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.
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Watch out Harper Valley because Thornchapel is taking over in the area of scandal, drama, sex, love, murder, and betrayal. A Lesson in Thorns by Sierra Simone is the first book in the Thornchapel series, and it is hauntingly brilliant! With enough sexual tension to power all of London this small little English town won’t know what hit it when this series is over. Simone is incredible at describing the old English manor and the great characters that fill the pages of this book. Each one of the amazing characters will have you swooning and falling in love. This story is powerful and magnetic, and you will not be able to put it down. The story ends on a cliff hanger and I admit I came close to throwing my kindle because I wanted answers!!! The next book Feast of Sparks is due out in June. A Lesson in Thorns is 5+ stars.
Six pre-teen children spent a summer together in the English country side. Friendship grew as they played, bickered and had grand adventures. When the summer was over none of the children would ever forget that summer nor would they forget the time at the chapel. Now twelve years later Auden, Becket, St. Sebastian, Delphine, Rebecca and Poe are all together at Thornchapel and things will once again be unforgettable. As the time passes and friendships are renewed and tensions grow, the six learn that there is A Lesson in Thorns at the chapel and they are about to discover it.
A Lesson in Thorns by Sierra Simone is book one in her brand new series, Thornchapel. A Lesson in Thorns is like no book I ever read. It’s gritty and raw with an unique story.
A Lesson in Thorns put me through a rollercoaster of emotions and gave me all the feels.
It’s the story of six children. Rebecca, Delphine, Proserpina, Becket, St. Sebastian and Auden. They spent a summer together and that changes all their lives. Now, 12 years later they’re back. They’re all grown up and now the true story begins.
The Queen of Suspense had me in knots at chapter two. And let me tell you , books like A Lesson in Thorns are the reason why I read. The characters are golden children, or outcasts, troubled, determined, unwanted or lonely. Sacrifices have to be made, some crave kink, some are playing games, all are pretending. It’s a story filled with suspense, secrtes, longing, twists and turns that had me addicted from the start aand I was on the edge of my seat while reading this fantastic book. I wish I could give 7 stars. I highly, highly recommend A Lesson in Thorns and can’t wait to read Feast of Sparks.
Sierra Simone’s prose is always lush and evocative, erotic poetry that tantalizes all of your sense. The world she creates in the mist-shrouded, mystical setting of Dartmoor in a A Lesson in Thorns is no different. Not only is it one of the most unique stories I’ve ever had the pleasure to read, it is all one of the most emotionally impactful and intellectually erotic. I feel as if Sierra makes love to the mind of her readers as she takes us on the sexual bildungsroman of Auden, Poe, Saint, Rebecca, Delphine and Beckett. Honestly, I am waiting with bated breath for the next instalment to sweep me off my feet and back to Thornchapel.
Oh. Em. Gee. This was one gripping, unpredictable, explosive read! I dove in for the Sierra Simone sexiness and stayed for everything else.
I loved the complexity, the mystery that kept me guessing, and I especially loved the way the style imitated those from the gothic literary era. I saw the likes of Northanger Abbey, Dracula, Frankenstein, Wuthering Heights in A Lesson in Thorns and that truly blew my mind! The sensory descriptions, especially the thorn chapel, and how every syllable felt so ancient and yet so modern and current at the same time? Clearly Sierra Simone graduated hogwarts because that was some serious word wizardry right there!
I just wow. Mind blown so hard that I’m struggling to find the words to praise this hard enough! It was beautiful and unconventional and captivating and completely and utterly unique. I adore how Sierra explores gender, sexuality, sex and love in all her books, especially this one! It’s always so profound and thought provoking and inclusive and I realise I’m using a tonne of gushing adjectives in this review and it’s one of my most fragmented reviews ever but holy fuck sticks this was so incredible that over a week later and I still can’t form actual sentences to describe how addicted I am to the Thornchapel series. How am I meant to wait until Book 2 after that?!?!? I need answers!
As usual, Sierra Simone blows it out of the park. She’s one of the authors I auto-buy and don’t even stop to read the book’s description. I just know that her books are going to be crazy sexy and sensual. A Lesson in Thorns is all that and more. The main character in this book is Poe Markham but the book really focuses around 6 childhood friends who spend one formative summer together at Thornhall. And experience a life-influencing event at Thornchapel. Later in life, they all end up back at Thornchapel. Poe, especially, is drawn back to Thornchapel by family secrets. Upon arriving, her attraction to two of the six, Auden and Saint Sebastian becomes abundantly clear. In fact, there’s a very clear attraction between all six characters at this points. They are all tied together by an indescribable bound, influenced by that childhood summer. There is a suspense plot running through the book with what happened between their parents that summer. And it’s also clear that all of the six characters have their own secrets. I can’t wait to delve further into those secrets as the next books are released! A Lesson in Thorns is a phenomenal and sensual series start and a classic Sierra Simone novel.
