How do I even begin? This book surpassed my expectations. I was drawn in very quickly, but every time I thought I knew what to expect next, something shifted.

Our FMC Briony is faced with the loss of her family, her home, and quite possibly her future. She’s forced to stay strong for those who are left while facing uncertainty and the loss of her freedom, hopes and dreams. She is strong, yet real. Stubborn, yet flexible when it is necessary. Watching her continue to fight even after being sold to an enemy she is both fearful of and intrigued by was quite an adventure.

I wasn’t sure what to think of our MMC initially. It was a whole lot of push and pull with him through most of the book and I LOVED that! And now I’m so frustrated with him that I could scream, but I’m also obsessed with him!

The tension and banter between our MCs is perfection! I could feel that simmer burning beneath the surface and I was just waiting for the tether to snap! Honestly…still waiting..but I know it’s going to be worth it!

This book absolutely had me in a chokehold! I’m trying hard not to give away any spoilers, but just know that it was amazing and held such a perfect balance of mystery and intrigue while giving just enough to keep you on the edge of your seat hoping you knew what was coming next.

And that ending, while I questioned the possibility a few times, was NOT what I was expecting until it was unfolding! I NEED book 2 desperately so I can get answers because right now I have SO many questions!!

This was fun but having read the fanfic, I guess I just went in with different expectations and so it missed the mark for me! But really loved the narration :)

I loved this book and the audio was done so well. The narrator was amazing and kept me engaged with this story! I originally read the fanfic last year and I gotta say i absolutely loved this original world and the new magic system that was created. The changes that were made had me absolutely SHOOK and now it feels like a completely new story which I appreciate. I cannot wait to see where it goes!

We love bad ass female lead characters. This one was a good read. I’d recommend to others. Thank you to NetGalley for this arc in exchange for ah honest review.

I, like most, couldn’t wait for this book’s release and so happy I chose the audiobook version to review. Knowing this book originated as a dramoine fanfic, made listening 10x better. The female narrator had a perfect Hermoine tone that was very relaxing and grasped my attention from the start. I have no critiques for the narration but wished the story had more burning for the slow burn or more details in the pinning for one another.

I'm a big audiobook girlie so I was really glad to get an ALC of this!

I did overall really enjoy the audio and story. The end of the audio really hooked me and I ended up finishing the last 30% in one sitting. I'm hit or miss with British narrators and usually have to listen to audios slower to make sure I'm understanding what is happening.

Julie Soto is one of my auto-buy authors and while I did not read the fanfic that this originated from, I did like the story. The end made me really excited for the next book too!

This book!!!!!!!! Quite literally one of my favorite fantasies from this year. I LOVED everything about it. The magic system, the politics, the world building, the insane chemistry between Briony and Toven. Everything about this story was so original and unique. I cannot wait for the 2nd installment.

Wow. What a FANTASTIC debut fantasy this was. I am completely blown away. And omg, that cliffhanger.

After the fall of her brother and kingdom, Briony Rosewood is captured and sold into servitude to the highest bidder. Unfortunately for her, Toven Hearst, a former classmate and adversary, became her captor. As Briony learns how to navigate life anew as a prisoner, she discovers that there is a bigger plot afoot. And perhaps her jailers are more like protectors instead.

I devoured this audiobook. It was a beautiful masterpiece. I couldn't get enough. I enjoyed the characters, but for me, the storytelling was my favorite part. Soto's writing is impeccable. I've never read anything else by her, but I have heard THE THRASHERS is just as amazing in its own right.

And omg, the world building was just insane in the best possible way. I can’t wait to see where the story goes. I'm definitely going to be reading the rest in the trilogy. My only regret was not being able to listen to it all in one sitting as I was sick last week and took a break from. Reading to rest up.

If you love dark romantasy with strong world building, a badass FMC, and are not afraid of dark themes, then this is for you. 4⭐️! Thank you to Julie Soto, Hatchett Audio, and NetGalley for sending me an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This felt like another take on Manacled to me. The first 50% especially have many similar elements to the storyline. It is most definitely a slow burn, and maybe just a bit too slow for me. I’m sure we’ll learn more about motivations in future books but I’m not sure how much I believe Toven and his heart of gold as a character. Also the names drove me crazy a little bit. Reighven? Really?

*after a quick search on GoodReads I have come to learn that this is an adapted Dramione fanfic. I’m a little upset- I now want to go back and read that! With that information I am impressed by the world building of the kingdoms and heart vs mind magic. The Harry Potter characters have such backstory behind them you can relate to, but starting from ground zero is no easy feat.


