job at world building and creating such realistic and well-rounded characters!
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ I did feel like this one moved a little slower in terms of pacing. I was also hoping to get more information regarding the plot, but this installment didn't move along much in terms of the main storyline, so I was a little disappointed with that.
This is a great series to pick up during the autumn months, if you're looking for something spooky but not actually scary with a haunted mansion and ghosts - spirits and magic.
This is a very vague review - Apologies... avoiding spoilers for an ongoing series can be a challenge. 🤗
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Book 1 review ˚ ༘✶ ⋆｡˚ ⁀➷ Inheritance Review
Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillian audio for the advanced audio copy - all thoughts are my own. ✨🔮
⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
March 8, 2025
3.5 Stars
After completing the second book in Nora Roberts' Lost Bride Trilogy series, I found it to be an engaging read overall, though I would rate it 3.5 stars. The Inheritance, the first book in the Lost Bride Trilogy, captivated me with its suspenseful plot and endearing characters. However, The Mirror, the second installment, seemed to dwell excessively on mundane activities, such as Sonya and Cleo’s daily work schedule and break times, detracting from the story's overall pace.
I appreciated the presence of the charming dogs Yoda, Mookie, and Jones and Cleo’s rescue kitten, Pye. Sonya’s past-generation Poole family members' detailed backstories and the revelation of the curse's origins added depth to the narrative.
However, I was somewhat disappointed by the lack of progression in the main storyline involving the cursed lost brides and the antagonist, Hester Dobbs. Despite her murderous history, the repetitive nature of her behaviour diminished the sense of urgency in the plot.
Despite these criticisms, I plan to continue the series and explore the story further. While the book could have been more concise, I still hold Nora Roberts' work in high regard and look forward to seeing how the series concludes. I paired my e-ARC with the ALC for an immersive reading experience, and I commend Brittany Pressley for her excellent narration.
I want to thank St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for providing the e-ARC and ALC for review purposes. My opinions are entirely my own.
After completing the second book in Nora Roberts' Lost Bride Trilogy series, I found it to be an engaging read overall, though I would rate it 3.5 stars. The Inheritance, the first book in the Lost Bride Trilogy, captivated me with its suspenseful plot and endearing characters. However, The Mirror, the second installment, seemed to dwell excessively on mundane activities, such as Sonya and Cleo’s daily work schedule and break times, detracting from the story's overall pace.
I appreciated the presence of the charming dogs Yoda, Mookie, and Jones and Cleo’s rescue kitten, Pye. Sonya’s past-generation Poole family members' detailed backstories and the revelation of the curse's origins added depth to the narrative.
However, I was somewhat disappointed by the lack of progression in the main storyline involving the cursed lost brides and the antagonist, Hester Dobbs. Despite her murderous history, the repetitive nature of her behaviour diminished the sense of urgency in the plot.
Despite these criticisms, I plan to continue the series and explore the story further. While the book could have been more concise, I still hold Nora Roberts' work in high regard and look forward to seeing how the series concludes. I paired my e-ARC with the ALC for an immersive reading experience, and I commend Brittany Pressley for her excellent narration.
I want to thank St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for providing the e-ARC and ALC for review purposes. My opinions are entirely my own.
May 18, 2025
I have been reading Nora Roberts for close to 40 years. But, I have reached my limit. This book was ridiculous. I skipped a lot of chapters and it was still the same stuff. As one reviewer said, the book feels like 1 book spread out over 3. So, the author has to do something until she can get to the conclusion. Basically you have someone's diary of what they did today: Get up in the morning, let the cat and dog out, fix breakfast, let the cat and dog in, eat, go to work (Sonya and Trey), say good morning to Cleo, let cat and dog out, fix lunch, let cat and dog in, Cleo says litter box is still clean, eat lunch, go back to work, guys come over, go to bed, wake up at 3:00 AM for nightly witch show, go back to bed. The next day it starts all over again. This goes on and on. Clover plays her music throughout all of this.
There is a visit to Collin's supposed mother, a haircut for Sonya, painting a mural for Trey's sister, etc. etc. Sonya makes a presentation. The four pull up chairs and tables for the banquet. Then there is the planning of food and flowers for the banquet. All of the family arrives. There is the banquet. This gibberish just keeps going.
It seems all they get from Hester Dobbs is noise. There is nothing to her tantrums.
I hate the two nicknames for Sonya. Cleo calls her Son and Trey calls her Cutie. At first I was trying to figure out whose son was being talked about.
The first book was a year ago. As I am retired, I have read close to 300 books since then. I had forgotten just about everything. I have no idea who Molly is. I am not going to go back to the first book to figure out who she is.
Also, where is the romance? There is no chemistry between Trey and Sonya and Cleo and Owen. When I started this book I was surprised that Trey and Sonya were sleeping together.
I can't believe I spent money on this garbage. As I said it is like reading someone's daily diary. I will read the 3rd book just to see what happens. But, I will not buy it. I will check the eBook out of the library. I know I will have to wait longer, but who cares. There is nothing to the books.
I like the author's old series. Each book had different main characters and had a proper ending. There was romance and mystery in each book. The books were tied together by one big mystery. They also were published about every 6 months. Now, you have one set of main characters and a minor set. They do not have their own book. There is very little romance and the mystery is dull. The books are published every year.
I say stop with the series. Even the Eve Dallas books have run their course. I am tired of know it all Eve. The author needs to just write stand alone books. They are more interesting.
There is a visit to Collin's supposed mother, a haircut for Sonya, painting a mural for Trey's sister, etc. etc. Sonya makes a presentation. The four pull up chairs and tables for the banquet. Then there is the planning of food and flowers for the banquet. All of the family arrives. There is the banquet. This gibberish just keeps going.
It seems all they get from Hester Dobbs is noise. There is nothing to her tantrums.
I hate the two nicknames for Sonya. Cleo calls her Son and Trey calls her Cutie. At first I was trying to figure out whose son was being talked about.
The first book was a year ago. As I am retired, I have read close to 300 books since then. I had forgotten just about everything. I have no idea who Molly is. I am not going to go back to the first book to figure out who she is.
Also, where is the romance? There is no chemistry between Trey and Sonya and Cleo and Owen. When I started this book I was surprised that Trey and Sonya were sleeping together.
I can't believe I spent money on this garbage. As I said it is like reading someone's daily diary. I will read the 3rd book just to see what happens. But, I will not buy it. I will check the eBook out of the library. I know I will have to wait longer, but who cares. There is nothing to the books.
I like the author's old series. Each book had different main characters and had a proper ending. There was romance and mystery in each book. The books were tied together by one big mystery. They also were published about every 6 months. Now, you have one set of main characters and a minor set. They do not have their own book. There is very little romance and the mystery is dull. The books are published every year.
I say stop with the series. Even the Eve Dallas books have run their course. I am tired of know it all Eve. The author needs to just write stand alone books. They are more interesting.
