A really intriguing premise and an innovative idea! The writing was also excellent. I did not finish in time but I thoroughly enjoyed what I did read! Really looking forward to finishing this.

Knowing it this book was slower paced going in I think saved it for me. I actually liked the slow pacing with all of the characters. This was a great story, and I can't wait to try out more books by Thomas.

Thank you to the publisher and the author for the opportunity to review this book.

Interesting premise, terrible pacing.

Elegy's family has been responsible for the ghosts living in their home for over a hundred years. Her father keeps her on a tight leash and has overwhelming expectations of her. She has barely any will of her own. The story is about how she gets control back over her life, with the support of the man she falls in love with. Oh, and also getting rid of the ghosts.

The horror scenes are marvelously descriptive, but a bit out of place in what is pretty much a romance novel. Sadly, even the love interest and most of the side characters remained rather flat, with their personalities mostly consisting of 1-2 traits.

The love scenes were empowering and we need these kinds of depictions of relationships where the woman has agency and the man supports that. But I don't really know what made Atticus fall in love instead of just being curious.

The book was read by the author, who has a nice voice and enunciation. While I understand, why the many ballads in the book were not actually sung, I still missed that. The slow reading of them, even several times in some cases, was frankly tiresome.

Around the midpart the story really slowed down, then there was unnecessary drama, hope, more drama, even more drama and some unearned reveals with tragic endings. The interpersonal relationships needed more elaborating before that had any real weight.

And finally, this was the most unnecessarily long epilogue I had the misfortune to encounter. 30 minutes! It's like an entire second chapter in a smalltown cozy fantasy. Too many details about gardening, how they managed their living situation years ago, how the wedding went, etc. I understand Elegy needs closure, but this is really going overboard.

I'm sad I ended up listing so many cons when the elements of the story in themselves are pretty good and some of the ghosts are quite cute and funny and event their backstories are interesting. But I feel like nobody told the author to focus and so she spread her writing thin over all the bits and pieces she wanted to tell instead of letting some of them just stay notes.

Wow, I really thought I wasn’t going to enjoy this book, but it was so enthralling. The ghosts were portrayed as ghosts but living people, and the story of them being summoned and banished was fascinating. I really became teary by the end and was sad to see everybody go. I loved the two main characters bond, but hugo really annoyed me.

First I want to say that who liked the haunting of hill house will love this book, the spirit is much on point with hill house. I got to listen to the audiobook read by the author, and I feel she wasnt the right person to read the book, perhaps I am too spoiled by voice actors and actresses and I am hoping I will get the same kind of reading every time. Another thing I didn’t like that much, was how slow the book was, it was like having a picture painted in front of us and we were seeing each paintbrush of paint drawing in a canvas. Maybe that is what will make you love this book, but for me it was a bit too much.

I will definitely get a written version of the book to read, I think it will make my experience better, but if you like slow telling story that paints a picture on your mind, just grab a copy for yourself because you’ll like it.

Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media, for the free AAC and this is my honest opinion.

The premise reminds me of the Tv show Ghost with Rose McIver, except the ghosts are darker & more malicious.

What I loved 💕:
💕 it’s an ode to Gothic literature
💕 Our FMC displays emotional strength rather than physical
💕Excellent Ghost Story
💕Discussions around generational trauma

What was not my cuppa tea ☕️:
☕️some scenes were really uncomfortable to read
☕️ limited characterization at times

Ideal Reader ⭐️:
⭐️ Fans of horror movie 13 Ghosts
⭐️ Fans of Gothic Ghost Stories


Trigger/ Content warnings:
‼️Descriptive Gore including child victims
‼️Sexual Assault/Harassment

I love the cover of this book, and I was hoping for a haunting gothic vibe. Perhaps some degree of charm is acceptable, but this felt entirely too whimsical and out of touch for my liking. I am grateful for the opportunity to listen, but I was not able to finish this audiobook.

I am immensely grateful to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for my copy.

I absolutely loved this cozy, ghostly gothic story! The concept of being a keeper of the spirits who inhabit the home because of a family curse was delightful. The characters were diverse and so fun! I adored the romance and how I felt transported to the time period. I will definitely be looking forward to more by this author.
The narration was exquisite and very easy to follow. Almost melodic in a sense that enabled me to get lost in the story.

