3.5 stars rounded up

Elegy Thorne is cursed to live in a mansion filled with ghosts and a mean father. The book starts really slow as I was listening I kept wondering what was going to happen. I was confused by the many different characters and gruesome descriptions of the ghosts. I found my brain wandering during the book and wondering what was happening. I was intrigued by the cover and the title and the synopsis sounded right up my alley. However, I never connected with the many different characters. This book just wasn't for me.

A Haunting, Lush Gothic Fantasy That Won’t Let You Go

The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall is the kind of book that settles into your soul—the kind that lingers, whispering to you even after you’ve turned the last page. J. Ann Thomas spins a tale that’s equal parts eerie and enchanting, full of ghosts with unfinished business, a house that’s too alive, and a heroine caught between love and duty.

Elegy Thorne is the kind of protagonist you can’t help but ache for—trapped by a family curse, bound to a house frozen in time, carrying the impossible weight of keeping the dead at peace. And then there’s Atticus, all warmth and modernity, a spark of something more in a life Elegy never allowed herself to dream of. Their chemistry is undeniable, the kind that simmers under the surface, full of longing and quiet defiance.

The world Thomas builds is lush and cinematic—you see the candlelight flickering against wallpaper decades out of date, feel the hush of ghosts watching from the shadows, hear the old folk songs laced with magic. It’s gothic in the best way: haunting, romantic, and brimming with secrets waiting to be unearthed.

If you love stories where love and fate collide, where ghosts are both friend and foe, where a grand, crumbling house holds more than just memories—this book will consume you. And honestly? You might not want to be set free.

I was absolutely enthralled by this book! The atmosphere was deliciously eerie, with the perfect balance of suspense and unsettling moments that kept me hooked from start to finish. The ending took me completely by surprise, making the journey even more rewarding.

The audiobook was especially captivating—an immersive experience that added to the tension and intrigue. I would eagerly read more from this author in a heartbeat!

Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this fantastic book.

I was so excited to read The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall, the premise sounded like exactly what I was in the mood for. A haunted estate, mysterious spirits, and an air of gothic intrigue? It felt like it should have been a perfect fit. Unfortunately, the writing style turned me off, and I ended up having to DNF.

The language is excessively flowery, the kind of ornate, overly elaborate prose that some period-style books lean into. Instead of feeling charming and whimsical, it just made the book annoying to read. I love atmospheric writing, but here it felt like the descriptions were trying too hard to sound lyrical and sophisticated, often at the expense of clarity. Simple moments were ruined by long-winded metaphors and needlessly complicated sentences, and it made it difficult to stay engaged with the plot.

I kept hoping I’d settle into the style or that the story would pick up enough to make the effort worthwhile, but instead, the further I read, the more frustrating it became. I found myself dreading picking the book back up.

It’s disappointing because the concept had so much promise, and I really wanted to love this one. I think readers who enjoy very ornate, heavily stylized writing might have a better experience with it, but for me, it just wasn’t enjoyable.

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4’7/5 ✨ First of all, I want to say thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media and J.Ann Thomas for providing me with an audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely adored this book. When i saw it was compared to Starling House (which was one of my favorite reads of 2024) i was very intrigued to know more about the story.
I loved the gothic atmosphere, the story of the spirit collection and how they became part of Thorne Hall. The things that Elegy had to experience inside of Thorne Hall are heartbreaking and her character development is amazing. I’ve loved the different personalities of the spirit collection and the only “negative” thing i have to say about this book is that maybe I would have loved that Atticus had a little bit more of character development, compared to the rest of character (including the spirit collection) his was a bit plain.
Nonetheless, I will 100% buy a physical copy to add to my “collection”! Highly recommend reading this book during Halloween season, or, if you’re like me and Halloween is an all year round festivity xd, I recommend you read it when you want a Gothic experience with a heartwarming story.

When I picked up this book, the fact that it have a big romance plot line had gone unnoticed. And at the beginning, I wondered what is the story about and where are we going with all of this. Let me say you it was the best way to dive in. I'm not sure, I would be so invested in the story should I know what it is about.

