3.5/5⭐️

I love that Dramione fan fics are becoming novels! I never read The Auction, BUT Rose In Chains was good! I read Manacled and it has similar aspects, and has an overall darkness, but I would love to read more to see how they compare.

This was my first Julie Soto novel, and the writing was absolutely beautiful! It was done so well and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

There was a fun revelation at the end and a bit of a cliffhanger, which left it open for book 2. I will definitely be reading it when it comes out!

The only thing I feel like the book lacked was romance. It was slow burn-ish? But I still felt like the Toven didn’t really even like Briony. Even though we alllll know they’ll end up together. I wish there was a bit more connection on that, but maybe I’m book 2 it’ll pick up more?

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for the ARC (audiobook) in exchange for my review.

I am not a huge fantasy person, but I am trying to read a little each month so I can hopefully get more into it. I absolutely loved this. I need the next book now. The main characters have magic. We are dealing with two different types of magic. Mind and heart magic. The main characters are supposed to be enemies, but both secretly like each other. All of it was fascinating. Since I am fairly new to fantasy, I don't know the proper terms and descriptions. Just know the book is great and it will leave you wanting more.

ALC Review
Thank you so much NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ALC of one of my most anticipated reads of the year!

Rose in Chains is the beginning of an adult fantasy trilogy about what happens in a world where the dark forces win the war, and questioning yourself if there’s the slightest possibility of hope in such a world.

This book was so much darker than I expected, and I mean that in a good way, but I believe it’s really important to mention to check the trigger warnings, because the book gets into some heavy and traumatic situations that can be difficult to read. I will admit it was a little slow paced, but it just made it great to actually get introduced to this world, and also makes you desperate for more in the next books of the series. There was amazing tension and character building, and a really interesting magic system. It was also incredibly steamy.
I love Julie Soto’s writing, she just has a way of transporting you to the story and makes you feel every emotion. I was constantly experiencing this sensation that there are hundreds of secrets and hidden meanings that I couldn’t understand, that there’s something you can’t quite grasp, but it’s also the point of the story, because that’s how Briony is feeling, and all we get so far is her point of view.
I really need the next book after that cliffhanger, but I would also love to get so much more of the politics and magic system of this world.
Something else I would like to point out is the amazing narration we get from Ella Lynch. Her performance was espectacular, and added so much depth to the character of Briony and her story.

Rose in Chains is, in my opinion, a horror fantasy, Dramione-based, and honestly I think that is the core problem. Dramione assumes readers know HP, but RIC decides to devote chapters to how Tovan and Briony were lab partners in agonizingly slow flashbacks. The chapters that do not reflect their time at the magical school NOT called Hogwarts instead focus on Briony's ubervaluable virginity, forced sterilization, and incels ruling the world. Most of this is extremely uncomfortable to read, and by the end there were not enough answers and development to justify the pages I endured more than read. I don't understand the hype with this one. I liked reading The Thrashers by Soto more than this. I wish I had a Kindle to get a word count on the number of times "collarbone" shows up. I'd estimate it at more than 30?
As far as representation goes, a character is ridiculed for being suspected of homosexuality resulting in the character exhibiting anger and shame. It is described in this way with zero character development. I will sadly not be continuing this series.
A note about the audiobook: the narrator was not for me, but I'm not sure if that experience is tainted by my dislike for the content.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this ARC.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Releasing July 8th, 2025!

Content Warnings: explicit sexual content, mentions of non-consensual sex, sexual assault, sexual assault of a POV character, buying and selling of humans into captivity, forced sterilization, forced termination of a pregnancy, minor character deaths, suspense and violence, torture and gore

Briony Rosewood is captured by the enemy when her castle is overrun. The dark forces of Bomard have won the war and Briony’s brother, the one who was supposed to save them, is dead. The Eversuns will enter servitude, imprisonment or death. Briony and the other survivors are auctioned off and she is sold to Toven Heasrt, the person who is her long-time infatuation. His family is ruthlessly ambitious and will use her in any way possible to further their own interests.

