after finishing rose in chains, i can confidently say i will read literally anything julie soto writes. i might be a little biased because i have read and loved the auction but oh my god, i have no words for how much i loved THIS!
rose in chains is a dark, magical fantasy with high stakes and a delicious slow-burn romance that will have you wanting more and more and more. i was really curious to see how julie would separate it from the fanfic and create something new but she did that and so much more! the story she’s telling explores dark and haunting themes but she masterfully weaves in hope and love. i’m constantly in awe of her writing and how she grips me with her words and her characters. the world-building is immersive and the magic system with heart magic/mind magic was really unique and intriguing. i had so much fun learning about the world and how the magic works!
and the romance!!! briony & toven’s relationship is emotionally intense with so much yearning i wanted to cry. i was utterly captivated and obsessed with them. i loved both of their characters - briony is brave, resilient, and always fighting for her people, while toven is mysterious, full of secrets, yet caring and protective of briony and his family. i loved the flashbacks and little glimpses into their past, they give so much depth to their relationship and really help you understand the connection they share.
rose in chains is honestly one of the best romantasy books i’ve read in a while! it will haunt me in my sleep and i won’t know peace until i read the next book! i’m beyond excited to read anything julie soto writes next.
(for the saturday girls…i might've cried a little at the dedication)
～thank you so much to forever and netgalley for the arc!

4.25 stars

I absolutely DEVOURED this book. As a longtime fan of Julie Soto and her writing, I was ecstatic about this book being published and it will absolutely be one of this year’s top romantasy reads!

The romance between Briony Rosewood and Toven Hearst had me absolutely squealing! There was utterly DELICIOUS slow-burn tension between the two and I loved every single second of it. I thought the flashbacks were a great touch to be able to introduce the different relationships to the reader. I loved that Julie kept to main plot of The Auction and managed to include specific scenes as well, while still being able to create a brand-new world for it all to take place in.

However, the world-building in my opinion needed just a litttttle bit more. I felt there were certain things that were lacking; however, I understand this is the first in a trilogy and there will be time for more to be revealed later on. Overall, I really REALLY enjoyed it and cannot wait to see where Julie takes us with Book 2!

A big thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the e-ARC!

Rose in Chains (The Evermore Trilogy, #1) by Julie Soto

The war is over, the dark forces have won, and the hero who was supposed to save them is dead.

Captured as her castle is overrun by the enemy, Briony Rosewood knows that the world as she knows it is changed forever. The dark forces of Bomard have won and her people, the Eversuns, face imminent servitude, imprisonment or death. Her brother, fated to be heir twice over and unite the warring kingdoms, is dead.

Rating: *****
Feels: Apprehension, Anticipation, Enthralled, Invested
Style: Fantasy, Romantasy, Dark Romance, Enemies to Lovers, Adult Fantasy
First published July 3, 2025 Forever publishing: 464 pages, Kindle

After I finished this addicting book I already wanted to read it again. I went into this book blind and was not aware it was based off of fanfic and still thoroughly enjoyed it. The first few chapters are dark, I was not sure I would enjoy the read and then without even realizing it I was obsessed. The writing, story and plot are enough to fall into and never want to come out. Toven and Briony are just intense. The slow burn is slowwwww and chest crushingly painfully good. Did I mention Toven is hot? So may twists and we got thrown back and forth between the past and future all through the book. It was so delicious seeing Toven and Briony in the past as their connection grew and the present circumstances they find themselves in (scorching. ) I will be begging Forever for the next book and have already pre ordered this book because I want to stare at its beauty on my shelves. Only read if you are ready to sign up for therapy and join the obsession !!!

Favorite quote: Briony often wondered why she didn't want comfortable, safe, kind.

This book has:
(Everything to draw you in !!!)
Enemies to bitter enemies ....to Fake Lovers?
The Slowest of Burns (Its glorious)
Morally Grey MMC
Forced Proximity
Rebellion
Academic Setting
Unique Magic System
Political Intrigue
Dragon !!!!

This is exactly what I mean when I say I want "hurt/no comfort."

