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Wild Thorns: A Paranormal Reverse Harem Shifter Dark Romance
Three men want her. Something ancient chose her. And the predator hunting her will kill to take her back.
Serena Calloway didn’t come to Magnolia Creek to be found.
She came to disappear. A tiny rental buried deep in the Louisiana wilds.
A life small enough to vanish inside. For a while… it works.
She breathes. Sleeps. Starts to believe she might actually be safe.
Then the Voss boys notice her. They don’t circle. They close in.
Heat, hunger, and something far more dangerous stalk every glance, every touch that lingers too long. They don’t ask for her trust. They don’t ask her to stay. They make her want to.
And Serena… lets them.
But Magnolia Creek doesn’t keep secrets.
The shadows shift. The air turns heavy.
And something in Serena begins to unravel—something older than fear, sharper than instinct.
Because hiding was never going to save her.
Not from the man who’s still hunting.
Not from the truth about the men she can’t stay away from.
And definitely not from whatever is waking up inside her.
Wild Thorns is the scorching first book in the paranormal reverse-harem dark-romance series, The Thornwood Trilogy. If you like uber-spicy romance, dark supernatural worlds, and a why-choose that earns every flame, this is where the heat ignites. Come for the mystery. Stay for the claiming.
If you enjoy books by Tessa Hale, Heather MacKinnon, and Jaye Marellen, you're gonna fall hard for the Voss boys…
Serena Calloway didn’t come to Magnolia Creek to be found.
She came to disappear. A tiny rental buried deep in the Louisiana wilds.
A life small enough to vanish inside. For a while… it works.
She breathes. Sleeps. Starts to believe she might actually be safe.
Then the Voss boys notice her. They don’t circle. They close in.
Heat, hunger, and something far more dangerous stalk every glance, every touch that lingers too long. They don’t ask for her trust. They don’t ask her to stay. They make her want to.
And Serena… lets them.
But Magnolia Creek doesn’t keep secrets.
The shadows shift. The air turns heavy.
And something in Serena begins to unravel—something older than fear, sharper than instinct.
Because hiding was never going to save her.
Not from the man who’s still hunting.
Not from the truth about the men she can’t stay away from.
And definitely not from whatever is waking up inside her.
Wild Thorns is the scorching first book in the paranormal reverse-harem dark-romance series, The Thornwood Trilogy. If you like uber-spicy romance, dark supernatural worlds, and a why-choose that earns every flame, this is where the heat ignites. Come for the mystery. Stay for the claiming.
If you enjoy books by Tessa Hale, Heather MacKinnon, and Jaye Marellen, you're gonna fall hard for the Voss boys…
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2026
About the author
Anne Halle
8 books24 followersAnne Halle grew up in a small town in Louisiana, which explains a lot. Raised where the food bites back, the humidity has opinions, and everybody knows everybody's business — including the business they were specifically trying to keep quiet — she developed an early and entirely reasonable appreciation for creatures most people had the good sense to run from.
As a girl, she was far more interested in monsters than the boys at school. The monsters, at least, were honest about their teeth.
These days, she writes dark & paranormal romances that are hotter than a Louisiana summer and twice as shameless. Her heroines arrive broken and leave formidable. Her love interests have claws, bad reputations, and zero interest in being tamed. The bedroom doors stay wide open. She regrets nothing.
When she isn't writing, she's wrangling her own growing family of monsters and arguing with the very loud characters who live permanently in her head, none of whom have ever paid rent.
She wouldn't have it any other way.
As a girl, she was far more interested in monsters than the boys at school. The monsters, at least, were honest about their teeth.
These days, she writes dark & paranormal romances that are hotter than a Louisiana summer and twice as shameless. Her heroines arrive broken and leave formidable. Her love interests have claws, bad reputations, and zero interest in being tamed. The bedroom doors stay wide open. She regrets nothing.
When she isn't writing, she's wrangling her own growing family of monsters and arguing with the very loud characters who live permanently in her head, none of whom have ever paid rent.
She wouldn't have it any other way.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 1, 2026
ETA: After finishing, I still feel like a good editor would have done wonders for this book. So many repetitive and out of order paragraphs.
40% in: I'm enjoying the book, but it really needs more editing/beta readers. Reading on Kindle.
I'd recommend Lessa Lamb as a continuity editor. You'd mainly come across her work as a narrator for Katee Robert's books.
(I don't know how to contact the author so I'm putting it here) at 40%-45% the scenes and events get duplicated and are sometimes out of order.
Serena gets invited to the festival twice (3 times?).
Callum comes by late at night with a "we need to talk" only for the next chapter to be about Sunday dinner.
