This book absolutely ruined my life — in the best way possible. I couldn’t think about anything else, didn’t want to do anything else besides read it. I even skipped dinner a few times, which, frankly, should’ve prompted a wellness check.

As a longtime fangirl of Julie Soto’s fanfiction (her fics have genuinely become my personality), I was thrilled — like shrieking, crying thrilled — to receive an ARC of Rose in Chains. And let me just say: believe the hype. I have a hard time trusting arc reviewers sometimes, but please trust me: this book is worth the wait and worth its weight in gold.

Rose in Chains is a dark, romantic fantasy following a badass FMC (think, Hermoine) who’s been imprisoned by an infamous war criminal with mysterious motives (ahem, Draco). As she navigates a world of magic, rebellion, and uneasy alliances, secrets begin to unravel — about her captor, about the war, and about herself.

I’ll be honest — I had some nerves going into this. When one of your god-tier fics gets published, it’s natural to worry if it’ll translate. But Julie absolutely nailed it. The level of detail, the rich worldbuilding, the depth of the characters — it was everything I crave in a romantasy. She honored the heart of the original story while elevating it into something that will stay with me for a long time.

I'm so thankful that this will be a trilogy because it means I don’t have to say goodbye to these characters (and this slow-burn delicious agony) just yet.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC. I am already counting down the days until book two!

From the moment I saw Rose in Chains announced, it instantly became one of my most anticipated reads of the year—and Julie Soto absolutely delivered. She has long been an auto-read author for me, and with this latest novel, she reaffirms why she holds that coveted place on my shelf. I devoured this story in just 36 hours, pulled out of a reading slump by its intensity, only to fall right back in when I turned the final page.

At its heart, Rose in Chains is a dark fantasy romance that masterfully blends enemies-to-lovers tension, forced proximity, and rich world-building. Briony is a compelling protagonist: immensely powerful yet shaped by years of being diminished in a patriarchal society so her twin brother, Rory—the rightful heir—could shine. Her innocence and internal conflict add depth to her character, especially as she navigates the twisted mind games of Toven, the enigmatic, morally gray "bad boy" who radiates danger but hints at something far more complex. His manipulation is a game of 5D chess, while Briony is simply trying to survive the board.

Originally inspired by a Draco x Hermione fanfiction, Soto’s story has blossomed into something wholly its own. The parallels are clear but cleverly reimagined: instead of Death Eaters and Muggleborns, we have two kingdoms—Bomardi and Eversun—divided by the source of their magic. Instead of Voldy, we get an enigmatic female ruler whose calculated rise to power is chilling and brilliant. The stakes are high: after Bomardi's victory in war, they turn to siphon magic from the captured Eversuns—human prisoners auctioned off like commodities. Yet, nothing is quite what it seems. With all events seen through Briony’s limited third-person perspective, the reader is swept into a web of secrets, unreliable truths, and constant intrigue.

This is not a light or whimsical romance—it comes with trigger warnings and explores dark, intense themes—but for those drawn to morally complex worlds and slow-burning, tension-filled connections, it’s an enthralling experience.

I am so excited I was able to get an early eARC thanks to Forever Publishing and Netgalley. But now I don't know what to do with myself because book 1 isn't even out yet and I already want book 2.

I mean... wow. I stayed up until 4 am reading this and literally could not put it down. It's the next day and I'm STILL spiraling.

I am so impressed with Julie. Not only did she take an entire beloved fanfiction and turn it into something unique, but the way that everything happens, the changes, the ending of book 1, everything was evidently done with so much care and love from her. I cannot stress to anyone enough how incredible this book is and I am so so thankful to have gotten an opportunity to read it before release.

You can easily read this without having read her Dramione fanfic, but I really loved getting to experience this story again as if it was the first time. I've read Julie's other 2 published books and fell in love with her and her writing so I knew this story was going to become my entire personality. I ADORED Briony and Toven in this, he is so serious and standoffish yet so gentle and understanding and they seem like polar opposites but MAN, is there an intense attraction between those two. Getting those flashback chapters was AMAZING, it gave so much backstory + the little tidbits of their banter before things went to shit was satisfying to read. I loved reading their previous interactions and how they shaped who and how they are towards each other in the present. I am genuinely smitten with Toven and I cannot WAIT to see how their romance develops in the next book, I'm already foaming at the mouth for a book 2 announcement ♥

Julie, as always, you are incredible, and my favorite author, and I will buy/read anything and everything you put out into the world, even your grocery list at this point.

