The audiobook edition of A Rose in Chains is a wonderful example of how the right narration can elevate an already engaging story. Julie Soto’s writing shines with her trademark mix of emotional depth, slow-burn tension, and vivid atmosphere, and the narrator’s performance brings it to life with clarity and nuance.

The delivery is purposeful and distinct, with each character given a unique voice that makes it easy to follow conversations and emotional shifts. It felt more like a performance than a reading, pulling me into the world and creating a cinematic quality that lingered long after listening.

This is an audiobook that delivers an engrossing and richly acted experience. Anyone interested in romantic tension and immersive narration will find A Rose in Chains not just a compelling story, but one that is beautifully brought to life in audio. It keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time! I absolutely loved it.

Sadly, this book (audiobooks) just wasnt for me. I was given the opportunity to listen to the audio by the publisher and I tried several times over the last month to get into the story. I was.25% in when I just went ahead and purchased the paper copy from tje bookstore, thinking maybe it was the narrator, their cadence or speed that was irking me. I did finally finish the story today and I'm sad to say it was.a.2 star for me. I found the magic system explanation, the world building etc to be somewhat confusing or not developed enough. I truly struggled to stay engaged. Because I truly do appreciate the work that the author and publisher put into this publication,.I will only be submitting this 2 star review here on netgalley and refrain from posting such a negative review on bookseller sites. (Unless of course, netgallt requires it.) It.was not a.good read for me, but.it could be someone else's perfect cup of tea.

MISS SOTO!! JULIE!!! Can I call you Julie? GIIIIIRRRRLLLLL!!!! This book was FANTASTIC and I’m SO MAD AT YOU because that cliffhanger had me GAGGED!! And I can’t believe I have to wait WHO KNOWS HOW LONG until the next book comes out!!

Brb crying 😭

The sexual tension was unreal, the pining and yearning was making me melt, and I can’t believe you had us wait until 95% for Briony and Toven to FINALLY KISS! The slow burn was slowwww burningggg. Mariana Zapata who?

Rose in Chains was so different from everything else of yours I read. Girl, bestie (can we please be besties?), you are truly so talented. I’m in absolute awe of you. I already knew you were an auto-buy author for me, but now it is absolutely confirmed. If you write it, I will read it.

Next stop: reading The Auction

UPDATE:
I read the auction AND I listened to the audioARC, and let me just say that this book is as good, IF NOT BETTER, the second time around! WOW, The Auction and Rose in Chains are so different, and I loved trying to pinpoint all of the similarities. MY ONLY COMPLAINT:
I can’t believe I have to wait to continue the series 😭 the best part about reading The Auction after finishing Rose in Chains the first time around is that The Auction is completed and it didn’t leave me hanging.

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), Hachette Audio, and (of course) to Julie Soto herself for this eARC/audioARC. This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and it did NOT disappoint.

The good parts of this book to me were I like how the author adapted certain elements from the original fanfiction, mainly the heartsprings component and also the overt misogyny the women in this story are facing because they gave real stakes to the plot.

5/5 ⭐️
Rose in Chains is a dark romantic fantasy that follows Briony, a princess and sister to the King, her twin. After an attack from Bomard her brother is announced dead. She is captured and auctioned off to the highest bidder, who is Toven, a long time infatuation of hers but also a high ranking Bomardsun.

I heard Harry Potter, and instantly this. The world building was dark and immersive. The magic in the world awesome. Listening to the audiobook was amazing with the narration being 3rd POV, it still managed to create a dark vibe undertone to help the reader immerse into the story.

We are left with a cliffhanger, but this trilogy is on course for being pretty great.

If you enjoy dark fantasy and a mysterious MMC, ! I'd highly recommend the audiobook as well to get fully immersed in the story!

Thank you Netgalley and Hachette Audio for the opportunity to listen to this ALC!

Rose in Chains is a dark, captivating romantasy that hooked me from the very first page. The premise is gripping—what happens after the war is lost, the chosen hero is gone, and the enemy has claimed victory? Briony Rosewood’s journey from captive to reluctant player in her captor’s world is filled with tension, forbidden attraction, and the kind of morally gray dynamics romantasy fans love.

The worldbuilding is rich, with its sharp contrasts between Mind Magic and Heart Magic, and the politics of power and survival keep the stakes high. The chemistry between Briony and Toven is electric, layered with danger, desire, and betrayal, making their relationship impossible to look away from.

That said, the pacing lingers in places, and a few side characters felt underdeveloped compared to the lush central romance. Still, the gorgeous edition alone makes this book a treasure for collectors, and the story is a perfect blend of darkness, fantasy, and slow-burn obsession.

A stunning start to what promises to be a heart-wrenching and addictive series—I can’t wait to see where Briony’s story goes next.

Thank you NetGalley for the ALC copy of this book.

Unfortunately, after finding out that it was originally a Dramione fanfiction, it really took me out of the story. I couldn’t get into the plot or the romance, and as someone who doesn’t support bringing more attention to HP, which is essentially the inspiration behind this story, I can’t recommend it. Please know that my rating reflects not only the fact that I couldn’t enjoy the story, but also my personal feelings on the inspiration behind the book, so take that how you will.

This book has such a unique magic system and political structure that is complicated but easy to follow and understand. Told only from the FMC’s POV, this book takes you through the sudden death of her brother, her being sold to a family she knew from school and the ensuing adventure.

Briony and Toven’s story remains unfinished at the end of this book but I am looking forward to more from them!

I’ve been so excited waiting for this book but once I receive to arc I wasn’t in the mood so I waited for the perfect time and I’m so glad I did. This was so fun well fun in a kinda traumatising way and the audio narration was so good.

Writing this review is tough because I really wanted to love this book. It was one of my most anticipated releases—especially as someone who read and enjoyed the original fanfiction years ago. Unfortunately, Rose in Chains ended up being a major disappointment for me.

The story started strong, throwing you right into the action, and I appreciated the fast-paced opening. But as the plot progressed, the momentum quickly faded. I found myself reluctant to keep reading, as it felt like the story was dragging without much actually happening for the majority of the book. Around 70% of it felt stagnant, with little substance to hold my interest.

A Mixed Bag of Darkness and Desire.

Rose in Chain by Julie Soto delivers a dark fantasy romance with a unique narrative structure set against a dystopian backdrop. The story, told through alternating past and present timelines, is one of its strongest aspects. This non-linear approach effectively builds suspense and adds depth, slowly unraveling the complex history between the two main characters, Briony Rosewood and Toven Hearst.
At its core, the novel explores a love story challenged by political complexities, where Briony and Toven are drawn to each other despite their difficult circumstances as members of two different kingdoms. Toven's character is particularly complex; while his actions can seem cruel or "bully-like" on the surface, this is revealed to be a defensive facade. He hides his true feelings to protect Briony from political threats and the inherent dangers of their relationship. However, this protective-yet-distant behavior can still be frustrating, as can Briony's relentless focus on him, which at times overshadows her own personal journey.
The world-building is both grim and fascinating. A central element of this dystopian society is a magic system where women are "auctioned" and subjected to abhorrent treatment. This disturbing premise adds a layer of darkness to the story, highlighting the harsh realities of their world and the high stakes of Briony and Toven's relationship.
For those who listen to audiobooks, the experience of Rose in Chain is elevated by the narrator's exceptional performance. The narrator brings the story to life with vivid emotion and flawless delivery, turning every scene into a cinematic experience. The performance alone is a testament to the power of a good voice actor and is a major highlight of this book.
Overall, while the characters and their frustrating dynamic prevent it from being a masterpiece, Rose in Chain is a compelling story with a solid plot and writing style that's worth a read—or, even better, a listen. It offers a glimpse into a dark, dystopian world filled with forbidden love, political intrigue, and difficult truths. I would rate it a 3 out of 5 stars.