I just finished the book and immediately sat down to write a review because it was that good! While the story tackles incredibly heavy subjects and dark tones, Soto does an exceptional job of addressing them with both respect and honesty, never shying away from the reality of the situation.

As someone who was already a fan of the inspiration for this trilogy, I can confidently say that Rose in Chains not only lived up to the hype, but it exceeded it. Soto's world-building is masterful, never falling into the trap of info-dumping, and I loved the unique twists that set it apart from its inspiration. I highly recommend and I cannot wait to see where Soto takes the rest of the trilogy!

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up. Thank you NetGalley and Forever for a copy of an eARC of this book!

The plot follows along Princess Briony of Evermore who, after the defeat of her brother during the war against their rivaling country Bombard, is sold off alongside other survivors of Evermore to the highest bidder. The person she’s sold off to? Toven Hearst, her old classmate and rival, who she couldn’t help but feel a dangerous attraction to.

What we get as readers is a book with incredible worldbuilding and a lush magic system that gets more and more complex and intriguing as the book goes on. I’ve read both of Julie Soto’s contemporary romance books, and it’s incredible to witness her range as an author. Rose in Chains, to my understanding, was a Dramione fanfic called The Auction, which I have not read. However- the Dramione influence is very strong in this book, and I found myself constantly swapping out characters for their inspired counterparts for quite a bit until I was able to form somewhat of my own visualizations of the characters.

I enjoyed Briony’s defiance, her curiosity and eagerness to learn, and her love for knowledge. Her character fell flat to me at times and sometimes was one-dimensional. I liked Toven more, and the mystery surrounding his character. It’s unclear what his motivations are, and he’s constantly at war between keeping secrets and showing his true intentions. It was very back-and-forth with him, and Soto conveyed his internal struggles well. The chemistry between Briony and Toven was INTENSE, and honestly I devoured this book for every single one of their interactions- especially the ones in the present timeline as opposed to the flashbacks. The romantic dynamic was incredibly slow burn, full of yearning, and really intense. At times I felt like that one Robin Hood meme where he’s holding the tin can out.

My biggest issue with the book was the pacing. It was build up, build up, build up with the flashbacks thrown in, then… nothing. I know this is a trilogy so this book set the stage for the next two, but I felt like I was just WAITING for something to happen!! Then something did happen then the book was over! 😭 I need the next one and this one isn’t even out yet 😭😭😭😭

This book was intense, dark, graphic, and traumatic. The world building is relatively narrow and we are mainly focused on the connection between Briony and Toven throughout the story. Their undeniable desire for each other is compelling and kept me wanting to know more, but the extenuating circumstances of the rest of the book were dark enough that I struggled to fully get into the plot. I am curious to see where the rest of the story goes, but I would struggle to recommend this book as a bookseller due to the extreme number of triggers throughout.

Ngl, this was a the perfect enemies to lovers romantasy book. I know this was originally a fanfic set in the HP world and as someone who isn’t a fan of HP, I could understand this world and world building perfectly. I thought it had great build up, intrigue, suspense, tension, romance, and mystery. I need book 2 like I need air to breathe at this point!!!!!! Just make sure to check the trigger warnings because this book does go into heavy topics that could be too dark for some readers. Especially in regards to the MMC’s treatment of the FMC. I think fans of dark romantasy will absolutely love this book.

Julie Soto is my new (not so new) favorite author! I’ve been a fan for such a long time but it was only recently that I started reading her traditionally published works. She is good at literally everything she writes and expertly floats across genres.

Let me tell you, Rose in Chains is EVERYTHING I hoped it would be. It’s one of the best fantasy romance novels I’ve ever read and one of my favorite reads of the year. I didn’t realize it was going to be hardcore fantasy with kingdoms and castles but I really enjoyed the traditional route she took. The magic system functions similar to the Grishaverse and has its own unique take on mind magic.

Rose in Chains is a thrilling and action packed adventure. Mind you I was literally glued to these pages.

Now let’s talk about what you all have been waiting for, Briony and Toven. Wowowowowowowow. This might be the most tension filled relationship I’ve ever seen. They’re practically bursting with it. It’s definitely enemies to lovers, and the characters swing back and forth on a pendulum between being desperately entranced by one another and clawing each other’s eyes out. The banter is top tier and every moment they spend together is charged.