This book will sit with me for a very long time. What a LITERAL masterpiece it was ♥

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
1.5 🌶️ (I can tell this will increase in the sequel)

Thank you so so SO much to Julie Soto and to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this e-ARC copy!!!

HOLY SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No star rating is high enough to do this book justice. Julie truly defies what it means to simply write genre. She has such versatility as a writer that astounds me with every new work she puts out, and this book only magnifies that idea.

Julie's storytelling abilities and world building are pretty damn spectacular. I love the way the story unfolded and the way it weaved in and out of the present to give glimpses of context to what we saw. Julie did an incredible job empowering her characters in the face of their circumstances in such a delicate way that I genuinely appreciated so, so much. I’m not quite ready to leave the world she created yet 🥹 I can’t wait for what’s next!!!

I loved this book! Even more than I expected!

J. Soto's writing just does something to you - you get so hooked, completely consumed by the story and addicited to it all.

The plot was heavy, so many characters, so many things happened, and yet you feel like you're just there with them, going through the same pain (or happiness). And it's a veeeeeery slow burn, so be prepared for all the deliciousness of it.

Brilliant writing, captivating plot, amazing characters (whom I can't stop thinking about), I cannot wait till the next book comes out!

thank you to netgalley, julie soto, and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review ✨ before i continue, PLEASE read the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book.

3.75⭐️ while parts of this book were incredible, i, overall, was left w wanting more.

pros: now let me preface with the fact that i was UNABLE to put this book down (i’m not kidding i think i’ve slept like 6 hours in the last 2.5 days). it was unbelievably addicting and i couldn’t get enough of it. i am proud to say that i’ve officially read all of julie soto’s published books, and i can confidently say that she has such a magical talent and her writing is incredibly entertaining. in this story specifically, i truly loved the characters (well mostly, but i’ll get to that) and their development throughout this story. the Hearst family has my heart, and i’d give anything to get inside their heads to know what’s going on. our main character is such a badass, and i can’t wait to see what her character turns into in the next book. lastly, the epilogue has me gagged! i was not expecting that!

cons: however, there were points that i wished the world building was stronger. the magic system was a little difficult to grasp at some parts, and i’m still unclear about all the different rituals and bonds. now, this is going to be a hot take but toven gave me SO LITTLE that i was greatly upset with him by the end. i felt like his character lacked so much depth in comparison to everyone else, and it was so disappointing. HOWEVER, i understand that he is a man of secrets and i’m not privy to those yet (but i stg julie please please give me more). lastly, i do want to address that there were parts of this book that were difficult to read (again PLS CHECK YOUR TRIGGER WARNINGS). especially concerning the topic of women, there were times that i as a reader was very uncomfortable. now, this isn’t necessarily a con and i know it was supposed to make the reader uncomfortable, but this is more just a preface that the first half of the book deals w some pretty heavy stuff. however, the female rage is going to be SO good!

i know this book is a rewritten version of the dramoine fanfic ‘the auction,’ but overall i think julie did a good job creating her own story from her fanfic. were there areas of the book that i would’ve enjoyed more? sure. but, will i be reading book two? ABSOLUTELY. okay, that’s the end of my rant, thank you for reading my ted talk.

There aren’t enough stars in the sky to rate how much I love this book.

I’m completely undone by it. It pulled me in and refused to let go. I’m still thinking about it, feeling it, aching for more. Julie Soto’s storytelling is pure magic, and the way she weaves dark fantasy with raw, emotional romance left me breathless.

Toven. Oh my heart. He’s the kind of character who ruins you for all others. With his bad boy energy, sharp tongue, and quiet vulnerability, I was instantly obsessed. He pretends not to care, but the truth is he feels so deeply. That hidden softness behind his rough exterior? It wrecked me. I love him more than I should probably admit.

And Briony… what a beautifully strong, broken, determined force of a woman. Watching her fight so hard, even when everything in her screamed to give up, was heartbreaking and empowering. And then seeing her slowly, painfully realize her feelings for Toven never really went away? My heart couldn’t take it. Their connection is electric, messy, and completely consuming.

The dark romance elements were stunning, emotionally intense and unapologetically raw. The stakes were real, the pain was sharp, and it made every moment of hope and tenderness feel like a hard-won treasure.

And the side characters? The depth. Some of them I absolutely despised. Julie made me feel every ounce of loathing I was supposed to. But others I fell completely in love with, and they added so much richness and heartbreak to the story. Every single character mattered, and it made the whole world feel so alive.

I would give this book infinite stars if I could. I’m already dreading the wait for the next one because I need to know what happens next. I need more of these characters, this world, this story that has completely carved itself into my soul.

