I cried, I laughed, I actually screamed with anger at one point. TOP tier Romantasy 🤌
🌶️
Everything about this story is so incredibly detailed. The magic system, the romantic backstory, the politicking!! I really like the mind and heart magic, I haven’t read a book yet with that sort of magic system. MOST surprising though is how much I genuinely LOVE this book and the love interests kept their pants on the whole time 😂 I have never lived for a light brushing of hands the way I did reading this 💀 the slow burn and TENSION! My goodness the TENSION!
There’s dragons, complex magic, familiars, dark themes (check those warnings!) and the narrator for this audio?! 😮‍💨
Ella Lynch has such a light, lilting voice, it reminds me of listening to Emma Watson speak, which is super appropriate with how Dramione coded this book is. She perfectly portrayed the devastation and constant worry Briony has to live with, and the tortured discipline vibes Toven gives off.
You will love this book. Period. It’s the first in a trilogy and I will be BEGGING Hachette audio for future ALCs. Even though I know anyone that reads this will love it regardless, here’s some tropes to look forward to:

⛓️ Captive/Captor
⛓️ Forced proximity
⛓️ Forbidden magic
⛓️ Slooooow burn
⛓️ Hidden feelings

Thank you Hachette audio for this ALC in exchange for an honest review!

I have never read a Dramione fanfiction before, and so when I saw this as an option to ARC read on NetGalley, I ran at the opportunity. I’ve heard glowing reviews of Julie Soto’s writing in the past, so I was stoked to get the audiobook ARC. Just as I expected, Julie Soto is a masterful author. Despite this being her first fantasy novel, she does a great job with the world building. While I see glimpses of the Harry Potter world within its characters, the world building and plot are wholly hers.

Admittedly, this book was slow pace in the middle. While so much happened in the beginning and end, I didn’t get much action in the middle. The middle was building to the moments that will happen at the end of the book & the rest of the series, so it was vital but slow.

Also, I think Briony & Toven didn’t feel like 25 year old’s. Briony being dense about Toven’s feelings & Toven running if she so much as touched him felt more like the skittishness of teenagers. I kept picturing Briony & Toven around 19 although the book continually told me they were older. I enjoyed the moments between them though, especially the “practice” when they went into each other’s minds.

This is a book series I have ever intention of continuing. The side characters, particularly the females (i.e. Laressa, Serena, the strawberry blonde girl, & Cordelia), have captured my fascination. This is a book not only about love but about female empowerment when the world tries desperately to bring you down.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hatchette Audio for the ALC!

If you know me you know how much I have been anticipating this release! I loved The Auction SO much, and I loved this just the same <3

The plot does read exactly like The Auction, but with enough changes to make it it’s own masterpiece, which I was anticipating and honestly enjoyed. The romance plot is EVERYTHINGGGGG!! Incredible tension, angst, and slow burn. I am foaming at the mouth for more!!! The world building was a bitt lackluster but honestly I don’t even care. It was interesting enough to engage me and I wasn’t confused about what was going on.

I was really anticipating how she was going to create that history that exists between the FMC and the MMC that is a given in the fanfic. The use of dual timelines and flashback scenes was PERFECT and I didn’t feel that Toven and Briony lacked any depth and it was believable.

If you enjoy high fantasy with intricate magic systems and politically rich world building and don’t care so much about romance, this may not be for you honestly. If you love DARK romance, slow burn, and low level fantasy/romantasy, I think you’d absolutely love this. Please check CW/TW that have been provided by Julie and the publisher before reading!

Great narration by Ella Lynch. Her soothing voice brought a calm, yet enthusiastic, life to this story. I didn't notice any gaps in the recording or any glitches in volume (like is sometimes heard when a re-recorded area is spliced in). Her male voices early on were a bit difficult to differentiate, but there were also so many characters at that point that trying to keep them all straight in my head was more likely the problem. Once it was just a handful of characters, her different voices were clear and well done.

I also noticed that when the book was completed that my final display read 102.8%. I'm sure this is some technical glitch that can be sorted out.

I read this story as it came out chapter by chapter as fanfiction and I'm fascinated by the bits that stayed the same and those that were (for copyright reasons I assume) changed. I'm incredibly eager for the sequel and hope to get it as an audiobook ARC as well.

