The genius and the sunshine girl. As children, we fought bitterly and often, bickering every chance we got.
But then we grew up.
Then we came back.
Delphine Dansey carries her heart on the outside of her body; she’s looking for love and chasing dreams. She’s spoiled and selfish, the kind of beautiful that’s made for money and fame. But somehow she’s ended up in my keeping: a pretty submissive I … pretty submissive I can’t seem to resist, a lover who obsesses and tempts me.
I thought I’d locked my heart away a long time ago, along with all my other weaknesses. But some doors won’t stay closed, no matter how hard I fight to keep them shut. She unravels me, just like our friends are unraveling, just like Thornchapel itself is unraveling.
All year long, we’ve been sowing lust and jealousy and pain, heedless of the consequences. But a harvest is inevitable, and so now we must reap our sorrows.
And our sighs.
Harvest of Sighs is Book Three in the Thornchapel series.
more
Overall Grade: ++
Are you a puzzle builder? When you begin to build a puzzle, you can see the picture of the puzzle on the box lid, but the depth and breadth of that picture cannot be fully realized until all of the puzzle pieces are locked together. The journey of putting that puzzle together, piece by piece, is a journey in patience. As you lock those pieces together, you earn more and more of the puzzle’s truth, but it isn’t until the final piece is in place when the gravity of your achievement hits you. This process can be overwhelming; it can challenge the most patient of souls; and it can inspire pride in a job well done. That journey can be overwhelmingly difficult, yet the pay-off is great. In a way, Sierra Simone’s Harvest of Sighs (and its predecessors A Lesson in Thorns and Feast of Sparks) is like putting a puzzle together. As you read each of these carefully wrought, devastatingly beautiful books, you feel as though you are interlocking the puzzle pieces of the Thornchapel series together. However, the puzzle picture of it isn’t revealing itself easily. Sierra Simone makes her readers work for the treasures of her books, and like the journey of piecing a puzzle together, reading a book such as Harvest of Sighs and the others in the series feels like an achievement.
I have struggled to find the words to express my utter joy and despair in reading Harvest of Sighs. I’ve decided to settle on a list, the attributes of Harvest of Sighs that makes it a compelling, heady read. I want to warn you, though. Simone does not make reading this series an easy one. For this former literature major, however, the journey has been one that moves my heart and my brain; this series has forced me to delve into the recesses of my memory for the literary knowledge I have tucked away in a special chest, unused in some time. That remembering has made the experience of these books a zealous intellectual pursuit. So here goes…this is the best I can do right now, given that there are a few more missing pieces of the puzzle that is the Thornchapel seres:
At its most basic level, Simone’s writing style is exquisite. Harvest of Sighs is not an easy read. This is not your “average romance” laid straight and bare for its reader. The word choice and syntax exist, in my opinion, to create the heaviness of the story. That’s right; this story feels heavy. Simone achieves this with the choice of her words, with its meter, and with its syntactical arrangement. It can feel oppressive reading Harvest of Sighs, but that also feels necessary to the articulation of Auden, St. Sebastian, Proserpina, Delphine, Rebecca, and Becket’s story. The lightness is found in the naturesque scenes, but Simone’s style evokes the depth and breadth of her story. And even her nature descriptors are heavy too. The profundity of her style leads to the significance of her story.
The story itself is a twisty-turny Gothic charade. When you think you have each characters’ story determined, Simone changes the route, taking us over the cliff. Like Feast of Sparks, Harvest of Sighs, once again, leaves us standing precariously at the cliff. There is a bit of hope embued in the final two chapters of the story, but it isn’t much. Even then, when Door of Bruises, the final book in this series, is finished, the puzzle revealed might not be the one we want. Thus far, the picture is incomplete at best.
At its most base level, the $exual moments are titillating and provocative, as is the standard for a Sierra Simone tome. Just like her other series, she pushes the boundaries of propriety, and you can’t help but feel as though you’re peeping behind the curtain to the adult section of your local video store (circa pre-2000s).