This is one of my most anticipated releases of 2025, so I was SCREAMING when I saw I was approved for the audiobook ARC. I crushed this book in four days and I am so excited to talk about it. Typically I am not a fantasy reader. I am very selective about which ones I pick up because I really want to be enjoying what I am reading. I loved Julie Soto’s two romance books, so when she began branching out into thriller and fantasy, I knew I wanted to try it, but I was very nervous. Rose in Chains has a lot of hype and excitement surrounding it, so I was really hoping to like it.

And I did!

I will say that I think I was expecting something a lot darker. This does have its dark moments and I really felt that during the first 30% of this book, but the book ended up not being what I was expecting. Now this book did start off as fanfiction and I can definitely see the comparisons to the original work that it was fanfic for, but I personally felt that there were enough differences for this to stand on its own.

This is the first book in a trilogy, so I was expecting it to end on a cliffhanger. I think some people would consider it a cliffhanger ending, but I was fine with it. There will definitely be so much more to get from the remainder of this trilogy. I definitely have a little bit of my own theory going on as well, so I am excited to see if I am correct.

As far as the audiobook is concerned, I think it was done well. The female narrator did a good job with Toven's voice as well, which is always a big thing for me. It also helped me understand what accents these characters have, which is always helpful. While I think the audiobook is good as is, I think it would be amazing if it was dual narrated. I know it costs more, but this book has so much hype and excitement that I think it would be worth it.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It’s not a LOVE, but it was definitely good and kept me entertained. I am giving it 4 stars. I am such a big fan of Julie and am so excited to see what else she releases, including the next books in this series.

I was luck enough to be able to get the audiobook of this book, it was slow to start honestly but as I kept listening I got sucked in and quite enjoyed it. I wouldn't really call this a enemies to lovers because that's like nonexistent with how Toven basically reject briony at every chance he gets and lets her know his dislike for her although he desires to keep her safe for what reason I don't know the story was very push and pull but in the end I quite like it and am eager to see where it goes.

Rose in Chains by Julie Soto

Briony Rosewood always knew her life would never truly be her own. As the ever-loyal sister to her twin brother Rory, the kingdom’s heir, she was raised to be a pawn for peace. But when war rips her world apart, Briony is silenced, captured, and sold to the highest bidder. To her shock, the man who wins her at auction is none other than her old school crush, and sworn enemy, Toven.

Forced to stay on the premises, Briony must fight the system from within and find a way to save the people she loves most.

The magic system in Rose in Chains is intriguing and easy to follow. This is a darker fantasy that touches on themes which may be triggering for some readers, so I recommend checking content warnings beforehand.

Rose in Chains is an absolute 5-star read for me. The court intrigue is masterfully done, and the tension between Briony and Toven had me completely hooked from start to finish.

I’d rate the narration 3.5 out of 5 stars, at times it was difficult to catch every word and I had to rewind certain parts, but the story itself made it so worthwhile.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read Rose in Chains early. I can’t wait to see what Julie Soto writes next!

Omg! Thank you so much for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I read and loved The Auction so I wasn't sure what to expect about this. I thought Julie did an excellent building the backstory so that you could feel the longing between the characters. Initially I had some trouble differentiating a few characters but as it went I was able to keep up.

The narrator was not my favorite initially because her voice was a little whiny and privileged sounding. It started to work for the character as the story progressed.

My biggest issue with the rewrite is that it's just not very clear why there is this big divide between the two types of magic. It seems like anyone who wants to be powerful would use both as they have different strengths.

There's also a big scene from The Auction that wasn't included but I was surprised that a lot of the darkness and grittiness of the original remained.

I'll review in IG closer to release.

Julie Soto...THE WOMAN THAT YOU ARE! Thank you so much to Hachette Audio for the alc in exchange for an honest review. This is one of my most anticipated reads of 2025 and I was sad not to get approved for the arc, but this girl was screaming in the Frankfurt airport when I received my alc approval.

