Thrill of Fear

The Harpies #1

by Dina Hawthorn

My family wants me to be a good girl, never ask questions about my birth father, never discuss the dark-clad men in my nightmares, and never go to the exclusive BDSM clubs owned by the Lawrences.

The first time Jack Lawrence pins me under his stare, it's clear he's everything my mother warned me about – dark, dangerous, and dominant. How could I have known letting him fulfil my darkest fantasies would start a battle neither of us could walk away from?

Thrill of Fear is the first book in The Harpies. This is a dark secret society, spicy, contemporary forbidden romance with gothic elements and scenes of a violent and explicit sexual nature. This series is meant for a mature audience only. The books must be read in order.

Genres: Dark Romance, BDSM, Dark, Romance, Amazon

328 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2023

About the author

Dina Hawthorn is a dark romance writer with a keen interest in psychology, tea, and long walks in the countryside.
She lives in Suffolk, England, and is often found writing dark, gritty stories with a ginger cat on her lap.

Reviews

[Carl Bluesy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is writing incredibly well! You are sucked into such a vivid story right from the start, and you only become more submerged into this book as the story tacks off.

The story is told from the pov of two characters. First is Kate, who is looking for more physical and adventurous relationship, to put it mildly. Second is Jake, who has all of what Kate is looking for and then some. But Jack has a dark history on why that is slow revealed.

The dynamic between these two flow naturally and so fun reading about them. First you see the actions though one character’s eyes, then seeing what they were really thinking later on. It makes for grate pacing that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

This story is dark and tense in all the ways you hope it will be and it is so easy to lose trace of time when you’re reading it. With a plot like no other book I’ve read and characters with caring about, once you finish book one you will be craving to start book two.

[꒰ঌAlejandra໒꒱ ♥️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for the damaged and broken. They call to me like a moth to a flame. And I feel like Jack took a piece of me with him. Prepare to stay up all night thinking about the cliffhanger. I know I did. Dina Hawthorn created an amazing story full of surprises and emotions all wrapped up in kink. It can be shocking, it can take all the air right out of your lungs, it will make you ache with sympathy for Jack, and you’ll never hope for a HEA as hard as you will for Jack and Kate.

The feels! Thrill of Fear delves into different sides to BDSM from the healthy to the crazy smex trafficking-esque. It deals with past trauma, trying to move forward, family drama, family secrets, a secret society, and attempting to live a life you find is worth living. Jack and Kate both have overbearing parents. Always controlling their lives and prohibiting them to be themselves without a true explanation. This is a story of two young people finding each other by chance and finding peace within themselves together. Jack and Kate are perfect for each other in every possible way.

Spice level (1-5): 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Kink level (1-3): ⛓️⛓️ D/s, bondage, primal play, switch, brat, etc

After an attempt to spice things up goes horribly wrong, Kate is convinced no one will be able to accept her now. In an attempt to find Kate a suitor, her friend Petra convinces her to try speed dating to find someone new. Feeling like no one will accept her depravities, Kate is not very optimistic after several candidates fail to impress her. Even the gorgeous guy at the bar failed to ignite a spark to the fire that’s burning deep inside her. Until Jack approaches her after overhearing her conversation with a fellow speed dater about bondage. Jack isn’t like the other men there. He oozes dominance and power. Maybe he would accept her and allow her to explore her fantasies. Or maybe he’ll think she’s sick just like her ex does. But why does he look so familiar?

I’d recommend Thrill of Fear to the select few that don’t have a problem with a BDSM lifestyle, secret societies, trauma, and smut. This book is not for everyone. Read the trigger warnings thoroughly. It does include references to past grape, master slave relationships (not between MCs), a cult like secret society (think The Ritual), mistreatment of women, potential past child abuse, training/grooming, ptsd/trauma, unhealthy sadism, unfaithfulness (not between MCs), potential major gaslighting from your family, overly controlling parents etc. If any of the above makes you uncomfortable skip this book. For everyone else that enjoys a BDSM heavy plot with two tormented souls, this one’s for you.

Warning: Reading Thrill of Fear may make you more daring. May make you be jealous of a finger. May make you try speed dating. May make you want to fulfill your fantasies. May make you want to be a twin. May make you realize “strength comes from being with someone you can trust never to harm you.“ May make you want to go to new clubs. May make you want to tell your crush your kinks. May make you question your own family tree. May make you feel differently about castles. May make you not want to go to Scotland. May make you train for a hunt. May make you want to learn Russian. May make you want to be called Gospozha. Read responsibly.