The sexual politics and its marriage to morality is a centerstone to Harvest of Sighs. I’d like to think that Simone is challenging our heteronormative, Judeo-Christian values with this series (and the ones before it). I’m fairly certain she is. For this reader, it’s one of the many reasons I continue to read her romances. She’s pushing the boundaries of romance by challenging our mores when it comes to romancelandia. These are an inroads into opportunities for reflection and change. However, I believe it’s one only a few romance writers can accomplish, namely Simone.
The poetry of her story is divine. In Harvest of Sighs, the harvest is the metaphor used throughout the book to elaborate on the characters’ freedom from societal stricture. Over and over in this book, Simone crafts “the harvest” into the erotic. As each character engages in a “harvest” of sorts, the story becomes upended, as the harvest dies eventually. You don’t read this level of style into many romance books. This becomes the intellectualism of her story. This coupled with her researched mythology and biblical allegories both confuse and challenge you to read more keenly.
Over and over again, I found myself seeking the pieces of the puzzle to Harvest of Sighs. There were times when it became difficult to find the right piece to fit the part of the puzzle of her story where I was working. And it was frustratingly glorious. Her challenge, her elicit way of storytelling, lends itself to raising the “picture” of romance. It feels necessary and provocative and intellectual in a way that sometimes romance doesn’t allow itself to be. I, for one, am impatient for Door of Bruises. I want to fit the rest of the pieces of the puzzle to the gothic tale of the Thornchapel series. The picture is still incomplete, but once it’s fully realized, I believe it will be a picture we have never seen and may never see again. Read this series; read Harvest of Sighs.
Another great book by Sierra Simone to continue this series. I love the hot scenes and the complexity of all the relationship between these six individuals. Past revelations causes issues for these newly form relationship. We get to learn more about each person as an individual and what they have carried with them from the past that makes them the way they are. I enjoy learning about these ancient rituals and folklores and I know what is says in these books are as accurate as can be because Ms. Simone knows how to research and explain to us in ways that pulls us into the story and makes you ponder if these things really happened in ancient times and could continue to this day. I can’t for the final book to see what happens to all these characters and what the last ritual will be and if they proceed with it. This series with all the romance, various relationships, the mysteries of Thornchapel, secrets being unveil by each individuals and their parents pulls you in from the first book and keeps you guessing until the end. October 31, 2020 can’t come soon enough for Door of Bruises.
Top 2020 read! 5 twisted & thorny stars!
Sierra Simone is a master at her craft! She doesn’t just tell a story, she gives you an experience and an education. Her words take you on a journey that you never want to end. This is Book #3 in the Thornchapel Series. The plot just keeps getting more intriguing, twisted, and addicting. I clung to every word as if it were a lifeline. I swear her words and plot are like a drug and I’m so addicted! I was hooked from the start, feigning for each word and the next scene. The characters are complex and unique. They are so different from one another but fit perfectly together, and I love every single one of them. The book continues with secrets & lies revealed, more mystery, heartbreak, off the charts steamy scenes that will burn you up, and tons of passion and angst. I loved every minute of this book!
This isn’t an ordinary book, it is so much more. You can’t just book this book into one romance genre, it is so much more! I don’t have the proper words to express how I feel, to express the journey this book took me on. It was unputdownable, phenomenal from start to finish, and ohhh what a finish it was with that cliffhanger!!! I am dying for the next book! This is a must-read and I highly recommend reading it! You do have to read the books in order to understand what is going on in this book.
****ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.****
These Characters Are Everything
*arc generously provided by the promo team in exchange for an honest review*
What’s this book about? (I’m trying to give as little spoilers as possible)
Delphine and Rebecca aren’t cut from the same cloth. They never liked each other. But, now, they’ve grown up. After the events of the previous books, Delphine becomes Rebecca’s submissive. Rebecca didn’t think she could fall in love. She fought hard to keep everything inside of her locked up, hoping to keep that door closed. What happens when that door opens?
