What an absolutely mesmerizing read! Never the Roses is a lush and emotional blend of Beauty and the Beast and Sleeping Beauty, wrapped in the grit of war and the ache of forbidden love. Jennifer K. Lambert delivers a beautifully written fantasy that grabbed my heart and refused to let go.

At its core, this is an enemies-to-lovers tale with high emotional stakes. An oneramancer—someone who manipulates and travels through dreams—and a powerful sorcerer are brought together by duty and divided by past wounds, magic, and war. Their slow-burn connection is rich with tension, distrust, yearning, and moments of vulnerability that hit hard. The chemistry between them was electric.

The dreamscapes were some of the most vivid and creative I’ve ever read. Lambert’s writing shines in these sequences—ethereal, strange, and emotionally charged. It felt like stepping into another world within the already magical world she built. There’s something almost poetic about the way dreams are used to reveal truths, heal wounds, and deepen the bond between characters.

But this isn’t just a romance—it’s also a story of sacrifice, power, identity, and war. The worldbuilding is compelling, with high stakes and a sense of urgency that builds as secrets unravel and the characters’ loyalties are tested. The emotional weight is real, and I found myself feeling alongside the characters every step of the way.

And then...that cliffhanger. My heart shattered. I turned the last page and immediately wished I had the sequel in my hands. I’m feening for more—more answers, more dream-magic, and more of this broken, beautiful couple who have stolen my heart.

The narrators for this book were absolutely perfect and helped me visualize everything so clearly and really brought the story to life. Their voices fit the characters so well.

If you love emotionally charged fantasy romance, high-stakes magic, and stories that balance heartache with hope, Never the Roses is an absolute must-read.

Thank you Netgalley for the ALC for my honest opinion. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I enjoyed this book a lot, but was a little disappointed with the ending. The ending wasn't bad, I just wish it had been different. In all it was good, I liked the banter between Oneira and Stearanos. I loved how it developed from rivalry to friendship. My favorite part of the book were Oneiras animal companions. I loved the fantasy elements and the yearning between Oneira and Stearanos. This book is well worth a read.
The audio version of the book was well made and the narration was excellent.

Many thanks to Macmillan Audio, Bramble, and NetGalley for the preview. All opinions are my own.

I’m kind of kicking myself for not paying attention to the comps more closely. Because while I love The Witch’s Heart, I think I would have been more prepared for the heartbreak if I’d paid attention.

For most of the book, this seems whimsical and cozy. Yes these 2 sorcerers have done horrific things, but they’re in retirement or on sabbatical, paying more attention to gardening than war. I got swept up in the light back and forth as Oneira and Stearanos traded notes and banter. The dream magic that Oneria uses was so cool too.

But war does finally intrude on their solitude and the peace they’ve found. And they’re both tormented by what they’re asked to do.

Some other notes:
This was definitely insta-lust
Tristan was THE most annoying character
I actually expected this to be spicier
OMG THAT ENDING!! It killed me. If you’re someone who needs a definitive and happy ending, you might look elsewhere.

Overall, I did enjoy this and would recommend. Especially because Shane East makes anything sound good on audio. But you should definitely know what kind of book you’re getting into.

This was a okay read just didn’t connect too much with the characters and was a little disappointed in the ending. But overall it does seem like there’s an opportunity to continue the story. I would read a continuation of it just to get some answers to the cliff hangers.

This book was just not for me. :( Though I think there are plenty of people out there who will love this book.

The prose is good and I like the dynamic between the main characters, especially once they meet, but it was too cozy for my taste. I'm not a big fan of cozy fantasy, which I didn't realize this could be compared to. Oneira's magic was cool and I enjoyed reading about it. The book does have darker elements, but the stakes weren't high enough for me. It felt like the big conflict of the story wasn't anything that directly impacted them. I found it to be a bit slow, seeing as Oneira and Stearanos don't have a real conversation face-to-face until about 50% through.

Unfortunately, I lowered what I was initially going to rate this as because of the ending. Iykyk.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the gifted ALC!

A perfectly witchy read, this is a slowburn, forbidden romance between a powerful sorcerer and sorceress you’ll want on your TBR this late summer / fall! This book is much cozier than I expected, especially with the darker cover, and was also a bit spicier than expected given the level of coziness. It reminded me of a cross between Divine Rivals, The Spellshop, and Wooing the Witch Queen. It was low stakes and had such a fun enemies-to-lovers storyline with magic, books, and flirty & forbidden correspondence. I really enjoyed the dual narration in this one to bring the perspectives to life!

Never the Roses is a standalone romantasy by Jennifer K. Lambert.

This slow burn romance was a little slow to start, but worth the listen or read. Oneira was living in isolation, so the beginning of the book felt lonely and mundane. But that was just a tease. The author masterfully crafted this so you could feel Oneira’s emotions as they evolved throughout the book.

The characters were so well developed that they actually felt tangible. I loved that the main characters were mature adults and their decisions are made based on life experiences. Their friendship (courtship? relationship?) developed so naturally; it was beautiful to witness.

I loved the magic of this story. Dream walking and dream theft was such a unique, ingenious magic.

I absolutely loved the narration by Chloe Campbell & Shane East. Their voices, intonation, and pacing were brilliant! They embodied the characters! (The recording’s volume was a little low, so earbuds are recommended.)

This book was so unlike what I expected, and I enjoyed it more because of it! The focus on characters (instead of intense action) was what made this fantasy the beautiful work of art that it is!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Never the Roses by Jennifer K. Lambert
Narrated by Chloe Campbell & Shane East
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Romance, Sci Fi & Fantasy
Expected Publication Date: July 8, 2025

I was drawn to this title because of it’s comparisons to Circe and The Witch’s Heart, both of which I loved when I read them. While these books are good comparisons, Never the Roses is also its own thing.

There is a reclusive woman who has powers that others fear, who has self exiled herself away. But for Oniera (narrated by Chloe Campbell)this is because she is reeling from the guilt of the destruction she wrought to buy her own freedom. Because of this, this story is very self contained and character driven, this may drive some readers away. In fact I was quite frustrated with the first 20% of the book has we were stuck with only Oniera’s point of view, and she had literally no discussion or dialogue with any other being. Though once the character of Stearanos (narrated by Shane East)is introduced I was drawn in. The flirty messages back and forth and tension between the two sorcerers from rival kingdoms was tantalizing. I love that these main characters were older and the juxtaposition of Tristan’s youth and Stearanos’s experience made me feel seen as a thirty something reader who is over the immaturity of most male main characters in enemies to lovers stories that saturate the market today.

Despite my early misgivings and slow pace, this story grew on me. And I found by the end I wanted to know more than the epilogue provided, more than the open ending that isn’t quite happily ever after.

I wanted to like this book, I really did. The FMC is a strong and independent recluse. Perfect. On a whim she lets a pouty, opportunistic man child into her home and she flip flops on her decision to get him to leave, um no.

The banter between the FMC and MMC was ok. It seemed like everything of their relationship was rushed (for me at least). It could have been so much better.

I pushed through this book thinking “it's a fantasy book, it always gets better”. Unfortunately, that just did not happen for me with this one. I really wanted to like it because it sounded like something I would usually enjoy but it just wasn’t for me. It could just be me though, I don’t always connect well with books written in third POV. I felt the main characters lacked chemistry and the plot just fell flat for me. That being said, if the POV doesn’t affect your experience, this could still be enjoyable for you.

Oneira is a powerful oneiromancer who has exiled herself to solitude after no longer wanting to be a weapon in someone else's war. But after years of a solitary life, Oneira grows bored with her routine and risks her life by stepping into the dreams to visit the library of her enemy, Stearanos.

What was supposed to be a one time thing soon turns into a game, with the pair exchanging letters without knowing each other’s true identities. Oneira knows it's dangerous to play games with her enemy, but she's never felt more alive.

I was really not expecting to like this. I'm not a big fan of romantasy or fantasy romance or whatever you want to call it, and I especially don't care for it when it's M/F, but I loved this! I loved having two main characters who were fully middle aged adults making adult(but not always good) decisions. I loved the mixture of rigid and vague magic. And I adored the magical animal companions. This also made me laugh out loud. I can imagine some people won't like the ending, but I really enjoy open-ended endings.

*S0me spoilers*

I'm really torn about this book. In one sense, I really loved it. It started off slow, but the promise of a forbidden romance with secret correspondence kept me intrigued. I was ready for the first meeting between Oneira and Stearanos, and when the romance started playing out, I was so giddy. The world building and magic system was unique and intriguing. I'm not sure I've read any story quite like this.

In the other sense, I was really disappointed. With this book being told in the third person, I feel like a lot of the emotions were lacking or maybe I just didn't feel things as deeply as I could have. Some things were super zoomed in on (for no reason) and important scenes were so zoomed out, the relevancy of the moments were reduced to basically nothing. Heading into spoiler area, I almost DNF'd halfway through when Tristan was introduced. I understand his importance (I'm being generous with that), but he was whiny, ridiculous, and completely transparent about having an ulterior motive, that I was screaming at Oneira when she willfully ignored it all. (I know she was lonely and starved for attention, but she's supposed to be powerful and smart!! Where was this woman?!) The hookup scene between Oneira and Tristan was so painful to read and kind of drawn out.

When Oneira and Stearanos finally got together for real, it was very anticlimactic. I didn't even realize they had $ex because the POV was so zoomed out. For so much attention being paid to Tristan (a casual hookup), I would have expected the same or better treatment for Oneira's great love. It just seemed so glossed over and left me with a feeling of whatever.

And that ending!! I have searched the internet over trying to figure out if this is a standalone or a duology. Even with my gripes about the book, I would read the next book because there are things I really like. But if this is a standalone, I am mentally flipping tables. Just no.

As another aside, I listened to this as an audiobook. I really enjoyed the male narrator because I've heard him in other books. I had a slight problem with the female narrator though. Her voice seemed very robotic? It took me a long time to get used to it and I personally did not enjoy it.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan audio for a chance to listen to this ALC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

DNF at 10%

I wanted to like this but I think that cozy fantasy is not for me. The whole first 10% was just the MC gardening, collecting random magical creatures that show up at her house and reading books....

I cannot stop thinking about this book! It was a refreshing change of pace from all the other fantasy romance out there right now. Never the Roses is well written, thought provoking, and deeply moving. Chloe Campbell and Shane East's performances really brought these characters and their struggles to life. I highly recommend listening to it if you have a chance. The magic was unique and I haven't been able to stop telling people all about it! It is officially in my top five fantasy reads.

I really enjoyed this book. It started out cozy, but it definitely ended up mixing in some high stakes conflict. I loved the animal companions. I am not generally a very emotional reader, but I definitely felt it toward the end of this book. The dream world magic was unique. I listened to the audiobook and the narration by both narrators was perfect. Thanks for the advanced listening copy!

Thank you Tor for the gifted ALC!!

Dnf 51%

I love a cozy fantasy, but I’m just not vibing with this one. Not much is happening and I just can’t get myself to pick it back up.

The narrators are wonderful though!!

Thank you so much Macmillan Audio for an early copy of Never the Roses!

The narrators did such an amazing job with this audiobook and I could listen to their voices all day!!

This was such a beautiful and devastating story!! Oneira just wants to live a quiet life alone without being used in the wars of kings and queens. She’s finally paid off her debt and is getting to live the life of solitude she craves! When she dream walks into the library of her greatest rival and enemy, the sorcerer Stearanos, and steals the book he’s been reading a great flirtation and budding romance begins! The banter between them is so great and I absolutely ate it up! The progression of their relationship was perfect and when he shows up at her house and breaks her wards I was giddy! Of course all good things come to an end and the way this book ends absolutely broke my heart but it so so beautiful!

This was phenomenal. I went in with zero expectations, and this book delivered. There was happy, giddy squealing; there was devastation and sobbing tears. Everything you could want in a book existed here. Do I wish it ended differently? Yes. Does the ending help make the book? Also, yes. I listened to this with the audio, and these narrators created an immersive experience that made me want to exist in their world with them.

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for allowing me to listen to this audiobook in return for my honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4-Star Audiobook Review: Never the Roses by Jennifer K. Lambert
Narrated by Chloe Campbell & Shane East

Never the Roses is a lush, character-driven fantasy that offers a rare and refreshing twist: a retired sorceress who just wants to be left alone—and absolutely deserves it. Jennifer K. Lambert weaves a beautifully imaginative and emotionally resonant tale, and the audiobook brings it vividly to life, thanks to the stellar narration from Chloe Campbell and Shane East.

The Story
Dread Sorceress Oneira is a force to be reckoned with—but she’s done her time. In a world where magical debt binds mages for life, Oneira has paid hers and retreats to her self-made fortress, determined to embrace solitude and grow roses in peace. But peace is a luxury the world won’t allow her. When she slips into the dream realm of her former arch-nemesis in search of a gardening book (yes, really—and it works beautifully), she finds more than just information: she finds a kindred spirit. Their romance is as cerebral as it is sensual, blossoming through shared dreams, old scars, and mutual weariness with the politics of war.

When Oneira uncovers a plot that threatens not only her newfound connection but also the fragile stability of the world, she’s reluctantly drawn back into the conflict—one last stand, not for glory, but for peace.

The Performance
Chloe Campbell gives Oneira a perfect blend of strength and weariness, capturing her razor-sharp intelligence, subtle vulnerability, and dry wit. Shane East, voicing the enigmatic and war-weary sorcerer, brings gravity and chemistry to the table. Together, their performances elevate the slow-burn romance and lend emotional weight to the stakes without ever overshadowing the story’s more meditative pacing.

Why 4 Stars?
While the writing is rich and the characters nuanced, the plot occasionally meanders, particularly in the early sections where world-building takes center stage. Some listeners may crave a bit more urgency or action. That said, the deliberate pace suits the themes of recovery, resistance, and rediscovery. It’s a quiet kind of epic—one that rewards patience with deep emotional payoff.

Final Thoughts
Never the Roses is a rare gem of a fantasy romance: introspective, grown-up, and full of heart. The audiobook version is a must for fans of lyrical storytelling, mature protagonists, and dream-soaked magic. With Lambert’s evocative prose and the dual narration bringing every emotional note to life, this is a story that blooms slowly—but beautifully.

what in the cliffhanger just happened? I keep thinking, I don't know how I feel about that... and yet I KNOW I'll read a sequel (if it happens) because WHAT?!?!

Rounded up from 3.5 for shock and awe factor.