Thank you Netgalley for the arc!

This book was such a pleasant surprise! I will admit the beginning was slow and hard to capture my attention. I think there were too many ghosts and too many names to keep track of which did divert my attention at first. I was glad when the author really only focused on 6 or 7 of them rather than all 15. I would have liked to know more of ghosts deaths though. We only got told a few.

Lets get to the plot. The MC living in a haunted house and being in charge of managing the spirits was definitely unique to me! The message of you do things because it's a family legacy even though it hurts you was such a prominent theme. She grew up so sheltered but I loved that she still managed to make friends and have some relationships outside of the house ghosts. The friendly ghosts teaching her to cook and play piano and watching her grow up had some very tender moments. The more malicious ghosts did give the book the spooky edge I was hoping for. I wish she had realized on her own that she needed to banish the ghosts and not because a love interest came in and guided her towards that. That being said I loved Atticus at the end letting her make her own decisions and choices. Which kind of balanced out the push for her to end both the good and evil ghosts.

This was an awesome spooky read and very unexpected!

4.5 stars only because of the slow beginning and confusing too many characters.

First off, this book starts slow...like glacial. After a tantalizing introduction the slow progress through a day in the life of Elegy feels like this book is going to go nowhere. Just when the readers feels like it is more rambling that gothic, the atmosphere changes just a bit. Suddenly, this book cannot be put down.

The blend of gothic ghost story with coming of age novel really worked here. The world building is so immersive that the major plot simply feels like a nice bonus. The romantic subplot, threads of family intrigue and a cast of dynamic supporting characters (both living and dead) make for great storytelling. The mythos of the ghosts and magic (for lack of a better word) is well developed and is sustained even during the great feats of the narrative's climax. Just a solidly written novel with many great traits to recommend it. I did feel a little like the "big reveals" were just a smidge obvious, but as the reader looking in, we do need to be patient with our protagonist, so it doesn't dampen the experience.

This book should definitely be on your TBR pile for the long dark month of winter. The perfect ambiance for a near perfect gothic tale.

Thank you very much to the author and NetGalley for providing me with an arc of this book to write an unbiased review.


This is a gothic, lyrical story about a woman named Elegy who lives among a collection of spirits. This book navigates not only what it is like to live with ghosts with various personalities, but also discusses familial tensions. The author does a fantastic job writing a character you want to root for. I also loved the author’s take on gruesome ghosts. They aren’t frozen in time and beautiful, but rather haunting and grotesque. What makes this story stand out, is the attention to detail, especially when it comes to the music interwoven throughout the story. I highly recommend this book to fans of Gallant by V.E Schwab and The Witchwood Knot by Olivia Atwater. It's the perfect read for the spooky/ fall season.

Modern/Victorian gothic ghost story with a twist I actually didn’t see coming for once! The first bit of the book felt a little slow, but was definitely good enough to keep me interested. I’m really glad I did because I really enjoyed the last half of the book. The pacing picked up and the twist was one I really didn’t expect. Which is so rare!

Brief summary:

Elegy Thorne is trapped in her ancestral home by her ailing, controlling father, a collection of ghosts, and the expectations that have been passed down through generations.

My thoughts:

I was really excited to get this arc but it was just not for me. I'm normally a big fan of ghost stories, but this wasn't really much of a ghost story, it was more of a gothic tale of a woman fighting generational trauma. I'm not against those stories either, just wasn't quite what I was expecting.

It took until about 75% for me to actually be invested in this book. If it were not an arc I had promised to review, likely I would have given up around the 30-40% point. Now, I was reading this while dealing with some pretty stressful life situations, so we could blame it a bit on that, but reading is usually an escape for me, and the only escape I was getting here was me closing my iPad. There was a good ending, so I am glad I stuck it out, but it was quite a difficult journey in terms of readability.

I really enjoyed this book! If you’re looking to settle into a good spooky novel with Halloween coming up, I would give this book a chance!

super thrilling and downright addicting!! i loved this from start to finish. it was such a quick read because the content itself was so addicting you couldn't put the book down. i will definitely read more from this author.