5 CAPTIVATING ORIGINAL STARS!! I was so captivated by this original story with all the hotness, friends, secrets and mystery. OMG…..my Review will not do this story justice. You have six friends from childhood that get together as adults and oh boy it gets good….just read it. Sierra Simone has knocked this new series out of the park. This is definitely a 1-Click book…..do it now.
There’s really no words to describe what this book
did to me. It was really brilliant in all
kinds of ways. I loved that all six characters had
some moments to shine by themselves & sometimes
with others. It was sort of a multiple POV kind of
book, and the way the author did it was flawlessly done.
It was captivating,intriguing,enthralling…well you get the
picture. I’m really really looking forward to the next book
This was awesome’
1- it care out quickly why little fanfare and I had not a lot of knowledge on it.
2- but Sierra wrote it. Enough said…
3- these characters. Swoon.
Auden
St Sebastian
Proserpina
Delphine
Rebecca
Beckett
I mean come on with names like thoughs^ holy hotness Batman.
This is winding twisting tail to arc over 4 books!!!
Dive in….
Smoking hot kink
Virgin!!
History
Love story
Mystery
Intrigue
Did I mention the kink!
Loved it!
Sierra Simone
*Six anchorless hearts, one fated summer, all lives entwined*
Sierra Simone killed it again. Well-developed and organized plot lines, characters that effortlessly shone and captivated, thought-provoking dialogue…I could go on, but you NEED this book.
Auden, Saint and Proserpina seduced me with their vulnerability and longing, especially Saint, who’s my, for lack of a better word, jam. His hurt bleeds through the words, I’m clamouring to know his secrets. His self-deprecation is like the male version of a siren call to me.
There wasn’t a dull moment, my attention didn’t wane, and I didn’t want it to end. It was so engrossing and the kink scenes were tastefully done. I can’t wait for the next book!
“Our thorns await.”
Wow, wow, wow!!!! Sierra Simone is a poetic, mysterious, erotic, super talented romance writer! Talk about diving in head first and swimming as fast as you can to keep finding out all the twist and turns….this book was so good! There’s a cliff so you’ve been warned!
Six friends who have been apart for twelve years are reunited. Poe, oh Poe….she’s trying to get answers about her Mother, wants to see the two boys she married as a child, Auden and Saint. There’s so much detail, so many secrets and bonds.
This book is so secretive, intriguing, it’s full of attraction and intense feelings….it’s erotica at its finest with so much detail and suspense! Gah I just loved it! I cannot wait for the next book! I hope it comes quick lol
Highly recommend this book and author
Devilishly dirty and sinfully delicious!!
This author can write anything flawlessly…but 6 people who’s lives that have been interconnected?
She’s The Master!
There’s so much to this story and there’s no clear way to describe without spoilers.
Brilliant story! Full of hidden mysteries and secrets and all kinds of deliciousness!
The best way to enjoy this read is by going in blindly!
Holy Hotness!!
My word, I’m still panting days after reading A Lesson in Thorns by the fabulous Sierra Simone. These 6 friends spent a summer together at Thornechapel 12 years ago, and now are thrust back together for varying reasons. This book is sensual and erotic, with an air of the unknown. The characters make you have so many emotions, whether that is to smile, laugh, have an air of disgust, or want to be their friend. Ms. Simone has done it once again, her prose is elegant and flows. I loved it and can’t wait for more!
This is a tough story to review, it’s hard for me to pinpoint how to describe what goes on in this story without giving too much away. There is a lot of angst, mystery, passion, smoking hot sex and chemistry, but the true character is Thornchapel itself. All the characters a uniquely twisted together, connected by the parents and Thornchapel bringing them together. This is definitely not a book I’ve ever read before, each character has their own story, their own connection, their own darker past, its heavy and emotional and holy moly did that just happen smoking hotness.
If you are a fan of Sierra Simone then you are in for a treat, if you think her Camelot series messed with your emotions and mindset then this one is going to do a number. This is much darker, much more twisted and the character that much more damaged. As many people have already mentioned there are some triggers in this story, so please be warned.
