I'd say prepare for this to be my entire personality, but I am fully aware that it already is.

I adore the original fic, and I adore this book. I loved the worldbuilding and the flashbacks to school. I was absorbed this entire book and I cannot wait to continue this series.

☆4 stars☆

✩₊˚.⋆Pros⋆⁺₊✧

❀Lyrical, emotional writing
The prose is beautiful and flows naturally, with an emotionally resonant tone that lingers. Perfect for readers who love poetic, character-driven storytelling.

❀Outstanding audiobook narration
The voice acting is deeply expressive, capturing fear, love, and joy with nuance. The accent and emotional delivery enhance the story’s impact and make the world feel immersive.

❀Unique magic system
A lovely take with mind magic and heart magic that influences emotion, memory, and connection. It’s central to the conflict and has plot-driven value.

❀Dual timelines create suspense
The story alternates between present-day and flashback chapters, deepening the mystery and emotional stakes. The past timeline can be even more gripping than the present.

❀Tense political and emotional conflict
Set in a war-torn world with a rigid caste system, the stakes feel real. There’s tension not just between characters, but within the entire magical society.

❀Morally complex characters
Characters are shaped by trauma, power, and survival. Their motives are layered, and their roles in the plot remain intriguing throughout.

❀Mystery-driven character arcs
The book doesn’t hand you everything upfront — you’re invited to uncover who the characters really are through their pasts and choices.

❀Worldbuilding through emotion, not exposition
The world is richly atmospheric without being overly explained. It lets readers feel the setting rather than just read about it.

❀Strong "power couple" energy
Even if the romance isn’t fully convincing emotionally, the dynamic between the main couple works well in terms of power and plot alignment.

✩₊˚.⋆Cons⋆⁺₊✧

❀Romance feels Forced
The emotional connection between the main couple isn’t fully developed, and their love may feel unearned to some readers despite the strong plot connection.

❀Slow pacing at times
The story takes its time building atmosphere and tension, which might frustrate readers looking for fast action or quick relationship development.

❀The magic system isn’t fully fleshed out
While interesting, the rules and mechanics of the magic system remain abstract.

❀Character development is gradual
If you prefer characters who are deeply fleshed out early on, this book may feel emotionally distant or hard to connect with. There is a lot more of perception or guessing who they are.

❀Emphasis on tension over intimacy
The physical tension drives the plot more than more or so, actual romantic intimacy.

❀It can feel disjointed for readers who want linear storytelling
The dual timelines and layered mystery might feel disorienting to those who prefer straightforward, linear plots, but still not hard to follow along because of the beautiful writing.



✦This book was amazing. You can definitely tell it’s a rewritten version of the Harry Potter fanfic The Auction, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. While the original fanfic had more extensive world-building, it relied heavily on J.K. Rowling’s existing universe and was noticeably darker in tone. In contrast, Rose in Chains is far better paced and introduces a reimagined magic system that feels fresh and original.
✦The magic system, in particular, is a standout. It blends "mind magic" and "heart magic," both of which have unique and fascinating traits. The system isn't just aesthetic; it plays a crucial role in the plot and is central to the story’s initial conflict. It’s woven deeply into the characters’ identities and emotional journeys, which gives the story a satisfying sense of cohesion and purpose.
✦The writing is absolutely beautiful. The prose flows with a rhythm that feels soothing yet emotionally impactful; it’s the kind of writing you feel in your chest. If you listen to the audiobook, the experience is elevated even further. The narration is exceptional, perfectly fitting the tone of the story. The narrator's voice trembles not only in fear but also in love and joy, enhancing the emotional resonance of each scene. Her accent and delivery made the world feel more vivid and alive. I could feel everything by how she spoke, but it never became too hard to understand.. I never felt lost while reading or listening. The audio quality is impeccable. The combination of Julie Soto’s writing and the voice acting made the story feel truly magical.
✦The dual timeline structure was especially interesting. At times, the flashback storyline became even more compelling than the present. This worked well overall because, while the main story is nicely paced, the romance did feel a little rushed. I couldn’t fully pinpoint why the characters fell in love. The emotional foundation felt underdeveloped. Still, their relationship served the plot in powerful ways and was beautifully executed in parts. I’m hopeful that the sequel will dive deeper into their emotional growth.
✦That said, I was deeply invested in the wartime arc and the political tension of the second half. The character dynamics and how their pasts tied into the larger conflict were incredibly compelling. This book thrives on tension, not so much from the characters' personalities alone, but from how their choices and histories echo across timelines. The world itself is also stunning, enhanced by Soto’s vivid, charismatic writing.
✦The characters are morally complex, but not in a cold or detached way. Their choices reflect their values and upbringings, creating a strong connection between past and present. Rather than focusing on learning everything about them upfront, the book lets you slowly piece together who they are, which kept me thinking and questioning throughout. I wasn’t always trying to "know" them; I was trying to understand their roles and motivations.
✦As for the romance, it wasn't my favorite aspect, but I did love the "power couple" dynamic. Even if their emotional bond felt a bit forced at times, their shared purpose and presence in the plot made them feel undeniably connected.