*I received an Advance Reader Copy for free via Booksprout and I’m leaving an honest review of my own volition. All thoughts are my own.*

[Alexa Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not ready

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

This book!!
Let me say it louder for those in the back... THIS BOOK IS AMAZING!!

I absolutely loved Thrill of Fear!

Kate has spent her entire life trying to figure out what is wrong with herself. She has shunned and looked down on for her sexual interests and desires. Why does she like the things she does? She is made to believe she has to hide that side of herself. That is until she meets Jake, a dominant trained sadist, with a dark past that he has to hide.


I love how Dina shows the stigma from misunderstanding the BDSM lifestyle effects people. I also really appreciate the fact that she explores the true sides of the life and the importance of why someone truly should train and know what they are doing before jumping in.

I devoured this book and will definitely be finishing the series.

I normally don't reread a book, but I definitely will with this series!!

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was slow to start with but it might have been because I hate speed dating. I liked how the character developed and how everything was explained. I loved the way Jack's favourite playground is the mind and it had a well thought out scene but it lacked emotive description, I wanted to feel like I was there and it just didn't go in-depth enough for me. I liked the mystery and was so intrigued by the story I couldn't put the book down.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hang on for a wild ride! This book just reaches out and grabs you from the start. I loved this book and am addicted to the series so I want more. I can hardly wait to see what happens with the next one. It does have a cliffhanger but don't let that put you off because I'm counting on rest of the books in the Series being just as good.

This book is about two characters, Kate & Jack, who come from different society groups. They have been given direct orders by their parents not to associate with each other and especially not to date each other. Jack's life has been very controlled and has been prep to be the head of a secret society in the future, while Kate's life choices has been extremely restricted with no real plans for her future. Neither of them are happy with their existing conditions.

Kate attended a Speed Dating Session where Jack & she met by accident. From the moment they met their attraction heated up, chemistry crackled, couldn't keep hands off each other, sex exploded, and their burning desires turned into consuming passion. Basically, they surrender completely to each other because they were helpless to resist each other since they found happiness and peace when they were together.

The way in which Jack & Kate characters are developed, they come alive through their emotions and actions when they're together as one. Add in all of the other elements of the book which has a lot going for it: action-packed, suspense, betrayal, greed, lots of twist and unpredictable turns, mystery, wonderful characters, building trusts, family loyalties, and love, emotions, dominance, power plays, BDSM activities, secret societies events and actions, honesty, wonderful sex and steamy romance.

I received a free copy of this book for an honest review. I would recommend this book to anybody who enjoys Dark Romance, Gothic Romance and Romance books. This book is easy to read, a page-turner, and very entertaining so grab yourself a copy, find a quiet place to read, then have yourself a fun read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[A. Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel certainly is different and disturbing. It introduces, Kate, who is the average nurse. Kate broke up with her previous boyfriend because he was too "vanilla" and didn't appreciate her need to explore her wilder side in the bedroom. At a speed dating event, Kate meets Jack. Jack has the dark, dominating, and mysterious side Kate is looking for. Both, Kate and Jack are drawn to each other. Jack is part of the Harypai, a secret society. That is a whole other dark and emotional story of it's own 😥. Basically, the Harypai trained Jack to be a sadist and dominant. Harpai care deeply about pure bloodlines. Jack often has nightmares of when he was trained, trapped, and tortured in a castle for years! I think Kate helps Jack forget. Both of their families try to control them too much! It highly irritates me. Why do they need that much control over Jack and Kate? I don't understand Jack's father at all! I'm curious to see who Kate's birth father is. I also hope both Kate and Jack can survive what is to come. Please, 🙏 let some revenge come to Juliet! Oh, she's the epitome of evil! I don't know how much more of Juliet and these Marquis' I can take. They are just horrible! Definitely think the kink of 50 shades of Gray, meets The Hunt, involving a dark, sadistic, cult or secret society. I think there are bound to be TONS of secrets still to be hidden in the castle and this series. Make no mistake, this series is dark and twisted. I think Jack is trying his best to find his path and fight against everything he's been "taught." I think in doing that, Jack is hoping not to let Kate slip over fully to the dark side, even though that's what she's asking him for. Jack wants to protect Kate because he's already been there, and it was pure Hell. This book does end on a BIG cliffhanger. It does contain trigger warnings.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Saffron Book archive · Rating 3 out of 5]

[edit: didn’t like how the series progressed and dragged. The pacing slows down a lot. For example, one day(24 hours) is showcased in one book, with no closure from either side and a bunch of people trying to control how the love interest acts toward the main character, while the main character is trying to figure out what’s going on but the love interest is advised to not tell her until a week later]

Dark Contemporary Romance (BDSM)
Sadism theme
First person, double pov
TW: held captive + past flashbacks with subtle abuse shown, monitoring, knife, blood
—-Cliffhanger end-continues in series—
BDSM Themes: bondage/ropes, edging, knife play, (mental)blood play, mind games, spanking, CNC, choking, edge play

Tbh this was pretty good for words of affirmation, the dom was really good at fear inducing dirty talk in one scene which is what I liked the most about this book.

