Never the Roses has a beautifully haunting premise and moments of real emotional weight. Jennifer K. Lambert paints vivid scenes and captures the aching beauty of lost love and lingering regret. The atmosphere she builds—moody, melancholic, and slightly surreal—is where the novel shines brightest.

However, while the emotional undercurrents are strong, the pacing often feels uneven. Some sections soar with gorgeous, lyrical prose, while others get bogged down in repetition or lose focus. A few character motivations also felt underdeveloped, making it harder to stay fully invested in their journeys.

That said, Lambert clearly has a poetic touch, and when the story finds its rhythm, it’s genuinely affecting. Never the Roses is a worthwhile read for those who enjoy introspective, bittersweet narratives, even if it doesn’t quite reach the full bloom it promises.

I look forward to seeing what Lambert writes next, as there’s real talent here—just waiting for a slightly tighter execution.

This book is an absolute gem. It’s slow-burning and intense, each moment between them filled with so much emotional depth. The magical world is vibrant, yet it never overshadows the emotional core of the story. Lambert’s writing style is stunning; it is lyrical and evocative, yet never overly complicated. It’s the perfect mix of depth and fluidity that draws you in and keeps you turning the pages. The themes of love, redemption, and healing are explored so beautifully, and I couldn’t help but feel completely immersed in it. I felt connected to the characters, to their struggles, and to their growth. Every aspect of this book, from the world-building to the romance to the writing, is crafted with so much heart, and I can’t recommend it enough. I can’t wait to dive into whatever Lambert writes next.

I've loved following along with Jeffe Kennedy's podcast and hearing about this book and it was so exciting to read an ARC of it! I was entirely captivated by the writing of the first half - felt a lot like I did when I read Circe. The story of a strong sorceress who can't quite stop herself from getting into a spot of trouble. The second half was good as well, but a tad disappointing as it started to feel like a set up for book 2. Nothing wrong with that, but nothing much happened either. Still a recommended read!

You won't want to miss this stunning romantasy debut by Jennifer K. Lambert. Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Publishing for granting me an arc in exchange for my honest review. I was intrigued by the premise of the story and it did not disappoint. It tells the story of the retired Dread Sorceress Oneria as she tries to move on after decades of being used for her magic. All she wants is to nurture her garden, relax, and forget the memories of what she's been through. Unfortunately, fate has a way of scoffing at the plans we make. As we follow Oneria through her journey, we're taken on a journey of self discovery, forgiveness, and learning to live with the past in hopes of making a better future.

this is a difficult book for me to rate because I think it was not inherently bad but it was not a positive reading experience for me. the writing was lyrical and beautiful, but it was quite slow for a lot of the book. I also don't enjoy reading about older adults at this stage in my life, but I understand that is personal preference.

What an absolutely gorgeous book this is! It starts off at a slow pace, but the writing is so beautiful and Oneira is so intriguing that I was lulled into her day to day existence. The author does a superb job of pulling you into this world. Once Oneira begins to visit the library, the story really starts to take off and what a story it is. I absolutely love this book - the world, the characters - all of it. Lambert is an amazingly talented author and I’ll read anything she writes after this.

Thanks so much for the opportunity to read in advance!

A beautiful and steady start became a story I felt wholly submerged in and refused to leave.

The magic is interesting and unique and the romance was absolutely unforgettable and heart-wrenching.

I believe this is a standalone but I’d happily accept more.

A stunning fantasy everyone needs!

At first this book felt really chunky to me and I was bored at the start. I'm very glad I stuck with it, because at about the 1/3rd mark things pick up and get very interesting, especially between our rival love interests! Not ending the cliffhanger ending can knock off a star, though I really do need a sequel.

When I read that this book was a combination of "Circe" and the "Witch's Heart", I knew I had to read this book. I devoured both of those books during the pandemic and was elated to read this book. While it is written in a beautiful prose that vividly describes the world Lambert is creating, it was just too mundane for me. I gave this book about 40% before I officially gave up from the lack of substantial dialogue. There was almost too much world-building for me, which has led me to abandon books even if I like the writing. I would still recommend this book to anyone who loves to read fantasy but it just wasn't for me.

Never the Roses is haunting, romantic, and utterly captivating. Jennifer K. Lambert delivers a gothic tale full of lyrical prose, slow-burning tension, and a love story that lingers like a ghost long after the final page. It’s the perfect blend of beauty and darkness—an atmospheric read that feels like a secret whispered in the night.

I adored this book. It was a slow burn of a story, hitting on so many important themes and thoughts about the human condition. Healing after trauma, finding oneself and piecing herself back together, loss of faith in humanity, and so much more.

At first I struggled to get into the story, but as time went on and I got to see the world through Oneira’s eyes, I fell more deeply in love with her story. She had been through so much, and yet still found it in her to be forgiving of others and even find a little love.