Final Thoughts:
✦While Rose in Chains can feel slow at times and doesn’t always delve deeply into character development upfront, it invites the reader to engage, to wonder, to guess, and to emotionally invest. It’s a story that builds tension beautifully and lets its magic system and political backdrop shine.
✦The romance may feel rushed, but the writing is vivid, the world is hauntingly beautiful, and the audiobook narration is easily one of the best I’ve ever heard.
✦If you're drawn to emotionally complex fantasy with layered timelines, subtle world-building, and immersive prose, this book might be exactly what you're looking for.



˚ʚTropesɞ˚
♡Enemies to Lovers
♡Trauma Bonding
♡Dual Timelines
♡Secret Identity / Hidden Agendas
♡Caste System / Magic Class Divide
♡Rebel vs Ruler
♡Wartime
♡Regency Vibes
♡Tension Over Intimacy
♡Narrator Knows More Than You

(Instagram)
This book was amazing. You can tell it’s a reimagining of the Harry Potter fanfic The Auction, but that’s not a bad thing. While the original relied on Rowling’s world and had a darker tone, Rose in Chains is better paced and features a fresh, original magic system. The magic system is made of mind and heart magic, which is a highlight. It’s unique, plot-critical, and deeply tied to the characters’ emotional arcs. The writing is beautiful, with prose that flows and hits emotionally. The audiobook enhances this further; stellar narration brings the story to life, adding depth through voice, tone, and feeling. I never felt lost, and the emotion came through clearly. The dual timeline added richness. At times, the past storyline was more compelling than the present. While the romance felt a bit rushed and emotionally underdeveloped, it still served the plot well. I hope the sequel gives their bond more depth. The wartime arc and political tension in the second half were incredibly engaging. The story thrives on emotional tension and how the characters’ pasts ripple into the present. The characters are morally complex, shaped by upbringing and circumstance. The book doesn't lay them out all at once; you discover them over time, which keeps you engaged and guessing. The romance wasn’t the strongest part, but I appreciated the power couple vibe. Their shared goals and roles gave their relationship weight, even if the emotional spark needed more build-up.





. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁Thank you so much to Hachette Audio, Forever, and Julie Soto for the incredible opportunity to listen to and review this book in audio format. I had an amazing time. I truly loved the writing. I'm so grateful to have been a part of this experience!. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁

Thank you to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for providing me with a free digital copy of this audiobook

I am a huge fan of Julie Soto's contemporary romance but have not read any of her fanfic so I was unfamiliar with this story before reading. I was not fully prepared for how dark it would be and I think readers need to take the trigger warnings seriously.

All that being said, I find the book to be difficult at times but still captivating. The magic system was interesting, the world and characters were complex and intriguing. I'd recommend it to readers who enjoy dark fantasy romance. That's not usually me, but I can appreciate a well crafted story

Additionally, I think the audiobook production was great! I really enjoyed the narrator even though I usually prefer physical books over audiobooks.

Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Series rating: TBD
Spice: 🌶🌶
Would I recommend? Yes, BUT check TW.
Representation? Not that I remember.
Trigger warnings? There are some dark elements that include sexual slavery and trafficking. Non-con and sexual violence are main triggers, including r*pe, assault and unwanted contact. Unwanted contact does happen to the MC but the majority of the non-con happens to side/background characters. Other triggers may include: forced sterilization, PTSD, grief of a sibling and mentions of suicide.

Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for letting me listen to the audio ARC of Rose in Chains by Julie Soto. The following review is my own opinion.
__

In a refreshing twist on the classic good-versus-evil trope, Rose in Chains opens in a world where evil has already won. Main character, Briony Rosewood, is captured when her kingdom falls to the very kingdom her love interest, Toven Hearst, belongs to. Following capture, Briony is sold at an auction and bought by ... not the love interest ... but wait, there's more. Cue the tension.

Briony's story unfolds across two timelines: one in the present, where Briony is held captive in enemy territory, and another in her past, when she trained at a magical academy during the fragile peace between kingdoms. Through the past, Julie Soto does a remarkable job of showing Briony's relationships, particularly with Toven and her twin brother, Rory, while mirroring it to the present day.

I loved the magic system being built around the dichotomy of heart vs. mind magic. While both kingdoms technically have access to both forms, each leans toward one—offering a subtle commentary on cultural differences and identity that feels surprisingly grounded. Though the distinction between the kingdoms could have been more pronounced, the magic itself adds a lot of flavor to the world. There is also a typically hypocritical antagonist who seems to favour the opposing magic but outlaws it in her land, hmmm.

Past Briony constantly balances her desire to support her brother’s destiny with her own growing power. Her internal conflict is well-drawn, especially as she quietly ensures he shines, but as she does so she catches the attention of those around her, namely Toven, whose gaze lingers a little too long, a little too often. Whereas in present day, Toven tries to avoid Briony like the plague. Hard to do when you put her in the room next to yours mate.

That said, the audiobook may not be the best format for first-time readers. With a wide cast of characters and quite a bit of political dynamics, it was occasionally hard to keep track of who was who. I’d recommend picking up the eBook or physical copy to better immerse yourself.

Overall, I really enjoyed Rose in Chains! It wasn’t as dark as I anticipated—which was a pleasant surprise—and the emotional tension, magic system, and characters kept me hooked. I cannot wait to see where the rest of the trilogy will go.

Thank you to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for the advanced listener copy!

I read The Auction a few years ago, so this was a highly anticipated read for me. I definitely struggled at first keeping all of the characters in line because I kept trying to figure out who the HP equivalent was. I also struggled a bit with the jumping between the past and present, but I think both struggles wouldn't be an issue if I were reading this book opposed to listening to it.

Ella Lynch does a great job narrating the story and her voice really matches the vibes of when this was a dramione fic. I'm not sure if that was intentional but at times I felt she said things the way Hermione would and that was a nice touch to tie together the fic and published version.

Overall I really enjoyed the story and I can't wait to continue with the next two books! Regardless if you knew this story when it was on A03 or if this is a new story for you, I can't recommend this book enough!

Wow!! Rose in Chains delivers a gripping dark fantasy world with everything lovers of the genre will devour: lush world building, a fascinating new magic system, high stakes political maneuvers, and a tension-filled slow burn romance at its heart. Julie Soto has crafted a brilliant adaptation that will satisfy fans of The Auction with a fresh new world that makes Rose in Chains truly stand on its own for old and new readers alike. This was one of my most anticipated releases of 2025 and I’m so thrilled that it fully lived up to my sky-high expectations—five stars!!

I was fortunate to listen to an advanced audio copy, and the audio brilliantly brings the book to life. Ella Lynch’s narration is flawless, giving voice to Briony, the protagonist, and to the full cast of characters with distinct intonation, character, and accents. Her narration goes a long way towards building out the world of this novel with two warring countries, each with their own magic source and power structure. I’m so glad I got to experience Julie Soto’s Evermore/Bomard by audio and can’t wait to read the rest of the series.

I absolutely loved this narrator and the entire story. As someone who is a HUGE fan of the original work this is derived from it lived up to every expectation I had. Julie Soto's new world she has weaved is magical, and dark! I am already ready for the next one! Every moment I spent in this world had me sitting on the edge of my seat and I can't wait to see where Toven and Briony takes us in this world after the chosen one has been defeated.

