Rating 3.75 rounded up.

A sorceress with magic based on her dreams. An interesting and unique magic system premise. Tired of war and fighting, Oneira is isolating herself away with her animal friends, books and dreams. There are times when the story does get a bit slow but never enough to make me want to stop or loose interest. About 60% in the story picks up. I enjoyed the dark and gloomy atmosphere they story evokes and I understood Oneira want to withdraw from the world.

This is nothing like the Romantasy’s that are popular right now. So if you are looking for fast paced, enemies to lovers or spicy forbidden love tropes, this books will disappoint. For me that is what I enjoyed about this book, the lack of the typical Romantasy tropes. Or should I say the the subdued nature of it. This story has a wealth of potential. I would have loved more info on the dream magic system. Over I enjoyed the story.

This was a quiet and dark romantasy that was pretty well written, even if it didn't quite draw my attention until the last third of the book. The fmc does not trust anyone and is a bit obsessed with death and not being around. She also has magic, dream walks, and is kind of a retired warrior for the cause, which I would actually love to know more about in the next book. The mmc is the fmc rival mage warrior from another place, and they meet after the fmc steals one of his library books.

This is a slow burn, and it's not an epic fantasy because there are no battles or anything, just magic, mind games, and banter. The fmc is isolated, so there are a lot of her thoughts and feelings. Im not sure I even rooted for the romance until the last part of the book when the banter and plot picked up. Overall, an okay read. Thanks to Bramble for the arc.

I really wanted to love this, but honestly… I was fighting the urge to DNF halfway through. The writing itself was pretty, but the pacing was so slow that I felt like I was trudging through molasses in a corset. 😩 The vibes were there, but the story just never picked up for me. If you love a super slow-burn gothic atmosphere, this might be more your thing, but it just wasn’t for me.

Never the Roses by Jennifer K. Lambert is what happens when folklore kisses the void and still manages to blush. It’s got that same enchanted academic air as Emily Wilde—except everything here feels like it was dipped in poison and perfumed after.

The prose is lush without being overdone, like walking through a moss-covered library where something is definitely watching you. You’ll get dry wit, strange rituals, buried grief, and the kind of female lead who is painfully aware she’s one step from unraveling—but still shows up with her boots on and teeth bared. It’s whimsical and dark in the same breath, like a fairytale with its throat slit.

After a lifetime of war, Oneira, a dangerous sorceress, has chosen to live a life of solitude in her final days. She keeps busy with her garden and baking bread. She is joined by a few creatures, a magical cat and a legendary wolf that manage to get past her wards. The problem is that Oneira is lonely and, worse, bored. That is, until she impulsively steals a book about cultivating a rare rose from the legendary library of her old rival, Stearanos. This treachery begins as a petty act of magical mischief, soon spiraling into a battle of wits that is far more intimate. The stolen book sparks cheeky written messages between Oneira and Stearanos. The rivalry creates sharp banter and unexpected longing between them. As politics and the ghosts of past wars loom, their connection is threatened, putting them on opposing sides.

This story enchanted me. I loved everything about it. It explores the characters' emotions rather than worldbuilding, which is perfect for the story's focus. The relationship between Oneira and Stearanos ignites with wit and chemistry, blending the sharpness of rivals with tenderness. Their interactions build slowly, grounded in cautious trust, shared loneliness, and the ache for redemption. It's enemies-to-lovers in the most mature and meaningful way. They delve into healing and self-forgiveness as they grow into something more together.

It's a fantasy story that feels cozy, romantic, and epic all rolled into one. It is an utterly spellbinding tale about finding love in unlikely places and learning to live again after lifetimes of loss and heartache. I am ready for the next book today!

Thank you, NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group / Bramble, for the opportunity to review and provide my honest feedback.

Started out really, really slow and I almost DNF. But I’m glad I kept going because this turned out to be pretty, pretty good!

Never the Roses is ideal for readers who enjoy deeply emotional, character-driven explorations of love, redemption, and the burdens of power.

Not for me

Oneria and Stearanos are the two strongest mages in the world. Since they are contracted to two kingdoms the peace has held, neither side willing to risk losing a valuable weapon and leaving themselves vulnerable. Then Oneria takes a job and pays off the debt that binds her to the queen. For the first time in her life, she is free to do what she wants. Oneria creates a sanctuary and retreats from the world. On a whim, she goes to Steraranos' library and borrows a book. This begins a flirtatious conflict between them. But Oneria leaving has upset the balance of power and now no one is safe.

A beautiful story about love, grief and learning to forgive yourself.

The first half was quite slow and was mostly set up for the final half of the book, with the main characters not physically meeting until almost 50%. But when they did finally interact, the tension was palpable. I finished the entire book in almost a day, finding it such a quick and easy read to get sucked into.

It included such an interesting magic system that I personally haven’t experienced in a book before, and had me guessing the entire time how the story would end.

I would only have liked if the book had been a bit longer as it felt like we had such a long set up that bloomed into a beautiful romance, but the resolution came in so suddenly at the end that I could only hope for more.

The pacing is quite slow and I almost didn't finish it. But I'm so glad I kept going. About half way through this book really comes together. So while it was a slow start, I still recommend it. I love the dynamic between the characters. I need the next book like now.

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.