Prince of Thorns

by E.J. Knox, Elizabeth Stevens

From Elizabeth Stevens, writing as E.J. Knox, comes…
The bad boy willing to risk everything – even his life – to get the girl.

People call them the V.I.C.E.S. because they’ll wring you for everything you are and leave you ruined. They are the Princes of Rosewood Hall, and no one says no to them. Until now.

Vaughn Saint. The racer. He dubbed the Prince of Thorns. Pretty as a rose, but one touch and he’ll leave you bleeding.
He chases death on two wheels at least twice a week. Used to controlling powerful things between his thighs, nothing is more powerful than the lure of the pleasures he promises.

And he wants to give them all to me. Only problem? I’m the daughter of the leader of the Blood Roses. His leader. I’m off-limits. Dad wants me to walk away from all that, not get dragged down deeper into their hell, but Vaughn Saint threatens to take me to the very depths and still have me begging for more. Loving me will kill him.

Not loving me will destroy the both of us.

This is a dark, angsty, contemporary high school bully/enemies-to-lovers, forbidden romance with enough steam to melt your screen. Do not engage in public consumption unless your poker face is impenetrable.
Do not read if you don’t like bossy alpha males claiming what’s theirs, a nerdy but feisty heroine determined not to fall for a silver tongue, sassy besties, snarky love-to-hate-them side characters, or bad boys with secret hearts of gold.
This book is written using Australian English. This will affect the spelling, grammar and syntax you may be used to. It might come across as typos, awkward sentences, poor grammar, or missed/wrong words. In the majority of cases (I won’t claim it’s infallible, despite all best efforts), this is intentional and just an Aussie way of speaking (it took my US beta readers a bit to get used to). I can’t say ‘the’ Aussie way, since we seem to differ even within the same state. Just think of us as a weird mix of British and US vernacular and colloquialisms, but with our own randomness thrown in. I still hope you enjoy it, though!
Contains possible triggers.

368 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2023

About the author

E.J. Knox is the darker/bully romance penname of bestselling author Elizabeth Stevens.

E.J. is the name to read if you want darker/bully romance in the Mature Young Adult/New Adult crossover space. Think high school, college, and academy. E.J. brings my usual wit, banter, and repartee in good old enemies-to-lovers showdowns between alpha males and the sassy heroines strong enough to knock them down a peg or two.

There's fake-dating, love triangles, kidnapping and danger, second chances, and more.

Find out more at the website, or check my socials:
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NB: I'm usually happy to discuss review copies of my books. A track record of reviewing is preferable, but not completely necessary.

Reviews

[Alyssa Lohr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good! I am so stoked to know she has an entire series planned to detail all the princes lives! I am definitely invested in this series and will be patiently awaiting the next book!

Maggie is the daughter of the Blood Roses Crime Boss and the Step-Daughter of the Mayor! She’s destined to be with the police chiefs son, but tests fate by falling for the Heir to the Blood Roses. Sounds okay right? No! Her dad strictly enforces his boys to keep their hands off his daughter or they will meet their end. Is this tempting love worth his life?

[Maggie Cattell · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you’re out of high school - this book isn’t for you. If you get bothered by couples who call each other babe after every sentence (literally every sentence) then this is not the book for you. If you’re looking for a slightly cringey, modern day Romeo and Juliet then maybe this will strike your fancy. I should’ve known when the author justified the writing style in the very beginning of the book that I was in for a bumpy ride. And bumpy ride it was. The dialogue was bland and sex seemed like the remedy attempting to keep the story going (and people reading). I enjoyed some of the characters but the writing style did them a disservice.

[Twila Leininger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok

This romance wasn’t dark nor gray, it was however the forbidden trope aspect was hit head on. Vaughn Saint was perfect book boyfriend material and he went well with Magenta. The gang, MC, racing aspect was also light.

[May]

DNF at 16%. I’m just not invested.

[Ladi Jey]

DNF @ 10%

[Coastie Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alpha male Vaughn thought he would try and break Magenta (Maggie), who is the daughter of the leader of the Blood Roses. Maggie thinks that she wants to be the good girl and be seen as the girl on the right side of the tracks instead of the daughter of the crime leader. Even though Maggie is dating a respectable boy, she can’t help but be drawn to Vaughn – no matter how hard she tries. Vaughn knows that Maggie is off limits, but being the bad boy he is, likes a challenge.

Cute story with instant love and a girl who is stronger than she realizes. I figured she would be a goody two shoes, boy was I wrong! And Vaughn might have started off as a hard a$$, but when he started doing and saying all the right things you can’t help but hope that things work out for the 2. But when Maggie finds out that Vaughn is walking into a trap, will he listen to her or will he let his pride get in the way?

I received a free copy of this book via Hidden Gems ARC’s and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Adrianna Heaney-velu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maggie, the daughter of the Blood Roses leader, should know better than to fall for Vaughn Saint despite his pursuit of her. Even when she has meticulously planned her entire life to be on the “good” side of the law, unlike her father she can’t help but be drawn to him. Vaughn, the Prince of Thorns, leaves all who get close to him damaged and used but will Maggie make him want to treasure her instead of breaking her? Mixed feelings and undeniable attraction swirl between them with forbidden love and bullying.

