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Edge of Thorns: Steamy BWWM Fantasy Romance

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From moonlight’s embrace.Sade Hughes needs to get out of the city. Her crazy, drug-dealing ex wants her back, and he'll have her, dead or alive. But when she takes shelter at her grandmother’s remote cottage, she finds herself at the border of two worlds and face-to-face with Aranion, a fugitive elven prince she thought was only a childhood dream.Through the veil of thorns.Stranded in a strange realm, Sade can no longer deny the soul-deep connection that blazes between her and Aranion. But as their forbidden passion ignites, his dark secrets threaten to tear them apart. What happens when Aranion's past catches up to him, forcing Sade to become a pawn of his most dangerous enemy, the elven woman who would be his wife?Across the dreaming divide.Trapped in the cruel elven court of her enemies, Sade must choose. Will she succumb to dark seductions and sever her bond with Aranion forever? Or can she unlock the truth to save them both?Edge of Thorns is Book 1 of a steamy BWWM Fantasy Romance duet.Warning: Don’t get it twisted, this book has plenty of plot, but it’s also steamy! Though Sade and Aranion are fated mates, our heroes walk a long, hard road. On it, we’ve got steam for fun, steam for love, steam with all plumbing (gay, straight, bi), steam for power brokering – and those dark seductions go all the way. This will put some kink in your hair if you don’t already have it. Edge of Thorns was previously published in two volumes as The Elven King and Birds and Prey. It also incorporates the first three chapters of what was previously titled An Elven Storm. The updated book has gone through significant revisions and edits, though the story is basically the same.

252 pages, Paperback

Published March 21, 2024

230 people are currently reading
100 people want to read

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Lexi Johnson

65 books17 followers

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5 stars
50 (29%)
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49 (28%)
3 stars
39 (22%)
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24 (13%)
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10 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
2 reviews
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June 24, 2024
Soul Bond?

Sade and Haytham? No, just no! Never should have happened. EVERY book I've read describes that type of bond as something different than just what we call souls mates. Won't be reading next book.
Profile Image for Cydney Reads.
399 reviews5 followers
July 23, 2024
CHOPPY.

A quick read, in a negative fashion. The storyline seems to be missing several chapters while moving from one to another. The potential for this book appeared to be great. The cover is what drew me in, and the title is intriguing enough for me to start reading. As the story begins, we seem to be missing the backstory, we are dumped directly into the first meeting of Sade, a mortal, and Aranion, the Sidhe Prince, which allows us to have a beginning introduction, but afterwards the story takes off without a breath insight.

While I enjoy dual POV, I was left wanting more in-depth thoughts and emotions. The major frustration with this multi-POV writing was the fact that the same events would repeat from different POV, instead of inserting the other thoughts or emotions, or a self-reflecting thought moving forward, the actions were simply repeated with the others POV. During part-two of the book, Aranion’s POV completely disappears, while we pick up Haytham’s POV, a stranger to Sade, but her new tutor/teacher.

The instantaneous need to be with one another, soul bound, left a lot of questions. While Sade and Aranion meet again, who knows how many years later, they are automatically attracted to one another. Somehow, the two were able to communicate sexually across worlds, without the true knowledge of one another. This opens the portal between their worlds and allows for Sade and Aranion to interact. I am normally a sucker for eternal mates/instant love/lust, but Sade and Aranion’s base of emotions seems to only revolve around intercourse. I wish we could have had some sort of basis for the two of them. While there is a soul bond between Sade and Aranion, during part-two, the bond is broken? There’s no explanation of how, the simple conversation or actions of “breaking,” the bond would be interesting to read and would add some depth to the storyline. As we are taken on a separate journey of part-two, Sade continues to feel the soul bond, but somehow is still able to get, “tingly” feelings for not only her capture but also her tutor/teacher, Haytham, so is she truly apart of the soul bond?

Lastly, Sade’s common-sense flags and triggers somehow disappeared. During the first couple of chapters, Sade can think through her actions and second guess herself. But somehow, during part-two of the storyline, her thoughts and processing are on a simple basis, like a child. She allows herself to be treated as a pet of sorts, but obviously still human. This part became frustrating as others around her warned her of the level of trust she’d given her capture, and yet…she still clings to the thought of being alive.

