This book had me by the throat from page one. Dark mafia romance mixed with raw angst and the kind of obsession that makes you want to throw your kindle across the room and then immediately pick it back up.

Blackthorn himself? Peak unhinged morally gray energy. He is ruthless, dangerous, and yet every time he touched the heroine I was melting like butter in a hot pan. He could kill a man and then kiss you senseless five minutes later and somehow it makes sense.

The tension between them is constant. Sharp banter, brutal honesty, and that electric pull that had me kicking my feet like a teenager. The scene where he finally lets his guard slip just a little wrecked me. You can feel the weight of his violence clashing with how deeply he cares and it is addictive.

The plot is gritty and fast but the romance is what really steals the show. It is toxic, messy, and completely impossible to look away from.

If you love dark romance with a hero who is as terrifying as he is irresistible, Blackthorn will live in your head rent free.

Well, this was entertaining, but overall not really for me. This book was all over the place.
The fmc and mmc were not likable right off the bat. But their banter is entertaining.

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year..... I was not disappointed at all.

We follow Maven and her daughter back to her hometown to bury her grandmother, little did Maven know that in wanting to bury her grandmother and go back home so many secrets would be waiting in the dark.

I read this book in one sitting because I was hooked and many times I during my night reading had me looking at the shadows like "um whose lurking". Maven & Rowan Croft chemistry was absolutely amazing and they way he knew Maven like the back of his hand *whew*.

In true J.T. Geissinger fashion just when I thought I knew what was going on she proved that I in fact DID NOT KNOW what was going on, I still have questions that need answers ma'am. I feel just like Maven did because I am unsure on what is real and what's not.

Blackthorn is a gothic romance &darker than any of her other books! Honestly it was bat crap CRAZY and AMAZING. I couldn’t put this book down, it’s probably one of my fav reads of the year. Maven Blackthorn fled her hometown of Solstice 12 years ago and she’s only come back to town with her daughter for her grandmother’s funeral. The Blackthorns and Crofts have been enemies for centuries. Maven’s first love was Ronan Croft, but they kept it a secret and he broke her heart. Now that Maven is back in town and staying at the family manor, all kinds of crazy things are happening and bad memories popping up. Maven’s grandmother’s body goes missing right before the funeral and sets Maven in clue finding mode. She’s determined to uncover secrets of the Blackthorns and the Crofts, and enlists Ronan for help. Ronan never forgot Maven and is all too happy to be in her life again. I honestly loved him so much. Such a great morally grey main character and SO SO HOT. He will do anything to help Maven and protect her, all with a smug smirk on his face.This book was so dark and atmospheric. I loved it so much. Great spice!!! Very different from other JT books in the dark and gothic elements, but still packs punches with the secrets and twists she’s known for.

Blackthorn by JT Gessinger was definitely a wild ride. The story started off intriguing and had me engaged, and I was fully prepared to give it four stars… until the ending. The further I got, the stranger and more unpredictable it became, and by the conclusion, I honestly wasn’t sure what I had even been reading. It’s creative and off the wall, but the ending pushed it a bit too far for my taste.

Firstly, thank you to NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group, and J.T. Geissinger for this eARC. This is my first time reading this author, and let me tell you, it was a ride! The first thing I thought when reading Blackthorn was Practical Magic. They give very similar vibes, but this has a more twisted edge. I've never read a mystery romance quite like this, and I found it new and exciting. You know I'm a sucker for dual POV, and those spicy scenes have the door thrown wide open! This would be a great, quick, spooky season read!

Things I didn't enjoy. The FMC banter towards the MMC was fun initially, but it continued for too long in my opinion, to the point where it felt unrealistic and overly abrasive. I think we needed more reasons to loathe the MMC with additional flashbacks or just less venom from our FMC.

Definitely check trigger warnings because some aspects of this book won't be everyone's cup of tea. I did find myself wondering WTH happened at the very end, but I think that's probably the whole point of the book. To leave the reader unsure of what's real. Overall, I thought it was a spooky, intoxicating, slightly dazed and confused but desperately hot mystery romance that I found thrilling. 3.75 Stars rounded up to 4.

My favorite quote from the book: "I can't tell if it's the protectiveness he's displaying or that rough tone that's turning me on, but apparently red flags are my love language because I'm flushed from head to toe."

This book is a masterclass in suspense and emotional depth, weaving a complex story around compelling characters with sizzling chemistry. It’s a thrilling and intense read that pulls you in from the first page and doesn't let go.

Geissinger's writing is sharp and evocative, creating a dark, dangerous, and utterly captivating world. The plot is full of unexpected twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end.

It's a gripping, powerful, and deeply satisfying story that is impossible to put down.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group, and Bramble for a temporary e-ARC!

I enjoyed this so much!!! A gothic romance giving a little 'Practical Magic' vibes with a little mystery, a healthy dose of good banter, a lot of spice and in true J.T.G. fashion, go in expecting the unexpected and then still never see it coming! It was an easy read that kept me intrigued every page.

