I wanted enemies to lovers but got insta-love instead. Tristan annoyed the hell out of me from the moment he was introduced. There was not nearly enough build up to her falling for Tristan OR for her falling for Stearanos. The love story didn’t make sense for either the sorcerer or the sorceress. The magic system is unique but definitely needs more fleshing out. I really liked the idea of the story but again, it needs work. It seemed like the author knew where they wanted the story to end up but is really struggling with how it got there. I feel like this needs way more than another round of edits. The plot needs completely rewritten.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ALC.

I was drawn into this book by the cover and the enticing blurb about it and it did not disappoint. I listened to this one via audiobook (Thank you, Netgalley for the arc!) and couldn’t be more pleased with the narrators. They truly brought this magical story to life!

Oneira and Stearanos are lovely. Their rivalry and chemistry makes for a fun read but also leaves you wanting to have had more.

The magic in this world is a little different and interesting.

I have mixed feelings about this book. Like it was good, but just felt like something was missing.

I feel like I didn't really know where things were going for a large part of the book, but also didn't feel like it picked up until ⅔ through and then it was maybe just a but anticlimactic?

*Also this is not a HEA, which I wanted so badly, but also ends in a way that allows you to believe there could be one.

I was given the ALC by NetGalley, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

This audiobook had a cozy vibes but with a bit higher stakes than the typical cozy fantasy. I liked the pacing and world building, the characters were intriguing and a strong start to the series.

Oneira is the FMC, and a formidable sorcerer in her own right. However she has worked hard to be free of the contract that held her at the mercy of the Queen she served, and is finally retired. Slowly building up her own fortress of solitude and peace.

Stearanos is the MMC, and is the only sorcerer in the realm that is equally as powerful as Oneira and forced to serve a king he cannot escape from.

Through letters and Stearanos’ extensive library, they learn about each other and meet…their connection strong and swift.

Things progress quickly from there, trying to find ways to prevent their rulers from achieving their goals…ultimately leading to one making the ultimate sacrifice..

Jennifer K Lambert has truly woven a beautiful tale. Between the magical use of words and the narrators this story was brought to life, and kept me utterly captured.

3 stars

Issue with audiobook chapter 15 cuts off before finishing chapter.

This book was ridiculous. the plot was like a fart in the wind. I didn’t like any of the characters. the fmc felt childish even she’s supposed to be 300 yrs old. I did find myself drawn and compelled into finishing. but i didn’t have a good time.

Never the Roses
by Jennifer K. Lambert
Read as: Audiobook

I went into this book blind and was pleasantly surprised. It's a rather unique story and I really could not predict where it was going (that's a good thing). We finally get a magic system that hasn't been seen multiple times already - FMC is a oneiramancer (dream magic). The book isn't fast paced and at times it didn't seem like much was happening (because there wasn't) but if you're looking for a more cozy-ish read this may be right for you.

Oneria, our FMC, retires and goes into self-imposed seclusion. She gardens, she learns how to cook, reads, gains some animal companions, and then realizes she's bored. So she goes and 'sneaks' into her rival sorcerer's, Stearanos' (MMC), famed library to find something new to read. This starts a slow burn flirtation/friendship between the two. Neither trusted the other at first, but they eventually got over it and become friends and then more.

The pacing does pick up about 75% of the way through the book and to be honest the end seemed rather sudden. There wasn't much build up to resolving the "problem" they faced at the end and in this case, I wasn't a big fan of the way our FMC decided to resolve it. You could argue that it made sense as she had indicated that she was working towards that kind of ending since the beginning of the book, but it feels a bit like a cop-out. The epilogue was sweet, but I like a nice closed ending to my standalone books, which we didn't really get.

I'm not usually an audiobook person, so this was very different for me. That being said, I did enjoy it in this format. The narrators read in a way that was easy to focus and their inflections and pacing were great. As the book has a dual POV it was really nice that we had dual narrators as well.

Definitely will read this again, only next time with book in hand.

Thank you NetGalley and MacMillian for sending me this book (audiobook) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Never The Roses was an interesting, yet incredibly slow-paced story.
The story was entirely character driven with a very minimal focus on plot...or anything. The romance was slow-burn, but sweet. The mystical characters were there, but only in tiny tidbits. There was more internal dialogue than anything else.

There was potential for more plot with hints of betrayal, espionage, war, and forbidden love, but it never materialized.
It feels like the prequal for something more exciting to come. I do not know if this is meant to be a standalone or a series, but it could have some redemption if some action came in the next book. The end wasn't a complete wrap up, so it does seem possible that there is more to the story.

