Twelve years ago my mother disappeared into the fog-shrouded moors of Thornchapel.I left her memory there, along with the others. Of my childhood friends, playing in the woods. Of the crumbling, magical world we found, and of the promises we made beneath the wild roses. I moved on, building a life as a librarian in America, far away from the remote manor where my mother was last seen alive. And … alive.
And then the letter arrives.
A single word, in her handwriting, calling me back to England. Followed by a job offer I could never refuse, from a person I never could resist: Auden Guest. The new owner of Thornchapel, the seductive, elegant man I met as an imperious little boy when we were both children. Inside his private library, I begin to uncover the ancient secrets of the house–and the ones hidden inside my heart.
It’s so very easy to be drawn back into the world of Auden’s friends . . . and into the world of his worst enemy, St. Sebastian Martinez. The beautiful and brooding St. Sebastian is as irresistible as he ever was, and the three of us can’t seem to unknot ourselves from each other. From the hasty promise we three made all those years ago.
As Thornchapel slowly tightens its coil of truths and lies around us, our reluctant threesome starts unravelling into filthy, holy pleasure and pain. Together we’ve awakened a fate that will either bloom like a rose . . . or destroy us all.
From the author of the USA Today bestselling New Camelot series comes an original contemporary fairy tale full of lantern-lit rituals, hungry desire, and obsessions that last for lifetimes…
A Lesson in Thorns is the first book in the Thornchapel Quartet.
more
I devoured the first 3 books in this series back-to-back, reading well past my bedtime and into the wee hours of the morning. Sierra Simone’s Thornechapel series is magical and intoxicating, with hints of Secret Garden and Da Vinci Code, mixed through with explosive, erotic sensuality. I’ve marked my calendar for Halloween, when the 4th and final book is set to release. This is the good stuff.
This story just drew me in and didn’t let go. I don’t want to leave spoilers so this will be short and sweet. Poe gets a job at Thornchapel as librarian. She is actually looking for clues as to what happened to her missing mother after finding a note. Auden, Sebastian and other characters are involved in this story. Six children that grew up and ended up back at Thornchapel. Kinky, nerdy, and a mystery all in one. Pick this up if you like erotica that is written with beautiful words.
I received a copy of this book and am leaving a review.
I just devoured this book. Listened to the whole thing straight through. Such complex and interesting character’s. This book just gives you a little taste of their back story. Can’t wait to listen to Feast of Sparks and learn more about them. Also, of course, this book has plenty of !
I’ve been reading a ton of books lately that I would never normally pick up and it’s opening me up to different tropes and genres in romance. A Lesson in Thorns was definitely one that intimidated me. I’ll be honest I avoided it when it originally was released because it didn’t seem like my cup of tea. Which of course landed it on my must-read list of books to read to branch out. And y’all I can’t name you another book quite like this one. I am so glad I finally gave it a chance! This book felt so real! Sierra completely submerged you into this book with her writing style. I love when an author develops a place to the point of it feeling like it actually exists. And it’s super rare to see that in erotic romance books. But Sierra absolutely did just that while still giving us all the steam and lots of mystery in between!
The history of these six characters ties them together and now they are all back at Thornchapel uncovering secrets and oh so many feelings. Each one with a different story but each as captivating as the next. I didn’t think I would be so vested in so many different characters all at once, but it’s inevitable with this one! The mystery of it all will have you holding on tight and lapping up any and all information as you go on. And this is only the beginning! I am so glad this is a part of a series because there is so much more I want to know about this world and each and every character! I am so glad book two is already out and book three is coming because I am hooked!
Holy moly!!! This book… WOWWW…
I’m still hungover over it. It is so well written, with great characters that grabs your attention from the very first page and won’t let you put it down until is over, and even after that you won’t be able to stop thinking about it. This was my very first Sierra Simone book, and what a great introduction it was. I don’t think I have read anything like this before, what a ride it was.
So many secrets, so many things that are still unanswered, revelations, rituals, friendship, the mystery of everything, twist and turns, angst, those amazingly steamy sexy scenes…6 incredible characters, тнє нєιя.тнє ∂яєαмєя.тнє ρяιєѕт.тнє gєиιυѕ.тнє ѕσ¢ιαℓιтє. тнє ѕαιит. Each of them with secrets of their own, complex characters with flaws that makes them so real, which lives get entwined with each other, and a need to discover themselves between the whole
mystery that lies in Thornchapel.
