↠ 4 stars ⭐️

This is one of my most anticipated releases, and I was SO excited to get approved for this ARC!

I’ve never read The Auction, so I went into this basically blind and with minimal expectations, and it personally felt like a truly unique story. I did take me a bit to get into it, but once it grabbed me, I was completely hooked and couldn’t put it down!

The magic system and world-building were really well done. The magic system was simple yet original, and there was no major info-dumping. Everything was smoothly delivered throughout the story via conversations or flashbacks—which I really enjoyed because these also expand the story and help the reader understand the relationships between the characters at different points in time.

I think this might be the slowest of slow burns I’ve ever read in my life and it was delicious and it ABSOLUTELY RUINED ME the entire time. The crumbs of their growing attraction to one another had me glued to the pages, and you could cut their romantic and sexual tension with a knife. I NEED MORE PLEASE. I will say I expected a bit more spice.. but I didn’t realize right away this is meant to be a trilogy so it makes more sense with building up their romance and I am hereeee for it.

I really enjoyed all of the characters and the depth that they had. Briony is such an intelligent, resilient, and fierce FMC. And Toven is such a perfect morally grey MMC and I'm obsessed with him. Honestly, I love the entire Hearst family in general. So damn much. I cannot wait to learn more about what their end goal is.

This was definitely dark, and checking the trigger warnings is a must because Julie does not shy away from the darker moments in this story. You can expect heavy themes such as captivity and imprisonment, human trafficking, sexual abuse, sterilization without consent, etc.

Overall, I really, really enjoyed this one and I am really excited to see how this world and romance progress in the next!

Thank you endlessly to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the eARC!

For context, I decided to read the fanfiction this novel was based on when I saw that I was approved for an ARC. While this background knowledge likely skewed my perspective of the novel, I think that it was a crucial step for me, because it really highlighted how much this novel struggled without the added context of Harry Potter.

For those who don't know, this novel started as a Dramione fanfiction that was an alternate reality version of the seventh book and what came after it. The vast majority of readers went into the fanfiction having the necessary context of the books to understand the relationships between the characters; therefore, in the fanfic, they didn't need to be fleshed out as much. However, here, with "new" characters (which are really just the same Harry Potter characters with different names), the reader doesn't have that same background. Since this is basically a copy of the fanfic, the relationships between the new characters aren't as fleshed out as they should have been.

The "changes" that were made to the fanfic to turn it into the novel (and there were barely any changes at all) were mostly names of people, places, etc. and the magic system. The overall narrative and many of the scenes remained exactly the same. The number of names was confusing and it was difficult to keep track of everyone. The new magic system doesn't make sense to me -- why would there be such a clear disadvantage to using heart magic and not with mind magic? Why wouldn't everyone just use (or try to learn) mind magic then? It doesn't make any sense.

This novel also brings up the increasingly relevant point of "rewriting" fanfiction into novels. Fanfiction is a completely different art form -- it's free and uses characters, places, etc. that have already been written. Harry Potter is not an old IP -- and for this book to relying so much on the framework of the original fanfiction is not a good sign. This, combined with publishers recently using Dramione to promote former fanfiction books, suggests to me that this will be an issue in the near future.

incredible book! one of the best enemies to lovers I’ve ever read and I absolutely LOVED the characters. 100% would recommend this one! Given was the ultimate morally grey hero and the chemistry he had with Briony was off the charts. loved the slow building of their history with the flashbacks of their time in school as well. overall, cannot WAIT for the next book in this series!

this one took me a minute to get into, it’s a bit of a slow start to set up the world and magical systems. even with this being a bit of a slower start, i really enjoyed the world building and julie soto’s writing is some of my favorite. the magic system was interesting and different from what i had seen before. as a yogi, i also loved all the little anecdotes about meditation throughout this read. i will say if you’re going into this book for a heavy romance, be prepared that this is a slowwwwww burn. like third act slow. i was kind of disappointed in the amount of repetitive in the story from the second half into the last fourth of the book, but then i realized that Soto was setting up for more in this series. i can’t wait to see where this one goes.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25

Thank you Forever for the advanced copy!!