The storyline is also well written with backstories, past memories and side characters. The world in this book felt very immersive for me! I think trauma is also really well depicted! The character of Freddy calling out the dom multiple times on not taking medication got a little annoying for me to read in the beginning, but it also showcases how the dom was also struggling with trauma

I’d say this book does a good job of explaining the safety of BDSM! Like starting very slow and vanilla but then moving quickly from there, strict rules about not having alcohol, explaining consent and safe words, he also pushes her to talk about things when he can tell she’s hiding stuff, also the dom offering to train the sub. It even involves the dom suggesting for the sub to do background checks and meet the dom’s past scene partners or another sadist friend who she does get to talk to. You do get multiple “I’m not like other doms” lines though, which clarifies that he’s a soft dom with her. They also don’t use a contract which I thought was odd but I think everything that would be in it (limits and safewords) is verbally discussed.

In terms of smut, you get about 3-4 sex scenes and a couple more scenes

The pacing is on the medium side, the scenes move pretty slowly especially in the beginning, but the second half is more fast paced. The book is focused on character relationship rather than plot for most of the book, but you don’t really get as many time jumps. The relationship is also pretty much a slowburn.

[Happyscribe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow what a feast for the dark temptations of desire. From secret societies, to BDSM steam and sex-therapy, to healing and finding acceptance in your true self. Kate is a wonderfully flawed character who feels the same dislocation from life as so many of these readers do, and on her journey to make sense of her past, her traumas, her present and make herself whole again so she has a future - she stumbles onto the same path as Jack. Darling Jack. So many feels in this story.

Not for everyone - as you can't read in judgement of these characters - you just need to accept them and experience their story. Triggers of abuse of women, hyper-controlling families, emotional abuse, sadism and a few others. But an excellent book nonetheless.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kiki ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The speed dating introduction was fascinating. It was a unique way to start the novel.

The spice level was relatively mild, along with the kink level that the author provides us. However, there are humorous parts to the story.

It was hilarious that Kate broke up with her boyfriend. The reasoning behind this thought process was that he was too "vanilla," which was a great laugh, in my opinion.

Throughout the novel, there is a lot of control going on with the families. And there were a few elements that I wished the authors would've indulged more on.

Read the trigger before picking up this book.



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(I hate that Apple Books don’t connect to GoodReads to show the progress! But anyways)

[LadyofDreams · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was slow going, but worth it

I have to say I loved the main characters, Jack and Caitlyn. Both are wounded, although we know part of the story. This book ends on a cliffhanger that I never saw coming. I want to know the rest of the story! The peripheral characters, such as Theo, are interesting, and I want to hear the rest of his story. Some of the other characters I could do without. Say that this book needs a little bit of editing; we’re pretty clear that the book takes place in the UK. Scotland is mentioned, as well. However, more than once the book references, Manhattan, and the Manhattan skyline, as being visible from Jack’s home. It’s a minor mistake, but it’s still glaring. That being said, I do recommend this book! It is spicy!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rate: 4.25 🌟 Spice 3 🌶️
Genre: Dark Romance, Secret Society, Gothic Romance
Release: Available KU
⚠️ PLEASE CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS ⚠️

This book sure reminded me of fifty shades of Grey!! LOL!! 😂 The story itself has a lot of action, suspense, betrayal, greed, twists, and turns and of course, you can't forget the steamy romance!!! There are some secrets that are being kept but they are going to come out on the clear little by little. That’s what made me keep reading this book, I wanted to find out more! BE aware this book does end in a big CLIFFHANGER!!!! Now Jack is the MMC and Kate is the FMC of the Harpies series. They meet through a speed dating session that had occurred. Yet none of them know each other, or their past history but soon their life is about to change after this accidental meeting!!! Their chemistry and desire for each other started quickly when they laid eyes on each other. Jack & Kate’s characters develop throughout the chapters with their emotions and actions. This series is very interesting… as a reader it made me want to continue to read and find out what will happen next!!!!!!