I loved the Camelot and Priest series so I had high hopes for this series. However, I’m not sure I will read the rest of the series. I’m not sure where to start.
First, all of those “virgins” in their 20’s and with their life experiences like BDSM clubs w/o sex?? What is the point?
Then I just wasn’t getting the connection or the mystery. Sorry. Maybe it’s just me.
Go back to school, it’s time for a lesson in thorns
*arc generously provided by the promo team in exchange for an honest review*
“And there’s no remedy for memory
Your face is like a melody
It won’t leave my head
Your soul is haunting me
And telling me that everything is fine.”
Dark Paradise – Lana Del Rey
What’s this book about? (I’m trying to give as little spoilers as possible)
Poe Markham returns to Thornchapel to take a job and… Uncover its mysteries. This leads to her being drawn into some sketchily seductive situation with her old friends who are all secretive, mysterious and most importantly, not openly fond of each other.
This is my second Sierra Simone read. A Lesson In Thorns is the first book of four, two of which have been released and the third is coming very soon (May 1, 2020). This story dipped in mystery and sensuality. Simone’s world-building skills shone through as we discovered this enigmatic world full fo thorns, enemies, lovers, secrets… Each character was unique, loveable and relatable. I loved the queer aspect of this novel and how the characters were able to express their sexualities freely (not their crushes though COUGH COUGH) without it sounding like a cliché. It was finally time to experience a lead girl that’s inexperienced but KNOWS what her preferences are without being a naïve and pushover type of girl. This read was steamy and I’m sure lots of you will read it based on the cover and comments on how sexual it is. Yes, it’s very steamy in a new way, but that isn’t the entire novel. The mystery of Thornchapel takes center stage. At the end, we’re left with a cliffhanger. I’m going to go ahead and read book two now!
I recommend this read to readers who love queerness in their books, mysteries and a leading cast that’s exceptional with its liveliness.
This story captivated me from the very first page, I had no idea what I was getting into when I started but all of knew is I couldn’t put it down and I’m so glad I went into blindly. I can’t wait to see how this series is going to unfold
QUOTE: I have the same feeling looking at him as I do looking at the winter moors and leafless forests. I’m fascinated, I’m drawn, I want to touch all that loneliness with my bare fingertips and take it inside of myself.
It’s official—I, too, am now dying to know all of Thornchapel’s secrets!!! What an exceptionally entertaining storyline Sierra Simone has begun with the Thornchapel series. But before I dive too deeply into this review, a personal note: as a reader, I generally read very few reviews myself before diving into books because I worry about spoilers—therefore, I can assure you this review provides none.
QUOTE: I think I might be burning alive from those eyes. Burning alive like a saint tied to a stake.
I absolutely love the skill with which Sierra Simone pens a story—most recently, the Thornchapel books. A Lesson in Thorns is unlike anything I’ve ever read before. It’s the story of six individuals—Auden, Poe, Saint, Rebecca, Delphine and Beckett—whose lives were unequivocally altered after a summer at Thornchapel when they were preteens. The story is fraught with secrets, heartbreak, uncertainty, love, lust, and self-discovery. Having read it now, I can understand that this is not a story that would have ever been able to be fully explored within the confines of one book. It offered new insight into how the series will be written over four books instead of a duet or a trilogy.
QUOTE: I hate that at Thornchapel, I’m both not myself and more myself than I’ve ever been.
A Lesson in Thorns, while told predominately from Poe’s POV, does illustrate the past and the present from the mindsets of all six characters. I’m usually not a fan of flashbacks, but when used correctly, they don’t detract from a story. In the case of A Lesson in Thorns, the flashbacks were done in such a way that they enhanced the story brilliantly and gave context and depth to the characters. The plot was a little slow to unfold, and honestly, I still have zero idea what’s going to come next for the characters. Unlike bloggers who read these as they were released months apart, I was lucky enough to binge read A Lesson in Thornes and Feast of Sparks (Thornchapel, #2) back to back. Now I’m absolutely dying to get my hands on the third book, Harvest of Sighs.
QUOTE: He’s waking up. He’s becoming himself. God help me when he’s fully awake. I’ll have no defenses against him. I won’t want any.
