My life can be divided into 2 timelines.

Before I read Rose in Chains and After.

Briony is a princess with mind magic, a kind of magic that heart magicians don’t understand and judge. Because of course, people will find anything to try and make themselves feel better and superior. Because of a treaty between lands the mind and heart magicians have to mingle and go to school together even though the prejudices between their people still exist.

Briony’s brother Rory, is the heir to the kingdom and her twin. Also maybe there a prophecy about him. The heart magicians don’t love that and rise up to rid the world of mind magic once and for all. Attacking the magical school, killing their father and coming for Rory. Once he is killed they capture all the remaining Eversuns, and sell them at auction to be used for their magic. Briony, is purchased by her once forbidden crush, Toven Hearst.

This enemies to lovers, angsty slow burn had me glued to the freaking pages and screaming at them to give in already. The miscommunication, the misread cues. It was all just TOO MUCH. Julie edged us this entire book and I am unwell. What is this spell she has me under? I will never be the same. Especially because I read this months before it’s published and have no idea when I will get the rest of the story. I will stare out the window at a lake like Briony in perpetual agony until the next book is in my hands. And I can’t wait for everyone to experience this with me. 10/10 infinity stars.

Thank you Forever for this early copy and ruining my life. And thank you Julie Soto for putting these words on paper and creating this world.

If Julie Soto writes it, you know I’m reading it
I’ll admit, I was a little nervous to dive into Rose in Chains and see how it had changed from the original fic, The Auction—but I ended up loving it just as much.
The writing and world building were fantastic, and I especially loved the flashbacks—they added so much depth and emotion.
The tension, pinning, and angst between Briony and Toven were everything I needed. Rose in Chains is a slow burn that will have you screaming at 2 am. I devoured this book, I couldn’t put it down.
Is it too soon to ask for book two?
Julie Soto never misses.
I highly recommend this if you love:
🥀 Dark romantasy
🥀 Forced proximity
🥀 Slow burn
🥀 Enemies to lovers

This story was interesting but a SLOW slowburn, so make sure you're ready to scream at the characters to kiss with all that tension they have around each other! The magic system was very interesting and I look forward to reading book two!

I absolutely loved this book! Recently I’ve been finding it harder to really dig into a book, but this one had me glued to the page from the start! It was a bit darker than I expected but I absolutely loved it!

A masterpiece.

Julie is a one of a kind curator of tension, hostility and longing.
As a Saturday Girl to my CORE, I was expecting to be able to anticipate and go through the motions of Rose in Chains in a way that felt more like a reread, but this felt like the perfect balance of the familiar and comforting character archetypes that I love about transformative works with the new exciting page-turning surprises of the elaborate world, magic system, and twists Julie has brought to life!

Briony's story is worth reading. Toven's story is worth reading. It is worth the grief, heartache, and shock that comes from the darker moments. The trauma and yearning make this an emotion read. I found that I really appreciated the pacing of this first dive into Evermore as its a great tease for those who have read this story in its first form and the perfect introduction for those who are new this dark reality of Auctions and War.

Julie can do no wrong. I see myself rereading this in my near future.

Thank you to Netgalley and Forever / Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read Rose in Chains via eARC so I could experience this joy and share my thoughts!

4 ⭐️ Saturday girlies rise up!!

I suppose I’ve never sought anyone who obeys easily

Quick Thoughts:

I read the Auction as it was a WIP, so getting this ARC has me insufferable. I might be bias towards loving this book due to my history with the work that it is based off, just saying. This follows plot wise the source material well, while still adding elements to make it stand out as a novel on it’s own.

I loved:

Plot
Briony and Toven follow the source material well for the plot. In summary, war has broken out between two nations. Briony is a princess of her nation, and when they lose she's taken into custody along with the other women of her nation. These women are sold off in an auction to be used for their magic, and anything else the owner wants. Toven buy Briony for an insane amount of money with everyone thinking it is to drain her. In reality, Toven is keeping her comfortable and safe. The plot thickens as people start to wonder why Briony isn't drained, and their slow burn begins with their magic. The bigger picture with the war isn't forgotten in the book, but most of book one is setting up the plot of the overall series.


Toven
Action over words with my man. I loved how he was written which is no surprise as I typically love how Julie writes her men. He's possessive but respectful of boundaries. He has an ego, but the skills to back it up. The one liner moments between Briony and Toven are fantastic.