Sunday dinner is mentioned as having become a weekly thing, and then one is described as if it's the first, with the mechanic being really introduced as a character.
She leaves work to walk home in the afternoon, has a bunch of introspective thoughts (that she's had 3 times at this point) and then exchanges good mornings with Jasper on the stairs.
I still have no clue which stairs the guys are always going up that also go to her apartment. I thought she had external entrance to an apartment above the garage, but I don't really know if this is a second building, allowing her to look across the yard and magnolia tree at the main house, or if it's all attached to the main house.
"The garage apartment was above the main structure, accessed by an exterior staircase that wrapped around the side of the building. The listing had mentioned this, had shown photos of the door at the top, the little porch with its wrought-iron railing"
So is the apartment 2nd floor above the garage and sharing a single wall with the main house?
Also, how do words keep getting scratched into a wrought-iron railing? And why would fresh scratched words ("found you", etc) not be a huge deal and extremely visible to the extremely protective home owners who are on the porch all the time?
Dancing with Callum it's suddenly dark, even though they left for the festival just after 3pm and they've been there all of 30 minutes including getting a crown and dancing with Jasper and Eli.
40% in: I'm enjoying the book, but it really needs more editing/beta readers. Reading on Kindle.
I'd recommend Lessa Lamb as a continuity editor. You'd mainly come across her work as a narrator for Katee Robert's books.
(I don't know how to contact the author so I'm putting it here) at 40%-45% the scenes and events get duplicated and are sometimes out of order.
Serena gets invited to the festival twice (3 times?).
Callum comes by late at night with a "we need to talk" only for the next chapter to be about Sunday dinner.
Sunday dinner is mentioned as having become a weekly thing, and then one is described as if it's the first, with the mechanic being really introduced as a character.
She leaves work to walk home in the afternoon, has a bunch of introspective thoughts (that she's had 3 times at this point) and then exchanges good mornings with Jasper on the stairs.
I still have no clue which stairs the guys are always going up that also go to her apartment. I thought she had external entrance to an apartment above the garage, but I don't really know if this is a second building, allowing her to look across the yard and magnolia tree at the main house, or if it's all attached to the main house.
"The garage apartment was above the main structure, accessed by an exterior staircase that wrapped around the side of the building. The listing had mentioned this, had shown photos of the door at the top, the little porch with its wrought-iron railing"
So is the apartment 2nd floor above the garage and sharing a single wall with the main house?
Also, how do words keep getting scratched into a wrought-iron railing? And why would fresh scratched words ("found you", etc) not be a huge deal and extremely visible to the extremely protective home owners who are on the porch all the time?
Dancing with Callum it's suddenly dark, even though they left for the festival just after 3pm and they've been there all of 30 minutes including getting a crown and dancing with Jasper and Eli.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2026
Serena is running from the nightmare her life has become. She escapes to a small Louisiana town where she can hide, heal, and hopefully disappear. This little town has secrets of its own though, and three brothers who make her feel things she cant explain. They look at her like she's something to be treasured. She starts to wonder was she running from something or running to something?
This book was such a wonderful read. The world building is great. From the beginning you feel tied in with Serena's emotions. You feel her terror, her pain, her apprehension, her hope, and later her happiness. The Voss brothers are so different but each care for her in their own special way. They help her heal and find parts of herself. The mystery surrounding her is intriguing. Not to mention her ex. There is so much more at work and I am anxious to learn what that is. This world is dark, exciting, and intriguing. There is spice but I would consider this more of a slow burn. It fits perfectly with the story though. The chemistry is excellent between them all, definitely the right kind of steamy. I am excited to dive into book two and see where the next chapter in this trilogy is headed.
This book was such a wonderful read. The world building is great. From the beginning you feel tied in with Serena's emotions. You feel her terror, her pain, her apprehension, her hope, and later her happiness. The Voss brothers are so different but each care for her in their own special way. They help her heal and find parts of herself. The mystery surrounding her is intriguing. Not to mention her ex. There is so much more at work and I am anxious to learn what that is. This world is dark, exciting, and intriguing. There is spice but I would consider this more of a slow burn. It fits perfectly with the story though. The chemistry is excellent between them all, definitely the right kind of steamy. I am excited to dive into book two and see where the next chapter in this trilogy is headed.
July 15, 2026
What a ride Wild Thorns was. This book was so good that I could barely put it down and keeps you guessing until the end. The perfect continuation from Warped Thorns: A Dark Paranormal Reverse Harem Shifter Romance full of mystery and suspense and supernatural creatures.
The story line follows Serena and Marcus and introduces the Voss brothers. The slow burn romance between Serena and the brothers was perfectly done.
