This first in this new trilogy was so so good. I did not want to put it down. I loved the story of the Lost Brides. Im always in for a haunted house story. Sonya inherits a house but she has inherited more than that. She has inherited an old curse too. She has to solve the puzzle to break the curse. I cannot wait to see what happens next. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

Wow! What just happened? How am I going to wait a year to find out what happens next? I will definitely be on pins and needles until the second book arrives!
INHERITANCE is the first book in Nora Roberts’s new The Lost Brides Trilogy, and she started it with a bang. Sonya MacTavish was shocked to find her father had a brother he never knew and is further surprised to find that he left her the family mansion and the means to keep it. She is skeptical when she hears that it may be haunted, until things start moving around and music plays on its own. Not all the ghosts are friendly, and Sonya finds herself in the middle of unraveling a family curse.
INHERITANCE introduces Sonya and Trent, a handful of interesting ghosts, Sonya’s BFF Cleo, and a bunch of interesting secondary characters and weaves a story that grabbed me from page one and left me spinning with the unexpected cliffhanger.
Thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of the novel. All opinions are my own and freely given.
#Inheritance #TheLostBridesTrilogy #noraroberts #stmartinspress

Imagine you discovered your fiancé in bed with your cousin and cancelled your wedding. He sabotaged you at work until you quit your job and decided to work on your own. After all that trauma and change, a stranger arrived at your door and informed you that your deceased father had a twin brother he never knew, and that twin had just passed away. He had left you his house in Maine, as well as other assets, the only condition being that you would have to live in the house for at least three years. The uncanny thing was that you discovered that your father had drawn pictures of this house and brother, despite never having seen or been aware of his connection to either. Would you pack up your belongings, rent your house, and move from Boston to a small town in Maine to live in a haunted mansion which had been in your family for generations? In Inheritance by Nora Robert’s, that is exactly what Sonya MacTavish did. This is the first book in The Lost Bride Trilogy and is expertly written in the author’s distinctively playful style. This is a story of self-discovery and romance with a paranormal twist. There is a mystery to solve to break a family curse as well as plenty of ghosts, both friendly and hostile. The story ends in a cliffhanger which definitely entices the reader to anticipate the release of the next book in the trilogy. I definitely recommend this book for lovers of romance and paranormal/fantasy stories. I am voluntarily submitting this honest review after reading an advanced complementary copy of this novel thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press.

was utterly spellbound!! Roberts checked all the boxes: a multi-generational tragedy in a haunted mansion, a supernatural mystery, and well-paced, clever writing; the atmosphere pulled me right in from the start; I felt like I was right there with the main characters in Lost Bride Manor. I could see the characters in my mind's eye; Roberts created well-drawn characters, and I enjoyed the sisterhood bond between Sonya and Cleo. It was refreshing to see two creative, independent, strong women I wanted to be their friend. That’s how to write a cliffhanger! I can’t wait to see what awaits Sonya and Owen on the other side. I paired the book with the audiobook, narrated by Brittney Pressley, who did a fabulous job describing and bringing the characters to life, building the tension and suspense and making it palpable at times. I got chills down my spine.. I can’t wait to read the next instalment in the series.

Also, in the audiobook, Nora Roberts explains her experience with spirits and talks of her grandmother and what inspired her to write Inheritance: The Lost Bride Trilogy.

I want to thank St. Martin’s Press, Nora Roberts and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

4.5 stars

This is quintessential Roberts! I can't wait to get my hands on the next installment. The premise is unique, and the characters are easy to root for and realistic. The pacing is perfect. The book is over 400 pages, but it flew by. There's a bit of something for everyone, with gothic mystery, ghosts, humor, tears, and just a touch of romance. Strong female characters abound. The ending? What a cliffhanger! Excellent start to the trilogy!

*Chef's Kiss*

This was the perfect Nora Roberts romantic suspense with a little sprinkle of ghostly humor and attitude. I'm not a big fan of the dual timeline but this one was done so well. I loved learning the history of the manor and having that bit sprinkled throughout the book. Poole's Bay and the relationships we built were absolutely perfect. I love Trey and Owen and Cleo and Sonya's relationship was one of my favorites. I absolutely can't wait to see if a relationship grows between Cleo and Owen. THE CLIFFHANGER! Can we get another book now?!?

