A true genre-blender; I had a hard time pinning down the genre of this one! It’s a fantasy with a strong romance backbone, with a little bit of horror thrown into the mix.

The heroine Elegy Thorne is a quirky and peculiar character. She was raised in Thorne Hall, fully knowing since she was a child that her destiny is tied to the spirit collection. Once her father dies, she inherits the ghosts, and she will stay trapped in this mansion, as it will be her duty to keep them from misbehaving. Because of this, she’s had to give up all her dreams. Her father has her living in the past, with no wifi or easy access to the outside world. The book itself has a historical vibe to it, as Elegy must dress in old-fashioned clothes and has an antique manner of speaking. This introduces quite a bit of humor when she interacts with characters outside of the house, as they’re all living in the modern world. Despite the fact that she has little control over her own life, she’s delightful and sweet. She’s a compelling combination of kind-hearted and naive, all while being accustomed to regularly interacting with horrifying and decomposing ghosts. She’s such a fascinating character!

Atticus is her love interest, and he doesn’t feel quite as well fleshed out. Regardless, he’s a swoon-worthy hero, and I fully understand why they fell for each other.

The plot of the book is compelling, if a little predictable once you realize the story’s strong roots in the romance genre. If you go into this book expecting it to be more of a horror, you’ll be sorely disappointed. But the fantasy elements and worldbuilding are marvelous and the romance is *chef’s kiss*, so you better not complain to me!

I listened to this as an audiobook, and it was read by the author. She captured the essence of the characters and the world she created with masterful perfection. I love listening to audiobooks read by the author, because you just know that they’re putting the emphasis on the right parts and they’re getting the tone just the way they intended. We aren’t distanced from the story by a narrator’s performance of an interpretation of the book, and I feel closer to the story because of it.

All in all, I highly recommend this story if you enjoy a fantasy romance and aren’t afraid of a little gore folded in with the whimsy!

This was such a unique story. A little slow paced but full of gothic atmosphere and morbid spirits. The setting of a crumbling grand estate filled with kind and malicious souls alike stuck in an 1850's-time warp was spectacular and only added to the general atmosphere. The contrast of the modern world and the estate really helped to showcase Elegy's isolation.

The romance in my opinion was where this book fell a tiny bit short. While it was cute, it was very insta-love and felt very thin. There wasn't much to suggest that Elegy and Atticus should be so invested that they should sacrifice themselves for each other. Also, the epilogue, though sweet, served no purpose and was unnecessary in my opinion.

Overall, this is a perfect book to read around Halloween and I'd definitely recommend it

Thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for my audio arc!

The haunting atmosphere and lyrical prose of this audiobook create an immersive gothic experience that lingers long after listening. The writing is rich with eerie beauty, making Thorne Hall feel like a character of its own, steeped in secrets and sorrow. The slow-burning tension builds masterfully, blending ghostly whimsy with the weight of legacy and longing. While the pacing is deliberate, it allows the emotional depth to settle in, making every moment feel significant.​
The author's narration enhances the experience, bringing an intimate quality to the story. Her performance is evocative, capturing the melancholy and quiet intensity of Elegy's journey. Each character feels distinct, their emotions resonating through the careful cadence of the reading. This audiobook is perfect for those who appreciate atmospheric, character-driven gothic tales that blur the line between past and present.

Haunted Mansion and 13 Ghosts

A heir must take care of a collection of 15 ghosts. She is treated like garbage her whole life as she is groomed to take over the ghost collection. She meets a contractor who makes her think that there is a life outside of the mansion.

This book was OK, the middle of the book was horrible. It was the same FMC wants out, ghosts harass her, her father dehumanizes her, and she sneaks out to meet someone. The ending was good as it ties everything together. I skipped/forwarded most of the middle and still managed to know exactly was going on like nothing happened. This book had a lot of potential but it was just SO BORING until the end.

The Spirit Collections of Thorne Hall is a cozy gothic horror romance. I put off this book for a while and I feel like it's because I was worried it would not live up to what I wanted it to be. The ghosts were the high point. I appreciate that they looked as they did when they died even if graphic in some cases. I did feel that the pacing was inconsistent but overall well written. Personally I felt the beginning was harder to get through but the last 25% of the book speed up quite a bit. The romance hit as I stand attraction and we'll balance with the graphic horror bits. The ghost each had their own sorry would have been better if there was more focus on them but overall enjoyable.

Overall I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone wanting to step into Gothic Romance.

This was narrated by the author herself and I'm so glad it was. I could feel the tension so much from her portayal of her characters. The story is focused on a house that holds a collection of spirits and the family that can never leave them for fear of their wrath being unleashed upon the world. Everything about the house, down to the clothes worn by it's living occupents, are original to it's creation. It made this story feel like a period peace while taking place in the present day. I really enjoyed the direction this story took and was pleasantly surprised by the reveal at the end. If you're looking for an interesting and spooky romance this is it!

