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A Lesson in Thorns
(Thornchapel #1)
by
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 mano
...more
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Kindle Edition, 343 pages
Published
March 19th 2019
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Cindi
This answer contains spoilers…
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Viv
Yes, it does. The next book is supposed to be out in June.
Community Reviews
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Start your review of A Lesson in Thorns (Thornchapel, #1)

“The realization that everyone right now is probably throbbing with the need to come shivers over me, and I have a brief fantasy of all of them—every last one of them—using my body to sate themselves with. My mouth and my tight cunt and everything, until every last person is spent and loose.”
Ms. Simone, you filthy, dirty, brilliant woman...

_______________
After several cold showers...
I don't really know where to even begin with this beautifully screwed up story. This was so enraptur ...more


Ms. Simone, you filthy, dirty, brilliant woman...

_______________
After several cold showers...
I don't really know where to even begin with this beautifully screwed up story. This was so enraptur ...more

Me, making the conscious decision to read erotica knowing damn well this is firmly outside my circle of interests and immediately regretting it: I didn't sign up for this. I mean. Technically, I did sign up for this. I just...didn't read the fine print. [incoherent mumbles] Fine. I did read the fine print. And I still signed it.....[inhales] Why did I sign it.
This is a glaringly obvious case of "it's not you, it's me." It is me. I'm really just too asexual for this.
That said, the book is defini ...more
This is a glaringly obvious case of "it's not you, it's me." It is me. I'm really just too asexual for this.
That said, the book is defini ...more

Jun 06, 2019
Chelsea Humphrey
rated it
really liked it
Recommended to Chelsea by:
Alex ✰ Comets and Comments ✰
Reread, because I'm going to finish out this series in 2021 one way or another."
********************
"In the faint moonlight, the grass is singing
Over the tumbled graves, about the chapel
There is the empty chapel, only the wind's home.
It has no windows, and the door swings,
Dry bones can harm no one."
-T.S. Eliot, The Waste Land
Ok, wow, so hold up one minute. I feel the need to preface this review for my regular readers because this is a very different type of book than I typically pick up. If you ...more
********************
"In the faint moonlight, the grass is singing
Over the tumbled graves, about the chapel
There is the empty chapel, only the wind's home.
It has no windows, and the door swings,
Dry bones can harm no one."
-T.S. Eliot, The Waste Land
Ok, wow, so hold up one minute. I feel the need to preface this review for my regular readers because this is a very different type of book than I typically pick up. If you ...more

”He dreamed and he burned.
Thornchapel waited.
And in a clearing in the woods, in a church ruined by thorns and time, something stirred.
Something called all six of them by name.”
Ahh hell! This was so dark, sexy, delicious, mysterious and alluring! I have no idea how Sierra Simone did it but boy, was this good! I’ve read plenty of smut in my life, I’m no stranger to breaking taboos and the idea of BDSM certainly doesn’t cause me to leg it, so nothing that was written on the blurb of this book made ...more
Thornchapel waited.
And in a clearing in the woods, in a church ruined by thorns and time, something stirred.
Something called all six of them by name.”
Ahh hell! This was so dark, sexy, delicious, mysterious and alluring! I have no idea how Sierra Simone did it but boy, was this good! I’ve read plenty of smut in my life, I’m no stranger to breaking taboos and the idea of BDSM certainly doesn’t cause me to leg it, so nothing that was written on the blurb of this book made ...more

Jan 21, 2019
Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
auto-buy-authors,
erotic,
erotic-romance,
unforgettables,
faves,
favorite-authors,
keeper-shelf
5++++ STARS

Hypnotizing.
Captivating.
Spell binding.
All enrapturing.
Those are just some of the words that were running through my overly sensitized brain as I was reading this book. No. Not reading. EXPERIENCING. ...more
The place claims you, it knows your name and the crooked corners of your heart, and you’ve pledged yourself to it before you’ve even realized what’s happening.
Thornchapel knows my name and the crooked corners of my heart, and it wants me to make promises that I’m going to keep.”

Hypnotizing.
Captivating.
Spell binding.
All enrapturing.
Those are just some of the words that were running through my overly sensitized brain as I was reading this book. No. Not reading. EXPERIENCING. ...more

Jun 12, 2019
Chelsea (chelseadolling reads)
rated it
it was amazing
Recommended to Chelsea by:
Melanie
This took a while to actually get going, but once it did? God tier smut. Have MERCY.