Absolutely love this book! I am a huge fan of Julie Soto and her writing. I loved the auction and was pleased to see that so much of the story remained but also loved the changes and how it had been adapted. It felt unique and a story of its own.
One of my favourite books of the year!
The narrator was perfect, I felt like she captured Briony perfectly and it was engaging to listen to.
Cant wait to read the next part of the story!

Great audiobook, loved the story, had me hooked from the start. Can wait for the next instalment because that ending was too good. The characters are so well portrayed.

Clear your calendar, because this book is here to delightfully derail your entire weekend!

Having not read The Auction, or anything by Julie Soto before, my expectations were utterly surpassed. This is a dark fantasy that just enchants with morally gray, complex characters, and world-building that totally sucked me in. And the mutual pining between our MCs? Oh, it was delicious.(iykyk) If you live for a slow burn in a dark fantasy setting, you absolutely need to add this to your TBR immediately!

The audiobook experience was fantastic. Ella Lynch's narration was spot-on, perfectly capturing both Briony and Toven!

This opener is a must-read, but please, do check the trigger warnings beforehand. Some themes could be quite difficult if you're not prepared!

Thank you to Netgalley, Forever, and Hachette Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for the ALC. Some spoilers ahead so proceed with caution!!!!

As a lover of fantasy, and Julie Soto books, I was very skeptic as to whether or not the book will live up to the hype that was given to the original fanfic, as I never read the fanfic myself. I am here to say that with the full rewrite, and the new magic system and world, I had the most wonderful time reading this book.

This book follows Briony Rosewood, the princess of Eversun. The Eversuns (who practice mind magic) are at war with the Bomardi (who practice heart magic), and her twin brother Rory, destined to be king and the Heir Twice Over that has been prophesized, and the Bomardi wish to ban mind magic and imprison the Eversuns and use them as conduits for their magic. Toven Hearst, the tall silver haired Bomardi, always has his eyes set on the most valuable thing in the room, and that would be Briony Rosewood.

After the war is lost, the new ruler Veronika Mallow wants to end the Rosewood line, and ensure that the prophecy of the Heir Twice Over never comes to light. And Briony's imprisonment under the Hearst family without her magic not only bears a threat to her life, but the existence of her entire people and loved ones. But there's something more to the Hearst's that they hide, and Briony wants to know why they wanted her specifically, with Orion Hearst being one of the most dangerous men in existence, and Toven being his heir.

The book's magic system was very easy to understand and grasp, while also understanding the politics and world that the author built easily. I very much appreciated that I did not think of the fanfic or the Series That Must Not Be Named to compare to in any way. It very much felt like its own original work and I very much enjoyed the suspense and mystery in the story, while also picking up on clues to guess where the series will be taking us. The book does end on a cliffhanger, and I felt all kinds of emotions when I finished it, and definitely cannot wait to read the next one!

Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 5/5
World Building: 4/5
Romance: 4/5
Spice: 3 chilis

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

I absolutely loved this audiobook! I was captivated from the very beginning. The narration was perfect! I cannot wait to see how the remainder of the story plays out. Julie Soto does such a wonderful job at character development and storylines.

With all of the current controversy surrounding this title, I don't feel comfortable platforming this book publicly. I do enjoy Julie Soto's writing and have read this book, along with the original fanfic of which this was based upon. It was interesting to see the changes made to this work to turn it into something original. Despite this story's origins in fanfiction, Julie Soto is a talented writer and should continue to publish original works. The narrator was also very enjoyable in the audio version of this book.

This slow burn enemies to lovers is gripping in its tale of survival in a world turned upside down. The story unfolds between flashbacks and the present time. I loved the dynamics between Briony and Toven as they dance around each other and their undeniable feelings. A great romantasy to read this year as I’m sure many will be talking about it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for the ALC of Rose in Chains!

First of all, this book is DARK. definitely one for the dark romance girlies! I was familiar with the premise of The Auction so I knew Briony was to be sold but the themes of human trafficking and sexual assault are sustained throughout. The predicament of the 'Barlow girls' was particularly upsetting. I recommend anyone check trigger warnings before picking up this book.