I have to start by saying that I have not read The Auction, the fanfic that inspired Rose in Chains. But just knowing how Julie Soto writes, I knew I would love this. And oh boy did I. This is my perfect romantasy book wrapped up into a lovely, but also deadly, package. Not having read The Auction, I was not prepared for the darker themes of this book, but that made it so much more complex in nature. And the tension in this book...the MF TENSION!! Absolute perfection. It was a taut string that threatened to rip at the slightest touch, but could also cut like the sharpest knife. Their relationship between our main characters Briony and Toven was fraught with complicated emotions given the nature of their arrangement, but I was foaming at the mouth for all of it. Julie Soto could have me eating out of her damn hand for more of these two. Briony's wit and sharp mind was the perfect compliment to Toven's cold and ruthless exterior, especially once she found her confidence. The political climate between the two warring countries kept things interesting and really drove the plot, but we still got enough of that perfect slow burn that I absolutely adore. I'm not sure how long I shall be expected to wait for the next installment, but I fear it will be too long for my little heart to endure 🥲

Y’all, this book has destroyed me and it’s not even published yet. Let the countdown to July 8 begin! 😅 Rose in Chains was beautifully written by Julie Soto and narrated by Ella Lynch. As a fan of Julie Soto’s other books, this release was one of my highly anticipated 2025 reads and it did not disappoint. It took me a bit to hit my groove as there is a lot of world building in this and I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss any details. That being said, by roughly 20% of the way in I was so hooked! Rose in Chains has magic, familiars, dual timelines, yearning (oh the yearning!), forced proximity, and a morally grey MMC you’ll find yourself rooting for. This is a great read if you enjoy magical elements, slow burn stories, and Julie Soto! There are content warnings so please take care and review them before reading. Thank you to NetGalley & Hachette Audio for the early audiobook of Rose in Chains. ⛓️ 🥀

At this point, I'll read anything Julie Soto writes. She has killed it in every genre she's done so far and I'm obsessed with her writing.

And I'm obsessed with this book!

I wouldn't describe this book as fast paced - Julie Soto manages to create tension, allowing the plot to unfold with what I would describe as easy to follow world building with some flashbacks thrown in. For someone who is not the biggest fan of flashbacks, these were nicely done and helped us to understand Toven and Briony's relationship throughout the years, along with the deteriorating relations between the two Kingdoms.

Rose in Chains manages to intertwine political intrigue and a simmering rebellion whilst teasing us with a slow-burn of an enemies-to-not-quite lovers romance.

I was concerned I wouldn't enjoy the darker aspects of the novel but Julie Soto really handles it well and I absolutely adore Toven. I am dying at how dense Briony is... think everyone can see the man is obsessed with her whilst she just remains confused.

The audiobook was fabulous and the narrator managed to bring Briony to life for me. Would highly recommend the audiobook!

Can't wait for book 2, I have so many questions! I need more Toven and I need to see the women in this book get their revenge after the shit the men put them through.

This was incredible and so addictive, I spend all my weekend reading this book, I coulnd't stop.

The pacing of this book was inmaculate, the tension between the main characters was chef's kiss. Julie Soto knows how to write romance, no doubt about it. If you love enermies to lovers, force proximity and slow burn tropes you are gonna love this book.

The narration of this book was incredible. It took me a while to get used to it but once I did couldn't stop listening to it - I read it almost in one sitting. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook!

I can't wait for book two!!!

I definitely recommend pre-ordering this book, don't miss out!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for providing me with an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

I am not sure where to start or what to say about this one! I am obsessed, this book was so good. I listened to the audio and found myself listening every chance I got and getting really mad when I had to stop listening to recharge my headphones. I went into this book completely blind and I think that is the best way.

This book is dark and emotional and thrilling all at once. Briony and Toven are on opposite sides of a war, Briony's father and brother have been killed and she has been captured to be sold at auction. Toven is the one who buys her. The story is told in 2 timelines, the present where Toven and Briony are enemies and on opposite sides of a political conflict and the past where they were both students at a magical school. There is so much tension between Briony and Toven, that the past chapters really helped understand where that tension comes from.

Briony has been through so much trauma, but she is able to hold on to her humanity. She sees unspeakable things done to her people at the hands of their captors and she has to stay silent while it happens. She is constantly trying to balance her own survival with her values. She is determined and such a fighter.

Toven is what morally grey characters are made of! He seems to have an agenda when it comes to Briony, though he won't tell her what it is. The more time she spends with his family, the more she realizes not everything is as it seems. The tension between these two is so good, and although very little happens between them romantically, the part they have to play really adds to the tension!

The magic system and world building is so good throughout this story, you have heart magic versus mind magic, magical bonds, forbidden powers and all of it happening with the backdrop of a brutal setting and political structure.

This book does deal with some very dark themes, human trafficking, sexual slavery, sexual assault and violence and hose parts were very hard to read.

The audiobook is narrated by Ella Lynch and she does such an incredible job with this story. She made Briony's emotions feel real, I felt her fear and her trauma as well as her anger and confusion. She made the tension between Briony and Toven come to life. It was perfect!

I am so excited that there will be 2 more books, the ending of this one was 🤯 and I am not sure what I am going to do with myself while waiting for book 2.

Thank you to Hachette Audio, Forever and Netgalley for my ALC of this book.

Thank you to Hachette Audio and Forever for the ALC of this title.

OMG! OMG! OMG
Please Julie Soto, give us book 2 soon. We beg you to take mercy on us readers.

I could make an entire love review on how talented Julie Soto is at every genre. Romance, Thrillers, and now fantasy. This book is so addictive and so well thought out. It is the slowest of slow burns that ever burned, which I don't typically enjoy but Julie Soto can make a shoulder brush feel sexy.
This book doesn't sugarcoat war, hostages, and entails a human auction with highest bidding going for the royal blood of the MFC, Briony. Her magic is powerful, but she has had to keep it under wraps to not outshine the heir to the throne, her brother. Her entire family has been ripped aways from her and she is at the mercy of her childhood nemesis, Toven. Women are treated like playthings and sex trafficking is highlighted for the first half of the book, so check your TW and protect your mental wellbeing before going into this one.

As a reader, you don't know who you can trust, what side we should be rooting for and if any of what we believe is true.


Julie Soto is masterful in weaving two timelines together, giving us just enough, but not enough at the same time. This book will absolutely leave you wanting more.

In the shadows where hope flickers faintly, Rose In Chains weaves a tale of resilience, dark enchantment, and forbidden love. 🌑✨ From the very first page, the story pulls you into a world shrouded in mystery and magic, where the light struggles to shine through the darkness. Briony’s journey is both heartbreaking and inspiring, as she navigates a landscape of loss, captivity, and whispered hope. Her spirit, though battered and bound, flickers like a fragile star amid the night. 🌹🖤

What elevates this story beyond a mere fantasy is the intense enemies-to-lovers romance that blossoms amid chaos. 💘🔥 The tension between Briony and Toven crackles with fiery emotions—hatred, longing, and a slow-burning connection that defies all odds. The author masterfully explores the complexities of their relationship, transforming initial hostility into a powerful bond woven with trust and understanding. This romantic thread adds a poetic layer of vulnerability and hope to an already mesmerizing world. 🔮📖

The lyrical quality of the writing makes each scene feel like a carefully crafted poem, full of emotion and longing. 💔 Every twist and reveal deepens the magic and mystery, pulling readers into a dance of light and shadow. The romance, so beautifully developed, reminds us that even enemies can find love in the unlikeliest of places, turning hatred into something tender and fierce. ✨🌙 The author’s words evoke a sense of fragile beauty, capturing a love that blooms amid chaos and darkness. 🌹🌙

In the end, Rose In Chains is an enchanting journey that lingers long after the last page. 🌌💖 A story of shattered bonds, burgeoning courage, and a love born from enemies—reminding us that even in the darkest night, hope and passion can ignite anew. A truly poetic and captivating tale that leaves your heart yearning for more, long after the story has ended. 🌹✨

Magic, war, tensions, secrets. This book has all the makings for an amazing series! I’m so glad I was given an early release of the audio for this book from NetGalley! This is the summer for hot Romantasy new releases and this one is up at the top! 5 stars! Can’t wait for the next book!