*Shared to Goodreads and Amazon**

📖 **Inheritance by Nora Roberts Review** 📖

✨ Dive into the enchanting world of "Inheritance" by Nora Roberts, where graphic designer Sonya MacTavish discovers a family secret that leads her to a majestic Victorian house on the Maine coast. As she unravels the mysteries of her late father's past and the curse that haunts her newfound inheritance, the story unfolds with a perfect blend of suspense and romance.

🌟 Having embarked on my first journey into the realm of Nora Roberts, "Inheritance" proved to be a fantastic beginning to a wonderfully spooky romance. The author weaves a tale that captivates from the outset, drawing readers into a centuries-old curse that adds an intriguing layer to the narrative.

💑 This book marks the commencement of a trilogy that seamlessly integrates into one continuous story. Nora Roberts skillfully allows romantic relationships to develop organically, ensuring the overall narrative unfolds at a pace that makes sense, given the expansive backstory spanning centuries.

🏰 The allure of a beautiful old mansion with fascinating inhabitants sets the stage, but what truly sets "Inheritance" apart are the wonderfully likable characters. The camaraderie, support, and group dynamics take center stage, celebrating friendships in a way that resonates deeply with readers.

🔍 The mystery surrounding the curse adds an element of suspense, with objects moving and music playing mysteriously. The inclusion of a centuries-old puzzle to be solved adds depth to the plot, keeping readers engaged and eager to unravel the secrets hidden within the clifftop manor.

👥 The emphasis on friendships and the joy of a group of amazing characters enjoying each other's company is a standout feature. The group dynamic, where characters come together to work on problems, brainstorm, enjoy dinners, and collaborate on projects, is not only relatable but also adds a layer of authenticity to the narrative.

📚 As the first installment concludes, the anticipation for the sequel is palpable. The promise of a continuous story that transcends centuries ensures that "Inheritance" will linger in readers' minds, making the sequel a highly anticipated addition to the 2024 reading list.

🔮 Overall, "Inheritance" delivers a perfect blend of romance, mystery, and camaraderie, making it a must-read for fans of Nora Roberts and those seeking a captivating tale with a touch of the supernatural.

I love Nora Roberts book and this ghost story was a good read. Compared to her other books this one was not as good, but it is still an entertaining story.

When graphic designer Sonya MacTavish's engagement comes to an abrupt end, she finds out that her late father had a twin brother that he didn't know about. It turns out that he has just passed away and has left her a big inheritance, including a haunted mansion on the coast. She decides to move to the mansion and start up her own designing business. While she gets to know some of the local people, including a young lawyer, she realizes that the house is indeed haunted.

This is the first book in the Lost Bride Trilogy, and it makes you hungry for more. Ms. Roberts has a wonderful way of weaving you into the story along with the wonderful characters. I can't wait for the next installment of the trilogy.

Nora Roberts has authored a zillion books over the years and she is consistently on point. The romance here is good but sparse. The ghost element is entertaining and builds suspense. It ends on a serious cliff hanger so book two will be a given. The dialogue is a plus as it flows between developing characters. Not my favorite but I'm on board for part 2.

Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley

3.5 rounded up. If you are looking for a good ghost story romance then you will enjoy this start to a new trilogy. For some reason I was expecting more than that and was a bit disappointed. I'm not a huge fan of romance but have read and enjoyed many Nora Roberts' books. Its not a bad read, just too bland for my taste. I'm sure others will really like it. My thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I took my sweet time with this #newrelease and got so much enjoyment. This was my book I’d read after getting home from doing my very early morning caretaking at my dad’s. 3am morning reads by the Christmas tree are the best.

I am looking forward to book two next November.

I was able to read this book from NetGalley. Nora Roberts rites another great book that starts a trilogy. Sonya inherits a manor in Maine from an uncle she didn’t know existed. Making a few life changes she moves in. As she makes herself at home, she hooks up with a local lawyer. Her best friend moon and the house is not what it seems. This was a spell binding read. The ending is a cliffhanger that makes you wish the second book was ready to read.

This was my first book my Nora Roberts.i really enjoyed the spooky romance vibes throughout the book. I can't wait to read the next book in the trilogy.