The flashbacks left a little something to be lacking. I would have loved to learn more about Rory and Briory’s relationship growing up. As well as more about the prejudice between the two kingdoms. Seems wild they were still going to school together despite this being some kind of insurance policy.

Julie Soto delivers another emotionally rich story in Rose in Chains, weaving her signature slow-burn romance with layered character development that pulls you in from the start. The protagonists are compelling and complicated, their chemistry palpable, and their personal growth as satisifying as fans have come to expect from Soto's writing.

While the emotional arc is strong, the magic system occasionally felt underdeveloped and confusing, leaving questions that detracted slightly from the otherwise immersive world. Still, the story moves at a brisk, engaging pace. I found myself flying through the pages, eager to know what came next.

Despite the hiccups in the world-building, Rose in Chains is a compelling read that promises even more to come. I'll definitely be picking up book two, hopeful that the magical elements will deepen and clarify as the series unfolds.

The audiobook narrator was incredible and really drew in the reader to a more immersive experience.

Thank you NetGalley and Forever for the eAudiobook ALC! Rose in Chains follows Briony as she struggles to face life as it now is. Her brother, the chosen one, has been defeated. The resistance has failed. Now, Villainy rules. Briony is taken in by her enemy (who she's also always been drawn to), Tovin Hearst. And for those like Briony, the future looks grim as they become little more than an object and source of power, but could help be closer than she thinks? Can she find a way to persevere and safe her kingdom? Ella Lynch gives a powerful performance and helps to bring Briony and the world to life. This is book one in the Evermore trilogy.

3.5 stars.
I felt the book was a slow start, there was a lot which I wasn't sure was needed.
I also felt it should have been sold as dystopian because that theme isn't for everyone.
The book had some really great sections to it, I liked some of the characters and the development of them throughout the book, I liked the idea of heart and head magic. I thought the chapter about the threading of memories was SO good.
However there were too many characters to keep up, I felt like the fantasy was just thrown in at times and didn't really have a point.
I feel the audiobook let it down on my side as well, I should have read the physical copy!

Fantastic romantasy by Julie Soto!!! 🖤💜🖤

Many thanks to NetGalley and Hachette for the arc audiobook in exchange for my honest review!

Rose in Chains is a dark, intense and emotional story. It's full of slow-burn romance, politics, scheming and a unique magic system. The world building is fantastic! The dual timeline structure that we get through the flashbacks shows so many pieces of Briony and Toven's story from the beginning. It's one of my favorite parts. The characters are both broken but brave in their own ways and their forbidden longing for each other in the midst of a world in chaos and political intrigue makes for a fantastic read.

✔️ Unique magic system
✔️ World-building
✔️ Dark
✔️ Slow-burn romance
✔️ Strong female friendships
✔️ Morally grey MC
✔️ Complex family dynamics
✔️ Politics
✔️ Scheming
⚠️Cliffhanger (#1 in a trilogy)

Thank you to NetGalley, Julie Soto, and Hachette Audio for the advanced copy of this.

“Rose in Chains” is the first book in The Evermore Trilogy by Julie Soto. It is a dark romance fantasy novel, where the protagonist Briony Rosewood gets captured and is sold into slavery. Briony gets stripped of her freedom and magic, as she gets sold at an auction to Toven Hearst. As Briony comes to terms with her new role, she starts having unexpected feelings for her captor, Toven. Meanwhile we learn more about the war happening and that all hope may not be lost.

Let's get the hard part out of the way, listening to the audio version of this was unbearable. I couldn't do it. I got through part 1 and gave up and finished the rest when my physical copy came. The narrator has a nice enough voice, but there was not enough change in inflection for me with different characters and with so much happening in the first part, it got confusing. I know others have said the opposite and loved the narrator, it just wasn't for me.

To continue about Part 1, it's tough. The author does a wonderful job of giving trigger warnings at the beginning of the book which was greatly appreciated, however I still wasn't prepared for all that happened. Not the author's fault by any means!! I'm just saying, some serious and dark things happen, especially within Part 1, and I was afraid I'd DNF this book.

Now, to the positive! Part 2 began and a switch flipped! There were still dark elements and tough things to read, however we really got to know Briony, the FMC, and Toven, the MMC. I loved the way Julie set up the world and the flashbacks where we discover more of her history with Toven and the war. The tension between Briony and Toven and the painful slow burn was everything I didn't know I needed and more! Briony's character could be so smart and yet so stupid at times which was frustrating and entertaining. As soon as the book ended I knew I wanted and needed more of them. I absolutely loved Toven, and the way he protected her, as well as his family. He wasn't what I was expecting at all and I think that was what made me love this book so much.