GAHHHH the ending destroyed me and I am absolutely in need of the second book now!!! Julie’s writing is so GOOD

This romantasy was thrilling, captivating and hard to put down!! I really loved the character development of both Toven and Briony. The way Toven has soooo many layers and just slowly started showing himself to her was top tier. The tension and slow burn was done WELL. You could take away the romance intertwined, leave the fantasy/plot and it would still be a really solid read. The only reason I knocked it down a star was because I just needed a BIT more clarity on Toven and Briony. I also felt it was a bit slow the first 30% with a lot of thrown in world building at a fast pace.

I was not aware of some of trigger warnings contained in this book, especially related to SA so plz look into those first 🫶🏻

I will never be over this book! I absolutely devoured this read in one sitting. No lie. I was immediately sucked into the world that Julie Soto has created in Rose in Chains. I love the mortal enemies to lovers trope already, but this book really explored it. Toven and Briony are literally everything 😭 The way they interact has me so weak. I love how both are so deeply set in their ways but are equally challenged by one another. Briony’s character development from the Eversun Princess to independent badass is next level. This is a true queen right here. She is so much more than just the princess of the Eversuns.
Toven js EVERYTHING. He is so much more than what meets the eye. Also definition of he fell first and it has me SCREAMING. We love our traumatized king. I just love how deep his character is and how we see him shed layer after layer throughout this book.
I will say, this is one of the most intriguing magic systems I have ever had the pleasure of reading. The whole linking between mind and blood magic is so interesting to me. Instead of politics and wars being based on race it is based on abilities. The politics in this world are so complex and twisted but I love it.
This book does contain dark themes so beware when going into this, but I feel like the darkness adds to the intrigue. Women being sold against their will to their enemies and an increase of war and rebellion create a perfect backdrop to the challenging story of Briony and Toven’s character arcs

I LOVED THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This was so wonderfully and artfully written and I genuinely had such a good time with this book. This did take me a little while to fully get into it, but I'd say by chapter 5, the momentum starts to build and I was easily hooked after that. I was curious to see how it would compare to the Irresistible Urge To Fall For Your Enemy since they're barbenheimer-ing the release, and I was not disappointed!!! It wasn't a five star read for me like the irresistible urge (only for that "revelation" at the end, just isn't my fav kind of trope) but this was still fantastic and I will be reading the next one asap.

The politics and the world building was SO good. I loved how the chapters went back and forth between the present and past (not all of them do). The past chapters felt super dark academia vibes and it was so fun. Toven, ofc our bully and love interest, was present through those chapters, too, and there were SO MANY MOMENTS.... So many moments...

This was still a very heavy book to get through. I know it's a common thread in dramoine fanfic for her to be "captive" and basically his slave, and while this did not go heavy in THAT direction for our main character, it did for others, and at moments there were times from other characters' that made me physically recoil from the horror of it. I loved how slow the story progressed, which sounds like it was boring but it really wasn't. There was just so much backstory and relationships to consider that Briony genuinely never had a day off lol.

The aspect with Toven's family particularly threw me for a loop!!! The way Serena asked Briony to call her by her first name... and jumped to help and protect her like it was instinct. THE WAY TOVEN REFERRED TO BRIONY AS HIS FAMILY???? excuse me call the paramedics because i'm going into cardiac arrest. This was super super slow burn, not AS slow burn as Irresistible Urge (THAT IS SAYING SOMETHING OK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and the tension was BREWING like a witch's cauldron. My goodness... the way that Toven could show Briony his mind's fantasies... Im blushing again. Another GOOD emobidment of the enemies to lovers trope done RIGHT!!!!

The magic system was divine to read about. The writing in this was superbly immersive along with the setting. Honestly, I was super conflicted upon finishing this because it felt like a book I wanted to rate 5 stars, and it doesn't quite align with other 4-star books, but the epiloge from the dragon's POV truly felt like whiplash; I admired the path it took (and I understand a dragon isn't the most lush with the English language) but idk if it had just been written as a blank POV instead of from a dragon... it would have been better TO ME. It just felt a little childish and kinda sucked me out of the book, as soon as I had just gotten so invested in it.

Thank you to Forever for an early review copy.

Julie Soto's fanfiction background lends itself really well in "Roses In Chains". I have never read the fic that this is based off, but even knowing that, I was able to clearly separate Briony and Toven, and explore there world. This is the first book in a trilogy, and it's certainly slowburn in it's development of plot and relationships.