What I liked:
I really liked the magic system in this book - heart magic and mind magic, made stronger when bonded to a person you love, made stronger still with someone you are intimate with (this has the potential to be SO HOT in future books). I also loved that the characters are a bit older - 25, rather than teenagers. I also LOVED the ending - that twist in the epilogue! I would have NEVER seen that coming and it is sooooo juicy!

What didn't work for me:
I didn't really believe the relationship between Briony and Toven, there wasn't enough of a chink in Toven's armour to make Briony's affection believable. For me, it seems like a sad case of Stockholm syndrome. I think the flashbacks were supposed to support the believability of Briony's affections but they fell a bit flat.

Audio thoughts
I think this audio worked really well. The narration is good and I was compelled to keep listening throughout. Ella Lynch did a great job of both voices for Briony and Toven - Toven definitely sounded sexy!

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5 stars)
Thank you to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for the early ALC of Rose in Chains by Julie Soto.

We already know Julie Soto can write an absolute banger, and the audiobook brought the story to a whole other level!!! The narrator was phenomenal!!! Her Toven Hearst voice *nods furiously*. Genuinely felt like there were two narrators! Ella kept me immersed in the story. Absolutely magical!

Thank you Hackett Audio for my ALC!

5/5 stars is not enough credit to give this book! The audiobook narration was wonderful and helped me to feel very immersed in the storyline.

The world building in this first book is fantastic. Two worlds of magicians - Evermore & The Bombard have lived in peace for many years. The people of Evermore, known for their mind magic hold twins born to the King, Rory & Briony Rosewood. The people of Bombard have a hierarchy system much different than Evermore - there is a line of 10 whom can inherit or be given their seat to Bombard. Veronika Mallow quickly rises to the Seat of Bombard and upsets the calm that was known to these people.

I cannot wait until the next book! Thank you to Hatchet Audio and NetGalley for the AL.C

From the moment I pressed play, I was hooked. Rose in Chains is not just a fantasy romance, it’s a full-body experience. Julie Soto has taken the bones of her beloved Dramione fanfic The Auction and transformed it into a gorgeously flushed-out new world with a unique and complex magic system that truly makes this story stand on its own. It’s original, immersive, and addictive in all the best ways.

This book has everything: a perfect enemies-to-lovers arc, torturous slow burn, mutual pining that’ll make your chest ache, and the kind of forced proximity that leaves you screaming internally. Set across a dual timeline that’s expertly woven, each shift in time adds more depth, tension, and heartbreak. It’s clever, emotionally charged, and endlessly compelling.

And let’s talk about the audio. Ella Lynch absolutely crushed this narration. Her performance brought every character to life with nuance, passion, and intensity. She captured the angst, the longing, the quiet devastation, and the simmering tension so flawlessly, it felt like I was living inside the story. Truly is a captivating audiobook experience!

Whether you’re a longtime fan of the original fic or a newcomer to Soto’s work, Rose in Chains is a must. It’s a story that owns every inch of its fantasy roots while delivering an emotional gut punch that will stay with you long after it ends.

Thank you Hachette Audio and Forever for the ALC

If you love morally gray love interests, enemies-to-lovers tension, complicated magic systems, and slow burns that hurt, this book is for you. Briony Rosewood is a heroine worth following anywhere, and I’ll be counting down the days until the sequel hits my shelves!

I received an Advance Listening Copy (ALC) of Rose in Chains from Hachette Audio, and I’m so glad I did because the narration by Ella Lynch is seriously phenomenal!

Rose in Chains is heartbreakingly beautiful, a punch to the gut, and utterly unique.

Before reading checklist:
⬜️ box of tissues
⬜️ shatter proof kindle case/book cover
⬜️ schedule next therapy appointment
⬜️ water bottle
⬜️ a dog/cat for comfort (you may use a pillow if you have allergies)

Julie Soto is a force to be reckoned with. Give the woman any genre and she'll create something magical. I swear she is a mind magician, herself. Just go ahead and preemptively schedule your next therapy appointment--trust me.

