I devoured this read! I absolutely loved all the extra facts that came with this sequel. There was so much we didn’t know but now have a lot more information and knowledge. I’m a firm believer that the more you know and experience you gain in knowing the enemy. The characters get that in this book. I’m so thrilled we get more with Cleo and her family. They are all ready to fight for what they want and believe in. I can’t wait for the next!!! Well done Nora!

Another fantastic book by Nora Roberts. This picks right up where Inheritance left off. I really liked this book and will be suggesting it to friends and family. Thank #Netgalley for giving me the chance to read this awesome from the queen herself #Noraroberts

Nora Roberts knows how to write a ghost story with a little romance. This is the second installment of The Lost Bride trilogy and it did not disappoint. I cannot wait for the final book.

Mein Leseerlebnis

Was habe ich mich auf den zweiten Teil in der Lost Bride - Trilogie gefreut! Ich fand den ersten Teil unglaublich einnehmend – siehe: Inheritance – und bin vor dem Lesen davon ausgegangen, dass auch der Mittelteil der Trilogie mein Herz begeistern würde. Und ja, ich fand den Liebesroman mit Fantasieanteil insgesamt unterhaltsam und gut, an das erste Buch der Reihe reicht er aber nicht heran.

Das erste und das letzte Drittel des Romans wirkten auf mich spannend und einnehmend, im mittleren Drittel gab es für meine Geschmack aber ein paar unnötige Längen. Ja, es war interessant und wichtig mehr über den Fluch und seine Opfer zu lernen, etwas kürzer hätte man das aber schon anlegen können.

Ich fand es schön und teils berührend zu sehen, wie Sonya und ihre beste Freundin Cleo in ihrer neuen Heimat Fuß gefasst haben und gelernt haben, mit den Eigenheiten des Hauses zu leben. Und ja, auch die beiden Liebesgeschichten haben mir gut gefallen.

So gut 20-30 Seiten weniger hätten der der Geschichte im Mittelteil meinem Empfinden nach gut getan. So fühlten sich ein paar Szenen wie Wiederholungen aus vorherigen Kapiteln an.

Beim Lesen bin ich zudem etwas darüber gestolpert, dass Alkohol im Leben von den Hauptcharakteren einen wichtigen Stellenwert einnimmt. In recht vielen Szenen gab es zum Essen oder Entspannen Wein, Bier oder auch mal Whiskey. Als jemand, der selbst nicht trinkt, kam mir das doch schon etwas übertrieben vor. Warum immer wieder ausdrücklich erwähnt werden musste, dass es mal wieder Alkohol gab, habe ich nicht verstanden.

Richtig geärgert habe ich mich über eine Szene, in der eine Nebenfigur trotz Schwangerschaft ein Glas Wein in der Woche trinkt. Denn das wäre ja ok und erlaubt. Mit dieser Aussage wird impliziert, dass sie von jemandem (Frauen:ärztin?) das OK für dieses Verhalten bekommen hat.

Bedenkt man, dass in bestimmten Phasen einer Schwangerschaft schon ein sehr geringer Alkoholkonsum fatale Auswirkungen auf den Fötus haben kann, finde ich solche Aussagen grob fahrlässig. Dieser gefährliche Schwachsinn bleibt am Ende noch bei werdenden Müttern hängen und kann zu dramatischen Konsequenzen führen.

Fakt ist, dass es nach Stand der Wissenschaft (2024) keine Belege dafür gibt, dass eine bestimmte Menge an Alkohol in einer Schwangerschaft als ungefährlich eingestuft werden kann. Der Aussage, dass ein Glas Alkohol in der Woche ok ist, fehlt die wissenschaftliche Basis (ich habe es extra noch mal nachgelesen!). Offizielle Empfehlung ist seit Jahren, in der Schwangerschaft komplett auf Alkohol zu verzichten. Und liegt keine Alkoholsucht der werdenden Mutter vor, ist das meiner Meinung nach auch absolut nicht zu viel verlangt. So viel sollte einem die Gesundheit des eigenen Kindes doch wert sein!