This is a SLOW burn. The slowest of burns. When you read, don’t go in expecting Julie is going to reward you immediately. No. She draws it out. It was excruciating and I loved every second of it.

Please be mindful of some of the trigger warnings. I felt that it wasn’t too extreme but everyone’s tolerance levels are different.

Thank you so much to the Forever team for giving me an ARC of my MOST anticipated read of 2025. It was perfect and I’m so excited for it to come out so I can add it to my shelf.

I really enjoyed Julie Soto’s romance books so I was excited when she announced her Romantasy debut. And I went into this knowing it is based on her Dramione fanfic but without reading and I really liked it. I was an avid fanfic reader in the HP world too, although I shipped another couple and I can definitely see the influence in this story.

It is a true enemies to lovers, forced proximity and slow burn story that makes you feel the tension and longing between the main characters. This first book is laying the foundation of how Briony and Toven’s story started eight years ago and jumps back and forth in time. I wish there were chapters from Toven’s point of view, I really want to know what he’s thinking with every interaction they have. It ends on a cliffhanger so I can’t wait how the story continues.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Grand Central Publishing for this ARC, all opinions are my own.

I was so excited to read this and it definitely lived up to the hype! Julie Soto is a master of writing characters you care about and I can't wait for the second book!.

4.5⭐
I'll start by saying that I haven’t read The Auction, which this book is based on, so I had no idea what to expect. I simply enjoyed Briony and Toven’s story without comparing the two books.

At the beginning, it took me a little time to remember all the characters, but after that, I couldn’t put it down. I loved the fictional world, the magic system, the atmosphere, and that incredible slow burn that keeps you reading, craving just a few more crumbs of their growing attraction. The dark moments also added intensity to the story—I was thrilled by how Toven protected Briony from others and refused to share her.

I feel that Julie Soto did a great job because this book feels completely unique. The ending is intriguing, so now I can’t wait for the second book!

𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✓ dark romantasy
✓ enemies to lovers
✓ forced proximity
✓ slow burn

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Everything about this magic fuels tension building novel was brilliant, except the part where I have to wait any amount of time to read the rest of the trilogy. The main characters are complex and compelling. And I trust Julie Soto with their futures entirely.

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for this e-arc!

So, this is the first book in a romantasy series by Julie Soto, and as a fan of romantasies, I decided to snatch this read! Unfortunately, I have to say that I wasn't obsessed with this read. I think the premise is interesting enough, but I think this author may just not be for me.

4/5

Rose in Chains completely captivated me from start to finish. The emotional rollercoaster was real—I was frustrated, heartbroken, and hooked all at once. The story had me eagerly turning pages to find out what would happen next, especially with the main characters, Briony Rosewood and Toven.

Briony is a strong, intelligent FMC that I loved right away. Her decisions made sense, and she was incredibly relatable. Toven, too, was fantastic. Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic was done right, and the slow burn had me hooked. Fans of Dramione will especially love their chemistry.

The world-building is rich and unique, with a magical system that takes a little time to understand, but it’s worth it. The politics and rival kingdoms added depth to the plot, though it took a bit to get a handle on all the different characters and locations.

The side characters were fantastic—some I loved, some I hated—but they all contributed to the emotional weight of the story. The romance, full of yearning and slow-burn tension, balanced the darker elements beautifully, adding hope amid the chaos.

Tough topics, like the objectification of women, make for heavy reading, so be sure to check the trigger warnings. Despite this, the characters' strength and growth were inspiring.

The only reason this isn’t a full 5 stars is that the middle felt a bit repetitive. However, the cliffhanger at the end left me desperate for the next book. Rose in Chains is a dark, engaging romantasy that I highly recommend to fans of the genre. I can’t wait for the next installment!

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for the ARC!

The topics listed in the content warning ended up being a bit much for me, but Julie Soto’s writing was quick and engaging!

4.5 ⭐️ This was such a great read with an immersive storyline. The world building was *chefs kiss* I was legit in this story. I had to be because it felt like I was living it too. This book was a beautiful mix of the smallest bit of Rain of Shadow and Endings with a heavier amount of The Handmaids Tale while also being unique in its own way. (Haven’t really dove into the entire HP world so can’t comment on that Dramione aspect .)