🚨Check your trigger warnings with this one, babes. Lots of dark content and Dark Romance!

Having read the fanfic, I can confidently say that Rose In Chains stands on its own two feet as a developed story. While some scenes from the fic are present, Julie wove a beautiful new tale—enough so to keep those familiar with the fic, guessing.

The strength of the story lies in the (dark) romance, and the flashbacks provide layers to current predicaments and relationships. This woman really knows how to incite the most blood pumping tension! Wow.

Not to mention, the villain was VILL. AIN. ING. Mistress Mallow?? Whoooweeee! Love to hate her.

While I found the magic system and world building interesting, it was hard to visualize the setting. Some descriptors gave context, but I didn’t know if this world was a general “fantasy” setting or something more specific. There were references to clocks, makeup (contour) and other seemingly modern items while simultaneously referencing candles, ships and canons…

Overall, I LOVED it, and omg the ending has me desperate for the next installment!

This was not what i expected but i did end up really enjoying the book towards the end and wanting to read the next book. The fmc in this book finds herself auctioned and sold to the mmc and this story them going from enemies to lovers to somewhat partners from rivaling kingdoms and that's the only thing plot wise i got from the book lol. I thought the worldbuilding was sparse and it was hard to understand the motivations tbh. The romance was cute, i think it worked best as this very very very slow burn with tension and i liked the forced proximity and banter and I'm awaiting seeing where the relationship goes. The dragon were unexpected to me and felt thrown into the story but overall this was a decent start to a series. Thanks to Forever for this arc!

I’ll start off with what I LOVED — #1 being the plot! As someone who absolutely adored and devoured The Auction, I was happy to see that many of the dark, angsty, high stakes plot elements were consistent with the original fanfic. I was verrryyy gripped throughout and especially with the cliffhanger ending I’ll absolutely be reading the rest of the trilogy!

Did I enjoy this? Yes. Were there issues throughout and pieces that fell flat for me personally? Also yes. 🥲

My biggest issue was that the world building felt underdeveloped, like an afterthought. With fanfiction we’re jumping into a world we’re already familiar with, and unfortunately this felt like an almost direct rewrite without extra care & attention put into making the world feel real or convincing. Instead of filling in those gaps, it was a bit clunky and confusing 🫤

For example, lots of telling rather than showing when it comes to the prophecy, the rival countries, the magic system, etc. I know there’s still two more books but it still felt lacking.

I also wish we got more background on Toven as a character, what about his prejudice? Why does he follow Mallow? What’s the relationship with his family & belief system…? I know his motive is meant to be a mystery but even still, he felt one dimensional.

Overall, I had a fun time and absolutely lived for the moments of tension, but I almost feel like this could have used a few more rounds of editing.

Nevertheless I’m looking forward to book 2!

This one is hard to review because a lot of my issues with it come from the disconnect of what I wanted this to be and what it was probably always going to be. Am I disappointed Rose in Chains is just The Auction with sprayed edges and different names, yes. Was that always what it claimed it was going to be, also yes. I was really hoping the author would take the time to develop a more unique story and make the characters a little more her own. I have enjoyed Julie Soto's other books and will continue to read her work but I really wanted more from this story.

I was optimistic in the beginning with an interesting new magic system and older characters, but ultimately the world building, character development, and that new magic system were not entirely flushed out, and generally poorly executed. This basically became a play-by-play rewriting of The Auction with significantly more annoying and hard to keep track of names. I don't know that someone reading this without having read The Auction or HP would have a good grasp of the characters motivations or personalities because only the most basic descriptors are given.

I appreciated that Soto decided to age up the characters because the ages in The Auction was one of the worst things about it, but again, it was poorly executed. The characters were 6 to 7 years older than in the original fanfic, but I found their personalities, behaviours, manners of speech, and general maturity levels remain pretty much exactly the same.