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 and Dreamscape Media for my audio copy.

This was so heartwarming and a comparatively lighter read compared to the rest of my reading repertoire. I enjoyed this audiobook a lot. The narrator really brought the story to life and the story itself was warm and full of life. 4.5 out of 5 stars. Full review to come soon.

4 Stars

The premise of this book was really intriguing. A woman, Elegy Thorne, literally frozen in time looking over this Hall/Manor. I loved the overall atmosphere and vibes that this brought, as it is told in modern day while Elegy is stuck in gothic times. This gives a really unique feeling of dark and light. Not only that she is living with all these spirits and not all of them are kind, but are vengeful.

The characters of this book are really well done. I found myself really rooting for Elegy to find her way out, while enjoying the romance that blossomed throughout the book. The MMC was really well cast and I found both her/his characters enjoyable. I also really liked that we get to know each of the ghosts that Elegy is living with.

The plot this book however is pretty slow and this could be off-putting for some. I didn't mind it but I did wish at times it was just a big quicker and engaging. Overall though I really did enjoy this one and I think I will be re-reading it again but in an audiobook format.

For a debut novel this was really great. I can't wait to see what else J. Ann Thomas comes up with as her story telling is unique and beautiful.

The narration of this book was fantastic. Brought the characters to life and sucked me into this world completely.

Thank you to NetGalley and DreamScape Media for this advance listener copy. This review is voluntarily my own.

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 listened to the audiobook and found the narration really good. The writing is detailed and atmospheric, which greatly helped to build the image of Thorne Hall. I was immersed in the haunting ambience of the estate from the very first page. It’s very interesting how the author was able to bring forth historical fiction and weave it into a supernatural plot, creating a whimsical narrative. Readers follow Elegy's journey as she transforms from a quiet and lonely young woman to someone who is strong and capable of making her own decisions. To be frank, all of the characters, even the ghostly ones, bring a unique dimension to the unfolding of the mysterious novel. For those who appreciate a slow-burn supernatural mystery-romance with a richly atmospheric setting, this novel is definitely for you. I enjoyed this book and think students will enjoy it as well. I would recommend this book.
Thank you to NetGalley for the audioARC to preview.

I adored this book. It was a perfect gothic tale with just the right amount of gruesome, dark elements and blend of humor and hope. I would recommend to check for trigger warnings, but most of the disturbing elements were not too detailed. At first, the storyline reminded me a little of the movie The Frighteners (a favorite of mine growing up) in that our FMC lives with and interacts regularly with the dead (or in this case, the 15 spirits that have been collected). The story has a hint of the same gothic spirit of Starling House as well, which I loved. I loved the story, the relationships the FMC had with the dead and the living and even though it was dark at times, the hope shined through. I also appreciated the LGBTQIA+ inclusivity. All in all, this was one story I found difficult to put down.

Audiobook - the narrator was the author and I found that she read it much like a story, less than a dramatic re-enactment which I felt really worked for this piece. I appreciated hearing her tell the story and give it life. I felt like pacing was good. I am unfamiliar with the old songs mentioned (or if they are real or not) and sometimes I wish I could hear them sung rather than read, but I don’t think I’ve experienced that in any audiobook before. Would have loved to hear them come to life as well.

This book was emotional and beautiful heartbreaking and hopeful it had ghosts with their own personalities and powers found family and such utter acceptance it brought a tear to my eye and the audio Is read by the author I highly recommend

This is a book that's going to stick with me. The premise and execution were very well done and engaging. The backstory was heartfelt and Elegy's responsibilities vs her own desires tugged deeply at my heartstrings. I loved the side character of Fletcher and wish she had been more involved, I would have liked to hear more of her story and how she got stuck at Thorne hall. The book does move slowly, but it is worth the trip.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author J. Ann Thomas, and Dreamscape Media for my advance copy of this audiobook.

I was excited to listen to this and was a bit disappointed. The first half of the book was really slow. I enjoyed the second half much more. I wasn’t drawn to any of the characters and I’m not sure what time period this actually took place in. I was surprised by the twist at the end and liked the Epilogue. I thought the narration was fine and didn’t realize the author was the one reading it until I went to write my review.

Thank you to the author, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Holy crap I loved this book. I did think it was a bit long but that didn't take away any enjoyment for me. I really loved the characters and their evolution. I loved our main character so much, she was trapped in a family curse but did everything in her power to live. I loved the family dynamics, the twist at the end and learning about this story. I was very invested in this audiobook and couldn't wait to listen to it. It felt very gothic and almost cozy, the only thing i needed was a fireplace in a haunted castle to read in.