Of course, I couldn't remember all 15 ghosts their personalities and stories, but I absolutely enjoyed this book. I have two or three dialogue that I would add some details to or change a bit, but overall it was perfect to spend 13 hours doing all the chores, all the walks, literally everything just so I could listen to this book

📚 The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall by J. Ann Thomas
🎧 Format: Audiobook
🎙️ Narrated by: J. Ann Thomas
📕 Genre: Gothic Romance, Suspense
📖 Read: February 2025
✨ Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘴. 𝘐𝘵 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦, 𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘶𝘯, 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘯𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘺 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘵.​“

‧₊˚✧ 𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑫 𝑰𝑭 𝒀𝑶𝑼 𝑳𝑰𝑲𝑬 ✧˚₊‧
ꕥ Self Discovery
ꕥ Tortured Heroine
ꕥ Plot Twist
ꕥ Spooky Vibes

The concept of this story was so intriguing to me. I personally have not read anything quite like this before. The idea of ghosts being bound to a house or family has been done before, but the way this story progressed was very unique.

From the very beginning I was drawn into Thorne Hall and the characters that inhabited it, both living and dead. One of my favourite details of this book was how the ghosts were described. I liked that they were described as decaying corpses instead of the typical translucent figures. It gave more creepy, disturbing vibes which as a reader I appreciated. I also particularly enjoyed Elegy’s character growth. She was strong, determined and fearless. The addition of Atticus and the romance that flourished between them was the perfect cherry on top.

The only thing I struggled with was the number of characters. At times I had a hard time keeping track of who was alive and who was dead. With that said, I think this book would make a fantastic movie!!

As for the audio, I always love it when the author narrates their book. The authenticity of the story really shines when this happens.

Overall, I enjoyed listening to this. If you are looking for a Gothic setting, eerie suspense, and a tender romance, then this is for you.

𝘊𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘬 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘴: 𝘩𝘵𝘵𝘱𝘴://𝘸𝘸𝘸.𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮.𝘤𝘰𝘮/𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘥.𝘢𝘯𝘥.𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨/

Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Media and J. Ann Thomas for giving me the opportunity to listen to this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you Netgalley, Dreamscape Media and J Ann Thomas for the audio Arc of The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall.
Narrated by J. Ann Thomas

The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall is a wonderfully atmospheric book which has a mixed elements of sci/fi, fantasy. a bit of romance and some lovely gothic elements., I wouldn't say its creepy but i loved the description of Thorne Hall and could imagine being there with the spirits that walks these halls. J Ann Thomas has a wonderfully descriptive manner for writing which really bought this book to life. Even more so because she also narrates this book too. I always feel there is something unique when authors narrate their own books and her voice fits perfectly!

Our characters, including the spirits have very individual characteristics which made them pop write out of the book. Coupled with a medium pace, kept me engaged right the way through the book. The plot has some nice little twists and loved the finale.

4 stars

Book review: 4/5 ⭐️
Genre: gothic romance
Themes: ghosts, family obligations, legacy, duty, love
📖 Read if you like: Jane Eyre, Mexican Gothic, Behind These Wicked Walls

This was an amalgamation of genres with a fantastical element of the uncanny and those beyond the veil, an ode to true love in this rather sweet romance, and all of this laced with gothic horror taking place in a manor trapped in time and full of spirits. This was an eerie story that was equal parts terrifying and endearing, bleak and hopeful. Reminiscent of classics, but with a new twist.

Elegy Thorne is cursed to bear the burden of her name and the collection that goes with it. For in the grand estate of Thorne Hall fifteen restless spirits roam. Trapped in time, Elegy can only wear those clothes of her fore-bearers, must forsake modern innovations like a cellphone or the internet, and most of all she must soothe the ghosts around her with song to keep the spirits settled. For some may be docile and kind, while others are intent on fear and impinging their will and harm on others. This is the most important inheritance of the Thorne line. It is a complicated relationship she owns and a duty she is devoted to.

When one of the young spirits wreaks havoc on the aging estate, a preservationist and his son are called in to repair the damage. Love at first sight forces Elegy to question her responsibility and desires. As she spends more time with Atticus, and learns of his modern ideas and lifestyle she grows increasingly wary with the life she has been dealt. Forced into a cruel duty and potentially a loveless marriage, she begins to search for a path to freedom.

