A great combination of gothic ghost story, romance, blood family, and found family. Sonya is a graphic designer struggling with a wedding that isn't what she wants, then her life is turned upside down and then upside down again. Eventually, she ends up in Maine, inheriting a house from an uncle she didn't know existed, twin to her father who was adopted and never knew his brother.

A lot of tragedy in the book, from the murdered brides to Sonya's family, and though we know a horrible witch is to blame, there's no way of knowing how to stop her. There's a lot of spooky moments, funny times, and heartwarming parts too.

Trey is a great book boyfriend! All of the supporting cast is awesome, particularly Cleo and Owen (and all of Trey's family). I enjoyed the parts about graphic design and art and the complicated history of the house. And most of the ghosts are great too.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the audiobook of Inheritance in exchange for an honest review in anticipation of Nora Roberts’s third book in The Lost Bride Trilogy.

I have to be transparent in that shockingly, this is my first Nora Roberts book I’ve had the pleasure of reading. I had no idea what The Lost Bride Trilogy would bring but I’m officially hooked and I cannot wait to finish the series.

In summation, Inheritance follows the story of Sonya, a near miss bride who catches her fiancé cheating on her just weeks before their wedding. Shortly after, Sonya encounters an attorney at her door who was visiting on behalf of a deceased uncle she did not know she had. St this visit, Sonya learns she has inherited a mansion passed down through her deceased father’s side of the family. This historic mansion off the coast of Maine comes with one huge caveat, it just so happens to be haunted with the brides of history’s past. Sonya learns she is entitled to quite a large inheritance if she’s willing to live in the manor for 3 years. In striking a deal with the attorney, Sonya agrees to a three month trial period to experience all that the manor has to offer.

Sonya packs up her things and moves to Maine. Eventually, her best friend follows and moves into the manor as well. It’s immediately apparent that the manor not only houses humans, but a plethora of ghosts that seem to spice things up. Sonya quickly forms a relationship with the son of the attorney who visited her that evolves into more than she could have ever asked for. Sonya realizes that she has some unknown connection with the victims that remain in the house. At night, Sonya experiences dreams that thrust her through a mirror into a first person perspective of how each bride was killed. Add in a wicked witch and you’ve got yourself a serious haunting!

The books ends on quite a cliffhanger and I expect the second book to pick up right where this one ended. I have a feeling things are about to get really good!

This book pulls you in from the very first page, and the characters quickly feel like friends—ones you'd gladly join to help defeat the evil at hand.

Inheritance tells the story of Sonya, who had just dumped her cheating fiance and called off her wedding when she learned that she inherited a beautiful old mansion overlooking Poole's Bay in Maine from an uncle she did not even know existed. The kicker is that the mansion is haunted by various ghosts - most are friendly/helpful but one is an evil witch and not happy about Sonya living in the home. There is way more paranormal stuff going on in this story but it would be hard to describe without giving away some major plot lines. I was lucky enough to be offered both the audio and ebook copy of this book by NetGalley and enjoyed going back and forth between the audio (in my car) and the ebook at home. The writing is very easy to read and the characters are likeable - my only complaint was that the book ended on a real cliff hanger so now I need to read the next book in the trilogy, The Mirror, to get the answers I need about what really happened at the end of this book. For the audio, the narrator's voice was just perfect. I love the Southern drawl of best friend Cleo's voice! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC and audio of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I loved it. The Ghost are awesome. The characters are real. While I was listening, I felt like I was really there. I have immediately started part 2. Waiting for the next one is going to be hard. I can't praise it enough!

The Inheritance is the first book in the Lost Bride trilogy. Sonya inherits a manor from an uncle she never knew existed. But the house isn’t just an ordinary fresh start for Sonya.

I was really entertained by this book. It had me asking questions and listening longer (one more chapter!) just so I could get more of the story. Sonya’s best friend moved in, and the story just got better. I know people want constant action in books like these, but I liked seeing Sonya grow and get to know the unseen inhabitants of the house.