Now after nearly a week, I’m still obsessed with Thornchapel and A Lesson in Thorns. And while I write reviews for books daily, I’ve been struggling to put words to paper for this one. Partially, because I want to provide very little context to the story itself so as not to ruin it for someone. But also, if you’ve never read Simone’s books, you’ve truly never experienced dirty romance that extraordinarily sexy. Sierra Simone writes with a prose that is equally evocative, exquisite, and erotic. Her stories are full of vivid imagery with storylines that are tantalizing and complex. Truth be told, I often joke with my friends (when asked what I am reading) that it’s ‘Mommy Porn’ but to be clear, I’ve never watched porn that was written with such elegance, skill, or attention to detail. Yet, Simone’s stories are all written with this and so much more. Not everyone is a fan of Simon’s storytelling though, so a word of caution: if you are a not a fan of BDSM, ménage, dark romance or pagan traditions; or if you’re someone who skims the sexy times in favor of a sweeter storyline, then steering clear of a Sierra Simone story is probably for the best. However, if you’re open to reading an author who pushes you out of your comfort zone and unreservedly pushes your moral boundaries, then look no farther. Sierra Simone is going to awaken your senses in the same manner E.L. James awoke a sleeping giant in erotic romance with her Fifty Shades series. I personally am desperate for more of the Thornchapel series and can’t recommend A Lesson in Thorns enough!!
What a delicious read …
A Lesson in Thorns sure took me on an erotic journey a journey that I loved now have to read book two before book three arrives..
Six characters that wove themselves into my head , they now have such a future in my reading life..
A wonderful erotic read full of angst with plenty of secrets with much sex.
Such a compelling book I was on edge all the time , completely captivating this was a journey I didn’t expect … A must read book , now on to book two.
Great writing Sierra Simone ..
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie’s Book Reports.
When librarian Poe Markham takes the job at Thornchapel, she only wants two things: to stay away from Thornchapel’s tortured owner, Auden Guest, and to find out what happened to her mother twelve years ago. It should be easy enough-keep her head down while she works in the house’s crumbling private library and while she hunts down any information as to why this remote manor tucked into the fog-shrouded moors would be the last place her mother was seen alive. But Thornchapel has other plans for her…As Poe begins uncovering the houses secrets, both new the old she’s also pulled into the seductive, elegant world of Auden’s worst enemy, the beautiful and brooding St. Sebastian. And as Thornchapel slowly tightens its coil of truths and lies around them, Poe, Auden, and St. Sebastian start unraveling into filthy, holy pleasure and pain. Together, they awaken fate that will either anoint them or leave them in ashes.
I think you really have to take the time to process this book. When you close it your going to be wondering what the heck you just read. I am shocked and this is one of the most messed up twisted books I have read in a long long time. this is the story of six children that meet one summer while their families are on vacation at Thornchapel. Here they spend time exploring the place together and by the end two are fake married and three shared a kiss. Then they went home and on with their lives. Over a decade later, they reunited. Each of them have different reasons for being there but they together discover a world of secrets, murder, rituals and mysteries that lie within. This is a dark and twisted story that you need to go into with a open mind.
Sierra Simone’s name was no stranger to me, but I haven’t read anything from her yet. I think it’s a big mistake. The Lesson In Thorns is a high-quality, fascinating, dark story. If I have to classify it to the books of a Hungarian publisher, it would be the KMK Rázós category of KMK. I’m asking everyone, please, who does not like such and similar stories to turn a page silently.
The story begins with a looking back; apart from this, it can be read in the present tense. We have 6 characters, but Poe, Aidan and Saint got the main roles. Most of the story can be got to know from Prosephina’s point of view, although we get insight into the thoughts of others. There is a mystery at the heart of the story, namely the history, traditions and the spirit of Thornchapel. We get a little MMF and hot eroticism as a subplot.
I quite liked the main characters, especially Aidan and Saint. They are so sweet as they deny the obvious to themselves. Their relationship with Prosephin is extraordinary. But the connection between the three of them is hidden. I was seduced by Saint’s piercing and Aidan’s sparkling eyes. I’m not sure I could choose or want to choose between two of them.
All emotions from the excitement to despair ran through me. In some parts I had goose-bumped. Thornchapel sniffed me too.
I had some favorite scenes, 3. But the truth is that it would be a spoiler, so I’m not writing down it now.
There was a character, Delphine. Innocent, sweet, kind, DE she wants more. Like all of us. As if they all wake up from a dream and finally they show their true reality. Very exciting. Don’t miss it!
A mysterious story about suppressed desires and mysterious truth. Can you face it? Are you gonna let it power over you? Oh, yeah.