This was both a mystery and a coming of age story within a creepy house full of both the sweet and the deadly. As secrets unfold and an odd sort of magic is unveiled, Elegy must choose between her duty to her name or to herself. I was thoroughly engrossed in this paranormal romance. The ghosts were sufficiently eerie to encompass the full range of humanity - the child who wants a lullaby, the young girl who wants to play dress up, and the cook who wants to care to chaos and the control on domineering men. Fifteen souls for Elegy to both care for and fear with moments that were tenderhearted and terrifying, this was a well balanced haunted mansion.

The writing evoked a vivid transcendence into a crumbling golden age while creating a sense of unease and dread. It was so atmospheric and managed to create an old-fashioned pocket outside of time. The ghosts themselves were not what I expected having more corporeal forms and emotions than expected. And the cast of supporting characters were real, some unlikeable and tortured, and others with an instant graviational pull. I actually could have used a character list as there were a lot to keep track of, especially in the spirit realm.

It was well paced with a solution taking time and effort to develop and the twist was unexpected. It is a slow story on the whole, but the balance between the tender and morbid was perfect for me. The epilogue was very satisfying and the climax well developed. This was the perfect kind of story for an audiobook, one that may have a slower start but that ends up being absorbing and delicious along the way. Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for a copy of this audiobook.

I really struggled to get interested. It felt so slow without much happening for a good chunk of the beginning of the book. The narrator didn’t add to the story either. It felt very one toned. This was supposed to be a gothic paranormal story but the way the narrator read the story it didn’t give that vibe. It felt like a let down. The premise of the book was good but executed poorly

3.5 🌟

Thank you NetGalley for this treat.

The story itself is a 3.5 read. Worth your time if you are a fan of the haunted mansion at Disney Parks and haunted house stories in general. I would have liked a bit more character development and character in general.

I do love the way the author uses fashion and style.

Now for the audiobook. I am a firm believer that authors shouldn't narrate their own books, even if they are book narrators. I really don't know what it is exactly, but I haven't been proven wrong yet. Maybe the author is too attached to the written word. perhaps it makes me feel biased for no particular reason.

Advertised as a “cozy horror,” I jumped into The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall a little unsure as to what that exactly means. I was not at all disappointed. This is a paranormal romance without someone having “spicy time” with a ghost, which if you’re wondering, the spice, while a lot for me, is probably more of a mild salsa to an avid romance reader. However, I’m not sure if romance readers would appreciate some of the gruesome depictions of the spirits; they look however they died. If you can juggle those things as a reader, then this one’s for you. I appreciate the history and research the author mentions putting into the actual place Thorne Hall is based off of. Elegy is wanton for living friends. Her father’s ancestors made a promise to tend to the spirits trapped at Thorne Hall, so she is constantly surrounded by the dead. With her father now dying, it seems she will never have the chance to explore the world. When the handsome son of the mansion’s preservationist drops by to help his father, Elegy can’t seem to keep herself from speaking to him. But how can she date a man who lives in the present when she is confined to the house and dresses like she’s from the early 1900s? Well, how can’t she? This was a fun read with spirits, magic, love, loss, and standing for who you are and want to be. The narrator did well on this eARC. Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape media for the chance to listen to this work while I play Sun Haven.

DNF @ 27%

I'm gonna be honest, I didn't really care much about anything in this and didn't really care for the writing either. I'm also not currently in a headspace to read something I will just feel 'meh' about.

Great quality audiobook narrated by the author! The story is unique with a mix of Romance & Paranormal Fantasy.

⭐️ rating: 3.5
🌶️ level: 2.5

Thank you Dreamscape Media for granting me an ALC! All opinions expressed are my own and not influenced by the publisher.

