This was a cute cozy cottage vibes book with magic and animal companions.

Two sorcerers from opposing kingdoms and battlefields start out an u usually relationship over books and gardening. One is in service to his crown, and the other is newly retired and a bit bored. When she decides to sneak into his library to look for a book, he finds out there is a thief sneaking through his wards, and they begin to leave eachother notes in the books.

This was a good read and quite funny at times, I liked the storyline and both main characters very well. It has the perfect mixture of world building and character relationship building. I do believe this to be a standalone but with the way it ended it could be left alone or picked back up in a second book. Overall I really liked this book and will be getting a copy on release.

What a sweet story of redemption and love! It’s a slow pace and reads like a cozy book- but it’s not quite a cozy fantasy. Oneira is a dread sorceress who has finally bought her freedom. She sequesters herself away from all the kingdoms, growing her food and making fuzzy (and deadly) animal companions. She becomes bored and, on a whim, steals a book from the library of her enemy: Stearanos. He is a sorcerer of a rival kingdom. He immediately notices the missing book and through a series of missives a tentative relationship between the two forms.

There’s just the right amount of world building. The way Oneira’s magic is based on the dream world is fascinating. The freaking romance is precious.

One of the characters struck me as unbelievable, if not an annoying plot device. The book is fully character based, so the plot is a bit lacking. But ugh, the depth of the main characters is fabulous. I did NOT expect the ending. It left me in tears.

I listened to the audiobook and absolutely loved it. Both narrators did a fantastic job. Their voices were quite soothing.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the advanced listener copy.

This was a beautiful story! It starts with Oneira paying off her debt to the queen (through one last act of destruction that still haunts her) and disappearing into the wilds for retirement away from everyone. And after that, what is a dream sorcerer supposed to do? It is a quiet start, peaceful, as Oneira figures out what she wants, tries new hobbies, and collects new friend animals (very powerful in their own right). Some people would think this was slow but it is so peaceful to listen to. Things do perk up when, following a dream/whim to find a question, she ends up in the fabulous library of her equal in power, Stearanos. I absolutely loved their notes back and forth! So cheeky and good for lots of laughs! It builds up from there with the two sorcerers figuring out a way to work together, learning that they (broken and damaged from years of fighting for their kings and queens who hold their bonds) can complete each other. I love their relationship! It started with roses and witty banter but ended up so much more!

Besides being a love story, which was good in its own right, it was also about finding forgiveness for the destruction Oneira caused in her long career as a sorcerer and Stearanos finding a way out of his own debt. There are sweet times, but also hard decisions by both of them and a beautiful ending with a touch of hope amid the heartbreak that just wrecked me! It was very well done though and I loved this book.

The narrators did a wonderful job in bringing Oneira and Stearanos to life in that world of magic, dreams, and roses that changed everything and allowed the two sorcerers to find what was needed to mend a broken heart. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to get lost in this land and I really would not mind seeing more books in this world!

4.5 stars
I originally picked this up because the synopsis sounded so interesting and I saw that the audiobook had Shane East narrating.
What I found was so much more. Chloe Campbell and Shane East both gave spectacular performances. Put that together with the production it made for a fantastic audiobook experience. Great narrators can really make her break a book now I think this story by itself would’ve been a four to 4.25 star rating for me, but with the narrators bringing it to life it really elevated it for me and up to a 4 1/2 star.
Now Jennifer K Lambert is a pen name for an author who has written other works. I have not read anything by this author and this is my first experience and it was delightful.
The world building the magic system. The pros all worked really well for me. Oneira and Stearanos are supposed to be enemies and I love how she goads to him. When all she wants to do is bring back these roses and she ends up, infiltrating his residence to steal these books. Girl I would do it too! His library is fantastic!
In the end, the story was so much more than I thought it was gonna be I don’t wanna go into it because I feel like you really need to experience it yourself and if I say anything more than I did, it’s just gonna take away from your experience. I definitely would pick up the audio as it was fantastically done. I will also be picking up the Physical deluxe edition. As it is gorgeous.
Thank you to Macmillan audio for the ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Much thanks to Jennifer K. Lambert, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honereorient.

I don't think I spoil anything, but I marked it all as one just in case.