In the end, this is only the beginning, there is so much that I’m looking forward to finding out after the ending we got. It not so much a cliffhanger as its more of a get ready kinda end. Again I don’t want to give anything away, but this was very kinky, very erotic, very much will make you blush and panties will melt. All the characters are going to blow your mind and shock you, and yes even the priest, yes even the virgin, and yes mostly definitely yes even the dark and moody men. There were some parts that threw me off a little, or was a little much and confused me, so I’m hoping that will be cleared up in the next book. So gird your loins and get ready for a kind of story I don’t think you’ll be prepared for.
Ethereal. Exquisite. Tantalizing. There are so many beautiful words that describe this enthralling novel that’s got a bit of magical realism vibe. Thornchapel, in the stormy English countryside, is a place of history, mystery, and power. Poe, Auden, Saint, Delphine, Rebecca, and Beckett are drawn to it, and to each other.
Sierra Simone has outdone herself, weaving a unique world or erotic intrigue. I can’t recommend it highly enough, and I’m super psyched for the next three books in this series.
5 Stunning new series stars.
This book!! WOW!!
Sierra Simone never fails to up the ante in her writing,and A Lesson in Thorns kept up with that tradition. It starts with six youngs friends one summer. Then twelve years later, they’re all back together in that place where secrets and mystery was made, and the darkness that followed them into adulthood.
We start the real story with Poe. She’s been asked by a rich older friend to return to England to help catalogue his library. She was fascinated by his books as a child and eagerly agrees, even though her father doesn’t want her to go.
Back in England, she discovers her old friends from have been drawn to the same place, and now,the true story will begin.
I’m not giving any spoilers just know that this is an amazing start to a new series, and you really need to One-Click this book. TODAY!!!
WOW……. what an incredible read. I’m not sure what to feel except that this book was sensual, erotic, intriguing, mesmerizing, addictive, and captivating. I felt like I was on a heightened journey with all six characters. It was also very hypnotizing to be held captive by six different and charismatic characters. Every time I thought that I could stop reading and be productive, the book waved it’s magic torc and lured me back to reading.
I’m not sure what to say about the book except that it’s a must read. Sierra Simone is exquisite in her storytelling. Her words cascade off the page and into your soul. It penetrates deep and resonates with a glimmer of paranormal and fantasy all mixed into a cauldron of sensual erotic tension.
Auden, Delphine, Rebecca, Becket, Saint, Prosepina, and Thornchapel are all woven together. They share a past, an experience that, while it was 12 years ago, resonates with each other. Now as adults they come back together and their pilgramage to find out the mysterious hold that the thorn chapel has over them begins.
This story has much going on……there are 6 characters, in an English manor that is filled with secrets and it’s own inner voice that speaks to all six. Each character is fascinating and intriguing. There is much to learn in the 12 years that has alluded their time together. There are secrets and yearnings, lust and love, hurt and hatred and a missing person. There are many sub plots all revolving around the story that flow with comfort and ease. As you get comfortable with all the characters they become mesmerizing and you can’t get enough of them.
Did I really tell you anything about this book, No. I think you should go in and organically let the story unfold. It’s a little complicated in the beginning keeping track of the characters but it very quickly feels as if they are connected to your being. This author and her imagination, her connection to religion, her eroticism and her eloquent and intellectual way of storytelling is exquisite and not to be missed!!
A Best of 2018 in my books for sure.
OMG?! What did I just read?! This book is hands down the most unconventional, highly unique and bizarre (in a positive way of course) book that I have ever read. This blew my mind in unexplainable ways and I am still trying to digest the happenings being very open minded.
My review for this book is also going to be rather unique without touching upon the actual storyline because this book is best experienced by taking a dive with blindfolds. The blurb set up lure of a mysterious story and it was very intriguing. This author is new for me, so without any clue I just jumped into it and what a ride it was…. mesmerizing yet delusional. Enticing yet taboo, poetic yet crazy. It was a mic of everything – taboo, mystery, love, sex, romance, action, BDSM and amidst all this there was still an undercurrent of mystery just waiting to be unearthed. I was left speechless because as much as it shocked and kind of repulsed me (I was totally unaware of all the elements it contained)I couldn’t keep it down. it’s quite a big book and was so entranced by it that I managed to complete it in two sittings. For me that says a lot about the kind of power this book had on me.