Lastly, the world Soto created for this story having been at war for four years prior to the story starting was very poorly done. There was no sense that this was a nation at war or that Briony had any concept of the suffering that would entail. It seems that an intelligent princess who is watching her country be torn apart by war would be affected by that in someway, but Briony's inner monologue and voice are exactly the same in the seven year flashbacks and present day. Her character felt very dumbed down and superficial, it was just a mash up of the worst, least compelling traits of the original character.

Overall, if you want to reread The Auction with older characters, sure this is for you, but if you were looking for something that was more of a reimagining or an expanded world with different characterization, this isn't it. I do wonder if the lack of changes was from publisher pressure to get this book out quickly seeing as there are three well known HP fanfics publishing around the same time, but whether it was the author not wanting to change things or the publisher pushing for a quick turnaround, either way, the work suffered significantly. This could've been much better if more time had been given to making these characters, unique and crafting a story that was more cohesive and worked to weave the necessary changes into the story.

I'd also like to note that since the time I requested this my opinion on traditionally publishing fanfic in the HP world has soured significantly. At a time when the author of this work's original inspiration is doubling and tripling down on her transphobic comments and political influence I can't help but feel that publishers scooping up HP fanfic are complicit in her hateful rhetoric. While I understand this author is not one and the same with JKR, continuing to publish HP inspired fanfic keeps her name and her work in the Zeitgeist and continues to show that it will bring in money and, in a capitalist world, that means she will always have attention.

This is the kind of book that stays on your mind for days or weeks after you are done with it.

When Briony’s twin, the King of Evermore, dies in the war against Bomard, Briony finds herself captive of the Bomardis, with other Eversun citizens. They are sold in an auction, so rich Bomardi can buy them to use them as heartsprings, meaning they will be able to steal their life force to boost their magic, and do anything else they wish with their new slaves. When Briony is bought by none other than her school’s bully, Toven Hearst, she is terrified and relieved at the same time. With no allies and very little freedom, Briony must find a way to survive the cruelty that awaits her, and find a way to escape and join the Eversun resistance, but the more time she spends at the Hearst’s estate, the more complicated her situation becomes, and the more conflicted she is about Toven and his family’s role in the war.

I was hooked from the start. This book has a clear Dramione vibe, and I loved every minute of it. It also reminded me of Manacled a little bit. The whole being held captive by the morally grey character with whom she shares a past, with complicated feelings, being on opposite sides of a war, but realizing that it is more complicated than it seems, and that the “bad guy” who owns her might not be that bad in the end. I have not read The Auction yet, so I cannot say how similar it is to the Fanfiction the author originally wrote, but you can definitely see the Dramione influence in this book.

I like that the author did not try to gloss over the darker parts of the story. There are deaths, mentions of torture and sexual abuse, and it is made clear that the situation the Eversuns sold at the auction are in is a horrible one. The interactions Briony has with the Bomardis make us hate some of them with a visceral passion, and I love it when an author manages to make us feel so strongly about characters.

The magic system and world-building were great and well presented. There were no major info-dumps, and all the information we got was smoothly delivered through conversation or flashbacks. I love the magic system for its simplicity and its originality. Citizens of Evermore favor mind magic, using the thread of magic between their eyes, whereas the Bomardis use heart magic, depleting their energy to do spells, meaning they often have familiars, or heartsprings that they can siphon for more life force. Both groups can do the same basic spells, but they also have their “specialties”, and I would love to learn more about the way they do magic.

The plot does revolve around the politics of Evermore and Bomard, as well as the power games played by the Bomardis, but it is also full of sexual tension and a hint of romance. The author was able to find a good balance between politics, action, and romance to keep us engaged in the story, have a believable bond develop between Briony and Toven, and build a plot complex enough to keep us guessing at what could happen in the next book.

