Hello everyone!
I know I unfortunately had to take a mini break this past Tuesday, but that's because real life just CONSPIRED against me, and I spent most of my time either at work, or sleeping off being work-tired.
Here I am now though, with a pretty banger of a book that literally JUST released.
Like, it released yesterday.
I can't be any more on the nose about it than that.
Lea Rose has quickly shot right up to my favourite authors list with Where We Burn, and I'm now determined to read her other books as well because, hello, when you find an author you really like, that's what you do.
I'll slowly but surely collect them all on here for your reviewing pleasure while I'm at it.
So without further ado, to tonight's book of choice: Velvet Thorns.
Velvet Thorns is the first in a duology, so you best believe it ends on a cliffhanger BUT the author has said that the continuation (and conclusion) is releasing early 2026 so we don't have too long to wait.
And also, it's a darker story than you may be used to, so just be aware of the list of triggers at the beginnings, and what the book contains, because your health matters, and you need to take care of yourself first and foremost.
Allons-y!
Velvet Thorns tells the story of Shannen and Phoenix, two broken souls who meet in high school and quickly become best friends through all their trials and tribulations; neither one comes from what you'd consider a good home, and they find comfort and solace with each other, particularly as school is equally not a good place for them, but it's better than home (which isn't saying much, believe me).
Shannen, in particular, is bullied quite badly, which is a topic that really should be discussed more in this day and age, because SERIOUSLY. This disease has now spread to my country far more than I ever expected it to, because while yes, high school years were never really merciful, MY experience was relatively tame, and my generation, though yes, occasionally misguided, wasn't cruel by nature.
Or maybe we were just raised better, who knows?
Anyway, this all changes when Phoenix makes the school football team, and suddenly all the A-listers want to hang out with him, so he kind of leaves Shannen in the dust, breaking her heart. Even trying to reforge their connection when he gets accepted to university kind of backfires spectacularly because their year mates really are impossible, stupid humans, and Shannen eventually leaves town after graduation with nothing but hate in her heart.
She then rebuilds herself, piece by piece, into a self-sufficient, rich woman, changes her name, pours blood, sweat and tears into her company, and when she gets an invitation to her high school reunion, decides it's the perfect chance to get revenge on Phoenix.
So she goes, loses her sketchbook in the process (spoiler alert: she doesn't actually lose it ...), but makes it to the hotel with her mask perfectly in place and in a position to seduce Phoenix, then leave him hanging.
As expected, all the high school bullies are in attendance, one is in a wheelchair, most have the same attitudes, and Phoenix is right there, taking the bait, hook, line and sinker, so she takes him up to the room, ties him up, gets him nice and riled up ... then tells him she's not sleeping with him if he's the last man on Earth, takes a photo of him like that, and demands he leave.
Then comes the REAL bomb.
Phoenix is like, you know, we need to work on your surprise planning skills, because I saw this coming a mile away. Oh and also, I've basically been following your every step, every breath, have cameras in your apartment, have read every single letter you wrote to me (but never sent) and I'm here to try and fix what I broke ten years ago.
Dun dun DUN.
Speechless yet? I know I was. Shannen is, too.
The bit that's intriguing? She can't decide if this is a violation of her privacy, or if she's turned on by the fact.
We learn several other bits of information, among them the fact only thinking about Phoenix really gets her off, that Phoenix has lines tattooed on his arm for every time she said his name in the past decade, and that apparently the both of them are way more messed up than initially appearing.
Oh and also, Phoenix basically took revenge on every single one of her bullies over the years, as well as any lovers that came within a mile of her (the one in the wheelchair, for example? She was going to be an Olympic gymnast, but he tampered with the gym equipment ...).
This all culminates with his admission a la Jamie Fraser that he's still a virgin, having not let anyone touch him, will not let anyone touch him but Shannen, after which it morphs into sexual when he masturbates.
Then Shannen asks to be untied (yep, he tied her down), tells him he needs professional help, and walks off, thinking that'll be the end of it.
Except Phoenix can basically track her, and he's not stopping until they're back together, which is where this novella ends.
DUN DUN DUN!
This one is ... different.
BEFORE anyone comes for me: I applied for an ARC of this book, okay? I read the blurb, I knew what I was signing up for, but I can STILL make that little note right there (and an added one: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO READ THIS BOOK EARLY 💙).
And also, if stalking and obsessed, darkness feeding behaviour isn't for you, you're PROBABLY not gonna like this one.
Heck I read a lot and I'M still on the fence about Shannen and Phoenix myself.
IRL, you'd probably look at the two of them and think: that's one toxic couple that should never get together, nor stay together. But in this book ... somehow, you end up rooting for Phoenix despite everything. I mean, considering he pretty much marked himself with every time Shannen spoke his name in the past decade, so, I'd say devotion is down on his list, no problem.
Both these characters are wounded, and flawed, and I think the both of them ABSOLUTELY need to work on SEVERAL issues. Regardless of Phoenix's obsession, Shannen's own personal quest for vindication after something that he isn't exactly guilty of, but she believes he is, which happened in HIGH SCHOOL of all places (we all know high school is ROUGH, lbr) needs addressing at some point or other.
Yet equally ... I think, in Ms Rose's world, on the pages she writes? What shouldn't make sense IRL is going to make absolute sense in the second half of this duet. I'm eagerly awaiting it, because it's something I think is going to end beautifully.
It's a different sort of romance, but different makes you think, and THAT is beautiful.
Also Lea Rose's writing can make you cry on the best of days, she has such a way with words. I could never not pick up a book written by her. Absolutely recommend you grab this one when you can!
BEFORE anyone comes for me: I applied for an ARC of this book, okay? I read the blurb, I knew what I was signing up for, but I can STILL make that little note right there (and an added one: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO READ THIS BOOK EARLY 💙).
And also, if stalking and obsessed, darkness feeding behaviour isn't for you, you're PROBABLY not gonna like this one.
Heck I read a lot and I'M still on the fence about Shannen and Phoenix myself.
IRL, you'd probably look at the two of them and think: that's one toxic couple that should never get together, nor stay together. But in this book ... somehow, you end up rooting for Phoenix despite everything. I mean, considering he pretty much marked himself with every time Shannen spoke his name in the past decade, so, I'd say devotion is down on his list, no problem.
Both these characters are wounded, and flawed, and I think the both of them ABSOLUTELY need to work on SEVERAL issues. Regardless of Phoenix's obsession, Shannen's own personal quest for vindication after something that he isn't exactly guilty of, but she believes he is, which happened in HIGH SCHOOL of all places (we all know high school is ROUGH, lbr) needs addressing at some point or other.
Yet equally ... I think, in Ms Rose's world, on the pages she writes? What shouldn't make sense IRL is going to make absolute sense in the second half of this duet. I'm eagerly awaiting it, because it's something I think is going to end beautifully.
It's a different sort of romance, but different makes you think, and THAT is beautiful.
Also Lea Rose's writing can make you cry on the best of days, she has such a way with words. I could never not pick up a book written by her. Absolutely recommend you grab this one when you can!
xx
*image not mine
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