October 28, 2024
Very very mixed feeling about this 2nd book. I enjoyed the first, but this one just seemed like a filler to extend the story. Yes we do gets the history behind all the deaths of the brides; but still seemed very dragged and unnecessary. I loved the narrator, but her Chloe's voice i have to admit felt like claws dragged on a chalk board 😣😣😣
So the story continues with Sonia learning more about her history and also moving on with her new life in the manor. We also see the blossoming romance between Chloe and Owen and the continuation of Sonia's and Trey's as well.
In all i look forward to the conclusion with the 3rd book and hope it gives a little bit more revelations and excitement like the first one did!
Solid 3 Stars!
Thanks to NetGalley and and MacMillian Audio for the ARC. Beyond grateful and humbled 🙏🏾
THE MIRROR OUT NOV 19th 2024
So the story continues with Sonia learning more about her history and also moving on with her new life in the manor. We also see the blossoming romance between Chloe and Owen and the continuation of Sonia's and Trey's as well.
In all i look forward to the conclusion with the 3rd book and hope it gives a little bit more revelations and excitement like the first one did!
Solid 3 Stars!
Thanks to NetGalley and and MacMillian Audio for the ARC. Beyond grateful and humbled 🙏🏾
THE MIRROR OUT NOV 19th 2024
dnf
December 4, 2024I literally cannot wait for this book to be released.
September 6, 2024
Thanks to Nora Roberts, St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for allowing me free access to ARCs in exchange for an honest review.
True Title: In Which Meals Are Had
DNF 45%
I'm not reading Nora Roberts anymore. I know I've bitched about her in the past, but for real this time, I'm done. The first half of this book was just a series of meals with the occasional lame haunt thrown in. The premise is intriguing, but the execution is just a ramble of unnecessary and inconsequential details. Who gives a flying rat's ass what color and material the tables and chairs are at the party they're planning? Who cares what the menu is for every goddamn meal they eat? Who cares about work projects that present no conflict and have nothing to do with the plot? The fluff is suffocating. What's that? The MC's love interest is falling in love with her? News to me, because we're not seeing it on the page. I feel no chemistry between Sonya and Trey, and none between Chloe and Owen. The haunts aren't scary, there's no tension, the stakes feel like a shrug, none of the characters are remotely interesting. Sweet jesus, Roberts's writing is in the shitter. They really will pay her to write to-do lists---because people keep reading them! It's so frustrating! It's a fricken scam! You're paying for a name and reputation, not a quality product. Either Roberts has no editor or her editor has no spine. Or skill. I'm so glad I stopped paying for Roberts's books years ago. I'm done. Done, done, done. I feel like ordering an arrangement of white lilies, because I'm grieving this loss.
True Title: In Which Meals Are Had
DNF 45%
I'm not reading Nora Roberts anymore. I know I've bitched about her in the past, but for real this time, I'm done. The first half of this book was just a series of meals with the occasional lame haunt thrown in. The premise is intriguing, but the execution is just a ramble of unnecessary and inconsequential details. Who gives a flying rat's ass what color and material the tables and chairs are at the party they're planning? Who cares what the menu is for every goddamn meal they eat? Who cares about work projects that present no conflict and have nothing to do with the plot? The fluff is suffocating. What's that? The MC's love interest is falling in love with her? News to me, because we're not seeing it on the page. I feel no chemistry between Sonya and Trey, and none between Chloe and Owen. The haunts aren't scary, there's no tension, the stakes feel like a shrug, none of the characters are remotely interesting. Sweet jesus, Roberts's writing is in the shitter. They really will pay her to write to-do lists---because people keep reading them! It's so frustrating! It's a fricken scam! You're paying for a name and reputation, not a quality product. Either Roberts has no editor or her editor has no spine. Or skill. I'm so glad I stopped paying for Roberts's books years ago. I'm done. Done, done, done. I feel like ordering an arrangement of white lilies, because I'm grieving this loss.
November 22, 2024
This is awful.
Witch makes noise.
They freak out.
Drink wine.
Eat.
Rehash what happened.
Tell the witch to fuck off
Drink more wine.
Everything that happens is rehashed in a following scene. Everything. It’s so freaking repetitive. It’s Groundhog Day with a LOT of wine.
Repeated.
Repeated.
Thirty or more times.
Hated it.
Witch makes noise.
They freak out.
Drink wine.
Eat.
Rehash what happened.
Tell the witch to fuck off
Drink more wine.
Everything that happens is rehashed in a following scene. Everything. It’s so freaking repetitive. It’s Groundhog Day with a LOT of wine.
Repeated.
Repeated.
Thirty or more times.
Hated it.
November 12, 2024
the setup…
In the first book, Sonya MacTavish inherits not only the Victorian mansion in Poole’s Bay, Maine but an entire new family she hadn’t known about. And with the house came lots of ghostly guests that gives her a look into her family’s past, only one of them unwanted and dangerous. She also has her best friend Cleo, her cousin Owen and new love Oliver (Trey) as her new tribe. This story opens right where the last one left off…with Sonya and friends about to enter the mysterious mirror that suddenly appeared in the house.
the heart of the story…
The first book is mandatory reading as there’s a continuing story arc that’s rich and fascinating. There’s a malevolent spirit named Hester Dobbs who is the source of the curse placed on the house and she’s determined to get rid of Sonya and her friends. Those scenes are scary and unsettling but the ones that provide them insights into the past and the family and staff that once called the manor home are insightful and highly captivating, especially as some have distinctive personalities.
the narration…
Brittany Pressley shines here with all of the characters, both real and ghostly, who are given wonderful distinction. But it’s the storytelling that’s at center stage and she is absolutely fabulous.
the bottom line…
The mystery of the curse and how to use the mirror to defeat Hester is certainly one of the most important aspects of the story. But in classic Roberts style, the relationship building is just as strong and compelling. The friendship between Sonya and Cleo, who has also moved into the house, is lovely to see and how they recreate themselves with new careers and community is inspiring. Their burgeoning romances with Trey and Owen brings everything full circle, making this a rich experience overall. I’m loving everything about this trilogy and can’t wait to see where it goes next. 4.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
In the first book, Sonya MacTavish inherits not only the Victorian mansion in Poole’s Bay, Maine but an entire new family she hadn’t known about. And with the house came lots of ghostly guests that gives her a look into her family’s past, only one of them unwanted and dangerous. She also has her best friend Cleo, her cousin Owen and new love Oliver (Trey) as her new tribe. This story opens right where the last one left off…with Sonya and friends about to enter the mysterious mirror that suddenly appeared in the house.
the heart of the story…
The first book is mandatory reading as there’s a continuing story arc that’s rich and fascinating. There’s a malevolent spirit named Hester Dobbs who is the source of the curse placed on the house and she’s determined to get rid of Sonya and her friends. Those scenes are scary and unsettling but the ones that provide them insights into the past and the family and staff that once called the manor home are insightful and highly captivating, especially as some have distinctive personalities.
the narration…
Brittany Pressley shines here with all of the characters, both real and ghostly, who are given wonderful distinction. But it’s the storytelling that’s at center stage and she is absolutely fabulous.
the bottom line…
The mystery of the curse and how to use the mirror to defeat Hester is certainly one of the most important aspects of the story. But in classic Roberts style, the relationship building is just as strong and compelling. The friendship between Sonya and Cleo, who has also moved into the house, is lovely to see and how they recreate themselves with new careers and community is inspiring. Their burgeoning romances with Trey and Owen brings everything full circle, making this a rich experience overall. I’m loving everything about this trilogy and can’t wait to see where it goes next. 4.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
March 22, 2024
** Update: Finished! I am going to stand by the earlier part of this review. This book is nothing more than a long rehash of what happened in Inheritance. A few details are added about the 7 brides and their backstories. Cleo and Owen take their relationship to the next level. Other than that...not much happened. I think it is safe to say you could probably read books 1 and then 3 when it comes out and not even be bothered if you skipped The Mirror. The only purpose for this book was to make the story into a trilogy instead of a duology.