Serena
Her character was well written with little bits of depth adding to her. I love her small details that stood out to me and were nods to the original source material,

What didn't work for me

The World
I enjoyed the breakdown of the world at the beginning, however I don't think it was enough. I definitely felt the world couldn't stand on its own the well, especially with how weakly the magic system was describe. I knew the basics of each country and their magic, but still it didn't feel enough. I didn't understand what the power structure of Bomard with it reference repeatedly. Why was the richest man considered 8th when it was a structure built on wealth and power? How does one move up in the rankings? These answers were vague with the world.

Prophecy
Why does this prophecy exist? I understand how it was used to bridge the beginning and the ending, however the purposes of it existing wasn't really explained. It was vague in its reference of well it was told 600+ years ago, then why does it matter now? Were people wanting on this heir? Goes along with the world building, but it felt vague and weak.

Side Characters
There were a lot of characters in this story. Some felt like they were crafted, others felt thrown into the story. Many characters lacked personalities and descriptions to stand out. I usually love how Julie writes characters, but this felt underwhelming for me,


Overall, I have preordered 3 versions of this book, I still am very excited for the trilogy, and I do think it's worth the read, I definitely recommend it for those who prefer a darker romance as the topics aren't light.

Thank you Forever for the arc! Rose in Chains is a reimagining of Julie Soto’s iconic Dramoine fanfic The Auction, and as someone who read and loved that fic, this novel delivers on every level. It takes the raw, emotional tension of the original and polishes it into something dark, dazzling, and entirely its own.

This isn’t a fluffy, feel-good romance. It’s brutal, intimate, and so carefully constructed that every word feels intentional. Briony is strong in ways that don’t always look heroic, and Toven Hearst is the kind of morally gray love interest who makes you ache. There’s no instant forgiveness, no easy redemption. Just slow trust built through pain, sacrifice, and hard-won tenderness.

The dual timelines are masterfully done, one unraveling the past that broke them, the other dragging them through the present that might save them. The pacing is razor sharp. Every interaction hums with tension. It’s not just the romance that hurts. It’s the world, the choices, the scars both seen and unseen.

Now the worldbuilding. Soto doesn’t just drop characters into a fantasy setting for aesthetics. The empire is cruel, the resistance is raw, the magic is subtle but meaningful. There’s weight and texture to every scene, and it feels lived in.

This is the kind of story that leaves you wrecked in the best way. It’s about survival, agency, trust, and the long, messy road toward something that might resemble healing. For those of us who fell in love with The Auction, this is the fully realized version we hoped for. For everyone else…welcome to the pain.

The beginning was such a strong start to the book. I felt a lot of emotions and was really engaged. However, at the 50% mark, it started to drag and I kept comparing it to another book I've read with a similar premise that I loved, which didn't bode well for the book, unfortunately. Also, I felt like I needed more world building and attachments to characters who were dying because I didn't seem to care. I also wasn't into the romance, they barely were together in present time and I didn't feel any tension between them. Even though it wasn't a win. I would still recommend it to other people. I could see this being a big win to many people, which is exactly why I would add it to our public library collection.

The speed in which I devoured this book over the last week was truly just..... unparalleled lmao— even for me, and especially given that it's technically a fantasy read! I love Julie Soto, have had the honor of reading all of her previously published works early (and absolutely adored each one), and yes.... I know/have read her "original" version/inspiration for this novel. I won't honestly get too much into that latter fact because #IYKYK, but what I will say is this: Had I not already known, I would have never guessed what its previous iteration would be! ROSES IN CHAINS is not only a promising start to this trilogy, but also successfully manages to stand on its own as an original work. It has everything I look for when I want to escape into a novel: a slow-burn, Enemies-to-Lovers/forced proximity romance; political intrigue; enough banter, pining, angst, and tension to keep a village alive for WEEKS; great, even pacing; and so much more. I don't want to give too much away due to to spoilers, but for those who are fantasy lovers (and even if you're not) and who may have been on-the-fence about this one in light of the lore behind it, let me tell you: PICK UP THIS BOOK! READ IT! It's exciting, compelling, and overall just an amazingly fun time. Julie Soto, you're amazing and I love continuing to see you flourish and rise~

Dramione fanfiction is my roman empire. And to get the chance to read the story based on one had me full of emotions. I knew i would love this story, i knew it would have my heart race with adrenaline. It was such a rush, reading this and i am so obsessed. I can't seem to get my thoughts together but I'm speechless, and I WANT TO READ IT AGAIN AND AGAIN!!!