Briony Rosewood is amazing. She is fierce, brilliant, and brave, and was forced to live in her twin’s shadow for most of her life, because it would not look good if the Princess showed more magical prowess than the Heir to the kingdom. Briony is the superior magician and strategist, yet she has to pretend to be weaker than her brother, but instead of being angry about it, she does her best to help her brother. We didn’t see much of their bond, sadly, but it felt so strong and pure, it was beautiful, and a little heartbreaking too to see how supportive she was, and how little recognition she got, despite being so strong and wonderful. Briony is a relatable main character who is inspiring, but also flawed, and I can’t help but admire her strength and resiliency.

Toven Hearst is a mystery that we can’t help but fall in love with. He is a very strong magic user, rich and charismatic, and he was kind of a bully during Briony and his years at school, but the more we see of him, the more it becomes obvious that his cold persona is a façade that hides complex emotions and motives. It was not a secret for us readers that he had a crush on Briony at school; there were hints in the flashbacks, but I loved seeing him try to balance his feelings for Briony, his need to save her, his obligation to Bomard, and his desire to keep his family safe. Toven has many walls, and we could see Briony slowly, but surely breaking them as the story progressed. Toven is what I would call a lovable, morally grey character. He has to act a certain way in public and do certain things to keep Briony and his family as safe as possible. He is fiercely loyal to his parents, and I can’t wait to see how he will navigate his relationship with Briony, now that it’s about to become even more complicated.

❗️❗️Mild spoilers about Toven’s family dynamic in the next paragraph.❗️❗️
I can’t speak about Toven without also mentioning how much I love his parents. They are Bomardi elite, yet we can see that they do not adhere to everything Bomardis say or do against Evermore. I adored the layers both Serena and Orion had. Serena first appeared as this cold, aristocratic woman, but she ended up showing a sweeter side to Briony and cared for her as much as she could in her tough situation. Orion hates Briony for the complications she brings into their life because, just like Serena, he realizes what Briony means to Toven, and despite his desire to get rid of Briony, Orion would do anything for his family and his son’s happiness. This fragile balance of hidden sweet and caring moments from Serena and fiercely protective and brutal confrontations from Orion created a complex, but wholesome family dynamic.
❗️❗️End of mild spoilers.❗️❗️

There are a few flashbacks, and I am not usually a fan of those, but they were well integrated into the book, and there were not too many either. There also served a purpose besides showing us Briony’s time at the Academy with her brother and the Bomardis. The flashbacks showed us how exceptional Briony is, but how she would tone down her powers and erase herself to let her brother shine, but they also showed us the complex dynamic that was present between Briony and Toven from early on. Toven had to play the bully in front of his Bomardi friends, but when he was alone with Briony, he was not so bad. There was also a competitive strike between them from the start, and it was cute to see that despite the tensions between them because of Toven’s superiority complex, they were also able to share a few sweeter moments.

This is a slowburn romance, with a lot of sexual tension. Romantic-wise, nothing “real” happens between Briony and Toven until the very end of the book, but there was so much tension between them from the start. We could see through the flashbacks that they both had a crush on each other, but couldn’t act on it because Toven had to keep up the pretense in front of his friends who despised the Eversuns, and Briony would not admit to finding one of her bullies cute. Briony slowly learns to trust Toven, and in return, he slowly opens up to her during her time at the Hearst manor, but while it is obvious to us readers that they are both attracted to and have deeper feelings for each other, the way things were at the end of the book does not promise a smooth sailing romance for them. There is already some angst and pining; he is holding her at arm’s length to protect her, and she is desperate for some meaningful human interaction. I am very eager to see how they will navigate all these complicated feelings in the next book.

Female strong friendship is a theme that was more present than I expected in this book. Briony might be alone and captive at the Hearst manor, but whenever she would see other Eversun captives, they would find a small way to show each other support. To remind each other that they were not alone. This resilience in the face of adversity was admirable and very touching. Seeing that some Bomardi women were also willing to put their jobs, safety, and lives at risk to secretly help the Eversun captive showed another kind of strength and courage. It was a collection of small gestures, but those quick moments were what kept Briony going, what gave her some hope that there were good people out there, and that they would eventually find a way out of this horrible situation. I am also curious about Finn, because he was aware of Toven’s secrets, and played the game of the cruel Bomardi in public just like Toven did, but it is clear that he is not a cold and cruel man, and I am wondering just how much he wants to help the Eversuns, and just how involved he will be in the rest of the series.