*I am about halfway through and I have to say this book is definitely suffering from second book syndrome! I really enjoyed Inheritance and was so eager to start The Mirror that I bumped the next book in my TBR back a spot. We met all the characters, ghostly and otherwise, and got all the major plot points in Inheritance. And now, halfway through The Mirror, there have been absolutely no new characters or information of any consequence. Just a boring rehashing of what happened in the previous book. That and lengthy descriptions of every meal, glass of wine, dog/cat feeding, a resharing with the group of every incident that happens to one character when they are alone, and on and on. It's all just filler so far! I am disappointed but I hope the second half picks up the pace and makes up for a VERY lack-luster beginning. :(
*I am about halfway through and I have to say this book is definitely suffering from second book syndrome! I really enjoyed Inheritance and was so eager to start The Mirror that I bumped the next book in my TBR back a spot. We met all the characters, ghostly and otherwise, and got all the major plot points in Inheritance. And now, halfway through The Mirror, there have been absolutely no new characters or information of any consequence. Just a boring rehashing of what happened in the previous book. That and lengthy descriptions of every meal, glass of wine, dog/cat feeding, a resharing with the group of every incident that happens to one character when they are alone, and on and on. It's all just filler so far! I am disappointed but I hope the second half picks up the pace and makes up for a VERY lack-luster beginning. :(
December 6, 2025
✨ Haunting, heartfelt, and impossible to put down! ✨
The Mirror pulled me even deeper into the spellbinding world of The Lost Bride Trilogy. Nora Roberts strikes gold once again with a perfect blend of suspense, humor, romance, and supernatural mystery 👻📖. The spirits in this story don’t just haunt the halls... they have personality and presence, making them just as compelling as the living characters.
One line that truly stuck with me was:
“Every glance into the mirror was a door. You could never know if it would open to something haunting, something heartbreaking, or maybe something you needed to see.”
🪞💔 That quote perfectly captures the emotional pull of this book.
I couldn’t stop turning the pages, and now I’m officially counting down the days until Book 3 releases in November 2025 ⏳✨. If you haven’t started this trilogy yet, do it - you’re in for a chillingly good time. ❄️📚
The Mirror pulled me even deeper into the spellbinding world of The Lost Bride Trilogy. Nora Roberts strikes gold once again with a perfect blend of suspense, humor, romance, and supernatural mystery 👻📖. The spirits in this story don’t just haunt the halls... they have personality and presence, making them just as compelling as the living characters.
One line that truly stuck with me was:
“Every glance into the mirror was a door. You could never know if it would open to something haunting, something heartbreaking, or maybe something you needed to see.”
🪞💔 That quote perfectly captures the emotional pull of this book.
I couldn’t stop turning the pages, and now I’m officially counting down the days until Book 3 releases in November 2025 ⏳✨. If you haven’t started this trilogy yet, do it - you’re in for a chillingly good time. ❄️📚
August 25, 2024
I've been a huge Nora Roberts fan for years and actually really liked the first book in this series. This one, not so much. I gave up halfway through because nothing happens. It's literally page after page reading about these people cooking meals together and letting the dogs/cat out to go to the bathroom. That's all. I can't even bring myself to continue/finish it. This one just wasn't for me!
July 1, 2024
Since 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. Better yet, it might be time for a re-read of Inheritance.
This book is a very slow burn in terms of gradually ramping up paranormal issues and activities. But the author doesn’t just focus on that. We’re also developing relationships, becoming a part of the community, and building businesses and professional relationships.
The best part of the story is the characters. I love the interaction between all of the main characters. The guys are sweet and supportive. Where can I find guys like that?
Our female main character, Sonya, and her bestie are also super strong and dedicated women. I love their relationship with each other as roommates and also balance each other and life. Together, the four just have a great energy, and that continues to build through the story.
Throughout, we learn more and more about the seven brides and the interesting stories for each one, as well as more about Dobbs and her interactions with them. The house helpers are awesome and the musical choices throughout the story are humorous and spot on!
While I was looking for a conclusion in the story that is not to be. The Mirror actually contains a cliffhanger so we can look forward to another story which hopefully will wrap up everything since we’ve only met four of the seven of the brides so far.
Roberts delivers an intriguing, magical story rich with friendship, romance, and amazing characters that jump off the page. While there feels to be a lot of repetition in this one, the overall story is exciting. Waiting for book 3 now!!
~~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* Full review- https://amidlifewife.com/the-mirror-b...
This book is a very slow burn in terms of gradually ramping up paranormal issues and activities. But the author doesn’t just focus on that. We’re also developing relationships, becoming a part of the community, and building businesses and professional relationships.
The best part of the story is the characters. I love the interaction between all of the main characters. The guys are sweet and supportive. Where can I find guys like that?
Our female main character, Sonya, and her bestie are also super strong and dedicated women. I love their relationship with each other as roommates and also balance each other and life. Together, the four just have a great energy, and that continues to build through the story.
Throughout, we learn more and more about the seven brides and the interesting stories for each one, as well as more about Dobbs and her interactions with them. The house helpers are awesome and the musical choices throughout the story are humorous and spot on!
While I was looking for a conclusion in the story that is not to be. The Mirror actually contains a cliffhanger so we can look forward to another story which hopefully will wrap up everything since we’ve only met four of the seven of the brides so far.
Roberts delivers an intriguing, magical story rich with friendship, romance, and amazing characters that jump off the page. While there feels to be a lot of repetition in this one, the overall story is exciting. Waiting for book 3 now!!
~~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* Full review- https://amidlifewife.com/the-mirror-b...
June 9, 2025
4 stars
The Mirror is the second book in Nora Robert’s ‘The Lost Bride’ trilogy and just like the first book, it captivated me all the way through. I forgot how much I like paranormal romance since I don’t read it as often as I used to. I love the friendship and family dynamic, as well as the romance. I’m looking forward to the final book!
The Mirror is the second book in Nora Robert’s ‘The Lost Bride’ trilogy and just like the first book, it captivated me all the way through. I forgot how much I like paranormal romance since I don’t read it as often as I used to. I love the friendship and family dynamic, as well as the romance. I’m looking forward to the final book!
Audio book source: Libby
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Brittany Pressley
Narration Rating: 4.5 stars
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: 13h 48m
October 18, 2024
THE MIRROR is the second book in Author Nora Roberts The Lost Bride trilogy, picking up immediately after the cliffhanger ending of the first book INHERITANCE. By nature, a trilogy has an overall story arc that spans three books, and while the author does a fantastic job easing readers back into the storyline, I recommend reading book one before venturing into THE MIRROR.