I received this ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

It's been a hot minute since I've read a book from author, Nora Roberts. So, when Netgalley had this as a "listen now" - I thought I'd see what it was all about. I did like the narrator so that made for easy listening.

Inheritance is about Sonya MacTavish, a graphic designer who recently broke off an engagement. She learns that her dad had a twin brother and that upon his passing, he wanted to give her his estate, which includes a very large victorian home. She needs to live there for 3 years and oh yeah... it's haunted. Sonya willingly moves in and ends up trying to figure out the curse of these ghosts, and maybe hooking up with the lawyer that is helping her with the estate...

For me, two-thirds of the book felt like "where is this going?" - and then the very end of the book - you're like wait ... #cliffhanger ... so now I will move on to the second book in the series, which I hope will have a bit more flow/director with the plot.

3.25 ⭐

This was my first introduction into a Nora Roberts book, and I honestly didn’t expect to get pulled in so fast—but here I am, fully hooked. Inheritance mixes eerie haunted house vibes with secrets, a budding romance, and just enough mystery to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Sonya is a great protagonist—smart, skeptical, and just trying to keep it together after her life gets upended by a surprise inheritance. The old manor is a character of its own, and the ghosts? Yep, they’re real and they’ve got stories to tell. Add in some slow-burn romance and a lovable cast of side characters, and you’ve got something that feels both comforting and chilling.

And that cliffhanger? Honestly, kind of rude. Now I have to read the next one because I need answers, and I need them now.

The audiobook performance was excellent, engaging, easy to follow, and really brought the characters to life. If you’re new to Nora Roberts like I was, this is a great place to start.

Big thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the copy! It was such a fun introduction to Nora Roberts’ writing, and I’m definitely continuing the series.

I liked this book. It was a little formulaic, but I enjoy Nora Robert's romance trilogy format. Inheritance is the first book in the trilogy, so I expected a bit of time spent on world building. The setting of an historic mansion in New England is a great background scene for the story. I enjoyed that there was a supernatural mystery to solve along the way as well. My favorite "character" is a ghost who is somehow able to communicate quite well by playing appropriate songs on a computer tablet that perfectly express their thoughts or mood. This was a fun read.

I have adored Nora Roberts my entire reading life, probably from before I should have been allowed to read her. books! I love how she imbues her trilogies with magical elements, and somehow she keeps coming up with original concepts! This one is a little less fantasy-oriented than some of her older trilogies, more in the historical fiction realm, but there's so much magic in it. And Sonya's inheritance is a total dream! A gorgeous house in Maine with views for days and the most epic personal library space ever is my kind of heaven. I'll take the ghosts, even the evil ones.

The community and characters are lovely, of course - Nora always creates such amazing settings with her words, and I basically always want to go live wherever they are. Surprised me how much I liked the ghost characters! Especially the musical one :) And I liked that there was a little more jumping back to various points in history as we learn more about each of the brides. The audio is well done, I appreciate that she also has such consistent narrators as they too become like old friends after awhile. Looking forward to the next!

“Inheritance” The Lost Bride Trilogy, book 1 by Nora Roberts Narrated by Brittany Pressley & author
A something different read (for me)
I read the description of this story and was pretty sure this story would take me on a good adventure. And, I was right. It is a bit spooky; when it is not being spooky it is a very enjoyable contemporary closed-door romance.
I knew this book ends with a cliff hanger scene which I usually avoid. I am glad I chose this story. It is definitely something different from my usual reading and I thoroughly enjoyed having this narrator tell me this story. Now to get my hands on book 2.. preferably the audio version because I did like this narrator and my eyes have enjoyed their vacation. Happy Reading ! !

I really adored this. The characters were all relatable and the dialogue flowed, as always. I loved the setting and the idea of the old haunted house. I love a ghost who can communicate and using music was great. I loved the playlist!

CW: spousal abuse off page, killing of women by a witch on page, general creepiness, use of the word sl*ve.

People would get higher ratings if they got sensitivity readers and stopped using problematic language. She's getting better, and yet.

