I’m a bit at a loss for words for this one. It was worlds better than I could’ve even fathomed and it’s safe to say I am obsessed. I love Briony as a character and this world building was top notch and incredibly immersive. I will be holding my breath until we get to continue in this amazing story

Absolute magic ❤️ I was so fortunate to get an ARC so I didn't have to wait for pub date, but I knew I'd love this book. I have loved all of Julie Soto's books so far, and her dramione fic rewritten to be this masterpiece?? yes, more, pls, yesterday...

This was one of my most anticipated books of the year and I was worried it couldn’t meet my expectations. BUT ‘don’t Worry’ (inside joke 😅) because 5 STARS for this one!!

I loved everything about it, the characters, the story, the romantic tension. The pacing was perfect and I thought the world building was weaved in well (always a challenge for book 1 in fantasy).

I will say this book was quite dark and had some major triggers - I will be sharing that with anyone wjo asks about it too. My heart broke for some of the things that happened to the women in the story, please make sure to tell readers loudly to check triggers.

Rose in Chains is the first book in The Evermore Trilogy written by Julie Soto, the author of Forget Me Not, Not Another Love Song and The Thrashers. It is my second Julie Soto book and a second miss, unfortunately. But I this doesn't mean I will not be reading more books from this author - I am set on finding a book I will love.

DNF @ 50%

My main issue with this book stems from the fact that it is a rewritten Draco x Hermoine fanfiction - because of this nature, a lot of the things in this book felt like "oh you already know this" from the HP universe (which I honestly don't feel comfortable supporting for obvious reasons). I wish this book had more standing on its own, without a link to that universe. This book also tackles dark themes which might be a turn-off for some - I did not think the themes were dark enough. If we are committing to a dark romantasy - let's get truly dark and twisted.

Another issue I have with this book is the pacing. By the time I reached 50%, I was still not invested in anything. The characters felt flat for me and the plot felt all over the place. Flashback scenes interrupting the main story were at times welcome, but I still did not gain anything from these scenes. Maybe I should force myself to read more, but I simply don't have the energy.

2.5/5 (rounding up to 3 because I think this book is perfect for a niche that I am not a part of and that is totally okay!)

Thank you Netgalley and Forever Publishing for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Wow. I'm battling myself trying to figure out where to start with this review, because my feelings are a little all over the place. I suppose the simplest place to start would be the beginning, which I really struggled with. The initial info dump just felt like a lot. While I can appreciate a story that starts in media res, the execution just didn't work for me. Maybe it's because I could still see the story's source material and characters hiding underneath the guises of new clunky names.

For me, the story took a very long time to find its footing away from the shadow of its fanfic origins. Almost too long. The problem is that a fanfic presumes the audience already possesses some knowledge about the story's setting, like the details of how things work, or the characters and the relationships they have with other characters. Though I may not have read the original fanfic of this book, certain parts felt almost painfully obvious to me that they were merely there to it supplement the reader's understanding of the world. And though a great effort was made, parts of the world-building still felt underbaked. Even some character motivations still feel a bit unclear—Why does Toven even care so much about Briony in the first place? And what motivates Briony to be so protective of Rory when it seems he doesn't feel the same way about her?

I was originally under the impression that this was a standalone, which made the pacing feel very strange to me. After the cliffhanger that was the ending, I now know that what we're really looking at with Rose in Chains is simply set dressing for book two. And credit where credit's due, the author managed to whip the story into shape by the ending, because I'm finally invested in where Briony and Toven are going. The story really picks up in Part Three! But my god, was it an arduous journey to get there.

And really, am I looking forward to a continuation because of Briony, or because Larissa and Serena absolutely stole my attention away in every scene they were in? If there isn't more of the two of them in the second book, I will riot.

4.5 stars.

Wow! Such a great read. This one definitely has some dark themes. Take care with trigger warnings before you start, but if you feel okay to proceed, I think you’ll enjoy the ride.

I got totally sucked into this magical world. I know this started as Dramione fan fiction, but the world that Soto has created is totally unique.

I loved the slow burn between Toven and Briony. I wish they had burned a little more, if you get my drift (haha), but I’m excited to see what the next book in the series will bring.

I’m so interested to learn more about some of the side characters and their motivations. And the ending! I loved the ending.

The only bad part about this book? It’s not even published yet and I’m desperate for the next installment.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Forever for a free eARC in exchange for my honest opinion. This book releases on 8 July and it’s one that I highly recommend.

Rose in Chains is the traditionally published version of the Draco/Hermione fanfic The Auction - which I have not read yet (but want to)! As such, I cannot comment on how this compares to the OG work BUT I can definitely say this is a super entertaining dark romantasy that will probably find a huge audience when it comes out next month.

While there is a plotline here (the events occur immediately after one kingdom defeats another and the main leads are on opposite sides of the conflict), the romance between the two leads is absolutely the main focus. If you're a fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope, brooding MMCs and romantic tension, as well as external forces pushing the leads together (reluctantly), you'll probably enjoy this as much as I did. I will definitely continue when the sequel is released!