“Prince of Thorns” by E. J. Knox and Elizabeth Stevens was really really good. I loved how Maggie was way more adventurous and reckless than I thought she would be as she was described as kind of nerd in the beginning of the book. Vaughn was the perfect bad boy that you wanted to hate but absolutely couldn’t. I really like the tension and all the spice. 5 out of 5 stars I really want to read the next books in the series.

[Paging_Anastasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magenta AKA Maggie is the daughter of the crime lord of the Blood Roses. They are notorious throughout their town for their crimes and brutality. When you are a Rose you learn from childhood what’s expected. Vaughn AKA V is in line for the Blood Rose throne and has been trained by Maggie’s father in the role. Maggie hates V and V is feeling mutual. But V also known as the Prince of thorns because he makes whatever or whomever he contacts bleed. He likes to play with fire. This is a forbidden romance told in the naughtiest of ways. It is literally life and death when it comes to Maggie. I am a little weirded out that they are in high school and it gets steamy and they are talking about adult things like getting married and playing house. Maybe I would have liked it better if they were college aged. That being said I kept coming back to read this. I’m curious about the rest of the Princes.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am voluntarily leaving a review after receiving an ARC from Hidden Gems.

I loved the references to Grease. This book gave me Danny and Sandra D vibes with a little twist. Maggie is the stepdaughter of the mayor, and her bio father is a crime boss of the Roses. Vaughn is the heir to the Roses and the ultimate bad boy. Maggie has been living in both worlds. It is now her senior year of high school, and she is casually dating the Police Chief's son. This ignited feelings in Vaughn, and he pursues Maggie, who finds it hard to resist. For a while Maggie fights her feelings because she thinks she wants something different for her future that doesn't involves the Roses. She learns more about herself as she spends time with Vauhgn and the other Roses members.

[Kaneisha Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Sons of Anarchy and 10 Things I Hate About You had a baby wrapped in a Grease blanket…you would have Prince of Thorns!
This had so many nostalgic vibes! The MCs were well developed and the side characters were… *chef’s kiss. Normally I would stay away from MC tropes but maybe because it wasn’t the focal point I was more inclined to maybe explore it more 🤭.
If you love teen angst, touch her and die, comedic best friends, bad boy/good girl, falling fast…then this is the book for you. Also the smutty smut was fitting for the plot and tropes.
Definitely will continue reading the rest of the series because I need to know about the rest of the Princes!!

This review is my own opinion after receiving and ARC from Hidden Gems.

[Tera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read, for sure. Had angst, spice, and even some swoon-worthy moments. I absolutely want to continue reading the series as it comes out. The storyline was definitely gripping and fast-paced. I think I would have given the 5th star if it wasn't for the fact that the FMC seemed okay with Vaughn being killed to be with her...in the end, she redeems herself in my eyes, but the whole, they'll kill me if they find out we are together so enjoy me before they murder me (which she accepts on some level) kinda diminishes that one star for me. Overall, it was very good, though!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this Dark Bully Romance filled with chemistry, some danger, action, adventure, and risk. The MCs are defined, engaging, perhaps opposites at first, but essentially made for one another. This modern-day Grease-reminiscent thrill-seeker and his potential love interest find that misconceptions abound. I enjoyed this fast-paced, action-packed, chemistry-laden romance. I voluntarily read an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw a review that compared to this book to Grease… it definitely gives me Riverdale Serpent vibes and I’m here for it! Enemies to lovers, what more could you ask for? I throughly enjoyed this book, I took a break from romance books and I’m so happy I picked this one. I can’t wait to see what comes next with the characters. If you’re looking for a fast paced action romance, then this is your book.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie and Vaughn kept me glued to the pages of this exciting story. She is in a difficult spot being the stepdaughter of the mayor and the daughter of the Roses Crime Family. When she first meets Vaughn there is conflict but over time it turns into a blossoming relationionship. He is the next in line to take over the Roses Family. Will they get their chance for happiness.
I am volunteering to leave a review for an ARC of this book.

[GKP2460 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prince Of Thorns is Maggie and Vaughns story is a fast paced, intense read. Maggie is in a precarious situation. She's the stepdaughter of the Mayor and the daughter of the Head of the Roses Crime Family. Then there's Vaughn who's next up for the Roses Organization. This good girl and her bad boy take us on one heckuva ride. Good and bad blend together very well in this great, steamy story.

[Sammye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prince of Thorns is the first book in the Prince of Rosewood Hall series. It’s a fast paced, enemies to lovers romance. Vaughn is a bad boy and Maggie is a good girl, which makes for an intense, exciting plot. Their chemistry was steaming! I enjoyed every page of this entertaining story. (this was a complimentary copy and this is my honest review)

[Mel ReadingWithMAC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of high school drama, but a decent story and characters. Some minor editing issues [like a missing letter] but an overall fun read. Has more adult like themes, so the setting being in high school was annoying.
*I received an ARC from HiddenGems Books. My review is my own.

[Stephanies.books_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magenta/Vaughn

It was a nice story. Could have used some more dark aspects and a little more enemy to lovers. But it was nicely written and flowed easily.

[Selena · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at like 80%. Couldn’t do it.

[★¸. • * ° * ༺*Blanka*༺*°°*•.¸. ♥★ · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good but could have been so much more.