I loved that the whole story mostly took place in Oneira’s home, where you get to experience her loneliness, and also in her enemy’s library, where a flirtatious relationship begins.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The writing was wonderful, the magic was unique, and had a slow burn romance that I can’t deny. I so hope we get more of Oneira in the future!

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am a sucker for any book that includes magic and a library. I also enjoy an enemies to lovers troupe. Unique magic system and very easy to understand.

What happens when a war-sorceress retires, but not really? In "Never the Roses" Oneira pays off her debt to her queen and goes into retirement. Or so she thought. She builds her fortress, manages to find familiars, and builds a life for herself in which she plans to eventually lie down and die. But then she gets bored and travels to the library of her nemesis, Stearanos Stormbreaker. From there it's a cat-and-mouse game until they both get caught up in the tides of war - again.

I enjoyed reading this novel and this iteration of the enemies-to-lovers trope. They are literal enemies who never meet until Oneira retires. It was a slow start but once Oneira's retirement was established, the pace picked up a bit and the political intrigue became more apparent. I definitely would qualify this one as a slow burn.

The premise really intrigued me and it’s a beautiful book. I enjoyed the story and appreciated how the author handled such topics as grief and trauma. The pacing was a bit slow but overall I liked the book.

The description of Jennifer K Lambert’s Never the Roses makes it seem like the story will be faster-paced than it is. Oneira, retires from war and from life, gets bored, visits her nemesis’s library, and is attracted to him, but his court is waging war on the court Oneira retired from. Most book descriptions only allude to the first portion of the book and leave the rest to be discovered by the reader as they’re hooked in, so one might expect the events in this description to just be the beginning of the tale, but that is not the case. The events listed in the description comprise 85 or 90 percent of the book, leaving only the meat of the story and the ending resolution to be a surprise.

The slower progression of events is soothing in a way, making it feel like a cozy read. There are only two aspects of the tale that don’t fit this mood. The first is a secondary/side character named Tristan or Leskai. He is the queen’s pet, magicked into submission, and the scene where he’s introduced is a little too vivid to fit with the rest of the events. The second is the ending because that was a surprise. I was not expecting this book to have a sequel, but the ending left the possibility open, and if such a sequel does come to be, the ending implied that it might be more action-paced, delving into the Dream and Oneira’s magic.

Overall, this book was a relaxing read.

Oneira is a powerful sorceress who was in the service to a ruthless queen. She has freed herself from indentureship and has decided to give up evil. She now lives isolated in a magically created tower accompanied only by some mythical creatures who have gradually adopted her. Think of the cat distribution system. The book is quietly paced and made me think of Patricia McKillip's The Forgotten Beasts of Eld. As she begins to heal, she also grows bored and makes a series of questionable decisions that lead to stealing a book from her most powerful rival, the sorcerer Stearanos. They begin a cautious and forbidden correspondence that could lead to disaster.
This is a slow burn, enemies to lovers that, despite the quiet pacing, kept me engaged. from the first page. I loved watching Oneira begin to heal, and Stearanos begin to find hope, and both of them begin to open to friendship and trust. I hope there is a sequel in the works. Thank you to Tor and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Roses check, library check, magic check! Beautiful writing of two supposed enemies to lovers. Unique magic system and very easy to understand due to the vivid writing.

4/5

Never the Roses is a quietly mesmerizing fantasy that immerses readers in a world where magic is tied to duty and sorrow. Sorcerers are bound by blood contracts, forced to serve the royals against their will, which adds an intriguing layer of tension throughout the story. The novel’s slow pace and dreamlike quality are carried by Oneira, a moody and introspective protagonist struggling with trauma and guilt from past actions she couldn’t control.

While the early chapters may feel slow, the introduction of Stearnos brings much-needed levity and tension. Their relationship evolves from playful banter to something deeper, driving the emotional heart of the story. Oneira’s journey of healing, alongside her quiet moments of creativity like baking and gardening, offers a comforting contrast to her inner turmoil.

The book’s focus on grief, magic, and character development will appeal to fans of slow-burn fantasy like Circe or Naomi Novik’s Uprooted. Although the plot leaves room for a sequel, the emotional depth and enchanting atmosphere make this a memorable read. Just a note: the praise for The Sandman in the acknowledgments may feel misplaced given recent controversies surrounding the author.

Overall, Never the Roses is a reflective, character-driven fantasy perfect for those seeking an introspective and magical escape.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for the ARC!

This was fun and had a unique premise! It does read a tad slowly but it works for the story. Beautifully written.

"Never the Roses" by Jennifer K. Lambert is a powerful and emotional novel that delves into the complexities of grief, trauma, and healing. This poignant story follows a young woman as she navigates the aftermath of a devastating loss and grapples with the dark secrets of her family's past.