The narrators for the audio did a really good job for keeping me engaged even when it was a bit dull of a story.

This book took me by surprise. I normally go for more action packed books, and by comparison this book was much much slower, but somehow still incredibly engaging. The fact that the first 20% of the book was the FMC just describing her retirement and solitude should have bored me but I found myself engaged by the writing and lyrical descriptions. Then of course, once she decided to sneak into her nemesis’s library, I was hooked to the mischievous nature and banter that followed. I loved that this book had such a different vibe from my usual book and that the writing was so strong that I was kept enthralled. The audio was a perfect compliment to the characters as well, fitting the tone of their description and adding additional dynamics to their interactions.

Never the Roses had a good premise with the world building (loved how the dream powers were portrayed) and the different characters, but I feel like nothing much happened in the book. The characters's feelings towards each others seemed a bit forced as they barely knew each other and then were madly in love.

Also, SPOILERS, but the fact that Oneira did not even suspect Tristan one bit and led him into her home, with all of his weird entitled behavior (like he assumed he had a right to touch her whenever?!) really annoyed me. I cannot believe that an highly intelligent and competent sorceress would have tolerated such a behevior.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the ALC.

This was a cute read, it not something I would normally go for but I couldn’t pass up the ALC chance. The plot was good, it was definitely a slow book to get in to, and it I still might not be able to remember everything about it. But definitely a fantasy read!

This was honestly refreshing to read. At first, I was a little hesitant because there was so much internal dialogue at the beginning (20% of the beginning, yikes!) but that definitely helped to understand the fmc story and a bit about her magic and what she’s gone through.
After that the story was so interesting and I loved the mmc so much. He is the definition of a grumpy sunshine.
This made me want a back story of the war and the roles they both played. I think that would be wonderful as we learned of different magic users that kept being brought up.
I really thought this story was well written and the audiobook was done well with the perfect narrators. I look forward to adding this copy to my shelf.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the ALC.

I absolutely loved this book. Never the Roses was exactly the kind of cozy escape I didn't know I needed.It didn't rely on big battles or action scenes, and honestly, that was one of the things I appreciated most.The story had room to breathe, and I found myself completely wrapped up in the characters.
The banter was so well done. It felt natural and had me smiling and turning pages just to see what they'd say next. The bit of spice was just enough to keep things interesting without overpowering the heart of the story. It was subtle and well-placed.
But what really made it special was the character development. You can tell the author put a lot of love into building these people. Their growth felt authentic and their relationships were layered and meaningful. I genuinely cared about them and didn't want the book to end. This is the kind of story that stays with you in the best way. I'll definitely be recommending it to friends who enjoy fantasy with heart, warmth, and a strong focus on character connection.

Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and Jennifer K. Lambert for the ALC of Never the Rose.

This book was narrated by Chloe Campbell and Shane East and I really feel that their voices matched the characters so well! The pacing and intonation was perfect! I felt that the narrators really brought another layer to the story.

That being said, the overall story itself just didn’t hit the mark for me. I did DNF halfway through bc it was too verbose. The ongoing explanations just kept taking me out of the story and I found my mind wandering and missing part that were likely important.

I loved everything about this book. It was such a DELIGHT to find middle-aged fantasy characters who were just DONE with all the pretending and what-not. I devoured every minutes of this. The narrators were lovely, but the tone of the voices made it difficult to listen in the car. I had to keep earbuds in, but that was no big deal. It was beautifully written and I loved every word!

What happens after the war? When the dust has settled, and all that’s left is the echo of your choices—and the quiet ache of learning how to live with them?

Jennifer K. Lambert’s <i>Never the Roses</I> isn’t about discovery or becoming. It’s about the haunting act of continuing. Of piecing yourself together after you've been shattered and seeing what kind of person still exists in the wreckage.

Oneira, once the Dread Sorceress of the Southern Kingdom, has paid her life debt with blood. Her legacy is carved from the devastation she brought to the world through her mastery of dreams and the unwaking realm—but all she wants now that she is finally free is stillness. A garden, a crust of bread with honey, the final quiet of oblivion. Her grief is marrow-deep, but there's a softness to her learning how to feel again—how to want again—that’s painfully, beautifully done.

And then there’s Stearanos. Her nemesis. Her equal. A man who doesn’t flinch, doesn’t posture, and doesn’t waste time pretending he doesn’t care. He knows what he wants—and once he sees her for who she is, he says so. No games. No hesitation. There’s a directness to him that feels rare in romantasy: not brooding, not reluctant, just <i>certain</i>. And with him, Oneira isn’t feared or pitied—she’s understood. And, for the first time in her life, seen.