Anne Halle is quickly establishing herself as one of my favourite authors with her masterful story telling. I'm eagerly awaiting Book 2!
The story line follows Serena and Marcus and introduces the Voss brothers. The slow burn romance between Serena and the brothers was perfectly done.
Anne Halle is quickly establishing herself as one of my favourite authors with her masterful story telling. I'm eagerly awaiting Book 2!
May 4, 2026
Fantastic Paranormal Shifter read!
I thought this book to be a bit slow at the beginning but I realised it was just and necessary as it built up the fantastic story that unfolded. Absolute corker of a read!!!
The characters were fantastic - I mean the Voss brothers were so welcoming and kind and just what Serena needed after being with Marcus. Ugh don’t get me started on him!
There are so many secrets that are still hidden away and everyone seems to be hiding something and not what they seem, it’s crazy good!
This book is full of mystery, intrigue, ancient family history and is so tense that I was literally on the edge of my seat. The slow burn build up was so good and the brilliant ending will leave you gobsmacked and wanting the next book like now 😄
I thought this book to be a bit slow at the beginning but I realised it was just and necessary as it built up the fantastic story that unfolded. Absolute corker of a read!!!
The characters were fantastic - I mean the Voss brothers were so welcoming and kind and just what Serena needed after being with Marcus. Ugh don’t get me started on him!
There are so many secrets that are still hidden away and everyone seems to be hiding something and not what they seem, it’s crazy good!
This book is full of mystery, intrigue, ancient family history and is so tense that I was literally on the edge of my seat. The slow burn build up was so good and the brilliant ending will leave you gobsmacked and wanting the next book like now 😄
June 25, 2026
I was given an ARC copy to continue this journey! Thank you to the author.
Milestones better than the novella!! The descriptions really emerge you into the world. You really get a feel for how traumatized the FMC is. You're able to sit with her mindset of what it feels like to be stalked. You also get to follow her transformations as she continues to find herself.
Plenty of slow burn romance with spicy content. Good foreshadowing of what's to come. She struggles to choose, but it's understandable why!
You get to know the three MCs quite well with all their different quirks.
The transitions smoothed in this novel! I would definitely reread this and I wait with anticipation for what's to come next.
Milestones better than the novella!! The descriptions really emerge you into the world. You really get a feel for how traumatized the FMC is. You're able to sit with her mindset of what it feels like to be stalked. You also get to follow her transformations as she continues to find herself.
Plenty of slow burn romance with spicy content. Good foreshadowing of what's to come. She struggles to choose, but it's understandable why!
You get to know the three MCs quite well with all their different quirks.
The transitions smoothed in this novel! I would definitely reread this and I wait with anticipation for what's to come next.
May 4, 2026
As soon as I finished the prequel, I jumped in and finished this book in a day. While there are some confusing timelines, some conversations happen and then it feels like weeks go by before the event happens, the characters have me hooked and the plot that is unwinding has me hanging on to the cliff, waiting for more. I’m loving the small town mystery vibe and this slow burn while the FC is learning how to find herself again.
June 11, 2026
Where is book 2, need it now!
Wild Thorns started slow for the first few chapters. Trust me you will need the calm before the storm. The connection between Serena and the Voss brothers is a long smolder until the first embers start to really burn. You will be rooting for boys, hating the monster, giggling at sarcasm and left needing more. Not to give anything away but seeing scattered magnets on the floor will bring back fond memories of this book!
Wild Thorns started slow for the first few chapters. Trust me you will need the calm before the storm. The connection between Serena and the Voss brothers is a long smolder until the first embers start to really burn. You will be rooting for boys, hating the monster, giggling at sarcasm and left needing more. Not to give anything away but seeing scattered magnets on the floor will bring back fond memories of this book!
July 6, 2026
I was constantly on the edge of my seat wondering what was coming next!
This book was filled with mystery, secrets, and danger. There were also emotional moments, drama, humor, and a little steam.
It was a little slow in the beginning, however as I continued reading, it kept pulling me back in. I definitely have lots of questions. I also have a few suspicions.
I cant wait to find out more about Serena!
This book was filled with mystery, secrets, and danger. There were also emotional moments, drama, humor, and a little steam.
It was a little slow in the beginning, however as I continued reading, it kept pulling me back in. I definitely have lots of questions. I also have a few suspicions.
I cant wait to find out more about Serena!
May 8, 2026
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!