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SPOILER FREE
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✨REVIEW
Rose in Chains
By Julie Soto

MASTERPIECE! This book was beautifully written and engulfed my soul from the first start. I devoured this book, it was everything that you could want! It’s a book that I will be re-reading and annotating as the banter, chemistry, and secrets that are revealed are perfectly done! The first part is pretty dark and you absolutely need to check trigger warnings before you read this one! But it’s so good! I wish that I had the second book so I could jump right back into this world! Briony and Toven enemies to sexy, hot, tension relationship is EVERYTHING. It had all the tropes for me! And the writing style with the past and present timeline that it makes you read into the very early morning hours.

Briony Rosewood is the princess of the Eversuns, who just lost the war against the Bormardi. All surviving Eversuns are auctioned off to the Bormardi’s to be used for their magic…

The fantasy is perfectly done in a world of magic, and the romance and pining is so deliciously done. You are going to want to read this one.

It reminded me of
The Cruel Prince x Handmaid’e Tale x Fourth Wing

Plot: 💥💥💥💥💥
Spice: 🌶️
Romance: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️

Thank you to forever and Hbg Canada for the free book in exchange for an honest review.
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This was an absolute stunning fantasy debut from Julie Soto. A queen of contemporary romance, the master at yearning, a champion at banter. All wrapped into a mystical magical world. Briony and Toven were something so special. Two countries at war with each other. Two enemies that never should have been end up together at the fall of Briony’s home. Bought at an auction these two are thrust together but it’s so much more than it seems.

I love getting sneak peeks at the past and present, leading up to the war and moments between them that show it’s always been more than enemies between them. The romance is very slow to develop but I found myself completely taken in the world. The plot was so intricate I could not wait to see what answers I would discover next.

This was phenomenal! It had all the best parts of The Auction fanfic included in it but somehow Julie was able to create a completely different world and characters with some changes/additions to make it its own story. I am SO excited for the rest of this series and also so thankful I was able to read an early copy of this one. Anyone who loves romantasy or dramione or both needs to read this on release day!!

pls universe let this type of love never find me. I gave this book a try in the name of Julie Soto and Dramione but it is far too dark for me. I think this is better suited for those who enjoyed the original fan fiction and/or the dark romance genre.

On a more critical note, if I feel like I am interpreting your magic system and world building through a layer of dense fog, you are not writing with enough depth and complexity.

As someone who loves “The Auction”, this reworked version hit so many of the aspects that I loved in the fanfic. While I can see the Dramione inspiration throughout, Soto created her own world and magic system that maintains the heart of the story.
This is a dark romantasy that has flashbacks to add clarity to the current timeline. The flashbacks would be my one complaint as while they do add clarity, they cause the book to feel slightly scattered if you don’t have a previous basis to go off of.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this arc.

DNF @ 2% when I realized this was Dramoine fanfic originally and I wouldn't have requested Rose in Chains if I knew it was related in anyway to JKR.

As a huge fan of the HP fanfiction version of this book The Auction, I was thrilled to start the journey told in a new world. It took some getting used to for the first few chapters knowing the plot but not the characters or world. But once the world building was done I was fully bought in. I think Soto has done an expert job of maintaining the creativity of her original story and the essence of the characters we know and love, while weaving a new experience with new settings, characters and even plot lines for even the most dedicated Auction fan. I didn’t realize this would break into three parts and the epilogue has me so intrigued about where we’re going next. I think this might be my favorite Soto book I’ve read so far and can’t wait until book 2 of the Rosewood journey plays out.
Note: I am thankful to have received this as an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

4.5-5 ⭐️

I loved this!!!

Set in a post war world, you have 2 magical sides.
The heart magic & The mind magic.
…we are enemies!!!

This has a dual timeline which explains a little history for you when it comes to how everyone knows each other from their time in school and some background.

(I have not read the fan fic, but if you are a Harry Potter fan you will love this)

This is a fabulous Romantasy loaded with political intrigue, magic, action, a MEAN slow burn…and the TENSION!!! 😮‍💨 perfecttttt!

I absolutely loved the mystery and there’s some very dark moments in this that had my jaw on the ground!

You have a captor and captive relationship where we don’t know yet where this is going and I’m dying to find out!!!!!

The fact that this comes out in July but I need book 2 asap, is WILD 😆😆 CANNOT WAIT!!!

The versatility of Julie Soto is mind blowing. From romance, to YA thriller, to dark fantasy; she does it all and does it so damn well.

I had to slow down my reading pace to savor this book. I was very fortunate to receive an arc, but also sad knowing I would have an even longer wait for book 2. I am telling you, this will be a top read for me this year!