Blackthorn by J.T. Geissinger

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

You never forget your first love. Especially when he’s also your worst nightmare.

Twelve years ago, Maven Blackthorn fled her small hometown, leaving behind the wreckage of her mother’s suspicious death. But now, drawn back for her grandmother’s funeral, Maven steps onto Blackthorn soil once more, only to find herself thrust into a fresh her grandmother’s body has vanished.

The Blackthorns immediately suspect the Crofts—the ruthless titans of Croft Pharmaceuticals, whose bitter blood feud with the Blackthorns has spanned generations. But when Maven comes face-to-face with Ronan Croft, the son of her mother’s suspected killer and the only man she ever loved, she discovers the forbidden passion they once shared is as alive—and dangerous—as ever.

As long-buried family secrets claw their way to the surface, betrayal lurks behind every whisper, and old vendettas ignite anew. The deeper Maven digs for answers, the more treacherous the game becomes. And the one man she can never seem to escape is hiding a truth that could burn their whole world down.

In a town where the dead won’t stay buried, is love salvation…or the deadliest game of all?

Blackthorn

“What in the Jurassic Park f*ck is going on?”

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💜💚🩷🤎
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌍
Character development: 😋😀😍🤨🥰
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Duet Narration

🛡️ Audiobook ARC Review: Blackthorn

Author: J.T. Geissinger
Genre: Dark romance / Gothic romantasy
Narrators: Connor Crais, Tara Langella, and Veronica Pace

🦸🏼‍♀️ Maven Blackthorn: The Reluctant Heir

Maven Blackthorn returns to Solstice, Vermont after a twelve-year absence, dragging behind her a suitcase of secrets and her precocious daughter, Beatrix. Once the girl who nearly died in Blackthorn Manor, Maven is now a lepidoptera curator with a PhD in Entomology — brilliant, guarded, and fiercely independent. Her ancestral home is a crumbling architectural chimera: part gothic mansion, part medieval fortress, part rustic ruin. The locals call the Blackthorns witches, and while Maven resents the label, her family’s disdain for men and their eerie legacy make it hard to argue.

🦸🏻‍♂️ Ronan Croft: The Heir with a Heartache

Ronan Croft, CEO of Croft Pharmaceuticals and heir to a dynasty of wealth and influence, knows Maven is back — and he’s drawn to her like a moth to flame. Their history is tangled: first love, betrayal, and a feud between families that may have turned deadly. Ronan isn’t deterred by Maven’s icy reception or her declaration of hatred. He knows their story isn’t over. He remembers every stolen moment, every whispered promise, and he’s not ready to let go.

📚 Plot Twists & Paranormal Whispers

The Crofts and Blackthorns have been locked in a generations-long cold war, and Maven’s return stirs up more than old emotions. Her grandmother’s body vanishes between the wake and the funeral, triggering a chilling investigation into a string of “accidental” deaths in her family. As Maven digs deeper, she uncovers buried truths, long-held grudges, and the possibility that her mother’s death wasn’t natural — and that Ronan’s father may have played a role.

🌟 What Cast a Spell

• Maven’s aunts are delightfully reminiscent of the Owens sisters from Practical Magic — wry, witchy, and possibly hex-happy.
• Ronan’s emotional depth shines through his memories of Maven, adding layers to their rekindled tension.
• The dual family mysteries are rich with secrets, lies, and revelations that kept me hooked.
• The subtle paranormal elements — never overdone — add intrigue without overwhelming the romance.

💔 What Broke the Charm

• Maven starts off prickly and emotionally distant, even toward the man she’s dating. Her lie to Ronan felt unnecessarily cruel.
• Ronan smokes. Instant turn-off.

🎙️ Narration: A Duet of Voices

Told in dual POV with duet narration — a format I adore — this audiobook features Connor Crais, Tara Langella, and Veronica Pace.

• Connor Crais delivers Ronan’s chapters with his signature deep, velvety voice. He’s magnetic and emotionally resonant.
• Tara Langella’s voice is sultry and soft, but sounds older than Maven’s 29 years. I kept picturing Ellis Grey from Grey’s Anatomy, which pulled me out of the story.
• Veronica Pace brings clarity and warmth to Beatrix and supporting characters, adding dimension without distraction.

💬 Final Thoughts

This audiobook blends gothic atmosphere, slow-burn romance, and family intrigue with just a whisper of magic. If you love heroines who unravel secrets and heroes who refuse to let go, this one’s worth the listen — even if the heroine makes you work for it.

I voluntarily read & reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

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