I have been a huge fan of Julie Soto since she was writing fanfiction on AO3, I am so thrilled to have an ALC of Rose in Chains. This book lived up to and surpassed all of the hope I had for it, I am so excited for the rest of the trilogy.

I really enjoy Julie Soto writing.
I didn't read the fan fiction or any of HP before the book. And you don't need to know anything before picking up "Rose in chains". The book starts a little slow but that's good so you can enter the story.
I liked the main and side characters, and the story.
The only thing I didn't vibe with was all the time jumping, but I understand why it's done.
Ella Lynch did amazing job with the narration of the book.

Can't wait for the second book.

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ALC

I went into this semi-blindly, I knew it was based on Soto’s Dramione FanFic “The Auction” but other than that i didn’t know anything else.

I was expecting enemies to lovers, however i found it to be more of a forbidden love which I'm not mad about. And the slow burn, I really enjoyed it. The master/slave dynamic was written well, and the yearning really hit the spot. Delicious!

The narrator was great. Her voice fit Briony perfectly and was easy to follow. I felt like I could really get a sense of the characters emotions through her narration. My only slight gripe was that we had indication of going back in time but no “present day” when the timeline jumped forward again. That’s probably more a me issue than the audio but when listening I’d suddenly be transported and it would take me a minute to realise where we were in the timeline.

Part two felt a little slow in parts, but part three really picked up and kept me hooked all the way to that cliffhanger!

That said, I loved the unique magic system based around the heart and mind, being able to give (or take) magic and their familiars. I do wish we got more of the familiars, so I’m hoping we get more of that aspect in the next book!

Thank you to Julie Soto and Hachette Audio for the ARC via NetGalley.

I literally have no words 😳. That was a 6 star book and I am DESPERATE for more!!! It could have been double the length and I would still be asking for more!!! I loved this so much and was hooked very quickly. I read an advanced listening copy and the narration was spectacular! I have never listened to anything narrated by Ella Lynch, but now I have to see if she has narrated anything else so I can go read it! She did different accents/voices for each character, so they were very easy to tell apart. There was so much EMOTION in her narration, which made the situations seem more real. The only critique I noticed was audible gasps of breath between words or sentences that were distracting at first but over time were easy to ignore because I was absorbed in the story.

This was my first proper dark romance and this was definitely DARK. Please check your triggers if you have any because this is not for the faint of heart. The romance itself between our two main characters isn’t dark, but the story as a whole and the situations that characters are forced to endure, are. This story is told in present day after the war has been fought and won by the dark side and then it flashes back to different moments in Briony’s life before the war started. These flashes back sequences were crucial in providing you with relevant information about our two main characters, as well as events or people that are important in present day.

This was the slowest of slow burns and I was LIVING FOR IT😍😍😍😍. There were so many moments reading this where I was gasping, kicking my feet, or grinning like an idiot!! I love Briony and Toven with my whole heart and cannot wait to see what happens with them in book two (we are getting a book two right??!!).

This book. Wow. I love it, ate it up! I knew this was originally a Dramione fanfic - but it was so much more! It left all the things I loved about Hermione and made Briony a full fledged character of her own. That being said though - this one is for my dark romance book besties for sure. There is a content warning blurb in the beginning of the book and I appreciated that so much - but I somehow still did not expect it to get as dark as it did at times. Just to list out this as trigger warnings:
- Explicit Sexual Content (1.5 - 2 chili peppers).
- Scenes with Gore & Violence (several).
- Sexual Assault of a POV character.
- Non-consenual sex is referred to (a lot).
- Buying & selling of humans into captivity (core theme through out).
- Master/Slave dynamic.
- Forced Sterilization (multiple).
- Death of minor characters.
- Torture (mental and physical).

What you will also find in this book:
- Briony’s POV in 3rd Person
- Slow Burn/Yearning
- Rival Kingdoms
- Political Intrigue & Power Imbalances
- Unique Magic System
- Magical Bonds - Human/Human & also Human/Familiar
- Magical Library (the way to a librarian’s heart)

- She’s inexperienced and he teaches her.
- She calls him master.
- He feeds her.
- He tells her he’ll call her a good girl.

All of that being said, I absolutely loved this book and the characters so much. Briony is bookish in the best ways - she believes all the answers to everything can be found in the library. The MMC (Tovin) can also be found looking for answers in the library throughout the book as well. There was definitely some great banter between the FMC & MMC, but it did take quite a deal to get there. The first 40% was spent world building and getting the characters in the same space. Deeply dark in that 40%, but the banter picks up from there.

I would not personally call this enemies to lovers. While they live within opposing kingdoms, they were forced to go to school together and there never seemed to be much hate between them to me. You get several flash backs and I don’t believe they hated one another - they were not close, lived on opposing sides, and teased one another. They both do seem to struggle with their feelings for one another - Tovin especially. Hoping for some of the payoff for it in the next book!!

