The story was as hauntingly ratify as the cover. I adored the characters and was enthralled with the story from the first few pages! Very enjoyable

I had a hard time getting into this one. The beginning just didn't hook me. Eventually I did get invested, but I had to push myself to get there. I loved the premise and really enjoyed the take on spirits as being almost zombie-like. The romance was sweet, though I wish it had been a bit more slow burn. Overall, I mostly enjoyed the moody atmosphere of this one. A great spooky season read.

You pick it up expecting one thing, and by the end, it’s given you something entirely different—something better. It knows exactly when to hold back and when to hit hard. When you turn the last page, you’ll feel the weight of it.

2.75* rounded up

I struggled to get into this book. Part of the description of the book is whether Elegy wants to banish the Collection or not, and I'm not a fan of when a main point of the book's description happens more than halfway into the book. It was slow building to that point. Then it definitely sped up. I loved the idea of this book about the twist at the end was great.


Thank you to Netgalley, J.A. Thomas, and Alcove Press for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

For those who love:

🖤 Isolated estates
🖤 Forbidden love
🖤 Ghostly encounters
🖤Extravagant ballrooms
🖤 Hints of Magic
🖤Starling House
🖤 September House

Thank you to @alcovepress for my advanced copy, this one just came out in February! I absolutely love gothic stories for their elegant language, but loved this one even more for its little love story. I am not a romance reader, like at all, but this juxtaposition between old and new and self versus family, was phenomenal. This is a must read! It is not scary, just truly incredible.

I loved this one.
Gothic and ghosty.
New to gothic novels, I thought it was different.
There was instalove, but it seemed to work.

The Spirit Collection of Throne Hall was a slow, but interesting book.

The world building was very good and it made me feel like I was there alongside the characters. The characters are well written and mostly, quite real. however, there were a few things that were hard to believe and kinda dispelled the magic the world created. One of them, was how fast the characters fell in love. I don't like this and since in this setting we can't even talk about a mating bound, it made little sense to me. However, the relationship was cute and comfortable and I like how they interacted so I just pretended it took longer lol.

All in all, a nice ghost story (but quite graphic, so take it as a warning) with cute romance. 3.5 stars.

Content warning: physical, emotional, and mental abuse, blood and gore, death, murder

So I loved the concept of this book and thought the setting of Thorne Hall was very well done. However I could not buy in to how Atticus handles himself throughout the second half of this novel over a young woman around 10 years younger than him that he literally JUST met. Insta-Love is not a romance trope I enjoy and at least in this novel, the trope of "you shall not touch her" type of male protector vibes didn't do it for me. I enjoyed Atticus and Elegy as characters individually, but didn't see their love for each other in such a short time given ALL of the things that Atticus had to immediately accept in order for the plot to move forward as very realistic.

Justice for Sebastian! Everyone needs a friend like Floss, and I'm glad that Hugo redeems himself by the end. I do feel like the climatic final scene at Thorne Hall was great and it got me emotional (even if how everything ties together seemed a bit convenient for me).

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley and Alcove Press in exchange for an honest review.

I have never read anything like this before, so when I started, I was maybe confused? And it was slow, so it took me awhile to get into it. but once I did wow I was hooked! The 19th century vibes were awesome, the ghosts were fantastic, and the little bit of romance made this book a blast to read.

I can’t do it! It’s too scary! I’m a wimp! 🤣

I found this book to be a miss for me because it was too graphic and morbid. I tend to go for lighter reads, so this is my fault. I'd read the summary and sounded too gripping to pass up. I'm sure many people will love it!

Trigger warnings: death, ghosts, blood, cutting of one's flesh, bleeding, dead bodies, decaying flesh, person in a semi-conscious state, vomiting

I'd like to thank Alcove Press for the e-ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Elegy lives in the past. Thorne Hall was built 126 years ago and has stayed like this because the Thorne's need to keep their collection of ghosts happy. It's an extremely sheltered life under her father's thumb with only a few servants coming in during daylight hours and the spirits roaming the house.

A burst pipe brings a handsome handy-man, Atticus, into Elegy's life and for the first time she envisions a future away from Thorne Hall. But how can she escape her fate; becoming the master of the spirits upon her father's death?

I enjoyed this gothic story of ghosts, a sinister family legacy and a young woman who wants to be free to make her own choices.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing company for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall by J.Ann Thomas!

Facing the ghosts of her family, both literally and figuratively, our sad but plucky heroine navigates old wounds and new sensations in this stunted coming of age tale. The setting is brilliantly macabre and the characters beautifully drawn. I really loved the unexpected moments and humor sprinkled throughout. It did employ a slower pace, but I think that was necessary for the development. Truly delightful.

Thank you to NetGalley for my copy. These opinions are my own.

This is an awesome gothic ghost story that I loved! The characters are all interesting and memorable. I had a great time reading this and would highly recommend it! Special Thank You to J. Ann Thomas,Alcove Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review

A gloriously ghosty, gothic, romance. This book really surprised me. The story is well written and captivates you from the beginning. The characters are fantastic. I really fell in love with the MC and how strong she was and how she grew and overcame her circumstances. Highly recommend!