This is not at all what I expected, in all the best ways. I thought this would have been more Casper the Friendly Ghost than Bly Manor but I was thrown off by how creepy and lonely this story felt. Poor Elegy, a perfect name that fits our gothic and haunted FMC. She’s unapologetically weird and is comfortable being different, but those things were forced upon her being a Thorne and the next to inherited her extremely gothic and haunted house.

Even though she is surrounded by the undead and a few family members, she is extremely lonely. Forced to stay in her home and small town, she lives through her friends adventures while she longs for her own. She has excepted she can never want for anything because of the life she was born in to. She is bound to her house and inheritance, no matter how little the ghosts listens to her. All of that is okay until she meets Atticus and he makes her realize there could be more to her life.

I love the little transformation she has throughout this story. She grows more confident and into herself. She learns more about her life and family history and learns it’s okay to want. I adored the ending of this book and was satisfied with pretty much everything. My only qualm was how quick the relationship between Elegy and Atticus developed.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to babysit a bunch of ghosts, then Thorne Hall by J. Ann Thomas is the book for you. Elegy Thorne lives in an eerie, atmospheric mansion where she’s surrounded by spirits and bound by the constraints of a bygone era, thanks to her father’s strict expectations. As the future heir to Thorne Hall, she’s set to inherit not just the house, but its ghostly inhabitants. To avoid being overpowered by them, she’ll need to learn how to navigate their haunting presence. This book is a prime example of horror done right. If you’re a fan of gothic chills!

J. Ann Thomas's book, The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall, is a gripping mix of gothic fantasy and romance. It pulls you into a world where time doesn’t matter and the past still haunts the present. The story follows a young woman who ends up living in a mansion full of ghosts, each with their own stories and secrets. This spooky setting highlights themes of love, freedom, and the messy emotions we all deal with.

The plot is about the main character, Elegy, who suddenly finds herself surrounded by spirits trapped in a mansion that seems frozen in time. She’s got to choose between a love that’s off-limits and her own freedom. This internal battle drives the story, taking readers on a journey through desire and sacrifice. The ghosts, representing different parts of the main character's struggles, add depth and make the book more than just a romance; it's also about self-discovery and the hunt for autonomy.

Thomas's writing is easy to get lost in, with detailed descriptions and a story that moves at a good pace. She creates an atmosphere that's both creepy and magical, bringing readers into the mansion's eerie vibes. The vivid setting, dim hallways, creaky floors, and whispers from the past, adds tension and mystery. This gothic setting pulls you in, making you feel like you're walking through the mansion's shadowy halls alongside the main character.

The characters are well-rounded, making the story even richer. The main character feels real as she deals with her emotions and decisions. The ghosts, even though they're not alive anymore, are complex, showing us bits of their past lives and why they're still hanging around. The way these characters interact deepens the story, with moments of tension and tenderness.

Some readers might say the plot relies too much on gothic clichés, which could make it predictable for hardcore gothic fans. But Thomas's unique voice and emotional characters give a fresh take, keeping the story engaging. The forbidden love angle, mixed with the main character's fight for independence, gives readers lots to think about when it comes to love and the things we give up for it.

The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall combines love, freedom, and the supernatural awesomely. With its spooky setting, well-crafted characters, and engaging writing style, J. Ann Thomas's debut is perfect for readers who appreciate a thoughtful exploration of gothic romance.

I would die for Elegy (pun absolutely intended). the Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall is a delight from start to finish, and the perfect Halloween story to add to my collection! Recommended for fans of The Widow of Rose House, for sure.

This modern-day gothic novel has a lot to recommend it, including some wonderfully original ghosts, a lovely romance, and a story about the bonds of friendship. I felt like the "why can't we banish the ghosts" question popped up too late in the book, and there were a few things logic-wise that took me out of the story. But overall it's a good read.

The Spirit Collection of Throne Hall is a truly captivating tale of forbidden love, restless haunting spirits and self-discovery. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves paranormal, historical fiction and romances. I would love to own the physical copy of this book.