Each book I read with these characters as leads, I fall in love. I love each and every single one of these guys and girls. Auden will forever be that weird rich kid that I hate to love, but I love anyway. So rich and gorgeous, it hurts. He’s so endearing, I CAN’T. St. Sebastian and Poe aren’t wrong with their feelings about this dude. At all. I see the appeal. St. Sebastian is a snack in this instalment, but he always has been so far, so what’s new. I felt his struggles in this story. Poe didn’t truly leave an impression upon me this time around. Becket popped up with some heavy scenes and I’m curious to see where his character ends up in Door of Bruises. And now, to my OTP. Rebecca and Delphine. We’ve had so much TRIANGLE drama in the past two books that I thought book three would dedicate a LOT of time to my babies. Unfortunately, I didn’t think it was enough! I wanted so much more from these two. They had such interesting backstories. I loved discovering more about Delphine. Rebecca was amazing and frustrating. I love these two so much.
As you can see, my main argument for this series in general is the abundance of awesome characters that captivate you.
I’m not a big mythology/fairy tale fan, but in this story, there were moments that kind of creeped me out. Shut these damn doors, will ya? I can’t wait to read the conclusion to this epic story that comes out on Halloween. I’m broken after that cliffhanger. I really am. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO COPE UNTIL HALLOWEEN?
I recommend this read who love open love in their books (from queer to threesomes), fairy tales and mythology, mysteries and a tortured leading cast that’s working through their past one mystery after another.
The depth of Sierra Simone’s writing continues to blow me away! Harvest of Sighs is the third book in the Thornchapel series that involves Auden, Poe, Delphine, Rebecca, Becket and St. Sebastian. This story will pull at your heartstrings. This story is angsty, sexy, magical and twisted. Secrets are revealed, but there are more answers to come. There is so much going on between the characters that I can’t wait to see what happens in the final installment of the Thornchapel series.
This is the third installment in the Thornchapel series. The series must be read in order. Auden decides that the friends will not be celebrating Lammas in the Thornchapel. While every is disappointed, they realize his feeling as probably right.
Delves a bit more into the backstory of the parents. Brilliantly sets up the final book. Plenty of angst and steamy interludes to keep the story moving. I can’t wait for the finale.
Harvest of Sighs is an apt title for this novel because it harvested a lot of deep sighs from me. I mean reallllly, Sierra Simone? Really? You must be a sadist–not only are you torturing your characters, you’re torturing us. These poor, poor people. None of them are going to remain unscathed from your wicked and inventive tortures, are they? Which means we’re all feeling their pain. We’re all hurting and curious about what it will take to heal all of these gaping wounds that are their hearts. Yeesh. I have ideas, as I think many of you will when you put this novel down, and I’m very eager to see which ones will come to fruition and which ones will not. I’m eager to see the twisted way that you’ll bring Poe, Becket, Delphine, Rebecca, Saint, and Auden to their happily ever afters; I suspect the journey to get there won’t be an easy one.
As with the other novels in this series (which, by the way, you must read first or Harvest of Sighs won’t be as meaningful for you), the setting seems to be just as much a character as the characters themselves. It’s lush and animated and at times seems to activate emotions of our characters, at times motivate their emotions, and sometimes mimic them. Thornchapel, in particular, seems to be an antagonistic force, that rarely seems to be satisfied by its owners.
Also, as with the rest of the series, this novel unveils a little bit more of the family and personal histories of the characters which continues to round them out and make their complexities that much more understandable and sympathetic. These novels also delve into their individual points of view–some get more page time than others–which helps us understand their motivations, rationalizations, and deep seated fears and hurts … and loves. (Also shout out to a character we’ve seen before in Priest!)
I’ll finish this hodgepodge mash up of thoughts with the one that every Sierra Simone readers knows: this novel was impeccably written and impossible to not read with a savage hunger to gulp it down in one sitting, while also trying to savor it like the delicious treat it was. I didn’t want to put it down and yet with every paragraph closer to the ending, I found myself trying to slow down so that I would have a little longer with these characters. I’m so glad we’ll have one more novel with this crew–I hope it’s a long one.
4.5 stars for – Harvest of Sighs – the third book in the Thornchapel series by Sierra Simone. Books one and two must be read first as there is a continuing story line that is intense to say the least. Reader discretion is advised as this book celebrates sex in all it’s glory whether it be between two people or six. This also includes lots of sexy scenes of man-on-man love and woman-on-woman love. This is honestly some of the hottest writing I have ever read.
We pick right back up where we left off but this time the focus is more on Delphine and her relationship with Rebecca. Not that Auden, St. Sebastian, Proserpina and Fr. Beckett aren’t also a part of this book it just seems to be the girls turn for lack of a better term.