I didn’t know what to expect coming into this and was blown away. I can’t say too much or it will give the plot away but this is downright sinful with secrets and twists and turns throughout that had me on the edge of my seat. The characters are intriguing and had me wondering trying to guess what would happen next. The entire story is written so well that I could picture everything, from the people to the town, weather, etc. I am hooked!
I loved this book! Erotic, haunting, original – it wrapped me up in a gorgeous and seductive spell. It reminded me of Donna Tartt’s The Secret History, but with the eroticism amped up to nuclear levels. Highly recommend!
OMG AMAZING! I DEVOURED this book from one of my favorite authors. After reading The New Camelot Trilogy I had to get my hands on more lovely words from this author. The way she tells this story, she takes you to the hypnotic Dartmoor, you FEEL the magic her words evoke and the mysteries waiting to be solved. You want closure for them all. Poe, Saint, Rebecca, Beckett and Delphine all have (sometimes kinky) lessons to learn and (sometimes dirty) secrets to uncover! Can’t read the next one fast enough!
Wow! This book was good! I was hooked from the very beginning. These characters glow from the pages. Following these children from their first interaction with Thornchapel. Poe’s grief radiates from the pages.
I also want to say, my mother has narcolepsy. Hers is very much like Poe’s. This is a very hard diagnosis to live and work through. My mom worked up until last year underneath the disabilities act. Thank you for shining some light on narcolepsy.
Review forthcoming
This is the first book in the Thornchapel series, and the story of Poe, Auden, and St. Sebastien. This is my first time reading anything from this author, and this book captivated me, and kept me glue to the pages, this author wove a mysterious, engaging, intense, twisted, and seductive story, and I can not wait for book two.
Gah! This series is perfection, full of twists and turns and the heat we’ve come to know and love from Sierra. It makes me want to go to a crumbling estate in England, sit by the fire, and drink whiskey. The book is dark, rich and delicious, and so beautifully written. I can’t wait for book 3!
This book was not at all what I expected. And I must say, I loved every word of it. Well, almost every word 😛
Let me start by saying that this book is unlike anything I’ve read before. This was my first Sierra Simone read, after she comes so damn HIGHLY recommended by everyone, and I knew I needed to binge everything by her immediately, starting with this one because I bought it at Book Bonanza and had her sign it.
Anyhoo, based on the blurb, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But knowing some things about the story from others who have read it, I had a general idea of what I THOUGHT the relationship dynamic could be. Yea, no. I was totally wrong.
Not that I was wrong per se. I was itching to see a hot AF threesome between Poe, Auden and Saint the minute they all appeared in a scene together, which was like right away. That being said, this book was not just about them. It also follows three of their other friends through the sexual awakening inside them that all revolves around Thornchapel. The whole thing was so surprising, but I was instantly sucked in.
Now, I can tell you right now, this book won’t be for everyone. You need to have an open-mind going into this one, and not only open to various sexual exploits and kink, but open to different styles of writing, different feelings and emotions, flowing through words on the printed page.
If you’re someone who prefers easy, uncomplex romance, this book will probably confuse and scare you. And I imagine the second part will, too (a la Feast of Sparks. I’ve ordered it and will start reading the second it arrives!)
But if you’re someone who itches to read things that awaken your senses and stir feelings of heated discomfort inside you, which I definitely am, then you should read this book. And that’s coming from someone who doesn’t do F/F at all. I’m just not a fan. But Sierra’s writing was so elegant, and hauntingly beautiful, it made the things that don’t typically interest me… interesting. Lol. If you’ve read it, you’ll know what part I’m talking about and my feelings are that I would have made it go a different way. And that’s fine! The point is that despite my disagreement with that part of the plot, it was still gripping and wonderfully written.
And please don’t get me started on the boys. Every time Auden and Saint shared a look, I needed to change my panties. I better find out what the hell happened to them in the next book or I’m going to scream!
See?? Isn’t frustration like this fun??! Where’s the fun in reading boring books that are all exactly the same?? I’m sorry, I don’t get the appeal. In this story, the author led us deep into the images in her mind. At times, I could smell the cold, damp dirt, see the rose petals, feel the thorns…
That’s what it’s all about. Reading to escape into a world you never expected. Thank God for authors like Sierra Simone.
A round of thorn-covered applause for Sierra and her heightened imagination which brought us Thornchapel and the characters in it. Can’t wait to read Book 2!