Excellent tight story. Clear delineation between past and present time. Really kick ass starting sequence where we kick the cheating bastard to the curb. No toxic masculinity in the love interest, unlike the book I just read yesterday. (Looking at you Things We Never Got Over. Apparently normalising men grabbing women is something Lucy Score hasn't gotten over.) Clear consent discussion.

The story is riveting from the get go, but once we move into the haunted house? Well let's just say I had a cutoff time many hours before bed time. So good. So spooky. Fun multidimensional characters. Competent people who are good at their jobs and take them seriously. Loved it. (But please, get sensitivity readers!)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

“But like the terminator, she’d be back.”
-funny and ominous

After the first scene I considered putting this book down. It was displaying every reason I have never read a Nora Roberts’ book before. The opening dialogue was already a wedding with cheesy dialogue from a bride that I was not interested in at all.
But I told myself to give it at least a couple of chapters, because I have seen this series everywhere and knew it was supposed to be “spooky”. Then a ghostly murder happened and the main characters of the series were revealed. After that I sped through this novel. It was so much better than I thought it was going to be and I actually cannot wait to finish the series. Dear NetGalley… please send me the third installment that is set to come out November 2025.

P.S.
The description the characters give one another, ha!
“He’s many layered, like Shrek.” 85%

I am a Nora Roberts super fan!! If she writes it, I will read it. Inheritance was a five star read for me. I can’t wait for the next one.

This book checked all the boxes: supernatural, budding romance, genealogy and found family- family secrets and a curse, a haunted mirror, seven horcruxes. It straddles the line between supernatural and fantasy. Nora Roberts is a fantastic writer. I could not put it down. I love the groovy dj!! Each character, living or not is well written. I can’t wait to start the second book but I just learned the third won’t release until November!! I cannot wait that long. Nora,..please?! Five stars. No notes.

Talk about ending on a cliffhanger. I can't wait to know what happens next. This was such an amazing book. I loved everything about it especially the haunting aspects. There are so many feelings about this book.

Nora Roberts’ “The Inheritance” is the perfect book for readers who adore heartfelt, cute romances but are curious to explore stories with witchy and spooky vibes. This novel masterfully blends romance with a touch of the supernatural, creating a delightful and intriguing read.

However, a fair warning: the book ends on a significant cliffhanger. The good news is that book 2 is scheduled for release in November 2024, so the wait won’t be too long!

The story centers on Sonya, whose life is turned upside down when she discovers that her father had a twin brother who has left her a large, haunted mansion. To claim the inheritance, Sonya must live in the mansion for three years.

As she settles into a charming town, she begins to embrace the quirky and helpful ghosts (past brides with tragic and sad deaths) inhabiting the mansion. Along the way, she also finds herself drawn into a relationship with a handsome local lawyer.

But not all is as it seems—one ghost harbors malevolent intentions, and there’s a mystery surrounding her curse. The key to the inheritance lies in breaking this curse and setting all the lost brides free.

“The Inheritance” is a captivating blend of romance, mystery, and the supernatural, making it an engaging read for those looking to immerse themselves in a magical world.

Having read the last two book released by Nora Robert’s I knew I needed to get ahold of this book which has now become a three book series!
Let me tell you ! This is ever cozy mystery readers dream ! With a side of Paranormal, not only does Nora make you fall in love with each character but she makes you fall in love with the setting and ambiance of this book!
You get the quick wit like always but with some real scandalizing thing right at the begging! Stay until chapter 5 and you are hooked! Oh and I absolutely love the narrator!
I will definitely be picking up the next book in the series !

I haven't read many books by Nora Roberts, but I was drawn to this book due to the subject matter and the hints of ghostly elements. I loved the haunted house concept, and I also love a well written trilogy. This book hit all the high marks for me, and I really enjoyed getting to know Sonya, Cleo and all their friends-- both real and ghostly. This book has a great mix of romance, suspense and mystery, and it made me want to dive right into the second one after finishing it. I loved this book and you definitely will too!