[B.K. Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Such great world building it was so vivid in my mind and these characters…amazing! It was a slow burn but once the spice hit, LOOKOUT! Everything about this from page one had me enthralled and I had a hard time putting this book down. Hawthorn is an exceptional writer and I love how she pulls you deep into the depths of this crazy dom/sub world and how she keeps the tension throughout the book keeping you glued to the pages. I honestly couldn’t wait to see what happened next, and that ending! Such a fantastic end point, but it is a cliffy so be prepared to get the rest of the series! Highly, highly recommended! On to book 2!

[Books &Coffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely cannot even with this book. I've devoured it - page by page.

I am forever and irrevocably in love with Jack.

Even taking the time to write a review makes me itch because I need to start the following book ASAP.

Jack and Kate are absolutely superb, with an explosive chemistry.

The world is incredible. Very cleverly thought out. I am SO INTRIGUED.

All the characters, including the ones less visible (so far) are incredibly strong. I'm excited to get to know them more as the story progresses.

And oh my god, the big BAD BAD BAD villain has arrived.

Next book please. Quick like!

New favourite author and series, that's for sure.

[Maya Gatewood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Please check the trigger warnings. This book contains dark sexually explicit themes and acts that may be disturbing to some readers.

This is my first dark romance and I’m left asking myself if this is on par or if I should have stayed in the kiddy pool??? Did I jump in the deep end too soon?

That said, there was actually an interesting thread underpinning the story of this secret society/order of individuals who control this underworld of deprivation.

I did feel like the “dark play” scenes went on too long and the dialogue was repetitive. I honestly skipped over some of them…

Jack and Kate are in for a wild ride in the next books.

[Jackie O'Donnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrill of Fear

Perfect title for this book. Kate has always suffered trying to identify herself. Not knowing her real father hasn’t helped. She has urges to play in the bdsm world but her mother and step father hate the idea. Not just because they think it’s disgusting but her step father is in politics and doesn’t want to damage his image. Kate meets Jack who turns her world upside down. He introduces her to dark and dangerous desires. FYI this book ends in a cliffhanger. I can’t wait to read the next one !

[Lisa Trujillo · Rating 3 out of 5]

ʙᴅsᴍ sᴇᴄʀᴇᴛ sᴏᴄɪᴇᴛʏ

𝒮ℴ 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒾𝓈 𝓂𝓎 𝒻𝒾𝓇𝓈𝓉 𝓈ℯ𝒸𝓇ℯ𝓉 𝓈ℴ𝒸𝒾ℯ𝓉𝓎 ℯ𝓍𝓅ℯ𝓇𝒾ℯ𝓃𝒸ℯ 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒾𝓉 𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓅ℯ𝓃𝓈 𝓉ℴ 𝒷ℯ 𝒶 ℬ𝒟𝒮ℳ 𝓈ℴ𝒸𝒾ℯ𝓉𝓎. w(°ｏ°)w
𝒥𝒶𝒸𝓀 𝒽𝒶𝓈 𝓉𝓇𝒶𝓊𝓂𝒶 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒶𝓃ℊℯ𝓇 𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝓆𝓊𝒶𝓁𝒾𝓉𝒾ℯ𝓈 ℴ𝒻 𝒶𝓃𝓎 𝓂ℴ𝓇𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎 ℊ𝓇ℯ𝓎 ℳℳ𝒞 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝓌𝒶𝓎 𝒽ℯ ℯ𝓃𝒸ℴ𝓊𝓃𝓉ℯ𝓇𝓈 𝒦𝒶𝓉ℯ 𝒾𝓈 𝓋ℯ𝓇𝓎 𝓈𝒾𝓂𝒾𝓁𝒶𝓇 𝓉ℴ 𝒞𝒽𝓇𝒾𝓈𝓉𝒾𝒶𝓃 𝒢𝓇ℯ𝓎 50 sʜᴀᴅᴇs ᴏғ ғᴜᴄᴋᴇᴅ ᴜᴘ 𝒷𝓊𝓉 10 𝓍 𝓂ℴ𝓇ℯ 𝒷𝓇𝓊𝓉𝒶𝓁 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒾𝓃𝓉ℯ𝓃𝓈ℯ. ᴇɴᴅs ᴏɴ ᴀ ᴄʟɪғғʜᴀɴɢᴇʀ! 𝒯𝒽ℯ 𝓅𝓁ℴ𝓉 𝒾𝓈 𝒶𝒹𝒹𝒾𝒸𝓉𝒾𝓋ℯ 𝒶𝓃𝒹 e𝓃𝓉ℯ𝓇𝓉𝒶𝒾𝓃𝒾𝓃ℊ 𝒹ℯ𝒻𝒾𝓃𝒾𝓉𝓁ℯ𝓎 𝒶 𝓅𝒶ℊℯ 𝓉𝓊𝓇𝓃ℯ𝓇!