Sometimes you gotta reign in those expectations to enjoy a book. Unfortunately, this is one of those moments.

I was looking forward to Rose In Chains ever since it was announced and the whole thing felt flat. I came into this without reading ANY Dramoine fanfiction, just so we’re clear.

At first, we get a lot of infodumping, a lot of characters are introduced at once. It’s hard to keep track of everybody, especially with two timelines.

The whole book I felt like I was missing something. I know this is a huge problem with fanfics turned trad pub, because fanfics are built for people familiar with the world, which doesn’t work when you’re writing a new universe.

Briony felt more like a side character for the longest time. Everything kept happening to her and even when she got information, it was swept under the rug and used as world building, not plot advancement. I am still not sure what her motivation was for 99% of RIC.

Toven, the supposed bad boy of the book, turns out to be a golden retriever in disguise. He worked so hard to buy Briony just to ignore her for the first half of their predicament.

I loved the magical writing of the novel, Julie’s writing never fails to impress me.

I will definitely pick up book two, but I was disappointed. A lot of the book was spent preparing for something, building up to something, just for it to be easily guessable information.

I did actually love the narrator, I think was able to convey Briony’s feelings really well. I did have to speed it up to 1.8x to retain my attention, but it’s probably just a personal preference.

I loved this book from start to finish!! The world building was intricate with a unique magic system, The MCs were very complex and well written. They definitely had chemistry even though they both seemed to deny it. The romance was a very slow burn. There are definitely a lot of questions I hope to have answered In the next book! The narration was well done and easy to listen to. I cannot wait for the sequel!

I am excited for a physical copy of this book, the narrator at times was fantastic and other times I got lost in the audio. Maybe the tone or accent, but it felt slightly off the mark. I do love the book and story itself.

This audiobook was perfect- I was lucky enough to receive an arc of this book, and absolutely loved it, but after listening to it as an audiobook, I think I love it even more! The narrator was everything I could have wanted for this book- she was exactly how I pictured the main character to sound. I will recommend this audiobook to everyone I know, and I will definitely be re-listening- it was Briony and Toven brought to life!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I signed up for fantasy. I got an emotional hostage situation—and I loved every second of it.”

Rose in Chains isn’t a fairytale. It’s a kingdom fallen, a girl broken, and a captor who is as terrifying as he is magnetic. I wasn’t just hooked—I was chained to every word, every sharp inhale, every bruising moment.

Briony Rosewood is a dethroned princess thrown into a brutal world where survival comes second to submission. Sold at auction, her life becomes a high-stakes game of power and restraint, and at the center of it all is Toven Hearst—the man who buys her, owns her, and somehow begins to unravel her without mercy or apology.

Toven is cruel. Commanding. Utterly obsessed. And I? I would let that man destroy me. His darkness doesn’t come with a redemption arc—it comes with tension so thick it hurts to breathe. Every interaction with Briony is laced with control, obsession, and something dangerous masquerading as care.

And Briony? She may be caged, but her spirit? Unbreakable. Watching her fight, falter, and rise again had me cheering through tears. Their dynamic isn’t sweet. It’s savage. It’s slow, simmering, and feral in the most addictive way.

🖤 Gothic fantasy vibes
🗝️ Captive x captor
🔥 Power imbalance, high tension, and razor-wire intimacy
⚠️ TWs: slavery, violence, trauma, psychological manipulation, power abuse

This isn’t a romance for the faint of heart. This is for the ones who like their love stories sharp, shadowed, and full of moral rot. The cliffhanger ruined me. I’m begging for more, bleeding for book two, and absolutely not okay.

Talk about a SLOOWWWW Burn!

Somehow such a 'dark' topic is done in a way that hooks readers, and I could not stop listening. I cannot wait to revisit this series with book #2!!!!!