**Review of *The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall* by J. Ann Thomas**

*The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall* by J. Ann Thomas is a gothic fantasy that enchants readers with its atmospheric storytelling, blending elements of forbidden love, family curses, and restless spirits. Set against the backdrop of an enigmatic mansion frozen in time, this novel offers an eerie yet captivating tale for fans of stories like *Jane Eyre* and *The Haunting of Bly Manor*, while also weaving in its own unique magic.

The story follows Elegy Thorne, a young woman bound to the Thorne family estate—a grand mansion in the Berkshires that is both her burden and her prison. For years, Elegy has been tethered to her family’s curse, using ancient folk songs to keep the spirits of the mansion's past silent. The spirits, trapped since the Gilded Age, are a constant presence in her life, and her duty is to preserve the mansion exactly as it was—no matter the personal cost. The haunting atmosphere of Thorne Hall itself is a character in its own right, with its time-frozen halls and restless spirits creating an unsettling, yet beautifully rich, setting.

When a mischievous child spirit wreaks havoc, Elegy’s life is disrupted by the arrival of Atticus, the charming and modern-minded son of the mansion's preservationist. His energy, vision for the future, and undeniable chemistry with Elegy awaken a long-suppressed longing for freedom and independence. The budding romance between Elegy and Atticus is one of the novel’s most compelling aspects, offering a bittersweet tension between her duty to her family’s legacy and the desire for a life beyond the walls of Thorne Hall.

Elegy is an intriguing protagonist, torn between the weight of her family’s curse and the possibility of a life that she never thought she could have. Her internal struggle makes her journey one of deep emotional resonance, as she seeks a way to free herself—and the spirits—from their endless confinement. The emotional stakes are high, not only for Elegy but for the spirits who are trapped in the mansion, each with their own secrets and desires.

The novel's exploration of forbidden love adds another layer of complexity, as Elegy’s feelings for Atticus are not just about romance but also represent a yearning for self-determination and freedom from the shackles of tradition and obligation. The question of whether she will follow her heart or her duty becomes a central theme, with Elegy’s growth as a character offering readers a powerful and relatable emotional arc.

The ghosts themselves are a fascinating part of the novel. Some are whimsical and tragic, while others are more sinister, and their individual stories add depth and mystery to the plot. The presence of magic—both in the form of the ancient folk songs that bind the spirits and the peculiar enchantments surrounding the house—further enriches the gothic atmosphere. The slow unraveling of secrets about the Thorne family’s past and the mansion’s curse keeps the reader hooked, as Elegy delves into the history of the estate in hopes of breaking the cycle.

*The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall* is a beautifully atmospheric and haunting novel, blending mystery, romance, and a touch of dark magic. The setting is richly detailed, the characters are complex, and the plot is full of twists and revelations that will keep readers turning the pages. J. Ann Thomas masterfully creates a world where the boundaries between the living and the dead blur, and the choices of the living have far-reaching consequences. If you enjoy stories about forbidden love, family secrets, and spectral hauntings, this novel will captivate your heart and haunt your dreams long after you've finished reading. Highly recommended for fans of gothic fiction and those who crave a bit of mystery with their romance.

Perfect for spooky season! Enjoyed the twists and stories wrapped up in this one. Lots of suspense and intricate weavings with the plot.

This is very slow paced but not in a bad way and I liked the atmospheric, gothic feel to it. There's a balance between a more modern and more old-fashioned feel because while the story is set in modern times, you feel as if the mansion is suspended in time.
I had the impression that the "spirits" of Thorne hall would be ghosts but they were more like zombies which I honestly didn't love.
I liked the striking difference between the cold of the mansion and the warmth/safety of Atticus's apartment.
I wish the romance had been developed more. It was sweet but it was very much insta love and I think it would have had potential. And I liked Elegy, Atticus felt very one dimensional.

3.5 stars for The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall by J. Ann Thomas.

I received an advance ebook copy from netgalley.

Secrets, ghosts, an old (haunted) manor, and some romance too. This story was a fun Gothic tale.

Many characters. Interesting and sad back stories.

The reason for a lower star rating; it's a bit of a slow story. There are lots of characters, so many names to remember and that made it a bit confusing for me. But, still a fun read.

If you like horror, ghost stories, and a touch of uncomplicated romance, this book is for you.
Thomas does a wonderful job creating the creepy gothic atmosphere and I particularly enjoyed the description of historical clothes that Elegy is forced to wear and the attention to language. The mansion is spooky, the weather is stormy when needed, and the supporting characters are written with care and complement the story.
I don't care much for romance novels in general, but the romantic part of the story was not too cheesy and did not take away from the main conflict (the fourteen ghosts in various degrees of decay and malice).
I honestly did not expect to like the book this much, but it truly is a great read. The novel is inclusive, very well written, and delivers on all fronts.

Thank you, NetGalley and Alcove Press, for sharing an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.