[Caroline Burt · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intensely captivating read! A fascinating story with plenty of hot and spicy scenes that will melt your Kindle! Jack and Kate's chemistry is off the charts intense. This is a well written story that will leave you wanting more!!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cha_oticreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good start for a series

It was a slow start but the story developed at a good pace and I’m definitely continuing the series. The author took their time expounding on certain plot point and being elusive in some areas that made me want to to continue the series to know what happened.

[Alex Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first Dina Hawthorn novel, and I wasn't disappointed. Deliciously dark and dangerous. Great characters, and a well written storyline. Would recommend. Cannot wait for the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Remy Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Good Read

I enjoyed this novel by this author. Although this isn’t the typical genre I would read, the story caught my attention from he beginning. I highly recommend this story to anyone interested in buying/ downloading

[Melissa Bergsma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woah! This is dark and sultry and pushes the limit but in the best way. The story is intriguing and keep you interested and the spicy is ghost pepper hot! I look forward to reading the next installment.

[Rebecca Haire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! It was very well written! The back and forth between Jack and Kate is great. I love how feisty she is even with how dominating he is! Their comparability in bed is amazing. They fit together so perfectly. The spice is perfect!

[⛓️🥀 gee 🥀⛓️]

it’s probably me but this is the third book i’ve DNF’d this week. 💀 i just couldn’t click with the characters, the storyline seemed to drag and so much information i couldn’t process. as i said this is a me problem.

[Gypsie Holley · Rating 4 out of 5]

KU) Hot and spicy! Cliffhanger!

[Heather Santos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly written by an excellent author! The characters were so amazing! I loved it from beginning to end!

[René · Rating 4 out of 5]

slow until the plot twist…

The book is super slow and the beginning in about 75% of the way through a plot twist happens now I can’t wait to read the rest

[Misty Vaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book did not disappoint! The story between Jack and Kate has hooked me and I can’t wait to see where it goes!

If you love a little secret society and spice this is a must read!!!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

It starts too slow but when it picks up it gets much better. I readed them all in one weekend after getting an advance copy of her novella

[Courtney Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrill of Fear by Dina Hawthorn completely blew me away. The chemistry between the main characters is electric — the kind of slow burn and intensity that makes it impossible to put the book down. Jack is officially my new favorite book boyfriend — protective, flawed, passionate, and utterly devoted. Every scene with him had me hooked.

The FMC is incredible in her own right. I loved watching her navigate her complicated family dynamics and her journey toward embracing her sexuality without shame. It’s something so many women can relate to, and Dina Hawthorn handled it with such honesty and emotional depth.

And while the main couple shines, the supporting characters add so much richness to the story. They don’t just fill the background — they shape the world, heighten the tension, and make the plot feel layered and alive.

This book has everything I love in a dark, emotional romance: intensity, heart, and characters that stay with you long after you finish the last page. Dina Hawthorn does it again — Thrill of Fear is an absolute must-read.

[Sheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story: 📖📖
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Here you’ve got a secret society of sadists called the Harpyiai. In this society Doms or “Marquis” are banned from dating anyone outside of the society. Jack, our MMC, who is a master sadist, after being banned from dating due to a failed vanilla relationship meets Caitlin, our FMC. She isn’t part of the Harpyiai but has ALSO had a failed vanilla relationship due to her curiosity with the world of sadism. It also doesn’t help that her parents conservative nature dont approve of it either. So, let’s call her over eager. Extremely over eager.

Between the both of these two characters you’re getting a lot of push and pull. Caitlin is someone who doesn’t see herself as a sub and Jack who has found himself falling for a woman who tests his boundaries as someone who is trying to remove himself from the life the Harpyiai raised him into.

Personally, I found Kate EXTREMELY annoying to read. There are too many moments where she’s whining and begging for Jack to rage bang her. I get it you’ve met the Dom of your dreams babe. CHILL OUT.

Jack, I can see the appeal but he’s just as annoying. He’s broody and tolerates waay too much of the whiny shit Caitlin does. But hey, some people like brats. Honestly I don’t really even know how he puts up with her.

I didn’t really have any expectations with this one as it was a random pick from my free Amazon Kindle Deals. It’s a quick read which is the best part.

Do I feel like I’d personally delve a little further into the series? Probably not. It’s a decent story but it’s not for me. But if you’re into stories about secret BDSM societies with tons of emotional trauma by all means knock yourself out.