A Lesson in Thorns | 
pickThe smut was decent, most of it happening in the last chapters. I liked that you do get to see the different characters points of views. The storyline was decent you do have a mystery of Poe‘s missing mother sprinkled here and there as she goes through Auden‘s library. The mystery does underline the romance side of the story until the end. The characters were intriguing and complex.
pickWell, to be honest this is a so-so/Pan book but I liked the story. Six friends reunited in the house of one of them 12 years after they made a “marriage ritual” in a peculiar chapel. One parent disappeared in that chapel with some family drama. I want to read book 2 because how it ended. The problem is that this is dark romance (erotica) which means a lot of not healthy sex. I don‘t know why they have to include always sadomasochism sex, why? 3⭐️
bailedThings I'm thankful for: This book was free and I did not waste money I sweated blood and tears for.
Things I resent: I stopped truly reading after Ch. 2 and started skimming in the hope of finding one redeeming quality. Alas, all of that skimming was wasted time.
The character names are ridiculous and pretentious.
THERE IS NO PLOT.
THERE IS NO CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT.
STAY AWAY. STAY FAR AWAY.
pickHooboy- this book! Yes, it is erotica, so if that isn‘t your jam, you‘re not going to be into this one. But it is SO MUCH MORE! It is kinky, queer, diverse, atmospheric, mysterious, smart, sexy, poly, supernatural, and the MC is a librarian. It‘s basically everything. The writing is gorgeous and I‘ve already downloaded the second in the series, after which I will wait impatiently for books 3&4. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Hubs mowed the lawn this morning, which means me and this beauty are hanging out in the yard with a glass of wine and an entire 3 hours alone to read...
pickIn a previous book's afterword, Simone described this as a “nutso 2019 series I have planned—it's going to be like if The Secret History had a baby with a Florence + the Machine album, and then that baby grew up to love spanking people. I'm dying to write it, of course.“
It's strange and ambitious, the friend group's dynamics are intense and claustrophobic (The Secret History comparison holds true), and you'll learn about library science. 5 stars.
