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Cover of Blackthorn

Blackthorn

by J.T. Geissinger

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️explicit·spoiler

Why Read This?

J.T. Geissinger at her most unhinged—electric banter, a centuries-old witch-family blood feud, and the kind of dark gothic atmosphere that seeps into your bones. The enemies-to-lovers tension is relentless and the spice matches the intensity.

Synopsis

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...?

At a Glance

3.86 ★ Goodreads
Spice Level🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️explicit
Endingspoiler
PairingM/F
Romance Pacingslow burn
Energyhigh

Top Tropes

enemies to loverssecond chanceforbidden lovedark romancerevenge romance

Mood

darkatmosphericsuspensefulintensedangerous

Book Details

Goodreads Rating

3.86 ★

Page Count

368 pages

Published

2025

Primary Genre

Gothic Romance

Pairing

M/F

POV

Dual POV

Romance Pacing

Slow Burn

Cliffhanger

spoiler

Audiobook

Available

Yes

Format

Full Cast

Narrator

Connor Crais, Tara Langella, Veronica Pace

Tropes

RomanceMagicActionAngstWorld
Theme Constellation

Mood & Vibe

Mood

Writing Style

darksharpwittybanter-heavysuspensefulatmospheric

Story Pacing

fast

Emotional Weight

heavy

Energy Required

high

Vibes

cozy eveningat nightrainy weekend

Characters

FMC Archetype

survivorsnarky/sarcasticmorally gray FMCrunaway / on the run

MMC Archetype

possessive alphadark/tortured soulbeast / monster MMCmorally gray MMC

Relationship Dynamics

enemies to loverslove/hate tensionhe falls firstpossessive love interestforbidden lovepush and pull

Spice Details 🌶️

🌶️
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🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
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Spice Level 5

Spice Style

dark romance

Getting Steamy

possessive/protectivemine declarationseye contact intensitytension

Bringing the Heat

rough/aggressive intimacypossessiveclaimingbonding/claiming/markingpower exchange
graphic violencemurderdeath of parenttorturedubious consentgriefbloodexplicit language

World & Setting

World Type

gothic

Primary Setting

Blackthorn Manor, small gothic town

Fantasy Creatures

Representation

N/A

Reading Context

Emotional Payoff

the angst deliveredbook hangovertension finally satisfiedaddictive read

Best Time of Year

autumn

When & Where to Read

cozy eveningat nightrainy weekend

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