I could go on for a while about this book. I devoured it and adored it. It’s been a few days, but I am still thinking about it, and it made me want to go back down the Dramione rabbit hole because of the dark vibe and the amazing but complex dynamic of Toven and Briony. If you are looking for your next dark romantasy, with a slow burn, a lot of pining and sexual tension, complex relationships, and a good mix of magic, romance, and politics, this is the book for you!

maybe I’ll look back and think I’m rating this too high but I cannot help it, I had way too much fun with this. I am obsessed with Julie Soto’s romantasy debut. The tension and pining had me squealing. We got a *chefs kiss* enemies to lovers slow burn on our hands here. I didn’t realize this story was built out from a dramione fanfic and that makes a lot of sense in retrospect.

I’m so interested to see where the rest of the series goes. I will say the one thing lacking is, I was definitely more invested in the characters romantic tension than the overarching plot. I’m not super complaining but I do think we will need more of than book 2.

Thanks to netgalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review

WHEN I SAY I AM JULIE SOTO’S BIGGEST FAN I MEAN THAT 1000%!!! WHAT CAN’T JULIE SOTO DO??? I read The Thrashers earlier this year as an ARC and it blew me away—and now Rose In Chains??? I UGLY CRIED when I got approved for this one. Like actual sobbing. No thoughts, just emotions.

Where do I even start? First off, yes I know this was originally a fic (hello, fellow Dramonie fanfic girlies) and the SECOND I saw it was getting published I RAN—not walked—ran. This book was everything I hoped for and more. The angst? Immaculate. The tension? Off the charts. The writing?? So sharp, so rich. Julie Soto does not miss!!!

The minute I opened this book, it was over for me. I was HOOKED. My entire TBR? Abandoned. My whole brain? Occupied by Princess Briony and Toven Hearst. And let’s talk about that dynamic. Enemies to lovers??? But like, SO deliciously complicated. The power play. The longing. The slow burn that threatens to kill you in the best way possible.

TOVEN. HEARST. IS. SO. DOWN. BAD. And I love him for it. Don’t even try to tell me he’s not in love with her—Toven is GONE for Briony and it shows in every single line. The way he looks at her??? Girl. I was kicking my feet. I LOVE a brooding man with a soft spot and he is exactly that.

And listen, his family?? ICONIC. They are the real heroes. Give them all the spin-offs, honestly. Because Rory?? No. We don’t claim him here.

BUT THAT LAST CHAPTER????? Julie Soto, I need answers. I have questions. I have feelings. You can’t just END it there!!!

I cannot stress this enough: Rose In Chains was worth every second of anticipation. It’s dark, it’s romantic, it’s brutal and hopeful and completely unforgettable. This was one of my most anticipated books of the year and it did. not. disappoint. I’m already counting down the days for what’s next

I read this in 48 hours. I was LOCKED IN I tell ya. I need to decompress but damn. We really won. Move over SJM and Rebecca Yarros, this is about to become the biggest name in romantasy.

EDIT 5/7/25- Julie Soto the woman that you are. I’ve never felt so proud of a complete stranger. To go from the Auction I was very scared the new magic system wouldn’t translate well but I really enjoy what she came up with! Unique points that I haven’t seen in other fantasy, too. If I wasn’t counting down the days to seeing my top 3 Dramoine fanfiction repackaged, I’d have no idea it was inspired by HP.

I will say this is a DARK romance with a capital D. I think your average romantasy readers are used to a morally grey MMC and that’s about as shady as it gets but when your FMC is essentially sold into slavery it’s not gonna be fluffy. But I loved the world building, the slow burn chemistry and trying to figure out which character was who from the original lore.