I would like to read the second installment only to see if the storyline somehow comes around, I have no confidence, but I would like to complete the story, to end the what ifs.
Profile Image for Mísee J..
85 reviews3 followers
July 24, 2024
Oh, man... this book was interesting and I'm not sure I mean that positively. This world is intriguing however, you really don't get much of it throughout the reading.

I like the connection they were making to their childhood and even the potential that was left for a future book to talk about what really happened to the grandma. The way in which the story began just seemed like there was so much more room for depth of characters and world building. I also disagreed with how some chapters were exact copies of the one before it, just from the other character's point of view. There was so much information that was left out in the story, some of those duplicate chapters could have been used better.

Our MFC has apparently just left an abusive relationship and run away to the house her grandmother left for her. She speaks with her brother a little after she arrives and, though it's obvious he loves her, they have grown apart in the years since her mom's passing. She assures the brother that the ex doesn't know where she is. Cut to tomorrow night: the ex is there. So is the elf (MMC: If you can call him that. He's only in about 1/3 of the book.) and he ends up killing him. Come on bro. This could have gone so differently. And, if you're wondering, this summary is only the first two chapters of the book.

Most of the rest of the reading is her being under a spell placed by the MMC ex-fiancé that took away her memories and makes her horny for the ex-fiancé's touch. You don't really know until she's sent away with the shifter that the ex-fiancé has been using the FMC for sex. Yes, the FMC does also sleep with the shifter despite the excruciating pain in her chest due to the soul-bond.

I'm going to stop here because there's so much more I could say.

OH! but before I go... The fact that when she is in her right mind, she can't even try to learn her partner. Her main concern is getting back through the barrier to tell her brother she's okay despite know that crossing back over could killer or drive her crazy like her grandma... Chile...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
24 reviews1 follower
December 15, 2024
it’s ok

Spoiler.************************







I was pisst I know she’s got her memories wiped but really did she need to sleep with somebody else does she need to abandon the person she loved and could we have some backstory on the drug dealer? Oh, I have been waiting to say this this entire time hold up didn’t the whole point of her moving means that she was living in the country and nobody would be near her because there wouldn’t be neighbors for miles. How did she have a neighbor that came up to her house real quick because her boyfriend was trying to kill her for her ex-boyfriend and how did the police come so quickly and know that there was blood everywhere if she lived in the country and the girl who was supposed to go tell was unconscious too many holes I don’t like it but yeah it’s a good story. It’s OK. It’s just very rushed and like somebody’s first book I’d like this author and I’d like to see more, but I don’t know about all that.
Profile Image for Keepingupwithlauryn.
112 reviews1 follower
April 2, 2025
interesting ( spoilers )

The book was good and def had spice I will say it moved very quick usually that’s good but in this case I wish it was more there more back story just not too much but I definitely liked it. I will say SPOILERS AHEAD !!! Taking away her memories I mean okay whatever but to have sex with other people known the pain… I mean the princess I get it but haytham uhhh didn’t see the point but I’m ready for the axing book maybe I’ll change my mind and um what about her brother ???? Are we gonna skip that part ?
39 reviews1 follower
May 12, 2024
Breath Taking

I have never felt butterflies in my stomach while reading any romance novel, but I did several times with this one. Not only did I experience that, but my heartbeat sped up, and I found myself holding my breath. I highly recommend this book. It has just the right amount of love, pain, sorrow, a sense of hopelessness, joy, fear, and excitement.
Brava to the author. I look forward to reading the next book.
1 review
October 21, 2024
Beautiful storytelling

This book was a marvel. It managed to paint such complex characters in so few keystrokes. However, the perspective shifts were fun but often not drastic enough to feel like it was worth reading the same scene twice over. Either way, a short and sweet read with so much potential buried in the characters and beautiful storytelling. Can't wait to read the next one.
32 reviews
July 15, 2024
Loved it

This book wasted no time getting right into the thick of it. I love when you don't have to waste time getting to the meat! What I loved most about this book was that I couldn't guess what would happen next. Too much predictability is no fun to read. Can't wait to get started on book 2!
Profile Image for Cindylulureads.
71 reviews
September 29, 2025
surprised

I enjoyed this book, there was this insta lust and attraction between the two that didn’t go down the way I thought it would. This fairytale world meets the human world style surprised me and so did the twist in the story. There’s two love interests and so much angst. Jumping into book 2 now.
Profile Image for Heather Winger.
54 reviews1 follower
May 31, 2025
Wow!!