I'll start with the positive things: I liked the cover, writing, I learned a lot of new and difficult words, I adored St. Sebastian (who is the reason for the second star, otherwise I wouldn't have made it to the end because of all the ridiculous stuff I have to wrestle myself through) and I liked the idea of the setting (the house, the maze, the chapel,...). That being said... this book... -sighs-
To sum it up: convenient. The entire plot is convenient. They even added some bad weather (without ...more
To sum it up: convenient. The entire plot is convenient. They even added some bad weather (without ...more

4.5 stars
I'm upsetti spaghetti that this book ended as soon as it did.
I went into this thinking it would be just vapid smut, so boy was I surprised. The writing in this is actually one of the most gorgeous styles I've read all year, and I'm 100% gonna read more from this author. This had a great segmenting of smut versus actual plot, and the actual plot was.... wait for it.... interesting! I will admit that .5 stars came off of the rating because it was a little confusing, but it was an enchant ...more
I'm upsetti spaghetti that this book ended as soon as it did.
I went into this thinking it would be just vapid smut, so boy was I surprised. The writing in this is actually one of the most gorgeous styles I've read all year, and I'm 100% gonna read more from this author. This had a great segmenting of smut versus actual plot, and the actual plot was.... wait for it.... interesting! I will admit that .5 stars came off of the rating because it was a little confusing, but it was an enchant ...more

You know when you're reading a book and it's not really grabbing you by the hair from behind but you still want to finish it so you start a second book to accompany it and then the second book doesn't smack you on the ass while pulling your hair from behind?
This is that second book.
Honestly I only finished this book so that it would count towards my 2019 Reading Challenge to read 5000 books this year. For those of you keeping count I am a mere 1590 books behind schedule so no worries. ...more
This is that second book.
Honestly I only finished this book so that it would count towards my 2019 Reading Challenge to read 5000 books this year. For those of you keeping count I am a mere 1590 books behind schedule so no worries. ...more

this was everything I didn't know i wanted
...more

YUS ONE CLICKED!! BUUUTTTTT *rocks in the corner looking at arcs on my kindle*
Today is a F#ck it day!! I just can't handle it anymore. I'm going to sneak this in whilst still rocking in the corner!! ...more
Today is a F#ck it day!! I just can't handle it anymore. I'm going to sneak this in whilst still rocking in the corner!! ...more

4th read ➸ 14th July 2019:
petition for rebecca, delphine, and poe to have a threesome in book two, while beckett and saint have sex. auden can... idk come in his pants elsewhere

─── ・ 。゚☆: *.☽ .* :☆゚. ───
3rd read ➸ 20th June 2019:
“Do I just want to have sex with everybody? Is that it? Auden and Saint? Hell, maybe even Delphine and Rebecca and Becket?”

There has been some questioning about whether all the characters are actually bisexual, and the author has confirmed it multiple times, ...more

I'm going to be upfront and say I chose to read this book based mostly on the cover. LOL Call me shallow if you want, but it's the truth. It just looks so gothic and beautiful that I had to have it! 😍 I also heard it was weird, involved group sex, and was a good book by the majority of the people I know that read it. I mean, who wouldn't be intrigued, right?
A Lesson in Thorns by Sierra Simone is enchanting, kinky, mysterious, and steamy.
It's everything I was expecting and more. So many things ...more
A Lesson in Thorns by Sierra Simone is enchanting, kinky, mysterious, and steamy.
It's everything I was expecting and more. So many things ...more

5 “Convivificat” Stars

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 th ...more

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 th ...more

So good!!
This book consumed me. Its so unique. It has a mystical almost magical quality to it. Its hard to write a review without giving spoilers and trust me this is a book you want to go in blind.
There’s 6 people involved, 6 people that are connected to a place called Thornchapel. They feel its calling and they venture in a sensual, mysterious, erotic path.
I don’t want to give anything away but just know this is an incredibly well written book that will capture you from page 1. I can’t wait ...more
This book consumed me. Its so unique. It has a mystical almost magical quality to it. Its hard to write a review without giving spoilers and trust me this is a book you want to go in blind.
There’s 6 people involved, 6 people that are connected to a place called Thornchapel. They feel its calling and they venture in a sensual, mysterious, erotic path.
I don’t want to give anything away but just know this is an incredibly well written book that will capture you from page 1. I can’t wait ...more

<3 5 STARS <3
This was a unique,brilliant and addictive story.I was mesmerized from the prologue, all the characters, were interesting and original.I was hooked and I couldn't put it down.

This is a story about six children whose lives were unknowingly entwined and changed twelve years ago.I love the mystery around the story I was intrigued.I loved every minute of A Lesson in Thorns, there are twists and turns, there is romance, lies ,betroyals.So many things to keep you on the edge and make you ...more
This was a unique,brilliant and addictive story.I was mesmerized from the prologue, all the characters, were interesting and original.I was hooked and I couldn't put it down.