Sonya MacTavish settles into daily life with best friend Cleo in the haunted Victorian mansion she inherited from her deceased uncle. As time passes, the women welcome and adjust to the daily activities of the friendly ghosts of brides who died tragically in the mansion on their wedding day at the hand of the evil entity holding court in the gold room - Hester Dobbs. While Hester's actions are disturbing, Sonya and Cleo, joined by companions Trey and Owen, manage to remain defiant in the face of her frequent temper tantrums complete with the slamming of doors, loud noises and flying objects. When a magic mirror Sonya has dreamed of appears before her, she's drawn to pass through it time and again, finding herself decades in the past witnessing firsthand the happiest day of each bride's life before it ended in heartbreaking tragedy at the murderous hands of Hester who claimed each of the seven brides' wedding rings. As the story progresses, readers learn more about the unique history of each bride and groom, their families, their secrets and how they interacted with the antagonist Hester who vowed to be the only lady of the manor. Readers also see the relationships between the main characters evolve in the present as they bond in friendship and love, together vowing to recover the seven stolen rings and banish the evil spirit from the mansion. Hester has other ideas.
THE MIRROR is an atmospheric story, highlighting Roberts extraordinary abilities at world-building with descriptive prose that lures readers into scenes via sight, smell, sound and touch. The author maintains a balance of regular, small-town life and the mystical aspects of this story while ramping up the action with elements of mystery and suspense. The story unfolds through past/present chapters as Sonya slips back and forth through the mirror allowing readers to witness the history of families as it occurred over several centuries while raising the stakes for the challenge facing the group in the present. The slower pace in the first half allows time for characters to develop personal and community relationships while interspersing escalating paranormal episodes throughout to steadily increase the tone of malice and danger in a race to the final scene that explodes off the page. Per Roberts signature style, the women are strong, devoted and fiercely independent, and the men are smart, talented and supportive. Together, they emit positive energy bringing light and love to the mansion as they form a formidable team but is it enough to defeat a centuries old evil entity out for revenge?
Author Nora Roberts is an expert at detailed, vivid world-building, often drawing on ancient family history and incorporating it into suspenseful storylines with strong characters. The power of love, family, friends and good over evil are frequent themes. The Lost Bride trilogy is a prime example of her skillful blending of fantasy, romance and suspense in such a setting with characters readers will develop relationships with. THE MIRROR is an intense, atmospheric, heartwarming yet creepy tale that's perfect for those who love stories that stretch their imagination. Highly recommended to fans of fantasy, romance, mystery and suspense with a touch of the paranormal.
Special thanks to the St. Martins Press for a gifted arc of this title which is scheduled for release Nov. 19, 2024. Opinions expressed are my own. This review first published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine and is now available on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews.
Sonya MacTavish settles into daily life with best friend Cleo in the haunted Victorian mansion she inherited from her deceased uncle. As time passes, the women welcome and adjust to the daily activities of the friendly ghosts of brides who died tragically in the mansion on their wedding day at the hand of the evil entity holding court in the gold room - Hester Dobbs. While Hester's actions are disturbing, Sonya and Cleo, joined by companions Trey and Owen, manage to remain defiant in the face of her frequent temper tantrums complete with the slamming of doors, loud noises and flying objects. When a magic mirror Sonya has dreamed of appears before her, she's drawn to pass through it time and again, finding herself decades in the past witnessing firsthand the happiest day of each bride's life before it ended in heartbreaking tragedy at the murderous hands of Hester who claimed each of the seven brides' wedding rings. As the story progresses, readers learn more about the unique history of each bride and groom, their families, their secrets and how they interacted with the antagonist Hester who vowed to be the only lady of the manor. Readers also see the relationships between the main characters evolve in the present as they bond in friendship and love, together vowing to recover the seven stolen rings and banish the evil spirit from the mansion. Hester has other ideas.
THE MIRROR is an atmospheric story, highlighting Roberts extraordinary abilities at world-building with descriptive prose that lures readers into scenes via sight, smell, sound and touch. The author maintains a balance of regular, small-town life and the mystical aspects of this story while ramping up the action with elements of mystery and suspense. The story unfolds through past/present chapters as Sonya slips back and forth through the mirror allowing readers to witness the history of families as it occurred over several centuries while raising the stakes for the challenge facing the group in the present. The slower pace in the first half allows time for characters to develop personal and community relationships while interspersing escalating paranormal episodes throughout to steadily increase the tone of malice and danger in a race to the final scene that explodes off the page. Per Roberts signature style, the women are strong, devoted and fiercely independent, and the men are smart, talented and supportive. Together, they emit positive energy bringing light and love to the mansion as they form a formidable team but is it enough to defeat a centuries old evil entity out for revenge?
Author Nora Roberts is an expert at detailed, vivid world-building, often drawing on ancient family history and incorporating it into suspenseful storylines with strong characters. The power of love, family, friends and good over evil are frequent themes. The Lost Bride trilogy is a prime example of her skillful blending of fantasy, romance and suspense in such a setting with characters readers will develop relationships with. THE MIRROR is an intense, atmospheric, heartwarming yet creepy tale that's perfect for those who love stories that stretch their imagination. Highly recommended to fans of fantasy, romance, mystery and suspense with a touch of the paranormal.
Special thanks to the St. Martins Press for a gifted arc of this title which is scheduled for release Nov. 19, 2024. Opinions expressed are my own. This review first published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine and is now available on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews.
January 22, 2025
A Must-Read Trilogy Perfect for Cozy Autumn Nights
I’m completely hooked on this trilogy! As always with Nora Roberts, I flew through The Mirror—her books have that magical quality where you simply can’t put them down. ♡
If you’re new to Nora Roberts, this trilogy is an ideal starting point, especially during autumn. It offers everything that makes her stories unforgettable: brilliant writing, deeply relatable characters, and some of the best female friendships in fiction. Combine that with a compelling plot, and you’ve got a recipe for perfection.
The Mirror picks up seamlessly from The Inheritance, drawing you in from page one and holding tight until the very end. Roberts’ signature blend of suspense, romance, and just the right hint of the supernatural makes for a story that’s as thrilling as it is heartwarming.
The friendships are truly the heart of this series. They’re rich, authentic, and full of warmth, reminding readers of the power and beauty of chosen family. The romance is equally captivating—thoughtfully developed, slow-burning, and deeply emotional, with every chapter adding new layers to the relationship.
Then there’s the touch of spookiness that makes this trilogy such a perfect fall read. Roberts balances the eerie and the mysterious flawlessly, weaving supernatural elements into the story without overpowering it. The result is a narrative that feels cozy and comforting, even as it sends shivers down your spine.
If I have one gripe, it’s that I don’t already have the final book in my hands! Waiting until next year is going to be tough, but judging by The Mirror, the conclusion will be worth every second. This trilogy is shaping up to be one of my all-time favorites, and I can’t wait to see how it all comes together.
___________________________________
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. My opinions have not been influenced by the publisher or the author.