A true genre-blender; I had a hard time pinning down the genre of this one! It’s a fantasy with a strong romance backbone, with a little bit of horror thrown into the mix.

The heroine Elegy Thorne is a quirky and peculiar character. She was raised in Thorne Hall, fully knowing since she was a child that her destiny is tied to the spirit collection. Once her father dies, she inherits the ghosts, and she will stay trapped in this mansion, as it will be her duty to keep them from misbehaving. Because of this, she’s had to give up all her dreams. Her father has her living in the past, with no wifi or easy access to the outside world. The book itself has a historical vibe to it, as Elegy must dress in old-fashioned clothes and has an antique manner of speaking. This introduces quite a bit of humor when she interacts with characters outside of the house, as they’re all living in the modern world. Despite the fact that she has little control over her own life, she’s delightful and sweet. She’s a compelling combination of kind-hearted and naive, all while being accustomed to regularly interacting with horrifying and decomposing ghosts. She’s such a fascinating character!

Atticus is her love interest, and he doesn’t feel quite as well fleshed out. Regardless, he’s a swoon-worthy hero, and I fully understand why they fell for each other.

The plot of the book is compelling, if a little predictable once you realize the story’s strong roots in the romance genre. If you go into this book expecting it to be more of a horror, you’ll be sorely disappointed. But the fantasy elements and worldbuilding are marvelous and the romance is *chef’s kiss*, so you better not complain to me!

I listened to this as an audiobook, and it was read by the author. She captured the essence of the characters and the world she created with masterful perfection. I love listening to audiobooks read by the author, because you just know that they’re putting the emphasis on the right parts and they’re getting the tone just the way they intended. We aren’t distanced from the story by a narrator’s performance of an interpretation of the book, and I feel closer to the story because of it.

All in all, I highly recommend this story if you enjoy a fantasy romance and aren’t afraid of a little gore folded in with the whimsy!

This was such a unique story. A little slow paced but full of gothic atmosphere and morbid spirits. The setting of a crumbling grand estate filled with kind and malicious souls alike stuck in an 1850's-time warp was spectacular and only added to the general atmosphere. The contrast of the modern world and the estate really helped to showcase Elegy's isolation.

The romance in my opinion was where this book fell a tiny bit short. While it was cute, it was very insta-love and felt very thin. There wasn't much to suggest that Elegy and Atticus should be so invested that they should sacrifice themselves for each other. Also, the epilogue, though sweet, served no purpose and was unnecessary in my opinion.

Overall, this is a perfect book to read around Halloween and I'd definitely recommend it

Thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for my audio arc!

The haunting atmosphere and lyrical prose of this audiobook create an immersive gothic experience that lingers long after listening. The writing is rich with eerie beauty, making Thorne Hall feel like a character of its own, steeped in secrets and sorrow. The slow-burning tension builds masterfully, blending ghostly whimsy with the weight of legacy and longing. While the pacing is deliberate, it allows the emotional depth to settle in, making every moment feel significant.​
The author's narration enhances the experience, bringing an intimate quality to the story. Her performance is evocative, capturing the melancholy and quiet intensity of Elegy's journey. Each character feels distinct, their emotions resonating through the careful cadence of the reading. This audiobook is perfect for those who appreciate atmospheric, character-driven gothic tales that blur the line between past and present.

Haunted Mansion and 13 Ghosts

A heir must take care of a collection of 15 ghosts. She is treated like garbage her whole life as she is groomed to take over the ghost collection. She meets a contractor who makes her think that there is a life outside of the mansion.

This book was OK, the middle of the book was horrible. It was the same FMC wants out, ghosts harass her, her father dehumanizes her, and she sneaks out to meet someone. The ending was good as it ties everything together. I skipped/forwarded most of the middle and still managed to know exactly was going on like nothing happened. This book had a lot of potential but it was just SO BORING until the end.

The Spirit Collections of Thorne Hall is a cozy gothic horror romance. I put off this book for a while and I feel like it's because I was worried it would not live up to what I wanted it to be. The ghosts were the high point. I appreciate that they looked as they did when they died even if graphic in some cases. I did feel that the pacing was inconsistent but overall well written. Personally I felt the beginning was harder to get through but the last 25% of the book speed up quite a bit. The romance hit as I stand attraction and we'll balance with the graphic horror bits. The ghost each had their own sorry would have been better if there was more focus on them but overall enjoyable.