Wow did this book hook, drag, and sink me! I absolutely cannot wait to read the second one and see what happens next. If you love fantasy with a bit of spice and a damn good story line please read this book I promise you won’t be disappointed. Definitely one of my top reads ☺️
Wow did this book hook, drag, and sink me! I absolutely cannot wait to read the second one and see what happens next. If you love fantasy with a bit of spice and a damn good story line please read this book I promise you won’t be disappointed. Definitely one of my top reads ☺️
May 11, 2026
a good start
When I started the story I thought it was a bit repetitive but then a woman abused and diminished would repeat herself and questions herself all the time. The story is credible for a woman was controlled like Serana was. I love the brothers they are just delicious.
I can’t wait for her second book. I hate cifflhangers.
When I started the story I thought it was a bit repetitive but then a woman abused and diminished would repeat herself and questions herself all the time. The story is credible for a woman was controlled like Serana was. I love the brothers they are just delicious.
I can’t wait for her second book. I hate cifflhangers.
May 16, 2026
Immediately hooked! The gentle intensity of the MMCs was a welcome change to the book I’ve been reading. I like that the book is set up so that the reader learns about the world as the FMC is learning. Usually I don’t like that because things feel confusing but it works well in this book. Can’t believe I have to wait over 3 months to read book 2 😭
May 22, 2026
This is a short prequel to a new story. There was a lot of tension and unknowns, and it piqued my interest to continue on to the main books. There were some parts that could be potentially triggering though so check out the content warnings first.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 23, 2026
The writing was good - strong, descriptive, and well-paced. Characters were distinctive and with only one exception, appealing. I wanted to give this more stars but toward the end it just got weird. The ex turned into something unexpected, the violence just malevolent, and my big gripe: the end was not wrapped up but merely a cliff-hanger launch into the next novel in the series. Not okay at all.
May 18, 2026
Took me a second to come leave this review because I was actually tripping over myself trying to find the first book in the trilogy. No chance I’m not going to tear through these books after the 50 pages that just introduced me to these four characters. Here we go!
May 3, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ I loved this story. My only complaints were that it was a little repetitive and slow.
September 7, 2026
Good story but could’ve used some more editing. Too much repetition and at one point a lead up to something that didn’t happen.
September 30, 2026
Awesome read!
Love this! A damaged woman fleeing a monster. Three handsome, sexy brothers living on a plantation in Louisiana. What's not to love?
Love this! A damaged woman fleeing a monster. Three handsome, sexy brothers living on a plantation in Louisiana. What's not to love?
October 27, 2026
love this
I never leave comments but I’m so hooked can’t wait to read more and get lost in more books along the way ty
I never leave comments but I’m so hooked can’t wait to read more and get lost in more books along the way ty
May 5, 2026
This book gave me the feeling of discovering a series I know I’m about to become obsessed with.
Wild Thorns is layered with mystery, tension, and just enough unanswered questions to keep you constantly turning the page. From the very beginning, there’s an underlying sense that something isn’t quite right—and that feeling only deepens as the story unfolds.
The atmosphere stood out the most for me. There’s a quiet intensity to the setting, where everything seems welcoming on the surface, yet you can’t shake the feeling that secrets are hiding just beneath it. It creates a strong pull that keeps you fully immersed.
The story builds steadily, weaving suspense with emotional conflict, and just when you think you’re starting to understand what’s happening, it shifts again. That unpredictability made it incredibly engaging.
And let’s talk about the romance—this is definitely a slow burn with tension that builds over time, and when it finally starts to unfold, it brings just the right level of spice without overpowering the story.
The pacing really picks up toward the end, and the final moments leave you with that “I need the next book right now” feeling.
✨ If you enjoy stories filled with mystery, secrets, supernatural elements, and a slow-burn, spicy romance, this is definitely one to watch.
📖 As an ARC reader, I can confidently say this is a strong start to what feels like it’s going to be a very addictive series—and I’m already looking forward to book two.
Wild Thorns is layered with mystery, tension, and just enough unanswered questions to keep you constantly turning the page. From the very beginning, there’s an underlying sense that something isn’t quite right—and that feeling only deepens as the story unfolds.
The atmosphere stood out the most for me. There’s a quiet intensity to the setting, where everything seems welcoming on the surface, yet you can’t shake the feeling that secrets are hiding just beneath it. It creates a strong pull that keeps you fully immersed.
The story builds steadily, weaving suspense with emotional conflict, and just when you think you’re starting to understand what’s happening, it shifts again. That unpredictability made it incredibly engaging.
And let’s talk about the romance—this is definitely a slow burn with tension that builds over time, and when it finally starts to unfold, it brings just the right level of spice without overpowering the story.
The pacing really picks up toward the end, and the final moments leave you with that “I need the next book right now” feeling.