However!! Please note that unlike the auction, this is a trilogy! Which means there’s going to be plenty of stuff happening you can still be surprised with. Which is great for everyone because just when I thought I had it figured out the ending had me gagged!

Thank you to the author and publishers for this ARC!! I’m going to reread this once a month until Pub day in July 2025.

The first few chapters of Rose in Chains were agonizingly clunky to the point that I almost DNFed multiple times. The only reason I pushed through is because some of my friends who’d also gotten an advance copy assured me that it did get better. But those first chapters? The writing was stiff and stilted and the characters were flat and monotone. I did not believe for even a second that any of these people liked each other, which is rough given that two of them were twins.

There are also just so many names being used in the beginning and it is overwhelming because there isn’t much context for who these people are and why I should keep track of them (spoiler, I’ve given up on trying).

The book finally found its footing after the auction, when there was time to focus on Briony, Toven, and a few supporting characters rather than spend every other paragraph full-naming every single named character.

If you’re wondering does this read like a fanfiction? The answer is yes and no. Yes, because it felt like more of a serial polishing than a serial filing. No, because the first 20% of the book could really have used some fanfic magic of already caring about the characters to make it palatable.

I wish that the marketing was less focused on the IP that the fic was originally based on, especially given how much of a shitshow that author is, and that the book had done a better job of distancing itself from that original IP.

Will I continue on with this series? Probably. Am I going to be getting any of the five bajillion special editions? No.

Even though I did end up enjoying the majority of the book, because of how many times I nearly DNFed and how much the series didn’t even try to pretend that it was an original story instead of a fanfic with renamed characters and magic, I cannot in good conscience give this anything above a 3 star rating.

Thank you to Forever for the arc, I’m sad I didn’t like this more.

In this highly anticipated new trilogy, princess Briony Rosewood has been taken captive along with all of her remaining fellow Eversuns. She is to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, and she is highly desirable to her enemies. One of her greatest enemies is now her owner and in charge of everything she does- Toven, the man associated with her enemies, with a dark past, and who she couldn’t help but be intrigued by while they were growing up. In Toven’s home, Briony finds things may not be as they seem and she may have allies in unlikely places.

I am a fan of Julie Soto’s romances but haven’t read her fanfic that this was based off of. However, I was very curious to read it and I’m so glad I did! She has proven to be such a talented writer. I absolutely loved this and devoured it, which I’m now regretting because I can’t read it anymore and I have to wait for book two. This is a dark book with upsetting themes and I’d encourage readers to take care and check content warnings, because it isn’t a light read. It is also quite a slow burn, but it’s well developed and focused on the characters’ pasts with chapters in both flashbacks and the present. I am so eager for the second book and absolutely loved this one!

Thank you so much to Julie Soto and Forever publishing for the arc and opportunity to be an early reader and reviewer.

I know that a lot of people will be coming to this book because of its fanfic connections, but having never read the fic this is based on I have to say that I was ENTRANCED! The banter! The romance! The world-building! I am so glad that Soto took the bones of something she loved and made something uniquely and beautifully her own! I adored it!

6 STARS!!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This. Is. How. You. Write. A. Book.

I don’t say this often, but Rose in Chains is easily one of the best books I’ve read in a long time—probably since Manacled. Julie Soto seriously blew me away with this one. It’s smart, emotional, full of tension, and completely original. Most romantasy books these days feel like trope soup with no real heart… But NOT this one. This story feels intentional, like every twist and reveal was planned from the start. I seriously could not put this down.

Briony is such a phenomenal FMC. She has heart, she has purpose, and she’s torn between family loyalty and the slow-burning pull of forbidden love. Her arc is rich with internal struggle, emotional depth, and a growing awareness of her world’s complexity. And Toven? TOVEN. A man of many masks and even more secrets. Watching Briony peel back each of his layers was an absolute thrill. He’s broody, mysterious, and complex in all the best ways. You think you’ve figured him out—and then you haven’t.