Overall I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone wanting to step into Gothic Romance.

This was narrated by the author herself and I'm so glad it was. I could feel the tension so much from her portayal of her characters. The story is focused on a house that holds a collection of spirits and the family that can never leave them for fear of their wrath being unleashed upon the world. Everything about the house, down to the clothes worn by it's living occupents, are original to it's creation. It made this story feel like a period peace while taking place in the present day. I really enjoyed the direction this story took and was pleasantly surprised by the reveal at the end. If you're looking for an interesting and spooky romance this is it!

Facing the ghosts of her family, both literally and figuratively, our sad but plucky heroine navigates old wounds and new sensations in this stunted coming of age tale. The setting is brilliantly macabre and the characters beautifully drawn. I really loved the unexpected moments and humor sprinkled throughout. It did employ a slower pace, but I think that was necessary for the development. Truly delightful.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for my audio copy.

This was so heartwarming and a comparatively lighter read compared to the rest of my reading repertoire. I enjoyed this audiobook a lot. The narrator really brought the story to life and the story itself was warm and full of life. 4.5 out of 5 stars. Full review to come soon.

4 Stars

The premise of this book was really intriguing. A woman, Elegy Thorne, literally frozen in time looking over this Hall/Manor. I loved the overall atmosphere and vibes that this brought, as it is told in modern day while Elegy is stuck in gothic times. This gives a really unique feeling of dark and light. Not only that she is living with all these spirits and not all of them are kind, but are vengeful.

The characters of this book are really well done. I found myself really rooting for Elegy to find her way out, while enjoying the romance that blossomed throughout the book. The MMC was really well cast and I found both her/his characters enjoyable. I also really liked that we get to know each of the ghosts that Elegy is living with.

The plot this book however is pretty slow and this could be off-putting for some. I didn't mind it but I did wish at times it was just a big quicker and engaging. Overall though I really did enjoy this one and I think I will be re-reading it again but in an audiobook format.

For a debut novel this was really great. I can't wait to see what else J. Ann Thomas comes up with as her story telling is unique and beautiful.

The narration of this book was fantastic. Brought the characters to life and sucked me into this world completely.

Thank you to NetGalley and DreamScape Media for this advance listener copy. This review is voluntarily my own.

I have never read anything like this before, so when I started I was maybe confused? And it was slow so it took me awhile to get into it. but once I did wow I was hooked! The 19th century vibes were awesome, the ghosts were fantastic and the little bit of romance made this book a blast to read.

I listened to the audiobook and found the narration really good. The writing is detailed and atmospheric, which greatly helped to build the image of Thorne Hall. I was immersed in the haunting ambience of the estate from the very first page. It’s very interesting how the author was able to bring forth historical fiction and weave it into a supernatural plot, creating a whimsical narrative. Readers follow Elegy's journey as she transforms from a quiet and lonely young woman to someone who is strong and capable of making her own decisions. To be frank, all of the characters, even the ghostly ones, bring a unique dimension to the unfolding of the mysterious novel. For those who appreciate a slow-burn supernatural mystery-romance with a richly atmospheric setting, this novel is definitely for you. I enjoyed this book and think students will enjoy it as well. I would recommend this book.
Thank you to NetGalley for the audioARC to preview.

I adored this book. It was a perfect gothic tale with just the right amount of gruesome, dark elements and blend of humor and hope. I would recommend to check for trigger warnings, but most of the disturbing elements were not too detailed. At first, the storyline reminded me a little of the movie The Frighteners (a favorite of mine growing up) in that our FMC lives with and interacts regularly with the dead (or in this case, the 15 spirits that have been collected). The story has a hint of the same gothic spirit of Starling House as well, which I loved. I loved the story, the relationships the FMC had with the dead and the living and even though it was dark at times, the hope shined through. I also appreciated the LGBTQIA+ inclusivity. All in all, this was one story I found difficult to put down.

Audiobook - the narrator was the author and I found that she read it much like a story, less than a dramatic re-enactment which I felt really worked for this piece. I appreciated hearing her tell the story and give it life. I felt like pacing was good. I am unfamiliar with the old songs mentioned (or if they are real or not) and sometimes I wish I could hear them sung rather than read, but I don’t think I’ve experienced that in any audiobook before. Would have loved to hear them come to life as well.