It ended up being one of my only 5 star reads of this year so far and I already want to read it again because I miss Toven. I highly recommend this book and as for the audio version, I just don't think it was for me but check it out and decide for yourself.

What a wonderful start to a new romantacy world. I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this but I was very pleasantly surprised. I thought the world building was well done with just a few minor points that gave me pause/lead to some unresolved questions. But that didn’t deter from me imagining this universe and the people within. There are a lot of characters but overall I as able to keep track of who was who….now the secrets they all have, that’s a bigger puzzle to try to figure out! I’m looking forward the upcoming books to get those sorted.
As for Briony and Toven – oh boy what an interesting relationship they have! Definitely a slow slow burn with this one, and again lots of secrets keeping them from fully delving into their feelings. But again looking forward to see how this relationships builds and grows in the upcoming books.
I was lucky enough to receive a ALC and I have to say the narrator, Ella Lynch, provided an extra punch to help bring this story to life. Her ability to alter her voice to distinguish between al of the characters, including the male characters was amazing! I hope she’s able to narrate the upcoming books!
It’s been a few days since I finished reading Rose In Chains and I’m still thinking about it. The epilogue was quite intriguing and I will be waiting on pins and needles for the next installment!

Let's not deny that, while some of this is fun, it had a tendency to drag.

There have long been tensions between Evermore and Bomard, which even their attempts at diplomatic relations have failed to calm, including educating their children collectively. As such, Briony Rosewood has spent more time than she'd ever wish to with those who could succeed her father to rule. In the meantime, she's content to be quietly supporting her twin brother, Rory, until he is needed to lead Evermore.

Cue an overthrow of power, a years-long conflict and a palace attack, all leading to a series of humiliations, a human auction and a lot of hanging around a fancy house, with protagonist and reader alike wondering what is happening.

It's good that this book is incredibly slow-paced and loves a flashback, or it would be lacking in page length. What plot there is carries this one as the writing style is consistently heavy-handed, for example, every villain (bar Toven) loves to tell their captive what they plan to do and why. It isn't done to be menacing, or creepy, or to intimidate; it's simply to convey plot, not character. There are some awful events in this story, but they don't feel as such.

This is a well-produced audiobook, with a quality sound recording throughout. Lynch has clear vocal tone and intonation. The delicate tone of her voice suits the narration and perspective of the protagonist, perfectly befitting her naivety and youth. It does, however, somewhat lack range- especially for all the male characters- and drama, which would have suited the moments of high action or other conflict.

This was fun!! A much anticipated release!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook ARC! :)

I wanted to love this story so much, but sadly, I just couldn’t connect to the story. I had to DNF at 50%. I just could sludge through any more. I’m not sure exactly why? The premise intrigued me, but the delivery fell short. I love dark romances, but I found myself dreading listening. I thought the narrator did a great job. I think that’s why I lasted so long. I will definitely try a different book by this author in the future. The writing was good and the conflict was definitely there. I think this book just wasn’t for me. I received this book from Hachette Audio and Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

First I want to review based on this piece alone— I have been a fan of Julie’s previous works and enjoyed in the romance books how it switches between past and present— however in the fantasy setting this made it feel harder to follow as I did not feel as connected to the characters or the world being built.

I wanted more in the world building with the different types of magic being set up.

I personally wasn’t the biggest fan of the audio work on this one as there would be times it was engaging and other times that it couldn’t capture my attention— this might have been also because it would get like a “tin” sound affecting the quality of the audio? But I found myself having to repeat sections to capture missed story and dialogue. The voice actor did a good job of portraying the characters meant to be loathed.

Now to address the IP situation—I have not read the FF piece of this but having been familiar either the IP it refers to, I can see how this piece is different than that— however the marketing of this work tying it to the IP should have been separated because it could have stood on its own as a fantasy story if the backgrounds were further fleshed out.

Because this was so tied to the IP in marketing and with so many trans folks and others speaking out about how harmful the IP continues to support the original author of that IP— I will not be reviewing this/promoting on other platforms. I had listened to this prior to learning what I know now and will not promote this book further. Thank you.

Unfortunately! I ended up DNFing this Audiobook. The narrator didn't do it for me, and on top of that, I wasn't aware this story was based on JK Rowling‘s Harry Potter.

Thank you, NetGalley and Hachette Audio | Forever for the Audiobook.