✨ If you enjoy stories filled with mystery, secrets, supernatural elements, and a slow-burn, spicy romance, this is definitely one to watch.
📖 As an ARC reader, I can confidently say this is a strong start to what feels like it’s going to be a very addictive series—and I’m already looking forward to book two.
May 7, 2026
I received this ARC and I’m leaving a voluntary review.
Now the Serena has finally Gotten away from Marcus. She’s trying to make a new life in a small town.
Trying to believe that she is worth something. The three brothers at the Thornwood estate make her feel like she’s the only thing that matters. When her world is turned upside down after discovering, they are werewolves she doesn’t know what to do but she knows she still wants to be near them. Marcus is still coming for her but they will stop at nothing to protect her. and the ending was crazy! Leaving me waiting for the next book.
At times, the story felt a little slow in the beginning, and some of the conversations were a little repetitive. Sometimes some of the events seemed like there was a little bit too much time in between them, but I really enjoyed the story and there’s definitely slow burn tension brewing. If you like werewolf shifters, slow burn, dark magic and reverse harems this is for you!
Now the Serena has finally Gotten away from Marcus. She’s trying to make a new life in a small town.
Trying to believe that she is worth something. The three brothers at the Thornwood estate make her feel like she’s the only thing that matters. When her world is turned upside down after discovering, they are werewolves she doesn’t know what to do but she knows she still wants to be near them. Marcus is still coming for her but they will stop at nothing to protect her. and the ending was crazy! Leaving me waiting for the next book.
At times, the story felt a little slow in the beginning, and some of the conversations were a little repetitive. Sometimes some of the events seemed like there was a little bit too much time in between them, but I really enjoyed the story and there’s definitely slow burn tension brewing. If you like werewolf shifters, slow burn, dark magic and reverse harems this is for you!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2026
I dove head first into this one after the prequel. Had to, doesn't even begin to cut. Then this cliffhanger. Ugh. I need the second book ASAP.
Serena has gotten away from Marcus. She's rebuilding and healing. She gets to discover new things and a new life. She's accepting feelings for the brothers of her landlord. Marcus, though, this man doesn't know how to quit. Now I need to know what his endgame is.
Serena has gotten away from Marcus. She's rebuilding and healing. She gets to discover new things and a new life. She's accepting feelings for the brothers of her landlord. Marcus, though, this man doesn't know how to quit. Now I need to know what his endgame is.
May 3, 2026
This book is phenomenal. I tore through the prequel and launched straight into this one like my life depended on it. From page one, it grabs you by the collar and does not let go. The tension, the emotion, the sheer momentum — it’s relentless in the best way. The chemistry is sizzling, the twists keep blindsiding you, and Serena? She’s a powerhouse. Fierce, determined, impossible not to root for.
By the time I reached the final chapter, I was torn between racing to the end and begging the story to slow down because I never wanted it to be over.
By the time I reached the final chapter, I was torn between racing to the end and begging the story to slow down because I never wanted it to be over.
May 3, 2026
New to this author and pleasantly surprised. The novella hooked me, so I flew through this one right after.
I really enjoyed the writing style, even if there were a few inconsistencies. Some themes felt a bit repetitive at times, but not enough to take away from the overall experience. It was an easy, entertaining read, and once the story really picked up toward the end, it had me fully locked in. Definitely left me excited for book two.
The bonus chapter was an interesting addition. It raises more questions, which I liked, but also left me a little confused as it didn’t quite line up with the final chapter for me. Maybe I missed something, but it stood out.
I really enjoyed the writing style, even if there were a few inconsistencies. Some themes felt a bit repetitive at times, but not enough to take away from the overall experience. It was an easy, entertaining read, and once the story really picked up toward the end, it had me fully locked in. Definitely left me excited for book two.
The bonus chapter was an interesting addition. It raises more questions, which I liked, but also left me a little confused as it didn’t quite line up with the final chapter for me. Maybe I missed something, but it stood out.
May 3, 2026
This book had me hooked i couldn't put it down. The chemistry between Serena, callum jasper and eli was amazing the slow burn and yearning. A great mix between plot and spice where do i find myself 3 obsessed and protective werewolves? .
I new something more was going on with marcus,the cliff hanger at the end I need book 2 now.
I new something more was going on with marcus,the cliff hanger at the end I need book 2 now.
May 9, 2026
I’m hooked!!
Wow, this book hit close to home on so many levels…. The way Anne puts words to Serena’s feelings that I’d never been able to explain before… to be so open and honest…
Wow, this book hit close to home on so many levels…. The way Anne puts words to Serena’s feelings that I’d never been able to explain before… to be so open and honest…
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews