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Blackthorn
DELUXE EDITION--a deluxe hardback edition featuring stenciled edges, a foil case stamp, exclusive endpapers, and a detailed map.
From the diabolical mind of New York Times bestselling author J.T. Geissinger comes a scorching new enemies-to-lovers romance filled with explosive secrets, nail-biting, gothic suspense, and the dangerous lure of dark magic.
You never forget your first love. Especially when he’s also your worst nightmare.
Twelve years ago, Maven Blackthorn fled her small hometown, leaving behind the wreckage of her mother’s suspicious death. But now, drawn back for her grandmother’s funeral, Maven steps onto Blackthorn soil once more, only to find herself thrust into a fresh nightmare: her grandmother’s body has vanished.
The Blackthorns immediately suspect the Crofts—the ruthless titans of Croft Pharmaceuticals, whose bitter blood feud with the Blackthorns has spanned generations. But when Maven comes face-to-face with Ronan Croft, the son of her mother’s suspected killer and the only man she ever loved, she discovers the forbidden passion they once shared is as alive—and dangerous—as ever.
As long-buried family secrets claw their way to the surface, betrayal lurks behind every whisper, and old vendettas ignite anew. The deeper Maven digs for answers, the more treacherous the game becomes. And the one man she can never seem to escape is hiding a truth that could burn their whole world down.
In a town where the dead won’t stay buried, is love salvation…or the deadliest game of all?
Blackthorn is a page-turning gothic romance with darker themes and scenes that may not be suitable for everyone. Please see the author's content note at the beginning of the book.
Blackthorn
*Revenge
*Touch her and die
*Shadier than shade hero
*Forbidden romance
*Grumpy/grumpy
*Plot twists galore
*Beauty and the Beast
*Enemies to lovers to enemies to...?
From the diabolical mind of New York Times bestselling author J.T. Geissinger comes a scorching new enemies-to-lovers romance filled with explosive secrets, nail-biting, gothic suspense, and the dangerous lure of dark magic.
You never forget your first love. Especially when he’s also your worst nightmare.
Twelve years ago, Maven Blackthorn fled her small hometown, leaving behind the wreckage of her mother’s suspicious death. But now, drawn back for her grandmother’s funeral, Maven steps onto Blackthorn soil once more, only to find herself thrust into a fresh nightmare: her grandmother’s body has vanished.
The Blackthorns immediately suspect the Crofts—the ruthless titans of Croft Pharmaceuticals, whose bitter blood feud with the Blackthorns has spanned generations. But when Maven comes face-to-face with Ronan Croft, the son of her mother’s suspected killer and the only man she ever loved, she discovers the forbidden passion they once shared is as alive—and dangerous—as ever.
As long-buried family secrets claw their way to the surface, betrayal lurks behind every whisper, and old vendettas ignite anew. The deeper Maven digs for answers, the more treacherous the game becomes. And the one man she can never seem to escape is hiding a truth that could burn their whole world down.
In a town where the dead won’t stay buried, is love salvation…or the deadliest game of all?
Blackthorn is a page-turning gothic romance with darker themes and scenes that may not be suitable for everyone. Please see the author's content note at the beginning of the book.
Blackthorn
*Revenge
*Touch her and die
*Shadier than shade hero
*Forbidden romance
*Grumpy/grumpy
*Plot twists galore
*Beauty and the Beast
*Enemies to lovers to enemies to...?
368 pages, Hardcover
First published November 4, 2025
2327 people are currently reading
31870 people want to read
About the author
J.T. Geissinger
40 books24.9k followersJ.T. Geissinger is a New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and Amazon Charts bestselling author of thirty-five novels and novellas. Ranging from funny, feisty romcoms to intense erotic thrillers, her books have sold over twenty million copies and been translated into more than two dozen languages.
She is a three-time nominee in both contemporary and paranormal romance for the RITA® Award, the highest distinction in romance fiction from the Romance Writers of America®. She is also a recipient of the Prism Award for Best First Book, the Golden Quill Award for Best Paranormal/Urban Fantasy, and the HOLT Medallion for Best Erotic Romance.
Newsletter ➡️ http://bit.ly/1IbgZZI
Reader group ➡️ http://bit.ly/2xbtnY3
Amazon ➡️ http://amzn.to/1xQN4za
She is a three-time nominee in both contemporary and paranormal romance for the RITA® Award, the highest distinction in romance fiction from the Romance Writers of America®. She is also a recipient of the Prism Award for Best First Book, the Golden Quill Award for Best Paranormal/Urban Fantasy, and the HOLT Medallion for Best Erotic Romance.
Newsletter ➡️ http://bit.ly/1IbgZZI
Reader group ➡️ http://bit.ly/2xbtnY3
Amazon ➡️ http://amzn.to/1xQN4za
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,483 reviews
October 30, 2025
I’m kinda speechless after whatever I just read 😭🤚 I’m still not completely sure this book wasn’t a fever dream.
We were going so strong for the first 80%, I was ready to give this 4 stars but then that last 20% had me like 😵💫😵💫😵💫 bc there is no way I just read what I read.
The banter was HILARIOUS. I was doubling over slapping my knee gasping for air. No bc their disses have to be some of the best I’ve read 🙏
But the pacing was notttt right. It felt very messy to me. I think this book would have benefited from a cleaner lead up and execution.
If you’re thinking of reading this pls just go in knowing it’s as unserious as they come but PLEASE u need to read those trigger warnings!
ೃ⁀➷ Thank you NetGalley and Tor Bramble for the ARC! ♥︎
***
Pre-read review:
I’m salivating. I have a biggggg feeling this is gna be a new favourite when it releases.
We were going so strong for the first 80%, I was ready to give this 4 stars but then that last 20% had me like 😵💫😵💫😵💫 bc there is no way I just read what I read.
The banter was HILARIOUS. I was doubling over slapping my knee gasping for air. No bc their disses have to be some of the best I’ve read 🙏
But the pacing was notttt right. It felt very messy to me. I think this book would have benefited from a cleaner lead up and execution.
If you’re thinking of reading this pls just go in knowing it’s as unserious as they come but PLEASE u need to read those trigger warnings!
ೃ⁀➷ Thank you NetGalley and Tor Bramble for the ARC! ♥︎
***
Pre-read review:
I’m salivating. I have a biggggg feeling this is gna be a new favourite when it releases.
Read
October 10, 2025Dear Reader,
Blackthorn is a gothic romance that contains dark themes and potentially disturbing content, including but not limited to graphic sex, noncon and dubcon sex, explicit language, possible harm to a child, human sacrifice, disturbing imagery, the occult, religion, violence, murder, incest, horror, blood, death, grief, and gore.
With care,
J.T.
Blackthorn is a gothic romance that contains dark themes and potentially disturbing content, including but not limited to graphic sex, noncon and dubcon sex, explicit language, possible harm to a child, human sacrifice, disturbing imagery, the occult, religion, violence, murder, incest, horror, blood, death, grief, and gore.
With care,
J.T.
January 10, 2026
2.5 stars ig??
In theory I should have loved this, but??? this felt like 2 separate books joined together with some raggedy twine.
the first 50% was actually very fun and I was really enjoying it, but then it got... weird? If you know me, I like weird but only when it works. For some reason here, it just didn't for me.
This is not my first J.T book and I am a huge fan of hers. She writes excellent banter and great spice and her characters are always very likable. What didn't work for me here was the weird pacing of the plot and I really did not like that final twist? Kinda felt lazy to me.
Sad that this didn't work out for me because I really love this author😔 I think if this is your first ever J.T book, you would enjoy it more than I did, but I've read a lot of her books and I know she can do better😅 I sound like a disappointed parent lmao😭😭
In theory I should have loved this, but??? this felt like 2 separate books joined together with some raggedy twine.
the first 50% was actually very fun and I was really enjoying it, but then it got... weird? If you know me, I like weird but only when it works. For some reason here, it just didn't for me.
This is not my first J.T book and I am a huge fan of hers. She writes excellent banter and great spice and her characters are always very likable. What didn't work for me here was the weird pacing of the plot and I really did not like that final twist? Kinda felt lazy to me.
Sad that this didn't work out for me because I really love this author😔 I think if this is your first ever J.T book, you would enjoy it more than I did, but I've read a lot of her books and I know she can do better😅 I sound like a disappointed parent lmao😭😭
January 3, 2026
Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC of this book!
THIS MAY BE THE NIGHT THAT MY DREAMS MIGHT LET ME KNOW, ALL THE STARS, ALL THE STARS ARE CLOSER, ALL THE STARS ARE CLOSER! 🗣️🎙️✨.. And it's because they're all beaming out of this book!