This book is great!! Very explicit spicy scenes!! It had you on your toes the whole time! 100% recommend this book to anyone that loves a romantasy between the mortal and Elvin worlds.
28 reviews
November 17, 2024
4.5 stars

This books is amazing I am literally on the edge of my seat !!!! I was confused at first but now I want to know what is going to happened next
Profile Image for Cara Desire.
89 reviews
July 20, 2025
This book makes no sense and is painful to read

Where do I even begin?
There are so many things wrong with this book, it’s hard to pick just one. You’ve got a magical world where time moves slower than in the mortal realm, yet somehow the prince met the main character when they were children from another world and now they’re magically the same age? Make it make sense.

The main characters have zero personality, they just exist to hook up. The prince claims he doesn’t hurt animals and living and is a vegetarian because of that, but the second he meets the MC'S ex who he’s never spoken to, and doesn’t even speak the same language, he straight-up kills him. No questions, no hesitation. Just boom, arrow to the throat.

And the MC? She watches this man murder her ex in cold blood, and possibly murder a random woman (he touches her and she faints next to her???) and decides, “Yeah, this seems safe. Let’s go to your world, no questions asked.” Not only that, but she has seggs with him less than 24 hours after watching her ex die horrifically in front of her. I don’t care how toxic that man was, what kind of person is thinking, “You know what I need right now after watching another human bleed to death in front of me? Seggs. 😐

And just when you think it couldn’t get messier, she finds out the prince has a whole fiancée waiting back home. So you’d think that when they get a moment, they'd talk it out, right? Get to know each other. Wrong. They use that precious little time to have seggs again. Because apparently, talking is overrated when you can just trauma-bond through magical orgasms.

The POV switching was a mess. Scenes were literally repeated from one perspective to the other like we didn’t suffer enough the first time. And then somehow, out of nowhere, the MC becomes a seggs pet?? Like… no buildup, no emotional arc, just leash and go.

The whole thing was bizarre, unrewarding, and completely chemistry-free. My shoes have more connection with my feet than these two had with each other.

No offense to the author, I’m sure they’re lovely, but this book sucks. I can't believe it has sequels.
Profile Image for Aryes.
18 reviews
August 31, 2024
2.5 stars.
I had high hopes about this book when I cracked it open. Because it’s basically the “Girl from another world” story. Turned out to be an ok read that I won’t do again. It started well enough but sizzled out by the middle of the book. I felt like I missed growth… from all of the characters.
Tragedies keep happening to MFC and after a bit and she learns to navigate and defend herself from it but it felt stagnant, her growth fell short. MMC…. Who is that? The mate or the side piece?
The Mate we meet in the beginning. Learned that he’s a pawn in political warfare and is given little to no respect despite his station and status. Love it. Great potential for growth development. Didn’t get that. To sum it up, he hit it, forced to quit it, and when you see him again he’s a feeble one wasting away because he can’t do anything in his own.
I take back what I said earlier, The side piece had some growth but became the brooding one of the book and it was sad but also I found it annoying.
Honestly he should have been the mate because that could have also been a great storyline of overcoming his circumstance to be/fight for the be he bangs and falls for.
This could have been over in one book.
Profile Image for Ange.
29 reviews
March 19, 2025
no trigger warnings. warning spoilers!!! SPOILERS AHEAD

1. The beginning of this book was a promising read. I was excited but was thrown out of the loop during part 2.

Spoilers ahead!!!

In part two, she lost her memory. Was kept as a per/sex slave by her soulmates ex/enemy. Then the enemy handed her to someone to teach her how to kill, and she was essentially coerced into sleeping with her teacher.

I don’t care if she felt desire for him at that moment, she was brainwashed by everyone around her. And he knew that she was bonded and that sleeping with her would, would hurt her. She cried afterwards. And yet, it still happened. It was a very uncomfortable read. Her saying she wants it but having to force herself to go through with it and focus on the pleasure.

