These Thorn Kisses

St. Mary's Rebels, Book 3

By: Saffron A. Kent

Narrated by: Stefanie Kay, Walker Williams

Length: 16 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

Eighteen-year-old, Bronwyn Littleton is in love with a stranger she met on a summer night a year ago.

A stranger who was tall and broad in a way that made her feel safe. He had dark blue eyes that she can’t stop drawing in her sketch book. And he had a deep, soothing voice that she can’t stop hearing in her dreams.

That’s all she knows about him though.

Until she runs into him again. At St. Mary’s School for Troubled Teenagers–an all girls reform school–where she’s trapped because of a little crime she committed in the name of her art.

Now she knows that her dream man has a name: Conrad Thorne.

She knows that his eyes are way bluer and way more beautiful than she thought. And that his face is an artist’s wonderland.

But she also knows that Conrad is her best friend’s older brother. Which means he’s completely off-limits. Not to mention, he’s the new soccer coach, which makes him off-limits times two.

What makes him off-limits times three however, and this whole scenario an epic tragedy, is that, Conrad, Wyn’s dream man, has a dream girl of his own.

And he’s as much in love with his dream girl as Wyn is in love with him…

NOTE: This is a STANDALONE set in the world of St. Mary’s.

©2021 Saffron A Kent (P)2024 Pink Flamingo Productions

Age-Gap Best Friend and Coach Student

Conrad is the eldest in his family who has sacrificed his dreams for the sake of his family who he loves dearly. An ethical and moral man
Wynn is the child of rich parents who show no affection and control her life. In a fit of rebellion she spends her last year of high school at St Mary’s, a reform school for girls. Wynn is fighting to have her dream.
The struggle to protect each other shows the deep and abiding respect and love these two have.
This series is well worth the time and investment. This can be read as a standalone.. but investing in the first 2 books is worth it.
Narration well done. I liked the male narrator better than the female

Student teacher

Bronwyn comes from a rich family. She is an artist but that doesn’t live up to her mom or dad’s expectations. At a family friend’s wedding she ran into a mystery man. She felt safe and inspired around him. The next day she spray painted his face onto her dad’s car. Which landed her in St. Mary’s school for troubled girls. A few months later, she runs into mystery man again who turns out to be her soccer coach and her best friend’s brother. There is attraction between the two Conrad fights it because he is her teacher and older than her however, wyn is persistent. Conrad just wants what’s best for Wyn and does everything he can so Wyn can be the artist she is.

Best friends brother

I've loved this whole series and since hearing about Conrad in AGV I couldn't wait to get his story. And wow Saffron did not disappoint. The angst was so well done. I loved everything about this book. It is definitely a slow burn that will have you going through different emotions. After everything Conrad has been through I loved seeing him get his HEA.

The narrators really brought the characters to life. They portrayed them perfectly.

taboo

Bronwyn has a dilemma , #1 her mystery man is her brother's best friend, #2 he is her soccer coach, #3 he is almost twice her age, #4 he is in love with someone else.
She is determined to bring some light to Conrad's life. They both bring out the best in each other-
He knows it's not right. She annoying to him, trying to get his attention and break down his walls.
I love taboo romance and this one doesn't disappoint.
Stephanie Kay and Walker Williams narration is very food.
#theflockontour

Keeps you wanting more...

These Thorn Kisses is book 3 in the St. Mary's Rebels series. It's an age gap, coach/student, best friends brother romance.

Conrad and Wyn's story is a slow burn that pulls you in and keeps you engrossed throughout. You get all the drama, smoking hot chemistry, and so many emotions. SAK sure does know how to keep you hooked and wanting more in this series.

Stefanie Kay and Walker Williams did a good job brining these characters to life.

Excellent Series!

These Thorn Kisses is my favorite from this series, I have a soft spot for possessive alphas and Conrad did not disappoint. Looking forward to the next installment in this fun series.

Thorny Wallflower

Conrad "Con" Thorne is a bit intense. Fine, he's a lot intense. Satisfied? He's also got a wickedly dirty mouth. Oh, how I love all of his dirty talking, and even that is intense. The intensity is a little much on a few occasions, plus a few more. I mostly like him, but I prefer him as a side character, not the main event.

Bronwyn "Wyn" Littleton is relatable, even if a bit naïve and in over her head. She's sweet but also subject to rash behavior. I like how she sets out to seduce Con and how her inexperience shines through, along with her willingness to explore and learn.

It is a bit disappointing that this is the second soccer coach for this school to fall for a student within months of each other. There's the added element of best friend's sibling, but it definitely felt a little déjà vu-ish.

All in all, I like the book but that's about it. There's a lot of deception that I wasn't keen on, especially keeping things from Callie like they all did, and Con didn't click for me.

I received an author's copy of the audio book. The narrators are Walker Williams and Stefanie Kay. I find myself really wishing this was duet. The majority of the book is from Wyn's perspective, so it's not a good balance for two narrators. I do like both, I just wish there was more of Walker thrown in there.

Story: 3.5 stars
Narration: 4 stars
Listening Speed: 1.6x

Bronwyn and Conrad

4* narration
3.5* story
Bronwyn and Conrad

The narrators did a good job, especially the female narrator since the story is mostly told by Browyn. This is a older man/younger woman, forbidden soccer coach/student romance. These two meet at a wedding Conrad's ex who runs in Browyn's family circle but is also her guidance counsel. I'm not sure exactly how I feel about this one . To me it's a majority of a young Browyn supposed good girl who doesn't really stand up for herself and what she wants rambling. But whenever she meets Conrad again as he is the new soccer coach at school she finds herself being defiant and talks back at him . Then each time they encounter she demands things from him, like telling him to kiss her. When it's Conrad turn out to be the possesive dominant kind who also tries to teach Browyn to pursue her dream of being an artist even though that is not the plan her parents have for.

Wallflower and Her Thorn

I’ve been so excited for Bronwyn’s story since book 1. She’s been the artistic dreamer of the group so I knew when she fell it was going to be hard. Wyn’s outbursts may have brought me secondhand embarrassment but she was so endearing I couldn’t help but love her anyway. She knows her obsession is bordering on delusional but she also only wants to show Con someone will put him first.

Conrad has had such a hard life. We already knew he had to give up his dreams to give his siblings their best chance at happiness but then to find out he also gave up the woman who he thought was the love of his life. He’s more than a little damaged and broken by life.

There’s a million reasons why Con and Wyn shouldn’t be together. He’s her coach, her best friend’s brother and way too old for her. But their love was inevitable from the moment he walks her home and her defiance for her art begins. This is definitely a slow burn but the chemistry is impeccable and the build is done just right. And would it be a SAK book if the hero isn’t an alpha dirty talker? I think not.

This ended up being my favorite book of the St Mary’s Rebels series. I loved how well the narrators brought these two to life. I felt their longing and anguish and heartbreak as if it were my own.

These Thorn Kisses

This is the third book in the St. Mary's Rebels series. This is Wyn and Conrad's book. Each book can be read as standalone books. Wyn met her perfect man, but thought she might never see him again, now that she is at St. Mary's. This is a best friend's brother forbidden romance. I love this series. Saffron A Kent really knows how to put you through an emotional roller coaster, before the well-deserved HEA. Stefanie Kay and Walker Williams did a phenomenal job narrating this book.