This book kept me guessing constantly. Every time I thought I knew where it was headed, it surprised me. The tension. The unraveling of secrets. The rude cliffhanger ending (HOW DARE YOU, JULIE 😭). I cannot wait until the sequel - who knows when this is and how long we will have to wait…

Reading Rose in Chains felt like a revival of my love for fantasy romance. It reminded me why I read. Why I devour books. If you're looking for a story that feels fresh, emotionally resonant, and impossible to put down—this is it!!!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“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.

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, contributing to a rich and compelling narrative. "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.

One of my favorite aspects of the book is Julie's use of flashbacks to layer the story--offering glimpses into the past that reveal crucial elements of the characters’ histories. These scenes are not only fascinating but also 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 lingers long after the final page.

As a hobby writer and lifelong reader of fanfiction, it’s particularly special to witness Soto’s journey from fanfic writer to traditionally published author. Beginning with "Forget Me Not" and now venturing into fantasy, she continues to honor her roots while building something entirely her own. The transition from fanfiction to original work is no easy feat, yet Soto handles it with a grace and emotional depth that makes it feel effortless.

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. Thank you, Forever Pub! I’m already counting down the days until I can get my hands on Books Two and Three. And yes--this is your official notice: I will be relentlessly asking for them.


*Please note that all quotes were taken from an uncorrected proof copy. Also, my husband is a bookseller, and during times when we receive the same ARC to review, our reviews may end up quite similar. :)

"For the Saturday Girls..." THIS! The dedication alone made me giggle and kick my feet. iykyk.

"Absolutely," Toven said. "I am accustomed to having the finest thing in the room, after all." UGGHHH I am obsessed.

The slow burn and yearning is just so delectable. Note: if you are looking for instant gratification, this book isn't for you but know that you would be doing yourself a grave disservice!

As a huge fan of the rights & wrongs trilogy, I am beyond excited for this reworking of her original ff. This book gave me everything I needed. This still felt fresh and new. I loved the magic system, it felt easy to follow and the world building doesn't feel to heavy. I really enjoyed the flashbacks, getting a glimpse of them back at school before the war. And to reiterate - the slow burn, the yearning, the tension. UGH. chefs kiss

that epilogue tho...

So happy I was able to read this one early & I am already looking forward to my reread in July when this book is published!

The way I SCREAMED at 1:00am when I noticed my NetGalley approval for this ARC. I had to reread the email to make sure I was reading it correctly. Thank you, thank you, thank you NetGalley & Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this ARC. Thrilled to get my hands on Rose in Chains early! The only reason this book took me a few days to finish was because I knew I was doing this review so I wanted to take my time and savour it. ATE this book up, and now I am impatiently waiting for book 2.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rose in Chains is an absolute triumph. Julie Soto’s first venture into fantasy is nothing short of stunning—I was completely obsessed from page one. The world she’s built is immersive and rich with a compelling, original magic system that had me fully hooked. It’s dark, intricate, and so well thought out, it felt real.

And the romance? Swoon-worthy in every sense. The chemistry between the characters was electric, layered with tension, vulnerability, and heart. Soto writes love in a way that’s both powerful and aching, and I couldn’t get enough.

For a debut fantasy, Rose in Chains reads like the work of a seasoned master. It’s bold, emotional, and unforgettable. I’m already counting the days until whatever she writes next.

A solid 4.5! I really enjoyed this, so much so that I sought out the original fanfic on the dark web (reddit). I loved the magic system and its development, it was easy to understand as someone that usually has a hard time with fantasy story elements. The relationship between Toven and Briony was reallllly good, I loved the flashback moments and how every interaction between them ended up tying to the current time line. I am feral for the rest of this trilogy.

.5 bc the action scenes were a bit rough to follow, and there were a few of them within the story. I am hoping that in final edits these scenes get cleaned up a bit.

(also I am fully aware that while I enjoyed this a lot and think its very fun and good I did overhype this irl simply bc I was excited about enjoying a fantasy book. fyi this realization had no impact on my review or rating, just wanted to make note of it).

Thank you Forever and NetGalley for the free e-arc!