This book is written in a way that leaves you breathless and craving more. You are sucked in to a world that holds you hostage yet you’re the one left craving more. Fans of Sierra’s work will love the intense scenes and imagery she creates from the first page to the last. I am counting down the days until we can finally see how it all comes together in Door Of Bruises.
Book 3 in this eagerly awaited Thornchapel series and what a beautiful, mystic and downright erotic read this was. Sierra has this wonderful way of weaving such magic, myth and erotisism into her tales, it builds such a fantastically detailed world, and with the 6 characters that are so different and individual and so very layered….. I devoured this book and it left me breathless and wanting so very much more!!
I’m not giving much away about this, it’s one of those series that I think should be read blind, you need an open mind and heart for this. Ensure you’ve read books 1 and 2 first.
This book, as you can tell by the cover, centres a lot around Rebecca and Delphine, but by no means misses out on the other four, especially after the ending of book 2!! All 6 of the characters are becoming more entangled and drawn to each other and to Thornchapel itself. We get more history about Thornchapel and what has gone on there previously, as well as more convoluted family history involving their parents.
I felt entranced reading this, pulled into the story line, wanting to experience what they were feeling!! A story full of mysticism, passion, heartbreak, longing, sins and forbiddenness. But by the end of the book there is a definite air of foreboding present, something big is on the horizon, and I can’t wait to see how it will all play out in the last book. I can’t wait!!!
“From the moment we met, we were a wickedness. A sin and a tragedy.”
Let me start by saying I am so obsessed with Thornchapel. I never imagined this story would consume me quite like it has. The author has a way with characters and words that never ceases to amaze me with each book I read. Harvest of Sighs was a emotion fueled ride full of ups and downs from the very first page until the very last page. I never seen so many things coming until they slapped me in the face. I don’t know what I was truly expecting with this book but I can say it wasn’t how things played out and I have zero complaints. This book may have been a thick one, however I devoured every last chapter in a matter of days! With each new installment this series only grows more original and even more intense. I thought the angst and raw emotion of this story would kill me. So many times I had to set my kindle down and walk away. I am completely beside myself waiting for the final installment. After such an explosive ending I am desperate to know how things are going to end. I can feel the book hangover sneaking up on me already! Fall simply can not come fast enough.
“They hold his spirit, and so he can hold their bodies. His wild and thorny heart beats for them and them alone.”
I have never been so torn between characters in my life. I could not pick a favorite even if I tried. I am just that obsessed with them all. I simply can not imagine Thornchapel without any one of these characters being present. Each one has their own way of making this story what it is. While also working their way into your heart. Auden with his wild dominance and controlled ways. St Sebastian with his passion and all consuming love. Poe with her unwavering strength and wise ways. Delphine with bubbly and positive attitude. Rebecca with her intense calculated dominance. Becket with his charming gentle guidance.
“My hunger for her is as bottomless as her eyes. And so I don’t even know who I am anymore when I’m with her.”
*5 STARS*
Is so well earned with Harvest of Sigh. If you have not started the Thornchapel series yet I can not stress enough how much you are truly missing out on a unique and utterly consuming read. If you are looking for something out of the box and unlike anything you’ve read before. I highly recommend this book and entire series.
As with most Sierra Simone’s books, I was sucked into the character’s lives before the end of Chapter One. I thought I knew going in where they would lead me but was I ever wrong. Of course, this doesn’t surprise me because it’s Simone’s outstanding writing.
When the gang is once again gathered at Thorn Chapel, their lives are open to new interpretations for love, lust, and strange happenings that loop back to former residents and visitors and intertwines those people with the the five friends of today.
The lusty scenes are off the charts hot but more than that, they give the reader insight into a world revolving around love, dominance, and taboo acts.
If you’ve not read the first two books, don’t start here. Get them, devour them, and let your imagination run wild.
Oh my friends! Harvest of Sighs just continues us on our quest and discovery, a perfect combination of mindfuckery and awe. Sierra Simone is a master crafter of words. She is a truly gifted writer. Her ability to continue to deliver shock value, sensuality, amazement, love, history and obsession with these characters is astounding. I have been hooked since book one and I will be honest, she continues to test the limits of my boundaries of comfort and I’m absolutely open-minded and okay with that. I’m enjoying this journey as a matter of fact.