Overall it was very triggering and i wish the author had put a warning. The only enjoyable “steamy” part was the beginning and the end when she had 100% consentual sex without coercion, afterwards the other sex scenes were very uncomfortable. Im not sure I even want to read book two.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
167 reviews1 follower
April 4, 2024
Where To Start

This book was ridiculous. My holes of enjoying a good story failed shortly after I began reading the book. Let me start by saying I the elf Aranion has a very similar name to an elf in another authors book! Ok, maybe, just maybe it is a coincidence. However, there are other references that were also in the other authors book such as the term little bird.
Why was the author repeating herself? At first I thought that I had not turned the page however, that was not the case at all. This was done several times throughout the book which was quite annoying! The sex scenes were over the top and constant, Sade seemed to always be feeling tingly with people other than her supposed bond mate!
I tried to like it but I couldn't and will not be looking for the next book to read at all!
99 reviews3 followers
April 1, 2024
This is book 1 of 1 of the Elven Claimed series where Lexi weaves this story of Sade and Aranion. Sadie is at her grandmother's cottage. She finds a gateway to another world of fae princesses and their magic. This is where Sade meets Aranion. And they fall in love and this is their story. The characters are well developed and the book is a page-turner. I would definitely recommend this book to others who love paranormal romances.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Estrella Holden.
35 reviews1 follower
July 2, 2024
Mix feeling!

I have mixed feelings At some parts of this book it just seemed All over the place The story started off well but rushed Into the sex scene. Nothing was consistent, Certain parts need to be explained better. I just felt like I was in it and then I wasn't. I just couldn't continue reading it, I had to take long pauses Just to be able to finish the book. It has good potential Just missed the mark.
Profile Image for Lakisha.
285 reviews24 followers
March 6, 2025
So Many Questions

This was a good read but I have so many questions. Why was the shifter indebted to the Queen of the Bade Side Fae? How did Sade’s ex-boyfriend find her? Why can Sade read the wind before she was formally trained. Why is the king of Edenfrost wife in a deep sleep and what is her illness? I enjoyed this read, but I want to know more background. I know it makes the story longer, but the world building is worth the satisfying read.
Profile Image for Grace.
112 reviews6 followers
February 2, 2025
Really good start, but I quickly came to DESPISE how the author pads the story by giving you a play-by-play of each scene by the characters. If Character A does something, we have to read about it all over again in the next chapter through Character B's POV. Very little is gained by this. It wastes my time and ruins the story's momentum.
Profile Image for Willie-mai.
461 reviews3 followers
March 31, 2024
This was an excellent fantasy interracial romance! It was well written and had developed characters! The author told a great story!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
91 reviews
May 14, 2024
Spicy!

Wow, didn’t know what to expect & purchased because of the book cover. What can I say…I love fantasy photos!! Glad I did, can’t wait to read book 2. I feel so sad for Hatham, I’m hoping he finds some happiness also.
7 reviews
June 26, 2024
Quick read

Went by really quick. Everything felt rushed but it was a good story. There was a good amount of spice but even that feltt rushed. Also some part were redundant when they would retell the same scenario from someone else's point of view.
4 reviews
January 25, 2025
Everything you want is there

The story overall was good. The author repeats herself a lot without introducing new perspectives or plot points. It was great brain candy. I feel like it was a great story but I want more of it.
Profile Image for Krissy Scott.
49 reviews1 follower
May 9, 2024
It ended kinda no good. And then to find out the regular world had werewolf’s but we don’t get any real details on it was no fun.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1 review
June 1, 2024
Good but a bit messy

I loved the store but the second person pick up in the story was a bit all over the place.
1 review
June 28, 2024
binged!

I loved this story and I love Sade. Though a quick read she was relatable and the scenes are very well written. The only thing I could ask for is more Haytham.
Profile Image for Nycskpe.
766 reviews
August 31, 2024
🙂🙂🙂

Pretty good story though it ends with a cliffhanger! I liked the characters yet I don't feel that enough of their histories was given or it was barely written.
70 reviews
January 16, 2026
It was okay, I was left feeling disappointed as it started off so well.
Profile Image for ❤︎ RIA READS ❤︎.
12 reviews
January 4, 2025
Almost Dnf’d: Had to see it through…

The beginning of the book intrigued me but that quickly dwindles as I continued on.
If you want to read about a character with no substance who lust after anything with legs then this is the book for you!

XoXo,
A girl who reads anything
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