The book was well written, but I was very disappointed. In Nora Robert's previous romantic trilogies, you received a full romance even in the first book. I'm not sure I would have even called this a romance novel. It was more women's light fantasy fiction. Maybe that is what she is going for, but it just wasn't to my taste. It may be that she's trying to write more modern romantic fiction and slow the relationships down, but I just wasn't engaged enough with the story. I felt like her Blue Dahlia story did all these things much better with the ghost haunting, romantic entanglements, etc. The same for the Inn at Boonesboro.

I loved this book and can’t wait for the next book in the series. It’s been awhile since I’ve read supernatural fiction. Nora Robert’s sure knows how to tell a good story. Thoroughly recommend this book and looking forward to the next one.

I have enjoyed so many of Nora Robert's books. But, I did not enjoy this one. From the other reviews, it looks like I'm in the minority. This is the first book in the Lost Brides Trilogy.. The book ends with a cliffhanger. You may want to wait for the second book to be published so you don't have a long wait to continue the story.
I liked the beginning of the book. Sonya McTavish's life is going through many changes when she finds out that her father had a twin brother that nobody knew about. She is listed as the heir in his will. She inherits a manor in another state. The place is haunted. ~ items are moved, cupboards open, music plays, clothing is laid out, a clock chimes at 3 am, housework is done, etc. The book alternated between these ghostly happenings and going back in time to learn about the brides that died. I found the story creeped along slowly. and I was very disappointed that it ended on a cliffhanger.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Inheritance is the first book in the Lost Bride Trilogy by Nora Roberts and it was a pure delight to read.

This is a mystery romance featuring a gorgeous atmospheric setting which takes place off the coast of Maine in a rambling Victorian that just might be inhabited by ghosts. There’s a reason why it’s called the Lost Bride series.

What I love about Nora Roberts and her writing style is how easily she crafts multiple genres into an easily readable and entertaining story.

Here we have small town vibes, found family, a mystery involving multiple timelines, ghosts and a curse.

This big Victorian is a character itself and the ghosts who inhabit it. The paranormal subtleties give off a great gothic vibe.

If you like a FMC whose strong and independent, you have one with Sonya. I was completely invested in her story and followed right along as she uncovers clues to this generational curse. The slow burn romance was an added bonus and kept me turning the pages.

This was a great read and start to an exciting new series perfect for those who enjoy suspense with a touch of the supernatural and romance. I’m definitely excited to continue on and can’t wait for the next installment of the Lost Bride series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you to NetGalley, St Martins Press and Nora Roberts for the gifted ARC!

Title: Inheritance (The Lost Bride Trilogy Book 1)
Author: Nora Roberts
Source: DRC via NetGalley (St. Martin’s Press) in exchange for an honest review
Publication Date: November 21, 2023
Synopsis: Goodreads
Purchase Link: Amazon

Other books by this author I have reviewed:
The Dragon Heart Legacy Trilogy
The Becoming
The Awakening
The Choice (I own this one but I haven’t read it yet, review forthcoming!)

Solo Books
Hideaway
Risky Business

The Circle Trilogy
Morrigan’s Cross
Dance of the Gods
Valley of Silence (I own this one but I haven’t reviewed it yet!)

Three Sister’s Island Trilogy
Dance Upon the Air
Heaven and Earth
Face the Fire

Why did I choose to read this book?

It has been awhile since I’ve dived into a Nora Roberts romance novel. The last one I read was The Awakening and it wasn’t great? so I kind of just took a Nora Roberts break (which I have written about before in my reviews). This series is set at a spooky manor in Maine though, so I wanted to see if she did justice to the location, even if she sticks very rigidly to her plot formula.

What is this book about?

A woman breaks off a marriage to a man who she doesn’t really like and discovers is cheating on her with her cousin. They work at the same graphic design firm, so after months of harrassment and targeted non-violent attacks, she resigns and decides to go freelance. Suddenly she discovers she is the heir to a huge fortune and has inherited a large manor on the coast of Maine because her dad had a brother he had never heard of who recently died and left it all to her, the final descendant (and so the title Inheritance).

When she gets there and sets up shop for her new business she discovers that the manor is both cursed and haunted, and she’s tasked by the nice ghosts (prior brides of the manor) with breaking the curse to set all of the ghosts free and kick out the witch holding them all captive (also a ghost).

I guess this book is about believing in yourself enough to start over as a millionaire freelancer who also has to be a Ghostbuster?

What is notable about this story?

Nora Roberts gets the idea of a small Maine town exactly right. Everyone knows everyone, most have probably dated each other, and small businesses rely on each other and tourism to survive. The town of Poole’s Bay is described and set up well, and the community feels like a small, coastal community in Maine should feel.