“It's warped...convoluted...magical...scathing....Oh-So-Delicious
It’s dirty, so filthy and perverse … And I love it.”

The story is one big Hot & Steaming spookapalooza, spinning hurricane of emotions, and in the eye-- a fated love story. If you like multi-layered stories with dash of conspiracy, some trickery and mind altering hallucinations, this book will be your Pandora’s Box.
Raw chemistry, sizzling/bubbling like a witch's couldron. carnality crackles on every page. The whole plot wrapped in secrets and betrayals. Everything coming to orgasmic climax so hard, you'll see creatures climbing walls.

“I have no idea when reality ended yesterday and the smut version of Alice in Wonderland began.”

Even though romantasy/fantasy is not my forte, I didn't even bother reading the Blurb cause I trust JT's prowess . She doesn't disappoint. I was engrossed in this well written complex mystery with paranormal edging, kept me on tenterhooks as I turned pages at warp speed.
Set In a foggy town of Solstice, shrouded in mysteries, shuddering spooky vibes and a family that is center of hexes and curses. (although sans pointy hats or brooms parked outside the door.)
The proverbial Machiavelli Dark Prince Ronan Croft has been harboring generational secrets while ruling his fiefdom of Solstice and in walks his nemesis, his lusty object of obsession, Maven Blackthorn with a child Bea, in tow.
I need to mention, I've read tons of witty banter in this genre, but JT has drawn not just daggers but a whole arsenal of sharpened talons making prose edgy

“You’re right. What I really want is to tie you to a tree, disembowel you with my bare hands, feed your guts to the wolves, and cut off your head so I can impale it on a spike and parade it around the town square in victory in the morning.”

Maven may have been holding the candle for him since they were teens, but his humiliations have been haunting her memories too. So they dodge and parry like two red wolves around a prey. It's a war of who-jabs-first.

“I’m not okay with what happened between us. I got stuck back there, and I can’t find the way out. I feel like I’m trapped in a room with no doors. Build me a door.”

As their paths intertwine, dark secrets emerge, revealing a web of deceit within the family orbits. They butt heads with ferocity of rams, words scathing enough to leave bleeding gashes. Their supporting families don't help much, in fact go out of their way to throw obstacle in their paths and minds.
But Enemies-to-lovers-to-Enemies was bound to happen. A clandestine being helping to “Righting The Wrong” in their lives.
The plot twists had “PLOT TWISTS” . I didn't see any of the hairpin turns coming. My jaw never closed as the hits just kept on blind-siding me. And the end was a big sigh of relief....or so you'd thing.
Trust me, i found out that my jaw can unhinge and drop some more!!
WTF was THAT JT??

“ what in the Jurassic Park fuck is going on here?”

I'm left speechless, holding onto a prayer that it's not what I read, did I? Did someone "SEE"that too? What happens now? Does it come back?
“5 stars for midnight on a full moon on the winter equinox”

Wow. Dark, sexy and unexpected. I have read pretty much everything J T Geissinger has put out, and I have never failed to be impressed. This is no different. Maven is a great FMC - complex enough without being too much to handle, strong, wary, resigned and yet determined. Returning to her hometown after a decade long absence, she encounters her teenage love, Ronan Croft, who happens to be the some of the man that Maven thinks murdered her mother. A long standing feud between the families, a wary local town and lots of turns and twists. A lot of fun, and worth a read (read the TWs first).

4.5 stars

"What in the Jurassic Park fuck is going on here?"

My thoughts exactly!

Maven is back in her home town of Solstice and heading to Blackthorn manor with her daughter Bea for her grandmother's funeral.

The last place she wanted to be.

The day of her funeral, her grandmother's body goes missing. Looking for answers leads Maven down a rabbit-hole of unanswered questions.

Maven also runs into Ronan, her first love and cause of endless heart ache.

I can not, I repeat I CAN NOT express enough that I could have continued to read Blackthorn for minutes, hours and days, possibly weeks more.
I secretly hoped the read percentage would magically expand.

I was fucking here for every mysterious question and happenings. The freaking suspense almost killed me.
Ronan was Hot AF. Literally made me melt too.

The fucking banter had me laughing out loud. The quick wit from them both was epic.

I am so freaking happy I was able to read an early review copy of Blackthorn and it makes me even more excited to get my hands on my signed copy when it's released.

I 100% DEFINITELY RECOMMEND 👌

I love the vibes of clashing with a first love and having the flames of their connection burn hot. It was Forbidden, it was a second chance to have two hearts beat as one.

This story twisted my mind with it. On the one hand, we have a mystery, and on the other, we have the first love who can't seem to stay away.

I devoured this. I loved the descriptive writing. This felt like a Gothic fever dream

Seriously another crazy twisted story. Not as crazy as Penpal which had me wrecked for months but this was still so trippy. You think it’s a normal story and you’re waiting for the twists and then it all just hits you. The banter was pretty good but it totally plays a roll. It’s another one of her books where you have to pay attention to every detail. I feel like the ending could’ve been so much longer. There’s so much more that could’ve been told so the ending came too soon for me.