Ich fand diese Passage im Roman wirklich sehr ärgerlich, solche Fehlinformationen sollte man nicht verbreiten!

Die letzen Kapitel des Romans fand ich wiederum stark. Es war spannend und mitreißend zu sehen, wie nah freudige und herzzereißende Erlebnisse in Sonyas Leben und dem ihren Vorfahren beieinander lagen.

Nach den letzten Seiten im Roman blickt man mit Schrecken auf die böse Energie im Haus und ist etwas ratlos, wie sie besiegt werden soll.

Das Finale der Buchreihe sollte spannend und dramatisch werden, ich freue mich schon darauf.

🖤🖤🖤🖤

Für wen?

Wer spannende Liebesromane mit Fantasy - Anteil mag, dem kann ich das Buch und die Trilogie ans Herz legen. Fangt auf jeden Fall mit dem ersten Teil an, denn die Bücher bauen aufeinander auf.

As always, Nora Roberts writes a story that wraps itself around your heart and mind. Family, both the one you’re born into and the one you find along the way, will get you through anything life throws at you, even an age old curse.

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.

3 stars.

This is the second book in the Lost Bride trilogy. It picks up exactly where the last book leaves you. And I enjoyed the characters and the story. It just left me wanting a bit more development in the plot.

I can’t wait to see how this trilogy ends, but I feel like this book had a serious case of middle book syndrome.

Also. I think I’m genuinely more invested in Cleo and Owen than Sonya and Trey, so I wish we had more scenes of just them.

It’s still got good elements, just let me wanting a bit more!

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Mirror by Nora Roberts
This was a 2.5 star.

Thank you Netgalley for this arc! I was excited to read it having been waiting to find out what was going to happen next at Lost Bride.

This story resumes where the last one ends. The first half was enjoyable as we get more creepy encounters with our resident evil ghost as well as glimpses of the past that allow us to learn more about the inhabitants of this haunted home.

Sadly, it begins to get a bit slow and redundant. I didn't feel like much happened to really add to the movement of the story. I feel like I could have DNF'd and still would be fine for the next book.

I will still read the next book because I want to see how they beat this crazy ghost and give the murdered brides some peace.

Troupes: romantic suspense
Spice 1/5
Plot 4/5
Pace 2/5
Character Personality 3.5/5
Character Growth 3.5/5
Writing Style 3/5
World Building 5/5

After reading "The Inheritance" with its cliffhanger ending, I eagerly awaited the second book in the Lost Brides Trilogy. Book Two, "The Mirror," takes up exactly where the first book ended. It's largely a plot about good fighting evil. Sonya McTavish, related through her father to the Poole family, and her friends, Cleo, Trey, and Owen, spend most of this book trying to come up with a strategy to defeat the witch, Hester Dobbs. She put a spell on all the Poole family brides, causing them to die on their wedding day. Then Hester collects their wedding rings. In order to stop this curse, Sonya must steal the seven rings from Hester the witch.

Sonya is aided in her life at Poole Manor by ghosts of the past, both staff and former inhabitants. She frequently crosses through a mirror and sees the past world of the various Poole brides. She's particularly drawn to Astrid Poole. The portraits of the former Poole brides mysteriously appear every so often. These magical elements make the story intriguing.

Occasionally, I felt like this middle volume of the trilogy was a bit repetitive and didn't make much progress toward coming up with a plan to defeat Hester. However, the characters are interesting and draw me into the story, and the romance angle is done beautifully. I'll await the third book to see the inevitable ending. Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for letting me read this book for an honest review.

When Sonya MacTavish was told she inherited a grand estate from an uncle she never even heard of, she was mystified but also curious. As she settles in at the estate and finds a new life in this tiny Maine town, Sonya finds a centuries old curse that has haunted her family and it's up to her as well as her friends to figure out the mystery of the Lost Brides before it ends in blood, danger and more. But when she dreams of a mirror that comes true in the daylight hours, Sonya knows she needs to follow her instincts if she is to find all the lost brides and end the curse that has haunted her family for ages.