My biggest critique Rose in Chains is that I think dark romances should be decidedly adult in all aspects, and there were two things that felt juvenile. Firstly, the magic system consists of heart vs. mind magic, but this magic system is almost never explored/explained and IMO is the weakest aspect of the book. Secondly, I think the cover leans too YA. If I saw this at a bookstore, I would assume it was for teens!

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the eARC!

I first want to start out with I think I am feral for Toven Hurst; lets just get that out of the way 😂.

I admit I didn’t know this was a fanfic turned trad pub until almost 70% in. I never finished HP and did not read the original short story this is based off of The Auction. That said o thought it was a refreshing change of pace from what is currently popular in the romantasy genre. It is for sure a dark romance which I usually stay away from but this was “lighter” so I did enjoy. I really enjoyed the tension between the to MCs. Super slow burn but in the best way.


I am also just mad that I read this slightly early because now I have to wait forever for the second book 😖.

This fantasy was darker than what I typically read but still captivating. It was also my first introduction to anything Dramione-inspired. The slow burn is quite slow friends, but luckily, this is only the first book in the trilogy. I thought the idea for the story was very original because Briony and her people lost the war at the beginning of the story. You don’t typically see a war get lost by the main characters. I’m very intrigued to find out what happens next after the ending. I will say I wasn’t surprised by the plot twist at the end because of other fantasies I’ve read but it’s still a good one. I honestly just can’t wait for more tension and yearning to happen between Toven and Briony in the next two books! Thanks to Forever Publishing, NetGalley and Edelweiss for the advanced copy!

I thought I was prepared for what I was walking into, but I was wrong. I thought I knew what to expect, but I was wrong. This book is different. This book is very, very good.

If you're in a reading slump, read this book.
If you think you don't like romantasy, read this book.
If you think you don't like enemies to lovers, read this book.
If you think you don't like slow burn, read this book.

It's gorgeous. It's terrifying. And it's done so, so well.

As with any book that deals with a serious, graphic, or triggering subject matter, there are bound to be various levels of discomfort that different readers are able to withstand. I usually steer clear of books with warnings such as these, but I found that it was not as graphic or egregious as I expected it to be, even with how truly horrific the content matter is.

Lastly, I didn't anticipate the burn to be so slow and it makes it so much better. It makes me like and respect both MCs much more than thought I would have.

Man, I'm doomed, aren't I?

I don't know what's going to ruin me worse, reading the next book in the series or waiting for it.

I was kindly provided with the arc of this book my NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) in exchange for an honest review, thank you ✨

4.5⭐️

Ahhhhhhh ma’am? You can’t leave me like this with that cliffhanger 😭 how am I supposed to wait for next book? 😭

I loved it! I didn’t know this was at first a Dramione fanfic and oh boy I was invested from the start 🙂‍↔️❤️ I need next book yesterday ahhh

thank you so much for the approval- i cannot wait to dive in, this is one of my most anticipated reads of the year! i will be sure to leave a review on GR/retailers to come! 💞

“It may feel like a prison, but it really is not so bad. It is an elegant cell, is it not?”

To read this as an original work is a blessing that I didn’t know I needed in my life. Julie does a great job at building a world and magic system that I was invested in and for giving a reason for the auction that made sense based on the story.

I was sucked in from the moment I started and finished in less than 24 hours. The ending left me feeling satisfied but also eagerly anticipating the sequel.

There’s a lake with still waters.

This book will be my whole personality for the foreseeable future.

The War is over and Bomard has won over the Eversuns. The king is dead, and his twin sister, Princess Briony Rosewood, is now a captive of the enemy.

Stripped of their magic, the captured Eversuns are being auctioned off to the highest bidder. When Briony finds herself on the auction block, she’s shocked to see Toven, the very man she’s been infatuated with for years, placing a bid. But what starts as a nightmare might just turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

You’ll find yourself utterly entranced by the characters’ storylines, the slow, slow burn, the aching secret pining, and the constant guessing of hidden intentions and feelings. I couldn’t get enough of them! I especially loved seeing the characters as students and watching how their interactions unfolded, adding even more depth to their present dynamics.

I was expecting to love this book and to be honest, wondering how Julie was going to adapt it into a different world, because If you’ve read “The Auction”, you’ll recognize the storyline, but let me assure you, Julie has outdone herself by weaving a fresh and captivating magical world.

The only downside to receiving this ARC is that now I have to wait even longer for the release of the second book.

I owe being able to read this e-Arc to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Julie Soto, Thank you so much, this felt like a gift to my reader soul.

Let me start by letting readers know that this is indeed a dark read. It's not for the faint of heart.
However, if you're a fan of classic bodice rippers, this is a good fantasy for you. It has some similar tropes and the dark tones bring in a lot of the same vibes.
Overall, this was a good read, but it was difficult to detach it from the source material (for reference, I'm aware of the original version of this work, but haven't yet read it). I wish some things had changed more than they did. I also felt like some plot points were repeated too many times.
However, I did enjoy my time reading this and am very likely to continue. There were some characters I'm ready to learn more about. I'm also interested to see how this stretches into a trilogy. The ending left off on a good bit of mystery that has me intrigued, and that's always a plus.