I found the magic system in the book extremely fascinating. Mind magic is a huge plot device because it makes everything that they say/do/think/learn a secret that could be taken from them. I also found the idea of bonds between humans sharing magic and also bonding to familiars very interesting! Especially towards the end (no spoilers).

I listened to the audiobook and have to give a special shoutout to the voice actor - Ella Lynch! She really brought Briony to life for me.

Thank you to Hachette Audio for the ALC!!

I need more now and I cannot wait to see where this series goes!

Favorite Quotes:
“The tattoo or the collar - either or both could be solved with the right book, she knew it.”

“Pages and words and information. Her favorite things.”

“He led her out of the library, and Briony sent one last loving glance over her shoulder.”

“I suppose I’ve never sought anyone who obeys easily.”

“She’s… a jealous creature. We both can be.”

I went into this pretty blind and I have to say it ended up being one of my favorite reads this year. I was lucky enough to receive this as an ARC from Netgalley and Hachette Audio (thank you so much), but I loved it so much I've gone and preordered a physical copy.
The book begins with the end of a war, and our main lead Briony's side being on the losing end of it. Her family's castle is being ransacked, and the opposing faction of Bomard is looking for her, including Toven a high-ranking official in their army whom which she shares a complicated past. Honestly, that's all I'm willing to share about the plot because I think it's best to go in and experience it on your own. I loved not knowing what to expect and found all of the twists and turns this book took to be worth it.
While it is a longer book, there's no portion of it wasted. Flashbacks are pushed in every two to three chapters that help to fill in the gaps of the story, quick mentions of important events, and more insight to who these character are. The world-building that takes place throughout the book is excellent, every scene feels like one you can fully imagine and every character has depth that makes you interested in them. The tension between the two leads of this book reminded me a lot of Keira Knightly and Matthew Macfadyen in the 2000s version of Pride and Prejudice (SO GOOD).
This is a dark romantasy, and the book clearly states the trigger warnings very early on, so please be mindful of that before starting. But if you can handle them, you're in for a really captivating read. I loved this book, and I cannot WAIT for the next one in this series.

This audiobook throws you in with a vengeance, and I was enthralled from the jump. My obsession wasn’t a slow build—it hit like a tidal wave, and I barely survived it.

The war is over. He’s gone. And nothing will ever be the same. Briony Rosewood doesn’t get a moment to grieve. As the princess of Evermore, she must rise in the wake of her brother’s brutal slaying—but her people are overrun before she even has the chance to fight. Escape is her only option… until everything goes black.

Briony wakes up imprisoned, stripped of her magic, and auctioned off—to him. Toven Hearst: her nemesis, the man who’s haunted her thoughts and dreams for years. Now, as a captive in a world where power and politics collide, Briony finds herself surrounded by unexpected opportunities—and dangerous alliances. She must navigate this unfamiliar terrain, uncover who she can truly trust, and fight not just to survive, but to reunite her people and reclaim everything that was stolen from her.

I’ll admit, I went into this with high expectations. Totally fair—Julie Soto is a master. And once again, she delivered. I especially loved how the story dropped us right into the action. The dual timeline was a fantastic surprise, giving us just the right backstory without slowing the pace. It flowed effortlessly.

The worldbuilding was rich and compelling—enough to get my mind spinning with all the possibilities of what’s to come. The pacing was spot-on, the tension delicious, and that cliffhanger? Safe to say, this book hangover might linger for a while.

I truly enjoyed this audiobook. The narrators did a fantastic job bringing the characters and emotions to life. The lot is interesting but I would have enjoyed more information about why the war started and even more information on her twin brother. Briny and Tovin definitely have an attraction to each other that I can't wait to see play out. The cliffhanger ending has me in nots.

DNF at 41%. I don't know what to tell you aside from I have better things to do with my time other than read this. I really wish I didn't know that was HP fan fiction, let alone Dramione fan fic. I might have been able to find a way to enjoy it. But aside from the premise itself being ridiculous, the plot not going anywhere, and knowing that there is apparently nonconsensual sex to look forward to, the whole thing just tastes sour.

I didn’t realize I was reading actual Dramione fanfic until I was about halfway through this read, so that was quite the revelation. But of course once I knew it, I couldn’t *unsee* it.

The FMC’s name is Briony. Like… c’mon Soto. Unfortunately that’s not the only problem I had with our heroine. I liked some of the wit and her banter in conversations, but considering she’s supposed to be highly intelligent, she’s incredibly dense in regards to the Hearst family. There are so many examples throughout the novel of their (mostly) good intentions and yet she ignores all of those signs and we get to hear her whiny inner monologue instead.

The beginning of the book was my favorite. There’s an immediate hook and so much drama and action that pulls you right in. The magical system was interesting, and I didn’t mind the flashbacks to school years that provided additional world building.

But I still have quite a lot of questions on magic. The details outside of general mind-magic and heart-magic are incredibly vague. Are there specific incantations used with specific gestures? Can you use different gestures for the same spell?

Very little happens in the middle to end of the book. Particularly frustrating is how many questions are left completely unanswered. You are truly as in the dark to the general plot and machinations in the world as Briony is, and considering she spends 75% of the book imprisoned, you learn practically nothing, even at the end. (What are Toven’s motivations? Does his parents have the same motivation? Literally any information about the outside rebels is withheld.)

As bleh as Briony was, I really enjoyed some of the side characters. Sammy made me laugh, the few scenes he was included in, so I’m hoping he’s featured more in the rest of the trilogy. Larissa is an intriguing character who you love to hate, but also know she’s going to have a satisfying character arc. I have so many questions about her background.

I listened to the audiobook, but I think I may have enjoyed this more in print. This narrator was not my favorite. She did some of the voices very well (the Hearst parents and Mallow, particularly) but in general her voice is breathy and a bit whiny. Raven, who is supposed to be a truly deplorable character, sounded like a shrill mouse. It just wasn’t for me. This would have been amazing as a duet.

As mixed as my opinions are on this novel, it was very addicting to read. I stayed up past midnight multiple times to finish this so I’m looking forward to the rest of the trilogy. It definitely still gives fanfic vibes - not the best written but it hooks you and makes it difficult to put down.

Thank you to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for the ALC.

Holy. Cow. This is the epitome of an enemies to lovers, slow burn, romantasy book! The pining, the secrets, the MAGIC. 10/10.

Briony + Toven are such beautiful characters in tragic circumstances, and I was immediately taken in by the story. I cannot wait for books two + three to see how this story ends!

Disclaimer: Did this start as HP fanfic? Yes. Do we want to support JKR? No. BUT this is a whole different world and very different characters and has nothing to do with HP/JKR now and JKR makes zero dollars off of this absolute work of art.

Thank you to the author, Hachette Audio, + Forever for my advance copy!

I was very excited for this book. I think the writing is beautifully done however I think the world building could have been more descriptive. This is definitely a book that I needed to eye ball read to get the full effect. There also wasn’t a whole lot going on which is understandable because it is a series so it’s meant to be setting up for the next one, but I feel disappointed because I really was expecting more and I know that’s not fair! I also never got a full enemies to lovers, it felt more closely to Romeo and Juliet, like that there was power struggles with their families! And to me that feel really flat to me! The dual time line also lost me at times. The characters were AMAZING! I loved the heart vs head magic concept. I also can really appreciate that it was not your typical love story!

WOW! I was absolutely thrilled to have a chance to listen to this arc with fantastic narration by Ella Lynch. Julie has created a rich and lovely world in this adaptation. I am a long time fan of the original story and thought that she did a fantastic job slipping in fun easter eggs while also bringing us a gripping new telling. Her characters were well developed as well as the magic system and world within the book. I cannot WAIT for the next installation!

Rose in Chains was as wonderful as I was anticipating it would be! while I loved reading Julie Soto's fanfics, the new world, characters, and magic system Julie has created are perfect. The tension!! Ahh!! So good. I didn't realize it was a trilogy until I was 80% through the the book. With that ending, I'm SO ready for book 2! I received an ARC from NetGalley and Hachette Audio, which I'm so appreciative of. The narrator did a fantastic job. Though, duet narration would have been perfect (maybe for book 2?).

This story felt cruel from start to finish. I could hardly stomach the violence towards women. I do understand this to be a dark romantasy, and I did read the trigger warnings. With that being said, I am coming to understand the genre is not for me what so ever. This review is very bias in regard to me having a hard time with the dark parts.

This is the type of fantasy book that really drops you into the world fast. It was so hard to grasp the concept when it starts with one scene, back tracks, then is back in present time and then there are constant flash backs. I truly wish this could have just been told in current time strictly, but I do understand the need for the back story. As a reader, I struggled with the time line a lot.

The violence towards women…… oh my god. We already live in a world where women’s rights are actively being tripped away from us so this made me SICK. It’s in the trigger warnings, and it happens within the first 20% of the book. I thought perhaps the romance could save this story for me but hell no.

I wish this wasn’t being marketed as a HP fan fic because how in the hell is this even remotely inspired by that world. But also can we please leave the bigoted JKR as far away as possible. Idk. I knew that going in so I cannot be too made about it.

Overall, this truly is a DARK book and there is nothing but violence and if that isn’t your thing please believe that! I thought as Julie Soto is my favorite romance author I could handle this and I simply could not.