This book was absolutely gorgeous. Everything a Romantasy should be and a great introduction to what I’m sure will be a HUGE series. I’m not even mad about the slow burn that would have normally enraged me. Huge fan of Toven. I loved the nuance, the politics, the special attention to such serious topics (S.A and Human Trafficking etc) Thank you NetGalley and Forever Publishing for the chance to read and review this arc.

Julie Soto knows how to write a damn good book & Rose in Chains is the absolute pinnacle of her writing. July 8th is going to go down in history as the day peoples lives were changed because Rose in Chains is just that book.

The plot of Rose in Chains is extremely heavy and complex but not without tenderness. There were so many moments that had me angry but so many more that were quiet displays of human connection and empathy. It makes you FEEL.

The dual timeline in Rose in Chains was incredible. The time jumps weren’t always linear or cohesive which added so much to the story. It makes you work for it- but man, it’s so worth it! It added so much to the overarching story and when you finishing….it leaves you wanting to reread with everything you now know!

The thing I loved most about this book was the open display of human complexity and our range of emotions. Julie Soto beautifully crafts rage, fear, distrust, love, desire, and most importantly female connection.

Our main characters, Briony Rosewood & Toven Hearst are so mature and well rounded, fully developed characters it makes reading about them brilliant. The way they communicate and process information…. Well, you can’t help falling in love with both of them. Both of them are absolutely brilliant and their tension is otherworldly! Briony is such a fighter- I love her.

Magic systems are where most books falter…Rose in Chains didn’t stumble. The magic & its complexities are so well developed and executed you would think Julie Soto has been writing about it her whole life!

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing), Netgalley, and Julie Soto for an e-arc of this book. ♾️/5

Did I finish this book or did it finish me????

I love knowing the lore behind this book but I am not a dark dramoine reader so I’ve never read the fanfic version of this and I am so glad. I had a general idea of one part of the plot but this was so much more than I anticipated.

This world felt fresh and unique in its own way. I found the characters interesting and the magic system was unique and I enjoyed learning more about the world. I felt like this FMC was intelligent but also naive due to the circumstances of her position. I found the MMC and his family so interesting and layered in their motivations.

Due to the ending which was AMAZING AND HAD MY JAW ON THE FLOOR. I believe this is going to be a series since it was originally a fanfic and those are generally way longer than a traditional book I’m sure it was best to break the plot up. I also found that a lot of the darkness that was most likely included in the OG fic was mostly like edited down, as someone who usually avoids dark romances I appreciate that it had the dark elements that let you know DARK things are happening but it didn’t give you every dark thing in graphic detail.

I know Julia Sotto is already a published author but I am so happy to see an OG plot idea that was a one off in one of her fanfics be transformed into its own universe.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette for the ARC!

I adore Julie Soto as a human and author. I was really excited to read this book as I’m a big fantasy lover (although admittedly I’m not plugged into the original fandom or fanfic). That said Julie brought her talents to this book.

The pro: As other reviewers have said this book has many dark elements, including sexual assault (on page), but I think Julie handled those issues largely with a deft hand. It didn’t feel gratuitous. I loved getting to know the characters and the dynamics of the world (I could’ve done with more animal familiars, but here’s hoping for future books!).

The con:
My main issue with this book is the world building. While I enjoyed learning about the world, there were aspects that felt not fully fleshed. Well into the book I encountered new terms and elements of the world that went unexplained. Also I was frustrated at times with Briony as I wanted her to be more of a fighter (though the reason she isn’t is explained). This did improve for me in the latter half of the book.

"I have not yet seen the future that I most wish for, but I am hopeful. I think a world where we both have choice again is possible."

NOOO IT CAN'T JUST END THERE, I NEED BOOK 2 PLEASE IM BEGGING. I have to wait for 2026 and beyond now?? Just no??? Like that epilogue made me so so happy (why did i almost tear up help) even though I suspected it (though the other part was such a surprise I didn't see that and it gives so much hope🥹), I love this book so much🆘.

Rose in Chains had me feeling absolutely hooked from the very first page. The way my heart stopped and felt immense fear just immediately?? I will admit, I did not read the synopsis either so the things that were happening in the beginning just had me shocked and sad because wow?? But this book seriously had me in its hold from the beginning.