Synopsis: The prophecy was wrong and Briony's life has been upturned. Now she's at the mercy of those that have always been her enemy, and who killed her family. She's forced into the care, or ownership, of the Hearsts, specifically Toven, her rival at school whose sneers at her in the hallway didn't dim her curiosity in him.

I had very high expectations for this book ... AND IT EXCEEDED ALL OF THEM. Truly, Julie Soto continues to outdo herself and every book is better than the last.

The beginning starts off strong, the middle gets stronger, and the end made me SCREAM. Wow wow wow. Honestly from page 1 I was hooked. I'm fascinated, and impressed, by the world that Julie created. I really love the classic medieval vibes combined with academia then an overall dark tone. Honestly it's all my favorite things combined PLUS animal familiars, side characters I NEED more of, and a romance that is just beginning - this book was perfection for me. There are multiple flashbacks that I became more and more addicted to. I really loved Briony, she was a main character who felt very real to me. She makes mistakes, she hesitates, and yet she's brave and kind and takes risks.

Because it covers so many genres I think this is a book that so many people will enjoy. (I realize I'm biased as a long time fan of Julie's but I STAND BY THIS.)

I absolutely DID NOT see the ending coming and wowwww. I just sat there stunned for a few minutes when I finished.

I loved loved loved this book.

Rose In Chains by Julie Soto
Book 1
5 stars AND THEN SOME

arc read
pub date | 7/2/2025

EXCUSEEEE MEEEEEE!? Did this become my favorite read of the year before I was even halfway finished, yes. yes it did. Also halfway through did I find out that this is the same author as The Thrashers and just put it all together? Yes i did. OH and I also found out this is based on a Dramione fan fic so I am a limp noodle over all of this in the best way.

The story was so captivating from the very beginning, we have two power sources at odds with each other. A kingdom that is falling due to war, there's magic, there's very dark themed events happening(see content warning page), dragons, secrets and chemistry full of so much tension. The epilogue sent me to my grave and I don't know how I am going to recover. 10/10 will re read again fifty million times while we wait for book 2.

Life is short, don't skip this one because the series is not completed yet. I beg of anyone who is seeing this, PLEASE READ THIS BOOK. Thank you for coming to my ted talk.

Holy. Crap. Infinity stars!!! Tension! Romance! Suspense! Political intrigue!

Definitely check the trigger warnings on this one because she had some daaaark themes, especially in the beginning!

This was a TOP read of the year for me, easily! The way this story built and attached me to the characters, I am obsessed! There is SO much going on in this book, and unraveling all the layers of plots and secrets and feelings was just *chef’s kiss*.

I don’t want to give too much of the plot away, because I love going into books blind, but I loved the two unique magic systems warring against each other in this story. Everything from the main villain to the tension in the different households felt very high stakes and kept me on the edge of my seat. You definitely get Dramione vibes from these characters, and I was here for every bit of it. Our broody MMC, Toven, and fiery FMC, Brioney, were just so easy to fall in love with and root for.

Again, so many twists, secrets, moments that made me go OMGGG! I will be obsessing about this book for a long time! Go pick it up!! I cannot WAIT for book two, because AHHHH!! I already want to do a reread because I NEED to be back in this world!

Briony Rosewood and her twin brother Rory have been battling the Bomardi for control of Evermore ever since their late father the king’s death. When their castle is under siege and Rory dies, Briony attempts to escape but is captured by the Bomardi. As a female Eversun prisoner Briony is sexually abused by the high ranking Bomardi and is put up for auction. Of all the outcomes, Briony did not expect to be purchased by her old school nemesis Toven Hearst. Confined in Hearst Hall with Toven and his family Briony begins to discover the many secrets Toven and his parents have been hiding. Complex mind magic being one of them. As Briony learns to harness both mind and heart magics she and Toven begin to work together to thwart Mistress Mallow and the Bomardi. But can Briony truly trust Toven and his family? Or will they betray her in order to survive?

This is a rich, magical universe that sucks you in immediately. The treatment of the enslaved Eversun women is heavy, dealing with issues of rape and consent so be warned. I do see why it was important for Briony and the other female characters to go through those experiences in order to show how resilient they are and how they pick themselves up from rock bottom. And let me just say it is hard not to like Toven no matter how hard you try not to. It was nice to see how the Hearst family works together in their own misconstrued way.

Julie Soto proves she can write anything she puts her fantastically creative mind to that she is an unstoppable force in the publishing world.

I absolutely loved this book and I am DYING to read the next installments! I am an OG fan of the fanfiction, but I am so delighted to see how Julie Soto transitioned this story into a new world. The magic system was incredibly interesting, the familiars bring a new addition, and the switchup of our villain was unexpected. I also loved the characterization of Toven and Briony, and the family unit that makes up the Hearsts. Such an enjoyable dark fantasy!!