My Review:

When I finished book 1 in this exciting new trilogy by Nora Roberts, The Inheritance, I found myself captivated by characters and a storyline that drew me in by chapter two and kept me glued to the pages for hours until the very last page was read and done. THE MIRROR continues where book one left off and the readers continue alongside Sonya, her love, Trey and friends and new found family as they try to figure out what happened to the Lost Brides and how to beat a witch who is determined to take what she wants regardless of who dies in the end. What got to me in book two was how seamless it continues right where book one left off and Segway into something that if I am honest, made me even more excited to continue Sonya, Trey and friends stories here. So much twists and turns that made me gasp in delight, thrills and more as I continued reading immediately after I finished The Inheritance.

THE MIRROR is one book that is as good if not more so than book one, The Inheritance. Ms. Roberts delivers another stand out book in her second book in The Lost Brides Trilogy and I for one can not recommend this trilogy enough. I'm always excited to see what this author can come up with her trilogies and I'm not disappointed at all every single time.

If you haven't read The Inheritance, than I highly recommend you start there as book two, THE MIRROR continues immediately after that book ends. If you love romantic suspense, found family, small town charm and more then I urge you to grab this trilogy immediately as this is an author who knows how to weave a story around her readers and now I am eager to see how this all ends in book three (coming in 2025).

This reviewer has read dozens of books by the prolific and talented writer Nora Roberts, including her titles as JD Robb. It's been several years since I read one of her releases, and was happy to return with The Mirror. This fantasy novel is jam-packed with characters and chatty dialogue and paced at breakneck speed.

Many thanks to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of the book to read and review. *NetGalley Top Reviewer*

The Mirror by Nora Roberts is book 2 of The Lost Bride Trilogy. This tale picks up right where book 1 ended. Sonya and Cleo have made The Lost Bride Manor their home on the beautiful seaside in Maine. The manor house comes complete with ghosts of past inhabitants and serving staff. It’s an ideal place to live and work, save for the squatter on the 3rd floor. Her phantom presence is evil and threatens to destroy any happiness. But Sonya and Cleo refuse to back down. They are determined to find a way to break the curse and rid the manor of her evil presence. Nora Roberts is a masterful story teller who weaves together a fascinating tale of family secrets, friendship, mystery and love. It is an exceptionally well written, deliciously creepy tale!

Thank you Net Galley for an advanced copy. Since this is the second in a trilogy I went back and read Inheritance first. Although I really enjoyed the first book, this one was slightly long winded. I get it - there are ghosts. Some are good, some are bad. Just got very repetitive. I am the first to admit that this is not my usual genre so maybe it is just me? Also, please - Cutie is the pet name? No strong woman striking out make a name for herself wants to be called Cutie!!

Thank you St Martin’s Press and Netgalley for an ARC of The Mirror in exchange for my honest opinion.

Nora Roberts is an amazing author. This second book in the trilogy was as good, if not better, than the first. When Sonya inherits a house from an uncle that she didn’t know existed, she is introduced to the many spirits lurking in the house. All good, except for a witch. The witch responsible for all of the brides who had been murdered. She must, with the help of her friends, end the curse and destroy the witch. A mirror, which only appears at night, is a window to the deaths of all of the brides. She stands by, helplessly, watching them all die. Her and her friends refuse to give in to fear.

I will be waiting on pins and needles for the final book to be available to find out how this story ends.

Sonya MacTavish unexpectedly inherits a large Victorian mansion in Maine, only to discover it is haunted. Through dreams and visions, Sonya uncovers glimpses of the mansion's dark past, including portraits of brides and an antique mirror with sinister family secrets. This is the second book in the series, following the events of “”The Inheritance”. The book follows the same characters and continues right after the prior book.

I am a huge fan of Nora Roberts, but this trilogy may be one of my favorites. The characters are so human and likeable, the pets are adorable and the ghosts have very distinct personalities. Add a spooky mansion and I’m in heaven. Can’t wait to read the next one!!