Julie Soto does it again with my new favorite dark romantasy of all time. I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again, I would inject myself with Julie Sotos Ink if I could. This story was reminiscent but entirely fresh take of her fanfic “the auction”. The world building and magic system felt really unique to me, and the enemies to lovers tension was 10/10. I received the audio arc for this last week and it has become my entire personality. I would give the audio 4/5 stars. Truly magical and I’ll be rereading this story forEVERmore.

3.5 stars
I was so excited to listen to Julie Soto’s newest romantasy! The narration didn’t quite match the vibe of the book for me, but it grew on me over time. This was a really good first book of a series. The world building & magic system explanations were solid. The characters were well defined. The relationships, both good and bad, kept me invested. I look forward to the next installment!!
*Thanks to Hachette Audio & NetGalley

Rose in Chains is a romantasy novel centering around Briony Rosewood as she finds herself up for auction after her father and brother are killed in the war and evil has won. She is bought by Toven Hearst, son of a family loyal to the new power, and learns how to survive in her new situation.

This book reminded me so much of my favorite ship, Dramione, to the point I had to look up if this was one of the upcoming adaptations of popular fanfiction. And it is!! I clearly forgot about my excitement for this book and stumbled upon this eARC by accident. I love the new world building and magic system introduced in this book. I can't wait for the next book in this series to be released. My only comment is on the choice of voice for Briony. I understand that she's supposed to be young but the high pitched voice takes me out of the story at some points. 5/5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for a free ALC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own. This is a review of the audiobook.

DNF at 54%

I think this story worked as a Dramione fanfiction but was poorly written as a standalone.

The thing that fanfiction relies on is a lot of the world building already done.

The characters lacked development and I didn't see them growing or how their relationship progressed.

The world building was also done poorly. There was almost no building done. We know so little about the world and how things are structured.

At 54% I expect to be so much further along but we're still at a point where I'm unimpressed.

The narrator was alright. Since it's only a POV from Briony there was really only one voice. She didn't really do any other voices for other characters when they talked.

I really enjoyed this book, I am really looking forward to reading more of what Julie Soto has to offer for this series.

The only reason that this book wasn't a 5 star for me was that I would have liked for more fleshing out of the world building and the differences between heart and brain magic.

In regards to the narrator, I didn't love when she did the male voices, it threw me off when the narrator was any male character.

This romantasy has a unique magic system that divides a country into those who use mind magic and those who use heart magic. There's a complexity to the ruling elite. When war breaks out princess Briony is captured, stripped of her mind magic, and auctioned off to the her former swoon worthy schoolmate, Toven, a high ranking member of the enemy faction. Through flashbacks and real time, the reader learns that all is not what it seems in this high stakes world in political upheaval. The narrator, Ella Lynch has a whimsical voice that lends itself to royalty, and she is able to voice the male characters very well! I absolutely loved this and would listen to her again for sure. I was able to fully immerse in this listening experience. The way this one ended has me NEEDING book 2 and this one hasn't even officially released yet 😭 It took me a couple chapters to get fully immersed in this one, but once I did, I was hooked! This has everything I want in a romantasy: banter, rivals to forbidden lovers, political upheaval/war, elite society, secret identities, and rebellion. The spice is mild, but there is a lot of room to grow in book two. Read those trigger warnings, because this one could be a bit much for some readers.

Wow, this was amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed Not Another Love Song and The Thrashers but really did not know what to expect going into this Romantasy based off a Dramoine fanfiction. As someone who has never seen or read Harry Potter, I was uncertain if I would be able to follow or appreciate this book but I was very wrong! I would recommend this anyone, regardless of their experience with that series.

This high-stakes life-or-death, enemies-to-lovers romantasy quickly became a top read of 2025 for me so far. It was very reminiscent of Raven Kennedy's Plated Prisoner series and has about the same level of content warnings. In regard to spice, there was one very detailed "open door" scene in Chapter 32 that is easy to skip if you are uncomfortable with that.

I'm eager to reread it since the world building and political climate between the Bomard and the Eversuns was so detailed. And the cliffhanger??? Incredible. I really enjoyed that Soto brought it back to the line at the beginning of the book "Briony thought it was weird that she couldn't feel when her brother died".

I absolutely cannot wait until Book 2! Thank you for the early listening copy!