Though shelved as epic fantasy, this reads more like a quiet, aching character study. Lambert’s prose is atmospheric and deeply internal—reminding me deeply of Rebecca Ross’s <i>Letters of Enchantment</i>, though more battle-worn and bruised. The worldbuilding is purposeful but not the point; like Oneira, you’ll find yourself wanting to retreat away from it. To linger in the sanctuary she’s created, no matter how fragile.

𝑶𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈:
✨Cottagecore, but haunted—think solitude with ghosts, not sunshine
🥀 Brimming with longing—for peace, for understanding, for someone to stay
📜 The letter-writing dynamic is clever, warm, and doesn’t overstay its welcome once its purpose is served
❤️ Dual POV with excellent audio narration (Chloe Campbell and Shane East are dynamic and magical)
💜 Spice-light, but intimacy-rich—what they notice about each other says everything
🪶 One side character is deeply, intentionally loathsome. You will hate him. You are supposed to. I still wanted him gone five chapters sooner.
🌹 The ending is open, not abrupt—but I’m hoping for more

I had a few quibbles with pacing; certain sections ran wild when they could’ve bloomed with a bit more pruning. Still, <i>Never the Roses</I> lingers. Soft and sharp in equal measure—like thorns hidden beneath dark velvet petals.

On the audiobook: This was a true joy to listen to, rather than read. Chloe Campbell and Shane East are dynamic, engaging, and full of the exact right amount of emotion this story needs. There’s chemistry here in the dual narration that works even when they aren’t directly woven together. It’s also the exact kind of fantasy that shines in audio—no complex world-building, or hard-to-track names and places. Will definitely be re-listening to this one!

<b>Thank you</b> to Macmillan Audio for granting me access to the eARC!


𝑻𝑳;𝑫𝑹: <i>Never the Roses</I> is a dream walk through grief and tenuous hope, after resting your head in a solemn, secluded seaside cottage. Melancholic, lyrical, and quietly romantic—this is less about magic and more about what’s left after you’ve burned the world down.

🔮 A Retired Sorceress
🐺 Bunny
🛏 Dream Walking
⚔️ Rivals
❤️‍🩹 Healing
🌹 Roses

The dream aspect of this book is so interesting!

I love the banter between the FMC & MMC. Both of the narrators are some of my all time favorites, they have the most perfect voices for this book! 😍💜 So dreamy. Pun intended.

*I received an advance review copy for free in the form of an audiobook (advanced listening copy) from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is my honest feedback about the book as an avid reader.*

I really liked this book! So cute & cozy! And the special edition coming out is GORGEOUS! 😍💜

Huge thank you to the author, MacMillanAudio, & NetGalley for letting me read & review this book. 💜

4.25 stars
Honestly, I didn’t expect to enjoy it this much. I figured it would be a fun 3 star or 3.5 star read, but it turned out to be an absolute delight. It’s funny and sweet, and I loved the writing style. It’s not a grand expansive, epic world, but it’s intriguing. There’s a cozy fantasy feel to it with a perfect amount of stakes. The romance was exactly what I wanted. I love it when both characters are two powerful equals. I especially loved the FMC’s magic!!

Thank you to Macmillan audio and Jennifer K Lambert for this ALC through NetGalley

3.5/5 ⭐️
0.5/ 5 🌶️
5/5 🎧

First let me start out with the audiobook. Shane East is the absolute perfect narrator for this MMC. I could listen to him narrating the encyclopedia to me and I’d be entranced. Chloe Campbell was new to me but she was fantastic as well!

This book was different than any other fantasy I’ve read before. Due to the FMC, Oneira being self isolated it was very lonely the first third of the book. I would say this is a very slow burn, however, I don’t feel like that is necessarily an accurate description. The story is more about Oneira finding inner peace rather than Oneira and Em finding love. While they do ultimately fall in love, I feel the ending isn’t about that. It’s about her moving on from the world feeling as if she finally had peace with her decisions.

Overall I enjoyed this read. The ending seemed a bit rushed and it doesn’t fit into the traditional HEA you may typically want. But overall the story is beautifully written. The author has written a beautiful fantastical world with new creatures and magic powers I hadn’t seen in other books.

This was definitely not for me. The pace was just way to slow to keep my attention. There was so much inner dialog for the fmc that I forgot what the book was supposed to be about.

I skipped forward to see if it got better but it didn't. I finally had to dnf this one.

Thank NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for this ALC.