I’m completely hooked on this trilogy! As always with Nora Roberts, I flew through The Mirror—her books have that magical quality where you simply can’t put them down. ♡
If you’re new to Nora Roberts, this trilogy is an ideal starting point, especially during autumn. It offers everything that makes her stories unforgettable: brilliant writing, deeply relatable characters, and some of the best female friendships in fiction. Combine that with a compelling plot, and you’ve got a recipe for perfection.
The Mirror picks up seamlessly from The Inheritance, drawing you in from page one and holding tight until the very end. Roberts’ signature blend of suspense, romance, and just the right hint of the supernatural makes for a story that’s as thrilling as it is heartwarming.
The friendships are truly the heart of this series. They’re rich, authentic, and full of warmth, reminding readers of the power and beauty of chosen family. The romance is equally captivating—thoughtfully developed, slow-burning, and deeply emotional, with every chapter adding new layers to the relationship.
Then there’s the touch of spookiness that makes this trilogy such a perfect fall read. Roberts balances the eerie and the mysterious flawlessly, weaving supernatural elements into the story without overpowering it. The result is a narrative that feels cozy and comforting, even as it sends shivers down your spine.
If I have one gripe, it’s that I don’t already have the final book in my hands! Waiting until next year is going to be tough, but judging by The Mirror, the conclusion will be worth every second. This trilogy is shaping up to be one of my all-time favorites, and I can’t wait to see how it all comes together.
___________________________________
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. My opinions have not been influenced by the publisher or the author.
March 20, 2025
Second in the Lost Bride Trilogy, this picks up immediately after The Inheritance leaves off, resolving that cliffhanger but leaving many questions open at the end. This series is a true trilogy: one story across three books. Nothing is resolved here, including the romances. The romance begun in the first book continues and deepens, and a second one only hinted at before begins in earnest. But this is a paranormal/suspense/ghost story at heart, not a romance. It does have a lot of heart, though.
I'm not usually fond of Roberts's fantasies, but this one works. Creepy and heartwarming intertwined, with wonderful characters. Recommended--but read The Inheritance first!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I'm not usually fond of Roberts's fantasies, but this one works. Creepy and heartwarming intertwined, with wonderful characters. Recommended--but read The Inheritance first!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 24, 2024
Oof, well, I think I'm done with this series and with this author, which makes me so sad. I credit Nora Roberts with kindling my love of reading and will always think of her with fondness, but in more recent years, her books have left me so underwhelmed and disappointed. This book is no exception.
After reading Inheritance, which had me intrigued by the storyline but annoyed with the choppy dialogue and weird pacing, I was interested enough to request the ARC for this one, which is the second in her latest trilogy. The pacing wasn't weird this time, just slow. Achingly, boringly slow. The choppy dialogue remained and continued to annoy me.
The perfection emulated in the relationships between Sonya and Cleo, Sonya and Trey, and Cleo and Owen felt too perfect and trite, and again, boring. There isn't even any spice to make it interesting. One scene maybe and everything else is just alluding to spice. There was no conflict there and since the plot didn't move forward much, this had me so close to DNFing this book because what's the point? Sonya and Trey could at least have had words over his use of the nickname "cutie." To quote my teenager: cringe.
Speaking of the plot, it was completely redundant in- and outside of itself. If you read the first book, you've read this one too. If your mind drifted through something while reading this one, don't worry, they repeat it in a page or two. We did at least get to meet Cleo's grandmother in this book, though even that was underwhelming. The most emotional I got with this book was when Sonya's mom talked to Clover.
So, this book was definitely not for me and I won't be reading the third, not even to see how it all ends.
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I hope you enjoyed this review! This review and many more appear on my blog, Hooks, Books, & Wanderlust, where you'll find book reviews, lists, crochet tutorials & patterns, as well as camping, hiking and travel adventures.
Come hang out with me on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Blog | Email
After reading Inheritance, which had me intrigued by the storyline but annoyed with the choppy dialogue and weird pacing, I was interested enough to request the ARC for this one, which is the second in her latest trilogy. The pacing wasn't weird this time, just slow. Achingly, boringly slow. The choppy dialogue remained and continued to annoy me.
The perfection emulated in the relationships between Sonya and Cleo, Sonya and Trey, and Cleo and Owen felt too perfect and trite, and again, boring. There isn't even any spice to make it interesting. One scene maybe and everything else is just alluding to spice. There was no conflict there and since the plot didn't move forward much, this had me so close to DNFing this book because what's the point? Sonya and Trey could at least have had words over his use of the nickname "cutie." To quote my teenager: cringe.
Speaking of the plot, it was completely redundant in- and outside of itself. If you read the first book, you've read this one too. If your mind drifted through something while reading this one, don't worry, they repeat it in a page or two. We did at least get to meet Cleo's grandmother in this book, though even that was underwhelming. The most emotional I got with this book was when Sonya's mom talked to Clover.
So, this book was definitely not for me and I won't be reading the third, not even to see how it all ends.
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I hope you enjoyed this review! This review and many more appear on my blog, Hooks, Books, & Wanderlust, where you'll find book reviews, lists, crochet tutorials & patterns, as well as camping, hiking and travel adventures.
Come hang out with me on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Blog | Email
November 19, 2024
The Mirror by Nora Roberts
The Lost Bride trilogy, book #2. Thriller, horror. Paranormal with a malevolent ghost. Should be read in series order. Cliffhanger.
Sonya MacTavish has inherited a haunted Victorian house on the coast of Maine. An antique mirror draws Sonya and shows her over and over the death of a bride and the stolen gold rings. Sonya and her housemates need to figure out how to break the curse and get rid of the malicious ghost.
🎧 I alternated reading between an ebook and an audiobook. The narration was done by Brittany Pressley who gives a marvelous performance with distinct voices for the main characters as well as several secondary as well. The difference between Sonya and Cleo alone is staggering and hard to believe it’s just one narrator. Add in the men and ghosts plus tracking emotions and tension, it’s a major acting achievement. I did speed up the playback to 1.5 to more closely match reading and conversation levels.
My main issue with the audiobook verses the ebook is the sheer number of timelines, brides and their stories and keeping track of who’s who. I’m glad I had both formats to help follow along with the brides and ghosts.
I loved all the popular music references. Mostly the music reflected the brides from decades ago but a lot was the preferences of the four main characters staying in the house. Nothing was current, or if it was, I missed the references.
The cat and dog were friends! It was awesome. Plus they were trained to go outside together and take care of business. They also helped to protect the household from the ghosts with warning growls and barking. Distinct personalities!
This book helped in getting to know Sonya and Cleo in depth with families and significant others and made it clear they are keeping the house theirs and are not going to let the ghost drive them away. If they can just figure out how.
It is a cliffhanger as expected.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio.
The Lost Bride trilogy, book #2. Thriller, horror. Paranormal with a malevolent ghost. Should be read in series order. Cliffhanger.
Sonya MacTavish has inherited a haunted Victorian house on the coast of Maine. An antique mirror draws Sonya and shows her over and over the death of a bride and the stolen gold rings. Sonya and her housemates need to figure out how to break the curse and get rid of the malicious ghost.