No but seriously this was definitely more than a 5 star read for me. If Practical Magic and the movie Hereditary had a love child , it would be this beauty right here.
Oooooooooo myyyyyyyyy ALL of the Gods!.. This book was my Sally Albright in a diner circa 1989 & I just an elderly woman innocently wondering in awe if I could have what the young lady is having.
This was one of those books for me where I was not expecting to have THIS great of a time. Like I thought I was going to a church carnival and ended up at Six Flags
THE BANTER AND TENSION BETWEEN THE FMC & ONE OF THE MMCS IS ABSOLUTELY INTOXICATING!
This book has everything a dark romance fan loves! The setting is perfectly gothic and gorgeous, the yearning & tension was most definitely there and real, the lies are massive & the deceptions are deep, the spice is spicy and of course an epilogue that makes you question it all
If I was going to "complain" about something according to Google this is set to be a standard alone, which did make me a little sad. I think it would make an absolutely orgasmic duology. So I am crossing my fingers that fact is either wrong like 75% of GoogleAI or one that it changes. Other than that I'm an extremely happy camper This is definitely a book I will be purchasing, re-reading, and recommending. It's also definitely one that will be living rent free in my head for a while!
Until next time,
Hades
🩵
THIS MAY BE THE NIGHT THAT MY DREAMS MIGHT LET ME KNOW, ALL THE STARS, ALL THE STARS ARE CLOSER, ALL THE STARS ARE CLOSER! 🗣️🎙️✨.. And it's because they're all beaming out of this book!
No but seriously this was definitely more than a 5 star read for me. If Practical Magic and the movie Hereditary had a love child , it would be this beauty right here.
Oooooooooo myyyyyyyyy ALL of the Gods!.. This book was my Sally Albright in a diner circa 1989 & I just an elderly woman innocently wondering in awe if I could have what the young lady is having.
This was one of those books for me where I was not expecting to have THIS great of a time. Like I thought I was going to a church carnival and ended up at Six Flags
THE BANTER AND TENSION BETWEEN THE FMC & ONE OF THE MMCS IS ABSOLUTELY INTOXICATING!
This book has everything a dark romance fan loves! The setting is perfectly gothic and gorgeous, the yearning & tension was most definitely there and real, the lies are massive & the deceptions are deep, the spice is spicy and of course an epilogue that makes you question it all
If I was going to "complain" about something according to Google this is set to be a standard alone, which did make me a little sad. I think it would make an absolutely orgasmic duology. So I am crossing my fingers that fact is either wrong like 75% of GoogleAI or one that it changes. Other than that I'm an extremely happy camper This is definitely a book I will be purchasing, re-reading, and recommending. It's also definitely one that will be living rent free in my head for a while!
Until next time,
Hades
🩵
October 19, 2025
One of my most anticipated releases this year. This gothic and dark story brings us the Blackthorns, a family of females that are weird and mysterious to the townsfolk. The Croft male lineage adds a mysterious layer. When Maven returns to town with her daughter after escaping her family’s craziness years ago, we learn that a Croft man was part of her decision to leave. Now searching for her grandmother’s missing body, an intricate tale is spun and unfolds in the most delicious way.
I love my books with 1 to 2 chilli peppers (it’s just my preference and I don’t mind skipping those pages if it overwhelms me, because I like the storyline). So for those who like the full chilli peppers, this one will deliver. There’s a big sense of mystery, withheld truths, and of course, a nice little plot twist.
I really like JT Geissinger’s writing style, it’s fresh and pulls you in. Great characters with rich backgrounds and interesting stories. Definitely happy with where this went and how it played out! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
I love my books with 1 to 2 chilli peppers (it’s just my preference and I don’t mind skipping those pages if it overwhelms me, because I like the storyline). So for those who like the full chilli peppers, this one will deliver. There’s a big sense of mystery, withheld truths, and of course, a nice little plot twist.
I really like JT Geissinger’s writing style, it’s fresh and pulls you in. Great characters with rich backgrounds and interesting stories. Definitely happy with where this went and how it played out! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
October 21, 2025
I’ve read quite a few of J.T. Geissinger’s past works—twisty romances, mystery-tinged series, paranormal adventures, even her darker takes on love—and each time she manages to surprise me with her genre-bending flair. This latest book feels like a cocktail of paranormal romance shaken with gothic mystery, poured into a glass rimmed with dark, erotic vibes. Did I enjoy it as much as I admired its breathtakingly gorgeous cover? For the most part—absolutely yes.
The chemistry between Maven and Ronan is the beating heart of the story, and oh boy, it’s scorching. Their hot-and-cold dynamic keeps the tension sizzling at all times. At points, the banter between them stretches a bit too long for my taste—though I admit more than once I was laughing out loud, startling anyone within earshot. Still, the payoff is worth it: their attraction burns off the page, the kind of steamy, high-voltage connection that makes you want to fling open every window in the house or dunk your face in a bucket of ice water. Simply put: top of the charts chemistry.
The opening hook is fantastic—a missing corpse at a funeral, unresolved heartbreak between our leads, and whispers of old family secrets. The plot dips in the middle with a few slower stretches, but just when I thought it was lagging, it picked right back up and pulled me along. My biggest hiccup came at the end: the resolution felt a bit rushed, with answers crammed into a single chapter and a few threads left dangling. Honestly, though, those lingering mysteries make me wonder (and hope!) if there’s a sequel on the horizon. Because between the world-building, the feud between the Blackthorn and Croft families, and the forbidden love themes—I’d gladly sign up for another round.
The story begins when Maven Blackthorn returns to her hometown of Solstice with her nine-year-old daughter Bea in tow. It’s a place she swore she’d never revisit after her mother’s death and her own teenage heartbreak, when the father of her child refused to stand by her. That father, of course, is none other than Ronan Croft—now a broodingly gorgeous billionaire running the family’s pharmaceutical empire. He’s back in Maven’s orbit with equal parts intimidation and allure, insisting on rekindling what was lost while demanding a role in their daughter’s life.
When Maven’s grandmother’s corpse mysteriously disappears during the funeral, Ronan suggests an uneasy alliance. Together, they investigate generations of Blackthorn women who died in strange “accidents.” The trail winds through eerie family estates, whispers of ancestral curses, and the chilling discovery of a crumbling church on Croft land—complete with cages and terrifying screams. Could the feud between their families explain the deaths? Did Ronan’s father play a role in Maven’s mother’s tragedy? And just what other secrets is Ronan still keeping?
By the end, I still had questions—but the ride itself was atmospheric, fast-paced, and deliciously addictive. The mystery is gripping, the gothic undertones add flavor, and the romance… well, it’s nothing short of combustible. Because of the uneven pacing and the hasty finale, I’m rounding my rating up from 3.5 to 4 stars—but make no mistake, this is the kind of story you devour late into the night.
I’ll be eagerly waiting for more of Geissinger’s steamy, mysterious, and unputdownable romances.
✨ Many thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for providing this digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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The chemistry between Maven and Ronan is the beating heart of the story, and oh boy, it’s scorching. Their hot-and-cold dynamic keeps the tension sizzling at all times. At points, the banter between them stretches a bit too long for my taste—though I admit more than once I was laughing out loud, startling anyone within earshot. Still, the payoff is worth it: their attraction burns off the page, the kind of steamy, high-voltage connection that makes you want to fling open every window in the house or dunk your face in a bucket of ice water. Simply put: top of the charts chemistry.
The opening hook is fantastic—a missing corpse at a funeral, unresolved heartbreak between our leads, and whispers of old family secrets. The plot dips in the middle with a few slower stretches, but just when I thought it was lagging, it picked right back up and pulled me along. My biggest hiccup came at the end: the resolution felt a bit rushed, with answers crammed into a single chapter and a few threads left dangling. Honestly, though, those lingering mysteries make me wonder (and hope!) if there’s a sequel on the horizon. Because between the world-building, the feud between the Blackthorn and Croft families, and the forbidden love themes—I’d gladly sign up for another round.
The story begins when Maven Blackthorn returns to her hometown of Solstice with her nine-year-old daughter Bea in tow. It’s a place she swore she’d never revisit after her mother’s death and her own teenage heartbreak, when the father of her child refused to stand by her. That father, of course, is none other than Ronan Croft—now a broodingly gorgeous billionaire running the family’s pharmaceutical empire. He’s back in Maven’s orbit with equal parts intimidation and allure, insisting on rekindling what was lost while demanding a role in their daughter’s life.
When Maven’s grandmother’s corpse mysteriously disappears during the funeral, Ronan suggests an uneasy alliance. Together, they investigate generations of Blackthorn women who died in strange “accidents.” The trail winds through eerie family estates, whispers of ancestral curses, and the chilling discovery of a crumbling church on Croft land—complete with cages and terrifying screams. Could the feud between their families explain the deaths? Did Ronan’s father play a role in Maven’s mother’s tragedy? And just what other secrets is Ronan still keeping?
