A Reader's Guide to Books and Reviews

Inheritance by Nora Roberts

Series:
The Lost Bride Trilogy #1

Genre:
Paranormal, Romance, Dual Timelines, Duology and Trilogy, Gothic, Netgalley, Contemporary, Suspense

Publication Date:
11/21/2023

Pages Numbers:
432

Read Date:
June 11th, 2023

Date Finished:
June 13th, 2023

Rating:
5/5

Blurb:

Inheritance is the first in The Lost Bride Trilogy by #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts—a tale of tragedies, loves found and lost, and a family haunted for generations.

1806: Astrid Poole sits in her bridal clothes, overwhelmed with happiness. But before her marriage can be consummated, she is murdered, and the circle of gold torn from her finger. Her last words are a promise to Collin never to leave him…

Graphic designer Sonya MacTavish is stunned to learn that her late father had a twin he never knew about—and that her newly discovered uncle, Collin Poole, has left her almost everything he owned, including a majestic Victorian house on the Maine coast, which the will stipulates she must live in it for at least three years. Her engagement recently broken, she sets off to find out why the boys were separated at birth—and why it was all kept secret until a genealogy website brought it to light.

Trey, the young lawyer who greets her at the sprawling clifftop manor, notes Sonya’s unease—and acknowledges that yes, the place is haunted…but just a little. Sure enough, Sonya finds objects moved and music playing out of nowhere. She sees a painting by her father inexplicably hanging in her deceased uncle’s office, and a portrait of a woman named Astrid, whom the lawyer refers to as “the first lost bride.” It’s becoming clear that Sonya has inherited far more than a house. She has inherited a centuries-old curse, and a puzzle to be solved if there is any hope of breaking it…

Review:

I was so happy to receive the ARC copy from Netgalley. Before my mom's passing, she had loved Nora Roberts' books and had a nice collection of them (I don't know what happened to them since) and I had always promised myself that I would pick one up.

This book follows Sonya MacTavish who is about to marry. Unfortunately, she finds her bridegroom in bed with her own cousin. Rather than through a fit or crying like any other heartbroken bride, she decides to continue her work in digital, but her ex is making it impossible and possibly causing all sorts of damage to her car and her reputation within the company, Sonya decides to break away from the company and possibly start something on her own.

But one day a lawyer comes knocking telling her that her uncle has left her a beautiful estate up in Maine. An uncle that had been her father's twin. As Sonya starts to learn about her father and uncle's history, she sees that their connection had been strong and that the beautiful manor has its own secrets. Secrets of brides dying on their wedding day.

I think I just found my Book of the Month. This book was everything I loved - A gothic-style home, lost love, and a rich history within the house itself. I loved the connection that had with her Father and uncle. Connections that allowed both a glimpse into each other's lives and yet her father did not know. This is the type of book you enjoy especially on those rainy days, wintry cold nights, or the harvest of Hallow's Eve. The characters are well rounded and fleshed out allowing them to grow within this first novel.

I also loved the history of the brides. Each one gets their own timeline to tell a story of their deaths. I am not going to lie but I cried through them. I felt a connection to those brides - their horror, their sorrow, and the despair they felt knowing that they would never see their beloved no more. I loved how their history was woven so beautifully that it connected to the present day.

I am seriously looking forward to the release of this book in November. I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy.


*Disclaimer: Thank you to the author, her publishers, and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book. The opinions of this review are mine and mine alone.