To no one's surprise, I fell in love with Briony Rosewood right away and actually found her character to be relatable and very admirable, I LOVE HER. She loves so deeply and is such a strong, smart and loyal character!! I love the decisions she would make, they were so understandable. And the way she sacrificed so much of herself for her brother... all for that to happen. My heart hurt for her in so many scenes and also for so many other characters like hello!!! I NEEDED a few certain characters to have long, painful deaths, I was feeling sooo murderous. My book 2 wishes are for Mallow, Reighven, Collins, Liam, Canning, Gains, and some other bastards I'm forgetting to die horrible deaths.

Oh but TOVEN HEARST THE MAN THAT YOU ARE!!! Bomardi men are TRASH... unless you're a Hearst or Raquin🥰 And I know we've only scratched the surface into Toven's character but I'm literally in love with him. The lengths he would go for to keep Briony safe?? And all those comforting moments gahh my heart. The wall he keeps putting up though pains my BrionyToven loving heart but I know the wait will be soo worth it (also laughed so much because Larissa was so losing her mind watching those two please.)

Also shoutout to so many of the side characters like I adore so many of them?? Larissa!! I did NOT expect to love her. And the Hearst family omg my favs!! Their love for one another (especially in a world where for some reason a lot of these families are awful???) and protectiveness!!! I will genuinely be sad if any one of them dies😭. Then Finn!! Granted he didn't really appear too much but he was funny and a good person. Also a lot of the Eversuns like Phoebe?? The admiration I have for her strength!! (That scene with the grapes🥹) And Cordelia?? She is such a queen omg and I'm so scared for her. Literally all the Eversun women... it was genuinely depressing and sickening seeing their situations so I definitely urge everyone to really make sure you check the trigger warnings!

Okay and I have to talk about the romance oh my god the absolutely agonizing tension and slow burn (like a genuine slow slow burn oh when I tell you how the author was torturing us and I loved it)??? I was OBSESSED. Briony and Toven have my heart and soul like WHY ARE THEY SO ADORABLE??? The yearning?? They are sooo in love with each other, they are soulmates you cannot convince me otherwise. They had me grinning like an idiot. And the flashback chapters just made their relationship even better because oh my god the progression of their relationship and the scenes they had?? I would literally read a whole book going into details about their academy days. And just the vulnerable moments?? The silly little games they would play against one another (racing to be the first one to the willow tree, like why are they so cute omg)?? The arguments, the awkward moments (please when Serena walked in on them during that one dinner scene help😭)--literally everything was golden. Briony and Toven genuinely have me in a chokehold, YOUR HONOR I AM IN LOVE WITH THEM.

And can I just gush about the magic system and world?? What a unique concept, I loved it!! The differences between mind magic and heart magic users was so so interesting. The tensions between the Bomardi and Eversuns!! The political aspect!! Oh my gosh I am always a sucker for political fantasy and going into this, I didn't realize how much of a huge focus this would have on it, I love it!! And again, I adore the way we went back and forth between past and present with chapters, I felt like it was done perfectly and it really always left me wanting to know more about what happened in each time period!! The writing in this book was overall just amazing, I loved it.

Also one quick note, but I've seen a lot of people not want to read Rose in Chains because of its ties with fanfiction (which is valid!) and though I don't read fanfiction, but if anyone's worried I can 100% say this reads perfectly on its own. I actually was excited originally because I've heard so much about Julie Soto (but don't read contemporaries) and really wanted to try a fantasy book of hers! Otherwise I genuinely wouldn't have known there was similarities to the author's fanfiction, had I not seen literally the whole world talking about it.

Anyways I'm so happy one of my 2025 most anticipated reads was such a hit!! This was my first Julie Soto book and it certainly won't be the last. (Definitely going to give her contemporaries a shot one day!!) You better believe I will be begging on my knees for an ARC of book 2 once that's available. (Also makes me so so excited that this book was chosen for a subscription box like yes!! GIVE IT TO ME)


Thank you Forever Publishing for sending me ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!!