By the end, I still had questions—but the ride itself was atmospheric, fast-paced, and deliciously addictive. The mystery is gripping, the gothic undertones add flavor, and the romance… well, it’s nothing short of combustible. Because of the uneven pacing and the hasty finale, I’m rounding my rating up from 3.5 to 4 stars—but make no mistake, this is the kind of story you devour late into the night.
I’ll be eagerly waiting for more of Geissinger’s steamy, mysterious, and unputdownable romances.
✨ Many thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for providing this digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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November 26, 2025
hey what the fuck actually
November 9, 2025
content warning of this book...oh...
but what i want to know is ... is there a HEA? otherwise i am not reading it .... bc i do not need another pen pal or similar book....
--------------------------------------------------
guys i can't help you with my conundrum of the ending because i decided to dnf it ... it was not for me.... i knew it!!! but i had to make really really sure ... what i can say is that vibes are there for a perfect winter depressing chilly times so now it is a perfect time to read it if you are planing on it unless you are on the southern hemisphere then idk ....... but whatever you choose i hope you like it
but what i want to know is ... is there a HEA? otherwise i am not reading it .... bc i do not need another pen pal or similar book....
--------------------------------------------------
guys i can't help you with my conundrum of the ending because i decided to dnf it ... it was not for me.... i knew it!!! but i had to make really really sure ... what i can say is that vibes are there for a perfect winter depressing chilly times so now it is a perfect time to read it if you are planing on it unless you are on the southern hemisphere then idk ....... but whatever you choose i hope you like it
October 29, 2025
i have no words for how horrendous i think this book is, i’ve read some questionable “dark romances “ in my life, but this has got to be one of the worst. the most obnoxious characters and no clarity about anything that occurs throughout. i’ll mention some highlight scenes to bask in the memory of the words within these pages.
ill just add some of those scenes here (you’re welcome)
- you’re led to believe that the fmc Maven and the mmc Ronan are half siblings, which he doesn’t inform her about whatsoever & continues to have sex with her anyways .. idc if it’s confirmed they aren’t related AT THE VERY END, Maven never knew about it. ew.
- he basically transforms mid sex scene, to then forcibly shove his monster bits and elongated tongue anywhere he can think of .. while she’s scared and trying to escape him. it was giving breed kink from hell.
- the descriptions of him in that creature form while they have sex is a thing of nightmares, i fear it would’ve been better if my ears stopped working.
- Maven is forced to watch her aunt rape her ex boyfriend in front of her face, all while his throat is slit and the blood is used for .. ✨not so exciting probing✨
- the incest is not in the possibility of the mmc & fmc being siblings, but rather both her aunts engaging in sexual activity together.. oh, what a joy to witness.
- being put through all this (& more) to then try and back out due to the “unreliability” of Maven’s mental state.. what the fuck was the reason.
i have no idea what any of this means for Ronan and Maven’s daughter, or what the possibility of them having died in the epilogue is suppose to get across.. it’s one thing to piss me off with all the atrocious sex, but then to make no sense by any stretch of the imagination while doing this? 1 star is generous.
➙ thanks to NetGalley, the author and Macmillan Audio for the alc, all opinions are my own.
ill just add some of those scenes here (you’re welcome)
- you’re led to believe that the fmc Maven and the mmc Ronan are half siblings, which he doesn’t inform her about whatsoever & continues to have sex with her anyways .. idc if it’s confirmed they aren’t related AT THE VERY END, Maven never knew about it. ew.
- he basically transforms mid sex scene, to then forcibly shove his monster bits and elongated tongue anywhere he can think of .. while she’s scared and trying to escape him. it was giving breed kink from hell.
- the descriptions of him in that creature form while they have sex is a thing of nightmares, i fear it would’ve been better if my ears stopped working.
- Maven is forced to watch her aunt rape her ex boyfriend in front of her face, all while his throat is slit and the blood is used for .. ✨not so exciting probing✨
- the incest is not in the possibility of the mmc & fmc being siblings, but rather both her aunts engaging in sexual activity together.. oh, what a joy to witness.
- being put through all this (& more) to then try and back out due to the “unreliability” of Maven’s mental state.. what the fuck was the reason.
i have no idea what any of this means for Ronan and Maven’s daughter, or what the possibility of them having died in the epilogue is suppose to get across.. it’s one thing to piss me off with all the atrocious sex, but then to make no sense by any stretch of the imagination while doing this? 1 star is generous.
➙ thanks to NetGalley, the author and Macmillan Audio for the alc, all opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2025
I feel like I'm being gaslit. Hear me out. It started out promising. We’ve got Maven, a woman with a past (because of course she does) and a penchant for dying her red hair black for some reason (as if redheads don't exist in the real world or something, this was mentioned often enough to note) showing up in the town of Solstice where she grew up for the funeral of her grandmother.
Ronan is, naturally, tall, dark, and a billionaire who is obsessed with Maven since they were teenagers even though he apparently treated her like shit.
Anyway.
I was strapped in, fully prepared for a dark, twisty romance that would make me question my life choices. It was good for a time. Are the Blackthorns really witches or is this some backwards town straight out of Practical Magic where the neighbors will spit at the sight of you in public but beg for some herbal remedy to treat their inflamed nethers behind closed doors.
It had promise.
And then... the plot got on a motorbike and drove straight off a cliff.
Seriously, that last 20%? I don't know if Geissinger had a deadline involving a high-speed chase, but it felt less like a carefully crafted ending and more like an improv session after a double espresso and a handful of questionable gummy bears. I was getting some serious "did the author write this while mainlining whatever bath salts Jason Rothenberg was smoking during The 100's final season" vibes. The revelations about the house, the family secrets, and Maven’s real history came at me so fast and so furiously that my brain started to short-circuit. I kept having to flip back a few pages, muttering, "Wait, did I miss five chapters somewhere?" The previous buildup was solid, and then the payoff felt like a cheap lottery ticket. The way everything was set up with Ronan's POV confirming details made the "unreliable narrator" theory DOA, which just made the sudden swerves in the narrative more jarring.
The spice was good, though. The way those two managed to find a moment for sexy-times despite being embroiled in a decadr-long vendetta on Mavens end was truly aspirational. They deserve an award for commitment to the bit.
Overall, it’s a fun, dark romance with a charismatic hero and a compelling atmosphere that unfortunately trips over its own feet right before the finish line. It's not a bad book, just one that promises steak and delivers... well, room-temp pizza. Which isn't bad, but it has nothing on a medium rare streak. (Sorry, I'm making myself hungry, too.)
Would I recommend it? Sure, if you like your brooding heroes and can forgive a plot twist that gives you whiplash. Just don't expect the ending to make a lick of sense. Read it for the journey, not the destination.
TLDR; "You're confused? I'm f-n confused, Bro." - Fez, Euphoria
Ronan is, naturally, tall, dark, and a billionaire who is obsessed with Maven since they were teenagers even though he apparently treated her like shit.
Anyway.
I was strapped in, fully prepared for a dark, twisty romance that would make me question my life choices. It was good for a time. Are the Blackthorns really witches or is this some backwards town straight out of Practical Magic where the neighbors will spit at the sight of you in public but beg for some herbal remedy to treat their inflamed nethers behind closed doors.
It had promise.
And then... the plot got on a motorbike and drove straight off a cliff.
Seriously, that last 20%? I don't know if Geissinger had a deadline involving a high-speed chase, but it felt less like a carefully crafted ending and more like an improv session after a double espresso and a handful of questionable gummy bears. I was getting some serious "did the author write this while mainlining whatever bath salts Jason Rothenberg was smoking during The 100's final season" vibes. The revelations about the house, the family secrets, and Maven’s real history came at me so fast and so furiously that my brain started to short-circuit. I kept having to flip back a few pages, muttering, "Wait, did I miss five chapters somewhere?" The previous buildup was solid, and then the payoff felt like a cheap lottery ticket. The way everything was set up with Ronan's POV confirming details made the "unreliable narrator" theory DOA, which just made the sudden swerves in the narrative more jarring.
The spice was good, though. The way those two managed to find a moment for sexy-times despite being embroiled in a decadr-long vendetta on Mavens end was truly aspirational. They deserve an award for commitment to the bit.
Overall, it’s a fun, dark romance with a charismatic hero and a compelling atmosphere that unfortunately trips over its own feet right before the finish line. It's not a bad book, just one that promises steak and delivers... well, room-temp pizza. Which isn't bad, but it has nothing on a medium rare streak. (Sorry, I'm making myself hungry, too.)
