I can’t believe how much I loved this. Romantasy can be so hit or miss for me, but wow was this a hit. I can’t believe this is a debut. It’s beautifully written, tightly plotted, and I could not love these characters more. The magic, the angst, the heat—and the library! I’m blown away. This was so good. I can’t wait to have the gorgeous finished copy in my hands.

Unfortunately this one is not for me. The beginning is so so so slow. I had a hard time continuing. I did eventually DNF as I just wasn’t liking much about it. The narrators did a good job, the story just was not for me.

Thank you for this ALC opportunity, always love to try something different even if it doesn’t work out for me.

If you love sprayed edges, run and preorder this! The sprayed edges are absolutely gorgeous!

This book was very hard for me to rate. The beginning of the book was a chore. I wanted to DNF this a few times but pushed through. I was very interested once some pranks started. Then it went downhill from there. The story is fine. It isn’t anything special, but it isn’t terrible. I would have loved a lot more world building and a lot less hearing the FMC beat herself up about everything. I could not stand the character Tristan.

I received the audio book. The narrators did a wonderful job!

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G romantansy! The story, plot, writing, action...all of it was just so good. This was everything I want in a well written and attention grabbing romantasy!

This was just okay for me.

I struggled to get invested in the characters for a really long time, I think it took until somewhere in the last 25-ish% of the book. The writing just dragged a lot for me and I felt like unimportant details were dwelled upon for much too long.

This is definitely a darker fantasy with a darker world, politics and magic. And I think that's cool and unique.

Our FMC is a bit standoffish, but she has some really cool magic. She can even walk amongst dreams, communicating with people through them. And the MMC is a warrior from a different kingdom. There's an itty bitty little bit of an enemies to lovers situation, but neither is really reluctant (hence why I said itty bitty). But it is definitely a slow-burn romance!

Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

This story offered an unexpected take on fantasy that really stood out to me. It follows Oneira, a battle-worn sorceress who’s chosen to step away from war and spend her remaining years in peaceful solitude. I enjoyed being immersed in her quiet world and meeting her magical companions, as well as witnessing the growing relationship between her and Stearanos. While the ending wasn’t exactly what I’d hoped for, the overarching theme of forgiveness and striving to become a better version of yourself was beautifully done.

The narrators did an excellent job breathing life into both the story and its characters. Each one brought their own unique touch, adding depth and emotion that made it easier to connect with the narrative on a more personal level.

Oh man, this one was sooooo slow for me. I had to restart it like 5 times cause I’d be 20minutes in and have no idea what was going on and even after I finally started paying attention I just didn’t enjoy it.

I found the narrator was hard to listen to. I had a hard time following her unfortunately. This just wasn’t really for me all around.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own

I love this narrator! I originally read the earc and wasn't really getting pulled in as i'd hoped but once I got the alc there was no stopping me. I devoured it!

4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ First off, I really enjoyed this book and the fantasy world created. World building was easy to grasp and understand even with the mythical creatures (pets) the beginning drew me in and I was excited to learn how Oneira and Stearanos were going to get together and develop. The dream walking was super cool and I thought it was funny how she just dropped him into a deep sleep and there was nothing he could do about it. The banter and back and forth cat and mouse game with their notes was cute and I kind of wish there would have been more 😊.
The tension and angst after they have their first meeting was thick, Oneira kept pushing and pushing even though their chemistry was off the charts. The spice however was severely lacking, I was expecting a lot more detail and “explosiveness” and when we finally got it, it was like what you read in a YA novel. So it was almost nonexistent.
The ending was abrupt and we got an epilogue but I feel like there needs to be or will be more books, it was kind of a cliffhanger and sad, like I need closure. The court politics between both of the Queen/king/prince were short snippets and I wanted more, I need another book! This world needs more.
Spice .5 of a not hot jalapeño 🫑🌶️

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC audiobook

💜⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💜

The voice actors, the vibes, the ambiance, and the mood—all immaculate 🤌🏻 I’m obsessed. I’m pulled in and I don’t ever want to leave this world. If you love tension so thick you can cut it with a knife, a woman who knows what she wants, a consent king, a delightful writing style, and amazing world building then this is IT! It was dark, mysterious, full of tension, and a delightful fantasy novel that reads like One Dark Window and Bridgerton had a beautiful baby. Definitely worth the listen/read!

This was so incredibly beautiful.

Never the Roses is tragic, emotional and captivating in that way that constricts the heart and doesn't let go even after reading.
It is a masterpiece of melancholic lyrical prose and seeing as that might be my favourite writing style, I am not surprised by how much this book has affected me. The pacing was slow enough to allow for all the introspective and dynamics to unfold and develop and yet I never felt like it dragged.

On top of that - it might be the writing, or the way the characters are crafted and their relationship initiated - the book gave me major Dramione vibes right off the bat and, well, I do live for Dramione.

Jennifer K. Lambert managed to set a minimalist scene with only the most important info for a framework and build it into a story overflowing with emotions. She works with a beautiful, melancholic imagery in both setting and symbolism.

The characters didn't feel crafted and outlined and then put in a story, rather as if they'd come to life on their own and progressed naturally. I loved how there was no overcomplicated plot to force anything that didn't make sense, yet so much was happening.

Both, the FMC and MMC, were perfectly balanced between the awareness of their skill and power, and the insecurity and mistrust that have been so deeply ingrained.. Watching how their stories intertwined and how it changed them, how they impacted each other, the way they perceive love and trust and life (and themselves), was romantic in that deep, heartbreaking way.

Additionally, the narration was perfect and gave it the extra layer of emotional depth that a good audiobook can. I might be biased since he's my favourite without question, but I am so glad the author went with Shane East, he did an amazing job at bringing the MMC to life and giving him even more detail and contour.

Never the Roses is everything a romantic tragedy should be in my opinion. I know that the writing style, and the pacing it comes with, aren't for everyone but I crave them and love that the author chose this approach rather than rushing or overloading with extra conflicts and twists.
The story captivated me from beginning and became an immediate favourite for me, despite the amount of tears I shed. This is a definite audiobook rec from me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and Jennifer K. Lambert for an ALC of this book.

That ending!?!?! This book was entrancing, I loved the main characters, the plot, the detail weaved throughout the story. It was everything.
Shane East is one of my favorite narrators of all time and he did this story justice (both narrators were wonderful). This is a must listen/read and I hope there is a second book because I don’t want to leave this world yet.

I’ll start by saying the first part of the book just didn’t do it for me. It didn’t really flow well and almost made me give up on this. Tristan annoyed my soul and his character was written so immaturely that I don’t understand how Oneria could fall for him. That whole part was just weird to me. I enjoyed the banter between Oneria and M. I felt like their relationship was very rushed and it could’ve turned into a beautiful story instead they fell in love in 3 seconds. I wouldn’t be upset if the whole thing was rewritten and JKL took more time on developing the character, building up on the war aspects of the book, diving into Oneria’s past (could’ve done a lot with that), just the whole plot in general . It had so much potential, especially with the magic aspects of the book, to be the next big YA fantasy but it fell flat for me.

This was a really good and interesting enemies to lovers story. The characters felt real and their story felt tragic. She literally stole form him but then they fell in love but then they were enemies again. It was interesting and twisty but also tragic.

Slow, slowww story of healing, love, and redemption. The magical sorcery system is interesting and I wouldve liked more details with that. I was honestly tempted to DNF multiple times because 90% of the story nothing happens.

Thank you NetGalley and Jennifer K. Lambert for the opportunity to listen to this ALC!

I want to mention the pace was slow for a lot of this story and it was also an incredibly slow burn. There are some steamy scenes but, they are mild and toward the end. And while there is war, past and present, there aren’t any epic battles. It focuses mostly on emotions and finding peace. So it’s a bit different from the typical romantasy a lot, like myself, are used to. That being said, the story was well written and overall I enjoyed it.

As things move from mainly focusing on the FMC and her inner thoughts and reasonings in the beginning, it’s easier to get engaged in the story. I loved the interactions between the FMC, Oneira and the MMC, Stearanos. I thought the way things started between them through the dreamworld and the books she “borrowed” from Stearanos was unique and fun. The world was magical and dreamlike with the characters, Oneira’s companions and descriptions of places with things like a magically crafted pink pebbled beach. It was easy to feel like you were in a dream while listening to this book. It was a nice little escape! Hopefully with the way it ended we may get more in another book 🤞🏻 I’d love to discover more from this world, the magic system and the relationship between the main characters.

The narrators, Shane East and Chloe Campbell did a great job narrating this story. Their voices helped to give this story more of a dreamlike feel and I loved that. They captured the characters and their emotions perfectly!

It started out slow, and then it slowly sucked me in bit by bit. The banter was perfect, and it wasn't so much an action or trials and wars as you would think. it's more mind games and deep thoughts, and I thought it was beautiful. The audio was super! I loved the mood they set, and I felt the chemistry. It is a slow burn romance, though, but I felt that would have been the only way with this book. Sometimes they go too slow, sometimes they go too fast, but I thought it was the perfect pace for the romance. in the beginning, the FMC was isolated and didn't trust anyone, so if it had gone fast, I felt like it would have ruined that about her. Anyways, it was amazing and I want more!

I received a gifted audiobook copy of NEVER THE ROSES by Jennifer K. Lambert from @BrambleRomance.⁠
⁠
NEVER THE ROSES follows a sorceress and a sorcerer after the battle between kingdoms has ended. Oneira is living in retirement, no longer using her magic for death and destruction. Her focus is on her garden and she is joined by magical creatures in her isolation. She only ventures out through dreams where she is able to collect information and things she needs from those asleep. One of these trips takes her to the home of her biggest rival, Stearanos.⁠
⁠
Oneira takes from Stearanos' library, seeking information on growing an elusive rose, but it doesn't take long for him to realize that someone has been there. They begin a correspondence which seems to bring them some common ground, even as there are still ties and loyalties to opposing sides. ⁠
⁠
This book is comped to CIRCE and THE WITCH'S HEART which I can definitely see. We're mainly focused on a woman with magical abilities who largely lives in isolation. As the book opens, we see what comes after the battle is fought and it reads almost like a cozy fantasy at the start. I did enjoy meeting the magical creatures who join Oneira, especially the wolf named Bunny.⁠
⁠
The connection between Oneira and Stearanos is also one I like. The banter and the exchange of letters and just general ways Oneira does things to let him know someone has been in his library have had me amused. There is a third character who gets introduced and that addition isn't one I have been enjoying so much as it seems that Oneira turns her brain off a bit where he's concerned.⁠
⁠
I do like the writing in this one and the correspondence aspect of the bond forming between the two POV characters, but I would not recommend this one so far to those wanting a plot heavy book or a fast pace.⁠ I don't think this book is turning out to be a perfect fit for me, but I do think it could work better for those more focused on romance in a fantasy setting.

Never the Roses is a romantasy that somehow feels both cozy and full of depth. I fell in love with this book instantly and stayed up until 3 am to finish. Never the Roses might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it feels as though it was tailor made for me. When I was younger, I thought if I could hold onto something good enough in a dream that I would wake up with it in my hands. Imagine my shock to find a MFC that has that magic. Narration by Chloe Campbell and Shane East truly brought this book to life.

I received an ALC from Macmillan Audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Slow paced but leaves you yearning for more!
The story was amazing and the narrators really brought the characters to life!