I 100% hope for a novella from Toven’s POV PLEASE. I just know that man is holding back so much information and emotions.

& If this book is true enemies to lovers I’m going to need much more lovers in the next book. I’m trusting the process here. There’s a lot of information we still need answers too as well. Plus the epilogue really added a whole new element to dive into with the next book. This feels like it’s going to be an amazing trilogy.

“And two arms were still. Around her.”

"Rose in Chains" by Julie Soto is a romantasy novel and the first installment in the Evermore Trilogy. It tells the story of Briony Rosewood, a princess who is captured and sold to a ruthless family. As she navigates this dangerous new world, she becomes entangled in a realm of magic, political intrigue, and a forbidden romance with Toven Hearst.

For anyone who hasn't read "The Auction," "When What's Right Is Wrong," and "Wrong Time, Wrong Place"- "Rose in Chains" is woven with magical threads, creating a spellbinding Romantasy filled with intrigue, suspense, adventure, and a romance that’s as intoxicating as it is tender.

Julie Soto’s approach to fantasy writing is absolutely stunning. She has a remarkable ability to immerse readers in her world, drawing them in with vivid, evocative storytelling. Every detail, no matter how small, is thoughtfully crafted, creating a rich and compelling narrative. In "Rose in Chains," Julie uses flashbacks to layer the story, providing glimpses into the past that reveal crucial aspects of the characters’ histories. These flashback scenes are not only fascinating but also serve to deepen the reader's connection to the characters, allowing for a fuller understanding of their motivations, struggles, and desires. Through her deft handling of time and memory, Julie creates a nuanced, emotionally resonant experience that stays with you long after the book ends.

Reading "Rose in Chains" had me so emotional. The grapes…. “Not alone.” “A lake with still waters.” “Sometimes I have to act without your approval to do what's best for my family! Not just you, all four of us!” When I tell you I LOST it at every single familiar quote. It’s been nearly four years since I first read those words, and it feels so surreal to come across them again in this new context.

I haven’t always been an avid reader, but after diving into the world of fanfiction as a writer, I unintentionally fell in love with reading it. There’s something so special about picking up a published work from a writer you’ve followed and 'grown up' with. No matter how many books Julie Soto writes, she will always be Lovesbitca8 to me, and that’s meant with the deepest respect. Fanfic writers have such a special place in my heart, and I’m truly humbled to have received an ARC of a book that I’ve personally bound and cherished more times than I can count.

Thankful forever to the team at Forever Pub for entrusting me with the first book in "The Evermore Trilogy." Please know that I will be HOUNDING you all for the second and third.

Please note that all quotes were taken from an uncorrected proof copy.

I went in knowing very little about this book, and I absolutely loved it! The slow burn romance, the political intrigue….it had me hooked the entire time! I’ll definitely be using this book for book clubs at my library.

✨Book Review : Rose in Chains by Julie Soto✨

4.5 ⭐

If you’ve ever been obsessed with The Auction (yes, that Dramione fanfic), this book is your next guilty pleasure—with a twist! New names, same tension-filled vibes, and I devoured every page.

❤️ What I Loved:
• Addictive from start to finish – could not put it down.
•The plot? Gripping. The characters? Chef’s kiss.
•That cover is pure eye candy.

🖤 What Didn’t Hit as Hard:
• The pacing dipped a bit halfway – but not enough to ruin the ride.
• Some events were repeated a little too often – might help some readers, but felt slightly overdone for me.

This book owned me. If you're into angsty power dynamics and slow-burning intensity, add it to your TBR now

Thank you Netgalley and Readforeverpub for the e-ARC in exchange of my honest review.

I love Julie Soto and I enjoyed this book, but it is missing some of the grit and substance that the original fanfic version had. It feels watered down and almost too polished. The topic of rape is serious and should be treated seriously, and while the original fanfic did this well, this book seems to have lost some of that. Overall not bad and I think people who are new to this story will enjoy it, not knowing what they are missing out on.