Blackthorn by J.T. Geissinger
Gorgeous gothic vibes meet a story that teeters on the edge of chaos.
Blackthorn is a gothic romance steeped in secrets, revenge, and old family curses. Geissinger nails the atmosphere with fog-drenched woods, eerie houses, and a creeping sense of danger that lingers throughout.
While the setting pulled me in, the story itself didn’t quite deliver. I struggled to connect with Maven and Ronan. I believed the obsession more than the love. The mystery kept me turning pages, but the pacing dragged to the point that I was sure it would end on a cliffhanger. The ending finally came in a rush that left more confusion than closure. And a few of the supernatural elements, especially around Ronan, were too vague to land with impact.
Readers should check the content warnings before starting. This one goes to some very dark places. Blackthorn has a wonderfully spooky vibe, but for me, the atmosphere outshined the story.
Rating: 2.5 Stars
POP: 40%
Release Date: November 4, 2025
Content Warnings:
Author’s Note: Blackthorn is a gothic romance that contains dark themes and potentially disturbing content, including but not limited to graphic sex, noncon and dubcon sex, explicit language, possible harm to a child, human sacrifice, disturbing imagery, the occult, religion, violence, murder, horror, incest, blood, death, grief, and gore.
This one was not for me, but it might be for you. If this story seems like something you would enjoy, it will be available in Kindle Unlimited on release day. Link below:
