Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this advanced copy! You can pick up Rose in Chains on July 8, 2025.

Julie Soto, you could never let me down. Her writing and Ella Lynch's narration captured me IMMEDIATELY, and I was swept away within moments to the fantastical lands of Evermore and Bomard. As someone who read the original source material, I LOVED how Julie built this world and magic system. Heart magic vs mind magic, animal familiars, siphoning magic from human beings. It helped contextualize the auction much better, and the story flowed easily once I found my footing in this new world.

Part of what makes Julie one of my favorite authors is the way she writes her characters and their interactions. Toven and Briony not only had sizzling chemistry throughout the story, but the vulnerable and intimate moments between them also meant a lot to me. I loved the inclusion of flashbacks to their school days and beyond, so we could see the foundation of their connection. This is still a slowburn romance, so while there are hints at spicy moments (and WOO are they spicy), for the most part Toven and Briony are still building a relationship by the end of the book.

Also, this is a huge warning to unsuspecting readers out there, but there are DARK elements to this story. It is still dealing with the forced auctioning of men and women, and the disgusting behavior done to them. Please check the content warnings at the beginning of the book and on Julie's website!

All in all though, this is my new latest obsession. Thank you for feeding me, Julie Soto!

Narrator: Ella Lynch
⏱️16 hrs 1 mins
My Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️
✋ Emojis to describe this book: ⛓️‍💥🪄🐉📚🔥

If you are looking for a dark romantasy where the FMC is strong, smart, and capable this book is for you! Briony may be a princess who is captured but she isn’t just waiting to be rescued.

Probably one of the closest enemies to lovers slooooow burn I’ve ever read. The plot, pacing, world building, and magic systems are done incredibly well. Only a few instances of heavy foreshadowing or repetitive emphasis on important details.

Knowing that it was originally a fanfiction that has been rewritten was distracting for me at first. I spent the first 10% or so looking for the similarities in characters to the original inspiration material and I wish I had not. I think Julie Soto wrote a completely separate world and magic system with a few hints of similar physical descriptions and characteristics. I did not read the original fanfiction so I can’t speak to how much was changed.

I think Ella Lynch was perfectly cast as the narrator. The performance delivered of Briony was exceptional although I didn’t love some of the male voices.

Content Warnings: Slavery, SA, Violence, War, death of family

Thank you to Hachette audio for the gifted copy!

Thank you to Hachette Audio & Netgalley for the ALC.

Admittedly, I don't typically read much romantasy but I've loved all Julie Soto's contemporary novels so had to give this a try. It took a bit for me to feel engrossed into the story, but once it progressed I was hooked.
It was packed full of magic, intrigue, dark themes, and so much tension and yearning. The romance is a slow slow burn, but I'm excited to see what happens with them in future books. It ended on a pretty incomplete note and big cliffhanger.

Loved the narration and felt like she really made each characters individual personality stand out.

Just finished listening to the book, Rose in Chains. This book is about to be released on July 8th. This is a fantasy book about a woman named Briony, she is the princess and her twin brother is the heir to their throne. When her brother goes along with their soldiers to fight in the war but doesn't return, the castle is then swarmed by the enemies who capture everyone in the castle. Briony and everyone who was captured get their magic stolen and are held captive until they are each sold off to the highest bidders. She is sold to a man named Toven, a former classmate she had a crush on when they were kids but his family is known as bad and ruthless with their magic. Now she has to navigate this new home she lives in, new people she lives with, and new life she finds herself in. She finds things aren't always black and white, and there are good people hidden in bad places trying to help. She finds hope, courage, and determination throughout the story. I felt like the story was kind of confusing in the beginning, with all the names and places being thrown out and the world building, it was a lot to absorb right at the start and I wish there would've been a character chart or something to help keep people and their positions straight. There were parts that felt slow, but when the action picked up in the story it definitely got good and I was invested. I just felt like it took a while to get there, but I am eager to see how the story continues after that cliffhanger and epilogue, I feel like it was set up really well for book 2! 💜📚

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for this audio ARC of Rose in Chains, in exchange for an honest review.

From the beginning I became very absorbed into the world in this book. The narrator not only does a great job of setting the scene so you feel like you are a part of the story with the characters but also brings through the character’s emotions well.
I really liked the relationship development between the FMC and MMC as they have tension between them that leads to some interesting interactions.
I liked how their story has a slow burn romance as you appreciate the moments when they can be themselves with each other.
The storyline deals with dark themes but you can’t help but root for the FMC. The high stakes plot had me on the edge of my seat at multiple points in the story.
The ending was great with a teaser for what is to come.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ALC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
*spoilers below*
Thank you to Hachette Book Group and Forever for this ARC. I was anticipating this book for the year and it did not disappoint. The novel is about Briony Rosewood and Toven Hearst and their journey in the book. Briony is part of Evermore as a princess and she is sold into slavery after her brother is killed. In this world the heart magic wielders use slaves as heartsprings to help increase their magic. The book is told in alternating timelines so we see Toven and Briony at school and also in current day. The book is a great start to this new series and I am excited to see what happens next. Briony is afraid of Toven at first because she does not know what is going to happen to her. As she is Toven's slave, she is expected to do certain things for him. In this world there is a lot of focus placed on sex magic as well as the heart and mind magic. The girls who have been sold, some of them have to take a bond with their captor. This is done through sex magic. I will say at times the discussion around the SA and r*pe of these girls got a little too much. The author has put trigger warnings on her website so you can be prepared before going in. I really liked exploring Toven and Briony's growing relationship. We see in the book that Toven really is working to protect Briony from the outside world. The cliffhanger at the end of the book also makes me want to have the second book now. I really enjoyed the narrator for this audiobook. Book is published July 8, 2025. I am also going to see the author at one of her events on July 9, 2025.

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this arc.

I had a lot of fun listening to this. It did take me a little bit to get used to the narrators voice as it is quite breathy but after the first 10% or so it grew on me and I couldn't picture Bryony having any other voice.

The narrator really took me through the emotions and I think this is a pretty emotional book in places.

Definitely one to check the trigger warnings for but it is also very interesting and I would recommend especially as an audiobook.

This book! That ending!! I need book 2 ASAP!

I loved how Briony and Toven’s relationship progressed throughout the story and I’m excited to see what will happen between them in the next few books. With Briony, we had a sense of her feelings pretty early on, but not with Toven. He seems cold, and definitely has a lot of layers, but the details are in the actions and what he does.

I loved the magic system (heart vs mind magic) and although I do wish the author explored it a little bit more, I also get the feeling that we’ll get more information about it during the rest of the series.

I will admit, it took me a little to truly get into the story, but once I did it was hard to put down. I needed answers and I wanted to see what was going to happen next and I wanted to see if my “theories” were correct.

This was my first Julie Soto book, and I can say that it won’t be my last. I am truly excited for the rest of the series. I NEED answers 🤣

If you like Dark Romantasy, I would definitely check this one out.

Please do not forget to check trigger warnings!

🎧 AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
The audiobook is a single narration and I think the narrator did a great job enhancing the story. She was emotive and I never felt like she was monotonous. She made slightly different voices for each character. No mouth noises. No breathing into the mic.

Thank you Julie Soto, Forever Publishing, Hachette Audio, and NetGalley for gifting me the e-ARC and ACL in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Net Galley and Hachette audio for an advanced listening copy!

This IS my new romantasy obsession! Having read Julie Soto’s contemporary romances before, I knew she could do no wrong—but she absolutely nailed this genre. The storyline was gripping from the very start, filled with tension, mystery, and emotional depth that hooked the whole way through.

In the aftermath of the brutal war between the Eversuns and Bomardy, Briony is captured and enslaved by the Bomards—then put up for auction. Her buyer? None other than her long-time school crush, Toven Hurst. Suddenly, she’s isolated in a world ruled by her enemies… and the one person she never expected.

⚠️ Content Warning: This book explores some very dark themes, so definitely check those before diving in.

The romance is serious slow burn—but oh, the longing! The pining between the characters was beautifully done. The story is written in third person and follows Briony’s POV, but somehow, you can still feel every ounce of emotion pouring off Toven. I was so emotionally invested in their dynamic and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to see how it would all unfold.

Just a heads-up: this story ends on an incomplete note and a pretty intense cliffhanger—so be prepared! I will 100% be grabbing the next book the second it comes out.

Ps. With regards to the narration, the performance was great but I personally found the voice to be a little annoying. Maybe she was accurately portraying the characters and it certainly didn't impact on the story so it's definitely just me being picky about on the audio.

Unfortunately I'm not gonna listen to this audiobook anymore. This is not the kind of book I'm fond of, but I think it can be for other readers.

Thank you netgalley for the copy.

I decided to dnf the audiobook because I personally did not enjoy the narration. For some reason I kept disconnecting from the story and spacing out. I decided to dnf and read the book when it comes out! This is just a person preference and I’m still so excited to read the story when it comes out. If you’re someone who isn’t super picky with narration, then I’m sure you will really enjoy this book.

4 ⭐️

I loved the beginning of this book and the ending of the book, but the middle kind of dragged for me.

The middle of the book dragged for me because the pacing felt kind of off. Sometimes weeks pass so quickly in the middle of the pacing, which makes the timing feel off. It might have been better to add more emotion to the weeks that passed when Briony and Tovin wouldn't see one another. Maybe more description of what Briony did during that time would have helped.

I also found Briony to be an annoyingly passive FMC (especially up to about 70%), she never took charge of her fate and just allowed shit to happen to her never taking charge of her future. We are told she is so powerful but she doesn’t come across as powerful but as meek. Briony is also quite naive at times. As the action picked up at around 70% through the story, Briony also became more active in the story and became more likable to me.

With regards to the audiobook specifically, I think it was well produced and I didn't experience any audio issues. I only found the narrator's Tovin voice to be a bit irritating. It was quite haughty and didn't really make me like Tovin more.

Link to my full Goodreads review will be added to this feedback form soon, as I am still working on it.
Thanks for the reading and listening opportunity!

This one kept me HOOKED. The tension, the banter, the yearning! I absolutely loved it and didn't want it to end.

The audio truly brought the story to life. The narrator is so versatile and added to each character’s personality. I don’t think any of the voices for the main or several minor characters sounded the same!

This was kind of like a fever dream because I just read The Auction a couple weeks ago. The backstory and changes made to the story in order for it to be traditionally published I struggled to vibe with at first. I also felt like there was so much room for improvement with The Auction but this didn’t really achieve that for me. The stakes felt much lower. The characters and banter were still quite fun and enjoyable

Unfortunately, I did not like the audiobook narrator because her voice felt very juvenile and a couple of her male voices did not work for me. She also made Briony sound not as smart as I had hoped she would be. I do feel like if I read this one physically I would have enjoyed it more.

Making this one a trilogy is an interesting choice given we all know how the original played out but I have a feeling the next two books will get further away from the fanfic which I think could be a good thing!


Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ALC!

Huge thanks to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for an early Audio copy of Rose in Chains by Julie Soto.


As someone who’s read the entire Rights & Wrongs series; including The Auction; I went into Rose in Chains with high expectations. While it wasn’t perfect, it still delivered so much of what I love about this world. There were moments of brilliance, even if a few structural and character related issues held it back from being a full five star read.

Let’s start with the strengths. The magic system here is fascinating. There’s a fresh twist that feels both inventive and seamlessly woven into the original world. I won’t spoil anything, but the way certain magical things play out had me genuinely surprised. The familiars were another highlight, they added so much charm and depth, and I found myself wishing we got even more of them (seriously, give me more).

Briony, our 25 year old FMC, is undeniably sheltered and naive, which made her frustrating at times, but she has moments of quiet strength that really shine as the story progresses. Toven, on the other hand, is exactly what you’d expect: scheming, often cowardly, and constantly trying (and failing) to stay three steps ahead while hiding his true motives. While his personality occasionally felt predictable, there’s an intriguing tension in his character that kept me hooked.

That said, my biggest struggles were with the flashbacks and the romance. The frequent jumps to the past disrupted the flow of the present narrative, and many of the school scenes didn’t feel necessary. Instead of deepening Toven and Briony’s connection, these flashbacks made their early "relationship" feel forced; like the story was telling me they had history rather than making me feel it. Their dynamic works much better later on, but the foundation wasn’t as convincing as it wanted to be.

Still, the core of story and magic system were strong enough to keep me invested. That last 20% had me on edge, and I loved some of the twists we got! Now I’m just impatient for Book 2.

•Please make sure you check the trigger warnings before picking up a copy of this book as they are 100% needed.

I enjoyed this soooo very much!! It's gripping and compelling and had me wanting more. It is similar to some other stories but it gets fleshed out into its own. I can not wait for the next one!

Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for this gifted ALC.

Rose in Chains by Julie Soto is a beautiful new addition to the romantasy genre. The world-building kept me entertained. I enjoyed the dual timelines because they added so much depth to the characters. This book is definitely on the darker side, so be warned. I recommend checking out the content warning before starting this book. It's also good to know this is the beginning of a trilogy. I need to have the next book so I can see what happens next with Briony and Toven. I enjoyed the audiobook, and I feel Ella Lynch did a good job narrating.

Read this book if you enjoy:
-Dark romantasy
-Unique world building
-Briony is a princess of the fallen kingdom of Evermore.
-Toven is from the powerful and wealthy Bomard family.
-Dual timelines
-Rival kingdoms
-Mind magic x heart magic.
-Briony is purchased at an auction by Toven.
-Morally gray MMC
-Enemies-to-lovers
-SLOW BURN
-Forced proximity
-Touch him/her and die.
-3rd person POV.
-Cliffhanger

No surprise: I loved this!! The moment I found out Julie Soto was THE LovesBitca8 I was frothing at the mouth to read this and I'm so happy to report that it did not disappoint! I thought this was really well re-worked into a traditionally published book and I am already dying for the next book.

This starts off so fast with us being thrown into the end of the war with the villain winning. I loved that we got right into the action and I was immediately sucked in and didn't want to put it down. I think the flashbacks really helped us to understand the past and why we should care about the characters right now, given we don't have all this background like in the fic. I was fully invested. I also thought the magic system was easy to understand.

And then we have Briony & Toven and I loved them!! Gosh you could just feel the tension between them. All the little things Toven says that give us glimpses into his motivations and what he is feeling! This is slow burn. Like slowwww burrrnnnnn. But given that this is a trilogy makes sense and I would personally rather have this than our characters getting together and then the author having to find some way to break them apart in the next book to keep things interesting. So we love a good build up and they had me so giddy and smiling at times!

I also loved a lot of our side characters and thought the atmosphere and vibes were perfect for a dark romantasy! I do have to say that while we do have a whole new world, magic system, and characters, I couldn't help myself more often than not picturing the OG characters and drawing all the parallels. It was so fun. A lot of the story was the same, but I was happy to see some changes and surprises to keep things interesting too!

I listened to a few portions of the audio alongside reading and the audio was great! I love listening to fantasies to get the pronunciations down and thought the narrator was great and the audio is a nice touch with this being told in 3rd person.

So overall I loved this book and am so excited to see what is to come! Now can I just go reread The Auction!? haha

Thank you so so much to Julie Soto, Forever Pub, and Hachette Audio for the advanced review copies!

I felt extremely lucky to get an audio ARC of Rose in Chains by Julia Soto. If you know about this book, you know it’s adapted from Dramione fan fiction. I was interested to see how effectively Soto reoriented the world and whether you could sense its origin story. Overall, by the end, I really enjoyed it.

The first 10 to 20 percent was hard to follow because the timeline kept shifting back and forth. This is a particular weakness of the audio format compared to physical reading. Additionally, there are so many characters and names to learn, and when you’re listening, it’s hard to remember and keep them straight. When you read fan fiction, you already have a history with 25 or more characters, so juggling those names is no problem. But being introduced to 10 or more completely new names over audio was overwhelming, especially with the jumps in time.

However, by the 20 percent mark, I was invested in the story and am excited to read book two.

I think the audiobook narrator did a great job. I have no notes there. Julie Soto did a good job creating a new world and making it different enough from the source material. For example, I loved that the leader of the enemy group is a woman, which was an inspired change. The magic system was a little hard to understand, but it’s difficult to know whether that was an issue with listening versus reading or with the writing itself. I love Julie Soto and will continue to read everything she writes.


Thanks to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for the ARC

Rose in Chains by Julie Soto has been one of my standout reads of the year. I went in blind, unfamiliar with its publication history or premise, and was quickly captivated by the unique plot and immersive worldbuilding. Fans of reimagined Dramione dynamics will find a lot to love here.

This novel is an atmospheric blend of dark academia, magical conflict, and slow-burn tension. It features several of my personal favorite tropes:

✨enemies-to-lovers
✨fake dating
✨slow burn romance

Possible Spoilers ahead?

The romance unfolds at a glacial pace—an intentional and rewarding choice. Hints of connection and emotional depth are shrouded in mystery, adding to the tension. Toven, the MMC, is calculated and fiercely protective—the kind of character who silently promises, “touch her and die.” Briony, our FMC, is intelligent, strategic, and powerful, yet she conceals her abilities to allow her brother to thrive. When war errupts, then tragedy strikes and all seems lost, Briony finds herself enslaved along with others of her magical order, the Evermore. Toven, from the rival Bomardi faction, buys her at auction—and with that, their complicated history and chemistry begin to resurface.

The dual timeline weaves together past and present with expert precision, revealing moments that deepen both character and story. The dialogue is sharp and compelling, and I particularly appreciated Briony’s wit and resourcefulness. She’s a heroine who truly thinks, and her strategic mind makes her both relatable and admirable.

Toven is already solidifying his place as a top-tier book boyfriend, and I eagerly await more from this world. The cliffhanger at the end will leave me thinking about this book for a very long time. It leaves off with the very thing with which the book starts.

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