It’s very hard to guess the events in this book. I wasn’t able to figure out the directions it took and what it was leading to all along. It’s mind boggling especially when it comes to unique plot elements and the sequence of events. I was 95% into the book and still was completely clueless about how it would end. And though it was a cliffhanger per se, I can easily agree that three more books are required for this story and all the underlying mysteries to be resolved.
It’s written both in first person (Delphine) and also third person narrative, and that’s the main beauty of this book. Though I am not a fan of third person narrative, the author has written so exceptionally well that not only did I love the writing, I’m in awe of her style and talent! It’s truly amazing and so lyrical and poetic. Coming to the characters – Though Delphine appears to be the main character that we follow, all 6 of them are equally important and this is all their story. And these characters just like the story are unique, mysterious yet very intimidating. I didn’t love or dislike anyone but all of them held my interest and I was waiting on baited breath to see what crazy stuff they will do next. Everything is so tangled up in this story and so far from ‘normal’ that one must brave it with a very open mind to really embrace and enjoy it. Though I wouldn’t call it paranormal, it’s kind of hinted at places that there may be some other force at play but there is no proof for the same. But I did like the religious/philosophical/mystical connection to Thornchapel the characters had. That was the Crux of the story after all.
Another plus of this book – The intimacy scenes. They are sooo damn Hot and there are possible variants of the same (I didn’t see it coming but considering how crazy the characters are, it shouldn’t be that surprising) with even kink thrown into the mix, which is more like a cherry ok the top making for a delicious dessert indeed. I really can’t say anything more about the book – it’s one super crazy yet sensous read that one must enjoy with a very open mind.
I am going with 4.5 stars only because I wanted a little more focus on the actual dark and mystery elements and also, I had hoped for the ending to be a bit more dramatic ( even a cliffhanger would have have been perfect)
Sierra Simone brings her brilliant prose and penchant for kink to this exquisite start to this series. It begins with six children enacting a ritual in the ruins of Thorn Chapel. A summer of memories that each will carry with them until they reunite 12 years later.
Something different brings them back together to this sacred place. Each one looking to unearth the secrets that these hallowed grounds hold. No longer a child’s game to play. These six grown adults, together enter into a sexual and spiritual covenant. Finding out what they all really desire.
A thorny twisted tale filled with dark heat, betrayal, heart and pain.
4.5 Stars!
I signed up to review this book before the blurb was even revealed, so I had no clue what I was getting into, but I had a feeling it being a Sierra Simone book it had to be good, right? Well, it wasn’t good, it was so much more than that!
Auden, Poe, Saint, Delphine, Rebecca and Becket’s lives become thoroughly intertwined when they enter the maze in Auden’s family’s mansion and stumble upon Thornchapel when they’re kids and now, 12 years later, they’re all back where it all began in a story filled with mystery and intrigue.
The story is masterfully written and although told mostly from Poe’s POV, there are a few chapters in which we see what’s happening through the rest of the characters’ eyes. There’s a lot going on, and while I thought it would be difficult to keep all of it (and the characters) straight, it wasn’t. The characters all have very distinctive personalities and Ms. Simone managed to weave a tale in which they were all there in the forefront but still showing this is mainly Auden, Poe and Saint’s story.
A Lesson in Thorns is erotica at its finest, and while there are other kinds of subpairings and kinks explored, I think it’s mostly MMF at its core, and damn if it wasn’t hotter than hot! I felt like I would go up in flames along with my kindle as I was reading it last night and today.
I don’t want to spoil this for anyone, so I’ll just say this is one of those stories you need to experience for yourself. Do yourself a favor and pick it up, if you’re a fan of Sierra Simone’s writing, you already know you’re in for a treat, and if you aren’t, I’m sure you’ll be after reading this magnificent book! Now, can it be June already so I can read Feast of Sparks, pretty please?
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn’t a requirement.***
For the first time ever, a Sierra book did not hook me in the first two chapters. That does not mean this book wasn’t just as hot, sexy, and amazing as any of her others. The progression of these six beautiful characters and their draw to Thornchapel was nothing short of amazing. The more I read about the history of the house and the property, the harder it became to put this book down. I fell in love with Poe and have the biggest girl crush I’ve ever had on a female character. She is so strong and sure, confident and independent, and truly epitomizes what a modern feminist woman should be. The easy friendship between Proserpina, Beckett, Auden, Delphine, Rebecca, and Saint makes their transition to fooling around with each other seem natural. I also loved the way Sierra wound old folklore and rituals with a little modern twist of her own. The ending was seriously panty-melting and I was not disappointed in the least with how their Imbolc ritual went. I cannot wait for the second book!