Reading this book is like the slow, langorous dream it often describes. Don't read it expecting action and epic battles; it's very literary and introspective. Character driven, not plot.

It doesn't have much of a hook, at least not one I can recall; there was so much exposition in the beginning that I didn't pay much attention until Oneira started visiting Stearanos. Less exposition followed that point, but the pace never really picked up. It takes its time and won't be rushed.

It's not my typical kind of book, I need action and banter and would prefer not to have to think too hard, but something about the writing was mesmeric. I'm not even sure if I actually liked the story or not, but I do know I found it compelling af.

Stearanos went from pissed off to in love a bit too easily; upon finally meeting face to face, he and Oneira acted too comfortably with each other, not like they were pretty much strangers. But that wasn't until after the halfway point, so they didn't have time to waste dating. I did love their love story, rushed as it might have been--yes, I do see myself saying this book was slow and rushed at the same time.

Let me put it another way--the plot points were far between at the start, then became closer and closer together toward the end. Or at least it felt like that. I'd call it a slow burn except that implies an eventual explosion, and there was no explosion. It was a status quo until Oneira finally sighed a figurative "all right then" and took quiet, decisive action.

A deeper exploration of the magic system would have been interesting, it's not typical.

I don't know if the end was meant to tease a sequel or was just deliberately open-ended, but I kinda hated it. I need solid HEAs. But it wasn't about the romance, it was about Oneira finding peace. Bah.

The chapter from Tristan's POV was unnecessary, and honestly his entire character and purpose was ultimately superfluous. He served as a contrast to Stearanos, but an unnecessary one.

I'm not sure what the purpose of the animal friends was, they were just there. Their import was lost on me.

The narrators, Chloe Campbell and Shane East, were both superb and well cast to the material.

I've rambled enough . . . I still feel like I'm in the book's thrall. Very dreamy. I feel like this book was deeper and more laden with meaning than I care to explore, so apologies if a lot's gone over my head. Now I need to shake my head like a cartoon character and get reoriented to reality.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jennifer K. Lambert, and Macmillan Audio for the ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

5 stars

The audiobook is well done. I felt like Chloe Campbell and Shane East did an excellent job performing these characters. I highly recommend listening to this one or immersing yourself in the reading.

4.75 stars

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this story. The comparison to Circe made me think it would get pretty dark. While it did have dark moments, its overall tone was cozy. It felt like cozy fantasy romance. I adored this story. I know I will re-read this one again. I was captivated by Oneira’s story. I would have loved more details about the world-building and Oneira's backstory. Her story is touching on her and there, but I feel that it would have brought more emotions out if I had heard more of her story. Stearanos was a great MMC. I liked how he knew how to treat her. He understands her on a level that no other person will be able to understand. That ending…..???

ARC and ALC review
Publication date 08 Jul 25

“Never the Roses” by Jennifer K. Lambert is a romantic fantasy.

Thank you Pan Macmillan and Macmillan Audio for the ARC and ALC (via Netgalley).
Opinions from this review are completely my own.

The cover and description of the book convinced me to read it.
Oneira is a retired sorceress that is tired of fighting in the war.
But she gets bored and decided to make trip to the library of her most powerful rival, sorcerer Stearanos.

The story's pace is slow, but it did not bother me. There is a rivals to lovers romance that starts through notes.
I liked both characters and their story. Especially Oneira, had a good development.
Her magic was also interesting and the overall plot. This is a well written book.

It was a good experience reading the e-book while listening to the audio.
When possible, this is my preferred way of enjoying a book.
It is a nice feeling and helps me immerse in the story, especially if it is a fantasy.

The audiobook is narrated in dual style by Chloe Campbell and Shane East.
I did not listen to any other books narrated by Chloe Campbell, but I think that she was perfect as Oneira.
She managed to keep me captivated in the story and brought the characters to life.
I think Shane East's voice was great as Stearanos and I am glad that he narrates more fantasy books.

Overall this was a nice, emotional and magic book.

Love love love
The Magic is very cool I love the two main characters & the whole story line is unique.

A little bit of spice and everything nice.
Loved the game they play back and forth with each other.

That ending 😭 please tell me there’s going to be a second book?!

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.