I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Inheritance by Nora Roberts
Published by St. Martin's Publishing Group on November 21, 2023
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Suspense, Fiction / Thrillers / Supernatural, Fiction / Women
Pages: 432
Format: ARC, eBook
Source: Netgalley
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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...

⭐️ Rating: 5 Stars

ABOUT THE BOOK

The first in a gothic, romantic trilogy from Nora Roberts, featuring ghosts, secrets, and ancestral estates.

THE STORY

Sonya inherits a sprawling, haunted house—and a mystery along with it. With eerie occurrences and a broody contractor named Trey, this book sets the stage for a spooky romance trilogy.

THE CHARACTERS

Sonya is vulnerable yet determined, while Trey balances skepticism with protectiveness. The supporting cast adds layers of family secrets and charm.

PARANORMAL ROMANTIC THRILLS

Ghosts, gothic architecture, and emotional healing are all wrapped up in Nora’s signature storytelling.

🔥 STEAMOMETER: 4/5

Romantic and emotionally charged, with heat that feels earned.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

Nora Roberts has once again crafted a perfectly balanced blend of gothic suspense, romantic tension, and supernatural intrigue. From the first eerie encounter in Sonya’s newly inherited mansion, I was hooked. The story layers its secrets with masterful pacing, and the chemistry between Sonya and Trey is natural and deeply satisfying. With every turn of the page, the atmosphere built—moody, mysterious, and just the right amount of spooky. Inheritance is classic Nora Roberts: rich with detail, emotional resonance, and compelling stakes. Easily a 5-star read, and I’m already counting down to the next book in the trilogy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nora Roberts is one of the world’s bestselling authors, known for weaving romance with suspense and fantasy. Author site