In "The Mirror" by Nora Roberts, I was captivated by the intricate blend of mystery, romance, and the supernatural. As Sonya MacTavish embarks on a journey to uncover her family's secrets, I found myself drawn into the suspenseful and eerie atmosphere of the Victorian house in Maine. The way Roberts intricately weaves together the past and present, linking Sonya's story to the tragic fate of Astrid Poole, was both haunting and compelling.

The character development throughout the book was rich and engaging, particularly Sonya's growth as she confronts the challenges presented by her newfound inheritance. The hint of romance between Sonya and Trey added an extra layer of depth to the story without overpowering the main plotline.

Overall, "The Mirror" is a captivating page-turner that kept me hooked from beginning to end. Nora Roberts' storytelling prowess shines through in this novel, making it a must-read for fans of mystery and supernatural fiction. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a blend of suspense, romance, and a touch of the paranormal.

A ghostly groundhogs day, this takes our main character into the past to witness a wicked curse. A bride murdered on her wedding day, to be relived forever, unless she can break it.

The second part of The Lost Bride Trilogy is here! The Mirror is every bit as exciting as The Inheritance. Nora Roberts always delivers suspense, romance and mystery in layers that allow the reader to absorb the nuances of each relationship. I love that so much! The glimpse of Sonya's work life, friendships, dinners and pets was especially meaningful to me.

The Mirror opens where The Inheritance ended, Sonya, Cleo, Trey and Owen are expanding their friendships and assimilating into the community. The ghosts and the evil presence that called down the curse are making their presence know---the ghosts are helpful but the witch is out for trouble.

I could not wait for Sonya to go through the Mirror--it was suspenseful and exciting in equal measure. When the book debuts, I will get an audiobook copy, as it will be a wait for the third and final conclusion to the trilogy.

Thank you to #Net Galley and #St. Martin's Press #Nora Roberts Team for giving me an opportunity to read this eARC in consideration of a review.
#TheMirror #NetGalley #TheLostBridesTrilogy #Haunted #Ghosts

The Mirror is a perfect blend of suspense, mystery, friendship, romance, and personal reflection, growth, and power.

While I often, reread earlier books before starting the next in a series, I decided to start Nora Roberts' "The Mirror" without doing so. The Mirror jumps quite literally right into the story with very little preamble or scene setting to the first book, so you are immersed immediately.

Book 2 of the Lost Bride Trilogy continues the story of Sonya MacTavish, the woman who inherited Lost Bride Manor, a beautiful mansion with a tragic past. Sonya has adapted to the footsteps at night, the doors slamming, and the music playing. (I love Sonya's ghostly grandmother who communicates through the music she plays.) The titular mirror pulls Sonya into the past where she gets glimpses of the tragic players and the curse that needs to be broken.

As always, Nora Roberts has devised a wonderful plot with rich characters. Sonya, her best friend Cleo, her newfound cousin Owen, and where-can-i-find-one-just-like-him love interest Trey are a great combination, if not just a little too perfect. The portrayal of history is done so well, bringing the past to life and pulling the story together.

My only criticism is that there are phrases that are repeated from other Roberts/Robb books that somehow made them seem trite. There's alot of "standing", like "she was there, in the manor, to live, to work, and to stand up for seven women who’d come before her", "standing on their own," "changed my stand on that", standing in, standing up, standing for.

I enjoyed this book very much and am looking forward to the 3rd. There was so much history and story progression in The Mirror that was so well done including the filling in of the stories of the brides and tying together family history, Nora Roberts may have ruined any realistic relationship goals for me, but I enjoy the dynamic between each of the friends and romances. I also loved the scene with Sonya's ex and the professional power play.

Overall, a fantastic middle book of a trilogy that continues a strong setup from book 1 and prepares for a thrilling finish.

Thank you to Nora Roberts' team, St Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!

The Mirror grabs you and doesn't let go. The characters are intriguing and likeable, alive and in the past. Friendship, Family, it's all there without being sappy. I did laugh at a couple things and cried in another. I am ready for the final book, I can not wait!