Lust is the Thorn by Jen McLaughlin
Released: April 19, 2016
Contemporary Romance
Loveswept
Reviewed by Kini
Blurb: Growing up he thard and fast on the mean streets of Chicago, Thorn McKinney didn’t have a prayer—until tragedy inspired him to join the seminary. Now the time has come to take his vows, and yet he’s haunted by the woman he can’t leave behind: his best friend’s little sister. Despite Thorn’s promises that he’d keep her safe, she’s going through hell. And now he finds himself torn between duty and desire, entranced by the seductive pull of her trusting eyes, innocent heart, and sinfully sweet curves.
Trying to let Thorn pursue his calling, Rose Gallagher has been hiding some things: namely her abusive boyfriend and her job as a stripper. But when she hits rock bottom, Thorn is there for her—and now there’s no denying the raw temptation that draws them together in their darkest moments. Rose may have found salvation in his strong arms, but she knows that Thorn must choose his own path: in the church, or in the warm embrace of a woman’s love.
When I saw the blurb for this, I was very interested and wanted to get my hot little hands on it. Reformed bad boy about to be a priest who seems to be tempted by sin, yes please. I have a new-found interest in how religion is handled in romance. I am not interested in reading inspirational roms though, just that religion is a part of people’s lives, so why not in romance?
Thorn is a reformed bad boy and has devoted his life to being a priest, well almost. He has been to seminary and on the cusp of taking his vows but there is something lingering in his life that is preventing him from doing so. Rose is the little sister of Thorn’s best friend, Mickey, who was killed in a car accident almost eight years ago.
Thorn was in the car with Mickey when the accident happened and was able to walk away with no injuries. After the accident he wanted to live a better life and that resulted in attending seminary. Rose is considerably younger and Thorn made a last moment vow to Mikey to look after Rose. Rose has lived a hard life in her almost 22 years – abusive parents, rough neighborhood, and so on. She is currently in need of a safe place to recuperate after being attacked. Thorn whisks her off and angst ensues. She has always loved Thorn, but she can’t be with him because she doesn’t want to tarnish him. Rose even has a couple of tattoos of a rose with one thorn, because Thorn is the one for her, do you get it?
Thorn loves Rose but can’t be with her because he believes he is unworthy due to his part in the car accident. The time they spend in close proximity leads them to be together, if only for one night. They decide that it is all it can be because neither believes they are worthy of the other. The one night only/very limited time is a favorite trope of mine. It is kind of silly and delusional, but I love it.
There is a pretty steamy scene in the beginning when Thorn is washing Rose’s hair where they get down and a little dirty. This is also where he lets her know he has always been interested in her.
Her arm moved faster as I spoke, and I would give anything to be her hand, just for a second. “And every time, it’s you I see in my dreams. You I feel touching me. Kissing me, It’s always you, Rose. It’s always been.”
Something that bothered me throughout the book was the ages of Thorn and Rose. Rose is 21 almost 22. The tragic accident happened almost eight years ago. Thorn is at least five years older than Rose. That means she was 13/14 when he first fell for her. That made me feel a little weird.
The other thing that really bothered me is that Rose is attacked twice and both times the attacker threatens to rape her. This is one of my least favorite plot devices and it felt like a lazy way to bring the couple together. Although both made me feel a little creeped out, neither made me feel like I wanted to DNF it.
Overall this was a decent read. I was interested in the story. It kept me engaged. I felt like Rose and Thorn, although overly angsty really cared about each other. I think the seminary/religion was handled well without being overwhelming and inspy like. There were references to church life, but it wasn’t too much. I like that even though they end up together, he doesn’t leave the church. He can’t be a priest, but he continues with his life of being active with his faith and church.
I would give it a C+
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