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW

The audiobook was good, I liked the narrator.
So it's my first book based on a Dramione fanfic and I have to say it was much darker than I anticipated. This is so blatantly the first book in a series, not a lot happened I was waiting for bigger plot points to be discovered.
I love flashbacks in books so this was right up my alley. I liked Briony but it felt like she was so dense at times, how she acted with Toven sometimes...like I expected more of you, you're so smart in other areas! I kinda hated Toven for the first 40% of the book? it was very bully romance in the beginning of the book with the school flashbacks. I was a bit disappointed by the slow burn and lack of communication :'(. But I think I'll read next book just because the epilogue was really intriguing too.

Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the audiobook.

I NEED BOOK 2 LIKE RIGHT NOW.
It started with the Introduction of the Audiobook which was perfect and made me immediately intrigued. And also the Narrator voiced everything perfectly, her voice was so comforting. I also immediately fell in love with the writing style the world-building was so accessible even for me as a person that doesn’t really read fantasy that often, it was so descriptive in a really good way and easy to understand. The magic system is also an aspect of the book which I found really cool. The storyline in general was so interesting and it kept me in my toes the whole time I could never guess what happens next. This book also has some of my new favorite Characters ever like let’s just take Serena as an example she’s the most perfect woman ever how can you not absolutely love her.

Now I’m gonna talk about some things that might be spoilers so if you haven’t read the book yet go and do it right now.

Let’s just start with “the ribbon was hers” I was dying while reading this I could not stop giggling and kicking my feet at this.
And also the scene where they’re about to go into each others minds, not the actual scene where he was in her mind but the whole thing before was probably one of the hottest things i’ve ever heard this killed me in the best way possible ( and also “show me” in this just wow)
“Don’t wowy” also had me screaming I was so in shock I couldn’t believe it I actually had to take a break.
And the ending was also so crazy like what, the dragon that veronica wanted hid Rory the whole time actually took me out, the way she actually wanted to bond to him is just wow I need to know what’ll happen or i’ll die.

Audiobook review. I had to drag myself through this audiobook and was never drawn to complete it. However as it was an ARC, I felt I should give it a chance and finish it rather than dnf.
I did not enjoy this book, at any stage.

World building;
It felt like you were thrown sideways into the story and little to no world building to set the scene. This made the book feel like it was a sequel to some other book which might have set the scene. Alas, this is book one.

Characters;
The FCs are all meek and shrill. All equally annoying and I really couldn’t tell them all apart at the start. later on only Bryony stood out, the rest were a blur to me. Were there two or were there twenty? Hard to tell as they all blended into one.
The MCs; vile. I do not understand the fascination with this type of toxic male character

Probably multiple trigger warnings to be aware of before heading in to this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hatchette Audio for the ARC

I wanted to love this one so so badly. I knew going in that it was a Dramione fanfic which was what sparked my initial interest. That, and Julie Soto. Unfortunately, this one didn’t really work for me for two reasons. Number 1, the whole then and now premise was super confusing and didn’t feel smooth for the story. Julie Soto has done this previously in one of her contemporary books and it worked super well, but I feel this way of writing made her story feel convoluted and confusing. Additionally, I felt very overwhelmed by the amount of characters involved. Some of this was 100% my fault because I found myself trying to work out in my brain who was who from the HP world.

I think I’m going to reread it in the near future and really focus on listening and paying attention specifically when it comes to the characters. I think I had the opportunity to enjoy this, so I am going to re listen in the near future to understand what is happening better,

Oh, and I loved the audiobook!