I don’t want to go into much detail as I don’t want to risk anything spoilery. I will say, you MUST read these books in order. If you are up to this point, You know from book two we were left on quite the doozy of a cliffhanger. Some of our main characters( as well as many of us readers) are still struggling with this revelation. While this storyline’s “big” focus surrounds Delphine and Rebecca as a couple, our other four main characters are obviously still very much a huge part of the story as well.
There is so many more revelations about the history surrounding Thornchapel and our six main characters as well as their own parents that come out in this book. Their families and how they have been connected more than our crew could have even imagined back when their history quest first began. I’m so ready for Door of Bruises because I’m ready to know what happens. So many years of history, centuries long, secrets have come out and I’m a battlefield of different emotions and feelings. I’m intrigued, and curious. I’m a little worried and uncomfortable, but I can’t seem to help but to want more anyway. I’m terrified because of the way this book ended. It wasn’t like this huge bomber of a cliffhanger but it still hit me the gut. Because who TF will bear this huge burden of responsibility? You will understand what I’m saying when you read this! I’m addicted to the way this world has drawn me in and I want to know what’s going to happen. Will history continue to repeat itself?
Friends, grab the first three books, A Lesson In Thorns, Feast of Sparks, and Harvest of Sighs. Enter this enchanting world of sin and debauchery. Learn all about the dark hedonistic rituals, murder, lies and deep family hidden secrets. Learn about how Auden, Poe, St. Sebastian, Beckett, Rebecca and Delphine crossed the boundaries of friendship into a circle of shared lovers and new experiences under dark skies in hidden gardens with magical secrets.
While there is definitely more F/F in this book than the previous and it’s not something that I’m into IRL, it’s oddly fascinating and still semi-intoxicating to read at the same time. That’s because Sierra has this way about her writing. I’m just drawn into the almost magical feeling this book invokes in me. She definitely put more sensitive topics in this book than the previous books, however she gives a disclaimer at the beginning and she handles it very tastefully and with the utmost respect to the subject matter. I definitely recommend this series for anyone looking for something different and interesting and enchantingly amazing!
*I voluntarily reviewed an advanced complimentary copy of this book!
My cr8zysockbookblock Ratings and Wrap up for this book!
– Mind Boggling at it’s finest !! I am reeling, I am blown away by these amazing characters, This series is unlike anything I have ever read before and I am dying and somewhat terrified for the final installment because it could eviscerate my heart forever! Enchanting, Erotic, just Everything!!
– Be warned. The debauchery is as always slamming in this book.
There is M/F, M/M, F/F, M/M/F so if that’s not your jam I wouldn’t recommend this book.
Cliffhanger warning-There is a CLIFFHANGER. While not as major as book two. It’s definitely left me worried. This story is not resolved in this book if cliffhangers offend you, again this probably isn’t the book for you or wait until the series is complete.
Otherwise, Happy Reading my friends!!
Trigger Warning-This book is a Dark Sinful Romance and does speak of content and contains scenes that could be considered triggers or offensive for some. If you have concerns you can PM for more information.
An emotional and intense read!
Oh my goodness, I absolutely could not wait to get my greedy hands on the third installment of the Thornchapel series. Harvest of Sighs does need to be read in order, and if you haven’t started this series, you should start now. We get to see more of Rebecca and Delphine in this book, as well as all the angsty goodness that is coming out for these six friends. While I did not like this book quite as much as the first two, there are still plenty of redeeming moments that make me hungry for the final book. This one had a more convoluted religious backstory to it that while necessary, sometimes felt too drawn out for me. I still loved all the kink, all the mysterious going-ons around Thornchapel, and I absolutely loved the story and backstory of Rebecca and Delphine, their personal story made me ache for all they’ve been through. Overall, this book has passion, it is mysterious and intriguing, and the characters make you fall for each of them. This series is not to be missed!
I am totally at a lost of words to describe this book, if book one and two already had me on edge, this book I completely lost it. This book focuses more on the relationship between Rebecca and Delphin, but we also get glimpses into the others characters.