5 ⭐️ JULIE SOTO CAN DO NO WRONG!!!!

this book was magical, dark, angsty, and truly everything i could wish for in a romantasy book. the way the story was written in both past and present pov was super interesting and had me intrigued from
the very beginning.

perfect for you if you love:

✨ enemies to possible lovers?
✨ themes of war & politics
✨ yearning, banter, & a SLOWWW BURN
✨ forced proximity
✨ rival kingdoms, secrets, high stakes

and that cliffhanger ending???! i am already EAGERLY awaiting book two and this one hasn’t even made its debut yet!

(this book can get very dark at times please please please check triggers before reading)

4.25 Stars - To think I was nervous about this one (y’all, this is the level of yearning I want in my romantasy). How am I supposed to be a normal person until book two drops? I won’t be. I will, in fact, choose to be insufferable instead.

This is an adaptation of the wildly popular Dramione fanfiction The Auction. When her castle is overtaken by the enemy, Briony Rosewood knows her world has irrevocably changed. The dark forces of Bomard have won, her people, the Eversuns, face imprisonment, servitude, or death, and her brother, once prophesied to unite the warring kingdoms, is dead.

Stripped of her freedom and her Mind Magic, Briony is auctioned off alongside other survivors. As the heir-apparent’s sister, she fetches the highest price, purchased by none other than Toven, a powerful Bomardsun and her longtime crush. Just when all seems lost, Briony discovers that hope, and rebellion, can come from the most unexpected places.

As a Dramione reader for 18 years (yes, you read that right), this was everything I wanted and more. The romance is incredible, full of longing, tension, and miscommunication that actually works. I was hooked from page one. This is the kind of yearning that should be standard in romantasy, and I devoured it.

The pacing worked well for me. A lot of backstory is delivered via flashbacks, which I thought was an effective way to flesh out both the political landscape and the complicated past between Briony and Toven from their school days.

As someone familiar with the original fic, I found it easy to follow and connect with the characters. But for readers coming in without that background, I think there may be a learning curve. I've seen critiques of the world building being a bit light but honestly, it's more coherent than a lot of romantasy out there. The magic system, with its division between Head Magic and Heart Magic, was simple but clear and demonstrated well through action.

That said, there are a lot of characters introduced at once. In fic, that works because most readers already know the cast. In a debut fantasy novel, it can feel overwhelming to keep track of so many new faces and their intertwined histories.

Another sticking point might be Toven’s motivations. Since the entire story is told from Briony’s POV, we never get a window into his thoughts. Readers unfamiliar with the Draco Malfoy fanon archetype may struggle to understand why he acts the way he does. Personally, I found it clear (and obvious to everyone but Briony), but I also came in with a full Dramione brain.

All that to say: this is better than 95% of the romantasy I see recommended online. If you like enemies to lovers, a REAL slow burn, yearning, tension, what happens after the chosen one dies, rebellions, and political intrigue, then this one’s for you.

Note: This is absolutely a Dark Romance Fantasy, so please check content and trigger warnings before diving in. There are moments that may not be suitable for all readers.

I really hate to do this, but this book just really wasn't for me. I think the publicity and marketing tactics for this book are in poor taste. I think the story and writing itself falls flat, since this is clearly a fanfiction that was picked up and changed to be publishable. A lot of the characters are written as though you already know them, since that would have been true in the fanfic.

Julie has a way with words! I felt every scene - the frustration, fights, occasional yearning, confusion, grit, and exasperation! I hated the boys club with such a passion - Julie really painted the scene and mood, it’s unfortunately a mirror for real life sucky boys, that I could see and feel and shrink into, and was well written. I am excited to see where it goes next with the slow burn of B+T. I hope for more on Serena and Orion, rightful vengeance?! and for happy endings for the Evermore crew. Can’t wait til this is out!

I read this knowing it was originally fan fiction, but even with that knowledge I felt lost with the world building. For a fan-fiction, the world is already built and so don't need to create that world as the fan-fiction writer (unless your putting the characters in a new world of course); however, with this story, I think the author failed to create the setting that the world was in since the fiction is present day and is the focus of the novel. World-building through flashbacks left me as the reader less invested in the characters story arcs and relationship. Rather than growing with them, we are supposed to see how they were through a present lens rather than discovering. It made it hard to get into two main characters shoes because the flashbacks reveal so much of their true desires and it takes some of the magic of the discovery that the FMC in particular will learn. I wanted to like this and I'm optimistic that the next books in the series will flesh more things out but as a first book in a fantasy-series, I was a bit disappointed.