The tale follows Elegy, a young woman, who was forced into a life revolving around the fourteen spirits bound to the Thorne Hall mansion. A bleak life full of century old decaying house fittings, out-dated mannerisms and old moth-eaten attire. Until one particularly naughty spirit wreaked havoc in the kitchen and reinforcements were called. The family's trusted preservationist (AKA repair man) brings his son, Atticus and instantly Elegy and Atticus are captivated by each other. The story follows Elegy's internal and external battles of choosing between her duty to Thorne Hall and her desire to follow her heart and leave it all behind.

This book is unlike any other book I've read. I was truly captivated at the level and expertise in which the spirits were portrayed and how the events of the story played out. I really enjoyed the physical descriptors and features the spirits had; it was unexpected but added to the thrill of the book. Especially all the uncertainty and unpredictable behaviour the spirits possessed. I enjoyed getting to know the individual spirits personalities and backstories; however, it was a little difficult to keep track of all of them and I often found myself backtracking to try and remember who exactly they were. I did also find myself wanting to see a little more connection between Elegy and the spirits, especially ones she was closer to. I believe it would have made the ending slightly more impactful. In regard to the Epilogue, it was nice and cute to read, however it felt unnecessary, and I would have preferred to go without or perhaps not so far into the future.

Elegy and Atticus. I loved their bond and their connection. The small interactions and the denial. The angst. I was on my toes and could not stop reading. I was vying for them from the start. It was such a beautiful and captivating tale; however, I would have liked to see a little more building and connection as I personally was getting 'INSTANT-LOVE' vibes. I would have loved to see/read about small in-between moments, where I would be shown the love and connection, they have. Rather than being told about it.

I've rated this book 3.75 stars as it was a little confusing to read to begin with which made it hard to get into the book and I, personally, was left wanting to see more in-depth connections and relationships throughout. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Slow moving at the start but so worth it to push through! I really enjoyed this spooky fall book! I love a good gothic setting and this did not disappoint. Lots of ghosts and twisty turns. Will be recommending to my fellow spooky readers.

Elegy Thorne lives at Thorne Hall amongst many ghosts. She lives speaking and dressing like a woman from another era. Her father insists upon this. As the lady of the house Elegy will inherit Thorne Halls ghosts when her father passes away. She will have to learn to master them before they master her.
If you want to know what babysitting ghosts is like this is the book for you. I really loved this book so much it's definitely horror done right!

The amount of names for the living people and the ghosts were confusing at first but over time, and with personality descriptions, it became easier. A little slow at first but it felt very atmospheric and I love a good ghost(s) story. I liked the addition of the songs and lyrics as well.

To be honest, I almost DNF’d this. (I was so stoked when I got the arc on Netgalley too.) The beginning was slow and the amount of ghosts was almost overwhelming. Dude…am I happy I stuck with it. It did get better. With its modern gothic atmosphere and a slow burn romance that paid off BIG TIME oh, and all those side characters really did get easier to keep up with. It kind of reminded me of Crimson Peak at times!

Modern Gothic done well is difficult to find; outstanding modern gothic is exceedingly rare. The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall is surprising in that while the expected broody manse, haunting spirits and sinister vibes are all well and accounted for, J. Ann Thomas turns this story into a memorable one by including found family, a slow burn romance, and even some spice. The cast of characters is long; I’ve seen some complaints about this, but I had no issue keeping up, because all of their personalities are so fleshed out. I will say the first third tends to be slow, but the atmospheric writing, along with a main character you’re rooting so hard for (and a romance that’s so slow burn and hot), and the side quests all hold your attention. The ending is surprising but brings the appropriate resolution to what is a wonderful story about letting go to find the love we all deserve. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and thanks to Alcove Press for the advance readers copy. I will be adding the hardcover edition to my
shelf when it releases February 2025.

I found this book really slow to start, but based on other reviews, I stuck with it and was pleasantly surprised! It was beautifully written, very atmospheric. I was hoping for Crimson Peak vibes and was not disappointed. Will definitely be purchasing this when it releases in the real world!

this was absolute PERFECTION. it serves the most perfectly atmospheric read and the spooky vibes were top notch as someone who’s trying to get into the fall mindset!!!! i loved everything about this gothic story and the writing was positively gorgeous. i 100% recommend this one!!!!