The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall follows Elegy Thorne as she will become the next heir at Thorne Hall. Elegy's estate is unlike any other in the Berkshires. It is home toifteen restless spirits roam, bound within the mansion’s walls since the Gilded Age. Now with her father's death is nearing Elgey must figure out a way to break this curse and let the spirits go back to where they belong. Elegy Thorne is a sheltered young woman and is required to dress , talk, and behave like they did in the Gilded Age. Until Elegy meets Atticus, she has never wanted to be free. Atticus shows Elegy what it is to be wanted and loved and that being tied to Thorne Hall is something she doesn't want anymore. It was a little hard to keep up with all the cast of characters that is in this book . I thought that the premiss of the book was orignal and I did love it!. I would like to thank both NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for letting me listen to an advanced copy of this audiobook.

3.5- Young women's family burden delays her living her life and finding love.

Elegy Thorne has lived her life frozen in time in her family's 1890's mansion. She can't wear modern clothes and speaks in an old fashion manner. This is due to the spirits that reside in the home with her and her father. For generations it has been the family's responsibility to control and keep the collection of spirits that were gathered decades before by her ancestor.

When one of the child spirits floods a bathroom, the Thorne family sends for their preservationist to restore the damages. He brings along his son, Atticus and once Elegy meets him, she knows she wants more than life trapped in the mansion with the spirits. But her father's health is failing and once he passes, the collection will be her responsibility. Can she hope for more from her life outside the walls of Thorne Hall or will the spirits and family duty dictate the rest of her days?

I really enjoyed this book. Its got a little bit of everything going for it: love story, horror, gothic vibes, paranormal, and historical fiction. Elegy is a loveable character to hope for and the writing was whimsical. There was a small section that I was kind of zoning out through so that brought down the rating some for me, but overall enjoyed it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the audiobook for review.

3.5⭐

I will always like gothic romances and is my favorite subgenre and this story is no exception. This story was gothic and atmospheric. The story was unique and had a twist at the end I was not expecting. It's also not often that the author narrates their own audiobook but J. Ann Thomas did a great job with the narration. My only cons is the love seemed a little too instalove for my taste but it was at times, had to keep track of who was ghosts and who was living. Overall, I rather enjoyed this story.

Set in a crumbling New England mansion, in the shadow of a cruel family curse, Elegy is forced to maintain the mirage of a gothic life as she manages the spectrum of spirits, both quaint and dangerous, that are bound to the house. A chance meeting with a stranger forces her to decide between duty and freedom: will Elegy find love and free herself and the spirit collection, or will she be trapped in the mansion with them forever?

I thought this was well written and very descriptive - the setting and situation are somewhat unique and the author did well to immerse the reader within. The audiobook narrator also maintained the intended atmosphere. While it was slow paced and there were many characters to keep track of, this didn’t deter from the general plot, which is a mix of contemporary, historical, love, and ghost story elements. Mostly cozy, there are some chilling sections that added to the stakes and created the urgent tension. I thought the instant romance was also a bit weak, but overall, this was a well written and satisfying read. If you’re looking for a captivating supernatural tale with a touch of both romance and spooky action then this is for you!

Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Can horror and cozy coexist? Because they somehow coexist in this story. Elegy is, by birthright, to be the mistress of Thorne Hall and all the collection of ghosts that haunt its halls. Elegy has never known what it is to live life for herself until a preservationist’s son steps into her life. This is an endearing story of the struggle between one’s duties and living your own authentic life. And, of course, it is a precious love story. The author writes like a classic author (think Emily Brontë) but with a smidge of a flippant tone that echoes Elegy’s personality. The story’s pacing can get a little slow, but overall it was enjoyable.

I listened to the audiobook for this. I overall enjoyed the narrator. My biggest issue is that sometimes you could tell when the narrator had stepped away and started over in her narration. I don’t know how else to describe it other than her voice will suddenly change and then go back to normal.

Thank you Alcove Press and Dreamscape Media for the gifted ALC!

This is a slow story, nostalgic and contemporary wrapped together. It was a little unsettling to marry the vintage writing vibes with the modern day setting. At times I felt like I was at Manderly, but then the explitives brought me right back to modern day! The slowness of the building of the story really was difficult, my mind wandered alot. I am sure I missed some bits because it was definitely hard to focus.
I did like the narrator, a cozy voice, similar to the narrator of the Shady Hollow series.