🎧 I alternated reading between an ebook and an audiobook. The narration was done by Brittany Pressley who gives a marvelous performance with distinct voices for the main characters as well as several secondary as well. The difference between Sonya and Cleo alone is staggering and hard to believe it’s just one narrator. Add in the men and ghosts plus tracking emotions and tension, it’s a major acting achievement. I did speed up the playback to 1.5 to more closely match reading and conversation levels.
My main issue with the audiobook verses the ebook is the sheer number of timelines, brides and their stories and keeping track of who’s who. I’m glad I had both formats to help follow along with the brides and ghosts.
I loved all the popular music references. Mostly the music reflected the brides from decades ago but a lot was the preferences of the four main characters staying in the house. Nothing was current, or if it was, I missed the references.
The cat and dog were friends! It was awesome. Plus they were trained to go outside together and take care of business. They also helped to protect the household from the ghosts with warning growls and barking. Distinct personalities!
This book helped in getting to know Sonya and Cleo in depth with families and significant others and made it clear they are keeping the house theirs and are not going to let the ghost drive them away. If they can just figure out how.
It is a cliffhanger as expected.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio.
November 19, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
I read the first book in The Lost Bride Trilogy, Inheritance, ten months ago. It was the beginning of a suspenseful mystery. However, this second book, The Mirror, provided mostly a lot of filler and not much of anything new.
In Inheritance, Sonya and her friend Cleo move into a creepy old mansion that she inherited on the cliffs in Maine. They quickly find out that the house is haunted and plagued by a curse. The ending of the book has a great cliff hanger.
Book 2, on the other hand, spends a considerable amount of time on Sonya and Cleo's daily routines, such as cooking, eating, working, getting together with friends, and party planning. (Filler)
We do meet a lot more of Sonya's extended family (alive and dead) and learn more about the curse. I could have benefited from a list of characters and hope that there is one in the hardcover edition of this book.
There are interludes of steamy sex between Sonya and Trey and sexual tension surrounding the burgeoning relationship of Cleo and Owen. (More filler)
There is a kindly ghost that cleans up and picks out what the girls should wear each day, while also providing a soundtrack to accompany their every thought and action. And a child ghost that plays with the pets in the house. (More filler)
But, at 3am every morning, everyone is woken up by the evil and sinister ghost of Hester Dobbs who cursed the house and was instrumental in the demise of seven brides connected to the Poole family. Sonya and her friends are determined not to let Hester drive them away or continue her threatening tyranny. (More filler)
Otherwise, the narrative of this book is well written, and I am eager to find out how this trilogy ends. This time the story just lacked a lot of the mystery and suspense that was in the first one. I am expecting a lot more excitement in the next one. I would also recommend reading the first book in this trilogy before reading this one. Both books are now available.
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me the opportunity to read a digital ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I read the first book in The Lost Bride Trilogy, Inheritance, ten months ago. It was the beginning of a suspenseful mystery. However, this second book, The Mirror, provided mostly a lot of filler and not much of anything new.
In Inheritance, Sonya and her friend Cleo move into a creepy old mansion that she inherited on the cliffs in Maine. They quickly find out that the house is haunted and plagued by a curse. The ending of the book has a great cliff hanger.
Book 2, on the other hand, spends a considerable amount of time on Sonya and Cleo's daily routines, such as cooking, eating, working, getting together with friends, and party planning. (Filler)
We do meet a lot more of Sonya's extended family (alive and dead) and learn more about the curse. I could have benefited from a list of characters and hope that there is one in the hardcover edition of this book.
There are interludes of steamy sex between Sonya and Trey and sexual tension surrounding the burgeoning relationship of Cleo and Owen. (More filler)
There is a kindly ghost that cleans up and picks out what the girls should wear each day, while also providing a soundtrack to accompany their every thought and action. And a child ghost that plays with the pets in the house. (More filler)
But, at 3am every morning, everyone is woken up by the evil and sinister ghost of Hester Dobbs who cursed the house and was instrumental in the demise of seven brides connected to the Poole family. Sonya and her friends are determined not to let Hester drive them away or continue her threatening tyranny. (More filler)
Otherwise, the narrative of this book is well written, and I am eager to find out how this trilogy ends. This time the story just lacked a lot of the mystery and suspense that was in the first one. I am expecting a lot more excitement in the next one. I would also recommend reading the first book in this trilogy before reading this one. Both books are now available.
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me the opportunity to read a digital ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 24, 2024
The Mirror is book 2 in the Lost Bride Trilogy by Nora Roberts. I've been waiting for this book since I finished the first book, The Inheritance. Sonya MacTavish inherits a huge mansion in Maine in book 1 and has no idea that the house comes with many guests. The guests are ghosts and the mansion is haunted. Luckily, most of the ghosts are friendly and even helpful. One picks the perfect music for any occasion that arises while another cleans up, makes the bed, picks outfits to wear, etc. I wish I had a ghost like that! Sonya and her best friend Cleo decide to move to the mansion permanently and work from home. Cleo is an artist and Sonya does website design and marketing design for companies. She's recently left a firm in Boston and is on her own for the first time. Sonya is in a relationship with Trey, the son of the man who came and told her about her inheritance. They met while he was doing some work on the house before Sonya arrived, They've been together ever since. His best friend, Owen, has been with Cleo for almost as long. Trey is a lawyer like his father and Owen is a boat builder. The four of them spend a lot of time together at the mansion and are all aware of the doors that slam, the voices that arise, the music that plays, the little boy that comes to play fetch with the dog, and the mirror that appears at times.
Owen is Sonya's cousin and at the end of book 1 they went through the mirror and were in another time. Book 2 picks up right where Book 1 left off and it's pure magic. When Sonya and Owen go through it they see a bride murdered on her wedding day and her wedding ring taken off her finger by Dobbs, the bad witch. Dobbs is the dangerous witch who haunts the mansion. This mansion has been the place of horrors. Seven brides in total have lost their lives here and Dobbs was responsible for all of their deaths! She wears their wedding rings as badges of honor on her fingers. Dobbs is pure evil and doesn't want Sonya and Cleo living happily in the mansion. She thinks it belongs to her even though she's dead! Sonya continues to be drawn to the mirror when it appears and has little control over her feelings. She always goes through the mirror and witnesses another bride's death. Dobbs has put a curse on the mansion and Sonya, Cleo, Trey, and Owen must figure out how to break the curse! Sonya thinks it involves getting the brides rings back, but how? Dobbs wears them proudly. How can she get them back?