Would I recommend it? Sure, if you like your brooding heroes and can forgive a plot twist that gives you whiplash. Just don't expect the ending to make a lick of sense. Read it for the journey, not the destination.
TLDR; "You're confused? I'm f-n confused, Bro." - Fez, Euphoria
November 14, 2025
3.5 stars: If only the first half matched the second half
I rounded up (for now) because the audiobook book is fiiiiire 😮💨.
5 stars for the beginning, 2 stars for the ending 😑.
Books like these should NOT be rushed! And I’m so annoyed because I couldn’t stop reading 😭
And I’m talking about sneaking in pages while:
Working
Grading
Mommying
Talking to family (🤣 I swear I was listening 🫣🤣)
Cooking/cleaning/driving/showering (my norm)
Shoot even while I was coaching 🤣🤡
And then it just ended 😒
Sigh 😐
Maven Blackthorn (29) comes into town for her grandmother’s funeral, the same town she escaped 12 years ago when she found out she was pregnant 😬. Unfortunately, she keeps bumping into her nemesis 😅, her first love, but she just wants to get out of town as soon as they bury her grandmother. But the unthinkable happens – her grandmother’s body goes missing 😬, and no one can explain why, not even technology 😅.
She has her suspicions as to who did this; at the top of her list is her enemy, Ronan Croft (29), and his family 😑. She’s gonna get some answers and get the heck out of there. But Ronan has his own secrets and has his own set of questions that he wants answers to 😬.
Something she didn’t count on? The intense chemistry and tension between them 😅.
There’s definitely a thin line between love and hate 👀, and Ronan‘s ready to cross that line 😉.
What I liked/loved: SPOILERS SPOILERS
—THE F’ING BAAAANTER 🤣. I was 💀💀💀💀💀, cackling like a luantic 🤣 and smiling like it’s nobody’s business 👏🏻. This amount of snark should be illegal. 🤡, but I was here for it all 👏🏻
—the teeeension 👀. I rarely read second chance romance anymore because of what happens during separations and the reasons why they were separated in the first place 🙄 (I’ll comment on this down below), but one thing I miss about them is the tension related to their history 👀, and it was here in SPAAAADES 😮💨. The enemies to lovers vibe? Check 🔥check 🔥check. It made the banter even better because of it 😉
—the 🔥. First kiss happens about 1/3 of the way in (thank goodness Ronan takes the lead in it 😅), and then at 40% Ronan uses his mouth for other things besides volleying back and forth with Maven 😉🥵. I’m sure this is illegal in some countries in the world🤣👀👏🏻, and the way he bites? Uffff 😮💨🫠🔥💦. Muscle memory is a thing and he remembers what Maven loves 😉
—monster F’ing 🔥. It definitely wasn’t on my bingo card for 2025 from JT 🤣. OK JT, I see you 😮💨
—ending of curses 👏🏻. It needed to get done 🤷🏻♀️
—MINEMINEMINE 🔥. Yep, I love me a possessive hero 👏🏻 and Ronan has competition 💅
—OMD 😈. Watch out Ronan, because Maven has options 🤷🏻♀️. You snooze you lose my friend.
—no third act breakup 👏🏻. This is always a plus for me
—how petty Ronan can be 🤣. Look, when the “love of your life“ is trying to leave town again, you best believe you need to do whatever to ensure she stays put 🤣. You have all this money, right? Use it to your advantage 🤡😈😈😈
—the mystery and dark Gothic vibes 😉
—did I mention the banter? I luuuuuurved it 🤣🤣🤣
What I didn’t like/needed more of: SPOILERS
—the “reason” Ronan wasn’t ready to be a father 🙄. And actually, we don’t even find out until the very end of the book, yet Maven forgives him before that 🙄. His “I was 17” excuse isn’t good enough, because so was Maven 🤷🏻♀️. We end up finding out another reason why at the end, but still 😑
—“it’s always been you” 😐. Suuuuure…. But were you celibate? You could’ve done more Ronan 😑😐. You’re telling me you have all this money and you didn’t try harder?
Please 🙄 lol (yes. I’m bitter 🤣)
—how quickly Maven forgives Ronan 🤬. I’m sorry. Not only was he an a hole to you (and kind of a bully ish), BUT when you told him you were pregnant, he basically said “get rid of it“, and you literally became a single mom with no help from anyone 😑. Why the F are you not making him work harder? Where are his bloody knees? 😒 maybe some bloody scars? 😐 ANYTHING!! Make his ASSSSSS WORK! you’re in town for 2.5 seconds and you’re already folding like a wet paper napkin 🙄. Sure, it takes about 40% of the book to finally 🔥 him, but come on 🤦🏻♀️. It’s been 12 years 😑; he👏🏻needs👏🏻to👏🏻suffer 🤬.
Sigh 😒
— second chance? Where 👀? Part of the reason why second chance works is because of the history, and I want to see it 🤷🏻♀️. It would’ve been nice to maybe get some flashback chapters or even scenes where we see Ronan and Maven in past; sure, this would’ve made this angstier, but I was twiddling my thumbs waiting for something 😒
—the reveal at about 90% 😐. I get it, we’re being left in suspense, but don’t have all the questions answered with less than 10% left in the book. It just makes it seem like it’s lazy writing 🤦🏻♀️😐.
—Ezra, the OM, didn’t need to die 😒. This was so sad to see. I wish we had found out he was maybe a bad guy? This entire scene was 🥴😵💫. Why did Maven’s aunt need to f him and then sacrifice him the way the aunts (both of them) did? It’s obviously ritualistic, but we needed actual answers 😐, and the baby boy bodies? Whose babies were they? Who was Q? Who put the fire, or should I say, the conflagration? 🤷🏻♀️ you’re telling me that no one was able to escape?
—the “owd” scene 🙄. So Ronan shows up with another woman to basically show Maven that they can’t be together (even though he was the one that initiated everything) after his dad implies that she and Ronan are half siblings, and nothing comes from this 🤷🏻♀️. Maven throws it in his face, but then there’s no clarification, nothing 🙄. She implies that she knows he did it on purpose, to make her jealous, but then what? What happened to this other woman?
—the “incest” plotline 🙄. Do you know how many times I’ve read or seen shows with this 🤦🏻♀️. Sigh. Even with Ronan thinking that they’re related, he still 🔥her. So annoying, especially because it happens later in the book.
—no true epilogue 😐😑😒. Instead of seeing the epilogue in either Ronan’s or Maven’s POV, we get a side character that barely had any screen time 🤦🏻♀️
Overall, I loved a lot but disliked so much too 😒. The banter and the audio saved the book from earning less stars from me 🤷🏻♀️
⚠️safety squad⚠️
-no cheating/sharing
-bloodshed/murder/deaths
-ritualistic sacrifice (on page) of a person
-dubcon ish (someone would say noncon)
-biting/marking/primal
-HEA/epilogue (not in the MCs POV though)
I rounded up (for now) because the audiobook book is fiiiiire 😮💨.
5 stars for the beginning, 2 stars for the ending 😑.
Books like these should NOT be rushed! And I’m so annoyed because I couldn’t stop reading 😭
And I’m talking about sneaking in pages while:
Working
Grading
Mommying
Talking to family (🤣 I swear I was listening 🫣🤣)
Cooking/cleaning/driving/showering (my norm)
Shoot even while I was coaching 🤣🤡
And then it just ended 😒
Sigh 😐
Maven Blackthorn (29) comes into town for her grandmother’s funeral, the same town she escaped 12 years ago when she found out she was pregnant 😬. Unfortunately, she keeps bumping into her nemesis 😅, her first love, but she just wants to get out of town as soon as they bury her grandmother. But the unthinkable happens – her grandmother’s body goes missing 😬, and no one can explain why, not even technology 😅.
She has her suspicions as to who did this; at the top of her list is her enemy, Ronan Croft (29), and his family 😑. She’s gonna get some answers and get the heck out of there. But Ronan has his own secrets and has his own set of questions that he wants answers to 😬.
Something she didn’t count on? The intense chemistry and tension between them 😅.
There’s definitely a thin line between love and hate 👀, and Ronan‘s ready to cross that line 😉.
What I liked/loved: SPOILERS SPOILERS
—THE F’ING BAAAANTER 🤣. I was 💀💀💀💀💀, cackling like a luantic 🤣 and smiling like it’s nobody’s business 👏🏻. This amount of snark should be illegal. 🤡, but I was here for it all 👏🏻
—the teeeension 👀. I rarely read second chance romance anymore because of what happens during separations and the reasons why they were separated in the first place 🙄 (I’ll comment on this down below), but one thing I miss about them is the tension related to their history 👀, and it was here in SPAAAADES 😮💨. The enemies to lovers vibe? Check 🔥check 🔥check. It made the banter even better because of it 😉
—the 🔥. First kiss happens about 1/3 of the way in (thank goodness Ronan takes the lead in it 😅), and then at 40% Ronan uses his mouth for other things besides volleying back and forth with Maven 😉🥵. I’m sure this is illegal in some countries in the world🤣👀👏🏻, and the way he bites? Uffff 😮💨🫠🔥💦. Muscle memory is a thing and he remembers what Maven loves 😉
—monster F’ing 🔥. It definitely wasn’t on my bingo card for 2025 from JT 🤣. OK JT, I see you 😮💨
—ending of curses 👏🏻. It needed to get done 🤷🏻♀️
—MINEMINEMINE 🔥. Yep, I love me a possessive hero 👏🏻 and Ronan has competition 💅
—OMD 😈. Watch out Ronan, because Maven has options 🤷🏻♀️. You snooze you lose my friend.
—no third act breakup 👏🏻. This is always a plus for me
—how petty Ronan can be 🤣. Look, when the “love of your life“ is trying to leave town again, you best believe you need to do whatever to ensure she stays put 🤣. You have all this money, right? Use it to your advantage 🤡😈😈😈
—the mystery and dark Gothic vibes 😉
—did I mention the banter? I luuuuuurved it 🤣🤣🤣
What I didn’t like/needed more of: SPOILERS
—the “reason” Ronan wasn’t ready to be a father 🙄. And actually, we don’t even find out until the very end of the book, yet Maven forgives him before that 🙄. His “I was 17” excuse isn’t good enough, because so was Maven 🤷🏻♀️. We end up finding out another reason why at the end, but still 😑
—“it’s always been you” 😐. Suuuuure…. But were you celibate? You could’ve done more Ronan 😑😐. You’re telling me you have all this money and you didn’t try harder?
Please 🙄 lol (yes. I’m bitter 🤣)
—how quickly Maven forgives Ronan 🤬. I’m sorry. Not only was he an a hole to you (and kind of a bully ish), BUT when you told him you were pregnant, he basically said “get rid of it“, and you literally became a single mom with no help from anyone 😑. Why the F are you not making him work harder? Where are his bloody knees? 😒 maybe some bloody scars? 😐 ANYTHING!! Make his ASSSSSS WORK! you’re in town for 2.5 seconds and you’re already folding like a wet paper napkin 🙄. Sure, it takes about 40% of the book to finally 🔥 him, but come on 🤦🏻♀️. It’s been 12 years 😑; he👏🏻needs👏🏻to👏🏻suffer 🤬.
Sigh 😒
— second chance? Where 👀? Part of the reason why second chance works is because of the history, and I want to see it 🤷🏻♀️. It would’ve been nice to maybe get some flashback chapters or even scenes where we see Ronan and Maven in past; sure, this would’ve made this angstier, but I was twiddling my thumbs waiting for something 😒
—the reveal at about 90% 😐. I get it, we’re being left in suspense, but don’t have all the questions answered with less than 10% left in the book. It just makes it seem like it’s lazy writing 🤦🏻♀️😐.
—Ezra, the OM, didn’t need to die 😒. This was so sad to see. I wish we had found out he was maybe a bad guy? This entire scene was 🥴😵💫. Why did Maven’s aunt need to f him and then sacrifice him the way the aunts (both of them) did? It’s obviously ritualistic, but we needed actual answers 😐, and the baby boy bodies? Whose babies were they? Who was Q? Who put the fire, or should I say, the conflagration? 🤷🏻♀️ you’re telling me that no one was able to escape?
—the “owd” scene 🙄. So Ronan shows up with another woman to basically show Maven that they can’t be together (even though he was the one that initiated everything) after his dad implies that she and Ronan are half siblings, and nothing comes from this 🤷🏻♀️. Maven throws it in his face, but then there’s no clarification, nothing 🙄. She implies that she knows he did it on purpose, to make her jealous, but then what? What happened to this other woman?
—the “incest” plotline 🙄. Do you know how many times I’ve read or seen shows with this 🤦🏻♀️. Sigh. Even with Ronan thinking that they’re related, he still 🔥her. So annoying, especially because it happens later in the book.
—no true epilogue 😐😑😒. Instead of seeing the epilogue in either Ronan’s or Maven’s POV, we get a side character that barely had any screen time 🤦🏻♀️
Overall, I loved a lot but disliked so much too 😒. The banter and the audio saved the book from earning less stars from me 🤷🏻♀️
⚠️safety squad⚠️
-no cheating/sharing
-bloodshed/murder/deaths
-ritualistic sacrifice (on page) of a person
-dubcon ish (someone would say noncon)
-biting/marking/primal
-HEA/epilogue (not in the MCs POV though)
November 4, 2025
What (and I cannot stress this enough) the hell was THAT?!!?
That being said…you could not have ripped this book out of my cold dead hands before I got to the conclusion if you tried. I was absolutely enthralled from the very first page of the prologue to the very last page of the epilogue.
This is the perfect spooky, occult fall read. After 12 years, our FMC returns back to her sinister small town (where she was an outcast her entire life due to her family’s notoriety) to attend her grandmother’s funeral. She returns to her gothic childhood home where her two witchy men-hating aunts live. There are weird dreams, strange entities lurking in the shadows, eccentric characters all over the town & an exceptionally hot billionaire* ex-lover smoking cigarettes outside the gate in the middle of the night.
Did I know what the FUCK was going on at any point in time? Absolutely not!
Every single time I thought I had even an inkling of a clue of a grasp of what was happening….I quickly found that I, in fact, need to put on a big red nose & clown shoes because I look like boo boo the fool.
Do I have more questions than answers? I sure do!
Would I read this again? YEAH I SURE WOULD. I might start it again right now.
Fans of Fairydale would eat this up. Check the trigger warnings.
Thanks so much to Tor & NetGalley for the eARC. What a ride!
That being said…you could not have ripped this book out of my cold dead hands before I got to the conclusion if you tried. I was absolutely enthralled from the very first page of the prologue to the very last page of the epilogue.
This is the perfect spooky, occult fall read. After 12 years, our FMC returns back to her sinister small town (where she was an outcast her entire life due to her family’s notoriety) to attend her grandmother’s funeral. She returns to her gothic childhood home where her two witchy men-hating aunts live. There are weird dreams, strange entities lurking in the shadows, eccentric characters all over the town & an exceptionally hot billionaire* ex-lover smoking cigarettes outside the gate in the middle of the night.
Did I know what the FUCK was going on at any point in time? Absolutely not!
Every single time I thought I had even an inkling of a clue of a grasp of what was happening….I quickly found that I, in fact, need to put on a big red nose & clown shoes because I look like boo boo the fool.
Do I have more questions than answers? I sure do!
Would I read this again? YEAH I SURE WOULD. I might start it again right now.
Fans of Fairydale would eat this up. Check the trigger warnings.
Thanks so much to Tor & NetGalley for the eARC. What a ride!
November 2, 2025
“Men are only tools, and love is only for fools.”
It’s just the Blackthorn way 🖤🌑
“The most beautiful things in nature, are those that will kill you the fastest.” 🌹🦇
Their banter?? EVERYTHING. The tension?? Chef’s kiss 💀🔥 The gothic vibes were immaculate, eerie forests, candlelight danger, so dark it’ll have you on edge 🌲🕯️🖤
There’s a bigger story at play too, mystery, revenge, and an aching second chance romance woven through it all 🕸️ Maven and Ronan had me cackling 😭 the banter, the chaos, the longing, ughhh it’s perfection.
Plot twists galore ⚔️ forbidden love (rival families 🩸), touch her and die energy, grumpy fmc x grumpy mmc, and the kind of “we shouldn’t but we will” tension that’ll ruin you 😩
He’s literally feral and I love it 🖤🌑 This book will send you SPIRALING omg 😭 You’re not ready for this one, nothing else like it. New fave.💀🖤🌹🦇🌲
Pre read:
Had to put my other reads on pause because I’m yearning for a dark gothic vibey romance, not fantasy this time. Hoping Blackthorn scratches that itch because J.T. Geissinger absolutely killed it with PenPal, so I’ve got a good feeling about this one 👀🖤✨
It’s just the Blackthorn way 🖤🌑
“The most beautiful things in nature, are those that will kill you the fastest.” 🌹🦇
Their banter?? EVERYTHING. The tension?? Chef’s kiss 💀🔥 The gothic vibes were immaculate, eerie forests, candlelight danger, so dark it’ll have you on edge 🌲🕯️🖤
There’s a bigger story at play too, mystery, revenge, and an aching second chance romance woven through it all 🕸️ Maven and Ronan had me cackling 😭 the banter, the chaos, the longing, ughhh it’s perfection.
Plot twists galore ⚔️ forbidden love (rival families 🩸), touch her and die energy, grumpy fmc x grumpy mmc, and the kind of “we shouldn’t but we will” tension that’ll ruin you 😩
He’s literally feral and I love it 🖤🌑 This book will send you SPIRALING omg 😭 You’re not ready for this one, nothing else like it. New fave.💀🖤🌹🦇🌲
Pre read:
Had to put my other reads on pause because I’m yearning for a dark gothic vibey romance, not fantasy this time. Hoping Blackthorn scratches that itch because J.T. Geissinger absolutely killed it with PenPal, so I’ve got a good feeling about this one 👀🖤✨
November 19, 2025
WTF did I just read? So on the one-star reviews some people thought the book went off the rails at about the 80% mark into something totally crazy, but I felt like the whole book was building up to strange things. I also feel like some of the people who 1-starred didn't actually finish the book. They stopped at the first explanation, got mad, and stopped. I think if they had read all the way through they would have an answer. Though it's still open-ended. I will say there are two possible explanations of what happens in this book, within the ending itself (not giving it away, don't worry)...one is a supernatural explanation that makes this book a supernatural story. And one is a naturalistic explanation. I think most will lean toward the naturalistic explanation, but I'm leaning toward the supernatural, only because, while the naturalistic explanation is clever and realistic... it doesn't make sense that only Maven would have been affected since the aunts lived in that house all the time.
If you don't like open-ended endings that could "go either way" on an explanation where you have to decide what the book means to you and what YOU think it is, then you probably won't like this book, (as reflected by the one-stars.)
About halfway through I got so frustrated not knowing what was going on that I read the one stars hoping someone would spoil it so I could at least know SOMETHING about something... but even the spoiler reviews weren't clear about WTF was going on. So I buckled back in and kept reading.
I wasn't sure if I was going to like what was at the end of the road, but the story was definitely compelling me to keep reading to find out. Having written a lot of somewhat open endings myself, I can't turn around and then be angry about it. I think it's experimental and risky, but at least from my perspective, the risk paid off.
I loved this book and it's going to be taking up real estate in my mind for days. I'll probably do a re-listen soon to see if I can get more solid on whether or not I believe the "official" naturalistic explanation, or the supernatural.
Either way, it's a thrilling story for spooky season. Just go in open minded and ready for an ending that makes you think and work for it.
SECOND READING: Yes, I think the supernatural explanation makes the most sense. Too many loose story threads otherwise and the supernatural version is the most satisfying. Otherwise it feels like a bait and switch. Plus there are too many factual problems with the naturalistic explanation.
If you don't like open-ended endings that could "go either way" on an explanation where you have to decide what the book means to you and what YOU think it is, then you probably won't like this book, (as reflected by the one-stars.)
About halfway through I got so frustrated not knowing what was going on that I read the one stars hoping someone would spoil it so I could at least know SOMETHING about something... but even the spoiler reviews weren't clear about WTF was going on. So I buckled back in and kept reading.
I wasn't sure if I was going to like what was at the end of the road, but the story was definitely compelling me to keep reading to find out. Having written a lot of somewhat open endings myself, I can't turn around and then be angry about it. I think it's experimental and risky, but at least from my perspective, the risk paid off.
I loved this book and it's going to be taking up real estate in my mind for days. I'll probably do a re-listen soon to see if I can get more solid on whether or not I believe the "official" naturalistic explanation, or the supernatural.
Either way, it's a thrilling story for spooky season. Just go in open minded and ready for an ending that makes you think and work for it.
SECOND READING: Yes, I think the supernatural explanation makes the most sense. Too many loose story threads otherwise and the supernatural version is the most satisfying. Otherwise it feels like a bait and switch. Plus there are too many factual problems with the naturalistic explanation.
January 7, 2026
Wowza! That ending took me by complete surprise! It starts off a bit slow, then builds up. However, even with it starting off slow, it captured my attention because of the storyline. It is written in a dual POV between the protagonist woman named Maven Blackthorn and a possessive beastly man named Ronan. It begins when Maven leaves the big city and goes back to her hometown, due to her grandmother’s passing. Maven brings her daughter Bea with her.
It is in a small town, where the setting is mostly in the Blackthorn’s manor and surrounding areas. This town and house is eerie, mysterious, creepy and very dark. It has gothic, adventurous vibes. I really enjoyed the world building and vivid descriptions in this book. It was very atmospheric and came with twists I did not see coming! It is full of secrets, paranormal vibes and horror.
This is definitely an enemies to lovers, beauty and the best type of romance. However, it is intense between them and this is a very sexually explicit book. The banter between the main characters had me laughing! They both came off as witty when speaking to one another- at times. The writer did a good job with balancing both the romance/ sex scenes with the dark horror gothic story. They also end up intertwining together, which I found shocking.
The beginning and middle of the book is completely different than the ending. The ending was like a fever dream and had me questioning what was real and what wasn’t. Overall, I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars!
Who I think would enjoy this book:
I think if you enjoy dark romance gothic fantasies or if you liked the movie “Crimson Peak”, I highly recommend this book to you!
Quotes from the book:
“You were never meant to be safe. You were meant to be mine.” -Ronan
“I would burn the world before I lost you twice.” -Ronan
“They taught me to fear myself before I feared anyone else.” -Maven
“I don’t trust memories that hurt this much.” -Maven
It is in a small town, where the setting is mostly in the Blackthorn’s manor and surrounding areas. This town and house is eerie, mysterious, creepy and very dark. It has gothic, adventurous vibes. I really enjoyed the world building and vivid descriptions in this book. It was very atmospheric and came with twists I did not see coming! It is full of secrets, paranormal vibes and horror.
This is definitely an enemies to lovers, beauty and the best type of romance. However, it is intense between them and this is a very sexually explicit book. The banter between the main characters had me laughing! They both came off as witty when speaking to one another- at times. The writer did a good job with balancing both the romance/ sex scenes with the dark horror gothic story. They also end up intertwining together, which I found shocking.
The beginning and middle of the book is completely different than the ending. The ending was like a fever dream and had me questioning what was real and what wasn’t. Overall, I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars!
Who I think would enjoy this book:
I think if you enjoy dark romance gothic fantasies or if you liked the movie “Crimson Peak”, I highly recommend this book to you!
Quotes from the book:
“You were never meant to be safe. You were meant to be mine.” -Ronan
“I would burn the world before I lost you twice.” -Ronan
“They taught me to fear myself before I feared anyone else.” -Maven
“I don’t trust memories that hurt this much.” -Maven
December 21, 2025
3.5/5
I liked it a lot but there were some things that pissed me off, and the second to last chapter was so weird 🥴
———
maybe, I need to check safety but I enjoyed this author’s books
I liked it a lot but there were some things that pissed me off, and the second to last chapter was so weird 🥴
———
maybe, I need to check safety but I enjoyed this author’s books
November 7, 2025
Forget motivational quotes, this book convinced me I could be an author too.
December 13, 2025
3.5⭐️
Review to come
Review to come
October 6, 2025
4.0 ★— You know, I don’t even know how to rate this book. Because while it brought me so much entertainment and had me laughing, staring at my wall, and occasionally shrieking, I don’t really think it worked for me as a story in the traditional sense.
The book follows Maven Blackthorn, who returns to her hometown for her grandmother’s funeral, only to find herself back in the place where she last left the love of her teenage life, just as mysterious happenings start to delay her return to her carefully curated city life.
For the first 40–45% of the book, I was genuinely into it. It set up Maven’s relationship with Ronan, her teenage love, who was basically 100% down to be with her again, while she kept pushing him away (not very convincingly, if we’re being honest).
The “enemies to lovers” tag feels pretty misleading, since their families might be feuding, but Ronan and Maven have been hooking up since their teens. It’s mutual attraction all the way, with only Maven holding herself back because of pride and hurt feelings.
Around the halfway point, though, things started going completely off the rails. From there, I was just sitting there trying to follow the story as it unfolded and absolutely knocked me out of my metaphorical seat. I can’t even hint at what happens without spoiling it, but there were so many moments that took me off guard and made me want to yell, “Stop!” just so I could catch my breath.
The ending made me laugh in disbelief and took whatever was left of my sanity. This book is for people who want something that entertains them the same way a soap opera, the later seasons of American Horror Story, or the last hour of Midsommar might. It is completely chaotic but impossible to look away from.
Simply because I was so highly entertained, confused, scared, disgusted, and laughing all at once, I’m standing by my four-star rating.
🎧Audiobook Note:
🎙️Narration Style: Multi-cast
Multiple voice actors embody the different characters, and they all did a great job! Each one fit their role perfectly, and the multi-cast format made the story even more immersive, while definitely adding to the entertainment value.
_________
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
The book follows Maven Blackthorn, who returns to her hometown for her grandmother’s funeral, only to find herself back in the place where she last left the love of her teenage life, just as mysterious happenings start to delay her return to her carefully curated city life.
For the first 40–45% of the book, I was genuinely into it. It set up Maven’s relationship with Ronan, her teenage love, who was basically 100% down to be with her again, while she kept pushing him away (not very convincingly, if we’re being honest).
The “enemies to lovers” tag feels pretty misleading, since their families might be feuding, but Ronan and Maven have been hooking up since their teens. It’s mutual attraction all the way, with only Maven holding herself back because of pride and hurt feelings.
Around the halfway point, though, things started going completely off the rails. From there, I was just sitting there trying to follow the story as it unfolded and absolutely knocked me out of my metaphorical seat. I can’t even hint at what happens without spoiling it, but there were so many moments that took me off guard and made me want to yell, “Stop!” just so I could catch my breath.
The ending made me laugh in disbelief and took whatever was left of my sanity. This book is for people who want something that entertains them the same way a soap opera, the later seasons of American Horror Story, or the last hour of Midsommar might. It is completely chaotic but impossible to look away from.
Simply because I was so highly entertained, confused, scared, disgusted, and laughing all at once, I’m standing by my four-star rating.
🎧Audiobook Note:
🎙️Narration Style: Multi-cast
Multiple voice actors embody the different characters, and they all did a great job! Each one fit their role perfectly, and the multi-cast format made the story even more immersive, while definitely adding to the entertainment value.
_________
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
October 24, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and bramble for the gifted arc!
Um what the hell did I just read? The first 60% or so of this was really promising. Spooky gothic manor, mystery, and a steamy relationship. Then it took some weird turns and ended up as a monster smut fever dream? The spice in the second half was….not it. I’m mad I read this
Um what the hell did I just read? The first 60% or so of this was really promising. Spooky gothic manor, mystery, and a steamy relationship. Then it took some weird turns and ended up as a monster smut fever dream? The spice in the second half was….not it. I’m mad I read this
November 20, 2025
Do NOT trust my rating!
This was toxic and weird and ridiculous and quite honestly, too horny on main. The writing was not amazing, the characters were nothing special.
But I had a lot of fun and read it in one afternoon.
By the way, I think we should hear less from Male Characters. Keep 'em silent. Don't give them POVs. :)
This was toxic and weird and ridiculous and quite honestly, too horny on main. The writing was not amazing, the characters were nothing special.
But I had a lot of fun and read it in one afternoon.
By the way, I think we should hear less from Male Characters. Keep 'em silent. Don't give them POVs. :)
November 7, 2025
I don’t know how to review this book without spoiling anything. Literally, whatever you’re expecting going into this…I can almost guarantee that’s not what’s going to happen. It’s been a while since a book has blindsided me like this one did! It felt like a fever dream in the best way possible.
It’s technically a romance, but it read like a thriller for me. There’s so much dark mystery shrouding this story, and that definitely took the forefront for me.
Also, I listened to the audiobook, and as with every J.T. Geissinger book I’ve listened to…Miss Geissinger knows how to pick a MMC narrator. I’ve never been disappointed by one of her audiobooks, even when I don’t 100% love the book. Both narrators were so good—if you can, I definitely recommend listening to this one!
—Thank you to NetGalley, J.T. Geissinger, and Macmillan Audio for the ARC audio of Blackthorn—
It’s technically a romance, but it read like a thriller for me. There’s so much dark mystery shrouding this story, and that definitely took the forefront for me.
Also, I listened to the audiobook, and as with every J.T. Geissinger book I’ve listened to…Miss Geissinger knows how to pick a MMC narrator. I’ve never been disappointed by one of her audiobooks, even when I don’t 100% love the book. Both narrators were so good—if you can, I definitely recommend listening to this one!
—Thank you to NetGalley, J.T. Geissinger, and Macmillan Audio for the ARC audio of Blackthorn—
November 7, 2025
“What in the Jurassic Park f*ck is going on?”
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💜💚🩷🤎
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌍
Character development: 😋😀😍🤨🥰
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Duet Narration
🛡️ Audiobook ARC Review: Blackthorn
Author: J.T. Geissinger
Genre: Dark romance / Gothic romantasy
Narrators: Connor Crais, Tara Langella, and Veronica Pace
🦸🏼♀️ Maven Blackthorn: The Reluctant Heir
Maven Blackthorn returns to Solstice, Vermont after a twelve-year absence, dragging behind her a suitcase of secrets and her precocious daughter, Beatrix. Once the girl who nearly died in Blackthorn Manor, Maven is now a lepidoptera curator with a PhD in Entomology — brilliant, guarded, and fiercely independent. Her ancestral home is a crumbling architectural chimera: part gothic mansion, part medieval fortress, part rustic ruin. The locals call the Blackthorns witches, and while Maven resents the label, her family’s disdain for men and their eerie legacy make it hard to argue.
🦸🏻♂️ Ronan Croft: The Heir with a Heartache
Ronan Croft, CEO of Croft Pharmaceuticals and heir to a dynasty of wealth and influence, knows Maven is back — and he’s drawn to her like a moth to flame. Their history is tangled: first love, betrayal, and a feud between families that may have turned deadly. Ronan isn’t deterred by Maven’s icy reception or her declaration of hatred. He knows their story isn’t over. He remembers every stolen moment, every whispered promise, and he’s not ready to let go.
📚 Plot Twists & Paranormal Whispers
The Crofts and Blackthorns have been locked in a generations-long cold war, and Maven’s return stirs up more than old emotions. Her grandmother’s body vanishes between the wake and the funeral, triggering a chilling investigation into a string of “accidental” deaths in her family. As Maven digs deeper, she uncovers buried truths, long-held grudges, and the possibility that her mother’s death wasn’t natural — and that Ronan’s father may have played a role.
🌟 What Cast a Spell
• Maven’s aunts are delightfully reminiscent of the Owens sisters from Practical Magic — wry, witchy, and possibly hex-happy.
• Ronan’s emotional depth shines through his memories of Maven, adding layers to their rekindled tension.
• The dual family mysteries are rich with secrets, lies, and revelations that kept me hooked.
• The subtle paranormal elements — never overdone — add intrigue without overwhelming the romance.
💔 What Broke the Charm
• Maven starts off prickly and emotionally distant, even toward the man she’s dating. Her lie to Ronan felt unnecessarily cruel.
• Ronan smokes. Instant turn-off.
🎙️ Narration: A Duet of Voices
Told in dual POV with duet narration — a format I adore — this audiobook features Connor Crais, Tara Langella, and Veronica Pace.
• Connor Crais delivers Ronan’s chapters with his signature deep, velvety voice. He’s magnetic and emotionally resonant.
• Tara Langella’s voice is sultry and soft, but sounds older than Maven’s 29 years. I kept picturing Ellis Grey from Grey’s Anatomy, which pulled me out of the story.
• Veronica Pace brings clarity and warmth to Beatrix and supporting characters, adding dimension without distraction.
💬 Final Thoughts
This audiobook blends gothic atmosphere, slow-burn romance, and family intrigue with just a whisper of magic. If you love heroines who unravel secrets and heroes who refuse to let go, this one’s worth the listen — even if the heroine makes you work for it.
I voluntarily read & reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts & opinions are my own.
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💜💚🩷🤎
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌍
Character development: 😋😀😍🤨🥰
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Duet Narration
🛡️ Audiobook ARC Review: Blackthorn
Author: J.T. Geissinger
Genre: Dark romance / Gothic romantasy
Narrators: Connor Crais, Tara Langella, and Veronica Pace
🦸🏼♀️ Maven Blackthorn: The Reluctant Heir
Maven Blackthorn returns to Solstice, Vermont after a twelve-year absence, dragging behind her a suitcase of secrets and her precocious daughter, Beatrix. Once the girl who nearly died in Blackthorn Manor, Maven is now a lepidoptera curator with a PhD in Entomology — brilliant, guarded, and fiercely independent. Her ancestral home is a crumbling architectural chimera: part gothic mansion, part medieval fortress, part rustic ruin. The locals call the Blackthorns witches, and while Maven resents the label, her family’s disdain for men and their eerie legacy make it hard to argue.