🥀 dark themes
🥀 the slowest burn that ever burned
🥀 secret childhood crush(es)
🥀 hurt-help
🥀 political intrigue
🥀 complex world building
🥀 a prophecy
🥀 unique magic system
🥀 forced proximity
🥀 mutual pining
🥀 "her mouth is mine...you will not touch her..."
🥀 plot twists no one will see coming
🥀 dual timeline

I love everything Julie Soto writes and Rose in Chains just jumped to the top of every chart I use to rank books. Rose in Chains took me (what felt like) forever to read simply because I did not want it to end. I have never read characters like Briony and Toven. Julie's characters are unique, intense, and dynamic. Each moment of this plot had a purpose that drove the characters onto a trajectory that was both surprising and heart-wrenching. The writing was flawless, witty, inspiring, and full of allusions (AO3 girlies, iykyk).

Briony and Toven are on opposing sides of a magical war–a war where mind magic is forbidden and heart magicians use familiars to focus their magical powers. This is a world where disobeying the most powerful mage means painful death. In this waters-forsaken dystopia, Soto provides a detailed retelling of history through dual timeline chapters where readers learn the context for Briony and Toven's complex history--that from students of magic to adults of a war-torn society.

As for the characters, each one was uniquely developed and complex in their own right. Briony is more powerful than she lets on, Toven is more righteous, Serena is layered with secrets...the list could go on. However, for fear of spoiling, I will stop there.

In reading Rose in Chains, be prepared for anything. You will fall in love while, simultaneously, your heart shatters. Give yourself time to grieve and process the lives of these characters.

I will likely add to this review once I am more composed and have had time to process. This book will be an instant classic and talked about for ages. Masochist or not, I don't think there is a soul who will read RIC and wish they hadn't.

*****Audiobook Review:
Ella Lynch gave her ALL in this performance! They brought these characters to life with and it was exactly what I needed after my book hangover from reading the arc. Ella's narration style is unmatched--she was clear, easy to follow, and kept me hooked from the beginning. I can listen to this audiobook over and over again and not get tired of it.

Thank you to Hatchett Audio and Forever for an ALC of Rose in Chains! You spoil me! 💜

Where do I even start with this book… after loving The Auction I knew this book was going to be magnificent and it did not disappoint. Julie Soto has created a whole new fantasy world without losing what was the essence of The Auction.

Briony and Toven ooze Dramione tension and passion, and the heartache of the whole story is still just as agonising.

The world and magic system is fully fleshed out and feels new and unique to me. The rival kingdom have their own ways to perform magic and both sides feel theirs is the more elite and the others are somehow against them (those who perform heart magic can take magic from others and those who perform mind magic are believed to be able to read minds)

The politics are also clear and easy to follow without too many confusing attributes. It’s easy to see how the war came about and why both sides fight.

As the first book in a new series there is a lot of world building and lots of characters to remember, but once it gets going everything slots into place with flashbacks to help along the way.

You definitely don’t need to have read The Auction to enjoy this, but I do think I was able to keep track of the characters more easily having something to relate them too.

And that ending has me chomping at the bit for book 2!!!

Plus the narration!? Perfection. Ella Lynch has such a lovely calming voice that fits Briony perfectly and her voice changes for the other characters are diverse enough to tell but they don’t take you out of the story when they happen.
And I LOVE that they’ve kept their English accents! As an English reader that was really important to me!!

This book BROUGHT ME BACK to goodreads and booktube after months away due to a particularly bad book killing my love for reading, and I immediately went and preordered a special edition. I'm not a harry potter fan and never have been, but I love Julie Soto and I trust her writing. This may be one of my favourites of the year. 5/5 easily.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook of The Rose in Chains by Julie Soto. This was my first 5-star read of July 2025, and I absolutely loved it!

The story was gripping from the start,fast paced, full of twists and turns, and incredibly well written. Julie Soto has crafted a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat, and I was completely hooked throughout.

I had the privilege of listening to the audiobook early, and I have to say, the narrator was absolutely perfect for this story. She brought the characters to life so vividly and added even more depth to the emotional moments.

Please be sure to read the content warnings before starting this book. While it’s a phenomenal read, it does get dark at times and touches on some difficult, potentially triggering topics. The story handles them thoughtfully, but it's important to be prepared.

Overall, this was a powerful and unforgettable read/listen that I’ll be recommending to others. Thank you again, NetGalley!