We also get more information about the Thorn chapel and the mysteries that lay within, but of course there’s so much still. I cannot really say much more about this book without revealing important information, all I can say is that is more intense than the previous two book, much more information comes to light, much more KINK, more EROTIC, just…so much more!
I thoroughly enjoyed it, and the wait for the last book is going to be excruciatingly painful.
Harvest of Sighs was the sensual, twisted, angsty and mysterious third book in the gripping Thornchapel series. With each new addition I’ve become more consumed with this intriguing group of characters and their relationships. From Rebecca to Delphine, to Auden, Poe, Saint and Beckett each character had their own complex situation or decision they struggled with. The mysteries, secrets and lies threaded throughout their story made for some interesting twists along the way. The push and pull, touch of magic, and secrets slowly coming to light kept me on a pageturning frezy. I’m beyond curious to see how the rest of their story plays out and a bit nervous to see how things go for my favorite Little Martyr.
Haunting, highly erotic and emotional story.
This is book 3 of the Thornchapel Series and you really can’t read this book as a standalone.
That said, this installment was super hot, super sensuous, twisted and unpredictable. The circumstances amongst these 6 friends continue to evolve and develops. Although, the focus was Delphine and Rebecca. Albeit we also gain more insight into Becket’s past. However, after the jaw dropping ending in book 2, I was hoping for more insight into those circumstances but it was not as developed as I hoped.
Nonetheless, the author weaves something else into the story that gave the story another level of complexity.
What is happening here? Is that…what?
I cannot wait to see what direction the author will take in the final installment.
Harvest of Sighs by Sierra Simone is book Three in the Thornchapel series. This still continues on with the story of the group of friends(6 friends ) but in this book, we get
Delphine and Rebecca’s tale. You thought you knew their story as secondary characters in the past 2 books but this book will blow you away. Their story from their beginning to present time will leave the reader reeling.
This is a enthralling, angsty, savage, heartbreaking, sensual, majestic, utterly brill… there are twists and turns that come. This story will take your breath away and does end on quite an ending!!! O.M.G.!!!
My Rating: 4.5 stars ********
If you still need reasons to start this series….
Dark and twisted
Mysteries and rituals
Secrets and omissions of truth
Haunting pasts
Sins of the father
Indulgence and sacrifice
Even when you know what to expect, because this is book 3, the story continues to blow you away. It’s complex, a tale woven
through the darkness and shadows of their souls. Relationships are tested, we’ll have to see which survive in Door of Bruises.
The twists and turns get tighter and steeper. Our six friends, cohorts, and lovers have seemingly found their perfect couplings and callings. Or have they?
Rebecca and Delphine become a couple and their Domme/Submissive relationship is just as hot as we all thought and hoped it would be. But then the cracks start to form. Old insecurities come to roost and fester, not just for Delphine but for Rebecca as well.
Becket, the outlier, the odd man out, still loves his work and continues to devote his life to God. However he can’t quite seem to ignore his feelings for Proserpina. And what would happen to his life’s work if anyone were to find out he had broken his vow of celibacy?
Finally, the wonderful trio we all love so much. What happens when St. Sebastian finds out the long-kept secret of his paternal parentage? Auden doesn’t seem to mind. Proserpina doesn’t mind at all. Can they still be a three? If they can’t, how do they all cope and manage their feelings?
Works continue on the house. The six of them all coming and going for their own jobs, always coming back to Thornchapel. More secrets are uncovered. The chapel and the altar in the woods keeps calling them back. Now there’s more light, they all understand a bit more what exactly the potential dangers are of their rituals and ceremonies. But what if the dangers are there, even without them?
This book was everything I was hoping it would be and more. I cannot wait for the fourth and final chapter of this story. I didn’t expect to feel so conflicted about where my loyalties lie and how I want the whole story to end. But right now, I have no idea.
Wow… This just had blowned me away! Harvest of Sighs was so breathtaking. Sierra had ways to play the storyline so good. This entangled relationship between 6 people. Uggh, I had craved for the rawness edge. Complexity and being Vulnarable. Harvest of Sighs were not meant for a single thought. I love the darkness..each characters had played so well.
By far, best book from the series