This is a story about six children whose lives were unknowingly entwined and changed twelve years ago.I love the mystery around the story I was intrigued.I loved every minute of A Lesson in Thorns, there are twists and turns, there is romance, lies ,betroyals.So many things to keep you on the edge and make you ...more

I love one (1) group of bisexual, horny, idiotic twenty-somethings and their weird magical house/church
4.5stars
4.5stars

dark, atmospheric, steamy and angsty; a lesson in thorns was the perfect read for a cozy rainy day.
my favourite part of this romance book was shockingly not the romance, but rather the aesthetics. It was immersive and transportive, and I felt as if I were in thornchapel exploring the library and maze alongside the characters. the writing elevated the atmosphere to the next level, with some of the best prose I have experienced in a smutty book. while I will most likely not remember the character ...more
my favourite part of this romance book was shockingly not the romance, but rather the aesthetics. It was immersive and transportive, and I felt as if I were in thornchapel exploring the library and maze alongside the characters. the writing elevated the atmosphere to the next level, with some of the best prose I have experienced in a smutty book. while I will most likely not remember the character ...more

What did I just read?

Read the whole review at Readin' Under Street-Lamps
I don’t even know where to start with this review to be honest, but we gotta start from somewhere I guess- so let’s start with 3 ruined panties, 4 cold-showers, and about 8-9 victims of involuntary public moaning, and one friend who is convinced I’m a sex fiend.
I guess you get where I’m going with this one, eh?
This book was a study in contrast- when you think of erotica, you’re usually thinking a lot of dirty talk, filthy se ...more

Read the whole review at Readin' Under Street-Lamps
I don’t even know where to start with this review to be honest, but we gotta start from somewhere I guess- so let’s start with 3 ruined panties, 4 cold-showers, and about 8-9 victims of involuntary public moaning, and one friend who is convinced I’m a sex fiend.
I guess you get where I’m going with this one, eh?
This book was a study in contrast- when you think of erotica, you’re usually thinking a lot of dirty talk, filthy se ...more

4 Entangled Stars ⭐️
Six children brought together over a summer vacation in the village of Thorncombe.
A child’s whimsical wedding to two boys amidst the ruins of Thornchapel.
* Auden
* St.Sebastian
* Proserpina (Poe)
A destiny that entwines them comes to fruition 12 years later.
The unexplained disappearance of Poe’s mother 11 years prior and a mysterious letter in her mother’s handwriting gives Poe the final excuse to return to Thornchapel where she has longed to be.
A Lesson in Thorns is a poetic e ...more
Six children brought together over a summer vacation in the village of Thorncombe.
A child’s whimsical wedding to two boys amidst the ruins of Thornchapel.
* Auden
* St.Sebastian
* Proserpina (Poe)
A destiny that entwines them comes to fruition 12 years later.
The unexplained disappearance of Poe’s mother 11 years prior and a mysterious letter in her mother’s handwriting gives Poe the final excuse to return to Thornchapel where she has longed to be.
A Lesson in Thorns is a poetic e ...more






↑ These are the six young people this book is about. ↑
They've known each other since that summer they spent together at Auden's family's estate in England - their parents were friends.... or something.
Now, twelve years later we're back at that house.
Librarian Poe is telling us their story.
(Even though we get some pages from the other five's POV too!)
Poe came from Kansas to work for Auden. He inherited the house and is updating everything - including the huge library.
St. Sebastian is there too. E ...more

4 stars
Well, I can honestly say I haven’t read a book quite like this before. A Lesson in Thornes is about six childhood friends reunited in their early twenties at Thornchapel. The heir, the dreamer, the priest, the genius, the socialite, and the saint.
It’s full of secrets and intrigue, and the ending had me so curious about what’s going to happen next. Sierra Simone writes so beautifully and I enjoyed this one a lot!
Well, I can honestly say I haven’t read a book quite like this before. A Lesson in Thornes is about six childhood friends reunited in their early twenties at Thornchapel. The heir, the dreamer, the priest, the genius, the socialite, and the saint.
It’s full of secrets and intrigue, and the ending had me so curious about what’s going to happen next. Sierra Simone writes so beautifully and I enjoyed this one a lot!
Audio book source: Audible...more
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrator: Sara Ormenyi
Narr

This was perfect! An instant fave 😍😍! I like that I went in basically blind (I didn't read any reviews ahead of time). So I didn't know what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised 😜😜. I genuinely don't have any criticisms of this book right now. I haven't written a full review in a long time lol. So I'm a little rusty.
The six characters the story focuses on were childhood friends brought together for one summer by their parent's visit to Thornchapel. All the kids knew was that the parents wer ...more
The six characters the story focuses on were childhood friends brought together for one summer by their parent's visit to Thornchapel. All the kids knew was that the parents wer ...more

EDIT 6/20: I’ve lowered my rating to four stars after finding out that, in a cast of six main characters who all experience attraction to multiple genders, none of them ID as anything except bisexual? As someone who IDs as bi... I don’t get it. What a disservice to pan and queer people.
this book well and truly f*cked me up (in all the best ways)
this book well and truly f*cked me up (in all the best ways)

Mar 24, 2021
Nenia ✨ I yeet my books back and forth ✨ Campbell
marked it as wishlist
I've never seen this go on sale before and it's only 99 cents rn (3/24) so YOU'RE WELCOME
...more
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