Sit back, relax, and be taken away for awhile by The Mirror. I absolutely love this series and can't wait for book 3 in the trilogy! Nora Roberts has created a story that makes you want to be in the mansion, help break the curse, and see happiness for the characters we've come to love! I rate The Mirror 5 stars with my highest recommendation. I'd like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy of The Mirror in exchange for a fair review. The Mirror is available now and should not be missed. I recommend you start with The Inheritance if you haven't read that yet. I hope Nora Roberts writes fast as I can't wait for book 3! #TheMirror
Owen is Sonya's cousin and at the end of book 1 they went through the mirror and were in another time. Book 2 picks up right where Book 1 left off and it's pure magic. When Sonya and Owen go through it they see a bride murdered on her wedding day and her wedding ring taken off her finger by Dobbs, the bad witch. Dobbs is the dangerous witch who haunts the mansion. This mansion has been the place of horrors. Seven brides in total have lost their lives here and Dobbs was responsible for all of their deaths! She wears their wedding rings as badges of honor on her fingers. Dobbs is pure evil and doesn't want Sonya and Cleo living happily in the mansion. She thinks it belongs to her even though she's dead! Sonya continues to be drawn to the mirror when it appears and has little control over her feelings. She always goes through the mirror and witnesses another bride's death. Dobbs has put a curse on the mansion and Sonya, Cleo, Trey, and Owen must figure out how to break the curse! Sonya thinks it involves getting the brides rings back, but how? Dobbs wears them proudly. How can she get them back?
Sit back, relax, and be taken away for awhile by The Mirror. I absolutely love this series and can't wait for book 3 in the trilogy! Nora Roberts has created a story that makes you want to be in the mansion, help break the curse, and see happiness for the characters we've come to love! I rate The Mirror 5 stars with my highest recommendation. I'd like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy of The Mirror in exchange for a fair review. The Mirror is available now and should not be missed. I recommend you start with The Inheritance if you haven't read that yet. I hope Nora Roberts writes fast as I can't wait for book 3! #TheMirror
December 13, 2024
The second novel in a trilogy, The Mirror, picked up where the first one left off and just continued on with the action right away. As Sonya gradually discovers more about the brides' past, she also learns what must be done to lift the curse. She is not alone in her search; her gorgeous boyfriend Trey, best friend Cleo, and her recently discovered cousin Owen are all on her side.
The bond that develops between Sonya and Cleo is my favorite aspect of the story. I adore their teasing and mutual support—both of them are strong, independent women. I also loved seeing a little more of the characters' families in this book because all of the characters are so real.
Roberts skillfully maintains a balance between moments of regular life and small-town experiences and the spooky atmosphere. Her descriptions of the manor are so thorough that you can easily picture it. She also captures the reader's attention with her classic blend of romance and mystical elements. I adored everything about the book's ghosts and paranormal elements. I especially loved the ghost Clover and the appropriate music she plays for each time.
If you enjoy romance and fantasy with a hint of the paranormal, I heartily recommend this novel. I personally can't wait for the final book in this trilogy because I've been so drawn into the story.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
The bond that develops between Sonya and Cleo is my favorite aspect of the story. I adore their teasing and mutual support—both of them are strong, independent women. I also loved seeing a little more of the characters' families in this book because all of the characters are so real.
Roberts skillfully maintains a balance between moments of regular life and small-town experiences and the spooky atmosphere. Her descriptions of the manor are so thorough that you can easily picture it. She also captures the reader's attention with her classic blend of romance and mystical elements. I adored everything about the book's ghosts and paranormal elements. I especially loved the ghost Clover and the appropriate music she plays for each time.
If you enjoy romance and fantasy with a hint of the paranormal, I heartily recommend this novel. I personally can't wait for the final book in this trilogy because I've been so drawn into the story.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
January 3, 2025
The Mirror is the second book in a planned trilogy, The Lost Bride Trilogy, and it picks up right where book one (Inheritance) ended - which was a real cliffhanger. This is one book where I think it’s important to have read Inheritance first, even though Roberts does a good job of filling in/refreshing the memory of the reader.
Roberts manages to write stories with supernatural elements that just seem so real/realistic/possible. I don’t know how she does it.
Sonya has moved from Boston to a small town on the Maine coast, after inheriting a house from an uncle she knew nothing of, and it’s haunted. For real. The extensive family history includes a lot of tragic deaths, all of new brides who got married in “Lost Bride Manor.” Most of the ghosts are pretty nice, even helpful. One of them makes up her bed and cleans up after Sonya and her friend Cleo, who has moved along with Sonya. Another one plays songs on Sonya’s iPad with appropriate themes at several points in the story. I *loved* that! There’s even a little boy who plays with her dog. Of course, there’s one really malevolent one, and she is pretty scary.
The love interest from the first book - Trey - is still around and the romance between him and Sonya is getting more serious. Cleo and Sonya’s cousin Owen are starting to be a couple as well. Sonya and Cleo are really becoming part of the Poole’s Bay community. There was a fair amount of the book that explored their activities that didn’t seem directly relevant to the plot, but perhaps those instances will become important in the third book. (Time spent going to the garden center and so forth.) I did find it a bit hard to keep all the community members straight and it was also hard to keep all the lost brides straight! Over the course of the book, we learn a lot more about some of the brides, through the mirror of the title. Clover's story was particularly sad, I thought.
This book also ends in a cliffhanger but this time around I wasn’t so surprised!
I bounced between the audiobook and the ebook for this title, which was so convenient, as I finished up my reading on a road trip. The audiobook was beautifully narrated by Brittany Pressley, who did a wonderful job as always with all the voices. My only thought was the Maine people didn’t really sound like Maine people.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book and to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
Roberts manages to write stories with supernatural elements that just seem so real/realistic/possible. I don’t know how she does it.
Sonya has moved from Boston to a small town on the Maine coast, after inheriting a house from an uncle she knew nothing of, and it’s haunted. For real. The extensive family history includes a lot of tragic deaths, all of new brides who got married in “Lost Bride Manor.” Most of the ghosts are pretty nice, even helpful. One of them makes up her bed and cleans up after Sonya and her friend Cleo, who has moved along with Sonya. Another one plays songs on Sonya’s iPad with appropriate themes at several points in the story. I *loved* that! There’s even a little boy who plays with her dog. Of course, there’s one really malevolent one, and she is pretty scary.
The love interest from the first book - Trey - is still around and the romance between him and Sonya is getting more serious. Cleo and Sonya’s cousin Owen are starting to be a couple as well. Sonya and Cleo are really becoming part of the Poole’s Bay community. There was a fair amount of the book that explored their activities that didn’t seem directly relevant to the plot, but perhaps those instances will become important in the third book. (Time spent going to the garden center and so forth.) I did find it a bit hard to keep all the community members straight and it was also hard to keep all the lost brides straight! Over the course of the book, we learn a lot more about some of the brides, through the mirror of the title. Clover's story was particularly sad, I thought.
This book also ends in a cliffhanger but this time around I wasn’t so surprised!
I bounced between the audiobook and the ebook for this title, which was so convenient, as I finished up my reading on a road trip. The audiobook was beautifully narrated by Brittany Pressley, who did a wonderful job as always with all the voices. My only thought was the Maine people didn’t really sound like Maine people.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book and to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
December 1, 2024
The Mirror is the second book in Nora Roberts" The Lost Bride Trilogy. The story picks up right after the first book in the series, 2023's The Inheritance, left off. Sonya McTavish has now become accustomed to the ghosts the haunted the Maine mansion she inherited after her long lost Uncle's death. Sonya learns more about the history of the lost brides through an antique mirror that appears in different rooms at various times. Sonya is able to walk through the mirror which allows her actually see the tragic deaths of each bride. Sonya also comes face to face with the witch who placed the curse that effects her both inside and outside of the mirror. Roberts fills her follow-up with good characters, good humor, and even good scares. I was surprised how much I've enjoyed the first two books in Roberts latest trilogy because I don't read many books with fantasy elements. In Roberts case, she doesn't let the ghosts overshadow the characters in the story. Sonya along with her supporting characters are as richly developed as are the history of her family and the mansion. It's a cliche, but I'm already eagerly awaiting next year's final book in The Lost Bride Trilogy which is a reflection of how much I enjoyed The Mirror.
