Never the Roses by Jennifer K. Lambert is easily one of my top reads of the year. What an absolute delight—this book had me chuckling, crying, and completely swept away. The romance is tender, sweet, and unfolds at the perfect pace. I read and listened to the audiobook, and let me tell you—the narrators brought these characters to life.

The story builds beautifully to an ending that left me in tears—in the best, most bittersweet way. It’s more than a 5-star read; it’s a heart read. I loved every single minute.

Huge thanks to Bramble Romance and Macmillan Audio for the gifted ARC and ALC. This one is a must-preorder—you won’t regret it!

Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook arc. The world building and slow burn romance was very well written and had me hook from the moment I pressed play. They exchange stories in a library teasing each other books.

Never the Roses by Jennifer K. Lambert is what happens when folklore kisses the void and still manages to blush. It’s got that same enchanted academic air as Emily Wilde—except everything here feels like it was dipped in poison and perfumed after.

The prose is lush without being overdone, like walking through a moss-covered library where something is definitely watching you. You’ll get dry wit, strange rituals, buried grief, and the kind of female lead who is painfully aware she’s one step from unraveling—but still shows up with her boots on and teeth bared. It’s whimsical and dark in the same breath, like a fairytale with its throat slit.

Dual Narration - Shane East & Chloe Campbell
Fabulous voices. Very well narrated

Romantasy


This books cover is what drove me to want to listen. Then I saw who narrates and the description and I was even more intrigued.

The book is definitely in the slower side but it is beautifully written and a captivating story. The author wrote a beautiful world these characters live in. Magical and romantic. I enjoyed this. I would definitely recommend to all my fantasy readers/listeners.