I absolutely adored this audiobook!! It was incredibly well done and I think the voices were perfect. I was enthralled with this world and found all the details to be perfect in helping me visualize what the characters were doing and experiencing. I think the magic system and hierarchy was so interesting and I hope it will be more important as the series continues. AND THE TWIST AT THE END! I was shocked and so excited!! Highly recommend. The audio was so good I had to immediately get a physical book shelf trophy as well!

This audiobook was amazing! The story was like Hermione and Draco top-tier romance. There was darkness, banter, history, magic systems, and friendships. I absolutely adored this audiobook and the story!

3.75 Stars!!

Rose in Chains is a captivating, fast-paced read. The world-building in this book is particularly impressive; it introduces a magical world that’s both accessible and engaging, without overwhelming the reader with extra details. While the fantasy elements are rich and immersive, they’re not so heavy that it makes the story difficult to follow. This balance makes it an excellent choice for fans of both fantasy and romance alike.

One of the standout aspects of this book is the character Toven. He’s everything you want in a hero—strong, fiercely protective, and yet deeply compassionate. The way he cares for those around him, especially his emotional vulnerability when it comes to the people he loves, adds a layer of depth to his character.

The romance in Rose in Chains is another highlight. The tension between the two main characters is palpable and expertly built throughout the book. It’s clear that the attraction is more than just physical—there’s an emotional connection that grows naturally.

A side from the romance, the plot has intrigue, mystery, and political tension woven throughout, giving the book an exciting pace that kept me hooked from start to finish. The stakes are high, and while the romance between the leads is central to the story, the larger conflict adds depth to the narrative and makes the world feel more alive.

In conclusion, Rose in Chains is an addictive and well-crafted novel that balances romance, magic, and adventure beautifully. If you’re a fan of romantasy, this book should definitely be on your radar. While it’s not without its flaws, it’s a compelling read with a strong emotional core and a plot that will keep you on your toes. I’m already looking forward to book two!

Rose in Chains throws you into the action as the Evermore kingdom has been overthrown by a rival kingdom and its people are sold off as slaves to the highest bidder. Soto doesn’t hold back from the heavy topics as Briony, former princess of Evermore, must navigate her new life as the slave of her crush from school.

While this novel starts off quite confusing as you’re thrown into the middle of the story, as it progresses through the dual timelines it becomes easier to follow. It was an interesting take on the magic system by connecting it to the body through mind and heart magic. I also found it interesting learning about it alongside the characters and felt that it was explained clearly. However, the worldbuilding needed to be explained further and I was lost on the politics and the extensive cast of characters. I also found the writing to be very repetitive in places, it could have been more concise while still being clear.

Briony unfortunately was an unlikable protagonist; despite having so much magical power, she could never really fend for herself and always had to be told what to do, whether by Toven or another character. The slow burn romance with Toven was great and I really enjoyed the tension between them. The dual timeliness between past and present really helped with exploring their past and grasping the depth of their relationship.

Ella Lynch did a great job with the narration and her voice perfectly suited the high society aristocratic vibe of the characters.

Thank you NetGalley for the ALC!

As I was listening I thought to myself this is seeming very HP/fan fic Manacled. I had no idea it was based on the fan fic for The Auction. An honor to be able to listen to the audio but I waaant to say I enjoyed the fan fic more and I think this may have been a book I’d be more interested in actually reading vs listening to. I’ll probably try listening again after reading so that I can compare where the disconnect was for me.

A vibes read/listen.

“The war is over, the dark forces have won, and the hero who was supposed to save them is dead. “

WOW !! This was an incredible story , the writing was amazing and the narration was also just as good. I normally don’t read fantasy books but this was the exception 100%. I highly recommend to pick up.

This was such a solid dark fantasy romance, and the audiobook experience made it even more immersive. The narration was fantastic—the voices fit the tone of the story perfectly and really brought the characters to life. I found myself completely absorbed in the darker elements, which were written and delivered with just the right intensity.