Spice throughout the book is a 5/5 as well.

It doors actually have paranormal stuff that’s worked in so well.

What..and I mean WHAT…TF did I just read?!

First time picking up this author and I wasn’t ready. The writing had some redundancy, and the banter between FMC/​MMC (sarcasm = foreplay apparently) wore thin, but omg. This ride was unhinged. It is NOT enemies to lovers. She’s pretending he’s an enemy and their families hate each other.

Pacing was fantastic thanks to the multiple plot lines and the final 45 minutes I was literally yelling “I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHAT’S HAPPENING” on repeat 🤣

This book is gothic occult paranormal romance mystery thriller chaos soup. With several very spicy scenes thrown. The last 20% felt like a fever dream…cult sacrifices, family curses, monster smut…yet somehow I couldn’t look away.

Verdict: messy, spooky, weirdly hot, and utterly disorienting. I closed it dazed, confused, and still not sure what was real. Which honestly…was likely the point.

Thank you to NetGalley for the free eARC!

🐦‍⬛ 𝕭𝖑𝖆𝖈𝖐𝖙𝖍𝖔𝖗𝖓 𝕹𝖔 𝕾𝖕𝖔𝖎𝖑𝖊𝖗𝖘 𝕭𝖔𝖔𝖐 𝕽𝖊𝖛𝖎𝖊𝖜 🐦‍⬛

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Gothic mystery romance?! Yes please!! The banter, spice, and creepy vibes kept me flipping the pages. This book even has a map. 🤩

I always love J.T. Geissingers dark & screwed up plot twists. This one had me second guessing everything. I have so many questions after that ending!

I enjoyed how blunt Ronan was. I love a MMC that goes for what he wants. I also have a weakness for a strong FMC and that was Maven.

🐦‍⬛My favorite chapters & my reactions to them:

Chapter 36 & 39: 🥵😮‍💨😳😏
Chapter 38: 🫣😱😬 🏃‍♀️

🐦‍⬛ My favorite quotes:

“The past is a dark and dangerous place, and it’s filled with devils wearing the faces of friends.”

“I want to throw a rock at his face, but I also want him to hold me and tell me everything will be okay.”

Thank you netgalley, Tor Publishing Group | Bramble, and jtgeissinger. I recieved an eARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review. ❤️‍🔥

Read this if you like:

😈 Touch her and die
🔥Forbidden romance
😈Grumpy/grumpy
🔥Plot twists galore
😈Beauty and the Beast
🔥Enemies to lovers to enemies to…?

The ending! I don't know what to think. I really enjoyed the story and how I could not guess what was going to happen. I expected more spice, but what was there was 🔥🔥

J.T. Geissinger always knows how to keep me on my toes with her twists and had me in a chokehold with her newest book, Blackthorn. I couldn't put it down, kept trying my hardest to place the puzzle pieces together. And while I had some ideas, I kept getting curve balls to keep me questioning my theories.

This book is a great blend of gothic, horror, paranormal suspense, and romance. The setting is perfectly gothic, the witchy vibes are heavy and the unexpected horror elements were icing on the cake. I don't want to give away too much, but if you have an open mind for the stories on the darker side, I do truly think you'll enjoy this one.

Thank you Tor Publishing and NetGalley for the complimentary e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this! I had to stare at the ceiling thinking about this book after finishing it.

This is definitely more in line with Pen Pal/Perfect Strangers so be prepared for a ride! I didn't know what to expect but there were so many twists and turns and it went to places that I never would have anticipated. The banter was perfection. It reminded me a bit of Declan and Sloane's banter in Carnal Urges, iykyk. And the SPICE...holy moly. I've been thinking about that greenhouse scene since I finished the book. Scary and hot?! The last couple of chapters of Maven's POV reminded me exactly of that scene in Black Swan when Nina is running around her house screaming. Spooky and perfect for the fall season.

This was such an intense and addictive paranormal romance. I loved the dark, dangerous vibes of the world and the chemistry between the leads was off the charts. The mix of suspense, magic, and romance kept the tension high and made it hard to put down. Some parts felt a little over the top, but honestly that just added to the fun, dramatic energy. If you’re into steamy, high-stakes paranormal stories that keep you hooked from start to finish, this one definitely delivers.

J.T. Geissinger never fails to deliver, and this book is no exception. I love how her stories always manage to surprise us — she’s truly a mastermind when it comes to twists and emotional depth.

The banter between the main characters was one of my favorite aspects, but Maven did test my patience with the same back-and-forth over and over, which felt a bit drawn out. Additionally, I wish a few more secrets — especially those surrounding Ronan — had been revealed.

Sure, it had its little hiccups, but honestly? I loved every second. Geissinger never misses!