July 4, 2024
Roberts series with all things witchy, truly are some of my most favorites reads from her and ones I look forward to each time. There is a certain excitement that happens when you open up one of her stories and this series, her newest and latest, is no different. I adored the first book and was eagerly awaiting a copy of the second in the trilogy and I can happily say, I was not disappointed. This was everything I was hoping it would be. I loved and savored every moment of it and can't wait for the conclusion.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
July 22, 2025
So basically... 20% actual plot, 80% "A Day in My Life"...got it.
I really tried to give The Mirror a fair shot, but I kept asking myself: What was the actual purpose of this second book? It felt like a repetition of the first. There were so many moments where I genuinely wondered, Why do I care about these characters again? 🤔
Honestly, the prologue was the only part that truly grabbed my attention. Everything after that just dragged.
Thank you to Netgalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I really tried to give The Mirror a fair shot, but I kept asking myself: What was the actual purpose of this second book? It felt like a repetition of the first. There were so many moments where I genuinely wondered, Why do I care about these characters again? 🤔
Honestly, the prologue was the only part that truly grabbed my attention. Everything after that just dragged.
Thank you to Netgalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
June 16, 2025
3.5-4 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sequel to The Inheritance
The setting of Book 1: A young woman inherits a Victorian house on the coast of Maine and quickly discovers she has also inherited a haunted mansion and an evil ghost who cursed it.
The Inheritance was a book that I went into without really knowing what it was about - I just know that I really enjoy Nora Roberts books. I ended up loving it so couldn’t wait for this one!
I really love all of the characters, especially all of their pets! Three dogs: Mookie, Yoda and Jones and one black kitty cat named Pye. All of the characters are really likable and I really love the paranormal activity happening. It’s not graphic or scary, but I’m sure I would have a different viewpoint if I was actually living there! Molly is my favorite ghost in the book. She cleans up after everyone and plays music at random. I like Jack too - the ghost of a young boy who likes to play fetch with the dogs.
I was really hoping for more mystery here. I feel like it too focused on the main characters everyday life: work, planning dinners and parties. Although this one lacked a bit of everything I loved about the first book I’m really looking forward to the next one in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for my advanced copy to read and review.
Sequel to The Inheritance
The setting of Book 1: A young woman inherits a Victorian house on the coast of Maine and quickly discovers she has also inherited a haunted mansion and an evil ghost who cursed it.
The Inheritance was a book that I went into without really knowing what it was about - I just know that I really enjoy Nora Roberts books. I ended up loving it so couldn’t wait for this one!
I really love all of the characters, especially all of their pets! Three dogs: Mookie, Yoda and Jones and one black kitty cat named Pye. All of the characters are really likable and I really love the paranormal activity happening. It’s not graphic or scary, but I’m sure I would have a different viewpoint if I was actually living there! Molly is my favorite ghost in the book. She cleans up after everyone and plays music at random. I like Jack too - the ghost of a young boy who likes to play fetch with the dogs.
I was really hoping for more mystery here. I feel like it too focused on the main characters everyday life: work, planning dinners and parties. Although this one lacked a bit of everything I loved about the first book I’m really looking forward to the next one in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for my advanced copy to read and review.
October 3, 2024
Very little plot progress occurs.
I am not exaggerating when I say that the overwhelming majority of the book is dedicated to the main characters cooking and eating dinner together, along with a bizarrely specific audit of each time the dogs or cat were let outside to poop. If you were to somehow remove all of the scenes or sentences that were solely devoted to people eating or animals pooping, the book would be 1/4 as long.
I am not exaggerating when I say that the overwhelming majority of the book is dedicated to the main characters cooking and eating dinner together, along with a bizarrely specific audit of each time the dogs or cat were let outside to poop. If you were to somehow remove all of the scenes or sentences that were solely devoted to people eating or animals pooping, the book would be 1/4 as long.
November 24, 2024
I can’t believe I’m saying that I’m about to DNF a Nora Roberts book that I’ve been dying to get my hands on since finishing the first in the series. I made it five chapters in and was like.. what just happened?
It’s boring. Someone else said it focuses too much on mundane activities and I think that’s exactly it. There is no excitement, no mystery, no recap of the first book. You are just dumped into them making dinner and working. Very odd.
It’s boring. Someone else said it focuses too much on mundane activities and I think that’s exactly it. There is no excitement, no mystery, no recap of the first book. You are just dumped into them making dinner and working. Very odd.
November 19, 2024
I am not a fan of bad, evil ghosts. I prefer my ghosts to be of the Casper the Friendly Ghost variety. We have one really bad, evil ghost witch in this story and several of the Casper variety. It is intriguing to see how an evil ghost battles the good humans, with the help of the friendly ghosts. It all makes for a wonderful Nora tale, although this book definitely showed signs of the middle book syndrome. There is no way it could ever stand on its own without the awesome first book and the, hopefully, blockbuster final book. There just wasn't anything about this book that stood out.
The catch up was a little confusing and I really felt like I needed a family tree chart to keep it all straight. With seven dead brides, each having their own unique story and situation, there was a lot to try and follow. As Sonya tries to set up her new life in the haunted manor, she inherited she experiences the wrath of Dobbs, the evil witch ghost who believes that because a Poole had his way with her and married someone else, she is entitled to rule the manor and kill the first Poole bride in each generation and, so far, she has. But Sonya is doing a great job of living her new life with boyfriend, Trey, best friend and housemate, Cleo, Cousin Owen, who is not getting the page space he deserves, and a host of furry friends. Sonya loves the manor and the small Maine town nearby and is not going to let a murderous witch ghost drive her away. She is determined to find a way to break the curse and live happily ever after, which will probably happen in book three.
My thanks to the Publisher and Author for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
The catch up was a little confusing and I really felt like I needed a family tree chart to keep it all straight. With seven dead brides, each having their own unique story and situation, there was a lot to try and follow. As Sonya tries to set up her new life in the haunted manor, she inherited she experiences the wrath of Dobbs, the evil witch ghost who believes that because a Poole had his way with her and married someone else, she is entitled to rule the manor and kill the first Poole bride in each generation and, so far, she has. But Sonya is doing a great job of living her new life with boyfriend, Trey, best friend and housemate, Cleo, Cousin Owen, who is not getting the page space he deserves, and a host of furry friends. Sonya loves the manor and the small Maine town nearby and is not going to let a murderous witch ghost drive her away. She is determined to find a way to break the curse and live happily ever after, which will probably happen in book three.
My thanks to the Publisher and Author for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
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