The audiobook narration is done beautifully. I loved her voice. I loved the pace.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Infinity Stars
Release Date: July 8th, 2025

I'll be honest—I was hesitant to dive into Rose In Chains at first. Having read other Dramione fanfiction that was too dark for my comfort level, I approached this with some trepidation. But Julie Soto has absolutely outdone herself here, delivering a dark romantic fantasy that gripped me from the very first chapter and refused to let go. This book is a masterclass in enemies-to-lovers storytelling, wrapped in political intrigue and draped in the most deliciously slow burn romance.

The premise immediately sets the stakes sky-high: the war is over, darkness has triumphed, and our hero is dead. What follows is Briony Rosewood's harrowing journey from princess to prisoner, stripped of both her magic and freedom before being auctioned off like property. The world-building is lush and immersive, painting a vivid picture of a realm where hope seems extinguished and survival comes at the highest cost.

Briony's sale to Toven Hearst creates the perfect storm of forced proximity and simmering tension. Soto expertly weaves together past and present timelines, gradually revealing the complex layers beneath both characters while building toward revelations that completely reframe everything you thought you knew. The political intrigue runs deep, with schemes within schemes that kept me guessing until the very end.

Tropes that hit perfectly:
Enemies-to-lovers (chef's kiss perfection)
Forced proximity that crackles with tension
Slow burn that builds to explosive moments
Political intrigue with high stakes
Dual timelines revealing hidden truths
Power dynamics and forbidden attraction
Captive/captor dynamics done thoughtfully
Found family among the most unlikely allies
Morally gray characters you can't help but root for

The audiobook narration by Ella Lynch deserves special recognition. Her performance, particularly her portrayal of Briony, brought such depth and emotion to an already compelling character. Lynch masterfully captured both Briony's vulnerability and her underlying strength, making every moment feel visceral and real.

Soto's writing is both brutal and beautiful, never shying away from the darkness while still allowing moments of tenderness to bloom. The character development is exceptional—watching Briony navigate her new reality while maintaining her core strength, and seeing Toven's layers slowly peel away, makes for an emotionally satisfying journey.

This is romantic fantasy at its finest: complex, morally nuanced, and utterly addictive. While it deals with heavy themes, Soto handles them with care and skill. Rose In Chains will leave you breathless, heartbroken, and desperately wanting more.

Please check trigger warnings before reading, as this book contains mature themes and potentially triggering content.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the listening ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Expected publication: July 8th, 2025

We love a good and darkish romantasy. When Briony’s kingdom falls, Toven purchases her in an auction. Not only were they part of opposing kingdoms, they also went to a magical academy together when they were younger. I love the system of heart vs mind magic and how beautiful it’s all portrayed. Briony’s empathy is her best attribute. I can’t wait for the next parts of this trilogy.

I just realized this is a Dramione fan fiction when I went to leave a review, and I’m even more excited about it. I went in without knowing that and adore it even more.

I have been made aware that this is a Dramione Fan-fiction, and I will not be supporting this or promoting this because I refuse to add to the pipeline of supporting an author who uses her royalties to harm transgender people and minorities. I do not feel comfortable reading this even if all of the fan-fiction elements have been removed. Knowing that this originated as a fan-fiction makes me feel sick to my stomach and is causing me the inability to read it, because I do not support the continued support to HP or anything surrounding the author. Using the previous fan-fiction name and details as a way to market the book seems not only like the author and the publisher does not care about the minority and transgender lives this author has hurt, but also they do not care about the potential copyright issues at hand. Fan-fiction should stay as just that, and should not be traditionally published in large places and put into bookstores around the world. Trans lives > fictional lives.

Rose in Chains by @juliesotowrites
Releases July 8
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I received it as an ALC from NetGalley and @hachetteaudio for an unbiased review.

A prophecy that doesn't come true. Wartime. A princess was auctioned off to the highest bidder. This has a unique magic system: heart vs. mind magic. I got Beauty and the Beast vibes. Also Rose in Chains started as a Draomine fan fict. There are some ruthless and dark scenes so please read the trigger warnings before diving into this. If you like Beauty and the Beast and Draomine fiction, you will love this book.
I love Mrs. Hearst, MMC's mom. She is probably my favorite character. I cannot wait for the next installment.

I did not expect this to be such a complicated story with intense world building! The storyline is complex, and there are A LOT of dark things that happen or are discussed. Definitely check trigger warnings before reading! I enjoyed the story itself, and I am excited to see what happens in the next book. There are a lot of flashbacks to tell the history of the main characters, and it gets a little confusing to keep up with the order of things happening. The narrator did a great job acting out so many different voices and keeping the story entertaining! Thanks to Hachette Audio for an early copy.