Was anything not so great?

It’s difficult to relate to a main character who has millions of dollars and a Victorian home so big they have to close off unused wings handed to her in the first 100 pages. I know she likes to work but honestly, if this happened to me I would take at least a year off before I started my own business as a hobby. Sonya works at graphic design like she’s stuck in a small studio apartment in Boston (where she’s from at the start of the book) and trying to make ends meet and it’s weird in the situation.

Some of the nicknames chosen for the characters are a little confusing. Sonya’s friend Cleo calls her Son, which for the first half of the book made me think she was using it like an exclamatory i.e. “Yeah son, let’s gooo!” pronounced like sun. But then it dawned on me that she’s using a shortened version of her name, so it’s probably pronounced more like “sewn,” but even that’s kind of weird. Also the three generations of men who run the law firm that manages her inheritance are all named the same (blah blah the first, blah blah the second, blah blah the third) but instead of using middle names or shortened first names, they are Ace, Deuce, and Trey and I’m sorry if I was Deuce I would have something to say about that nickname because I’ll be damned if you’re gonna call me slang for poop my whole life.

Keep your fucking dog on a leash. Just read it and find out. (No dogs die in this book.)

BORING SEX SCENES oof. This was one of the worst lead ups to a hook up I’ve ever read from Nora Roberts. The anticipation doesn’t just not build, it doesn’t exist. Also I’m not wild about the fact that a lawyer (Trey, not Deuce don’t worry) from the firm that is handling her inheritance terms is who she hooks up with. NOT GREAT.

Helpless professional woman syndrome is always a problem for me, and in this book it weasels its way in through food and cooking. Sonya designs websites for a living and she can’t look up a recipe for a pot roast? She can’t make pasta? Or a salad? I hate it when a completely capable character is like “omg I can’t handle this it’s gonna be awful!” and then they are fine at it because they are independent and smart and the internet exists. Didn’t enjoy the forced femininity into Sonya’s character development. She can cook and be a technological wizard, those aren’t mutually exclusive.

What’s the verdict?

3 stars on Goodreads. It’s good but it won’t knock your socks off. Perfectly acceptable paperback romance for when you need something to read and the beach and then forget in the hotel room. If you already like Nora Roberts it will be exactly what you expect, minus the aggressive Ireland locations and rhyming spells.

Inheritance by Nora Roberts is the debut of The Lost Bride Trilogy. Sonya MacTavish is fortunate when she cancels a meeting with the wedding florist. She comes home early and catches her fiancé in a compromising position. Unfortunately, it leads to trouble in the workplace. It turns out to be a blessing for Sonya when she inherits a gorgeous Victorian home on the coast of Maine. It gives Sonya a fresh start. I loved the descriptions of the home. I wanted the gorgeous two-story turret library. Of course, as with any two-century old home, it has a few quirks and maybe a few ghosts. Sonya is a relatable and realistic character. She is a talented graphic designer. I like Sonya’s mother, Winter and her best friend, Cleo. I thought Cleo’s idea of cursing Sonya’s ex-fiancé was a good one (he deserved to have a bad case of jock itch). There is a good cast of secondary characters. The spirited happenings at the manor house Sonya inherited ranged from funny to helpful to scary. It will be interesting to see how the bride tale plays out. I felt that the romance between Sonya and Trey happened too quickly. There is an attraction between the pair. They were friendly and slightly flirty as they got to know each other. All of the sudden, though, they moved from flirty to the pair doing the horizontal mambo. I wanted them to get to each other (more than seeing each other a few times casually) and date before hopping into bed together. Their relationship lacked sizzle. Certain facts are repeated often such as details about Sonya’s ex-fiancé. I felt the particulars of Sonya’s job (what she created for each client, how it looked, the back-and-forth communication) were unnecessary or at least not in such detail. It slowed down the pace of the story and the tempo was already on the slow side (details of Sonya’s daily activities such as what Sonya fixed for each meal, reading her emails, walking the dog, running errands). The story could have benefited from an infusion of action and suspense. There is an overabundance of foul language (fair warning). The long-winded story came to an abrupt end with a sudden cliffhanger (it was so sudden that I got whiplash). I normally enjoy Nora Roberts paranormal novels, but this one was hard for me to finish.