The pacing was good overall, though it did lose a little momentum in parts, which kept it from being a five-star read for me. That said, the atmosphere and heavy, dark romance vibe carried the story beautifully, and I still very much enjoyed the journey.

If you’re looking for a dark fantasy romance that leans into the darker side of the genre, Rose and Chains is a strong recommendation—especially in audio format.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you so much Hachette Audio and Netgalley for accepting my request to read and review Rose in Chains!

This was my most anticipated read of all of 2025, and I was so excited to get accepted to listen to the audiobook!

While this book does have an incredible writing style, and definitely kept me intrigued and pining for the slow burn to come to fruition, I felt this book struggled with pacing and ultimately didn't make the most of the setting and the existence of magic, nor make the most of the chemistry between the main characters Briony and Toven.

I definitely really enjoyed (I'm not sure else to word this) the darker elements of this book. I myself read a lot of dark romance, but also dark fantasy, and I have seen some reviewers critique this, but for me it only heightened my experience reading the book to feel the fear Briony and the other women have in this world.

I was a little bit disappointed in the world building in this book, specifically surrounding what the world at whole is like not just the territories covered, and also, at the lack of the world/magic being the heart of the story. For an ex Harry Potter fanfiction, I had thought there would be more epic uses of magic and spells and witchcraft etc. Instead, we were fairly limited to some mind magic and bond related magic and little else. I feel this could have elevated the story since a lot of the book is about people literally buying other magic users for their magic.

What I did struggle with was the pacing and for a book highly advertised as being enemies to lovers and spicy, I found there wasn't much 'lovers' or spice. It felt like running a marathon only to quit right before the finish line. I love me a good slow burn, but for their to be a burn at all there must be a spark and it was looking dim by the end. In saying that, this book was also HEAVILY advertised as a hardcore ENEMIES to lovers, and yet I didn't really feel like Toven was the bad guy at any point. I am very much so excited to read book two, but I just wish we got a liiiitle bit *more*.

That seems to be my overall thoughts on this book, I enjoyed it, but it left me wanting just a bit more. With small adjustments I feel this book could go from a 3.75ish to a 5 for me. Maybe my expectations being too high was the problem.

Julie Soto is not a new author to me; each book that I’ve read from her so far (2 before this one) have been bangers, and this one was no exception. What impresses me most about Julie Soto is her ability to deliver an amazing story, no matter the genre.

I was thoroughly impressed by Rose in Chains! I know there was a lot of discourse around this book, given what inspired the original story. I can confidently say, this book stands so well all on its own. If I were a reader going into this with no prior knowledge of what it was originally tied to, I would not have guessed at all. I also think that it isn’t necessary to understand said series to be able to enjoy and understand this.

Knowing that this book would touch on darker topics, I was a little hesitant to start this, especially as an audiobook, which can immerse you more in the book. It did not get nearly as dark as I thought it might, but I would still say check your trigger warnings, because there are some heavy topics.

I felt like the magic system was simple enough that I didn’t feel confused when it was explained, but complex enough that there was still a lot to learn about it, even by the end of the book. I liked the concept of two different types of magicians and how they impacted what someone could and could not do. It created the power dynamic and superiority present in the book. The exploration of the magic system was really cool to me, and I am excited to see how it continues to develop in the next books.

The development of the plot kept me hooked to know what would happen next. There are quite a few storylines to keep up with, but I felt like they were easy to follow. The POV at the end blew my mind, and I look forward to seeing where that goes.

This book was a SLOW BURN. Maybe the slowest I’ve ever read, but it wasn’t in a frustrating way. I don’t think I’ve read something that developed as slowly as this does, but it works for this book. I liked being able to see into Briony and Toven’s past as well, to see how they developed independently and interdependently. Anything but a slow burn for this situation would have been unrealistic and probably would have just annoyed me.

Rose in Chains is a great introduction to a new world, and I felt like it laid the groundwork well. I am so excited to see how this story develops!