🦸🏻♂️ Ronan Croft: The Heir with a Heartache
Ronan Croft, CEO of Croft Pharmaceuticals and heir to a dynasty of wealth and influence, knows Maven is back — and he’s drawn to her like a moth to flame. Their history is tangled: first love, betrayal, and a feud between families that may have turned deadly. Ronan isn’t deterred by Maven’s icy reception or her declaration of hatred. He knows their story isn’t over. He remembers every stolen moment, every whispered promise, and he’s not ready to let go.
📚 Plot Twists & Paranormal Whispers
The Crofts and Blackthorns have been locked in a generations-long cold war, and Maven’s return stirs up more than old emotions. Her grandmother’s body vanishes between the wake and the funeral, triggering a chilling investigation into a string of “accidental” deaths in her family. As Maven digs deeper, she uncovers buried truths, long-held grudges, and the possibility that her mother’s death wasn’t natural — and that Ronan’s father may have played a role.
🌟 What Cast a Spell
• Maven’s aunts are delightfully reminiscent of the Owens sisters from Practical Magic — wry, witchy, and possibly hex-happy.
• Ronan’s emotional depth shines through his memories of Maven, adding layers to their rekindled tension.
• The dual family mysteries are rich with secrets, lies, and revelations that kept me hooked.
• The subtle paranormal elements — never overdone — add intrigue without overwhelming the romance.
💔 What Broke the Charm
• Maven starts off prickly and emotionally distant, even toward the man she’s dating. Her lie to Ronan felt unnecessarily cruel.
• Ronan smokes. Instant turn-off.
🎙️ Narration: A Duet of Voices
Told in dual POV with duet narration — a format I adore — this audiobook features Connor Crais, Tara Langella, and Veronica Pace.
• Connor Crais delivers Ronan’s chapters with his signature deep, velvety voice. He’s magnetic and emotionally resonant.
• Tara Langella’s voice is sultry and soft, but sounds older than Maven’s 29 years. I kept picturing Ellis Grey from Grey’s Anatomy, which pulled me out of the story.
• Veronica Pace brings clarity and warmth to Beatrix and supporting characters, adding dimension without distraction.
💬 Final Thoughts
This audiobook blends gothic atmosphere, slow-burn romance, and family intrigue with just a whisper of magic. If you love heroines who unravel secrets and heroes who refuse to let go, this one’s worth the listen — even if the heroine makes you work for it.
I voluntarily read & reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts & opinions are my own.
Blog|Goodreads|Facebook|Instagram|Pinterest|BookBub
December 20, 2025
Ця жінка…як же вона пише. Її фінали завжди змушують тебе переоцінити всю книгу, яку ти щойно прочитав. Якщо вам сподобались її Pen Pal або Perfect strangers, і ви поціновувачі готики то ця книга точно для вас
November 17, 2025
Blackthorn was a rollercoaster ride from the moment i started reading to the last page,and i’m still catching my breath.
Wondering what the hell i read,and how to deal with all the emotions i’m left with.
There wasn’t even one moment where i could take a proper breath,where i could relax.
And every time i thought i had everything figured out,something happened to make me throw my assumptions out the window.
Even now that i’m finished,i’m not entirely sure what really happened…..the supernatural or the scientific scenario.
The supernatural sounds so much more delicious and convincing though…..
I dó know Blackthorn is one of those stories that lingers…..that i will read again,more than once.
Loving every second of guessing,of holding my breath,and gasping at others.
Not to mention loving the hate/love language between Maven and Ronan,and their hating to loving the sex they had!
Telling you what this story’s about is impossible for me,you’re better off reading it yourself.
Be prepared to be dragged into the town called Soltice and to remain there for a long time after you finish,though.
Because it doesn’t let go…..not without a fight.
Wondering what the hell i read,and how to deal with all the emotions i’m left with.
There wasn’t even one moment where i could take a proper breath,where i could relax.
And every time i thought i had everything figured out,something happened to make me throw my assumptions out the window.
Even now that i’m finished,i’m not entirely sure what really happened…..the supernatural or the scientific scenario.
The supernatural sounds so much more delicious and convincing though…..
I dó know Blackthorn is one of those stories that lingers…..that i will read again,more than once.
Loving every second of guessing,of holding my breath,and gasping at others.
Not to mention loving the hate/love language between Maven and Ronan,and their hating to loving the sex they had!
Telling you what this story’s about is impossible for me,you’re better off reading it yourself.
Be prepared to be dragged into the town called Soltice and to remain there for a long time after you finish,though.
Because it doesn’t let go…..not without a fight.
November 22, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up
October 14, 2025
A good fall book! The ending felt rushed.
Want to read
November 5, 2025🕯️ Pre-Read:
Ahhhh a new J.T book! Can’t wait to get into this read - the title, the cover, I’m here for this intrigue!
Ahhhh a new J.T book! Can’t wait to get into this read - the title, the cover, I’m here for this intrigue!
November 4, 2025
Wow, this book completely consumed me. In the most addictive, unforgettable way. From the very first page, I felt the weight of it. The story opened dark and heavy, wrapped in an eerie sense of foreboding that never quite let go. The house itself felt alive, steeped in secrets and emotion, as much a character as the family who’s bound to it. It had that same spellbinding pull as Practical Magic, but darker, edgier, and far more dangerous.
The banter between the main characters was sharp, wicked, and witty, cutting through the darkness in a way that made me grin even when everything felt tense and twisted. Maven and Ronan’s connection was dark, messy, and magnetic, full of passion and danger that collided in the most breathtaking way. I absolutely loved how J.T. Geissinger captured every bit of that raw emotion and heartbreak so seamlessly. The chemistry was off the charts, and by the end, I was stunned, teary, and completely in awe.
It was haunting and emotional, with an undercurrent that kept me guessing. I kept feeling like there had to be something more, something real, only to have the story twist it in ways that left me reeling. This story wasn’t just good, it was unforgettable. Blackthorn is the kind of book that will grab you by the soul and not let go.
The audiobook elevated everything. Narrated by Connor Crais, Tara Langella, and Veronica Pace, it was eerie and almost too real. Each voice pulled me deeper into the story’s dark heart. The gothic atmosphere came alive in every whisper and breath, making the tension sharper and the imagery even more vivid. It felt less like listening and more like experiencing the story, and I couldn’t tear myself away.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers: From the author - Blackthorn is a gothic romance that contains dark themes and potentially disturbing content, including but not limited to graphic sex, noncon and dubcon sex, explicit language, possible harm to a child, human sacrifice, disturbing imagery, the occult, religion, violence, murder, horror, incest, blood, death, grief, and gore.
Steam
The banter between the main characters was sharp, wicked, and witty, cutting through the darkness in a way that made me grin even when everything felt tense and twisted. Maven and Ronan’s connection was dark, messy, and magnetic, full of passion and danger that collided in the most breathtaking way. I absolutely loved how J.T. Geissinger captured every bit of that raw emotion and heartbreak so seamlessly. The chemistry was off the charts, and by the end, I was stunned, teary, and completely in awe.
It was haunting and emotional, with an undercurrent that kept me guessing. I kept feeling like there had to be something more, something real, only to have the story twist it in ways that left me reeling. This story wasn’t just good, it was unforgettable. Blackthorn is the kind of book that will grab you by the soul and not let go.
The audiobook elevated everything. Narrated by Connor Crais, Tara Langella, and Veronica Pace, it was eerie and almost too real. Each voice pulled me deeper into the story’s dark heart. The gothic atmosphere came alive in every whisper and breath, making the tension sharper and the imagery even more vivid. It felt less like listening and more like experiencing the story, and I couldn’t tear myself away.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers: From the author - Blackthorn is a gothic romance that contains dark themes and potentially disturbing content, including but not limited to graphic sex, noncon and dubcon sex, explicit language, possible harm to a child, human sacrifice, disturbing imagery, the occult, religion, violence, murder, horror, incest, blood, death, grief, and gore.
Steam
November 25, 2025
I really had no idea what this was about, other than it was a debut fantasy romance from an author I had read and enjoyed before. This is urban fantasy, witches vs demons, second chance romance, and a lot of stuff that is really risky and unexpected. And honestly, major props to the author for that.
Too many authors play it safe and follow a formula and JT Definitely DID NOT play it safe. This was compulsively readable and a TON of fun. I read this in a day because I had to know what was going on. With top tier banter (this author always delivers on that) and chemistry galore, this kept me hooked.
I would recommend this if you want to be surprised and enjoy truly bonkers paranormal romance, but take the triggers seriously.
Too many authors play it safe and follow a formula and JT Definitely DID NOT play it safe. This was compulsively readable and a TON of fun. I read this in a day because I had to know what was going on. With top tier banter (this author always delivers on that) and chemistry galore, this kept me hooked.
I would recommend this if you want to be surprised and enjoy truly bonkers paranormal romance, but take the triggers seriously.
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