Thank you NetGalley and J. Ann Thomas for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

First of all I think the author did a really good job narrating it themselves, the audio quality was great and her voice bringing her characters to life made that really special, though I wish the dialogue had been a little less awkward. The characters were flawed, but interesting. I liked that their relationships to each other were as complex as they were I just wished there was a bit more to them.

As for the story it's self, I do wish we got a little more ghost action, but it was still nice. The atmosphere was amazing especially with how many haunted houses there are up in the Berkshires, (like Ventfort Hall or Edith Wharton's house "The Mount.") I'm not sure how many people here have been to the Berkshires, but unless you're in one of the bigger towns it can be pretty creepy out in the sticks! I mean this in a good way, my grandparents lived up there. So yeah, she totally nailed it.

The only thing was, it was a bit slow and I found myself zoning out a bit so I had to replay some chapters. It's a solid read and it would be perfect for a re-read around Halloween.

Sadly I am going to have to DNF this at 18%.

The first chapter was by far the best chapter out of the 6 I listened to. It had suspense and intrigue and I was invested and wanted to see more of what happened at the end of that chapter. Then it all changed when chapter 2 jumped to the present, only we aren't told what present time frame that is. This was made more annoying with the fact that Elegy (terrible name by the way) still dresses and acts like she is from the victorian era, so the setting is extremely confusing in this tale.

The story pacing also massively drops from the first chapter and it feels like such a chore to get through. It doesn't help that there was so much info dumping on the spirits living in the house in chapters 2-3. It was just endless walls of text explaining who they were and how they got there and frankly this should have been handled in a different way. Afterwhile though it did become confusing and frustrating keeping all the characters straight. There is not only a ton of spirits but there are also a myriad of living characters, to be honest I thought Elegy was a ghost at one point that's how confused I got...

The language choice was a major turnoff for me, I have zero issue with cursing in stories, as long as it fits the narrative. The amount of F-bombs dropped in these early chapters was so over the top that it felt like the author was like "omg look how edgy my characters are". It was constantly pulling me straight out the story and just ruining it even more. Then the author used the word C*ck at one point and that immediately made me start to realize this might not be the gothic tale I was hoping it would be. All of this with the language ruined any kind of gothic atmosphere this book could have had, I personally really feel like you can't do gothic in a modern setting. Ultimately what made me put this down was the line "her head barely came to his chest" I am so tired of this "height difference" bullshit that is so popular in books right now. Call it petty I don't care but I'm tired of imagining these women looking like children next to their love interests. This right here signaled to me this was going to be a romance story with a backdrop of "gothic". (After doing some research and looking at other reviews it turns out there is spice in this and frankly I wasn't going to listen to an audiobook with spice because that gives me second hand embarrassment).

As for the narrator, since yes I had an arc of the audiobook. While I think it's great that the author wanted to read her own story, unfortunately I think that was the wrong choice. Her voice was flat and monotone the whole time, she gave no distinction to her characters, and any attempts at building a gothic atmosphere in her reading was completely null and void. It took me a matter of 15 minutes to go from 1x speed to 2x speed because her reading was just void of any life and this was on top of the extremely slow storytelling.

What a beautifully, unique love story.


The mistress of Thorne Hall is set to inherit quite the task of caring for ghosts that have been in her family for generations. Summoned and bound to the Thorne blood line not all of these spirits mean her well. Some are in fact quite sinister. With each ghost having its own story about their life and death, this book truly feels like you’re stepping back in time.

Elegy desperately seeks a normal life free of her duties and the confines of Thorne Hall. She must decide between a normal life and a potential love or fulfilling her duties as heir to the Thorne collection.

4.5/5 ⭐️

This was such a wonderful book to read! The premise sounded really interesting, to be bound to this house that part of the inheritance is a collection of spirits? And part of that is keeping things as much as they were when the spirits first were being acquired, including clothing? Yeah, it was such an interesting premise!

I wasn't sure what time period that this took place, since the house and clothing was basically frozen in time, so it took a minute to learn that it took place in our time, with all that entails. I loved the juxtaposition of the older times when she's at Thorne Hall, and the modern times outside of her home.

Elegy has had it rough, her mom died, and she's not able to control the collection like her father demands, which puts a lot of pressure on her, since he doesn't have much longer to live. So that's not a good situation to be in, especially since the collection is aware, and is taunting her with that fact.

Then she meets Atticus, and oh, I loved the two of them together! That she was supposed to marry her friend because of old money family arrangements, she knew she wouldn't be happy with him, given that he's gay. Watching as the story progressed, as she fell in love, and started searching for other options, well, I loved learning more about the collection and why it was collected in the first place-and how to let it go. It was so good, and I loved how it resolved, there were some pretty shocking twists!

Loved reading this book and I'd love to read more by J. Ann Thomas!