Blackthorn by JT Geissinger | Book and Audiobook Review • Ana's Attic Book Blog

Blackthorn by J.T. Geissinger

Narrated by Connor Crais, Veronica Pace, and Tara Langella

Standalone Gothic Romance/Horror

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC and ALC. My reviews are always 100% honest. This post contains affiliate links.

“Blackthorns don’t need therapy—we make other people need therapy.”

A few years ago, I requested Pen Pal on NetGalley even though it was totally outside my usual comfort zone—and I loved it. So when I saw Blackthorn by J.T. Geissinger on NetGalley, I grabbed it, hoping for the same magic. I don’t have much time to sit and read anymore since I prefer audiobooks, and I found myself reading Blackthorn too slowly but dying to know what would happen next. When I saw a friend got the audiobook from NetGalley, I switched over—and I’m so glad I did. The Blackthorn audiobook made an already eerie story even creepier.

I don’t read dark romance often and I never touch horror—I don’t enjoy being that stressed when I read (or watch movies). But I do love stories filled with crazy twists and turns, and Blackthorn was absolutely packed with them. Maven Blackthorn returns to her hometown of Solstice with her daughter for her grandmother’s funeral. Staying in her family’s gothic mansion, Blackthorn Manor, she’s surrounded by her eccentric aunts, a sinister butler, and a cat that shouldn’t still be alive.

The Blackthorn family is feared throughout town, from their witchy ancestors burned at the stake to the present-day aunts who love to stir trouble (Blackthorn women never marry…or have male offspring). Ronan comes from the rival family. He and Maven had a secret fling in high school that neither dared to reveal. Now that Maven is back, he’s back—and he’s sure Maven’s daughter is his, even though she denies it.

“I adore it when you threaten me with violence. Did I ever tell you that?”
“God, I regret I came home.”
“I don’t. This is the most fun I’ve had in years.”

Their love-hate banter was my favorite part of the book. Maven’s sharp tongue, Ronan’s obsession, and the tension between them kept me glued. Meanwhile, strange, sinister things keep happening—whether it’s the house, her family, or her own mind unraveling, I couldn’t tell.

Or maybe I was the one spiraling. Because this book was all sorts of a mindfuck.

By the time I reached the end, I honestly wasn’t sure what the hell happened. The story built and built, then suddenly exploded into chaos. I feel like I missed something in the whirlwind, and I plan to reread the final chapters in ebook and audio (immersive) to piece it all together. The ending felt rushed compared to the slow, sinister build-up, and I was left with more questions than answers.

If you’re sensitive to triggers, this one has several—definitely check a trigger list before diving in.

“If I told you I’ve been in love with you for as long as I could remember, would you believe me?”

Likes:

It nailed the creepy gothic vibe, even more so in audio.
I couldn’t stop reading—I had to know what was happening.
The atmospheric descriptions of Blackthorn Manor were incredible.
The eerie family history and small-town fear.
The snarky, sharp banter between Maven and Ronan.
Ronan’s obsessive, magnetic attraction to Maven.
Darkly romantic and chillingly atmospheric.

Dislikes:

The last 20% left me confused.
I still don’t know what was real or imagined.
Maven seemed like a terrible mom; the daughter barely appeared.
Ronan kept a huge secret about their connection.
I wanted more flashbacks to their teenage romance for context.
There were too few chapters from Ronan’s POV.

The Sex:

Without spoiling anything, let’s just say you’ll need an open mind. There’s a lot of butt play and some questionable consent. It was strangely hot and terrifying at the same time—dark romance fans will understand.

The Narration:

I read the first half before switching to audio, and usually that transition throws me off because the voices never match what’s in my head. But not this time. The narrators, Connor Crais, Veronica Pace, and Tara Langella, were excellent and made the story even creepier, though one aunt’s voice sounded a little too young. Still, the audiobook added a cinematic edge to the gothic horror tone.

The Down & Dirty:

I have mixed feelings about Blackthorn by J.T. Geissinger. It hooked me completely—the atmosphere, the gothic setting, the eerie family legacy, and the twisty romance all had me obsessed. The first 75–80% was unputdownable and amazing. But then everything came crashing together too quickly, and the resolution felt rushed and confusing after such careful buildup. A few extra chapters or an epilogue explaining what really happened would have made it so much stronger.

Still, this dark gothic romance was addictive, full of tension, obsession, and jaw-dropping reveals. The first three-quarters were easily 4.5 stars, but the confusing, rushed ending dragged it down for me. I’m calling it a solid 3.5-star read overall.